Presented by NYS Music, MFDF Funk Night is only $5 for two sets of fun(k) starting at 9pm at Nietzsche’s. Hosts Fantini and Frauenhofer bring a rotating cast of local, regional, and national artists each month for a night of improvised heavy funk.
The final funk night of 2019 is set for Thursday, December 21. Save the date!
Folkfaces will hold their second annual music fest this October 3-6 at Cherry Hill Campground in Darien Center, NY. The four-day event boasts 42 local and touring acts from a plethora of different genres, with an emphasis on original American roots music. The festival will also include vendors, food, art, workshops, games, raffles, bonfires, late-night jams, camping, yoga, and more.
The festival kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 3 with early set-up and a pre-party featuring Pennsylvania bluegrassers, the Jakobs Ferry Stragglers. Friday through Sunday, music will start at noon and run until midnight or later. Headlined by Spoon Lady and the Tater Boys, these American roots musicians are a YouTube sensation and busking extraordinaires from Asheville, NC. Abby (Spoon Lady) met up with Folkfaces on their 2018 spring tour and became fast friends. She’ll bring her spoons and some friends (The Tater Boys) to play with, and also giving a Spoons workshop.
Other notable acts on the festival bill include folk multi-instrumentalist Aaron Jonah Lewis, two sets by Adirondack freight train stringers The Blind Owl Band, NOLA buskers Yes Ma’am, delta blues-inspired slide guitarist Cristina Vane, down-home folk swingers Woody Pines, roots/Americana/old-time multi-instrumentalists Aaron Lipp & Bobby Henrie, and Finger Lakes-based bluegrassers Dirty Blanket. Not to mention, two sets from Folkfaces.
For more information on Folkfaces Fest in Darien Center, visit the event’s website or Facebook event.
Tucked away in Belmont, NY, Pollywogg Holler is an enchanting refuge away from the crazy stress of modern day society. It started out as a dream for Barb and Bill Castle in 1976 when they built a home in these magical woods for them and their three children. They wanted to establish a lifestyle in harmony with nature, and eventually opened up their property to the public so everyone could bask as well.
Every Sunday from April to mid-November is Pizza Day. The property is open to the public from 1-6 PM and provides delicious hand-made brick oven pizza, drinks and live music. Bands featured this summer include Workingman’s Dead, PA Line, Folkfaces and so much more. Check out the full lineup for the summer down below.
The music isn’t the only aspect that makes the Pollywogg Holler experience magical. When you arrive, you walk back into a breathtaking forest filled with different sculptures and art pieces. Among the beautiful art and trees are little cabins that you can reserve for a night, each one providing a unique experience. They have the ‘Sauna Loft’, which is a Finnish-style family sauna that warms a private sleeping area among the treetops. If you really want to sleep under the stars, they offer lean-to style cabins with sheer panel closures that allow you to connect with nature. You can learn more about the different style cabins and make a reservation here.
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is a legendary two-week party in the middle of winter, in the most northern part of New York State. This year’s edition, the 122nd, takes place from Feb. 1 – 10. The sometimes blustery elements of this idyllic mountain town take a backseat to celebrate the warmth of music, friends,food and fireworks. The Waterhole Music Lounge is Northern New York’s central hub for the best in live music. The venue historically has played host to a dynamic range of bands, across several genres over ten days. This year’s line up carries that tradition onward.
Over the past decade or so some of the best in hip hop, rock, and jam have played huge sets to rowdy crowds coming in off the streets after a day of parades. Some notable names include: The Ominous Seapods, Rubblebucket, Donna the Buffalo, Sophistafunk, Twiddle, Hot Day at the Zoo and so many more. This year’s lineup offers the return of Plattsburgh powerhouse and long standing Winter Carnival performers Lucid. Buffalo’s own and NYS Music 87/90 artist, Folkfaces open up the night on Feb. 2.
The Waterhole in Saranac Lake has been a big part of what makes the music scene in Upstate New York amazing, a slice of rock and roll history nestled up the mountains. The venue is a three floor experience that has seen some big time names play the stage. Del McCoury, Colonel Bruce Hampton, Gov’t Mule, Bela Fleck, moe., Leftover Salmon, Soulive, and Turkauz have all performed memorable sets here. In continuing with the tradition of bringing quality acts, this year’s line up promises to offer up those “wish I were there” sets from the artists both established and on the rise.
Other bands making the trip to grace the stage are West End Blend, Barika, Lady Moon and the Eclipse, The Gibson Brothers, The Melting Nomads, The Swampkids, Annie in the Water, Driftwood and Swampcandy. Look forward to special performances in the Downstairs bar of The Waterhole from Kevin Sabourin, Nina’s Brew and Dirty Blanket. There will be plenty of opportunities for entertainment after a day of snowshoe ultimate, skating or skiing. Grab a convenient week long pass for $65 for a discounted way to catch all the music. For more information about live music at The Waterhole check out their website.
Feb. 6 – Annie in the Water – 8 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show – $10.00
Feb. 7 – The Gibson Brothers w/s/g Old Sky – 7:30 p.m. doors, 8:30 p.m. show; $18.00 advance / $22.00 door
February 8th – Lady Moon & The Eclipse, Melting Nomads & Swamp Kids (Feat Members of Big Mean Sound Machine & Chris English) – 8:00 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show; $10.00
Feb. 9 – Post-Parade Party with The Big Takeover – 2:00 p.m. – Free Show
Feb.9 – West End Blend w/s/g Barika – 8:00 p.m. doors, 9:00 p.m. show – $10.00
