Author: Abigail Baughan

Caroga Lake Music Festival Begins, Announces Sherman’s Legacy Campaign

The Caroga Arts Collective began its 11th season of the Caroga Lake Music Festival, featuring 35 concerts, 20 guest artists, and almost 100 resident artists. The collective also announced its new Sherman’s Legacy Campaign.

This season’s festival marks the first time since 2019 that the Caroga Arts Ensemble returns as a full orchestra. The orchestra will perform a variety of music, including Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.

Guest artists include the talents of The Bacon Brothers, guitarist Cory Wong, vocalist Robyn Adele Anderson, and electric guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, among others. Saxophonist Eddie Barbash, Rushad Eggleston, and Mike Block Trio will also all return to Caroga Lake during the season.

Bill Charlap Trio at Caroga Music Festival – 8-4-2019

Local artists, such as Jocelyn & Chris, North & South Dakotas, FLAME! The Band, Erin Harkes, and others will also make an appearance throughout the summer. Caroga Arts will also be visiting various venues in the area, including The Glove Theatre, The Arkell Museum, Sacandaga Valley Arts Network, Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts, and more.

In addition to the festival going on its 11th season, the Caroga Arts Collective also recently launched the public phase of its Sherman’s Legacy Campaign. As part of phase 1 of a multi-phase project, a new amphitheater is set to be built next to the original Sherman’s building, as is a new year-round artist’s home at Myhill.

Ariel view of the new amphitheater and stagehouse after phase one is complete. Rendering by Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson

The new amphitheater offers audiences, artists, and visitors a new space and iconic landmark to visit within the town of Caroga. The Myhill property will allow for critically-needed housing for artists, offices, teaching spaces, and spaces for the community to gather.

We are thrilled that these state-of-the-art venues will carry forward the legacy of the Sherman’s Park, attracting artists and audiences of all genres and backgrounds to Caroga for world-class entertainment and a slice of the Adirondacks … both properties have incredible artistic roots, drawing artists such as Fletcher Henderson, Jimmie Lunceford, Irving Berlin and Elvis Presley to the shores of Caroga during the early- to mid-twentieth century.
– Kyle Price, Founder and Artistic Director of Caroga Arts Collective

The new Sherman’s amphitheater and the Myhill residence are expected to start in the spring of 2023, as long as the collective is able to raise enough money for the $5 million-dollar project. Currently Caroga Arts Collective has already raised $2.7 million. For more information about the festival, or Sherman’s Legacy Campaign, visit Caroga Art’s Collective website.

Sherman’s Park at Night with new Amphitheater. Rendering by Lacey Thaler Reilly Wilson.

For the full list of events that the Caroga Arts Collective offers, see below.

Sherman’s Concerts

Sat, May 28 – Memorial Day Weekend Concert, Jocelyn & Chris, Insolent Willies

Fri, Jul 1 – American Modern Opera Company, Utica Dance with Keir GoGwilt

Sat, Jul 2 – Red, White, BLUES & BLUEGRASS, North & South Dakotas, FLAME! The Band, Erin Harkes

Sat, Jul 16 – 80’s Metal Night: The Ultimate 80’s Rock Show with Tommy V Live

Wed, Jul 20 – Sam Reider & The Human Hands

Fri, Jul 22 – Caroga Arts Gala with Eddie Barbash & KASA Quartet

Sat, Jul 23 – Cory Wong with Caroga Arts Ensemble, Mike Block Trio

Wed, Jul 27 – Rushad Eggleston

Fri, Jul 29 – Caroga Arts Ensemble Reimagining Beethoven and Shostakovich

Sat, Jul 30 – The Bacon Brothers Out of Memory Tour with Caroga Arts Ensemble

Wed, Aug 3 – Robyn Adele Anderson

Sat, Aug 6 – Kids Carousel Concert: Bill & Finnegan Ackerbauer

Sat, Aug 6 – Sherman’s JazzFest (Artists to be announced)

Wed, Aug 10 – Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective

Fri, Aug 12 – Caroga Arts Ensemble plays Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7

Sat, Aug 13 – SAUNDERSFEST (Artists to be announced)

Fri, Aug 19 – Scenes & Stories from the Opera, Caroga Arts Ensemble conducted by Matthew Aucoin

Sat, Aug 20 – Kids Carousel Concert: Cara’s Caterpillars

Sat, Aug 20 – Marvin and his Music: A Celebration of America’s Composer featuring guest vocalists and the Caroga Arts Ensemble led by J. Ernest Green

Sun, Aug 21 – Brandon “Taz” Niederauer

Sat, Sep 3 – Labor Day weekend concert, The Ultimates! with fireworks following the show

Fri, Sep 30 – Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra with salsa dancing lessons prior to show and more

Linda Chesis, Alexandre Moutouzkine, Romie de Guise-Langlois “For the Birds” – 10-6-2019

Caroga Lake Music Festival On Tour

Thu, Jul 21 – Caroga Arts Ensemble featuring Eddie Barbash at Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts

Sun, Jul 24 – Caroga Arts Ensemble featuring Eddie Barbash at Peck’s Lake Marina

Thu, Jul 28 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at The Glove Theater

Thu, Aug 4 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at The Arkell Museum

Fri, Aug 5 – CLMF Returns to its Roots: Caroga Chapel 100th Anniversary

Sun, Aug 7 – Caroga Chapel 100th Anniversary Service

Sun, Aug 7 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at Mayfield Presbyterian Church, presented by SVAN

Thu, Aug 11 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at Johnstown Midsummer Concert Series

Sun, Aug 14 – The Barge at Canada Lake Store & Marine

Tue, Aug 16 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at The Otesaga Resort Hotel, presented by Cooperstown Summer Music Festival

Thu, Aug 18 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at Caroga Museum

Sat, Aug 27 – Caroga Arts Ensemble at Maverick Concerts

Sun, Aug 28 – KASA Quartet, Postlude at Maverick Concerts

Lysander Trio “Slavic Serenade” 8-18-2019

Caroga Arts Special Events

Fri, Jul 22 – Caroga Arts Gala with Eddie Barbash & KASA Quartet

The Caroga Arts Collective Gala is the largest fundraising event of the year, providing vital support for the daily operations of the organization. For more information and tickets, visit: www.carogaarts.org/gala

Sat, Aug 13 – Caroga Cornhole Classic hosted by WCLA & Caroga Arts Collective

Sun, Aug 21 – Fourth Annual Caroga Arts Golf Outing

Support Caroga Arts and join us for a fun day of golf at the beautiful Nick Stoner Municipal Golf Course! For more information, visit: www.carogaarts.org/golf

Sat, Sep 24 – Summer Wine Down

July 4, 2022
Music on the Point to Begin in Speculator on July 6

The village of Speculator’s Music on the Point concert series is set to return this summer beginning on July 6. The free concert series will occur every Wednesday night from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm through August 31.

Music on the Point will take place at Osborne Point in Speculator with beautiful views of Lake Pleasant in the scenic Adirondacks. There will also be drinks and food available to purchase during each night of the series. The returning event is sponsored by Oak Mountain and Charlie Johns Speculator Department Store as a way to say thank you to the community for years of continued support.

Performers include a range of genres, including Wayward Folk, a roots-rock band known as The Insolent Willies, bluegrass musicians Two Shoes, and many more. For the full lineup of performances, see below.

Speculator Music on the Point Concert Series Lineup:

July 6 – The Wayward Folk

July 13 – Kim Buckley & Rob West

July 20 – Willie Playmore Band

July 27 – The Rollin’ Rust

August 3 – The Insolent Willies

August 10 – The Old Main

August 17 – Two Shoes

August 24 – Blind Rhino

August 31 – The Wayward Folk

July 3, 2022
The Whistles Drop EP “I Come From The Future” and Open New Recording Studio

Singer and songwriter Terrence Brennan of Cousin Earth and BELT and his wife, Wendy LaManque, make up the folk duo The Whistles and recently released their EP I Come from the Future. The project was fully recorded in their newly opened studio space, The Party Farm, in Roscoe.

The duo began making music together under the name The Whistles a few years ago and started recording their newest EP in the winter of 2021. Both Brennan and LaManque are equally responsible for the songwriting on the album, and Brennan engineered, mixed, and mastered the record right in their brand-new recording studio.

The time-travel-themed EP I Come from the Future is some of the couple’s best work with a surprise release on Tuesday, June 21. With elements of alt-rock, country, metal, dance music, and more, the album takes listeners on a journey through genres. The music video for The Whistle’s country ballad, “Hay,” features a beautiful violin solo from Michael Hunter and can be seen below.

The Party Farm, nestled in the Catskills, offers a peaceful mountain environment for any recording artist to take advantage of. The space includes many amenities, including a bowling alley, bar, and walking trails not far off.

Brennan acts as the studio’s mixing engineer, with 20 years of experience as a recording artist and producer. The recording studio also offers photography and video editing for those who wish to share the work they may do in the studio with the outside world.

July 3, 2022
Moon Walker Releases Confrontational New Single and Video “The Price of Life Itself”

Brooklyn-based alt-rock artist Moon Walker has released his newest single, “The Price of Life Itself,” off of his upcoming sophomore album, The Attack Of Mirrors, set for release on October 21, 2022.

Photo credit: Madison McConnell

With reverberated vocals, electric guitar, and gritty lyrics, the new track sheds light on injustices in American society. Moon Walker, also known as Harry Springer, wrote the track in the midst of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 after seeing first-hand the militarized response to a peaceful protest.

Moon Walker shares that the track is one of his most proud moments lyrically. The music video, directed by returning Madison McConnell, conveys an uneasy sense of reality to its viewers, channeling the themes of Alice in Wonderland. Taking place in a house covered in ivy, with warm outfits, hazy lighting, and a fish-eye lens, the music video combines groove and defiance into one.

It was a moment where I really realized how much my sense of safety, freedom and protection was a facade. Our country’s institutions are all so deeply broken and flawed, that not only do none of them actually accomplish what they set out to, they likely have the opposite effect. The entire ethos of the song can be summarized in one of the final lyrics: ‘We can stay above the water, while still lending a hand to those who sink.’ That is the price of life itself.
– Moon Walker

Harry Springer coined Moon Walker at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, passing the time by selling songs to various sound libraries. All of his music is composed, produced, and performed in his bedroom, but the sound is fit for much more than that.

Photo Credit: Madison McConnell

After sudden success on the viral video-making app Tik Tok, Moon Walker’s first seven-track album, Truth to Power, rose to light. Artists such as Justin Hawkins praised Moon Walker for his work, and he is back with his sophomore effort on The Attack of Mirrors out early this fall.

The second album from Moon Walker will see a more maximalist, experimental approach than compared to his previous work. With powerful, thought-provoking lyrics and a unique sound, the new album is sure to have success.

July 3, 2022
Billy Strings Confirms Fall Tour Dates with Stops in NY

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician Billy Strings is set to continue his North American Tour and has recently announced more New York tour dates for the fall.

Photo Credit: Joshua Wilkins Black

Strings will be back in the NY area on September 18, with a show for the Outlaw Music Festival at Saratoga Performing Arts Center alongside Willie Nelson & Family and The Avett Brothers, among others. After multiple shows all across the U.S., the famed musician will also stop in Rochester and Uniondale in early November.

This most recent tour promotes Strings’ highly-acclaimed 16-track album, Renewal, whose bluegrass rhythms and engaging hooks landed it a well-deserved spot upon several “Best of 2021” lists. Strings also performed “Hide And Seek” off of the album during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.

Album Cover for Renewal

Strings is originally from Michigan and is now based in Nashville, TN where his music has taken off – much to critics’ notice. He was awarded “Best Bluegrass Album” at the 63rd Grammy Awards, and has performed on shows show as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Bluegrass Underground, and most recently on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

https://youtu.be/NS6WrFex1uY

A musician with respect in multiple genres, Strings has worked and collaborated with artists such as Bill Kreutzmann, Luke Combs, Del McCoury, Fences, RMR, and others. Renewal gave the singer experience across genres, with a mix of elements of rock, metal, and psychedelic music while still honoring the genre of Bluegrass music.

Many of the tickets go on sale on Friday, July 1 at 10:00 am local time. See below for the full list of US tour dates.

June 30 – Scranton, PA – Peach Music Festival

July 2 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion (SOLD OUT)

July 3 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion (SOLD OUT)

July 22 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater (SOLD OUT)

July 23 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater (SOLD OUT)

July 24 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater (SOLD OUT)

July 27 – Chicago, IL – Metro (SOLD OUT)

July 28 – Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza

July 29 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park

July 30 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park (SOLD OUT)

August 4 – Saint Charles, IA – Hinterland Music Festival

August 5 – Minneapolis, MN – Surly Brewing Festival Field (SOLD OUT)

August 6 – Moorhead, MN – Bluestem Amphitheater

August 9 – Bonner, MT – Kettlehouse Amphitheater (SOLD OUT)

August 10 – Bonner, MT – Kettlehouse Amphitheater (SOLD OUT)

August 12 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield (SOLD OUT)

August 13 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield (SOLD OUT)

August 14 – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Park

August 27 – Tisbury, MA – Beach Road Weekend

September 9 – Alpharetta, GA – Outlaw Music Festival at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

September 10 – Charlotte, NC – Outlaw Music Festival at PNC Music Pavilion

September 11 – Virginia Beach, VA – Outlaw Music Festival at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

September 13 – Bridgeport, CT – Outlaw Music Festival at Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater

September 16 – Boston, MA – Outlaw Music Festival at Xfinity Center

September 17 – Asbury Park, NJ – Sea.Hear.Now Festival

September 18 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Outlaw Music Festival Saratoga Performing Arts Center

September 23 – Buena Vista, CO – Renewal at The Meadows

September 24 – Buena Vista, CO – Renewal at The Meadows

September 28 – Sacramento, CA – Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

September 30 – Stanford, CA – Frost Amphitheater at Stanford

October 1 – Dana Point, CA – Ohana Fest

October 2 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern

October 7-9 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits 2022

October 14-16 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits 2022

October 15 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion

October 29 – Asheville, NC – ExporeAsheville.com Arena

October 30 – Asheville, NC – ExporeAsheville.com Arena

October 31 – Asheville, NC – ExporeAsheville.com Arena

November 3 – Kalamazoo, MI – Wings Event Center

November 4 – Saginaw, MI – Dow Event Center

November 5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Petersen Events Center

November 9 – Rochester, NY – Blue Cross Arena

November 11 – Uniondale, NY – Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

November 12 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met

November 13 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met

November 16 – Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union LIVE!

November 18 – Washington, DC – The Anthem

November 19 – Washington, DC – The Anthem

July 2, 2022
Wilder Maker Release New Single “A Professional” Featuring Felicia Douglass

Brooklyn-based indie-rock band Wilder Maker released their newest single, “A Professional” on June 27 from their upcoming album, Male Models, out on July 29 via Western Vinyl. The single features guest lead vocalist Felicia Douglass of Dirty Projectors and Ava Luna.

Photo credit: Ebru Yildiz

Made up of musicians Gabriel Birnbaum, Nick Jost, and Sean Mullins, Wilder Maker began with a series of self-releases and home recordings before debuting music such as “New Streets” (2017), and Zion (2018) to much acclaim. Their upcoming Male Models album was live-recorded over several days and includes an impressive lineup of guest vocalists.

The track, “A Professional” is one of twelve songs on Male Models. Although the lead vocalist and songwriter of Wilder Marker, Birnbaum, does not sing on the track, Douglass’ vocals shine right in the start. Her voice carries the song’s message of isolation with feeling. With simple chords eventually overlaid with drum beats and other instrumentation, the track blends together beautifully.

’A Professional’ dips into the feeling of digital isolation … the way the physical world has become less real and more ghostly, less mysterious and more quantifiable. It’s inspired by this recurring experience I have, usually traveling, where I’ve been alone all day and I suddenly want to connect very badly with people I care about. I fire off several texts and sit there waiting for the phone to light up, with this strange feeling that everyone I know might have vanished. As soon as I imagined Felicia singing this song, I knew she’d be perfect for it, and she was. I’m so happy and grateful she was able to do it.
– Songwriter Gabriel Birnbaum

The upcoming Male Models features more guest lead vocalists, including an impressive line-up of Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Katie Von Schleicher, Felicia Douglass, Alex Schaaf (Yellow Ostrich), V.V. Lightbody, and Mutual Benefit. Across the 12 songs on the album, audiences will find electrified soul, heartfelt folk songs, indie rock, and more.

Birnbaum drew from a wide array of inspirations for the album, including everything from American novelist James Salter, the NBA playoffs, to Thin Lizzy and the topic of masculinity. After making music for nearly a decade together, Wilder Maker is set for the release of yet another energetic album – stay tuned for July 29.

July 2, 2022
Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Celebration Announces Lineup

The Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Celebration returns to Buffalo for its sixth annual event at the Buffalo Central Terminal on August 28. The event includes a diverse set of musical performances, art exhibits, a silent disco, speaker panels, and much more.

The one-day celebration, previously described as “WNY-Buffalo’s Most Diverse Festival,” will welcome national and international musical acts, including performances by Stove God Cooks, DNTWATCHTV, Q Brock, Lindsay Niccs, and Grace Greenan among others.

In addition to giving space to many musical acts, the festival will also host art exhibitors kidwitthewings, Deja Marie, xoJOITA, Peter Ponce, and more. Attendees can also get a chance to see Burchfield-Penny Arts live painting, and numerous wearable and street art installations.

The Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Celebration also includes curated talks, hosted by mind + body + soul, CannaBiz, Seat at the Table, and Toneyboi. There will also be food trucks, a beer and wine garden, a family fun area, and more.

Founded by Buffalo native Lindsey Taylor, the festival has provided audiences with a wide array of exciting content since 2017 and aims to offer the community a way to connect through the arts. The annual event has continued to grow throughout the years, starting with an audience of 700 during its debut and now boasting over 2,000 attendees.

This year’s celebration will be held from 2:00pm to 9:00pm and is a ticketed event. Single and group general admission tickets can be purchased are now available on the festival’s website.

Leading up to the big event, Beau Fleuve will host entertainment from August 25 and end with their celebration on August 28. The events will include a comedy show on the 25th, a happy hour on the 26th, a field day and softball game on the 27th, and finally, finish on the 28th with the music and arts festival.

Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Festival Lineup – August 28

Notable Music Performances will be by National Recording & Touring Artist STOVE GOD COOKS, DNTWATCHTV, Q BROCK, LINDSAY NICCS, GRACE GREENAN, JOHNNY HART & THE MESS, CHUCKIE CAMPBELL, IMYOUNGWORLD, MC TAE, STRESS DOLLS & MORE

Notable Art Exhibitors include KIDWITTHEWINGS, DEJA MARIE, XOJOITA, PETER PONCE, JIMMY KELLER & MORE.

Notable Art Installation/Activation Areas include BURCHFIELD-PENNY ARTS LIVE PAINTING, STREET-ART, WEARABLE ART, SIT & THINK CHAIRS & MORE

Curated Talks will include MIND + BODY + SOUL, CANNABIZ, SEAT AT THE TABLE & TONEYBOI

July 2, 2022
Troy Music Hall’s Barker Park Kids Series to Begin on July 7

Starting on July 7, every Thursday morning at 11 am, Troy Music Hall will host a free outdoor concert series in Barker Park, located at the corner of 3rd and State streets in Troy.

The summer series will go through August 25 and feature the talents of 8 musicians over the course of the summer. Read more about each of the featured acts below.

July 7: ANDY THE MUSIC MAN

Andy “The Music Man” will open the Barker Park Kid’s series on Thursday, July 7. A popular children’s music artist known for connecting with his audience he mixes traditional and original songs. There will be sing-a-longs, dancing, play-acting, and storytelling.

July 14: HEARD

HEARD, a collective of musicians who have a passion for world music, improvisation, and jazz, will be the next featured group in the series. Their sound includes influences from West Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, and beyond.

July 21: WATCH REGGIE RUN

Watch Reggie Run consists of father Dave and his son, Luke, who has autism. The two formed their group in 2017 and named the band for how they spend their time together when they are not making music: watching Luke’s sister Reggie run in sporting events. The duo loves music and finds it is a great way to connect despite Luke’s limited communication skills. All of the original songs are inspired by Luke and are for all ages.

July 28: TERRI ROBEN

Terri Roben has worked in children’s music and movement for over 30 years. Over that time, she has performed in schools, festivals, coffeehouses, and taught classes for preschoolers to 5th graders. Her music CD, Riverwalk & Other Songs can be found online. She previously owned her business, Music Together, and taught for 11 years.

August 4: TROY PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Troy Public Library will be presenting Under The Sea Story Hour on August 4.

August 11: JORDAN TAYLOR HILL

Jordan Taylor Hill’s music is rooted in the traditional West African music and the diaspora which he combines with the sounds of today. As a songwriter and performer, he inspires and entertains all of his audiences.

August 18: ELLEN SINOPOLI DANCE COMPANY

Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company is a not-for-profit art organization and is committed to creating, collaborating, educating, and partnering as they share their work with all audiences. The 31-year-old dance company holds concerts, showcases, residencies, workshops, and educational and community outreach.

August 25: THE RAGTIME WIND JAMMERS

The Ragtime Wind Jammers consist of Dave Lambert, Woody Strobeck, Steve Lambert, Mike Lawrence, and Ron Bill. The local jazz group encourages audience participation as they visually show acoustic ideas in their performance. Their use of banjo, trumpet, guitar, clarinet, trombone, bass, and drums will make for an exciting soundscape.

In case of inclement weather, the event will not be rescheduled, so be sure to check Troy Music Hall’s website for the latest details.

July 1, 2022
Pop-punk Baby Got Back Talk Release Single and Video for “Model Minority”

New York City-based pop-punk band Baby Got Back Talk debuted their latest single and music video for “Model Minority” off their upcoming Wiretap Records debut EP, Existential Shred, due out in September.

The band was originally formed in 2017, consisting of G’Ra Asim (vocals/bass), Rhiana Hernandez (keyboard), and Jake Lazaroff (guitar/vocals). After years of sharing bills with acts like Choked Up, Universe Ignore Her, and Gibbons, Wes Ruiz (drums) was eventually brought into the band’s fold.

Baby Got Back Talk likens this new single to Keri Hilson’s “Pretty Girl Rock,” – where “Model Minority” is a rallying cry for queer people and people of color. The accompanying music video directed by Carla Troconis is a homage to My Chemical Romance’s “I’m Not Okay (I Promise) with a more modern twist. The band also teamed up with producer John Naclerio and Nada Recording Studios for their latest EP.

We’re what punk looks like in the 2020s: driven by a DIY ethic, conversant with social issues–especially as they pertain to gender and race, enabled by inter-web, bankrolled by day jobs, powered by a rad like-minded community, resonant with the most venerable iterations of rock ‘n’ roll but firmly committed to injecting some new flavor into the mold.
– Baby Got Back Talk

Previously named one of AfroPunk’s Top 8 Punkest Bands on the Planet, some of the band’s performances include the AfroPunk Festival in 2019 and Punk Island the year before. Their full-length album, Genre Reveal Party, was mixed by Paul Leavitt who has worked with All Time Low, Senses Fail, and Yellowcard in the past.

To keep up with the band, you can find them on socials @babygotbacktalk across platforms and at babygotbacktalk.com.

June 30, 2022
The Albany Symphony’s TrailBlaze NY Continues into July

During the first weekend in July, The Albany Symphony will continue a series of free outdoor concerts in celebration of the newly completed Empire State Trail. The series, TrailBlaze NY, debuted in Troy and Cohoes and will include stops in Schenectady, Albany, and Amsterdam.

Photo Courtesy of ASO

The Albany Symphony debuted the festival in order to recognize the completion of the expansive Empire State Trail. The trail offers the people of NY 750 miles of cycling, hiking, and walking paths along the state’s most significant waterways.

At each stop along the weekend, the Albany Symphony, led by Maestro David Alan Miller, will perform at 7:30 pm featuring a program of new music, a folk-song sing-a-long, and more. Flame The Band will open for the Symphony at the Schenectady stop, with Barbara Howard and Jordan Taylor Hill opening in the Albany and Amsterdam events respectively.

Photo Courtesy of ASO

Audiences can also enjoy local food and drinks, health and wellness events, activities for kids, music, and more alongside the beautiful scenery. Each stop along the weekend is tailored to showcase the unique offerings of each of these communities.

TrailBlaze NY is a unique opportunity for people from all over the Northeastern US and Canada to discover some of the most extraordinary towns in New York State and the glorious nature that surrounds them … I hope all our friends and supporters will also join us to celebrate New York State in all its wonder and natural beauty, as well as our resilient communities and the things that connect us and bring us together, all the trails we explore, real and imagined.
Maestro David Alan Miller

The previous weekends of the festival in Troy and Cohoes were a big hit and audiences saw performances from the Symphony as well as Dogs of Desire among other musical guests. Dogs of Desire premiered five new pieces inspired by the Empire State Trail, and both groups were led by Miller.

For the schedule of activities for the weekend, see below. For more information on the Albany Symphony click here.

July 1 – Mohawk Harbor – Schenectady

All Day – Lots of Activities

5:00pm – Music/Food/Fun

6:00pm – Opening Act – Flame The Band

7:30pm – Albany Symphony Performs

9:30pm – Fireworks

July 2 – Jennings Landing – Albany

All Day – Lots of Activities

5:00pm – Music/Food/Fun

6:00pm – Opening Act – Barbara Howard

7:30pm – Albany Symphony Performs

9:30pm – Fireworks

July 3 – Riverlink Park – Amsterdam

All Day – Lots of Activities

5:00pm – Music/Food/Fun

6:45pm – Opening Act – Jordan Taylor Hill

7:30pm – Albany Symphony Performs

9:30pm – Fireworks

June 30, 2022