NYS Music 202​0

Category: News Desk

  • Julia Gargano Returns to Saint Rose to Record

    Even though schools have been closed since March 16, the College of Saint Rose in Albany has given former season 18 American Idol contestant Julia Gargano and a small group of former classmates special permission to use the Hearst Center for Communications and Interactive Media, the Times Union recently reported. 

    From Staten Island, Gargano was a senior in the music-industry program at Saint Rose when the opportunity presented itself to travel to Brooklyn and perform in front of Idol producers. She continued on to impress all three judges, singing her way onto the show. Each week her performances were top notch until an unprecedented coronavirus pandemic caused the show to halt and send contestants home. 

    Idol production resumed from each of the contestants’ homes where Gargano sang her way into the top seven for the finale. Even though the singer-songwriter did not win she feels that Idol has impacted her career in ways that she did not imagine. Gratitude for how recent experiences have impacted her life has been Gargano’s outlook since the ending of the show. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CATwNDeBGJs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Gargano told the Times Union “‘Idol’ totally lit this drive inside me, I’m in work-work-work mode. The show will really help me be my own artist, my own singer-songwriter.”

    The show might be over but it is not the end of the road for Gargano’s music journey. Now a Saint Rose graduate, Gargano and four of her previous classmates are working on three singles that are set to be released on streaming services later in the year. For now check out Gargano’s original song ‘Growing Pains. 

  • The Apollo Theater Invites Us To “Stay (In) Together”

    The Apollo Theater and Gibson have partnered together to bring music fans “Let’s Stay (In) Together: A Benefit To Support The Apollo”, a live streaming benefit concert. Airing June 4 at 7:30 PM ET, the concert will be free for views made possible through Apollo’s media partner Tidal. Originally planned for June 2,  The Apollo decided to postpone the show and stand with others in the music industry to observe Blackout Tuesday. 

    This special event will feature performances by “Captain” Kirk Douglas of The Roots, Kool & The Gang, Gary Clark Jr, Robert Randolph, Ray Chew and many more artists. Not only will the artists perform songs from legends like B.B. King, Patti LaBelle and Stevie Wonder, the Apollo’s 86 year contribution to the arts and culture will be highlighted. Viewers will also witness poems and performances dedicated to the memory of those whose lives have been lost due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. 

    Proceeds are set to benefit an emergency relief fund to financially support the theater now and into the future once it had to cancel live events through the month of June due to the coronavirus pandemic. Portions of the funds will also be used for micro grants to support local merchants and businesses in the 125th Street neighborhood that Apollo Theater calls home. 

    By partnering with Gibson through the Gibson Gives foundation, this marks the beginning of a new partnership that in the future will include brand new show programming, music preservation, music education initiatives, and support established and emerging talent.

    “Music has the incredible power to connect, transform and heal. We hope you will support the legendary Apollo Theater and join us for a special event featuring music that lifts our spirits, shapes our lives, and continues to unite us all.”

  • Schenectady Kids Arts Festival is going Virtual and will be Viewable from Your Home

    The 26th annual Schenectady Kids Arts Festival will take place on the weekend of June 6 and 7. The festival is usually held in downtown Schenectady, but due to COVID-19, this staple of the community will be broadcasted on cable television, the Internet and social media and will be viewable from your home this year. 

    Photo from Schenectady Kids Arts Festival’s website.

    The festival will be made up of 28 segments. These segments were created by the participating individuals and organizations who are local artists and entertainers. These segments make up four episodes each lasting approximately one hour. Some of these segments were pre-recorded at Open Stage Media on the MainStage at Proctors in Schenectady. Mike Purcell of A-1 Entertainment of Clifton Park also included submissions of Capital District residents dancing to pre-recorded tracks in each episode. 

    The festival will feature: Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra, Puppet People (a professional touring puppet company based in Schenectady,) students of the Dance Me School of Dance and Character Development, the Oneida Middle School Jazz Band, and many more.

    The festival can be viewed on Spectrum on channel 1302 in Albany and Schenectady. It will also be broadcasting on Verizon Fios on channel 37 in Albany. The first and second episode will be broadcast live at 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday, June 6. The third and fourth episodes will be broadcast live at noon and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 7. The festival will also be broadcasted live on the Schenectady Kids Arts Festival’s Facebook page. After the live broadcast, the episodes will remain available on the Schenectady Kids Arts Festival’s Facebook page and will become available for streaming free at Open Stage Media’s

    Photo from Schenectady Kids Arts Festival’s website.


    For more information and a full schedule of events can be found on Schenectady Kids Arts Festival’s website.

  • moe. seeks fan submissions to Celebrate 30th Anniversary

    In a hilarious new video, moe.’s Rob Derhak waxes philosophical while drinking chocolate syrup from the bottle. “2020 didn’t really turn out the way we all expected did it?,” Derhak asks. “But it still is moe.’s 30th anniversary.”

    While moe. can’t celebrate on the road with live shows (just yet), the band is asking on fans to shoot videos and share photos of their favorite memoe.ries using the hashtag #thisisnotweare.

    Submissions are open through Monday, June 8, with 10 winners selected to enjoy a virtual happy hour with the band.

  • Lark Hall ‘Window Sessions’ on Juneteenth features Victory Soul Orchestra and Jordan Taylor Hill (Stream)

    Window Sessions, the first official performance series presented and hosted by Lark Hall, will continue on Friday, June 19 with a performance by Victory Soul Orchestra, in commemoration of Juneteenth.

    The ongoing series will also serve as a fundraiser with funds collected to be donated to local organizations such as Voix Noire, Urban Grief, African American Cultural Center, All of Us, and Citizen Action of New York, all of whom continue the upward mobility of communities of color in the Capital Region. 

    lark hall window sessions

    “As every venue and theater has had to identify ways to recalibrate, as a new venue, we decided that this would be a great way to introduce our space to musicians and artists,” said Justin Miller, co-owner. 

    “Through Window Sessions, we’re able to support not just a great cause in that of Feed Albany, but to add some much needed vibrancy back to Lark Street,” noted Jennifer Miller, co-owner. 

    The innovative performance series will simulcast performances to YouTube and Lark Hall’s social media channels, in addition to amplified through the venue’s historical windows. In compliance with state guidance regarding entertainment, only the musicians and essential personnel will be allowed. On-street listeners at the corner of Hudson Avenue and Lark Street may listen, so long as they are social distancing and not impeding upon sidewalk right-of-way. 

    lark hall window sessions

    The fourth installment of Window Sessions features Victory Soul Orchestra and Jordan Taylor Hill & Friends, in a performance centered around uplifting black voices and bringing awareness to social justice causes.

    The performance takes place on the historic date that commemorates the emancipation of slavery. Victory Soul Orchestra as well as Hill & Friends perform in efforts to heighten awareness of social injustice and to recognize the groups in our community that highlight the voices and needs of black people.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNc8qJ-HnPY

    Viewers and listeners can visit Lark Hall on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for the Window Sessions feed starting at 5PM on Friday, June 19. Additional performances will be announced on social media. Stay tuned to NYS Music for weekly updates.

    Located in the heart of Albany’s Lark Street neighborhood, Lark Hall is a multi-use performing arts and community-oriented venue. Owned and operated by Justin and Jennifer Miller, Lark Hall provides an unparalleled live music and performance experience for both fans and artists alike.

    The venue, previously a dance studio for the last 80 years, recently underwent renovations and was slated to open its doors in Summer 2020 before mass gathering events including live music were cancelled. Lark Hall will fill a void when it does officially open, providing Lark Street, Albany’s ‘Village in the City,’ with a large music venue able to hold 400 plus attendees.

  • Dawn: A Celebration of Shavuot with an All-Night Cultural Arts Festival

    Dawn, an all-night cultural arts festival, will take place virtually on May 28 and 29 from 7PM to 6AM PT (10PM-9AM ET) for the celebration of Shavuot. The 11 hour celebration will include three reimagined tracks of the 10 Commandments as well as art, comedy, music, film, and conversation. Shavuot is a Jewish holidays that commemorates both the first harvest of early summer, as well as the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai following the exodus from Egypt.

    The event will live-stream on Reboot’s website. The festivities will include Yoga, Meditation, Sound Bath, Cooking Class, Music, DJ Dance Party among the many activities.

    One of the main attractions will be an Original Score by Cecil B Demille of the Ten Commandments pt.1 performed by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, Steven Drozd of the Flaming Lips and Scott Amendola. This reimagining of the silent era film from 1923 will be split into two stories. The first revolving around the Jewish Exodus from Egypt and a present day, or present for 1923, melodrama. The new score will musically follow Moses out of Egypt and into the dessert where he receives the Ten Commandments. 

    The Dawn celebration will also have lots of other appearances. Others on the bill include Jill Soloway, Carl Reiner, Norman Lear, Gabi Moskowitz, Kasher vs. Kasher (Moshe Kasher and Rabbi David Kasher), Michaela Watkins, John Schott, Tiffany Shlain, The Milk Carton Kids, Zackary Drucker, and AJ Jacobs.  

    The festival is being put on by Reboot and the Jewish Emergent Network. Reboot has put on festivals in the past in San Francisco for Shavuot but because of COVID-19 this year’s programming will be a little different. The hope of these organizations is that moving to a digital platform will make them accessible to a larger audience.  

    From more information and program highlights, please visit Reboot’s website.

  • Hamilton Movie Theater Announces Hamilton Unity Concerts Part II

    Hamilton Movie Theater has announced that they will continue Hamilton Unity Concerts starting Sunday, May 31 and running through the end of June.

    Concerts will be live streamed at 7PM on their Facebook page.  Hamilton Unity Concerts Part II will support a variety of non-profit organizations. A link will be provided on their Facebook page for people to donate to the organizations and offer tips to the artists. 

    The concerts will kick off with Vermont-based indie-rock band Jesse Taylor on May 31. Other artists who will perform include: Liz Fiddle, Jeffrey Monty, Sam Herbert, and Blaine Holcolmb. Check out more details below.

    Hamilton Movie Theater

  • Wu-Tang Clan Wants You to ‘Protect Ya Hands’

    Iconic hip hop group, Wu-Tang Clan are no strangers to good marketing. The Grammy-nominated outfit is partially known for their extremely popular “Wu Wear” clothing brand — founded by Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Oliver “Power” Grant. The Wu has always been able to find the perfect middle ground between good marketing tactics and staying authentic to their brand. Like when the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard began ranting during the 1998 Grammy awards and proclaimed that “Wu-Tang is for the children.” He was upset that the group had been overlooked for best rap album and unintentionally came up with a popular catchphrase, one that the Wu has always stood by.

    In light of the current COVID-10 crisis, the hip hop veterans continue to stay ahead of the curve, as the group announced their “Protect Ya Hands” collaboration with the plant-based brand Jusu. The sanitizer is one item in a campaign launched by the group and Ottawa, Canada, Mayor Jim Watson. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAaQf9BnFTM/

    In addition to the sanitizer, they have released the “A Better Tomorrow” collection (named after their 2014 studio album), which includes a T-shirt emblazoned with the famous logo of Wu-Tang Clan and a reusable food bowl. For every bottle purchased, another will be donated to The Ottawa Mission, a homeless shelter in Canada.

    Additionally, the collection benefits the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, with the group’s official website stating “CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research and education with a commitment to working with our partners to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when and how it’s needed.”

    The sanitizer can be yours for $20. The T-shirt goes for $40, while the Pure Kitchen reusable bowl costs $21. “The purpose of 36 Chambers and Wu-Tang is to always see a better tomorrow,” says the official website. You can help Wu-Tang Clan on their mission by clicking here.

  • Levitt AMP Utica Music Series Postponed Till 2021

    The Levitt AMP Utica Music Series was supposed to announce its lineup but unfortunately it has decided to postpone it’s festivities. The ten week free concert series will be back in the summer of 2021. This difficult decision was not made lightly but with COVID-19 alive and raging the Utica Monday Nite and the Levitt AMP committee have decided that with the concerns for the health, safety and well-being of their community that postponing was the only real option. 

    https://www.facebook.com/LevittAMPUtica/videos/3103229943076538/

    The grant money won by the public voting campaign by Utica community members will roll over to 2021. The Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation has assured that the $25,000 will be safe and be able to be used for next year’s festivities. The only catch is that Utica will not have to apply again and won’t have to vote again for next year’s grant.

    The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties usually match the funds and grants collected for the past four years. Alicia Dicks, president/CEO of the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties said she supported the decision to postpone The Levitt AMP Utica Music Series till next summer and look forward to next summer.

    The Levitt AMP Utica Music Series team is currently working on rebooking as many of the headlining bands that were scheduled for the festivities this summer for next year’s festival. The series will also feature local talent each week as it always does. 

    Levitt AMP Utica Music Series. Photo Provided by Levitt AMP Utica Music Series.

    The Levitt AMP Utica Music Series will be joining the 10-Week Virtual Music Series with The Levitt Foundation. They will be joining 19 other Levitt AMP cities for this 10-week Virtual Music Series which will highlight some of Utica’s local talent on a national platform. The Levitt AMP Utica Music Series  will also be exploring the possibility of applying for a new Bridge Grant for 2020. The Levitt Foundation created this grant to bring people together through music in alternative ways and is shaping what that may look like for our community. 

    For more information please visit Levitt AMP Utica Facebook and Instagram pages.

  • Larry Campbell celebrates COVID-19 recovery at home with Teresa Williams

    With his recovery from COVID-19 complete, guitarist Larry Campbell was joined by his wife and creative partner, Teresa Williams, as the pair took to Facebook to perform the upbeat and refreshing “Let Us Get Together Right Down Here.”

    Campbell experienced symptoms 43 days prior, but recently tested negative for coronavirus, and is now reunited with Willams at their Upstate home. The two were separated for nearly a month while Campbell was quarantined alone Upstate and Williams remained in New York City.

    Campbell says of the experience “This thing is vicious, it doesn’t follow any rules. Be vigilant if you get this and try not to get it,” with Williams adding, “Wear your mask!”

    The duo looks forward to playing music again together soon, and hinted at a livestream concert in the near future.