NYS Music 202​1

Tag: schenectady

  • Schenectady’s Music Haven Announces 2021 Series

    Schenectady’s Music Haven has announced a three show season of regional and international talent after a year hiatus. Musicians will take the stage at Schenectady’s Central Park on August 15, 22 and 29.

    Since 1990, Music Haven has been bringing world-class music to Schenectady. Although the series is shorter than previous years, Music Haven has been working to continue their reputation as a local hub for music exploration.

    I’m thrilled to keep Music Haven on the map this summer and welcome friends and neighbors back to the heart of the park.

    Mona Golub, producing artistic director of Music Haven

    Kicking off the series is local blues band Wyld Blu on August 15. Headlining the night is blues guitarist Albert Cummings, touring in celebration of his new album, Believe.

    Albert Cummings

    The second concert of the season will feature Israeli/Iranian pop singer, Liraz, who will be accompanied by several members of NYC’s Ethiopian jazz collective, the Anbessa Orchestra. Palestinian Kanun virtuoso, Firas Zreik, will set the stage as the evening’s opening guest.

    The Schenectady Symphony Orchestra returns to Music Haven this year, under the direction of Glen Cortese. Closing the series out on August 29, their program is inspired by “The American Songbook” and contains classic music from the Tin Pan Alley era by Gershwin, Porter and Berlin, Copland, traditional American folk tunes and popular film score by John Williams. Special guest vocalists, Mia Scirocco and Casey Grey will be featured throughout the evening.

    Schenectady Symphony performing with the Octavo Singers in 2018

    Food and drink will be available for purchase from local vendors Michele’s Charcoal Pit, Wolf Hollow Brewing Company and Nine Pin Cider. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream will be on-site as well.

    In the case of inclement weather, shows will be held at at Proctors.

    All concerts are free and begin at 7 p.m. at Central Park in Schenectady. For more information about Music Haven, visit their website. Show updates, including weather calls, will be posted on the Music Haven Concert Series Facebook.

    Check out the schedule below:

    August 15: Albert Cummings (w/ guest Wyld Blue)

    August 22: Liraz (w/ guest Firas Zreik)

    August 29: Schenectady Symphony Orchestra (w/ special guest vocalists Mia Scirocco and Casey Grey)

    Liraz’s “Zan Bezan”

  • Broadway will Return to Proctors in 2021

    Proctors Theatre in Schenectady has announced upcoming dates for Broadway to return to their MainStage, later this year.

    Proctors Broadway

    Proctors Theatre recently released dates for eight postponed shows from the two past Key Bank Broadway Series. Although the shows don’t start until December 2021, this is still exciting news for the return of live theatre.

    This Key Bank series lineup will start late for a usual fall-to-spring theatre cycle, but this is “a good thing” according to Proctors Collaborative CEO Philip Morris. Due to COVID-19 regulations, we can’t have theaters seat audiences at full capacity. “The touring industry can’t come back until we can seat audiences near or at capacity. The economics won’t work otherwise,” explains Morris. “All projections suggest we should be able to return to full capacity by December, and it goes without saying we will be fully compliant with all state and federal safety guidelines to assure patron safety.”

    Proctors Broadway

    Key Private Bank Broadway Series at Proctors schedule:
    SUMMER – The Donna Summer Musical Dec. 7-12, 2021
    Come From Away Jan. 25-30, 2022
    The Prom – March 1-6, 2022
    Dear Evan Hansen – March 22-27, 2022
    CATS – May 3-8, 2022
    My Fair Lady – May 17-22, 2022
    Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird – June 14-19, 2022
    Mean Girls – June 28-July 3, 2022
    Hadestown – New dates to be announced soon
    Disney’s The Lion King New dates to be announced soon
    Pretty Woman: The Musical New dates to be announced soon

    Dates for Hadestown, The Lion King, and Pretty Woman: The Musical are not available yet, but are coming. “The collective effort of Broadway producers and local markets working together to reconfigure routes across the country is complicated beyond belief,” Morris notes. “It takes a while for plans to settle out for every show and every market.” Information about when tickets will be available is coming this spring.

    Live shows aren’t just coming back to Schenectady. Other Proctors Collaborative venues are getting ready to welcome back in person audiences soon. Capital Repertory Theatre will open ticket sales this spring for their upcoming shows in Albany. The Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs will likely sell tickets this summer for concerts and events in their third and forth quarter.

    Proctors Broadway the rep


    While we still can’t meet in person, online theatre gives more people access to performances than ever before. theREP is currently showing its April Play Reading series online. The suggested donation to watch is $15, but virtual audience members can give any amount.

    “Our prolonged intermission is nearly over. We can’t wait to welcome audiences back!” Morris says. “And from all reports we are hearing they can’t wait to come back.”