On August 4, Playhouse Stage Company continues its Summer 2022 season with an engaging musical, The Wedding Singer, based on the hit Adam Sandler movie of the same name at Park Playhouse.
The show, performed by Playhouse Stage Academy students, will run at Park Playhouse from August 4 to 20, Tuesday through Saturday, beginning at 8 pm. Earlier in the season, audiences enjoyed Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids at the iconic Cohoes Music Hall and can look forward to the show Pete (her) Pan coming the last week of August at the venue.
Playhouse Stage Company recently undertook the responsibility of managing Cohoes Music Hall in 2020 but originally began summer productions in Washington Park in Albany in 1989. After drawing large crowds with free, outdoor programming, the amphitheater was built facing the lake to accommodate 1,500 people.
Washington Park Lakehouse
In 2017, the stage company expanded its programming from just the summer season to all-year-around performances occurring both at Cohoes Music Hall and Park Playhouse. Attendees at the Park Playhouse venue for the upcoming The Wedding Singer show can enjoy for free on the lawn, or purchase tickets closer to the stage. The rest of the Summer 2020 Park Playhouse season is sure to entertain audience members of all ages.
Playhouse Stage Company also recently announced its 35th season of musical theatre, including shows such as Frozen Jr., Assassins, Something Rotten, The Secret Garden, and many more. Stay tuned and don’t miss out on some fantastic pieces at the historic Cohoes Music Hall and beautiful Park Playhouse in Washington Park.
For more information on Playhouse Stage Company programming and tickets to upcoming shows, visit their website available here.
From November 15 to 27, the world premiere of “Sugar Hill: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker” will come to New York City Center after a stay in Pittsburgh from October 19-30.
The new ballet reimagines the beloved classic, with a libretto by Jessica Swan and music of legends Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Embracing the jazz genre, the ballet comes at a perfect time to ring in this fall’s holiday season at New York City Center.
Composer Billy Strayhorn playing piano (Photo by Steve Schapiro/Corbis via Getty Images)
“Sugar Hill” is a tribute to collaboration, diversity, and individuality. The music arrangement celebrates the jazz heartbeat of Sugar Hill in Harlem. Directed by Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse, with choreography by Jade Hale-Christofi, the show will present amazing dancers, orchestrations, and arrangements.
Consummate master of self-expression Duke Ellington and classically-trained, jazz genius Billy Strayhorn, took something wholly European, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, and transformed it into a story that symbolizes the American ideal — the freedom of individualism — by marrying it to jazz. There is no finer visual representation of this than through dance.
-A. Alyce Claerbaut and Mercedes Ellington
A. Alyce Claerbaut, niece of Billy Strayhorn, is the “Sugar Hill” Executive Producer, and Mercedes Ellington, granddaughter of Duke Ellington, and producer, director, and choreographer in her own right, expressed the genius of the ballet’s intent.
American musician Duke Ellington (1899-1974). Undated photograph. (Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images)
The “Sugar Hill” creative team also includes the talent of Julian Crouch (Scenic Designer), Linda Cho (Costume Design), David Finn (Lighting Design), Austin Switser and Switser + Knight (Projection Design) and John Shivers (Sound Design). Stay tuned for when the New York City Center tickets to this genre-bending ballet go on sale.
On Wednesday, July 20, St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn began its summer series, Get Back! Summer Concerts 2022, which will continue every Wednesday through August 10 beginning at 7:00 pm.
Get Back! Summer Concerts began in 2020 during the pandemic, and took inspiration from the Beatles’ 1969 rock event. The series aimed to provide and surprise people with live music and entertainment as they strolled through Brooklyn Bridge Park. Due to popular demand, the concerts have continued at St. Ann’s Warehouse.
Empire Fulton Ferry Lawn provides the perfect scene for free live performances which include a wide array of talent and entertainment. The opening concert brought Nigerian-born, New York- and Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary sound artist, saxophonist, DJ, composer, and producer Eli Fola. Fola is a fan favorite and returns to the lineup after performing at Get Back! In 2020 and 2021.
Two acts, the Queens-based band duendita, and DJ nicole misha, will take the stage for the night of July 27. duendita is a collaborative multi-medium project made with family and friends while nicole misha provides audiences with sets that span across categories.
Melanie Charles with Zacchae’us Paul will bring the concert series into August on the 3rd. Audiences can expect jazz, soul, experimental, and roots music with Charles’ unique style and commitment to exploration. Atlanta-native Zacchae’us Paul’s original music takes inspiration from Marvin Gaye, and The Black Panther Party, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
To close out the 2022 season of Get Back!, the program, Ode to the Black Fiddler, will showcase multiple professional string performers of color. These artists include dancer, vocalist, and violinist La Lulu; violinist Lee England Jr.; and immersive sounds by DJ Sunny Cheeba.
One of the major highlights of producing these outdoor concerts with St. Ann’s Warehouse has been observing how free access to the arts naturally creates diverse spaces for different communities to come together—especially youth—and find sparks of joy, express themselves, and be present.
– Curator Khadijat Oseni
Be sure to check out the concert series as you wrap up the summer! More information about the most up-to-date schedule and inclement weather announcements can be found on the St. Ann’s Warehouse website, here.
Hailing from the Finger Lakes region, rock & roll band the Sweats is set to release their upcoming single, “Whiskey Thursday,” out on streaming services on July 28. The single is the first off of their album, Summer Nights Begin, which will drop later this year.
“Whiskey Thursday” is built on the foundation of dynamic drums, a great bass line, wonderful guitars, and synths, with a relatable storyline lyrically. Similar in sound to the Foo Fighters, Ted Leo, or Deer Tick, the track is the perfect hint at what to expect for the rest of the album.
The song deals with the struggles of untruthful relationships and confronting dark times. Vocalist Travis Durfee sings passionately on the track, describing the confusion of a relationship as backing vocals and engaging beats carry you through the five-minute song. The rhythm, lyrics, and catchy beats keep you hooked and wanting more.
Sweats, consisting of Travis Durfee (vocals, guitar), JM Sincock (drums), Rob Kurcoba (bass), Tony DeLuca (keys), and Nick D’Aloisio (guitar), released their first full-length album, Caught in Wave, in 2020. The album was well-received, but the band is looking forward to continuing to expand their live performances with this upcoming album, Summer Nights Begin.
Audiences can find Sweats often playing at the wineries and breweries outside of Ithaca where they are committed to playing original music for fans to enjoy. Creating art and making their own tunes is how Sweats rolls, and “Whiskey Thursday,” is a prime example of this.
It is like an underground network of sorts, this rural collective of DIY festivals and promoters. There are groups like Uncle Uku and the Guise and Technicolor Trailer Park and indie rockers like Jesse Bloodgood, punks like The Rooster, all supporting each other, playing shows together, and trying to make it work, pulling together festivals, such as Togetherness and Wonderland, bringing people out into the woods to hear the heartbeat of original music in rural Upstate New York. It takes a minute to find that heartbeat, but we’re on the pulse and the beat is pretty steady.
-Travis Durfee on the Ithaca music scene
Be sure to be on the lookout for when “Whiskey Thursday” drops on July 28. The single will not disappoint and stay tuned for the upcoming album, Summer Nights Begin, which was mixed by sound engineer Mike Capporizzo. Take a listen to more of Sweats’ music available below.
Country-folk artist Willie Nelson will perform at SummerStage this fall with special guest Charley Crockett, on September 20.
The SummerStage concert will begin at 6:00 pm and the doors open at 5:00 pm at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. All ages are welcome, and tickets are available for purchase now. Willie Nelson is currently on his Outlaw Music Fest tour and will also stop in Bethel on August 13, Darien Center on August 14, and Saratoga Springs on September 18.
At 89 years old, the country musician has long made a name for himself in the genre. Popular albums include 1973 Shotgun Willie, Red Headed Stranger (1975), and Stardust (1978). Willie Nelson’s most recent album, 2022’s A Beautiful Time, was released on the singer’s 89th birthday this past April and received positive reception.
Nelson is also expected to perform at Farm Aid Fest this September alongside other acts such as Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, and Charley Crockett, among others. Nelson currently serves as one of the board members for the festival.
Willie Nelson is one of many guests who have come to Central Park to perform at the SummerStage Festival. Since 1986, the event has curated acts across multiple genres. Previous performances include pop duo Oh Wonder, jazz legend Roy Haynes, and many more.
Tickets to see Willie Nelson & Family, and Charley Crockett, at SummerStage are available now at the City Parks Foundation website.
On Sunday, September 4, Buffalo Jazz Festival brings four acts to the area for a full day of live music during Labor Day Weekend.
From noon until 6:30 pm, the West Plaza of the Seneca One Tower in Buffalo will bring audiences live music, food trucks, refreshments, and entertainment for all ages. In the second year of the festival using the venue space, people can enjoy a free community concert.
To open up the Buffalo Jazz Festival, NYC-based John Troy Quartet will perform from 12 noon until 1:15 pm. John Aaron Troy is a saxophonist, multiple woodwind musician, and educator. The artist picked up the saxophone at age 10 and his music is ever-evolving since then.
From 1:45 pm to 3:00 pm, Trigger & the Sermon will take the spotlight. Trigger & the Sermon Organ Jazz Quartet play classical soul-jazz while mixing in unique rhythm and groove. The group has played at multiple venues in the Buffalo area, including at the Four One Six and Duende at Silo City.
Trigger & The Sermon
The Dave Hill Group brings more entertainment to the Buffalo Jazz Festival, with a performance from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm. Dave Hill Group consists of Jim Linsler (drums), Pat Georger (keys), Tim Sheldon (bass), Colin Brydalski (bass), and Matt Harris on saxophone.
To close out the festival Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble will play from 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm. A Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Inductee who has played with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Arthuro Sandovar, and Ben Vereen, the performance is sure to be one to remember.
Wendell Rivera
JazzBuffalo promotes the genre of jazz in the Buffalo area with news, live performances, festivals, events, education, and more. The organization uses music and events to bring the community together and the Buffalo Jazz Festival is one such event. For more information about the organization and ways to get involved, visit the website available here.
Texas-based band ZZ Top announced additional tour dates for their current North American Raw Whiskey tour with 5 stops in NY.
The rock band will make appearances across multiple states and venues. The nearest upcoming NY stops include Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on August 13 and Darien Lake Amphitheater on August 14.
Tickets for the August NY shows are available now, with other venues such as the Palace Theatre and The Paramount available for presale on the band’s website, here. Tickets for the ZZ Top show at the Palace Theatre go on sale starting July 29 at 10:00 am via Ticketmaster.
The ZZ Top tour is in promotion of the band’s recent 2022 release, Raw. The 12-track album was recorded in conjunction with the critically acclaimed Netflix documentary, That Little Ol’ Band From Texas. The album relies on a blues skew with some upbeat tracks to keep audiences hooked. The band’s third album, 1973’s Tres Hombres, brought them national attention with the hit “La Grange” but their new music is sure to not disappoint.
As Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, the group tour will bring a fresh sound and a unique experience. To see the full list of tour dates, see below.
Raw Whiskey Tour Dates:
JUL 29 – Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, OH
JUL 30 – Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati, OH
JUL 31 – The Pavilion at Star Lake – Burgettstown, PA
AUG 2 – Atlantic Union Bank Pavillion – Portsmouth, VA
AUG 3 – Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville, NC
AUG 5 – White Oak Amphitheatre – Greensboro Coliseum Complex – Greensboro, NC
AUG 6 – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre – Chastain Park Atlanta, GA
AUG 7 – CCNB Amphitheatre Heritage Park – Simpsonville, SC
AUG 10 – Cape Cod Melody Tent – Hyannis, MA
AUG 12 – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion – Gilford, NH
AUG 13 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – Bethel, NY
AUG 14 – Darien Lake Amphitheater – Darien Center, NY
AUG 16 – Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, IA
AUG 17 – Missouri State Fairgrounds – Sedalia, MO
AUG 18 – Saint Louis Music Park – Maryland Heights, MO
AUG 20 – Mystic Lake Casino – Prior Lake, MN
AUG 21 – Pinewood Bowl Theater – Lincoln, NE
AUG 23 – Five Flags Center – Dubuque, IA
AUG 24 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI
AUG 26 – TCU Ampitheater – Indianapolis, IN
AUG 27 – Beaver Dam Amphitheater – Beaver Dam, KY
AUG 28 – Appalachian Wireless Arena – Pikeville, KY
SEP 17 – Hard Rock Live Tulsa – Catoosa, OK
SEP 21 – Murphy Arts District – El Dorado, AR
SEP 23 – Germania Insurance Amphitheater – Del Valle, TX
On July 23, Chautauqua Institution began its fifth week of the nine-week 2022 Summer Assembly season. With weekday lectures and popular entertainment, the entire season examines various themes and invites an impressive lineup over the course of the summer.
Chautauqua Institution Ampitheater
Each week of the Chautauqua Institution’s Summer Assembly has a specific theme, and Week Five is “The Vote and Democracy.” The week includes famed musician Lyle Lovett whose 14-album career spans elements of genres such as folk, country, jazz, swing, gospel, blues, and more. The Grammy award winner is a legendary performer and artist beloved in popular music today and will play on July 29 at 8:15 pm.
Other special guests joining the institution’s week five program include New Yorker staff writer Jelani Cobb, president of the Campaign Legal Center Trevor Potter, former CEO of the Partnership for American Democracy Diana Aviv, acclaimed author Wajahat Ali, and the family of comedy legend Carl Reiner.
Other upcoming popular acts to look forward to coming to Chautauqua include NYO Jazz on August 1, country music star Brett Eldredge on August 5, British vocal ensemble VOCES8 on August 9, and many more.
Week Four of the Summer Assembly included singer-songwriter Gina Chavez and a combined performance of the professional Chautauqua Symphony and pre-professional Music School Festival orchestras. The week’s theme, “The Future of History,” also included other entertainment such as historians Jon Meacham and Annette Gordon-Reed, and comedian Jay Leno.
Chautauqua Institution was founded in 1874 and was originally known as the Chautauqua Lake Sunday School Assembly. The not-for-profit has expanded its community reach immensely, hosting 7,500 people in residence daily during a nine-week season, and hosting many public events.
For the full list of Popular Artists coming to the Chautauqua Summer Assembly for the summer, see below. For ticket information, visit the Chautauqua Institution website, here.
July 29 – Lyle Lovett
August 1 – NYO Jazz
August 5 – Brett Eldredge
August 9 – VOCES8
August 17 – Matthew Whitaker
August 19 – Girl Named Tom
August 20 – Hiss Golden Messenger & Aoife O’Donovan
August 21 – Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas
August 22 – Deeper Than The Skin
August 22 – Punch Brothers
August 23 – Rhiannon Giddens
August 24 – The Avett Brothers
August 25 – Emmylou Harris and Mary Chapin Carpenter
Throughout Schenectady County this summer, you’ll find free music series in towns big and small. Whether at Schenectady’s Central Park, Scotia’s Freedom Park or Glenville’s Park at Indian Meadows, the county offers multiple chances to see some great live music throughout the rest of the season.
Schenectady’s Central Park also continues their summer concert series until August 27. After an impressive lineup of Steel Pulse, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, and Sammy Miller & The Congregation, the Lemon Bucket Orkestra will perform on July 31. Other performances, such as the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and Steep Canyon Rangers, are set to perform later in August.
Steep Canyon Rangers
Residents and visitors to the county can also stop by Scotia’s Freedom Park for more fantastic performances. The Refrigerators, a popular party-rock band, are set to perform on July 27. Other great talents contributing to the summer lineup include Quintocracy, SIRSY, Heard, and many more.
Come out to any of these concert series above and enjoy some great summer events!
Originating from NYC, indie-rock group Guards released “All I Have to Do is Dream,” a cover of The Everly Brothers’ 1958 hit. The revitalized track is the latest release off of the Guards’ upcoming covers album, More Cover Songs, out on August 23 via CGR.
Guards takes the popular hit and makes it into a sound completely their own. Beginning with soft percussion before building with subdued vocals, and differing riffs, the band reimagines the track in a brand new way.
The group formed out of NYC in 2010, and consists of Richie Follin, Loren Humphrey, and Kaylie Church. The trio released their first single, “Resolution of One,” in December of 2010 and their first full-length album, In Guards We Trust, in 2013. Guards have been working on new music throughout the pandemic, including the forthcoming cover album, More Cover Songs.
The Everly Brothers are one of our biggest inspirations for melody and straightforward songwriting. This song always seemed way ahead of its time while somehow being of that exact moment. I think the really special artists are the ones that inspire the artists that inspire even more artists to become artists…they are that kind of special artist. The slow songs are always harder to cover because you can’t hide behind the energy, but this cover felt natural and we were able to do some fun things on it.
-Richie Follin
Guards split time recording the album and their most recent single, “All I Have to Do is Dream,” in NY and LA. Adam Thein mixed the record in Austin, Texas. The upcoming album is sure to be a success if this newest release is any indication.
Previously, Guards opened for acts such as Queens of the Stone Age, MGMT, Two Door Cinema Club, Deertick, and played in festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Primavera Sound. Take a listen to more of their music, available below.
