NYS Music 2023

Category: News Desk

  • 33rd Annual Delaware Valley Riverfest Returns To Narrowsburg

    With the final weekends of July fast approaching, the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance is rearing to share the 2023 edition of their highly anticipated Riverfest before the month is through. The vibrant street festival will take place on July 23rd from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Main Street of Narrowsburg, NY in order to celebrate ecology, art, summer, and most of all – music.

    Riverfest will kick off right at 10:00 AM with an ultimate crowd favorite – River Dogs On Parade, giving pet owners the chance to showcase mans best friend to a panel of judges and an adoring audience. An hour following the take over by the furry creatures, the Kids’ Tent will be available to people of all ages, allowing children with active minds and creative souls to be guided by Narrowsburg’s own teaching artist, Catherine Chesters, in creating colorful Riverfest Art Posters.

    For those in search of the promised musical acts, live performances will also begin at 11:00 AM on the Riverfest Main Stage. Madárka will start off the morning taking listeners on a journey of worldly music as the band works to blend traditional Eastern European styles through centuries and borders. Later in the afternoon, beginning at 2:00 PM, Hollywood Herb & 7he 7eam will take the stage calling on countless icons from The Beatles to Lil Wayne. The genre bending rock, rap, and pop band offers a unique blend that bridges genres and is sure to please music lovers of all ages.

    The live music will be temporarily interrupted around 1:00 PM by the anxiously awaited Riverfest Poster Auction that will take over the main stage and feature nearly fifty one-of-a-kind posters created by local artists. In addition to live music, K9’s of all shapes and sizes, posters, and delicious food truck vendors, the festival will feature an all day long Makers Market in which over forty Artisan Market Booths will display a wide range of handcrafted goods including jewelry, clothing, paintings, and more.

    From morning until night, there will be something for all ages to enjoy at this years’ Riverfest!

    Riverfest 2023

    10:00 AM (9:00 AM for registration) – River Dogs on Parade

    11:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Kids’ Tent

    11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Live Music ft. Madárka (11:00 AM) and Hollywood Herb & 7he 7eam (2:00 PM)

    12:45 PM – Street Theatre

    1:00 PM – Poster Art Auction

  • White Feather Farm in Saugerties To Host Soil Fest

    Starting July 21, visitors to White Feather Farm in Saugerties can expect to take part in the second annual Soil Fest, a three day celebration of soil. The second annual festival includes live performances, workshops and food intersecting art, science and ecology.

    The host of Soil Fest, White Feather Farm, located in Saugerties takes place at White Feather Farm, which “aims to create connection between community, culture, and land,” according to their website, They do so by advancing, and promoting education about, “sustainable farming and other food production, distribution and consumption techniques and practices that reduce climate change and create healthy soil and a vibrant ecosystem.” They also showcase local talent, artists, writers and experts.

    Soil Fest Events

    Soil Fest kicks off Friday, July 21 and continues through Sunday, July 23. The first event begins at 2:00 pm Friday, called “Sensory Kinship of the 3rd Kind.” This workshop will be led by Lisa Schonberg and Allie Wist. The two will conduct a series of exercises using multi-sensory means of communication, like smell, taste and sound. Later that day, Schonberg will also host a performance of percussion and electronic music featuring and responding to soil soundscapes.

    On Saturday, Soil Fest attendees have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities. Some of these include a chromatography workshop, a carbon sponge workshop, and alternative grain beer tasting. There will also be food available from a locally owned and operated mobile catering company, From the Ground Up.

    Additionally, Saturday night will feature a live performance by the band Dust Bowl Faeries. They are a New York based cabaret-inspired indie rock band. Described as a “faerie-tale fusion of gothic polka, dark carnival and angsty folk music,” they draw inspiration from circus songs, murder ballads, vaudeville, jazz and klezmer music.

    On the third day of Soil Fest, attendees can participate in workshops where they make easy to ferment foods with harvest from White Feather Farm. There is also a workshop entitled “Drawing with Biochar,” where participants choose among various sizes and types of wood to make a set of charcoal drawing sticks.

    Finally, Soil Fest closes with a live performance of “Arm of the Sea: Riparian Rhapsody.” Arm of the Sea is a mask and puppet theater that combines art, ecology and social action. The “Riparian Rhapsody” performance explores Catskill ecology to reveal the intricate interactions between forest and stream, while it lyrically makes the case for protecting streamside buffer zones.

    Tickets for each event can be purchased here.

  • Hip Hop Pioneer Slick Rick Added to NYS Fair Lineup

    Hip hop pioneer Slick Rick has announced he will make his New York State Fair debut on Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. as part of the statewide  I Love NY Summer of Hip Hop celebration.

    With his British accent, witty lyrics spoken through a leisurely cadence, and nasally voice, Slick Rick has one of the most recognizable voices in hip-hop. Featuring legendary lyrics and note-worthy fashion, he has inspired many artists including JAY-Z, Eminem, and Idris Elba. Dubbed “the most sampled hip-hop artist in history,” it all started in 1984 when Slick Rick – who went by “Ricky D” at the time – joined Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh crew to record the breakout hit, “La-Di-Da-Di.” He then signed to Def Jam Records and had several multi-platinum albums, including The Great Adventures of Slick Rick (1988) and The Art of Storytelling (1999), his highest-charting album to date.

    Not just an inspiring artist, he also is active in the New York City real estate community, providing affordable housing to communities in the Bronx. As a philanthropist, he supports efforts to fight youth incarceration and poverty, and works to raise awareness about homelessness, food insecurity, and children’s literacy. In 2020, Slick Rick and his wife co-founded the Victory Patch Foundation, which empowers underserved and overlooked communities by partnering with FreshDirect, City Harvest, and the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development.

    I Love NY Summer of Hip Hop is a statewide celebration held in partnership with cultural organizations around the state – including Lincoln Center in New York City, The Plaza in Albany, and The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester. “Since The Fair is a showcase of New York State, we also appreciate Slick Rick’s connections to New York. Hip hop was founded in The Bronx, which is where Slick Rick settled when he moved to this country at age 11, and where he spends time advocating for community causes today. It’s always great when we can highlight New Yorkers in our musical line-up!” said Sean Hennessey, Interim Fair Director.

    New York State Fair Lineup

    Chevy Court

    Aug. 23 at 1 p.m.- Chubby Checker

    Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.- Salt-N-Pepa

    Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.- Quiet Riot

    Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.- Peppa Pig Live! Peppa Pig’s Adventure 

    Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.- Julio Iglesias Jr. 

    Aug. 27 at 1 p.m.- The Prodigals

    Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.- Matt Stell

    Aug. 28 at 1 p.m.- Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone

    Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.- Anne Wilson

    Aug. 29 at 1 p.m.- Tommy James and the Shondells

    Aug. 29 at 6 p.m.- Bret Michaels

    Aug. 30 at 1 p.m.- Danielle Ponder

    Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.- Chapel Hart

    Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.- The Fray

    Sept. 2 at 12-9:45 p.m.- JAMS Funk Fest Featuring: Brick (6:45 p.m.) & Dazz Band (8:15 p.m.)

    Sun. Sept. 3 at 1 p.m.- Disney Junior Live On tour: Costume Palooza

    Sept. 4 at 12 p.m.- The High Kings

    Suburban Park

    Aug. 23 at 2 p.m.- Steven Page

    Aug. 23 at 8 p.m.- Lainey Wilson

    Aug. 24 at 8 p.m.- Theory of a Deadman

    Aug. 26 at 2 p.m.- Slick Rick

    Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.- George Thorogood and the Destroyers

    Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.- Boys World

    Aug. 28 at 8 p.m.- REO Speedwagon

    Aug. 29 at 8 p.m- Tyler Hubbard

    Aug. 30 at 8 p.m.- Ann Wilson

    Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.- Ludacris

    Sept. 1 at 8 p.m.- J.I.D.

    Sept. 2 at 8 p.m.-Quinn XCII

    Sept. 3 at 8 p.m.- Yung Gravy and bbno$

    Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.- Skid Row

  • Clipse Duo Pusha T and No Malice to Headline Genius’ IQ/BBQ

    After teasing their return at Pharell’s Louis Vuitton Fashion Show, legendary rap brothers Pusha T and No Malice — known as Clipse — will continue their resurgence with a headlining performance at Genius’ IQ/BBQ. Presented in partnership with Infiniti, Paco Rabanne, Patron El Alto, and Paramount+ with Showtime’s The Chi, the all-day event takes place on August 19 at Knockdown Center in Queens, N.Y., and will feature live performances from some of the hottest names in hip-hop, including the platinum-selling duo.

    Clipse duo Pusha T and No Malice will be performing at Genius' IQ/BBQ

    In addition to the show, IQ/BBQ will feature experiences like the So Fresh, So Clean Shop from Paco Rabanne 1M, an art installation from Infinity featuring the new QX60, a VIP “Genius Lounge” presented by Patrón El Alto, and a Rap Cafeteria filled with lyric-inspired dishes from local NYC food vendors – presented by Showtime Original Series, The Chi.

    Clipse Making a Comeback

    With this performance, The Clipse continue their teased reunion. After previewing their first joint-record in 14 years the Virginia-bred brothers have garnered fans attention with the teased record. Their last collab was the outro to Pusha T’s most recent album It’s Almost Dry, titled “I Pray for You.”

    Moreover, since their days as The Clipse, the duo have been part of some of hip hop’s most iconic records. Notably, records like “Grindin’,” “Mr. Me Too,” and “What Happened to That Boy.” Since their last album — 2009’s Til The Casket Drops — Pusha T has embarked on a successful solo career that has resulted in several Grammy nominations and recognition as one of the best rappers ever. Meanwhile, No Malice left the music industry to become a pastor making sporadic feature appearances since, including an album cut on Ye’s 2019 release Jesus Is King.

    Tickets for the Genius IQ/BBQ are free and are now available at dice.fm, while the event maintains a 21+ age restriction.

  • Drom30 Festival in Hudson Valley Announces Eclectic Lineup

    Dromedary Records has announced Drom30, a weekend-long celebration of independent rock in the beautiful Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains of New York, from Sept. 15-17.

    Drom30

    Initially brought up as a party to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Kingston micro-indie Dromedary Records, the idea evolved into a greater event.

    As more and more bands got involved, it really started to look more like a celebration of the entire community of independent rock music, and the many of us who’ve kept our toes in this water for a really long time. Some of the artists have released records with Dromedary, some have been long-time friends, and some have been artists we’ve admired from afar. We’re all going to get together in the Hudson Valley and have a big,
    weekend-long party, hopefully feel like kids again, and celebrate this amazing community of artists we’re so proud to be a part of.

    Dromedary founder Al Crisafulli.

    “We hope people plan to come out to the party and enjoy the Hudson Valley for the weekend,” explained Crisafulli, “It’s a great lineup, an excellent blend of indie rock royalty, and great bands that haven’t played together in years, and younger bands that wear their 90s indie rock influences on their sleeve.” The lineup includes a number of musical luminaries, standout DJs, and some of the most important figures in the history of indie rock. Longtime Dromedary artists and collaborators Cathedral Ceilings, The Mommyheads, Stuyvesant, Joy Cleaner, Civic Mimic, Speed the Plough, and Guy Capecelatro III will perform. Each day’s events will be headlined by indie rock legends Yung Wu, Lotion, and Das Damen, three artists who seldom perform live.

    Single-day passes are on sale now. Admission for Friday night’s events will be $25 and will take place at Tubby’s in Kingston. Admission for Saturday and Sunday events in Catskill will be $40 per day. For more information about Drom30 and to purchase tickets, visit here.

    Drom30 Lineup

    Sept 15 – 7 pm-midnight
    Tubby’s Kingston
    Yung Wu, Speed the Plough, and DJ Jeff Economy (WGXC)

    Sept 16 – 1 pm-midnight
    The Avalon & Left Bank Ciders, Catskill
    Antietam, Sleepyhead, Flower, Cathedral Ceilings, Joy Cleaner, Civic Mimic, Das Damen, French, Dots Will Echo, Guy Capecelatro III w/Carrie Bradley, DJ Mark Shue (GBV), DJ Betsy Wright (Bat Fangs), DJ Al C (Dromedary/WIOX), and DJ Nick & Lysa (WGXC).

    Sept 17 – 3 pm-midnight
    The Avalon & Spike’s Record Rack, Catskill
    Lotion, Monsterland, The Mommyheads, Jenny Toomey & Friends, Dippers, Stuyvesant, Overheard, Bela Koe-Krompecher, DJ Metal Mark (Worldsucks), and DJ JC (Rigorous/KMES).

  • Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s Upcoming Midsummer Nights Concert Series

    The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM) has announced the dates of events for its upcoming Midsummer Nights concert series, which will kick off with a special event featuring the recent recipients of the Jazz Leader Fellowship. The free events will take place in July and August, and will be outdoor in front of the BKCM building.

    BKCM is dedicated to giving every New Yorker access to high-quality music instruction and music therapy, as well as to supporting the musical talents of traditionally underserved New York communities. The all-ages event has been curated by BKCM Jazz Leaders Fellow Jasmine Wilson. All events are held at 6:30 p.m..

    Upcoming Shows

    Courtney Wright and Jazz Leader Fellowship Recipients – July 20

    Courtney Wright is a composer and baritone saxophonist based in Brooklyn, and she leads her own quintet and jazz orchestra that plays her original compositions. She will be joined by the winners of the third year of the BKCM Jazz Leaders Fellowship, Melanie Charles and Olithea Anglin (also known as Miss Olithea).

    Melanie Charles has made a name for herself through genre fusions with jazz, soul, rhythm and blues. She has lead a project called “Make Jazz Trill Again” since 2016, focused on taking jazz out of the museum and onto the streets.

    Miss Olithea is a singer, songwriter, producer, and sound healing practitioner, as well as a proud member of the renowned Burnt Sugar Arkestra Chamber. In November 2020, she started her own private studio known as “The Vocal Journey.”

    Courtney Wright

    Akua Dixon – July 27

    Akua Dixon is a cellist, composer, conductor, and educator. She has been at the forefront of improvising string since 1973, and was the first cellist to win the Downbeat Critics Poll. Dixon is also a multi-laureate of the National Endowment for the Arts in composition and performance.

    Akua Dixon

    Milena Casado – Aug. 3

    Milena Casado is a composer, flugelhorn, and trumpet player hailing from Spain. Casado has played with prominent artists, such as Terri Lyne Carrington, Kris Davis, Aaron Parks, Jazzmeia Horn, Jorge Rossy, Francisco Mela, and Kenny Werner.

    Milena Casado

    Charisa the ViolinDiva – Aug. 10

    Charisa the ViolinDiva is a souljazz violinist and vocalist who has challenged the preconceptions of what a violinist can do in contemporary music. Her talent has led her to perform alongside artists such as Lauryn Hill, Paul McCartney, Vivian Green, Kim Burrell, Cyndi Lauper, and Quincy Jones.

    Charisa the ViolinDiva

    No RSVP is needed to attend any of these free events. More information can be found on BKCM’s website.

  • SPAC Announces Dance Season in Spa Little Theatre

    Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) announced that it will present modern dance troupes Pilobolus and BalletX in the Spa Little Theatre as part of its commitment to world-class dance.

    BalletX.

    Presented as part of SPAC’s 2023-2024 fall and spring seasons, the performances mark the first time that full dance productions have been mounted in the Spa Little Theatre in decades. “There is literally nowhere else in the Capital Region to experience full dance productions in this intimate and visceral way,” says Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. 

    Kicking off the series is Pilobolus with two productions on Oct. 8, 2023, of its new Re: Creation Tour, featuring groundbreaking new pieces and beloved works from the past to create an experience both timely and timeless. Building on the success of their critically acclaimed Big Five-OH! Anniversary tour, Pilobolus moves confidently into the next half-century of creation and performance. The performances mark the SPAC debut of the company, following their participation in SPAC’s Festival of Young Artists event in 2021.

    Following their debut on the SPAC stage alongside The Philadelphia Orchestra in 2022, BalletX will grace the stage for two performances on March 16 and 17, 2024. Based in Philadelphia, BalletX is one of the nation’s premier contemporary ballet companies. They create extraordinary dance experiences that inspire human connection through live performances, dance education in Philadelphia public schools, free community pop-ups, and more. BalletX’s dancers were named “among America’s best” by The New York Times, commissioning choreographers from around the world to create dance that is “fresh, inclusive, and connects to what people want” (Philadelphia Citizen).

    Pilobolus, photo by Grant Halverson.

    The announcement follows SPAC’s spring season in the Spa Little Theatre and is part of SPAC’s mission to present year-round programming that extends beyond the traditional summer months. Additional programming for the 2023-2024 Spa Little Theatre season will be announced soon. Tickets will be available for purchase on Aug. 10, 2023.

  • Ganondagan Indigenous Music & Arts Festival Returns to Seneca Art and Culture Center in Victor

    The annual Ganondagan Indigenous Music and Arts Festival returns on July 22 and 23. The event runs 10AM-5PM on both Saturday and Sunday at the Seneca Art & Culture Center in Victor, NY. The festival is free to the public, however donations will go toward funding future events. 

    Ganondagan is a historic site located on the original ground of a 17th century Seneca town. Taking up over 500 acres, the site honors the way in which the Seneca people have influenced everything from political philosophy to our concept of the natural environment. Since its construction in 2015, the Seneca Art and Culture Center has acted as a space to demonstrate Haudenosaunee contributions to art, culture, and society. 

    Ganondagan Indigenous Music and Arts Festival
    The Sinquah Family Dance Troupe

    The Ganondagan Indigenous Music and Arts Festival looks to highlight Haudenosaunee and Indigenous culture through various ways. The festival will include dancing, storytelling, traditional crafts, a Native American arts market, food, live music and more. 

    Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the Wampum/OTGOÄ Exhibition in the Seneca Art & Culture Center. In addition to the tour, there will be on-demand t-shirt screen printing with artwork from artist Peter Jemison (Seneca). Organizers encourage visitors to bring their own 100% cotton shirt to have screen printed. 

    The artists performing at the festival represent several different cultures and groups. This year’s lineup of performers includes Native folk-rock band, December Wind (Mohawk). There will also be dancers from the Sinquah Family Dance Troupe (Hopi/Tewa/Choctaw) and the Haudenosaunee social dancers, Indigenous Spirit Dancers. In addition to music and dance, the festival will feature storytelling from Ronnie Reitter (Seneca) & Tonia Galban (Mohawk). Artists Samantha Jacobs (Seneca), Cliff Redeye (Seneca), and Marilyn Issacs (Tuscarora) are also all scheduled to host demonstrations. 

    Ganondagan Indigenous Music and Arts Festival
    December Wind- Facebook

    December Wind is a Native folk-rock band led by two-time Native American Music Award-winning artist, Atsiaktonkie (Mohawk) accompanied by bass guitarist, Terry Terrance (Mohawk). Together, the group expertly fuses folk-rock with the sounds of Akwesasne/Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) culture. December Wind songs are filled with stories of love, hope, the struggles of native peoples and the beauty of their heritage.

    Here for more details and information about the Ganondagan Indigenous Music and Arts Festival.

  • Grandmaster Flash to Return to the Bronx for “Birth of a Culture”

    One of the founding father’s of hip-hop, Grandmaster Flash will be returning to the Bronx for the free “Birth of a Culture: The Four Elements Block Party” to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop. The event will be in Crotona Park on Aug. 4 and has been made possible by Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage.

    Through his Quik Mix Theory, Grandmaster Flash was the first DJ to use the turntables as a musical instrument by placing his fingertips on the vinyl, extending the break of a song. This innovation would lead the way to further developments, such as cutting, scratching, and transforming. Grandmaster Flash has become the voice of his generation of ’70s hip-hop pioneers, and continues to be a cultural force.

    Present at this celebration of the history and legacy of hip-hop will be Jazzy Jay, DJ Charlie Chase,
    Pete Rock, GrandWizzard Theodore, Tony Touch, and Stretch Armstrong. Additional performers include Funk Flex, DJ Mell Starr, Scram Jones, DJ NABs, and Chuck Chillout.

    Crotona Park is one of the parks where it all started for me when hip-hop was an infant. Now, it’s all grown up and I’m going back home. This is my way of saying “thank you” to my fans and community for supporting me 50 years later. We’re doing things we did back in the ’70s, authentically showing how hip-hop started.

    Grandmaster Flash

    Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage is one of New York’s most accessible outdoor performing arts festivals, with nearly 80 free and benefit performances in Central Park and neighborhood parks throughout the boroughs. It has served New York’s communities for nearly 40 years, and over six million people from around the world have gotten to enjoy their shows.

    The “Birth of a Culture” event will be livestreamed on Grandmaster Flash’s YouTube and Twitch. It will begin at 5:00 p.m., and updates can be found on Grandmaster Flash’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Twitch.

  • Baha Men to Perform at Caroga Lake Music Festival on July 22

    The Grammy Award winning band Baha Men will perform on the waterfront at Caroga Lake Music Festival on Saturday, July 22.

    Baha Men Caroga Lake Music Festival

    In honor of their triple platinum track “Who Let the Dogs Out”, Caroga Arts will be directing $1 of every ticket sold to the Fulton County Regional SPCA to help animals in need.

    Baha Men will be joined this evening by Balla Kouyaté and Mike Block Band.

    Caroga Lake Music Festival began in 2012, when Kyle Price invited friends to his grandmother’s house on Caroga Lake, where they presented a week of free concerts, ambitiously calling themselves the Caroga Lake Music Festival (CLMF). During the first five seasons, CLMF grew from one to five weeks, presenting concerts at a variety of local venues. In 2016, to accommodate the growth, the organization gained 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status as Caroga Arts Collective.

    Today, Caroga Arts presents over 50 performances and community events annually bringing world-class artists from various genres of music, visual art, poetry, and film to the Southern Adirondacks. 

    Premium Seats are $35 with General Admission $25, and free general admission for students. Caroga Arts offers free admission to concert goers age 17 and under for all Caroga Arts presented concerts at Sherman’s. Get Tickets here