On Saturday, November 12 at the Broome County Forum Theatre, Maestro Daniel Hege led the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra in “Green Places,” a program named for a featured concerto by American composer Gary Schocker. The concert began with an unscripted reading of the National Anthem, sung heartily by the audience, followed with the brief fourth Novelette by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, a work for strings and percussion.
“Green Places,” a three movement concerto for flute, featured principal flutist Karen Bogardus, whose stunning green gown helped set the tone for the fanciful piece. Bogardus’ virtuoso playing was fluid and flexible as she led the orchestra in playful calls and responses. Concertmaster Uli Speth concluded the first half of the program with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “The Lark Ascending.” Speth, dressed in an open vest and bowtie suitable for the English moors, held the audience in rapt attention as his soloistic lines soared over the muted strings.
The Philharmonic rose to the many challenges of Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony, one of the least known but most technically difficult of the nine. Highlights were the tight string sections, spot-on winds, and remarkably fine timpani playing.
The next event for the Binghamton Philharmonic is Winter Wonderland on December 10, featuring performances of music from Home Alone 2 (John Williams), The Polar Express (Alan Silvestri), Nightmare Before Christmas (Danny Elfman), The Snowman (Howard Blake) and many more.
Akshatha Ganesh and Ashwyn MuthukumaraswamiAmanda Green and Mark GreenAmi Titus and Barbara ReardonKimburlee Stewart and Kevin OriolPokey Crocker and Ann Scala 2Reenie Wilson, Ann Machlin, and Kathie Winckler
When you listen to “Without A Me,” you are brought into an intimate space: a belfry filled with fluttering bats, a cluttered room, the side of a highway where people hold signs and implore honks and kool-aid condenses in its paper cup, an attic — evoking those bats again — all imaginary, all in the mind of Syracuse singer-songwriter Stephen Mullane. Except of course, that the song was recorded in Mullane’s own self-contained world as well: the song is his first to be written, performed, recorded and produced entirely in Mullane’s home studio, a space he fashioned by himself for himself.
“Without A Me” is Stephen Mullane’s newest single; it follows two albums he released in 2021, recorded at More Sound Recording Studio in Syracuse. Mullane is an independent — it’s just him, his voice, his guitar. His lyrics are the highlight, they’re ripe with imagery, wit, ad-libs and inconsistent rhyme schemes that all seem to work out in the end. Called to mind are Elliot Smith’s slowly unfolding “King’s Crossing,” Pavement trading incomprehensible verse in “… And Carrot Rope,” or Bob Dylan’s self-critical look at current affairs in “It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)”.
Mullane thrives in this folksy, rambling space of sound because his lyrics hold enough interest and nuance to be stark against the minimal acoustic background. The stream of consciousness is overwhelming, but the consistent rhythm and vocals hold strong against the current.
The song is out now, listen below. To see Stephen Mullane live in Syracuse, his next gig is at Skaneateles Brewery on Sunday, November 27, his third show at the brewery.
Foreigner has announced its Historic Farewell Tour, with stops at Darien Center, Saratoga Springs, Wantagh, and Syracuse.
Foreigner is hailed as one of the most famous rock acts in the world, with sold-out tours and album sales now exceeding 80 million. They are responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems including “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” “Feels Like The First Time,” and worldwide #1 hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is.”
The time has come. We have more or less lived our lives on the road for almost eighteen years. We have always strived to give you our best and we intend to finish this the same way. Foreigner has a brilliant and increasingly demanding catalogue of songs to sing and I refuse to give them less than they deserve. So, we’re going to finish strong. I want to make it very clear how grateful and appreciative we are to our audiences all over the world who have supported this band. I’m sure there may be occasions when we’ll do some special appearances, but I think the time is coming for us to live off the road. Thank you all so much!
Lead singer, Kelly Hansen
Leader and founder Mick Jones also wrote in a statement “We will be presenting a show that I know will have the same enthusiasm as our very first appearances. The tour will start this summer in America and we hope to get to every place that we have played over the last several years.”
Foreigner will continue its long-term initiative with the GRAMMY Museum Foundation to invite choirs to open the show with a live a cappella “Pitch Perfect” performance of Classic Rock songs. For more information about how to enter, go here.
Loverboy will be opening for the band. The group has sold more than ten million albums, earning four multi-platinum plaques, including the four-million-selling “Get Lucky,” and a trio of double-platinum releases in their self-titled 1980 debut, 1983’s Keep It Up and 1985’s Lovin’ Every Minute of It.
The group still features the original line-up of vocalist Mike Reno, guitarist Paul Dean, drummer Matt Frenette and keyboardist Doug Johnson with bassist Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve replacing the late Scott Smith.
Tickets to Foreigner’s Historic Farewell Tour are on sale Nov. 18 here.
Foreigner Tour Dates
Thu July 6 Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Sat July 8 West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Sun July 9 Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Tue July 11 Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheatre
Fri July 14 Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Tue July 18 Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
Wed July 19 St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Fri July 21 Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
Sat July 22 Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Mon July 24 Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
Tue July 25 Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Fri July 28 Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
Sat July 29 Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
Tue August 1 Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Wed August 2 Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach
Fri August 4 Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
Sat August 5 Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Tue August 8 Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Wed August 9 Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Fri August 11 Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
Sat August 12 Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Mon August 14 Austin, TX – Moody Center
Wed August 16 Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Fri August 18 Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheater
Sun August 20 Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
Mon August 21 Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheater
Wed August 23 Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheater
Thu August 24 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Weds August 30 Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theater
Fri September 1 Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Sat September 2 Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
Sun September 3 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Binghamton University’s Anderson Center for the Performing Arts will host “HOPE – It’s Been a Long Time Coming,” an all new concert by three-time Grammy-winners Soweto Gospel Choir, commemorating South Africa’s Freedom Movement and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The performance will be held on November 20 at 3 p.m. at the Osterhout Concert Theater.
Bringing joy to all, “HOPE” opens with a rousing program of South African freedom songs that inspired the Rainbow Nation. The choir’s uplifting performance then moves to the United States, with beautiful renditions of the music of the Civil Rights Movement, including works by legendary artists Billie Holiday, James Brown, Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield and the one and only Aretha Franklin.
Hailing from Soweto (South West Township), a township outside of Johannesburg and home of Nelson Mandela and South Africa’s democratic movement, Soweto Gospel Choir continues to inspire audiences around the world with their powerful blend of African gospel, freedom songs and international classics.
Comprising a line-up of some of South Africa’s best vocalists, these uplifting performers have shared the stage and collaborated with the biggest names in contemporary music including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, U2, Diana Ross, Peter Gabriel, Chris Martin, John Legend, Pharrell Williams, Jimmy Cliff, Ben Harper, Angelique Kidjo, Robert Plant, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hugh Masekela and Josh Groban.
Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in 2003 at the end of the apartheid era and during South Africa’s inspiring return to Democracy. Taking part in some of the major historical events in the new democratic South Africa, Soweto Gospel Choir are proud to have performed on many occasions for the Father of their Nation, former President Nelson Mandela, as well as at his State Funeral in South Africa and at the subsequent commemorative service at Westminster Abbey in London. They were similarly invited to perform at the funeral service for the late President’s first wife, Winnie Mandela. The Choir act as Ambassadors for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra will hold its second Orchestral Series Concert of the 2022-23 season on November 19 at Ford Hall at Ithaca College, under the direction of Interim Music Director, Grant Cooper. The program will open with Rameau’s Overture from Zaïs and will feature the world premiere of local composer Sally Lamb McCune’s Spiral, a piece commissioned by the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra to honor the resilience of the orchestra, its patrons and wider community for continuing to come together in celebration of live music.
Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Special Guest Artists: Harris Andersen and Muse Ye, Piano
The second half of the program will showcase two works of Camille Saint-Saëns: the whimsical Carnival of the Animals and the powerful Symphony No. 2. Carnival of the Animals will include newly composed verses by Interim Music Director Grant Cooper and an appearance by the delightful piano duo, Muse Ye and Harris Anderson.
The CCO was founded in 1976 and is officially designated “Ithaca’s Orchestra.” Each season includes an Orchestral Series, Chamber Music Series, a Holiday concert, free Family Concerts, and the long-standing Willard Daetsch Youth Outreach Program, which earned the 2015 Yale Distinguished Music Educator award. In 2017, the CCO added a Youth Orchestra program for advanced students. In 2019, a new Diversity Career Fellowship program was established to provide opportunities for college students from communities that have been historically
Interim Music Director Grant Cooper and composer Sally Lamb McCune
The CCO will hold its Holiday Celebration concert on Saturday, December 17 at 7:30 pm, also in Ford Hall at Ithaca College.
For more information and subscriptions / single tickets visit CCOithaca.org
The Great Salt City Blues Concert, an annual Syracuse event, will return to the Palace Theatre for its sixth rendition on the day after Christmas at 7:30 p.m.
Held following the holiday every year, the concert series intends to feature ten shows by the end of its run.
The show will be held in honor of several renowned blues artists: singer Etta James, who the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has called “the matriarch of blues,” blues guitarist Elmore James, who has been named “The King Of The Slide Guitar,” guitarist and Blues Hall of Fame member Sleepy John Estes, and singer Junior Parker, another Blues Hall of Fame member.
With the night featuring cover performances of their music, participating musicians include the following: Tas Cru, Morris Tarbell, Colin Aberdeen, Ava Andrews, Dave Liddy, Jes Sheldon, Jeff Stockham, Rod Zajak, Ronnie Leigh, Rob Spagnoletti, Jake Capozzolo, Garnett Grimm, Steven T. Wilson, Raedwald Howland-Bolton, Don Williams, Larry Kyle, Lee Tiffault, Mike Davis, and Matt Lomeo.
The doors for the Great Salt City Blues Concert #6 at The Palace Theater, located at 2384 James Street, will open at 6 p.m. and information regarding tickets and more can be found here.
The Center of The Arts in Homer hosted an astounding show on Saturday, November 5 with well known tribute band The Machine performing Pink Floyd. With a 30+ year legacy of extending the voice of Pink Floyd, The Machine continues to carry on the reputation of the British rock band that began in 1965.
The Machine is a New York based group of four, expanding the Floyd reputation of the 1970’s. The band consists of drummer Tahrah Cohen, electric guitarist Ryan Ball, pianist Scott Chasolen and lead singer and guitarist Chris Deanglis. The group performs in memory of Joe Pascarell, who founded the band back in 1988.
The Machine put on a show and performed some of Pink Floyd’s top hits, “Comfortably Numb,” “Wish You Were Here,” and many others from album Dark Side of The Moon, released in 1973. The album was conceived as a concept of mental health regarding former original band member Syd Barrett who left the group in 1968.
Overall The Machine performs Pink Floyd plays with such accuracy, it’s truly outstanding the band has been able to continue the legacy and importance of Pink Floyd which has greatly impacted the music community. Playing all around the world, sold out shows and growing their audience. The Machine has truly become a tribute phenomenon.
The Binghamton Philharmonic will continue their 2022-23 season on Saturday, November 12 with “Green Places” a production focused on the musical themes of nature. Taking place at the Broome County Theatre, the show will begin at 7:30.
With direction from Maestro Daniel Hege, the night will feature one of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Novelettes, Gary Schocker’s eponymous Green Places featuring principal flutist Karen Bogardus, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending featuring German violinst and Binghamton Philharmonic concertmaster Uli Speth, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4.
Karen Bogardus.
Bogardus is also the principal flutist for the Binghamton Philharmonic, Berkshire Opera Festival, Martina Arroyo Foundation Opera and Phoenicia Voice Festival, and has performed with dozens of other NY and northeast-based orchestras.
November 12th’s nature-themed show is far from Uli Speth’s first gig with the Binghamton Philharmonic.
Speth, having been concertmaster with the Binghamton Philharmonic since 2005, also holds the same position with the Chappaqua Orchestra and Fenimore Chamber Orchestra. He’s also performed with New York City Opera, American Symphony Orchestra, and the Florida Orchestra, and has played under the direction of conductors such as James Levine, Kurt Masur, Gerard Schwarz, JoAnn Falletta, and Marin Alsop.
The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1955 by Fritz and Marianne Wallenberg and later merging with the BC Pops Orchestra, presents an annual series of classical, pops, and chamber music across Downtown Binghamton and Broome County.
All children 17 and under can attend the concert for free, information regarding tickets and more can be found here.
The Cortland Repertory Theatre announced a weekend of memories with two tribute concerts scheduled- one for Barry Manilow and the other for Carole King.
The concerts are called “One Voice: The Music of Barry Manilow” and “Tapestry Unraveled: The Music of Carole King.” Manilow’s tribute concert will take place on Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m., and King’s will take place on Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cortland Repertory Theatre.
Barry Manilow had an astonishing 50 Top 40 hits and Billboard Magazine ranks him as the #1 Adult Contemporary Artist of all time. Broadway National Touring performer Mark Sanders performs a touching and brilliantly done tribute honoring Manilow. He will be performing Manilow’s biggest hits, like “Mandy, I Write Songs” and “Copacabana.”
Hailed as one of the most successful and talented female pop artists, Carole King has left a huge mark on the music industry. Singer Tina Naponelli captures the essence of King, with a powerful voice and soulful dedication. She will pay homage to King by performing some of her classic songs, including “I Feel the Earth Move,” “Chains,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” and many more.
Both singers will be accompanied by a five-piece live band. Tickets to see the Barry Manilow and Carole King tribute acts are available now at the Cortland Repertory Theatre’s box office or online here.
Unity Hall in Barneveld will host blues-rock Blueprints, roots and country-based The Dust Devil Band, and blues/psychedelic folk-rock Brian Mulkerne Band, plus special guests, at the CNY All-Star Benefit Concert on Sunday, November 20 from 3 to 6 p.m. The concert at the Oneida County venue is to support Nicole Deveny Gaines-Parker, who is battling cancer.
Full Auditorium at Dust Devil Band Show
Proceeds will be for the benefit of Nicole, Malcom and the rest of the Gaines-Parker family.
I am blessed to have made many great musical friends over the years, and many of them will be appearing at the show at historic Unity Hall. Most of the performers have known Nicole since she was a little girl. For them to come to play at this event is very special and meaningful to Nicole and Malcolm and to all our family. Unity Hall is my favorite concert venue – aesthetically beautiful, acoustically perfect, and thoroughly magical! This is going to be a very memorable show for all involved!
Having been formed in 1988, the Blueprints have debuted shows for prominent artists, such as the legendary blues and roots rock band, Nighthawks and the Red Hot Louisiana Band. The group is comprised of vocalist and guitarist George Deveny, vocalist and pianist Dave Liddy, drummer Oscar Crandall and bassist Ken McConnell Jr., who were all inducted in the NY Blues Hall of Fame. The other CNY-based bands also hold remarkable stances, as The Dust Devil Band emerged in popularity during the 1980s, while the Brian Mulkerne Band is known for bringing musical favorites in the Mohawk Valley music scene.
Blueprints Band
The Dust Devil Band consists of members, vocalist, guitarist and harmonicist Ed Rosenburg, pedal steel guitarist George Newton, drummer Darryl Mattison, bassist and vocalist Dane Porter and vocalist and guitarist George Deveny. Having been favored by music fans during the 1980’s, the band has re-established their presence in the Central New York music scene, bringing multiple sold-performances at Unity Hall.
The Dust Devil Band
Brian Mulkerne Band, a prominent band in the music scene of Mohawk Valley, is made up of leading member behind the vocals and guitar, Brian Mulkerne, other vocalist and guitarist Tim Baldwin, drummer Oscar Crandall, bassist Ken McConnell Jr., and slide guitarist Deveny. They have garnered a reputation for delivering what is considered to be musical favorites by fans.
Brian Mulkerne Band
Special guests in the performance include Mal P Entertainment drummer and producer Malcolm Gaines-Parker, harmonicist Skip Murphy from SAMMY Hall of Fame, Out of the Blue and Merry Pranksters, vocalists Rebecca Miner of Rebecca Miner Trio and Fabulous Mojos, Sydney Pinto of Walrus and Paul Case Band, Sharon Allen of Merry Pranksters and Better Than Bowling, drummer Bob Holz of Bob Holz and a Vision Forward, drummer Carl Marucci of Clean Street, vocalist and guitarist John Savage along with producer George Deveny, bassist John Handzel of Drivin’ Sideways and Rebecca Miner Trio and bassist Ari Marucci of Lower Tolpa. Included at the show will be a silent auction and baked goods for sale at the concert.
Tickets to the benefit at Unity Hall in Barneveld are $30 each and can be purchased here.
The Dust Devil Band Performance at Unity Hall in 2020
