Before signing off for the holidays, David Letterman would have on two regular guests for a Christmas show to end the season.
With Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra looking on, comedian Jay Thomas would regale the crowd with, as Letterman put it, “the best story I’ve ever heard,” about an encounter with Clayton Moore, the actor famous for playing The Lone Ranger. It became a holiday tradition for the 17 years until the Letterman retired in 2015.
After Thomas delivered the punchline, he and David Letterman would alternate throwing a football at the meatball on top of the Late Show Christmas tree. To wrap up the show, and the year for the Late Show, Darlene Love would put on a big production with her holiday show stopper, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”
Jay Thomas passed away in 2017, but his humor lives on. Watch below to see the joke over the years.
The Ally Coalition (TAC) held its 9th Annual Talent Show last night at the Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, welcoming once again an incredible array of talented artists and comedians, to support the LGBTQ youth community. The event raised over $430k, which will support TAC’s mission to serve LGBTQ youth through partner organizations around the country.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 19: St. Vincent performs with Bartees Strange and Bleachers during The 9th Annual Talent Show presented by The Ally Coalition at Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on December 19, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for The Ally Coalition)
The evening, curated and hosted by TAC Founders, Jack Antonoff and Rachel Antonoff, the night featured performances from Bleachers, St. Vincent, Bartees Strange, Jason Isbell, Claud, Clairo, Red Hearse, Andrew Dost, along with comedians Sarah Sherman, Sam Jay, Chris Larker and Jacqueline Novak.
Over the weekend prior, TAC partnered with The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in Manhattan for its 2nd annual Day of Services, providing essentials and resources to over 100 unhoused LBGTQ+ youth. New York’s PIX 11 came out to capture some of the day’s proceedings.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 19: Bartees Strange, Jack Antonoff, Bobby Hawk, and Clairo perform during The 9th Annual Talent Show presented by The Ally Coalition at Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on December 19, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images for The Ally Coalition)
Today, there are over 4 million unhoused youth in the USA – with almost 40% identifying as LGBTQ+. These youths are far more likely to be victims of depression, violence, bullying and suicide. The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ bills across the U.S. Over the past decade the TAC Talent Show events have raised over $2M to support unhoused LGBTQ+ youths.
Lifestyle and fashion brand Runaway New York celebrated their five year anniversary at Public Records on December 11 with Balu Brigada and Carlo Redl.
Runaway New York is a fashion and lifestyle brand owned by Jagger Walk, an American entrepreneur and designer. December 11 was a one of a kind celebration, marking the fifth anniversary and there was no better place to revel in the significant milestone. The evening was filled with remarkable live performances, drinks, and the opportunity to purchase exclusive merchandise. This exclusive night included music, style and a community that converged to create seamless enduring memories.
Opening artist Carlo Redl is a singer and songwriter based in Miami and Tokyo and regarded as the new “John Mayer” with a pop/R&B twist. Redl incorporates electric guitar and is influenced by 70s rock and classic jazz and heard within his riffs. As a songwriter, one of his many successes was the debut song “Gifted” which charted number one on Billboard Hot Trending.
Closing artist Balu Brigada is an alternative pop duo from New Zealand compromised of two brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley signed with Atlantic Records in 2022. They are now on their first homecoming tour which supports upcoming EP Find A Way with hit single “Designer” reaching over a million streams. Sibling duo began making music at an early age and officially formed Balu Brigada at the ripe age of 18. The multi-talented brothers have since gained huge recognition and honed their craft with inspired experimentation.
Carlo Redl and Balu Brigada interacted with the crowd to highlight the celebrated milestone for Jagger Walk and the Runaway New York fashion brand. Putting on quite the show for both fans of fashion, music, art and clearly a night to remember.
For the 50th edition of Dave’s Picks, a special show has been chosen from one of the best Grateful Dead tours, with Palladium NYC from May 3, 1977 taking the honors.
Spring Tour 1977 had many incredible shows, not including this Palladium show, but also later that week in New Haven, CT, the historic Barton Hall show, and the arguably stronger night that followed in Buffalo.
5/3/77 was the penultimate show of a five-night run at the Palladium, just a few nights before the Cornell show, and features a seemingly endless run of the Grateful Dead at their best, including monumental renditions of “Eyes Of The World,” “Wharf Rat,” “Not Fade Away,” and “Uncle John’s Band.”
Additionally, there are some tracks from the final night of the Palladium run, 5/4/77, with tracks including “Scarlet>Fire,” “Terrapin Station,” “Playing In The Band,” and what has come to be widely considered one of the best versions of “Comes A Time” the Grateful Dead ever played.
This show is only available with a subscription to the Dave’s Picks series.
Grateful Dead – Palladium, Manhattan – May 3, 1977
Set 1: Promised Land, Bertha, Me and My Uncle, Peggy-O, Jack Straw, Row Jimmy, Lazy Lightnin’, Supplication, Deal, Good Lovin’, Ship of Fools, Music Never Stopped
Set 2: Might As Well, Estimated Prophet, Sugaree, Samson and Delilah, Friend of the Devil, Eyes of the World, Wharf Rat, Not Fade Away, Around and Around
Fresh off a lengthy world tour, Interpol made their way back to New York for two hometown shows at Beacon Theatre on December 13 and 14. The band spent much of 2023 on the road, trekking across North America, Europe, and Australia before wrapping things up abroad with a big festival appearance at Maho Rasop in Thailand. After dazzling the New York faithful on the Upper West Side, Interpol head down I95 for three intimate sold out shows at D.C.s 9:30 Club next week.
Interpol released their seventh LP, The Other Side of Make-Believe, back in 2022 and have been touring regularly behind the record ever since. The band puts on a master class in staying true to their iconic sound while still pushing boundaries and making exciting new music that seamlessly expands their live palate. Songs from the last record stand toe to toe with the band’s timeless classics from their 2002 debut Turn On The Bright Lights. Kicking things off with the immortalized opening track “Untitled”, Interpol’s signature style reverberated around the iconic Beacon Theatre and ignited the crowd. As the boys moved through a career-spanning setlist, the crowd hung on every note, rarely returning to their seats until theater personnel eventually did turn on the bright lights.
Just ahead of the release of The Other Side Of Make Believe in 2022, Interpol hit Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre to preview the record. A year apart, the shows at Kings and Beacon had similar setlists yet were still surprising and attention grabbing without ever feeling dull. From the opening notes of “Untitled” to the final, soaring vocals of “PDA”, the crowd at Beacon was hanging on every note as if we were all experiencing an Interpol concert for the first time again. The magic behind a band like Interpol is always making fans feel like first timers, even after two decades of playing the hits.
Interpol have a special relationship with New York City. Not only is it the city the band was made in, but the city itself is their muse. Turn On The Bright Lights is a love affair with the New York, creating a cathartic experience for the band as well as the audience whenever they play the songs live. Whenever Interpol schedule dates around the city, we are drawn to another performance no matter how many times we have already had it.
After the shows in D.C., the band take a well-earned break before a busy festival season in 2024. Check out our photo gallery from Beacon Theatre below and head over to Interpol’s website for future tour dates.
Irish Arts Center (IAC) has announced it will be renamed to JL Greene Theatre at Irish Arts Center, to be dedicated in April 2024, following a $3 million gift from the Jerome L Greene Foundation.
Irish Arts Center. Photo by Albert Vecerka/ESTO.
IAC joins a roster of some of New York’s most prestigious cultural institutions supported by the Foundation, including BAM, The Public Theater, Lincoln Center Theatre, and The Whitney Museum.
The Jerome L Greene Foundation gift, which supports the larger scale of programming and operations in the new 11th Avenue facility, builds on recent support from the City of New York ($10 million) and the Irish government ($4.1 million), to support the Center’s future redevelopment of its historic 51st Street home. This donation will help lay the groundwork for the IAC’s upcoming Phase Two campaign to complete the vision for a new Irish Arts Center and secure the organization’s future for generations to come.
Irish Arts Center also revealed the Spring 2024 programming, filling its new facility at 726 11th Avenue that opened in December 2021. The opening of this new 21,700-square-foot building culminated a more than a decade-long transformation of IAC into one of New York’s most beloved multidisciplinary cultural institutions on an intimate scale. With a flexible performance space and acoustic design, it provides a new canvas for the presentation and development of performing arts in the city.
We are thrilled to join the outstanding portfolio of New York cultural institutions supported by the JL Greene Foundation and to announce this gift in conjunction with one of our most exciting seasons yet. We look forward to many moments of artistry and inspiration to come in the JL Greene Theatre. As we begin our third full year of operation in our new home, we also look ahead to the next phase of our important work: completing our 51st Street redevelopment, and building reserves and an endowment, to complete our vision of a new Irish Arts Center that will be successful and sustainable for future generations.
Irish Arts Center Executive Director Aidan Connolly.
“We are proud to play a role in the presentation of world-class Irish arts in New York City,” said Chris McInerney, President and CEO of the Jerome L. Greene Foundation. “Irish Arts Center has proven itself to be an important cultural destination, and the JL Greene Theatre will be host to an amazing array of performing arts for New York audiences.”
IAC’s Spring 2024 programming features a wide variety of voices and forms, including the timely new work of political theater Agreement, a beautiful new dance work from choreographer, director, and performer Jean Butler, a residency of internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Lisa Hannigan, a large-scale exhibition of works by Irish women visual artists, and more. The new season expands on IAC’s mission to present the evolving arts and culture of Ireland and Irish America in an environment of warm Irish hospitality.
Throughout Spring 2024, beloved recurring programs continue to bring accomplished artists into IAC traditions. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon’s variety show Muldoon’s Picnic continues on March 11, April 1, and June 3. In IAC’s Devlin Café, the Café Concert Series brings spirited music out into a social and intimate environment, with Big City Folk Song Club, curated by Niall Connolly returning February 9, March 8, April 4, and May 23, and Traditional Irish Sessions, curated by Tony DeMarco, February 2, March 15, April 5, and May 17. Book Day, for which the Irish Arts Center distributes thousands of free books in New York’s five boroughs in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, returns for its 12th year on March 15.
For the season, IAC’s latest exhibition will showcase women artists whose work reclaims traditional physical and cultural spaces using abstract art. Reclaiming a Space, featuring Diana Copperwhite, Erin Lawlor, Helen O’Leary, and Dannielle Tegeder, will be on view throughout the building from January 29 to June 23.
For more information on the Irish Arts Center, and to see a detailed view of the Spring 2024 programming, visit here.
Returning to the vibrant heart of New York City, Stephen Sanchez brought his magnetic presence back to the city that never sleeps, echoing his last unforgettable performance at Irving Plaza in February. The anticipation hung in the air as fans, eagerly awaiting this reunion, gathered at Terminal 5.
Sanchez’s return was not just a concert; it was a homecoming, a testament to the enduring connection between the artist and the city that has played witness to his musical evolution. As the first notes reverberated through the venue, it was evident that this wasn’t merely a performance; it was a celebration of the artist’s journey, marked by growth, passion, and a profound connection with the diverse tapestry of New York’s music-loving community.
Stephen Sanchez’s concert at Terminal 5 unfolded as a captivating saga, weaving together the artist’s soulful melodies and a profound connection with his dedicated fanbase. Earlier in the day, Sanchez set the tone with a fan meetup and popup in Brooklyn, creating an intimate space for admirers to engage with the artist whose music had become the soundtrack to their lives.
As the night descended, Terminal 5 pulsed with anticipation. The setlist, featuring gems like “Something About Her” and “I Need You Most of All,” became a tapestry of emotions, each note echoing the artist’s journey. Sanchez’s stage presence was magnetic, drawing the audience into his world, especially the adoring fangirls who swooned with every nuanced movement. The unexpected covers of “Oh, Pretty Woman” and “Unchained Melody” showcased Sanchez’s ability to infuse timeless classics with his unique, soul-stirring style.
The concert reached its zenith during the spirited performance of “Shake,” where the venue echoed with the energy of both the artist and his ardent fans. The soulful ballad “Death of the Troubadour” revealed the depth of Sanchez’s songwriting, creating a poignant contrast in the midst of energetic numbers. The night concluded on an emotional crescendo with “Until I Found You,” leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who witnessed Sanchez’s musical brilliance. This wasn’t just a concert; it was an immersive experience, a testament to the profound connection between an artist and the community that cherishes his every note.
Setlist: Something About Her, Evangeline, I Need You Most of All, Only Girl, No One Knows, Doesn’t Do Me Any Good, Be More, [Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison cover)], High, Shake, Death of the Troubadour, Send My Heart With a Kiss, Howlin’ At Wolves, Unchained Melody (Hy Zaret & Alex North cover), The Pool, Until I Found You
The Heart of Rock and Roll, a jukebox musical featuring songs from the GRAMMY Award-winning band Huey Lewis and the News, is coming to Broadway this spring.
Matt Doyle and members of the Old Globe company of “The Heart of Rock and Roll,” 2018. Credit: Jim Cox.
The show will begin performances on March 29, 2024, ahead of an opening night on April 22 at the James Earl Jones Theatre. The musical premiered at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in 2018, featuring a cast led by Tony winner Matt Doyle and Katie Rose Clarke. A summer 2023 workshop was led by Jonah Platt with Clarke.
The Heart of Rock and Roll tells the story of two 30-somethings each with certain plans, changing when they meet each other, set to a score of songs made famous by Huey Lewis and the News.
The Heart of Rock and Roll features a book by Jonathan A. Abrams, based on a story created by Tyler Mitchell and Abrams. Brian Usifer does the music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations, with Gordon Greenberg directing and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The musical is also being produced by Hunter Arnold, Mitchell, and Kayla Greenspan.
Working on our show has been so gratifying. I’ve always been a storyteller, and it’s a thrill to see my songs woven together in service of a fantastic, new story. That it will all take place on the world’s most prestigious stage — Broadway — just makes the ride that much sweeter.
Huey Lewis
Lewis’s tune “The Power of Love” was featured in Back to the Future on Broadway earlier this year, and in the original movie as well. “The Power of Love,” as well as “Workin’ for a Livin’,” “Stuck with You,” “If This Is It” and the musical’s title tune are among the Huey Lewis and the News songs that will be featured in The Heart of Rock and Roll.
Casting for the Broadway production, as well as additional creative team members, will be announced soon. To purchase tickets and find more information, visit here.
In an unprecedented collaboration, two legendary Mexican bands, Caifanes and Cafe Tacvba, have announced they are embarking on their first-ever joint tour in the United States, coming to SummerStage on June 26, 2024.
The two groups are coming together to celebrate their legacies and showcase the power of Mexican rock on an international stage. Both bands originated in the late 80s in Mexico City. Despite their distinct musical styles, this tour is a testament to the enduring power of music, showcasing how these bands have evolved and continue to resonate with audiences across time.
Caifanes have lived their path intensely and passionately since 1986, evolving and changing throughout their career. One thing remains constant: the music shared by several generations, remains a powerful connection then and now. For young people, their music is new; for the older generation, those songs are already part of the soundtrack of their lives. Caifanes has always been the band that opens the doors to every band coming up behind them. The last two years and 108 concerts have seen the band getting better and bigger than ever, on stage, no one rivals their power and strength. Their commitment to social causes has been an essential part of who they are from the start of the band.
Caifanes.
Together since 1989 with the same founding members (Quique, Meme, Joselo, and Ruben) GRAMMY winners and Mexico City indie rockers Cafe Tacvba are credited as the preeminent band to emerge from the “Rock en Español” movement of the early ‘90s. The Mexican quartet has remained one of the biggest acts on the Latin music scene since, inspiring generations of rockers. Their music is broadly appealing not only because of its groundbreaking nature but also because of its fun, madcap, and ever-changing qualities.
Cafe Tacvba
Tickets will be available starting with a Citi presale beginning on Tuesday, December 12. Additional pre-sales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, December 15 at 10 a.m.
TOUR DATES:
Wed May 29 Kennewick, WA Toyota Center
Thu May 30 Seattle, WA WAMU Theater @ Lumen Field
Sat Jun 1 Reno, NV Reno Events Center
Wed Jun 5 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
Thu Jun 6 Las Vegas, NV Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood
Fri Jun 7 Palm Desert, CA Acrisure Arena
Sat Jun 8 Chula Vista, CA North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Tue Jun 11 Phoenix, AZ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
Thu Jun 13 Salt Lake City, UT Maverick Center
Fri Jun 14 Denver, CO Levitt Pavilion
Sat Jun 15 Albuquerque, NM Isleta Amphitheater
Sun Jun 16 El Paso, TX El Paso County Coliseum
Tue Jun 18 Laredo, TX Sames Auto Arena
Wed Jun 19 Edinburg, TX Bert Ogden Arena
Fri Jun 21 Houston, TX The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
Sat Jun 22 Dallas, TX Dos Equis Pavilion
Wed Jun 26 New York, NY SummerStage in Central Park
Fri Jun 28 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage
Sat Jun 29 Chicago, IL Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Sun Jun 30 Indianapolis, IN Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
A series of Phish After-Parties have been unveiled as part of the band’s upcoming Madison Square Garden shows this December. As a recurring staple of Phish’s frequent MSG shows, the afterparties are once again brought to fans by CEG (Creative Entertainment Group).
Here are the already announced shows, with more to come! Get tickets for the shows soon, as these shows are often a hot ticket following each night of Phish.
Hill Country Live hosts Loop Troupe’s LSD Soundsystem, a jamified LCD Soundsystem, on December 28 at 11:59 p.m.
Sony Hall will host Dogs in a Pile, a psychedelic jazz-rock group on December 28 following Phish’s performance at MSG.
The Cutting Room’s December 28 afterparty will feature a Prince/Bowie theme, featuring appearances from members of Twiddle, Pink Talking Fish, The Machine, Deep Banana Blackout, and more to come. The musicians will play the music of legends Prince and David Bowie throughout the night at Midtown Manhattan’s The Cutting Room.
Hill Country Live will host a pre-party on December 29, featuring a happy hour with Dude of Life Band. The five-piece genre benders will host the event beginning at 4PM, with doors opening at 3PM. More information available here.
The Cutting Room’s December 29’s afterparty will be headlined by the Pink Talking Fish, playing hit 90s tracks from Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, Phish, and more.
Hill Country BBQ Live will host Space Bacon, a progressive funk jam band, known for immersing audiences in audio-visual displays during shows. The afterparty will also take place on December 29.
The afterparty on December 30will feature John Medeski, Billy Martin, Scott Metzger, and Nels Cline. The group will play a night full of improvised music, following the Phish show at MSG that night. The party will be hosted at Sony Hall.
On New Year’s Day, Hill Country Live will host David Yates, performing his Wook Comedy Show. The event will take place at 1PM as a pre-party ahead of the NYE Phish show that night. Information available here.
In addition, Hill Country will host Marcus Rezak as yet another pre-party on New Year’s Eve. Performing his “Shred Is Dead” jam show, Rezak will perform at 4PM ahead of the NYE Phish show. More information here.
The night of New Year’s Eve, Hill Country Live will feature dj AF and Tad Cautious, two DJ acts performing to ring in the new year. Three tiers of tickets are available now for the NYE celebration afterparty.
Phish holidays runs are beloved events at Madison Square Garden, and afterparties around Manhattan are part of the adventure. Check back for updates on more after parties to be announced as the MSG shows approach. More information available at phishafterparties.nyc.
