On Sunday, May 22, 2016, Dave Mustaine paused during Megadeth’s performance at Rock’N Derby, to pay tribute to former Megadeth drummer, Nick Menza.
Mustaine asked the crowd for a moment of silence and what can be heard is a crowd quiet as can be, a solid 30 seconds of silence, before a drum solo begins that lead into “Trust,” off Cryptic Writings.
Among other praise, Dave Mustaine said, “Nick went to heavy metal heaven last night.” When the band finished their final song and took their bows, Mustaine addressed the crowd, saying, “I usually say, ‘You’ve been great, we’ve been Megadeth.’ But Nick, you’ve been great. I love you, buddy.”
Megadeth was part of the incredible lineup at the 2016 festival Rock’N Derby, a multi-faceted entertainment festival held east of Troy, at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds. The three-day event featured demolition derbies, wrestling, fair-style food, overnight camping and metal and rock bands including Five Fiver Death Punch, Lamb of God, Halestorm, A Day to Remember, Shinedown, Sevendust, Sixx A.M., Trivium, Coheed & Cambria, and of course, Megadeth.
Roughly 7,000 to 9,000 people attended Rock’N Derby each of the three days, coming from all over the country to see a stellar lineup like this.
Three stages hosted the bands on the Upstate Concert Hall Arena Stage (set up in one of the fair’s agricultural barns), and two larger stages, the Rock’N Stage and the Derby Stage, both outdoors and on opposite ends of the grounds.
Today is May 18, or, 518 Day. The 518 is a huge region of New York State, an area code established in 1947 and covering 24 counties.
Extending from the Mohawk Valley just west of Utica, to the Vermont and Massachusetts borders, and north to Canada, the 518 includes Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Glens Falls, Plattsburgh and the entire North Country, Saranac Lake and the entire High Peaks region, plus Schoharie, Catskill, Hunter and Caroga Lake.
Among this wide swath of the state is a great deal of music, from bands to venues, festivals to promoters, concert series and figures in the scene, the 518 has a rich amount of music, so much that we thought a great way to celebrate 518 Day (May 18), was to come up with a list of Five Hundred Eighteen things that make the 518 a great place for music.
But we only had a week, so in working with our friends at 518scene.com, we came up with at least a start – 51.8 (rounded up to 52) music venues, bands, promoters, series and more, that make the 518 so great. Read our list below and their list here.
1. Caffè Lena
Founded in 1960 by Lena Spencer, Caffè Lena is the oldest continually running coffee house in the country. Home to an incredible array of folk, Americana, blues and international acts, this Saratoga Springs institution is a must for any music lover in the 518 and beyond
2. The Waterhole
Nestled in the Adirondack town of Saranac Lake, The Waterhole is a staple of the community, with concert series such as Party on the Patio, Saturday Night at the Waterhole, plus a packed calendar of music during Winter Carnival each year. If you’re in the Adirondacks for vacation this summer, stop in to see Eric and Kiki and catch a show at the fabled venue.
3. Tupper Lake Summer Sunset Concert Series
Just west of Saranac Lake on Route 3, you’ll find the town of Tupper Lake, and with it a pair of summer concert series, held on Monday and Wednesday nights. You’ll find unbelievable sunsets on Tupper Lake, a backdrop for music that photos just don’t do justice.
4. Ominous Seapods
A band that calls the greater 518 home, Ominous Seapods have long praised the region with songs like “Leaving the Monopole” and “Pull from Adirondack Blue,” the group have reunited in recent years to great fanfare, including guitarist Dana Monteith flying in from Australia for the shows.
5. The Park Theater
Glens Falls is undergoing a renaissance as of late, with a great deal of businesses, shops and restaurants peppering downtown and Glen Street, with the Park Theater a centerpiece to it all. The venue brings in national artist, comedy acts, jazz acts, Third Thursday and much more, as well as an educational partnership with nearby districts, bringing in a new generation of sound and light technicians.
6. Memorial Meltdown
Coming up over Memorial Day Weekend, the Charles R. Wood festival commons in Lake George will host the second Memorial Meltdown, featuring Twiddle and Frends, Dogs in a Pile, TAUK, One Time Weekend, Annie in the Water and much more. Tickets are on sale now.
7. Palace Theatre
Opened during the height of the Great Depression, Albany’s Palace Theatre shines brightly, entering its 10th decade and continues to host artists from all genres in a beautifully restored venue.
Artwork by Kelly Garrett
8. Annie in the Water
With a fanbase that is spread to every corner of the 518, and well beyond, Annie in the Water have established their catchy Indie/Americana sound all throughout the state, with fresh songwriting and energetic live performances a hallmark of their New York presence.
9. Caroga Arts Collective and Caroga Lake Music Festival
Located northwest of Amsterdam, the quiet town of Caroga Lake has woken up in recent years thanks to the Caroga Arts Collective bringing in music nearly year-round, as well as revitalization efforts on the century old Sherman’s Amusement Park. The lineup for music this year at Caroga Lake Music Festival is eye-opening too.
10. Greg Bell/Guthrie-Bell Productions
Local promoter Greg Bell has established the Albany jam-scene since the early 1990s, giving bands like moe., Ominous Seapods, Peter Prince and Moonboot Lover and dozens (if not hundreds more) a chance to make their name in a town rife with live music venues and crowds.
11. Freedom Park Scotia series
The annual series at Freedom Park in Scotia is flanked by Jumpin Jacks (great ice cream and burgers), the Mohawk River (with waterski performances) and a calendar of music that stretches from May to September each year.
12. Parish Public House
In downtown Albany along Broadway, you’ll find no better place for live music and cajun food than Parish Public House. Housed in a historic building and section of Albany, the legacy of live music in the 518 starts at the Parish door for bands looking to build their name and make fans in Albany.
13. Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Originally opened in the 1870s, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall has some of the best sound in the region, hosting artists of all genres who praise the excellent acoustics of the room. The free Music at Noon series has recently returned, and is always worth checking out.
Artwork by Kelly Garrett
14. Mirth Films
The team at Mirth Films has been around for only five years, but in that time frame they’ve established themselves as the premier Audio/Video company, capable of covering shows in all corners of the Capital Region without blinking an eye. Its no surprise they recently won three Eddies Awards for their efforts. Check out their recent interview with harpist Mikaela Davis.
15. Indian Ladder Farming Man Festival
Returning in July for year two, Indian Ladder farms invites you to partake in great beer and cider, as well as great music and farm vibes at Farming Man Festival. This apple picking destination has the perfect summer getaway, well worth a trip towards the Heldeberg Escarpment.
16. moe.
You know moe. has made their name on the 518 when they get a street named after them, which is what happened in February on moe.day in Albany. Add in countless shows at Valentines, two snoe.downs in Lake Placid, and the roots established on Western Avenue in the 1990s, you’ll find members of moe. gigging around the 518 with BlueStar Radiation, Midnight Sun and more.
17. Putnam Place
Saratoga Springs is blessed with a wealth of history, but Putnam Place is where music history is written on a regular basis, as nationally touring bands are seen alongside regional artists, making the venue a must spot for fans looking for a break from the bars of Saratoga or just needing to see what the next big band is that’s touring through the area. Check out their calendar and don’t miss Prince/Bowie on May 20.
18. The Egg
Designed by Wallace Harrison, based on a concept from then-Governor Nelson Rockefeller (picture a half a grapefruit in a bowl, and you can see the origin), The Egg has two venues inside – The 900 seat Hart Theater, and the 450 seat Swyer Theater, both of which offer pristine acoustics for performances of all genres. Notably, Mike Gordon of Phish released a live album, The Egg, from a recording of a December 11, 2011 performance at The Egg.
19. Nanola
Looking for a quiet spot for loud music and great food? Malta is the spot for you, with Nanola located on Route 9, with excellent cajun food and a variety of musical offerings throughout the week and especially in the summer.
20. Lark Hall
The recently opened Lark Hall brings with it a century of music history, and has quickly established itself as a must-stop venue for musicans and fans alike. You’ll be able to catch performances of RENT in June, plus the reunion of Space Carnival on July 6, along with much more.
21. Cohoes Music Hall
Coming up on 150 years, the Cohoes Music Hall has been revitalized in the last 50 years, with renovations and restoration taking place, while welcoming musicals, live music, tribute bands and comedians.
22. MVP Arena
Whether you call it The Knick, The Knickerbocker, Pepsi Arena, Times Union Center, or MVP Arena, anyone in the 518 knows what you’re talking about. The downtown arena that opened in January 1990 and has played host to Billy Joel, Phish, NCAA Tournaments, demolition derbies, and even inaugurations of governors.
23. The Linda
Affectionately known as WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, The Linda is a restored 1926 art-deco bank that welcomes a widely-diverse roster of performing arts, concerts, debates, lectures, and also serves as a recording studio.
24. QE2
While not open under the name anymore, in the 1990s, the QE2 established Albany as a hotbed of the growing Alternative scene in the country. Grunge, hardcore and alternative rock acts could be found performing at the QE2 any given night in the ’90s. The venue has since been sold and renamed The Fuze Box, and continues to bring great music to the 518.
25. The Sembrich
The Marcella Sembrich Opera Museum, also known as The Sembrich, is an historic teaching studio located at Bolton Landing in Warren County. Built from 1922-24 as a teaching studio for New York Metropolitan Opera diva Marcella Sembrich, the 2023 “Trailblazers” Music Festival will celebrate the music of David Smith, Marin Alsop, Alma Mahler and Philip Glass.
26. Proctors Theatre
Originally a vaudeville theater, this Schenectady venue has welcomed legends of the stage and screen, as well as musicians to the stage. Proctors is nearing its centennial year in 2026, and always has the greatest hits from Broadway for fans looking to stay local as they take in a musical or play.
Artwork by Kelly Garrett
Ed note: new area code 838 is popping up in the 518, and we welcome a challenge to find Eight Hundred Thirty Eight things that make this region the best for music, but let’s take this one area code at a time.
The only national publication devoted to traditional jazz, ragtime, and swing, The Syncopated Times, has persevered over the past decade, bringing with it a great deal of music history from these specific genres of music. Based in Utica and published by Andy Senior, The Syncopated Times looks to the future as the paper moves into the digital age.
In June 2015, Andy Senior found himself writing for The American Rag, which at that time was based in Apple Valley, CA and had been publishing for 20 years, the successor to an even earlier publication, The West Coast Rag. In December 2015, Senior made an offer for the fading paper, which was “grudgingly accepted.” From there, Senior set out to relaunch the paper as The Syncopated Times, publishing from his home in Utica, where he has resided nearly his whole life. The first issue of the new paper was published in February 2016, and earlier this year was the publication of the 87th issue of The Syncopated Times.
Andy Senior in 1987
Senior shares the origins of his interest in jazz:
I’ve had a lifelong interest in music and discovered jazz early on. After familiarizing myself with the music of my father’s generation (the Big Band era) I worked my way back into the earlier decades of the 20th century. I started collecting 78s when I was in elementary school, so I’ve been at this well over 50 years. In my teens I took up guitar and then piano, and wrote songs.
Starting in 1987, I worked for a decade as a piano technician in the Utica area. I performed locally as a pianist, a guitarist, and a singer-songwriter since the early 1990s. In 2005, I started RADIOLA!, a broadcast of 1920s-1930s pop and jazz on WHCL-FM at Hamilton College in nearby Clinton. In 2010 I began producing the program entirely at home with my own transfers and restorations of 78s, and posting it online. The program has been in sporadic production since I launched The Syncopated Times in February 2016.
Andy Senior
The pandemic led to the closure of many of the jazz festivals the monthly magazine counted on as advertisers, ultimately making a for-profit model no longer feasible. Senior has been covering losses since March 2020 out of his limited retirement savings.
Andy Senior at his home in Utica
A Go Fund Me has been set up, with a goal of $60,000, to support the launch of a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called Syncopated Media and allow the new organization to start with a large enough budget to sustain operations until further funding can be secured. This will allow for the Syncopated Times to expand beyond a monthly paper to cover the jazz scene and jazz history in visual and audio formats that engage a modern audience. While The Syncopated Times in print (and online at syncopatedtimes.com) will remain the core focus, the new organization will be able to secure grant funding to produce documentaries for YouTube, compile albums for Bandcamp, create podcasts, and resurrect Syncopated Times Radio. The Go Fund Me campaign is expected to run through the end of July.
To add to the broader jazz community, Senior intends to recruit a large and experienced board to pilot the new nonprofit and greatly extend their reach, especially into school and community music programs. This board will ensure that the future of professional coverage of traditional jazz, ragtime, and swing is not dependent on a single owner-operator, but a reflection of the community itself. Included in issues of The Syncopated Times are artist profiles, interviews, historical articles, columns, essays, CD reviews, book reviews, and concert and festival reviews. Articles vary in gravity, with humorous articles and scholarly pieces mixed in each issue.
In April 2022, The Jazz Journalists Association announced its class of 28 Jazz Heroes, among the honorees was Syncopated Times publisher Andy Senior.
Andy Senior speaking at The Jazz Journalists Association
Six years ago, Associate Editor Joe Bebco created SyncopatedTimes.com, a full-service website that archives all the editorial content of the paper and includes web-specific content, including hosting a revival of the much-loved Red Hot Jazz Archive.
The Syncopated Times will retain a subscription model, but nothing will change for current subscribers. Please join NYS Music in supporting The Syncopated Times in their mission.
Sterling Stage Folkfest will mark its return from a three-year hiatus over May 25-28, bringing the Central New York kickoff to summer back to Sterling, NY for Memorial Day weekend.
Since 1995, Sterling Stage Folkfest has been a spirited kick off to summer at Sterling Stage Kampitheater and features a fun mix of folk, roots and jamband music as well as Artist’s Village, food and craft vendors, morning yoga, camping and more.
More than 20 acts are scheduled for the four-day event, including Southern Tier standouts Driftwood, who will headline with two sets on Saturday, May 27. Sunday nights will see headliner Hayley Jane, who will be playing two sets with an absolutely incredible band that she has assembled for the night, including Rob Compa, Chuck Jones, and Neal “Fro” Evans (3/4th of Dopapod) along with Josh Hobbs.
CNY jam faves Count Blastula get the party started on Thursday May 25 with two sets, and will also have the honor of christening a new main stage at the venue, the Artist’s Stage. Friday night will keep the CNY vibe going with the debut of Marilyn’s Cookies, featuring former members of Grateful Dead tribute band Pearly Baker’s Best, including lead guitarist Eric “EB” Brown who has been playing Sterling Stage since the inaugural event in 1995.
Other Folkfest highlights include Folkfaces from Western NY playing late night on Saturday and Rochester’s The Forest Dwellers late night on Friday; debuts from an eclectic mix of groups include The Sorters from Pennsylvania, Motherwort from Ithaca/Finger Lakes, and a funky new project from NY saxophone great Jesse Collins, called Honey Jar Habit.
The 2023 Sterling Stage Folkfest is the first of 3 multi-day music and camping events that Eric McElveen’s new company Elven Productions, is organizing at the Sterling Stage Kampitheater. Next up is 2023 Sterling Stage String Fling July 6-9 featuring a jam grass theme with Sicard Hollow and Sam Grisman Project headlining. Closing out the season and and the second year replacing the long running Last Daze of Summer festival is Happy Sterling Festival August 31-September 3.
All tickets include overnight camping and BYOB privileges. Coolers and campfires are allowed (no glass bottles). Advance festival passes are just $80 ($95 at gate) and space is limited. Tickets are available here.
2023 Sterling Stage Folkfest Lineup
DRIFTWOOD (2X Saturday) HAYLEY JANE (2X Sunday) w/Rob Compa, Chuck Jones, Neal “Fro” Evans, and Josh Dobbs MARILYN’S COOKIES (2X Friday) COUNT BLASTULA (2X Thursday) FOLKFACES THE FOREST DWELLERS THE SORTERS MOTHERWORT HONEY JAR HABIT SUPER SPICY PEPPER NATURAL MEDICINE OLD DEER ENSEMBLE HAL & PALS DUBIOUSLY DEAD ALLEN HARRIS CHAR DENNIS BAND KATIE ALESSANDRA (of Turkey Blaster Omega) SAM MONEY PAUL LECLAIR MOE MICHNICK DUFFY FRANK HARRIS AARON MEKKELSON
Sterling Stage Folkfest Schedule
ARTIST’S STAGE (MAIN)
Thursday May 25 10pm – 11:30pm – Count Blastula
Friday May 26 4pm – 5:10pm – Char Dennis Band 6pm – 7:10pm – Natural Medicine 8pm – 9:10pm – Marilyn’s Cookies 10pm – 11:30pm – Marilyn’s Cookies
Saturday May 27 2pm – 3:10pm – Allen Harris 4pm – 5:10pm – Honey Jar Habit 6pm – 7:10pm – The Sorters 8pm – 9:10pm – Driftwood 10pm – 11:30pm – Driftwood
Sunday May 28 2pm – 3:10pm – Old Deer Ensemble 4pm – 5:10pm – Hal & Pals 6pm – 7:10pm – Motherwort 8pm – 9:10pm – Hayley Jane 10pm – 11:30pm – Hayley Jane
SINATRA LOUNGE STAGE Thursday May 25 11:45pm – 1am – Allen Harris
Friday May 26 5:15pm – 5:55pm – Duffy 7:15pm – 7:55pm – Sam Money 9:15pm – 9:55pm – Sam Money 11:45pm – 12:30am – The Forest Dwellers 12:35am – 12:50am – Katie Alessandra 1:00pm – 2am – The Forest Dwellers
Saturday May 27 3:15pm – 3:55pm – Aaron Mekkelson 5:15pm – 5:55pm – Paul LeClair 7:15pm – 7:55pm – Dubiously Dead 9:15pm – 9:55pm – Dubiously Dead 11:45pm – Folkfaces
No Fun, located on River Street in Troy, will welcome five live electronic performances on Saturday, July 29, featuring Atlas.B with friends and collaborators Waybach, Dito, Spike Right, and SM Ink.
Producer and DJ Atlas B combines elements of funk, soul and blues with a modern electronic synthesis technique, including sampling and live instrumentation. Downtempo beats and upbeat electronic bass make his live sets a journey through influences and inspirations.
Atlas B has opened for Maddy O’Neal, Manic Focus, Marvel Years, Michael Menert, 5AM Trio, Tvboo, Gspace, Luzcid and many more. Recently, Michal Menert and Atlas B played a three-night run in Albany, Portland and Worcester.
On July 29th, Atlas B. will be playing his set using Ableton Live, allowing him to “clip launch” sections of songs live and rearrange, add fx and remix songs in a live/interactive way.
For this show Atlas B brings with him Lighting Designer and VJ Riley Irving from Technical Video Inc in Colonie. A stage full of LED wall tiles will feature multiple programs and software such as Resolume, Synesthesia, and Microdose VR by Adroid Jones, for visual accompaniment this evening. These programs are fully freestyle and an interactive visual journey, bringing a human/freestyle element to the live visuals making them unique and different every set.
Atlas B has also curated a selection of friends and collaborators to support this show. Having worked on two songs with Waybach, hailing from CT/NYC, you can find collaborations here and here. Waybach and Atlas B both work in a similar realm of funky bass music, known to share the stage together to test out new songs and experiment with live fx and clip launching through Ableton Live.
Albany local DJs Dito, Spike Right and SM Ink will get the crowd moving and the party started, as these DJs are all known for playing shows around the area sometimes supporting large national touring acts.
A selection of retro video game tables will be going throughout the night, and was featured at the previous show from Atlas B at No Fun back in February. Expect battles, prizes, and increased games and consoles.
Throughout the month of May, The Capitol Theatre’s ‘Inner Sanctum’ bar & venue Garcia’s celebrates 10 years, with a month long lineup of live performances by local and nationally touring artists.
Created in partnership with Jerry Garcia’s family, the official anniversary date falls on Tuesday, May 16, but music will be featured all month long, including SoulShine, Liquorcake, Gimme Gimme Disco and Brown Eyed Women.
Earlier in the month The Rock and Roll Playhouse performed the music of Dave Matthews Band as well as Jerry Garcia tribute Finders Keepers. Mihali performed on Friday, May 12, and will return on Sunday, May 14, with a show at Brooklyn Bowl in between on Saturday.
Garcia’s will also offer a signature anniversary drink all month, the Cherry Jerry, made with Spiced Rum, Cherry Dr Pepper, a splash of lime and of course a cherry on top!
Over the last ten years Garcia’s has presented an eclectic mix of exciting acts such as Dinosaur Jr., Black Pumas, Goose, Yola, Marcus King, Twiddle, Mihali, Melvin Seals, Warren Haynes, Orebolo, Keller Williams, Eric Krasno, Dopapod and many more. As a hub for the development of next generation artists, Garcia’s Talent Buyer & Manager Josh Cohen has booked emerging acts early on such as Daniel Donato, Eggy, Dogs In A Pile, TAZ, Mikaela Davis among others, that have now gone on to playing large scale venues across the country.
Previously the Marketing Director for B.B. King Blues Club, at Garcia’s, Cohen has been focused on nurturing & growing the inclusive environment that is so unique to the historic Capitol Theatre. He likens the venue to a majestic tree in the middle of a village where the locals congregate to dance and celebrate life:
When bands play Garcia’s, we see them summon the energies of The Capitol Theatre and find footing in the rich history of improvisational music and the community through which it lives on. The vibe you find when attending a Garcia’s show is that of an ever-growing, loving family who is eager to welcome new faces with open arms. Whether we come for the music and stay for the vibe or vice versa, we are together, listening to every note and dancing with delight.
Josh Cohen – Garcia’s Manager
DeadCenter nights have also become a local fixture and staple of the venue, with local Grateful Dead tribute bands playing regularly like Stella Blue’s Band who have played the venue more than any other band, and are nearing their 100th show, 8Track, Dead Meat, Spadtastics, Deadgrass, Grateful BRO, Finders Keepersand SoulShine, an Allman Brothers Band tribute. DeadCenter nights have become such a mainstay, that these upcoming shows will celebrate 1,425 performances to date.
Progressive rock titans Dream Theater will embark on a North American “Dreamsonic” tour this summer, with a performance at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 28th, joined by special guest Devin Townsend, & Animals As Leaders.
Dream Theater – the Grammy winning progressive metal pioneers – have been performing for nearly 40 years, having formed in 1985 at Berklee College in Boston. Band members James LaBrie (Vocals), John Petrucci (Guitars), Jordan Rudess (Keyboards), John Myung (Bass), and Mike Mangini (Drums) — share a unique bond with one of the most passionate fan bases around the globe, as well as all hailing from Long Island. They have been inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2010, and have sold 15 million records sold worldwide.
We are all so incredibly excited to present Dream Theater’s very own prog-metal music festival, Dreamsonic 2023! The lineup for our inaugural run this summer features Dream Theater, Devin Townsend, and Animals As Leaders and is going to be absolutely epic! Dreamsonic promises to be a reoccurring musical event that will deliver history-making nights of amazing music for many years to come! You’re not going to want to miss this one!
John Petrucci
The band’s 1992 opus Images & Words received a gold certification and landed on Rolling Stone’s coveted “100 Greatest Metal Albums of All-Time.” Guitar World placed the follow-up Awake at #1 on “Superunknown: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1994,” and 1996’s A Change of Seasons notably soundtracked NBC’s coverage of Downhill Skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Dream Theater’s most recent release, A View From The Top Of The World, saw the album debuting at #52 on the Billboard 200. The album’s lead track “The Alien” later went on to win the Grammy award for ‘Best Metal Performance’.
Performing ahead of Dream Theater is Canadian musical maverick Devin Townsend, who Metal Injection called a “superb addition to his one-of-a-kind catalog”. Assembled from a barrage of material written during the pandemic, ‘Lightwork’ represents a kind of ‘light in the dark’ while trying to navigate the seemingly endless challenges that life can often present. This tour is Devin’s first North American run since March 2020. Watch the video for ‘Lightworker.’
Animals as Leaders offer more than musicianship and proficiency, a focus on mood, texture, and emotive power elevating the material in a fascinatingly unique phenomenon. They released their latest album Parrhesia in March 2022.
Tickets are on sale now for Dream Theater at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, all shows on the Dreamsonic tour, via dreamtheater.net
Dream Theater “Dreamsonic” Tour
June 16th – Cedar Park, TX – H-E-B Center At Cedar Park June 17th – Dallas, TX – Texas Trust CU @ Grand Prairie June 18th – Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre June 21st – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall June 22nd – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live Arena June 23rd – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock June 25th – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theater June 27th – Washington, PA – Wild Things Park June 28th – New York, NY – Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden June 30th – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater July 1st – Philadelphia, PA – The Met July 2nd -Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion July 4th – Laval, QC – Place Bell July 5th – Hamilton, ON – FirstOntario Centre July 7th – Gary, IN – Hard Rock Casino July 8th – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion July 9th – Newport, KY – MegaCorp Pavilion July 11th – Detroit, MI – Masonic July 12th – OshKosh, WI – OshKosh Arena July 13th – Cedar Rapids, IA – Alliant Energy Power House July 15th – Denver, CO – Mission Theater July 17th – Spokane, WA – First Interstate Center July 18th – Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle July 19th – Edmonton, AB – Northern Alberta Jubilee July 21st – Vancover, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre July 22nd – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Live July 24th – San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic July 25th – Inglewood, CA – YouTube Theater July 26th – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
The Albany Center Gallery (ACG), located on Broadway in Albany, is accepting submissions for an upcoming exhibition celebrating Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary this August.
ACG and curators Robert Cooper, Truemaster, and BoogieRez invite local and regional artists to submit their work for consideration. This call for submissions is free and open to the public.
Hip Hop finds its origins dating back to August 11th, 1973, when a back-to-school party was held in the Bronx, at 1520 Sedgwick Ave. Over the years it became known as the party that started the culture of Hip Hop. Hip Hop is both a culture and a style of music, beginning with four elements: MC’ing, B-boy/B-girl, graffiti, and DJ’ing. 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop and to commemorate this historic occasion, events of varying degrees are planned around the world, including the Capital Region at Albany Center Gallery.
From Tuesday, August 1 to Saturday, September 2, 2023, this exhibition will be held at ACG in celebration of Hip Hop’s culture and overall multidisciplinary influence on people, especially creatives.
Along with the exhibition, the commemoration will include multiple associated programs highlighting performances that embody the spirit of Hip Hop and this cultural phenomenon. Albany Center Gallery is looking for visual art (photography, painting, sculpture, installations, and graffiti), and performance artists (MCs, DJs, Dancers, Poets, and more) to join ACG and curators in celebrating the 50 years of Hip Hop.
All art forms and mediums are welcome to submit. The work submitted should represent an artistic style that is inspired or influenced by the artist’s experience in Hip Hop culture throughout the years. Work must be submitted by Sunday, June 4, 2023, at midnight to be considered. Submit work and learn more details here.
The second annual Sullivan County Music Festival, presented by the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre (HPAC) will be held on Sunday, June 4, from 12 pm to 8 pm. The event will be held on the lawn of Tango Café and Fireman’s Park, Main Street, Hurleyville.
Faith Kelly Performs at the 1st Annual Sullivan County Music Festival, June 4, 2022. Photo by Douglas Shindler. Image Courtesy Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre.
Sullivan County Music Festival is a free community event, with a suggested donation of $10 to support local musicians and vendors. A donation of $10 will get you three complimentary raffle tickets for a chance to win exciting door prizes. Raffle announcements will occur just before the final performance at 7:10 pm.
This year’s lineup includes 15 performances, all showcasing the incredible diversity of local talent in the the Southern Catskills. Sullivan County Music Festival will also highlight 15 non-profit organizations doing remarkable work within Sullivan County. Attendees can enjoy original music all day, along with an array of vendors, raffles, and door prizes generously provided by local businesses.
This festival provides a vital platform for the incredible diversity of talent we have right here in our region. It’s an honor to celebrate and support our local musicians, vendors, and non-profit organizations that contribute so much to our community.
Co-Executive Director of HPAC, Ellyane Hutchinson
Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair to relax on the grass in front of Tango Café. Several local businesses, including The Hurleyville General Store, Tango Café, Pickled Owl, La Salumina, and Casa Mia, will offer a variety of delicious food options. Additionally, door prizes and a 50/50 raffle will give guests the opportunity to win cash and prizes from local restaurants, vendors, and businesses.
The Sullivan County Music Festival is a family-friendly event, and will include a bouncy house and face painter. Ample parking is available in two large municipal lots on Main Street and Railroad Avenue in Hurleyville. The venue is wheelchair accessible, with restrooms available in HPAC and Tango Café.
WJFF Radio Catskill is the official local media sponsor, while NYS Music serves as the official NY state media sponsor. The Sullivan County Music Festival is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Artist fees for the festival are supported in part by STEAM Fund’s Mission One Gig At A Time (MOGAAT). Catskill Brewery is the official beverage sponsor and Upstate D Tours is the official transportation sponsor. Other event sponsors include Funky Hippy Chic Boutique, Liberty Fine Furnishings & Upholstery, DJ Gteaze, Savory Sweet Eatery, American Storage Buildings, and Zeke1r.
Fresh on the heels of the much loved Barton Hall show, the Grateful Dead followed up that evening with a show at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium the next night. Some consider this show to be superior to 5/8/77, one that is overshadowed by years of hype and adoration for the Cornell performance. While the debate will continue, we offer up for your consideration May 9, 1977 as a potentially equal if not better show than the night prior.
Starting with a “Help on the Way” > “Slipknot” > “Franklin’s Tower” opening trio, the energy takes off over more than 30 minutes to start the show. From there, stand out versions of “Cassidy,” “Tennessee Jed” and a set closing “The Music Never Stopped.” This first set stand out on its own as one of the best you’ll find among 70s Dead shows.
The second set kicks off with “Bertha” and The Rascals’ “Good Lovin,” before impressive versions of “Ship of Fools” and “Estimated Prophet.” With Donna and Keith Godchaux on board for this journey, the show features a pair of “Not Fade Away” and “Comes a Time” that stand up to any pairing from the previous night in Ithaca.
Including the shows on May 5 in Boston and May 6 in New Haven, May 1977: Get Shown The Light covers all four incredible shows, a stellar component of one of the Dead’s best years. Enjoy these two shows from Ithaca and Buffalo, a true sign that the Grateful Dead perform with the highest caliber when in the Empire State.
