For the first time in 25 years, New York City based The Van Pelt have announced their upcoming fourth studio album, Artisans & Merchants, which will be released March 17th. The album will join a series of shows, including stops at Brooklyn’s Saint Vitus Bar.
The album was recorded and mixed in Summer / Fall 2021 by Jeff Zeigler at Uniform Recording in Philadelphia, PA, and features guest appearances by Nate Kinsella and Ted Leo among others. The Van Pelt has returned to explore what was left behind with Artisans & Merchants.
This is not a reunion album. This is vindication. For lovers of The Van Pelt, listening to Artisans & Merchants is like hearing the voice of a dear friend you haven’t seen in years — a friend you used to share countless beers with over banter that went nowhere other than delivering a solid night. Your friend is older, they’ve changed. In some ways you’re worried for them. In other ways, it’s the same old them, a soul too unique to ever be altered.
The Van Pelt frontman Chris Leo
The first single “Punk House” is out everywhere now along with a brand new music video. The video features digitized archive footage from The Van Pelts US tours of the mid-90s.
When a bunch of old VHS tapes were unearthed, we had them digitized and they turned out to be from tours of the mid-90s. The footage is mainly of daily banalities: random purchases at rest stops, packing and unpacking the van, highway views that could be on the outskirts of Any Town USA. Yet there is a nostalgia to it that’s compelling to everyone
Grammy Nominated Shemekia Copeland has announced her new tour to promote her Grammy nominated album Done Gone Too Far. Copeland will perform at City Winery in New York City on Wednesday, February 1st.
LOS ANGELES, CA— MARCH 18, 2022
RECORDING ARTIST, BLUES SINGER, SHEMEKIA COPELAND FOR ALLIGATOR RECORDS.
Photos by Victoria Smith
Make Up by KATE KATS
She was also recently nominated for four Blues Music Awards for Album Of The Year and Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year (for Done Gone Too Far), Song Of The Year (for “Too Far To Be Gone”) and Instrumentalist Of The Year (Vocals). Copeland was also the 2021 Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year.
Two Decades Of Talent
Shemekia Copeland is is considered the blues/soul voice of her generation. As a contemporary Black woman, she brings her immense talent and charisma to topical new originals that reflect her deep social conscience. She delivers her hard-hitting musical truths through her eyes, those of a young American Black woman, a mother, and a wife. But she likes to have fun too, and her music reflects that.
“This album was made by all sides of me — happy, sad, silly, irate — they’re all a part who I am and who we all are. I’m not political. I’m just talking about what’s happening in this country” Says Copeland.
LOS ANGELES, CA— MARCH 18, 2022
RECORDING ARTIST, BLUES SINGER, SHEMEKIA COPELAND FOR ALLIGATOR RECORDS.
Photos by Victoria Smith
Make Up by KATE KATS
Copeland has performed thousands of gigs at clubs, festivals and concert halls all over the world since her Alligator Records debut Turn The Heat Up hit in 1998. She has appeared in films, on national television, NPR, and in magazines and newspapers. She’s sung with Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, Carlos Santana, and many others. Copeland has also shared a bill with The Rolling Stones. In 2012, she performed with B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Buddy Guy, and others at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama. She has appeared on PBS’s Austin City Limits and was the subject of a six-minute feature on the PBS News Hour.
NPR’s Jazz Night In America recently aired an hour-long program featuring Copeland. In April 2022, she performed at the United Nations General Assembly Hall for International Jazz Day celebrations. Copeland continues to host her own popular daily blues radio show on SiriusXM’s Bluesville
On the brink of a new album, Rochester native, Mikeala Davis and her band, Southern Star, will complete their residency as one of the hottest live music acts in upstate New York. The Catskil transplant returned home for a set of performances at Abilene in Rochester and Tubby’s in Kingston.
The “Dead of Winter” residency began during a notoriously quiet period live music-wise. A run of sold-out performances have re-affirmed belief that fresh sets, familiar places and homegrown talent would bring people out to enjoy live music.
Mikeala Davis and Southern Star complete their residency at Tubby’s and Abilene.
Mickeala Davis and Southern Star on the Rise
In effect, “Dead of Winter” began with a performance at Tubby’s on Wednesday, January 18, with Davis and Southern Star performing weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Tubby’s and Abilene. However, the final two nights of Southern Star’s residency will be on February 1 and 2. To boot, the band will perform two sets nightly, starting with their own tunes and a later Grateful Dead themed set. As a result, the Dead set themes have been varying by week; Mik’s Picks Vol. 1: ‘67-‘72 for week 1, Garcia in its entirety for week 2, and Mik’s Picks Vol. 2: ‘73-‘87 for the upcoming February shows. While, the Abilene show is sold-out but tickets for Mikeala Davis at Tubby’s on Wednesday night can be found here.
Mikeala Davis and Southern Star have seen all of their Kingston shows sold out.
We’re planning two sets every night. First set is original songs and second is a dead set. This is a chance for us to revisit some old songs and experiment with new ones while continuing to explore the music of the Grateful Dead. Hope to see you there!
– Mikaela Davis
A classically trained harpist, Mikeala Davis’ style brings together elements of classic rock, ’60s and ’70s pop, roots Americana, and contemporary modern singer-songwriter croons. Davis and Southern Star have shared bills with such names as Bob Weir, Bon Iver, Lake Street Dive. Moreover, Davis joined Phil Lesh & Friends during the first weekend of their Phil-o-Ween residency at The Capitol Theatre. Her newest release is 2022’s The Relix Sessions, which focuses on live versions of tracks from 2018’s Delivery. At the present time, the group is planning a new studio album that will mark the first official studio recordings by Davis and Southern Star.
Celebrating their 38th year in NYC, World Music Institute has announced their spring and summer 2023 season with sixteen performances featuring artists from over a dozen countries.
About World Music Institute
Founded in 1985 as a not-for-profit, World Music Institute (WMI) has served as one of the leading presenters of world music and dance within the United States. WMI is committed to presenting the best in traditional and contemporary music and dance from around the world with the goal of inspiring wonder for the world’s rich cultural traditions, promoting awareness and appreciation and encouraging cross-cultural dialog and exchange. WMI presents at venues throughout the city and depends on both public and private funding to accomplish its mission.
World Music Institute Executive Director Gaby Sappington states “The second half of our 2022-2023 Season continues to reflect our commitment to offering audiences affordable access to the most exciting, innovative, and meaningful voices in world music and dance. Some of them are already well known, while others are up-and-coming. All of them are united by a passion for their respective cultures and the arts. We are thrilled to bring them to NYC’s stages, celebrating our motto: MANY CULTURES – ONE WORLD.”
Schedule Of Events
Red Baraat ‘Festival of Colors’ with Shubh Saran and Kahani (DJ)
Friday, March 10, 2023 Doors and DJ: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Brooklyn Bowl – 61 Whyte Avenue, Brooklyn Tickets: $20 Co-presented with Brooklyn Bowl
Ladysmith Black Mambazo Rescheduled show: March 18, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 7:30 PM Kaufmann Concert Hall at the 92nd Street Y – 1395 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan Tickets: $35 | $45 | $60 Co-presented with 92NY
Hamid Rahmanian’s Song of the North Friday – Sunday, March 24-26, 2023 Friday and Saturday – Doors 7 PM | Show 8 PM, Sunday – Doors 2 PM | Show 3 PM Peter Norton Symphony Space – 2537 Broadway at 95th St, Manhattan Tickets: $25 | $35 | $45
Tarta Relena March 30, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Tickets: $20 Advance | $25 Day of Show National Sawdust – 80 North 6th Street, Brooklyn Co-presented with National Sawdust
NY Arab Festival Friday, April 7, 2023 Doors and DJ: 8 PM Nublu – 151 Avenue C, Manhattan Tickets: $20 advance | $25 day of show Co-presented with NY Arab Festival
Twelfth Annual Indian Dance Festival Come early each evening for a pre-performance slide lecture by curator Rajika Puri. Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Lecture by Rajika Puri: 7:30 PM | Performance: 8 PM The Ailey Studios – 405 W 55th St, Manhattan Tickets: $35 / $45 / $55 Night One: Sreelakshmy Govardhanan Night Two: Praveen Kumar
Dakh Daughters with Opening Guest Balaklava Blues Thursday, April 20, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM (le) poisson rouge – 158 Bleecker St, Manhattan Tickets: – Advance $30 | Day of Show $35
KOKOKO! Saturday, April 22, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Public Records – 233 Butler St, Brooklyn Tickets: $25 Advance | $30 Day of Show Co-presented with Public Records
Fatoumata Diawara with Opening Guest TBA Saturday, April 29, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Brooklyn Bowl – 61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn Tickets: $35 Co-presented with Brooklyn Bowl
ADG7 Wednesday, May 3, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM (le) poisson rouge – 158 Bleecker St, Manhattan Tickets: Advance $30 | – Day of Show $35 With promotional support from The Korea Society
Vieux Farka Touré with Guest Thursday, May 11, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Brooklyn Bowl – 61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn Tickets: Advance $25 | Day of Show $30 Co-presented with Brooklyn Bowl
Alam Khan with Manik Khan and Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri Saturday, May 20, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center – 129 West 67th Street, Manhattan Tickets: $35 / $45 / $55
Hermeto Pascoal & Grupo Thursday, May 25, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Pioneer Works Tickets: $30 – standing room | $45 – general admission seating | $65 – preferred seating Co-presented with Pioneer Works
Kiran Ahluwalia w/ Yacouba Sissoko Saturday, June 3, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Flushing Town Hall Tickets: $20 advance | $25 day of show Co-presented with Flushing Town Hall
Yasser Tejeda with DJ Sabine Blaizin (Oyasound) Thursday, June 8, 2023 Doors and DJ: 8 PM | Show: 9 PM Harlem Stage – 150 Convent Avenue, Harlem $20 – advance | $25 – day of show
For World Music Institute’s season’s full schedule, with venue, artist, and ticketing info, visit www.worldmusicinstitute.org
Rock The Bells — the hip hop culture platform founded by LL Cool J — have announced the lineup for their Timeless Hip Hop Cruise. Aptly tittled, Rock The Bells Cruise: A Hip-Hop Experience, the media entities partnership with Sixthman will see a host of hip hop legends perform on the Miami-to-Bahamas getaway.
Rock The Bells began as music festival in Queens and will now be going abroad
Setting Sail on November 13, performers on Rock The Bells’ Timeless Hip Hop Cruise will include hip hop stars of various eras. Headliners include the likes of Rick Ross, Lil Jon and Big Boi. While Ghostface Killah, Big Daddy Kane, Just Blaze and a host of other legends from hip hop’s golden era will make apperances. MC Lyte, Trina & Trick Daddy, Too $hort, Slick Rick, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spinderella, Mannie Fresh, Pete Rock, DJ Quik, Rah Digga, EPMD, Bun B, Bahamadia, Grandmaster Caz, DJ Scratch, The Finisher Mister Cee, DJ EPPS, DJ Nina 9, Grandmaster Dee, Technician The DJ, and DJ Critical Hype. Hosted by Roxanne Shanté & Torae, attendees will also experience a pool deck party series presented by world-renowned party rocker Kid Capri.
At Rock The Bells, we believe classic and timeless Hip-Hop deserves to be served on a silver platter and we can’t wait for Hip-Hop lovers across the globe to be immersed in the culture for five days, on five stages. We’re excited to partner with Sixthman, who bridges the gap between artists and fans, creating unforgettable guest experiences.
– Rock The Bell’s President James Cuthbert
What to Expect at Rock The Bells Hip Hop Cruise?
The expedition kicks-off with a special “Welcome to Miami” performance by Miami hip hop legends Trick Daddy and Trina on the ship’s pool deck. Attendees who purchased their cabin before January 18 will be able to hang out with Trick Daddy and Trina at a private cocktail happy hour prior to setting sail. Moreover, attendees can expect dozens of performances and intimate experiences from some of Hip-Hop’s classic MCs, DJs and producers. In effect, Rock The Bells will be taking over every corner of the ship with pool deck parties presented by world renowned DJ Kid Capri. Other fun endeavors will include MC and DJ battles, rap karaoke, interactive graffiti, live podcasts, roller skating, open mic nights, movie screenings, masterclasses, art galleries, custom grillz, tattoos, basketball and The Trill Mealz Food Court.
The Norwegian Pearl will play host to “Rock The Bells Cruise: A Hip-Hop Experience.”
How could I not Rock the Boat with the Goat? LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells keep the culture afloat. Please believe it.” Too $hort added “Rock The Bells is Hip-Hop History, and they’re working to MAKE history!
Jon Spencer and the Hitmakers will unite for a 2023 winter tour across New York. The tour features the incendiary talents of Bob Bert, Sam Coomes, last but not least the original jet-scream, Jon Spencer. The musicians will visit Albany, Rochester, and Ridgewood (Queens) and more. Fans can enjoy this exuberant starting from late January to early February.
The rockstars will be performing Spencer’s latest album, Spencer Gets It Lit and will feature songs like Junk Man, Death Ray, WormT own and more. The album is a classic Jon Spencer taken to the extreme, it emphasizes a sound of electro-boogie, constructivist art pop, a psychedelic swamp of industrial sleaze and futurist elegance. The album is recognized as an epic master work of freak beat from the world’s weirdest garage.
Spencer Gets It Lit features mind-boggling layers of fury, fuzz guitar a crash-bang battery of phaser blasts and photon torpedoes. Jon Spencer is the ultimate performer; he frantically spits, croons, rhapsodizes, and seduces. The album is his most complex and sensational album in years. It is a dark, danceable odyssey, and a celebration of the place where electricity meets the mind.
Jon Spencer and the Hitmakers are here to crank it up and blow our pants off, … Anyone who has the chance to see this current ensemble, must do so immediately. Peppered with rarities, Blues Explosion songs, even Pussy Galore cuts, Spencer was a bewitching figure on stage, ripping through all the tracks with raw grit and fury
-Gun Control Magazine
Come watch the true heroes of the underground perform hits that will rock your world. Spencer’s says “We are back – primed and loaded – ready to bring the HITS to all the rockers!” Spencer Gets It Lit can be streamed here.
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHoF) is proud to announce a partnership with rock and roll legend Steven Van Zandt’sTeachRock organization. In recognition for his work to promote music education on Long Island, Van Zandt was presented with LIMEHoF’s Harry Chapin Award in 2016.
Left, Steven Van Zandt at TeachRock event credit TeachRock, Right, Steven Van Zandt at LIMEHOF awards ceremony 2016, credit LIMEHOF Photographer Arnie Goodman.
“TeachRock aligns perfectly with LIMEHoF’s educational commitment to education and encouraging more music, arts, and culture being taught in local school districts,” said Tom Needham, LIMEHoF’s Educational Programs Director. “Our shared goal is to encourage more Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens school districts to adopt the TeachRock curriculum and lesson plans for the cultural enrichment of its students.”
“We know that if you want a kid to succeed, you don’t tell her to take her earbuds out,” said TeachRock founder Steven Van Zandt. “You ask her what she’s listening to, and then you trace it back together. Kids come to us with the natural gift of curiosity, and the TeachRock curriculum helps teachers meet them there on the way to meaningful learning.”
Launched in 2002 by Van Zandt and the Founders Board of Bono, Jackson Browne, Martin Scorsese, and Bruce Springsteen, TeachRock provides free, standards-aligned resources that use music to help K-12 students succeed in science, math, social studies, and language arts, among other subjects. TeachRock improves students’ lives by filling every classroom with the sound, stories, and science of music. Nearly 60,000 educators—representing all 50 states—are registered at Teachrock.org.
One example of how the program has been successfully incorporated on Long Island is in the Freeport School District. Stephanie Arnell, a Freeport-based teacher, has been using TeachRock with her students for years, and she’s now leading professional development sessions with teachers throughout her district.
“Personally, I think every teacher should be using the TeachRock curriculum, and we have found that our Freeport students in all grades LOVE the content,” Arnell said.
LIMEHoF also plans to promote the TeachRock curriculum throughout the Long Island, Brooklyn, and Queens school districts. Promotion strategies include the deployment of a LIMEHoF monthly email blast/web, as well as posting a monthly webpage news blast to highlight different TeachRock lessons for each month. Starting in the fall of 2023, LIMEHoF plans to host TeachRock teacher training sessions at its recently opened home base location in Stony Brook village. There is hope that participating schools will be encouraged to visit LIMEHoF via class field trips.
“We hear so much about declining participation and engagement, and how that results in lower math and reading scores,” said Bill Carbone, Executive Director at TeachRock. “But nearly everywhere a TeachRock class is implemented we see the opposite: Engagement and grades are rising, and often the school ends up adding additional TeachRock courses to meet student demand. It’s a paradigm shift: Students aren’t cutting class; they’re clamoring to get in!”
Teachers interested in learning more about the training and in signing up for the newsletters can email info@limusichalloffame.org. For more information about LIMEHoF’s education programs please visit limehof.org
WRAPS – the Woodstock Rock Art and Poster Show – will return to Bearsville Center over May 6-7, 2023. The two-day event will feature a wide selection of art for sale ranging from vintage psychedelia and silkscreen prints, to modern digital artwork and photography.
Exhibitors include well-known artists as well as newcomers making a splash on the scene. In addition to a formidable artist line-up, there will be multi-media productions, talks, and seminars/workshops throughout the event.
This is a new East Coast art show modeled on, and with the support of, the famous The Rock Poster Show (T.R.P.S.) held annually in San Francisco, WRAPS is poised to become a premier event for poster collectors on the East Coast.
The inaugural WRAPS was a huge success last May. Over 40 exhibitors ranging from painters to printers, body artists to serious art collectors gathered to share their love for and knowledge of the art form known simply as “rock poster”. In its second year WRAPS plan to make it even bigger and better.
Held in the world-famous town of Woodstock, NY, WRAPS is produced by artist Mike DuBois of Happylife Productions, Kenny Scneidman of Arrowhead Ranch and Retreat and Lizzie Vann the owner of the newly renovated Bearsville Center, The event will take place at the Historic Bearsville Theater and Utopia sound stage the first weekend of May 2023.
Larry Campbell and Mike DuBois
Bearsville Center is located just a few miles down the road from Woodstock, approximately 2 hours north of New York City and 1 hour south of Albany. It is easily accessible by both car and public transportation out of NYC.
Bearsville Center features a spacious bar and lounge in the theater, and an expansive lawn area for networking and socializing. The property also boasts two restaurants, an ice cream shop, a full bar, and patio with fire pit. There will be live music in the theater’s lounge in the evening. The town of Woodstock and surrounding Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley offer a multitude of recreational and cultural activities, entertainment, hotels and dining in a beautiful natural environment.
WRAPS takes place Saturday, May 6- 10 A.M. – 6 P.M. Sunday, May 7 – 10 A.M- 5 P.M. Artists interested in taking part in the 2023 Woodstock Rock Art & Poster Show, sign up here and check out photos from the 2022 installment of WRAPS below.
Artists for WRAPS 2023 include Jeff Wood, Johnny Thief, William Giese, Mikio Kennedy, David Byrd, Brad Kelly, Mike DuBois, Jay Blakesburg Studio, John Warner, Kenny Schneidman, JT Luccesi, Kory McGeehan, Una Toibin, Helen Kennedy (Zazz Corp.), PhanArt, Rennie Cantine, Brian Woodruff, Phil Brown, Nadina Simon, Nick Clemente (Mark Goff Photos) and many more to be announced.
John Mayer has announced his first ever solo acoustic tour for spring 2023. 20 years in the making, this audacious trek features solo performances by Mayer, leaning heavily on his acoustic guitar work with special performances on piano and electric guitar, in arenas throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The tour kicks off at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Saturday, March 11 and includes a stop at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Wednesday, March 15. Tickets go on sale starting on Friday, February 3 at 9 AM at Johnmayer.com. Due to demand, a fall leg has been announced, with encore performances at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Oct. 3 and Oct. 4, and a stop at UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY, on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Presales start on Wednesday, March 29 at 9 AM and run through Thursday, March 30 at 10 PM. Fans can sign up now to receive a unique code to access presale tickets here.
“I began my career on stage with only a guitar and a microphone. A lot has changed since then, but I knew one day I’d feel it in my heart to do an entire run of shows on my own again, just like those early days,” Mayer wrote on his social media. “It took a couple of decades, but I feel it now. I’ll be playing old songs. Newer songs. Songs you haven’t heard yet that I’ll be road testing – all on acoustic, electric, and piano.”
A Show Twenty Years In The Making
Known for an effortless blend of mind-blowing guitar playing, soulful voice and impeccable songwriting abilities, Mayer has lit up the charts with numerous massive hits such as “New Light,” “Gravity,” “Love on the Weekend,” “Heartbreak Warfare,” “Daughters,” “Waiting on the World to Change,” “Last Train Home,” and “Your Body Is a Wonderland,” while playing lead guitar in Dead and Company since 2015.
The 2023 tour has been 20 years in the making and will feature rare, full acoustic sets from John Mayer performing these songs, and many more. Singer-songwriters Lizzy McAlpine, Alec Benjamin, and a special guest to be announced at a later time, will open these concerts.
Presales start Wednesday, February 1 at 9 AM and run through Thursday, February 2 at 10 PM. Fans can sign up to access presale tickets via seated now at Johnmayer.com. A limited number of VIP packages will also be available.
Two pairs of front-row tickets will be auctioned off for each show on the tour through charityauctionstoday.com. All proceeds from the ticket auctions will go to the Back To You Fund, which has supported many charities, including John’s Heart & Armor Foundation, as well as programs supporting at-risk youth and the homeless.
Check Johnmayer.com for full tour and ticketing information.
John Mayer Solo Acoustic Tour Dates
Saturday, March 11 Newark, NJ Prudential Center
Monday, March 13 Boston, MA TD Garden
Wednesday, March 15 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Saturday, March 18 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
Monday, March 20 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Wednesday, March 22 Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
Friday, March 24 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
Saturday, March 25 Cleveland, OH Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Monday, March 27 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
Wednesday, March 29 St. Louis, MO Enterprise Center
Friday, March 31 Chicago, IL United Center
Saturday, April 1 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
Monday, April 3 Denver, CO Ball Arena
Wednesday, April 5 Phoenix, AZ Footprint Center
Thursday, April 6 Palm Desert, CA Acrisure Arena
Saturday, April 8 Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center
Monday, April 10 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
Tuesday, April 11 Seattle, WA Climate Pledge Arena
Billionaire owner of MSG and the New York Knicks, James Dolan, is not backing down on the use of facial recognition technology at MSG.
Appearing on WNYW’s Good Day New York, Dolan clarified the company’s position, saying, “The real issue is our policy of not letting attorneys who are suing us into our building until the litigation is done. When it’s done, they’re very much welcome back. This is not discriminatory and we will not back down – The Garden has to defend itself – our values are important to us.”
The comment comes on the heels of articles detailing the banning of lawyers who work for firms suing MSG through the use of facial recognition technology. A statement from MSG Entertainment stated its position on its adverse attorney policy and what it called ‘attempts by self-serving politicians to use this issue as a publicity and fundraising platform, instead of addressing issues that impact all New Yorkers such as crime and the economy.’
We urge our elected representatives to focus on causes that improve the quality of life for their constituents – such as addressing rampant crime and homelessness in the city, rather than taking up the cause of a small percentage of attorneys so they can attend Knicks and Rangers games. These elected officials are exploiting this issue for their own publicity and fundraising platform – going as far as to solicit donations.
Dolan also went on to suggest that alcohol sales would be banned at upcoming New York Rangers games, if the State Liquor Authority did not back down from threats to pull the venue’s liquor license.
The New York State Liquor Authority, for example, is way over its skis and being extremely aggressive, threatening to take away our liquor license. They’re doing this for publicity so we’re going to give them some publicity. In response to their threats, we could pick a night, and shut down all the alcohol in the building. We know our fans would be disappointed, but it’s important that we call attention to the SLA’s misguided threats to pull our liquor licenses under false pretense and with zero jurisdiction on this issue.
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who introduced the bill and whose district includes Madison Square Garden, said in a statement
In his public meltdown on Fox 5 this morning, James Dolan showed why Albany should pass our legislation (S2424) and close the ‘sporting event’ loophole in our Civil Rights Law that allows Dolan to ban fans from Madison Square Garden using facial-recognition technology, simply because they work at law firms with clients he deems opposed to his financial interests.
James Dolan is the poster child of privilege, as someone who inherited his wealth and receives an annual $43 million dollar tax break from New Yorkers. Given Dolan’s condescending attitude towards the rest of us, it’s not surprising that he’s taken to criticizing the ‘Clean Slate’ bill to give New Yorkers with criminal convictions a second chance and publicly humiliating honest and hardworking civil servants like the CEO of the State Liquor Authority.
New York shouldn’t allow petty tyrants to impose their warped fantasies on the public while reaping millions each year from taxpayer subsidies. I’m grateful to both the New York State Attorney General and the Manhattan District Attorney for launching inquiries into Dolan’s vindictive business practices intended to silence his critics.
MSG Entertainment shared the following positions towards efforts by the NYS Legislature to stop the use of facial recognition technology.
Our Policy and Our Rights:
Attorneys who have filed a lawsuit against MSG Entertainment are not welcome in our venues while litigation is ongoing. When the litigation is resolved, they will be welcomed back.
This includes attorneys representing ticket scalpers, personal injury claims and class action litigations, but does not include claims related to sexual harassment or employment discrimination.
MSG Entertainment is a private business, and in full compliance with all applicable laws – it is also within our right to implement and to enforce this policy, which is specific to lawyers pursuing active litigation against the Company.
Who These Attorneys Really Are:
The attorneys we are prohibiting from attending include ambulance chasers and money grabbers whose business is motivated by self-promotion and who capitalize on the misfortune of others.
These are attorneys that are defending the ticket scalpers who make getting tickets for the average game and concert-goer next to impossible and exorbitantly expensive.
Our Policy and Facial Recognition:
We have effectively used facial recognition since 2018 as one of our tools to provide a safe and secure environment for our customers and ourselves.
In addition, we use it as a tool to keep adverse attorneys out of our venues.
We Are Unequivocally Open to the Public:
Our venues are absolutely and unequivocally open to the public – we host more than five million people a year and temporarily preventing access to a small percentage of attorneys who are involved in active litigation against MSG doesn’t change that.
This policy does not unlawfully prohibit anyone from entering MSG Entertainment’s venues and it is not our intent to dissuade attorneys from representing plaintiffs in litigation against the Company. This is not an attack on lawyers. We are merely excluding a small percentage of lawyers and only during active litigation.
Elected Officials and Their Real Agendas:
No matter where you stand on the policy, everyone can agree it shouldn’t be this high on our elected officials’ agenda.
We urge our elected representatives to focus on causes that improve the quality of life for their constituents – such as addressing rampant crime and homelessness in the city, instead of choosing to attack the economic engine, job creator and community beacon that is MSG.
Some elected officials are using this as a publicity and fundraising platform, when they should be focusing attention and resources on pressing issues facing New Yorkers – homelessness, the economy, and crime to name a few. One of our electeds is already exploiting his press coverage in solicitation emails.
Attorney General Letitia James has every right to ask questions, but to suggest anyone is being excluded based on the protected classes identified in state and federal civil rights laws is ludicrous. Our policy has never applied to attorneys representing plaintiffs who allege sexual harassment or employment discrimination.
Our Commitment to New York City:
MSG Entertainment is invested in the success of New York City and in the fan experience – and we work hard to create a welcoming atmosphere – focused on warmth, enjoyment and safety for everyone. And we’re proud that MSG is the safest venue in the country.
For over 140 years we have been proud to be a center of New York cultural life – millions of people have attended once-in-a-lifetime events at our venues, and continue to do so in record numbers.
Our Continued Cooperation With State Agencies:
We’ve been extremely cooperative and forthcoming with all state agencies – even those that don’t have any oversight or authority to take a position on this matter – they have every right to ask questions but we also expect that they give us the opportunity to explain our position.
