Specialists and Space Carnival, two New York-based bands, will perform at Brooklyn Bowl on August 9. The show will also feature funk fusion group ShwizZ. Since 2017, the venue has not hosted Space Carnival, while Specialists are scheduled to make their Brooklyn Bowl debut.
Specialists
Spanning 23,000 sq. ft. Brooklyn Bowl is one of the most unique and dynamic event spaces in New York. Boasting a bowling alley, music venue, conference space, and much more, the Williamsburg location offers something for everyone.
I saw my first show at the Bowl in 2014, when I was just 16… My 16 year old self cannot believe this.
Specialists’ guitarist Billy
Specialists are a Brooklyn outfit that expertly blend together elements of rock, dance, and funk to create a fun and playful sound. The group puts together high energy performances that showcase the band’s extraordinary songwriting and musicianship. Specialists have performed all over NYC, including shows at Brooklyn Made and Wonder Bar. The band’s style and groove is the perfect sonic addition to any summer day.
Space Carnival
Space Carnival is made up of Jeremy Kraus on guitar, Cameron Fitch on keys and vocals, Chris Meier on bass, and Josh West joining on drums. Originally created in 2013, the Oneonta band has amassed a following for its one-of-a-kind mixture of progressive rock, alternative rock, disco, and funk. 2023 has signaled the return of Space Carnival, as the group has plans to stop at festivals across the country as well as release new music.
Click here for tickets and information about the August 9 performances.
Legendary comedian Dave Chappelle recently announced his fall tour which includes four stops in NYC. Dave Chappelle Live gets underway on August 22, 23, 25, and 26 from the world famous Madison Square Garden.
Chappelle is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time. His work includes multiple stand-up specials, his own sketch show, appearances on Saturday Night Live, and acting. In 2019 Chappelle was awarded the illustrious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. All in all the comedian has racked up five Primetime Emmy Awards and four Grammys.
Attendees at the show will be prohibited from using cell phones, cameras, or other recording devices during the performances. Upon arrival, all phones and smart watches will be secured until the end of the show. Guests will still have possession of their phones however use is only permitted in designated areas. Anyone caught with a cellphone in the venue will be immediately ejected.
Dave Chappelle Live is presented by Pilot Boy Productions. Originally founded by Chappelle in 1992, Pilot Boy looks to deliver quality and thought-provoking concerts, films, television shows, and live events.
Pre-sale tickets start on July 26 with general on-sale tickets dropping on July 27. Here for tickets and more information.
Dave Chappelle Live Dates
Tue Aug 22 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Wed Aug 23 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Fri Aug 25 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden – NEWLY ADDED SHOW
Sat Aug 26 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden – NEWLY ADDED SHOW
The Schenectady County Historical Society is bringing live music to the Capital Region all summer with the Howlin’ at the Moon Concert Series. Hosted at the Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Junction, the series runs June 1 to October 5. Shows are on Thursdays at 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
The Howlin’ at the Moon concert series looks to deliver an “authentic musical experience” for visitors and performers alike. The event showcases local and regional artists from a diverse set of genres including bluegrass, Americana, folk, indie, and more. Organizers hope that the series can act as a platform for people to discover and share new ideas and music.
One of the main features of Howlin’ at the Moon is the historic venue in which it takes place. Mabee Farm was originally built in 1705 and is widely regarded as the oldest farm in the Mohawk Valley. The property is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site includes a 17th century house, brick building, Dutch barn, English, barn, and a cemetery. The Dutch barn hosts all concerts, or, in case of rain, the pavilion behind the George E. Franchere Education Center serves as the alternative venue.
Everesy Rising
Local band Everest Rising acts as the musical host for each performance. Helping to curate the concert lineup, the group also serves as the opening act all summer long. Bill Flanagan, Pete Gernert-Dott, Dale Wade-Keszey, Trevor Wood, and Mark Baptiste make up bluegrass and Americana outfit.
All Howlin’ at the Moon shows are $10 at the door (cash only). For more details and information click here.
Sara Milonovich has been a professional musician for over 25 years. She has experience with everything from folk and bluegrass to celtic music and symphony orchestra. Milonovich has performed on Broadway, and even toured Eastern Europe as a State Department musical ambassador. She received the “Americana Artist of the Year” award at the Capital District Thomas Edison Music Awards in 2022.
Big Fez & the Surfmatics are a four-man group specializing in classic surf and beach music from the early 1960’s and beyond. Their repertoire includes songs by The Ventures, Dick Dale and the Del-Tones, The Trashmen, The Chantays, The Surfaris, and Duane Eddy. Big Fez also performs many of the great vocal hits of the surf era as well, highlighting classic tunes from The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, The Challengers, The Rivieras, and many more.
The Moon Shells are made up of Maggie Shar, Brian Slattery, Laura Murawski, Molly Merrett, and Charlie Shaw. The group’s sound is a pleasurable concoction of traditional music from Appalachia, Louisiana, West Africa and elsewhere. Whether performing as an acoustic stringband, a stripped-down trio, or a contemporary five-piece band, the Moon Shells are sure to move hearts and feet.
Northern Current is back for another year of live music on Labor Day weekend. The annual free festival takes place on Sept. 3 at Riverside Park in Saranac Lake. The celebration gets underway at Noon and runs until 9:30 PM.
Located at the base of Lake Flower, Riverside Park provides a picturesque setting for the event. The festival looks to celebrate the beauty and richness of Saranac Lake and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains. Northern Current is focused on enriching the cultural and artistic diversity of the town by presenting a diverse set of performing artists. This year’s lineup features offerings of Rock, Blues, R&B, Afrobeat, Americana, Old Time Folk, Jazz, Country, and more.
www.northerncurrentadk.org
Headlining Northern Current is Canadian outfit Bywater Call. The group’s blend of rock, blues, and R&B results in a soulful and powerful sound. Standout vocalist Megan Parnell fits perfectly with the cascade of horns and noisy guitars that usually features in Bywater Call’s music. Together the group has carved out a lane somewhere between Southern Soul and modern blues-rock.
Local bands High on the Hog and Midnight Stargazers will open up the festival. Other New York acts include Afro-funk outfit Kaleta & Super Yamba Band and Americana pairing Richie & Rosie. The festival will also feature Huntress & the Holder of Hands, The Soggy Po Boys, Badenyah Drum & Dance, and DiTrani Brothers.
In addition to live music, Northern Current boasts a designated “kid zone,” merchandise, and local food vendors. The event is scheduled to take place rain or shine. Visit here for details and information about the event.
Mercury Studios recently announced that “DIO: Dreamers Never Die”, the first-ever career documentary of legendary rock artist Ronnie James Dio, will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 29. There will also be a special Deluxe Edition of the film which will include exclusive merchandise. All of the upcoming versions of the documentary will feature 20 minutes worth of deleted and extended scenes.
The South by Southwest film festival originally debuted “DIO: Dreamers Never Die” in 2022. The film garnered praise from critics and fans alike, eventually making its way to theaters. Digitally, the documentary can be found on SHOWTIME.
Ronnie James Dio, was born in New Hampshire but grew up in Cortland, New York. At the age of 5, he began playing the trumpet. Despite piecing together a somewhat successful career on trumpet and bass, Dio became enthralled with heavy rock as he grew up.
The artist would help to create the band Elf in 1967. While the group’s music was not as hard or heavy as the kind that Dio would eventually be known for, Elf provided the New Yorker a space to experiment and practice his vocals. It was his unique and passionate singing that eventually landed Dio a spot with Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow (Rainbow).
“DIO: Dreamers Never Die” chronicles Dio’s transition from a budding instrumentalist into a full fledged rock star with Rainbow. The vocalist helped to pen and arrange many of the band’s most noteworthy songs. Some of Rainbow’s biggest hits came with Dio, including standout tracks “The Temple Of The King” and “Man On The Silver Mountain”.
After leaving Rainbow in 1979, Dio would replace Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath. While the artist would reach mainstream notoriety with the group, he never truly felt at home with the outfit. Dio left Black Sabbath just three years later. The vocalist would go on to create his own band aptly named “Dio” where he released the critically acclaimed album Holy Diver.
The documentary features unseen photos and footage from Dio’s tremendous career. “DIO: Dreamers Never Die” offers an intimate look into the musician’s relationship with manager and wife Wendy Dio, bandmates Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler, and many more.
Dio’s estate fully authorized and approved the film. Don Argott and Demian Fenton directed the project. Wendy Dio also executive produced “DIO: Dreamers Never Die.”
Ronnie James Dio and Wendy Dio
I wanted this documentary to be authentic, for the fans to see the roller coaster ride that was Ronnie’s life—the good times, the bad times and everything in between, especially including events that even the most diehard fans would not have known about. It’s all in there, right up to the very end
Wendy Dio
Powered by Universal Music Group, Mercury Studios remains editorially independent. The studio has actively participated in creating several high-profile documentaries, including “If These Walls Could Sing,” “Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop,” and “Shania Twain: Not Just A Girl.”
Click here for more details and pre-order information.
Rock The Bells, AfroFuture, AfroVerse and Sixthman festivals have announced the first-ever AfroCruise which will sail from Miami, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas. The cruise will depart on March 29, 2024 and will arrive on April 1. The multi-day event will feature performances from some of the biggest African artists and will also showcase African and diasporic culture through food and fashion.
Linking together travel, live music, and a cultural celebration, the AfroCruise is one of the first events of its kind. Hosted on the Norwegian Pearl, the celebration still possesses all of the amenities and elements normal to an extravagant cruise ship. Attendees will have access to the boat’s fully stocked bars, dining options, pools, casino, spa, fitness center, and more.
Amongst the hustle and bustle of a standard cruise, the event also boasts an impressive roster of performing artists. Headlined by Nigeria’s Adekunle Gold and Ayra Starr, AfroCruise gives guests the opportunity to experience some of the best music from all over the world. The aim is to fully immerse attendees into the sounds and sensibilities of Afrobeats and Amapiano music.
Ayra Starr
AfroCruise will also feature multiple different cultural events and workshops. In addition to traditional cruise ship tournaments and activities, there will also be an event focused on the African rice dish Jollof, a West African BBQ, and several different themed parties.
Rock The Bells was founded in 2018 by acclaimed rapper LL Cool J and Geoff Yang. The organization creates content and experiences within hip-hop culture. Together, with their partners Afrofuture, AfroVerse and Sixthman festivals, the collective looks to create an event that celebrates and encapsulates contemporary African and Disaporic culture. Click here for reservations and more details
From never ending winters to erratic springtime temperatures, New York weather can be brutal. For communities across the Empire State, summer is a time to work outside, enjoy wildlife, and of course catch some live music. Residing in the southeastern corner of NY, the picturesque Catskill Mountains provide the perfect setting for local performances and shows.
Catskill Mountains – Taste of Country Music Festival
Warm weather means it’s time for residents in the region to trade in snowboards and skis for folding chairs and picnic blankets. Teeming with countless unique small towns and villages, there’s plenty of live performances to catch in the area. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best Catskill summer concert series and performances to see this year.
Greenville Summer Concert Series
The Greenville Summer Concert Series is a free, family-friendly concert series that happens Tuesdays from 6–7:30 PM at Veterans Park in Greenville, New York. The concerts are held at the intersection of Routes 32 and 81. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, pack a picnic, or buy dinner from Church Street Caterers. The kickoff event features the Michael Benedict Quartet and ice cream from Stewart’s Shops of Greenville. Other acts include Lustre Kings, Moonshine Mule, Dusk Til Dawn, and more. The series is sponsored by the Greenville Rotary, among others.
Voted “Best Place for Live Music” in the Best of Greene County Awards, enjoy Music in the Park every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at Dutchman’s Landing Park on Main Street in Catskill. Concerts are free to the public. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy great live music on the shores of the beautiful Hudson River. If rainy, concerts are moved to the Historic Catskill Point at 1 Main Street. Presented by the Heart of Catskill Association. Photo credit: Keith Collesides.
Here for more details and information | 518-943-0989
June 22 — Guilty Pleasure—pop rock
June 29 — Lustre Kings—rock and roll
July 6 — Back to the Garden—Woodstock tribute
July 13—Lex Grey and The Urban Pioneers—award-winning blues band
July 28—Lex Grey and The Urban Pioneers—blues/rock
Aug. 3—The Lost Cowboys—classic country
Aug.10—Soul Purpose—Motown soul
Aug. 17—In The Dust—country & Western
Aug. 24—Second Chance—local rock heroes
Aug. 31—Dead Beats—Grateful Dead tribute band
Sept. 7—Alexis P Suter—award-winning blues singer
WINDHAM MOUNTAIN RESORT, WINDHAM
Windham Mountain Facebook
Music on the Mountain Series
Music on the Mountain takes place Fridays from 6-8:30 p.m. at Windham Mountain. This free concert series features local artists, cover bands and some of New York City’s favorite performers. Additionally, there are raffles, a BBQ and scenic sky rides during the early portion of the event. No tickets or reservations needed. Outside food, beverages and pets are not allowed. Windham Mountain is located at 19 Resort Drive, Windham, NY.
Here for more details and information | 518-734-4300
July 7—10 Most Wanted —soul/funk/R&B/rock
July 14—Soul Purpose—soul/funk/R&B
July 21—Guilty Pleasure—pop rock
July 28—The Four 26—rock
Aug. 4—Serene Green—bluegrass
Aug. 11—Rollin’Rust—indie/folk
Aug. 18—Dial Up!—1990s songs
Aug. 25—Die Schlauberger—renditions of German favorites
Sept. 1—The Outcrops—blues-infused rock n’ roll
RIVERSIDE PARK, COXSACKIE
Coxsackie Music in the Park Series
Every Sunday from 6-8pm. Concerts are free to the public. Pack a chair or blanket and enjoy riverside entertainment at the spacious Coxsackie Riverside Park, Betke Boulevard, Coxsackie.
Here for more details and information | 518-731-2718
June 25—Lex Grey & the Urban Pioneers—fusion of old-school blues & classic rock
July 2—Donna Tritico Band—mix of blues, R&B and rock
July 9—Nite Train—award-winning rockin’ blues, funk & R&B
July 16—Samantha Jane Band—jazz standards quartet
July 23—Hammerhead Horns—old-timey blues, ragtime and honkytonk
July 30—Playing with Fire—classic rock & roots
Aug. 6—Night Moves—classic rock; country; 50’s thru 90’s
Aug. 13—Silver Chain Band—playing BB King, Muddy Waters & other greats
Aug. 20—Nite Train—award-winning rockin’ blues, funk & R&B
Aug. 27—Lustre Kings with Mark Gamsjager—rockabilly; real roots rock & roll
RIVERFRONT PARK, ATHENS
Athens Performing Arts Corporation 2023 Summer Concert Series
Athens Summer Concert Series takes place every Friday night from 7-9 p.m. at Riverfront Park, 1 Water Street, Athens. Spend a night under the stars and enjoy this free concert series on the banks of the Hudson River.
Here for more details and information | 518-522-9470
July 14—Les Dudek—rock music legend
July 21—Dark Desert Eagles—world premier Eagles tribute
July 28—Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen—Grammy-winning New Orleans funk
Aug. 4—Double Vision-The Foreigner Experience—rock cover band
Aug.11—Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds—soul, rock, dirty funk
Aug. 18—Conehead Buddha—rock, ska, funk, Latin, reggae, jam, hop
The Huntington Arts Council (HAC) is bringing live music to Long Island during the entire month of July with the Huntington Summer Arts Festival. The festival is now in its 48th season and features performances from July 1- 30. Concerts will take place at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Heckscher Park.
Free to attendees, the Huntington Summer Arts Festival aims to celebrate established acts while also highlighting up-and-coming artists. This year’s celebration features festival regulars Huntington Community Band, who perform each Wednesday of the month. Concertgoers still have the chance to see Huntington favorites North Shore Pops Concert Band.
Red Baraat
This summer’s roster of musicians come from a diverse set of musical backgrounds. Genres like swing jazz, latin, R&B/Soul, rock, and classical are all represented at the festival. In addition to music, the Huntington Summer Arts Festival also includes dance and theatrical performances. The group Sol Y Sombra Spanish Dance Company performed earlier this month. Attendees however will still have the opportunity to catch the L.I. Dance Consortium is set to take the stage on July 23.
Created in 1963, The Huntington Arts Council has been a pillar in the Long Island arts scene. The organization looks to celebrate and nourish the cultural diversity of Long Island through different avenues. HAC is involved with constructing and sponsoring a multitude of activities, programs, and events. The Council maintains that “the arts create a vibrant, energized, and culturally rich environment”.
Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Co.
Along with the Huntington Summer Arts Festival, HAC has also collaborated with the Folk Music Society of Huntington to bring back the Huntington Folk Festival on July 22. Co-headliners Lucy Kaplansky and Cliff Eberhardt take the stage at 8, with the festival getting underway at 12:30.
Below is the upcoming schedule for the Summer Arts Festival. Sunday performances start at 7:00PM, all others performances start at 8:00PM, unless noted. Here for a full list of the lineup and more details about the festival.
Remaining Schedule
Wednesday, July 19 – Huntington Community Band, “Una Celebracion de la Musica Latina”- 7:00PM Jazz Band start time, 8:00 PM Concert Band start time
Thursday, July 20 – North Shore Pops Concert Band– Northport Community Band- 8:30PM NPT Park
Friday, July 21 – Huntington Latin Night: Tito Rodriguez Jr. Orchestra- 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 22 – 16th Huntington Folk Festival, Cliff Eberhardt & Lucy Kaplansky- Festival at 12:30PM, headliners at 8:00PM
Sunday, July 23 – L.I. Dance Consortium, “Long Island Dances!- 7:00PM
Wednesday, July 26 – Huntington Community Band,”…and Home Again!”- 8:00PM
Thursday, July 27 – Swing Sessions with Dudley Music & Guests- 7:30PM
Thursday, July 27 – Northport Community Band- 8:30PM NPT Park
Saturday, July 29 – Jazz Loft Big Band, Tom Manuel Conductor, and Nicole Zuraitis- 8:00PM
Sunday, July 30 – Orchestra L.I., David Stewart Wiley, Conductor “In Concert With Nature”- 7:00PM
The annual Ganondagan Indigenous Music and Arts Festival returns on July 22 and 23. The event runs 10AM-5PM on both Saturday and Sunday at the Seneca Art & Culture Center in Victor, NY. The festival is free to the public, however donations will go toward funding future events.
Ganondagan is a historic site located on the original ground of a 17th century Seneca town. Taking up over 500 acres, the site honors the way in which the Seneca people have influenced everything from political philosophy to our concept of the natural environment. Since its construction in 2015, the Seneca Art and Culture Center has acted as a space to demonstrate Haudenosaunee contributions to art, culture, and society.
The Sinquah Family Dance Troupe
The Ganondagan Indigenous Music and Arts Festival looks to highlight Haudenosaunee and Indigenous culture through various ways. The festival will include dancing, storytelling, traditional crafts, a Native American arts market, food, live music and more.
Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the Wampum/OTGOÄ Exhibition in the Seneca Art & Culture Center. In addition to the tour, there will be on-demand t-shirt screen printing with artwork from artist Peter Jemison (Seneca). Organizers encourage visitors to bring their own 100% cotton shirt to have screen printed.
The artists performing at the festival represent several different cultures and groups. This year’s lineup of performers includes Native folk-rock band, December Wind (Mohawk). There will also be dancers from the Sinquah Family Dance Troupe (Hopi/Tewa/Choctaw) and the Haudenosaunee social dancers, Indigenous Spirit Dancers. In addition to music and dance, the festival will feature storytelling from Ronnie Reitter (Seneca) & Tonia Galban (Mohawk). Artists Samantha Jacobs (Seneca), Cliff Redeye (Seneca), and Marilyn Issacs (Tuscarora) are also all scheduled to host demonstrations.
December Wind- Facebook
December Wind is a Native folk-rock band led by two-time Native American Music Award-winning artist, Atsiaktonkie (Mohawk) accompanied by bass guitarist, Terry Terrance (Mohawk). Together, the group expertly fuses folk-rock with the sounds of Akwesasne/Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) culture. December Wind songs are filled with stories of love, hope, the struggles of native peoples and the beauty of their heritage.
Here for more details and information about the Ganondagan Indigenous Music and Arts Festival.
Two of the biggest acts in Latin rap, Gera MX and Nanpa Básico, will stop at Palladium Times Square on November 3 as part of the Que Chimba La Raza Tour. The 11-city American tour gets underway on August 31 in Los Angeles.
Gera MX- Facebook
Born Gerardo Daniel Torres Montana, Gera MX has skyrocketed to global fame in large part because of his 2021 song “Botella Tras Botella”. The track made history, becoming the first regional Mexican song to ever debut on the Billboard Hot 100. With origins in Latin boom-bap, Gera MX has steadily added to his vivid, personal, and hard-hitting lyrics. His current sound is decidedly unique, infusing traditional latin rap songs with elements of ranchera and reggaeton. Once a mainstay in the Mexican rap scene, Gera MX has carved a lane for himself in the international Latin landscape.
Colombian artist Nanpa Básico started making music back in 2012. Since then, the Medellín native has racked up millions of fans from around the world. Básico’s music is intimate, vulnerable, and diverse in its sound. From melodic Latin love songs to hard hitting street raps, Básico is constantly looking to express different parts of his identity and life. His 2022 album HECHO M13RD4 made waves for its melancholic atmosphere and heartbreaking tracks. The album included features from Ryan Castro, Santa Fe Klan, and of course Gera MX.
Tickets will be available via an artist presale starting on Wednesday, July 12 at 10 AM. The general on-sale for the Que Chimba La Raza Tour will start on Friday, July 14 at 10 AM here.
TOUR DATES
Thu, Aug 31 — Los Angeles, CA — The Wiltern
Fri, Sep 01 — Anaheim, CA — House of Blues
Sat, Sep 02 — San Francisco, CA — The Fillmore
Thu, Sep 07 — Houston, TX — 713 Music Hall
Fri, Sep 08 — Dallas, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Sun, Sep 10 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren
Thu, Nov 02 — New York, NY — Palladium Times Square
