NYS Music 202​1

Author: Nora Hones

  • State Theatre of Ithaca Announces 10th Annual “Benefit My State” Free Virtual Concert

    The State Theatre of Ithaca announced its 10th annual “Benefit My State” free virtual concert which will take place on May 8, 2021. The benefit concert will feature tribute band Pink Talking Fish who will also be playing some Grateful Dead tunes in honor of the Cornell ’77 performance.

    The performance is dubbed “PINK TALKING FISH play DEAD”, and is being performed and streamed live from the historic State Theatre of Ithaca. The tribute jam band will perform the music of Pink Floyd, The Talking Head, Phish, and Grateful Dead tunes inspired by the treasured concert on Cornell’s campus, exactly 44 years to the day of the original show. 

    Pink Talking Fish formed back in 2013 and has performed over 500 shows including headlining numerous historic music venues throughout the country. Additionally, Pink Talking Fish has appeared at many prominent festivals including The Peach Music Festival, Jerry Jam, StrangeCreek Campout and The Buffalove Music Festival. They are known for creating a fusion of some of the most beloved and well known bands in the jamband scene. 

    On Mothers’ Day back in 1977, The Grateful Dead performed one of the most significant concerts of their extensive career at Barton Hall in Ithaca, New York. The Grateful Dead are known for playing more than 2,000 concerts in their time but the performance at Cornell University’s Barton Hall on May 8, 1977 has continued to spark interest and provoke discussion quite like any of the other of the bands performances. A lot of the Deadheads know it as simply “5/8/77” and this performance is one of the most collected, circulated, and debated concerts by any band ever, and has topped numerous fan polls through the years. 

    The annual “Benefit My State” concert is the State Theatre of Ithaca’s biggest fundraiser of the year. This event will also feature an online silent auction with over 25 unique, one-of-a-kind items offered to all viewers and is particularly needed this year in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

    Doug Levine, the Executive Director of The State Theatre, spoke on this benefit saying, “We are still in need of additional support to help us get through this very challenging year. The lack of shows due to COVID resulted in huge hurdles to overcome and we are not out of the clear yet. We hope that the folks that are able to tune in and enjoy this show will consider making a donation to help sustain us until we are allowed to safely reopen.”  

    Although the concert is free, donations will be accepted with all proceeds for the 10th Annual “Benefit My State” concert directly supporting The State Theatre of Ithaca. The Pink Talking Fish Play Dead benefit will be streamed LIVE from The State Theatre of Ithaca for free at The Relix Twich Channel on Saturday, May 8th at 7PM EST.

    For more information of the benefit concert visit the State Theatre Of Ithaca’s website.

  • Small Business Administration Reopens Shuttered Venues Operators Grant Application

    The Small Business Administration has reopened its shuttered venues operators grant application to help allocated aid to affected venues from COVID-19. The application on the portals reopened on April 24, 2021.

    Small Business Administration

    This news comes from the National Independent Venue Association or more commonly known as NIVA has been one of the forerunners in trying to aid venues during these trying times. NIVA formed at the onset of the COVID-19 shutdown and it now represents more than 3,000 venues, promoters, and festivals in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The organization is, a 501(c)6 an it is known for creating and leading the #SaveOurStages campaign, resulting in landmark legislation establishing the “Shuttered Venue Operators” grant program which will be administered by the Small Business Administration. 

    The decision to reopen the grant application comes from the fact that thousands of small businesses that have had no revenue for 13 months and cannot wait any longer for emergency relief. The grant application is able to be completed by this application is to be completed by Live Venue Operators or Promoters, Theatrical Producers and Live Performing Arts Organization Operators, Museum Operators, Motion Picture Theatre Operators (including owners), and Talent Representatives, who are applying for a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG).

    People who are eligible can receive up to $10,000,000 who meet certain qualifications. Entities that receive a grant will not be required to repay grant funds unless the funds were used for purposes other than for authorized purposes or unless the grantee did not use all funds within 1 year of the disbursement of the grant (18 months after disbursement if received supplemental). 

    Small Business Administration

    Audrey Fix Schaefer who is a NIVA board member and the communications director spoke on this saying, “Simply put, this is emergency relief that can’t come too soon. Every single day that passes small businesses are receiving eviction notices, all the while $16 billion has been waiting for them. This is a lifeline for thousands of independent venues and promoters in big towns and in small communities across the nation. When you’ve had revenue losses of more than 90 percent and are in fear of going under, having the opportunity to apply for the grant is a relief, no matter what day of the week it is. We’re thankful our members won’t have to wait much longer.”

    For more information on the application process for the Shuttered Venues Operators Grant and eligibility view the SVOG Application Form and SVOG User’s Guide.

  • Antiboy Partners with Jason Ebeyer and NY-based The Phluid Project for ‘One Love’ T-Shirt

    Antiboy has partnered up with Jason Ebeyer and The Phluid Project for the creation of their ‘One Love’ T-shirt, in conjunction with the upcoming release of their new anthem, One Love which is due out April 30. All proceeds of the shirt will be donated to The Hendrick Martin Institute.

    Antiboy

    Antiboy is the musical persona of the late actor, musician and model Harry Hains who unfortunately passed away from an accidental fentanyl intoxication on January 7, 2020. Hains’ debut album A Glitch in Paradise was released posthumously to critical acclaim back in December of 2020.

    The album included 10-tracks and the musical and visual release of, ‘Dream’ starring Andrej Pejic, which has surpassed over 1 million views on YouTube. ‘One Love’ will be the first single off yet to be announced future Antiboy project. The project was produced by Fernando Garibay and Red One. ‘One Love’ is a poignant declaration of self-love and it features Jane Badler’s vocals who is Hains Mother. Red One and Fernando Garibay last collaborated on Lady Gaga’s incredibly successful ‘Born This Way’ album. 

    antiboy

    Jason Ebeyer is a graphic designer who created the graphic for the t-shirt. The Phluid Project is a NY-based company that was launched in 2018.  It’s known worldwide as a gender free fashion brand. The limited-edition ‘One Love’ T-shirt  will donate 100% of the proceeds directly to benefit The Hendrick Martin Institute which is the United States largest LGBTQ+ youth services organization. The organization helps over 2000 children from 38 states across the country every year. The programs include: Arts & Culture, Health & Wellness, Counseling, Education, and Job Readiness. Each year over 11,000 hot meals are served at their facility in New York City, with over 21% of LGBTQ youth stating that finding a hot meal is a primary reason for coming to Hendrick Martin Institute.

    For more information on the shirt and the upcoming Antiboy release of One Love visit their Instagram.

  • Lake George Music Festival Announces New Venue for 2021 Season

    Lake George Music Festival has announced a new venue for their 2021 season at the Carriage House on the grounds of Fort William Henry. The season will follow state and local COVID-19 guidelines while bringing back some much needed live music to the Lake George area. 

    Lake George Music Festival

    The Carriage House on the grounds of Fort William Henry was a popular venue for years ago for the Lake George Music Festival and its resurgence into the spotlight recently. A big part of this resurgence has been part of a broader effort between the music festival, the Village of Lake George, and a small group of community minded individuals who wish to see Lake George become a cultural tourism destination. 

    Alexander Lombard who is the festival’s founder spoke about this decision in the venue in the festival’s official press release saying,

    The Carriage House is absolutely the perfect indoor performance space for us. It boasts a large floor plan, easy parking, climate control, and a multitude of other amenities in a prime Lake George location; not to mention the best view of Lake George! It has a beautiful hotel, restaurants, and attractions a short walk away. I truly hope other arts groups will take advantage of this venue in the coming years, making Lake George a year-round cultural tourism destination.

    One of the big reasons the festival is so excited for this venue is the venue’s capacity to handle COVID-19 safety precautions. The venue’s spacious interior allows for significant audience distancing and because of that it gives the festival the confidence it needs to rehearse and perform safety and at the highest levels. The festival will meticulously comply with required New York State mandates including limited capacity, distancing, and face coverings. They learned a great deal from hosting our live Drive-In Series last September and will use this acquired knowledge to help the Lake George Music Festival be as safe as possible. 

    The ten year anniversary season will be celebrated from August 18-25, 2021. The season tickets go on sale on May 1, 2021 and the single tickets will go on sale on July 1, 2021. 

    For more information on the Festival visit their website here.

  • Rainforest Benefit Concert Announced for Earth Day

    A Rainforest Benefit Concert was announced by FANS and KEEN x Garcia in celebration of Earth Day. The benefit concert will take place on April 22, 2021 at 8PM EST and will feature big names like Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Lettuce, Rocky Mountain Grateful Dead Revue, and more. 

    Rainforest Benefit Concert

    The benefit concert is being put on to raise awareness about Alaska’s Tongass National Forest which is the largest temperate rainforest, and one of the most carbon-storing terrestrial ecosystems on the Earth. The performance is being held in the spirit of the Grateful Dead’s Rainforest Benefit Concert which was originally held at Madison Square Garden back on September 24, 1988.

    The livestream is in part to honor Jerry Garcia’s enduring musical, artistic, and environmental legacy on top of raising awareness about Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. FANS and KEEN x Garcia are also bringing in Suzanne Vega and Jack Casady (Hot Tuna) — who played 33 years ago at the Grateful Dead’s Rainforest Benefit — to participate with a musical performance.

    In addition to the musical performances, there will also be multiple conversations. One featuring  Dave Matthews (Dave Matthews Band and a member of The Wilderness Society’s Governing Council), Trixie Garcia (head of the Jerry Garcia family estate and daughter of Jerry Garcia), and The Wilderness Society. And a second one featuring  Gary Lambert (Tales from the Golden Road on SiriusXM’s Grateful Dead Channel), Ebet Roberts (legendary photographer who captured the Grateful Dead’s Rainforest Benefit Concert on September 24, 1988 at Madison Square Garden), and Charlie Miller (renowned Grateful Dead taper).

    The full line-up of featured performers include: ALO, Benevento/Russo Duo, Cassandra Jenkins, Doom Flamingo, Duane Betts, Emilio Castillo (Tower of Power), Fruit Bats, Infamous Stringdusters, Jack Casady, Jackie Venson, JoJo Hermann, Kellen Asebroek (Fruition), Keller Williams, Kitchen Dwellers, Lael Neale, Lettuce, Lureto (robotrio), MIkaela Davis, Moon Taxi, Nicki Bluhm, Olivia Reid, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Rocky Mountain Grateful Dead Revue, Southern Avenue, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Stella Blues Band, Suzanne Vega, Tash Neal, TAUK, and The Hold Steady.

    The Rainforest Benefit Concert will be a free event, but donations are encouraged to protect the Tongass rainforest of Alaska. Fans watching from home will also be motivated to sign a petition asking President Biden and his administration to protect the Tongass National Forest. The event can be viewed on FANS website here.

  • Gilda’s Club in NYC Announces Benefit Concert

    Gilda’s Club in New York City announced a benefit concert to help support victims of cancer. The live virtual benefit concert called “It’s Always Something” will take place on May 19 at 8PM EST and will feature big names like Jon Batiste, Rosanne Cash, Sting, and many more. 

    Gilda’s Club

    Gilda’s Club was created in the memory of Gilda Radner, an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, where she won an Emmy Award for her work in 1978. Radner died from ovarian cancer in 1989. The club was founded by Gilda’s husband, actor and comedian Gene Wilder, Joanna Bull and many of Gilda’s friends in her memory and opened its signature red door in June of 1995.

    Gilda’s Club

    The venues hope is that in the next 25 years to make their free cancer support program more accessible to more people, in more places, in more ways than currently possible. Since the launch of their virtual support program in March 2020 they have had more than 13,000 virtual visits and we’ve seen an increase in participation and attendance which is up 45% across all activities. 

    The benefit concert will feature performances by Jon Batiste, Rosanne Cash, Sting, Kenny Loggins, David Sanborn, Kandace Springs, Bernie Williams, and Gil Parris. The benefit will also include appearances from Robin Roberts, Susie Essman, Jon Hamm, Brooke Shields, and JB Smoove. 

    Gilda’s Club

    The “it’s always something” benefit is being put on by executive producers Susan Brecker and Mark Krantz with help from original SNL writer, Alan Zweibel who is a consulting producer. Ray Conley will be directing the event while Will Lee will serve as the musical director and Dan Melnick will be acting as the coordinating producer. 

    The concert will be streamed at Gilda’s Club NYC’s YouTube page. For more information or to make a donation visit the Gilda’s Club’s website.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApqV-vci1tQ

  • Safe & Soundz Festival brings Space Bacon, Escaper and more to Magic Forest Farm

    Safe & Soundz festival will take place June 11-13, 2021 at Magic Forest Farm in Coeymans Hollow, outside of Albany, NY.

    Safe & Soundz

    The festival lineup includes Space Bacon, Wax Future, Escaper, Leon Trout, Pheel, Pi Wrecks, Weird Phishes, Ampevene, Baked Shrimp, Boogie knights, Chyld, Bobby Ganache, Father Figure, The Business, and Saturday morning yoga with Ilas.

    Held at Magic Forest Farm and produced by Shepheard Productions, the festival is a small event with only 150 tickets sold and 9 campsites. Each campsite came with their own fire-pit and 2 Car-side parking spots and is good for up to 8 campers maximum. They also offer 3 rental options: Tipi (4 people), Yurt (3 people) and Cabin (6 people), each with its own charm and amenities. Attendees are also encouraged to find a nice secluded spot away from others to pitch their tent, hang their hammock and relax on any of the beautiful 230 acres in the Catskill mountains. 

    The Safe & Soundz festival will be taking many COVID-19 safety precautions. The stage will have socially distanced viewing pods. These pods will be on a first come, first served basis throughout the day/night and capacity will not exceed 1 group per pod (8 people max). People are also expected to wear a face mask anytime they leave their campsite or their viewing pod. In addition to following all state and local safety guidelines the festival will also be checking attendees temperatures upon admission, supplying sanitation sites throughout the grounds, masks will also be required when moving around campsites. These rules are subject to change come mid-June, but for right now, they’re taking the most precaution to ensure everyone’s safety.

    Although the festival is sold out, Safe & Soundz festival tickets may be available on resale sites and groups. For more information visit Shepheard Production’s Facebook Page.

  • American Symphony Orchestra Announces Free Chamber Music Series in Bryant Park

    The American Symphony Orchestra announces plans for free nine-concert chamber music series, taking place in Manhattan’s Bryant Park and 34th St. Herald Square Plaza and will run through May 3–19, 2021. 

    The American Symphony Orchestra is a New York-based American orchestra that was founded back in 1962. Their mission is to make orchestral music accessible and affordable for everyone. The musical performances and works are curated around ideas drawn from a variety of disciplines such as history, visual arts, science, politics and literature. They often try to revive works that were rarely-performed in their hay day that audiences would otherwise never have a chance to hear performed live. 

    The nine concert series will include five different programs curated by American Symphony Orchestra  musicians. The performances will feature music ranging from 20th century Mexican and all-American jazz composers to Afro-Cuban Batá drumming and classical works for horn quartet and woodwind trio. Some of the featured artists include percussionist and composer Javier Diaz, saxophonist Roxy Coss, and oboist Toyin Spellman-Diaz. 

    There will be a limited number of first-come, first-served chairs set up near the Bryant Park Fountain Terrace in front of the stage and at Herald Square for people to watch the live music from American Symphony Orchestra. Artists and audience members will be required to follow current public health guidelines including wearing masks and social distancing. All the concerts will last for at least one hour and will begin at 5:30PM. 

    For more information on the American Symphony Orchestra and their concert series visit their website.

    The full schedule can be read below: 

    Modernism in Mexico – String Quartet

    Monday, May 3 & Tuesday, May 4, at 5:30 pm

    Bryant Park Fountain Terrace

    Modernism in Mexico explores string quartets by some of Mexico’s most important 20th-century composers: Manuel Ponce, Silvestre Revueltas, and Carlos Chávez. Ponce was Mexico’s leading classical musician, and this performance of his well-known song Estrellita is a new arrangement for string quartet. Carlos Chávez was his student and heir apparent, touring extensively as a conductor and producing an impressive body of compositions. Chávez’s close colleague, violinist Silvestre Revueltas, was a notable conductor/composer whose work includes the score to the 1936 film Redes (The Wave), commissioned by the Mexican government. 

    Cyrus Beroukhim, violin

    Philip Payton, violin

    Will Frampton, viola

    Alberto Parrini, cello

    Manuel Ponce: Estrellita

    Manuel Ponce: Petite suite dans le style ancien

    Silvestre Revueltas: Musica de Feria

    Carlos Chávez: String Quartet No. 3

    Strike Force – Percussion Ensemble

    Wednesday, May 5 & Wednesday, May 12 at 5:30 pm

    34th Street Herald Square Plaza

    This percussion ensemble combines Afro-Cuban Batá drumming and poetry with the sounds of contemporary chamber percussion, featuring Grammy-nominated Imani Winds’ oboist Toyin Spellman-Diaz in compositions by percussionist and composer Javier Diaz.

    Kory Grossman, Javier Diaz, and Charles Descarfino, percussion

    Toyin Spellman-Diaz, oboe

    All-Javier Diaz Program:

    “Chandani”

    “Canciones del Idalgo”

    “Maleza”

    “Son Montuno Sinfonia”

    “Sakpata”

    “Lucumi Cycle”

    ASO Salutes NYC/USA – Jazz Ensemble

    Monday, May 10 & Tuesday, May 11 at 5:30 pm

    Bryant Park Fountain Terrace

    A truly American genre, the ASO presents this jazz ensemble as a salute to U.S. healthcare workers who have made it possible for New Yorkers to experience live music once again. The program, including works by Gershwin, Bernstein, Ellington, and Chick Corea, among others, celebrates composers who have defined the sound of this vibrant city.

    Lee Musiker, piano

    Lou Bruno, bass 

    Kory Grossman, drums

    Eugene Moye, cello

    Roxy Coss, tenor saxophone and flute

    Harry Warren: “42nd Street”

    George Gershwin: “It Ain’t Necessarily So” from Porgy and Bess

    Duke Ellington: “Take the A Train”

    Leonard Bernstein: “Some Other Time”

    Leonard Bernstein: “Cool” from West Side Story

    Gustav Holst: I. Mars, the Bringer of War, from The Planets, Op. 32

    Chick Corea: Children’s Songs

    Charles Mingus: “Nostalgia in Times Square”

    Woodwind Trio

    Tuesday, May 18 at 5:30 pm

    Bryant Park Fountain Terrace

    Woodwind chamber music had something of a renaissance in the 1920s; at the same time, works for reed trio—oboe, clarinet, and bassoon—were coming together with the formation of the Trio d’Anches de Paris, a collaboration of three virtuosi reed players. This program offers music from some of the greatest composers of wind music in the 20th century.

    Alexandra Knoll, oboe

    Shari Hoffman, clarinet

    Marc Goldberg, bassoon

    Charles Koechlin: Trio d’anches Op. 206

    Jean Françaix: Divertissement for Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon

    Alexandre Tansman: Suite for Wind Trio

    Claude Arrieu: Suite en trio

    Albert Roussel: Andante from an Unfinished Wind Trio: Adagio

    Joseph Canteloube: Rustiques – I. Pastorale

    Francis Poulenc: Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon, FP 32a

    Gilles Silvestrini: Oboe Etude No. 1: Hôtel des Roches Noires à Trouville

    Horn Quartet

    Monday, May 17 & Wednesday, May 19 at 5:30 pm

    Bryant Park Fountain Terrace & 34th Street Herald Square Plaza

    Perfectly at home in the outdoors, the horn quartet has enjoyed a rich history from the forest to the concert hall. This program features composers highlighted by Bard Music Festivals of the past with a few modern classics that will inspire.

    Chad Yarbrough, David Smith, Lawrence DiBello, and David Peel, French horns

    Nikolai Tcherepnin: Horn Quartet Op. 35

    Carlos Chávez: Sonata for Four Horns

    Richard Strauss: Fünf Volksliedsätze

    Selections of Austrian hunting music

  • SummerStage Anywhere Announces April Programming

    SummerStage Anywhere announced their April programming, including virtual programming celebrating National Poetry Month, International Dance Day and World Portuguese Language Day. 

    SummerStage Anywhere is put on by the City Parks Foundation. It was originally announced by the  Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage Anywhere in response to the COVID-19 pandemic when it started back in 2021. They are presenting free, exclusive digital performances that people can watch from anywhere. SummerStage Anywhere is continuing in 2021to keep bringing free live performances to the masses. 

    National Poetry Month Celebration will be taking place on April 22 and is being presented by the SummerStage and Nuyorican Poets Cafe. The celebration is also being put on in association with New York Music Month Extended Play which is an initiative of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Entertainment. The event will be showcasing New York City poets Caridad De La Luz, reg e gaines, Mariposa Fernandez, J.F. Seary, Erik Maldonado (aka Advocate of Wordz), Helena D. Lewis, Suzen Baraka, Darian Dauchan (performing with loop station), Wilson “Chembo” Corniel (performing solo, with congas), Rome Neal (accompanied by Chembo on percussion, Lonnie Plaxico on bass, and Andre Chez Lewis on piano), Ramya Ramana, Carlos Andrés Gómez, Andres Chulisi Rodriguez and more. The performances will be recorded both live from The Sultan Room in Brooklyn and remotely. The celebration will stream on SummerStageAnywhere.org and across SummerStage socials: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch starting at 7PM EST. 

    Their World Portuguese Language Day celebration, in association with Arte Institute, is on April 15th. The event will be put on at 7PM  EST. It will feature performances including Angolan star Paulo Floresand recited poems and reflections from renowned artists and writers Mia Couto, Ondjaki and Pedro Coquenão (aka Batida). Past SummerStage performance highlights will be aired featuring global music stars Mariza, The Gift, Selma Uamusse, and Dead Combo.

    International Dance Day: DanceAfrica at BAM with Artistic Director Abdel Salaam on April 29th at 7PM EST. The event is in honor of International Dance Day, SummerStage pays tribute to BAM’sDanceAfrica, America’s largest celebration of dance from the African diaspora. It will feature a talk between the festival’s artistic director and founder of Forces of Nature Dance Theater, AbdelSalam, and DanceAfrica producer,Charmaine Warren.The informal conversation will cover Salaam’s experience with DanceAfrica as a performer and now artistic director, and will be followed by breathtaking excerpts from past festival performances. 

    For more information on the upcoming April programming visit SummerStage Anywhere’s website. 

  • Exclusive: Bandits on the Run premiere video for “Hurricane”

    Bandits on the Run, hailing from New York City, premiere their brand new music video today for their song “Hurricane” on NYS Music.

    A powerhouse trio, Bandits on the Run was formed in New York City. Adrian Blake Enscoe serves as both guitarist and percussion section, using a suitcase drum and foot tambourine. Sydney Shepherd is the cellist and writes string arrangements. Regina Strayhorn is the accordionist, melodica player, glockenspieler, and plays a mean shakey banana.

    bandits on the run

    They have appeared at the ASCAP Cafe Stage at Sundance, shared the bill with artists like Aaron Lee Tasjan, Rain Phoenix, and Matt Berninger of The National. They’d been selected for SXSW 2020 and built a tour that included an appearance at The Kennedy Center and an opening slot for Larkin Poe at NYC’s famed Webster Hall, before the pandemic struck down the best-laid plans of every mouse and man ‘round the globe.

    “Hurricane” is one of the singles off of their upcoming EP Now Is The Time which is dropping on May 21, 2021. This video has a much more conceptual approach than their other videos which is something the band was attempting to do. The video not only highlights the group’s musical ability but their artistic vision. Between the overlaid colors, fluid dance moves, harmonies, and the swoopy white dress, the video definitely gives off some early Florence + the Machine vibes. 

    For the video the band enlistment of choreographer and director Lane Halperin who helped create a clear and powerful and compelling story that resonates with the song’s message and meaning. The video also used images from filmmaker and visual artist Ian McClerin that were projected on the wall, their faces, and on the big white dress. They used these images in tandem with the dance and movement to enhance the dreamlike and subconscious atmosphere of the story.

    The music video was produced by Bandits on the Run who also served as the production company. It was filmed, colored, and edited by Bart Cortright. It featured Lane Halperin and Landes Dixon as dancers. Grace Pendelton was the camera assistant and Chris Weihert the First Assistant director. The band also gives special thanks to Luke Slattery, Sophia Schrank, Rebecca Handler & Ruby Bird Studios for their help with the video.

    For more information on Bandits on the Run visit their website.

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