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.
Indie rock band Japanese Breakfast returned to Rochester on August 3. Earlier this year, Japanese Breakfast released their newest album Jubilee. This textured and imaginative album brought even more joy when the songs were performed live.
Opener Mannequin Pussy brought intense energy to Anthology. The Philadelphia punk band is made up of Missy on lead vocals and guitar, Colins “Bear” Regisford on bass, and Kaleen Reading on drums. Michelle from Japanese Breakfast described this trio as the “punk self-help motivational speaker that we all need.”
Front woman Michelle Zauner has transferred from her previous album dealing with grief to now a new era searching for happiness. Michelle keeps her ambitions high while constantly trying to search for new ways to express indescribable feelings. She has utilized her love of creation to develop unique tracks that cater to her childhood love in an adult catered world.
When Japanese Breakfast took the stage there was instant euphoria that took over the crowd. The band opened with their popular song “Paprika” that sent the crowd into a dreamlike state. The profound instrumentation in addition to Michelle’s airy vocals made the vision for the album come alive on stage.
Returning to Rochester after previously playing at the Bug Jar in 2018, Japanese Breakfast paid tribute to many die-hard fans in the crowd. Some fan favorites of the night included “Be Sweet,” “Posing in Bondage,” and “Everybody Wants to Love You.” A member from Mannequin Pussy even joined on stage as well. She performed a saxophone solo for Michelle’s single that’s dedicated to her love for soccer: “Slide Tackle.”
With a packed crowd, entrancing instrumentals, and Michelle’s angelic vocals, the performance left everyone mesmerized. Japanese Breakfast is continuing on their tour throughout the U.S. and even returning to Brooklyn in the fall. Tickets are available here.
Setlist: Paprika, Be Sweet, In Heaven, The Woman That Loves You, Kokomo, IN, Tactics, Boyish, The Body Is a Blade, Savage Good Boy, In Hell, Posing in Bondage, Road Head, Slide Tackle, Ballad 0 (Bumper Cover), Everybody Wants to Love You, Posing for Cars Encore: Diving Woman
Formed in 2014 by lead singer and songwriter Rob Morrison, The Booklights have cultivated a specific breed of futuristic Americana, equal parts orchestral and gritty. In addition to Morrison on guitar and mandolin, the band is made up of Lauren Molina (cello), Rachel Green (fiddle), and Benny Elledge (percussion). Their lofty vocal harmonies conjure up Appalachian psychedelia that speaks to the future of Americana and all facets of the genre.
When not playing with the Booklights, each member of the band can be found acting shows on Broadway, Off-Broadway, TV/film projects, composing scores, doing voiceover work, or playing in separate bands. The talented New York City-based group will release their debut EP, Into a Ball, on August 6 on all streaming and listening platforms.
NYS Music recently joined the members of The Booklights in a lighthearted tell-all to get to know the artists behind a new wave of Americana. The band discussed their multitalented backgrounds, upcoming music, creative process, group direction, and a recent surge of musical inspiration around the globe.
Matthew Perez Gin: The members of this group seem to have extensive backgrounds in acting, theater, comedy, and much more. How do you think this impacts not only the way you create music together but also perform together?
Rob Morrison: The Booklights are a pretty lively bunch, and we’re very instinctual. We know that as actors, it’s really important to follow our artistic impulses, so that carries over into how we make music. It’s not a judgmental group — we have a very encouraging vibe. I wouldn’t consider myself a natural leader, but as the primary songwriter and lead singer, I’m sort of the de facto leader of the band. And to me, that means harnessing the “yes, and” energy we all naturally bring to the table, rather than trying to be too controlling of any aspect of the band. And thankfully, with such funny people onstage with me, I don’t ever have to worry about coming up with good banter while I’m re-tuning my guitar.
Rachel Green: Being performers, we share a common language, respect and understanding. We’ve all had our fair share of amazing (and terrible) experiences as actors and musicians. I think that helps us be grateful for our time together, and makes working together fun and seamless. And we laugh a lot. Also our harmonies are sick. I love harmonies.
Benny Elledge: I think we all have a natural sense of play which helps in the creative process. We definitely all have similar performing backgrounds which makes for a lot of fun when we are together. It also helps because we aren’t afraid to try and fail at different attempts while coming up with parts.
We are all a bunch of funny people. When we make music it’s not just a gathering to make music, but make each other laugh. We enjoy the banter and the collaboration.
Lauren Molina
The Booklights perform live from Rockwood Music Hall
MPG: Who are some of your inspirations and influences?
RM: There are more influences than I can list…I always feel like I’m going to forget somebody important! For the Booklights’ music, one of my biggest inspirations would be Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Their music is hugely important to me, in not only in terms of how beautiful or haunting it can be, but because of their massive encyclopedic knowledge of folk music forms, the way they’re able to, say, reference a Son House lyric in the middle of their own song, and what that does for the listener…for me, my brain flags the homage, but also feels transported to another time and place. And it makes their music feel timeless. That’s a really powerful effect. Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Band, John Prine, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Norman Blake, Lucinda Williams, Gram Parsons, and Townes Van Zandt are other big influences of mine from the world of (arguably) Americana. But I listen to a wide variety of music, a lot of which has shaped our music in more subtle ways. Some of my favorites include Radiohead, Soft Machine, Big Star, Fleetwood Mac, Randy Newman, the Kinks, the Bats, Tom Waits, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and of course the Velvet Underground.
RG: It really runs the gamut. I’m a huge fan of 90s hip hop and R&B, but I’m also classically trained on the violin and did musical theater for years. I love all kinds of soulful voices, from Aretha Franklin to Stevie Nicks. But also playing with bands and teaching myself to play in more of a fiddle style, I learned to really appreciate 70s rock, country and folk. The Band is iconic.
BE: My music tastes span a pretty wide range. As a percussionist, I love so much stuff from Buddy Rich to Neil Peart, Clyde Stubblefield, Carter Beauford. There are so many. I also grew up with drummers in my family, both my dad and brother are drummers as well so it’s always been important to me.
MPG: When you look at the current presence of Americana within the music industry today, where do you see it going in the future? What are you excited about and how do you plan to be a part of it?
RG: Both bands I’ve played with considered themselves some version of Americana. I think Americana is moving in the direction of society’s growth, where diversity is being more and more embraced. As an artist, for years I was told to “concentrate on one thing and get good at it. you’re spinning too many plates.” Nowadays, being a multi-hyphenate is accepted and encouraged. Humans are dynamic – why shouldn’t their music be? Plus, combining multiple influences makes for some really cool music.
RM: I think we’re at a really exciting time in Americana music…one of my favorite bands, Our Native Daughters, dropped one of the best Americana albums ever just a few years ago. And now all of those incredible women in that band (Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Allison Russell, and Leyla McCalla) continue to release absolutely mind-blowing work, and are really making waves. I think the folk music scene is going through a lot of the same, necessary changes that our country is reckoning with. There have always been amazing artists of color, in every music genre. These traditions have been practiced by a wide variety of people, in some cases for centuries. I think the more inclusive the Americana/folk/country music scenes become, the better that is for everybody, and the better it is for the art form.
BE: I don’t know if I can really speak to the presence of Americana. I am thrilled that artists like The Avett Brothers and Brandi Carlisle have come into the mainstream and people are excited about them. But honestly I’m just excited to be performing in any aspect, especially after this last year.
MPG: Clearly, Americana music has so many different musical facets, origins, and explanations behind it. What is “futuristic Americana” to you and how would you define it?
BE: Um… Rob?
RM: Well, I think “Americana” is a really intriguing term to start with. Imperfect, but intriguing. It’s not “United States of Americana”…it’s not even “North Americana.” So it could be applied to music from so many regions! And I think that’s lovely because so many of these musical forms that we might consider “Americana” are the result of so many groups of people interacting with each other — immigrants settling in a given area, and their music mingling with and being changed by music from other groups of people, either indigenous, or from other immigrant groups. A melting pot. As for “futuristic Americana,” that term was coined by a friend of ours. I gave him an advance copy of the EP, and asked him if any words came to mind to describe our music, because I felt a little too close to the songs to be able to describe them. For me, “futuristic Americana” indicates a willingness to bend tradition, and mix in sounds and textures that your average listener might not associate with folk music. I have a lot of reverence for musical tradition, but none of the songs on the EP are traditional songs. So it’s helpful to be able to dip into “traditional” or familiar sounds when we need to; it’s also helpful to channel Radiohead or Low, and get spaced out and eerie at times.
RG: I think Americana in the past was associated a lot with country, folk, and bluegrass. We definitely have a lot of those influences but also incorporate some cool rock sounds and other ambient and unusual styles and effects.
MPG: The Booklights is such a unique name for a band, can you tell us the story behind it?
BE: Hahahaha! Um……Rob?
RG: That’s you, Rob.
RM: Ha! So, funny story. At our very first live show (Spike Hill in Brooklyn, 2014) I played the first half of the set solo, then invited the band up onstage for the second half. I told the band in advance that I’d christen them with a surprise name at the gig, so when they joined me onstage, I said, “please welcome to the stage: The Booklights!” The response was hilariously underwhelming. But the name stuck! I realize it sounds like the object: a book light. That wasn’t the inspiration, but I don’t mind the connection. The inspiration for me was that feeling of writing a song, by myself, at night, with a candle or small bedside lamp throwing a little pool of light on my notebook, illuminating my ideas one line at a time. Writing is a very private experience for me; it’s almost like the only witness to my process is whatever light source is near me. Definitely not something the average person would deduce from hearing our band name, but I’m okay with that. And on the plus side, there weren’t a slew of pre-existing bands called the Booklights.
MPG: Your songs seem to invoke images, musical realism, and a strong ethos for so many listeners. What do you think is the importance of storytelling in your songs, and how do you go about finding that perfect story-song balance?
RM: There is a delicate balance between story and feeling. I think my approach to songwriting is to usually leave a lot up to the listener to decide; kind of a David Lynch approach to songcraft, if you will. It’s not important to me for everyone who listens to “Waywiser” to have the same idea of what it means. Individual interpretation is so much more exciting! Lyrical details are important. I can’t stand songs that say something like, “I love you, you’re my desire, you’re so hot, you’re like fire.” Oof. What do you love about that person? Can you find a way to say it without literally saying it? “My Woman, the Almanac” is about as straightforward a love song as I’ve written, but it doesn’t come right out and say much about love. There’s a lot of specific imagery, poetry in that song. The language hints at that feeling of romantic love. The listener goes on the journey, with the speaker of the song, and maybe they get something totally different from what I intended when I wrote it. Again, that’s really exciting to me, not a bad thing.
MPG: Your new EP Into A Ball comes out on August 6, would you mind delving into the creative process that went behind developing this, perhaps some of your starting points musically or lyrically?
RM: The Booklights were an active gigging band in 2014 and 2015…I broke my wrist in 2015, we took a little break while I healed, and then we all got pulled in so many directions as artists, so the band was on an unofficial hiatus until the pandemic hit. Like so many people, I lost employment opportunities, and of course we were all quarantining in our apartments, and it was a really hard time. I started looking back at all the projects I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of, and I thought, “gee, why didn’t the Booklights ever record anything? We’ve got so many great songs!” So I started talking with Lauren, Benny, and Rachel about making a record remotely. We tapped the wonderful James Frazee to produce, mix, and master the EP. James is incredible…I had a really great time incorporating his adjustments and ideas, things like adding or removing a chorus, layering in new overdubs that had never existed on a song before, that kind of thing. The whole process was honestly one of the few bright spots of 2020 for me. As for the creative process for the songs themselves, many of them date back to our time as a gigging band, some even before that. “Waywiser” was inspired by a trip to the Ben Franklin Museum (a waywiser is essentially an old-fashioned odometer, which Franklin built), and “My Woman, the Almanac” was written during a solo cabin retreat I took in the Catskills in 2011, inspired by my relationship with Lauren as well as all the nature I was taking in. I had the melody for “Slingshot” in my head for a while, but was having trouble with the lyrics, so Lauren and I collaborated and wound up with a playful song about summer flirtation. “Sweeter on the Vine” doesn’t sound anything like the 1930s blues and novelty songs I was listening to at the time, but it was definitely inspired by the work of folks like Bo Carter, the Memphis Jug Band, and the Dallas String Band. And “All Tomorrow’s Parties” …well that’s just one of my all-time favorite Velvet Underground songs. It works perfectly with the droney, space-folk approach we gave it on the EP.
BE: It was very interesting to record an entire album alone in our apartments without the others being there. And with no “in the moment” directions. But it was a great experience to learn that that was possible.
Rob is the major force behind the music, these songs are his creations. He comes with melody, lyrics, chords and vision, and then trusts us to build the “house” around it. All of our harmonies (instrumentally and vocally)
Rachel Green
MPG: What does this debut EP mean to you and what kind of mark do you aim to leave on fans listening to it?
RM: I’m honestly in awe of the end result. I’m so proud of everybody who came together to make this record. That includes our special guests Jay Julio (viola on “My Woman, the Almanac”) and Hilary Hawke (banjo and backup vocals on “Slingshot”) as well as our incredible visual artist, Elanor Gabriela. Making a record during the pandemic was challenging, but not making a record would’ve been even harder! Into a Ball is an apt title, because the EP rolls together all these genres, sounds, and emotions that we as musicians like to play with, and collects them into one, succinct 5-song statement. Working on the EP was a wonderful escape during a time when I really needed to be somewhere other than in the confines of my apartment; I hope it provides listeners with an aural escape too!
LM: I’m so proud of everyone involved in making this album. I love the songs and how each one takes you to a different place. I hope people feel something when they listen to it.
BE: I’m just really proud of us for getting something done during Covid and more proud of Rob for spearheading it and writing such amazing music and being such a great leader. I’m very happy the world gets to finally hear his music. I think people will really dig his unique style and his take on the “Americana” genre.
I really love how each of our songs tells a different story and has a different sound. I think fans will be taken on a journey, from breezy chillaxin’ to rockin’ out.
Rachel Green
MPG: You have also recently released a music video for the track “My Woman, The Almanac” on the EP, how was that experience for everyone? Can we expect to see more music videos in the future?
RM: Making the music video was such a joy. I want to give major kudos to our team Varya Rootwood (director), Yura Makarov (DP), Mackenzie Jamieson (key PA), David Withrow (wardrobe), and our hosts, the Big Victorian in Chester, NY. That shoot was a leap of faith; a few days earlier, we had lost our director and location, so Varya and Yura were brought on at the last minute. And they absolutely nailed it. I couldn’t have asked for a more professional team. It was also the first time our full band had hung out together in quite a while, so the camaraderie was through the roof! We hope to have another music video in the near future; I’ve been really interested in doing a stop-motion version of “Waywiser.”
LM: Shooting the music video was a blast. It was such a beautiful place with bucolic imagery. We shot it at an old Victorian mansion that had a dilapidated and beautiful feel. It was set upon a green hillside with a red barn and a swing on a tree. Our music fit so perfectly with the setting. It was magical. I hope to make more videos. It’s always fun to put a visual with a song.
RG: Working on the music video was a wonderful experience, from the amazing location to the costumes to the creative team. It was also the first time we got to hang out as a band (and friends) in 6 years! It also gave me a deeper connection to the song and its meaning or what it could mean. It was a truly beautiful day all around.
MPG: Does Into A Ball mark a new aim and direction for the band?
RM: Well, the Booklights had never recorded any of our songs before this EP, so in that way it’s a very new direction for us! We played a lot of shows in 2014-2015, so that was always our focus; putting together exciting sets of live music. It was a very different experience to take each song apart, role by role, or sound by sound, and decide what belonged in a recording, and what songs wanted a little extra juice. In the Booklights’ live shows, I usually play a resonator guitar, acoustic guitar, and mandolin. Having the flexibility to record on our own schedules, in our own homes, opened up a lot of possibilities. At James’ suggestion, I added some electric guitar overdubs to “Waywiser” and “All Tomorrow’s Parties,” tipping my hat a bit to British folk bands of the 70s like Fairport Convention, Pentangle, and Steeleye Span. Lauren layered several cellos on top of each other for “All Tomorrow’s Parties” and Rachel did the same with fiddle for that song. We created all new harmonies; “All Tomorrow’s Parties” had always been a solo vocal song for me, but we went all out with some strange, modal group vocals for the album. And adding wonderful outside musicians like Jay and Hilary also opened things up. It became less about replicating our live shows, and more about sculpting a cohesive, transportive sound for the whole record. So that was a really unique experience, to look at these songs in a whole new way.
LM: I’d say this was definitely a new aim as the debut album. The pandemic brought us back together after not playing for a few years due to people’s schedules. This new music feels like it’s blossoming into the world as it reopens.
This new music feels like it’s blossoming into the world as it reopens.
Lauren Molina
MPG: What is one message you would like to give to your fans and listeners?
BE: We know it’s been a tough year for everyone and this album is a great representation of pushing through and making something good come out of a bad situation. So thank you to everyone for listening! We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it!
RG: Do what you love, follow your own path and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
LM: Be good. Be kind. Keep others on your mind.
To anyone who listens to this record, I want to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart. We made this EP at a time when I wasn’t sure at all about what the future held, for live musicians, as well as for the world. But we still somehow created something, in spite of all that uncertainty. So, if anyone feels inspired by the music on the EP, that would be the greatest reward.
Rob Morrison
Tracklisting For Into A Ball: EP By The Booklights
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.
King’s Disease II, the sequel to Nas’ Grammy-winning King’s Disease has officially been released through Mass Appeal Records. The predecessor – produced exclusively by renowned producer, Hit-Boy — obtained Nas the only Grammy award of his illustrious career. As such, the sequel has garnered a fair share of hype, especially after Nas revealed the track list through his official Instagram page.
The project has a varying guest-list, fluctuating between contemporary acts and established legends. The earliest contributions come from Eminem and East Coast hip hop legends, EPMD, consisting of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. As fans anticipate how the contrasting lyrical abilities of Eminem and Nas will co-exist on a record, an appearance from EPMD is sure to be Nostalgic and be reminiscent of a classic hip hop posse cut.
King’s Disease II will also see the reappearance of Ms. Lauryn Hill to the mainstream hip-hop scene. While she still tours and drops the occasional record, an album cut of this magnitude has eluded, the Grammy-winning rapper/singer for quite some time. In turn, her presence on the album has raised hopes that the duo can create more magic together.
Apart from old collaborators, the Queensbridge native has also enlisted the likes of A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, YG, Los Angeles rapper Blxst and Charlie Wilson (who also featured on King’s Disease).
Unlike the prequel, is seems as though the production will vary on King’s Disease II, with only one record featuring Hit-Boy. The Grammy-winning producer will still earn executive producer credits, along with Nas.
Accompanying the album will also be the official music video for “Rare.” King’s Disease II is Nas’ 14th studio album.
Concerts have been announced in all five boroughs of New York City taking place August 14-22, 2021. The stacked lineups will help create New York City’s “Homecoming Week” to celebrate the return of NYC over one year into the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the lines earlier this week including the mega show being held on Central Park’s Great Lawn which is the centerpiece of the celebration. Outside of the centerpiece event, the theme for the shows will be “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC,” with hip-hop, Latin freestyle, dance, freestyle, techno, and funk artists dominating the lineups.
The concerts will take place at Orchard Beach in The Bronx on, August 16 from 3 to 9:30 PM, Midland Beach on Staten Island on August 17 from 4 to 9:30 PM , Brooklyn Army Terminal in Brooklyn August 19 from 4 to 9:30 PM, Forest Hills Stadium in Queens on 20 from 4 to 9:30 PM, and wrapping up at the Central Park’s Great Lawn in Manhattan on August 21, 5 PM.
For more information on New York City’s “Homecoming Week” visit their website and check out the full lineup below:
Orchard Beach in The Bronx – Monday, August 16th from 3 to 9:30 p.m.
KRS One (Headliner)
Slick Rick (Headliner)
Remy Ma (Headliner)
Busy Bee
CL Smooth
DJ Hollywood
DJ Jazzy Joyce
DJ Kevie Kev
Fantastic Five
Furious 5 featuring Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio
Grand Wizard Theodore
Joeski Love
Kid Capri
Nice & Smooth
PopMaster Fabel
Soul Sonic Force
T La Rock
Ultra Magnetic MC’s
Midland Beach on Staten Island – Tuesday, August 17th from 4 to 9:30 p.m.
Raekwon (Headliner)
Ghostface Killah (Headliner)
Crystal Waters
DJ Chuck Chillout
EMPD
Force MDs
Hakim Green
HeeSun Lee
Kool Keith
Lizzy Ashliegh
Pharoahe Monch
Rikki
Rob Base
Brooklyn Army Terminal in Brooklyn – Thursday, August 19th from 4 to 9:30 p.m.
Big Daddy Kane (Headliner)
Desiigner (Headliner)
C&C Music Factory
DJ Mr. Cee
Elle Varner
Judy Torres
Lizzy Ashliegh
Maino
Obasi Jackson
Papoose
PopMaster Fabel
Special Ed
Stetsasonic
Sweet Sensation
Young Devyn
Forest Hills Stadium in Queens – Friday, August 20th from 4 to 9:30 p.m.
George Clinton + The P-Funk All Stars with Special Guests (Headliner)
Too $hort (Headliner)
DJ Hurricane
DJ Wiz
EPMD
Mobb Deep
Yo-Yo
HOW TO GET IN: All attendees must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” concerts. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for persons unable to get vaccinated because of a disability. Free tickets for all four concerts will be released to the public in batches at nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek starting on Monday, August 2 at 10 a.m. EDT. Additional free ticket release dates and times are as follows:
Tuesday, August 3 at 7 a.m. EDT
Wednesday, August 4 at 9 p.m. EDT
Thursday, August 5 at 7 a.m. EDT
Friday, August 6 at 10 a.m. EDT
Saturday, August 7 at 9 p.m. EDT
And once again, here’s the lineup so far for the Homecoming Concert in Central Park, produced in part by Clive Davis and will air on CNN. You can get more details on this show here.
Central Park’s Great Lawn in Manhattan – Saturday, August 21st, 5 p.m.
Jon Batiste
Andrea Bocelli
Kane Brown
LL COOL J
Elvis Costello
Lucky Daye
Earth, Wind & Fire
Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds
Cynthia Erivo
Jimmy Fallon
Jennifer Hudson
Wyclef Jean
Journey
The Killers
Gayle King
Don Lemon
Barry Manilow
The New York Philharmonic
Polo G
Carlos Santana
Paul Simon
Patti Smith
Bruce Springsteen
Rob Thomas
HOW TO GET IN: Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale VIP tickets beginning Thursday, July 29th at 10 a.m. EDT until Sunday, August 1st at 10 p.m. EDT. For all presale details, visit citientertainment.com. Additionally, Citi will be giving away 1,000 general admission tickets to Citi cardmembers on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on Monday, August 2nd at 10 a.m. EDT. Free tickets, as well as VIP tickets for purchase, will be released to the public in batches at nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek starting on Monday, August 2nd at 10 a.m. EDT. Additional free and VIP ticket release dates and times are as follows:
Over the last two years, the musical timbre in New York’s Catskill Mountain region has been one of tree frogs, crickets, and owls. Last Saturday, that changed. Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats rode into Belleayre Mountain, a location declared by the NYS Forest Preserve as “Forever Wild”, on a triple bill that reconfirmed the mountain’s sobriquet.
Rateliff and band blazed through a twenty-one song set, including a three-song encore. Nathaniel opened with “Shoe Boot” from his 2018 release Tearing at the Seams, kicking up his heels, pulling in all who were ready for a night of rock and roll. As he maneuvered between guitars and keyboards, the stage took on its own persona: golden glows, somber blues, spotlights, and silhouettes reflecting the nuance each song had to offer. The Night Sweats shared their prowess constructing the musical foundation to allow Rateliff’s gritty voice the opportunity to exhibit its versatility going from the up-tempo “Look It Here” to the depth of “Redemption”.
Nathaniel Rateliff
The day already had a vibe from those tailgating that afternoon which blossomed into people dancing from early on and never stopping. From the stage, set at the base of the mountain, one could see how people filled the vertical rise of the ski slope. During the encore, “S.O.B” took on a life of its own by turning the mountainside into the church of Rateliff, with the preacher calling out to his flock who, without hesitation, responded back tenfold.
Earlier in the day, with dusk spreading its golden light across the ridgeline, The Marcus King Band put their musical adroitness on full display. King, along with his long-time band mates, took the crowd through a fiery hour of rock and blues. They jammed their way into the night and threw in occasional covers, including “Poppa was a Rollin’ Stone,” that had everyone singing along.
Marcus King
Allison Russell opened the night. Russell, who curated the prior week’s 2021 Newport Folk Festival’s “Once and Future Sounds” set, brought her soulful, introspective tunes to the pastoral landscape of the Hudson Valley. Allison shared songs from her solo album Outside Child, one that pulls from her personal tragedies of childhood abuse. It went deep mid-set but offered a light of hope as she closed out her set with “Nightflyer.”
Allison Russell
Local Hudson Valley radio station WDST 100.1 Radio Woodstock produced the show, conceived as a bridge to cover the void left from two years of not having Mountain Jam. For those in attendance, it could not have come at a better time. Let’s hope the music and the mountain stay forever wild.
Two years after finding his new sound, producer and multi-instrumentalist Jake Huffman will debut his solo project at Lower East Side venue Mercury Lounge on Tuesday, August 10th. The performance follows the release of his new single “Just a Little More,” due out on August 6th. The performance will not only be Huffman’s solo debut, but also his first post-pandemic show, following a period of songwriting and refocusing over 2020-21.
Jake Huffman is best known as the drummer and lead singer for McLovins, a role he started at the age of 14, when a video of he and his bandmates performing Phish’s “You Enjoy Myself” went viral. The group would continue to play for nearly 10 years, garnering a strong fan base and leading Huffman to work as a composer and lyricist for Sesame Street, as well as performances with Blink-182, Jack White and Post Malone, and written dozens of songs for artist likes Ed Sheeran and Leon Bridges.
When COVID-19 hit and the music industry shut down, Huffman hunkered down in his studio and went back to college, getting a Certificate in Music Producation from Berkelee School of Music in Boston. Taking time to dive into his studio work, Huffman wrote about 50 tunes over 2020-21 because he was locked in, both physically (not being able to go outside) and mentally (focused on writing 6-7 hours a day), in addition to teaching music lessons remotely four days a week.
Huffman’s writing flows into an Indie rock/Indie pop mindset, with influence from early 2000’s alt-rock, combined with deeply personal lyrics reflecting on specific moments, with some left open to interpretation. The needs of a band can change from month to month, making it a journey for individual and group personalities. That’s where his head has been since McLovins called it a day.
It’s hard to be in a band for a long time, especially for Jason (Ott, bassist) and me, who were playing together in bands for 10 years. Then a lot of shit hit at the right time, and broke everything. All of us are probably better people because of it. I loved all the time and music and the people I met through McLovins. That’s what I’ve been writing about. At times I wasn’t sure what to write about, so some is ambiguous and some relates to that. The new music relates to the journey with McLovins.
Jake Huffman
When Jake got the call for the Mercury Lounge show on August 10, he was overcome with joy. Planning for an Indie rock vibe, he’ll bring a new set up – Huffman cites the influence of Milky Chance in the stage set up – so as to avoid feeling too stiff for the performance. Jake will be behind the kit, playing guitar, and singing throughout, offering a fresh look at a musician who had been cast into the spotlight since his sophomore year of high school. With his single releasing on August 6, expect to hear “Just a Little More” as well as more debuts of future singles that tell a story for an eventual EP.
Currently working as a producer and living in central Connecticut, Huffman will aim for more shows this fall, and notes how much he loved playing with McLovins, with reflections on how to move forward having learned lessons.
We were so young and booked these long runs of shows, promoted the tour and not the individual shows. I wish we did one show at a time and just blown out that one show. I don’t want to take for granted any of the shows played, just take it one show at a time until I can get to see who’s listening.
Jake Huffman
Get tickets for the Mercury Lounge show on August 10 here. Show time is 6pm.
There are two things you can find a great deal of in Upstate New York – music venues in nearly every town, and Stewart’s Shops. There are more than 345 Stewart’s in New York and Vermont, and if you’ve been to a show or gone camping Upstate, you’ve probably stopped at a Stewart’s for provisions. With newly remodeled shops, Stewart’s is a staple for locals and visitors alike.
One of Stewart’s best sellers is their ice cream. Made from milk from New York farms, the variety of flavors goes well beyond the basic Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry. The variety of music venues Upstate is equally varied, and gives music lovers an opportunity to see their favorite bands and new artists in unique settings.
We’ve partnered with Stewart’s Shops to look at their ice cream flavors and compared them to Upstate music venues. Below you’ll find 15 flavors paired with their appropriate venue, a small sampling of the more than 30 flavors Stewart’s Shops offer. Get the scoop before you get a scoop heading to your next show!
Brownie Cookie Sundae // Ulster Performing Arts Center, Kingston
This venue and flavor have each got it all. UPAC features one of the widest arrays of musical selections in the state. From Meatloaf to Willie Nelson, the HV Philharmonic to plays and musicals, UPAC has it all. Likewise, Brownie Cookie Sundae comes loaded with vanilla ice cream, chewy brownie bites, soft cookie dough pieces and a rich fudge swirl. Available in a cone or half-gallon.
Star Gazer // Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), Saratoga Springs
Where can you see the most stars? Head north on I-87 and get off at exit 13 for Saratoga Performing Arts Center, where you’ll see the biggest artists and national touring bands at SPAC each summer! Originally the home of the NYC Ballet, SPAC has been bringing concerts to the edge of the Adirondacks since the 1960s, making this the perfect venue for seeing stars. Stargazer has Malt flavored ice cream with a rich caramel swirl and pieces of Milky Way candy bars mixed in. Available in a half-gallon.
Chocolate Sea Turtle // Snug’s Harbor, New Paltz
Turtles are found throughout the state, but they’ll always need a snug harbor somewhere to rest their shell. Snug Harbor provides a comfortable space for bands to play in the college town of New Paltz, with a variety of music and cold beer on tap. Stewart’s Chocolate Sea Turtle features chocolate ice cream with a sea salt caramel swirl and chocolate fudge pecans. Available in a cone for a limited time.
Fireworks // Empire State Plaza, Albany
One of the best spots for fireworks in Upstate New York is the Empire State Plaza in downtown Albany. Capable of hosting more than 10,000 people and room for even more nearby, the Fireworks every 4th of July and for select events are a must see event, as well as the bands that perform on the plaza during the summer months. Pop Rocks encased in vanilla ice cream with a tart cherry swirl helps this flavor live up to its name! Available in a cone.
Blueberry Pie in the Sky // Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel
Summer and blueberry pie are synonymous. The summer of love lives on through Bethel Woods. Grab a cone of Blueberry in the Sky, with blueberry ice cream with shortbread and a Maine blueberry swirl, on the way to your next show and imagine the roads filled with cars headed to Yasgur’s Farm. Available in a pint.
Happy Camper // Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Oak Hill
When the music on the stage is done for the day, head to your campsite anywhere at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival’s campgrounds for pickin’ parties, where you can hear classic bluegrass songs and singalongs, just like at camp enjoy s’mores! With graham cracker flavored ice cream with a graham cracker pieces, a marshmallow swirl and peanut butter pieces, enjoy a cone of Stewart’s Happy Camper while friends old and new sit around and pluck away. Available in a cone.
Located just a few miles from Mount Marion near Saugerties, Levon Helm’s Barn is the perfect pairing for this sweet treat. Living in Woodstock at Big Pink with The Band and backing Bob Dylan for years, Levon Helm made a second home in Woodstock, establishing Midnight Rambles that continue to be a thing of legend. Marionberry Cookie is a pink-hued ice cream with a chocolate cookie swirl. Available in a cone for a limited time.
Mint Cookie Crumble // The Bardavon, Poughkeepsie
Two classics, presented in a new way. The Bardavon is the oldest continually operating music venue in New York State, offering various performing arts, cinema, theater, vaudeville, and performers ranging from David Byrne to Chick Corea, Dr. John to Gladys Knight, and Joan Baez to Natalie Merchant. Bardavon is also the home of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, making the classic venue fresh for a new generation of music lovers. Mint Cookie Crumble is a spin on mint chocolate chip, but with a chocolate cookie crumble fudge swirl mixed in smooth cool mint ice cream. A classic, presented in a fresh new way. Available in a cone, pint or half-gallon, and now available in a non-dairy pint!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup // The Egg, Albany
One of Stewart’s tastiest ice creams has a swirl of peanut butter inside, ready to surprise you with each bite. Inside The Egg in Albany, you’ll find not one but two music venues – The Hart Theatre and The Swyer Theatre, both offering an array of musical offerings, not to mention surprisingly incredible acoustics! Available in a cone, pint or half-gallon.
Sweet Bourbon Cold Brew // The Falcon, Marlboro
Both of these combine bourbon and coffee together in a perfect pairing, but The Falcon also offers live jazz in their intimate, rustic venue. The sweet cream/cold brew/bourbon flavors combine for a smooth ice cream experience. Available in a pint for a VERY limited time.
Crumbs along the Mohawk // Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes
Located 500 feet from the Mohawk River, Cohoes Music Hall, opened in 1874, has been home for live music performances, high school musicals and plays, theater performances and much more. With a name synonymous with music, Cohoes is a great small town to stop in for an evening. The perfect ice cream to go with such a classic venue is Crumbs Along the Mohawk, inspired by the 1939 film “Drums Along the Mohawk,” with graham cracker flavored ice cream holding together graham cracker pieces with a caramel swirl. Available in a pint or half-gallon.
Brew Ha Ha // Saranac Brewery, Utica; Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown
Where in New York can you get brewery fresh beer and live music? Two places come to mind – Saranac Brewery in Utica, and Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown. With their own wide selections of beers and other beverages, these breweries offer two things that New York is known for – great beer and great music – Brew Ha Ha takes Stewart’s richer roast coffee ice cream with espresso bean flavored chocolate flakes, a nice combination as well! Available in a cone or half-gallon.
Adirondack Bear Paw // The Waterhole, Saranac Lake
The northernmost venue on our list is The Waterhole, home to music year round, with Party on the Patio on Thursdays each summer, Winter Carnival music performances in February, and the heart of this Adirondack town. Vanilla ice cream mixed with sweet praline cashews and caramel swirls make a rich combination in this tasty northern delight. Available in a half-gallon.
The classic creamsicle flavor is a throwback to summers spent in Saratoga Springs, with a twist. A classic Saratoga venue, Caffe Lena, has been a fixture in the Spa City since the 1960s, and new renovations in the building put a twist on the original! Available in a half-gallon at your local Stewart’s Shops!
Colombian Coffee // Club Helsinki, Hudson
Like coffee, Club Helsinki has something for everyone, serving as a music venue, bar and restaurant. Open mic nights, both virtual and in person, welcome all people and talents. The many flavors of coffee can be found in this Columbia County venue that welcomes a variety of artists to the east shore of the Hudson River. Available in a cone or half-gallon.
