Category: News

Irving Plaza Reopens After Multi-Million Dollar Renovation

Irving Plaza will reopen after a multi-million dollar renovation by Live Nation, with an upcoming series of over 40 concerts.

Photo by Monique Sowinski of Irving Plaza.

Irving Plaza is one of New York City’s most treasured venues, originally opening back on July 14, 1978. It closed in 2019 for renovations by Live Nation which had focused those renovations on enhancing the overall concert experience throughout the venue for both artists and fans while maintaining the venue’s 19th century charm. The venue has hosted performances over the years from big names like Sir Paul McCartney, The Foo Fighters, U2, Green Day, Ariana Grande, The Ramones, Nine Inch Nails, Childish Gambino, Katy Perry, Eminem, Nas, and many others.

Some of the new renovations include an addition of an upscale VIP Lounge with private bar and balcony level boxes that offer unobstructed views of the stage enabling fans the best seats in the house. To ensure the artist’s experience is just as premium as the fans, two fully renovated balcony level artist dressing rooms feature direct stage access and an adjacent green room with a private bathroom and amenities.

They also have an expanded lobby and bar area providing a new space for multifunctional use, including artist merchandise, meet and greets, or for individually curated events. The venue will now also host next-generation Cisco Wifi 6 for faster and more reliable social connectivity for fans who want to share their experience with their friends and followers during a performance.

Irving Plaza

Irving Plaza can now adjust its configuration from a 1,200 standing-room only experience to an intimate 400-seat theatre to accommodate a wide-variety of performances. It will also feature a colorful array of distinctive private event spaces for hosting corporate events, filmings, product launches, fundraisers, and more.

To kick things off right, over 40 shows are confirmed as part of the venue’s grand reopening. Ashley McBryde will be the first artist to perform on Tuesday, August 17. Tickets will start going on sale on May 20 at 10 AM EST.

A full list of performers are available on the venue’s website and tickets for all shows will be available at IrvingPlaza.com and LiveNation.com. For more information visit on the renovations and upcoming shows visit Irving Plaza’s website.

Upcoming shows at Irving Plaza

Aug. 17 – Ashley McBryde
Sept. 10 – Guided By Voices
Sept. 12 – Ben Folds
Sept. 11 – Colter Wall
Sept. 16 – J.I.
Sept. 20 – Middle Kids
Oct. 3 – Andy Mineo
Oct. 8 – The Struts
Oct. 10 – The Black Dahlia Murder
Oct. 15 – Lotus
Oct. 17 -Toadies & Rev Horton Heat
Oct. 19 – Kevin Gates
Oct. 21 – State Champs
Oct. 24 – Princess Nokia (Governors Ball Presents)
Oct. 25 – The Record Company
Oct. 30 – City Morgue
Nov. 5 – Armor for Sleep
Nov. 6 – JP Saxe
Nov. 10 – Ruston Kelly
Nov. 11 – Elder Island
Nov. 13 – Pouya
Nov. 15 – Jesse McCartney
Nov. 19 – Jelly Roll
Nov. 21 – Envy On The Coast
Nov. 23 – The Lemonheads
Dec. 1 – lovelytheband & Sir Sly
Dec. 10 – Juice
Dec. 18 – The Slackers
Dec. 19 – Lagwagon
Dec. 30 and Dec. 31 – Ripe

2022

Feb. 2 – Mother Mother
Feb. 17 – K. Flay
Feb. 25 – The Jungle Giants
March 10 – INHALER
March 11 – Knuckle Puck
March 18 – Relient K
April 2 – Moonchild
May 10 – Haken & Symphony X
May 21 – The Dead South

May 18, 2021
Lineup Announced for 24th Brooklyn Film Festival

The Brooklyn Film Festival (BFF) has announced the film lineup for its 24th edition, titled “The Clearing.” Over the course of the 10-day festival, BFF will present 37 film programs online, and a partial line up of 22 programs in-person at Windmill Studios in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Film Festival’s organizers have been staging International, competitive film events since 1998. BFF’s mission is to provide a public forum in Brooklyn in order to advance public interest in films and the independent production of films. They seek to draw worldwide attention to Brooklyn as a center for cinema and to encourage the rights of all Brooklyn residents to access and experience the power of independent filmmaking. BFF, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit group that promotes artistic excellence and the creative freedom of artists without censure.

The 2021 edition will feature 36 World Premieres, 28 USA bows, 34 east coast debuts, and 25 first-time screenings in NY. In total, BFF will show in competition 147 features and shorts from 35 countries. The full lineup includes 13 narrative features and 9 documentary features highlighted in this release. The festival will also present 39 narrative shorts, 23 documentary shorts, 25 animation and 21 experimental films.

On June 5th, BFF will begin in-person screenings at Windmill Studios in Brooklyn at 3pm, with the feature documentary film Queens of Pain. At 6pm, there will be a short narrative program, led by the world premiere of Until, by Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, and at 9pm, BFF will present the world premiere of the feature narrative, American Desert.

Along with the film screenings, BFF will offer parallel events, such as pre-recorded filmmaker introductions and Q&A sessions on the festival website. Live interviews and get-togethers will be staged on Facebook and other social media.

Tickets are available on the BFF website. Tickets for indoor screenings must be purchased in advance, online. All tickets and passes purchased online for BFF indoor programs can be picked up at Windmill Studios. Online, BFF will sell each film category for $10 and a Full Festival Pass for $24. All passes will be valid 24/7 from June 4-13.

The online lineup will be available 24/7 for the entire 10 days, and the indoor event will feature three programs a day on weekends, and two on weekdays. Each program is two-hours long. To find out both the online and indoor schedule, check BFF’s website.

Below is a partial line up of feature films playing in competition this year listed in alphabetical order. For further info on all the films, passes, and tickets, please check the BFF website.

FEATURE NARRATIVES:

AMERICAN DESERT
Dir: Adrian Bartol, United States, 82 min, 2020, Narrative Feature, World Premiere
It’s 2010, US Army veteran Matt Benning has returned from Afghanistan to a wrecked economy. Demons of war haunt him, a romance blossoms.

BONE CAGE
Dir: Taylor Olson, Canada, 89 min, 2019, Narrative Feature, NY Premiere
Jamie works operating a wood processor, clear-cutting for pulp. At the end of each shift, he walks through the destruction he has created.

CORRAL
Dir: Marcelo Brennand, Brazil, 84 min, 2020, Narrative Feature, US Premiere
Corral is a political drama that takes place in rural Brazil, in the city of Gravatá, where during the mayoral elections.

GOSSAMER FOLDS
Dir: Lisa Donato, United States, 95 min, 2019, Narrative Feature, NY Premiere
In 1986, nine-year-old Tate Millikin is uprooted and unwillingly moved to the suburbs of Kansas City. As his parent’s marriage unravels.

HELL IS EMPTY
Dir: Jo Shaffer, United States, 98 min, 2020, Narrative Feature, World Premiere
A self-styled messiah initiates a teenage runaway into his cult of sister-wives. Her rebellious nature upends the community.

KALOKHACHYA PARAMBYA [PROP SHOOTS OF DARKNESS]
Dir: Makarand Anaspure, India, 98 min, 2020, Narrative Feature, East Coat Premiere
Prop shoots of Darkness is conflict of young orphan Alif about spirituality and material world. Industrious and helping everyone in the village.

KRINGLE TIME
Dir: Matthew Lucas, United States, 103 min, 2021, Narrative Feature, World Premiere
After becoming the unlikely star of a children’s show, a public access TV station manager grapples with the problematic legacy of his predecessor.

MOVING IN 2008
Dir: Calogero Carucci, United States, 78 min, 2020, Narrative Feature, East Coast Premiere
A family tragedy during the recession of 2008, catalyzed by unemployment, personal crisis, and illness.

ONE NIGHT IN KATHMANDU
Dir: Mohan Rai, Nepal, 70 min, 2019, Narrative Feature, US Premiere
A GIRL, 26—together with a BOY, 33, who is a stranger to her– take an injured man to a hospital when an accident take places near them.

TANGO SHALOM
Dir: Gabriel Bologna, United States, 116 min, 2020, Narrative Feature, NY Premiere
“TANGO SHALOM”: Moshe Yehuda (Jos Laniado), a Hasidic Rabbi and amateur Hora dancer, enters a big televised Tango competition to save his Hebrew school.

TWO IS A MAGIC NUMBER
Dir: Holger Borggrefe, Stefan Hering, Germany, 85 min, 2020, Narrative Feature, US Premiere
A day at the lake. Andrejs ex-girlfriend Nadia pays him a visit. Nadia and Andrej’s former best mate Claudius are a couple now.

UNDER THE LANTERN LIT SKY
Dir: Michelle Bossy, United States, 75 min, 2020, Narrative Feature, World Premiere
The story of Blanche DuBois and her husband, who in different ways are coming to terms with their sexuality in 1920s Mississippi.

WALK WITH ME
Dir: Isabel del Rosal, United States, 112 min, 2020, Narrative Feature, NY Premiere
As she braves life after divorce, a young mother must challenge herself to take some personal risks after finding love in an unexpected place.

FEATURE DOCUMENTARIES:

AND SO I STAYED
Dir: Natalie Pattillo, Daniel Nelson, United States, 90 min, 2020, Documentary Feature, World Premiere
And So I Stayed is an intimate story of domestic violence survivors who killed their abusers in self-defense.

INTO THE LIGHT
Dir: Benjamin Schwartz, United States, 74 min, 2020, Documentary Feature, NY Premiere
In the 1980’s Chuck Connelly was recognized as a key figure among the New York-based Neo-expressionist painters.

LIFE & LIFE
Dir: NC Heikin, United States, 80 min, 2020, Documentary Feature, East Coast Premiere
Life & Life focuses on pressing criminal justice issues in America as seen through the life of recent parolee Reggie Austin.

LITTLE PAKISTAN – FUTURE HISTORIES
Dir: Sana Akram, United States, 120 min, 2021, Documentary Feature, US Premiere
Little Pakistan – Future Histories is a dérive—a drifting in an online environment illustrating an immigrant neighborhood of Pakistani-Americans.

MAYOR MOHAMED
Dir: Jeffrey M., United States, Syria, Turkey, 86 min, 2021, Documentary Feature, World Premiere
In this quintessential film about the Muslim-American immigrant experience, Mayor Mohamed Khairullah risks his life to bring humanitarian relief into Syria.

ORGAN STOPS – SAVING THE KING OF INSTRUMENTS
Dir: James Dawson, United Kingdom, 70 min, 2021, Documentary Feature, US Premiere
Martin has spent his life playing and building pipe organs; nowadays he dedicates all his time to rescuing them – “It’s a real crisis.”

QUEENS OF PAIN
Dir: Cassie Hay, Amy Winston, United States, 75 min, 2020, Documentary Feature, NY Premiere
One of the most successful teams in New York sports history, Gotham Girls Roller Derby is a feminist powerhouse of elite athletes, misfits, and renegades.

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES
Dir: Hannah Jayanti, United States, 103 min, 2020, Documentary Feature
Truth or Consequences is a speculative documentary about time and how we weave the past into the present and our possible future.

THE WISDOM OF TRAUMA
Dir: Zaya Benazzo, Maurizio Benazzo, US, Canada, 88 min, 2021, Documentary Feature, World Premiere
Trauma is the invisible force that shapes our lives. It shapes the way we live, the way we love and the way we make sense of the world.

May 13, 2021
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Announces 2021 Inductees Including Jay-Z, Foo Fighters and Tina Turner

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced the 2021 inductees, including big names like Jay-Z, Foo Fighters and Tina Turner. This year’s inductees are one of the most diverse groups in the history of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with three different women artists being inducted into the performers category for the first time ever.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation decided back in 1985 where to open its physical museum and ultimately decided on Cleveland, Ohio. In 1986, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced its first group of inductees which consisted of Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke and the Everly Brothers.

JAY-Z, Dave Grohl, Tina Turner (Getty Images)

This year’s inductees includes Jay-Z and the Foo Fighters who only just became eligible this year. It also includes Carole King, Tina Turner, and The Go-Go’s, which is the first time three different women artists were inducted into the performers category in the same year. Dave Grohl (previously with Nirvana), Turner (previously with Ike Turner), and King (previously with Gerry Goffin) have all been inducted before. Turner and King follow Stevie Nicks as the only women to be inducted multiple times before.

This is the most diverse class of inductees in the history of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, to Pitchfork.

Outside the “Performers” induction category, several iconic artists received recognition from the Rock Hall. Early Influence Awards went to Kraftwerk, Gil Scott-Heron, and Charley Patton this year. The Musical Excellence Award went to LL Cool J, Billy Preston, and Randy Rhoads. Music executive Clarence Avant is this year’s Ahmet Ertegun Award honoree.

For more information on the 2021 inductees visit the RRHOF website.

2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees

Performer Category
Foo Fighters
The Go-Go’s
JAY-Z
Carole King
Todd Rundgren
Tina Turner

Ahmet Ertegun Award
Clarence Avant

Musical Excellence Award
LL Cool J
Billy Preston
Randy Rhoads

Early Influence Award
Kraftwerk
Gil Scott-Heron
Charley Patton

May 13, 2021
American Classical Orchestra Offers Free Digital Events this Summer

New York City’s foremost period instrument orchestra, American Classical Orchestra (ACO), has provided various events for this Summer. Starting on May 6 through July, ACO is offering a range of free digital activities.

In 1984, Artistic Director Thomas Crawford founded the American Classical Orchestra. Crawford is known for his historically accurate performance styles, as well as his numerous accolades. As NYC’s only full-scale orchestra, ACO dedicates performances to 17th, 18th, and 19th-century music on period instruments. The group consists of high-performing artists across an array of well-established ensembles.

Throughout May, the Orchestra is presenting a lively new podcast series: TACOTalk. This podcast explores in-depth conversations among the Orchestra’s musicians, special guests, and honorary host Thomas Crawford. In addition to the provided insight about ACO, the members will also examine the period-instrument movement in the U.S. Each episode seeks to analyze the existing duality that classical musicians face with historical performance and contemporary culture. Produced by Mark Zaki, the 12 episodes of TACOTalk are available now, and more are coming soon.

ACO’s Video Series

Beginning in June, ACO will present Beethoven Sonatas Video Releases. Due to the pandemic, the Orchestra had to cancel their planned recitals featuring Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas. ACO’s Sfzp Project originally scheduled these performances to be a part of their program. The Sfzp Project is a three-year cycle of programs and events intended to advance fortepiano performance in NYC and beyond. The events will resume in Fall 2022, but the Orchestra has something else in store until then.

AOC has decided to film the performance of seven of those sonatas. Worldwide leading keyboard artists will conduct the performances on original and replica fortepianos. Two of these instruments are from the Metropolitan Museum’s collection. The films will release weekly on Thursday at 11 a.m. from June 3 to July 15. All of which can be streamed on ACO’s website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.

June 3 – Eric Zivian, pianoforte; Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-flat Major, Op. 26 ‘Funeral March’

June 10 – Shuann Chai, pianoforte; Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 ‘Appassionata’

June 17 – Dongsok Shin, fortepiano; Beethoven: Early Piano Sonata to be confirmed

June 24 – Jiayan Sun, fortepiano; Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 21, in C Major, Op. 53 ‘Waldstein’

July 1 – Petra Somlai, fortepiano; Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2 ‘quasi una fantasia’ ‘Moonlight’

July 8 – Shuann Chai, fortepiano; Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 25 in G Major, Op. 79 ‘Cuckoo’

July 15 – Dongsok Shin, fortepiano; Beethoven: Late Piano Sonata to be confirmed

May 11, 2021
Check Your Head: Mental Help for Musicians Podcast Announces ‘Mental Health Action Day’

CHECK YOUR HEAD: Mental Help for Musicians Podcast in partnership with MTV Entertainment Group announces first National ‘Mental Health Action Day’ to help drive people to take mental health action for themselves or others. Mental Health Action Day is taking place on May 20, 2021.

Mental Health Action Day is an open-source movement of brands, organizations and cultural leaders to drive culture from mental health awareness to mental health action. It’s mission is to encourage and empower people to take mental health action — whether for themselves, for their loved ones or to advocate for systemic changes, because mental health is health.

The CHECK YOUR HEAD: Mental Help for Musicians Podcast launched back in 2019 and Executive Produced and Hosted by Mari Fong who is a seasoned music journalist and certified Life Coach for Musicians. The podcast hosts open, honest, and intimate conversations about mental health, wellness and recovery. It has featured many different personalities like Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses), Fred Armisen (Portlandia, SNL, Late Night with Seth Meyers), The Bloody Beetroots, Frank Zummo (SUM 41) Emilio Castillo (Tower Of Power), Yesod Williams (Pepper), Sammi Doll (IAMX, Kat Von D), Danny Griego and Shaun Morgan (Seether), Kevin Lyman (Vans Warped Tour) and most recently, the iconic Linda Ronstadt. In each episode top mental health experts are featured such as Dr. Dan Reidenberg (SAVE.org) on suicide prevention, Dr. Ish Major (Relationship expert, “Marriage Boot Camp”) on toxic relationship recovery, Johan Svanberg (Record Union, “The 73 Percent Report”) and Tim Ringgold, MT-BC (Music Therapist, Sonic Recovery) on mood disorder and addiction recovery using music therapy.

The ‘Mental Health Action Day’ is being put on in partnership with more than 500 leading brands, nonprofits, government agencies and cultural leaders. Partners will encourage people to take mental health action — whether for themselves, for their loved ones or to advocate for systemic changes. Resources and tools will be available for people to seek help in a myriad of ways from starting a meditation practice, learning how to support a friend, or advocating for change.

Mari Fong spoke on the podcast and the ‘Mental Health Action Day’ saying, “Talking openly about and sharing your stories on mental health is only part of the solution. The second part is taking action which can include taking action for yourself, for a loved one, or for your community.”

In the past two decades, suicide rates have risen, particularly among young adults. And the COVID pandemic has accelerated the already dire crisis, giving way to what many mental health professionals have called the “second pandemic.” The feelings of extreme isolation on top of the preexisting anxiety and fear caused by the pandemic has left people in more dire mental states than pre pandemic times.

For more information on CHECK YOUR HEAD: Mental Help for Musicians Podcast and the ‘Mental Health Action Day’ visit their website here .

May 10, 2021
Rock Hall and Goodyear Announce ‘From Garage to Glory’ Talent Search

Some great news for all musicians who are looking for a way to win some extra cash while also getting some amazing exposure! The Rock & Roll of Fame has partnered with Goodyear to create a talent search “From Garage to Glory,” where the winner will be granted $10,000 and an opportunity to perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Fest.

Now through May 16, solo artists and bands can submit an original song on FromGarageToGlory.com and tell the story behind the lyrics and the music. Following the submission period, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a panel of select judges will choose three finalists, giving music fans the chance to vote online for their favorite entry from June 21 through July 16.

Remarkable things emerge when people have the passion, determination and vision to make their dreams a reality. That’s why we’re excited to introduce From Garage to Glory, a platform for aspiring artists to be recognized for their talent and creativity.
Karen Maroli, Goodyear vice president of marketing

The contest will conclude in October 2021, when the winning entrant performs live on stage at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Fest in Cleveland.

Every city has great local bands and solo musicians who work relentlessly to get discovered. We’re excited to celebrate and reward that drive by providing aspiring musicians with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Greg Harris, president and CEO, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

To learn more about the contest and view the official terms and conditions, visit FromGarageToGlory.com. Follow the conversation on social media with the hashtag #fromgaragetoglory.

Good luck and we hope to see NY artists represent!

May 8, 2021
Flushing Town Hall Announces Virtual Jazz Jam for Mother’s Day

Flushing Town Hall has announced a virtual Jazz Jam in honor of all mothers for Mother’s Day. The celebration will take place on May 12, 2021 at 7 PM EST for free on Facebook or Zoom.

In May, the cultural nonprofit’s Virtual Jazz Jam: Celebrating the Legacy of Louis Armstrong returns to Flushing Town Hall with the theme “Hey Momma! Grandma! Bobe!” with songs by and for mothers or about motherhood, especially Jewish mothers as it is also Jewish-American Heritage month.

Flushing Town Hall’s monthly Jazz Jam is supported by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation and has been led since 2016 by Astoria resident Carol Sudhalter. House band members include illustrious musicians such as Joe Vincent Tranchina, Scott Neumann and Eric Lemon, who pay tribute to the great Louis Armstrong, performing songs associated with the legendary trumpeter/vocalist every month. Every month, jazz musicians have come together to play tunes reflecting each month’s theme.

Since Flushing Town Hall went online back in April 2020, the Jazz Jams have been popular monthly features, reaching more than 7,000 viewers, and exceeding 1,700 engagements online. Over time it has become a haven for jazz lovers from around the world with musicians joining from across the U.S. and from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Trinidad and Japan.

Flushing Town Hall is putting the call out to musicians interested in participating in the celebration. Those interested should email education@flushingtownhall.org with the suggested three- to four-minute tune they intend to play in line with this month’s theme. The performance can be live or a pre-recorded audio or video (but not a professional, edited recording such as a CD or YouTube video). Musicians who performed in 2020 are now welcome to return. Each month, up to five returning musicians and up to 15 new musicians can participate. Selection is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The virtual Jazz Jam for mothers day will air on the Flushing Town Hall’s Facebook page or Zoom on Wednesday, May 12 at 7PM EST and will be open and free to the public. For more information visit the Flushing Town Hall’s website.

May 6, 2021
GarciaLive Vol. 16 features Jerry Garcia Band Debut at MSG

For Volume 16 of GarciaLive, the archival series looks back at the debut of Jerry Garcia Band at Madison Square Garden (MSG) on November 15, 1991.

GarciaLive Volume 16 finds the world’s most recorded musician in the world’s most famous arena at the midway point in one of his longest and most celebrated solo tours. While Garcia was no stranger to MSG, November 15th marked the Jerry Garcia Band debut in the vaunted venue. Though just two months removed from the Grateful Dead’s sold-out 9-night residency at the Garden, the crowd’s eruption as the houselights dimmed revealed the immense excitement for Garcia’s return.

Poster by Mike DuBois

The buoyant set-opening “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” signaled the feeling was indeed mutual. Love remained a central theme throughout the evening with stunning versions of Smokey Robinson’s “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” Van Morrison’s “He Ain’t Give You None” and “Bright Side of the Road,” and Dylan’s “Simple Twist of Fate,” among others.

A near-automatic highlight of any latter era Jerry Garcia Band set, this performance of The Manhattan’s “Shining Star” is so poignant it became the centerpiece for the 2001 compilation of the same name. The extended takes on “Ain’t No Bread in the Breadbox” and “Don’t Let Go” which followed offered the band plenty of room to stretch out with the latter yielding the deepest improvisations of the evening. Not one to treat encores as de rigueur, Garcia finds the perfect sentiment to close the night with the timeless “(What A) Wonderful World” sending everyone home walking on air.

Included in the physical copy are detailed liner notes written by Relix editor-in-chief and Jambands.com founder Dean Budnick, which includes reflections from Melvin Seals, Jacklyn LaBranch, Dennis McNally and John Popper. Popper’s band, Blues Traveler, was the opening act for the 1991 show. GarciaLive Vol. 16 is set for a June 25 release.

Disc One // Set One:
1. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
2. Struggling Man
3. He Ain’t Give You None
4. Simple Twist of Fate
5. Lay Down Sally

Disc Two:
1. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
2. My Sisters and Brothers
3. Deal

Set Two:
4. The Way You Do The Things You Do
5. Waiting For A Miracle
6. Shining Star
7. Ain’t No Bread in the Breadbox

Disc Three:
1. Don’t Let Go
2. That Lucky Old Sun >
3. Bright Side of the Road

Encore:
4. (What A) Wonderful World

May 6, 2021
Watch the “West Side Story” Trailer, directed by Steven Spielberg

The highly anticipated upcoming remake of West Side Story gives a glimpse in its trailer of the classic musical with a brand new cast. The trailer aired during the 2021 Academy Awards telecast on Sunday, April 25.

After sixty years, the love story of Tony and Maria returns to theaters. The clip is a minute-and-a-half long, giving a quick look at the beloved romantic musical drama.

The trailer begins with a New York City morning, the dawn sky and quickly shifting vignettes of the city. The town, divided in its gangs, ramps up into action with a beautiful orchestral drone in the background.

The Jets and the Sharks, the indelible rivaling gangs, collide in small action sequences. Within the tumultuous community, the two star-crossed lovers find each other, their tragic love story illuminating the screen.

20th Century Studios / Youtube

The leads in Spielberg’s production are Rachel Zegler as Maria and Ansel Elgort of The Fault in Our Stars as Tony. The film also features talented actors such as David Alvarez as Bernardo, Ana Isabelle as Rosalía, and Mike Faist as Riff.

The film, as well as the original, was heavily based off of Romeo and Juliet, written by Arthur Laurents in 1957 as a Broadway musical. An interesting fact about the 2021 remake is that Rita Moreno, who played Anita in the original 1961 movie, returns as a shop owner named Valentina, who employs Tony.

West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg, is set to hit theaters in December 2021.

April 30, 2021
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.

April 29, 2021