On May 8th, New York State confirmed an investment of $5 million for local arts organizations and centers. Alive Downtowns!, a coalition of 13 historic performance arts centers across Upstate New York, received the funding with open arms as they thanked New York legislators in various press releases.
Alive Downtowns! was formed in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on performing arts centers. Today, upstate theaters remain understaffed and are continuing the fight to reach the expanse of pre-pandemic audiences. Representatives from the coalition have been meeting with New York State legislators and the Governor’s office to discuss the importance of the performing arts and the theaters to urban education opportunities, economic viability, and a city’s attractiveness.
The 13 facilities welcome and serve over five million people annually and have an average age of nearly 100 years. Together, the theaters have a yearly economic impact of $900,000,000. Their goal has always been to receive capital support from the state and have now secured a place in this year’s state budget.
The members of the coalition ranging from Jamestown to Poughkeepsie, not only bring diverse performances and shows to their areas but are a beacon that brings together local communities with arts and education.
Members of Alive Downtowns!
Bardavon 1896 Opera House of Poughkeepsie
Clemens Center in Elmira
Palace Performing Arts Center in Albany
Proctors Collaborative of Schenectady, Albany, and Saratoga
GlassFest in Corning has announced the hlineup for the weekend of May 25-28, featuring many free events around Corning, and a wide variety of music.
Downtown Corning will host GlassFest 2023 from May 25-28, celebrating the rich history of world-class production. The festival features four days of live musical performances, glass exhibits, art vendors, mouthwatering food and drinks, and special shopping promotions. People can stroll down historic Market Street for pop-up entertainment, dining, shopping, and family activities. Headlining acts will be at the Rock The Park stage in Riverfront Park, including Fuel and Classic Albums Live.
GlassFest Schedule of Events
Thursday, May 25
The kickoff to the GlassFest will be at 5:30 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Corning Museum of Glass will have free admission, open to the public from 6-8 p.m. No music is scheduled for this day.
Friday, May 26
Friday brings a lot of events to Corning, including live glassblowing at the Centerway Stage, a National Poppy Day ceremony, Yoga in the Park from 9-9:50 a.m., Guided Public Art Tours, and more. Dance & Dine on Market Street has local and regional bands from 4-6 p.m. including WOJA, Gilmuir Girls, StratCat Willie and the Strays, K@t & Keef Beats, and Sean Holland. The Rock the Park stage features the Houston Baker Trio, singer/songwriters from north central Pennsylvania who put creative focus on life from 6-6:45 p.m. Bad Bear, a premier classic rock/funk band from the Finger Lakes area, performs from 7-8 p.m., and headlining the evening is the multi-platinum award-winning hard rock band Fuel from 8:30-10 p.m.
Saturday, May 27
Events for Saturday include the Wineglass 8K run at Corning High School at 8 a.m., more live glassblowing, face painting, magic acts, art tours, and more. The Marich Music Stage hosts a variety of acts including Chris Harper from 10-11 a.m., PM Benandy from 11-12:30 p.m., Sandy & Lauren- In The Moment from 1-2:30 p.m., A Gloomy Business, a smart, crafty, original rock band, from 3-4:30 p.m., and finally Amongst The Monks, a three-piece funk rock trio formed in Upstate New York from 5-7 p.m. The Rock the Park stage hosts Classic Albums Live, covering the well-known Pink Floyd album, Dark Side of the Moon, celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Sunday, May 28
The final day of GlassFest has more glassblowing and magicians, on-street vendors, public art tours, Yoga, and more. The Rock the Park Stage starts early at 9 a.m. with Slow Vinyasa and includes acoustic Americana band The Sorters from 12:45-2:15 p.m., Memorial Day Salute from 2:30-3 p.m., and the night ends with American Idol Season 21 contestant and Elmira native Isaiah Smallwood.
For more information about the 2023 GlassFest, visit here.
The lineup for the free Levitt Amp 2023 Utica Music Series has been announced, featuring a wide variety of artists performing at Kopernik Park. Concerts will take place on Monday nights starting at 5:30 p.m., from June 19 – August 28 (no concert on the 3rd of July).
Photo by Lynne Brown.
Levitt AMP 2023 will feature headlining artists from Ireland, Wisconsin, Iowa, Toronto, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and right here in New York State, with local and regional acts opening. The diverse lineup spans genres like bluegrass, pop, rock, gospel, instrumental, Irish rock, and more.
The series brings in the most diverse audience in the city in a family-friendly, non-alcoholic, joyful, welcoming environment. The music series also helps add to the economy in Utica, promotes communal bonding, and serves as a creative training ground for youth with their Levitteen Internship Program and each week a youth performer is showcased at intermission.
The concert schedule is as follows: 5:30 p.m. opening bands, 6:30 p.m. youth intermission acts, and 7:00 p.m. headliner bands.
Levitt AMP 2023.
Levitt AMP 2023 Lineup
June 19–Harlem Gospel Travelers
Levitt AMP is proud to once again be a part of the five-day Juneteenth Celebration in the City of Utica. The Harlem Gospel Travelers from New York City will kick off the seventh season, drawing deeply on the gospel quartet tradition of the 1950s and 60s, bringing a timeliness, uplifting sound to the park. Local singer Amos Donnell, who auditioned for The Voice and America’s Got Talent, will kick off the night as the opener.
June 26-Brandon “Taz” Niederauer
Brandon “Taz” Niederauer drew Levitt AMP Utica’s biggest audience ever back in 2019, bringing in over 1,000 people to the park. The 20-year-old guitar genius will be back this summer in a rare repeat performance for the series. Nicknamed “Taz” for his ferocious guitar playing, he has performed in some of the most legendary venues in America, was cast in Broadway’s School of Rock, and has been hailed as the “next Jimmy Hendrix.” Jimmy Wolf, local blues legend, Native American Music Awards winner, and an inductee in the New York State Blues Hall of Fame, will be opening.
July 10-Joe Samba
Levitt AMP is excited to welcome Massachusetts-based reggae singer, songwriter, and guitarist Joe Samba to Utica. He finds the sweet spot between Caribbean bliss and punk energy, matched with his dynamic vocals. The opener is The Old Main, a local favorite that delivers everything from sentimental folk ballads to foot-stomping rock and bluegrass.
Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, photo by Brian Cole
July 17-Funky Dawgz Brass Band
Hailing from Connecticut, Levitt AMP 2023 will welcome the internationally touring band Funky Dawgz Brass Band. Their horn section has played with bands to sold-out shows in Madison Square Garden, closed out The Peach Music Festival, and has been featured on ESPN, Hulu, and the FX series “Fargo.” Opener Handsome Bob brings a wide variety of influences to his music, serving up anything from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Sublime, to the Temptations and Johnny Cash with their own flavor and mash-ups.
July 24-Nefresh Mountain
Hailed as one of today’s most boundary-pushing progressive bluegrass groups on the scene, Nefresh Mountain was declared “A Powerhouse Unit” by Rolling Stone Magazine. A husband and wife duo, they blur the lines between Americana, folk, and blues. Kicking off the night is Otis Monk, an original American band based out of Central NY. They incorporate elements from a multitude of genres and are dependent on extended musical improvisation over rhythmic grooves.
July 31-B2Wins
B2Wins is made up of Brazilian twins Walter and Wagner, described as a “violin and ukulele meet rock concert, dance party, jam session and vacation for the soul.” They have performed over 1,000 shows around the world in the past decade. The opener Stephen Phillips is a pop/funk artist from Syracuse, who also has an extensive vocal range and tons of energy.
August 7-Tae & the Neighborly
Tae & the Neighborly are from Wisconsin and joined forces during Covid. The five-piece all lived alone in a five-story flat and were literally borrowing sugar from each other during the pandemic to bake with, resulting in a soul/pop-rock band of powerhouse players. Opening for Tae & the Neighborly and returning to the Levitt AMP stage is the Jess Novak Band. She is a triple threat, as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist she can transform from a gorgeous classical piano solo to rockin’ the stage with her full band.
Tae & the Neighborly.
August 14-Battle of Santiago
Latin Night will feature Battle of Santiago, an Afro-Cuban band from Toronto. They have a super unique sound and energy, defined as “Cuban Post Rock from Canada” with classic rhythms and some cumbia, Latin rock, and smooth funk mixed in. Opener Trump Tight 315 is no stranger to Utica, having performed many years at Juneteenth and just a couple of years ago at Munson’s Summer Festival. The husband and wife lead singers are fun, and powerful, bringing nostalgic R&B, soul, and pop.
August 21-Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers
Erin Harpe is a Massachusetts-based blues vocalist and guitarist, dubbed “one of the most dynamic talents and exciting roots rocking blues women on the scene” by Living Blues Magazine. She has been compared to legendary blues women like Bonnie Raitt and Rory Block. 19-year-old Sydney Irving will open. She was named the 2020 young adult artist of the Year by the International Singer-Songwriters Association and the 2022 Best New Artist at the SAMMYs.
August 28-Hermitage Green
Straight from Ireland, Hermitage Green has played together since 2010 after a spontaneous jam session and has been touring the world since, from South Africa and Australia to London and Canada. They have a unique arrangement of instruments that includes the bodhrán, djembe, rhythmic guitar, and banjo. Locally-loved Irish band Blarney Rebel Band will open for the closing concert of the season.
For more information about Levitt AMP 2023, visit here.
On June 14 at 5:00 p.m., The Rods, a heavy metal band known for its ’80s albums, will be playing as the headliners for the “Wild Wednesday” event in Liverpool, NY. Also featured at “Wild Wednesday” is Adam and the Metal Hawks, Crazy Neighbors, Love Bone, and Wicked.
Members of the Rods. From left to right: Carl Canedy, David “Rock” Feinstein, and Freddy Villano. Credit: The Rods Official Website
The lead vocalist for the Rods, David “Rock” Feinstein, first came into popularity after playing in the band Elf with his cousin, Black Sabbath member Ronnie James Dio. Elf formed in 1967, and disbanded in 1975 after releasing three albums. Most of the band was absorbed into Rainbow, including Dio but not Feinstein.
The Rods formed and released their first album, “Rock Hard” in 1980, though “Rock Hard” was later rereleased as “The Rods.” The band toured with several noteworthy metal bands, such as Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Motörhead, and Metallica. They made six more albums until the group split in 1986, with their final album of the time being “Hollywood.”
The Rods reformed in 2008, playing at the Metal Rock Fest in Lillehammer, Norway. They have continued to release albums since then, including “Vengeance” in 2011 and their latest, “The Brotherhood of Metal,” in 2019. Current members of the band include: David “Rock” Feinstein as guitar and lead vocalist; Freddy Villano for bass and vocals; and Carl Canedy for drums and vocals.
Ithaca’s Cayuga Chamber Orchestra’s2022-2023 Season Chamber Series concludes on May 28 at First Unitarian Church, with Iberian Enchantment and a program featuring musicians from the orchestra and friends.
The season’s final program will feature the Turnia Piano Trio No. 1, The Saraste Navarra and the Louise Farrenc Nonet. Ten talented musicians will perform the pieces, combining winds, strings, and piano. They will play a sparkling Turina, a quick Saraste, and the riveting Farrenc, transporting the audience with their combined musical talent.
Organizers will unveil an exciting 2023-24 season in June, as the 2022-23 season draws to a close. Furthermore, the orchestra will present its four finalists for the next Music Director and its lineup of soloists.
The CCO, officially known as “Ithaca’s Orchestra,” founded in 1976 The CCO’s annual program comprises an Orchestral Series, Chamber Music Series, a Holiday concert, free Family Concerts, and the William Daestch Youth Outreach Program, recipient of the 2015 Yale Distinguished Music Educator award. Additionally, in 2017, the CCO added a program for advanced students, the Youth Orchestra Program. In 2019, the CCO launched a Diversity Career Fellowship program for college students from underrepresented communities in classical music.
Tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or at the door. Tickets cost $38.50 for adults and $12 for students with ID.
For more information about the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra and tickets, visit their website here, or contact the CCO at (607)-273-8981 or info@CCOithaca.org.
Beak and Skiff kicked off their Summer Concert Series this past weekend with a pair of sold-out performances by The Avett Brothers on Friday May 19 and Saturday May 20.
The Avett Brothers hail from Concord, NC and consist of brothers Scott (vocals, banjo, guitar, piano and Seth Avett (vocals, guitar, piano) along with Bob Crawford (bass, double bass, violin), Mike Marsh (drums), Joe Kwon (cello), Bonnie Avett-Rini (piano) and Tania Elizabeth (fiddle). The band have built a devoted fan base with over two decades of touring, and more than ten studio albums.
While the weather could not have been more perfect during the day on Friday, as show time approached wind gusts and rainclouds moved over the venue. This did not dampen the spirts of thousands of concert goers as the early arriving sold-out crowd packed the standing area in front of the stage, while more fans spread lawn chairs out across the field. At 7:15, Scott Avett led the band to the stage and was greeting with a thunderous ovation.
The band jumped right into “Laundry Room”, a stand out track from 2009’s I and Love and You. Scott and Seth dazzled the crowd with their harmonious vocals. “Stop your parent’s car, I just saw a shooting star,” Scott sang, to another loud ovation from the crowd, as the song exploded with energy. Next was the folk classic “Old Joe Clark”, which built off the already existing energy. Each band member took their turn displaying their talents, and the song broke into instrumental duals between the various members. Scott and Seth took turns wandering to the front of the stage, and onto the speaker cabinets to further excite the crowd. The remainder of the evening featured several stand out songs from the band’s catalog, including “Headful of Doubt,” “Murder in the City,” and “I and Love and You”.
Night two began in similar fashion, albeit with heavier rains and cooler temperatures. The weather appeared to be clearing as show time approached, however heavy showers again moved in at showtime. The band took the stage armed with kazoos and immediately jumped into the upbeat instrumental piece “The D Bag Rag”. Next was “Talk on Indolence,” a track which dated back to the band’s early blue grass days. Brothers Scott and Seth hopped about the stage and the crowd, who at this point had forgotten about the heavy rains, danced along with them.
The band would roll through over two hours of career spanning tracks, and even included the Doc Watson Family cover, “Groundhog.” As the set came to a close, the band performed the upbeat “Ain’t No Man.” The song featured both brothers taking turns on vocals, as they strutted and danced about the stage. The audience’s pleas for an encore were honored by the band, who returned to perform four more songs. The band would close two days of stellar performances with “No Hard Feelings,” a heavy and emotional track about staying free from harboring enemies, sharing love and ultimately about accepting death.
In all, the Avett Brothers delivered two nights of incredible performances at Beak and Skiff, featuring unique set lists, with over forty different songs played. Despite the weather, it was truly a special start to the summer concert season.
St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater in Syracuse has revealed its 2023 Summer Concert lineup. Among the various artists performing at the venue are Chris Stapleton, Counting Crows, Shania Twain, and Phish.
This summer’s lineup features over 20 headlining acts, from a wide range of genres and musical eras. St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater has a 17,500-person capacity and has been hosting concerts since 2015, originally under the name Lakeview Amphitheater.
Born and raised in Kentucky, Chris Stapleton has earned himself numerous accolades en route to becoming one of the biggest names in country music. The eight-time Grammy winner has captivated listeners since his 2015 debut album Traveller with a blend of traditional country, American rock, and soulful lyrics. In addition to his work as a solo artist, Stapleton has helped to write numerous songs including Adele’s “If It Hadn’t Been for Love”, “Never Wanted Nothing More” by Kenny Chesney, and Darius Rucker’s “Come Back Song”.
Luke Bryan is a country music singer-songwriter and television personality. After moving to Nashville, Tennessee in 2001 the Georgia native quickly became a prominent songwriter. In 2007 Bryan released his hit-single single “All My Friends Say” to go along with his debut album I’ll Stay Me. He has earned over 50 major music awards an featured as a judge on American Idol since 2018.
Counting Crows are an American rock band that rose to prominence during the 1990s. The group’s 1993 album August and Everything After sold over seven million copies and featured hits like “Mr. Jones” and “Round Here”. Billboard ranked the band 8th in its list of the Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Artists.
Shania Twain is a country music artist, known as the “Queen of Country Pop”. Twain is widely regarded as one of the most popular country music artists of all-time, selling over 100 million records. After four commercially successful albums, the Canadian released her Greatest Hits in 2004, which went quadruple platinum. She was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2022.
Phish is one of the most well-known and noteworthy American jam bands. Originally created by four students on the campus of the University of Vermont, the group cultivated an intensely loyal fanbase during the late 1980s into the 90s. Phish is known for its live improvisation, fusing together sounds of rock, funk, bluegrass, and jazz, with drummer Jon Fishman hailing from Syracuse.
Matchbox Twenty is a Grammy-nominated alternative rock band formed during the 1990s. The band’s debut album Yourself or Someone Like you has sold over 15 million copies, earning it diamond status. In 2004 the group was awarded the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Musical Group.
Created in Chicago, Illinois, Disturbed is a chart-topping heavy metal band. The group has found large-scale success since its inception in 1994, with five consecutive albums reaching the Billboard 200. In 2017 the band received the iHeartradio Music Award for Rock Artist of the Year. Disturbed released their most recent album titled Divisive in 2022, featuring the hit song “Hey You”.
The Goo Goo Dolls are an American rock group founded in Buffalo. The outfit began to garner attention in the 1990s and early 2000s thanks to albums like A Boy Named Goo and Dizzy up the Girl. The latter features the song “Iris” which spent close to a year on the Billboard charts. The track was named as the top pop song from 1992-2012 by Billboard.
Foreigner is a rock band whose popularity stretches back into the late 1970s. The band helped to define the genre of arena rock thanks to tracks like “I Want to Know What Love is” and “Cold as Ice”. The band boasts an impressive roster of 10 multi-platinum albums and has exceeded over 80 million album sales.
Summer festival season could not have kicked off with a more perfect start on Saturday, as the Syracuse Food Truck Association hosted their third annual Food Truck Battle at the New York State Fairgrounds. The event featured over fifty local and regional food trucks as well as a day filled with local and national music alike, culminating with a headlining set from Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness.
Andrew McMahon performs at the 2023 Syracuse Food Truck Battle
Festival attendees were treated to a line up of over fifty local and regional food truck of varying cuisine. The trucks lined the road ways around the Fair’s Chevy Court. Happy festival goers packed the streets, hoping to try some of their long standing favorites, or perhaps venture into a new cuisine. A panel of local celebrity judges sat stage side, sampling fare from each truck, and would later present several awards. Festival goers were also encouraged to vote for their favorites.
Quality food wasn’t the only thing on the menu, as the day’s agenda featured a diverse mixture of both local musicians and national touring acts. The day’s music kicked off with a set by local favorite, Just Joe. Just Joe, formerly of heavy metal band Brand New Sin, delivered a set of classic rock covers played entirely on the piano. His set was followed by a high energy performance by My So Called Band, who played a set of 90’s rock covers. Fondu was up next, and by now the festival grounds were starting to pack in with the afternoon crown. The area around the stage began to fill with dancing concert goers, who were enjoying the disco-party atmosphere provided by Fondu. The Brownskin Band followed, delivering a set of R&B music. Finally, Hard Promises wrapped up the local music portion of the day, with a set of 70’s classic rock covers.
Fondu performs at the 2023 Syracuse Food Truck Battle
Following an intermission to present the day’s awards, national touring act Michigander took the stage. Led by lead singer Jason Singer, the four piece band performed a set of indie pop-rock tracks. They opened with “Superglue”, the catchy first single off the band’s latest EP, It Will Never Be the Same. The song’s chorus is one everyone in attendance could sing along with, even if they had never heard it before. The band’s set had fans dancing and swaying in the area surrounding the stage. One group off to the side danced and sang along to every word and even caught the attention of Jason Singer. “You guys are awesome. When you play a new city, you never know if anyone will show up. Thank you so much.”
Michigander performs at the 2023 Syracuse Food Truck Battle
After a short stage change over, it was time for Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. The area surrounding the stage had filled in almost entirely by this point with fans of McMahon, both young and old. Taking the stage promptly at 8:30pm, the band launched into the high energy “Stars”, off their latest release Tilt at the Wind No More. McMahon, who sings and plays piano, bounced around the stage between stints on the piano. He danced on top of the piano, at times leaping into the air. He ran through the crowd singing, without missing a beat. In all, the band delivered 90 minutes of stand out tracks spanning McMahon’s career, one that has seen him play in three different bands. The crowd, who packed the area in front of the stage, sang and danced along the entire set. They pleaded for an encore, one which McMahon quickly obliged. Returning to the stage with guitarist Bob Anderson, the two delivered a haunting rendition of “Nobody Tells You When You’re Young” followed by “Cecilia and the Satellite” the later which was written for McMahon’s daughter, who frequently accompanies the band on tour. It was a climactic ending to a wonderful day of food and music.
The only national publication devoted to traditional jazz, ragtime, and swing, The Syncopated Times, has persevered over the past decade, bringing with it a great deal of music history from these specific genres of music. Based in Utica and published by Andy Senior, The Syncopated Times looks to the future as the paper moves into the digital age.
In June 2015, Andy Senior found himself writing for The American Rag, which at that time was based in Apple Valley, CA and had been publishing for 20 years, the successor to an even earlier publication, The West Coast Rag. In December 2015, Senior made an offer for the fading paper, which was “grudgingly accepted.” From there, Senior set out to relaunch the paper as The Syncopated Times, publishing from his home in Utica, where he has resided nearly his whole life. The first issue of the new paper was published in February 2016, and earlier this year was the publication of the 87th issue of The Syncopated Times.
Andy Senior in 1987
Senior shares the origins of his interest in jazz:
I’ve had a lifelong interest in music and discovered jazz early on. After familiarizing myself with the music of my father’s generation (the Big Band era) I worked my way back into the earlier decades of the 20th century. I started collecting 78s when I was in elementary school, so I’ve been at this well over 50 years. In my teens I took up guitar and then piano, and wrote songs.
Starting in 1987, I worked for a decade as a piano technician in the Utica area. I performed locally as a pianist, a guitarist, and a singer-songwriter since the early 1990s. In 2005, I started RADIOLA!, a broadcast of 1920s-1930s pop and jazz on WHCL-FM at Hamilton College in nearby Clinton. In 2010 I began producing the program entirely at home with my own transfers and restorations of 78s, and posting it online. The program has been in sporadic production since I launched The Syncopated Times in February 2016.
Andy Senior
The pandemic led to the closure of many of the jazz festivals the monthly magazine counted on as advertisers, ultimately making a for-profit model no longer feasible. Senior has been covering losses since March 2020 out of his limited retirement savings.
Andy Senior at his home in Utica
A Go Fund Me has been set up, with a goal of $60,000, to support the launch of a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called Syncopated Media and allow the new organization to start with a large enough budget to sustain operations until further funding can be secured. This will allow for the Syncopated Times to expand beyond a monthly paper to cover the jazz scene and jazz history in visual and audio formats that engage a modern audience. While The Syncopated Times in print (and online at syncopatedtimes.com) will remain the core focus, the new organization will be able to secure grant funding to produce documentaries for YouTube, compile albums for Bandcamp, create podcasts, and resurrect Syncopated Times Radio. The Go Fund Me campaign is expected to run through the end of July.
To add to the broader jazz community, Senior intends to recruit a large and experienced board to pilot the new nonprofit and greatly extend their reach, especially into school and community music programs. This board will ensure that the future of professional coverage of traditional jazz, ragtime, and swing is not dependent on a single owner-operator, but a reflection of the community itself. Included in issues of The Syncopated Times are artist profiles, interviews, historical articles, columns, essays, CD reviews, book reviews, and concert and festival reviews. Articles vary in gravity, with humorous articles and scholarly pieces mixed in each issue.
In April 2022, The Jazz Journalists Association announced its class of 28 Jazz Heroes, among the honorees was Syncopated Times publisher Andy Senior.
Andy Senior speaking at The Jazz Journalists Association
Six years ago, Associate Editor Joe Bebco created SyncopatedTimes.com, a full-service website that archives all the editorial content of the paper and includes web-specific content, including hosting a revival of the much-loved Red Hot Jazz Archive.
The Syncopated Times will retain a subscription model, but nothing will change for current subscribers. Please join NYS Music in supporting The Syncopated Times in their mission.
Sterling Stage Folkfest will mark its return from a three-year hiatus over May 25-28, bringing the Central New York kickoff to summer back to Sterling, NY for Memorial Day weekend.
Since 1995, Sterling Stage Folkfest has been a spirited kick off to summer at Sterling Stage Kampitheater and features a fun mix of folk, roots and jamband music as well as Artist’s Village, food and craft vendors, morning yoga, camping and more.
More than 20 acts are scheduled for the four-day event, including Southern Tier standouts Driftwood, who will headline with two sets on Saturday, May 27. Sunday nights will see headliner Hayley Jane, who will be playing two sets with an absolutely incredible band that she has assembled for the night, including Rob Compa, Chuck Jones, and Neal “Fro” Evans (3/4th of Dopapod) along with Josh Hobbs.
CNY jam faves Count Blastula get the party started on Thursday May 25 with two sets, and will also have the honor of christening a new main stage at the venue, the Artist’s Stage. Friday night will keep the CNY vibe going with the debut of Marilyn’s Cookies, featuring former members of Grateful Dead tribute band Pearly Baker’s Best, including lead guitarist Eric “EB” Brown who has been playing Sterling Stage since the inaugural event in 1995.
Other Folkfest highlights include Folkfaces from Western NY playing late night on Saturday and Rochester’s The Forest Dwellers late night on Friday; debuts from an eclectic mix of groups include The Sorters from Pennsylvania, Motherwort from Ithaca/Finger Lakes, and a funky new project from NY saxophone great Jesse Collins, called Honey Jar Habit.
The 2023 Sterling Stage Folkfest is the first of 3 multi-day music and camping events that Eric McElveen’s new company Elven Productions, is organizing at the Sterling Stage Kampitheater. Next up is 2023 Sterling Stage String Fling July 6-9 featuring a jam grass theme with Sicard Hollow and Sam Grisman Project headlining. Closing out the season and and the second year replacing the long running Last Daze of Summer festival is Happy Sterling Festival August 31-September 3.
All tickets include overnight camping and BYOB privileges. Coolers and campfires are allowed (no glass bottles). Advance festival passes are just $80 ($95 at gate) and space is limited. Tickets are available here.
2023 Sterling Stage Folkfest Lineup
DRIFTWOOD (2X Saturday) HAYLEY JANE (2X Sunday) w/Rob Compa, Chuck Jones, Neal “Fro” Evans, and Josh Dobbs MARILYN’S COOKIES (2X Friday) COUNT BLASTULA (2X Thursday) FOLKFACES THE FOREST DWELLERS THE SORTERS MOTHERWORT HONEY JAR HABIT SUPER SPICY PEPPER NATURAL MEDICINE OLD DEER ENSEMBLE HAL & PALS DUBIOUSLY DEAD ALLEN HARRIS CHAR DENNIS BAND KATIE ALESSANDRA (of Turkey Blaster Omega) SAM MONEY PAUL LECLAIR MOE MICHNICK DUFFY FRANK HARRIS AARON MEKKELSON
Sterling Stage Folkfest Schedule
ARTIST’S STAGE (MAIN)
Thursday May 25 10pm – 11:30pm – Count Blastula
Friday May 26 4pm – 5:10pm – Char Dennis Band 6pm – 7:10pm – Natural Medicine 8pm – 9:10pm – Marilyn’s Cookies 10pm – 11:30pm – Marilyn’s Cookies
Saturday May 27 2pm – 3:10pm – Allen Harris 4pm – 5:10pm – Honey Jar Habit 6pm – 7:10pm – The Sorters 8pm – 9:10pm – Driftwood 10pm – 11:30pm – Driftwood
Sunday May 28 2pm – 3:10pm – Old Deer Ensemble 4pm – 5:10pm – Hal & Pals 6pm – 7:10pm – Motherwort 8pm – 9:10pm – Hayley Jane 10pm – 11:30pm – Hayley Jane
SINATRA LOUNGE STAGE Thursday May 25 11:45pm – 1am – Allen Harris
Friday May 26 5:15pm – 5:55pm – Duffy 7:15pm – 7:55pm – Sam Money 9:15pm – 9:55pm – Sam Money 11:45pm – 12:30am – The Forest Dwellers 12:35am – 12:50am – Katie Alessandra 1:00pm – 2am – The Forest Dwellers
Saturday May 27 3:15pm – 3:55pm – Aaron Mekkelson 5:15pm – 5:55pm – Paul LeClair 7:15pm – 7:55pm – Dubiously Dead 9:15pm – 9:55pm – Dubiously Dead 11:45pm – Folkfaces
