Category: News Desk

  • Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers Expand Fall Tour, Include Stops in NY

    Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers have expanded their forthcoming tour into November, adding ten stops to an already jam-packed fall lineup. The group, which features lifelong collaborators and real-life brothers Victor, Joseph, Roy “Futureman,” and Regi Wooten, recently announced its highly anticipated reunion tour, making stops in NY cities including Troy, Buffalo, and Brooklyn.

    Wooten Brothers

    Lauded by Rolling Stone as one of the “Top 10 Bassists of All Time,” Victor Wooten has captivated audiences for over four decades with his dynamic stage presence and unparalleled technical chops. Wooten’s eclectic repertoire includes collaborations with the likes of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones (of which he is a founding member), Chick Corea, Dave Matthews Band, India Arie, Keb’ Mo’, and more recently, Cory Wong. Widely regarded as one of the greatest living bassists today, Wooten continues to share his passion for music through numerous modalities. The multidisciplinary artist has authored two books and has mentored thousands of students at his own Center for Music and Nature since the year 2000.

    Remarkably accomplished in their own right, each of the Wooten brothers bring a unique flavor to the live experience. Joseph Wooten, also known as the “Hands of Soul,” has been the keyboardist/vocalist for the Steve Miller Band since 1993. He is a renowned composer, arranger, author, and motivational speaker whose collaborations include work with Whitney Houston, George Clinton, and Kenny G.

     Roy “Futureman” Wooten is also a founding member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and a five-time GRAMMY award winner, famously known for his trademark inventions the “Drumitar” and the “RoyEI” keyboard. A philosopher, researcher, filmmaker, and educator, Roy’s impressive solo career, symphonic works, and “Black Mozart” projects span the genres of classical, jazz, soul, gospel, and spoken word. 

    Regi Wooten’s signature guitar style of chording, slapping, tapping, and virtuosic strumming has earned him worldwide notoriety and comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, and Chuck Berry. In recent years, Regi has performed with many artists including the legendary Ginger Baker. Known worldwide as “The Teacha,” Regi currently teaches music in Nashville, TN, and has taught many notable musicians.

    Wooten Brothers

    Together The Wooten Brothers bring an uncanny level of experience, originality, and expertise to the stage. Playing together since childhood, the formidable group has shared stages with the likes of Curtis Mayfield, The Temptations, Ramsey Lewis, Stephanie Mills, War, and others. Fans can expect an infectious, colorful, and exuberant production that showcases The Wooten Brothers’ impenetrable creative chemistry. An amalgam of original songs and choice classics, each show offers a one-of-a-kind adventure that defies the bounds of jazz, funk, soul, R&B, rock, and bluegrass. 

    On the forthcoming tour, Victor shares, “Being in a band with my brothers is the best thing for me. It’s like a family reunion every time we get together to play. They are my teachers and I feel most at home with them.”This will be the brothers’ first tour together as a band since the untimely death of their saxophone-playing brother Rudy a few years ago. In the forthcoming year, The Wooten Brothers will release their first studio album in several decades. 

    The music we are working on at the moment is a collection of new and old. We have songs that were recorded decades ago that have never been heard by anyone. We also have newer music that was recorded over the last year. It will be a nice collection of old and new. With the older music, we want to introduce the world to Rudy, our saxophone-playing brother who passed away in 2010. Be prepared to have your mind blown.

    The Wooten Brothers

    The forthcoming Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers tour will kick off on Sept. 28 in Chattanooga, TN. For tour dates, tickets, and info, visit here.

    Wooten Brothers

    Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers Tour Dates

    09/28 – Chattanooga, TN – The Barrelhouse Ballroom^

    09/29 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre^

    09/30 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse^

    10/01 – Asheville, NC – The Outpost^

    10/03 – Troy, NY – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall^

    10/04 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl^

    10/05 – Silver Springs, MD – The Fillmore^

    10/06 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live^

    10/07 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel^

    10/08 – Portland, ME – State Theatre^

    10/10 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground^

    10/11 – Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues^

    10/12 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – FM Kirby Center^

    10/13 – Roanoke, VA – Jefferson Center

    10/14 – Buffalo, NY – CMC International Jazz Festival

    11/01 – Saint Louis, MO – Delmar Hall

    11/02 – Nashville, TN – Riverside Revival

    11/03 – Germantown, TN – GPAC

    11/04 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue

    11/06 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark

    11/07 – Cincinnati, OH – Hamilton Memorial Hall

    11/08 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre 

    11/09 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line

    11/10 – Evanston, IL – SPACE

    11/11 – Elgin, IL – ECC Arts Center

    01/11 – Denver, CO – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom

    01/12 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room

    01/13 – Hamilton, MT – Bitterroot Performing Arts Council

    01/14 – Bozeman, MT – The Elm

    01/16 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile

    01/17 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall

    01/18 – Eugene, OR – The John G. Shedd Institute For The Arts

    01/19 – Chico, CA – The Big Room at Sierra Nevada Brewery

    01/20 – Berkeley, CA – The UC Theatre

    01/21 – Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theatre

    01/23 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern

    01/25 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour

    ^With Special Guests Rebirth Brass Band

  • Afropunk Brooklyn Returns For Summer 2023

    Afropunk Brooklyn will be returning this year for another fun-filled weekend festival of fresh talent and amazing music. The annual cultural staple will be switching up venues this summer as it will be debuting at Greenpoint Terminal Market on Aug. 26 and 27.

    Afropunk was first introduced to the Brooklyn area in 2005 and has persisted as an annual arts celebration ever since. The event features diverse music, film, fashion, and art produced by alternative black artists and this year’s lineup will be highlighting two new headliners. R&B singer/songwriter Jazmine Sullivan will be making her Afropunk headliner debut, performing select music from her critically acclaimed 2021 EP Heaux Tales. Producer, Flying Lotus will also take the stage as headliner for the festival, bringing his live show to the city.

    Festival goers can also look forward to an even wider range of styles and incredible performances when it comes to the rest of the Afropunk lineup. Brooklyn’s own Joey Bada$$ will make an appearance during the weekend along with acclaimed jazz singer Madison McFerrin, NY rap vets the Beatnuts and multitalented performers such as Sudan Archives and the Brooklyn-born Iniko. These artists are simply skimming the surface of what diverse acts are to be expected throughout the weekend.

    AFROPUNK BROOKLYN

    As the organizers and founders claim, however, Afropunk is not just about the music. “It’s a community of people who reject societal norms and embrace their true selves, no matter what anyone else thinks. So leave the daily grind behind, let your true self shine, and party like there’s no tomorrow. This is a space where you can let your freak flag fly and be proud of who you are.”

    For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.

  • Salt-N-Pepa Celebrate 50 Years of Hip Hop at NYS Fair

    Salt-N-Pepa will make their third appearance at the NYS Fair on Opening Day, Aug. 23, celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop.

    Salt-N-Pepa NYS Fair

    Cheryl James (also known as “Salt”) and Sandy Denton (also known as “Pepa”) first linked up in the mid-1980s when they were both Queensborough Community College students and Sears colleagues in Queens. Their coworker – and Salt’s boyfriend at the time – asked them to rap on a song he was producing. That song, “The Show Stopper,” became an underground hit and landed on the national R&B charts, leading to a record deal and the duo’s debut album, Hot, Cool & Vicious.

    Since then, Salt-N-Pepa has received several Grammy awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, as well as a Lifetime biopic. Some of their hits include “Push It,” “Shake Your Thang,” “Shoop” and “Whatta Man.” Through party anthems, big beats, and pro-feminist lyrics, the group broke down barriers for women in hip hop and were one of the first rap artists to experience success in the pop music realm and played a big role in solidifying the acceptance of rap and hip hop in the mainstream music world.

    Joining in the celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, Salt-N-Pepa will pay homage to their classic hip-hop roots, while entertaining the audience all night long. Don’t miss the group perform at Chevy Court at the NYS Fair on Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. For more information about the Fair, visit here.

    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 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

  • City of the Sun Announces Summer Residency at (Le) Poisson Rouge

    (Le) Poisson Rouge will present a four-night residency with New York City-based powerhouse experimental music band City of the Sun, starting on June 28.

    city of the sun

    For over 10 years, City of the Sun has been flipping the perception of what instrumental music is, attracting a new generation to the genre. Formed in 2011 by guitarist John Pita and percussionist Zach Para, the band takes influence from genres like American folk, indie rock, blues, and flamenco, creating an otherworldly and cinematic experience.

    City of the Sun has been established as a powerhouse group in the post-rock sphere. Their UNTITLED EP in 2018 featured the critically acclaimed track “Perfect Instance,” leading them to release their self-titled album, also to huge praise. Their newest album Segunda Alma sees the group expanding on their experimental roots, mixing in organic house elements and other arrangements.

    Additional dates for the City of the Sun residency at (Le) Poisson Rouge) include July 11, August 9 and September 12. Tickets and information can be found here.

  • Woodsist Festival Announces 2023 Lineup

    Woodsist Festival has announced its 2023 lineup, returning to Arrowood Farms in Accord on Saturday, Sept. 23, and Sunday, Sept. 24.

    Woodsist Festival

    Woodsist is an independent record label founded in 2006 by Jeremy Earl of the band Woods. Originally born in Brooklyn, the label is now based in Stone Ridge, New York. Earl, like other years, curated the festival’s eclectic lineup. Woods are one of the most dependable outfits in the kaleidoscopic low-key underground, transcending their glow into the Woodsist Festival which continually folds in a wide range of diverse sounds, creating a living community.

    The inaugural Woodsist Festival took place in Brooklyn in 2009 with Thee Oh Sees headlining alongside a number of acts including Beach Fossils, Real Estate, and Kurt Vile. Since then, the festival has been presented in various locations including Big Sur, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Pioneertown, CA. The festival found its home at Arrowood Farms in 2019 and returned again in 2021 and 2022, and now for the 2023 edition of the festival. Hosting the acts on two alternating stages, the venue will also feature food from local Hudson Valley-based vendors and craft beer brewed directly on-site. 

    The 2023 Woodsist Festival lineup showcases the largest number of artists to perform at the festival to date while ticket prices remain the same as in past years with fees capped as much as possible. This year’s festival features Kevin Morby, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Avery Tare, Woods, Cass McCombs, Bombino, Natural Information Society, Scientist, MJ Lenderman, Water from Your Eyes, Alabaster DePlume, Taper’s Choice, Daniel Higgs, Tyvek, Anna St Louis, Aquarium Drunkard DJs, and Tubby’s DJs. 

    Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. EST on Thursday, June 29 here.

  • Doja Cat to Visit Brooklyn on North American “Scarlet Tour” with Ice Spice

    As a part of her “Scarlet Tour” across North America, Grammy award-winning star Doja Cat will stop at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Nov. 29 with special guest and Bronx native Ice Spice. This coincides with the recent release of Doja Cat’s new track “Attention,” to critical acclaim.

    With a start on Soundcloud at the age of 16 in 2013, Doja Cat first was catapulted into the mainstream through the release of “MOOO!” in 2018. One of her most popular tracks to date is the Grammy-nominated record “Say So” which has been RIAA certified 6x platinum. Doja Cat has over 20 billion worldwide streams to date.

    Recently, Doja Cat was named one of TIME100’s Most Influential People of 2023, featured on the cover issue in April 2023, and performed at the TIME100 Gala in New York City. The artist has a total of 16 Grammy Award nominations, as well as nominations for 20 Billboard Music Awards, 10 MTV VMAs, nine AMAs, nine BET Awards, eight MTV EMAs, and 5 BMI Awards alongside dozens more.

    Joining her on the tour are special guests Ice Spice and Doechii, who will appear at different shows in select cities during the 24-date tour. For the Brooklyn show, Ice Spice will be performing. General sale begins June 30 at 10:00 a.m., with VIP packages and experiences available. While the precise packages can vary, they may include premium tickets, a photo op in front of the stage, pre-show VIP Lounge access, and specially designed VIP gift items. For more information, visit here.

    Tour Dates

    San Francisco, CA – Chase Center – Oct. 31

    Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena – Nov. 2

    Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena – Nov. 3

    San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena – Nov. 5

    Anaheim, CA – Honda Center – Nov. 6

    Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center – Nov. 8

    Denver, CO – Ball Arena – Nov. 10

    Austin, TX – Moody Center – Nov. 13

    Houston, TX – Toyota Center – Nov. 15

    Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center – Nov. 16

    Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena – Nov. 19

    Miami, FL – Kaseya Center – Nov. 21

    Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena – Nov. 24

    Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center – Nov. 26

    Washington, DC – Capital One Arena – Nov. 27

    Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center – Nov. 29

    Newark, NJ – Prudential Center – Nov. 30

    Boston, MA – TD Garden – Dec. 2

    Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena – Dec. 4

    Minneapolis, MN – Target Center – Dec. 7

    Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center – Dec. 8

    Detroit, MI – Little Caesar’s Arena – Dec. 10

    Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena – Dec. 11

    Chicago, IL – United Center – Dec. 13

  • Hudson West Folk Festival Lineup Announced

    The Hudson West Folk Festival returns for another year of music, art, and teaching in downtown Jersey City. The event is slated for Sept. 23 and will run from Noon to 10 pm at the Nimbus Arts Center.

    The festival incorporates both established and up-and-coming musicians into its programming. The event will feature ten different performers, two of which are new local artists. Although the festival is predominately based around folk and roots music, this year’s lineup bolsters acts from a diverse set of genres. 

    In addition to showcasing and highlighting great music, the Hudson West Folk Festival also works with the local visual arts scene. Local artists often create stage backdrops, helping to promote all the different creative talents in the area. 

    2022 talent search winner, Sofia Oro

    One of the most unique aspects of the Hudson West Folk Festival is the music workshops that happen as part of the celebration. Free with admission, the workshops are taught by professional musicians and aim to inspire and educate the next generation of performers. 

    As part of the festival, there will also be a variety of homemade food for sale and a bar. More details and information can be found here

    Festival Lineup 

    Crys Matthews- Matthews is a winner of the prestigious New Song Music and Performance Competition at the Lincoln Center. Her music is marked by poignant lyrics and hopeful rhythms which help to create a powerful and salient sound. 

    The Chivalrous Crickets- An often genre-being folk band that highlights the intersectionality of many different kinds of music. From Appalachian to Celtic, the group looks to share quality songs worldwide. 

    Nation Beat- Inspired by jazz and the spirit of celebrations like Carnival, Nation Beat creates music to dance to. Their performances often include captivating drums and lively horns, making it the perfect sound to cap off the Summer season. 

    Grey Reverend- Featuring layered strings and soulful lyrics, Grey Reverend has carved out a sound between folk and blues. Reverend’s music has appeared on MTV, ABC, NBC, HBO, BBC, and NPR. 

    Danielle Miraglia- A multi-dimensional artist that combines the sounds of folk, rock, blues, and even country. Miraglia’s strong voice and creative playing style are sure to catch anyone’s attention. 

    Joshua Nelson- Nelson is known as “The Prince of Kosher Gospel”, performing with numerous gospel legends. Nelson also performs frequently with the Jewish Klezmer band The Klezmatics. 

    The Scooches- A band that treasures the diversity of folk music from around the world. Their performances are a melting pot of Americana, folk, roots, and even jazz, 

    Sean Kiely- Kiely’s calm and comforting voice pairs well with his acoustic groove. Despite the strong influence of roots/folk, Kiely’s music also weaves in elements of rock and even indie-rock. His willingness to explore other genres generates performances that are friendly for all kinds of music fans. 

  • Blanket Approval “Happy Alone Tour” this Summer to Visit Albany, Pleasantville, NYC

    Blanket Approval, an indie pop rock band out of NYC, is stopping in three NY destinations, Albany, Pleasantville, and NYC for its “Happy Alone Tour” this summer. A fourth destination in NY may be possible, but it has yet to be determined. This coincides with the release of their new single “Happy Alone, Pt. II.”

    “Born out of the ashes of the pandemic,” Blanket Approval began to form when singer/guitarist Jack Matteucci moved to Brooklyn in 2021 and met drummer Joey Hadden. From there, they met bassist Max Mena and guitarist/keyboardist Rahul Chakraborty. Blanket Approval began rehearsing and recording in January 2022.

    They had their live debut at Union Pool in Brooklyn in Spring 2022, going on to 200,000 streams on Spotify in less than 8 months, and featuring in Spotify’s Fresh Finds Indie. In 2023, they plan to release a summer EP.

    Blanket Approval’s new single “Happy Alone Part II” builds from a calm, chill opening to powerful harmonies with many of the band’s members and swelling music. Chakraborty’s keyboards, which open the song and carry on throughout the piece give the song a nice echoing beat throughout.

    A personal favorite part of the song are the little crescendos, which often occur after the many vocal solos of the “Happy Alone Part II,” a feature fitting given the name. The pause in the instrumentals before these provides a brief return to the more cool opening of the song before returning with the explosive clamor of the instrumentals.

    Upcoming Happy Alone Tour Dates

    Albany, NY – June 30

    Greenfield, MA – July 1

    Pleasantville, NY – July 2

    Boston, MA – July 3

    Burlington, VT – July 5

    TBD Upstate NY, VT, NH – July 6

    Randolph, VT – July 7

    Southbridge, MA – July 8

    NYC, NY – July 22

    For more information on Blanket Approval, on tickets, and on future releases check out their website.

  • Hudson Valley Jazz Festival Continues To Showcase Local Acts

    The Hudson Valley Jazz Festival will once again bring the sounds and soul of jazz music to Upstate New York. The celebration is now in its 14th season and has long acted as one of the premier showcases for local musicians. This year’s festival runs from August 9-13. 

    While there have been plenty of big names that have performed at the festival, the Hudson Valley Jazz Festival is truly dedicated to fostering and exhibiting musical talent around the region. Going along with the theme of community, the event will not take place at just one location like a traditional festival. Instead, the festival will unfold across various restaurants, clubs, galleries, community centers, and stages. 

    Among the towns where the festival will be held include Kingston, Warwick, Tarrytown, Montgomery, Stone Ridge, Greenwood Lake, and Woodstock. Another unique aspect of the Hudson Valley Jazz Festival is that each specific venue chooses the performers. Every participating town, business, and/or organization will have the ability to highlight the artist(s) of their preference. The result is a hyper-local experience that looks to demonstrate the diverse sounds and styles of jazz in Hudson Valley. 

    Drummer Taru Alexander via hudsonvalleyjazzfest

    There will be over 20 performances as part of the festival, with many of them being free. It all gets started on Wednesday, August 9 at The Cove in Greenwood Lake. The performance features a local all-star lineup including well-known vibraphonist Bill Ware. 

    Check here for the complete details of the festival, performers and venues are subject to change.

    Hudson Valley Jazz Festival Summer Lineup

    Wed Aug 9

    7 PM-  Taru Alexander, Robert Kopec, Eric Person, Bill Ware- The Cove, 13 Castle Court, Greenwood Lake

    7PM- Sean Crimmins Heart Strings Band- Front St. Tavern 63 North Front St. Kingston

    Thurs. Aug 10

    6:30 PM – Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet- On The Lawn,1405 Kings Hgwy Sugar Loaf Crossing, Sugar Loaf

    7 PM- Bill Pernice Trio- Coquito, Forester Ave. Warwick

    7 PM- Bill Evans Tribute- UpFront Gallery, 31 Jersey Ave, Port Jervis

    7PM- Depetris/Laks Duo- Front St Tavern, Kingston

    Friday Aug 11

    6:30 PM- Vanessa Racci Band Presented by Jazz Forum Art- Pierson Park, 238 West Main St, Tarrytown

    7 PM- JUDI SILVANO + FRIENDS: Summertime Songs with Matt Finck, Teri Roiger, Gabriele Tranchina, & John Menegon- Astoria Hudson 84 Clinton Street, Montgomery ($20 Suggested Donation for Fundraiser for the Wallkill River Center for the Arts in Montgomery, NY)

    6 PM- Soul Jazz Collective with Steve Raleigh- Front St Tavern, Kingston

    7 PM- Jerry Vivino & Friends, with Adam Nussbaum, Sue Williams and Tomoko Ohno- Railroad Green, Railroad Ave, Warwick.  

    Saturday Aug 12

    12 PM- Nancy Tierney Trio- Front St Tavern, Kingston

    1 PM- Rave Tesar / Mike Jackson Group- Trails End Taphouse, Greenwood Lake Garden Market 1197 17A, Greenwood Lake

    7 PM- David Amram- Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St Beacon

    7 PM-  Jeff Ciampa with Chris Pasin Quartet- Lydia’s 7 Old US 209 Stone Ridge

    7 PM- Steve Slagle Group with Matt Garrity- BARNSTOCK, 86 Baumgarten Rd. Woodstock.

    Sunday Aug 13

    2 PM- Billy Stein, Joe Giardullo, Harvey Sorgen- Albert Wisner Library, 1 McFarland Dr, Warwick

    3 PM- The Rick Savage Quartet with Joe Vincent Tranchina, Gandharva Earl Sauls and special guest artist Eliot Zigmund- The Last Whiskey Bar, 45 Woodlands Way, Warwick

    6 PM- Bob Shaut and Sax Life- Frank Guido’s Little Italy, 4 Thomas St, Kingston7PM- The Analog Jazz Orchestra with special guest artist– The Falcon, 1348 Rt 9W Marlboro

  • TKTS Celebrates 50th Anniversary in Times Square

    TKTS, which revolutionized same-day discount theatre tickets for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, has announced it is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Times Square with special activities.

    TKTS

    The Theatre Development Fund’s TKTS will celebrate its golden anniversary behind the TKTS Booth on Broadway and 47th Street, in front of the red steps on June 28, starting at 11 a.m. The City of New York will present a proclamation to TDF which will be accepted by S. Epatha Merkerson, a two-time Tony Award nominee and beloved star of Law & Order and Chicago Med, along with other activities.

    The look of the TKTS Booth may have changed over the years, but what happens at it has not. For 50 years, TKTS has provided affordable tickets to people on a budget who would not be able to attend Broadway and Off Broadway any other way. Among the many things TKTS has done over the years is to build new audiences. More than 30% of folks who get tickets at TKTS have never been to a Broadway show before. We’re proud to be able to continue to be the entry point for millions of new theatregoers and grateful to have been of service to New Yorkers, tourists from all over the US and indeed the world.

    Victoria Bailey, TDF’s Executive Director.

    Operated by TDF, a not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, TKTS Times Square opened for business on June 25, 1973, and quickly became a mecca for theatergoers from all over the world. Selling same-day discount tickets, the booth is one of New York City’s most photographed landmarks. The current booth, housed under red glass steps, opened in 2008 and has garnered more than a dozen international design awards.

    To date, TKTS has been responsible for 68.6 million admissions to thousands of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, returning over $2.68 billion in revenue to those shows over the past half-century. The early supporters did not realize they were creating a phenomenon that would be replicated worldwide, and since then, booths have developed in Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, London, and Sydney.

    TKTS
    TKTS in 1973.

    The celebration in Times Square features emcee Eric Ulloa, an actor, playwright, and TDF Wendy Wasserstein Project mentor, Broadway Inspirational Voices, who will perform a medley of songs from Broadway musicals of the past 50 years, arranged by the ensemble’s artistic director Allen René Louis, and a Broadway sing along with tunes played by Marie’s Crisis pianist Franca Vercelloni. There will also be TKTS gift certificate giveaways, TKTS trivia, and a roaming photo booth.

    For more information about TDF’s TKTS, visit here.