After nearly a two-year hiatus, the Great South Bay Music Festival returns this year to Shorefront Park from July 7 through July 10 with over 60 performers across three stages.
The four-day music and arts festival was previously postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic and is excited to return for its 14th anniversary. Known as Long Island’s largest and longest-running festival, GSB has entertained audiences and families for years.
Acts span multiple genres including classic and contemporary rock, blues, indie, jam, pop, Americana, country, reggae, and funk. Alongside multiple drinks and wine tents, craft markets, and food courts, the festival returns back and is bigger than ever.
On Thursday, July 7, indie-rockers Grouplove and Manchester Orchestra will co-headline on the festival’s main stage. On Friday, July 8, reggae band Rebelution will take the stage to headline with Steel Pulse supporting.
Typically, the third day of the festival is known as “Jam Day,” but 2022 brings something new. Headlining the main stage will be Joe Russo’s Almost Dead – one of the Grateful Dead’s most popular tributes. Returning to the festival includes moe., Galactic, and guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer as well as the Weight Band and Aqueous.
On Sunday, July 10, the closing acts for the highly-anticipated festival include The Tedeschi Trucks Band and the “Wheels of Soul Tour” which features a two-hour set and the festival is their only metro NY summer appearance. Los Lobos, and Gabe Dixon and his Band will also grace the main stage for the last day of the festival.
Part of the Great South Bay Music Festival’s goal is to feature up-and-coming artists across multiple genres. This year, the festival will present over 30 talented, original artists for their audiences to enjoy. New artists for this year include Quarter House, Oogee Wawa, Samsara, and Whatever We Are.
Ticket prices can be purchased here and children 10 and under are free. GSB will continue to donate $1 from every ticket sold to the GSB-Stony Brook Cancer Center Fund with over a quarter of a million dollars raised to date.
Festival Times:
Thursday, July 7: Doors at 3:00 pm, music until 10pm
Friday, July 8: Doors at 3:00PM, music until 11pm
Saturday July 9: Doors at 1:00pm, music until 11pm
Two veteran Hudson Valley-based music promoters have teamed up to create Hudson Valley Live, a venture designed to bring critically-acclaimed world music, edgy jazz, experimental sounds and much more to the region beginning with seven events this summer at Colony Woodstock and White Feather Farm.
Hudson Valley Live is the brainchild of Danny Melnick and Isabel Soffer. The Saugerties-based Melnick has produced hundreds of festivals, tours, concerts and special events in more than 30 countries since 1989, efforts accelerated with the 2007 formation of his company, Absolutely Live Entertainment (ALE). A sample of these currently include: The Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival; tours by the all-star ensemble Artemis and The Joyce and George T. Wein Shape of Jazz Series at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall. Danny also is curating concerts for a criminal justice fundraising organization called JusticeAid and will produce the “Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour” in 2023, among many other projects.
A Brooklyn native who has lived and worked in Malden for five years, Isabel Soffer has been at the forefront of globally-centric cultural programming for nearly three decades. She was instrumental in the development of the American global music and dance scene as Director of the World Music Institute in the ’80s. But Isabel may be better known as Co-founder and Director of the globalFEST, a non-profit that produces this much-anticipated and acclaimed annual music festival and conference in New York City now marking its 20th year. Soffer is also the founder of Live Sounds, a company that curates and produces multi-genre initiatives that connect artists with cultural opportunities. Live Sounds has been responsible for producing scores of historic concerts and tours by the likes of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and The Masked Dancers of Kerela, as well as the founding of The New York Flamenco Festival, The New York Fado Festival, a Sufi poetry fest and much more. All totaled, she has orchestrated well over 1,500 concerts, with artists from more than 100 countries.
“Our goal is to produce an eclectic music series for curious and serious music listeners, with the kind of global sounds that have not been readily available in the region,” says Soffer. “While the Hudson Valley has a wonderfully rich and lively music scene, the greatest and latest in global music has been kind of hard to come by.”
“This series at the Colony and White Feather Far will fill that gap,” adds Melnick. “We’re bringing our decades of experience and contacts with world music’s best to bring more of the best to the Hudson Valley. We’re delighted to partner with these two forward-thinking venues to do events will be truly unique and ear-opening for the Hudson Valley’s discerning music-lovers.”
The artists featured at the seven forthcoming events span from cutting edge jazz to Afropop, Gypsy, Flamenco and Brazil, Latinx sounds plus regional American traditions. Following are the events scheduled at Saugerties’ White Feather Farm, curated in partnership with Barbes, and The Colony in Woodstock. More info can be found at http://hudsonvalleylive.co/:
Friday, July 15 – Fela Kuti Tribute with Nikhil P. Yerawadekar Living Language
On July 7 at 7:30 pm, Opera Saratoga will present a Sky on Swings at The Egg in Albany with a second performance on Saturday, July 9, at 2:00 pm.
Sky on Swings, directed by Artistic and General Director of Opera Saratoga Lawrence Edelson and conducted by Emily Senturia, is an opera about the different stages and challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease. Meredith Arwady and Phyllis Pancella play Martha and Danny, who are two women with the disease and develop a bond over their experiences.
Opera Saratoga, formerly Lake George Opera, opened with its first production in 1962. The opera renewed its commitment to the community by offering productions that engage critical issues to promote meaningful connection and dialogue among audiences. Sky on Swings is one such production that aims to encourage understanding and empathy.
Helena Colindres, Meredith Arwady, and Phyllis Pancella during Sky on Swings. Photo credit: Gary David Gold
Sky on Swings’ world premiere occurred in Philadelphia, where Opera Saratoga’s Lawrence Edelson was in attendance. As someone whose family was personally touched by Alzheimer’s, the artistic director at first was hesitant to see the show before experiencing the opera in its entirety.
I’ll admit that I attended SKY ON SWINGS with some reluctance, in part because I knew the story would likely impact me, but also because I wasn’t sure how the journey of someone with Alzheimer’s could be portrayed in opera without making it feel artificial or sensationalized. But experiencing the opera was cathartic and deeply moving. The score is remarkable in how it both creates the sound of memory and also portrays the experience of two women and their children living through different stages of the disease.
-Lawrence Edelson, Opera Saratoga Artistic & General Director
Following the performances on July 7 and July 9, Opera Saratoga will hold a discussion including Elizabeth Smith-Boivin, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York; composer Lembit Beecher; members of the cast and creative team.
Photo Credit: Gary David Gold
After almost a two-year delay due to the pandemic, the opera will also be launching a full-time therapeutic music program for those in the region living with the disease. As Edelson’s last production as director, Sky on Swings and the music program are both particularly touching: “this, for me, is what an opera company should be all about. We entertain. We enrich. We educate. And we enhance the lives of those who need us, and whom we have the ability to help in a deeply meaningful way.”
Tickets to the shows range from $50-$125 and more information can be found here. The show is an important one for so many and is a must-see.
Beloved bar Union Pool in Williamsburg is closed temporarily due to a fire that injured 14 people and left seven hospitalized.
Union Pool damage.
According to fire department officials, a total of 14 people, including as many as 11 firefighters, required medical treatment at the scene near the corner of Meeker and Union avenues. The fire was underway before 6 A.M. and raged until close to 8 A.M.
Williamsburg is a neighborhood in Brooklyn that draws in young people with its chic boutiques, trendy cafes and buzzy restaurants. The waterfront has a great view of Manhattan, and seasonal venues provide live entertainment and great food.
The Union has a little bit of everything, great live entertainment, food, and bar spaces. As the area has grown, the bar has grown with it. From being a little neighborhood bar, the Union Pool is now something locals and beyond can enjoy.
Due to the fire, the bar posted on its Instagram “we will be closed for the next few days as we assess the damage.” The fire also engulfed a neighboring bodega and Peruvian restaurant.
Nightmare scene in Williamsburg this AM – huge fire at Union and Meeker, two buildings with massive losses (several apartments and two businesses, including long-time Peruvian fave Chimu) and damage to the neighborhood’s premier pickup bar (Union Pool). Hope everyone’s okay. pic.twitter.com/WhhqlElh0J
— Repositioning Play (@GoodGuyGuaranty) July 1, 2022
The cause of the fire is still being investigated. Latin soul icon Joe Bataan was supposed to perform a free set there at July 3, and Reverend Vince Anderson and his Love Choir were to have played at the venue on the 4th.
A new contract with theater owners and management allows hundreds of Broadway’s custodians, elevator operators, and restroom attendants to get a pay bump and an increased pension contribution from their employers.
Photo credit: Simon Davis-Cohen
In the new contract, the essential workers will get wage increases, increased pension contributions, and continued paid family healthcare 100% covered by their employers. The deal establishes a $15-per-week minimum payment to any workers who regularly do heavy lifting involving transporting playbills.
Lorraine Feeks who has worked on Broadway with Jujamcyn Theaters for 29 years spoke about the excitement of the new contract in a statement.
We have gone through a lot over the past two years. When Broadway returned, we were given all sorts of new cleaning duties. We do the hard jobs and we are risking infection, that makes us essential.
About 230 cleaners from four companies — Jujamcyn, Nederlander, Shubert, and Circle in the Square, which collectively manage 16 Broadway theaters — were represented by Local 32BJ in the contract negotiation. The contracts got pushed back because of the pandemic, and as a result, workers didn’t receive any wage increases in more than three years, despite their jobs becoming more demanding due to the pandemic.
Martha Aristizabal.
Martha Aristizabal, who has worked for the Shubert Company for more than 12 years, spoke about how more complicated their jobs have gotten, and the need for wage increases.
It can be hard to see the important work we do on Broadway, cleaning tirelessly to keep theatergoers safe. Since we came back to work, we have been asked to do a lot more to keep everyone safe. It feels good to get a new contract that reflects the contribution we have made during the pandemic. We deserve these raises, we deserve continued health coverage, and we deserve better retirement security!
– Martha Aristizabal, Shubert Company
This news comes just after The Broadway League announced that all 41 theaters on Broadway will go “mask optional” for the month of July and that the policy will be re-evaluated on a monthly basis going forward. Most theatres have also dropped their vaccine requirements.
The Ticonderoga Festival Guild is kicking off its 42nd season of free summer concerts and children’s programs for all to enjoy beginning on July 6.
The children’s program, “Art Trek” will run every Wednesday starting at 10:15 am at the Knights of Columbus Pavilion, with Michael Caduto opening. The children’s concerts will include a wide variety of entertainment from professional artists, including opera, theater, music, stories, dancing, unicycling, fire-eating, and juggling.
The summer concert series, known as “Summer In The Park,” will begin on Tuesday nights at 7 pm at the pavilion starting off with the ADK Jazz Repertoire Ensemble on July 12. Musicians from genres such as bluegrass, jazz, country, folk, Americana, Irish, and rock will also be putting on exciting performances for audiences to relax and enjoy throughout the summer.
The Ticonderoga Festival Guild was established in 1980 as a non-profit organization that aims to showcase and advance performing arts in the town. The guild offers a diverse program in the region year-round for the community to take part in.
The Ticonderoga Festival Guild has provided programming for decades in the area which lies right between Lake George and Lake Champlain. Ticonderoga is well-known for its fort of the same name, which was prominent during the French and Indian War, and the Revolutionary War during the Saratoga Campaign. Ticonderoga in its entirety has a rich history and is a beautiful place to visit.
The full schedule for the Summer In The Park and Art Trek programs can be found below and will happen rain or shine. Audiences are invited to bring chairs and enjoy the programs. The 2022 season is also dedicated in memory of dear friend and organizer of the Guild, Jim Beaty.
Art Trek Children’s Program
July 6 – Michael Caduto
July 13 – Seagle Festival – The Three Bears
July 20 – Kitty Jones – Mysteries of Ancient Egypt
July 27 – Richard Stillman – Loopy Hawaiian Luau
August 3 – Ron Carter – Rockin Ron the Friendly Pirate
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
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.
After a two-year hiatus, Northwest Jazz Festival returns celebrating 20 years in Historic Lewiston. This year the festival will highlight local, international, and North American jazz artists including Sally Terrell, John di Martino, Stacey Kent, and more.
Northwest Jazz Festival in Historic Lewiston, NY returns after a two-year hiatus celebrating 20 years.
The last Northwest Jazz Festival took place in 2019 with a two-year break due to NYS (New York State) COVID-19 restrictions. In 2021 there was not a full festival, however, local musicians were hired to perform in Lewiston. This year’s event brings live music to Center Street with a selection of the region’s finest food and beverage vendors including local wineries, distilleries, and breweries.
Jazz Vocalist / Pianist Sally Terrell with acclaimed jazz pianist/arranger John di Martino
“The headliners this year are all incredibly shining stars in the jazz world who have demonstrated creative resourcefulness in overcoming the pandemic. We are excited to have Grammy® Nominees and a Juno Award winner on the Main Stage this year,”
states Tony Zambito.
“This year we will celebrate the festival’s 20th anniversary and we could not be happier to welcome Joey DeFrancesco back to the Niagara Falls region where his father, Papa John, cemented the DeFrancesco legacy. In addition, we welcome back jazz vocalist Sally Terrell, who is also from this area and has a fabulous new album being released with jazz pianist extraordinaire John di Martino. We are excited to share that we will have a rare appearance and debut performance by Grammy® Nominee and jazz vocalist Stacy Kent. If anyone embodied perseverance during the pandemic, it was Emmet Cohen, and we are excited to have him, and the trio perform. Having Juno Award winner, the Allison Au Quartet from Canada is a chance to welcome our Canadian fans back to the festival. We are also delighted to have the opportunity to showcase an up-and-coming jazz vocalist, Corinne Mammana.”
2019 American Pianist Award Winner and “Live from Emmet’s Place”, Emmet Cohen Trio
Each year, the festival relies on the support of donors and sponsors to remain the largest free jazz festival in the region alongside hosting an annual fundraiser in the Spring.
“We are grateful for the overwhelming support we have already received from the generosity of sponsors to make sure a 2022 event takes place. We are hard at work on the anniversary celebration and plan to give you another two days of spectacular entertainment featuring international stars as well as some of our own local super talents. It is clear that everyone loves and misses the jazz festival and wants it to continue to be a success” says Carol Calato, the Chairwoman of the Jazz Festival Board of Directors.
5-Time Grammy® Nominee and Downbeat Critic’s Poll #1 Jazz Organist, Joey DeFrancesco.
The Jazz Fundraiser will be held on Sunday, May 1 from 1 pm to 5 pm at the Brickyard Brewery in Lewiston, NY. The event will feature music by the Stu Weissman Trio, Saranaide, and the Buffalo Dolls.
Tickets for the Fundraiser are available at the festival website linked here.
For more information about the fundraiser and the festival, as well as, to sign up for alerts on the jazz festival news, please visit the link here.
Cortland Repertory Theatre proudly presents the third show in their 50th Anniversary season, the well-known backstage musical Kiss Me, Kate. The show was last produced at this theater in 1984, Kiss Me, Kate is a hilarious and tuneful show with music and lyrics by Cole Porter.
Jahmar Ortiz as Fred Graham and Briana Gantsweg as Lily Vanessi in Cortland Repertory Theatre’s production of Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate”, running from July 6 – 16.
Sparks fly both onstage and off when actor/director Fred Graham attempts to mount a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew with his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi in the leading role. Added to the mix is a flirtatious ingenue, her gambler boyfriend and some musically inclined gangsters, creating a sharp, witty and riotous evening of big laughs, dancing and some of Cole Porter’s most classic tunes.
Familiar favorited tunes by include Cole Porterinclude “So In Love,” “Too Darn Hot,” “Always True to You (In My Fashion),” and “Tom, Dick or Harry.” You won’t want to miss this high energy musical.
See all show dates and times below.
July 6, 2022 7:30 pm
July 7, 2022 7:30 pm
July 8, 2022 2:00 pm
July 8, 2022 7:30 pm
July 9, 2022 7:30 pm
July 10, 2022 2:00 pm
July 12, 2022 7:30 pm
July 13, 2022 2:00 pm
July 13, 2022 7:30 pm
July 14, 2022 7:30 pm
July 15, 2022 7:30 pm
July 16, 2022 7:30 pm
George Sidney’s terrific film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical “Kiss Me, Kate”
Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or by visiting the CRT Box Office at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland. Visit the link here to purchase tickets online.
Visit the link here for more information on all upcoming performances.
