NYS Music 202​1

Category: News Desk

  • NIVA And Others Call on SBA To Release Grant Funds

    The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), along with several other leading arts organizations, has urged the Small Business Administration (SBA) and SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman to immediately fund all agencies and organizations eligible for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG). Furthermore, NIVA has called on the SBA to resolve any interagency issues or barriers to funding.

    According to a recent NIVA press release, “The $16.1 billion SVOG program, signed into law in December 2020, provides eligible movie theaters, live venue operators and promoters, talent representatives, and performing arts organizations with grants equal to 45% of their 2019 gross earned revenue, up to a maximum of $10 million.”

    Financial support from the government has been crucial to venue operators in the age of COVID-19 as live performances and showings halted to a stop. However, those in the industry have called out the SBA’s shortcomings and broken promises to struggling businesses.

    The SBA failed to meet the June 9 deadline to “grant funds to those businesses suffering 90% or more losses and to begin making grants to the second tier of businesses suffering 70% or more losses.” Out of over 14,000 possible grants to first and second priority businesses, the SBA has fulfilled only 90.

    SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman

    With the delay of SVOG funds, many businesses are failing to keep their doors open and book talent as live shows are finally starting to return. Fortunately, Congressional advocates and the White House itself have started to prioritize holding the SBA accountable for their promises and addressing bureaucratic delays.

    The nationwide recovery of the live arts and entertainment ecosystem depends on the successful delivery of this vital federal relief. As the performing arts venues and organizations that are the fabric of communities across America, we are proud of collective efforts to fight for our survival, and we are rallying to cross the finish line.

    Lisa Richards Toney, President and CEO, Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP)

    Regardless of the increasingly positive outlook, leaders and business owners remain displeased over how long it has taken to receive federal economic support.

    Over 95% of the revenue of artists, gig workers and talent agencies have been annihilated for 15 months and this is unsustainable…over 1 million jobs in the arts have been lost, countless businesses have shut down, and we are on the verge of more devastating losses. We can go no longer as we have exhausted the funds from our savings, PPP Loans, EIDL loans and whatever assistance we have. We need money now.

    Charlotte Lee, Founder of Performing Arts Managers and Agents Coalition (PAMAC)

    NIVA’s demands have been called on a unified front with the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), the League of Historic American Theatres, the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), Performing Arts Managers and Agents Coalition (PAMAC), and the Performing Arts Alliance.

    While the exact next steps are unclear, shuttered venues undeniably need this relief sooner rather than later.

  • Flushing Town Hall Announces First in Person Event Since COVID-19

    Flushing Town Hall announced their first in person event since the onset of COVID-19 in March of 2020 that will have a 42 person capacity. The event will host the Queens Jazz Orchestra Ensemble on Friday, June 18 at 7PM EST for a live tribute to the late NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath.

    NEA Jazz Master and former Music Director of Flushing Town Hall’s Queens Jazz Orchestra Jimmy Heath passed away on January 19, 2020 at the age of 93, he passed the baton to his protégé Antonio Hart. This event is in honor of Jimmy Heath and his legacy. The Queens Jazz Orchestra Ensemble performing at Flushing Town Hall for this event and is comprised of six amazing musicians who all had a personal connection to Master Heath and are celebrating his legacy:  Antonio Hart who is the Leader and Saxophonist, Freddie Hendrix on Trumpet, Steve Davis on Trombone, Jeb Patton on Piano, David Wong on Acoustic Bass, Vince Ector on Drums. 

    This will be the first small live audience at Flushing Town Hall since March of 2020 with the onset of Covid-19. The event will observe Covid-19 safety measures that include mask requirements and social distancing. The concert will be simultaneously live streamed for a virtual audience at home for those who can’t make it in person. 

    Antonio Hart spoke about the event saying, “Due to Covid, the Queens Jazz Orchestra has not been able to perform together, but I am delighted to bring a smaller unit of members of the ensemble to Flushing Town Hall to celebrate Master Heath.”

    The event is also in honor of Flushing Town Hall’s 42nd anniversary, 42 in-person tickets are available ($15/$12 members), and unlimited virtual tickets ($10/$7 members) for audiences at home. All tickets can be purchased online here: flushingtownhall.org. Details about the logistics and safety requirements, including mask wearing and social distancing, to attend the event in-person are posted on the here.

    For more information on the event visit Flushing Town Hall’s website. 

  • New York City Opera to Perform in Bryant Park for Pride Month

    Bryant Park Picnic Performances season of free, ticketed live performances continues on June 18 at 7 pm with New York City Opera and Pride in the Park, a celebration of LGBTQ culture and excellence on the occasion of Pride Month in NYC. The evening of performances will be sung by a quartet of stars from City Opera’s Pride Series.

    New york city opera
    Photo Credit: Angelito Jusay

    New York City Opera’s annual LGBTQ Pride concert will feature a diverse program of selections from opera and musical theater. They will close this performance with a special new arrangement of the finale from Stonewall, Iain Bell, and Mark Campbell’s opera which was commissioned by NYCO and given its world premiere in 2019.

    For anyone unable to attend in person, a free live stream broadcast of this selection of classic opera and contemporary theater will be available nationwide via Bryant Park’s website and social media platforms.

    Vaccinated or negative-tested audience members will be able to attend the performance live. Vaccinated audience members will be offered open seating on the world-famous Bryant Park Lawn with ample space to distance themselves. In line with current CDC and New York State guidelines, attendees may remove masks at their own discretion once within the fully vaccinated areas of the lawn. Once it is the perfect place to bring a blanket to sit on to enjoy the performance or one of the many park chairs.

    Attendees presenting a negative COVID-19 test will be seated in a separate, socially distanced section with masks required. Although there will be food purchases from vendors there you can also bring your own food.

    Although this is a free event tickets are still needed and can be acquired at bryantpark.org/picnics.

  • Pixies Cancel Fall Tour Amid Delta Varient surge

    UPDATE: Monday, August 23, 2021- Pixies have announced that they are cancelling their 11-date U.S. September run that also included scheduled appearances at Summerfest in Milwaukee, and Chicago’s Riot Fest.  Pixies have determined that with the current surge in COVID cases made worse by the Delta variant, this is the right decision for their fans, crew members and themselves, and ask that their fans stay safe and healthy.

    Pixies’ cancelled dates are below; ticket holders can obtain refunds from point of purchase.

    The Pixies – Black Francis, Joey Santiago, David Lovering, and Paz Lenchantin – return to the road on Friday, September 10 at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY to kick off an 11-date trek, the band’s first U.S. shows since December 2019.  The tour consists of headline theatre dates, festival appearances, and multiple concerts with Nine Inch Nails.

    pixies
    Photo Credit:  Travis Shinn

    On this tour, the band will draw from their entire catalogue for their setlist, and, as is the norm with Pixies, there will be no firm, nightly setlist – the band will play a different set at each show, with every song determined just before its first note is played.  That said, fans can expect to hear many of their favorites such as “Here Comes Your Man,” “Wave of Mutilation,” “Where is My Mind,” “Gouge Away,” “Hey,” “Bone Machine,” “Debaser,” and “Gigantic.”

    Tickets are now on sale at pixiesmusic.com.

    SEPTEMBER

    10   Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY

    11   Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA

    13   Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, Louisville, KY

    14   Foellinger Theatre, Fort Wayne, IN

    16  Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI

    17   The Factory at The District, Chesterfield, MO

    18   The Waiting Room/Outdoors – Omaha, NE

    19   Riot Fest, Chicago, IL

    21   Jacobs Pavilion, Cleveland, OH  (with NIN)

    23   Jacobs Pavilion, Cleveland, OH  (with NIN)

    26   Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa, OK

  • Warren Haynes plans Solo Tour with stops in Lake George and Lafayette

    Gov’t Mule and Allman Brothers Band guitarist Warren Haynes will venture into the Northeast for 5 solo acoustic shows, prior to his performance at Peach Music Festival on July 4.

    Warren will make solo stops in Eatontown, NJ – a second show has been added on June 29 – and in Lake George. He’ll then head to East Swanzey, NH to perform at Northlands Live, and swing back to Central New York to perform at Apple Valley Park on July 3, before his July 4 performances at Peach Festival.

    I can’t wait to get back on the road and play music in front of live audiences. Leading into Peach Fest, I’ve added 4 brand new shows in Eatontown, NJ, Lake George, NY, E. Swanzey, NH and Lafayette, NY. Each show will adhere to local regulations as pertains to seating, capacity and overall public health safety protocols. Please check out the links for each show below.

    Warren Haynes Facebook post

    Warren Haynes Solo Tour dates

    June 29&30 – Concerts On The Green – Eatontown, NJ
    July 1 – Lake George Festival Commons – Lake George, NY
    July 2 – Northlands Live – East Swanzey, NH
    July 3 – Apple Valley Park – Lafayette, NY

    Tickets are now on sale here.

  • Augmented Reality Concert Experience Announced by New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composer’s Program and Chromic Duo

    Augmented reality concert experience was announced by New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composer’s Program and Chromic Duo. The project is titled  “Emerald Futures” and is starting on July 2, 2021. 

    New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers Program is a afterschool program through the School Partnership Program for grades 7-10, the Very Young Composer’s Program exposes students to the instruments of the orchestra, nurtures their inherent creativity, and culminates with original works performed by members of the Philharmonic.

    Chromic Duo are an award-winning electronic toy piano duo that brings new audiences together by creating new connections between classical music, electronics, and multimedia. They are “Tackling large issues with toy pianos.” They push the possibilities of genres and performance by recontextualizing classical music in multimedia work inspired by the multitudes as third-culture-kids discovering their voice within the vast Asian American diaspora. 

    The Chromic Duo curtsy of their website.

    How this “Emerald Futures” project will work is the performance of the original compositions from young composers ages 12-16 from the New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composer’s Program will be mixed with a sound walk through New York City which will create this augmented experience. The augmented reality experience will be available to anyone who would like to participate via the app Gesso which will be available on iOS and Android.

    This “Emerald Futures” project will create music and storytelling experience using the walk to give listeners a multi-sensory experience while they explore the city immersing themselves in the sounds of original compositions. The scripted audio sound walk will lead listeners on a path through the city from New York’s Central Park to the Lincoln Center using a GPS trigger to create site-specific concert experiences. The experience come to a close with Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya’s “We Belong Here” mural as a moment of reflection and response to ending AAPI hate. This augmented reality concert experience will be accessible to the public at any time after it’s release on July 2, 2021. 

    “We Belong Here” mural

    The Chromic Duo is made up of Lucy Yao and Dorothy Chan. They both are first and second-generation Asian Americans themselves care greatly about reflecting and responding to ending AAPI hate that has been growing during the COVID-19 pandemic which is the reasoning behind ending the experience at the “We Belong Here” mural. 

    The duo hopes that this reflective music and narration will allow people to immerse themselves in an experience that brings to light the stories and perspectives of people and communities around them so that they can be inspired to respond based on empathy instead of biased judgment. Lucy Yao spoke about the project saying, “We also hope to inspire the young composers of this program to lean into their curiosities, and always be questioning and challenging the norms of how things came to be. We often ask ourselves, ‘how can we use music as a positive force and tool to bring people together?’ Music has the power to take your perceived biases and understanding of the world and challenge them.” 

    For more information on the “Emerald Futures” project visit the New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers website.

  • Resonance Music and Arts Festival Announces Initial 2021 Lineup

    The Resonance Music and Arts Festival has recently announced its initial 2021 lineup featuring multiple sets from Resonance alumni, including Tipper, Lotus, Lettuce, Papadosio, Umphrey’s McGee and many more. The fest will run from September 16-18 at a new location – Marvin’s Mountaintop Campground in Masontown, West Virginia.

    Resonance Festival

    The lineup announcement comes on the heels of a recent change in location for the fest, now taking place at Marvin’s Mountaintop. Cooper’s Lake in Slippery Rock, PA hosted the festival in 2019, after a five-year run at Legend Valley in Thornville, OH.

    We’re so happy we have a new home for Resonance at Marvin’s Mountaintop. Despite all of the challenges we’ve encountered, we’re looking forward to a fantastic weekend with a ton of incredible artists.

    Casey Schneider – Founder of Resonance Fest

    Resonance Festival will continue its tradition of special sets from a range of performers, including a mountain sunrise set from Tipper and a sunset set from jam-band Spafford. The special sets continue with “TAUKing Wonder,” a Stevie Wonder tribute set and Keller Williams’ “Grateful Grass,” a “psychedelic bluegrass” set inspired by the Grateful Dead.

    Papadosio at Resonance 2019 Photo Credit: Keith Griner

    Known for providing a blended lineup ranging from electronic to instrument-driven music with everything in between, Resonance is expected to stay true to form this year. In the past, the Resonance Festival 2021 has featured art tents, light shows, interactive displays, and scenic views.

    In the coming weeks, attendees can expect updates on lineup additions, visual artists, activities, and more. Tickets are on sale now through the event website with weekend, RV, car, camping and VIP packages available. 

    Resonance Fest 2019 Recap Video Credit: Sacred StoryWeavers

  • Mac Sabbath Brings 2021 Pop-Up-Drive-Thru Tour to Ravenous Fans with Two Stops in New York

    Mac Sabbath is returning to the road in late August to bring America another heaping helping of unhealthy – but irresistible – Drive Thru Metal. Their 2021 Pop-Up-Drive-Thru Tour will feature The Outlaw Mariachi, Speedealer and Lung on select dates, and will make stops in Rochester and New York City.

    Mac Sabbath

    Mixing raucous comedy with borderline-horrific theatrics, Mac Sabbath is the love child of heavy metal band Black Sabbath and hamburgers. Warning about the dangers of fast food, Mac Sabbath puts on a theatrical, multimedia stage show – complete with parody lyrics, a smoking grill, laser-eyed clowns, bouncing burgers and many more surprises.

    Mac Sabbath has also recently revealed their first book, Drive Thru Metal, a pop-up book that takes fans on a journey through a dystopian fast-food world polluted by its own waste. There are two editions of the book, one being the Special Edition version, a limited version complete with a foil stamped cover, a Gris Grimly art print and “ketchup and mustard splattered” yellow and red vinyl.

    Mac Sabbath

    Both editions of Drive Thru Metal include pop-up scenes highlighting “The Factory,” “The Ascension” and “Utopia” and include a vinyl with seven Mac Sabbath musical stories, including songs “Organic Funeral,” Sweet Beef” and “N.I.B.B.L.E.” Both editions are available in limited quantities and pre-orders are available on Mac Sabbath’s merch site.

    Mac Sabbath’s “Pair-a-Buns” music video, a spoof on Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid”

    Check out the complete Mac Sabbath tour schedule below:

    8/25 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall

    8/26 – Sacramento, CA – Holy Diver

    8/28 -Portland, OR – Dante’s

    8/29 – Seattle, WA – El Corazón

    9/1 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge

    9/2 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater

    9/3 – Wichita, KS – WAVE

    9/4 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads 

    9/7 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line

    9/8 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall

    9/9 – Lombard, IL – Afterlife Music Hall

    9/10 – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation

    9/11- St. Louis, MO – Fubar

    9/12 – Louisville, KY – Zanzabar

    9/15 – Rochester, NY – The Montage Music Hall

    9/16 – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge

    9/17 – New Bedford, MA – The Vault Music Hall & Pub

    9/18 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry

    9/19 – Washington, DC – Black Cat

    9/22 – Harrisburg, PA – Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center

    9/23 – Belle Vernon, PA – Vinoski Winery

    9/24 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom

    9/25 – Ferndale, MI – Magic Bag

    9/28 – Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI Indy & HI-FI Annex

    9/29 – Nashville, TN – EXIT/IN

    9/30 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle

    10/1 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall

    10/2 – Wilmington, NC – 42nd Street Tavern

    10/3 – Charleston, SC – The Charleston Pour House

    10/6 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West

    10/7 – Memphis, TN – Lafayette’s Music Room

    10/8 – New Orleans, LA – Zony Mash Beer Project

    10/9 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar

    10/10 – Austin, TX – Meanwhile Brewing

    10/12 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger

    10/14 – Santa Fe, NM – Meow Wolf Santa Fe

    10/15 – El Paso, TX – RockHouse Bar & Grill

    11/5 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom

    11/6 – Las Vegas, NV – The Space

    with The Outlaw Mariachi

    with Speedealer

    with Lung

  • Twiddle announces Double Down at Champlain Valley Expo in August

    Scaling back an annual weekend of music and art in Burlington, VT, Higher Ground will present Double Down, with Twiddle performing at the Midway Lawn at Champlain Valley Expo on Friday, August 6 and Saturday, August 7.

    Double Down

    The annual Tumble Down weekend, headlined by two nights of Twiddle with multiple bands performing each day as well as late night at Nectar’s and Higher Ground, will be scaled back as Double Down this year. Offering two nights of music along with support acts, fans can enjoy Twiddle’s annual Burlington summer jaunt as they have since 2015.

    On August 6, Robert Banks Trio will open for Twiddle, while on August 7, Gubbilidis and Frends will kick off the night.

    Tickets are $49 advance, $53 day of show, and $79 2-day pass. Gates open at 5:30pm, with the show starting at 7pm. Both shows are all ages, with children 12 & under are free. $2 of each ticket sold will help to combat Vermont’s opioid crisis. Tickets are now on sale at highergroundmusic.com

    Higher Ground has a few other concerts planned at Champlain Valley Exposition. On Wednesday, July 28, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats performs, with The Marcus King Band and Tre Burt. Tuesday August 3 will find Billy Strings on the shores of Lake Champlain, and on Saturday, October 2 Primus will perform, with Wolfmother opening.

  • Binghamton Philharmonic Returns to In-Person Performances on June 19

    On Saturday, June 19, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra will present a concert of 18th-century baroque music for strings and harpsichord at the Broome County Forum Theatre. 

    Binghamton Philharmonic

    The concert, titled “Back to Baroque,” will be the orchestra’s first performance at the Forum since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of concerts over a year ago. The program, conducted by the Philharmonic’s Music Director Daniel Hege, will include Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3,” Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto,” Vivaldi Sinfonias, and more. After a year spent performing socially distanced concerts and online events, the Binghamton Philharmonic’s first live showing will be a breath of fresh air for everyone. 

    Daniel Hege is widely recognized as one of America’s finest conductors, earning critical acclaim for his fresh interpretations of the standard repertoire and for his commitment to creative programming. He was appointed to the position of Music Director of the Binghamton Philharmonic in May 2018.

    “We are so thrilled to present live, orchestral music again, especially after such a difficult year,” says Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Executive Director Paul Cienniwa. “While we have to follow certain limitations of COVID-19 safety measures, such as smaller audience and ensemble size, we are still very pleased to end our season with live music in our beloved concert hall. Baroque music has many musical fireworks to offer, so I am happy to end our season with a bang!” 


    The concert, lasting an hour, will take place at both 6 pm and 8 pm. In order to follow COVID safety protocols, seating is limited to 250 patrons per performance of The Broome County Forum Theatre which is a 1,500-seat performing arts theatre. Because of the unique seating arrangement for this concert, all tickets must be pre-purchased by phone. For more information, contact the Binghamton Philharmonic at 607-723-3931 or visit the Binghamton Philharmonic website. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fPA5ePgmMs