On Saturday, Aug. 19, the third annual Open Sky Music Festival will take place at Lake Placid Center for the Arts (LPCA).
From 12-10 p.m., experience a day of fun, food, and music featuring everything from bluegrass to rock, pop, and blues. The festival is completely outdoors and is open to all ages.
The first Open Sky Music Festival was held in 2021 and continued into 2022. Incredible headliners are scheduled to perform on the mainstage and local favorites on The North Country Stage. Among the high-profile acts, Martin Sexton is scheduled to perform. Sexton grew up in Syracuse, and since the moment he picked up a guitar, has been hooked ever since. Sexton tours with what Rolling Stone calls his “soul-marinated voice,” acoustic guitar, and a suitcase full of heartfelt songs.
The LPCA has been a premiere destination for New York arts festivals for more than 50 years, since 1972. Against the backdrop of the Adirondack Mountains, audiences will have a great view to look at while watching the talented performers. LPCA is home to robust arts education programs, beautiful visual art galleries, and meaningful services to artists and fellow arts organizations. The center is the perfect destination for a weekend trip with the little ones, and or a quick day trip with your group of college friends. LPCA provides visitors with food and beverages from a number of vendors.
Festival passes for the Open Sky Music Festival at Lake Placid Center for the Arts start at $75 and go on sale on March 29 at 10 a.m. From March 29-31, LPCA members can purchase early bird passes for $50. Click here for more information.
“The Little Mermem” from the 2021 Open Sky Music Festival
And here we are at Round 3 of NYS Music’s March Madness 2022. Below you’ll find 8 matchups between 16 bands and artists from across New York State, from numerous genres, all on the rise and ready to make a name for themselves.
For the past 8 years, this annual competition has been shining a spotlight on the talented artists and musicians from across the Empire State. This year’s competition promises to be the biggest and best yet, with a lineup of diverse genres and highly skilled performers. March Madness 2023 highlights 64 bands and artists you might not know, but should know, as these homegrown talents are making waves through the New York State. Check out Round 2 here.
Enter your email address, meet the bands and artists below, and vote for your favorites!
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Yard Amphitheater Region
The Yard Amphitheater is an outdoor music venue nestled in the rolling hills of NY State with BBQ on site, an outdoor bar, space for lawn games, and room to dance! Watching a performance at The Yard is similar to watching a concert in your own backyard, with the exception that this backyard features a fully stocked outdoor bar, mouthwatering BBQ, and nationally touring performers.
eberwine vs. Honey Suckle Vine
Buffalo-based rock and blues quintet eberwine (sic) is known for innovative improvisation, soulful lyrics, and high-energy shows. The band’s music highlights the best of rock and blues with nods to 90s alt-rock and jam. eberwine is the brainchild of frontman and guitarist Todd Eberwine (Dive House Union, Soul Roach, Todd Eberwine Band). What started as a solo project in 2016, is now a touring five-piece pulling seasoned musicians from the Buffalo music scene into a Western New York supergroup featuring Ryan Nogle (Funktional Flow, Aqueous), Evan Laedke (Tim Britt Band), Aaron Ziolkowski (Little Mountain Band), and Jay Race (Dead Alliance Buffalo). While they don’t have any upcoming shows at the moment, check back for any new show announcements on their website.
Honey Suckle Vine (HSV) is a high-energy 4-piece blues-rock band based out of the Capital District of New York State. The songwriting team of Joey Jaquez (vocals, harmonica) and Jeremy Silverman (guitar, vocals) have been creating original material for over 20 years across the USA. Joined in 2017 by long time friends Graham Espe (bass, vocals, recording and production) and David Snediker (drums, vocals), HSV is ready to entertain. Check out their most recent album Painted Nights. On March 24th, they’ll be playing at Putnam Place with Tops Of Trees, Kyla Silk, and House of Saturn.
Mainline vs. An Easy Death
Mainline officially hit the scene at the end of 2019 when Anthony Schettino (Bass), Johnny Iodice (Lead Singer & Guitar), Mason Servedio (Drums), and Devin Reck (Guitar) released their debut single “Open Fire” which eventually led to the self-titled EP that came out in February of 2020. Their album “The Unholy Idol” has garnered up over 80,000+ streams across platforms, and has gotten worldwide attention. The current lineup since 2022 now includes Ryan Hartell on guitar, replacing Devin Reck. As of November 2022, the band released their most recent single “In Nothing We Trust” everywhere on streaming. Their last show was March 10 at Pete’s Saloon in Elmsford, NY. You can find Mainline next on April 22 at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ, opening for Kore Rozzik!
An Easy Death is a 5-piece Post-Punkcore band based out of the Rochester area drawing influence from bands like Blink-182, Oceans Ate Alaska, Everytime I Die, MxPx, and It Dies Today. The band formed in 2020 and has since been making a name for themselves in the Rochester and Buffalo areas. Check out their most recent release from January, “The Debt That All Men Pay“. Their next appearance will be on March 25 at 7:00 PM with Dark Divine and Catch Your Breath at Rochester’s very own Montage Music Hall.
Voting for Round 3 has ended. Stay tuned for Round 4, starting at 8am on Thursday, March 16
Funk n Waffles Region
Farrow vs. Fine Grain
With thought provoking lyrics, strong melodies, and deep grooves, Farrow brings to life a vibe reminiscent of decades past whilst grounded in a modern sonic landscape. Based in Buffalo and led by producer/bass player Andre Pilette and singer/lyricist Michael Farrow, the band features Tim Webb on drums, Michael Ruopoli on percussion, Cory Clancy on guitar, Rufus “Breexy” Cole Jr. on keps, and Danielle Johnson on backing vocals. Check out the band’s website for show updates, like their past show on March 10. They also have an upcoming show on March 21, 2023 at the Buffalo Sabres vs Nashville Predators hockey game at Key Bank Center in Buffalo.
Fine Grain floats in between shoegaze haze and punk posturing. With prog-inspired riffs, post-punk murk, and the occasional ripping sax solo, fine grain offers up rambunctious reverie fit for hardcore fans of all generations. Fine Grain’s maturation is a testament to the transformative possibility of punk, showing how pulled threads of the past can still stitch together a promising new future. Visit here to listen to their latest release, their album “Missing Adult“.
Jennie Angel vs. The Forest Dwellers
Jennie Angel is an actress who recently rediscovered her love for music. Started playing the guitar when she was 16 and has been singing she was born, now performing popular country hits! Jennie has most recently been added as a member of the Academy of Country Music and will be attending the awards show in March. Music and merch are both available on her website. Check out her most recent single, released on Valentines Day, “You Proof“. Catch her next performance on March 16 at the SXSW Balanced Breakfast Showcase.
The Forest Dwellers are a reggae-infused folk/ indie group based out of Rochester, NY that plays universal medicine music. The band blends melodic music with incredible vocal harmonies. Stemming from different styles and genres, The Forest Dwellers fuse them into a new take on a familiar sound all its own. Listen to their song “Open Road” here.
Voting for Round 3 has ended. Stay tuned for Round 4, starting at 8am on Thursday, March 16
Jane Dough Region
Jane Dough help cannabis entrepreneurs win business licenses, optimize facility design, standardize operation, increase revenue and design their future.
PEAK vs. Murder in Rue Morgue
PEAK’s music, described as Psychedelic Indie Funk, is a mix of poetic, melodic songwriting, moody electrofunk, riffed-out blues-rock, and exploratory danceable improvisations. Some of their many influences include artists such as The Band, The Talking Heads, Phish, The Grateful Dead, Radiohead, James Brown, and Miles Davis, as well as modern songwriters such as Conor Oberst, Mac Demarco, Kurt Vile, and Jack White to name a few. The band’s website has links to their music, including their most recent album, “Choppy Water“. Tour/show information can be found here, like their most recent show on March 10, and their upcoming show on March 25 in Lake Huntington, NY.
Murder in Rue Morgue is CJ Carr, John Wolff, Matt Biss, and Dan Ouimette, hailing from the hometown of Manowar, and Level 7 in Auburn. The band is highly influenced by melodic death metal, such as In Flames, Killswitch Engage, and Times of Grace. The band is a group of hardworking musicians who leave it all up on the stage giving the best show every time. Listen to their 2019 album “Endless Cycles” here.
Whaley vs. Sarah King
Whaley comes from Long Island, and they are a culmination of the best material & musicians Logan has written & met over the last 8 years since graduating from music school. His music can be best described as having old-school sensibilities with a new-school vibe. He released his debut album “Funky Tonight” this past February. Keep up with Whaley at all their shows, the next one being March 16th at Long Island Stage in Riverhead, NY.
Known for her powerhouse voice and “fiery, vulnerable songs,” Sarah King creates thought-provoking, versatile Americana music. Her genuine stories about real-life emotions and situations also draw on classic folk-blues themes, balancing songs about the devil and booze with hard-won moments of reflection and acceptance. Her acclaimed 2021 EP The Hour, produced by Simone Felice and David Baron, earned her recognition as the New England Music Awards Songwriter of the Year and performances at the 2022 Folk Alliance International and Philadelphia Folk festivals, as well as supporting slots for acts including Blues Traveler and The Steel Woods. While Sarah doesn’t have any shows slated in NYS at the time, her next show is March 11 at The Colonial Theatre in Keene, New Hampshire.
Voting for Round 3 has ended. Stay tuned for Round 4, starting at 8am on Thursday, March 16
Strand Theatre Hudson Falls Region
The E-Block vs. Hilltop
The E-Block is a 5-piece indie R&B band based in Upstate New York, blending the acoustic warmth of singer-songwriter music with an ice-cold rhythm section informed by modern R&B. Led by guitarist Luke Pascarella, with the line up of saxophonist James Soren keyboardist Devin Tetlak, bassist Daniel Folds, and drummer Leroy “Rudy” Dalton, the band’s deep bag of influences and free-flowing style have earned them a reputation as a unique live act in the Capital Region scene. Follow their instagram for all the current action, including their new project “Waterfall” releasing this spring. In the meantime, listen to their most recent track “Stay” here. There are currently no upcoming shows, but check back on their website for any announcements.
Hilltop is a four piece jam band from Albany, NY. Over the past four years they’ve made a name for themselves with carefully crafted originals, mind bending improvisation & fun, diverse covers. Each member offers a proficient, unique approach to their instrument that defines the musical experience. This band of young musicians is eager to spread their music and will continue to engage crowds wherever they go. Listen to their newest release, a collection of live performances, titled “Live Rips” here. With an upcoming tour, there are 5 chances to see Hilltop live in NYS. Be sure to catch them at their next show on March 25 at the Monopole in Plattsburgh, as well as at Zen Barn in Waterbury, Vermont on March 23.
Deb Cavanaugh vs. Seize Atlantis
Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and roots singer Deb Cavanaugh lives in the foothills of the Taconic Mountains, in Upstate New York. In the mid-nineties, Deb focused on traditional folk music such as Old Time, traditional ballads, and Irish dance tunes. She now formed Deb Cavanaugh & Dandelion Wine, playing a variety of styles including blues, rock and traditional folk as well as a variety of instruments. Dandelion Wine’s line-up may vary depending on the venue and availability of musicians. Dandelion Wine is Jared Carrozza on bass and Ben Hart on drums, who also provides vocals and occasional lead guitar. The unique blend of blues, rock & roll, and folk is what gives Dandelion Wine a genre best defined as “psychedelic folk.” Find out more about her incredible story and listen to songs at her website, including their most recent release “Electric Avenue“. Catch their performance at Troy Speakeasy on March 25th with Jared Carrozza, Ben Hart and Mandy Valentine.
Formed in 2019, Seize Atlantis, is an Alternative Rock Band located in Upstate NY that play a variety of genres, including originals and covers. The band consists of James Mullen (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Mike Dardas (Bass/Vocals), Luc Bourgault (Lead Guitar) and Cody Platt (Drums). Listen to their most recent release, “I Need It” here. Catch their performance at Pauly’s Hotel in Albany on March 12th.
Voting for Round 3 has ended. Stay tuned for Round 4, starting at 8am on Thursday, March 16
Voting ends at 11:59pm on Wednesday, March 8th. Winners will be announced on March 9th, with voting in Round 3 running March 11-13. Good luck to all the bands!
NYS Music has partnered with these great businesses across New York State to highlight the 64 up and coming bands and artists of NYS Music March Madness, Round 1 and Round 2.
The finalists of of each region will be rewarded with a collection of prizes worth $3000. Partners for NYS Music’s March Madness 2023 include Mirth Films from Albany, a music news/entertainment outlet that specializes in original video content and live streaming, with news coverage ranging across the whole country, who will provide a professional multi-camera recording session at a prestigious venue in Albany for the winning band, premiering exclusively on Mirth Films.
Additionally, one finalist will earn a spot on the lineup for the Scarsdale Music Festival, held on June 3, 2023
WEQX is a radio station in Manchester, VT. They’re are completely independently owned and operated, always have been, since 1984. This station exists out of a love for music, a love for radio, and the commitment to always giving their listeners the best of the best.
Welcome to Round 2 of NYS Music’s March Madness 2023! Below you’ll find 16 matchups between 32 bands and artists from across New York State, from numerous genres, all on the rise and ready to make a name for themselves.
For the past 8 years, this annual competition has been shining a spotlight on the talented artists and musicians from across the Empire State. This year’s competition promises to be the biggest and best yet, with a lineup of diverse genres and highly skilled performers. March Madness 2023 highlights 64 bands and artists you might not know, but should know, as these homegrown talents are making waves through the New York State. Check out Round 1 here.
Enter your email address, meet the bands and artists below, and vote for your favorites!
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The Yard Amphitheater is an outdoor music venue nestled in the rolling hills of NY State with BBQ on site, an outdoor bar, space for lawn games, and room to dance! Watching a performance at The Yard is similar to watching a concert in your own backyard, with the exception that this backyard features a fully stocked outdoor bar, mouthwatering BBQ, and nationally touring performers.
Yard Amphitheater Region
Elephant Back vs Eberwine
Elephant Back was formed in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Two musicians getting together to write some kick ass music together. Dave and Sarah proceeded to write, record, and mix an entire album in their home studios. Sent it out for mastering and then began creating stunning visuals in the form of music videos for each song they produced. Each video was released with each single over the course of a year until the release of the entire album in August 2022. Check out their song “Go To War” here.
Buffalo-based rock and blues quintet eberwine (sic) is known for innovative improvisation, soulful lyrics, and high-energy shows. The band’s music highlights the best of rock and blues with nods to 90s alt-rock and jam. eberwine is the brainchild of frontman and guitarist Todd Eberwine (Dive House Union, Soul Roach, Todd Eberwine Band). What started as a solo project in 2016, is now a touring five-piece pulling seasoned musicians from the Buffalo music scene into a Western New York supergroup featuring Ryan Nogle (Funktional Flow, Aqueous), Evan Laedke (Tim Britt Band), Aaron Ziolkowski (Little Mountain Band), and Jay Race (Dead Alliance Buffalo). Listen to “Worlds Away” here.
Honey Suckle Vine vs Sydney Irving and the Mojo
Honey Suckle Vine (HSV) is a high-energy 4-piece blues-rock band based out of the Capital District of New York State. The songwriting team of Joey Jaquez (vocals, harmonica) and Jeremy Silverman (guitar, vocals) have been creating original material for over 20 years across the USA. Joined in 2017 by long time friends Graham Espe (bass, vocals, recording and production) and David Snediker (drums, vocals), HSV is ready to entertain. Check out their most recent album Painted Nights.
New York native, Sydney Irving is in the early years of her music career, but she has already been named the 2020 young adult artist of the year by the International Singer Songwriters Association and the 2022 Best New Artist at the Syracuse Area Music Awards. At only 14, her debut album, “Hello Stranger” was released. She was also named the 2020 Female Artist of the Year by Music Mafia Radio. Check out “You Can’t Forget About Me” here.
Canella vs Mainline
Canella is a rising indie-rock band from Albany + Bogotá, Colombia. Inspired by the sounds of 2000’s alt rock, they have established an electric presence in NY’s Capital Region as winners of WCDB Radio’s ‘Song of the Year’ award for their debut single “Quiet Love”. Joining the Tulip Fest 2022 Lineup, Canella set a fire on stage that ignited female fronted rock nostalgia but with a refreshing DIY take. Their music is inspired and dedicated to former bandmate and best friend, Kyle Robinson who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2020. Listen to their most recent single “Why Can’t I” released last month!
MAINLINE officially hit the scene at the end of 2019 when Anthony Schettino (Bass), Johnny Iodice (Lead Singer & Guitar), Mason Servedio (Drums), and Devin Reck (Guitar) released their debut single “Open Fire” which eventually led to the self-titled EP that came out in February of 2020. Their album “The Unholy Idol” has garnered up over 80,000+ streams across platforms, and has gotten worldwide attention. The current lineup since 2022 now includes Ryan Hartell on guitar, replacing Devin Reck. As of November 2022, the band released their most recent single “In Nothing We Trust” everywhere on streaming.
An Easy Death vs Blue 22
An Easy Death is a 5-piece Post-Punkcore band based out of the Rochester area drawing influence from bands like Blink-182, Oceans Ate Alaska, Everytime I Die, MxPx, and It Dies Today. The band formed in 2020 and has since been making a name for themselves in the Rochester and Buffalo areas. Check out their most recent release from January, “The Debt That All Men Pay“.
Blue 22 is a local Rochester band specializing in performing classic rock covers and original tunes for private and public events. Blue 22’s lineup consists of twins Dom Spinelli and Nick Spinelli, Eli Burgard, and Will Hyman. Blue 22 is currently working on recording their first album, Where the Music is Loud, but in the meantime, listen to their song “Tantalize”.
Voting for Round 2 has ended. Please check back for Round 3, starting Saturday, March 11 and 8am!
Regional sponsors include Funk n Waffles, a premiere music venue in Syracuse established in 2007 with a unique take on the culinary and entertainment industries, offering a wide variety of gourmet waffles and breakfast food, as well as offering live music every night!
Funk n Waffles Region
Blue Envy vs Farrow
Blue Envy is an alternative rock band based in Rochester, NY. Known for their unique style inspired by the rock, blues, and progressive rock artists of the past, the group has worked to concoct an original sound that consistently pushes their musical limits. Since their formation in 2018, the band has been honing their craft by gigging heavily throughout NYS, all while continually creating new music that strives to expand their compositional abilities.
With thought provoking lyrics, strong melodies, and deep grooves, Farrow brings to life a vibe reminiscent of decades past whilst grounded in a modern sonic landscape. Based in Buffalo and led by producer/bass player Andre Pilette and singer/lyricist Michael Farrow, the band features Tim Webb on drums, Michael Ruopoli on percussion, Cory Clancy on guitar, Rufus “Breexy” Cole Jr. on keps, and Danielle Johnson on backing vocals. Check out the band’s website for videos and music updates, like their most recent single “The Creek“.
Fine Grain vs Black Tongue Reverend
Fine Grain floats in between shoegaze haze and punk posturing. With prog-inspired riffs, post-punk murk, and the occasional ripping sax solo, fine grain offers up rambunctious reverie fit for hardcore fans of all generations. Fine Grain’s maturation is a testament to the transformative possibility of punk, showing how pulled threads of the past can still stitch together a promising new future. Visit here to listen to their latest release, their album “Missing Adult“.
Formed in 2021, Black Tongue Reverend plays a unique style of heavy psychedelic Stoner-Blues that draws influence from every decade from the 60s and 70s psychedelic rock movement through today’s flourishing Stoner Rock/Doom scene. With a punk-like DIY spirit they have self-recorded and released two records to date, the EP “Northern Burden” in February 2022, and most recently, the LP “All Of Them Have Fangs” in October 2022. Committed to keeping things fresh and interesting, their loud and energetic live performances feature touches of improvisation that ensure no two performances are ever the same.
Maggie’s Clan vs Jennie Angel
Maggie’s Clan is American Celtic Rock, fusing traditional Celtic instrumentation and folklore with the contagious energy of rock and roll. Created in 2016, this 7 piece, one of a kind powerhouse have been performing at local and regional pubs, music venues and festivals in NY from Rockaway, Queens to the Adirondacks. Maggie will hit you with a wall of sound from driving rhythms, hard rock vocals, bagpipes, fiddle and mandolin. Their self-titled album “Maggie’s Clan” can be found on all streaming services .
Jennie Angel is an actress who recently rediscovered her love for music. Started playing the guitar when she was 16 and has been singing she was born, now performing popular country hits! Jennie has most recently been added as a member of the Academy of Country Music and will be attending the awards show in March. Music and merch are both available on her website. Check out her most recent single, released on Valentines Day, “You Proof“.
Seeing Double vs The Forest Dwellers
Seeing Double, an Oneonta based rock band, is electrifying the college music scene in their tiny Upstate town with a growing fanbase and reputation among the community with their high-energy shows. Combining their signature twin harmonies, feel-good grooves, and punchy instrumentals, “The Doub” creates a unique sound reminiscent of 70s pop-rock and modern indie with their growing category of songs. Listen to their most recent single “Bygones” here.
The Forest Dwellers are a reggae-infused folk/ indie group based out of Rochester, NY that plays universal medicine music. The band blends melodic music with incredible vocal harmonies. Stemming from different styles and genres, The Forest Dwellers fuse them into a new take on a familiar sound all its own. Listen to their song “Open Road” here.
Voting for Round 2 has ended. Please check back for Round 3, starting Saturday, March 11 and 8am!
Jane Dough help cannabis entrepreneurs win business licenses, optimize facility design, standardize operation, increase revenue and design their future.
Jane Dough Region
PEAK vs Pencildive
PEAK’s music, described as Psychedelic Indie Funk, is a mix of poetic, melodic songwriting, moody electrofunk, riffed-out blues-rock, and exploratory danceable improvisations. Some of their many influences include artists such as The Band, The Talking Heads, Phish, The Grateful Dead, Radiohead, James Brown, and Miles Davis, as well as modern songwriters such as Conor Oberst, Mac Demarco, Kurt Vile, and Jack White to name a few. The band’s website has links to their music, including their most recent album, “Choppy Water“.
Pencildive is a rock band based in Saratoga Springs and Brooklyn, led by songwriter Gina De Nardo. Their sound is both tender and explosive with punchy drums and gritty guitar interwoven with brooding melodies and live noise experiments, described as indie gloom, punk, and alternative. Listen to their debut album “Grown Ups” here.
Murder In Rue Morgue vs Kids in the Basement
Murder in Rue Morgue is CJ Carr, John Wolff, Matt Biss, and Dan Ouimette, hailing from the hometown of Manowar, and Level 7 in Auburn. The band is highly influenced by melodic death metal, such as In Flames, Killswitch Engage, and Times of Grace. The band is a group of hardworking musicians who leave it all up on the stage giving the best show every time. Listen to their 2019 album “Endless Cycles” here.
Kids In The Basement is a high energy four piece Jam/Dance rock band that formed in 2015 in Rochester. Starting off from humble beginnings, KITB frequently found themselves as staples at Park Ave House parties. As time went on and their following grew, they eventually moved their act to larger venues and stages across the state. As a result of playing hundreds of shows across NY over the years, they have gained a loyal following of all ages that are keen to their upbeat music and dance party-like vibe. Kids In The Basement truly brings the party to every show they play! Listen to their most recent song “Tijuana” here.
Side-B vs Whaley
Born out of Albany, Side-B is an energetic 4-piece alternative rock band that blends influences ranging from classic rock acts like Led Zeppelin and The Police to funk, blues, jazz, punk, folk, and modern alternative. Their home-recorded single, “The Mountain Song,” perfectly showcases this creative fusion of styles. After making waves in the Capital Region and beyond, the quartet is now on the verge of a release for their debut full-length album.
Whaley comes from Long Island, and they are a culmination of the best material & musicians Logan has written & met over the last 8 years since graduating from music school. His music can be best described as having old-school sensibilities with a new-school vibe. He released his debut album “Funky Tonight” this past February.
Mall Goth vs Sarah King
Mall Goth is the musical project of Ella Kasper, Peter Lukach, Sam Meyer, James Hatari and Kensho Ueda, based in Binghamton, NY. The friends met through the local music scene while attending Binghamton University, and formed Mall Goth in October 2022. Since then they’ve been performing together all over the state of New York. Listen to their self titled debut album “Mall Goth” here.
Known for her powerhouse voice and “fiery, vulnerable songs,” Sarah King creates thought-provoking, versatile Americana music. Her genuine stories about real-life emotions and situations also draw on classic folk-blues themes, balancing songs about the devil and booze with hard-won moments of reflection and acceptance. Her acclaimed 2021 EP The Hour, produced by Simone Felice and David Baron, earned her recognition as the New England Music Awards Songwriter of the Year and performances at the 2022 Folk Alliance International and Philadelphia Folk festivals, as well as supporting slots for acts including Blues Traveler and The Steel Woods. Listen to her most recent single “Blame It On the Booze” here.
Voting for Round 2 has ended. Please check back for Round 3, starting Saturday, March 11 and 8am!
Having a huge calendar each month with a wide variety of genres, shows and experiences, the Strand Theatre holds the distinction as the only major music venue in Washington and Warren Counties that is open year-round. The Strand creates community through music and the related arts in Hudson Falls.
Strand Theatre Hudson Falls Region
The Brass Machine vs The E-Block
The Brass Machine is one of the premiere touring acts on the live music circuit today, laying down funky New Orleans-style street beats across the United States and Canada. Formed in 2014 at the University at Buffalo, The Brass Machine provides a unique blend of hip hop, funk, and R&B, all in an infectious and energetic brass-y package. Having performed alongside national acts such as Earth, Wind, and Fire, Starship, The Soul Rebels, Rebirth Brass Band, Bonerama, John Papa Gros, CJ Chenier and more – The Brass Machine is hittin’ the streets HARD.
The E-Block is a 5-piece indie R&B band based in Upstate New York, blending the acoustic warmth of singer-songwriter music with an ice-cold rhythm section informed by modern R&B. Led by guitarist Luke Pascarella, with the line up of saxophonist James Soren keyboardist Devin Tetlak, bassist Daniel Folds, and drummer Leroy “Rudy” Dalton, the band’s deep bag of influences and free-flowing style have earned them a reputation as a unique live act in the Capital Region scene. Follow their instagram for all the current action, including their new project “Waterfall” releasing this spring. In the meantime, listen to their most recent track “Stay” here.
Sly Fox and the Hustlers vs Hilltop
A Saratoga Springs based band, Sly Fox and the Hustlers was formed in 2010 when Sly Fox’s longtime friend and musical partner, the Anti- Records recording artist Sean Rowe took a leave from rock and roll to focus on performing solo. At the same time, Sly had been writing songs to help work through a difficult time in his life, and was becoming an engaging singer. Listen to “Find Someone” here.
Hilltop is a four piece jam band from Albany, NY. Over the past four years they’ve made a name for themselves with carefully crafted originals, mind bending improvisation & fun, diverse covers. Each member offers a proficient, unique approach to their instrument that defines the musical experience. This band of young musicians is eager to spread their music and will continue to engage crowds wherever they go. Listen to their newest release, a collection of live performances, titled “Live Rips” here.
Xavier Sharp vs Deb Cavanaugh & Dandelion Wine
Xavier Sharp is a New York based alternative rapper, singer and producer. He enjoys long walks on the beach and romantic candlelit dinners. Xavier is 21, single, has no kids and is just looking to get back out there after the divorce. He currently attends school at SUNY Oneonta but he enjoys attending alternative hip hop shows on weekends. He says if you swipe right “you’ve swiped right.” Listen to his most recent single “On God” below.
Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and roots singer Deb Cavanaugh lives in the foothills of the Taconic Mountains, in Upstate New York. In the mid-nineties, Deb focused on traditional folk music such as Old Time, traditional ballads, and Irish dance tunes. She now formed Deb Cavanaugh & Dandelion Wine, playing a variety of styles including blues, rock and traditional folk as well as a variety of instruments. Dandelion Wine’s line-up may vary depending on the venue and availability of musicians. Dandelion Wine is Jared Carrozza on bass and Ben Hart on drums, who also provides vocals and occasional lead guitar. The unique blend of blues, rock & roll, and folk is what gives Dandelion Wine a genre best defined as “psychedelic folk.” Find out more about her incredible story and listen to songs at her website, including their most recent release “Electric Avenue“.
Lil Josiey vs Seize Atlantis
David Gomula-Mosso, popularly known as Lil Josiey is a young Alternative Pop singer/songwriter from Amsterdam, NY. He also plays the piano and guitar where he self-taught himself off of YouTube. His latest single is, “Dreaming About You” that was released this year on Valentines Day. When asked about the band, MJ Savino of PMV Magazine said “It’s quite refreshing to come across young talent well-crafted in multiple genres of music and instruments from Pop to Emo to Alternative.”
Formed in 2019, Seize Atlantis, is an Alternative Rock Band located in Upstate NY that play a variety of genres, including originals and covers. The band consists of James Mullen (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Mike Dardas (Bass/Vocals), Luc Bourgault (Lead Guitar) and Cody Platt (Drums). Listen to “The Unstoppable Groove” here.
Voting for Round 2 has ended. Please check back for Round 3, starting Saturday, March 11 and 8am!
Voting ends at 11:59pm on Wednesday, March 8th. Winners will be announced on March 9th, with voting in Round 3 running March 11-13. Good luck to all the bands!
NYS Music has partnered with these great businesses across New York State to highlight the 64 up and coming bands and artists of NYS Music March Madness, Round 1 and 2.
The finalists of of each region will be rewarded with a collection of prizes worth $3000. Partners for NYS Music’s March Madness 2023 include Mirth Films from Albany, a music news/entertainment outlet that specializes in original video content and live streaming, with news coverage ranging across the whole country, who will provide a professional multi-camera recording session at a prestigious venue in Albany for the winning band, premiering exclusively on Mirth Films.
Additionally, one finalist will earn a spot on the lineup for the Scarsdale Music Festival, held on June 3, 2023
WEQX is a radio station in Manchester, VT. They’re are completely independently owned and operated, always have been, since 1984. This station exists out of a love for music, a love for radio, and the commitment to always giving their listeners the best of the best.
It’s once again time to gear up for the biggest musical showdown in New York State – NYS Music March Madness! For the past 8 years, this annual competition has been shining a spotlight on the talented artists and musicians from across the Empire State. This year’s competition promises to be the biggest and best yet, with a lineup of diverse genres and highly skilled performers.
March Madness 2023 is set to feature 64 up-and-coming artists and bands, hand-selected by the NYS Music team for their unique sound and undeniable talent. With the help of our dedicated sponsors, NYS Music March Madness provides a platform for these musicians to showcase their skills, gain exposure and be discovered. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to listen, vote, and join us in the madness!
With the aide of our sponsors, NYS Music March Madness is a way for artists to be heard, grow and discovered. Go Listen. Go Vote. And let the Madness begin.
NYS Music has partnered with businesses across New York State to highlight these 64 up and coming bands and artists.
Regional sponsors include Funk n Waffles, a premiere music venue in Syracuse established in 2007 with a unique take on the culinary and entertainment industries, offering a wide variety of gourmet waffles and breakfast food, as well as offering live music every night!
The Yard Amphitheater is an outdoor music venue nestled in the rolling hills of NY State with BBQ on site, an outdoor bar, space for lawn games, and room to dance! Watching a performance at The Yard is similar to watching a concert in your own backyard, with the exception that this backyard features a fully stocked outdoor bar, mouthwatering BBQ, and nationally touring performers.
Having a huge calendar each month with a wide variety of genres, shows and experiences, the Strand Theatre holds the distinction as the only major music venue in Washington and Warren Counties that is open year-round. The Strand creates community through music and the related arts in Hudson Falls.
Jane Dough help cannabis entrepreneurs win business licenses, optimize facility design, standardize operation, increase revenue and design their future.
The finalists of of each region will be rewarded with a collection of prizes worth $3000. Partners for NYS Music’s March Madness 2023 include Mirth Films from Albany, a music news/entertainment outlet that specializes in original video content and live streaming, with news coverage ranging across the whole country, who will provide a professional multi-camera recording session at a prestigious venue in Albany for the winning band, premiering exclusively on Mirth Films.
Additionally, one finalist will earn a spot on the lineup for the Scarsdale Music Festival, held on June 3, 2023
WEQX is a radio station in Manchester, VT. They’re are completely independently owned and operated, always have been, since 1984. This station exists out of a love for music, a love for radio, and the commitment to always giving their listeners the best of the best.
Enter your email address, meet the bands and vote for your favorites on Page 2!
The latest and greatest concert series in the North Country – Saturday Night at the Waterhole – returns to downtown Saranac Lake beginning Saturday March 4th. As the name suggests, The Waterhole Music Lounge will host live music on Saturday nights in the Upstairs Music Lounge.
The series runs from March 4th through early May, with a wide variety of bands and artists making their way into the North Country to warm up audiences well into the spring.
Concert tickets and more information can be found at saranaclakewaterhole.com or in person by stopping at the downstairs bar. Ticket prices will vary. Doors open at 7:30 and shows begin at 8:30 pm. The Waterhole is a 21+ music venue.
The Bubs will open the concert series on March 4th. This 10-piece white jumpsuit-clad collective of artists & musicians, have been sweeping everyone off their feet with their catchy songs and fiery contagious energy. Their music is ferocious, tender, vindicating, and cathartic; a crooked vessel for pain, nostalgia, empowerment, and vindication, all filtered through a dirty sieve. Think white-hot punk & garage rock styled music.
March 11th marks the return of Kat Wright, whose voice is both sultry and dynamic, delicate yet powerful; gritty but highly emotive and nuanced. She has been described as “a young Bonnie Raitt meets Amy Winehouse.” Add to that voice enough stage presence to tame lions, and the combination of feline femininity, proving to be immediately enchanting.
The Sideways return March 18th for their 5th Saranac Lake performance. Hailing from Rochester, New York, this eight-piece band offers up their own joyful blend of disco pop + snarky soul, with a heavy dose of jazz influence, founded by brainchild Joey “sideways” Stehle.
Driftwood will make their long awaited return to the Waterhole stage on the 25th of March. Their music has been described as fusing traditional Americana with contemporary influences and timeless subject matter. Listening to their music, one gets the sense that the band is young with an old soul. There’s a deep, driving force behind each refrain – the kind that makes you dance with your eyes closed, or stop still to take in the energy the band is passing on to the audience.
April 1st will mark the rescheduled date for Los Blancos. This band has a reputation for ripping through blues, soul, rockin’ zydeco, Latin, outlaw country, funk, folk, and bottomless bag of tricks that’s always sure to get the party started.
On the last Saturday in April, Mal Maiz will turn up the heat on the dance floor. Costa Rican “Brujo” Maiz Vargas Sandoval and his Afro-Latino Orchestra are a hot East Coast dance band with both a traditional and modern flair. Based out of Burlington VT, Mal Maiz blends traditional cambia with psychedelic grooves, latin, reggae, and afro-carribean sounds.
If David Byrne is one of the geniuses of modern times, then Start Making Sense is a tribute to genius. A crowd favorite, Start Making Sense will return to the Waterhole on May 6th. The musicians in this 7-piece Talking Heads tribute take pride in faithfully recreating the music of Talking Heads’ entire career, including songs they never performed live.
The Waterhole is stoked to announce The Seapods featuring Al Schnier of Moe. on May 13th. The Seapods are 4/5ths of the seminal 90’s jamband, Ominous Seapods who have now been playing at the Waterhole for 30+ years.
May 20th will highlight another crowd favorite, The Big Takeover. The 7-piece band hails from the Hudson Valley and is fronted by charismatic Jamaican-born singer and songwriter Nee Nee Rushie. The Big Takeover plays original music that is rooted in and reverent toward the genres and rhythms of Jamaican pop: reggae, rocksteady, and ska.
The final concert in the Saturday Night at the Waterhole series will feature the bedazzled and glittered performers of Bella’s Bartok. Their sound has gradually evolved from street-punk performers to an electric, brass filled, accordion-based spectacle that has continued to entertain audiences for nearly a decade.
Songs are often measured by their ability to stand the test of time. “John Brown’s Body” is one of those songs that has held up even into the present day. Although the tune has gone by many names and many iterations over the centuries, the hymn turned revolutionary anthem retains its status as one of the most memorable songs of the Civil War.
Gloria Jane 2004 Arrangement of John Brown’s Body. Vocals, Guitar, and added one chorus from another version of the song, changed the words “Shall all be free” to “Were all set free” to fit today.
The origins of “John Brown’s Body” trace back to Southern methodist camp meetings in the early 1800s. The song “Say, Brother Will You Meet Us,” provided the framework for what would become the famous abolitionist tune. Both feature the now famous chorus, “Glory, glory, hallelujah.”
“John Brown’s Body” as we know it was originally published in July of 1861. It was reportedly first sung at Fort Warren in Boston on May 12, 1861, and later on July 18 by the 12th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, according to American Music Preservation.
Despite what many believe however, the song was not originally about the famed abolitionist John Brown. In fact, it was about a Scotsman of the same name. This “other” Brown, who served as sergeant in Boston, was well aware of his counterpart, as were his fellow soldiers. They would gleefully tease him with lines like, “His soul’s marching on.”
John Brown ascending the gallows. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
But as the song spread across infantries via word of mouth, the nuances of the original joke was lost. Everyone assumed the lyrics referred to the abolitionist who was captured and hung at Harpers Ferry a few years prior. New lyrics were added to the old ones resulting in verses like this:
Old John Brown’s body is a-mouldering in the dust, Old John Brown’s rifleís red with blood-spots turned to rust, Old John Brown’s pike has made its last, unflinching thrust, His soul is marching on!
So “John Brown’s body lies-a-mouldering in the ground” was not originally the revolutionary sentiment it now commonly appears as, it actually began more or less an inside joke.
Poet Julia Ward Howe would later write her own words to the tune after hearing it sung by troops on a trip she took to Washington. From this she penned “The Battle of the Hymn Republic.” Unfortunately, John Brown the Scottsman never heard this version, having somewhat ironically died early on in the war.
The United States Army Field Band performs the famous Civil War-era piece, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in 2016.
“John Brown’s Body” has been recorded numerous times in various ways. Pete Seeger covered it in 1960. Bob Dylan wrote his own song simply called “John Brown” back in 1962. In Ithaca, there is even a popular reggae band by the name of John Brown’s Body that has been together for over two decades.
The band, John Brown’s Body combines reggae and dub.
John Brown continues to remain relevant even today. He is honored at John Brown Farm, a state historic site located near Lake Placid, NY. It features the home and gravesite of the famed abolitionist.
In 2021, John Brown Lives!, a nonprofit organization focused on human rights and education created a proposal back in 2021 with plans to build a visitor center and conference center. Just last week, there were even two meetings held to receive public feedback on the ongoing plans.
Brown’s home at John Brown Farm in North Elba, NY, 3 miles southeast of Lake Placid. capecodphoto/Getty Images
Change however, might not be as fast as Brown probably would have liked. The state agencies expect, following drafts and additional public comment periods, a final plan to be adopted by early 2025 according to Times Union.
Still, John Brown continues to live a life of fame long after his death, his name memorialized in both song and minds. Even if the tune was never meant for him, his soul indeed goes “marching on “ long after death.
San Diego’s Chest Fever have announced their Freeze in the North Tour, with stops in New York on March 7th and 8th. The tour is a tribute to the legendary rock group The Band.
With the blessing of Robbie Robertson and The Band, Chest Fever will perform classics from The Band’s oeuvre. Expect to hear songs from the group’s classic 1968 debut album Music from Big Pink, The Last Waltz, and Rock of Ages. Chest Fever will also recreate The Band’s celebrated 1969 performance at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair.
The five-member band, Chest Fever is led by the guitarist Dan Cervantes. The band also features keyboard player Jody Bagley, bass player Blake Dean, and drummers Chad Lee and Allan Ritter. The group was ignited by a consciousness-changing West Coast tour in 2015.
After a series of successful tours tributing iconic performances from The Band, Chest Fever are turning back the clock to the group’s celebrated debut album. In 1967 The Band perfected their sound through various recording sessions with Bob Dylan in West Saugerties, New York. They composed in a house known as “Big Pink” and shared with members Rick Dano, Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson. In this house, albums that would later be recorded in studios in Los Angeles and New York were created. Music from Big Pink laid the foundation for The Band’s signature blend of rock, soul, country, R&B, blues and more. To accurately acclaim the success of The Band, Chest Fever religiously revisits material from Music from Big Pink. They also review staples from the rest of The Band’s celebrated catalog, with classics like “The Shape I’m In,” “Makes No Difference,” “Up On Cripple Creek,” and more.
The Freeze In The North Tour will recreate two timeless live performances such as “Rock of Ages” and “The Last Waltz”. For the reenactment of “The Last Waltz”, Chest Fever recruited an all-star cast featuring Scarlet Rivera, Albert Lee, Tom “Bones” Malone, Marc Ford, Jack Tempchin, and others.
In previous tours Chest Fever performed with an evolving cast of local horn and brass players. They’ve played with members from TV on the Radio’s horn section to recreate the contributions from Howard Johnson, Snooky Young, Joe Farrell and more.
Chest Fever have additionally released new music under their Mrs. Henry moniker. The second part of the band’s three-part album and rock opera series, “Keep On Rising – Act II: Faith, Fate and Hope in The Land of Nothing Matters”, follows the hero’s journey by amplifying the twists and turns in the band’s expansive narrative scope. Act II highlights the group’s knack for heady studio wizardry, compelling sonic dynamics, and an all-encompassing narrative vision.
“I feel your pain” was a catch-phrase made popular by former President Bill Clinton, in an attempt to convey empathy. Brothers Leigh and Eric Gibson have a new album, Darkest Hour , set for release on January 27th, might be the best example on how music can draw empathy out of us. This is especially true in the track, “I Feel The Same Way As You”.
The Gibson Brothers have had wonderful success in the world of bluegrass, and there’s no stopping them now. Superb songwriting on “Darkest Hour” they deliver 12 tracks produced by Jerry Douglas. The album holds dear to the standard bluegrass and a few of the tracks have lap steel, percussion, and electric guitar masterfully blended together by Jerry Douglas.
Connecting through Conversation
You know Gibson makes some really fine guitars. There’s nothing like the Gibson brothers! I had an extended converation on The Long Island Sound podcast, as we took a deep dive into their back story and the pending release of their new album, Darkest Hour.
I’m so interested in families, wives and husbands and brothers who play music together. The musical journey of the brothers on a dairy farm in northern New York, about two miles from the Canadian border. Their dad would alway keep instruments around the house, he’d order a banjo or pick up a fiddle at an auction or order a guitar, but nobody played. Little did their father know that his was laying the foundations for his son’s future musical career.
The Gibson Brothers Eric and Leigh
Instrumental Influences
Eric O’Hara, who still plays in the band these days, was instrumental (pun intended), in helping the brothers Gibson woodshed and hone their craft. They began getting serious about playing music when they were eleven and tweleve years old. The influence of Country and Bluegrass music stayed steady as they listened to Merle Haggard and Earl Scruggs. Living so close to the Canadian border, the fiddle played a big part in Canadian Country music.
Early in their career, the Gibson Brothers did not have the opportunity to travel South, so they looked North. The CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company), was a was an influence. The Tommy Hunter show had country music every Friday night, and they’d have American country people come up, but also really good Canadian country, artists were on the show. they would see people like Gordon Lightfoot, on CBC, and so many great songwriters from Canada, like Stan Rogers.
And that song started coming and I came through the kitchen door and my wife started talking to me said I gotta go, I gotta go upstairs ,I gotta write I gotta get this down.
Eric Gibson
Success by a Thousand Trys
Wondering if they could recall their one big break into the music industry, Leigh Gibson said “it was such a slow climb, we were prepared for when things don’t always go your way in your career, which will happen. It’s Ups and Downs, you know, but sometimes we’re glad that we weren’t that act that just jumped on the scene.”
Things sometimes go by so fast that it is hard to appreciate what just happened. The boys recounted an experience meeting a future celebrity early in their career in Nashville.
Erik: “Well, I mean, it was early on, we’re playing, playing the station and stuff. And one of the guys is hanging around was the guy named Dirk Bentley just happened to be working on a deal, you know, and nice guy. Just don’t know who you’re gonna run into.”
In Nashville, the Gibsons were meeting and rubbing elbows with their heroes. They met Dave Ferguson, before he hit the big time, and recorded their first album. Ferguson is a ‘s a legend now, but when they met he was second engineer, now he’s one of the hottest producers in Nashville and, and eighteen years later, he remembered the Gibsons and wanted to do a record. And then when they did the record in 2018, it was supposed to be with Dave Ferguson, and then they get a call from their manager who said, Dan Arbok of the Black Keys wants to be involved. Circumstances came together and as they say, “The rest is history”.
I Go Driving
“I go driving”, the sixth track on Darkest Hour, is one of the only songs Eric had written at night. He was feeling stir crazy, wanting to get out of the house, he went for a ride and drove on Backroads of his hometown, listening to Old Country music and just trying to pretend that things were going to be good again. Eric: “And that song started coming and I came through the kitchen door and my wife started talking to me said I gotta go, I gotta go upstairs ,I gotta write I gotta get this down.”
Energy exudes itself in Bluegrass music and the Gibsons Brothers sure know how to deliver.
Tour Dates
Eric and Leigh have begun their tour to promote the album.
Catch The Gibson Brothers On Tour
Jan. 27 – Fairfield, CT – StageOne
Jan. 28 – Shirley, MA – Bull Run
Jan. 29 – Newburyport, MA – Firehouse Center
Feb. 2 – Glens Falls, NY – The Park Theater
Feb. 3 – Clinton, NY – Kirkland Art Center
Feb. 4 – Norwood, NY – Norwood Central School
Feb. 9 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head
Feb. 10 – Richmond, VA – The Tin Pan
Feb. 11 – Rocky Mount, VA – Harvester Performance Center
Feb. 12 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall
Feb. 16 – Newport, KY – The Southgate House Revival
The Quad Counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin and Hamilton counties will see a more than 125% increase in funding to arts organizations and artists, with a priority on funding of Native American and othre indigenous people’s arts, culture and history.
Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts
Along with significantly increasing the amount of money the SCR Program will be able to regrant to arts organizations and artists in Clinton, Essex, Franklin and Hamilton counties, the additional funding enables ALCA to expand its offerings and services to the entire four-county region. In addition to the ongoing grant categories of Community Arts and Arts Education, ALCA’s SCR Program is reviving the Individual Artist grants, which have not been offered in the ADK Quad-County region in approximately a decade.
This increase in SCR support means an expansion of both the funding and services ALCA provides to arts organizations and artists in the four-county region, which translates into wider benefits for residents of, and visitors, to the many varied communities within the region, according to Jean-Marie Donohue, Development General Director of ALCA.
We are grateful to NYSCA for this generous increase, which is a validation of the truly indispensable work ALCA has been doing for all four counties in our service area since at least the mid-2010s. We are also excited about the opportunity the increase in funding offers to extend and deepen our service to the abundance of wonderful artists and arts organizations in the region. Although ours is a rural area, the communities we serve range from the City of Plattsburgh to the tiniest hamlets in remote stretches along the Canadian border and in the heart of the Adirondack mountains.
Jean-Marie Donohue Development General Director of ALCA
Each grant category lists several criteria on which applications are evaluated—for example, artistic merit, organizational competence, service to the community, and local priorities for SCR funding in Community Arts. In this last one, priorities include projects that address areas of distinct cultural deficiency—e.g., programs for underserved rural communities; and projects that focus on, or represent, aspects of our region’s history or cultural identity/diversity. With the presence of the Akwesasne community based north of Franklin County in mind, ALCA’s grants program will add the priority of projects dedicated to Native American and other indigenous people’s arts, culture and history.
photo provided by the Tahawus Cultural Center
As seen above, the exhibit “Journey” at the Tahawus Cultural Center, Au Sable Forks, in Essex County, was presented in Fall 2022 featuring the work of two Town of Black Brook/Clinton County-based artists, painter Heidi Gero and fiber artist Carrie Plumadore, a project supported by SCR funding awarded to the Appleby Foundation, Inc., Tahawus Center and Rebecca Kelly Ballet.
Saranac Lake 2023 Winter Carnival is around the corner, held February 3-12, with the schedule of events and button design by Garry Trudeau having been revealed. Get ready for the North Country’s premiere winter entertainment event, going strong for 126 years!
In addition to an all-star lineup of music at The Waterhole during Saranac Lake 2023 Winter Carnival, the week long Adirondack event features the signature ice palace (built entirely by volunteers from solid blocks of ice pulled from Lake Flower), as well as fireworks, ski and snowshoe races, art shows, book sales, concerts, variety shows, and much more. The finale features a unique gala parade on Sunday, February 13.
Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau, a native of Saranac Lake, has also released his button design for the 2023 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. The theme for this year – ‘Roman Around Carnival’ – depicts an illustration of Doonesbury character Zonker as a Roman Emperor, on the shape of an ancient coin with the year 2023 displayed in roman numerals. Trudeau has created the Winter Carnival button design since 1981 to benefit the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.
5:30 pm *22nd Annual Past Royalty Mixer and Dinner – Open to Past Royalty Only ($, Red Fox Restaurant, 5034 Route 3, contact Marilyn Bigelow at 518-891-1286)
Friday, FEBRUARY 3, 2023
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm *Live Music–Blessid Dirt at the Campfire Adirondack Bar & Grill (Hotel Saranac, 100 Main St)
7:30 pm *Women’s Civic Chamber Coronation of Winter Carnival Royalty (Harrietstown Town Hall, 39 Main St)
8:30 pm *Live Music–Annie in the Water wsg The Reflexions, doors open 7:30 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Saturday, FEBRUARY 4, 2023
10:00 am – 6:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
1:00 pm *Women’s Civic Second Corn-a-ment Cornhole Tournament (On the ice in front of Saranac Waterfront Lodge, $40 registration fee per 2-player team. Contact Deb Reilly at debreilly6@gmail.com for information. Register at https://linktr.ee/wintercarnivalcornament)
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm *Spaghetti Dinner at St Bernard’s School Cafeteria presented by Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 787 and Knights of Columbus Council 599, Take Out available ($, St. Bernard’s School, 63 River St, Orders taken 4:30 to 6:30 at 518-354-0825)
8:30 pm *Live Music–Underground System wsg TBA, doors open 7:30 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Sunday, FEBRUARY 5, 2023
10:00 am – 6:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am – 4:00 pm *–BACK THIS YEAR– Skate Lake Colby sponsored by Adirondack Health — Demos, Free Skate, Straight Line Drag Races for Ice Skates and Kick Sleds 2 pm to 3 pm. (Beach at Lake Colby)
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
3:30 pm *Scavenger Hunt for Middle School Students (Saranac Lake Youth Center, 29 Woodruff St)
5:00 pm Winter Carnival Grand Marshall Reception ($, Hotel Saranac, 100 Main Street)
6:00 pm Winter Carnival Royalty Dinner ($, Hotel Saranac, 100 Main Street)
7:00 pm *Main Street Exchange presents “Roman Around Carnival” Fashion Show, Three rounds of Roman fashion: Ancient attire based off of Social Class, Gods and Goddesses, Ancient Roman attire in modern times. Contact Main Street Exchange to purchase tickets. ($, The Graragery, behind Grizzle-T’s on Dorsey Street)
8:00 pm *Live Music–Ryan Montbleau (Solo) wsg Hayley Jane, doors open 7:00 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm —NEW– Family Night at the Ice Palace sponsored by Hudson Headwaters Health Network (Ice Palace, State Boat Launch)
6:00 pm Curtis Lumber Snowshoe Races — All Ages (Dewey Mountain, Route 3, call 518-891-2697, Children’s Event Fees paid for by Saranac Lake Kiwanis Club)
6:00 pm *Bacchanalia Feast at the Hotel Saranac (Hotel Saranac, 100 Main St)
7:30 pm *Music–Beat Authority Dance Party, doors open 7:00 ($, Half of ticket sales donated to NCPR The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Thursday, February 9, 2023
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Coakley Home and Hardware Family Open Skate with Free Hot Chocolate (Saranac Lake Civic Center, 213 Ampersand Ave)
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Tentatively) Firefighter’s Broom Ball (Saranac Lake Civic Center, 213 Ampersand Ave)
7:00 pm *–BACK THIS YEAR– Rotary Club Variety Show, Tickets available at Chamber of Commerce, Ampersound, NBT Bank ($, Harrietstown Town Hall, 39 Main St)
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm *Live Music–Moment’s Notice in the Great Hall (Hotel Saranac, 100 Main St)
8:30 pm *Live Music–The Mallett Brothers Band wsg Saints and Liars, doors open 7:30 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Saturday, February 11, 2023
8:30 am *Mason’s Pancake Breakfast with the Carnival Characters ($, Location TBD)
10:00 am – 6:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am *CanAm Snow Rugby (Saranac Lake High School Track Field, 79 Canaras Ave, Call 518-524-5841)
9:00 pm *Live Music–West End Blend wsg Chestnut Grove, doors open 8:00 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Sunday, February 12, 2023 — last day
10:00 am – 4:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
