Barneveld will be ready to rock when the Dust Devil Band makes their return to Unity Hall on Saturday, Oct. 28. A longtime local favorite of Central NY music fans, the DDB always delivers an upbeat evening packed with great tunes, musicianship, and foot-stomping fun.
The Dust Devil Band’s unique sound is a culmination of blues, southern rock, Americana, and alternative country, with 45 years of friendship and hard work. They were a huge part of the musical scene in the 70s and 80s. The band originated from the Waylon and Willie genre and later adopted their style of rock in later years.
Featured on October 28 will be DDB’s talented veteran musicians including George Deveny (NYS Blues Hall of Fame member) on lead guitar, slide guitar, and vocals; Darryl Mattison on drums; George Newton on pedal steel guitar, lap steel, and vocals; Dan Porter on bass guitar and vocals; and Ed Rosenburgh on lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and harmonica.
This event is presented by the Unity Hall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that maintains the 1896 Hall as a center for the arts and community activities. The Music Series is also made possible by the Statewide Community Regrants Program through the New York State Council on the Arts, with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by CNY Arts.
Women In Music (WIM), a non-profit organization with a mission to promote awareness, diversity, and equality in the musical arts, has unveiled an exciting lineup of events for the remainder of 2023 and beyond. These programs and summits promise to have a significant impact on the industry, fostering inclusivity and empowerment.
2023 Fall Mentorship Program: Forging the Future
Launched on October 2, WIM’s 2023 Fall Mentorship Program pairs mentees from diverse backgrounds with seasoned female artist management professionals as mentors. This initiative is a crucial step toward achieving gender balance in the field of artist management.
All Things Go Festival 2023: Uniting Music and Equality
WIM left its mark at the All Things Go Music Festival on September 29. The Creator Summit kicked off with a lively Pre-Party at the Eaton Hotel, fostering connections among panelists, festival attendees, and WIM DC Members. Sponsored by The MLC, this event set the stage for thought-provoking discussions and networking.
At the All Things Go Creator Summit, Chissy Nkemere, WIM’s Global Chair of Education and Rock & Alternative, Artist Partnerships at Spotify, participated in a panel titled “Harmonizing Equity.” The discussion celebrated the multifaceted roles of women in the music industry, highlighting the power of diversity and inclusivity.
Mondo NYC: Amplifying Music Business and Tech
On October 10, 2023, WIM collaborates with She is the Music to co-host the Mondo NYC Opening Night Reception, hosted by SoundExchange. At this event, WIM will present a panel in partnership with MMF-US, delving into Artist Management Entrepreneurship. Additionally, WIM President Nicole Barsalona will moderate a panel hosted by Keychange U.S., exploring gender equity in music technology. Mondo NYC, now in its 8th annual edition, promises to be a hub of innovation and ideas in the ever-evolving music business and technology landscape.
2024 Women In Music Summit: A Virtual Extravaganza
Save the dates for the 4th Annual Women In Music Summit, scheduled to be held virtually from January 17-19, 2024. This event provides members with opportunities for engaging in educational and career development presentations virtually, complemented by in-person networking events at various WIM Chapters. The Summit is a celebration of empowerment, learning, and camaraderie.
Established in 1985, Women in Music is a global 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing awareness, equality, and diversity in the musical arts. With a diverse membership that includes music industry professionals from various career stages, Women in Music shares a common passion for promoting inclusivity and equality in the music industry.
Wren Cove, a Rochester area-based duo, is set to hold a residency at Rochester’s Red White and Brew. A fusion of cello and acoustic guitar musicianship, Wren Cove is a unique collaboration with upcoming new music next year.
Wren Cove cites serendipity as the basis of their musical collaboration. Founding members Melissa Davies and Andrew Cloninger met in the studio, and began their musical journey, writing music and playing shows in the Rochester area.
The group’s first EP, Trees, released in August 2022 alongside Basement Factory Music. Wren Cove will enter the studio in January to begin work on their sophomore release, a full length LP entitled Movement, slotted for release in 2024.
In addition to his musical ventures, Wren Cove guitarist Andrew Cloninger recently released a narrative poetry collection titled C5-C6, following and describing his experience becoming disabled from a spinal injury. The book released on October 6 with Atmosphere Press. Through the collection, he explores self-discovery and definition within the context of disability and personal growth. C5-C6 is available on Amazon.
Wren Cove will play at Red White and Brew in Rochester every second Friday of the month, including October 13, November 10, and December 8. A full list of upcoming dates is available below and at wrencovemusic.com.
October 13 – Rochester, NY – Red, White & Brew
November 4 – Ithaca, NY – The Downstairs
November 11 – Rochester, NY – Red, White & Brew
December 8 – Rochester, NY – Red, White & Brew
December 29 – Honeoye, NY – Birdhouse Brewing Company
Long Island prog/jam rock trio Baked Shrimp are building quite a name in the jamband scene, not only for their musical talent, but for their annual Halloween tradition, now in its 6th year. The Halloween Extravaganza & Costume Contest, to be held at The Hollow on Friday, October 27, this year marks the second straight Halloween at The Hollow, with support from Albany’s own Timbre Coup.
Presented by Guthrie Bell Productions, Baked Shrimp’s Halloween Extravaganzas always include a surprise theme and band costume, audience costume contest, and an above and beyond production.
Baked Shrimp is a high-octane progressive fusion trio, emerging as a rising powerhouse in the festival circuit. Hailing from Long Island, Jared Cowen (Guitar/Vocals), Scott Reill (Bass/Vocals), and Jager Soss (Drums/Vocals) showcase their energetic and improvisational talents, transforming their three-piece sound into a symphonic experience.
As per tradition, Baked Shrimp goes above and beyond for Halloween, calling on Spinal Tap for the 2022 theme, which included pre-recorded movie skits shown on the screen behind the band, setting up the next song, dropping flowers off the balcony, making a “Stonehenge” prop plus dancers on select tunes.
The audience gets involved in the fun too – every year with the audience costume contest, the band and audience vote for winners (prizes include posters and merch), as well as one lucky winner who gets to join the band members on stage.
Check out last year’s Halloween Extravaganza below:
With another big show planned for this year, the theme, as tradition, does not get revealed until the show.
Opening the night will be Timbre Coup, who formed in 2007 just outside Albany in the town of Altamont. After many years and hundreds of shows alongside bands like The New Deal, Dopapod, Papadosio, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and Consider the Source among others along with festival appearances at such events as Camp Bisco X 2, Moedown and Mountain Jam, Timbre Coup brings a little something for everyone. With dynamic compositions, melodic and haunting vocals as well as slick chops this quartet entertains with a fervor.
After a brief hiatus between 2014-2018 the band sought other projects including jam projects Mister F and Lord Electro among others. This time away allowed more time for family and time to keep up with life. In 2018 Timbre Coup began playing and preparing for live shows again, and on March 2, 2019 the band made its triumphant return in front of a near sold out crowd at The Hollow. Listen to their newest single, “Firestorm,” below.
To prepare yourself for what Baked Shrimp have in store for this year, take a look and listen to the past Halloween themes from Baked Shrimp, and get ready for a truly unique evening of live music, great for jam and prog fans alike.
All photos by Miles Hurley
2022 – Spinal Tap – The Hollow, Albany
2021 – NRBQ – Greenlawn
2020 – Baseball – Cooperstown
2019 – Wizard of Oz – New Paltz
2018 – Scooby Doo/Trick-or-Treat – Valley Stream
The Hollow show is just one of the dates on Baked Shrimp’s recently announced 25-date Fall Tour which kicked off on Friday, October 6th. Other New York shows included on this tour are: 10/6 – Beaus Bar – Greenlawn, NY 11/1 – Lovin’ Cup – Rochester, NY 11/2 – Buffalo Iron Works – Buffalo, NY w/ eberwine
22-year-old music prodigy Matthew Whitaker is giving back to the school that shaped his future. Hailing from Hackensack, New Jersey the jazz-pianist, whose been blind since birth, has been performing around the world for nearly a decade. However, the Emmy-nominated composer has overcome the challenge of being blind with the help of The Filomen M. D’ Agostino Greenberg Music School.
This Manhattan based non-profit stands as one of the only community music schools in the country dedicated to helping people with vision loss or blindness. In turn, Matthew Whitaker is giving back to the school where under director of music studies, Dalia Sakas, his talent blossomed at 5-years-old and later performing around the world by his pre-teens.
Over the years Whitaker has made appearances on numerous network television programs showcasing his talents, including CBS’s 60 Minutes, NBC’s Ellen and FOX TV’s Showtime at the Apollo. Nevertheless, Whitaker his prodigy status has been carved out with performance at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, the Apollo Theater.
Benefit Concert
Set for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17th at Peter Norton Symphony Space in Manhattan, Matthew Whitaker’s FMDG Benefit Concert will help raise funds and awareness to support the school and its students. He will be performing along with his quartet and a select group of teen students from “The Fil.”
Since its inception, FMDG has helped more than 25,000 students, including notable talents such as jazz piano prodigy Matthew Whitaker and Grammy Award-winning musician and singer-songwriter Jose Feliciano. In light, the show will also feature the premiere of a new short film highlighting the FMDG Music School. Tickets are on sale on the Symphony Space website
While things have certainly cooled off outside around Central New York lately, there is no shortage of indoor concerts to warm your spirit. Here are five can’t-miss shows in Syracuse for the month of October.
Central New York star Sydney Irving returns to Syracuse with a performance at the Maplewood Inn on October 12. The concert should be quite the celebration, as the show serves as the album release party for Irving’s newest album, Unfashioned Creatures, which will be available on all streaming services on October 10. The 20 year-old singer songwriter has been turning heads all across New York State for several years. She recently opened for Gavin Degraw at this year’s Spiedie Fest in Binghamton. Irving will again be joined by her backing band, “The Mojo” for the release party. You won’t want to miss this special performance.
An impressive lineup of female musicians take the stage October 15, as F.I.R.E. Festival once again returns to the Oswego Music Hall. F.I.R.E., which stands for Females Inspire Rock Empower, showcases not only music, but also female led businesses and art. The event, which was curated by Jess Novak, was designed to serve as an alternative to the many male dominated music festivals. The day of music will feature area talents such as Jess Novak, Amanda Rogers, Stress Dolls, Starting Off Red and many more. See the full line up of music and vendors here.
Tickets are $10 at the door and music starts at 1pm.
The sounds of Frank Zappa will once again ring about Westcott Street, as renowned Zappa tribute band The Furious Bongos return to the Westcott Theater on October 22. The band played before a passionate audience of Zappa fans in March of this year. The band will be joined on this tour by Chad Wackerman, a legend in his own right, whose resume includes drumming for Frank Zappa himself, as well as James Taylor and Stevie Vai.
Tickets are $20. Doors open at 7pm with music starting at 8pm.
Fresh off a blistering performance at the 2023 New York State Blues Festival, Brandon Santini brings his soulful blues sounds to the 443 Social Club & Lounge on October 27. Santini turned many heads at this years Blues Fest, as he displayed his tremendous talent on the harmonica. This intimate performance at the 443 Social Club & Lounge is certainly one you won’t want to miss.
Central New York’s college talent will be on full display on October 29 at Funk ‘n Waffles, as The Accountant & All Thumbs perform. The Syracuse University funk/hip-hop group are sure to have the club bouncing when they take the stage. The four piece band has quickly become known for their high energy sets which blend elements of funk, hip-hop, and rock. They will be joined by singer-songwriter Nancy Dunkle as well as Le Moyne College’s own Champagne Blondes.
The Empire State Youth Orchestra are excited to announce their upcoming 2023-2024 season entitled ‘Breathe!’ The first concert of the season begins with a performance by the ESYO featuring William Lauricella on Saturday, October 29 at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.
The Empire State Youth Orchestra challenges and inspires young people to achieve excellence through music in a progressive learning environment leading to high-level performance opportunities. More than 500 youth from New York’s Capital Region and western New England are selected by audition each year to perform in ESYO. With 14 performing ensembles and orchestras suiting a range of playing levels, members receive training from outstanding conductors and coaches, and tutelage from extraordinary guest artists.
In 2015, ESYO launched CHIME (Creating Harmony Inspiring Musical Excellence) in Schenectady to address fundamental inequities preventing universal access to high level music opportunities for youth. Today, this free music program serves more than 150 students in partnership with the Schenectady and Albany City School Districts.
Founded in 1979, ESYO is a not-for-profit organization that has been recognized as a premier music education/performance program for youth and has received three ASCAP awards.
“I think of music like a living thing: we can explore how it breathes, and we can tune into its pulse, If an orchestra doesn’t breathe, it’s not really alive. This year, we will breathe more fully with each other and with the music, so we can live in the present moment and truly connect with each other and the world around us.”
– Etienne Abelin Symphony Orchestra Conductor
The engaging performance series is a celebration of unity, harmony and the collective spirit of music, allowing musicians and audiences to breathe together in the shared experience of live orchestral performances. In addition, the musicians will explore various interpretations of breath through the repertoire under an authoritarian regime. This season will challenge ESYO musicians to learn and perform a piece on stage without a conductor giving them the opportunity to sense the pulse, embody the music, breathe and work together as a whole. The public is invited to celebrate these outstanding musicians and savor the joy and magic of their live musical talent.
Ticket information, venue details, and the full concert schedule is available at esyo.org/news-concerts.
ESYO 2023-2024 Concert Season
Oct 29th, 2023 – EMPIRE STATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT FEATURING WILLIAM LAURICELLA – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Nov 5, 2023 – REPERTORY ORCHESTRA, STRING ORCHESTRA, AND CONCERTINO STRINGS – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Nov 5, 2023 – PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES – Brown School, Schenectady
Nov 19, 2023 – YOUTH AND REPERTORY JAZZ ORCHESTRAS – Carl B. Taylor Community Auditorium, SUNY Schenectady
Dec 10, 2023 – WIND ORCHESTRA CHAMBER MUSIC – Massry Center for the Arts, College of St. Rose
Dec 14-17, 2023 – MELODIES OF CHRISTMAS FEATURING ESYO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND MELODIES OF CHRISTMAS CHORALE – Produced by CBS 6 at Proctors Theater, Schenectady
Dec 17, 2023 – PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES HOLIDAY CONCERT – Massry Center for the Arts, College of St. Rose
Feb 14, 2024 – REPERTORY ORCHESTRA AND CONCERTINO STRINGS – Location TBD
Feb 15, 2024 – STRING AND YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRAS – Carl B. Taylor Community Auditorium, SUNY Schenectady
March 10, 2024 – WIND ORCHESTRA AND REPERTORY JAZZ ORCHESTRA – Massry Center for the Arts, College of St. Rose
March 11, 2024 – FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC WITH ESYO PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES – University of Albany Performing Arts Center
March 23, 2024 – PLAYATHON – Crossgates Mall
April 21, 2024 – SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FEATURING THE 2024 CONCERTO COMPETITION WINNER – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
May 4, 2024 – REPERTORY ORCHESTRA AND STRING ORCHESTRA – Zankel Music Center – Skidmore
May 5, 2024 – CONCERTINO STRINGS, WOODWINDS AND BRASS ENSEMBLES – Location TBD
May 5, 2024 – PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES AND CONCERTINO PERCUSSION – Brown School
May 10, 2024 – YOUTH AND REPERTORY JAZZ ORCHESTRAS – Carl B. Taylor Community Auditorium, SUNY Schenectady
May 12, 2024 – WIND ORCHESTRA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA AND CHAMBER MUSIC – Massry Center for the Arts, College of St. Rose
June 2, 2024 – FESTIVAL OF YOUNG ARTISTS – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
The Orchestra Now is set to begin their 2023-24 season at Carnegie Hall on November 7th with a program titled Exodus: Jewish Composers in Exile, directed by Leon Botstein. The performance marks TON’s first show in New York City this seasons, and features four works.
The night’s composers will be Alexandre Tansman, Josef Tal, Walter Kaufmann and Marcel Rubin, all of whom wrote their pieces while in exile from their homelands during World War II.
Tansman, a multi-genre composers as well as pianist, fled Europe for the United States in 1941. His piece to be performed, Polish Rhapsody, was inspired by the invasion of Poland and dedicated “to the defenders of Warsaw.”
Josef Tal’s Exodus is based on the Passover Haggadah, and debuted with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra after Tal’s emigration to Jerusalem in 1942. The Orchestra Now’s performance will be the NYC debut of Exodus.
Walter Kaufmann’s An Indian Symphony was inspired by his emigration to India, where he lived for 14 years in Bombay after exile. This performance will also be the NYC debut of An Indian Symphony.
Finally, Marcel Rubin’s Symphony No. 4, Dies irae, is a reflection of his experiences during World War II. As a winner of the Grand Austrian State Prize for Music and the Gold Medal of Vienna, Rubin spent time in France and Mexico after leaving Vienna.
Director Leon Botstein will lead The Orchestra Now in the performance of these four pieces. The show will take place on November 7 at 7PM at Carnegie Hall, New York City. Tickets are available now online at carnegiehall.org, by phone at 212.247.7800, or at the Carnegie Hall box office at 57th & Seventh Avenue in Manhattan.
Marco Benevento & Friends are standing up against the largest development in Woodstock history with The Trees Are Listening: Music for a Cause. The benefit concert for the Stop Woodstock National LLC Coalition is set to take place at Colony in Woodstock on Oct. 22 and feature Marco Benevento & Friends.
The Marco Benevento & Friends set will feature Simi Stone, Karina Rykman, Chris Corsico, Leslie Mendelson, Aaron Johnston (Brazilian Girls), Jeff Hill (Steve Earle), Bill Carbone (Max Creek) and Danny Blume.
According to JamBands, The Stop Woodstock National Coalition is a community-based group working with the Woodstock Land Conservancy, preparing to combat a plan proposed by Woodstock National LLC. The plan wants to wipe out 620+ acres of forest and wetlands—the largest forested tract along Sawkill Creek— and replace them with 191 housing units, a golf course, and a helipad.
“We have so many concerns,” said Andy Mossey, the director of the Woodstock Land Conservancy of the development that has been designated a “Critical Environmental Area” by the NYSDEC because of its importance to protecting “forest habitat, aquifer recharge zones, streams that feed into Sawkill Creek, wildlife habitats, and traffic.”
Marc Benevento photo by Seth Olenick.
Stop Woodstock National is putting the Town Board and agencies on notice with the stance that considering the negative environmental impact, the proposed project must be stopped. This project “has the potential to permanently change the Woodstock area, both in environmental quality and community character,” added Mossey. “It’s an utterly inappropriate project in the wrong location in the wrong community.”
Tickets for the Marco Benevento & Friends benefit show are on sale now.
Rufus and Martha Wainwright will perform, “A Not So Silent Night” at The Town Hall on December 22, raising awareness for The Kate McGarrigle Fund for sarcoma research. The family-friendly holiday show features special guests including Emmylou Harris, Sean Lennon, Norah Jones, Loudon Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche.
“A Not So Silent Night” has become an annual family tradition for the Wainwrights. The two siblings will be joined by their immediate family members of the Wainwright and McGarrigle clans to share and celebrate the spirit of the holidays. This event will be held at The Town hall, a 1,500-seat, 501C3 non-profit national historic landmark venue in the heart of New York City, created by suffragists in 1921 and host to countless cultural and musical milestones.
“I am utterly excited to bring our holiday concert back to New York City after a hiatus of almost 5 years. These shows very much reflect who Martha and I are as artists and a family, slightly messy but incredibly powerful and emotional, festive, and fun. The Town Hall is one of my favorite venues to perform in. So many Greats have graced the stage, and it is a place that my mother Kate worshipped.”
– Rufus Wainwright
The annual holiday celebration has had its roots in the childhood home of Rufus and Martha’s mother, Kate McGarrigle. The tradition began in the living room of their wooden home in the Laurentian mountain town of St. Sauveur. Kate was tragically diagnosed with Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, and since has raised money and awareness for funding research into the disease as at the time there were no drugs available to treat it. Rufus and Martha continue Kate’s legacy with the Christmas shows, helping to raise awareness and money for the Kate McGarrigle Foundation for Sarcoma Research.
The holiday show will be supported by an outstanding band led by music director David Mansfield with Jon Cowherd on keys, Doug Wieselman on oboe and guitar, Shawn Pelton on drums, Armand Hirsch on guitar, and Tony Scherr on bass. Special merch items benefiting the Kate McGarrigle Fund will also be available the night of the show.
VIP Gold tickets also include the best seats in the house, attending part of the soundcheck, a group photo with Rufus and Martha, and a special signed merch item, are available. Also available is the opportunity to sing on the closing song of the first half, “Silent Night,” with Rufus, Martha, and family.
“These Christmas shows, conceived of over 25 years ago by our mum, have BECOME our Christmas! There’s always a slight annoyance (and dread?) as we start preparing in June but by the time the show starts all the holiday magic in the world shows up on stage and the importance (and wonderful ridiculousness) of the holiday season is revealed. Most apparent though is the love and music that reigns”
– Martha Wainwright
Tickets go on sale on Friday, October 6, for more information please visit here.
For more information about the Kate McGarrigle Fund please visit here.
