The Empire State Plaza’s Center for the Performing Arts, or The Egg, recently announced that Maria Muldaur, Taj Mahal and Sona Jobarteh would all be joining the Albany venue’s 2023-24 programming. Muldaur is scheduled to perform on Sept. 15 with Taj Mahal and Jobarteh stopping by on March 7, 2024.
The Egg is a state-owned entity created to bring quality artists and performances to New Yorkers. Besides music, the venue showcases several forms of art including dance, comedy, film, and theater. Originally constructed in 1978, The Egg features two theaters and can comfortably house over 1,400 visitors.
Since its inception, the venue has attracted some of the biggest names in arts and entertainment. Past performers include Roger McGuinn, Chaka Khan, Dave Chappelle, Eric Burdon, Margaret Cho, and Buddy Guy.
Maria Muldaur- September 15, 7:30 PM
Making music for over 55 years, American folk/roots artist Maria Muldaur became a household name thanks to her 1973 hit song “Midnight at the Oasis”. Released as a single, the track received a Grammy nomination and has since become one of the quintessential songs in the genre. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bubbly and infectious tune, she will perform the song along with the help of the Red Hot Bluesiana Band. Together, the two will showcase some of Muldaur’s classic blues, country, folk, swing, and pop offerings. The performance will also include some of the artist’s collaborative work with the Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, Tuba Skinny, and Taj Mahal. Here for tickets and information about the performance at The Egg.
Taj Mahal & Sona Jobarteh- March 7, 7:30 PM
Taj Mahal has established himself as one of the world’s premier blues musicians throughout his extensive career. The Harlem-born artist is known for melding together the sounds of traditional American blues with elements from the Caribbean, Africa, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Originally rising to prominence in the 1960s, Taj has earned three Grammy awards and ten nominations. In 2014 he was awarded the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sona Jobarteh is a Gambian singer, composer, and instrumentalist credited for being a master of the Kora stringed instrument. With her diverse and ethereal sound Jobarteh has been hailed as one of the biggest upcoming stars in world music. Blending traditional West African, blues, pop, and even afro beats, Jobarteh has amassed fans from all over the globe. Here for tickets and information about the performance.
To check out The Egg’s full schedule of performances click here.
The summer of live music is heating up all around the state as the City of Cohoes has kicked off its Rock The Block Concert Series earlier this month. The 2023 summer performances take place every Thursday evening from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM in Canal Square with the series coming to an end on August 3rd.
The rockin’ eight week concert series started on June 15th with a memorable performance by the impressive Fleetwood Mac tribute band Tusk. The connection between the five band members is close to unheard of as their relationships have spanned more than four decades. Tusk was followed the next week by Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses who rocked the crowd with all of the band’s greatest hits. In the coming weeks there will be so much more to enjoy, as select groups and performers will take the stage including the Eagle tribute band Eaglemania and the country/rock group Vinny Michaels Band.
Every performance of Rock The Block welcomes individuals from the community with free admission as well as food and drink available for purchase, so bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the summer.
The Guilderland Performing Arts Center (GPAC) is having its 44th summer concert series known as “Jammin’ at GPAC,” featuring free local music at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland, NY. Most events are held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays and feature a rotating cast of food trucks.
Work to build GPAC began in 1978 when a small group of citizens and members of the Guilderland League of Arts and the Town Band selected a site, which was cleared in 1979. Funds and expertise from Guilderland residents led to the completion of the stage platform in 1980, with future construction included a roof, sides, restrooms, and services for visiting artists.
GPAC considers itself “by the people and for the people” and is dedicated to quality entertainment for the local community.
Upcoming Shows
Hot Club of Saratoga – July 6, 7:30 p.m.
A 1930s Paris jazz and swing group, they are sponsored by Stewarts and Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern NY. The food truck for the day is Buena Comida.
Guilderland Town Band – July 13 & Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Conducted by Kathleen Ehlinger, the band dates back to 1969, organized through the Town of Guilderland Parks and Recreation Department. The food truck for July 13 is Muddaddy Flats, and is Buena Comida for Aug. 3.
Big Fez and the Surfmatics – July 20, 7:30 p.m.
Featuring classic surf music from the ’60s and beyond, this group has been sponsored by State Farm Agent Jolene Kahlor and Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern NY. The food truck for the day is High on the Hog BBQ.
River of Dreams – July 27, 7:30 p.m.
A Billy Joel tribute band, River of Dreams has been sponsored by Tri-City Rentals and Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern NY. The food truck for the day is Flaco’s Tacos.
National Night Out – Aug. 1, 6:00 p.m.
Featuring the band known as the Refrigerators, National Night Out has been sponsored by the Guilderland Police Department’s Community Services Unit. No food truck has been listed for this date.
An award-winning country and bluegrass band, they have been sponsored by McNamara Financial Consultants and Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern NY. The food truck for the day is High on the Hog BBQ.
Downtown Horns – Aug. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Playing brass-driven hits from the ’60s to today, Downtown Horns is sponsored by Stewarts and Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern NY. The food truck for the day is Muddaddy Flats.
Albany’s rising jam group Hilltop have unveiled their 2023 Summer Tour, taking them across New York, plus festival stops in Pennslyvania and the Catskills and a post Phish show in NYC.
Photo by Frank Cavone
Among the dates is a first ever show for Hilltop at Mercury Lounge in Manhattan, on August 3rd. During a non-consecutive 7-night run for Phish at Madison Square Garden, Hilltop jumps on an opportunity to play on one of the few nights off for Phish, bringing Thursday night funk to those looking to keep boogieing down in between Phish shows.
If you can’t catch them at Mercury Lounge, don’t miss Hilltop as they make a stop at Catskill Jubilee Music Festival in mid-August, featuring the Disco Biscuits headlining. More dates leading into the fall will be announced soon!
Get tickets for the Mercury Lounge show here and stay up to date on Hilltop here.
Hilltop Summer Tour 2023
6/23 – Red Square – Burlington, VT 6/24 – The Listening Room at East Coast Van Builds – Bradford, VT 7/8 – Rock the Dock Music Festival – Lake George, NY 7/14 – Riverboat Bar – Alexandria Bay, NY 7/28 – Nietzsche’s – Buffalo, NY 8/3 – MERCURY LOUNGE – New York, NY * 8/10-13 – Catskill Jubilee – East Durham, NY 8/16 – The Fire – Philadelphia, PA 8/17 – Stella Blues Bar – New Haven, CT
Beginning June 29, Playhouse Stage Company will present their 36th Anniversary musical production Something Rotten at Albany’s Park Playhouse, a Renaissance-set comedy about a down-on-his-luck writer trying to best William Shakespeare by writing the world’s first musical. The production plays Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8pm from June 29 through July 22. Playhouse Stage Company will hold an opening night Gala pre-show on June 29, where they will make a special announcement.
Playhouse Stage Company has been producing free summer musicals at Albany’s Park Playhouse in Washington Park since 1989, producing musicals year-round at Cohoes Music Hall since 2016, and took the reins as management of the historic Spindle City venue in 2020.
The Broadway premiere of Something Rotten took place in 2015, and it garnered a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Musical while enjoying a successful two-year run. The book is written by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick, with a score and lyrics by Karey & Wayne Kirkpatrick.
The story follows the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, who struggle to find success in the theatrical world as they compete with the wild popularity of their pompous contemporary, “The Bard,” William Shakespeare. When Nick Bottom visits a Soothsayer to discover what the hottest thing in theatre will be in the future, he sets out to write a musical with disastrous results. The show sparks comparison to other bawdy, raucous Broadway comedies including Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Book of Mormon, and Mel Brooks’ The Producers. In an homage to its Renaissance setting, Time Out NY called the show “the funniest musical in at least 400 years.”
The show reunites frequent creative staff collaborators Michael LoPorto (Director), AshleySimone Kirchner (Choreography & Musical Staging), and Brian Axford (Musical Director). Together, the trio have helmed more than a dozen shows for Playhouse Stage. 22 local and regional performers make up the cast, and Axford will lead a twelve-piece band. 12 out of the 22 cast members are graduates of the Playhouse Stage youth theatre program.
The cast is led by Vincent DiPeri (Nick Bottom), who returns to the Playhouse for the first time in eight years after receiving critical acclaim for his performances in The Producers, Hairspray and others. Alongside DiPeri as Bottom’s nemesis William Shakespeare is Steve Raymond, who won strong reviews in the Playhouse’s productions of Spamalot, Spelling Bee and more. Since last appearing on the Playhouse stage, Raymond has developed a significant social media following for his comedy content, with more than three million followers across TikTok, Instagram and other platforms. Rounding out the cast are Playhouse veterans Molly Rose McGrath (Bea Bottom), Marc Christopher (Nostradomus), Daniel Jameson (Nigel Bottom), Brandon Jones (Brother Jeremiah), and Anna Sprau (Portia), in her PSC debut.
Amphitheater lawn seating at Park Playhouse is available for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Premium Reserved Seats are now on sale online, by phone and in person. For more information about the show and Playhouse Stage Company, visit their website here, or call the box office at 518-434-0776.
For media inquiries, to arrange press comps, or to receive production photos and video, please contact Owen Smith, Producing Artistic Director at owen@playhousestage.org or by phone at 518-434-2035, extension 100.
Blanket Approval, an indie pop rock band out of NYC, is stopping in three NY destinations, Albany, Pleasantville, and NYC for its “Happy Alone Tour” this summer. A fourth destination in NY may be possible, but it has yet to be determined. This coincides with the release of their new single “Happy Alone, Pt. II.”
“Born out of the ashes of the pandemic,” Blanket Approval began to form when singer/guitarist Jack Matteucci moved to Brooklyn in 2021 and met drummer Joey Hadden. From there, they met bassist Max Mena and guitarist/keyboardist Rahul Chakraborty. Blanket Approval began rehearsing and recording in January 2022.
They had their live debut at Union Pool in Brooklyn in Spring 2022, going on to 200,000 streams on Spotify in less than 8 months, and featuring in Spotify’s Fresh Finds Indie. In 2023, they plan to release a summer EP.
Blanket Approval’s new single “Happy Alone Part II” builds from a calm, chill opening to powerful harmonies with many of the band’s members and swelling music. Chakraborty’s keyboards, which open the song and carry on throughout the piece give the song a nice echoing beat throughout.
A personal favorite part of the song are the little crescendos, which often occur after the many vocal solos of the “Happy Alone Part II,” a feature fitting given the name. The pause in the instrumentals before these provides a brief return to the more cool opening of the song before returning with the explosive clamor of the instrumentals.
Upcoming Happy Alone Tour Dates
Albany, NY – June 30
Greenfield, MA – July 1
Pleasantville, NY – July 2
Boston, MA – July 3
Burlington, VT – July 5
TBD Upstate NY, VT, NH – July 6
Randolph, VT – July 7
Southbridge, MA – July 8
NYC, NY – July 22
For more information on Blanket Approval, on tickets, and on future releases check out their website.
On Friday evenings in late June, the Empire State Plaza hosts numerous high school graduations. Tucked away between South Colonie and RCS graduates and their families on June 23 was the entrance to The Egg, where So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience performed to an enthusiastic crowd who knew all the words to the deep cuts and all the hits from Diamond’s decades-spanning catalog.
Following a run of sold out shows throughout Long Island and New Jersey over the past three years, So Good! is an all-Long Island band that began a run of 40 shows over the next 10 months with their performance at the Swyer Theatre at The Egg. Fronted by Broadway, TV and film star Robert Neary, the show was truly impressive and hit all the right notes from start to finish. His tribute to Neil Diamond in appearance, on stage mannerisms and voice made the evening truly unforgettable, with The Mystics backing him up and never missing a beat.
With a crowd – median age: retired – nestled into their seats before the 8pm show time, the band slowly took the stage, with Neary outside the doors singing the opening lines to “America” before appearing on stage with the band for the crescendo of the song. Hits that most everyone in the audience knew the words to – “Cracklin’ Rosie”, “Blue Jeans” and “Song Sung Blue” – would follow, with the band jumping from tune to tune until after “Longfellow Serenade” where Neary spoke about E.T. and how it had a profound influence on Diamond, which led him to write the next song, “Heartlight.”
More banter about Diamond’s scant film career discussed a movie he did not land a part in, but affected him profoundly, Bob Fosse’s Lenny. This led to an identity crisis for Diamond, and amid this and moving he and his family to Los Angeles, he penned “I Am… I Said.” Another film song, “Hello” from Diamond’s most memorable film, The Jazz Singer, would follow, before the horns rejoined the rest of the Mystics for “Solitary Man,” “Holly Holy” and the deep cut “Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show” that got the crowd up and moving. If that didn’t do it, “Cherry, Cherry” capped off the show, with a noncore of “Sweet Caroline” and “Soolaimon” to close it out.
So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience is on tour this summer and fall, with an incredible stage show and songs you’ll be singing along to all night and on the way home. Check out their website for more details.
So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience 2023 Tour Dates
June 28 145 Park Avenue NYC
July 5 Newbridge Road Park, Bellmore, NY
July 9 Sieminski Theatre, Basking Ridge, NJ
July 14 Seaside Pavillion, Old Orchard Beach, ME
July 15 Ellsworth Allen Park, Farmingdale, NY
August 17 Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre – Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY
August 19 The Murphy Theatre, Wilmington, OH
September 9 Infinity Music Hall, Hartford, CT
October 8 The Argyle Theatre, Babylon, NY
October 13 The Argyle Theatre, Babylon, NY
So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience – The Swyer Theater at The Egg – Albany, June 23, 2023
Set 1: America, Cracklin’ Rosie, Blue jeans, Song sung blue, Longfellow Serenade, Heartlight, I am… I Said, Hello, Love on the Rocks, September Moon, I’m a Believer
Set 2: You are the Sun, Shilo, Kentucky Moon, Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon, Solitary Man, Holly Holy, Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show, Cherry, Cherry, Sweet Caroline, Soolaimon
Friday, June 23rd marks the release date of Glass Pony’s latest album, Washed Away. The strength of the release lies with compelling instrumentals, creating a perfect blend between nostalgic classic rock and a more modern sound.
The Albany-based group features Chanda Dewey on drums and vocals, Eddie Hotaling on guitar and vocals, Jeff Picarazzi on bass and vocals, and Greg Pittz on lead guitar and vocals.
The album offers a perfect pop-rock sound for a hot summer day, the sound reminiscent of some signature classic rock influences. This is first established with the album’s catchy opening song, “Bottom of the Ocean.” The bright guitar creates a nostalgic, summery feel, qualities that would make the song perfect to listen to on the beach. The song blends the vocals of the entire group for an upbeat tune about change, or the lack thereof. The lyrics remind us that “at the bottom of the ocean, it’s just another day,” despite how much may change on the shore.
Another Washed Away highlight is “Spotlights,” one of the album’s most impressive pieces. While the song’s opening is slow, it quickly becomes captivating through its transition into a funky, quick groove. The quick beat and groovy feel make the song an enjoyable listen, perfect to dance to. The powerful instrumental mix carries the music, almost as if the vocals accompany them. Similarly to “Bottom of the Ocean,” the song embodies aspects of classic rock, largely though the electric guitar. Halfway through the song, an epic guitar solo takes over, almost as if it is telling story. Listening to the song was a memorable experience, akin to its lyrics about having a new experience.
One of Washed Away‘s most unique pieces was undoubtedly “Doppler.” The song opens with a bass solo, establishing a chill tone, but takes on different moods and tones throughout the song. A powerful instrumental intro takes on an alternative rock feel, whereas later sections of the song incorporate dreamy synth combined with sounds of nature, such as bird calls. Through a slow crescendo into a guitar solo, the instrumental-heavy song is dreamy, interesting, and powerful.
Glass Pony further showcased their compositional skill through quick instrumental pieces like “Sonder,” a song without lyrics, but not lacking in any way – the instruments tell their own story. A quick, shredding electric guitar builds into a catchy tune, ultimately building to a chaotic, fascinating blend of instrumentals.
The album’s final track, “Upside Down,” offers another chill, summery rock anthem to add to any beach playlist. The music manages to emphasize lyrical phrases, matching the beat and rhythm of the group’s words. The bright, pop rock sound is comparable to the album’s opening track, bringing a sense of coherency to the album. Through a similar intro and outro, it feels like the listener is taken through a musical journey, returning to where they began.
Following its official release, find Washed Away from Glass Pony on Spotify. Watch the lyric video to “Bottom of the Ocean” below.
It was a great night to be a fan of live music if you were anywhere near downtown Albany on Thursday, June 15th. With the annual Alive at 5 free concert series now in full swing, fans from across the Capital Region flocked to Jennings Landing for “Jam Night” with Mihali Savoulidis. While it was undeniably a great time and great exposure for the ultra-talented and charismatic Twiddle front man, it was the show-after-the-show that ultimately provided the biggest improvisational peaks of the evening. Playing to a packed Parish Public House directly across the street after Mihali’s set, Annie in the Water kept the party going long and strong well into the next morning.
Alive at 5: Mihali, featuring Scott Hannay and the West End Blend Horns got the party started
Going off the cuff without a written setlist, the band unleashed the perfect combination of original songs, unexpected covers, and guest sit-ins galore from some high-profile friends, including members of Twiddle, Scott Hannay, and the West End Blend, all making for a perfect night cap to an already memorable night in Albany.
Often regarded as one of the leading forces in the Capital Region’s live music resonance, Annie in the Water has been making steady waves across the northeast for years. Comprised of Brad Hester (Lead Vocals/Rhythm), Michael Lashomb (Lead Guitar/Vocals), Joshua West (Drums/Vocals), Chris Meier (Bass/Vocals), Matt Richards (Keys/Vocals) and Brock Kuca (Percussion/Vocals), the band has already played everything ranging from the Adirondack Independence and Memorial Meltdown Festivals, Rock the Dock, the Catskill Mountain Jubilee, and even made their Alive at 5 debut last summer, opening for fellow jammers Spafford. Making plenty of friends along the way and taking pride in making every performance different, you never know who might show up at an Annie in the Water show.
Brad Hester performs with Annie in the Water at the Parish Public House
On this Thursday night, things at the Parish got heated up quickly as fans cramped into the dimly lit club early to get a glimpse of the action. Right out of the gates we were treated to a guest sit in from Ryan Dempsey, a classically trained keyboard player and one of Mihali’s bandmates in Twidde. Opening the frame with a jammed-out version of “Pleasure in Sin,” Annie in the Water would then play their latest R&B inspired single “Honeybee” to the adoring crowd who just seemed to love these guys.
Ryan Dempsey of Twiddle sat in with Annie in the Water for several songs
Pulling double duty, our next musical collaboration would feature West End Blend saxophone player Mike Oehmen, a cancer survivor who was also was part of Mihali’s Alive at 5 band earlier in the evening. Lending his talents to the relaxing groove of “Out of Phase,” Oehmen’s soaring sax solo would soon lift the energy in the room to the next level. From there Joe Davis made a surprise appearance, jamming out to his former bandmate’s song, the Matt Richards penned, “In The Sand.”
The dancing would continue with a delightful version of “Bloom,” the infectious lead track from Annie in the Water’s latest studio album, 2022’s Sun At Dawn. One affectionate couple in the front row were particularly grateful to hear it, describing it as “their song.” Indeed, it’s catchiness makes it the type of song that could easily be a massive hit if given proper airplay. With the audience now fully feeling sexy, the next surprise came in a cover of Christina Aguilara’s late 90’s pop TRL hit, “Genie in a Bottle,” which got the entire audience going wild and singing along. Giving this version a bit of the “rock” treatment, by the time “Genie” reached it’s over-the-top guitar solo courtesy of Michael Lashomb, even the hardest fans in the room could be seen letting their guard down and bobbing along. What, you think I didn’t see you? The guilty pleasures would continue for another cover song from the same era, this time with Brad Hester turning his cap around and doing his best Mashall Mathers impression on “The Real Slim Shady,” which would bring the incredibly fun opening set to a close. Showing both their musical diversity and their sense of humor, how the guys planned to top it for the second set was anyone’s guess.
Annie in the Water guitarist Michael Lashomb was firing on all cylinders
After a brief break to catch our breath and air out the room, it was time for everybody to get a drink. That’s because not only was Ryan Dempsey of Twiddle making his second appearance of the night, he would also lead the charge through a pair of classic Twiddle songs. First up was “Mamunes the Fawn,” which brought the party vibe to a whole new level and perhaps with it, some optimism that Twiddle front man Mihali would possibly make an appearance too. While ultimately he did not, for the next Twiddle cover, we did get two of Mihali’s Alive at 5 bandmates, West End Blend’s Michael Bafundo pumpin’ on the trumpet and Mike Oehmen on sax once again for a joyous rendition of “Syncopated Healing.” Despite lacking Mihali’s distinct vocals, it was pretty amazing to hear how well Annie in the Water recreated Twiddle’s massive sound, obviously long-time admirers of the band.
Michael Bafundo and Mike Oehmen pulled double duty playing sets with both Mihali & Annie in the Water
The horns would stick around for a few more songs, while a third (yes third) keyboard player, Scott Hannay, would join in on the fun for “Feel That Pulse.” The family-style jam would continue for one more song, “Seeds,” which was arguably the high point of the evening. After both pulling double duty performing at Alive at 5 and now sitting in for several songs with Annie in the Water, it’s fair to say the tuckered out West End Blend boys earned their keep on this night and the right to take the rest of it off. Scott Hannay, however, was just getting warmed up and would stick around to crush his part of “Seaside Highway.”
With a Little Help From Their Friends: It was sit in’s galore at Annie in the Water’s Parish Performance
Ryan Dempsey would then return for one final dose of triple piano action on the always appreciated Talking Heads cover, “Take Me To The River.” The remainder of the set though, would be vintage Annie in the Water performing some of their best original material. Starting with “Change My Mind,” next on tap was “Balloons,” the song their very own IPA beer is named after.
Scott Hannay never fails to crush a sit in with his Annie in the Water pals
Following a quick encore break and a 50/50 drawing for a good cause, Brad Hester would then take the stage by himself for a heartfelt, vocal’s only rendition of “Free (No Need for Forgiveness). About halfway through the number, the remainder of the band would emerge from backstage one at a time and slowly join in on the song as it seamlessly transitioned into “Sativa,” a special song about embracing life’s challenges, growing and learning from the unexpected struggles. Annie in the Water would finally bring things back full circle by closing out with “Free Again (reprise)” to bring the stellar performance to a close. Great music, great people, great collaborations and great times. Just a ‘grade A’ evening all around.
Up next, the band will release their next single “Sailing” on Friday, June 30th. In celebration, Annie in the Water will then be ON the water, finding their sea legs as part of a sold-out Boatcruise weekend on July 1st, 2023. Later this summer, the group plans to link up with long time friend, Hayley Jane, to recreate the classic Fleetwood Mac album, Rumors. That’s if their tour van can get them there. A blown transmission has recently sent them scrambling for a little help. A Gofundme page is expected to be announced shortly. You know what to do.
Annie in the Water | June 15, 2023 | Parish Public House | Albany, NY
Set 1: “Pleasure in Sin” > Jam *Ryan Dempsey Keys, Honeybee, Out of Phase *Mike Oehmen Sax, In the Sand > Jam *Joe Davis Guitar, Bloom, Genie in a Bottle (Christina Aguilera), The Real Slim Shady (Eminem)
Set 2: Mamunes the Fawn (Twiddle) *Ryan Dempsey keys, Syncopated Healing (Twiddle) *Ryan Dempsey keys, Mike Oehmen Saxophone, Michael Bafundo Trumpet, Feel That Pulse, *Scott Hannay keys, Mike Oehmen Saxophone, Michael Bafundo Trumpet, Seeds *Ryan Dempsey keys, Scott Hannay keys, Mike Oehmen Saxophone, Michael Bafundo Trumpet, Seaside Highway *Scott Hannay keys, Take Me to the River (Talking Heads) *Scott Hannay keys, Ryan Dempsey keys, Change My Mind, Balloons, Free Again > Sativa > Free Again (reprise)
Photo courtesy of Frank Cavone/Mirth FilmsPhoto courtesy of Frank Cavone/Mirth Films
The annual Summer at the Plaza 2023 Festival lineup has been announced, taking place at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, featuring family-friendly concerts, movies, and festivals, starting with the annual July 4 celebration.
The Summer at the Plaza 2023 celebration kicks off on July 4 with an exciting program with incredible live music. The “Queen of Percussion” Sheila E. has made a name for herself as one of the most talented musical icons over the decades. She is fearless and passionate, following the beat of her drum, and touching the lives of many over the years. Sibling Upstate NY natives Jocelyn & Chris also perform. Along with the performances are the best fireworks display in the region and great food and beverages.
Featured on June 21 is a Pride Night Celebration with Jan’s Jukebox, of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12 and All Stars season 6, and special guest DJ Phoenix, from 6-9 p.m.
The popular Lunchtime at the Plaza Concert Series returns this summer, featuring live music and a variety of food trucks on ten Wednesdays between June 7 and Aug. 16 from noon to 1:30 p.m.
The lunchtime concert series provides an excellent opportunity for state employees and the public to come to the Empire State Plaza and enjoy being out in warmer temperatures and summer sun while listening to live performances and eating a healthy lunch from one of the Plaza food vendors or shopping at the weekly farmers market.
Jeanette Moy, Commissioner of OGS
Kicking off the series is Acute Inflections, New York’s Jazzy R&B duo, consisting of Elasea Douglas (vocalist) and Sadiki Pierre (bassist). June 14 brings Upstate NY native Maria Zemantauski, who has toured Spain, Italy, and across the continental United States to great acclaim. She brings Brian Melick to perform a variety of Spanish classical, flamenco, and American fingerstyle music. June 21 features a Make Music Day celebration featuring Heard, a collective of musicians who bring their skills and passion for world music, jazz, and improvising to create irresistible grooves set in a unique sonic tapestry.
Heard.
The Lunchtime at the Plaza series on June 28 acts have yet to be announced, and the following week has no concert because of the July 4 celebration. Veteran Appreciation Day is July 12, featuring the Gone Gray Band, performing a mix of 50s, 60s, and 70s music that shaped their lives. July 19’s show has acts that have also yet to be announced. July 26 features Carmen and Life’s Guilty Pleasures with lead singer Carmen Lookshire from Albany, performing a mix of jazz-infused songs. The last few weeks feature The Age performing R&B/soul on Aug. 2, The Dominant 5, a brass ensemble, on Aug. 9, and finally R&B group Legacy on Aug. 16.
The New York State Food Festival returns Aug. 16 from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. The annual Food Festival pairs a wide variety of delicious food and beverages with an exciting lineup of free entertainment, featuring the Robert Randolph & The Family Band, with an additional performance by Flavour. Robert Randolph has jumped from spiritual to secular music, finding an audience among roots rook aficionados, jam band followers, or blues fans with his fiery, passionate instrumental work and heartfelt music.
Returning on Sept. 13 from 5-9 p.m. is the Hops & Harvest Festival, celebrating the best of what autumn has to offer in Upstate New York as well as tasty beers crafted by several local breweries. This year will feature a performance by the Yonder Mountain String Band, with additional performances by Sicard Hollow and Bees in the Barn. Grammy-nominated progressive bluegrass group Yonder Mountain String Band is celebrating its 25th year as a band. Blending bluegrass with elements of rock, alternative, psychedelic and improvisational music, the band exists and excels in a rock world, without drums, as an acoustic group, performing at festivals, rock clubs, theaters, and stadiums.
Yonder Mountain String Band.
Summer at the Plaza 2023 also features the Capital Concert series with a variety of artists. Commissioner Jeanette Moy said the lineup “includes something for everyone, with alternative, rock, country, and hip-hop artists taking the stage and providing the public with evenings full of free entertainment.” Kicking off the series on July 12 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. is Spin Doctors and Cracker. Spin Doctors, from New York City, had an extremely successful run in the 90s with their 1992 debut album Pocket Full of Kryptonite, featuring the familiar hits“Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong.” Peaking at No. 4 on the Top 100 singles chart, “Two Princes” had more U.S. radio spins than any other rock & roll song in 1993.
Cracker has been described as a lot of things over the years: alt-rock, Americana, insurgent country, and many more. Cofounders David Lowery and Johnny Hickman have been rockin’ for a quarter of a century – amassing ten studio albums, multiple gold records, thousands of live performances, and hit songs that are still in current radio rotation around the globe, including “Low,” “Euro-Trash Girl,” “Get Off This” and “Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me.”
Spin Doctors, photo by Zachary Beecher.
July 19 brings heavy-hitting rock legend Night Ranger to the stage, captivating audiences with its killer melodies, and intricate instrumentation, selling over 17 million albums worldwide, performing across more than 4,000 stages, and acquiring a radio audience that exceeds one billion. They have earned widespread recognition that includes both multi-platinum and gold albums, and have released an impressive amount of hit singles and album tracks including “Sister Christian,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” “When You Close Your Eyes,” and the anthemic “(You Can Still) Rock In America.”
Returning to the Summer at the Plaza series on July 26 is the unique modern country Eli Young Band, a true band of brothers who play their own instruments and write their own songs. The band was founded by Eli Young with guitarist James Young, bassist Jon Jones, and drummer Chris Thompson at the University of North Texas in 2000. The trailblazing group has come a long way since its founding, producing Billboard’s No. 1 Country Song of the Year and winning the ACM Award for Song of the Year with “Crazy Girl,” plus multiple CMA, CMT, ACA, and Teen Choice Award nominations.
Closing out the Capital Concert Series is a hip-hop night with Big Daddy Kane, featuring performances by Roxanne Shanté and Black Sheep. Big Daddy Kane made a name for himself as one of hip-hop’s most lyrical, diverse, innovative, trendsetting MCs. He is the first rapper to ever hold two sold-out shows at the world-famous Apollo Theater for women only. With several gold albums, Kane has endured a long career, releasing iconic songs like “Ain’t No Half Steppin’,” “Raw,” “Smooth Operator,” “Warm It Up,” and more.
Other events include free fitness classes starting June 6, free and open to individuals of all ages, regardless of fitness level or experience. The classes will be held at a new outdoor location on the Empire State Plaza this summer, between The Egg and Cornerstone. Lessons take place every Tuesday and Thursday through Aug. 31 from 5-6 p.m.
For more information about the Summer at the Plaza 2023 lineup, visit here.
