NYS Music 2023

Category: News Desk

  • GWAR Performs at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series, Upcoming Shows in NY

    With over-the-top costumes, a bleeding drum set, and some drawn-on abs, the heavy metal band GWAR performed for the National Public Radio’s (NPR) Tiny Desk Concert video series. The band is also to play in Syracuse on Aug. 1 as a part of “The Psychotherapy Sessions” tour.

    GWAR was originally founded in 1984, but has featured a rotating cast of musicians since then. The band orbits around their own mythos as barbaric interstellar warriors, each member wearing a costume and taking on a character. Their shows are known for violent and sexual humor, complete with displays of graphic violence with fake bodily fluids.

    Their performance at NPR and their upcoming tour coincide with the release of The New Dark Ages, the band’s latest album. GWAR’s Tiny Desk Concert featured “Sex Cow,” “I’ll Be Your Monster,” “Phantom Limb,” and “Ratcatcher,” the latter of which being a part of The New Dark Ages.

    We learned a lot from those goody-goodys at NPR. For instance, how to say…”Your support right now is vital to GWAR’s ability to bring you quality cultural and educational programming that leaves you soaked in bodily fluids and shame.” NPR can give you coffee cups and satin totes, but we can give your souls eternal torment, so give to GWAR today.

    Blothar the Beserker

    The upcoming shows for 2023 have been broken down into normal tour dates, headlining shows, and festival appearances. GWAR will be playing aside either Nonpoint, Crobot, or 200 Stab Wounds for their headlining shows, dependent on location. The band will make two stops in NYS, one in Wantagh on July 28, and the other in Syracuse on Aug. 1.

    “The Psychotherapy Sessions” Tour

    July 28 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY

    July 29 – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion – Camden, NJ

    July 30 – Xfinity Center – Mansfield, MA

    Aug. 1 – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview – Syracuse, NY

    Aug. 2 – The Pavilion at Star Lake – Burgettstown, PA

    Aug. 4 – Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, OH

    Aug. 5 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater – Tinley Park, IL

    Aug. 6 – Pine Knob Music Theater – Clarkston, MI

    Aug. 8 – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center – Noblesville, IN

    Aug. 9 – Peoria Civic Center – Peoria, IL

    Aug. 10 – Azura Amphitheater – Bonner Springs, KS

    Aug. 12 – Dos Equis Pavilion – Dallas, TX

    Aug. 13 – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The Woodlands, TX

    Aug. 15 – Isleta Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM

    Aug. 16 – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheater – Phoenix, AZ

    Aug. 17 – FivePoint Amphitheater – Irvine, CA

    Aug. 19 – Concord Pavilion – Concord, CA

    Aug. 20 – Grand Theater at the Grand Sierra Resort – Reno, NV

    Aug. 22 – White River Amphitheater – Auburn, WA

    Aug. 23 – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater – Ridgefield, WA

    Aug. 25 – USANA Amphitheater – Salt Lake City, UT

    Aug. 26 – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater – Englewood, CO

    Headlining Dates

    Aug. 21 – Knitting Factory with Nonpoint – Boise, ID

    Aug. 27 – Bourbon Theatre with Crobot – Lincoln, NE

    Aug. 28 – First Avenue with Crobot and 200 Stab Wounds – Minneapolis, MN

    Aug. 29 – Wooly’s with Crobot and 200 Stab Wounds – Des Moines, IA

    Aug. 30 – The Pageant with Crobot and 200 Stab Wounds – St. Louis, MO

    Sept. 1 – Vibes Event Center with Crobot and 200 Stab Wounds – San Antonio, TX

    GWAR Festival Appearances

    Sept. 2 – Rocklahoma – Pryor, OK

    Sept. 3 – Muddy Roots Festival – Cookeville, TN

    Oct. 26 & 27 – The Fest – Gainsville, FL

    For more on ticket information and on GWAR, check out their website.

  • Celebrate Christmas In July the 2023 Radio City Christmas Spectacular

    “Christmas in July” takes on even greater meaning as MSGE has recently announced the return of the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes for 2023. America’s favorite holiday show will begin on November 17 this winter and stretch to January 4 of next year at Radio City Music Hall.

    This year’s show will allow the Rockettes to put their amazing skills on display through incredibly difficult routines and will once again feature the fan-favorite scene “Dance of the Frost Fairies,” which was fully reimagined in 2022 making the Christmas Spectacular a one of a kind experience. The scene sees the Rockettes as fantastical winged fairies, performing alongside fairy-drones that dance high above the audience creating an immersive experience for anyone lucky enough to be involved. The remainder of the ninety-minute show will be jammed packed with nine show-stopping numbers by the professional dance group.

    The Rockettes were originally founded in 1925 and are two years shy of celebrating their 100th anniversary, making them the longest-running precision dance company in America. The dancers are known all around the world for their incredible athleticism, unity, and immeasurable precision through their unique style combining elements of ballet, jazz, and tap dancing.

    Not only is the group a staple of Christmas, but the dancers also appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Christmas in Rockefeller Center tree lighting among numerous other appearances including award shows and national television. Most recently, the Rockettes were featured in the Hallmark movie “A Holiday Spectacular” where they performed with Mariah Carey in her holiday special filmed at Madison Square Garden, “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All!”

    The Rockettes are not the only aspect of a New York Christmas that has been around for almost 100 years, however, as the Christmas Spectacular itself originally began at Radio City back in 1933. With a mission not only to meet the needs of guests and ensure diversity all around, Radio City’s Spectacular and the Rockettes have brought joy and holiday spirit to more than 70 million people from around the world and will continue to do so in their 90th season. Tickets for the shows are now available and can be found here.

  • 13th Annual Lake George Music Festival to be Held in August

    The 13th annual Lake George Music Festival will be held August 6th to the 17th. The festival will take place at the historic and lakeside Carriage House on the grounds of the Fort William Henry Hotel.

    Lake George Festival music

    Lake George has often received wide-spread admiration and reverence as a cultural destination, yet that public sentiment seems to have lost its relish in recent years. This culturally vibrant location was once heavily influenced and supported by the presence of 20th century artists such as composer Samuel Barber and visual artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Though lacking these spirited artists and musicians today, The Lake George Music Festival hopes to shift the open opinion of the location back in this direction.

    The festival aims to make that change with the assistance of classical music. Individuals from the classical music world remain adamant in the town’s position as a cultural and musical staple, as it is known as one of the most loved classical artist retreat locations in the nation.

    This year’s musicians represent numerous professional orchestras including The Cleveland Orchestra,
    Philadelphia Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, and the Czech Philharmonic. Students in the festival’s
    fellowship program represent nearly every music school in the nation including The Juilliard School, the
    Yale School of Music, and the Curtis Institute of Music. Musicians from as far away as New Zealand,
    China and the Czech Republic will be in attendance this season.

    This year, the festival will bring together over 100 classical artists, composers, podcasters, radio hosts, and pedagogues for public concerts and other events. The venue will offer festivalgoers an intimate experience bringing them up close to some of the nation’s best and brightest artists.

    The Festival is committed to commissioning and premiering new works. This year’s commissions include
    a new solo violin work by Juilliard School Dean, David Serkin Ludwig, a full Symphony Orchestra piece by
    Curtis alumni Sheridan Seyfried, and a chamber work by Curtis and Princeton graduate Alyssa Weinberg.

    Building off last year’s successful opening night where they presented Grammy award-winning trio Time
    for Three, the first public performance will be held on Aug. 9 in Shepard Park. Famed electroacoustic violin/cello duo ARKAI is set to perform with the Lake George Music Festival Symphony.

    The festival along with Lake George’s other music staple, the Lake George Jazz Weekend hosted by the Lake George Arts Project have both brought musical enrichment to the town. Still, the aura of summer tourism and people’s avoidance because of that make their enrichment difficult to solidify and bring to light.

    Founder and CEO of the festival, Alexander Lombard, claims, “Great arts and culture is happening in Lake George and now is your chance to be there for it vs. lamenting about missing what happened. The Curtis Institute of Music, where one of the Music Festival’s founders studied, as well as many of our alumni, uses the phrase “tomorrow’s artists today.” This, I feel, is especially relevant to what’s happening now in Lake George.”

    Festival passes are available for sale now for $149/$49, or, single tickets will be available at the door for
    $25. Parking is affordable and convenient only steps from the venue.

  • Matthew Steckler To Perform Introspective Jazz Set At Caffe Lena

    The incredible saxophonist and woodwind specialist Matthew Steckler is set to perform at the infamous Caffè Lena this upcoming September 9th from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The artist will be joined by two fellow jazz enthusiasts at the venue, presenting to the audience an evening of original compositions reflecting the intimacy and introspection in jazz titled ‘Old Friends Beckoned, New Sounds Reckoned.’

    Steckler, also known as Matty Stecks, has long been recognized for his seminal work with the projects Dead Cat Bounce, Persiflage & Musical Tramps, and has further been featured at festivals and major concert series in North America and Europe. Although he is mainly recognized for his skills on the saxophone, Stecks’ diverse interests in vocal performance, keyboards, percussion, and electronic media brings a holistic approach to live musical experience.

    Stecks will be joined by pianist and composer Yayoi Ikawa who has also been featured in festivals and concerts in select locations around the world. She sees her interaction with jazz as a social activity and strives to collaborate with peers and pass it on to future generations. Lonnie Plaxico, a musician best known for his masterful integration of different forms – combining the rigorous technique of classical, the improvisation of jazz, and the rawness of funk into one exhilarating musical experience – will also be joining the performance. This trio is not a new team-up, however, as the artists have traveled to venues for over a year sharing ‘Old Friends Beckoned, New Sounds Reckoned’ with fellow jazz lovers.

    This live performance will be one in a long series of dates that Stecks plans to perform stretching all the way into December. The artist will stop at multiple places throughout New York in addition to Caffè Lena including Woodstock, Scotia, and Saratoga.

    Upcoming Live Shows

    Sat. July 22 2023: w/ Vermont Jazz Center Big Band, Retreat Farm Brattleboro VT 6:30p

    Th. July 27 2023: w/ The Prescription, Merchants Park Bennington VT Thursday Night Live! 5p

    Fri. July 28 2023: w/ Bombajazzeando at Music by the River, Woodstock NY 6p

    Sun. July 30 2023: w/ Heard, Freedom Park Scotia NY 7p

    Sat. Aug. 5 2023: w/ Noah Baerman & Friends, Buttonwood Tree Middletown CT 8p

    Sat. Aug. 12 2023: w/ Heard, Sankofa Black Arts Festival, Hudson NY 7:15p

    Sun. Aug. 13 2023: w/ Satyrdagg, Nanola, Malta NY 3p

    Th. Aug. 17 2023: w/ Satyrdagg, Providence RI 5:30p

    Sat. Aug. 19 2023: private wedding w/ Silver Arrow Band

    Fri. Aug. 25 2023: w/ Rick Rosoff group at 9 Maple Saratoga NY

    Sat. Aug. 26 2023: w/ Freddi Shehadi & Friends, Little City Cider Co. (Vermont Arts Exchange Music Series) Bennington VT 7p

    Fri. Sept. 1 2023: Music of the Knights, Southern VT Arts Center 8p

    Sat. Sept. 2 2023: Planet Kniffen at Keene NH Music Festival, time TBA

    Sat. Sept. 9 2023: Old Friends Beckoned/New Sounds Reckoned (Lonnie Plaxico, Yayoi Ikawa, Matt Steckler) at Caffe Lena, Saratoga NY, 8p

    Fri. Sept. 15 2023: w/ Bombajazzeando, Nova Arts Keene NH 7p

    Sun. Sept. 17 2023: Old Friends Beckoned/New Sounds Reckoned (Lonnie Plaxico, Yayoi Ikawa, Matt Steckler) at Jazz Vespers, St. Peter’s Church NYC 5p

    Sat. Sept. 30 2023: w/ Bombajazzeando at Garlic & Arts Fest, N. Quabbin MA 3:30p

    Sat. Oct. 7 2023: w/ Dave Cuite at Salem Art Works, Salem NY, TBA

    Sun. Oct. 8 2023: w/ Bombajazzeando at Rockingham Ballroom, Newmarket NH, TBA

    Sat. Nov. 4 2023: w/ Julian Gerstin Sextet, Milford CT, TBA

    Fri. Nov. 17 2023: w/ Rick Rosoff at 9 Maple, Saratoga NY 8-midnight

    Sat. Dec. 2 2023: w/ Bombajazzeando at Buttonwood Tree Middletown CT

  • Mark and Jill Sing the Blues for Summer Residency at the Gem in Bolton Landing

    Mark & Jill, a duo combining roots blues and soulful Texas smoke, will be playing at the Gem every Saturday this July and August. The Gem is in Bolton Landing, just north of the Village of Lake George, and is a smokehouse with cocktails and farm fresh sides.

    mark and jill

    Mark and Jill, based in Upstate NY, combine their talent and vision, making a sound where New Orleans meets Austin. Mark Tolstrup performs vocals and guitar, and has been inducted into the NY Blues Hall of Fame. Jill Burnham performs vocals, bringing the Texas soul to their music. They sing original songs that bring a fresh interpretation of the roots of blues.

    Singin’ the blues, although stolen colloquially to indicate complaining about your situation, was intended to do just the opposite, to pull you out of your doldrums, to wave your fist at misfortune, face your troubles head on…howl at the moon. Mark and Jill embrace that tradition by diving into the rich history of the music as well as paying it forward with their own heartfelt compositions.

    Producer Joel Moss

    Mark & Jill won the Capital Region Thomas Edison Awards “Blues Artist of the Year” and the Capital Region Blues Network competition in 2022. They were finalists in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

    mark and jill the gem

    Shows will be held every Saturday until the end of August from 6:00-9:00 p.m.. To find out more about the artists and for scheduling information, check out their website. For more on the Gem and additional showings there, take a look at the Gem’s website.

  • Lake George To Host Rock the Lake Festival

    A host of 80’s tribute bands will “Rock the Lake” in Lake George for two days beginning August 11. Visitors to Lake George can watch performances by a variety of cover bands during the Rock the Lake weekend.

    Rock the Lake kicks off Friday, August 11 and continues throughout Saturday, August 12. Performances will take place all day long at the Festival Commons located in Charles R. Wood Park. The park can be found at the southern end of Lake George. The 12.5 acre park includes a 2.5 acre festival space where attendees can enjoy the live music.

    While listening to the Rock the Lake performers, audiences will also have the opportunity to take in the beautiful landscape of the park. The Festival Commons website boasts, “With panoramic views of ‘The Queen of American Lakes,’ event-goers can also take advantage of all that Lake George has to offer in terms of activities and sight-seeing, all within a very short walk from the grounds.”

    The performers for Rock the Lake include:

    August 11

    • Broken Clover – 90’s Alt Rock
    • Broken Hearted – Tom Petty Tribute
    • Monsters of Rock – 80’s Hair Metal
    • Tommy V – Arena Rock

    August 12

    • The Skynyrd Experience – Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute
    • LED Sabbath – Led Zeppelin/Black Sabbath Tribute
    • Run Rabbit Run – Pink Floyd Tribute
    • Ultimate Journey Experience – Journey by Legend
    • KISSTORY – Kiss Tribute
    • Back in Black – AC/DC Tribute

    General admission and VIP tickets can be purchased here. Admission is free for children 12 and under.

  • Dave Chappelle Announces August Dates At Madison Square Garden

    Legendary comedian Dave Chappelle recently announced his fall tour which includes four stops in NYC. Dave Chappelle Live gets underway on August 22, 23, 25, and 26 from the world famous Madison Square Garden. 

    Chappelle is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time. His work includes multiple stand-up specials, his own sketch show, appearances on Saturday Night Live, and acting. In 2019 Chappelle was awarded the illustrious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. All in all the comedian has racked up five Primetime Emmy Awards and four Grammys. 

    Attendees at the show will be prohibited from using cell phones, cameras, or other recording devices during the performances. Upon arrival, all phones and smart watches will be secured until the end of the show. Guests will still have possession of their phones however use is only permitted in designated areas. Anyone caught with a cellphone in the venue will be immediately ejected. 

    Dave Chappelle Live is presented by Pilot Boy Productions. Originally founded by Chappelle in 1992, Pilot Boy looks to deliver quality and thought-provoking concerts, films, television shows, and live events. 

    Pre-sale tickets start on July 26 with general on-sale tickets dropping on July 27. Here for tickets and more information. 

    Dave Chappelle Live Dates

    Tue Aug 22 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

    Wed Aug 23 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

    Fri Aug 25 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden – NEWLY ADDED SHOW

    Sat Aug 26 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden – NEWLY ADDED SHOW

    Fri Sep 08 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

    Sat Sep 09 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena

    Tue Sep 12 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena

    Wed Sep 13 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse

    Fri Sep 15 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Arena

    Sun Sep 17 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center

    Mon Sep 18 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center

    Thu Sep 21 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

    Sat Sep 23 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center

    Wed Oct 04 – Chicago, IL – United Center

    Fri Oct 06 – Chicago, IL – United Center

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m-gO0HSCYk&ab_channel=SaturdayNightLive

  • Howlin’ At The Moon Concert Series in Rotterdam Junction Highlights Regional Artists

    The Schenectady County Historical Society is bringing live music to the Capital Region all summer with the Howlin’ at the Moon Concert Series. Hosted at the Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Junction, the series runs June 1 to October 5. Shows are on Thursdays at 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. 

    The Howlin’ at the Moon concert series looks to deliver an “authentic musical experience” for visitors and performers alike. The event showcases local and regional artists from a diverse set of genres including bluegrass, Americana, folk, indie, and more. Organizers hope that the series can act as a platform for people to discover and share new ideas and music. 

    One of the main features of Howlin’ at the Moon is the historic venue in which it takes place. Mabee Farm was originally built in 1705 and is widely regarded as the oldest farm in the Mohawk Valley. The property is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site includes a 17th century house, brick building, Dutch barn, English, barn, and a cemetery. The Dutch barn hosts all concerts, or, in case of rain, the pavilion behind the George E. Franchere Education Center serves as the alternative venue.

    Everesy Rising

    Local band Everest Rising acts as the musical host for each performance. Helping to curate the concert lineup, the group also serves as the opening act all summer long. Bill Flanagan, Pete Gernert-Dott, Dale Wade-Keszey, Trevor Wood, and Mark Baptiste make up bluegrass and Americana outfit.

    All Howlin’ at the Moon shows are $10 at the door (cash only). For more details and information click here. 

    Remaining Concert Lineup

    Arius Photography

    Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter

    w/ Everest Rising

    Thursday, August 3, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 9:00PM

    Sara Milonovich has been a professional musician for over 25 years. She has experience with everything from folk and bluegrass to celtic music and symphony orchestra. Milonovich has performed on Broadway, and even toured Eastern Europe as a State Department musical ambassador. She received the “Americana Artist of the Year” award at the Capital District Thomas Edison Music Awards in 2022.

    Big Fez & the Surfmatics

    w/ Everest Rising

    Thursday, August 31, 2023 “Blue Moon Spectacular” | 7:00 PM – 9:00PM

    Big Fez & the Surfmatics are a four-man group specializing in classic surf and beach music from the early 1960’s and beyond. Their repertoire includes songs by The Ventures, Dick Dale and the Del-Tones, The Trashmen, The Chantays, The Surfaris, and Duane Eddy. Big Fez also performs many of the great vocal hits of the surf era as well, highlighting classic tunes from The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, The Challengers, The Rivieras, and many more.

    Julie Meeker photo

    The Moon Shells w/ Everest Rising

    Thursday, October 5, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 9:00PM

    The Moon Shells are made up of Maggie Shar, Brian Slattery, Laura Murawski, Molly Merrett, and Charlie Shaw. The group’s sound is a pleasurable concoction of  traditional music from Appalachia, Louisiana, West Africa and elsewhere. Whether performing as an acoustic stringband, a stripped-down trio, or a contemporary five-piece band, the Moon Shells are sure to move hearts and feet.

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lauryn Hill and More Highlight 2023 Global Citizen Festival Lineup

    Returning to the Great Lawn of Central Park in New York City on Saturday, September 23 at 2:00 pm, international advocacy organization Global Citizen has announced its lineup for the 2023 free admission festival.

    In addition to the headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ms. Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion, Conan Gray, and the Stray Kids will take the Central Park stage. As a mashup between rock, hip-hop, R&B, and other genres, the festival brings together some of the industry’s best for the annual event.

    The Red Hot Chili Peppers

    Global Citizen’s campaign focuses on the major issues surrounding extreme poverty worldwide, the impacts of climate change, hunger crises, and inequities affecting women and girls.

    Beginning in Australia in 2008, Global Citizen continues operations in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Melbourne, Lagos, etc. to emphasize the movement to put an end to extreme poverty.

    The festival’s curator since 2015, Chris Martin of Coldplay, and the Global Citizen Festival’s co-founders Ryan Gall and Hugh Evans have put together spectacular shows not only in New York City but in other landmark cities across the globe.

    Last year saw Usher, SZA, and Tems perform at Black Star Square in Accra, Ghana in front of thousands, all to help raise money and spread awareness for the organization’s cause.

    Over the past 10 years, 43.6 billion dollars in commitments have been announced through Global Citizen platforms, impacting nearly 1.3 billion lives worldwide, with attendees of this year’s event being able to add even more to that total through awareness and donations.

    Ms. Lauryn Hill

    Ticket Information

    Tickets to this year’s show are free and accessible by joining the movement and taking action on the Global Citizen app or at www.globalcitizen.org. On the website, you are free to scroll through the issues the organization combats and additional event information.

    SZA performing at the 2022 Global Citizen Festival in Accra, Ghana

  • ‘Music On the Erie’ Concert Series Begins in Village of Newark

    The Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce began its Music On the Erie Concert Series in Newark, NY this month. Throughout the summer, performances will take place weekly from a variety of artists in the Wayne County village.

    Chamber of Commerce History

    The New York government established a Chamber of Commerce before the United States went to war against Great Britain. In 1765, the New York Chamber of Commerce was established in opposition to the Stamp Act enacted by the British Parliament. Early Chambers promoted trades and markets, but eventually evolved into community organizations where businesses prospered.

    The website of the Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce includes a mission statement, reading, “The purpose of the Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce is to do all the things necessary through the public services to encourage and support the healthy growth of business and industry in the Greater Newark Community.”

    Music on the Erie Concert Series

    Performances for the Music on the Erie Concert Series take place every Friday until Aug. 25, rain or shine. Featured artists include classic rock and blues band Roll the Dice, cover artist, and singer-songwriter Xarika Suffredini, and classic rock cover band The Marbletones.

    The full schedule of artists includes:

    Mojo Chunk- July 28

    Xarika- August 4

    Midnight Storm- August 11

    Johnny Bauer Duo- August 18

    The Marbletones- August 25