This Saturday, Sept. 9, Beastie Boys Square will officially be unveiled at the corner of Ludlow and Rivington Streets in Manhattan after the New York City Council approved the renaming.
The ceremony, taking place from 12-2 p.m. will feature appearances from Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, including a DJ set by Jon Bless HiFi System.
The Beastie Boys were an American rap group from New York City, formed in 1981. The group was composed of Michael “Mike D” Diamond, Adam “MCA” Yauch, and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz. Beastie Boys has sold 20 million records in the United States and had seven platinum-selling albums from 1986 to 2004. They are the biggest-selling rap group since Billboard began recording sales in 1991.
Photo by Ron Galella.
The historic corner was once home to Paul’s Boutique—the namesake of the Beastie Boys’ sophomore LP, released in 1989. Cultural advocate LeRoy McCartney spearheaded the campaign, fighting for a decade. He also did similar landmark-naming campaigns, like the Wu-Tang Clan (Wu-Tang District in Staten Island) and The Notorious B.I.G. (Brooklyn’s Christopher Wallace Way), and credits Council Member Chris Marte with helping to push the renaming.
Last summer Marte gave credit to the group themselves for paving the way in the genre of hip-hop and thanked the local residents, businesses, politicians, and more who supported the fight for the street name. “I see it as a celebration. A celebration for the Lower East Side, a celebration for hip-hop, and especially a celebration for our community who has been organizing for a really long time to make this happen,” Marte also said.
Photo by William Farrington.
The unveiling of Beastie Boys Square coincides with the ongoing celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, which includes the first-ever theatrical screening of Spike Jonze’s Beastie Boys Story, taking place at IFC Center on September 8 and 9.
SeptemberFest in Nyack is returning this year on Sept. 10 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., inviting families, friends, and visitors to celebrate Fall in the heart of the village on Main Street and Broadway.
SeptemberFest features a rich array of jewelry, clothing, accessories, art, crafts, gifts, and great food offered by 200+ vendors and scores of local businesses. “We’re pleased to once again host our SeptemberFest fair,” said Roger Cohen, President, of Nyack Chamber. “The fair is in many ways an introduction to our village. We welcome everyone to enjoy a special experience, come back for more, and stay – for a weekend…or even a lifetime.”
At the Gazebo on Main Street, people can enjoy music from The Scoop at 1 p.m., the Rockland-based “fun” band, playing a huge catalog of iconic rockers including The Beatles, Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Pretenders, Elton John, and more, with originals too. Also performing is the Nyack-based grunge rock group Bulletproof Heart at 4 p.m. They will pound out hits from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, with modern interpretations of classics from bands like Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, and Weezer.
Photo by Nina Skow.
In addition to enjoying the music and sampling wares from hundreds of fair vendors, Fest-goers can enjoy the many boutiques and restaurants open year-round in the village. Nyack’s one-of-a-kind retailers offer unique merchandise across a broad spectrum of hard-to-find treasures, from antiques, custom jewelry, and original art, to hand-made clothing, crystals, vintage vinyl, specialty eyewear, and other products. People can also enjoy a vast array of food, one of the best in the Hudson Valley.
“SeptemberFest is a not-to-be-missed event, but it’s also an invitation to visitors and residents to sample the village’s special blend of memorable experiences,” said Cohen. “We encourage people to come back after our events to enjoy shopping, dining, music, art, theater, hiking, biking, and river recreation. Nyack offers it all – in a beautiful, walkable riverside community.”
For more information about SeptemberFest, visit here.
Upcoming Nyack Events
Sept. 11: Hometown Heroes (9/11 event)
Sept. 28 – Oct. 21: Phoenix Festival Live Arts in Nyack (live theater, dance, music)
Sept. 30: OctoberFest / LagerFest
Oct. 6: Spirit of Nyack (Halloween kickoff)
Oct. 8: Nyack’s Famous Street Fair (50th anniversary!)
Oct. 28: Halloween parade and festivities
Nov. 4: Rockland County Fashion Week
Nov. 11: Candlelight Concert Series (Bridget Kibbey)
The Stanley Theatre, a beloved Utica music venue, will be celebrating its 95th birthday with a celebration on October 5. The 1920s-themed anniversary party will feature music by The Fabulous Mojos, a funky five-piece group known for swinging blues and beats.
Additionally, the party will feature basket raffles, limited edition merchandise, and hors d’oeuvre stations sponsored by Patrick O’Connor’s Feasts and Festivities. Raffle baskets highlight local businesses such as Meyda Lighting, Tavolo’s Restaurant, and Broadway Theatre League of Utica. A commemorative painting by famed artist Stephen Fletcher will also be on display and raffled off at the event.
The evening will feature a specialty drink, the ‘Gin Stanley.” A new take on the popular Gin Rickey, it has an added strawberry twist. A cash bar will be available for attendees with both cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.
Raffle tickets will be available at the event, cash only, and can be purchased at various price tiers. Limited edition merchandise will include t-shirts, mugs, and prints featuring The Stanley Theatre’s custom 95th-anniversary logo.
Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com, in person at The Stanley Theatre’s Box Office, and by phone at 315-724-4000. Tickets start at $95 including fees.
The Illusion, one of the original bands that helped create the famed “Long Island sound,” has announced it will be inducted into the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF).
Set to take place on Oct. 7 starting at 7 p.m., Illusion band members John Vinci, Mike Maniscalco, Rich Cerniglia, Chuck Alder, and Mike Ricciardella will be inducted into the history and family of Long Island’s musicians & entertainers. The group will also perform together publicly for the first time in 51 years! Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame is dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations.
During a time when it was considered inconceivable for record executives (and concert promoters alike) to give a band from Long Island the time of day, The Illusion came onto the scene. They were a force to be reckoned with, wowing crowds with crazy stage shows, custom-made clothes, five-part harmonies, and untouchable musicianship.
In time, The Illusion would get the attention of hit writing producer Jeff Barry, who signed them to his label Steed Records and penned their first hit “Did You See Her Eyes?” which shot up the charts reaching number one in 15 cities. The Illusion would go on to release a total of three albums for Barry’s label, with the first selling over 200,000 copies.
The Illusion would go on to share the stage with such acts as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Allman Brothers Band, Chicago, The Temptations, Richie Havens, Alice Cooper, and countless others. Acts and artists like Kiss, Aerosmith, The New York Dolls, and Billy Joel, not only followed the Illusion but would go on to cite the band as one of their major influences.
The Illusion induction is set to take place Saturday, Oct. 7 starting at 7 p.m. at LIMEHOF’s Stony Brook Museum. This event is open to the public with limited tickets available for purchase.
Travis Scott has announced his upcoming tour ‘Circus Maximus’ for recent release UTOPIA, featuring three shows in New York, two at New York’s Barclays Center on December 18 and 19, and at Madison Square Garden on December 21.
UTOPIA has been recorded as one of the biggest hip-hop releases in 2023, as Travis Scott proved himself once again as a songwriter, producer and performer and continues to create a seamless production throughout his music. The album has become number one on Billboard Top 200, with over 1.5 billion streams globally.
Travis has had a huge influence on the hip-hop and rap community, creating huge commercial success for himself and often characterized as “ambient”. He redefines the modern music boundaries, while indulging an immersive experience for his listeners. UTOPIA is recognized to be a game changer for Scott’s career while seamlessly creating a narrative throughout his songs that bring the fans wanting more.
In addition to the tour, Travis plans to donate $2 per ticket sold towards the Cactus Jack Foundation, which supports scholarship programs and fulfills college education expenses. Tickets will be available on Thursday August 31 at 10am ET. New York looks forward to Scott’s return as listeners await what’s in store for the ‘Circus Maximus’ 2023 Tour.
TRAVIS SCOTT UTOPIA – CIRCUS MAXIMUS TOUR 2023 DATES
Wed Oct 11 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Fri Oct 13, 14 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena
Tue Oct 17, 18 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Fri Oct 20 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
Sun Oct 22 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Wed Oct 25, 26 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
Sun Oct 29 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
Tue Oct 31, Nov 01 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
Sun Nov 05 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium
Wed Nov 08 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Fri Nov 10 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Sun Nov 12, 13 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
Wed Nov 15 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center
Sat Nov 18 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
Tue Nov 21, 22 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
Sat Nov 25 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Mon Nov 27, 29 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
Fri Dec 01 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Mon Dec 04 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Wed Dec 06 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
Fri Dec 08 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
Sun Dec 10 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Tue Dec 12 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Fri Dec 15 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Mon Dec 18 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Tues Dec 19 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Thu Dec 21 – New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden
Vermont-based jam quartet Twiddle have announced The A-List: A Live Compilation of Music from April 2022-March 2023, releasing September 8th, their first live record since 2019’s Unplugged in Burlington.
Produced by Adrian Tramontano, mastered by Dave DeCristo, and recorded and mixed by Sam Johnson, the 24 live cuts were hand-picked by the band from some of their favorite shows over the past year, adding up to more than 4.5 hours of music from 14 different shows.
The first single from the record is now available on all streaming services – a beautifully extended “Jamflowman” from their 10/26/22 show at The Underground in Charlotte, NC.
The “Jamflowman” from Charlotte in October of last year was one of those moments of musical synchronicity that we aim for in our improv. We hope you dig this as the first cut from the A-List, and can’t wait for you all to hear the full thing in a few weeks!
Mihali Savoulidis
The 14-minute odyssey captures the band clicking on all cylinders during a period of significant growth, traversing peaks and valleys, showcasing the band’s technical skills, and capturing the magic of their live shows.
photo by Dave Decrescente
A limited edition Gatefold Double LP featuring 11 of the best live tracks from the record is also now available for pre-order on the band’s merch store. Pressed on clear wax with green and purple splatter, the LP’s artwork features the photography of longtime band-photographer, Dave Decrescente.
Twiddle The A-ListTracklist
1. Syncopated Healing (11/12/22 – Delmar Hall, St. Louis, MO)
2. Jamflowman (10/26/22 – The Underground, Charlotte, NC)
3. Gatsby the Great (2/26/23 – Crystal Bay Crown Room, Crystal Bay, NV)
GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter Joanie Leeds has announced her protest against the controversial banned books movement with her new record FREADOM.
Her daughter’s voice opens FREADOM with a heartfelt protest, introducing the powerful anthem “Banned,” setting the emotional tone for the album. Leeds and her all-star Book Band (featuring Regina Carter, Oran Etkin, Cheryl B. Engelhardt, Divinity Roxx, and SaulPaul) celebrate many of the banned children’s books with a new collection of eight original songs that joyously amplify messages of love and inclusion.
A leading progressive voice in children’s music, the New York City-based artist Joanie Leeds is a national touring artist, early childhood educator, and activist. Since the 2003 release of her album, Soul from My Footsteps, her witty, heartfelt, and righteous body of work has earned numerous awards. Her 2020 gender equality album for families, All the Ladies, won a GRAMMY Award for “Best Children’s Album.” With FREADOM, Leeds is once again bringing her music to the frontlines, offering support and inspiring music.
2022 saw the highest number of book bans and attempts to remove or restrict materials since the American Library Association started compiling data 20 years ago. Millions of children are currently losing access to important literature. Book banners primarily target stories by and about people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those exploring Jewish themes. Freedom of expression and the right to access information are fundamental pillars of America’s democracy and FREADOM is Leeds’ message to the world in support of everyone’s First Amendment Rights.
When the political landscape seems too divisive to make change, I ask myself as a children’s musician, ‘What can I do?’ My frustration and grief often become the catalyst for new music. FREADOM lifts up some of our favorite banned titles and causes some ‘good trouble’ as I reimagine the stories in song form and perform alongside some of the best musicians I know. Please take a stand and join me fighting book bans and protecting the personal freedoms of ALL Americans. We will not be banned!
Joanie Leeds.
FREADOM features Leeds with a world-class cast of musicians, including GRAMMY Award-nominated and McArthur Fellow violinist Regina Carter, three GRAMMY-nominated instrumentalists including guitarist/vocalist Saul Paul, bassist/vocalist Divinity Roxx, pianist/vocalist Cheryl B. Engelhardt; multi-reed player Oran Etkin, among others.
Leeds said the rising tide of book bans hit remarkably close to home. “As a mother of an 8-year-old daughter who loves picture books, we’ve been following this story very closely as many of our favorite titles have been removed from schools and libraries, particularly in my home state of Florida.”
Inspired by different children’s books, tracks like “Block Party” take inspiration from neighborly love in Patricia Polacco’s In Our Mothers’ House and “Tango” from And Tango Makes Three, a story about the Central Park Zoo’s beloved penguin family. As a Jewish woman, it was essential for Leeds to bring attention to the fact that books about the Holocaust (Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl and Art Spiegelman’s Maus) are being banned. Mara Rockliff’s and Kyrsten Brooker’s Chik Chak Shabbat inspired the incantatory “Cholent Time.”
A tribute to Junot Diaz’s Islandborn, the Caribbean-tinged “Inside Your Heart” honors the children of immigrants who learn about their ancestral homeland from stories passed down by their families. The irresistible anthem and a cappella song “Rainbow Flag” is inspired by Rob Sanders’ and Steven Salerno’s Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag.
“Sing it Out” is Leeds’ homage to Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations, Kelly Starling Lyons’ and Keith Mallett’s moving book about the NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson’s hymn often described as the Black National Anthem. FREADOM closes with “Born That Way,” a sweet ode to gender diversity and following one’s dreams inspired by Marcus Ewert’s and Rex Ray’s 10,000 Dresses.
For more information about Joanie Leeds’ and to see her upcoming performances at The Cutting Room on Sept. 27, the Jewish Museum on Oct. 15, and the Children’s Museum of Manhattan on Dec. 2 and 3, visit here.
Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family Foundation have announced a $25,000 contribution to the Palace Theatre’s Community Engagement Initiative. The Initiative is a widespread effort to expand the Palace Theatre’s accessibility to the nearby community.
The grant will focus on widening the Palace’s presence as a resource for communities around the Capital Region, subsidizing expenses associated with using the space, helping groups to participate in various arts programs to use the Threatre for practice and rehearsal.
Stewart’s Shops is committed to giving back to all our shops’ communities. We are proud to support the Palace Performing Arts Center’s Community Engagement Initiative. Together, we can create a stronger, more inclusive Albany, harnessing the transformative power of the arts to uplift lives and inspire positive change.
Susan Dake, President of Stewart’s Shops & Dake Family Foundation
The Dake Family Foundation’s gift will also support the Initiative’s workforce development training, which assists individuals with becoming trained NYS certified security guards. In addition, it also offers paid internship opportunities to expose candidates to the arts and entertainment business industries. It also allows for collaboration with other community organizations that serve youth and families throughout the summer, providing safe spaces to enjoy family-friendly programming.
Live entertainment is the cornerstone of what we do at the Palace, but collaboration and community engagement are also pillars of our success. When an organization has great partners like Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family, we are able to provide access to the Palace Theatre and present it as not just a place for great entertainment, but also a community resource to the Capital Region.
Kevin Johnson, Executive Director of the Palace Theatre
The theatre has many summer offerings including a Summer in the City Movie Series, an Annual Block Party, a Safe Trick or Treat even, and other community-centered programs throughout the season.
Essex, a new music venue, is coming to Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts in the fall, already booking two acclaimed Rochester-based acts Joywave and Danielle Ponder.
Photo credit Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Essex, a music hall and multi-events space, will open at 1048 University Ave. The venue said on its website that it aims to add vibrancy, culture, and life to the Rochester community.
The owners of Essex are Josh Miles, Zach Mikida, Mack Hartman, and Dave Drago. The first three deal with the hospitality side of the venue, while Drago handles the music. The venue features two bars and an industrial-looking outside, changing soon to be a little warmer and accommodating.
In an area that has very few venues, the music hall will be a nice addition to the area, and allow more bands to travel Upstate without going to such major cities as Buffalo or Niagara Falls. The main focus of the venue is to showcase various artists that come to the area, allowing people to enjoy good music and vibes.
Danielle Ponder announced shows for Friday, Oct. 6, and Saturday, Oct. 7. Both shows will begin at 11 p.m. and tickets cost $30. Indie rock band Joywave announced shows for Thursday, Nov. 16, and Friday, Nov. 17. Both shows will begin at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $35. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
The Caribbean Music Awards announced a star-studded lineup of live performances for the upcoming event on August 31, boasting many artists of the genre’s biggest names.
The awards will take place at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, with performances by Alison Hinds, Jada Kingdom, Dexta Daps, Kranium, Nailah Blackman, Ding Dong, Rupee and Romain Virgo, as well as others to be announced.
Last month, The Caribbean Music Awards announced Grammy Award-winner and Haitian-born Newark artist Wyclef Jean as the host for the event. Along with a full range of live performances, the night of celebration for Caribbean Music will feature appearances from Spice, Baby Cham, Toni-Ann Singh, and more.
Awards span across in 26 categories in many genres, including Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Kompa, and Zou. Trinidadian group Kes leads with five nominations, including Performer of the Year, Video of the Year, and Artist of the Decade. Following with four nominations are Masicka, Ding Dong, Machel Montano, and Shenseea.
Trinidadian singer, songwriter, and producer Machel Montano will accept the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions as a leader of the sound and style of Soca music worldwide. In addition, reggae legend Beres Hammond will accept the Elite Icon Award. The esteemed award commemorates Hammond for his contributions in elevating and enriching the face of Reggae music for decades.
The Caribbean Music Awards will take place on August 31, 2023 at 8pm EST at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, and will be streaming worldwide on YouTube.
For the latest updates and information, visit the official website CaribMusicAwards.com or follow on IG @CaribMusicAwards. Get ready to experience the best that Caribbean music has to offer at the Caribbean Music Awards.
