The Museum of the City of New York opened a new exhibition, titled People, Place, and Influence: The Collection at 100. The exhibition celebrates 100 years of the Upper East Side museum, showing a selection of MCNY’s collection of over 750,000 objects.
The new exhibition opened on October 13, presented as part of the Museum’s Centennial celebrations. The selection includes rarely seen items such as a dress worn by opera star Marian Anderson, a golden Tiffany & Company tea and coffee set, a mouthguard used by boxer Joe Louis, and a 1985 street art painting by Sandra “Lady Pink” Fabara. Each object was selected from the museum’s collection of over 750,000 pieces, and reveals a unique perspective of the history of New York City.
Credit: Brad Farwell
A proud highlight of the exhibition, titled Produced by New York, shows a diverse collection crafted and sourced from New York City. Relics from pre-1973 Yankee Stadium, original runs of Broadway productions, Vera Maxwell masterpieces, and more show the rich and expansive culture of New York through the years.
For the last 100 years, MCNY has wrestled with the ambitious notion that a single institution can capture the history, physical transformation, and diversity of this complex metropolis. People, Place, and Influence is a testament to the enduring themes that have defined our museum over the last 100 years. We are not just showcasing objects; we’re weaving together the incredible narratives of a city that has shaped style, politics, and business on a global scale.
Lilly Tuttle, Curator, Museum of the City of New York
In addition to the selection of historical items, the exhibition also includes a look at the history and founding of the Museum of the City of New York. The museum stands as the first city museum in the United States, and is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of New York. People, Place, and Influence: The Collection at 100 is on display until April 21, 2024.
Credit: Brad Farwell
The Museum continues another centennial exhibition, This Is New York: 100 Years of the City in Art and Pop Culture. It features an interactive exhibit showcasing artists, writers, and creatives who were both inspired by and influenced the culture and development of New York City. This exhibit is on view through June 21, 2024.
The Museum is also hosting a monthly film and speaker series in celebration of the centennial, titled New York on Film: Decade by Decade. The events feature studio, independent, and documentary films that tell the story of New York City at the time they were made. A full schedule and lineup are available here.
The UAlbany Performing Arts Center (PAC) will host a free film screening of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari composed by Brett L. Wery and performed by The Area Wind Ensemble on Sunday, November 12.
This event is one of three this season that celebrates local artists as part of the UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s prime performance series. Composer Brett L. Wery is the Music Director/Conductor of the Capital Region Wind Ensemble in Schenectady and composer/editor for Sonata Grendel Publishing in Scotia. Wery’s compositions have been performed and recorded around the world while also named winner of the Classic Pure Vienna International Music Competition.
The Area Wind Ensemble also by the name Quintocracy based in the Capitol Region featuring Melanie Chirignan on flute, Susan Loegering Daves on bassoon, Kelly Lockwood on oboe and Kathryn Svatek on horn. They will be joined for this performance by guest artist Allegra Smith on clarinet.
Over the years, the ensemble has created a goal to break the dusty, classical ensemble mold in support of their belief that music is for all and the music around us should be as diverse as the culture in which we live. Supporting the opportunity to perform for the upcoming silent horror film and help enhance the mystique of the cinema experience.
Admission to this event is free. No reservations or tickets are required. For further information, visit here.
Coming to Upstate soon is Saratoga’s biggest Halloween party of the year, Rock & Oddities Con. From Oct. 28-29 from 10 a.m.- 7 p.m., the event features local metal/rock musicians and a whole slew of enchanting activities.
The energy of metal/rock musicians from the East Coast collides with spine-tingling tales of Paranormal Experiences, including encounters with celebrities at meet-and-greets. Audiences can step into the enchanting realm of the Witches’ Den, and brace themselves for a journey through the Haunted Maze. Also featured at Rock & Oddities Con are premier Tattoo Artists, 100+ vendors, paranormal experiences with investigators with the Travel and Discovery Channels, and costume contests, with cash prizes.
The Village of Saranac Lake Board of Trustees have turned down a requested zoning change that would have turned a field adjacent to a decommissioned landfill into a multi-use music venue, event space and athletic field.
The property, located on Moose Way and seen on the map below at right, is owned by Bob Farmer, who envisioned taking his property, as well as the former landfill – for which the village has a $435,000 grant to convert into athletic fields – and turn the field into Mountain View Performing Arts Field. These plans are now on hold as Farmer weighs his options.
At a village meeting on Monday, October 9, and as reported by Adirondack Daily Enterprise, locals and neighbors of Farmer’s property showed up to voice concerns that this change in zoning would lead to increased traffic, noise, and littering in the small Adirondack town.
This was not the first time Farmer has been turned down by a local board for use of the land for concerts, music and events. The town of North Elba rejected the proposal as it may set precedent for commercial use within a residential area.
With Farmer’s property located in North Elba, and not Saranac Lake, the village board rejected the proposal on this technicality, saying it would need to be annexed before consideration, but based upon concerns of locals, it seems the two best avenues for Farmer have dried up. Resident of Saranac Lake Jacquelyn Dubee said “I feel that it is unfair for the community members to be forced to take a say on what we’re going to be using that land for when we don’t want it to be used for anything,”
The Village of Saranac Lake
One resident, Shannon Madden, started a petition opposing the plan, which she said has 200 signatures so far. With the potential crowd capacity likely to be 3,000, Madden considered this potential venue leading to a “full town invasion.” For those unfamiliar – route 73 that brings most traffic in from I-87 and points east, is a two lane road, with no room for development to expand. The traffic heading into Saranac Lake is already intentionally slowed down as you approach the village center, making the potential for another 500-1000 cars enough to bring the village to a stand still, with no other roads in the area making this feasible.
Christine Collins, a Saranac Lake native and resident of Potsdam has been attached to be venue manager at the Mountain View Performing Arts Field. She pointed to playing it safe as the factor that is holding the town back. “This is about this village and its desperate need for change, culture, diversity and enrichment. While I respect the past, we must let go of antiquated thinking and begin to move forward.
While Farmer and Collins may have exhausted their options, the pair will press ahead and explore alternatives to bringing this site to fruition.
Parker McCollum, ACM Award Winning, and Multi-Platinum selling singer/songwriter, is set to embark on a 41-date U.S. Burn It Down Tour 2024, with one stop in Saratoga Springs in May.
Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Parker McCollum released Never Enough, a statement album that cements his status as one of country music’s undeniable new stars, on May 12 via MCA Nashville. Along with headlining his own tour this summer, McCollum will play stadiums with Morgan Wallen on Wallen’s One Night at a Time World Tour. McCollum has been named an ‘Artist to Watch’ by Rolling Stone, Billboard, SiriusXM, CMT, RIAA, and more with American Songwriter noting, “The Texas native teeters on the edge of next-level superstardom.” MusicRow listed McCollum as their 2021 Breakout Artist of the Year and Apple also included him as one of their all-genre “Up Next Artists” Class of 2021.
A dedicated road warrior, Parker McCollum made his debut at the famed Grand Ole Opry in 2021 and he already sells out venues across the country (over 40 sold-out shows nationwide in 2021) including record-breaking crowds in Dallas (20,000), The Woodlands (16,500), Austin (7500+), Lubbock (7700+), Jackson, MS (5000+), Kearney, NE (3000+), Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, and three nights at Fort Worth’s iconic Billy Bob’s Texas. In March 2022, McCollum made his debut at RODEOHOUSTON to a sold-out crowd with over 73,000 tickets sold, returning to perform at the Opening Day celebration in 2023.
He recently made a dream come true with his first-ever Austin City Limits performance, kicking off their 2023 season. In 2022, McCollum earned his first ACM Award for New Male Artist of the Year, took home “Breakthrough Video of the Year” (a fully fan-voted honor) at the 2022 CMT Music Awards, and scored his first-ever nomination in the New Artist of the Year category at the 56th CMA Awards.
Produced by Emporium Presents, Parker McCollum’s tour will kick off on January 18 at Spokane Arena in Spokane, WA making stops in Dayton, New Orleans, Indianapolis, and more before wrapping up in Corpus Christi, TX at American Bank Center Arena on August 31. In addition, joining McCollum on select dates throughout the tour will be special guests Corey Kent, Larry Fleet, George Birge, and Catie Offerman.
2024 is going to be the biggest and best show we have ever put together. I can’t wait for all the fans to come see what we are working up. The Burn It Down Tour is going to be absolutely epic.
Parker McCollum
The tour announcement comes on the heels of McCollum’s latest release, the critically acclaimed album Never Enough (released on May 12 via MCA Nashville) which includes his RIAA-certified Platinum hit, “Handle On You,” and his explosive current radio single, “Burn It Down.” Most recently, he was notably nominated for New Artist of the Year at the 57th Annual CMA Awards.
Tickets will be available starting with presales (details below) beginning October 17. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning Friday, October 20 at 10 a.m. local time and vary by city*; check local listings at EmporiumPresents.com for more information.
Burn It Down Tour 2024:
Thu Jan 18 | Spokane, WA | Spokane Arena
Fri Jan 19 | Everett, WA | Angel Of The Winds Arena
Sat Jan 20 | Eugene, OR | Matthew Knight Arena
Thu Jan 25 | West Valley City, UT | Maverik Center
Fri Jan 26 | Idaho Falls, ID | Hero Arena Inside The Mountain America Center
Sat Jan 27 | Billings, MT | First Interstate Arena at MetraPark
Thu Feb 01 | Peoria, IL | Peoria Civic Center
Fri Feb 02 | Huntington, WV | Mountain Health Arena
Sat Feb 03 | West Lafayette, IN | Elliott Hall of Music
Thu Feb 08 | Kalamazoo, MI | Wings Event Center
Fri Feb 09 | Dayton, OH | Nutter Center
Sat Feb 10 | St. Louis, MO | Chaifetz Arena
Fri Mar 01 | Columbia, SC | Colonial Life Arena
Sat Mar 02 | Savannah, GA | Enmarket Arena
Thu Apr 04 | Abilene, TX | Taylor County Expo Center
Fri Apr 05 | Edinburg, TX | Bert Ogden Arena
Tue Apr 11 | New Orleans, LA | Smoothie King Center
Sat Apr 12 | Lake Charles, LA | Lake Charles Civic Center
Sat Apr 13 | Waco, TX | Touchdown Alley at McClane Stadium
Tue Apr 18 | Roanoke, VA | Berglund Center
Fri Apr 19 | Greensboro, NC | White Oak Amphitheatre
Thu May 02 | Salina, KS | Tony’s Pizza Events Center
Fri May 03 | Rogers, AR | Walmart AMP
Sat May 04 | Columbia, MO | Mizzou Arena
Fri May 24 | Saratoga Springs, NY | Broadview Stage at SPAC
Sat May 25 | Gilford, NH | Bank of NH Pavilion
Sun May 26 | Bangor, ME | Maine Savings Amp
Sat Jun 01 | Jacksonville, FL | Daily’s Place
Sat Jun 08 | Detroit, MI | Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
Thu Jun 27 | Des Moines, IA | Wells Fargo Arena
Fri Jun 28 | Indianapolis, IN | TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park
Sat Jun 29 | Kansas City, MO | Starlight Theatre
Tue Jul 18 | Brandon, MS | Brandon Amphitheater
Fri Jul 19 | Orange Beach, AL | The Wharf Amphitheater
Thu Aug 15 | Nampa, ID | Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
Fri Aug 16 | Bend, OR | Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Sat Aug 17 | Ridgefield, WA | RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
Fri Aug 23 | Rio Rancho, NM | Rio Rancho Events Center
Sun Aug 25 | Morrison, CO | Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Fri Aug 30 | College Station, TX | Reed Arena
Sat Aug 31 | Corpus Christi, TX | American Bank Center Arena
FilmColumbia will return for its 23rd year to the Crandell Theatre in Chatham, NY for a selection of this year’s top features, documentaries, and short films. The event will feature many Columbia County-based filmmakers, live Q+As, and the annual FilmColumbia Kick-Off Party.
The festival will feature widely anticipated films such as Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s animated masterpiece, The Boy and the Heron, as well as director Andrew Haigh’s All of Us Strangers, a ghost story starring Claire Foy, Andrew Scott, and Paul Mescal.
New York native Scott Cohen (Gilmore Girls, Billions) will star in the breakout comedy The Feeling That The Time For Doing Something Has Passed. The debut feature from writer, director, and star Joanna Arnow will be screened alongside a Q+A from Arnow and Cohen on Friday, October 27.
We tried to show as much good local talent this year as possible. We recognize their strength in our community and celebrate the abundance of talent in our region—proving how essential it is to keep our historic single-screen cinema open and refreshed so they may continue to show their works in a place that is welcoming, and well, ideal.
Co-Artistic Director Laurence Kardish
Staten Island’s own Joan Baez will be the subject of I Am A Noise, a documentary showing a glimpse of Baez’s life and psyche during the 60s. Co-directed by Miri Navasky, Maeve O’Boyle, and Karen O’Connor, the film will screen at FilmColumbia on October 25, followed by a Q&A with fellow New Yorkers Navasky and O’Connor.
During FilmColumbia’s opening weekend, producers and founders of Killer Films, Christine Vachon and Pam Koffler, will be honored for their vast and pioneering bodies of work. As frequent collaborators with director Todd Haynes (May December, Carol), they have constituted a leading force in independent cinema for over 30 years. The festival will screen three Killer Films productions on October 21: Camp (2003) at 11 am, I Shot Andy Warhol (1996) at 1 pm, and May December, the latest from Haynes, at 3 pm. In addition, a Q+A with the producers will directly follow the last screening.
Christine Vachon, Killer Films
The FilmColumbia Kick-Off Party will take place on October 21 from 6-8pm, hosted at the Spencertown, NY home of Jack Shear, a Crandell Theatre benefactor. Vachon and Koffler will also be recognized and celebrated at the Kick-Off.
On Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Caffé Lena announced the return of its free healthcare clinic for creatives, including artists, musicians, designers, photographers, filmmakers, writers, and all others who work in a creative capacity.
According to Caffé Lena, 43% of professional musicians in the U.S. have no health insurance; among full-time musicians, the numbers are even higher. This service aims to enable individuals in the creative community who are uninsured or underinsured to access healthcare in a trusted environment so they can enjoy the best possible quality of life.
The Caffé Lena Healthcare clinic is brought to the community through a collaboration of Jill Burnham RN-BCEN of “Mark and Jill Sing the Blues,” Saratoga Hospital, Sight & Sound Vision Care for the Music Industry, Hudson Headwaters, 1of1 Custom earplugs, and Caffè Lena.
Services include Vision Care Clinic Including Exams and Eyewear, Custom Molded Earplugs, Blood Pressure Screening, Dietician Consultation, HEPC/HIV Screening, Insurance Navigation, and Cancer Screening Services.
Zach Bryan added new dates to his 2024 Quittin Time tour, including two shows on March 30 and 31 at UBS Arena.
The announcement comes a matter of weeks after Bryan surprised fans with the release of his Boys Of Faith EP, which has features from Bon Iver and Noah Kahan. That was preceded by his self-titled, self-written, and produced album which topped the Billboard 200 and Billboard’s Top Country, Rock & Alternative, Americana/Folk, and Rock Album charts. The most recent single from the album, “I Remember Everything (Feat. Kacey Musgraves),” also made history by topping the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, Hot Rock Songs, and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts at once, being the first song ever to do so.
Support acts for Zach Bryan’s Quittin Time 2024 Tour will include Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Turnpike Troubadours, Sheryl Crow, The War And Treaty, Mt. Joy, Sierra Ferrell, The Middle East, Matt Maeson, and Levi Turner.
Fans can register for presale access for the newly added shows here, with presale beginning October 18. General on-sale begins October 20.
Junior Jerry Jam, a Western New York non-profit committed to raising money and awareness to support local non-profits and community organizations through family friendly live music events, will host a fundraiser for Hospice of Buffalo with Sam Grisman Project performing live at Buffalo Iron Works. This special event begins at 11am on Saturday, October 21, with doors opening at 1030am.
Sam Grisman Project is an exciting and innovative musical venture from Sam Grisman, along with bandmates Ric Robertson, Aaron Lipp, and Chris J. English, all paying tribute to the legacy of Sam’s father “Dawg” and his collaboration with Jerry Garcia. This afternoon, the group will be recreating the amazing soundtrack of the 1993 album Not for Kids Only.
With the belief that Buffalo is truly the City of Good Neighbors, Junior Jerry Jam will donate all proceeds from the show to Hospice of Buffalo, a distinguished organization committed to providing compassionate end-of-life care.
This show allows families and fans of Grisman and Garcia, to indulge in the musical talents of the Sam Grisman Project, as well as contribute to the invaluable work of Hospice of Buffalo, supporting those in need during their most vulnerable moments. This incredible musical experience will make a meaningful impact on the Buffalo commurtnity.
Tickets for Sam Grisman Project will be available at the door at Buffalo Iron Works, or reserve your place by email via juniorjerryjam.org.
Broadway’s SPAMALOT is slated to begin performances on Tuesday, October 31, with the official opening ‘knight’ Thursday, November 16 at the St. James Theatre on 44th Street.
SPAMALOT features Tony Award nominee Christopher Fitzgerald (Waitress) as Patsy, Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin, Hamilton) as King Arthur, Taran Killam (“Saturday Night Live”) as Lancelot, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer (Beetlejuice) as The Lady of the Lake, Tony Award nominee Ethan Slater (SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical) as The Historian/Prince Herbert, Jimmy Smagula (Billy Elliot) as Sir Bedevere, Drama Desk Award winner Michael Urie (“Shrinking,” Torch Song) as Sir Robin and Nik Walker (Hamilton) as Sir Galahad.
Additional cast include with David Josefsberg, Graham Stevens, Daniel Beeman, Maria Briggs, Gabriella Enriquez, Michael Fatica, Denis Lambert, Shina Ann Morris, Kaylee Olson, Kristin Piro, Drew Redington, Tyler Roberts, Anju Cloud, Darrell T. Joe, Lily Kaufmann, and Charlie Sutton. Iglehart, Kritzer, Smagula, Urie and Walker will be reprising their roles from the record-breaking sold-out run at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
SPAMALOT features SNL alum Taran Killam as Lancelot
The musical first galloped onto Broadway in 2005, featuring a book & lyrics by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle. The original Broadway production was nominated for 14 Tony Awards and won three, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Mike Nichols) and Best Featured Actress (Sara Ramirez as The Lady of the Lake) and featured choreography by Casey Nicholaw. Josh Rhodes (Bright Star, Cinderella) will return from the Kennedy Center production to direct and choreograph on Broadway. Jeffrey Finn, Vice President & Executive Producer of Theater and Artistic Director, Broadway Center Stage at The Kennedy Center serves as lead producer.
The creative team also includes scenic and projection design by Paul Tate dePoo III, costume design by Jen Caprio, lighting design by Cory Pattak, sound design by Kai Harada & Haley Parcher, wig design by Tom Watson and music direction by John Bell. Casting is by JZ Casting, Matthew Lacey will serve as the Production Stage Manager and RCI Theatricals will serve as General Manager.
