The 13th annual “Roots Picnic” will be joining , like many other concerts this summer, the virtual experience platform as an attempt to keep everyone as safe as possible while still connecting during COVID-19. The event will take place on June 27 at 8PM EST and will stream on The Roots’ youtube channel. The event will have musical acts along with speakers including Michelle Obama.
The Roots Picnic is partnered with Obama’s nonprofit, “When We All Vote” and will be helping people sign up to vote by texting viewers through a platform that targets unregistered voter. This event won’t replace the usual festival, which is still postponed, but will be additional content. Organizers of the festival urge people to, “Please stay tuned for more updates on the 2020 festival.”
The musical acts include H.E.R, Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, SZA, Kirk Franklin, Snoh Aalegra, D-Nice, Polo G, G Herbo, Musiq Soulchild, and Earth Gang. The Speakers include Michelle Obama, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, Tom Hanks, Liza Koshy, Chris Paul, Elaine Welteroth, Lin-Manual Miranda, Deon Cole, Coach K, Wallo267, and Ghetto Gastro.
RSVP to the event and for more information in the event visit the Roots Picnic website.
The American online-media-magazine Pitchfork is undergoing work stoppages in protest against the anti-union initiatives being taken by the publication and its parent company, magazine publisher Condé Nast. The stoppages also revolve around the lack of diversity within the publication and the unresponsive management to staff trying to address these issues.
The editorial staff refused to publish any new content on the website and let all social media go dark on Thursday, June 18 for four hours beginning at 9 a.m. This stoppage was done to draw attention to the targeted lay-off of senior editor Stacey Anderson, the union chair and the only senior editor who was a person of color, according to the Pitchfork’s union statement. The staff of the Pitchfork worked hard to try to find an alternative to the lay-off of Stacey Anderson and presented a plan to Condé Nast and Pitchfork management (Editor-in-Chief Puja Patel and Managing Editor Amy Phillips) as a way to keep jobs intact while achieving their target savings for this year.
Pitchfork unionized last year with the New York chapter of the Newsguild. The NewsGuild was founded back in 1933 by newspaper journalists in hopes of not only improving wages and working conditions, but to also help uphold honest and quality work from journalists and the news industry’s business practices. Newsguild currently represents a number of other unions that Condé Nast publications owns like Wired and The New Yorker, The New York Times and The Daily Beast.
Pitchfork employees have not only stopped publishing but have also sent criticizing letters to people like editor-in-chief Puja Patel and CEO Roger Lynch about the lack of respect for employees. A lot of the unrest from employees comes from the lack of diversity within the publication and Condé Nast’s alleged racist treatment of staffers of color. The staff proposed that the publication should require that 50 percent of prospective job candidates who are brought in for an interview should come from minority backgrounds and, according to Pitchfork’s union statement, Condé Nast and Pitchfork counsel rejected their proposal because “for certain positions it’s hard to find qualified applicants from underrepresented backgrounds” and “not every job is created equal.”
Pitchfork’s union statement expanded on this saying,”When it comes to diversity and inclusion, Condé Nast has been broken for a long time. This includes Pitchfork. Stacey’s removal would be the second layoff of a Senior Editor of color in under 18 months. We need to change the culture of Pitchfork and hold management accountable for their decisions. We also need to acknowledge our own complicity in these systemic failures so we, as coworkers, can improve.”
Condé Nast has been holding town hall meetings over the last few weeks to address concerns but also has given vague warnings to staff about unionizing journalists losing their jobs for being in unions. CEO Lynch sent an email to the all-staff dismissing the usefulness of unionization saying, “some may believe that joining a union will protect their job, unfortunately, it’s just not the case. We all have seen the thousands of journalists who have lost their jobs over the last many months. The headwinds that the media industry is experiencing right now, combined with COVID-19, are just too strong for any union,” according to the The Daily Beast article.
Pitchfork’s union statement explains their demands saying they want the targeted lay-off of their union chair Stacey Anderson’s reversed and for Condé Nast to agree to their counter-proposal to achieve both parties’ goals and re-center attention on other issues. One of the biggest issues they want worked on is making sure Pitchfork and other Condé Nast brands uproot all their pre-existing racist power structures.
Upstate NY indie rock singer and guitarist Frank Palangi has released his EP “BRING ON THE FEAR.” The self-produced hard heavy Rock artist who can do anything and everything he sets his mind to has the type of personality that doesn’t give up; no matter what it takes. Palangi exhibits confidence, determined to pursue his passion for music. He fuels a refreshing positive outlook serving up a feeding frenzy of edgy heavy guitars, deep n gritty vocals.
After my 2017 “Set Me Free EP” I was doing a lot of shows/opening slots and getting into more of the recording side which lead me to a year and half experience with producing, mixing and writing the 4th installment. I progressed and learned so much through that time through books, videos and interviews about mixing and with upgraded my home studio equipment. The songs I always knew would be apart of the same CD double EP had to be similar but still new and exciting vs I Am Ready CD (2013). I teamed up with few of my favorites to work with from Lester Estelle (Kelly Clarkson) – Brian Craddock and Brandon Maclin from Daughtry for some studio work. I had self produced a single or two before but always working with producers and mixers on my main EP”s, this really made me step up and think about the whole process a lot more. This is more gritty and heavier than the “I AM Ready” release. No reason for it, just led me in that direction with the love of heavy rock. With my wide variety of influences, I did somethin more constant which may not be always the cause for the future.
Flushing Town Hall announced a tribute to the late Jimmy Heath, nicknamed Little Bird in the industry, who was an NEA Jazz Master and Queens Jazz Orchestra Music Director. Heath passed away back in January of 2020 at the age of 93 and was a jazz legend for his saxophone skills in particular. The event will be live-streamed on Flushing Town Hall’s Facebook page on Friday, June 19 at 7:00 PM.
Percy Heath (Left) and Jimmy Heath (right) performing in June 1977.
Jimmy Heath received three Grammy nominations over the years. He was nominated for Best Historical Album with John Coltrane: The Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (Album) during the 38th Annual Grammy Awards in 1995, Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance with Little Man, Big Band (Album) during the 36th Annual Grammy Awards in 1993, and Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group with Live At The Public Theatre (Album) during the 23rd Annual Grammy Awards in 1980. Jimmy Heath was also a recipient of the 2003 NEA Jazz Masters Award and in 2004 he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Human Letters. With performing in over 100 albums and writing over 125 compositions Jimmy Heath was truly a legend in the Jazz world.
Flushing Town Hall plans to honor him with this special tribute by including appearances by many celebrated musical artists who have crossed paths – and taken the stage – with Jimmy Heath throughout his career. People on the docket include Jimmy Heath’s wife, Mona, and jazz legends Albert “Tootie” Heath, Barry Harris, Jimmy Owens, and Dorthaan Kirk; and members of Queens Jazz Orchestra, including Antonio Hart, David Wang, Jeb Patton and Douglas Purviance. On top of the musical component of the tribute there also will be testimonials about Jimmy Heath from special guests such as New York City Council Member Francisco Moya.
Flushing Town Hall seemed like the right venue for this tribute for Jimmy Heath according to Town Hall Executive and Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek because, “Jimmy Heath was an iconic presence at Flushing Town Hall. Whenever we would announce that our Queens Jazz Orchestra would return, performances would sell out – because people wanted to come together to experience the music and the man.”
The event will take place Friday, June 19 at 7:00 PM and can be viewed for free on Flushing Town Hall’s Facebook page. Donations will be accepted to support the Jimmy Heath Fund at Queens College. They can be sent to: The Jimmy Heath Fund, c/o Mike Lipsey, Queens College Music Department, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, Queens, 11367. Donations are also being accepted for the Jimmy Heath Scholarship Fund at Queens College. They can be made by writing a check to the QC Foundation (and putting “Jimmy Heath Scholarship” in the memo), and mailed to: Queens College Foundation, Keily Hall, Queens College, Queens, NY, 11367, or by calling Joann Acquista, Queens College, Director, Donor Relations, at (718) 997-5864.
For more information on the event visit Flushing Town Hall’s website.
Superfly has announced it’s “Small Business Live” concert to help support small businesses during these trying times. The one-day musical experience will raise money for the Accion Opportunity Fund and provide grants to the most at-risk small businesses that were hit hardest by COVID-19. It will do this while also having a focus on those businesses run by women, minorities, and people of color. Some of the big names on the docket include 2 Chainz, Nathaniel Rateliff, T-Pain, and Brandi Carlile among many others. The concert will take place on June 20 from 4PM – 10PM ET and can be viewed on many streaming platforms including YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.
The benefit will feature artists performing at different small business they feel strongly about. The musicians will be delivering their performances from different locations all over the United States and will be sharing stories about the businesses they know, love, and are trying to supporting with this benefit.
The benefit will be featuring 2 Chainz performing at and supporting K&K Soul Food in Atlanta, GA, Allen Stone performing at and supporting Terrain in Spokane, WA, Brandi Carlile performing at and supporting Easy Street Records in Seattle, WA, Brittany Howard performing at and supporting Fanny’s House of Music in Nashville, TN, JUFU performing at and supporting Envirobliss in Brooklyn, NY, Leon Bridges performing at and supporting Avoca Coffee in Fort Worth, TX, Moon Taxi performing at and supporting Grimey’s in Nashville, TN, Bam Marley performing at and supporting Sneaker Buyers in Miami, FL, Nathaniel Rateliff performing at and supporting Mercury Cafe in Denver, CO, and T-Pain performing at and supporting Knotzland Pittsburg, PA, and many more.
Award-winning blues and Americana vocalist Shemekia Copeland has released her new song, “Uncivil War.” “Uncivil War” takes no sides and speaks to every person’s desire to be safe and free. Featuring iconic mandolin Sam Bush, dobro master Jerry Douglas and background vocals from popular alternative band The Orphan Brigade, the song is simultaneously comforting and challenging, as Copeland sings, “Same old wounds we’ve opened before / Nobody wins an uncivil war.” Copeland delivers the song with passion and insight about the uncertainty in the world while still finding hope for the future. The song, written by John Hahn, will be featured on Copeland’s upcoming Alligator album.
Copeland express the message she communicates in this song:
It’s not just a song. I’m trying to put the ‘united’ back in the United States. Like many people, I miss the days when we treated each other better. For me, this country’s all about people with differences coming together to be part of something we all love. That’s what really makes America beautiful.
When she first came onto the scene at age 18 with her debut album, Turn The Heat Up, Copeland quickly became a blues and R&B force to be reckoned with. Copeland’s previous album, America’s Child, won the Blues Music Award for Album Of The Year, and was named the #1 blues album of 2018 by MOJO magazine. Copeland recently received the 2020 Blues Music Award for Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year, during a special online ceremony. Copeland is currently hosting her own blues radio show on SiriusXM’s Bluesville.
On Tuesday, Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media jointly announced in a statement that the national show ‘Live From Here with Chris Thile’ will come to an end, along with 28 jobs will be cut due to budget concerns that have occurred since the start of COVID-19. Also canceled is ‘The Hilarious World of Depression,’ a podcast hosted by John Moe.
These cuts come after much consideration to keep MPR and APM running as is. Last month 14 staff members took voluntary staff buyouts in hopes of saving other staff members jobs. Among those announcing they’re leaving MPR/The Current is multimedia producer Nate Ryan and podcast producer Jeyca Maldonado. Despite these buyouts and money raised through emergency fundraising, the staff reduction and program eliminations could not be avoided.
Additionally MPR and American Public Media stated that executive pay will be cut by 20-35 percent, all 2021 pay raises are canceled and the reduction of working hours. At this time any unionized journalists and staff will not be effected by the cuts according to MPR/APM union representatives.
Photo credit: Brantley Gutierrez
MPR says the cuts it made were done in a way that “aligned with our mission, values and long-term vision” and “protects our core strengths” in an effort to provide programming that their audience wants while maintaining in a time of financial uncertainty.
MPR added, “We will find new ways to give you more control over when and how you listen, and greater access to our content on your favorite media devices. We’ll offer fresh, distinctive programming that deepens our value to you and attracts new audiences. We will double-down on trusted, in-depth information that engages and equips you to make informed decisions about your health, the economy and our democracy. And we will invest in understanding and addressing the systemic issues of racism and inequities further exposed by the killing of George Floyd.”
‘Live From Here’ started in 2016 with musician and songwriter Chris Thile at the wheel after the phasing out of ‘A Prairie Home Companion’. Broadcasting via public radio for two hours weekly from legendary Town Hall in New York City. With its blend of musical performances, comedy and audience interaction delivered by Thile and his wide range of guests, the show was an unique experience for audiences nationally.
Chris Thile expressed his excitement and hope for the show when he told NYS Music during an interview in September, “We have this two-hour canvas that we get to paint every week and there is a lot of space for things to happen and it feels good being in a place like this where on any given night there are hundreds of wonderful things happening”.
Long Island’s Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum is shutting down according to a Bloomberg report and will be shut down indefinitely until new investors can be found. Nassau Coliseum is just one of the many venues suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phish Performing December 1, 2019 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Photo taken by Thom McKenna.
The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum opened in 1972 and is used for all sorts of events including sporting events, large exhibitions, shows as well as trade shows, and of course concerts. The coliseum hosted big names like Elvis Presley, The Grateful Dead, Phish, The Beach Boys, Queen, and many, many others. The coliseum went through renovations back in 2015- 2017 and currently has a seating capacity of 14,500.
According to posts on Bitcoin Prime, billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov’s Onexim Sports and Entertainment who operates the venue decided to shutdown the coliseum indefinitely while they seek investors to take over operations. Once they have found a new investor they will have the lease turned over to the new investor and have them pick up the remaining debt on the building which is roughly $100 million in loans on it in return.
According to the Bloomberg report, Onexim Sports and Entertainment’s explained that, “The unforeseeable and unprecedented Covid-19 crisis has had a devastating effect on the operations of the Coliseum and its finances. While we still believe in the enormous long term economic value of the Coliseum and the development of the surrounding land, we recognize that such value will be best realized by other parties.”
The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum has been an essential part of the entertainment scene on Long Island for many years and hopefully will be able to continue to do so once they find a new investor. For more information read the Bloomberg report or visit The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum’s website.
Covid-19 has cancelled just about everything this year. Sporting events, graduations, and concerts have all been postponed or cancelled in some capacity. The Rochester Lilac 5k/10k is no exception to these cancellations. In the absence of the Lilac Fest, Rochester Events have established their first ever virtual run, the “Roc’n RUN.” This event will benefit MusiCares, a non-profit organization formed by the Recording Academy, who usually run the GRAMMYS, to raise money to provide a much needed safety net for out of work people in the entertainment industry.
Rochester Events owner Jeff Springut stated “Although we’ve probably lost the Festival season, we’re giving not only our local community but anyone in the world a chance to tie up the laces and turn up the tunes! The virtual run and walk has a distance for everyone- and can be run anywhere- whether you are an athlete, music fan, or both!” This event was made possible by The Springut Group, a Rochester-based company with greater than 35 years of experience in bringing events to the community. They produce the Rochester Lilac Festival, Five Star Bank Party in the Park Concert Series, Midtown Eats, and other special events.
The ROC‘n RUN event will take place June 26th – 28th and will host 4 races. The Summer Madness 5K, Lovin’ Summer 10K and Cruel, Cruel Summer Half-Marathon, as well as a Schools Out for Summer 2-Miler for those under 14.
Registration for the ROC’n RUN opened on Wednesday, June 3rd and can be found at their website.
June usually marks a month of LGBTQ+ celebration with parades, festivals, musical events, talks, and etc but due to COVID-19 a lot of the normal festivities aren’t going to be possible this year. Luckily though, CNY Pride (Central New York Pride) isn’t letting this stop them from creating a way for members of the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate. CNY Pride is throwing a Virtual Pride Cabaret on June 20 from 7:30PM to 9PM.
The virtual cabaret celebration will happen via Zoom on the original date of CNY Pride’s Pride Festival. The cabaret will include an array of different performers from their original line-up for the festival. From musical performances, to drag performances, to belly dancing, the cabaret will have a little bit of everything for everyone.
The line-up includes Samantha Vega who will be hosting the event. Burlesque Performers Kitten N’ Lou who will be headlining. Amara Lee Dúpree, Athens Violet-Maraj, Celeste LeRue, Charlotte Diamond Star, Frita Lay, and Sparkle Royale will be performing Drag. Belly Dancer Tessa TrueHeart will be performing. Cabaret Fan Dancer Harlow Holiday will also be on the docket. Solo Musician Nicholas DiMaria and Vocalist Robert Denzel Edwards will also be making an appearance.
For more information on the virtual cabaret celebration visit CNY Pride’s Website.
