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.
The Battery in New York City announced its lineup for the River and Blues series on Thursdays in July at Wagner Park. Located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, this event is set to featurre fabulous singers including Nicole Atkins, Eljuri, Cha Wa, Lady Wary, Cedric Burnside, and Maggie Rose to enjoy the summer sunsets.
River & Blues at The Battery
The Battery, formerly known as Battery Park, is a 25-acre (10 ha) public park bounded by Battery Place on the north, State Street on the east, New York Harbor to the south, and the Hudson River to the west. The park contains attractions such as an early 19th century fort named Castle Clinton; multiple monuments; and the SeaGlass Carousel.
Nicole Atkins – July 7th at 6PM
Nicole Atkins
Born in New Jersey, Nicole Atkins started playing piano at nine years old and taught herself to play guitar at 13. Now as a soul singer and songwriter, Nicole Atkins blends disco, folk, and country rock on her latest release, Memphis Ice.
Eljuri & Cha Wa – July 14th at 6PM
Elguri
Touted as one of the top Latina guitar players in the world, Eljuri is a genre-fusing artist that blends the sounds and rhythms of her life experiences into her song-writing and guitar playing.
Cha Wa
The New Orleans based Mardi Gras Indian funk band Cha Wa had an infectious music and stage show when they were nominated by Grammy. The name Cha Wa is a slang phrase used by Mardi Gras Indian tribes, meaning “we’re comin’ for ya” or “here we come.” Cha Wa has been described as “funk with feathers” – a sound rooted in traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian music mixed with funk and soul, a non-stop groove machine.
Lady Wary – July 21st at 6PM
Lady Wray
Virginia-born artist Nicole Wray shows off her dexterous range of singing and songwriting, infusing hints of soul, R&B, and hip-hop into head-nodding, funky stories with the power to heal.
Cedric Burnside & Maggie Rose – July 28th at 6PM
Maggie Rose
Cooperated with multiple bands, Maggie Rose has learned great experience in music. She also recorded two songs that were featured in episodes of the Disney Channel’s Shake It Up and Good Luck Charlie television series. After years of honing her chops and making her name as a force-of nature vocalist, the Nashville-based singer/songwriter Maggie Rose has dreamed up her own unbridled collision of rock-and-roll, soul, folk, funk, and R&B.
Cedric Burnside
Cedric Burnside, an American electric blues guitarist, drummer, singer and songwriter born into a prominent family of North Mississippi Hill Country legends. These sensibilities are reflected across his work and impeccably showcased on his 2022 GRAMMY™- winning release, I Be Trying. Burnside’s vocals, recorded in Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios in Memphis, focus on romantic reverses and tenacious love with complete understanding.
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
After two years off, the heavily anticipated Electric Forest Music Festival made a renowned comeback in Rothbury, Michigan. Musicians in various genres gathered on this 4-day event from June 23 to June 26 alongside people from all around the world.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Electric Forest goes beyond so-called norms that other music festivals are known for. In the seemingly middle of nowhere a sense of community is built. This festival has countless activities, events, and secret rewards that feel endless. It’s impossible to experience every single thing Electric Forest has to offer. Every hour of the day has something going on. From DJs playing until 6am, meditation sessions during the day, and secret sets popping off if you’re lucky enough to find them. The Forest does not disappoint and that’s why we compiled a list of some of the top things it has to offer.
Top 10 Things at Electric Forest
1. Saturday Night The String Cheese Incident Signature Shebang
The String Cheese Incident are no strangers to the event as they have been major contributors since Electric Forest was first beginning. It is because of this epic reputation they have built that they continue to play multiple sets throughout the weekend. However, it is their Saturday Night set that always draws the biggest crowd due to their signature “Shebang.” For EF 2022 they brought out other artists on stage, had lasers, giant inflatables, confetti, and fireworks. As if that already wasn’t enough, this year the band had a massive disco ball be lifted over the stage with a crane. This group definitely lives up to their reputation!
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
2. The Brainery Events
All weekend a designated event center called the Brainery compiled a list throughout each day where numerous experiences were available to partake in. These included, crafts, yoga sessions, mediations, sound baths, CPR training, sharing circles and much more. This provided a great space to re-center and connect with others.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
3. The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is located inside the festival where people get the opportunity leave and take various gifts of your choosing. From jewelry, to lighters, to whatever treasure you can find surrounding the area is open to communal sharing. This tradition has been around for a while and seems to be a popular one as individuals are constantly gathered around the tree.
4. The Outfits
Walking around the forest feels as if you entered a new world! People are dressed in such cool outfits that it makes it feel like a constant party. Performers walk around in groups as well, some even on stilts. The funny coordinated group outfits are a great addition too.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
5. Exploring the Forest at Night
Electric Forest lives up to their name but specifically at night. The lighting, buildings, lasers, and art installations are overflowing throughout the woods. Walking around during the day compared to the night is two different experiences. Night time brings a sense of magic into the air as the colors fill the skies and trees. Even laying down in your hammock is entertaining as you stare up into the fairy oasis of lights.
6. Carousel Club
Various musicians performed at Carousel Club which was a fun stage surrounded by entertaining stands. The walkway to Carousel Club was filled with a golf course, massage areas, a hairstyling room, and a tattoo shop. Seeing a set inside the Carousel Club made for even more fun due to the hot air balloons going up around it and sand filling half of the venue.
RKS at EF Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
7. The Scavenger Hunt
Every year the forest has a secret scavenger hunt. People get to explore the performance stages, phone booths, secret fairy houses, and hush rumors to figure out the puzzles. Collaborative teams can go around trying to find the missing pieces which honestly is a lot harder than it sounds, but it makes for a fun time.
8. Statues
Each year of Electric Forest has a designated statue. These sculptures are massive and beautiful to look at. A new one comes every year but they still display the ones from past years throughout the woods you just have to find them.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
9. DJ Sets at the Observatory
The observatory is a festival and environment stage located in the middle of the lit-up forest. This makes it a prime spot to catch new artists whether your dancing on top of the tall stairs beside it or swinging in your hammock next to it. The stage is built like a castle and is surrounded by art installations. The visuals in this area are a must see.
GRiZ at EF Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
10. The Community
The forest brings so many people from different walks of life and perspectives together in one place. The way this environment is able to strip stresses from real life away and open the door for connection is unlike no other. Everyday presented new experiences and significantly those where you’re always interacting with strangers. Electric Forest is a place for love and connection to flourish. The community it is able to establish is incomparable to any other and really unexplainable. But it’s something that keeps drawing people back every year.
All Photos by Maddie McCafferty
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The village of Speculator’s Music on the Point concert series is set to return this summer beginning on July 6. The free concert series will occur every Wednesday night from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm through August 31.
Music on the Point will take place at Osborne Point in Speculator with beautiful views of Lake Pleasant in the scenic Adirondacks. There will also be drinks and food available to purchase during each night of the series. The returning event is sponsored by Oak Mountain and Charlie Johns Speculator Department Store as a way to say thank you to the community for years of continued support.
Performers include a range of genres, including Wayward Folk, a roots-rock band known as The Insolent Willies, bluegrass musicians Two Shoes, and many more. For the full lineup of performances, see below.
Speculator Music on the Point Concert Series Lineup:
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.
The indie folk duo, The Brother Brothers, comprised of identical twins Adam and David Moss, will play on Thursday, July 28 at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. Meanwhile, their Cover to Cover album will be out on August 5 via Compass Records.
The Brother Brothers credit to Kaitlyn Raitz
On tour in support of Cover to Cover, the Brother Brothers’ third release on Compass Records is a requisite album of covers, featuring Sarah Jarosz and other notables and some eclectic cover choices. Among their eclectic picks: Tom T. Hall’s “That’s How I Got to Memphis,” Jackson Browne’s “These Days,” James Taylor’s “You Can Close Your Eyes,” Hoagy Carmichael’s “I Get Along Without You Very Well (Except Sometimes),” Robert Earl Keen’s “Feelin’ Good Again,” Richard Thompson’s “Waltzing’s for Dreamers,” Judee Sill’s “Rugged Road” and Tom Waits’ “Flowers Grave.” They also chose Harley Allen’s “High Sierra,” popularized by Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt on their Trio II album, and “If You Ain’t Got Love,” by Chas Justus of Lafayette, Louisiana dance band The Revelers.
Adam and David Moss are acclaimed for their vocal symmetry as the harmonies they create don’t get any closer. The twins, raised in Peoria, Illinois, started singing along to the artists their dad played for them at a toddler age. Inspired by such inward reflection of the roots of their inspiration during a time of great uncertainty and creative insecurity, they decided their songs for the third album “Cover to Cover”.
Each of their chose song has a story, a connection. “I Will” reminds them the lulled time with The Beatles’ White Album, “Feelin’ Good Again,” represent the latter of their years in Austin, Texas, during which they caught many REK shows when they weren’t performing (Adam in Green Mountain Grass and David in Blue Hit). Regarding “These Days,” on which they mesh crystalline harmonies and gorgeous guitar interludes, is their reason for doing a duo.
The thoughtful selections and filters from the brothers’ unique musical mix of folk, bluegrass, jazz and other idioms on Cover to Cover, this album undoubtedly will earn them more. They are also connecting with the songs. According to David, they only they just picked the ones that they enjoyed doing the most.
More information could be found on https://www.caffelena.org/. Stream this show live at caffelena.tv. with one week of access with $5 live stream ticket.
Located in Saratoga Springs, New York, Caffè Lena is the oldest continually running coffee house in the United States. With the renovation in 2016, their expanded occupancy and updated kitchen, brought better experience to enjoy diverse extraoridinary musicians’ performances in the longest continuously operating folk music venue in the United States.
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.
