For thirty years the Music Haven Concert Series has been bringing musicians from around the world to the capital region and this year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the summer series they are also adding eight additional events, including theater and film.
The seven Sunday shows feature artists from five continents, with special guests including Eddies lifetime achievement winner Kevin McKrell on July 28th opening for Ireland’s Seamus Egan (founder of the band Solas).
Photo by Ed Conway
Music Haven is also bringing Shakespeare back to Schenectady’s Central Park with two evenings of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They will also be introducing a Broadway karaoke night, called Hamiltunes, a first of its kind event.
Along with great entertainment the concert series has great food vendors, specialty beers, ice cream and other novelties making it a treat for the whole family. It’s no wonder that Music Haven won this year’s Eddie for Concert Series of the Year for enriching the cultural experiences of the region.
2019 Concert Series (Sundays, 7 p.m.)
July 7—Raghu Dixit
Dubbed “India’s biggest cultural export” by The Guardian, Raghu Dixit’s contemporary global sound embraces elements of rock and hip hop, while rooted to India’s rich cultural heritage.
Special Guests: Crossroads—Jay Gandhi & Yacouba Sissoko
Sponsored by M&T Bank, Ellis Medicine, Fingerpaint
July 14—Casuarina
Named for the street where the band formed, Casuarina has gone from humble Rio de Janiero beginnings to rarified status as one of Brazil’s finest, sultriest Samba combos.
Special Guests: Eduardo de Carvahlo e Forró de Bom
Sponsored by Freihofer’s, The Salmon Law Firm, Goya
July 21—The Garifuna Collective
Garifuna Collective preserves traditional Caribbean coastal rhythms like Wanaragua and the semi-sacred Hungu-Hungu with turtle shells, jawbones, guitars, bass and spiritual singing.
Special Guest: Bodoma Garifuna Culture Band
Sponsored by Benchemark Printing, Ben & Jerry’s, Snapple
July 28—Seamus Egan Project
Simply put, Solas founder and multi-instrumentalist Seamus Egan is a giant in the world of Irish traditional music, and he returns to his roots with a top notch quartet.
Special Guest: Kevin McKrell
Sponsored by Galesi Group, Carlilian Foundation
Aug. 4—Thornetta Davis
Multiple award-winner “Detroit’s Queen of the Blues,” Thornetta Davis has sung her truth alongside Bonnie Raitt, Kid Rock, Bob Seeger, and a host of blues luminaries.
Special Guest: Tas Cru
Sponsored by MVP Health Care, CDTA, Rivers Casino & Resort, WEXT 97.7/106.1
Aug. 11—Cimarrón
Like the Spanish Fandango, the Colombian Joropo that Cimarrón brings from the plains of the Orinoco River, is fierce, stomping and virtuosic.
Special Guests: Sten & Maria Z.
Sponsored by FAM Funds, Bustelo Coffee, SAVI
Aug. 18—Jupiter & Okwess
Kinshasa-born “Jupiter” Bokondji’s band Okwess marries the American funk heard during his youth in Germany with the Congolese Rumba of his homeland.
Special Guests: TBA
Sponsored by Lia Auto Group, Polar Beverages, WEXT
Additional Performances (7 p.m.)
Wednesday, July 17—The Turbans—Global dance party
Thursday, July 18—Hamiltunes: An American Singalong
Thursday, July 25—Huntertones—Horn-driven jazz/funk
Friday and Saturday, July 26–27—Will Kempe’s Players: A Midsummer Night’s Dream —Shakespeare in the park
Wednesday, July 31—A Tribute to Nick Brignola—Jazz
Friday, Aug. 9—School of the Performing Arts at Proctors—Broadway Cabaret
Saturday, Aug. 10—The Schenectady Symphony Orchestra—Pops and classical
Friday, Aug. 16—Woodstock: Three Days that Defined a Generation
—Premiere screening of new PBS Documentary
