NYS Music 202​2

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  • Hudson Valley Live To Serve Up World-Class World Music at Colony Woodstock and White Feather Farm

    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 

    White Feather Farm

    Tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-fela-kuti-tribute-from-nikhil-p-yerawaders-living-language-tickets-369006467277

    Friday, July 22 – Persian Classical Music with Kayhan Kalhor 

    White Feather Farm

    Tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kayhan-kalhor-tickets-369027660667

    Friday, July 29 – Talking Drums meet Afrobeat

    Mamadou’s Fantastic Band featuring members of Afro Beat band Kaleta & Super Yamba Band

    White Feather Farm

    Tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mamadous-fantastic-band-featuring-members-of-super-yamba-tickets-369047409737

    Friday July 29 – Ukraine’s Soulful and Subversive Folk Arts Heroes with DakhaBrakha

    The Colony Woodstock

    Tickets  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dakhabrakha-tickets-338959034597

    August 12 – World Premiere: From Jazz to the American Songbook 

    Bria Skonberg and Elizabeth Goodfellow 

    White Feather Farm

    Tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bria-skonberg-and-elizabeth-goodfellow-tickets-369097790427

    Thursday, August 18 – Colombia’s Meridian Brothers

    The Colony Woodstock

    Tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meridian-brothers-tickets-335739575107

    Friday, August 19 – Cumbia, surf and the B52’s with La Banda Chuska

    White Feather Farm

    Ticketshttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/la-banda-chuska-tickets-369108863547

  • Fox Fest 2022 Will Kick Off August 6th

    Fox Fest has announced its 2022 lineup which will kick off August 6th. Fox Fest is a great opportunity to enjoy the summer by relaxing, listening to great music, eating great food, and socializing.

    A non-profit outdoor music event located at the home of George and Dodi Ryan, in Syracuse, Fox Fest will host music performed by 8-10 local bands, an attractive venue and food sold by Limp Lizard and the Spud Shack.

    Fox Fest

    Supporting different charities for 14 years, Fox Fest is benefiting the KEYS program this year. The KEYS Program a nonprofit organization that has been delivering smiles since 1993 by providing award-winning music therapy outreach, family respite days and sibling support programs to kids battling cancer and those in need of healing.

    Fox Fest is funded by the generous donations of local sponsors and attendees. A $30 donation upon entry is the cost for the day, and patrons can donate prior to July 10th and receive a free shirt. Pre-sale forms are located at Tanner Valley Golf Course, Limp Lizard in Western Lights and Franks Moondance.

    Along with the music event, there is also free camping on site. Sites are first come, first serve. There is plenty of room for everyone to RV, Pop-Up, tent, or pass out under the stars.

    Pets are not allowed for both the safety of crowds and pets. No alcohol is provided but patrons are allowed to bring their own beverage. More information could be found at foxfestsyracuse.com

    Fox Fest Lineup

    12-1pm Steve Cali Band
    1:15-2pm The Shylocks
    2:15-3:15pm Chirs Taylor Band
    3:30-4:30pm F5
    4:45-5:45pm Jon Rogalia & The Swamp Boys
    6-6:45pm Dirt Road Ruckus
    7-7:45pm Molly D’agostino
    8-9:30pm Under the Paige
    10-11:30pm Tantric

    https://youtu.be/CZdb9OgUFA4

  • Opera Saratoga Presents Sky on Swings

    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.

  • In Focus: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats at Beak and Skiff

    Denver, Colorado’s Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats took the stage during Beak & Skiff’s Summer Concert Series in Lafayette on June 29, 2022, to a sold out crowd in support of their latest album, The Future, an 11-track record released in November 2021. Opening for Rateliff was the Brooklyn based band, Antibalas.

    The evening started with Rateliff commenting, “I can’t believe you all came” and from there, the night was filled with numerous hits from the bands ever growing catalog which spans back to 2015 when The Night Sweats were formed and the thousands in attendance were captivated from start to finish.

    As Nathaniel and his bandmates took the stage for the encore, those in attendance were treated to the end of the a fantastic evening with “I’ll Be Damned” and “S.O.B.”, the hit that launched them from the clubs of Denver to the national stage, and finishing the night with “Love Don’t.”

    Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – Beak and Skiff, Lafayette, NY – June 29, 2022

    Setlist: The Future Falling (Fast), Look It Here, You Worry Me, I’m On Your Side, Say It Louder, Survivor, Baby I Lost My Way (But I’m Going Home) So Put Out, A Little Honey, Love Me Till I’m Gone. Face Down in the Moment, And It’s All Alright, Oh, I, Hey Mama, Coolin’ Out, I Need Never Get Old

    Encore: I’ll Be Damned, S.O.B, Love Don’t

  • Disco Biscuits Announce Pair of September Shows at Saranac Brewery

    The Disco Biscuits will make a few stops in the Northeast this September, including a pair of shows at Saranac Brewery in Utica. The shows will now take place a week later than originally planned, on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1. The shows mark the Disco Biscuits first ever time performing in the Empire State’s ‘Sin City.’

    disco biscuits utica

    Additional shows earlier that month include a show at Grand Opera House in Wilmington, DE on September 8, and two shows at South Side Stage at XL Live in Harrisburg, PA on September 9 and 10.

    A fanclub presale for these shows is now open through Wednesday, July 6 at 5pm ET, with all September shows on sale Friday, July 8 at 10am ET. Disco Biscuits social media included a note to fans, “Plenty more tDB to come this fall! “

  • Rob Derhak Talks moe. Summer Tour, ADK Fest, Chuck and Playing with Nate and Suke

    moe. begins a truncated summer tour this week, taking them across New York State, where they have made their mark for more than 30 years. The moe. lineup – Al Schnier, Rob Derhak, Vinnie Amico and Jim Loughlin – continues to feature Suke Cerulo and Nate Wilson, filling in for Chuck Garvey as he steadily recovers from a stroke he had in November 2021.

    moe chuck garvey walls capitol theatre rob derhak
    Chuck Garvey projected onto the walls of The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY – photo by Filip Zalewski

    moe. bassist Rob Derhak and the band have spent time over the past two months rehearsing with Cerulo and Wilson at Big Blue North in Utica to prepare the sextet for their first real stretch of shows without Garvey.

    The Chuck shows at The Cap in December with all the guest musicians, those guys (Suke and Nate) were part of the last set of the second night, and the set just really gelled. We had no time to rehearse with anyone beyond soundcheck; Suke had spent his time doing his homework, and Nate has sat in many times and knows a lot of songs, so when it came time to decide, it wasn’t that hard a decision. They can play really well and had a jump on the material, so both factors made it simple.

    We’re very fortunate that those guys put the work in ahead of time and did their homework to learn the material, so it was a good fit and a good call in the end.

    Rob Derhak, on Suke Cerulo and Nate Wilson

    Derhak spoke to NYS Music shortly after Summer Camp Music Festival had wrapped its 21st year, where hosts moe. and Umphrey’s McGee performed 5 sets each over three days at their respective stages in Three Sisters Park. Derhak, along with Schnier, Amico and Loughlin threw Cerulo and Wilson some curveballs that they were still able to hit into play.

    There was a 3-song sandwich – “Rebubula” > “So Long” > “Buster” > “Rebubula” – that was a situation where most people may not understand what’s going on but those guys got it. We talked about it ahead of time but never played through the whole thing with them. It came off without a hitch. Nate added a new keyboard intro for “Rebubula” that was really cool.

    Rob Derhak

    This was of course the first Summer Camp that Garvey had missed in the last two decades, and there was an emotional vibe with the band while they rehearsed and warmed up before the fest. From the Summer Camp Moonshine Stage, Derhak recalled how he felt two separate emotions during the weekend:

    One is I keep looking over where Chuck would be, and he isn’t there, and it makes me feel weird and sad. And doing shots before a set, we would always wait for Chuck, and instinctively it’s kinda sad. I miss him, and it’s still not exactly right without him playing there.

    Having Nate and Suke play at the same time, it’s almost a guilty feeling having this much fun, knowing Chuck would be loving this. Chuck did FaceTime with the band, saying he was jealous. It was bittersweet.

    Rob Derhak

    moe.rons can get a change to see Cerulo and Wilson with moe. a few times in July, as they will perform a free show at the Empire State Plaza on Wednesday, July 6 in Albany from 5:30-8:30 p.m., one that looks to have warm breezy weather for the show.

    They’ll then head west to Buffalo where the band first had their genesis, performing on Thursday, July 7 at Seneca Casinos Outer Harbor Concert Series at the Lakeside Event Lawn, with gates opening at 6pm. Friday, July 8 they’ll be on the shores of Cape Cod for Levitate Music Festival, and Saturday they can be found at Great South Bay Music Festival in Patchogue, performing alongside fellow Buffalonians Aqueous and headliners Joe Russo’s Almost Dead.

    Rob Derhak – photo by Filip Zalewski

    That won’t be all for moe. this summer though – they have a trio of shows in the Northeast over Labor Day weekend, starting at Stateside Amphitheater in Jay, VT on Friday, September 2, then they head down to Lake George for the annual ADK Independence Festival for two nights of two set shows. Labor Day weekend and moe. go hand in hand, given the nearly 20 years of moe.down festivals held in Turin and Mohawk, NY.

    We joked last year it was like a little moe.down and after playing, it really was. I’m looking forward to it because it’s a great three days of music, perfect size and location, the vibe is amazing, and made me think of moe.down quite a bit when we did it.

    Rob Derhak, on ADK Independence Music Festival

    Derhak noted that following the fall shows, moe. will look to start working with Garvey in “sometime in September and getting back to where we gotta go.” With regular check-ins and FaceTime calls, the band hopes to get a better idea of where Garvey is in his recovery and look ahead with new hope for the new year.

    moe. 2022 Summer Tour Dates

    7/6 – Albany, NY
    7/7 – Buffalo, NY
    7/8 – Marshfield, MA (Levitate Music Festival)
    7/9 – Patchogue, NY (Great South Bay Music Festival)
    7/10 – Seaside Heights, NJ
    9/2 – Jay, VT
    9/3-9/4 – Lake George, NY (ADK Fest)
    9/23-24 – St. Helena, CA

  • Union Pool Damaged, 14 Injured in Williamsburg Fire

    Beloved bar Union Pool in Williamsburg is closed temporarily due to a fire that injured 14 people and left seven hospitalized.

    A photo of internal damage to Union Pool
    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.

    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 Announces River And Blues Lineup

    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.

  • Broadway’s Essential Workers Get Wage Increase and Benefit Boosts

    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.

    A photo of Broadway cleaners rallying for a new contract on June 21st on 44th Street
    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.

    A photo of Martha Aristizabal
    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.

  • Ticonderoga Festival Guild’s Summer Series Begins 42nd Season

    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

    August 10 – Ned Gelfars – The Ned Show

    Summer In The Park Concert Series

    July 12 – ADK Jazz Repertoire Ensemble

    July 19 – The Ruta Beggars

    July 26 – Little Jack

    August 2 – Rich Ortiz

    August 9 – Too Tall String Band

    August 16 – Ashley Sophia

    August 23 – Emish

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