NYS Music 202​0

Tag: Covid-19

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The Material World Foundation Launches ‘The Inner Light Challenge’ to Support COVID-19 Non-Profits

    The Material World Foundation, founded by George Harrison, has created The Inner Light Challenge to help organizations such as MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, Save the Children, and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) who provide care to those affected by the pandemic.

    The Material World Foundation

    The Inner Light Challenge has asked people to share a verse, chorus, or line from The Beatles song ‘The Inner Light’ and post it to social media using the hashtag #innerlight2020. The Material World Foundation will give another $1 (up to $100,000) to help those affected by the virus for every person that posts using the hashtag #innerlight2020.

    MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund has helped musicians who are unemployed due to COVID-19. As of now, the organization has raised close to $14 million dollars for musicians. Save the Children has offered toolkits for children who are being homeschooled and Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) has helped over 70 countries combat COVID-19 by providing health services. 

  • Relief Fund Launched to Help NYC Musicians, Venues, and Staff Amidst COVID-19 Crisis

    NYC Nightlife United launches an emergency relief fund that will help musicians and small businesses stay afloat amidst COVID-19 crisis. NYC Nightlife United is partnering with not-for-profit The Solo Foundation whose focus is to bring awareness about social issues revolving around the arts and will help deliver the money raised to those who receive the grant.These organizations are attempting to keep safe spaces, nightclubs, venues, and small businesses from closing while helping promoters, musicians, comedians, sound techs, bar staff, and DJs with having an income still during these difficult times. 

    NYC Nightlife United is focused on what it calls ‘the ecosystem’ of NYC which is basically businesses and individuals who are key players in the nightlife in NYC. The people whose livelihood is dependent on entertainment that is defined as music, comedy or performances within the 5 boroughs of NYC and make NYC the cultural center it is known for. 

    Relief Fund NYC Musicians

    Businesses who are looking to apply must meet the criteria of being within the 5 boroughs of NYC, making under $150,000 in revenue per month or having under 50 employees, providing evidence they create an substantial amount of programming being either music, comedy or performances, must be in financial hardship from COVID-19 and must be able to supply letters of recommendation from one from staff member (preferably a manager), from one talent, and from one patron. Those who meet the criteria are potentially eligible for up to $20,000 of relief funds. 

    Individuals who are looking to apply must be able to prove having had a gig canceled or postponed due to COVID-19. Applicants can include musicians, talent, artists, engineers, and ect. Either individuals or individuals representing a collective like a band or comedy group for example can apply. Those who are able to fit this criteria are potentially eligible for up to $5,000 of relief funds. 

    The relief fund applications will be due in two phases. The first phase will be small business venue owners on June 5th. The second phase will be individuals of ‘the ecosystem’ on July 5th. Funds will be distributed to as many applicants as possible but not every applicant will get funded. Those who meet the criteria best will be chosen and funded on a nondiscriminatory basis by The Solo Foundation staff. All applicants who are selected will be notified by email.

    People can help support the cause by donating through NYC Nightlife United’s website. All donations are fully tax-deductible and will help keep NYC’s nightlife alive.

    For more information please visit NYC Nightlife United’s website.

  • Suwannee at Home: Spirit Raiser 2020

    From Live Oak, Florida the Suwannee at Home: Spirit Raiser 2020 will take place May 15th through 17th. This will be a virtual online festival streaming across multiple platforms. The festival’s intention is to raise the spirits of the music community and to raise some funds for festival support staff.

    The festival is being presented by Spirit of Suwannee Music Park and Relix Magazine and will be hosted by Suwanee Rising Event Co-Producers: Beth Judy (Suwannee Spring Reunion, Suwannee  Roots Revival) and Paul Levine (Hulaween, Purple Hatters Ball). The festival will take place Friday, May 15th from 4PM-9PM, Saturday, May 16th from 4PM-9PM, and Sunday, May 17th from 2PM-8PM.

    Suwannee at Home: Spirit Raiser will Featuring Members of: Big Gigantic, Donna The Buffalo, Doom Flamingo, Dopapod, Dumpstaphunk, Eric Krasno, George Porter Jr., Grass Is Dead, Greensky Bluegrass, Jennifer Hartswick & Chris Chew, Jim Lauderdale, Joe Craven, Jon Stickley Trio, Keller Williams, Larry & Jenny Keel, Leftover Salmon, Lettuce, Luther Dickinson, Mike Dillon, moe., Nikki Talley, Railroad Earth, Rev Jeff Mosier, Roosevelt, Collier, Sierra Hull, Snarky Puppy, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Duhks, The Motet, The New, Mastersounds, The Nth Power, The Travelin’ McCourys, Toubab Krewe, Umphrey’s McGee, Van Ghost, Verlon Thompson, Weedie Braimah, Will Kimbrough, Zach Deputy, with more to be announced.

    Artists are both performing live and sending in pre-recorded content from their respective areas of self quarantine. These artists are volunteering their time with performances to brief cameos to 30 minute slots to Q and A sections.

    Suwannee at Home: Spirit Raiser will be able to be viewed online everywhere on Zoom via Facebook and Website. Live Oak Music and Art Foundation Inc, a 501c3 organization will collect and distribute any collected funds and will be the sole recipient of any merchandise sold.

    For more information please visit Suwannee at Home: Spirit Raiser’ website.

  • Live From Out There Announces Virtual Festival

    11E1even Group, in partnership with LivexLive, have announced their The Live From Out There festival for four weekends of music. The festival will be accessible by subscription and pay-per-view and will run from May 15th through June 7th. 

    11E1even Group has been putting on their Live From Out There performances which have been providing a wide variety of content streaming for people to view from their homes while raising money for the greater music community through Sweet Relief’s COVID-19 Fund for the last two months. The festival will run as a four-week pay-per-view and subscription series for viewing the festival.

    The lineup includes Big Gigantic, Dispatch, Zeds Dead, moe., Nahko, Umphrey’s McGee, STS9, Turquaz, Hiss Golden Messenger, Twiddle, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Goose, James Petralli & Michael Hunter of White Denim, Zach Williams of The Lone Bellow, Motet and many more.

    The Live From Out There festival will be partnering with Summer Camp Music Festival for its second weekend May 22nd through the 24th for the “Summer Camp Virtual Festival: A 20 Year Retrospective.” This weekend will focus on featuring live music, throwback performances, interviews, workshops, panel discussions, giveaways and more. The Summer Camp team will also take the opportunity to connect Summer Campers with each other through these virtual programs. 

    The subscription series will run from May 15th to June 7th and subscribers will have access to four weekends of live and archival sets, with the majority available on-demand after the live broadcast. Tickets for pay-per-view and subscriptions are on sale today, May 13th and details can be found on the Live From Out There website.The content will be available on all LivexLive platforms either by their website or by accessing their app.

    This Thursday, May 14th at 8PM EST, Live From Out There will host a free performance on the LiveXLive platform to introduce fans to the new platform and prepare them for the upcoming festival. People can watch on LiveXLive.com and apps, social media channels and its OTT channels on Amazon, Apple TV, Roku and Samsung TVs, desktop and mobile/tablet. The performance will feature Rick Mitarotonda and Peter Anspach of Goose performing a very special acoustic set from their home in Connecticut.

    The Live From Out There series has generated over $400K so far. All the proceeds from each subscription benefit Sweet Relief’s COVID-19 Fund. This organization is using donor-directed funding to provide immediate assistance, lodging, clothing, food and more to the musicians and crew involved in the series as well as music industry workers and artists who have suffered a loss of income due to the recent outbreak and resulting restrictions placed on live events and gatherings.

    For more information visit the Live From Out There’s Website.