A new day-long celebration of Hip-Hop culture founded by LL Cool J called Rock The Bells Festival will be happening at Forest Hills Stadium in LL’s hometown of Queens on August 6.
The festival will feature live performances, art exhibits, food, fashion, interactive experiences, and more. Each performer was hand-picked for their culture-defining careers, undeniable talents, and contributions to Hip-Hop culture.
LL Cool J said in a statement that he is excited to bring all these artists together to celebrate Hip-Hop culture.
This festival is my way of showing love to the community of Hip-Hop and celebrating the incredible journey this culture has taken, going from DJ Kool Herc’s Sedgwick Avenue rec room, to the global phenomenon we all cherish today. Getting to bring some of the most iconic and influential Hip-Hop artists to the same stage, in my hometown and the city that started it all, is an honor and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store for them.
For fans that cannot make it to the festival, they can tune into LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells Radio on SiriusXM (Ch. 43) for exclusive live coverage. Tickets go onsale April 4 for pre-sale, and April 8 for general sale, and tickets can be found here. For each ticket sale, Rock The Bells will be donating partial proceeds to the Universal Hip-Hop Museum in the Bronx.
Caroga Arts in Caroga Lake, NY is one of two organizations receiving the $1 million grant from New York State Council for the Arts (NYSCA) that will be used to construct a new state-of-the-art amphitheater.
The Caroga Arts Amphitheater rendering plan.
Founder and artistic director Kyle Price spoke about the grant, and how exciting it is:
We are honored to receive this award and thrilled to be working with renowned historic preservation architect LTRW and Consigli Construction Co from the Capital district. The Amphitheater serves as the first phase of a larger master plan that includes the restoration and renovation of the existing Main Building, Carousel, Bumper Car Pavilion, and Ferris wheel. We look forward to sharing updated renderings and information about the capital campaign for the first phase of both Sherman’s and Myhill properties.
The Caroga Arts Collective plan to construct the amphitheater in Sherman Park, and it will be able to accommodate an 80-person orchestra and a stage house with backstage support, as well as having excellent acoustics. The construction is planned to have a warm, wood design that incorporates classical style elements.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York Sate Council on the Arts gave 116 Capital Grants out. These reflect the depth of New York State’s art sector and will help spur economic development, job growth, and better access to arts and culture experiences.
The 2022 Caroga Lake Music Festival summer season has also been announced, and will run from July 18 to August 21 and will feature over 30 performances by more than 120 artists. It will have a variety of genres, from pop to rock or folk to jazz.
Caroga Arts Music Festival 2022 poster.
Special guest performers include returning artists like Rushad Eggleston, along with new debuts and over 100 CLMF Resident Artists. The Caroga Arts Ensemble will present the iconic Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, the first major symphony to be performed in Caroga Lake, as well as other exciting orchestral and chamber works.
The 5th annual Caroga Arts Gala featuring renowned saxophonist Eddie Barbash will take place on July 22 at Sherman’s. The CLMF Lessons and Ensembles Program will take place every Monday during the festival, and will feature general music workshops and individual or small group lessons and is open to anyone.
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in NYC closed its doors for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, in a two-part PBS film Chamber Music Society Returns, the story of CMS’s return to live concerts is told. It will be airing nationally on April 8, and then on the 15th.
CMS is one of eleven constituents of the largest performing arts complex in the world, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. CMS brings the experience of great chamber music to more people than any other organization of its kind through its many performances, education, recording, digital, and broadcast activities.
Musicians perform Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, photo by Cherlynn Tsushima.
The PBS film will explore the passion for making music that pushed the CMS community forward. The film features behind-the-scenes footage at CMS’s rehearsal studios, offices, and backstage. Musicians will reveal their relief at finally leaving the pandemic, and long-awaited performances full of emotion, embrace, and tears of joy.
The first part Setting the Stage features violinist Arnaud Sussmann, bassist Joseph Conyers, cellist David Finckel, and pianist Wu Han talking about how frightening the early stages of the pandemic were, and how music helped them during that difficult time. Viewers get to see the everyday work of chamber musicians, and see performances of both solo Bach and work from the opening night concert.
The second part Bringing Down the House explores the aftermath of opening night, and the challenges of finding a way to safely gather over a dozen wind players to play as performing were considered risky early in the pandemic.
CMS artistic director David Finckel spoke about why live music is special.
Listening to a recording is like looking at a painting on a wall. It can be a great painting, but it doesn’t change. It’s always exactly the same. The live performance, though, is so far beyond the recording or the painting on the wall in that it’s like watching the artwork itself being recreated by the artist in front of your eyes in real time. Because live is always an interpretation. It’s never the same twice.
The CMS PBS documentary will be airing on April 8 and 15, and the trailer is out now.
The City of Albany has announced the lineup for the 2022 Tulip Festival. It will take place on May 7 and 8 in Washington Park.
The Tulip Festival is Albany’s signature spring event. It features over one hundred artisans selling their homemade crafts, a fine arts show, food, two stages of live entertainment, and more than 187,000 tulips in over 150 varieties.
Albany Tulip Festival
The Tulip Festival 2022 lineup is going to be bringing in some great musical acts from across NYS.
SATURDAY, May 7
MAIN STAGE
Washington Park Parade Grounds 1:30p.m. – Bad Mothers: The dirty-rock band from Albany NY heralded for their consistently hard-hitting performances. Recently signed to Black Country Rock Media.
3:00p.m. – TBA
4:30p.m. – Parquet Courts: Parquet Courts’ music is filled with thought-provoking rock. They are experimenting with electronic and psychedelic music to tell a story, while also maintaining uniqueness. Their newest work Symphony For Life falls on groovy dance music, rather than rhythm. The band is built largely from improvised jams, inspired by New York clubs, Primal Scream and Pink Floyd.
LOCAL 518 STAGE
Washington Park Lakehouse Stage
1:00p.m. – Hanzolo: is a 7-piece band from Upstate New York, that have an explosive and emotional sound that mixes soul, jazz, rock, and funk. Their songs are danceable and fun, with thoughtful lyrics. They recently won NYS Music’s March Madness competition and have won the EQX Battle of Bands and opened Albany’s annual Pearlpalooza music festival.
2:15p.m. – Canella: Canella brings a Latin spice to her indie folk-rock style. With some pop influences, her songwriting is full of intricate melodies that tell stories of existentialism and share intimate thoughts. Born and raised in Colombia but listening to 70’s and 90’s rock, Canella dove deeper into her solo songwriting career, utilizing her influences from former Albany local band Waitress, and implementing these elements into her more personal sound.
3:30p.m. – B. Chaps and Freedom Stratton: Freedom Stratton does it all he’s a singer, dancer, actor and model! B. Chaps is from Albany, NY, and does hip hop/alternative music with jazz mixed in.
4:45p.m. – E.R.I.E: came on to the Albany, NY scene in 2020. What began as a passion project developed while singer/songwriter TJ Foster was unexpectedly laid up in a hospital bed for three days, has turned into a fully-formed quartet, winning over audiences with their catchy songs and energetic live performances.
SUNDAY, MAY 8
MAIN STAGE Media sponsors: 1023 Kiss FM 1:30p.m. – Taina Asili: Taína Asili is a New York-based Puerto Rican singer, filmmaker and activist who carries on the traditions of her ancestors, taking past and present struggles into her music with a soulful and strong voice. Her songs have themes of hope and liberation, fusing with Afro-Latin, reggae, and rock genres. Asili’s music spans continents, and inspires audience at venues across the globe- from Carnegie Hall to the Women’s March on Washington to the main stage of San Francisco Pride. With an energetic horn section and infectious rhythms, Asili’s music urges people to get on their feet and dance to the rhythm of rebellion.
3:00 p.m. – DJ TGIF
4:45p.m. – Powerhouse Funk Band: Combining R&B, neo soul, jazz, funk and everything in between, Powerhouse will have you dancing on your feet and feeling the good vibes deep in your soul. They play with a lot of emotion and soul, which gravitates fans to listen to them.
LOCAL 518 STAGE 1:00p.m. – Kyla Silk: R&B singer Kyla Silk has a soulful voice reminiscent of Carole King and Janis Joplin, as well as modern influences like Alicia Keys.
2:15p.m. – SIDE – B: Four-piece alternative rock band from Upstate New York consisting of drummer Dylan Travison, bassist Eric Mitchell, guitarist AJ Horton, and vocalist Ian Justino.
3:30p.m. – Kieran Rhodes: Kieran Rhodes is an accomplished performer, songwriter, pianist and vocalist. As a songwriter, he has released multiple songs under his name which can be found on all streaming platforms. Kieran also has experience writing songs for television. His most recent project being a co-writer on a song for The Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible.”
4:45p.m. – Playin’ with Fire: is a vibrant and powerful Performance Act capturing seamless tributes to every song that audiences love. Led by an irresistible, energetic female vocalist and dynamic male singer/guitarist, the band handles music from Rock, Pop, Country and Blues with astonishing accuracy. Crowd pleasing originals, harmonies and engaging personalities make the Playin’ with Fire Band a sure “fire” hit for any event. The 5 person band includes professional musicians (drums, bass, lead guitar) who have performed with major recording artists across the nation.
Blue Note New York has announced the 11th Annual Blue Note Jazz Festival, presented by Sony. Kicking off June 1, there will be a free show in Washington Square Park headlined by Robert Glasper in association with Washington Square Park Conservancy.
The Blue Note Jazz Festival Lineup.
Since 1981, the Blue Note Jazz Club has been a cultural institution in NYC and one of the premiere jazz clubs in the world. Blue Note strives to preserve the history of jazz, and the club practices the foundations of jazz on a nightly basis.
Alex Kurland, Director of Programming at the festival had a lot to say about this year’s festival.
This year’s Blue Note Jazz Festival in New York presents an exceptional range and depth of artistry. We’re excited and proud to present a diverse lineup within different settings and at venues featuring the most established, iconic and influential artists as well as the next generation of cutting edge progressive artists at venues ranging from Washington Square Park, Central Park to the Blue Note Jazz Club in Greenwich Village and more. We are grateful again to bring a tasteful city-wide music festival to the culture of New York City.
The European Sounds Series returns to the Blue Note Jazz Festival this summer with weekend brunch shows at the club. It features international acts from places like Switzerland, Estonia, Romania, Spain, France, Poland, Austria, and Slovakia. Tickets for the festival can be bought here.
Sony presents Blue Note Jazz Festival 2022 5/31 – 6/1 – DOMi & JD Beck – Blue Note New York 6/1 – Robert Glasper – Washington Square Park (FREE) 6/2-3 – Madeleine Peyroux – Sony Hall 6/2-5 – Kenny Garrett – Blue Note New York 6/3 – An Evening with Kenny G – The Town Hall 6/6 – Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Latin Experience – Blue Note New York 6/7 – The Robert Cray Band – Sony Hall 6/7-12 – Al Di Meola – Blue Note New York 6/8 – The Legendary RAKIM with Special Guest Ravi Coltrane – Sony Hall 6/10 – Fabrizio Sotti w/ Ice T & M1 of Dead Prez – Sony Hall 6/11 – Herbie Hancock w/ Special Guest Opener: Keyon Harrold – SummerStage (FREE) 6/13 – Raul Midón – Blue Note New York 6/13 – Bilal – Sony Hall 6/14 – Los Pericos – Sony Hall 6/14-19 – José James – Blue Note New York 6/15 – George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic – Summerstage 6/16 – The Zappa Band – Sony Hall 6/18-19 – Chris Botti – Sony Hall 6/21-26 – Dave Holland and Kenny Barron Trio with Johnathan Blake – Blue Note New York 6/22 – Big Bad VooDoo Daddy – Sony Hall 6/23 – Con Tumbao ft. Robert Ameen, Issac Delgado, Oscar Hernandez, Conrad Herwig, Pedrito Martinez – Sony Hall 6/26 – An Evening with Charles Lloyd w/ The Chapel Trio featuring Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan + Kindred Spirits featuring Bill Frisell, Jason Moran, Reuben Rogers & Kendrick Scott – Sony Hall 6/27-29 – Theo Croker – Blue Note New York 6/29 – Harlem Gospel Choir Sings Nina Simone – Sony Hall 6/30 – Dizzy Gillespie Big Band – Sony Hall 6/30 – 7/3 – Macy Gray – Blue Note New York
NY Punk Band Shakeout has just released their new inspiring single “Build Your Building.” This is the second single from the band this year, who just got off an east coast tour.
Shakeout is a two-piece alt/punk band from Yonkers that formed at the end of 2016. The band’s songwriting is filled with experimentation as they take influence from a multitude of genres including punk, pop, and hip-hop. They have also built their sound on the heavy use of looping, which creates the idea that there are more than two people in the band. They are unique as well because both of the band’s members are named A.J.
The band has already self-released three EPs, has played throughout the east coast and midwest. They have played at multiple festivals, including the Launch Music Conference in Lancaster, PA, NYC’s Punk Island, and NY Riverfest.
The new single “Build Your Building” is inspiring with lyrics about “feeding a machine that dictates the lives we lead” and “building yourself up and don’t tear them down.” The song has a steady drum beat and layers of guitars. The overarching message of the song is inspiring, as they urge you to build yourself up and don’t tear others down, as they shout it in the bridge.
The single is availible to listen to now on any streaming service.
The Beau Fleuve Festival in Buffalo has announced the date for the 2022 festival, which will happen on August 28.
The festival is a one-day music, arts, and cultural celebration held in the city of Buffalo. Standing on the pillars of diversity, the festival merges Buffalo’s historic past with the Buffalo Central Terminal and the continued resurgence of the arts within Western New York.
photo by Madison McCafferty
The annual celebration includes performances on multiple stages from regional, national, and international musical acts, art exhibitions, the silent disco, spoken word poetry, speaker panels, street art, fashion, sports, film, games, food, and more.
The Beau Flueve Festival 2022 lineup and early bird tickets will be released in May.
Grants totaling $235,000 from MPTF will support 224 live, admission-free events throughout the US and Canada. Funding will support professional musicians to perform at different venues and live streams on Facebook.
MPTF sponsored event.
Jazz Appreciation Month was created at the Musuem of American History in 2001, and it celebrates the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz. It was also made to encourage people of all ages to study the music, listen to jazz, read books about jazz, and attend concerts.
MPTF’s Trustee Dan Beck spoke about the new events scheduled for Jazz Appreciation Month.
Seeing regional jazz greats working again, coming out of the past 24 months of the pandemic, is extremely exciting and so culturally important. Jazz Appreciation Month has been a significant focus of the MPTF’s efforts throughout its history.
Binghamton’s Local 380 represents over 160 professional musicians in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes region of New York.
Schedule
April 3 2PM- Empire Saxophone Quartet (with percussion) @ The Heart at Castle Gardens
April 6 6:30PM- Island Hoppers Steel Band @ United Methodist Homes: Hilltop
April 15 4PM- Alpha Brass @ Willow Point Nursing Home
April 17 3PM- Chris White Trio @ Bridges’ Tudor Houses
April 27 7PM- Southern Tier Brass @ Good Shepard Fairview
NYC-based indie-pop singer-songwriter Aubrey Haddard announced her second LP, Awake And Talking, out August 16. She also shared the first single from the project “Just A Wall” along with a music video.
The album is about Haddard’s self-examination and how she navigates love and her relationship to art. Her biggest influences for the album came from the greatest songwriters of the 90s, like Oasis and Björk. With her writing partner and multi-instrumentalist Charley Ruddell and drummer Josh Strmic, they all wrote the songs in rehearsal spaces and Haddard’s childhood upstate home. She spoke about the album, and the deep meaning it has for her.
Awake And Talking is about seeking a sense of purpose. It challenges perception – how many ways can you look at the world before you find your place in it? It is about destiny and the journey to self-acceptance. And, like anything I create, it is about my own personal experience over the past few years. This record makes me feel powerful and confident in the face of uncertainty and it brings me a lot of joy to know that it could offer a sliver of that to anyone listening.
The new single “Just A Wall” is bold and emotional, with mesmerizing electric guitar riffs as she proudly sings the lyrics “Now that you’ve gone and shattered the glass…Whose arms do you run to?”
Aubrey Haddard, photo by Emmysu.
Aubrey Haddard’s new album Awake And Talking is out August 16, and her new electrifying single ”Just A Wall” is out now.
Happy Birthday, Lady Gaga! Born on March 28, 1986, in Yonkers, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta aka Lady Gaga is one of the most successful pop stars in the world. She grew up in the city with her parents Cynthia and Joseph Germanotta, with her younger sister Natali. Taking her name from the song Radio Ga-Ga by Queen, Gaga has shown her versatility from being in the film and music industries, with multiple number one hits and nominations to show for it.
Lady Gaga at the SAG Awards for film House of Gucci.
Gaga learned how to play the piano at the age of four, and At the age of 11, she was accepted to the Juilliard School in Manhattan but she instead attended a private Catholic school in the city. She wrote her first piano ballad at 13, and at age 14 she had her first performance at a New York nightclub.
Her debut album The Fame and single “Just Dance” received both popular and commercial acclaim, and “Just Dance” was nominated for a Grammy Award. Although it didn’t win, it reached number one on the charts. The second single off of the album “Poker Face” went to the top of the charts in every category and country in 2009.
In 2010, she released her album Fame Monster, then in 2011 released yet another critically acclaimed album Born This Way. In 2013, she released another album titled Artpop. One of the highlights of her career thus far was working with Tony Bennett on the jazz album Cheek To Cheek. The album won a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. She performed at Super Bowl 50 in 2016. Also in 2016, Gaga released her fifth studio album, Joanne, her fourth number one album in the United States.
In 2017, she announced she had signed for a Las Vegas residency. She performed two separate shows over 27 dates: Lady Gaga Enigma, a collection of her most popular songs, and Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano, which had stripped-down versions of her greatest hits. In 2020, she released her sixth studio album Chromatica, which hit high on the charts, and had the number one single “Rain On Me” with Ariana Grande.
Lady Gaga at her residency, photo by Getty Images.
For films and TV shows, she has done a lot. In 2016, she earned a Golden Globe for her portrayal of The Countess in American Horror Story: Hotel. Also in 2016, she was cast to play Ally in A Star Is Born, which grossed an impressive $400 million globally. She and her co-star Bradley Cooper received Golden Globe, Grammy and Oscar win for their duet song “Shallow.” In 2021, she played Patrizia Reggiani in House of Gucci and has won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress.
Lady Gaga proves she is not done yet in her outstanding career, and she continues to deliver number one hits and be who she truly is, a star.
