Category: Binghamton

8th Annual Binghamton Porchfest Strikes a Chord on the West Side

Residents of Binghamton’s West Side neighborhood are mowing their lawns and moistening their reeds in anticipation of Binghamton Porchfest 2023, back for an eighth year next Sunday, August 27, from noon to 7 p.m.

Porchfest invites thousands of community members each summer for a free afternoon of live music performed from the residential porches, stoops, and yards of the Abel Bennett Historic Tract. The 2023 festival features 162 local and regional bands performing at 63 host locations, showcasing folk music alongside hip-hop, worship music next door to heavy metal, high schoolers covering Lou Reed, retirees singing Beyonce, classical, jazz, opera, country, and punk.

Food vendors and restroom locations dot the neighborhood and a free shuttle traverses the perimeter of the roughly quarter square mile festival footprint, defined by the rough borders of Riverside Drive, Chestnut Street, Recreation Park, and Beethoven Street. Most roads will be closed to traffic, with free golf cart shuttles offering rides where traffic is prohibited. Lourdes Hospital is offering free parking in their back lot at the end of Lourdes Road. Cans collected during the festival will benefit fundraising efforts for the Danielle House.

Like the many other Porchfests operating independently throughout the country, Binghamton Porchfest is modeled after a DIY community festival hosted by the residents of Ithaca since 2007.

Binghamton Porchfest 2023 comes to life with the support of the City of Binghamton and Mayor Jared Kraham, Cavanaugh’s Grocery, Visions FederalCredit Union, and the generosity of many community sponsors and donors. This event is made possible with public funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by The Earlville Opera House. Additional support for the Broome SCR Program graciously provided by the Stewart W. and Willma C. Hoyt Foundation, Inc.

More information – including band bios, and map – is available at binghamtonporchfest.com.

August 22, 2023
In Focus: Sydney Irving Shines Bright at Binghamton’s Spiedie Fest

Rising Central New York star Sydney Irving took to the stage at Spiedie Fest in Binghamton on Sunday Aug. 6, providing direct support to headliner Gavin DeGraw. It was the last day of the annual three-day festival, which showcased great food (including spiedies, of course), hot air balloons, arts & crafts, as well as musical performances from acts such as John Waite, Tommy DeCarlo, Scotty McCreery, and Cooper Greer.

At just twenty years old, Sydney Irving has already proven that no stage is too big. The 2022 Syracuse Area Music Award winner for best new artist has already performed on the main stage at Spiedie Fest on two other occasions; in 2019, opening for Starship feat. Mickie Thomas and again in 2021, opening for Martina McBride. On Sunday she was joined by her band, The Mojo, feauring Luke Hart (guitar), Evan Tennant (drums), Randy Tennant (bass guitar), and Carl Stokking (guitars, vocals). They have quickly become a mainstay on Syracuse’s Locals Only radio, with the recent release of their single “I Don’t Wanna Fight You.”

Concert goers on Sunday could not have been greeted with more perfect summer weather, as warm temperatures and sunshine greeted fans as they arrived. Fans filled the concert area long before the advertised start time and a quick scan of the audience along the stage barrier showed a mixture of Gavin DeGraw and Sydney Irving t-shirts.

Just after 4:30 pm Irving and her bandmates took to the stage and immediately launched into their track “Seasons Change.” The catchy and upbeat pop-rock track released by the band in 2021 set the stage for what was to come on this afternoon. Irving quickly grabbed a captive hold of the audience, a feat often difficult to achieve by most performers at larger festivals. She worked the stage with the charisma and stage presence like she was a 20-year veteran, engaging the crowd in sing a longs, dances, and synchronized claps. The band took the party atmosphere to another level by kicking oversized beach balls into the crowd.

Through out the band’s sixty minute set, they intertwined cover songs with their own original music, with the band paying homage to the musicians they attribute to their own songwriting style. They got the crowd up and dancing on Taylor Swift’s “You Belong To Me,” and Irving and her bandmates put their own spin on the Dolly Parton classic, “Jolene.” Guitarist Luke Hart also put his talents on display with a blistering guitar solo during Tom Petty’s “Running Down a Dream.” However it was the band’s original tracks that were the true highlights on this afternoon. Songs like “Don’t Want to Fight You” and “You Can’t Forget About Me” showcased Irving’s talents as a songwriter and fit in the setlist flawlessly, alongside the cover tracks.

As the set wound to a close, Irving and her band mates performed the Ramones classic “Blitzkrieg Bop.” The high energy track had the crowd singing and clapping along, and left those in attendance highly energized as they awaited the evening’s headliner.

If you missed Sydney Irving & the Mojo’s set at Spiedie Fest, don’t fret. The band have a slew of performances scheduled, including on Aug. 19 at the Dreamland Theater Music & Arts Festival in Utica. See the band’s full sleight of shows here.

August 10, 2023
Binghamton’s Concerts In Every Corner To Feature The Empire Saxophone Quartet
The Binghamton Philharmonic is set to kick off its free summer concert series, Concerts in Every Corner with four beautiful and unique performances by the Empire Saxophone Quartet. The series will begin on July 20th at 11:20 AM with performances by the quartet stretching into the 21st.

The Binghamton Philharmonic is no stranger to introducing their community to rich and tasteful music as the group presents an annual series of classical, pops, and chamber music concerts in Downtown Binghamton and throughout Broome County. Concerts in Every Corner will feature the Quartet in four locations throughout the city including the Ross Park Zoo, Columbus Park, Cheri A. Lindsey Memorial Park, and Fairview Park.

Bringing home the Empire Saxophone Quartet is quite the treat for the orchestra as the chamber music ensemble has a repertoire that includes classics from the Renaissance Era through the 21st century as well as pop, jazz, and ragtime selections. Their diverse musical abilities and delightful performances have astonished audiences for years and Binghamton should be prepared for nothing less. The quartet was originally founded by April Lucas who is now joined by saxophonists Daniel Miller, Crystal Fisher, and Nicole Mushalla.

The concerts will be a family-friendly mix of jazz, pops, and contemporary classics suited and welcome to all ages, so come and celebrate the summer through the sweet sounds of music.

Concerts in Every Corner

July 20, 2023:
- 11:20am: Ross Park Zoo, 60 Morgan Road, Binghamton
- 12:30pm: Columbus Park, 26 Columbus Park East, Binghamton
July 21, 2023:
- 11:20am: Cheri A. Lindsey Memorial Park, 1 Truesdell Street, Binghamton
- 12:30pm: Fairview Park, 58 Fairview Avenue, Binghamton
July 17, 2023
Anderson Center for the Performing Arts Announces 2023-24 Season

Binghamton University’s Anderson Center for the Performing Arts announced its 2023-24 season, including performances by Step Afrika!, a Coco Live-to-Film Concert, Lisa Fischer, and more.

The Anderson Center for the Performing Arts is located on the main campus of Binghamton University, in Vestal, NY. The Anderson Center’s multiple theaters are designed to meet the needs of every performing group including soloists, chamber ensembles, symphonies, and more.

Programming at the Anderson Center includes performances by the Binghamton University Departments of Music and Theatre and various student groups, as well as a summer concert series, an international performing arts series and special events for the university community and regional arts lovers.

Step Afrika!: Saturday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities. This includes traditional Western and Southern African dances and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience.

These performances are much more than dance shows. They also integrate songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding.

Coco Live-to-Film Concert: Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

AMP presents Disney Pixar’s Coco Live-to-Film Concert on Tour featuring a screening of the complete film. The screening will also be accompanied by Oscar and Grammy-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score performed by the 20-member Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México.

Ranky Tanky with Very Special Guest Ms. Lisa Fischer: Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

This band of native South Carolinians brings the soulful songs of the Gullah culture to life. They mix low country traditions with large doses of jazz, gospel, funk, and R&B. Grammy-winning powerhouse vocalist Ms. Lisa Fischer joins them as a very special guest. Fischer toured for over 25 years with the Rolling Stones and has a standout appearance in the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom.

Red Hot Chilli Pipers: Friday, Mar. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

After nearly selling out the theater in 2022, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers (that’s pipers, not peppers) return to the Anderson Center in March 2024 to celebrate St. Patrick in foot-stomping Binghamton style.

The Magic of Rob Lake: Wednesday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m.

One of the world’s most celebrated illusionists, Rob Lake’s mind-blowing illusions dazzle and entertain millions across network television, in Times Square, on the Vegas Strip, in Atlantic City, and before sold-out audiences in casinos, arenas, and theatres worldwide. Named “The World’s Greatest Illusionist” by NBC, Lake is also internationally renowned for his mesmerizing and award-winning illusion spectacular.

Other announced events can be found here.

June 19, 2023
Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra Presents First Annual “Bing, Bing, Swing!”

The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its first annual “Bing, Bing, Swing,” event, a live swing orchestra gala that will take place on August 12 at The Binghamton Club.

In addition to the live swing orchestra, complimentary cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, food options, a live auction, and dance instruction by Vince Brust Dance Studios bring even more excitement to the event.

Regarding the artists, Maestro Daniel Hege will be alongside Boston-based vocalist/jazz musician Amanda Carr for an unforgettable kick-off performance.

Carr began her career in specifically rock and pop, playing in Boston area nightclubs across her teenage years, before eventually shifting to jazz and band shows.

Maestro Daniel Hege has been the music director for the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra since 2018, and will happily enjoy sharing the stage with Carr for “Bing, Bing, Swing.”

For the event’s details, “Bing, Bing, Swing” will take place August 12 at The Binghamton Club from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Tickets are $100 per person and $180 per couple with a black tie dress code ideal for the occasion.

For tickets and more information on the evening, contact the Binghamton Philharmonic box office at 607-723-3931 or click here.

Amanda Carr performing “Century Of Sinatra” for Boston Swing

June 18, 2023
Melissa Etheridge and Motown Legends to Perform at Binghamton University

Binghamton University’s Anderson Center for the Performing Arts announced its annual roster of summer concerts, featuring several opportunities for regional music lovers to get out and boogie.

The Anderson Center, located on the main campus of Binghamton University in Vestal, NY, aims to enhance the local community and support Binghamton University’s educational vision through enriching performances. This summer’s lineup is a testament to their commitment.

Friday, June 30

The Anderson Center presents The Temptations and the Four Tops, iconic Motown groups, for a night of solid gold hits.

The Temptations came to define Detroit’s Motown sound in the ’60s and ’70s with hits like “My Girl,” “Ain’t to Proud to Beg,” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” The Temptations were ranked #1 “Greatest R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of All Time” by Billboard. Additionally, Rolling Stone hailed them as “the greatest black vocal group of the Modern Era,” highlighting their profound influence on the evolution of American music. The group is still touring with founding member Dr. Otis Williams.

The Four Tops emerged from the same Detroit neighborhoods as the Temptations, the Supremes, and Smokey Robinson. They too released their own string of chart-topping hits for the Motown label including “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” and “It’s The Same Old Song.” The Four Tops continue to tour with founding member Duke Fakir.

Friday, August 11

Melissa Etheridge’s tour bus rolls into campus later this summer for a stop on her Summer ’23 Tour. Etheridge’s confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals have made her a beloved singer-songwriter. Her string of ’90s hits solidify her enduring legacy. Familiar favorites include “Come to My Window,” “I’m the Only One,” and “I Want to Come Over.” Etheridge, who previously played at the Anderson Center in 2009 solo, will return with a full band this time.

Tickets and More Information

An additional concert by the Jazz Ambassadors of the United States Army Field Band, scheduled for Wednesday, June 28, has already sold out. However, tickets are available for The Temptations, The Four Tops, and Melissa Etheridge.

Tickets for the Temptations and the Four Tops cost $75/65/55 inside, $30 on the lawn. Tickets for Melissa Etheridge: Summer Tour ’23 cost $65/55/45 inside, $25 on the lawn.

A full 2023-24 season announcement is expected in mid-June. For more information, visit anderson.binghamton.edu, contact 607-777-ARTS, or stop by the Anderson Center Box Office between 12-4 p.m., Monday-Friday

June 11, 2023
Binghamton Philharmonic to Present ‘May the Fourth Be With You’ on May 4

To conclude the 67th season of the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, they’ll go back, a long time ago, to a galaxy far far away. “May the Fourth Be With You” will be performed at the Anderson Center for the Performing Arts in Vestal on Thursday, May 4 at 7:30pm.

Maestro Daniel Hege will lead the Philharmonic in performing the music of John Williams, including themes from The Force Awakens, Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, and of course, the original Star Wars Suite. Additionally, there will be live narration by Joshua Sedelmeyer, who will weave together the epic story of Star Wars with the music.

Joshua Sedelmeyer is an alumni of the Ithaca College BFA Acting program and studied abroad at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia (National Theatre Institute’s Mats program) and the IC London Center in England. Josh is based in Upstate New York, between Binghamton and Ithaca, and works regularly with many companies throughout the region. He is often sought for his physical acting approach (Edgar, King Lear), his playfulness and vivacity within ensembles (Clown, The 39 Steps), and for his comfort with adapting to a wide range of theatrical styles (Puppeteer in The Snow Queen, Austin in True West, Edmund in Long Day’s Journey into Night).

Josh also has developed an ease at creating rapport with audiences during interactive performances, such as “Pops” concerts with the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra (The Magical Music of Harry Potter, A Night at the Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet, and Star Wars, May the Fourth).

Founded by Fritz and Marianne Wallenberg in 1955, the Binghamton Philharmonic was founded by David Agard and Russell Hawkes, presenting an annual series of classical, pops, and chamber music concerts in Downtown Binghamton and throughout Broome County. The professional musicians of the Philharmonic, represented by Local 380 of the American Federation of Musicians, hail from the Southern Tier, New York City, and surrounding states.

For tickets and more information, contact the Binghamton Philharmonic box office at 607-723-3931 or visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org.

April 28, 2023
Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra Announces 2023-24 Season, Featuring 4-Night Phelps Mansion Museum Series

The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Maestro Daniel Hege, will begin its 2023-24 season this September and conclude the following, and a special four-night Phelps Mansion Museum Series will be featured in the new season. The new Phelps Mansion Museum series will consist of four Sunday afternoon chamber music concerts sponsored by Garufi Law, P.C. This year’s Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra season will be sponsored by Visions Federal Credit Union and include both the M&T Bank Symphonic Series and the Pops Series.

Sept. 30 begins the M&T Symphonic Series with “Beethoven’s Fifth,” featuring Aaron Copland’s Variations on a Shaker Melody, Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto with cello soloist Annie Jacobs-Perkins, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. Towards the end of the season, on April 6, “Roman Holiday,” will explore Roberto Sierra’s Fandangos, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, and Ottorino Respighi’s monumental Pines of Rome. Kids 17 and under get in free to all Symphonic Series concerts. Kids 17 and under get in free to all Symphonic Series concerts thanks to M&T Bank.

Annie Jacobs-Perkins, the opening performer for the M&T Bank Symphonic Series. Credit: Binghamton Philarmonic Orchestra.

The Pops Series features programs to delight music fans of all ages and on Oct. 28, “Phantom of the Philharmonic,” is full of surprises. “Other Worlds: Superheroes, Fantasy, and Sci-Fi,” towards the end of the series on May 4 explores music across the genres, from Black Panther and Avatar to Game of Thrones, ET, among others. Thanks to Visions Federal Credit Union, kids 17 and under get in free to all Pops Series concerts.

Poster for Phantom of the Philharmonic, the opening show for the Pops Series. Credit: Binghamton Philarmonic Orchestra.

General admission for the new Garufi Law, P.C. Phelps Mansion Museum Series begins Sunday, Oct. 15. with the Juilliard Honors Chamber Music Program’s Marian String Quartet. Internationally acclaimed soprano Robin Johannsen will be joined by Philharmonic pianist Tomoko Kanamaru on Dec. 3. The series continues into the new year, when the Castalia String Quartet, led by Philharmonic Concertmaster Uli Speth, performs on Feb. 11. The new series concludes on March 10 with violinist Melissa White and pianist Pallavi Mahidhara.

The Marion String Quartet, the opening group for the Phelps Mansion Museum Series. Credit: Binghamton Philarmonic Orchestra.

The Binghamton Philharmonic, founded by cellist/conductor Fritz Wallenberg and his wife, violinist Marianne Wallenberg in 1955, is the Southern Tier’s largest and longest-serving symphony orchestra. It was originally founded as the Binghamton Symphony and Choral Society, with the goal of providing the Southern Tier of New York with live, full-scale orchestral works. The orchestra unionized following Fritz Wallenberg’s 1976 retirement, becoming fully professional, and after its merger with the BC Pops (an orchestra formed in 1974 by Russell Hawkes and violinist/conductor David Agard), in 1996, became the Binghamton Philharmonic. Since 2016, Maestro Daniel Hege has led the Binghamton Philharmonic (as Principal Guest Conductor for his first two seasons, and as Music Director since 2018). Serving 10,000+ people annually, the Binghamton Philharmonic connects professional musicians with audiences to stimulate the economy and expand music’s possibilities for a broad listenership both within and beyond the concert hall.

The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra is generously supported by the Frank and Lydia Bergen
Foundation (Wells Fargo); the Community Foundation of South Central New York; the Conrad and
Virginia Klee Foundation; the New York State Council on the Arts; Tioga Downs Regional Community
Foundation; the Victor and Ester Rozen Foundation; and the United Cultural Fund of the Broome
County Arts Council. The Philharmonic’s extensive Educational and Community Engagement
programming is underwritten by IBM.

For more information on the 2023-24 season of the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, including the new Phelps Mansion Museum series, visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org.

April 14, 2023
Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra Announces “May the Fourth Be With You” Concert

The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra has announced that it will conclude its 67th Season with “May the Fourth Be With You” at the Anderson Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, May 4 at 7:30pm.

Live narration by Joshua Sedelmeyer will weave together the epic story of Star Wars while Maestro Daniel Hege leads the Philharmonic in performing the music of John Williams, including themes from The Force Awakens, Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, and of course, the original Star Wars Suite.

Founded by Fritz and Marianne Wallenberg in 1955 at the Binghamton Symphony and Choral Society and later merging with the B.C. Pops, an orchestra founded by David Agard and Russell Hawkes, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra presents an annual series of classical, pops, and chamber music concerts in Downtown Binghamton and throughout Broome County. The professional musicians of the Philharmonic, represented by Local 380 of the American Federation of Musicians, hail from the Southern Tier, New York City, and surrounding states.

Narrator Josh Sedelmeyer has developed an ease at creating rapport with audiences during interactive performances. Fans of the Philharmonic will recognize Josh from many lectures and events, including previous concerts with the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra such as The Magical Music of Harry Potter, A Night at the Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet, and now Star Wars, May the Fourth.

For tickets and more information, contact the Binghamton Philharmonic box office at 607-723-3931 or visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org.

April 8, 2023
Binghamton Philharmonic Presents “Pops at the Forum” on March 25

The Binghamton Philharmonic returns on Saturday, March 25 at 3pm at the Broome County Forum Theatre with “Pops at the Forum,” a fun performance filled with cherished classics for the whole family.

Featured at Pops at the Forum are Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story; Rodgers and Hammerstein’sThe Sound of Music; Hans Zimmer’s Pirates of the Caribbean Suite; and Georges Bizet’s Carmen Suite. The performance will also include Leroy Anderson’s quirky The Typewriter, featuring soloist Sam Lazzara.

Sam Lazzara, a typewriter soloist, has had a career that has taken him to concert halls around the country and throughout the world. He is principal percussionist with the Binghamton Philharmonic played with opera star Jesseye Norman, pop/theater legends Carol Channing, Skitch Henderson, Rita Moreno, John Pizzarelli, Lucie Arnaz, Susan Lucci, Marnie Nixon, Suzanne Vega, Bob Newhart, Don Rickles, Steven Rieneke, Megan Hilti, the Singing Nun Christina Scuccia, Annie Golden and The Irish Tenors.

Sam has toured the country with the New York City Opera, performed with The Mark Morris Dance Company and toured the Czech Republic and Poland performing the music of Karlhein Stockhausen. His work has been broadcast nationally on NPR and heard on the TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Sam can be seen on the big and small screen in the HBO mini-series Mildred Pierce, Wall Street 2, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, The Good Shepherd, and recently in the indie film, 40 Winks. The New York Times wrote, “Sam Lazzara is a firm and stabilizing presence on percussion. (Anne Midgette).”

There will be a pre-concert Organ Recital from 2:30-2:50pm. Nancy Wildoner from the Binghamton Theater Organ Recital will be playing a pre-concert recital on the 1922 Rober-Morton IV/24 Theatre Pipe Organ.

All children 17 and under get in for free, courtesy of season sponsor Visions Federal Credit Union. For tickets and more information, contact the Binghamton Philharmonic box office at 607-723-3931 or visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org

March 21, 2023