On Tuesday, August 10, NYC based band We Are Scientists were scheduled to play a one-off warm up show at Brooklyn’sElsewhere Rooftop. Right as doors were set to open, severe thunderstorms rolled in and forced the band to postpone the show (now scheduled for September 20th at the Rooftop). The crowd waiting in the loft was told that We Are Scientists would come out and perform an impromptu acoustic set in the empty Hall downstairs. Not quite knowing what to expect, fans filed down the stairs and into the main venue at Elsewhere.
We Are Scientists, Elsewhere 8/10/21. Photo by Buscar Photo
At about 9:15pm the band came out on the empty stage armed with an acoustic guitar, a snare drum, and three voices. Keith and Chris engaged in some comedic back and forth with the crowd, joked about the lack of amplification and the barrier still in place in front of the stage, then treated the fans to a 20 minute acoustic performance (plus one air-bass solo) of old and new songs. Any disappointment over the postponed show quickly evaporated as the crowd engaged in an enthusiastic sing along. In spite of the circumstances, the guys were able to give their fans a special treat that will surely be cherished by those who stuck out the rain.
Keith Murray of We Are Scientists – Photo by Buscar Photo
The postponed warm-up show will be made up at Elsewhere on September 20th with a full European tour kicking off on November 24th in the UK. In between, the band’s new record, Huffy, will be released on October 8th on 100% records. Full tour dates can be found HERE – check back in September for a review of the show and the new record. You can watch the music video for latest single “Contact High” below.
Proof of vaccination is becoming a norm across venues while musicians urge audiences to mask up in an attempt to save the live music industry from shutting down once again
The Delta variant of COVID-19 is striking back and is threatening shutdowns again across the country with cases in unvaccinated and vaccinated people climbing. In response to this surge of cases, the live entertainment industry is trying to combat the risk of shutting down again by implementing protective measures. Some venues require proof of vaccination to enter while others are asking for masks to be worn even by vaccinated individuals.
Many venues across the country have started implementing these measures including lots in New York State. With NYC requiring proof of vaccination to enter certain establishments which was announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio on August 3, 2021. The mandate will require proof of vaccination for indoor dining, gyms and performances areas in mid September across NYC. Since this announcement more and more establishments across the board are requiring vaccinations at their locations.
On August 11, 2021 All Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage in NYC announced that performances are now requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for attendance. This new policy begins on August 14, 2021 with masks being strongly recommended and being required upon entry to the venue.
As of August 13, 2020 the Blue Note New York also located in NYC will require proof of vaccination from all customers, staff and musicians who enter the venue. Proof of vaccination may include a physical card or digital photo of the card from the CDC, NYC Covid Safe App or the NYS Excelsior Pass. Children under 12, who cannot be vaccinated, must wear masks.
AEG Presents, which is the second-largest live events promoter, is now requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for attendance to events at all of their upcoming venues and shows. Proof of vaccination will be required for staff as well. AEG will not accept just a negative COVID test for entry to upcoming events. Shawn Trell, COO and General Counsel explained in his statement saying “Certain states’ regulations may override our mandate, or a few artists may not want to immediately get on board with the plan, but we know that using our platform to take a strong position on vaccinations can make an impact. The message we want to send is simple and clear: the only way to be as safe as possible is to require everyone to be vaccinated. And we’re confident that others who haven’t been ready to make this full commitment yet will follow our lead.”
In places like Rochester venues are requiring vaccinations left and right with venues like Bug Jar and Abilene Bar and Lounge both requiring vaccination for entry. Abilene Bar and Lounge’s owner Danny Deutsch posted on the bar’s website saying, “Abilene is too small a space, both inside and out, to adequately provide for a “vacced” and “non vacced” section. That being said, we hope that you’ll take comfort in knowing that everyone around you has been vaccinated.” The Bug Jar had similar reasons for requiring vaccination proof for entry saying that most touring acts “are mandating Vaccination policies in an effort to keep fans, production staff, and artists safe and we support that decision” on their social media accounts.
Musicians have started to jump on the bandwagon as well with encouraging fans to wear masks and keep social distance at their performances. Some have even started requiring vaccination at their performances.
PVRIS announced on August 12, 2021 that they were now requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test to attend the rest of their current summer tour. They explained it was to help keep their fans safe saying they, “Also appreciate those who wear masks as a courtesy for those around them. And for us(them) as well.” The band had already required masks for meet and greets and has been strongly encouraging fans to wear masks at their performances. They sent out the message across their social media platforms urging fans to play it safe so they can hopefully finish their tour.
Live Nation announced that artists will have the option to decide whether to require fans to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. Singer-songwriter Jason Isbell announced he will be requiring vaccination or a negative test for entry to his upcoming shows because of this option. “They’re just getting so much pushback from some of the governors of certain states who want to kowtow to their political base and try to make people think their freedom is being encroached upon,” Isbell said during an appearance on MSNBC. “I’m all for freedom, but if you’re dead, you don’t have any freedoms at all.”
Dead & Company announced a proof of vaccination requirement at their upcoming 2021 tour, which kicks off next week in Raleigh, North Carolina. People are required to provide either proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours of the shows. The band has also gone a step further is safety guidelines for their upcoming tour detailing new protocols for the pit: GA ticket holders must show proof or else they’ll be relegated to a “non-pit” seating entry — even if they have a negative Covid test which will help ensure some social distancing from unvaccinated individuals.
It’s unclear if these measures will help save the live music industry from shutting down once again from COVID-19 but the measures being taken by venues and musicians to try to keep the industry afloat are commendable and appreciated by those who love live music.
After being closed for 18 months during the pandemic, Bardavon Presents has announced the reopening of Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) on Sunday, September 26 at 7pm. The show is rescheduled from August 22 due to Hurricane Henri, with tickets from August 22 being honored.
Sunday August 22 at 7pm with preformers Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, followed the week after by Brit Floyd on Sunday August 29 at 8pm.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue – Sunday, August 22 at 7pm at UPAC
Troy Andrews, or, “Trombone Shorty,” brings his R&B, rock, rap and funk brass band to UPAC for the first time ever! Come early and enjoy the Brasskill second line on Broadway starting at 5pm, and grab dinner in a great Kingston restaurant before celebrating UPAC’s reopening!
Trombone Shorty has draw the unqualified respect of some of the most iconic legends in jazz and is known to, “Deliver a high-energy funk rock show capable of mesmerizing international rock stars.”
Trombone Shorty is equally gifted on both trombone and trumpet. Originally from New Orleans, Trombone Shorty was a bandleader by the age of six. He spent a great deal of time absorbing lessons from his older brother James, a dynamic musical performer known as “Satchmo of the Ghetto.”
“It really is as good as they say – believe the hype and don’t miss it. The perfect rock show” -LA Times
The Stanley Theatre in Utica is looking for additional volunteers to help out with their 2021-22 show season. The season begins in mid-August and is an amazing opportunity for anyone above the age of 16 to gain experience in the live music industry.
The Stanley Theatre operates as a not-for-profit organization run by the Central New York Community Arts Council. For nearly a century, the theatre has brought great live concerts, Broadway shows, and musicals to central New York. The 2021-22 season features shows put on by The Stanley Theatre, Broadway Theatre League, and independent promoters as well. Due to the theatre being closed for a year, the 2021-22 season is anticipated to be the busiest Utica has seen to date. Packed seats are expected, and the energy will be more contagious than ever. That being said, the theatre is hoping to take on more volunteers than years previous to make the shows run as smoothly as possible.
Volunteers for the Stanley Theatre are like family. This is a chance to learn about responsibility, the importance of working with a team, and will improve your communication skills. Volunteering is an important requirement for both high school and college-aged individuals, and this is a fun and welcoming environment to get in your volunteer hours. The best part of volunteering is, of course, being able to listen to and watch spectacular performances at the theatre.
If you are interested in taking part in this opportunity, please contact The Stanley Theatre by either calling at (315)-724-4000, or by emailing them at thestanleytheatre@gmail.com. Spread the word and join in on the amazing community at The Stanley Theatre!
Beginning in September 2021, the Park Theater Foundation will begin its flagship series, “The Park Presents,” featuring a diverse lineup of national and international musicians from genres including folk, Americana, zydeco, jazz, classical and more.
The Park Theater, located in Glens Falls, is known as the “newest premier venue” in the area and has a passion for sharing quality and affordable musical entertainment and educational opportunities. The building was established as a movie theatre in 1911, subsequently closing in 1935. Revived in the mid-2000s, The Park Theater reopened its doors with a new vitality for providing a stage for music and arts performance in 2018.
The Park was shut down for eight months following the COVID-19 pandemic and returned in a small scale to present “Dinner & A Movie: ‘A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood‘” in November 2020. “The Park Presents” introduces the full-force comeback of the theater!
We have been hard at work on this schedule and are beyond excited to welcome live music back to our stage and guests to our seats.
Chris Ristau, Excecutive Director
On September 10, guitarist Ariel Posen will be the first to take the stage for “The Park Presents” season. This season will also feature The Gibson Brothers, the Villalobos Brothers, The Small Glories, The Jason Anick Acoustic Trio, and many more.
In addition to music concerts, the 2021/22 season will feature a variety of other programs including “Tribute Band Rewind,” “Live & Local,” “Comedy After Dark” and “Third Thursday Jazz.”
Tickets for the 2021/22 season will be on sale beginning August 6th, 2021. For the full performance listing or to purchase tickets, visit www.parktheatergf.com.
The launch of a summer concert series in the Hamptons will kick off at legendary venue Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett on August 31st. A portion of the proceeds from the shows will go to benefit USA Warrior Stories, a not-for-profit organization designed to record, archive, and share videos of veteran stories online to help veterans make a connection with one another and to help us all better understand their sacrifices for our freedom.
The first installment in the series will feature Grammy-nominated guitarist and innovative songwriter Marcus King. New Orleans multi-instrumentalist Ivan Neville, “badass and beautiful” vocalist and songwriter Lisa Fischer, and Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist Louis Cato will join King as special guests.
Known for his soulful vocals and the wisdom of his lyrics, King has earned rave reviews for his kinetic musicianship. His debut solo album, El Dorado, topped the Americana radio charts and has received critical acclaim. Son of the great soul singer Aaron Neville, Ivan Neville is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and singer. He has released four solo albums and had a Top 30 Billboard hit with the first single “Not Just Another Girl” from his debut solo album If My Ancestors Could See Me Now.
Portuguese-born, Carolina-bred, and current Brooklyn, NY resident Louis Cato is a Grammy-nominated and internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter. He has recorded with Beyonce, Q-tip, John Legend, and Mariah Carey, among other household names. He has toured with some of the most influential acts in music. And is currently featured nightly on CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as a member of Jon Batiste and Stay Human.
Along with their frequent collaborator and partner John Varvatos, Williamson and Rechter ( The show’s organizers) were the first to bring music with a live audience back to New York City after the coronavirus pandemic shut down live entertainment around the world. The show, which featured an array of world-class artists including Jon Bon Jovi, Sara Bareilles, Gary Clark Jr., Yola, and many more, truly brought the city full-circle, as the team’s Love Rocks NYC show in 2020 was the last concert in NYC before the shutdown. In December 2020, the two also worked with Varvatos, rapper and Rock the Bells founder/CEO LL Cool J, actor Kevin Bacon and CBS This Morning anchor Anthony Mason to produce Play On, an extraordinary benefit concert that raised millions of dollars for transformational racial, social, and food justice.
Binghamton is bringing the heat this summer with several live concerts and other events planned. This summer’s lineup includes Wheelhouse, Wreckless Marci, and much more!
Otsiningo Park in Binghamton, NY, which will host several concerts this summer.
The city of Binghamton is jam-packed with fun musical events this summer, most importantly their Broome Bands Together concert series that began in July. Upcoming concerts include Wheelhouse on August 10, and Wreckless Marci on August 17. The events will be held at Otsiningo Park in the Town of Dickenson from 6pm – 8pm and all those attending are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket.
In addition to the Broome Bands Together series, Binghamton will host the Harper Stantz Rec Park Music Fest on Sunday, August 8. The festival features local and regional musical acts and is a great event for music lovers of all ages. The event takes place in the historic recreation park in Binghamton and offers many fun activities besides music, making it a fabulous way for families to enjoy a Sunday afternoon. This year’s performances will be mostly bluegrass and Americana, with some reggae mixed in as well.
Binghamton Recreation Park
The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra also has some exciting performances coming up. On August 14, Trio Pastoral will be performing as a part of the Summer Chamber Music series. On August 21, BPO’s Summer Chamber Music series will conclude with a lively performance featuring Unanimous Four, a greatly admired mixed ensemble.
The action continues in Binghamton with Porch Fest, one of the community’s most highly anticipated events, on August 29. Porch Fest is a collaborative celebration of cultures, combined with nonstop dancing and live music.
Binghamton Porch Fest
You surely do not want to miss out on all that Binghamton has to offer this summer. The lineup of events is as follows:
August 8th: Harper Stantz Rec Park Music Fest, 1-9pm, Recreation Park
August 10th: Wheelhouse, 6-8pm, Otsiningo Park
August 14th: BPO with Trio Pastoral, 5pm, Salvation Temple
August 17th: Wreckless Marci, 6-8pm, Otsiningo Park
August 21st: BPO with Unanimous Four, 5pm, Centenary-Chenango United Methodist Church
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper will perform at The Stanley Theater in Utica on September 22, 2021. The shock-rocker, who is touring with former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley as his opening act, will mark Utica as his one and only gig in New York for his “Ol’ Black Eyes is Back” 2021-22 tour.
Alice Cooper pioneered a grandly theatrical brand of hard rock that was designed to shock audiences. Drawing equally from horror movies, vaudeville and garage rock, the group created a stage show that featured electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood and boa constrictors. He continues to tour regularly, performing shows worldwide with the dark and horror-themed theatrics that he is best known for.
With a schedule that has included six months year in and year out on the road, Alice Cooper brings his own brand of rock psycho-drama to fans both old and new, enjoying it as much as the audience does. Known as the architect of shock-rock, Cooper (in both the original Alice Cooper band and as a solo artist) has rattled the cages and undermined the authority of generations of guardians of the status quo, continuing to surprise fans and exude danger at every turn.
Released in Feb. 2021, his latest album Detroit Stories, produced by Bob Ezrin, is inspired by the garage rock music of Detroit in the late 1960’s. The album includes several classic covers of Detroit-hits from that era and was recorded in Detroit featuring all Detroit musicians. On top of that, “Nights With Alice Cooper,” Cooper’s nightly radio show, continues to air in nearly 100 cities in the U.S., Canada, Australia and the U.K.
Though his 2020 worldwide concert tour was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cooper looks forward to continuing to bring his iconic brand of rock & roll to fans on five continents now in 2021, 2022 and beyond. With his influence on rock & roll and pop culture long since acknowledged, there is little that Alice Cooper hasn’t achieved in his remarkable career, including platinum albums, sold-out tours and any number of honors and career achievement awards.
For nearly a century, The Stanley Theatre has brought the community together with live concerts, Broadway shows, musicals, ballets, movies, graduations and recitals. Today, The Stanley Theatre operates as a not-for-profit organization run by the Central New York Community Arts Council. Originally built as a movie theatre, The Stanley opened its doors in 1928 with 2,963 seats, a grand entry staircase that resembles the main staircase of the Titanic, a gold leaf interior and terra cotta and tiled mosaic exterior. Stanley Theatre was designed by renowned architect Thomas Lamb, whose remaining creations include The Stanley Theatre, Proctor’s Theatre and The Landmark Theatre.
A pre-show dinner is also available, for the cost of $52 per person. The 3-course meal will be hosted in The Red Room of The Stanley Theatre on September 22, 2021 at 5:00pm. For tickets, call The Stanley Theatre Box Office at (315) 724-4000.
The menu includes Hors D’oeuvres (Blue Cheese stuffed Figs wrapped in Bacon, Roasted Tomato & Pesto Bruschetta with Mozzarella, Belgian Endive with Mandarin Orange Vegetable Relish with Goat Cheese) a Mixed Berry Salad, Dinner Buffet (Carved Tenderloin of Beef, Chicken Poulet a l’Estragon, Vegetable Lasagna Roulade, Green Bean Almandine, Rosemary Roasted Red Potatoes) and Dessert (Miniature Mixed Berry Tacos, Fresh Fruit Plate)
Fans are also able to enter to win this beautiful, one-of-a-kind painting created by local Utica artist Stephen Fletcher. For just $5 a ticket (or 6 tickets for $25), one lucky winner will be able to take home this priceless painting.
Tickets can be purchased either in-person at The Stanley Theatre Box Office (10:30am-6pm) OR by calling 315-724-4000. The raffle will end after the Alice Cooper concert on Sept. 22. The lucky winner will be announced via social media the following day. That gives you plenty of time to throw your name into the hat to win this amazing piece of artwork!
While you are getting your raffle tickets, make sure you get yourself a ticket to see Alice Cooper and Ace Frehley on Sept. 22 at 7:30pm. Tickets are going fast! Test your luck and enter to win this beautiful painting, courtesy of Stephen Fletcher.
Please Note: Raffle tickets will be unavailable for purchase on Sept. 15 and 16, as The Stanley Theatre will be closed those two days. In addition, the winner will be responsible for proper shipping and insurance costs, depending on where they live, or arrange for pick up at the theatre. No international shipping.
Schenectady native and artistic producer Lecco Morris along with fellow New Yorkers, singer Kimberly Hawkey and lyricist Justin K. Rivers, have announced the live premiere of their thirteen-track album We the Nighthawks. Occurring on August 17 at The Linda in Albany at 8 p.m., the audience will be treated to performances that pull many genres including art song, jazz, musical theatre, and America.
Released earlier this year in May, the album captures within Hawkey’s crystalline and sometimes haunting voice what makes us all human – “life, love, and loss”. Recorded at Dreamland Studios in upstate New York with an impressive full orchestra of twenty musicians, the album has a solid foundation behind it. Despite covid putting the album on a brief hold, each musician showed up on recording day after receiving the required negative COVID test to enter the studio. Bringing a plethora of experience to the team is Grammy-nominated Assaf Gleizner as musical director, and seven-time Grammy-winning producer, Joel Moss. Moss’s impressive client list includes the late Ray Charles, Stephen Sondheim, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tony Bennett, Johnny Cash, and many more during a career in the music industry that has spanned over fifty years.
Moss was at first skeptical about undertaking the indie record at first saying, “My first listening of these Morris/Rivers compositions was a simple piano/vocal recording. The fact that its simplicity featured the brilliant playing of Assaf Gleizner and the angelic voice of Kimberly Hawkey was not wasted on my ready-to-be-unexcited ears. I was immediately captivated, and rather than quickly scanning, tune to tune, I listened intently, top to bottom…twice.”
While We the Nighthawks might be Morris’s first full-length studio album that he composed, it is only a small fraction of musical experience this pianist has under his belt. Growing up in western New York, Morris was “born in the theater” due to his father Philip Morris’s positions at the Arts Council for Chautauqua County and The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown. While Morris did not participate in the theater directly, it was the springboard for future artistic endeavors. Since the tender age of 3, Lecco Morris has been perfecting his piano skills before turning to create music in his early teens.
During Morris’s senior year is when his music career took off. While entering his senior year of high school, Morris was given special permission to attend college-level classes at SUNY Schenectady School of Music. The stellar programming prepared Morris for a heavy curriculum that he later took renowned NYU Steinhardt where he obtained his degree in Music Theory and Composition. Morris also credits SUNY Schenectady School of Music for the ability to overcome the creative challenges faced trying to compose an album during the midst of a pandemic.
“The program’s music fundamentals – particularly theory and aural skills – were so thorough that I tested out of an entire year and a half of required credits at NYU’s music theory and composition program, affording me space in my schedule to explore more advanced musical coursework.”
Morris has since participated in many different art forms including acting, improv poetry, touring theater pieces but never straying far from his love for music. Fans can stay tuned for more stunning creative alchemy from Morris, Rivers, and Hawkey for their upcoming holiday album “A New Noel”, set to be released November this year, and a sophomore studio album.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
Finally, nearly a year and a half after the theatres closed due to COVID-19, The Egg is ready to reopen in August for a new extraordinary season of music, dance, and family performances. Performances were recently added to The Egg’s 2021-22 concert series including Kaki King on September 18, The Milk Carton Kids on September 24, and Bruce Cockburn on February 25.
Saturday, September 18 at 8 PM – Kaki King
Considered one of the most unique guitarists of our time, Kaki King combines virtuoso technique, insatiable imagination, and boundless humanity as heard on her most recent recording “Modern Yesterdays” where she continues to deconstruct and redefine the boundaries of the guitar through technique, imagination, and boundless humanity.Tickets for the show cost $29.50.
Friday, September 24 at 7:30 PM – The Milk Carton Kids
The Milk Carton Kids – Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan – combine ethereal harmonies and intricate musicianship into a uniquely powerful brand of contemporary songcraft becoming one of today’s foremost folk duos. Tickets for the show cost $36.
Friday, October 15 at 8 PM – Jake Shimabukuro
Jake Shimabukuro is without a doubt the world’s foremost ukulele virtuoso. Renowned for lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake will perform his eclectic repertoire of jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, rock, and traditional Hawaiian music.
Saturday, December 18 at 8 PM – The McKrells Holiday Show
Fusing Celtic sounds with American folk and bluegrass for over 40 years, singer/songwriter Kevin McKrell leads a revamped band featuring Frank Orsini on fiddle, Scott Hopkins on banjo, Arlin Greene on bass and Brian Melick on percussion for an evening of original and traditional acoustic music – along with some holiday favorites.
Saturday, February 5 at 11 AM – The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favorites by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia
Three beloved stories by Eric Carle, award-winning children’s book illustrator and author, are retold on stage through the magic of black light and fanciful puppets by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. The Very Hungry Caterpillar follows the wonderful adventures of a caterpillar as he eats his way through an amazing variety of foods on his path to becoming a beautiful butterfly. Little Cloud playfully transforms himself into various creatures, including a sheep, and an airplane, a shark and more. The Mixed-Up Chameleon takes an adventurous trip to the zoo, where he attempts to emulate the beautiful animals he sees before coming to the conclusion that there is value in his own unique self.
Friday, February 25 at 7:30 PM – Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Cockburn’s music explores urban, political, and social issues in a poetically and rhythmically unique style that has produced classic songs such as “Wonderin’ Where the Lions Are”, “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” and “If I Had A Rocket Launcher.” Bruce performs his prized songbook solo and acoustic. Tickets for the show range from $39.50 to $49.50.
For safety purposes, The Egg will be following the current guidelines set by the State of New York and CDC for each performance. As these guidelines are subject to change, please check the event on their website a week in advance to see what restrictions are expected to be in place on the date of the performance. Cooperation in abiding by the guidelines to ensure the safety of everyone attending the show is appreciated.
Updated Schedule for The Egg2021-22 Concert Series:
A full calendar of The Egg 2021-22 events can be viewed by clicking here.
A virtual visit to The Egg can be viewed by clicking here.
Tickets are currently on sale online at theegg.org, by telephone at 518-473-1845, or in person at The Egg Box Office Monday – Friday from 11 AM – 3 PM.
