Singer/Songwriter Al Olender has announced a one-off Valentines themed show at Old Dutch Church in Kingston on February 4th.
The show, dubbed “Alentines Day”, will be a “cathartic taking back of Valentines Day for everyone” says Olender. Special Guests will join her in performing new songs and old favorites off her debut album Easy Crier. The show is also dedicated to the city of Kingston itself, culminating in an intimate dream performance for Olender.
“This show is for the broken-hearted, the new relationship energy you don’t know where to put, the crushes you’ve had and have and maybe will meet at this show.”
Al And Easy Crier
On her debut full-length album Easy Crier, Olender asks: what happens if we vow to never tell a lie, ever again? On Easy Crier, Olender pieces together her most vulnerable moments to produce a celebratory and beautiful rumination on grief, and reminds us of the power that comes in really getting to know yourself.
Al Olender
Recorded at The Church in Harlemville, NY, the album sees delicate keys dance alongside acoustic plucks, brooding strings and lush harmonies. There are moments of exploring the often fine line between funny and sad that makes Easy Crier a portal for relief. It’s an album that takes each shattered, heartbroken piece and puts them back together to form a strangely beautiful mosaic.
For the first time in 25 years, New York City based The Van Pelt have announced their upcoming fourth studio album, Artisans & Merchants, which will be released March 17th. The album will join a series of shows, including stops at Brooklyn’s Saint Vitus Bar.
The album was recorded and mixed in Summer / Fall 2021 by Jeff Zeigler at Uniform Recording in Philadelphia, PA, and features guest appearances by Nate Kinsella and Ted Leo among others. The Van Pelt has returned to explore what was left behind with Artisans & Merchants.
This is not a reunion album. This is vindication. For lovers of The Van Pelt, listening to Artisans & Merchants is like hearing the voice of a dear friend you haven’t seen in years — a friend you used to share countless beers with over banter that went nowhere other than delivering a solid night. Your friend is older, they’ve changed. In some ways you’re worried for them. In other ways, it’s the same old them, a soul too unique to ever be altered.
The Van Pelt frontman Chris Leo
The first single “Punk House” is out everywhere now along with a brand new music video. The video features digitized archive footage from The Van Pelts US tours of the mid-90s.
When a bunch of old VHS tapes were unearthed, we had them digitized and they turned out to be from tours of the mid-90s. The footage is mainly of daily banalities: random purchases at rest stops, packing and unpacking the van, highway views that could be on the outskirts of Any Town USA. Yet there is a nostalgia to it that’s compelling to everyone
Grammy Nominated Shemekia Copeland has announced her new tour to promote her Grammy nominated album Done Gone Too Far. Copeland will perform at City Winery in New York City on Wednesday, February 1st.
LOS ANGELES, CA— MARCH 18, 2022
RECORDING ARTIST, BLUES SINGER, SHEMEKIA COPELAND FOR ALLIGATOR RECORDS.
Photos by Victoria Smith
Make Up by KATE KATS
She was also recently nominated for four Blues Music Awards for Album Of The Year and Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year (for Done Gone Too Far), Song Of The Year (for “Too Far To Be Gone”) and Instrumentalist Of The Year (Vocals). Copeland was also the 2021 Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year.
Two Decades Of Talent
Shemekia Copeland is is considered the blues/soul voice of her generation. As a contemporary Black woman, she brings her immense talent and charisma to topical new originals that reflect her deep social conscience. She delivers her hard-hitting musical truths through her eyes, those of a young American Black woman, a mother, and a wife. But she likes to have fun too, and her music reflects that.
“This album was made by all sides of me — happy, sad, silly, irate — they’re all a part who I am and who we all are. I’m not political. I’m just talking about what’s happening in this country” Says Copeland.
LOS ANGELES, CA— MARCH 18, 2022
RECORDING ARTIST, BLUES SINGER, SHEMEKIA COPELAND FOR ALLIGATOR RECORDS.
Photos by Victoria Smith
Make Up by KATE KATS
Copeland has performed thousands of gigs at clubs, festivals and concert halls all over the world since her Alligator Records debut Turn The Heat Up hit in 1998. She has appeared in films, on national television, NPR, and in magazines and newspapers. She’s sung with Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, Carlos Santana, and many others. Copeland has also shared a bill with The Rolling Stones. In 2012, she performed with B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Buddy Guy, and others at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama. She has appeared on PBS’s Austin City Limits and was the subject of a six-minute feature on the PBS News Hour.
NPR’s Jazz Night In America recently aired an hour-long program featuring Copeland. In April 2022, she performed at the United Nations General Assembly Hall for International Jazz Day celebrations. Copeland continues to host her own popular daily blues radio show on SiriusXM’s Bluesville
On the brink of a new album, Rochester native, Mikeala Davis and her band, Southern Star, will complete their residency as one of the hottest live music acts in upstate New York. The Catskil transplant returned home for a set of performances at Abilene in Rochester and Tubby’s in Kingston.
The “Dead of Winter” residency began during a notoriously quiet period live music-wise. A run of sold-out performances have re-affirmed belief that fresh sets, familiar places and homegrown talent would bring people out to enjoy live music.
Mikeala Davis and Southern Star complete their residency at Tubby’s and Abilene.
Mickeala Davis and Southern Star on the Rise
In effect, “Dead of Winter” began with a performance at Tubby’s on Wednesday, January 18, with Davis and Southern Star performing weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Tubby’s and Abilene. However, the final two nights of Southern Star’s residency will be on February 1 and 2. To boot, the band will perform two sets nightly, starting with their own tunes and a later Grateful Dead themed set. As a result, the Dead set themes have been varying by week; Mik’s Picks Vol. 1: ‘67-‘72 for week 1, Garcia in its entirety for week 2, and Mik’s Picks Vol. 2: ‘73-‘87 for the upcoming February shows. While, the Abilene show is sold-out but tickets for Mikeala Davis at Tubby’s on Wednesday night can be found here.
Mikeala Davis and Southern Star have seen all of their Kingston shows sold out.
We’re planning two sets every night. First set is original songs and second is a dead set. This is a chance for us to revisit some old songs and experiment with new ones while continuing to explore the music of the Grateful Dead. Hope to see you there!
– Mikaela Davis
A classically trained harpist, Mikeala Davis’ style brings together elements of classic rock, ’60s and ’70s pop, roots Americana, and contemporary modern singer-songwriter croons. Davis and Southern Star have shared bills with such names as Bob Weir, Bon Iver, Lake Street Dive. Moreover, Davis joined Phil Lesh & Friends during the first weekend of their Phil-o-Ween residency at The Capitol Theatre. Her newest release is 2022’s The Relix Sessions, which focuses on live versions of tracks from 2018’s Delivery. At the present time, the group is planning a new studio album that will mark the first official studio recordings by Davis and Southern Star.
Celebrating their 38th year in NYC, World Music Institute has announced their spring and summer 2023 season with sixteen performances featuring artists from over a dozen countries.
About World Music Institute
Founded in 1985 as a not-for-profit, World Music Institute (WMI) has served as one of the leading presenters of world music and dance within the United States. WMI is committed to presenting the best in traditional and contemporary music and dance from around the world with the goal of inspiring wonder for the world’s rich cultural traditions, promoting awareness and appreciation and encouraging cross-cultural dialog and exchange. WMI presents at venues throughout the city and depends on both public and private funding to accomplish its mission.
World Music Institute Executive Director Gaby Sappington states “The second half of our 2022-2023 Season continues to reflect our commitment to offering audiences affordable access to the most exciting, innovative, and meaningful voices in world music and dance. Some of them are already well known, while others are up-and-coming. All of them are united by a passion for their respective cultures and the arts. We are thrilled to bring them to NYC’s stages, celebrating our motto: MANY CULTURES – ONE WORLD.”
Schedule Of Events
Red Baraat ‘Festival of Colors’ with Shubh Saran and Kahani (DJ)
Friday, March 10, 2023 Doors and DJ: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Brooklyn Bowl – 61 Whyte Avenue, Brooklyn Tickets: $20 Co-presented with Brooklyn Bowl
Ladysmith Black Mambazo Rescheduled show: March 18, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 7:30 PM Kaufmann Concert Hall at the 92nd Street Y – 1395 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan Tickets: $35 | $45 | $60 Co-presented with 92NY
Hamid Rahmanian’s Song of the North Friday – Sunday, March 24-26, 2023 Friday and Saturday – Doors 7 PM | Show 8 PM, Sunday – Doors 2 PM | Show 3 PM Peter Norton Symphony Space – 2537 Broadway at 95th St, Manhattan Tickets: $25 | $35 | $45
Tarta Relena March 30, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Tickets: $20 Advance | $25 Day of Show National Sawdust – 80 North 6th Street, Brooklyn Co-presented with National Sawdust
NY Arab Festival Friday, April 7, 2023 Doors and DJ: 8 PM Nublu – 151 Avenue C, Manhattan Tickets: $20 advance | $25 day of show Co-presented with NY Arab Festival
Twelfth Annual Indian Dance Festival Come early each evening for a pre-performance slide lecture by curator Rajika Puri. Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Lecture by Rajika Puri: 7:30 PM | Performance: 8 PM The Ailey Studios – 405 W 55th St, Manhattan Tickets: $35 / $45 / $55 Night One: Sreelakshmy Govardhanan Night Two: Praveen Kumar
Dakh Daughters with Opening Guest Balaklava Blues Thursday, April 20, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM (le) poisson rouge – 158 Bleecker St, Manhattan Tickets: – Advance $30 | Day of Show $35
KOKOKO! Saturday, April 22, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Public Records – 233 Butler St, Brooklyn Tickets: $25 Advance | $30 Day of Show Co-presented with Public Records
Fatoumata Diawara with Opening Guest TBA Saturday, April 29, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Brooklyn Bowl – 61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn Tickets: $35 Co-presented with Brooklyn Bowl
ADG7 Wednesday, May 3, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM (le) poisson rouge – 158 Bleecker St, Manhattan Tickets: Advance $30 | – Day of Show $35 With promotional support from The Korea Society
Vieux Farka Touré with Guest Thursday, May 11, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Brooklyn Bowl – 61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn Tickets: Advance $25 | Day of Show $30 Co-presented with Brooklyn Bowl
Alam Khan with Manik Khan and Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri Saturday, May 20, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center – 129 West 67th Street, Manhattan Tickets: $35 / $45 / $55
Hermeto Pascoal & Grupo Thursday, May 25, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Pioneer Works Tickets: $30 – standing room | $45 – general admission seating | $65 – preferred seating Co-presented with Pioneer Works
Kiran Ahluwalia w/ Yacouba Sissoko Saturday, June 3, 2023 Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM Flushing Town Hall Tickets: $20 advance | $25 day of show Co-presented with Flushing Town Hall
Yasser Tejeda with DJ Sabine Blaizin (Oyasound) Thursday, June 8, 2023 Doors and DJ: 8 PM | Show: 9 PM Harlem Stage – 150 Convent Avenue, Harlem $20 – advance | $25 – day of show
For World Music Institute’s season’s full schedule, with venue, artist, and ticketing info, visit www.worldmusicinstitute.org
Rock The Bells — the hip hop culture platform founded by LL Cool J — have announced the lineup for their Timeless Hip Hop Cruise. Aptly tittled, Rock The Bells Cruise: A Hip-Hop Experience, the media entities partnership with Sixthman will see a host of hip hop legends perform on the Miami-to-Bahamas getaway.
Rock The Bells began as music festival in Queens and will now be going abroad
Setting Sail on November 13, performers on Rock The Bells’ Timeless Hip Hop Cruise will include hip hop stars of various eras. Headliners include the likes of Rick Ross, Lil Jon and Big Boi. While Ghostface Killah, Big Daddy Kane, Just Blaze and a host of other legends from hip hop’s golden era will make apperances. MC Lyte, Trina & Trick Daddy, Too $hort, Slick Rick, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spinderella, Mannie Fresh, Pete Rock, DJ Quik, Rah Digga, EPMD, Bun B, Bahamadia, Grandmaster Caz, DJ Scratch, The Finisher Mister Cee, DJ EPPS, DJ Nina 9, Grandmaster Dee, Technician The DJ, and DJ Critical Hype. Hosted by Roxanne Shanté & Torae, attendees will also experience a pool deck party series presented by world-renowned party rocker Kid Capri.
At Rock The Bells, we believe classic and timeless Hip-Hop deserves to be served on a silver platter and we can’t wait for Hip-Hop lovers across the globe to be immersed in the culture for five days, on five stages. We’re excited to partner with Sixthman, who bridges the gap between artists and fans, creating unforgettable guest experiences.
– Rock The Bell’s President James Cuthbert
What to Expect at Rock The Bells Hip Hop Cruise?
The expedition kicks-off with a special “Welcome to Miami” performance by Miami hip hop legends Trick Daddy and Trina on the ship’s pool deck. Attendees who purchased their cabin before January 18 will be able to hang out with Trick Daddy and Trina at a private cocktail happy hour prior to setting sail. Moreover, attendees can expect dozens of performances and intimate experiences from some of Hip-Hop’s classic MCs, DJs and producers. In effect, Rock The Bells will be taking over every corner of the ship with pool deck parties presented by world renowned DJ Kid Capri. Other fun endeavors will include MC and DJ battles, rap karaoke, interactive graffiti, live podcasts, roller skating, open mic nights, movie screenings, masterclasses, art galleries, custom grillz, tattoos, basketball and The Trill Mealz Food Court.
The Norwegian Pearl will play host to “Rock The Bells Cruise: A Hip-Hop Experience.”
How could I not Rock the Boat with the Goat? LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells keep the culture afloat. Please believe it.” Too $hort added “Rock The Bells is Hip-Hop History, and they’re working to MAKE history!
WRAPS – the Woodstock Rock Art and Poster Show – will return to Bearsville Center over May 6-7, 2023. The two-day event will feature a wide selection of art for sale ranging from vintage psychedelia and silkscreen prints, to modern digital artwork and photography.
Exhibitors include well-known artists as well as newcomers making a splash on the scene. In addition to a formidable artist line-up, there will be multi-media productions, talks, and seminars/workshops throughout the event.
This is a new East Coast art show modeled on, and with the support of, the famous The Rock Poster Show (T.R.P.S.) held annually in San Francisco, WRAPS is poised to become a premier event for poster collectors on the East Coast.
The inaugural WRAPS was a huge success last May. Over 40 exhibitors ranging from painters to printers, body artists to serious art collectors gathered to share their love for and knowledge of the art form known simply as “rock poster”. In its second year WRAPS plan to make it even bigger and better.
Held in the world-famous town of Woodstock, NY, WRAPS is produced by artist Mike DuBois of Happylife Productions, Kenny Scneidman of Arrowhead Ranch and Retreat and Lizzie Vann the owner of the newly renovated Bearsville Center, The event will take place at the Historic Bearsville Theater and Utopia sound stage the first weekend of May 2023.
Larry Campbell and Mike DuBois
Bearsville Center is located just a few miles down the road from Woodstock, approximately 2 hours north of New York City and 1 hour south of Albany. It is easily accessible by both car and public transportation out of NYC.
Bearsville Center features a spacious bar and lounge in the theater, and an expansive lawn area for networking and socializing. The property also boasts two restaurants, an ice cream shop, a full bar, and patio with fire pit. There will be live music in the theater’s lounge in the evening. The town of Woodstock and surrounding Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley offer a multitude of recreational and cultural activities, entertainment, hotels and dining in a beautiful natural environment.
WRAPS takes place Saturday, May 6- 10 A.M. – 6 P.M. Sunday, May 7 – 10 A.M- 5 P.M. Artists interested in taking part in the 2023 Woodstock Rock Art & Poster Show, sign up here and check out photos from the 2022 installment of WRAPS below.
Artists for WRAPS 2023 include Jeff Wood, Johnny Thief, William Giese, Mikio Kennedy, David Byrd, Brad Kelly, Mike DuBois, Jay Blakesburg Studio, John Warner, Kenny Schneidman, JT Luccesi, Kory McGeehan, Una Toibin, Helen Kennedy (Zazz Corp.), PhanArt, Rennie Cantine, Brian Woodruff, Phil Brown, Nadina Simon, Nick Clemente (Mark Goff Photos) and many more to be announced.
John Mayer has announced his first ever solo acoustic tour for spring 2023. 20 years in the making, this audacious trek features solo performances by Mayer, leaning heavily on his acoustic guitar work with special performances on piano and electric guitar, in arenas throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The tour kicks off at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Saturday, March 11 and includes a stop at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Wednesday, March 15. Tickets go on sale starting on Friday, February 3 at 9 AM at Johnmayer.com. Due to demand, a fall leg has been announced, with encore performances at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Oct. 3 and Oct. 4, and a stop at UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY, on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Presales start on Wednesday, March 29 at 9 AM and run through Thursday, March 30 at 10 PM. Fans can sign up now to receive a unique code to access presale tickets here.
“I began my career on stage with only a guitar and a microphone. A lot has changed since then, but I knew one day I’d feel it in my heart to do an entire run of shows on my own again, just like those early days,” Mayer wrote on his social media. “It took a couple of decades, but I feel it now. I’ll be playing old songs. Newer songs. Songs you haven’t heard yet that I’ll be road testing – all on acoustic, electric, and piano.”
A Show Twenty Years In The Making
Known for an effortless blend of mind-blowing guitar playing, soulful voice and impeccable songwriting abilities, Mayer has lit up the charts with numerous massive hits such as “New Light,” “Gravity,” “Love on the Weekend,” “Heartbreak Warfare,” “Daughters,” “Waiting on the World to Change,” “Last Train Home,” and “Your Body Is a Wonderland,” while playing lead guitar in Dead and Company since 2015.
The 2023 tour has been 20 years in the making and will feature rare, full acoustic sets from John Mayer performing these songs, and many more. Singer-songwriters Lizzy McAlpine, Alec Benjamin, and a special guest to be announced at a later time, will open these concerts.
Presales start Wednesday, February 1 at 9 AM and run through Thursday, February 2 at 10 PM. Fans can sign up to access presale tickets via seated now at Johnmayer.com. A limited number of VIP packages will also be available.
Two pairs of front-row tickets will be auctioned off for each show on the tour through charityauctionstoday.com. All proceeds from the ticket auctions will go to the Back To You Fund, which has supported many charities, including John’s Heart & Armor Foundation, as well as programs supporting at-risk youth and the homeless.
Check Johnmayer.com for full tour and ticketing information.
John Mayer Solo Acoustic Tour Dates
Saturday, March 11 Newark, NJ Prudential Center
Monday, March 13 Boston, MA TD Garden
Wednesday, March 15 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Saturday, March 18 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
Monday, March 20 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Wednesday, March 22 Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
Friday, March 24 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
Saturday, March 25 Cleveland, OH Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Monday, March 27 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
Wednesday, March 29 St. Louis, MO Enterprise Center
Friday, March 31 Chicago, IL United Center
Saturday, April 1 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
Monday, April 3 Denver, CO Ball Arena
Wednesday, April 5 Phoenix, AZ Footprint Center
Thursday, April 6 Palm Desert, CA Acrisure Arena
Saturday, April 8 Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center
Monday, April 10 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
Tuesday, April 11 Seattle, WA Climate Pledge Arena
The music of the Allman Brothers Band will be celebrated by Trouble No More in tribute to the 50th anniversary of the band’s legendary album, Brothers & Sisters, at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on March 25.
The album will be performed in its entirety by Trouble No More, featuring very special guest keyboardist Chuck Leavell. This event marks Leavell in his first performance of the Allman Brothers Band songbook since The Brothers 50th Anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden in 2020.
“The piano playing on Brothers and Sisters is amazing. It could be my favorite of Chuck’s work. I am really looking forward to playing the record with him on stage. It will be incredible,” says Peter Levin, Trouble No More Musical Director.
Tickets will go on sale on Friday, January 27 at 12 p.m. EST at Ticketmaster.com.
Photo By Adam McCullough
Founded in 1969, the Allman Brothers Band created a new genre of American music, which was an amalgamation of blues, R&B, country and jazz . The band was not only a groundbreaking force in music, but a component of the Civil Rights Movement of the late-60s. Composed of five white hippies and one African American, the Allman Brothers Band made quite a social impact in their home base of Macon GA.
Brothers and Sisters, the fourth album released by the iconic Allman Brothers Band, sold over seven million copies worldwide. “Ramblin’ Man” became the band’s first and only hit single, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973. The album represented the Allmans’ commercial peak.
Combined with their family-based lifestyle, the Allman Brothers Band spread a message of peace, love and acceptance. That message is the core of the Allman Brothers Band Big House Foundation’s objectives. The Foundation provides music programs for schools that are sorely lacking in funding for the arts. The Foundation also hosts workshops and lectures on civil rights and equality through music.
A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Big House Foundation in Macon, GA.
For More information, and to purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.
Kings Theatre, located in Brooklyn New York is proud to announce their Historic Tour events will be making a comeback. Tour dates are scheduled for February 18 and March 11 at 1pm. An introduction of a weekday tour will be taking place on March 21 at 7pm.
Kings Theater built in 1929 as one of the five original Loew’s Wonder Theaters . The Theater was originally a movie palace live performance venue featuring vaudeville reviews. The 20th century movie palace was inspired by the French Renaissance Revival style of the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House. What we now know as Kings Theater became stagnant after its closing in 1979 until undergoing restoration in 2013. In 2015, the theater was officially opened as Kings Theatre with a debut performance by the amazing Dianna Ross. Kings Theatre is now recognized as a cultural and economic cornerstone of the Flatbush community and a magnificent addition to Brooklyn’s spirited cultural landscape.
During the 75 minute tour, expect to be educated on the historical and architectural highlights from knowledgeable tour guides. For example, guests will learn about the baroque stylings of this luxurious theater, the “Queen of Kings”, the Robert Morgan Wonder Organ, and become informed on the theater’s daily workings.Starting in the resplendent grand lobby, guests will travel through ornate speakeasy lounges and both levels of the 3,055-seat auditorium.
Under the management of Ambassador Theatre Group, Kings Theatre now portrays a variation of world class programming that includes live music, stand-up comedy, theatrical and literary events in addition to hosting film shoots and even private events. Guests will have the option of enhancing their experience to include two drinks and access to one of the theaters private speakeasies for a post tour destination. For tickets and further information on Kings Theatre tours, please visit here.
