The Adirondack Wind Ensemble (AWE) will celebrate the occasion of its 20th anniversary on Sunday, September 25 at 2pm in the E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium at SUNY Plattsburgh. AWE will be joined by Allan McMurray, guest conductor, who is the former graduate advisor of AWE director Daniel Gordon.
Adirondack Wind Ensemble is a professional musical ensemble of wind and percussion instruments comprised of music educators and other outstanding community musicians from around the North Country. Its performers represent every public school district in Clinton County as well as several communities beyond and they gather in AWE to share in the joy of making music. AWE is dedicated to providing quality concert performances by members of this community for this community.
The two worked together at the University of Colorado at Boulder in the early 1990s making the concert a joyous reunion for the two musicians. McMurray, widely considered one of the leading wind ensemble directors in the country, will conduct a program of music by Percy Grainger (Children’s March, Irish Tune from County Derry, and Lincolnshire Posy) and Gustav Holst (Hammersmith and First Suite in E-flat).
This project is made possible with funds from the Plattsburgh College Foundation Eleanor Marcus Music Endowment; the Statewide Community Regrants program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts; the SUNY Plattsburgh Student Association through the Campus Arts Council and the Music Department; and Stewart’s Shops.
Chestnut Grove, a Pennsylvania-based rock band, is on the road in support of a new single, with some New York dates in the near future. “All For You” is now available on streaming platforms and the band plans to release an EP titled Can’t Stand The Music sometime early next year.
Last month, Chestnut Grove performed a “revved-up” Free at Noon set at Philadelphia’s World Cafe Live for a lively audience who danced, sang along and got a preview of the new EP. Click here for pictures and an audio recording of the performance. This comes in advance of their scheduled gig this weekend in Camden, NJ for WXPN’s Xponential Music Festival on September 18.
In late October and early November, Chestnut Grove will make their way throughout New York State. Shows in Syracuse and Saranac Lake are scheduled for October 28 and 29, respectively. And the band’s show on November 3 at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs will receive support from Consider the Source. Additional tour dates can be seen below.
Chestnut Grove 2022 Fall Tour
September 18th Xponential Music Festival, Wiggins Park – Camden, NJ
September 24th Pro Re Nata Brewery – Crozet, VA w/ Disco Risque
October 8th Pick Fest – Boyertown, PA w/ The Manatawny Creek Ramblers
October 28th Funk N’ Waffles – Syracuse, NY
October 29th Waterhole – Saranac Lake, NY
November 3rd Putnam Place – Saratoga Springs, NY w/ Consider the Source
November 17th Sellersville Theater – Sellersville, PA w/ Consider the Source
November 23rd The Soundback – Phoenixville, PA w/ Hunter Root
November 25th Jeremiah’s Banquet Hall – Williamsport, PA
November 26th King’s Rock Club – Erie, PA w/ Medusa’s Disco
The Man in Black, a Johnny Cash tribute show, has announced a 17-date North American fall tour that includes three stops in New York State.
The nearly two-month tour begins Sept. 15 at the Strand Center for Arts in Plattsburgh, with later shows at the Sugarloaf Performing Arts Center in Chester on Oct. 6 and the Swyer Theater at the Egg in Albany on the 7.
Shawn Barker as Johnny Cash (photo credit: Ed Gregory)
Led by Shawn Barker’s portrayal of the American country icon, The Man In Black’s first show was performed in 2004 in a Niagara Falls casino. Since then, the show has seen over 1,000 performances in 12 different countries.
“With the recent passing of Cash and the biopic film Walk The Line having recently been released around then, our show delivered a new outlook into Johnny Cash’s music and career that people really seemed to want to see,” said Barker of the show’s success early on.
The Man in Black features Barker in character during the entire show, portraying each stage of Johnny Cash’s life and career. Performance of Cash hits such as “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Ring of Fire,” and “Hurt” include a full backing band.
Information regarding tickets and more can be found on The Man In Black website.
Snippet video of the show in promotion of a 2019 performance.
Thu. September 15 Strand Theatre for the Arts Plattsburgh, NY
Fri. September 16 The Cabot Beverly, MA
Sat. September 17 The Flying Monkey Plymouth, NH
Thu. October 6 Sugarloaf Performing Arts Center Chester, NY
Fri. October 7 Swyer Theater at the Egg Albany, NY
Sat. October 8 Mohegan Sun Arena Uncasville, CT
Sun. October 9 Beacon Theatre Hopewell, VA
Wed. October 12 Rams Head On Stage Annapolis, MD
Thu. October 13 Birchmere Alexandria, VA
Fri. October 14 Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre Red Bank, NJ
at the Count Basie Center for the Arts
Sat. October 15 Keswick Theatre Glenside, PA
Sun. October 16 American Music Theatre Lancaster, PA
Wed. October 19 Carnegie of Homestead Munhall, PA
Fri. October 21 Pabst Theatre Milwaukee, WI
Sat. October 22 Mystic Lake Casino Hotel Prior Lake, MN
On September 18, 1982, WAMC debuted “The Hudson River Sampler” on Saturday nights. Hosted by Wanda Fischer, the show featured folk and acoustic music from 8-10 PM. Now, after four decades, the show is still running, and with the same host.
To mark the occasion, on Saturday, October 8, The Linda – WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, will host a show to celebrate the occasion, featuring several prominent national and local folk music acts, including Anne Hills, Reggie Harris, Christine Lavin, Sawyer Fredericks, John Kirk and Trish Miller.
The Linda is pleased to welcome the artists who will be here on October 8. These performers present a cross section of the music Wanda plays every week. This will be a special night.
Peter Hughes, The Linda
With a background that goes back many years, Fischer has been involved in this type of music since her father introduced her to it as a child. She’s also been a singer herself, having appeared at coffeehouses in the Boston area in the 1960s and ‘70s and has recorded an album titled Singing Along with the Radio. She and her husband Bill relocated to the Capital District in 1979. She held full-time jobs in the region while doing “The Hudson River Sampler” on Saturdays until her retirement from full-time work in 2014. During lockdown from the pandemic, she did her show live from the WAMC studio.
Fischer has been a volunteer on several boards of directors in the region, including Old Songs, Caffe Lena and the Eighth Step. She’s also a volunteer reader for the Reading is Fun program in the Schenectady City Schools and has published a novel and several short stories. A competitive local tennis player, she’s served as the captain of a United States Tennis Association team since 1988.
Additionally, the show will be broadcast live during The “Hudson River Sampler’s” normal time slot of 8-10 PM on WAMC’s network and streaming on wamc.org.
Tickets for Wanda Fischer 40th Anniversary Live! Hudson River Sampler live at The Linda: WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio are $25 and on sale now through thelinda.org.
The Northern Current Music Festival in Saranac Lake returns for Labor Day weekend, featuring local and international artists representing contemporary music’s past, present, and future.
The festival’s mission is to enrich Saranac Lake’s cultural diversity by celebrating various musical heritages. The event is free, and family-friendly, with various activities for kids and adults. The daylong celebration will happen in Riverside Park in Saranac Lake on September 4.
TEKE is a female-fronted Montreal-based Japanese psych-rock group that features traditional Japanese instruments, flute, and trombone alongside raging guitars and a pulsing rhythm section. They create a sound reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s era psychedelic Japanese soundtracks.
Leading The Big Takeover is Jamaican-born singer and songwriter NeeNee Rushie, creating a horn-powered global blend of reggae and world music, with hints of soul and Motown, and their infectious brand of pop classicism.
Hailing from Brooklyn, Ghost Funk Orchestra is the brainchild of producer and multi-instrumentalist Seth Applebaum. The band has evolved from a one-man band to a ten-piece powerhouse live band that draws heavy influence from the worlds of soul, psych rock, salsa, and beyond.
Rooted in southern dance tradition and the addition of soft vocal harmonies, Rose & The Bros from Ithaca will serve with their Lousiana sound and reggae undertone.
The Outcrops are from the woods of Northern New Jersey, presenting original blues-infused rock and roll. The four-piece was formed in 2016 by lead vocalist Cassidy Rain and lead guitarist Bryan Schroder.
Crackin’ Foxy is a ukulele-driven ensemble, featuring tight instrumental arrangements and close vocal harmonies inspired by 30s swing, Hawaiian, and NOLA jazz.
For more information about the Northern Current Music Festival happening in Saranac Lake on September 4, go here.
The 32nd annual Adirondack Folk Festival takes place on Sunday, August 14, from 12pm to 5 p.m. at the Schroon Lake Town Park, featuring the best in classic Adirondack roots music.
The idea for the Folk Festival recalls a time when folk legends Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie and Cisco Houston would regularly play for tourists at the Schroon Crest Resort. This summer, Schroon Arts is pleased to present Three Quarter North, Dana and Susan Robinson, Sara Milonovich and Daisycutter, Lyndsay Stone and headliner The Bob Amos Band, featuring the best in modern country and bluegrass.
Locals and those passing through are invited to come and enjoy the sounds of these great musicians. Bring your lawn chair or a blanket and some good friends. The Adirondack Folk Festival is free and open to the public. For more information, please call (518) 532-9259.
The Adirondack Folk Festival is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrnat program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts.
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.
GRAMMY-nominated, platinum-selling artist Sophie B Hawkins is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of her debut album Tongues and Tails with a 2022 U.S. tour. The tour starts off July 29th, with an appearance at the Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes, NY and runs through December 2nd in Minneapolis, MN. She’ll also be joining Paula Cole and Judy Collins on select dates – full routing can be found below.
Sophie B. Hawkins by Shervin Lainez
Tongues and Tails is an album won multiple awards and sold-out concerts. It also appeared in hit films and TV shows, and five more albums. As a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Sophie has been fully involved in every aspect of her records herself, from background vocals and playing her own instruments, to engineering and production of her albums. Currently Sophie B. Hawkins is in the studio working on new music that showcases the artist at her best.
Sophie B. Hawkins 2022 Tour Dates
July 29 – Cohoes, NY – Cohoes Music Hall + July 30 – North Tonawanda, NY – Riviera Theatre + July 31 – Arundel, ME – Vinegar Hill Theatre * August 12 – Lake Placid, NY – Lake Placid Performing Arts Center + August 27 – Cincinnati, OH – Fountain Square Summer Music Series * September 29 – Old Saybrook, CT – The Katherine Hepburn Cultural Center * September 30 – Vienna, VA – Jammin Java * October 2 – Charleston, West Virginia – NPR Mountain Stage * October 6 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel * October 9 – Franklin, TN – Franklin Theatre * October 10 – Atlanta, GA – City Winery * October 13 – Denver, CO – Solid Dove Underground * October 15 – Beverly Hills, CA – The Canyon @ The Saban Theatre ^ October 16 – Ojai, CA – The Canyon @ The Libbey Bowl ^ October 17 – Kirkland, WA – Kirkland Performance Center * October 18 – Portland, OR – The Old Church * October 19 – San Francisco, CA – Yoshis * October 20 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House Concert Hall * October 22 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Lounge at House of Blues * October 23 – Agoura Hills, CA – The Canyon – Agoura Hills * October 26 – Phoenix, Arizona – Musical Instrument Museum * October 28 – Houston, TX – The Bronze Peacock at House of Blues * October 29 – Cedar Park, Texas – The Haute Spot in Cedar Park * October 30 – Dallas, Texas – The Hifi Dallas * November 2 – Kent, OH – Kent Stage * November 3 – Warrendale, PA – Jergel’s Rhythm Grille * November 5 – Philadelphia, PA – City Winery Philadelphia * November 6 – Riverhead, NY – Suffolk Theatre + November 9 – Fairfield, CT – Sacred Heart University + November 10 – South Orange, NJ – SOPAC + November 11 – Chester, NY – Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center + November 12 – Lexington, MA – Isaac Harris Cary Memorial Building + November 18 – Tampa, FL – Attic * November 19 – Mount Dora, FL – Mount Dora Community & Events Center + November 20 – Orange Park, FL – Thrasher -Horne Center + November 27 – Concord, NH – Capitol Center for the Arts * November 28 – New York, NY – City Winery * December 1 – Evanston, IL – Space * December 2 – Minneapolis, MN – Dakota *
*Sophie solo +co-headline date with Paula Cole ^co-headline date with Judy Collins
Open Sky Arts Festival returns for its second year at The Lake Placid Center for the Arts with a series of outdoor concerts running from August 11 to 14.
This year’s festival is a celebration with eight musical acts ready to bring audiences the best entertainment. Over the course of four days, attendees can enjoy the beautiful Lake Placid atmosphere, live music, food, and more.
Open Sky Arts Festival brings a great lineup to its audiences this year – including various genres such as bluegrass, rock, pop, blues, and even a performance specifically intended for families. Just recently added to the lineup, The Hillbenders will kick off the festival on August 11 at 8:00 pm with tickets starting at $15.
The Hillbenders
On Friday, August 12 at 7:00 pm, grammy-nominated artists Paula Cole and Sophie B. Hawkins will take the stage. The two acts are known for their ‘90s hits such as “I Don’t Want to Wait” (Cole) and “As I Lay Me Down” (Hawkins).
Saturday, August 13 brings four acts to The Lake Placid Center for the Arts. The lineup includes the family show The Secret Agency, The Larry Stephenson Band, Emmylou Harris, and finally The Spin Doctors at 8:00 pm. On August 14, Martin Sexton will close out the festival beginning at 2:00 pm.
Emmylou Harris Photo Credit: Kat Villacorta
Situated right in the historic Olympic village of Lake Placid, the LPCA provides programming, performances, exhibitions, and educational opportunities for all visitors and residents of the area to enjoy. The LPCA was founded in 1972 and continues to this day to enrich, inspire, entertain, and educate the greater community.
Festivalgoers can purchase passes or individual tickets to the performances. Individual tickets range, starting from $15 to $75 and passes are $200 or $175 for LPCA members. For tickets and more information, visit the LPCA website, here.
There are two things you can find a great deal of in Upstate New York – music venues in nearly every town, and Stewart’s Shops. There are more than 345 Stewart’s in New York and Vermont, and if you’ve been to a show or gone camping Upstate, you’ve probably stopped at a Stewart’s for provisions. With newly remodeled shops, Stewart’s is a staple for locals and visitors alike.
One of Stewart’s best sellers is their ice cream. Made from milk from New York farms, the variety of flavors goes well beyond the basic Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry. The variety of music venues Upstate is equally varied, and gives music lovers an opportunity to see their favorite bands and new artists in unique settings.
We’ve partnered with Stewart’s Shops to look at their ice cream flavors and compared them to Upstate music venues. Below you’ll find 15 flavors paired with their appropriate venue, a small sampling of the more than 30 flavors Stewart’s Shops offer. Get the scoop before you get a scoop heading to your next show!
Brownie Cookie Sundae // Ulster Performing Arts Center, Kingston
This venue and flavor have each got it all. UPAC features one of the widest arrays of musical selections in the state. From Meatloaf to Willie Nelson, the HV Philharmonic to plays and musicals, UPAC has it all. Likewise, Brownie Cookie Sundae comes loaded with vanilla ice cream, chewy brownie bites, soft cookie dough pieces and a rich fudge swirl. Available in a cone or half-gallon.
Star Gazer // Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), Saratoga Springs
Where can you see the most stars? Head north on I-87 and get off at exit 13 for Saratoga Performing Arts Center, where you’ll see the biggest artists and national touring bands at SPAC each summer! Originally the home of the NYC Ballet, SPAC has been bringing concerts to the edge of the Adirondacks since the 1960s, making this the perfect venue for seeing stars. Stargazer has Malt flavored ice cream with a rich caramel swirl and pieces of Milky Way candy bars mixed in. Available in a half-gallon.
Chocolate Sea Turtle // Snug’s Harbor, New Paltz
Turtles are found throughout the state, but they’ll always need a snug harbor somewhere to rest their shell. Snug Harbor provides a comfortable space for bands to play in the college town of New Paltz, with a variety of music and cold beer on tap. Stewart’s Chocolate Sea Turtle features chocolate ice cream with a sea salt caramel swirl and chocolate fudge pecans. Available in a cone for a limited time.
Fireworks // Empire State Plaza, Albany
One of the best spots for fireworks in Upstate New York is the Empire State Plaza in downtown Albany. Capable of hosting more than 10,000 people and room for even more nearby, the Fireworks every 4th of July and for select events are a must see event, as well as the bands that perform on the plaza during the summer months. Pop Rocks encased in vanilla ice cream with a tart cherry swirl helps this flavor live up to its name! Available in a cone.
Blueberry Pie in the Sky // Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel
Summer and blueberry pie are synonymous. The summer of love lives on through Bethel Woods. Grab a cone of Blueberry in the Sky, with blueberry ice cream with shortbread and a Maine blueberry swirl, on the way to your next show and imagine the roads filled with cars headed to Yasgur’s Farm. Available in a pint.
Happy Camper // Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Oak Hill
When the music on the stage is done for the day, head to your campsite anywhere at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival’s campgrounds for pickin’ parties, where you can hear classic bluegrass songs and singalongs, just like at camp enjoy s’mores! With graham cracker flavored ice cream with a graham cracker pieces, a marshmallow swirl and peanut butter pieces, enjoy a cone of Stewart’s Happy Camper while friends old and new sit around and pluck away. Available in a cone.
Campfire S’Moreo // Levon Helm’s Barn, Woodstock
Located just a few miles from Mount Marion near Saugerties, Levon Helm’s Barn is the perfect pairing for this summer time treat. Living in Woodstock at Big Pink with The Band and backing Bob Dylan for years, Levon Helm made a second home in Woodstock, establishing Midnight Rambles that continue to be a thing of legend. Outside Levon’s Barn, you’ll find small campfires before and after shows – year round – making the Campfire S’Moreo a perfect pairing to this classic venue. Available in a cone for a limited time.
Mint Cookie Crumble // The Bardavon, Poughkeepsie
Two classics, presented in a new way. The Bardavon is the oldest continually operating music venue in New York State, offering various performing arts, cinema, theater, vaudeville, and performers ranging from David Byrne to Chick Corea, Dr. John to Gladys Knight, and Joan Baez to Natalie Merchant. Bardavon is also the home of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, making the classic venue fresh for a new generation of music lovers. Mint Cookie Crumble is a spin on mint chocolate chip, but with a chocolate cookie crumble fudge swirl mixed in smooth cool mint ice cream. A classic, presented in a fresh new way. Available in a cone, pint or half-gallon, and now available in a non-dairy pint!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup // The Egg, Albany
One of Stewart’s tastiest ice creams has a swirl of peanut butter inside, ready to surprise you with each bite. Inside The Egg in Albany, you’ll find not one but two music venues – The Hart Theatre and The Swyer Theatre, both offering an array of musical offerings, not to mention surprisingly incredible acoustics! Available in a cone, pint or half-gallon.
Chocolate Caramel Tornado// The Falcon, Marlboro
Combining chocolate and sea salt caramel ice creams with chocolate covered honeycomb pieces and a chocolate/caramel swirl makes for unique yet delicious treat. Similarly unique and offering delicious music is The Falcon, where you can find jazz in an intimate and rustic Hudson Valley setting. Available in a cone for a VERY limited time.
Crumbs along the Mohawk // Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes
Located 500 feet from the Mohawk River, Cohoes Music Hall, opened in 1874, has been home for live music performances, high school musicals and plays, theater performances and much more. With a name synonymous with music, Cohoes is a great small town to stop in for an evening. The perfect ice cream to go with such a classic venue is Crumbs Along the Mohawk, inspired by the 1939 film “Drums Along the Mohawk,” with graham cracker flavored ice cream holding together graham cracker pieces with a caramel swirl. Available in a pint or half-gallon.
Brew Ha Ha // Saranac Brewery, Utica; Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown
Where in New York can you get brewery fresh beer and live music? Two places come to mind – Saranac Brewery in Utica, and Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown. With their own wide selections of beers and other beverages, these breweries offer two things that New York is known for – great beer and great music – Brew Ha Ha takes Stewart’s richer roast coffee ice cream with espresso bean flavored chocolate flakes, a nice combination as well! Available in a cone or half-gallon.
Adirondack Bear Paw // The Waterhole, Saranac Lake
The northernmost venue on our list is The Waterhole, home to music year round, with Party on the Patio on Thursdays each summer, Winter Carnival music performances in February, and the heart of this Adirondack town. Vanilla ice cream mixed with sweet praline cashews and caramel swirls make a rich combination in this tasty northern delight. Available in a half-gallon.
The classic creamsicle flavor is a throwback to summers spent in Saratoga Springs, with a twist. A classic Saratoga venue, Caffe Lena, has been a fixture in the Spa City since the 1960s, and new renovations in the building put a twist on the original! Available in a half-gallon at your local Stewart’s Shops!
Colombian Coffee // Club Helsinki, Hudson
Like coffee, Club Helsinki has something for everyone, serving as a music venue, bar and restaurant. Open mic nights, both virtual and in person, welcome all people and talents. The many flavors of coffee can be found in this Columbia County venue that welcomes a variety of artists to the east shore of the Hudson River. Available in a cone or half-gallon.
