Mark & Jill, a duo combining roots blues and soulful Texas smoke, will be playing at the Gem every Saturday this July and August. The Gem is in Bolton Landing, just north of the Village of Lake George, and is a smokehouse with cocktails and farm fresh sides.
Mark and Jill, based in Upstate NY, combine their talent and vision, making a sound where New Orleans meets Austin. Mark Tolstrup performs vocals and guitar, and has been inducted into the NY Blues Hall of Fame. Jill Burnham performs vocals, bringing the Texas soul to their music. They sing original songs that bring a fresh interpretation of the roots of blues.
Singin’ the blues, although stolen colloquially to indicate complaining about your situation, was intended to do just the opposite, to pull you out of your doldrums, to wave your fist at misfortune, face your troubles head on…howl at the moon. Mark and Jill embrace that tradition by diving into the rich history of the music as well as paying it forward with their own heartfelt compositions.
Producer Joel Moss
Mark & Jill won the Capital Region Thomas Edison Awards “Blues Artist of the Year” and the Capital Region Blues Network competition in 2022. They were finalists in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
Shows will be held every Saturday until the end of August from 6:00-9:00 p.m.. To find out more about the artists and for scheduling information, check out their website. For more on the Gem and additional showings there, take a look at the Gem’s website.
A host of 80’s tribute bands will “Rock the Lake” in Lake George for two days beginning August 11. Visitors to Lake George can watch performances by a variety of cover bands during the Rock the Lake weekend.
Rock the Lake kicks off Friday, August 11 and continues throughout Saturday, August 12. Performances will take place all day long at the Festival Commons located in Charles R. Wood Park. The park can be found at the southern end of Lake George. The 12.5 acre park includes a 2.5 acre festival space where attendees can enjoy the live music.
While listening to the Rock the Lake performers, audiences will also have the opportunity to take in the beautiful landscape of the park. The Festival Commons website boasts, “With panoramic views of ‘The Queen of American Lakes,’ event-goers can also take advantage of all that Lake George has to offer in terms of activities and sight-seeing, all within a very short walk from the grounds.”
The performers for Rock the Lake include:
August 11
Broken Clover – 90’s Alt Rock
Broken Hearted – Tom Petty Tribute
Monsters of Rock – 80’s Hair Metal
Tommy V – Arena Rock
August 12
The Skynyrd Experience – Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute
LED Sabbath – Led Zeppelin/Black Sabbath Tribute
Run Rabbit Run – Pink Floyd Tribute
Ultimate Journey Experience – Journey by Legend
KISSTORY – Kiss Tribute
Back in Black – AC/DC Tribute
General admission and VIP tickets can be purchased here. Admission is free for children 12 and under.
On Sunday, July 16, country superstar Jason Aldean took the stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center for the third night of his highly anticipated Desperado Tour. Despite the challenges he faced the previous night in Connecticut, where he unfortunately suffered a heat stroke and had to end the show early, Aldean showed his resilience and determination by delivering an outstanding performance that will be remembered for years to come.
Jason Aldean by Allison Marie
The evening began with a dynamic opening sets by Corey Kent and Mitchell Tenpenny, setting the stage for an electrifying night. As the rain poured down intermittently throughout the show, the crowd’s enthusiasm remained undeterred. It was evident that the fans were eager to support their favorite artist and make the most of the unforgettable experience. Jason Aldean took the stage amid a sea of cheers and applause, and from the first note, it was clear that this would be a night to remember. The energy in the venue was palpable, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement. Despite the weather challenges, Aldean’s magnetic stage presence and unwavering energy quickly captivated the audience.
Jason Aldean by Allison Marie
One of the standout moments of the night was when the crowd, demonstrating their patriotic spirit, spontaneously erupted into chants of “USA” multiple times during the show. This collective display of pride and unity further fueled the electric atmosphere, highlighting the special connection between Aldean and his devoted fanbase.
Jason Aldean by Allison Marie
The Macon, GA native (pop. 157,000), Aldean performed a stellar setlist comprised of his number one hits from the past decade and beyond, including his controversial new single, “Try That In A Small Town.” Each song was met with an enthusiastic response, with die-hard fans singing along to every word. From the infectious energy of “Dirt Road Anthem” to the heartfelt emotions of “You Make It Easy,” Aldean showcased his versatility as an artist, delivering a mix of high-energy anthems and poignant ballads that resonated deeply with the audience.
Jason Aldean by Allison Marie
Jason Aldean’s performance at SPAC was a testament to his professionalism and unwavering dedication to his fans. His resilience and commitment to providing an unforgettable experience were evident throughout the night, leaving concertgoers in awe of his talent and stage presence. Despite the rain and the heat stroke setback from the previous night, the artist and his passionate fans shared an incredible bond that transcended any obstacles. The Desperado Tour will undoubtedly go down in history as a testament to Aldean’s indomitable spirit and the enduring power of his music.
Setlist: Tough Crowd, Tattoos On This Town, When She Says Baby, Thats What Tequila Does, Fly Over States, Rearview Town, Amarillo Sky, We Back, Try That In A Small Town, Take A Little Ride, Dirt Road Anthem, Got What I Got, Crazy Town, Trouble With A Heartbreak, You Make It Easy, Big Green Tractor, Lights Come On, Girl Like You, If I Didn’t Love You, Hicktown, My Kinda Party, She’s Country
The Schenectady County Historical Society is bringing live music to the Capital Region all summer with the Howlin’ at the Moon Concert Series. Hosted at the Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Junction, the series runs June 1 to October 5. Shows are on Thursdays at 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
The Howlin’ at the Moon concert series looks to deliver an “authentic musical experience” for visitors and performers alike. The event showcases local and regional artists from a diverse set of genres including bluegrass, Americana, folk, indie, and more. Organizers hope that the series can act as a platform for people to discover and share new ideas and music.
One of the main features of Howlin’ at the Moon is the historic venue in which it takes place. Mabee Farm was originally built in 1705 and is widely regarded as the oldest farm in the Mohawk Valley. The property is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site includes a 17th century house, brick building, Dutch barn, English, barn, and a cemetery. The Dutch barn hosts all concerts, or, in case of rain, the pavilion behind the George E. Franchere Education Center serves as the alternative venue.
Everesy Rising
Local band Everest Rising acts as the musical host for each performance. Helping to curate the concert lineup, the group also serves as the opening act all summer long. Bill Flanagan, Pete Gernert-Dott, Dale Wade-Keszey, Trevor Wood, and Mark Baptiste make up bluegrass and Americana outfit.
All Howlin’ at the Moon shows are $10 at the door (cash only). For more details and information click here.
Sara Milonovich has been a professional musician for over 25 years. She has experience with everything from folk and bluegrass to celtic music and symphony orchestra. Milonovich has performed on Broadway, and even toured Eastern Europe as a State Department musical ambassador. She received the “Americana Artist of the Year” award at the Capital District Thomas Edison Music Awards in 2022.
Big Fez & the Surfmatics are a four-man group specializing in classic surf and beach music from the early 1960’s and beyond. Their repertoire includes songs by The Ventures, Dick Dale and the Del-Tones, The Trashmen, The Chantays, The Surfaris, and Duane Eddy. Big Fez also performs many of the great vocal hits of the surf era as well, highlighting classic tunes from The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, The Challengers, The Rivieras, and many more.
The Moon Shells are made up of Maggie Shar, Brian Slattery, Laura Murawski, Molly Merrett, and Charlie Shaw. The group’s sound is a pleasurable concoction of traditional music from Appalachia, Louisiana, West Africa and elsewhere. Whether performing as an acoustic stringband, a stripped-down trio, or a contemporary five-piece band, the Moon Shells are sure to move hearts and feet.
The show was opened by Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets. For over 30 years, Dr. Jah has been bringing peace, love, and positivity to the Capital Region. With the Love Prophets by his side, they performed for what may have been their second Alive at 5. The vibes were kept peaceful for the most part, but their set ended on a more political note. Guitarist Dave Geoghegan expressed his frustration with the recent decision to strike down Roe v. Wade. They finished the set with a song he said they hadn’t thought about being relevant again in over 30 years.
Dr. Jah was followed up by The Skatalites. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, the band has a history that dates back to 1964. They were founded on the popular Jamaican genre, “Ska,” and have since grown and incorporated Reggae, Rocksteady, Ska-Jazz, and a few other sub-genres into their sound. Doreen Schaffer is the only original member of the band that still plays with them today. Though she was not there for the performance in Albany, she may make an appearance for the band’s 60th anniversary next year.
Ska music tends to generate a lot of dancing because of its rhythms and horns. There were few lyrics, as the crowd mostly vibed out for an hour and a half. They did bring out a singer to perform a cover of “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley. A group of high schoolers raising funds for a sports trip formed a conga line that helped those who were moving to get up a go. This was probably one of the most mellow Alive at 5’s for the year before things turn up to close out the series.
The Skatalites perform at The Music Room in West Yarmouth, MA on Aug. 12.
A late entry to their 2023 Summer Tour, Phish has announced two nights at the Broadview Stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on August 25 and 26, with both shows supporting flood recovery in Vermont and Upstate New York.
Catastrophic flooding has led to thousands of Vermonters and Upstate New Yorkers losing their homes and property, with flood waters wiping out bridges, train tressels, businesses, cars and disrupting lives. A ‘100-year storm’ follows a similarly malevolent storm that blew through the Northeast in 2011, Hurricane Irene, destroying 500 miles of road and 200 bridges.
100% of net proceeds from all concert and merchandise sales will be directed to The WaterWheel Foundation’s 2023 Flood Recovery Fund, which will support the many victims and their families, area businesses, and non-profits. The Recovery Fund will support both shorter-term needs and long-term recovery and resiliency projects.
On September 14, 2011, Phish would hold a benefit concert at Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, VT, raising money for Vermonters most in need. Phish formed at UVM in 1983 and has deep ties to Vermont, with Trey Anastasio’s The Barn recording studio located near Burlington, and Mike Gordon and Page McConnell calling the Burlington area home for many years.
A limited number of Foundation tickets will also be available that include a ticket to the show, a private pre-show performance with Phish’s Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell, access to the Foundation Lounge before and throughout the show, and special Foundation poster and merch, in addition to other amenities.
Created by Phish in 1997 to oversee the band’s various charitable activities, The Waterwheel Foundation has been harnessing the kindness of the Phish fan community to create positive change for over 25 years.
The Flood Benefit Recovery shows will be the 23rd and 24th overall performances for Phish at SPAC, who first played the summer shed in Saratoga Springs on July 27, 1992, opening up for Santana.
Tickets are now available for Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade’s “Hunt For Green October” fall tour, with dates in Brooklyn and Albany. The rock band recently reformed after a 20-year hiatus, and has just completed their “Summer of Green” tour.
The band was originally formed by Les Claypool in 2000 during a break from his other band, Primus, with a debut appearance at the Mountain Aire Festival. They would go on to tour around the U.S., release two live albums, and release the studio album, Purple Onion.
Claypool himself has also been involved with Primus’s recent “A Tribute To Kings” tour, as well as Primus’s first new music in over five years. This 3-track EP, Conspiranoid, includes the 11-minute “Conspiranoia.”
Les Claypool’s Frog Brigade will have a new, two-set show for their fall tour, going more into their catalog. The “Hunt For Green October” tour will be the last opportunity to hear the Frog Brigade’s take on Pink Floyd‘s Animals. The song will be played at every show in its entirety.
Let’s put it this way… I think, with Primus and without, I’ve played every music festival in the last ten years, except Lilith Fair. You could say I’m the guy who doesn’t fit in anywhere, but a little bit everywhere.
Les Claypool
Upcoming Tour Dates
Oct. 11 – Fox Theater – Oakland, CA
Oct. 12 – Riverside Municipal Auditorium – Riverside, CA
We’re less than a week from the 47th edition of Rye Bread Festival, held in the Eastern New York hills of Schaghticoke, a gathering of musicians from across the Northeast and beyond, headlined by none other than Oteil Burbridge and Friends over July 27-29.
Rye Bread has been a unique experience since inception, when it was initially held on an island in the Mohawk River, being an event that started as an ‘in the know’ gathering for live music and camping – Neal and Alan Evans performed there in the years prior to forming Soulive – before evolving into a full on festival set in the Capital District at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds. What started as a backyard party nearly 50 years ago, Rye Bread has steadily grown, from the ground up, into Upstate New York’s premier music and arts festival.
But Rye Bread is more than just a concert festival – this is a family with generations of deep roots, bringing people together through music in a spirit of community and charity, and of course good times for all. Thousands more will be welcomed into the Rye Bread Family with open arms, in their 47th year.
Al Schneir performing at Rye Bread Festival
With Burbridge (Dead & Company, The Allman Brothers Band) on bass, the group also features longtime Jerry Garcia Band organist Melvin Seals, Steve Kimock and Tom Guarna on guitar, vocalist Lamar Williams, Jr., John Morgan Kimock on drums and multi-instrumentalist Jason Crosby rounding out a stellar lineup.
Also joining the Rye Bread Festival lineup are the legendary North Mississippi Allstars, led as always by brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson, Cool Cool Cool, Lespecial, Dogs In A Pile, Couch, DJ Logic & Friends, Talkpeck Soundsystem, Brown Eyed Women, Baked Shrimp, Neon Avenue, The Seapods, The Billy Walton Band, Muscle Tough, Super 400, The Nolanauts, Fungkshui, The Rob Beaulieu Band, Mushroom Men, Dr. Jah & The Love Prophets and The Rye Bread Family Band.
Attendees can expect plenty of unique collaborations between artists throughout the course of the festival, making for a truly memorable weekend of live music.In addition to the stellar lineup of live music, the Rye Bread Music and Arts Festival will feature food and craft vendors on site and festival goers can enjoy plenty of room to stretch out and feel comfortable at the spacious Schaghticoke Fairgrounds, centrally located just minutes north of Albany and south of Saratoga Springs.
Two -day passes are $125, with single day Friday passes $69 and single day Saturday for $79. Full ticketing info and more can be found at ryebreadfest.com
Camping Information
Tenting / Car Camping
Campsites are 10′ x 30′ One or two campers per site. $80.00 Three or four campers per site. $150.00 All campers must arrive at the same time. Camping passes are two day only. For tent camping, one car is allowed per site, and your car will remain on your campsite.
Family Camping
Family camping is on a separate part of the fairgrounds as tenting/car camping with quiet hours between 11:00pm and 7:00am Campsites are 10′ x 30′ One or two campers per site. $80.00 Three or four campers per site. $150.00 All campers must arrive at the same time. Camping passes are two day only. For tent camping, one car is allowed per site, and your car will remain on your campsite.
RV Camping
Campsites are 16′ x 40′. Six campers per site. One RV per site (34′ maximum). 50 AMP Service – No Pigtails (30 amp adapters) Available). Full hookups on site. All campers must arrive at the same time. Camping passes are two day only. One tow vehicle allowed per site, and your vehicle will remain on your campsite. Additional companion vehicle pass included. Remember all campers must arrive at the same time
Parking
Single day pass on-site parking is available for one day pass holders. $20.00. Two day pass on-site parking is available for festival goers that are not camping. $30.00. Companion pass on-site parking is available for RV campers that bring additional vehicles.
The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College have announced the return of its popular summer concert series Upbeat on the Roof, occurring each Thursday from July 6 through Aug. 17.
This year marks Upbeat on the Roof’s twenty-second season, remaining a premier summer destination for the best music created by the region’s musicians. Different genres like folk, R&B, Latin jazz, classical Indian, and pop are all on tap for summer 2023. Included are craft kits for kids aged 5-12 starting at 5:30 p.m. Performances begin at 6 p.m. on the lawn outside the Tang. Bring picnic blankets, camping chairs, and food and drink, and in case of inclement weather, everything will move inside the museum.
The Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College is a pioneer of interdisciplinary exploration and learning. A cultural anchor of New York’s Capital Region, the Tang’s approach has become a model for college and university art museums across the country, with exhibition programs that bring together visual and performing arts with interdisciplinary ideas from history, economics, biology, dance, physics, and more. The Tang is open to the public on Thursdays from noon to 9 pm and Fridays through Sundays from noon to 5 pm, with expanded hours beginning in July to include Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon to 5 pm.
Tang Museum.
Admission to Upbeat on the Roof is free and open to the public. For more information, visit here.
Upbeat on the Roof Lineup
July 6: The Albany-based band Blue Ranger reminds us that there are small moments of magic in the everyday. Formed in 2015, the trio has been crafting soft-focused folk that celebrates the beauty in uncertainties with an existential flair. Following their 2018 LP Saving A Beauty comes fresh single “True Blue,” where candid, autobiographical tales dance among a wealth of imaginary characters. The trio brings their folk-influenced sound to improvisatory heights in live settings, the product of countless years of moving sound.
July 13: For Adrian Lewis (The Age), making music is a portal into how he sees the world, piecing together fragments of introspection and humility, through a reflective and universal lens. Weaving together textural authenticity with his live band, The Age touches on themes of devotion, insecurity, and heartache with an optimistic flair, incorporating Neo-Soul tendencies and the electrifying groove of 70s guitar.
The Age.
July 20: Returning to Upbeat is the Hot Club of Saratoga, the Capital Region’s premier gypsy swing ensemble, playing a repertoire that reflects the spirit and style originated by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli in The Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Most prominently developed in the 1930s and 40s Paris, this genre has been kept alive through a long line of gypsy jazz artists. Most of the tunes Hot Club of Saratoga plays were written or recorded by Reinhardt at some time in his musical life, hot swing music of the 1920s, ’30, and ’40s.
July 27: Also returning to Upbeat on the Roof Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra. Formed in October 1980 in Amsterdam, New York, the orchestra is led by the Bronx-born bassist Alex Torres. The 12-piece has performed its original blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms such as Salsa, Merengue, Cha-cha, Bomba, Plena, and Latin Jazz at hundreds of festivals, performing arts centers, and events. The group last played Upbeat in 2017.
August 3: Veena Chandra is an internationally renowned sitarist, composer, teacher, choreographer, and founder and director of the Dance and Music School of India in Latham where she teaches Indian classical music. She has been a faculty member at Skidmore College since 1990, teaching sitar in the Music Department. Since 2014, she has also been the Artist Associate in Sitar at Williams College.
August 10: Zan & The Winter Folk, a Troy-based Americana/folk outfit, create anthems for the revivalists, lullabies for the lonely, and ballads for the hopeful. Paired with lead Zan Strumfeld’s vulnerability and soulful lyrics, The Winter Folk reveal a unique and captivating sound in both their recordings and live performances. Their first full-length album will be released in the fall of 2023.
Zan & The Winter Folk, photo by Beth Mickalonis.
August 17: Ending the Upbeat series is Nathan Meltz and The House of Tomorrow. Nathan Meltz writes pop songs about failed utopias, backed up by his band The House of Tomorrow. Combining influences from The Kinks and classic Elephant 6 bands, the band uses fuzzy indie pop songs to tell stories about communities, religious visionaries, and drug cults.
The dynamic and high-energy band that is the Kitchen Dwellers will be heading out on tour for fall 2023. Their 20 date trek is set to kick off on October 11th in Burlington, Vermont with a special stop at the New York Cohoes Music Hall on October 12th, joined by the progressive folk band, Fireside Collective.
Throughout the fall tour, audiences will get the chance to experience the quartet – Shawn Swain [Mandolin], Torrin Daniels [banjo], Joe Funk [upright bass], and Max Davies [acoustic guitar]—twist bluegrass, folk, and rock through a kaleidoscope of homegrown stories, rich mythology, American west wanderlust, and psychedelic hues.
During select performances, the Kitchen Dwellers will be accompanied by the Fireside Collective, the American jam band Leftover Salmon, along with appearances by the Mountain Grass Unit, Arkansauce, and Chris Jacobs.
The tour will wrap with three November nights in Denver which will include a special VIP-only show at Cervantes’ Otherside followed by performances at the Ogden Theater. Tickets will be available on Friday, July 21 at 10:00 AM!
