NYS Music 2023

Author: Henry Fisher

  • Perelman Performing Arts Center to Open in Lower Manhattan this September

    The final public piece of the reconstruction of the World Trade Center, the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC), will be opening in September 2023. Executive Director Khady Kamara and Artistic Director Bill Rauch announced recently that the facility would be opening after 20 years of labor to create a new heart of culture in lower Manhattan.

    Perelman Performing Arts Center
    Perelman Performing Arts Center exterior at day. Credit: Field Condition

    The vision for the PAC began almost 20 years ago as a part of the original master plan for reconstructing the World Trade Center during Michael Bloomberg’s time as mayor of NYC. Bloomberg currently acts as the chair for the project. Named after Ronald O. Perelman, a businessman, philanthropist, and benefactor, the building was designed by the architecture firm REX, with many interior spaces being designed by Rockwell Group.

    According to a recent article by the New York Times, the building has gone through a lot of changes over its 20-year development. Even without formally changing the name of the building, the institution has switched from calling it “the Perelman” to “the PAC.” Though the namesake of the PAC, Ronald Perelman, has his name on the building, former mayor Bloomberg has now contributed more capital, totaling at $130 million.

    Our goal in developing the artistic program is to innovate – providing exciting new ways
    for artists to create, collaborate, and share their work with a broad public – while representing and celebrating the humanity of our city in all its fullness. Whoever you are, wherever you come from, we want you to be able to find yourself in the PAC and find your connection to everyone else who shares in the work we do.

    Artistic Director of PAC Bill Rauch

    A defining feature of the building’s façade are the 5,000 panels of bookmatched marble. They allow for light to cast an amber glow into the building in the day and for the building to produce an amber glow at night. The panels were quarried and cut in Portugal, fabricated with glass in France, and assembled into panels in Germany.

    Perelman Performing Arts Center
    Perimeter interior of the PAC, with marble panels visible. Credit: Laurian Ghinitoiu

    The interior design is also unique, with three modular stages that can quickly merge or separate depending on the venue’s requirements. Independently, the three stages include: the John E. Zuccotti Theater, which seats up to 450; the Mike Nichols Theater, which seats up to 250; and the Doris Duke Theater, which seats up to 99. Altogether, their capacities range from 99 to 950 people.

    Perelman Performing Arts Center
    A render of a theater in PAC. Credit: REX

    The interior of the eight-story structure is divided into three main sections. The “public” level includes the John C. Whitehead Lobby, which features a stage for free performances, a restaurant, a bar, and the Dalio Family Terrace. The “artist” level has the necessary support spaces for artists at the center, whereas the top level, the “play” level has the three theaters and a rehearsal space.

    Perelman Performing Arts Center
    Render of the restaurant on the “public” level. Credit: Rockwell Group

    Leading PAC is Executive Director Khady Kamara, who has more than 24 years of theater management experience. Prior to being executive director at PAC, Kamara was executive director for Second Stage in NYC. She would go on to win a Tony Award in 2022 as a member of the leadership team for “Take Me Out.” As a part of her extensive non-profit background, Kamara had a 20-year career with Arena Stage in Washington DC.

    Responding to the sanctity of the World Trade Center site and the humanistic
    aspirations of the PAC’s mission, our design empowers artistic teams to imagine and create a vast range of performances and audience experiences, within a building that addresses its setting with respect and warmth.

    Joshua Ramus, founding principal of REX

    Bill Rauch acts as PAC’s artistic director, and has worked as a theater director in venues ranging from small community centers to the largest in the country. He has been a part of productions of the Tony Award-winning “All The Way” and its sequel “The Great Society,” as well as directed seven world premieres of plays.

    While details for the opening Fall shows have yet to be announced, more information and updates can be found on the PAC’s website.

  • Hearing Aide: Alec Betterley’s LP “River Gone”

    On June 9, Alec Betterley released his new LP River Gone, a piece of ethereal and dreamy music that employs each of its instruments excellently. For the most part, the LP feels like a bedtime story, which is fitting given the opening song “Tell Me a Story.” This standard is mixed up throughout the LP, adding some extra variety.

    Album cover for “River Gone,” with artwork by Gregory Hedderman.

    Based in Upstate NY, Alec Betterley is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music therapist who first got his start with a four track recorder all the way back in middle school. He has gone on to be a founding member of the groups My Friend Other, as well as Toys and Tiny Instruments. The LP was produced in a “30 songs in 30 days” project in May 2022.

    “River Gone” was written and recorded in the very late/extremely early hours before the kids awoke. A record about parenting, anxiety, insomnia, sweet dreams, golden hour light, violence in America, longtime partnerships and all the sparkle and sorrow in between. The li’l stuff.

    Alec Betterley

    River Gone opens with “Tell Me a Story,” which features lyrics from Missy Lees. Her vocals, also included in “In City We Swing” and “River Gone,” help bring the LP into the ethereal, dream realm that it often finds itself in. It sets the standard for the rest of “River Gone” with its tone, and is a fitting opening given the vocalists askes for “a song of all of our days.”

    Around 3:15 in “Tell Me a Story,” there is a music box-like sound that makes it feel as though the song takes place in a child’s bedroom. It is only there for a few seconds, but it is a nice detail.

    The next two songs, “We’ll Never Go To Heaven” and “Anastasia” pick up the pace quite a bit from “Tell Me A Story.” While they do not fit as well as other songs in River Gone, but they are a welcome addition. “Anastasia” in particular is a personal favorite, echoing tunes somewhat similar to Elton John. After the halfway point, the electric guitar (Colin Summers) and the piano do their own version of a call and response, their notes bouncing off of each other and occasionally joining together in a dance-like fashion.

    Following these, the LP returns to its dreamy theme for the most part. The next song of note is “Spectators,” which feels like a very personal song with no other part credited in the piece. Betterley’s warm vocals and the soft tunes of an acoustic guitar dominates the song, though some strings near the end begins to elevate the piece back to that ethereal realm. The guitar closes off the song alone, the very slight creaks of wood at the end adding a special charm.

    “We Talk About Everything” goes back to the quick pace of “We’ll Never Go To Heaven” and “Anastasia,” but this is done in a slow increase throughout the piece. It rises from more mumbled vocals and few instruments to the upbeat and instrument-filled conclusion.

    The titular song, “River Gone” starts with something no other song seems to do, a rise from the last note of the previous song, “Only Me” to the pace and the pitch of “River Gone.” Betterley and Lees perform a beautiful call and response for this song, with Lees’s chorus having nearly every word punctuated by a note from the piano. There’s a notable exception around 2:05 where most of the instruments cut suddenly, letting Lees’s vocals stand out.

    The “River Gone” from Alec Betterley is available on Bandcamp and on Spotify. For more information on the artist, be sure to check out his website.

  • Punk Island NYC’s “Quinceañera” Forced to Downsize

    On June 14, Punk Island NYC announced that they had to reduce the number of stages for their upcoming “Quinceañera” festival from five to three at the American Veteran’s Memorial Pier in Brooklyn due to circumstances out of their control. Though their stages have been reduced, Punk Island has retained 75% of their lineup, and the free event is still to be on June 18.

    Artwork by Cristy Road Carrera / @croadcore on Instagram

    Punk Island is a community of punks who love music, musicians, fans, friends, and family. They aim to bring the vitality, diversity, and intensity of the NYC punk scene into the light of day. These efforts have culminated annually for the past 15 years, as free, all-ages music festivals.

    While they tried to explore alternatives to allow all the bands to play, their efforts were rejected. Punk Island was forced to cut bands from the roster, all of which have been contacted. The organization is currently unable to provide specific details on the situation, but are willing to have in-person or over the phone discussions with those that may need further clarification.

    None of these cuts were made lightly. We deeply apologize for this unfortunate situation. We made every effort to maintain the event in its original form, but ultimately, our influence is limited.… To the bands that were dropped from the lineup, we want to assure you that your participation is secured for next year’s event.

    Punk Island NYC

    Updated Roster

    Apes of the State

    Balcony Talk

    Choked Up

    Cometa Negra

    Eevie Echoes

    The Locations

    Enrage

    Final Girls

    For Lack of a Term

    Foul Pride

    Gal

    Hardly Fits

    Hecho en Brooklyn

    His Sweatshirt

    Incircles

    Jekssaira

    Lifers

    M.A.L.A.

    Mikey Erg

    Monte

    Moxie Pocket

    Negative Raxxxx

    No Call No Show

    RBNX

    Rebelmatic

    Sheila

    Shred Flintstone

    The Dream of When

    Uncle Pizza

    The festival will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, check out Punk Island’s Linktree.

  • President Biden Announces Major Ticketing Companies to Eliminate ‘Junk Fees’

    President Joe Biden, in a briefing on June 15, spoke on his progress in eliminating “junk fees” that companies often charge. Many major ticketing companies, such as Live Nation, SeatGeek, and xBk will be switching to “all-in” ticket pricing, where all fees will be disclosed upfront.

    Joe Biden Junk Fees

    As stated in his State of the Union Address, Joe Biden planned to fight against junk fees. These junk fees are hidden charges that companies add onto a person’s bills without them really being able to do anything about it. This can often pose an issue for working class people, where these extra charges can quickly add up. For the live music industry, this often occurs at the end of the purchasing process after a person has already spent time comparing options. According to Biden, the solution to this is “all-in pricing,” where all fees are presented upfront in order to not surprise consumers at the end of their purchase.

    Biden mentioned several companies represented at the briefing who had already been using the process, such as TickPick, DICE, Newport Festival Foundation, and Airbnb. Some had been using all-in pricing for years, whereas others, like Airbnb, only started recently.

    One of the companies to recently agree to this plan was Live Nation, which will automatically list all prices at its own venues upfront starting this September. Customers will also have the option of an all-in option for all other tickets on the platform. Other companies joining it include: SeatGeek, a smaller, mobile-focused ticketing company; and xBk, a small venue in Des Moines, Iowa.

    This is real transparency, which leads to more competition, brings down costs for working Americans, keeps growing our economy from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down.

    President Joe Biden

    Biden called for competitors to these companies to follow suit and adopt this pricing model as well. He affirmed that this was not the final step, and there was more work to do to address issues in the online ticketing industry and with junk fees. Biden also thanked Congress for the legislation they are working on to address junk fees across industries.

    A transcript of President Biden’s briefing can be found on the White House website.

  • Harlem Stage’s 40th Anniversary Season

    Harlem Stage has announced its 40th Anniversary Season, taking place from September 2023 to June 2024. It aims to celebrate Harlem Stage as an institution that has been a platform for emerging and established artists of color. Many of the events for the 2023-2024 season feature artists with whom Harlem Stage has built long-term relationships.

    Credit: Harlem Stage

    Aaron Davis Hall, Inc., later named the Harlem Stage, was opened in 1983 to provide resources, a platform, and an audience for artists of color due to their unequal treatment and recognition. For almost 40 years, the organization has championed the unique and diverse artistic legacy of Harlem. They continue to be a voice for justice as well as historical examination and denunciation of racism and its legacy.

    Harlem Stage has hosted legendary artists, including Harry Belafonte, Max Roach, Sekou Sundiata, Abbey Lincoln, Sonia Sanchez, Eddie Palmieri, Maya Angelou, and Tito Puente. The organization has also won the Association of Performing Arts Presenters William Dawson Award for Programming Excellence and Sustained Achievement in Programming.

    Harlem Stage began in a time of great inequity, resulting in a form of censorship by exclusion of visionary artists of color. Our intent was to level the playing field by supporting the development of their new work in new forms. Artists of color are constantly in a dialogue with their worlds—and Harlem Stage has always sought to be a place where all of our constituents can engage in the kind of transformative discourse that enriches our lives and broadens our horizons.

    Artistic Director and CEO Patricia Cruz

    Events

    WaterWorks Commissions

    A signature program of the Harlem Stage, WaterWorks is intended to identify and cultivate emerging or established artists of color. It engages with the community through residencies and educational activities.

    On Dec. 9, 2023 is the “WaterWorks Emerging Artists Showcase,” which will feature artists such as: interdisciplinary performing artist and painter Shantelle Courvoisier Jackson; singer/songwriter Hannah Lemmons; choreographer and dancer Bobby Morgan; interdisciplinary artist, composer, and pianist Mary Prescott; and trumpeter and composer Kalí Rodríguez-Peña.

    March 29 and 30, 2024 will have Ambrose Akinmusire performing “Banyan.” It is an intersection of griot, mentor, and oral historian in social history that culminates in this multi-part suite.

    On May 3 and 4, 2024, Tamar-kali will be presenting excerpts from the work-in-progress opera “Black Damask.” The opera is about the life and times William Dorsey Swann, who is the first to dub himself as a “queen of drag.” Following the excerpts will be a discussion with the creators of the opera.

    E-Moves

    “E-Moves” is Harlem Stage’s flagship dance series and has showcased movement-based creations for over 20 years. For the 40th Anniversary Season, Harlem Stage is inviting back several artists critical to the institutions dance legacy.

    On a yet-to-be-announced date is Kyle Abraham, who created “Pavement” through the WaterWorks program and first performed with E-Moves in 2006.

    EVIDENCE and Ronald K. Brown will return on Oct. 13 and 14, 2023 for a not-to-be-missed performance featuring work from an emerging choreographer, as selected by Brown. EVIDENCE first performed with the organization in 1998.

    April 19 and 20, 2024 will feature the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Their performance in 2024 will include an emerging artist selected by Jones. They performed at the opening of the Harlem Stage Gatehouse in 2006.

    On May 17 and 18, 2024, nora chipaumire is presenting “ShebeenDUB” featuring three dancers and a dub DJ. A monumental sound installation, the “soundshitsystem” will be used for the performance. The installation was designed by Ari Marcopoulos and Kara Walker, and constructed by Matt Jackson Studio. nora chipaumire herself is based in Berlin, Germany and Harare, Zimbabwe.

    Camilla A. Brown, first in E-Moves in 2004, is returning June 14 and 15, 2024. She is presenting her own work alongside the work of her associate choreographers: Rickey Tripp; Mayte Natalio; Chloe Davis; and Maleek Washington. The theme for the night is “BLACK JOY.”

    Guest Curated Programs

    On March 1 and 2, 2024, Vijay Iyer is returning to guest curate and perform in “Eternal Spirit: Vijay Iyer and Friends Celebrate the Music of Andrew Hill.” The ensemble includes: drummer Nasheet Waits; trumpet player Milena Casado; and saxophonist Mark Shim. Iyer originally wrote a commissioned work with the Harlem Hall called “Holding It Down.”

    Jason Moran will guest curate and perform on April 26 and 27, 2024 for “Pianos for Duke Reimagined: Featuring Jason Moran, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Friends.” Moran originally played Duke Ellington’s music in 1999 with Harlem Stage for “Piano’s For Duke” alongside other superstars of piano. The event for April is to be presented on the 125th anniversary of Ellington’s birth.

    Special Projects

    Sept. 14, 2023 will have the “Harlem Stage 40th Anniversary Concert” in collaboration with Bryant Park. A thus-far unannounced major jazz artist will be performing.

    On Oct. 20 and 21, 2023, Craig Harris will be presenting “TONGUES OF FIRE (in a harlem state of mind),” a combination of music, poetry, and movement. It is an exploration of the evolution of the Harlem community from the ’70s to present day.

    “In the Court of the Conqueror,” performed by george emilio sanchez, will be on Nov. 3, 2023. It is a solo performance that revolves around the 200-year-old Supreme Court ruling that reduced sovereignty for native nations, juxtaposed against sanchez’s own experiences with Indigenous identity in an Ecuadorian immigrant household.

    On March 22 and 23, 2024, Stew’s “HIGH SUBSTITUTE FOR THE DREAD LECTURER: Baraka Jones in Dub” will be featured. It is in the spirit of his other work, the critically acclaimed “NOTES OF A NATIVE SONG,” and is focused on the twin influences of his life and art.

    Uptown Nights

    To be fully announced in September 2023, “Uptown Nights” will feature “Uptown Nights Latinx Music Series” from Sept. to Dec. 2023. Uptown Nights is a music series that presents an array of artists from across genres.

    For more information, check out Harlem Stage’s website.

  • Rock the Locks Brings Bands and History to Albany, Buffalo, Rochester

    Nine bands will be playing as a part of “Rock the Locks,” a rock and roll showcase with six shows near three Upstate NY cities: Albany, Buffalo, and Rochester. The shows will take place on July 7, July 8, Aug. 4, and Aug. 5.

    Rock the Locks events are being presented by Rockin’ Rochester Productions, Hey Greasy! and Yace Booking. Each of the three cities has three bands playing, and each has two events. The three groups of bands switch between cities for the different dates, excluding the city that they are native to.

    The name is a callback to the Erie Canal, which passes by all three cities. Locks 1 and 2 are near one end in Albany, locks 65 and 66 near Rochester, and locks 67-71 near Buffalo in Lockport. Locks were used to raise and lower boats traveling through the canal, and were a key part of the system’s infrastructure. Mules were often used to pull boats along, with mules and canal boats pictured in the Rock the Locks promotional material.

    Albany

    Taking place across the river in Troy at No Fun, the two concerts here will be on July 8 and Aug. 5, with doors opening at 7:00 p.m.. The first show will feature Thee Isolators, The Evil Things, and The Burkharts, with the second show featuring Aweful Kanawful, Low Spirits, and Jazz Goons.

    The tickets are $10 for advanced payment and $13 at the door. More information can be found on No Fun’s website.

    Buffalo

    At Nietzsche’s in Buffalo, the concerts will be on Friday, July 7 and Saturday, Aug. 5. For the Friday show, doors will open at 9:00 p.m., with the show starting at 10:00 p.m.. Bands on that day will include Aweful Kanawful, Low Spirits, and Jazz Goons. For the Saturday show, doors will open at 8:00 p.m., with the show starting at 9:00 p.m.. Bands on that day will include Flavour, Abysmals, and Safety Meeting.

    For both dates, tickets are $10. More information can be found on Nietzsche’s website.

    Rochester

    The two concerts in Rochester will be held at Lux on July 7 and on Aug. 4, starting at 10:00 p.m.. For the first show, Flavour, Abysmals, and Safety Meeting will be featured. For the second show, Thee Isolators, The Evil Things, and The Burkharts will be featured.

    Tickets are $5 for both dates. More information can be found on Lux’s website.

  • KeyBank Live at Larkin Square Series in Buffalo this Summer

    KeyBank Live at Larkin is a live music series in Larkin Square, Buffalo, that will feature artists on Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., from now until the end of August. Food trucks will be present for KeyBank Live and for Food Truck Tuesday, which also features live music.

    Larkin Square is located in the center of Larkinville, and originally opened in June 2012, operated by the Larkin Development Group. It is a hub for free family-friendly community events, which are presented by KeyBank and sponsored by Independent Health.

    KeyBank Live at Larkin

    Every Wednesday from now until the end of August, audiences can enjoy local music, food, and drink. After the conclusion of the concert in the square, live music continues into the Hydraulic Hearth Beer Garden across the street.

    Buffalo Afrobeat Orchestra – June 14

    Talking Dead Heads – June 21

    Big Easy in Buffalo ft. Lynn Drury Band & Leroy Townes Band – June 28

    Declan Miers’ All-Stars – July 5

    (Rescheduled Event) Dirty Work: A Tribute to Steely Dan ft. members of Aqueous & more – July 6

    Universal Phunk – July 12

    Alex McArthur Presents: Rae & the Spirits – July 19

    (Sold Out) Ticketed Beatles Night – July 26

    Blues 4 Vets ft. Miller & the Other Sinners, Jony James Band, Grace Stumberg & Bob James – Aug. 2

    Vitamin D & Friends Show Love 4 Prince – Aug. 9

    Handsome Jack – Aug. 16

    Grosh & Guests – Aug. 23

    Farrow & Friends – Aug. 30

    Food Truck Tuesday

    Food Truck Tuesday, regarded as “Buffalo’s biggest dinner party,” is returning for its 10th season. It will be held every Tuesday until the end of August from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the notable exception of July 4. Larkin Square will hold 20-25 food trucks from the Rochester and Buffalo regions each week, rotating between 38 food trucks. In addition to the trucks, local live music will be played in the square.

    Each truck will offer at least one certified Healthy Option, the item certified by the Independent Health Foundation. Seating will be available throughout the square, though guests are welcome to bring their own folding chairs.

    Alison Pipitone Band – June 13

    The Abruptors – June 20

    Walter Kemp 3 – June 27

    Kevin Hall Band – July 11

    Kathryn Koch Band – July 18

    Carol McLaughlin & Magnitude – July 25

    JJ White & Mojo Sauce – Aug. 1

    Sol Y Sombra – Aug. 8

    Dueling Pianos Band – Aug. 15

    The Kensingtons – Aug. 22

    Blaise Mercedes & the Crew – Aug. 29

    More information on these events can be found on Larkin Square’s website.

  • Summer in Downtown Series in Corning Coming Summer 2023

    Corning, NY’s Gaffer District is returning with their “Summer in Downtown” series this summer with a suite of events ranging from music to stories to farmers markets. This year, the program is sponsored by Williams Toyota, enabling free and accessible events to all attendees.

    For over 30 years, the Gaffer District has served as a place of community engagement and marketing. Originally built following the reconstruction of Corning’s historic downtown in the wake of a flood in 1972. Today, the district is home to over 250 businesses, galleries, museums, and a full schedule of events throughout the year.

    We are thrilled to partner again with Williams Toyota to present the Summer in Downtown event series. Their tremendous passion for this community is evident in the many ways they help us provide free entertainment and wonderful memory-making experiences for area residents and visitors alike.

    Coleen Fabrizi, executive director of Corning’s Gaffer District

    Summer in Downtown Series Events

    Community Nights

    Home to vendors, live music, and kid-friendly activities, Gaffer District will be holding two Community Nights. The first, “Crusin’ Community Night” is on July 28 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will feature the bands Chasing Neon as well as Blue Eyed Soul. The second, “Bites on Bridge Community Night” in on Aug. 25 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will include the band Double Barrel.

    Storytime in the Square

    Every Tuesday from June 13 to Aug. 22 is at 10:00 a.m. at the Centerway Square stage for an hour. Each day has a different theme, from “In the Good ol’ Summertime” to “Christmas in July.”

    Corning Farmers Market

    At the Riverfront in Corning on every Thursday from June 1 to Oct. 26 is the Corning Farmers Market. From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., local farmers and vendors will be there to sell their wares. A community favorite, Ella’s Acres food truck, will be there all summer long to serve locally-sourced cuisine.

    Northside Music Series

    All events for the Northside Music Series are from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.. This Corning Summer in Downtown will feature the following artists:

    Can’t Count Trio – July 11

    Sandra Esparza – July 18

    Payton Clark – July 25

    Dragonfly Acoustic – Aug. 1

    3’s a Crowd – Aug. 8

    Pat Comstock – Aug. 15

    Jeremy James – Aug. 22

    Tremayne Harer- Aug. 29

    Music in the Square

    All events for the Music in the Square series are from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.. This series will feature the following artists:

    Allengheny River Seneca Dancers – July 6

    Cayuga Klezmer Kapelye – July 13

    The Wilson Family and Isaiah Smallwood – July 20

    Doolin O’Dey – July 27

    Vanessa Santi – Aug. 3

    Top Shelf – Aug. 10

    Gerard Burke – Aug. 17

    Metku – Aug. 17

    More information for this year’s Summer in Downtown can be found on the Gaffer District’s website.

  • Celebrate Father’s Day at Dad Fest 2023 in Albany

    This Father’s Day, the City of Albany and the Air Force Reserve will hold the free annual event Dad Fest in Washington Park. The event features a classic car show and live music from a variety of bands. Festivities begin at 10:00 a.m. and will conclude by 6:00 p.m., allowing for a full day of celebration.

    Dad Fest 2022. Credit: CivMix

    This is the ninth year of the celebration, allowing families to relax and enjoy the early summer in Albany’s Washington Park. The event is open to all, not just Dads, with a bit of fun available for everyone.

    From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. will be the classic car show, which is being presented by Park Albany in partnership with Capital Car Shows & Air Force Reserve. 20% of the $15 registration fee will be going to the Henry Johnson Vet House of Albany. Spectating the event is free. 32 awards are available for those that participate.

    From 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. are the Gentlemen of Soul LSM, a soul, rhythm, and blues tribute band.

    From 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. is the band E.R.I.E., an indie rock quartet. The band was originally dreamt up on a hospital bed, with songwriter T.J. Foster writing and recording Don’t Wanna Live, Don’t Wanna Die as a reflection of his ordeals bringing him to the hospital and his past as a songwriter. Other members of the band include guitarist Matt Delgado, drummer Chad Flewwelling and bassist Levi Jennes.

    From 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mixed Roots, an AfroBeat and reggae band, will play. While they all now consider Albany home, Mixed Roots’ members come from a wide variety of backgrounds. The leader of the band, drummer and vocalist George, grew up in Accra, Ghana. He has shared his vocabulary of AfroBeat and reggae with the rest of the band, which includes: Irishman and bassist Brian; Irishman and guitarist Pete; Dave and Catherine playing trombone; and sax man Scott.

    The final performance from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. is Yesterday – The Beatles Tribute. They are the longest running show at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, and were recently voted the #1 tribute act in Las Vegas by The Fremont St. Experience.

    For more information, check out the Albany Office of Cultural Affairs website’s page for the event. More information for the car show can be found here. The rain date for Dad Fest is June 25.

  • Hearing Aide: Organ Fairchild’s New Single “Chamelonious Monk”

    Organ Fairchild, a funky jam band out from Buffalo, have released their new single, “Chamelonious Monk.” The band are previous winners of NYS Music’s 2021 March Madness and their new single holds to their name, with an organ undercurrent and a signature guitar riff to carry on through the song.

    Organ Fairchild was formed in 2020 by Joe Bellanti (organ, keys), Corey Kertzie (drums) and Dave Ruch (guitar), members of a Grateful Dead cover band “White Nights.” Though they debuted right before the COVID-19 pandemic, the three-piece instrumental band has had a successful rise through sold out shows and performances across the Northeast.

    “In Organ Fairchild’s world, chamelon (not chameleon) rhymes with HAM-a-LAHN and refers to a person of exceptional ability and taste. And if you’re a chamelon, well, things you do are chamelonious. So now we’re getting dangerously close to jazz musician Thelonious Monk’s first name, so we added the word Monk to the title and included some signature Monk-like dissonant chords in the climbing part of the song (chords containing half-step intervals for the musicians out there…).”

    Dave Ruch, the band’s guitarist

    Their new single was recorded and mixed by Justin Guip of Milan Hill Studio and mastered by Alan Evans of Soulive.

    For nearly the whole of “Chamelonious Monk,” Bellanti’s organ acts as the cushion for the many highs of the song to fall back on. That is not to say that the organ does not get its chance to shine, but it often keeps the song flowing. Kertzie’s drums are the bridge between the organ and the guitar, cushioning when the organ cannot and leading when the guitar is not.

    Ruch’s guitar has a signature riff through the piece, which often leads the song through its various phases. One of the best uses of the guitar comes in at around the three minute mark, where it briefly stands alone after a small crescendo. The organ rises behind it, slowly taking focus before the drums snatches it away.

    To check out “Chamelonious Monk” by Organ Fairchild on various streaming services, check out this page. For more on the band and their upcoming shows, take a look at their website.