Fear of Strangers, originally known as The Units, is an Albany-based quartet that revolutionized the DIY era of the city during the 70s with its simple, melodic rock and clever lyrics. The band announced they will be doing a reunion show at Lark Hall on June 2.
Update – this show has been moved to November 4th. Read a message from the band below.
Dear devoted fans and FOS curious, we’re sorry to have to postpone our FOS/Units reunion show at Lark Hall. We’ve had a personal injury within the band. Everyone is fine and it’s not something too serious or life-threatening, but still it would hamper our performance. We want to put on the best show that we can, so we hope you’ll find it worth waiting for. The rescheduled date is Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Lark Hall. Check this page for updates as the date approaches and we hope everyone can still make it!
The Units came onto the Albany DIY scene with their fresh energy of punk and new wave, fusing the luster of Steely Dan, the thump of Parliament/Funkadelic, and the firm edge of the Talking Heads. They traded the name for the ferocious and catchier Fear of Strangers, going from doing covers of whatever was hot at the moment to creating their own fresh and catchy covers. The quartet is comprised of bassist Steve Cohen, vocalist ‘Lonesome’ Val Haynes, drummer Al Kash, and guitarist Todd Nelson.
Photos by Dave Suarez and Lynne Harty.
They released their debut single “Japan” b/w “I am Sorry” in December 1979 under the name The Units, and once they changed their name they released their only album in 1982 on the Faulty Products label. The band became one of the most prolific ones to come out of the late 70s DIY scene in Albany, eventually opening shows for like-minded pioneers including The Police, Squeeze, XTC, The Specials, B-52’s, and R.E.M. In 1983, the band called it quits, but Cohen, Haynes, Kash, and Nelson have all made music in other realms and in other cities.
The band will be hosting a Fear of Strangers/The Units Reunion Show on June 2 at Lark Hall, dedicated to the memory of Lin Brehmer, shining a light on the beginnings of the underground Albany scene, serving as a powerful reminder that the scene is still bright and beaming. Upstate New York’s premiere acoustic Americana trio, Lost Radio Rounders, will start the evening off at 8 p.m. For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit here.
The Park Theater Foundation announced the return of its free Summer Series Concerts at the Crandall Park Bandshell taking place each Friday evening (7-8:30 p.m.) from June 30-July 28.
The Park Theater Foundation free Summer Series Concerts returns for its third annual installment at the Crandall Park Bandshell in Glens Falls (rain location is The Park Theater) from June 30-July 28. There are five performances, each running 90 minutes, featuring local and regional musicians. This free concert series will serve to enhance the accessibility of the arts within the local community. “What started out as an experiment during the pandemic has quickly become staple programming for our organization. I couldn’t be happier to be back at it again this summer and to be expanding the series with an additional concert in June. We look forward to seeing everyone back outside for some incredible live performances!” said Executive Director, Chris Ristau.
Summer Series Concerts Lineup
The Park Theater Foundation is thrilled to expand its 2023 Summer Series Concerts with an additional free performance hosted at The Barn at French Mountain in Lake George on June 16. Groups featured include Dr. Funke’s 100% Natural Good Time Family Band – A Superjam Event with members of Chestnut Grove, Let’s Be Leonard, and Wild Adriatic, plus special guests.
Friday, June 30 – The Ladles
The Ladles have three-part female harmony perfected, but their sound is more than that. They have sophisticated arrangements, creating a dreamy otherworldly atmosphere that draws audiences in and demands attention. The group consists of Katie Martucci, Caroline Kuhn, and Lucia Pontoniere.
Friday, July 7 – Hot Club of Saratoga
The Hot Club of Saratoga is a swing collective that plays music that reflects the style of The Quintet of the Hot Club of France that were prominent in the 1930s.
Friday, July 14 – Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band
Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band are quickly rising stars in the Capital Region, featuring over a dozen top regional players. Fulmer is a bit of an old soul, and his music is reminiscent of Justin Townes Earle, Jeffrey Foucault, John Prine, and Iron & Wine. The group won the 2023 Americana Artist of the Year at the Eddie Awards.
Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band.
Friday, July 21 – The Clements Brothers
The Clements Brothers, George and Charles, create music with roots, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and classical influences, showcasing their stunning vocal harmonies, instrumental virtuosity, and a genuine love of music. The brothers are former members of the internationally touring grass-roots band, The Lonely Heartstring Band.
Friday, July 28 – Girl Blue
Saratoga Springs native Girl Blue, or Arielle O’Keefe, writes deeply emotional songs with strong singable hooks, reminiscent of Alanis Morissette and Brandi Carlisle. She’s been featured on top Spotify playlists (New Music Friday) and charts (#2 on US Viral Charts), in national commercials, on top blogs like the Huffington Post, and has received seven Eddie Awards.
For more information about the Park Theater Foundation, visit here.
The New York Philharmonic announces Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, will return this June 13-16.
The Concert in the Parks series has become an iconic New York summer experience since it began in 1965. It transformed parks across the city into a patchwork of picnickers and allowed them to hear classical music under the stars. More than 15 million listeners have been delighted by the performances since their inception.
“Music and nature — two vital human needs — come together with the Concerts in the Parks,” said NY Phil Chairman Emeritus Oscar S. Schafer. “More than any other experience, it is a time when New Yorkers can come together to simply enjoy themselves outdoors. Didi and I can’t wait to join tens of thousands of our neighbors and visitors to enjoy this magnificent Orchestra perform in parks across the city.” Music Director Jaap van Zweden will conduct the concerts, which take place at Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx (June 13); the Great Lawn in Central Park, Manhattan (June 14); Cunningham Park, Queens (June 15); and Prospect Park, Brooklyn (June 16).
Jaap van Zweden began his tenure as the 26th Music Director of the New York Philharmonic in September 2018. He has also served as Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic since 2012. He has conducted performances on three continents, and at age 19 he became the youngest-ever concertmaster of Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Speaking about the Concerts in the Parks, Zweden said “This season, I look forward to returning to conduct the New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, which are such an important tradition in New York City. These special events give all New Yorkers, as well as visitors to our city, an opportunity to experience the NY Phil in beautiful outdoor settings and at the same time enjoy our New York City parks throughout all the boroughs.”
Jaap van Zweden.
The program will include Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Rossini’s William Tell Overture, J. Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus Overture and On The Beautiful Blue Danube, and works by two New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers. All four outdoor performances will begin at 8:00 p.m. and conclude with fireworks. In addition, musicians from the New York Philharmonic will perform a Free Indoor Concert, on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., at St. George Theatre in Staten Island.
St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater in Syracuse has revealed its 2023 Summer Concert lineup. Among the various artists performing at the venue are Chris Stapleton, Counting Crows, Shania Twain, and Phish.
This summer’s lineup features over 20 headlining acts, from a wide range of genres and musical eras. St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater has a 17,500-person capacity and has been hosting concerts since 2015, originally under the name Lakeview Amphitheater.
Born and raised in Kentucky, Chris Stapleton has earned himself numerous accolades en route to becoming one of the biggest names in country music. The eight-time Grammy winner has captivated listeners since his 2015 debut album Traveller with a blend of traditional country, American rock, and soulful lyrics. In addition to his work as a solo artist, Stapleton has helped to write numerous songs including Adele’s “If It Hadn’t Been for Love”, “Never Wanted Nothing More” by Kenny Chesney, and Darius Rucker’s “Come Back Song”.
Luke Bryan is a country music singer-songwriter and television personality. After moving to Nashville, Tennessee in 2001 the Georgia native quickly became a prominent songwriter. In 2007 Bryan released his hit-single single “All My Friends Say” to go along with his debut album I’ll Stay Me. He has earned over 50 major music awards an featured as a judge on American Idol since 2018.
Counting Crows are an American rock band that rose to prominence during the 1990s. The group’s 1993 album August and Everything After sold over seven million copies and featured hits like “Mr. Jones” and “Round Here”. Billboard ranked the band 8th in its list of the Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Artists.
Shania Twain is a country music artist, known as the “Queen of Country Pop”. Twain is widely regarded as one of the most popular country music artists of all-time, selling over 100 million records. After four commercially successful albums, the Canadian released her Greatest Hits in 2004, which went quadruple platinum. She was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2022.
Phish is one of the most well-known and noteworthy American jam bands. Originally created by four students on the campus of the University of Vermont, the group cultivated an intensely loyal fanbase during the late 1980s into the 90s. Phish is known for its live improvisation, fusing together sounds of rock, funk, bluegrass, and jazz, with drummer Jon Fishman hailing from Syracuse.
Matchbox Twenty is a Grammy-nominated alternative rock band formed during the 1990s. The band’s debut album Yourself or Someone Like you has sold over 15 million copies, earning it diamond status. In 2004 the group was awarded the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Musical Group.
Created in Chicago, Illinois, Disturbed is a chart-topping heavy metal band. The group has found large-scale success since its inception in 1994, with five consecutive albums reaching the Billboard 200. In 2017 the band received the iHeartradio Music Award for Rock Artist of the Year. Disturbed released their most recent album titled Divisive in 2022, featuring the hit song “Hey You”.
The Goo Goo Dolls are an American rock group founded in Buffalo. The outfit began to garner attention in the 1990s and early 2000s thanks to albums like A Boy Named Goo and Dizzy up the Girl. The latter features the song “Iris” which spent close to a year on the Billboard charts. The track was named as the top pop song from 1992-2012 by Billboard.
Foreigner is a rock band whose popularity stretches back into the late 1970s. The band helped to define the genre of arena rock thanks to tracks like “I Want to Know What Love is” and “Cold as Ice”. The band boasts an impressive roster of 10 multi-platinum albums and has exceeded over 80 million album sales.
Albany’s Alive at Five Summer Concert Series has announced its 2023 lineup, featuring a wide variety of artists and bands at Jennings Landing.
Photo provided by City of Albany Office of Cultural Affairs, credit to Andrzej Pilarczyk .
Alive at Five was created in 1990 with a performance by legendary folk artist Richie Havens and has since grown into a staple of the Capital Region. It is Albany’s signature free concert series, featuring eight weeks full of various artists, from big names to up-and-coming acts, and artists from the area. Concerts will take place on Thursdays from 4:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., from June 8 to Aug. 3 (excluding June 29).
Alive at Five Lineup
June 8- Emo Pride Night with Hawthorne Heights and Bad Luck
Hawthorne Heights is a rock band from Dayton, OH formed in 2001. Their lineup currently consists of JT Woodruff, Matt Ridenour, Mark McMillon, and Chris Popadak. Their newest record The Rain Just Follows Me (2021) is out now. Bad Luck is a punk band from Brooklyn consisting of Dominick Fox, Joe Fox, Charlie Caruso, and Michael Sichel. They write music about life, with stories of heartache, growth, setbacks, and personal triumphs, as seen on their most recent album Summer of Pain, a 12-song collection that serves as a bridge between childhood ambition and adult realism.
Hawthorne Heights.Bad Luck. From left to right: Joseph Fox, Dominick Fox, Charlie Caruso & Michael Sichel.
June 15- Jam Night with Mihali and Side-B
Mihali is the frontman of Twiddle, who announced their hiatus last year, and a reggae singer/songwriter. He released his solo debut Breathe and Let Go, in 2020 to great acclaim. His most recent record Effection is out now. Born out of Albany, Side-B is an energetic four-piece alternative rock band that blends influences ranging from classic rock acts like Led Zeppelin and The Police to funk, blues, jazz, punk, folk, and modern alternative. The group has a few singles released, and is now working towards finishing their debut record.
Mihali.Side-B, from left-to-right: Dylan Travison, AJ Horton, Eric Mitchell, Ian Justino.
June 22- Country Night with Matt Stell and Skeeter Creek
Matt Stell has accumulated over 360 million streams across his catalog to date. He is adding to this tally with his newest single, “That Ain’t Me No More,” the follow-up to his back-to-back No. 1, Platinum-certified track “Prayed For You” and Gold-certified “Everywhere But On.” He was the first-ever artist to receive a virtual plaque from the RIAA for “Prayed For You,” one of NSAI’s 10 “Songs We Wish We’d Written,” and performed the National anthem for NASCAR and NFL events. Skeeter Creek is advertised as New York’s #1 Country Band. They were nominated for four awards at the 2005 Northeast Country Music Association awards: Bluegrass Band of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Instrumental Band of the Year, and the Sunrise Award, among many others since their creation.
Matt Stell.Skeeter Creek.
July 6- Rock Night with Plush and Super 400
Plush is an all-girl rock band with a mission to bring rock back to the forefront of the music industry. The band consists of lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist Moriah Formica, lead guitarist Bella Perron, bassist Ashley Suppa, and drummer Faith Powell. Their debut album featured the Billboard Top 40 charting singles “Hate” and “Better Off Alone.” Super 400 is made up of drummer Joe Daley, guitarist Kenny Hohman, and bassist Lori Friday. The Troy-based trio formed in 1996 and their self-titled debut was released on Island Records two years later. They have toured internationally, and Troy’s mayor even declared February 25 as “Super 400 Day.” They opened Troy Music Academy in 2011 and have scored music for many TV shows.
Plush.Super 400.
July 13- Classic Rock Night with Sweet and Sly Fox & The Hustlers
Sweet is a classic rock phenomenon, creating music that will make you want to get up and dance. Sly Fox & The Hustlers is a New York-based rock band formed in 2010. They have been named Best Original Blues Rock Band multiple times by Albany’s Metroland magazine and have released two full-length albums, a live EP, a Christmas cover of the Ray Charles classic “That Spirit of Christmas,” and are finishing up their new album.
Sly Fox & The Hustlers.
July 20- Regose Night with The Skatalites and Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets
The Skatalites were formed in 1964 in Kingston, Jamaica by key studio musicians Tommy McCook, Rolando Alphonso, Lloyd Brevett, Lloyd Knibb, Don Drummond, Jah Jerry Haynes, Jackie Mittoo, Johnny Moore, and Jackie Opel. Since then they have released eight studio albums, including the two Grammy-nominated albums, Hi-Bop Ska The 30th Anniversary Recording and Greetings from Skamania. Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets have been bringing the reggae heat for over 25 years. Their original blend of conscious reggae and jam-band sensibilities have entertained audiences around the globe.
The Skatalites.Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets.
July 27- Hip-Hop Night with Rakim, DJ J-Ronin, and Camtron 5000
Rakim is a rapper from Long Island, widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled MCs of all time. He is a solo artist and was one-half of the golden age hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim. DJ J-Ronin is a multitude of things, ranging from a mixtape DJ to a manager, born and raised in Flatbush. He is the founder of the All Elements Crew, an international hip-hop organization that has chapters around the world. Finally, Camtron 5000 is a rapper from Albany, making music that is an extension of who he is as a person.
Rakim, photo by Jill Greenberg.DJ J-Ronin, photo by Jammi York.Camtron 5000, seen left.
Aug. 3- RSB Night with Montell Jordan and DJ TGIF
Montell Jordan is a singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his 1995 single “This Is How We Do It,” and was the primary male solo artist on Def Jam’s Def Soul imprint until leaving the label in 2003. DJ TGIF aka Craig Earle, is one of Upstate New York’s most in-demand DJs, performing regularly to both late-night sold-out crowds and family-friendly events alike. He was recently awarded the honor of the Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40.
Montell Jordan performs live on stage during the 2023 Freestyle Explosion Throw Back Jam at Watsco Center on March 11, 2023, in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Johnny Louis/Getty Images)
For more information about Alive at Five 2023, visit here.
Current Dead & Company and former Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart will display his newest art collection during the band’s Summer Farewell Tour stops in Washington D.C. and Short Hills, NJ this June. These private, in-person appearances come as a rarity and will be exclusive one-of-a-kind showings to cap off the band’s, and Hart’s, illustrious career.
Art of Mickey Hart, the title of his newest collection, will showcase his creative journey between art, music, and science. Some of the pieces contained in these presentations were exhibited as a one-man feature at the Coral Springs Museum of Art in early 2020, but still connect to his fresh work.
“Hart 71” by Mickey Hart
Joining the Grateful Dead in 1967, Hart has spent over 50 years crafting some of the biggest musical performances in the industry’s history and is now looking forward to showing fans paintings that back his awarded career on canvas.
“These visual representations from my sonic-driven world are snapshots into the music I am making. The basis of all life is vibratory, from the cosmos to human organism to the rhythms of nature and the music that come from what we make, from what we call culture. These are the worlds of rhythm that envelop us on a daily basis. Understanding these rhythms is essential in our daily lives. These works have been drummed, vibrated into existence. This technique is essential in the creation of my art.”
Mickey Hart
Through his inner self and audacious curiosity, the ongoing love to express creativity is what has pushed Hart so much beyond music. The Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution have also welcomed the artist to be a spokesperson and pillar to represent music traditions.
Hart now completes his long, experienced journey with Bob Weir, John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, and Jeff Chimenti as a part of Dead & Company’s 31-show farewell tour.
“Gold Man” by Mickey Hart
The art shows will take place through Wentworth Gallery where these will be intimate showings. It is recommended you contact the Short Hills or Washington D.C. location before attending.
Dates and times are now available for each show.
In Gallery Appearances By Mickey Hart
Mickey Hart Galleries – artist will be in attendance at both showings – contact the Gallery for information on attending
The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester will celebrate 1000 shows since the “Original Rock Palace” reopened in 2012, with a performance by Dark Star Orchestra, on Saturday, May 20.
photo by Scott Harris
Designed by celebrated architect Thomas Lamb in 1926 and listed in The National Register of Historic Places, the 2,000-capacity theater, known as “the original rock palace,” has showcased legends such as Traffic, the Grateful Dead, Black Sabbath, Chuck Berry, David Bowie, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, and The Rolling Stones.
In 2012, The Capitol Theatre underwent a major renovation under the guidance of music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro. Since then, it has been hailed as a true hub of culture & community in the northeast. Major performers including Bob Dylan, Phil Lesh, Ringo Starr, Joan Baez, Skrillex, Bonnie Raitt, Snoop Dogg, Kacey Musgraves, The Strokes, Tom Petty, Cyndi Lauper, and Willie Nelson, as well as comedians like Kevin Hart and Amy Schumer.
The Capitol Theatre’s “venue within the venue” Garcia’s (created in partnership with Jerry Garcia’s family) will also celebrate its ten year anniversary this May. You can expect performances by an array of artists, and even a signature anniversary drink, the Cherry Jerry.
Attendees of the Dark Star Orchestra show will receive a Capitol Theatre “1000th show” button, marking another important milestone for the legendary venue.
Primus – photo by Steve Malinski
Performing to critical acclaim for over 20 years and over 3000 shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience. On any given night, the band will perform a show based on a set list from the Grateful Dead’s 30 years of extensive touring or use their catalog to program a unique set list for the show. By recreating set lists from the past, and by developing their own sets of Dead songs, Dark Star Orchestra offers a continually evolving artistic outlet within this musical canon. Honoring both the band and the fans, Dark Star Orchestra’s members seek out the unique style and sound of each era while simultaneously offering their own informed improvisations.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit The Capitol Theatre’s Website.
Empire State Youth Orchestra’s CHIME (Creating Harmony Inspiring Musical Excellence) program has announced that their students recently worked with the composer Adrian Gorson to create their own composition. The composition is called “Amplify Our Voice” (AOV) with a theme of “Stop Violence, Show Kindness” and the performance will occur on May 19th at 5:30 p.m. in the Schenectady High School Auditorium.
Amplify Our Voice offers CHIME students a powerful vehicle to create an original composition, process emotion, explore shared experiences, and “amplify” their voices to the world. The process begins with students choosing a theme. Once the theme is selected, students have workshops on improvisation later creating musical motifs and mini compositions based on the chosen topic. Students create an original, multi-level work in collaboration with a resident artist/composer through reflection, experimentation, and composition.
CHIME’s AOV initiative places youth in the driver’s seat, and opens the door to limitless innovation, and organic, creative expression. Its goals fundamentally change the traditional youth orchestra paradigm by empowering youth to exert personal influence over musical style. This transforms the traditional music education system into one that is culturally responsive, relevant, and equitable. AOV assists students in mastering their instruments and layering their artistic and experimental voice atop those who have preceded them, and to break new ground for others to follow in their footsteps.
“Over the course of this project, I’ve seen a lot of growth with the student’s confidence and ability to express themselves. Whether it was through improvisation sessions, composing their own pieces, or leading discussions, I certainly sense some healthy fearlessness to share their voice. The final piece of music that was created from all their work and inspiration is really beautiful and moving, but seeing this new feeling of empowerment in the students is the real goal.”
Dr. David Bebe, CHIME Conductor/ESYO Curriculum & Enrichment Coordinator
This year’s composer Adrian Gordon is no stranger to CHIME. In the fall students performed his piece “A Hero’s Journey” in the fall, and he has been collaborating with them virtually throughout the year. On March 13 Gordon visited the CHIME sites, Yates Elementary, Van Coralear Elementary, and Proctors and not only presented his first musical draft of this year’s AOV piece but also took feedback from the students.
No Fun, located on River Street in Troy, will welcome five live electronic performances on Saturday, July 29, featuring Atlas.B with friends and collaborators Waybach, Dito, Spike Right, and SM Ink.
Producer and DJ Atlas B combines elements of funk, soul and blues with a modern electronic synthesis technique, including sampling and live instrumentation. Downtempo beats and upbeat electronic bass make his live sets a journey through influences and inspirations.
Atlas B has opened for Maddy O’Neal, Manic Focus, Marvel Years, Michael Menert, 5AM Trio, Tvboo, Gspace, Luzcid and many more. Recently, Michal Menert and Atlas B played a three-night run in Albany, Portland and Worcester.
On July 29th, Atlas B. will be playing his set using Ableton Live, allowing him to “clip launch” sections of songs live and rearrange, add fx and remix songs in a live/interactive way.
For this show Atlas B brings with him Lighting Designer and VJ Riley Irving from Technical Video Inc in Colonie. A stage full of LED wall tiles will feature multiple programs and software such as Resolume, Synesthesia, and Microdose VR by Adroid Jones, for visual accompaniment this evening. These programs are fully freestyle and an interactive visual journey, bringing a human/freestyle element to the live visuals making them unique and different every set.
Atlas B has also curated a selection of friends and collaborators to support this show. Having worked on two songs with Waybach, hailing from CT/NYC, you can find collaborations here and here. Waybach and Atlas B both work in a similar realm of funky bass music, known to share the stage together to test out new songs and experiment with live fx and clip launching through Ableton Live.
Albany local DJs Dito, Spike Right and SM Ink will get the crowd moving and the party started, as these DJs are all known for playing shows around the area sometimes supporting large national touring acts.
A selection of retro video game tables will be going throughout the night, and was featured at the previous show from Atlas B at No Fun back in February. Expect battles, prizes, and increased games and consoles.
This summer, Tupper Lake, located a few miles west of Lake Placid, announces the return of its Summer Sunset Stage Concert Series, featuring two free concert events on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Tupper Lake makes up the Tri-Lakes region along with nearby Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, located in Franklin County. The village was the top lumber producer in New York State, first settled during the town’s lumber production period in 1844.
Since 1976, Tupper Lake has been celebrating the artists and artisans that make up the small community. Before Tupper Arts, there was the Tupper Lake arts council, then named Tupper Lake Presents. It was re-established as a community entity in 2018 when Tupper Arts Vice President Louise McNally helped plan the re-launch. Tupper Arts have grown and set up a year-round programming tradition involving the community, providing easy access to the arts.
This summer, Tupper Lake brings back the weekly live music events to the Tupper Lake Sunset Stage on Mill Street in Flanders Park, starting around 7 p.m. and ending by 8:45.
Tupper Lake Monday Summer Sunset Series Lineup
July 4- Michael Shofi, Brock Gonyea, and Folkfaces
Kicking off the series is Michael Shofi, a 25-year-old singer-songwriter living in Astoria, Queens, specializing in nature-based indie, folk music. Since he was a child, he spent the summers in Tupper Lake and is so glad to be sharing his music with the community. Brock Gonyea is a singer and songwriter from Tupper Lake with a classic country sound. Finally, Folkfaces is a New York state-based roots music quartet that plays a mix of original and traditional music, driven by songwriter and frontman, Tyler Westcott (Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica, Kazoo) who founded the band in 2011. The lineup changes from time to time, currently including multi-instrumentalist and fiddler Brendan Gosson, upright bass player, Patrick Jackson, and percussionist Dan Schwach on drumkit and washboard.
The Big Takeover is a seven-piece New York band, fronted by the charismatic Jamaican-born singer and songwriter Nee Nee Rushie. They play original music that is rooted in the genres and rhythms of Jamaican pop: reggae, rocksteady, and ska while bringing in the spirit of Motown.
July 17- The Altered Tones
The Altered Tones is a four-piece band out of Long Lake consisting of guitar, bass, and drums playing a mix of acoustic and electric covers of classic alternative and rock songs.
July 24- Night School
Night School is a five-piece dance-rock band from Tupper Lake, performing some of the most popular dance hits from the past few decades and today, from The Beatles to Talking Heads, or from Rick James to The B-52’s.
July 31- Shakespeare in the Park: The Tempest
The Tempest is an abridged version of the Shakespeare classic by director Karen Lordi-Kirkham. This tale, one of Shakespeare’s most popular, involves magic, a deserted island, betrayal, comedy, and love. Performances run from July 28-Aug. 2 at various venues in the state. For more information, visit here.
Aug. 7- Annie & The Hedonists
Annie & The Hedonists interprets the songs of the great female blues artists of the 20s, 30s, and 40s, including Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Rosetta Tharpe, Ella Fitzgerald, and others while incorporating other styles like bluesy country, roots Americana, and western swing. The band is Annie Rosen on lead vocals, Jonny Rosen on guitar and vocals, Peter Davis on clarinet, tenor guitar, piano, and vocals, Don Young on bass and vocals, and Jerry Marotta on percussion/drums.
Aug. 14- An Evening with The Silks
The Silks are a true grit rock and roll band out of Providence, Rhode Island, winning two consecutive Boston Music Awards for “Blues Artist of the Year” in 2016 and 2017. The group is made up of frontman Tyler-James Kelly, Uncle Sam Jodrey on drums, Jonas Parmelee on bass, and Johnny Trama on rhythm and lead guitar.
Aug. 22- The Bob Stump Band
The Bob Stump Band highlights blues and Appalachian folk music, moving on to cover popular bluegrass, country, jazz standards, and rock music. The band features Bob Stump on guitar and vocals, Doug Moody on fiddle, Tom White on banjo, fiddle, and mandolin, and Roy Coates on the big bass.
Tupper Lake Wednesday Summer Sunset Series Lineup
July 12- New Horizons Swing Band
The New Horizons Swing Band is a part of New Horizons Bands of Northern New York, initiated by Roy Ernst, a professor at the Eastman School of Music. New Horizons was designed for seniors who wanted to learn an instrument or those who needed to restart their instrument, now an international organization. The Swing Band is made up of community members, many retired from a variety of backgrounds and careers.
July 19- Moment’s Notice
Moment’s Notice is a local, four-piece band with veteran musicians Karen Baker on keys, Mike Joyce on electric guitar/vocals, Dan Spada on electric bass/vocals, and Sadie Spada on lead vocals/percussion. They cover a wide range of genres including jazz, Latin, blues, rock, and country.
July 26- Rose & The Bros
Rose & The Bros is a group based out of Ithaca that specializes in Cajun and Zydeco music from South West Louisiana, including sweet vocal harmonies and a few crooning country classics in the mix. It started as a collective dream between Rosie Newton, internationally touring fiddle player and singer and banjo player Richie Stearns, eventually bringing in guitarist Paul Martin. The band is now complete with their rhythm section featuring Angelo Peters (leader of Big Mean Sound Machine), Greg Evans, and Sally Freund.
Aug. 2- The Midnight Stargazers
The Midnight Stargazers Cosmic Country Band is an entertaining four-piece acoustic band from Bloomingdale, NY. They play their own blend of original songs as well as many familiar classic country, country rock, and country folk tunes.
Aug. 9- Junction Jam
Junction Jam is a rock band quartet that plays music from the 60s through the 90s and will have you up dancing and singing while traveling back in time.
Aug. 16- Organ Fairchild
Organ Fairchild was created in 2020 by Jam scene mainstays Joe Bellanti, Corey Kertzie, and Dave Ruch. The trio met in 1983 as members of the Buffalo, NY, Grateful Dead cover band Wild Knights, and wrote their first original music together in 2020. They have individually played with Bob Weir, Rob Wasserman, Robbie Krieger (The Doors), Nels Cline, Tony Rice, moe., and more, and now create juicy jams and groovy tunes together.
Aug. 23- Larry Ham Quartet
Pianist, composer, and arranger Larry Ham is a veteran New York sideman, performing, touring, and recording with many great jazz artists. David Dupont of Cadence Jazz Magazine wrote, “He glides over the keys with each note articulated cleanly…his playing is masterful.”
For more information about Tupper Lakes’ Summer Sunset Stage Concert Series, happening Mondays and Wednesdays all summer long, visit here.
