Category: Upcoming Shows

National Tour of R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Honoring Aretha Franklin Begins in Brooklyn this Fall

From October 6 to 8, Kings Theatre in Brooklyn will host the national R.E.S.P.E.C.T. tour, which celebrates the iconic Aretha Franklin and brings the ultimate concert experience.

After a national search for the perfect cast, the performers were recently finalized. Brooklyn native Trejah Bostic will lead the band, and vocalists Meghan Dawson, Nattalyee Randall, and Ashton Weeks will also act as hosts. Directed by Broadway’s Christina Sajous (Spongebob Squarepants, Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark), the show follows the life of Aretha Franklin using her biggest hits to tell her impressive story.

I am super excited to be a part of this amazing cast and I’m looking forward to going on this journey and experiencing all the beautiful audiences that we will come to meet.
-Trejah Bostic, Lead Singer

Audiences at the Kings Theatre can expect to hear fan favorites such as “Natural Woman,” “Think,” “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” “Chain of Fools,” and many more to celebrate the Queen of Soul. The soundtrack, with musical direction from Darnell White, explores the human condition intertwined with the timeless music from Franklin.

The Kings Theatre in Brooklyn recently reopened in 2015 and provides the perfect venue for large-scale entertainment such as the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. tour, with over 3,000 seats available. The architecture was inspired by the French Renaissance Revival style of the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House – making it a beautiful addition and atmosphere for any entertainment.

All shows from October 6 through 8 will begin promptly at 8:00 pm and tickets range from $35 – $75. For tickets and more information about the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. tour, visit the Kings Theatre website, here.

July 25, 2022
Plattsburgh Music Series Parks Come Alive! Holds Season Finale on August 4

The city of Plattsburgh’s new summer concert series, Parks Come Alive!, will come to a successful close on August 4 at South Acres Park. Over the course of the summer, the series has been held on the first Thursday of June, July, and now August, from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

The Parks Come Alive! series aims to bring together the community with live musical entertainment, local drinks, food, and crafts, and is free for all ages to attend. The series also celebrates Plattsburgh’s parks, and previous performances included indie/psychedelic rock band Ursa and the Major Key at Melissa Penfield Park, among others.

On August 4, Plattsburgh native Josh West will bring reggae-like live music entertainment to the Parks Come Alive! series. Local vendors such as Valcour Brewing, High Peaks Brew, Bunz on the Run, and more will also be selling products for audiences to enjoy. The series will also have arts and crafts available for kids of all ages.

July 24, 2022
Tom Hovey Summer Music Festival Continues in Richfield Springs

The Tom Hovey Summer Music Festival began on July 11 at the Meadow Links Golf Pavilion and will continue to host live musical performances every Monday evening at 7:00 pm with the last show on August 29.

President of American Federation of Musicians Local 443, and talented cellist, Ruth Berry, founded the concert series alongside fellow AFM member, the late Richard Daley, in the spring of 2021. It is in part to Richard Daley’s vision and commitment that the music festival is held for the community to enjoy.

The Tom Hovey Summer Music Festival allows professional musicians to share their craft with the community and honors the legacy of athlete and Richfield Springs resident, Tom Hovey. The festival supports the immense talents of these musicians alongside a unique atmosphere.

On July 11, classic rock duo Brian Murphy and Jeff Ruzich opened the festival among the scenic grounds of Meadow Links. The Dan Sales Jazz Trio performed on July 18, and the Hartwick College Jazz Trio will grace audiences with more fantastic jazz pieces on July 25. Other musical acts include Glimmerglass Trombone Trio, Aaron Brask and The Old Masters, and many more.

All performances for the Tom Hovey Summer Music Festival are free and open to the public, in part due to funding from the not-for-profit, 443 Concerted Works Inc. Guests are more than welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets, or with the ample parking available, listen in the car with the windows rolled down. In the event of bad weather, performances will still take place in a well-ventilated pavilion. For the full lineup of the performances, see below.

July 11: Brian Murphy and Jeff Ruzich: Classic Rock

July 18: Dan Sales Jazz Trio

July 25: Hartwick College Jazz Trio

August 1: Glimmerglass Trombone Trio

August 8 John O’ Connor; original songs and ballads

August 15: Aaron Brask and The Old Masters; classic and original jazz

August 22: Bill Scranton and Jeff Ruzich; jazz/pop

August 29: Lauren Mettler: classic and original folk

July 23, 2022
The Hudson Valley Jazz Festival Returns for its 13th Season

The 13th annual Hudson Valley Jazz Festival returns for a celebration of jazz beginning on August 18 through August 21.

The Hudson Valley Jazz Festival continues to draw talented musicians to its lineup, all of whom will play in various settings around Hudson Valley. Instead of one stage showcasing each artist, these venues take the forms of parks, libraries, restaurants, performing arts centers, cafes, and more.

Although the festival has hosted big names such as Wallace Roney, Buster Williams, and Lenny White, the aim is to showcase and highlight local jazz artists as well as provide live music to the audiences who wish to listen. The festival is a collaborative one, with participating venues and festival organizers coming together to craft the perfect schedule and lineup.

On Thursday, August 18, The Hudson Valley Jazz Sextet will open the 2022 festival at 6:30 pm with an outdoor performance in Sugar Loaf. The Kaya Nicole Jazz Trio, keyboard artist Rave Tesar, and Gus Mancini & The Sonic Soul Orkestra will also all play concerts around the region beginning at 7 pm.

Stanley Jordan

On Friday, August 19, The Teri Roiger Trio will play in Kingston at 7 pm, and Neil Alexander & Nail will perform in New Paltz. Over the course of the festival, other acts include Slide Attack, The Steve Raleigh Jazz Band, Bill Ware & The Upstate All-Stars, and many more.

Some of the shows during this year’s festival are free concerts, but others are moderately priced. The lineup for the 2022 season is still being finalized. For the full list of musicians to catch at The Hudson Valley Jazz Festival, visit their website available here.

July 23, 2022
Aqueous Sets Last Show Of The Year With Buffalo’s Inaugural Great Flamingle

Aqueous has announced one last final appearance before year’s end and the band is making the very most of it. The Buffalo natives have just announced the inaugural The Great Flamingle which is scheduled to take place Saturday, September 3 at the outdoor lot stage at Jack Rabbit in the band’s hometown. The event, with music, vendors and other experiences curated by the band will mark the last full band show on record for 2022, with keyboardist David Loss set to take paternity leave shortly.

The Great Flamingle will feature two sets from Aqueous as well as performances from lespecial and The Talking Dead Heads, plus supporting acts from fellow locals Space Junk and Tortoise Forest on an outdoor lot stage.

This is something we’ve wanted to do forever…We’re all very excited to throw a unique, AQ-curated experience from the music, the vendors, the fan experiences, and beyond! We’re looking forward to building on The Great Flamingle in the years to come, too.
~ Aqueous guitarist Mike Gantzer

Tickets for The Great Flamingle, this last scheduled Aqueous gig of 2022, are on sale now here with both VIP and general admission options available. VIP ticket holders will have access to an intimate indoor performance along with a meet and greet with Aqueous plus complimentary food and two drinks from the Jack Rabbit Kitchen and Bar.

July 23, 2022
Chiara Ajkun Choreographed “Don Quixote” Announces Performance At The Egg

The Ajkun Ballet Theatre performs Don Quixote – a Spanish celebration of love and laughter in a breathtaking ballet on Friday, August 12 at 7:30pm at The Egg in Albany.

Don Quixote

The Ajkun Ballet Theatre (AjkunBT) is a New York City based professional company presenting classical and contemporary ballets in the Greater New York area, throughout the USA and internationally. Every summer, dancers from 135 countries have travelled to Albany for this experience and many have become employed in over 150 dance companies, worldwide.

The ballet Don Quixote is based on Miguel de Cervantes’s novel “Don Quixote de la Mancha” (1605 and 1615) with music by Leon Minkus and was originally choreographed in 1869. It won global popularity with the verson of Mikhail Baryshnikov in 1980.

Company Artists Kylie Brown (Mercedes), Telmen Munkherdene (Espada), Areum Jeong (Dulcinea), Ariel Corrêa (Gamache), Ergys Jake (Don Quixote), the Ajkun Ballet Theatre’s corps de ballet and talented emerging artists from all over the world perform in the show.

This version of Don Quixote, which was choregraphed by Chiara Ajkun, focused on dancing and infused with the vibrancy of Spain. The music filled with sounds of guitars and tambourines, the dancing of flirtatious gypsies and toreadors. The redesign of Don Quixote represented Chiara Ajkun’s belief that to offer access to the theater for all with in mind that today’s audience is worldly, educated, and well-travelled.

The performers are also outstanding in the play. Momoko Burbine (Kitri) has been with the Ajkun Ballet company since 2012, when she joined the corps de ballet from her native Osaka, Japan. Momoko quicky rose for the astonishing petite allegro and romantic finesses. Basilio is also performed by an electrifying dancer, Kelvis Tafaj, who presents elegant charisma from his energy, physicality, gravity-defying leaps. Tafaj joined the Ajkun Ballet in 2014 from Tropojë, Albania, and performed Ajkun’s works throughout Italy, the UK, Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia.

July 22, 2022
Bryant Park Picnic Performances Presents La Traviata and More this Summer

Bryant Park Picnic Performances continues August 12^th with New York City Opera’s condensed version of Verdi’s classic, La traviata. The performance will last two hours with one 15-minute intermission. Bryant Park will continue to monitor and follow updated New York City and New York State COVID-19 guidelines throughout the summer, as necessary.

Photo Credit :Michael Cooper

On Friday, August 12^th at 7pm, Bryant Park Picnic Performances presents an abridged adaptation of Verdi’s classic that inspired Moulin Rouge. The show has instantly recognizable tunes famously featured in Pretty Woman. La traviata tells the story of the tragic love between the courtesan Violetta and the romantic Alfredo Germont. Playing out against the hypocrisy of upper-class fashionable society, Alfredo and Violetta’s love threatens to shame his family.

‘The People’s Opera’ is thrilled to return to our summer home at Bryant Park, where we can continue our mission of free performances for New York audiences.
– Michael Capasso, General Director of New York City Opera

The 2022 Picnic Performances season is possible due to the generous support of Bank of America. “Bank of America is a long-standing supporter of the arts because we believe that a thriving arts and cultural community benefits both society and the economy,” said José Tavarez, President, Bank of America New York City. “So we are thrilled to once again sponsor Picnic Performances and combine our commitment to the arts with our partnership with Bryant Park. Together we’re helping New York City’s iconic cultural scene to thrive, while promoting green spaces and providing free access to live New York City music, dance and theater.”

On Friday, September 2^nd, the performance Lucia di Lammermoor emerges. The story concerns fragile Lucy Ashton (Lucia) caught in a feud between her family. The setting takes place in the Lammermuir Hills of Scotland (Lammermoor) in the 17th century. Think Romeo and Juliet, but set in Scotland.

Photo Credit: Ryan Muir

Complete Bryant Park Picnic Performances:

July

July 15: Carnegie Hall Citywide: Squirrel Nut Zippers

July 22: Carnegie Hall Citywide: The Broadway Sinfonietta

July 23: Jazzmobile: Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band

July 28: Ailey II Performance and Ailey Extension Dance Class

July 29: Carnegie Hall Citywide: The Hot Sardines Featuring Nellie McKay

Photo Credit: Ryan Muir

August

August 5: Greenwich House Music School: Mireya Ramos and Alea

August 12: New York City Opera: La traviata

August 19: Asian American Arts Alliance: Rafiq Bhatia and Ian Chang

August 26: Habibi Festival: Esraa Warda & The Châab Lab, Firas Zreik, Yacine Boularès, and AJOYO

August 29: The Town Hall: Eighth Blackbird Celebrates John Cage

September

September 2: New York City Opera: Lucia di Lammermoor

September 8: Steinway Artists Aaron Diehl and Orrin Evans

September 9: Classical Theatre of Harlem

September 16: Accordion Festival: Heart of Afghanistan and More

September 17: American Symphony Orchestra

For the additional information please visit the link here.

July 22, 2022
Don’t Miss These Free Summer Concerts in Albany County

In case you have yet to get your live-music fix this summer, Albany County offers ample opportunities for live music and entertainment for the rest of the summer season.

In addition to the region’s highly anticipated Alive at 5 concert series, and the incredible Empire State Plaza events here is a list of some fantastic talents coming to the area in the upcoming weeks. Highlights include a Motown Tribute from Garland Nelson’s Reflection, Get Up Jack, Doc Benson Band, Berkstar, and many more.

Albany County offers endless opportunities for some summertime entertainment, from local up-and-coming artists to fan-favorite bands and musicians. There is something for everyone this summer in Albany to check out and enjoy. For a full list of concerts in the Albany area, see below.

Concerts at the Crossings – The Crossings of Colonie

July 7: New York Players

July 14: The Georgie Wonders Orchestra

July 21: Josh Casano

July 28: The Lustre Kings

Aug. 4: In The Valley

Aug. 11: Garland Nelson’s Reflection: Motown Tribute

Aug. 18: Big Sky Country

Aug. 25: Body and Soul

Sept. 1: Sirsy

Jamming at the GPAC – Guilderland Performing Arts Center, Tawasentha Park

June 23: Guilderland Town Band Concert

June 30: The Kyle Bourgault Band Concert

July 7: The Lustre Kings

July 14: Guilderland Town Band Concert

July 21: Becca Frame and the Tall Boys

July 28: Get Up Jack

Aug. 4: Guilderland Town Band Concert

Aug. 11: Overture Band Concert

Aug. 18: An Evening with Rick Bedrosian

Niskayuna Summer Concert Series – Niskayuna Town Hall

June 9: Niskayuna Middle School Jazz Ensemble and Stage Band

June 16: ABP

June 21: Doc Benson Band

June 30: Qunitocracy

July 7: The Carla Page Show Band

July 14: The All Paul Show

July 21: Loose Change

July 28: Joe’s Boys

Aug. 4: Dadtet

Aug. 11: Band of Gold

Thursdays in the Park – Elm Avenue Park, Bethlehem

June 16: Heard

June 23: Zucchini Brothers

June 30: The Rumble Kings

July 7: Ron Cain’s “Captain HurriCain’s Underwater Adventure Magic Show”

July 14: Doc Benson Band

July 21: Out of the Box

July 28: Dave Engel’s “Captain Nemo’s Adventure Academy”

Aug. 4: Diane Edgecomb presents “Trail Mix”

Aug. 11: Playin’ with Fire

Aug. 18: The Traveling Lantern Theater Company presents “Camp Ocean”

Tuesday Nights in the Park – Cook Park, Colonie

June 14: Lustre Kings

June 21: Joe’s Boys

June 28: Electric City Horns

July 5: Jukebox Rebellion

July 12: Jim Gaudet & The Railroad Boys

July 19: TS Ensemble

July 26: New York Players

Aug. 2: Triskele

Aug. 9: The Pine Boys

Aug. 16: Dyer Switch

Aug. 23; Get Up Jack

Aug. 30: Skeeter Creek

Cohoes Rock the Block – Canal Square

June 16: The Refrigerators

June 23: Big Sky Country

June 30: Tusk (Fleetwood Mac)

July 7: That 80s Band

July 14: Aquanett

July 21: Skeeter Creek

July 28: Hammer of the Gods (Led Zeppelin)

Aug. 4: Berkstar

July 21, 2022
Singer-Songwriter John Moreland Performs in Woodstock and Buffalo this Weekend

Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter John Moreland will grace audiences with his mesmerizing country sound this July. On July 23, the Oklahoma singer will promote his upcoming album, Birds in the Ceiling, at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock before traveling to Buffalo Iron Works on the 24. The Dead Tongues will join Moreland for both performances.

The singer’s upcoming album will be released on July 22, just a day before the show at Levon Helm Studios. Bird’s in the Ceiling is John Moreland’s sixth studio album, and some of his previous works, including LP5, and High on Tulsa Heat, garnered much positive attention from fans and critics alike. The pandemic prevented Moreland from touring for LP5, so his live performances are highly-anticipated and a long time coming.

The imminent Birds in the Ceiling album, via Old Omens/Thirty Tigers, combines folk, retro-pop, rock, and roots with the foundations of Moreland’s strong sense of lyrical story-telling. The nine-track album gives listeners a glimpse into Moreland’s most recent thoughts and experiences. Singles off of the upcoming album were released earlier this year, including “Ugly Faces,” “Claim Your Prize,” and “Cheap Idols Dressed in Expensive Garbage,” all of which you can listen to below.

An artist known for his lyrics, much of Moreland’s music cuts deep. The reflective lyrics “does it even matter? does it ever last? / I didn’t want the answer to the question that I asked / Can I kill a monster? can I be a man? / I can’t afford to give a damn if you don’t understand” off of “Ugly Faces” lend a lonesome and introspective perspective.

With Moreland’s talented and accomplished guitar playing, emotional vocals, and combination of instrumentation, the live performances in NY this summer are sure to be memorable and captivating. For the Levon Helm Studio performance, tickets cost $30 or $45, and gates open at 6:30. The Buffalo Iron Works show begins at 8:00 pm with doors open at 7:00 pm and tickets cost $25.

Tickets for the upcoming shows at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock and Iron Works in Buffalo can be found with the link available here. To listen to some more of John Moreland’s work, see below.

July 20, 2022
Paper Mill Island Amphitheater Announces Summer Concert Series

The Paper Mill Island Amphitheater will host a series of summer concerts this season in Baldwinsville, located just outside of Syracuse.

On July 23, Badfish returns to the amphitheater for a Sublime tribute. Badfish expertly replicates Sublime’s unique sound and captivates any audience. Special guest The Frank White Experience, a hip-hop tribute band, will be joining the band during the show.

A few days after Badfish comes to the Paper Mill Island Amphitheater, Almost Queen will arrive on July 30. The Queen tribute band will transport attendees into an intricate performance worthy of any Queen super-fan. With authentic costumes, real spirit, and signature four-part harmonies, Almost Queen does the band much justice.

Bruce in the USA – a Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band tribute – will grace audiences with a great performance on August 5. The band began back in 2004 along the Las Vegas Strip, where they were met with critical acclaim and a great atmosphere which they continue on to this day.

On August 11, Philadelphia-based band, Get the Led Out, will celebrate the music of Led Zeppelin like never heard before. Get the Led Out features six musicians, who deliver earlier Zed tracks, deeper songs seldom heard in concert, and an energy few bands can replicate. The act includes Paul Sinclair (vocals/harmonica), Paul Hammond (guitar), Tommy Zamp (guitar), Eddie Kurek (keyboards, guitar, vocals, percussion), Adam Ferraioli (drums/percussion), and Phil D’Agostino on bass and vocals.

https://youtu.be/8qmSuDl40Lc

Later in the season on September 2, Twiddle with special guest Annie in the Water will join the impressive Paper Mill series lineup. The Vermont quartet Twiddle will promote their fifth full-length studio album, Every Last Leaf. Featuring Mihali Savoulidis (vocals, guitar), Ryan Dempsey (keys, organ, synth), Brook Jordan (drums), and Zdenek Gubb (bass) the band has toured for 18 years and is sure not to disappoint. The group has previously performed in festivals such as Bonnaroo and Electric Forest.

For tickets to the upcoming shows at Paper Mill Island, and for more information, visit the link available here.

July 20, 2022