The Shakti Lounge in Buffalo announces their new live music series lineup for 2023-24, with their first show on October 7th, presented by Lavender Haze Collective.
The first show features Ravi Padmanabha & David Muse on October 7th. The music duo encompasses a new found musical language using crystal bowls, gongs, tabla, hand pan, clarinet and ocean drum to create an ambient meditation that traverses to an ecstatic musical trance.
The Shakti Lounge offers musicians with a space to open their skills and invites a comfortable environment of community to hear innovative music. Shakti creates a salon-like setting offering guests the freedom to recline on the heated floor or take a seat in a chair, welcoming all. Offering a live music experience truly like no other in Buffalo.
The live music series features a diverse group of artists performing all genres including jazz, folk, classical and world music. Musicians are mainly local to Buffalo with the exception singer-songwriter Cammy Enaharo and Seth Faergolzia’s Multibird both from Rochester. The series also includes storyteller Tyler Westcott, string quartet fra/ctured, alto saxophonist Elliot Scozzaro, guitar driven artist Adam Bronstein & ABtrio and drummer John Bacon with his cast for JBQ.
Shakti lounge in Buffalo welcomes people of all ages to come join the forthcoming live music series and experience the duo host monthly concert every Saturday. For more information visit here.
Shakti Lounge 2023-24 Concert Lineup, Presented by Lavender Haze Collective
Bardavon has announced the Catskill Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker, set to perform three shows this December at the Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) in Kingston. The Nutcracker is a classic two-act ballet by famed Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, written as an adaptation of E. T. A. Hoffmann’s short story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
The Catskill Ballet Theatre Company is a non-profit organization, operating throughout the Hudson Valley region. The Company has presented The Nutcracker at UPAC annually for over 30 years. The performance is a showcase of young and local talent, where young dancers are given the opportunity to join a professional company for live performances.
In addition, Bardavon announced a performance from A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland, following their sold out Australian tour in 2021. The show follows a story of two star-crossed lovers, complemented by award-winning Irish musicians and dancers.
Choreographed and produced by National Champion and star of Gaelforce Dance and Rhythms of Ireland Brent Pace, and World Champion Ceili Moore, A Celtic Christmas is a spectacular show not to miss.
Tickets for The Nutcracker and A Celtic Christmas are available now at Bardavon and UPAC box offices, Tuesday-Friday 11am-5pm.
Contact Bardavon at 845-473-5288 and UPAC 845-339-6088, or email at boxoffice@bardavon.org. To purchase tickets online 24 hours a day go to ticketmaster (fees will apply).
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring The Wolfpack have announced a five-night residency at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester this December. The group is currently on a fall tour alongside Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival, and made their joint performance debut at Indiana’s Farm Aid festival.
Led by Bobby Weir, the group includes Don Was, Jay Lane, Jeff Chimenti and Barry Sless. The group has released two live albums Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros: Live in Colorado and Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros: Live in Colorado Vol. 2, to critical praise. This tour is not the group’s first residency at The Capitol Theatre, with a four-night run last winter.
Bobby Weir, a founding member of the legendary Grateful Dead, is one of rock music’s most celebrated and distinctive guitarists. The Grateful Dead is still one of the highest grossing performers in the United States, and holds a world record 2,318 total concerts. Bobby Weir has received the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, a Goodwill Ambassadorship for the UN Development Program, as well as many other achievements.
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring The Wolfpack will perform at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY on December 12, 13, 15, 16, and 17. Artist presale begins Thursday, September 28 at 10AM ET, with local presale beginning the same day at 12PM ET. Register for presale here.
General onsale begins Friday, September 29 at 10AM ET. More information and tickets are available here.
The Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros Enhanced Experience includes early venue entrance and merchandise shopping, access to watch a portion of soundcheck, a complimentary cocktail and exclusive merchandise! Packages from 100X Hospitality will go on sale September 28 at 10AM ET.
TOUR DATES
September 26—Mershon Auditorium—Columbus, OH
September 27—The Met Philadelphia—Philadelphia, PA
September 28—Pier Six Pavilion—Baltimore, MD
October 29—Frost Amphitheatre—Stanford, CA
December 12, 13, 15, 16 + 17—The Capitol Theatre—Port Chester, NY
December 29-31—Broward Center for the Performing Arts—Fort Lauderdale, FL
January 12-15, 2024—Playa Luna Presents Dead Ahead —Riviera Cancun, MX
NYS Music spoke with Broken Social Scene co-founder and frontman Kevin Drew about his new solo record Aging, the band’s upcoming show in New York City, and much more.
Broken Social Scene frontman Kevin Drew playing a show at Webster Hall in New York, 2022. Photography by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)
In our exclusive interview, Kevin answered some of David’s burning questions, including “How did Broken Social Scene get Tracy Ullman and Meryl Streep on stage to sing “Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl” at Webster Hall last year?” Kevin told us he and Tracy dated for a year during the pandemic and maintained a friendship since, adding, “I told Tracy to come out and sing. Her bestie [Meryl Streep] showed up, and she’s a very lovely woman […] and I think she was just having fun!”
Kevin also talked about how he felt seeing Phoebe Bridgers wear a sweatshirt with lyrics from the BSS song, “Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl” on Zane Lowe’s podcast. “I thought it was Photoshop!” The sweater instantly went viral, and the band began selling the sweater on their website in response, donating the profits for charity. He went on to talk about the difficulty of being a “middle-class band,” as he called it. “It’s difficult for us, because every dime counts now. It’s not like every dollar. It’s like every dime.”
Then there is Boygenius, the indie supergroup comprised of Julien Baker, Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. Drew played with the trio recently in Toronto, saying “They were louder than loud, I think it was the loudest audience I had ever attended. It was insane. […] I’m a big, big fan of Lucy [Dacus]. Lucy was the first one that I heard. And I just immediately thought ‘Who is this?’ So I was happy when I heard that Lucy was an admirer of our band. And then I think that’s probably how we got the gig.”
Kevin spoke about his new solo record, Aging, and what it meant to record a solo project. “The desire to put up a solo record was not high, but it was actually Brendan Canning, you know, my partner in BSS, he said, ‘You gotta put it out man.’” Kevin went on to say, “I didn’t think my mom was going to pass a month before we dropped a song. You know, we arranged everything sort of the 10 months in advance and I had no idea why I was waiting so long and it all kind of lined u. And Brendan just says ‘Look, put it out and just we’ll play.’”
Kevin Drew’s solo record, Aging, will be released digitally November 2nd. You can buy physical copies of the record here, which includes a 75-page book titled, “Towards Everything.”
Broken Social Scene plays Brooklyn Steel this weekend with support from Hannah Georgas, buy your tickets here.
Drew spoke to NYS Music about much more, including all things music, touring, and even haunted hotel rooms. Be sure to check back here next week for our full show review and much more from our interview.
Comedy icons, writers, producers, actresses, and Saturday Night Live alumni Amy Poehler and Tina Fey announced they are adding dates to their sold-out Tina Fey & Amy Poehler: Restless Leg Tour, including four shows at The Beacon Theatre in February.
The initial leg of the tour included a sold-out, limited run of East Coast shows in Spring 2023, where fans saw the duo celebrate their 30 years of friendship with an evening of jokes, never-heard-before stories, and conversational entertainment.
Tina Fey is an award-winning writer, actress, author, and producer, known for creating and starring as Liz Lemon in 30 Rock, which holds the record for the most Emmy nominations in one season for any comedy series (22) and received a total of 103 Emmy nominations and 16 wins over seven seasons. Prior to creating 30 Rock, Fey completed nine seasons as head writer, cast member, and co-anchor of “Weekend Update” on Saturday Night Live.
While at SNL, Fey also wrote the screenplay for the hit comedy film, Mean Girls, which Fey subsequently adapted for Broadway (12 Tony Award nominations) and again as a new musical feature film, now in post-production for Paramount. Fey’s memoir, Bossypants, topped the New York Times best-seller list and remained for 39 consecutive weeks, and went on to sell over five million copies in the US thus far.
Amy Poehler is one of Hollywood’s most versatile and sought-after talents, with credits including actress, writer, executive producer, and bestselling author. Poehler, perhaps best known for her starring role on the Emmy-nominated NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation, can currently be heard as the titular character in the scripted podcast Say More with Dr? Sheila. She also serves as executive producer on the series in partnership with Audacy and her production company, Paper Kite Productions.
Last year, Poehler made her documentary directorial debut with Amazon’s Emmy-winning documentary Lucy & Desi, which she executive produced alongside Imagine Documentaries & White Horse Pictures. She also starred in and directed Netflix’s Moxie and will star in and produce the upcoming Roku film, First Time Female Director. She has several additional projects in development as part of Paper Kite Productions, including NBC’s thriller-drama The Mother-In-Law, and the Netflix animated feature Steps.
They will hit The Beacon Theatre on Wednesday, Feb. 7, Thursday, Feb. 8, and Friday, Feb. 9, with a matinee show on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.
Presales begin on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 10 AM, including an artist presale with code RESTLESS. General on-sale starts on Friday, Sept. 29 at 10 AM here.
AMY POEHLER & TINA FEY: RESTLESS LEG TOUR DATES:
Sat Sept 30 – Denver, CO – Buell Theatre
Sun Oct 1 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre – matinee show
Sun Oct 1 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre – evening show
Thur Oct 12 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall
Fri Oct 13 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall
Sat Oct 14 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall – matinee show
Sat Oct 14 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall – evening show
Sun Oct 15 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall – JUST ADDED
Wed Nov 8 – Highland, CA – Yaamava’ Theater
Fri Nov 10 – Las Vegas, NV – Resorts World Theatre*
Sat Nov 11 – Las Vegas, NV – Resorts World Theatre*
Thur Dec 14 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met
Fri Dec 15 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met
Sat Dec 16 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met – matinee show
Sat Dec 16 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met – evening show
Fri Jan 12 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall – JUST ADDED
Sat Jan 13 – Portland, OR – Alaska Airlines’ Theater of the Clouds – matinee show
Sat Jan 13 – Portland, OR – Alaska Airlines’ Theater of the Clouds
Fri Jan 19 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre – JUST ADDED
Fri Jan 26 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic – JUST ADDED
Sat Jan 27 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre – JUST ADDED
Wed Feb 7 – New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre – JUST ADDED
Thur Feb 8 – New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre – JUST ADDED
Fri Feb 9 – New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre – JUST ADDED
Sun Feb 11 at 2 pm – New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre – JUST ADDED
The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, known for their on-court extravagancy, longevity and dominance of the Washington Generals, make their triumphant return to UBS Arena at Belmont Park to open 2024.
Following a New Year’s Eve performance from Billy Joel, the record-breaking basketball entertainers will bring their unforgettable blend of athleticism and skills to the court to UBS to open the new year, taking on their fierce rivals, the Washington Generals, on Sunday, January 1, 2024 at 1pm. See Hammer, TNT, Bulldog, Cheese, Torch, Hot Shot, Jet, Wham and Thunder – just to name a few – as they run circles around the Washington Generals on the court and bring the hype to the crowd.
Presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs, the Globetrotters will continue to bring a show with unrivaled fan engagement. With pre-game offerings like the Magic Pass, unforgettable post-game access and more in-game fan interactions than ever before. Plus, fans might even find themselves at mid-court as part of the all-new, fan-filled Halftime Skills Showcase.
But that’s not all – this year’s edition of the Globetrotter will be sponsored by their new official ball partner, Spalding. Moreover, beginning in December, the world’s most renowned basketball brand will be a constant at every destination. Additionally, fans will be able to take home an official Spalding Harlem Globetrotters basketball or get their hands on the new Harlem Globetrotters Marble Series ball on game day.
The Harlem Globetrotters were originally organized in Chicago in 1926, first as the all-Black “Savoy Big Five” and would debut in January 1927 in Hinckley, Illinois as the New York Globetrotters. The name would change in 1930 to the Harlem Globetrotters, reflecting on the cultural notoriety of the African-American neighborhood in Manhattan, home to the burgeoning Harlem Renaissance.
Proud inductees into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, The Harlem Globetrotters epitomize basketball entertainment. With dynamic athletes and unmatched skills, they’ve team showcased their iconic brand of basketball in over 124 countries and across six continents since 1926. Winners of 2 Cynopsis Sports Media Awards and Emmy nominated for their hit NBC weekly series, Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward, they continue to make waves and stand as leaders across diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Information on the Harlem Globetrotters 2024 world tour is on their official website along with tickets.
The Eighth Step at Proctors in Schenectady will present the award winning contemporary folk duo Magpie, celebrating their 50th year anniversary on Saturday, September 30th. Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalists Terry Leonino and Greg Artzner will perform a variety of instrumental harmony vocal originals with long time collaborator Ralph Gordon playing the acoustic bass.
For 50 years, Leonino and Artzner have turned their harmonies towards themes of peace and justice: civil rights, politics, diversity and the environment with an emphasis on the Chesapeake Bay, the Hudson River, worker’s rights and a world at peace. They sing for justice with a joyous verve of 30’s swing and American folk to support social activism.
“Terry and Greg are proud to be more links to the chain, dedicating their lives and music to leaving this world a better place.”
– Pete Seeger
Magpie has spent their musical career playing folk festivals, concert halls and more while gathering fans from independent stages large and small. The duo creates an instrumental sound that’s powerful, rich and moving inspiring people to come together through the art of song. Since 1973, they have brought their unique sound and remarkable versatility to audiences in the U.S. and abroad through their influential songs.
The duo Magpie looks forward to celebrating their 50th anniversary and many more to come. For more information visit online at Eighth Step.
Buffalo Iron Works plans to host an exclusive 10th anniversary party to celebrate a decade of success, featuring the renowned Melvin Seals & JGB on Thursday, October 19th, promising an unforgettable night to commend this milestone of intuitive, expressive, and soulful music.
Melvin Seals has had a remarkable three-decade career as a recording artist, performer and producer and will take center stage during the Buffalo Iron Works anniversary festivities. Melvin is celebrated for his electrifying performances on the keyboard and B-3 organ while accompanying the stage with Jerry Garcia Band. Both Melvin and JGB have played pivotal roles in the jam band music scene with a mix of blues, funk, rock, jazz, gospel and R&B that captivate an audience of all tastes.Their onstage chemistry fuels a psychedelic experience for concert goers that keeps them dancing, smiling and engaged in the rhythm of rock-gospel blues fusion.
In addition to the performance with Melvin and JGB, Buffalo Iron Works 10 year anniversary party will feature drink specials, exclusive signed merchandise and more. The venue offers an intimate music lounge setting that hosts a diverse range of national, regional and local artists across various genres. Not only is it a haven for music but welcomes all types of events, from concerts, acoustic shows, and book signings, ensuring an inclusive and vibrant versatile cultural space.
Join Buffalo Iron Works on Thursday, October 19th to celebrate a decade of music, community and unforgettable moments that have made BIW a cherished part of Buffalo’s cultural landscape. For more info visit here.
John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton have announced a joint concert in Schenectady on Oct. 27 at the Eighth Step. The duo have been friends for decades, but began writing songs together in the past few years and have an album titled Together coming out October 13.
Credit: Michael G. Stewart
Grammy Lifetime Achievement honoree Tom Paxton has been a force in the folk music world since the 1960s, writing songs made famous by Peter, Paul, & Mary, John Denver, Johnny Cash, Pete Seeger, and more. John McCutcheon is part of the generation of folk musicians who grew up singing Tom Paxton songs. His own catalog spans forty-four albums, six Grammy nominations, and numerous awards and accolades.
The duo’s most recent single, “Life Before You,” debuted last month. The track is a sweet ballad, showing the compatibility of the two musician’s immense skills.
Paxton and McCutcheon’s joint music spans topics from history, baseball, cowboys, love, the remembered, and the forgotten. With McCutcheon’s crew of supporting musicians, including Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Jon Carroll (keys), JT Brown (bass), and Charlie McCoy, the album has full, lively arrangements and stunning performances.
Tickets to the Schenectady show at the Eighth Step at Proctors are available here.
Multi-faceted singer/songwriter A.J. Croce is hitting the road again– visiting New York City, Rochester and Troy — in celebration of two more of his father Jim Croce’s legendary albums, 1973’s Life and Times and his final release, I Got A Name, in addition to songs from You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.
The Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary show features a legendary band (including drummer Gary Mallaber, bassist David Barard, guitar/violin James Pennebaker) and a moving multi-media presentation accompanying Jim’s songs (which on the previous tour included memorable hits, “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels)”, “Time in a Bottle,” and others).
Over the past three decades, A.J. Croce has established his reputation as a piano player and vocal stylist who pulls from a host of musical traditions and anti-heroes — part New Orleans, part juke joint, part soul. From his 10 studio albums, it’s clear that he holds a love for all types of musical genres: blues, soul, pop, jazz, and rock n’ roll. A.J. toured with B.B. King and Ray Charles before reaching the age of 21, and over his career, he has performed with a wide range of legendary musicians, from Willie Nelson to the Neville Brothers, to Béla Fleck and Ry Cooder. His albums have all charted on an impressive array of charts: Top 40, blues, Americana, jazz, college, and Radio 1.
A.J. felt a camaraderie with the audience at past shows and with the connection to his father’s timeless music, he was inspired to embark on a 50th anniversary tour. “The audience reaction has been so great,” says A.J. “The shows we did last year were not only met with a huge response, but I learned so much about what works and what resonates, we knew we had to keep going.”
The gifted multi-instrumentalist says, besides the two albums Life and Times and I Got A Name, tracks from the popular You Don’t Mess Around With Jim – which fueled last year’s run – will also be part of the new show.
“We’ll be playing songs representative from all three albums, and also some songs the audience might not know from more obscure artists that I realized connected me and my father. It was those songs that eventually led me to do this show in the first place.”
A.J. Croce
During last year’s performances, A.J. shared intimate aspects of his dad’s career. He also drew praise for his own style and musicianship (he’s known for one of the most unique keyboard styles in music) as well as his sensitive insight into Jim Croce’s enduring musical canon. While Jim Croce’s music catalog still resonates on classic radio, streaming platforms, and more recently on hit films and TV shows like Django Unchained and Stranger Things, it is A.J.’s unique showmanship that has helped enliven Jim’s amazing legacy. One reviewer aptly noted: ‘…A.J. Croce invites the sold-out crowds into his father’s worldview and work mindset, culminating in the playing of Jim Croce tunes…making for an intimate experience riddled with wryness and humor…’
Fans and critics who attended last year’s 50th Anniversary Celebration showsare thrilled that A.J. is readying another affectionate interpretation of his father’s enduring legacy. The shows have renewed interest in Jim Croce and garnered praise for A.J: “I think they come as a Jim Croce fan but also leave as fans of mine. That’s something that has also made this whole experience really amazing.”
CROCE PLAYS CROCE 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Oct 27 / Aria Ballroom @MGM Springfield / Springfield, MA
Oct 28 /The Wilbur / Boston, MA
Oct 30 / Count Basie Center for the Arts / Red Bank, NJ
Nov 1 / Santander Performing Arts Center / Reading, PA
Nov 2 / Sandler Center for the Performing Arts / Virginia Beach, VA
Nov 4 / The Town Hall / New York City, NY
Nov 5 / Keswick Theatre / Glenside, PA (SOLD OUT)
Nov 7 / Kodak Center / Rochester, NY
Nov 8 / Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall / Munhall, PA
Nov 9 / Taft Theatre / Cincinnati, OH
Nov 11/ Goodyear Theatre / Akron, OH
Nov 12 / Royal Oak Music Theatre / Royal Oak, MI
Nov 15 / Hoyt Sherman Place / Des Moines, IA
Nov 16 / Grand Theater / Wausau, WI
Nov 17 / Pantages Theatre / Minneapolis, MN
Nov 25 / Florida Theatre / Jacksonville, FL
Nov 26 / Parker Playhouse / Fort Lauderdale, FL
Nov 28 / Capitol Theatre / Clearwater, FL
Nov 29 / King Center for the Performing Arts / Melbourne, FL
Nov 30 /The Savannah Center / The Villages, FL
Dec 2 / Mars Music Hall / Huntsville, AL
Dec 3 / The Factory / St. Louis, MO
Dec 5 / Rose State College Hudiburg Chevrolet Center / Oklahoma City, OK
Dec 6 / Cotillion / Wichita, KS
Dec 8 / The Paramount / Austin, TX
Dec 10/ Bayou Music Center / Houston, TX
Dec 11 / Majestic Theatre / Dallas, TX
Dec 12 / Tobin Center for the Performing Arts / San Antonio, TX
