Jam band Twiddle has announced the return of Tumble Down, held at Wonderland Forest in LayFayette from Sept. 22-23.
With their indefinite hiatus planned for the end of 2023, Twiddle announced the return of the Tumble Down Festival, their curated festival highlighting important bands in the scene, as well as performances by the group. Twiddle is comprised of members Mihali Savoulidis [vocals, guitar], Ryan Dempsey [keys, organ, synth], Adrian Tramontano [drums], and Zdenek Gubb [bass]. They recently celebrated the release of their fifth full-length album Every Last Leaf. Over the past almost two decades, the group has performed many at notable places and started traditions of their own, including Tumble Down and their annual Frendsgiving celebration.
Tumble Down Festival at Wonderland Forest will take place at a brand new event space, campground and concert venue located in the rolling hills of Central New York’s Apple Valley. Wonderland Forest’s mission is to create new connections through a love of music and nature in a pristine landscape of lush forests, spectacular waterfalls, and glorious vistas.
Twiddle – photo by Dave Decrescente
For this fifth edition of the Tumble Down Festival, fans will be treated to four sets of Twiddle, in addition to sets from Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Andy Frasco + The U.N., Dopapod, Dogs in a Pile (x2), and a solo set from Twiddle’s own, Mihali. A rare set from The Breakfast (featuring Adrian Tramontano of Twiddle), as well as music from Baked Shrimp and Mike Powell top off the stacked lineup.
Tickets go onsale on July 7 at 10 a.m. EST, with weekend GA and VIP tickets available. For more information, visit here. Twiddle will also hit several New York locations this Summer and Fall on their final Distance Makes The Heart Tour, more information about that and to purchase tickets here.
Twiddle Tour
July 14- Buffalo, NY- Cobblestone Music Festival
July 21- Westport, CT- Levitt Pavilion
July 22- Westport, CT- Levitt Pavilion
Aug. 10-12- East Durham, NY- Catskill Moutain Jubilee
From July 6 to September 7, a Summer concert series will take place at Auburn’s Deauville Island, featuring 10 different shows over the next three months. Each concert will occur every Thursday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Last year’s Summer Concert Series at Emerson Park on Deauville Island
In addition to the performances, vendors, and concessions will also be available for the public, including local businesses and food trucks. Villano’s Italian Kitchen, The Busted Yolk, D&G’s Mac and Cheese, Poppy’s Ice Cream, and more plan to attend the event.
A popular place for outdoor activities, small concerts, and sports, Emerson Park on Deauville Island has become a staple for the Auburn area, providing entertainment and recreational options for the community.
Made possible by the Friends of Emerson Park, they are a non-profit organization that promotes and supports the Parks and Trails Department in preserving/developing the area. Additionally, the organization manages the park and puts together community-oriented events, such as the Summer concert series.
This is not the park’s first go-around hosting concerts, with the venue holding shows in past years as well, including a successful 2022 event.
For more concert and organization information, you can visit the Friends of Emerson Park website.
The Lake George Arts Project has announced its plans to continue the town’s Summer concert series, offering free concerts every Wednesday night at the Shepard Park Amphitheater. From July 5 to August 30, the Lake George venue will host ten shows, moving forward a tradition that has been a part of the community for over forty years.
This year’s lineup showcases a diverse, talented group of artists, from New York, New England, Nashville, and other various regions. What makes the lineup so special is the wide array of musicians specializing in different genres, ranging anywhere from bluegrass to hip-hop.
A non-profit organization, the Lake George Arts Project began in 1977 to promote music and artists throughout the region, also providing arts programs for the town.
The Lake George Arts Project also puts on an array of other cultural programs like the Jazz at the Lake jazz festival, the aforementioned Summer Concert Series, and the year-round Courthouse Gallery Exhibition.
In addition to the Wednesday night shows, there will be a special Thursday show on August 24. The show celebrates the 50th-anniversary party for The Stony Creek Band with The Switch, presented in partnership with the Village of Lake George.
As for the start times for the shows, most plan to begin at 7:00 pm (with the exception of the August 24 show). Admission is free and attendees should bring chairs, blankets, or comfortable seating.
Lake George Summer Concert Schedule
July 5: Annie and the Hedonists
July 12: Kyshona
July 19: Guy Davis
July 25: The Clements Brothers
August 2: Three Quarter North
August 9: ARKAI (presented in partnership with the Lake George Music Festival)
August 16: Zikina
August 23: The ILL Funk Ensemble
August 24: 50th Anniversary Party for The Stony Creek Band joined with The Switch
The summer of live music is heating up all around the state as the City of Cohoes has kicked off its Rock The Block Concert Series earlier this month. The 2023 summer performances take place every Thursday evening from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM in Canal Square with the series coming to an end on August 3rd.
The rockin’ eight week concert series started on June 15th with a memorable performance by the impressive Fleetwood Mac tribute band Tusk. The connection between the five band members is close to unheard of as their relationships have spanned more than four decades. Tusk was followed the next week by Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses who rocked the crowd with all of the band’s greatest hits. In the coming weeks there will be so much more to enjoy, as select groups and performers will take the stage including the Eagle tribute band Eaglemania and the country/rock group Vinny Michaels Band.
Every performance of Rock The Block welcomes individuals from the community with free admission as well as food and drink available for purchase, so bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the summer.
Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) Museum has awarded five of its annual music scholarships to graduating Long Island students, including their Pat DeRosa Memorial Scholarship. The museum is based in Stony Brook, and the students were given their scholarships in a ceremony held there.
From left to right: LIMEHOF 2023 music scholarship winners Jacob Leshnower, Alexis Pabebianco, Chris Hummel, Coleman Schubert, and Luca Alexandru.
LIMEHOF is an organization founded in 2004 that is dedicated to the celebration and preservation of Long Island’s rich musical and entertainment history. Their first Hall of Fame location was opened in 2022 in Stony Brook Village. LIMEHOF, which encompasses New York State’s Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings Counties, has inducted more than 120 musicians and music industry executives.
For the Distinction in Music scholarship, winners include: Chris Hummel of Harborfields High School; Jacob Leshnower of Half Hallow High School East; Alexis Pabebianco of Mineola High School; and Luca Alexandru of Syosset High School. Coleman Schubert from Babylon Junior-Senior High School was this year’s winner of the Pat DeRosa Memorial Scholarship, created to honor the memory of Pat DeRosa.
We are immensely proud of our scholarship winners who have been granted the opportunity to pursue their passion for music through higher education. Their talent, dedication, and commitment to their craft inspire us all. We believe that their journey will not only shape their own futures but also contribute to the rich musical legacy of our community and beyond.
LIMEHOF’s Educational Programs Director, Tom Needham
Pat DeRosa was named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the ‘Oldest Professional Saxophone Player’ in 2018. DeRosa passed away earlier this year at the age of 101, continuing to play through 2022. He was born in Brooklyn, picking up the saxophone when he was 12. After playing with the Glenn Miller Army/Air Force Band during his service during WWII, he played in The Latin Quarter and the Copacabana among other NYC venues.
The scholarship honoring him was to be awarded specifically to a high school senior seeking to continue their music studies on the saxophone or on a woodwind instrument. For this scholarship, a 95 or above in Music and a 90 overall average is necessary to qualify. In addition, an essay should be written by the student to explain why they’d like to continue their studies.
More information on the scholarships can be found here.
Luzerne Music Center (LMC) is has announced their 43rd season, spanning from June 18 to August 13. Nestled in the peaceful setting of Lake Luzerne, New York, LMC is a summer music camp for talented youth and a host of the esteemed Luzerne Chamber Music Festival with a lineup of unforgettable performances by world-class guest artists and accomplished LMC faculty members.
With the commitment to artistic excellence and guidance of Elizabeth Pitcairn, a world famous violin soloist and Luzerne Music Center’s CEO and Artistic Director, they have meticulously curated an impressive selection of concerts to cater to a diverse audience.
Founded in 1980, Luzerne Music Center has been a beacon for thousands of talented young musicians, offering a unique blend of a high-intensity music festival and a traditional summer camp experience in the breathtaking foothills of the Adirondacks. With a commitment to fostering courage, resilience, empathy and compassion, Luzerne Music Center provides world-class instruction for gifted musicians aged 9 to 18, regardless of their financial circumstances. The center offers comprehensive training in both large and small ensembles, private lessons and group classes, attracting young talents from around the world.
Luzerne Chamber Music Festival
At the heart of the season lies the Luzerne Chamber Music Festival, featuring four magnificent concerts by world-class guest artists including musicians of the NYC Ballet Orchestra and The Philadelphia Orchestra, WindSync, Glen Inanga, Toby Blumenthal, Darrin C. Milling and Elizabeth Pitcairn. Expect to be taken on a journey of musical brilliance that will leave a lasting impression.
The concerts will be held in the Jack Lawrence Performance Lodge on Luzerne Music Center’s campus on Mondays at 7:30 PM.
July 3 – Musicians of the NYC Ballet Orchestra with Elizabeth Pitcairn, Glen Inanga and the LMC Faculty Orchestra
Jul 10 – WindSync (www.windsync.org)
July 24 – Toby Blumenthal’s 90th Birthday Celebration with Elizabeth Pitcairn, Darrin C. Milling and Fabulous Philadelphians
July 31 – Fabulous Philadelphians: Musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra
Tickets for the Luzerne Chamber Music Festival are available here. Prices include VIP $45/ Adults $35/ Seniors $25 / Students $5 / Under 18 Free.
Faculty Artist Series
Mark your calendars for an extraordinary series of six public concerts featuring programs curated and performed by the renowned LMC faculty. The performances will be held on Fridays, June 23 and 30; July 7, 21 and 28; and August 4, at 7:30 PM in the Jack Lawrence Performance Lodge on Luzerne Music Center’s campus. Each concert incorporates music from all periods, including LMC’s composers-in-residence Jake Gunnar Walsh and Robert Paterson, Director and Co-Founder of the Mostly Modern Festival based in Saratoga Springs, New York.
To discover the wealth of experience and artistry that each faculty member brings to the LMC community, please visit www.luzernemusic.org/faculty.
Tickets are available here. Prices are $15 for adults, $10 for Seniors, $5 for Students, and free for under 18.
Free Student Concerts
Visit Luzerne Music Center and be a part of the extraordinary student concerts, where the next generation of musicians will showcase their talent, passion, and dedication to the art of music.
Throughout the summer, LMC’s lakeside campus in the foothills of the Adirondacks will be a home for over 174 talented campers from 19 states and 12 countries. There, they will be able to immerse themselves in furthering their music studies, supported by LMC’s exceptional faculty and internationally recognized visiting artists and partake in many concerts both as performers and listeners; all during a life-changing summer camp experience fostering intellectual, social and emotional growth. All their remarkable progress and passion will be showcased during eighteen student concerts that are free and open to the public.
Student Showcases:
Saturday, June 24 – 7:30 PM Solo Showcase
Friday, June 30 – 3:30 PM Chamber Showcase
Saturday, July 8 – 7:30 PM Solo Showcase
Thursday, July 13 – 7 PM Chamber Showcase
Saturday, July 22 – 7:30 PM Solo Showcase
Saturday, July 29 – 7 PM Chamber Showcase
Saturday, August 5 – 7:30 PM Solo Showcase
Saturday, August 12 – 4 PM Student Composer’s Concert
Saturday, August 12 – 7 PM Chamber Showcase
Piano Prelude and LMC Symphony Orchestra:
Sunday, June 25 – 1:30 PM
Saturday, July 1 – 1:30 PM
Sunday, July 9 – 1:30 PM
Friday, July 14 – 1:30 PM
Sunday, July 23 – 1:30 PM
Sunday, July 30 – 1:30 PM
Friday, August 4 – 4 PM Orchestra Only
Sunday, August 6 – 1:30 PM
Sunday, August 13 – 1:30 PM Piano Prelude, Brass Choir, & Orchestra
Jeffery B. Ziegler Recital Hall and Jack Lawrence Museum Unveiling
Additionally, July 3rd marks the unveiling of Luzerne Music Center’s new recital hall and museum, the Jeffery B. Ziegler Recital Hall and Jack Lawrence Museum. The grand unveiling will take place during the intermission of the first Luzerne Chamber Music Festival concert of the season, featuring a captivating performance by musicians of the NYC Ballet Orchestra with Elizabeth Pitcairn, Glen Inanga and the LMC Faculty Orchestra. The concert program includes Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and Amy Beach’s Piano Quintet, promising an extraordinary musical experience for all attendees.
At the heart of the transformed Luzerne Music Center campus, the Jeffrey B. Ziegler Recital Hall and Jack Lawrence Museum stands as a testament to the organization’s dedication to artistic excellence. This remarkable octagonal building spans 1,000 square feet, featuring stunning pine finishes and an abundance of natural lighting, creating an inspiring environment for musicians and composers alike.
Crafted by Topsider Homes in North Carolina and assembled on-site by local contractors, the recital hall serves as an intimate performance venue, a museum honoring the esteemed songwriter Jack Lawrence, and a versatile space for masterclasses and small group classes. The project was made possible through the generous support of Jeffrey B. Ziegler and the Jack Lawrence Charitable Trust. Their vision and commitment to the arts have been instrumental in bringing this transformative project to life.
Within the Jeffrey B. Ziegler Recital Hall, the centerpiece is the 1903 Steinway Model O grand piano, generously donated from Michael Kamen’s family. The hall’s modular seating allows for a diverse range of activities, including composition workshops, individual lessons, guest masterclasses, intimate studio recitals, group classes, chamber music rehearsals and small receptions. Adorning the interior perimeter of the hall, the Jack Lawrence archives will create a captivating retrospective, celebrating the life and legacy of this iconic songwriter.
The official opening of the Jeffrey B. Ziegler Recital Hall and Jack Lawrence Museum will be a momentous occasion, graced by the presence of esteemed musicians, including Elizabeth Pitcairn, Glen Inanga, Arturo Delmoni, Sarah Hewitt-Roth and Michael Roth. The intermission will feature a special ribbon cutting ceremony and a special performance by one of the student groups within the newly inaugurated space, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and acoustics of the recital hall.
CEO and Artistic Director
Luzerne Music Center’s CEO and Artistic Director Elizabeth Pitcairn has earned a stunning reputation as one of America’s most beloved violin soloists. She concertized with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Academy of Music, made her New York debut at Alice Tully Hall with the New York String Orchestra, and has since performed in halls across the world.
Ms. Pitcairn performs with one of the world’s most legendary instruments, the Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius of 1720. A gift from her grandfather in 1990, it was named the ‘Red Stradivarius violin’ while in possession of Joseph Joachim, and is said to have inspired the Academy Award–winning film The Red Violin.
Named Luzerne Music Center’s Artistic Director in 2011 and President in 2012, Ms. Pitcairn remains deeply passionate about youth and music education. She is formerly a member of the distinguished faculties at the Colburn School and USC’s Thornton School of Music. Ms. Pitcairn performs regularly around the globe as soloist and an ambassador to LMC. On tour, she makes time for school visits and leads master classes for aspiring music students. For tour dates and more information, visit her website here.
For more information about Luzerne Music Center and its programs, please visit www.luzernemusic.org.
It is safe to say that summer concert season is in full swing. June has come and gone, with a flurry of outdoor music festivals to kick start the season. Don’t you worry, however. July has arrived with an equally impressive slate of music coming through Central New York. Here are five shows you don’t want to miss in the greater Syracuse area in July.
Singer-songwriter and musical legend Elvis Costello brings his “We’re All Going On A Summer Holiday” tour to the Landmark Theater on July 8. The English native, known for his blending of folk rock and power punk musical styles, has been touring for over fifty years. He boasts an impressive resume, with over 30 album releases, 15 Grammy award nominations, and an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. He will be joined on this tour by backing band, The Imposters and special guest Charlie Sexton. Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets open the show. Music starts at 7:30.
Indie folk-rockers Fleet Foxes bring their harmonious sounds to the picturesque Beak and Skiff Apple Orchard on July 12 for a performance. The Seattle natives are touring in support of their latest release, Shore. The album, released in 2020, received much critical acclaim and earned the band their second Grammy nomination. Nigerian born singer-songwriter Uwade opens the show. Uwade is familiar to Fleet Foxes fans, as she sings the opening lyrics on the album Shore. This should lend to some unique and interesting collaborations through out the performance. Music starts at 7pm.
Soul singer and songwriter Arleigh Rose comes to the 443 Social Club in Syracuse for an intimate performance on July 27. Rose, known for her years as the front woman of the band Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, has taken on a more scaled back and intimate sound, following her return to touring after the Covid pandemic. Rose, once described by The Baltimore Sun as having “… one of the biggest voices in the business. Prepare to be blown away”, is now joined by her brother Jackson with the goal of offering more scaled back and intimate performances “that will leave audiences with a deeper understanding of who Sister Sparrow really is”.
Doors open at 5:30pm with music starting at 7pm. The performance is currently sold out, however a wait list is available on the venue’s website.
If you’re willing to take a short drive south on interstate 81, you’re in for a real treat. Blues saxophonist and vocalist Vanessa Collier has scheduled a free performance on July 28 as part of the Cortland Main Street Music Series. Since turning in back to back blistering performances at the NYS Blues Festival in 2021 and 2022, Collier has performed four sold-out concerts at 443 Social Club & Lounge in Syracuse. Always the hot ticket in Central New York, Collier once again returns to the region, this time with a free outdoor performance at Courthouse Park in Cortland.
Music starts at 6pm. See the entire summer line up of the Cortland Main Street Music Series here.
Deadheads will want to unite for this one, as a two day festival celebrating (and recreating) the infamous 1973 Summer Jam music festival comes to the Wonderland Forest in Lafayette. The original festival, which took place in Watkins Glen and hosted over 600,000 music fans, saw performances from The Grateful Dead, The Band, and The Allman Brothers. Surely this festival won’t see as many in attendance but it is certain to share a similar celebratory atmosphere. The Wonderland Forest incarnation will see two days of performances from Dark Star Orchestra (recreating the Grateful Dead performance), Daniel Donato’s Cosmic County featuring Peter Levin (celebrating the Allman Brothers Band) and The Weight Band (celebrating the music of The Band). Each band will perform both days.
Music starts at 4pm on Friday and 1pm on Saturday.
The internationally renowned Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona, Queens held a ceremonial ribbon cutting with fitting trumpet fanfare to celebrate its new state-of-the-art center and archive – the world’s largest for a jazz musician. Opening to the public on Thursday, July 6, the new center will preserve and expand the legacy and ideals of America’s first Black popular music icon, Louis Armstrong.
Opening remarks were made by the museum’s Executive Director Regina Bainand and Board Chair Jay Hershenson, followed by speeches from New York State Senator Jessica Ramos, New York State Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, NYC Council Member Francisco Moya, The City University of New York (CUNY) Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, Queens College President Frank H. Wu, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo and community leaders.
Guests were treated to performances by Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz, pianist, composer and curator of the new Center’s Here to Stay exhibition Jason Moran, Danny Jonokuchi, Christopher McBride and the Queens College All-Stars, Calvin Johnson and Native Soul, as well as students from Frank Sinatra High School. Fittingly, the day featured a trumpet fanfare with a line-up of world renown trumpeters: Bria Skonberg, Jon Faddis, Jon-Erik Kellso, Steven Bernstein, Frank Greene, Bruce Harris, Riley Mulherkar, Linda Briceño, Summer Camargo, Kali Rodriguez, David Adewumi, Tatum Greenblatt, and Danny Jonokuchi. The day concluded with a jam session, center open house with tours, archival sneak peek and a special toast.
The Louis Armstrong Center
The Louis Armstong Center will officially open to the public on Thursday, July 6th. Armstrong’s values of Artistic Excellence, Education and Community will be fostered in Here to Stay, a new exhibition curated by Jason Moran that looks at Armstrong’s five-decade career as an innovative musician, rigorous archivist, consummate collaborator and community builder. Grounded in the new building design by Caples Jefferson Architects, the new Center will also be a permanent home for the 60,000-piece Louis Armstrong Archive and a 75-seat venue offering performances, lectures, films, and educational experiences.
It will be a new international destination celebrating Armstrong’s distinctive role in African-Diaspora history and vitality, offering year-round exhibitions, performances, readings, lectures, and screenings through an array of public programs for all ages. With longstanding partners Queens College and the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, and with a growing list of members, supporters and programmatic collaborators, the museum and center will become a Queens-based hub for inspiration and learning, economic development and tourism – from New Yorkers to the world.
“Louis Armstrong was one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century, and also a beloved member of the community here in Corona, Queens,” said NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “This new education center and archive will keep both aspects of Armstrong’s legacy alive for generations to come – both the consummate artist and musician, and the incredible neighbor who treated local kids to ice cream each year on the 4th of July. We’re proud of the city’s major investment of over $10 million in this project, a long term commitment to the cultural vitality of Corona and in preserving the legacy of Louis Armstrong. Schedule your visit to Satchmo’s house today!”
The opening of the Center has spurred the creation of new programming. The Museum just announced the upcoming season of its groundbreaking Armstrong Now, which will feature the creation and debut of new works by Esperanza Spalding, Amyra León and Antonio Brown. An outreach program to local schools was also recently launched, providing trumpet lessons made possible by a donation of musical instruments from Ken Karnofsky, a descendant of the same family who helped Armstrong buy his first instrument.
This National Historic Landmark museum welcomes its new addition across the street during the 80th anniversary of Louis and Lucille Armstrong moving to the legendary jazz trumpeter & singer’s restored home. Visitors have included Wynton Marsalis, Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, Charlie Watts, Ken Burns, Jon Batiste, Ron Howard, Bette Midler and many more.
Louis Armstrong is the greatest of all American virtuosos. With his trumpet and voice, Armstrong redefined what it meant to be modern by testifying to the range and depth of humanity from the vantage point of the bottom social strata in post-Reconstruction America. Louis Armstrong’s trumpet is the sound of freedom and with it, he left the world so much richer than how he found it. We need his consciousness, intelligence and broad understanding now, more than ever. The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation was the baseline grantor of the Louis Armstrong House Museum and we have been in full support throughout the growth of this historic site. We are so proud of the Museum, and now, the new Armstrong Center. This great achievement is a physical representation of the down-home soulful world of Pops. It is much, much more than just a place. It’s a way for all people from everywhere to physically interact with the profound and deeply moving legacy of Lucille and Louis Armstrong.
Wynton Marsalis, President of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation and Managing and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Working with the museum’s Grammy-winning Director of Research Collections Ricky Riccardi and Executive Director Regina Bain, C&G Partners (MoMA, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Smithsonian, NASA) designed the exhibition with Art Guild(Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Martin Guitar Museum). The 60,000 photos, recordings, manuscripts, letters & mementos in the Louis Armstrong Archive will be returning home to the block where the Armstrongs lived and built the collection.
Guests at the opening of the Louis Armstrong House Museum on June 29
Caples Jefferson Architects designed the 14,000-square-foot building to expand the capacity of the historic house museum and to allow many more people to appreciate the legacy of Louis Armstrong, the man and his music. Armstrong was both down-home and revolutionary and this building reflects that breadth. Caples Jefferson kept the building at the scale of the modest neighborhood that he loved, while creating an urban precinct for his music that welcomes in all visitors.
This new building establishes the final piece of the campus that now comprises the museum as whole; it now includes the home itself that reflects the personal values of Louis Armstrong, the garden that serves as a place for gathering and a place for live performances, the donated home of next-door neighbor Selma Heraldo, reflecting the deep roots within the community, and the new center, designed as an interpretation of Armstrong’s music, where the public can learn even more about the icon who is Louis Armstrong.
The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation donated the Armstrong archives in the 1980s and provided the funds to purchase the lot on which the new Center sits. CUNY and Queens College officials, working with state and city legislators and executive offices, led the advocacy for the funding of the $26 million building across the street from the original Armstrong home. Funds were awarded by the Office of the Governor, the New York State Senate, New York State Assembly, Office of the New York City Mayor, Office of the Queens Borough President, and the New York City Council. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York(DASNY) led the construction project. The staff and board of the museum for the past 15 years, including former Director, Michael Cogswell, worked tirelessly to ensure the new building’s success.
The Center and the historic house will be open to the public Thursdays through Saturdays. Tickets and more information are available on the Museum’s website. Advance purchase is highly recommended as tours of the Center and the historic house have limited capacity. Authors, researchers and other scholars can visit the Armstrong archives by advance appointment.
The West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) has announced their annual celebration of New York City’s West Indian Labor Day Parade. The festival is a celebration of West Indian culture that entails a full day of soca/dancehall music, vibrant costumes, dancing, and food for sale nearby. This all day event will occur on September 4th in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Traditions of the West Indian Labor Day Parade Festival dates back to the 1920s. A Trinidadian immigrant named Ms. Jesse Waddle met with other immigrants to find a solution to their homesickness. The people missed celebrating cultural carnivals in their hometowns. As a result, Ms. Waddle organized a carnival celebration to take place in the months of February or March. The carnivals were held indoors at places such as the Savoy, the Renaissance, and the Audubon Ballroom due to New York’s cold winter weather. Eventually the indoor carnivals became an issue because of its space limitations. Ms. Waddle applied for and received a street parade permit in the 1940s. This shifted the celebrations to the summer.
The permit was originally used in Harlem but was revoked because of a violent riot. Five years later, a committee organized by Trinidadian Carlos Lezama acquired another permit for a parade on Eastern Parkway. Since then, the parade has begun from Eastern Parkway and Utica Avenue ending at Grand Army Plaza. The West Indian Labor Day Parade has grown into one of the biggest parades of New York City, attracting up to four million people.
Some Caribbean Islands celebrated by the parade include Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and Grenada, Afro-Panamanians, etc. The festival is a representation of Caribbean’s pride in their country, heritage, and culture. Participants of the celebration invest both money and time to brainstorm themes, costumes, and floats for the festivities. Face masks come in a variety of styles inspired by natural and spiritual elements, mythical creatures, political events, and popular culture. The artistic and historical value of the parade are displayed through costumes which are later recognized with prizes.
The march from Eastern Parkway to Grand Army Plaza is accompanied by the sounds of drums, whistles, calypso, soca, dancehall, kompa, and reggae music. Oftentimes people enjoy a battle of throwing paint and powder. There is also a wide range of ethnic treats to fuel up on to keep the party going. Although the parade itself is on Labor Day, the partying starts days before.
A celebration called J’ouvert marks the official start of carnival. It means “daybreak,” and occurs during early morning hours. J’ouvert was celebrated as the opportunity to embrace the emancipation of Caribbean slaves. During slavery the French excluded Black people from their masquerade balls so J’ouvert and Carnival became a celebration of culture. Like carnival, people are dressed in costumes with bright colorful feathers, glitter and sometimes you can even catch people walking on five- foot stilts. Both events are also used as a way for Caribbean immigrants to adjust to society without forgetting their roots.
The West Indian Labor Day Festival is welcome to all and free for everyone. End your summer with a bang by enjoying one of the most exhilarating parades of the summer with the Carribbean residents of New York City.
The Green Island Gazebo (GIG for short) has announced its 2023 Summer lineup, marking the 20th year of the concert series. Located just north of Albany and across the river from Troy, the village’s venue plans to hold concerts from July 5 until August 30.
Set up in River Park on the north end of Hudson Avenue, GIG’s summer concert series has been a free event supporting local artists and the community for years, additionally hosting the Festival of Trees in December.
Through nine different shows including unique themes, food specials, and local talents, the venue’s packed schedule for Wednesday nights will surely entertain those of all ages.
When it comes to available food options, volunteers prepare and serve the meals to attendees, along with a group of bakers who donate their products to the concert-goers.
A lot of the same bands also reappear from last year’s lineup, setting up even more familiar faces for the local crowd.
All concerts take place at the River Park Gazebo on Hudson Ave. In the event of rain, events will continue at a different location under the Collar City Bridge on Hudson Avenue.
GIG Concert Schedule (with Food Specials)
July 5 – The Accents (fried chicken breast and strawberry shortcake)
July 12 – NY Players (mac & cheese and rice pudding)
July 19 – Get Up Jack (corned beef sandwich and mint chocolate chip ice cream)
July 26 – The Oldies Show (pulled pork slider and cookies and cream ice cream)
August 2 – Swing Docs (sausage & peppers and fruit cups)
August 9 – Capt. Squeeze (hot dogs, mac salad, and rice pudding)
August 16 – Lustre Kings (steak sandwich and banana split ambrosia)
August 23 – Big Fez (Hawaiian chicken sandwich and peach pie with ice cream)
