NYS Music 202​1

Category: News Desk

  • Finger Lakes GrassRoots Live! Announces a Series of One Night Concerts

    The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance or more commonly known as just Grassroots announced the creation of the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Live!: a series of limited capacity one night concerts on the Infield Stage of the festival’s Trumansburg, NY Fairgrounds. The series will start on July 9, 2021 and run throughout the month of July each weekend. 

    Finger Lakes GrassRoots Live

    The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival generally takes place the third weekend of July every year in Trumansburg, NY starting back in 1991 apart from last year (2020)  due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to COVID-19 the official festival won’t be back until 2022 but these one night festivities will bring the Grassroots spirit back to upstate New York. Donna The Buffalo, who is one of the original founding bands of GrassRoots, will be hosting a Donna The Buffalo’s GrassRoots Festival Weekend, July 23-25.

    Railroad Earth w/ Aaron Lipp & Max Flansburg will be performing on July 9.  Galactic feat. Anjelika ‘Jelly’ Joseph w/ Danielle Ponder will be performing on July 10. Sam Bush Band w/ Driftwood will be performing on July 16. Cory Henry w/ Sophistafunk will be performing on July 17. Donna The Buffalo’s GrassRoots Weekend will be taking place on July 23-25. The Return of Jimkata & Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad will be taking place on July 30. Spin Doctors will be wrapping up the fun by performing on July 31.

    Tickets will be sold as PODS capable of accommodating up to 4 people starting at $89 and an additional dance area in front of the stage and Dance Tent on GrassRoots Weekend will be available to those with a POD who are fully vaccinated and can prove it. 

    Donna The Buffalo’s GrassRoots Festival Weekend will host the Infield Stage, Dance Tent, Sunday’s All Star Revue and Camping at our Across The Way Campgrounds. The full lineup and more information about Donna The Buffalo’s GrassRoots Festival Weekend weekend can be found here.

    Finger Lakes GrassRoots Live

    In addition, camping will be available surrounding show weekends at our Across The Way Campgrounds. Details and reservations will be available soon. Previous 30th Annual GrassRoots Festival ticket holders and Dream Teamers may exchange their tickets to Finger Lakes GrassRoots Live! by emailing tickets@grassrootsfest.org.

    For more information on the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Live! series visit the The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival’s website.

  • Arts for Art Announces Free Outdoor Concert Series

    New York City based arts organization Arts for Art is celebrating the return of live music by presenting free outdoor concerts on June 12 and 13. The concerts will take place from 3-5 PM at the First Street Green Cultural Park located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

    Arts for Art
    Photo from the First Street Green Park website

    The event will be in compliance with CDC and New York City Covid-19 guidelines. Notable performers include William Parker, Sam Newsome, Darius Jones, Steve Swell and many more. You can see the full schedule for the weekend below.

    Arts for Art
    William Parker, photo by Jimmy Katz

    Arts for Art was founded in 1996 and its “work is rooted in a commitment to social justice as equity and the promotion and advancement of FreeJazz, an African American indigenous art form in which improvisation is principle.” This upcoming outdoor concert series is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and City Council Member Carlina Rivera. You can learn more about Arts for Art on their website.

    SCHEDULE:

    Saturday, June 12

    3:00 Sam Newsome Trio: Sam Newsome – soprano sax / Hilliard Greene – bass / Reggie Nicholson – drums

    3:40 Darius Jones/ Francisco Mela: Darius Jones – alto saxophone / Francisco Mela – drums

    4:20 Behroozi / Parker / Thompson: Daro Behroozi – tenor saxophone / William Parker – bass / Michael T.A. Thompson – drums

    Sunday, June 13

    3:00 Trombone Insurgency: Steve Swell – trombone / Joe McPhee – trombone / William Parker – bass / Gerald Cleaver – drums

    3:40 Marcelo & Carter x 2: Alexis Marcelo – keyboard / Rashaan Carter – bass / Russell Carter – drums

    4:20 Knuffke / Parker / Wollesen: Kirk Knuffke – cornet / William Parker – bass / Kenny Wollesen – drums

  • Slipknot’s Knotfest Roadshow Visits Darien Lake & Syracuse

    Slipknot has announced the resuming of the Knotfest Roadshow, with stops in Darien Lake and Syracuse. The 2021 edition of the tour will start on Sept 28 in Illinois. The 24-night trek will criss-cross the United States and artists such as Killswitch Engage, Fever 333, and Code Orange are all confirmed to join the run.

    Knotfest Roadshow 2021

    Following the exciting news of Knotfest Iowa, their massive production planned for September, as well as the confirmation from the band that they are in the studio working on the follow-up to We Are Not Your Kind, the masked nine will return to their caravan of chaos. Tour dates include two shows in New York, one at the Darien Lake Amphitheater in Darien Center on Oct 3 and one at the Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse on Oct 5.

    Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor weighed in on the kind of anticipation that is now building ahead of Slipknot getting back to the business of decimating stages again. “With the world opening up, it’s time to get excited about life again. To get back to life again. This tour is a long time coming and we hope you’re as excited to see it as we are to play it. Stay safe, stay (sic) and we’ll see you soon.”

    As for the band’s announcement of recording new music in the studio. Just last week, the band’s artistic architect and percussionist M.Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan confirmed to the U.K. media that the band was in fact, in the studio and in the thick of working on “God music” in the follow up to the universally-lauded 2019 release of We Are Not Your Kind. 

    Fan can to get an exclusive glimpse at ‘behind the scenes’ footage of the band at work by subscribing over at knotfest.com. Subscribers are also eligible to pre-order both Knotfest Roadshow and Knotfest Iowa tickets before the on-sale date to the general public.

    Tickets will be available on pre-sale to Knotfest subscribers from 10am local time on June 2nd, with a general on-sale from 10am local on June 4th, over at the official Knotfest Roadshow website.

    Slipknot 2021 “Knotfest Roadshow” Tour Dates with Killswitch Engage, Fever 333, and Code Orange:
    09/25 – Indianola, IA @ National Balloon Classic Field *
    09/28 – Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
    09/29 – Milwaukee, WI @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
    10/01 – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
    10/02 – Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
    10/03 – Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Amphitheater
    10/05 – Syracuse, NY @ Lakeview Amphitheater – Syracuse
    10/08 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
    10/09 – Hartford, CT @ XFINITY Theatre
    10/10 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
    10/12 – Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion
    10/13 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
    10/15 – Burgettstown, PA @ S&T Bank Music Park
    10/17 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
    10/19 – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
    10/20 – West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
    10/22 – Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
    10/23 – Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
    10/24 – Pelham, AL @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
    10/26 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP
    10/28 – Del Valle, TX @ Germania Insurance Amphitheater
    10/29 – The Woodlands, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion **
    10/30 – Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion
    11/01 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater
    11/02 – Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Pavilion

    * = Knotfest Iowa Festival (no Killswitch Engage or Code Orange)
    ** = no Code Orange

  • Performers In The Park, a Free Utica Outdoor Concert Series, Starts June 3

    Free outdoor concerts are coming to Utica on Thursday nights in June as Bagg’s Square Association presents Performers in the Park at Handshake.City.

    Performers In the Park

    The weekly series will feature live music, art demonstrations, spoken word, outdoor activities, food trucks and locally-made goods for sale, 6-8pm every Thursday from June 3rd to July 1st.

    Kicking off the series on June 3rd is blues, rock and jam group Uncle Charlie and the Meatballs with mural creation by Tony Thompson. June 10th features Handsome Bob, a new band to the Utica music scene playing rock, pop and punk tunes.

    June 17th brings electronic instrumental musician Zalatan to the stage and spoken word by Téa Parker. Progressive rock group Copper Vein Clones plays on June 24th. Closing out the series on July 1st is an American Car Show with music by singer/songwriter J. Schnitt.

    Performers In the Park

    Performers in the Park is a great event to start off the summer right. Get the family out of the house for an evening or four and enjoy the nice weather and music. Every week visits another genre of Utica jams to discover. Don’t forget to support your local businesses and get some snacks and goodies while you’re at it. There are sure to be activities everyone will appreciate at Performers in the Park.

    The Performers in the Park series is made possible by the Bagg’s Square Association, a non-profit organization of businesses and community members dedicated to generating and sustaining new life and activity in the Bagg’s Square neighborhood.

    The events will take place at Handshake.City in the heart of Bagg’s Square at 26 Whitesboro Street in Utica near Union Station. Handshake.City is a collaboration of green space, art gallery, urban marketplace, and event venue from community group Made In Utica. It offers a family and pet friendly outdoor experience.

    To learn more or get involved, visit www.handshake.city.

  • City Bisco returns this July while Camp Bisco takes a year off

    This week the Disco Biscuits announced that their annual festival, Camp Bisco, which has been held almost-annually since 1999, will take a year off. In its place, City Bisco will return to its original home, The Pavilion at The Mann Center for Performing Arts in Philadelphia for 2 nights over July 9 & 10.

    City Bisco features both The Disco Biscuits and Lotus for two nights, with interlocking DJ sets from Orchard Lounge on Friday and Luke the Knife Saturday. 

    We’ve been lucky enough to have had a few opportunities over the last year to play shows to our hometown here in Philly – at Citizens Bank Park, the Fillmore and elsewhere – but none of them have had an in person audience. This is the first time we’ve been able to perform at home for a large audience in over a year. 

    It’s exciting, and there’s something very classic about Lotus and Orchard Lounge being there with us. Our fans are constantly asking us to team up with them – it’s an old school lineup. It’s going to be a special weekend.

    The Disco Biscuits’ Jon Barber.

    The return to The Mann will mark the fourth official City Bisco, after residing in both Philadelphia and New York City throughout the years since its inception in 2012. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 4 at 12 noon ET at Ticketmaster.com.

    While Camp Bisco takes a year off, the festival has a great history, spanning over 4 decades. Read our history of Camp Bisco IV, held in Van Etten, NY in August 2005.

    If you’re looking for your Biscuits fix this weekend, tune into Couchtour.tv and Fans.Live for a weekend simulcast of the the Disco Biscuits two-night run from the Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, CT.

    Couchtour.tv has been the virtual host for The Disco Biscuits’ fall and spring tours, presenting each broadcast in hi-definition audio and video in real-time and then making them available via video on-demand.

    Fans can purchase the livestreams through both platforms, which air Fri. June 4th and Sat. June 5th at 6:30pm ET/ 3:30pm PT. 

  • Grammy Winner Stephane Wrembel to perform at Caffè Lena on June 12th

    Stephane Wrembel is a composer, teacher, and one of the preeminent guitarists specializing in the Django Reinhardt style of guitar. Wrembel will perform at Caffè Lena on Saturday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

    Wrembel is most known for his Grammy award-winning composition “Bistro Fada” from the academy award-winning Woody Allen movie Midnight In Paris.  Since 2001, Wrembelhas released over a dozen critically acclaimed albums including a series of recordings in tribute to Django Reinhardt under the nom de plume, The Django Experiment.

    Stephane Wrembel
    STEPHANE WREMBEL

    Founded in 1960, Caffè Lena is a premiere concert venue located in Saratoga Springs, NY known around the world for fostering the preservation and growth of independent music rooted in tradition.

    Since 2003, Wrembel has produced the Django a Gogo Festival, bringing together some of the finest musicians in the world to celebrate the Sinti guitar style to perform in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Town Hall. This year’s Django a Gogo is scheduled for early June.

    The performance at Caffè Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, are open to patrons of all ages. Seats will be sold in “pods” for 2-4 people.  Tickets are $25 per person plus fees. Tickets for the show can be bought here.

  • Sydney Irving Announces Summer Shows Across Upstate New York

    Sydney Irving has announced summer shows sprawling across upstate New York. Between solo shows and upcoming shows with her band the Mojo, Irving will be busy bringing music back to upstate New York after the lull of live music caused by COVID-19. 

    The Syracuse native is only 17 but already making big splashes early in her career debuting her first album titled “Hello Stranger” at the age of 14 and opening for big names like Matt Rogers, Drew Baldridge, and Mikele Buck. She has been nominated for best singer/songwriter at the Syracuse Area Music Awards four times, has been writing songs since she was twelve years old with her guitar.

    In 2020 she was named Young Adult Artist of the Year by the International Singer Songwriters Association. Back in 2019 she received the direct support for Starship feat. Mickey Thomas at the 2019 Spiedie Fest. And in 2020 she was named Music Mafia Radio Female Artist Of The Year. She is currently a Breedlove Guitar endorsed artist. Her music is branded as being ideal for people who are fans of Taylor Swift, HAIM and Phoebe Bridgers. 

    Sydney Irving

    Irving has 21 dates booked both for her solo performances and an incredible 26 shows booked with her band, The Mojo which started back in May. The shows will run through August 25 for the solo shows and through September 5 for the entire band. Some of the big stops include the New York State Fair, Copper City Brewing, Shine on Westcott, The Wildcat, and many many more. 

    Sydney Irving

    For more information on Sydney Irving visit her website.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k76R3rWUN8E

  • Empire State Youth Orchestra Announces Soundwalk in downtown Albany

    The Empire State Youth Orchestra which consists of a group of high school-aged musicians and artists from the Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) Young Leader Program have announced that they will be hosting a Soundwalk at Washington Park in Albany. This Soundwalk, which will premiere on May 30, 2021-Memorial Day Weekend, will be available all summer. 

    Soundwalk Albany

    A Soundwalk is an immersive audio experience curated to accompany a walker as they stroll along various nature trails. As a walker passes through each section, the music changes to match the particular sections of the trail. Young composers from ESYO and guest artists composed pieces of music for specific parts of the trail, highlighting its features. In addition to the focus on nature, some pieces will center on the significance of Albany’s heritage, both Dutch and Native American.

    Pieces are composed by Brett Wery, Aaron Houston, Jason Handron, Mike Blostein, Monica Roach, Clare Criscione, Max Caplan, and youth composers William Lauricella and Matthew Kenyon. Each piece is performed by ESYO musicians and special guest artists from the Musicians of Ma’alwyck, including ESYO Young Leader mentor Ann Marie Schwartz.

    This Soundwalk is an important project for so many reasons. I joined ESYO and the Young Leader program because I wanted to make music with other dedicated young musicians like myself, and now, I want to give that opportunity back to the community. A park is a place that brings people together, and I am reaffirming that statement through this music. I hope that the Soundwalk will continue to grow, fueled by the community surrounding it.

    Emma Edgar, Founder and Artistic Director of the Soundwalk project and a 12th grader at Bethlehem Central High School
    Soundwalk Albany
    “Founder and Artistic Director Emma Edgar and Recording Producer Sean Jones oversee the recording session for “Thrumming” composed by Michael Blostein, a musician, educator, and composer in the Capital Region. 

    The Albany Soundwalk will be a creative musical event that will bring the community together through the COVID-19 pandemic. For additional information about how you can experience the ESYO Soundwalk event, visit esyo.org/soundwalk. To donate and support the artists in the project, click here: esyo.org/soundwalk

  • The Falcon Plans Juneteenth Celebration

    Celebrate Juneteenth in words, praise, and music at The Falcon in the Hudson Valley. The scenically-located historic venue in Marlboro has planned an evening hosted by and featuring internationally renown gospel singer Bernard Clinton. Also featured on the bill are Newburgh’s Josiah Borden and Albany’s Ryan Graham, with special guests The Fabulous Rainbow Singers.

    Falcon Juneteenth

    The evening will also feature Professor Ciesta Little-Quinn of the Department Black Studies at SUNY New Paltz and the Arts Mid-Hudson Folk Arts Program, who has spoken extensively on the history of Gospel Music, its luminaries, and their impact on the Gospel world in the Hudson Valley. 

    The performances at this free outdoor even start at 7pm on June 19th. However space is limited and guests will need to reserve a table in advance to attend. Seating for dinner begins at 5pm. The Falcon’s menu features items that incorporate foods from local farms that practice sustainable agriculture. To reserve a table at The Falcon for Juneteenth, head to their reservations page. While there is no cover charge for the event, donations are encouraged.

    To keep guests and staff safe, precautions are still in place, and will be strictly enforced. Patrons must reserve a table. There is no “standing room.” Social distancing parameters will be enforced. Guests are required to wear masks unless seated at their tables.


  • Pride 2021: Where to Celebrate Throughout New York State

    Wondering where and how you can get your 2021 Pride on throughout New York this summer? With COVID-19 ever looming in the background, NYS Music has you covered. Between in person events and virtual celebrations, celebrating Pride with live music in 2021 will be a highlight of the summer across the State of New York.

    NYS Music PRIDE

    New York City and Long Island

    New York City Pride will be kicking off with 50 events across the 30 days of June, known as Pride month throughout the LGBTQ+ community. Between the NYC Pride march, Pridefest, and Pride Island. The NYC Pride March broadcast special will return for its fifth consecutive year.

    Featuring live performances, on-air interviews, and exciting street-side marching activity, the broadcast will air on ABC-7 from 12PM to 3PM EST on Sunday, June 27 as well on ABC7NY.com and ABC7 New York’s Connected TV Apps on streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku. All in-person elements will be produced in accordance with the most current guidelines for public events in the city.  DJ Lina Bradford will be performing at the online virtual Pride Island party. Details on the event can be found on their website. Musical performances across NYC Pride are waiting to be announced.

    Long Island Pride is taking place on June 13, 2021 at Eisenhower Park’s landmark Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre from 12PM-4PM. The festivities will take place in person and will follow New York State Department of Health and CDC guidance, all attendees will be required to present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, or 72-hour negative PCR test. This year’s Long Island Pride is a pre-ticketed event only and there will be no same day entry.  The event may sell out quickly with sponsorships, VIP tickets and a limited number of general admission tickets now on sale due to COVID-19.  Almost Queen, The Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps, and DJ Disco 2 House will all be performing.  Details on the event can be found on their website.

    Capital District

    In Albany the Pride activities will span out across the month with plenty of events. People can catch local artists performing on the Virtual Alive at 5 event. It can be found on Albany Events on YouTube and the Pride Center of the Capital region YouTube. Join the online party for the Virtual Pride Alive at 5 on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 11AM  to 12PM. Details on the event can be found on their website.

    Schenectady Pride will be hosting a ‘Day of Visibility’ event at the Gateway Plaza. The event will host DJ RVMBA at 3PM, Community Stage (special guests including SLOC Musical group, Planned Parenthood at 4PM, and Drag Spectacular starring the Legends of Drag at 5pm on Saturday, June 5, 2021. Details on the event can be found on their website.

    Buffalo

    Buffalo won’t be having an official live pride event this year due to COVID-19 but is promoting different events throughout Buffalo in celebration of Pride. The R&B and Hip-Hop Pride Event is taking place on June 5 from 9PM to 1AM at 522 Elmwood Ave Buffalo. The event is $7 and focuses on Recording Artists of the LGBTIAQ+ Community that dwell in the genres of R&B and Hip-Hop music. Hosted by an Actress/R&B and Hip-Hop Artist named Aqueira Oshun. Loncé thee Starr, Disprettymofo, Incense, Paris Glenn, Charlie Bae, C4W2, and Jay Aquarious will all be performing. The music for the show will be spun by a DJ named Trav1sTw1n. The maximum capacity is 40 people and please be asked to wear a mask at the event. Details on the event can be found on their website.

    Rochester

    Rochester Pride isn’t taking place until September 25, 2021 at Mayo Park from 12-5 PM and hasn’t released information yet. 

    CNY

    Central New York Pride will be taking place on June 26, 2021 for CNY Pride’s “Virtual Edition” Pride Festival, presented by Equitable. The festival will be featuring performances by Deviant Dance Tribe, Jason Ngo, Felipe Panama, Kitschy Scoflow, Koy Adams, Frita Lay, Sparkle Royale, Rea Listic, Tayler Mayde, and Natalie Taylor, and hosted live by the fabulous Samantha Vega, this digital festival will be streaming online June 26 and will be free and open to the public. Details on the event can be found on  their Facebook page.

    Keep checking back for more updates on when and where to get your Pride and dance moves on in 2021 throughout New York State.