Category: Albany

Cohoes Music Hall Gears Up For Fall Shows

Cohoes, located in the northeast corner of Albany County is home to The Cohoes Music Hall, the center of the village and houses hundreds of local music concerts every year. Starting in late July, the venue will reopen, and fans from all across town will gather here to enjoy performances ranging from rock to folk to stand up comedy.

The Cohoes Music Hall was built in 1874 by two businessmen looking to bring live music to the center of town. Since its opening, the hall has hosted many performers such as Buffalo Bill Cody, John Phillip Sousa, Pat Rooney, and more. In 1905, after about 30 years of financial struggles, the bank chose to shut down the venue when the roof gave up and there was too small of a budget to repair it.

Many years later in 1986, the town funded over a million dollars to restore and reopen Cohoes Music Hall. Since its reopening, it has been a big success in the town, hosting very diverse performances. It is also the fourth oldest functioning music hall in America!

The fall concert season is set to begin on July 27th with a performance of Alice in Wonderland. Throughout the late summer and entirety of fall, performers such as Joe Louis Walker, The Sweet Remains, Dana Fuchs, and so many more will grace the Cohoes stage. There are even a few shows already planned for the beginning of 2022.

The location of the Cohoes Music Hall is perfect for anyone looking to have a night out on the town. Since the hall is in the center of town, food and drink options for before or after a show are endless. Whether you’re in the mood for Anthony’s Italian Restaurant, Cafe Monocle, or Hot Dog Charlie’s, it will be conveniently located close to Cohoes Music Hall. Tickets are available now, so get ready for a fall full of great shows!

Upcoming Shows

Alice in Wonderland: Tue, Jul 27, 2pm – Sun, Aug 1, 4pm

Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters: Fri, Aug 6, 8pm

Nick DiPaolo: Fri, Aug 13, 8pm

The Low Dough Rock ‘n Roll Show: Sat, Sep 11, 6:30pm

The Sweet Remains: Wed, Sep 15, 8pm

THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL SONGBOOK SHOW: AN EVENING OF SONGS & STORIES presented by Aztec Two-Step 2.0 with narration by Tony Traguardo: Fri, Sep 17, 8pm

Forever Seger: The Silver Bullet Experience: Sat, Sep 18, 8pm

The THE BAND Band: Fri, Sep 24, 8pm

Dana Fuchs: Sat, Sep 25, 8pm

Karla Bonoff: Sun, Oct 3, 8pm

Joe Louis Walker: Fri, Oct 8, 8pm

Rock of Ages: The Def Leppard Tribute: Sat, Oct 16, 8pm

Tab Benoit: Thu, Oct 28, 8pm

Into the Mystic: The Van Morrison Experience: Fri, Oct 29, 8pm

North Mississippi Allstars: Fri, Nov 5, 8pm

Significant Other: Fri, Nov 12, 8pm – Sun, Nov 21, 10pm

The Edward Twins Present: A Holiday Evening with Cher, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, Andrea Bocelli, Barbra Streisand & many more: Wed, Dec 1, 8pm

The Journey Experience Played by LEGEND: Fri, Dec 3, 8pm

KISStory: Sat, Dec 4, 8pm

Broken Hearted: Tom Petty Tribute Band: Fri, Jan 14, 8pm

God of Carnage: Fri, May 6, 8pm

July 22, 2021
The Egg Announces Reopening with the Performance of Swan Lake

The Egg Performing Arts Center announced its plans of reopening with the performance of Swan Lake. The performance will be done by the Ajkun Ballet Theatre on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 7:30 PM EST.

The Egg center for the performing arts.

The Egg Center for the Performing Arts is located in Albany New York and is known for its performances as much as it is for it’s architecture. It’s as much of a sculpture as it is a building. It’s construction took twelve years and finally came into being in 1978. “The Egg” itself is owned by the State of New York and managed by the not-for-profit Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation. Ajkun Ballet Theatre has been a resident every summer since 2000 at The Egg.

The Ajkun Ballet Theatre (AjkunBT) is a professional company that presents classical and contemporary ballets in the Greater New York area, throughout the USA and internationally. Chiara Ajkun the artistic director of Ajkun Ballet Theatre is restaging Swan Lake to Tchaikovsky’s iconic music. The production is currently being rehearsed at The Egg in preparation for the upcoming performance.

Chiara Ajkun spoke on the upcoming performance saying, “We could not be more excited to be in the theater everyday. This long pause has forced us to reflect on the importance of the Arts and the way they shape us as People. I, for one, strongly believe the magic of ballet does not rest in the opulence of sceneries and large ensembles, rather on pure emotion, beauty and magic it creates”.

The performance is taking place on Saturday, August 7, 2021 from 7:30PM – 8:45PM. Tickets are on sale now for $35 and can be purchased buy by phone at (518) 473-1845 or online here.

For more information on the Egg visit their website. For more information on The Ajkun Ballet Theatre visit their website.

July 22, 2021
In Focus: Amy Helm and The Sea The Sea at Alive at 5
On Wednesday, July 14th, Albany’s Alive at 5 concert series featured two acts native to upstate New York, indie folk-pop duo, The Sea The Sea, and Folk-rock, multi instrumentalist Amy Helm.

For the third week in a row, the concert was held at the Rain location under the 787 overpass. Despite the uncooperative weather, attendance was near capacity. Check out the setlists and photo gallery below.

Alive at 5 returns this week, Wednesday, July 21, with Hartley’s Encore and YAM YAM.

Setlists from Alive at 5 with Amy Helm and The Sea The Sea

The Sea The Sea: I’ll be loving you, Rainstorm, A thousand years, Broken, In the altogether, Back to the wild, Not the same as goodbye, The meaning of love, This is the way, Love we are we love, Let our Kites Fly, Nothing Brighter, The Art of Feeling, I’m so Lonesome, Stumbling Home, Everybody, Fall before the climb

Amy Helm: This Too Shall Light, Heat Lightning, Breathing, Rescue Me, Roll The Stone, Carry It Alone, Calling Home, Cotton On The Cane, Running Out Of Love, Wait For The Rain, Terminal B, He Called Me Baby, Atlantic City, Didn’t It rain, Sweet Mama
July 19, 2021
Cohoes Hosts Rock the Block Summer Concert Series

The historic city of Cohoes, located in the Northeast corner of Albany County will be hosting Rock the Block, a free five-week concert series. The concerts will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm in Canal Square (72 Remsen Street) started on July 15th and end on August 5th.

The city of Cohoes was established in 1630 and was strictly an agricultural area. During the Civil War, the population of Cohoes increased at rapid speeds. There was an abundance of water power which made it ideal for manufacturing and commercial operations. It is known for its textile manufacturing and six large cotton mills. Today, the city has a population of about 16.5 thousand people.

Rock the Block 2021 has a very exciting lineup. There are shows each weekend of July and into the first week of August. Admission is free, and bringing your own law chair is recommended. There will be plenty of food and beverage available for purchase at all concerts, so to get the most out of your Cohoes experience, come ready to eat, drink, and enjoy the rowdy music!

Cohoes Rock the Block 2021 Lineup

July 15th: Aquanett

July 22nd: Damn the Torpedoes (Tom Petty Tribute Band)

July 28th: The Refrigerators

July 29th: Skeeter Creek

August 5th: Funk Evolution

Check out the video below of Rock the Block 2018 to see all the fun that is in store this summer:

July 16, 2021
Baked Shrimp and Glass Pony Prep For LonCon
On a steamy Friday night, Lark Hall played host to two of the fastest rising jam bands in New York, Long Island’s Baked Shrimp, and Albany’s own Glass Pony, as a warm up to the former’s LonCon Fest.

For the opening set of the night, Glass Pony tore in with “Maximus” that segued incredibly into Oasis’ “Morning Glory,” but so smooth you wondered ‘is this a new song inspired by the 90s, or are they deep in a 90s cover?’ Sure enough, as guitarist/singer Eddie Hotaling belted out the lyrics, you knew the story. After the high energy and upbeat lyrics of “Something Good,” bassist Jeff Picarazzi sang lead on Leo Sayer’s “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.” With a new album coming down the road, and a crowd that was getting down from start to finish, Glass Pony has a lot more music in store.

Setlist: Maximus > Morning Glory, North Bound (unfinished) -> Something Good, Check it Again, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing -> Daydream (unfinished) > House on the Hill, Doppler, Bottom of the Ocean

Baked Shrimp, a jam power trio from Long Island put on a prog/funk clinic. For their entire 90 minute set the band moved seamlessly through complicated chord progressions and never lost a beat or the attention of the crowd. The young trio has great potential in their three members, bassist Scott Reill, guitarist/singer Jared Cowen, and drummer Jager Soss, a doppelganger for Andy Frasco. Their festival LonCon will be held in Parksville, NY over August 27-28. Find out more details on the festival here.

Setlist: The Manatee, Numpty, Synth, The Method -> Now’s Your Moment -> The Method, Four Corners to Every Side, Orpheus, Down the Drain
July 12, 2021
Timbre Coup Has ‘Sudden Urge’ To Release a New LP
Timbre Coup has long been an Albany band with a heavy following and an energetic fanbase. Ahead of their long awaited fourth studio album, Sudden Urge, the first in almost 10 years, Timbre Coup put on a release party at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs on Friday, June 25.

With a full night ahead of them, the band started strong weaving heavy guitar riffs with blasting bass lines. The first set was comprised mostly of their new album, playing it almost in its entirety.

The second set brought back a lot of fan favorites, bringing back a slew of tunes from their album, Knuckles and Valleys. An incredible cover of “Give It To Me Baby” ended an incredible night. Not known for playing covers, this was a real treat.

Set 1: Verbal Kint, Running Always, Mustache, Sudden Urge, Z#, Loaftones, Chupacabra, Snoop Tiger, Watching You

Set 2: Mother Nature, July, HTRAB, January, May, February, March, Give It To Me Baby
July 10, 2021
In Focus: Soule Monde and Victory Soul Orchestra at Alive at 5
For the second week of the City of Albany’s Alive at 5 concert series, funk was on the lineup and Soule Monde and company delivered. Moving to the rain location at the boat lunch under 787, the night started on time with Victory Soul Orchestra, who have been on the rise over the last year with memorable streams and now, live performances.

Headlining Alive at 5 tonight was Soule Monde, featuring Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski from Trey Anastasio Band. The drums and keys duo sounds more like a full band and got the ample crowd up and moving. Deep funky Afrobeat influenced rhythms framed much of the performance, one that paused for 15 minutes following the song seen below, and then continued until the 8pm curfew.

Alive at 5 returns next week with Amy Helm headlining, and The Sea The Sea opening the night.
July 9, 2021
Watch Live Music and Fireworks at the Empire State Plaza on the Fourth of July

Albany’s Empire State Plaza Independence Day celebration returns for its 45th annual fireworks display this year. The festivities will include musical performances from local favorites, as well as food and drink vendors on Sunday, July 4.

The night begins with a pop up COVID-19 vaccination site, while supplies last, from 5:30 to 8 PM at the Empire State Plaza. Later, attendees can enjoy food and drink vendors from 6-10 PM while watching the sunset around Albany’s cityscape. Alcohol will be served from 6 to 9:15 PM by vendors to adults with proper identification.

The Fourth of July festivities will also feature two Capital Region bands throughout the night. Classic rock band Graham Tichy and the New Lowdown will take the stage at 6:30 PM, followed by the Powerhouse Funk Band at 8 PM after an official July Fourth Ceremony.

Powerhouse Funk Band at the Empire State Plaza’s 2019 Fourth of July Celebration

The official ceremony will begin at 7:45 with a color guard and singing of the national anthem by Air National Guard Master Sargeant Samantha Marquette. Fireworks will close out the night, beginning at 9:15 PM.

Free parking begins at 5:30 PM in the Visitor, “P” Lot, Grand Street, and Elk Street Lots. No tickets are required, entrance to the event as well as firework viewing is free. For a list of ground rules, visit the New York State website.

For more information about the event, including a list of vendors, see the event webpage or keep up with updates on the Empire State Plaza Facebook page.

Empire State Plaza’s July Fourth Schedule:

5:30 PM: Empire State Plaza parking lots open and registration begins at pop-up vaccination site.
6:00 PM: Start of event and vaccination site opens
6:30 PM: Performance by Graham Tichy and the New Lowdown
7:45 PM: Official July 4 ceremony with color guard, national anthem, and remarks.
8:00 PM: Performance by Powerhouse Funk Band
9:15 PM: Fireworks
10:00 PM: Event Ends

2018 Empire State Plaza Festivities

July 2, 2021
Palace Theatre Announces Reopening with “Summer In The City”

“Summer In The City”, a free family-friendly movie series will be the kick off for the official reopening of the Palace Theatre.

Summer in the City is one of several free and low-cost arts and educational programs offered by the Palace that positively impacts local children and families each year. For this family-friendly movie series, the Palace targets outreach to low-income and underserved families in the City.

The Palace Theatre’s Summer in the City Movie Series, presented by SEFCU, will return to offer seven free, family-friendly movies to children and families from neighborhoods around the Palace in downtown Albany, with targeted outreach to low-income and underserved families in the City. The movie series provides children with the opportunity to enjoy the excitement and beauty of the historic Palace Theatre, while offering fun, safe and positive opportunities to become engaged in the arts.

“Children and families in the City of Albany have the opportunity to beat the heat while also sparking the imagination as they enjoy fun, family-friendly movies in this Albany landmark,” said SEFCU President and CEO Michael Castellana. “Going to the movies is always a special treat, especially this year as it represents a return to normalcy after the pandemic paused so many of our favorite summer activities.”

Summer in the City serves thousands from surrounding neighborhoods each year. The mission of the Palace is to bring world-class arts and entertainment to New York’s Capital Region, greatly enhancing the area’s cultural and economic development. Core programming and community initiatives include performing arts entertainment, free arts education, family-friendly performances, free summer movies, and a classic movie program series.

“It’s a great way for a whole new generation of young people to become more familiar with the beautiful Palace.” said Stephen P. Baboulis, Chairman, PPAC Board of Directors. “We thank SEFCU for sharing our vision about this summer program, and for their generous support!”

For each show, doors open at Noon. Movies begin at 1 p.m. Free popcorn is provided to children 12 and under. The first show will be open to 600 patrons with the potential for more later in the summer. Every movie viewing will be paired with a giveaway. One person in the audience will win a new HD Kindle Fire with a SEFCU Kids Plus subscription.

2021 SUMMER IN THE CITY SCHEDULE

For all events, doors open at noon; movies begin at 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 13 Moana

Tuesday, July 20 Sonic The Hedgehog

Tuesday, July 27 The Secret Life of Pets 2

Tuesday, August 3 Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse

Tuesday, August 10 Pokemon: Detective Pikachu

Tuesday, August 17 Frozen II

Tuesday, August 24 Sing

Free tickets may be picked up in advance at the Palace Theatre Box Office at 19 Clinton Ave. during regular business hours or reserved online at palacealbany.org. Individual Groups, Day Care, and Summer Camps looking to reserve a block of tickets may call in advance at 518-465-3335, ext. 111. For more information, call 518-465-4663 or visit www.palacealbany.org.

July 2, 2021
Baked Shrimp and Glass Pony team up for Lark Hall show on July 9

Two of the hottest, up and coming New York bands, and 2021 NYS Music Music Madness finalists, Baked Shrimp and Glass Pony will share the stage at Lark Hall on July 9th. With festival pass giveaways, free ice cream and an incredible night of music on tap, this is one show you won’t want to miss.

Since forming in January 2017, Long Island’s Baked Shrimp has established a name for themselves across the Northeast region of the United States and beyond. In just three years the high-energy rock trio has performed multiple extensive tours, released two albums, and is a name being consistently added to the festival circuit.

Currently in the middle of a massive summer tour which finds the band performing across the East Coast, Midwest and throughout the southern United States, Baked Shrimp is rapidly making new fans outside of their home-base of New York. The trio keeps it fresh from night to night with a catalogue of over one-hundred songs of mostly original material and deep, inspired improvisational playing.

Kicking off the evening’s festivities will be Albany’s very own Glass Pony. Encapsulating influences stretching across decades from psychedelic and jam-focused rock, to funk, post-punk, and even modern indie and post-rock, Glass Pony offer a sound that truly translates through generations, with a stylistic blend built to engage a broad listenership.

With a focus squarely set on delivering the most captivating live performance possible, the band utilizes infectiously danceable grooves colored with virtuosic individual performances that deftly blend into a cohesive whole. To accentuate their creative songwriting, they place a great value on improvisation and fluid set lists that change from show to show.

Baked Shrimp will be giving away a pair of FREE tickets on this special night to their inaugural music festival LonCon, taking place at Arrowhead Ranch on August 27th & 28th in Parksville, NY. The incredible lineup features two nights of Baked Shrimp in addition to Mihali (Twiddle), Aqueous, Dogs in a Pile, and more. You must be present at the end of the night to claim your tickets if you win the raffle!

Additionally, Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop on Madison Avenue in Albany will be providing free ice cream for all who purchase tickets to the show. Lark Hall will have a dairy and non-dairy option starting shortly after doors open at 7pm on Friday, July 9.

Tickets are on sale now at via Eventbrite and Lark Hall.

July 2, 2021

Built in Breakdance