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.
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
The City of Albany has announced that their original plans for the filming of Virtual Alive at Five performances in front of limited audiences have been amended. With New York State essentially reopened following the fulfillment of Governor Cuomo’s vaccination goal, all of the remaining Alive at Five tapings will now be fully open to the public at Jennings Landing, at full capacity.
Design by Anderw Sober
Alive at Five will be held on the Albany Riverfront at Jennings Landing. The concert series is presented by many sponsors, including Key Bank, “a strong supporter of both the City of Albany and the greater Capital Region.” Tapings will run from 5-8PM on the dates listed on the poster above.
Marco Benevento performs at Alive at Five, August 1, 2019
Albany is dedicating Alive at Five to the front line workers in the Capital Region who experienced the stress and hardships of managing the COVID-19 pandemic firsthand. The city hopes to celebrate and honor these workers through this exciting shared experience of live music and art.
All of us at the Albany Parking Authority are excited to hear about the return of the Alive at Five concert series to Albany’s Jennings Landing. The energy and vibrance [that] events like Alive at Five bring to our city cannot be understated. We are looking forward to being part of and supporting the return of even more events in the near future.
Matt Peter, Executive Director of the Albany Parking Authority
Jennings Landing, photo from Albany.org
Alive at Five is still seeking vendors for the tapings. Those interested can contact vendor@albanyny.gov. Recorded performances will air the following Thursdays on YouTube and Facebook.
The City of Albany has also partnered with local bars and restaurants for a program called Restart Albany. This will take place starting on July 8th and will allow music fans to watch the performance from the previous week and catch some live music at participating venues.
Parking for Jennings Landing is available at Riverfront Parking Garage. For more information visit ParkAlbany.com
Schedule:
June 30th -Reggae Night (Airs July 8th) The Meditations and Mixed Roots
July 7th – WEQX Night (Airs July 15th) Soule Monde and Victory Soul Orchestra
July 14th – Folk/Pop Night (Airs July 22nd) Amy Helm and The Sea The Sea
July 21st – Funk Night (Airs July 29th) Yam Yam and Hartley’s Encore
July 28th- Classic Rock Night Warrant and Joe Mansman and The Midnight Revival Band (Warrant Performance will not be aired virtually. Joe Mansman only will air on August 5th)
Historic Lark Hall venue in Albany has big things coming.
Lark Hall owners Jennifer and Justin Miller have just announced a new management services agreement with Building Blocks Management, LLC, owned by Albany natives Danny and Stephen Taylor.
Owners Jennifer and Justin Miller
The Taylor brothers have strong experience in music venue operations. Danny currently serves as General Manager at the Palace Theatre in Albany, while Stephen is General Manager at Hi-Line Merchandising, based in Shoemakersville, PA.
The Taylors are eager to collaborate with the Millers in ramping up Lark Hall’s operations, seeing as COVID-19 restrictions are now lifted in New York State. These steps will include bolstering front of house operations, hiring new staff and security personnel and improving room management and bar operations.
This management partnership is exciting news for Albany-area music lovers as Lark Hall hopes to book even bigger talent and, of course, ensure that fans have an enjoyable and memorable live music experience.
The Millers with Danny and Stephen Taylor
We are excited to announce this partnership with Building Blocks Management, which will allow us to quickly achieve our mission to host and manage top level artists and events at Lark Hall and deliver a unique fan and guest experience like no other in the region. Danny and Stephen have quietly become two of the most talented and respected leaders in the venue and live music event management industry – both locally and across the country.
From the day we met, we knew the Taylor brothers were a perfect fit for our management and planning needs and they instantly recognized our goals and the potential for Lark Hall to be a premier venue not only for Albany, but the entire Capital District and beyond. We welcome them to the Lark Hall family and look forward to exciting times ahead.
Jennifer and Justin Miller
In addition to this big news, Lark Hall will also be hosting a job fair for prospective employees. Those interested in working with the Lark Hall team can attend the fair on July 17 from 10AM-2PM in the main event space at 351 Hudson Avenue in Albany (corner of Lark Street and Hudson Avenue).
NYS Music profiled Lark Hall back in March, outlining over 100 years of history. The venue has “a long history of being operated and owned by women” and has held suffrage conventions, wartime aid operations, school dances, fitness events and so much more.
A post-pandemic Lark Hall is sure to bring great entertainment and promising new ventures. You can keep up with Lark Hall and explore upcoming events including job fair details on their website.
When you search the words “Senior Living,” the very last thing you’d expect is a bunch of 20-somethings moshing in a damp basement. New Yorkers Zac Geddies, Gino Lopez and Brendan Snell intend to change that. The Albany-native band has announced that their debut LP album, Anniversaries, will be available starting June 25.
Formed in 2016, Senior Living was a passion project for Zackery Geddies (guitar/vocals) and Jeremy “Gino” Lopez (drums). Geddies and Lopez began booking local tours during semester breaks from college, making a name for themselves across the Northeast DIY music circuit. Brendan Snell (bassist) is a recent addition to the band and assisted on recording Anniversaries.
Senior Living’s music is best served cranked up loud, with a side of even louder. They have been described as a band that weaves together genres from ethereal shoegaze to punk with a tinge of modern dream-pop. The band’s chemistry, stage antics, and not to mention the blasting Roland Jazz Chorus amp, is guaranteed to fill the room with an immense pool of sound. They have a budding reputation as Albany’s loudest band, so be sure to bring earplugs!
Anniversaries album cover
Anniversaries, the bands debut full-length, tells the story of Geddies’s upbringing and how he experienced maneuvering through childhood with anxiety. The album explores the manic side of depression, the crippling feelings of stress, self-loathing, experiences in interracial relationships, and growing up a person of color in America.
It’s kind of a challenge to pinpoint exactly what led me down a path to music. I’d like to say that the music I’ve made is just my own attempt at coping with my mental health and the societal issues that affect me and the ones I love. Whatever it was that led me to the point where I want to pursue music, I’m glad I’ve found it, and I won’t be ready to give it up anytime soon.
Zac Geddies, founding member and guitarist
Geddies’s raw vocals tackles the serious themes with pure emotion. Two of the tracks are only about a minute long, just enough time for a short poetry excerpt. The LP has an eerie closer with back to back songs “Sourir” and “Everybody Dreams About Dying,” adding an element of the feelings of depression. Except, at the very end, Senior Living picks it back up with a guitar riff – a cliffhanger.
It seems Anniversaries is meant to be listened to in order, showing the progressions of emotion from elation, to self-doubt, to sadness, and back again.
Senior Living previously released “Dominick,” track seven on Anniversaries, as a demo on Bandcamp in March 2020. All proceeds from the single were donated to United Way COVID-19 relief and Meals on Wheels. As a teaser for the album drop, the band shared opening track “Carousel” with an accompanying video on June 21.
According to the band, all nine tracks were recorded in one day at a secret studio location in Oneonta. Each single is unique and can’t be contained under one genre, some songs are hardcore rebellion garage rock while others have a grungy get-in-your-feels type vibe. Though the tracklist is diverse, the album meshes really well.
Prior to Anniversaries, the band has dropped two short albums, two songs on The Paintbox Lace and three on 35mm.
The experience of writing and recording a whole album with close friends and collaborators in the studio led to a concentrated and compact album, and that chemistry can be felt throughout the tracklisting.
Alternative/indie rock super trio, Hasty Page, will release their latest single “The Wire” on Friday, June 25. The song is the Hasty Page’s first single of 2021 and fans’ first glimpse into the band’s upcoming EP. With a fresh song to fuel the summer, the trio continues to add to their arsenal of punchy, creative, and inspirational music releases.
Formed in 2015 in Glens Falls, NY, Hasty Page has previously released one EP and two albums. Alt alternative/indie rock trip has built up a solid standing among popular groups with similar genres. They have opened for bands such as Smash Mouth, Colony House, Moriah Formica, and Madison Vandenburg. Hasty Page’s audience is no small feat as well, performing shows for upwards of 40,000 people at Schenectady Summer night, 20,000 at the Albany Tulip Festival, and 10,000 at the Times Union Center.
The boys of Hasty Page – Josh Morris, Zane Agnew, and James Paolano –spent the past year recording the five tracks for their upcoming EP. The EP was recorded at Left Hand Studios in upstate New York, produced by Hasty Page themselves, and finally mixed and mastered by Scoops Dardaris (Prince Daddy, The Clay People, Girl Blue). Notably, Hasty Page has not only spent the past year recording new music, but they have also recently signed a sync licensing deal with Spirit Production Music.
“The Wire” is a fan favorite and highly anticipated, while the rest of the EP are new songs written over the past few years. The song’s instrumental track seamlessly fuses gritty yet clean guitar tracks and melodies, polished by bright, eclectic riffs and modulation. The vocals are warm yet powerful, espousing heartfelt momentum in a lyrical journey on the verge of bursting with pure emotion. Hasty Page has delivered a song to remember.
The music video for “The Wire” will drops one week after the single’s release on June 25, followed by the release of the full EP late summer of 2021. Until then, stream some of Hasty Page‘s earlier album releases on Spotify, YouTube, and below.
Wondering where and how you can get your 2021 Pride on throughout New York this summer? With COVID-19 ever looming in the background, NYS Music has you covered. Between in person events and virtual celebrations, celebrating Pride with live music in 2021 will be a highlight of the summer across the State of New York.
New York City and Long Island
New York City Pride will be kicking off with 50 events across the 30 days of June, known as Pride month throughout the LGBTQ+ community. Between the NYC Pride march, Pridefest, and Pride Island. The NYC Pride March broadcast special will return for its fifth consecutive year.
Featuring live performances, on-air interviews, and exciting street-side marching activity, the broadcast will air on ABC-7 from 12PM to 3PM EST on Sunday, June 27 as well on ABC7NY.com and ABC7 New York’s Connected TV Apps on streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku. All in-person elements will be produced in accordance with the most current guidelines for public events in the city. DJ Lina Bradford will be performing at the online virtual Pride Island party. Details on the event can be found on their website. Musical performances across NYC Pride are waiting to be announced.
Long Island Pride is taking place on June 13, 2021 at Eisenhower Park’s landmark Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre from 12PM-4PM. The festivities will take place in person and will follow New York State Department of Health and CDC guidance, all attendees will be required to present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, or 72-hour negative PCR test. This year’s Long Island Pride is a pre-ticketed event only and there will be no same day entry. The event may sell out quickly with sponsorships, VIP tickets and a limited number of general admission tickets now on sale due to COVID-19. Almost Queen, The Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps, and DJ Disco 2 House will all be performing. Details on the event can be found on their website.
Capital District
In Albany the Pride activities will span out across the month with plenty of events. People can catch local artists performing on the Virtual Alive at 5 event. It can be found on Albany Events on YouTube and the Pride Center of the Capital region YouTube. Join the online party for the Virtual Pride Alive at 5 on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 11AM to 12PM. Details on the event can be found on their website.
Schenectady Pride will be hosting a ‘Day of Visibility’ event at the Gateway Plaza. The event will host DJ RVMBA at 3PM, Community Stage (special guests including SLOC Musical group, Planned Parenthood at 4PM, and Drag Spectacular starring the Legends of Drag at 5pm on Saturday, June 5, 2021. Details on the event can be found on their website.
Buffalo
Buffalo won’t be having an official live pride event this year due to COVID-19 but is promoting different events throughout Buffalo in celebration of Pride. The R&B and Hip-Hop Pride Event is taking place on June 5 from 9PM to 1AM at 522 Elmwood Ave Buffalo. The event is $7 and focuses on Recording Artists of the LGBTIAQ+ Community that dwell in the genres of R&B and Hip-Hop music. Hosted by an Actress/R&B and Hip-Hop Artist named Aqueira Oshun. Loncé thee Starr, Disprettymofo, Incense, Paris Glenn, Charlie Bae, C4W2, and Jay Aquarious will all be performing. The music for the show will be spun by a DJ named Trav1sTw1n. The maximum capacity is 40 people and please be asked to wear a mask at the event. Details on the event can be found on their website.
Rochester
Rochester Pride isn’t taking place until September 25, 2021 at Mayo Park from 12-5 PM and hasn’t released information yet.
CNY
Central New York Pride will be taking place on June 26, 2021 for CNY Pride’s “Virtual Edition” Pride Festival, presented by Equitable. The festival will be featuring performances by Deviant Dance Tribe, Jason Ngo, Felipe Panama, Kitschy Scoflow, Koy Adams, Frita Lay, Sparkle Royale, Rea Listic, Tayler Mayde, and Natalie Taylor, and hosted live by the fabulous Samantha Vega, this digital festival will be streaming online June 26 and will be free and open to the public. Details on the event can be found on their Facebook page.
Keep checking back for more updates on when and where to get your Pride and dance moves on in 2021 throughout New York State.
The City of Albany announced a Virtual Tulip Festival celebration for 2021, which will occur throughout the entire month of May. The series will feature musical performances, tulip garden tours, prizes, and more.
While I join so many of you that are looking forward to getting back to celebrating the annual Tulip Fest the way we are accustom to, I am excited to participate in the month-long celebration of virtual Tulip Fest. I want to thank the Office of Cultural Affairs for their commitment to reinventing this and many other traditional Albany events in light of the COVID-19 outbreak and hope you and your family and friends will virtually join us for a full month of great programming.
In addition to the local musical performances, the Virtual Tulip Festival will present fun videos for kids to enjoy. Plus, the City of Albany Gardeners will provide a tour of the tulip beds and much more! Videos will premiere on the Albany Events YouTube page, on Facebook, and also on Public Access Channel Albany 1302. Make sure to stay tuned for schedule updates.
The 2021 Albany Tulip Queen, Court, and Mother of the Year will be presented later on with their own celebrations.
On March 10, tickets for The Supper Club at the Hollow Bar + Kitchen in Downtown Albany go on sale, ahead of the series’ return in April.
Michael and Dora Philip opened The Hollow Bar + Kitchen in 2013 and its unique setup and great location caused it to gain notoriety. The establishment received four stars for its restaurant and has gained notoriety for live music held throughout the week.
When the pandemic hit, The Hollow faced a shift in business and was shut down for five months. It reopened in August 2020 with indoor and outdoor dining at reduced capacity. While the restaurant was able to open, its other half, live music, was still missing and it took a toll.
The Supper Club shows were originally launched in October 2020 by Guthrie/Bell Productions The shows gave local artists an opportunity to perform and it also gave a boost to the establishment. The first performance was from local musician Girl Blue on Oct 9, 2020, and continued for four more Fridays. The audience is socially distanced and the Hollow abided by guidelines to ensure safety for every show. However, they took a break in November after coronavirus infections increased.
Following the winter hiatus from the surge, the Supper Club at the Hollow Bar + Kitchen resumes this April and May. The tickets go on sale on Wednesday, March 10 with a full lineup for April. The shows begin on April 2 with Justin Henricks, Beau Sausser and Bill Carbone. The rest of the performances for the month consist of local artists. The performers for May will be announced soon.
Tickets are sold for tables of two or four guests. For a table for two the price is $30 and a table of four is $60. The price for the tickets is for the performance only, guests are able to order food and drinks from the menu. However, according to NYS regulations, attendees must order food if they order alcohol. Every show consists of seatings from 6-6:30pm, a short first set at 6:30pm, a time to eat from 7-8pm and a longer set at the end from 8-9:30pm. The tickets are sold through Eventbrite and serve as the reservations because no tables will be sold at the door.
Attendees must adhere to all social distancing guidelines and masks are required when not seated at your table. Reservations are required through a ticket purchase; no tables will be sold at the door the night of the show so staff can properly plan for the number of guests.
The Supper Club at The Hollow schedule
April 2: Justin Henricks, Beau Sasser and Bill Carbone – Tickets
April 9: Murky Currents feat. Tom and Max of the Ominous Seapods – Tickets
April 16: Laura Paigo with Nick Ferrandino & Jeff Sohn – Tickets
New York capital region Rock-trio, Son Of A Gun, is on the run with the release of their second EP, Turn To Dust, to be released Friday, Feb. 12.
While the band probably isn’t smuggling shine in their petina post-war Buick Roadmaster down the Hudson Valley, their stone-cold rock jams will take you on a wild ride. The proof: Turn To Dust corrodes Son Of A Gun and their Rock and Roll sheen with a wild-side, proving more raw than their former effort.
The title track to this EP, “Turn To Dust,” kicks up a washy hi-hat drum intro, instantaneously energising the band. The pages turn, like a storyline from their lyrics to musical motifs. The textured drum beat tightens up for the band’s versus and solo, but remains the driving constant. Son Of A Gun, leaves us trailing behind, right on their coattails. They throw you into a groove immediately, fronting as that under-assuming opener you never saw coming.
Their concise burst of talent, in the forum of yearly releases keeps us intrigued. Their familiar tones reminisce of The Black Keys “Tighten Up” on tracks like “Watch and Wait,” yet keep you dancing with the song’s moving bass-lines. The solos scream, each and every time.
Turn To Dust will feature their hip lick “Find the Seam,” as featured live at Albany’s Low Beat in Dec. 2019. These guys have claimed their spot in New York’s Rock arena. They are fuelled to roll through energising live performances as their fanbase multiplies, and venues re-open. As the band burst at the seams, hang on for the ride.
“Find the Seam,” live at Albany’s Low Beat in Dec. 2019.
Son Of A Gun formed late 2018 “bringing a jam sensibility to straight-ahead Rock & Roll.” Their 2020 self-titled debut aids to classic rock fans with a stout major chord mentality. Gritty guitars and loose-mix drums keep a humble garage-rock edge and live feel. The trio has a hearty sound that could fit the bill on any headline stage. Their tracks soar like a hand in the wind as you cruise down the HRE – a floating momentum that kicks off with momentum solos on “Down The Highway.”
“…the band’s musicality and their compositions were tight and developed. They were songs that you could certainly rock out to. What was interesting was that their sound didn’t specifically fit into any musical genre. Sometimes it would sound more like Pearl Jam (heard through the vocals of “Winds of Change”), or you could hear the country-rock vibe of “Hope & Heartache.” Listening to both “Down the Highway” and “Call of Days Past,” you can tell that it centered around blues-rock, even including little hints of “Call Me the Breeze” in the guitar & bass riffs and hearing the vocals one could listen from Sly Fox and The Hustlers.”
