Category: Regions

Stanley Jordan plays solo set in Canandaigua at Fort Hill Performing Arts Center

Just a hop skip and a jump from the historic boat houses of Canandaigua Lake is the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center. A newer venue repurposed from an older one, Fort Hill PAC house about 400 seats, with 40 mezzanine seats that provide amazing views of the stage. Amazing view for acts like Stanley Jordan who brought his solo guitar show the house on March 18.

Rising to notoriety in the mid 80s, Jordan was first artist signed to Blue Note Records by new president, Bruce Lundvall, as they were working to re-establish their label to include contemporary jazz. Subsequently, Jordan’s album Magic Touch was released and hit number 1 on Billboards Jazz chart for nearly a whole year. Jordan has released 13 other albums, with number 15 in the works for release early 2024.

Hitting the stage at Fort Hill PAC, Jordan was welcomed by a blend of younger baby boomers, with a pinch of Gen-X’s and a dash of young Gen-z patrons. Quite a diverse group of ages for Jordan, whose sound is lightly reminiscent of island sounds, perfect chill music after a long days work.

While Jordan didn’t interact with the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center crowd too much, he was definitely aware of everything going, and acknowledged the random “We love you, Stanley” or the unexpected ovation. Just as well, there was issue during set with the center speakers in front the performer, and while he played most of the first half of show with it, he addressed the issue and assured the fans that the show will be so much better when he can actually hear all the sounds. As expected, the crowd laughed and gave short round of applause.

To finish the first set, Stanley, took seat at the piano and did some double duty as he continued playing the guitar, while adding piano to the mix. Truly an amazing arrangement and showcase of his skill set on the stage.

Coming back from intermission, Jordan continued to play the guitar in his own way, which consists of very little traditional strumming, and more tapping along the neck to create his own unique sound. He opened up the second set with his rendition of Mozart’s Piano Concerto #21 and Blue Monk (Thelonius Monk), both remarkable in their own rights.

While I was not able to see the end of the show, he finished off with a cover of the classic Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” If like the rest of the show, I am sure the crowd was in awe with this, as I am sure I would have been.

Follow Stanley for up-to-date news including the release of his much anticipated 15th album. US tour dates continue through April, before headed off on his international tour.

March 20, 2023
The Sembrich Announces 2023 Summer Festival ‘Trailblazers’

The Sembrich in Bolton Landing announced the 2023 Summer Festival Trailblazers, celebrating the singular achievements of outstanding individuals in arts and culture, beginning on June 11 and running through Aug. 30.

The Sembrich Museum.

Those who attend The Sembrich can experience music, history, and nature all at once, with museum exhibitions and an annual summer festival. It was once the teaching studio of Polish soprano Marcella Sembrich, one of the most famous musicians at the turn of the 20th century. Visitors can discover her legacy, which includes over 400 performances at the Metropolitan Opera and faculty positions at both the Juilliard Graduate School and the Curtis Institute of Music. The summer festival includes an exciting mix of world-class musicians, noted musical scholars, and a free film series.

Recently, The Sembrich received a total of $120,400 in grant funding from New York State to support new and ongoing initiatives, awarded through two agencies, the NYS Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism. Director of Institutional Advancement Caleb Eick said “these funds will allow us to continue to grow and expand our programs and presence in our community. We are excited to undertake new initiatives and further solidify The Sembrich and our region as a world-class cultural destination.”

The 2023 Summer Festival Trailblazers showcases singular achievements of outstanding individuals in arts and culture, from David Smith to Marin Alsop and Alma Mahler to Philip Glass, there will be 23 individual events throughout the summer months beginning on June 11 and running through Aug. 30. The Sembrich’s Artistic Director Richard Wargo spoke on the itinerary for the festival, showcasing an exciting series of programming.

The art world has always had trailblazers, those unique individuals who forged a route through the wilderness for others to follow. Our festival this summer is built around a number of these innovators…modernist sculptor David Smith, conductor Marin Alsop, musicians Grigor Piatigorsky and Alma Mahler, composers Franz Liszt, Philip Glass and Lin-Manuel Miranda, to name just a few. A number of our featured performers can be said to be “trailblazers” in their own right: guitar and cello duo Boyd Meets Girl, the all-female horn quartet Genghis Barbie and Hub New Music, whom the Boston Globe praised as ‘contemporary chamber trailblazers.’
The Sembrich’s Artistic Director Richard Wargo

The highlights of the festival begin with “In the Footsteps of Piatigorsky,” a studio talk and performance by cellist Evan Drachman, dedicated to his celebrated grandfather, Gregor Piatigorsky, one of the pre-eminent string players of the twentieth century. The music featured includes Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, and Rubinstein, happening June 17 at 2 p.m. The Sembrich’s lakeside subscription Promenade Series enters its second season with an exciting lineup of groups including the Adirondack Jazz Repertory Ensemble, guitar and cello duo Boyd Meets Girl, and the leading post-feminist all-female horn group Genghis Barbie.

Genghis Barbie.

A staple in The Sembrich’s Summer Festival, World Music Wednesdays brings cultural traditions from across the globe to the shores of Lake George. Featured this year includes tango traditions with the Latin-Grammy artist Pedro Giraudo and his Tango Quartet, Celtic dances with Poor Man’s Gambit, and Georgian polyphonic singing with acclaimed choral group Iberi. The Sembrich’s Film Series this year features CODA (2021), Koyaanisqatsi (1982), The Conductor (2021), tick…tick…BOOM! (2021), and Elvis (2022).

The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing on July 15 is a presentation with vintage photos by Betty Spinell about forbidden love, jealousy, and mental instability that resulted in a shocking, cold-blooded murder. The ensuing “trial of the century” mesmerized the public and helped close the curtains on America’s Gilded Age. Discover the life and inspirations of turn-of-the-century muse and femme fatale, Alma Mahler on July 19 at 2 p.m. featuring quotes from her diary and music by Mahler, Strauss, and Schoenberg performed by Robert Osborne, bass-baritone and Tammy Hensrud, mezzo-soprano.

Featuring some of the finest concert artists in the classical music scene, the Alfred Z. Solomon Masterwork Series celebrates monumental figures in arts and culture including sculptor David Smith, Jean Francaix, Franz Liszt, and more. Artists performing include 25-year-old virtuoso pianist Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, the trailblazing quartet HUB New Music, and members of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner

On Aug. 16 at 2 p.m. The Sembrich brings “Hamilton: The Man, The Musical, The Cultural Phenomenon,” to the venue, featuring musical theater historian John Kenrick and a lively studio talk that explores New York native Lin-Manuel Miranda’s trailblazing blend of hip-hop and Broadway styles in the revolutionary musical Hamilton. Finally on Aug. 26 at 6 p.m., there will be an elegant cantina-style gala performance on the lakeshore featuring rising operatic star, tenor Leonardo Sánchez, titled “Mi México Querido” (“My Beloved Mexico”). The performance includes the color, tradition, and passion of his beloved Mexico, featuring instruments like the guitar, guitarrón, vihuela, and accordion – pillars of traditional Mexican music.

For a full listing of events, or to purchase tickets visit here.

March 20, 2023
My Morning Jacket to Perform at Artpark Amphitheater this June

My Morning Jacket have announced an upcoming North American headline tour that begins this spring, which includes a stop at the Artpark Amphitheatre in Lewiston. The band is scheduled to have a performance at the venue on June 26.

My Morning Jacket Band Members. Credit: IMDB

My Morning Jacket, originating in Louisville, Kentucky, comprises five members, Jim James (lead vocal, guitar,) Tom Blankenship (bass guitar,) Patrick Hallahan (drums, percussion,) Bo Koster (keyboards percussion, backing vocals,) and Carl Broemer ( guitars, pedal steel, saxophone, backing vocals.) The band has a more than 20-year-long career, with their debut album, The Tennesse Fire, being released in 1999. They have since released over nine albums, most recently the self-titled My Morning Jacket in 2021. The band’s sound is a mixture of rock and country and has been described as experimental and psychedelic. In partnership with Reverb for three years, My Morning Jacket will be supporting the environmental non-profit’s climate portfolio which funds projects that measurably reduce greenhouse gas pollution, address climate justice, and directly decarbonize the music industry.

Tickets for the My Morning Jacket headline tour, which includes a stop at the Artpark Amphitheatre, go on sale Friday, March 24 at 10 a.m. My Morning Jacket’s One Big Family members will have access to presale tickets until Monday, March 20 at 10 a.m. Spotify and local presales begin Thursday, March 23 at 10 a.m. and continue through 10 p.m. VIP tickets will also be available. For complete details and ticket availability, please see www.mymorningjacket.com/events.

This will be the third consecutive year that My Morning Jacket is partnering with the non-profit Reverb to reduce the environmental footprint of their tour.

MY MORNING JACKET – TOUR 2023

MAY

14 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre

15 – Jackson, MS – Thalia Mara Hall

20 – Guadalajara, Mexico – Corona Capital Guadalajara ^

30 – London, UK – O2 Kentish Town Forum

31 – Manchester, UK – O2 Ritz Manchester

JUNE

3 – Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound ^

5 – Antwerp, Belgium – De Roma

6 – Utrecht, Netherlands – TivoliVredenburg

9 – Porto, Portugal – Primavera Sound ^

10 – Madrid, Spain – Primavera Sound ^

15 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre

16 – Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery

17 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival ^

20 – St. Paul, MN – Palace Theatre

21 – Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater

23 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park

24 – Newport, KY – MegaCorp Pavilion

26 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark Amphitheater

28 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE

30 – New Haven, CT – Westville Music Bowl

JULY

1 – Scranton, PA – Peach Music Festival ^

29 – Washington, DC – The Anthem

30 – Floyd, VA – FloydFest ^

AUGUST

15 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield

16 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater

18 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre †

19 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre †

20 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl †

22 – San Diego, CA – CalCoast Credit Union Open Air Theatre

23 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Amphitheatre

25 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

26 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

^ Festival Appearance

† w/ Fleet Foxes

Watch the music video for My Morning Jacket’s single, “Love Love Love,” from their recent album.

March 20, 2023
In Focus: The Music Of Paul McCartney at Carnegie Hall

On the evening of Wednesday, March 15, New York City’s Carnegie Hall served as a gathering place to pay tribute to Sir Paul McCartney. Produced by Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Michael Dorf, The Music Of Paul McCartney was the 18th annual Music Of benefit concert to grace Carnegie Hall.

Photograph by Bobby Banks

In front of a sold-out house, Will Lee, Alexis Morrast, Peter Asher, Lyle Lovett, Patti Smith, Sammy Rae, Shovels & Rope, Christopher Cross, Danny Laine, Allison Russel, The Cactus Bottoms, Jennifer Nettles, Resistance Revival Chorus, Music Will Kids Group, Lake Street Drive, Bruce Hornsby, Graham Nash, Ingrid Michaelson, Glen Hasard, Jonathan Russel, Hamilton Leithauser, Betty Lavette, and Nancy Wilson sang their praises. Each artist performed one song from Paul McCartney’s vast catalog and celebrated his musical career.

The evening was marked by golden moments. Patti Smith, who was not originally on the line-up, surprised the crowd with a rendition of The Beatles, “She’s Leaving Home.” She added her own lyrical twists throughout the song, reaffirming her already widely known and beloved creative prose.

Patti Smith at Carnegie Hall on March 15, 2023 in New York City. Photo by Bobby Banks.

The New York City Chapter of The Resistance Revival Chorus then took the stage. The chorus is “a collective of more than 60 women, and non-binary singers, who join together to breathe song and joy into the resistance and to uplift and center women’s voices,” according to the Resistance Revival Chorus. The group performed The Beatles’ “Let It Be.” In doing so, they transformed the event into an interactive experience between the performer and the audience. They radically broke down all barriers between performer and viewer; between stage and seat.

They put their arms up to the sky, and audience members did the same. They danced, and the audience danced. The grand, wide-open room that is Carnegie Hall suddenly became one. They walked tall off the stage to a symphony of cheers, snaps, and the sudden shuffling of a standing ovation – The first of the night.

Photo by Bobby Banks

The stage also welcomed Music Will Kids Group to perform The Beatles’ “Get Back.” The group consisted of four students from a New York City-based high school. Before strumming a note or singing a tune, the lead singer shouted a thank-you into the microphone for their music teacher, Mr. Paris.

To close out the evening, all 23 performers joined on stage to perform their group finale, “Hey Jude.” Performers clapped, hugged, smiled, and filled the stage with joy. Fans stood, swayed, and joined in on the music. Carnegie Hall’s choir of 3,000+ voices reverberated through the city and solidified an already unshakable legacy of one of history’s greatest, Sir Paul McCartney.

The Music Of tribute series has donated collectively over $1.5M in proceeds to organizations that provide music education programs and opportunities to underserved youths. Paul McCartney’s tribute was preceded by tributes to other greats, such as Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, David Byrne, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and more.

Group encore performs “Hey Jude” for the final song of The Music Of Paul McCartney at Carnegie Hall on March 15, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Bobby Bank/Getty Images)

Music Of Paul McCartney Setlist: “Ooh You” performed by Will Lee, “My Love” performed by Alexis Morrast, “A World Without Love” performed by Peter Asher & Lyle Lovett, “Things We Said Today” performed by Patti Smith, “Heart of the Country” performed by Sammy Rae, “Helter Skelter” performed by Shovels & Rope, “Mother Nature’s Son” performed by Christopher Cross, “Mull of Kintyre” performed by Denny Laine & Christopher Cross, “Blackbird” performed by Allison Russell, “And I Love Her” performed by The Cactus Blossoms, “Silly Love Song” performed by Jennifer Nettles, “Let it Be” performed by Resistance Revival Chorus, “Get Back” performed by Music Will Kids Group, “Let Me Roll It” performed by Lake Street Drive, “I’ve Just Seen a Face” performed by Bruce Hornsby, “For No One” performed by Graham Nash, “I Will” & “Calico Skies” performed by Ingrid Michaelson, “We Can Work It Out” performed by Glen Hansard, “Let Em In” performed by Jonathan Russell, “With a Little Help from My Friends” performed by Hamilton Leithauser, “Maybe I’m Amazed” performed by Betty LaVette, “Yesterday” performed by Lyle Lovett, “Band On the Run” performed by Nancy Wilson, “Hey Jude” performed by entire line-up.

March 19, 2023
Female Voices Rock Film Festival Returns in May

Move over Oscars, the Female Voices Rock Film Festival will return to Brooklyn May 5-7, to showcase this year’s most visionary independent films from women creators. Priority for this year’s festival is to shed light on films created by storytellers long marginalized in Hollywood, especially women of color and LGBTQ+ voices. The festival maintains that these stories make for some of the most important and enlightening films, and strives to use the Female Voices Rock festival’s platform to uplift these filmmakers.

The Female Voices Rock festival was launched in 2019. In 2018, the festival’s data showed women comprised only 20% of all directors, writers, producers, editors and cinematographers working on the top 250 US domestic grossing films. While the representation of women in film has grown and adapted exponentially in the past couple of years, the Female Voices Rock film festival strives to have those same standards reflected behind the scenes as well.

Creating a safe and inspiring space for women to express themselves, share visionary stories and meet future collaborators is what Female Voices Rock is all about. Each year we thrive to do better and to increase diversity and inclusion by making sure women’s voices continue to be championed
Catherine Delaloye, founder and executive director

Premiering at the festival this year are Erica Eng’s “Americanized,” a story of Eng struggling with finding her place in Oakland’s hip-hop culture as a Chinese American; Abbey George’s “Jesus Would Have Loved Punk Rock,” about two girls taking on their corrupt Catholic high school’s administration; Kayla Arend’s “Leaving YellowStone,” a horror about a woman who finds herself amidst a crumbling relationship in the isolated wood; and many more, see the full list below.

This year, producer Kira Leinonen is recruiting industry professionals for the festival’s industry panels to bring invaluable information to participants in developing short films into features, steps in producing your first film, budgeting, editing and more. Past festivals have procured panelists from films so varied as The 1619 Project, Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Manchurian Candidate and The Woman King, to name a few. This year’s panelists and film line-up are to be announced.

Americanized – directed by Erica Eng

Anniversary – directed by Lain Kienzle

Bienvenidos a Los Angeles – directed by Lisa Cole

Birth Rights – directed by Maria Rosales

Call Button – directed by Rhona Rees

Choices – directed by Kameishia D Wooten

Counting – directed by Sarah Young

Daddy – directed by Jo Steinhart

Firecracker – directed by Caroline Guo

Five Star Review – directed by Vivien Vitolo

Girls Night In – directed Alison Roberto

Her and I – directed by Stephanie Marin

Hummingbird – directed by Lindsey E. Gary

I’m Sorry, I Tried, I Love You – directed by Goldie Jones

In Sickness & In Health – directed by Sarah Smick

Incurable – directed by Bahare Nikjoo

Jesus Would Have Loved Punk Rock – directed by Abbey George

Leaving Yellowstone – directed by Kayla Arend

Mama Retreat – directed by Eileen Álarez

Mary Meet Grace – directed by Faryl Amadeus

Matka/Polka (Mother/Pole) – directed by Joanna Suchomska

No Man’s Land – directed by Kristen Buckels

Punch Line – directed by Becky Cheatle

Rearranging Skin: A Love Letter to the World

Resurrection – directed by Luiza Budejko

Ro & the Stardust – directed by Eunice Levis

SAM – directed by Ryan Thielen, Jen Stafford

The Blue Dream – directed by Angelita Mendoza

Tooth – directed by Jillian Corsie

Unattached – directed by Fanny Texier

Wannabe – directed by Josie AndrewsWho? How? and Where? – directed by Victoria Garza

Festival attendees can expect, in addition to screenings, workshops, parties, talks with industry professionals, networking opportunities, with more to be announced. The festival, held at the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn, will begin on Friday, May 5 with an opening night party from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. A single day pass for Saturday is $40 and $50 for Sunday. The all access pass, $125, ensures access to the Opening Night Party, awards ceremony and closing party, filmmaker brunch, all screening blocks and industry panels, red carpet access and one drink ticket for the opening and closing parties. Tickets and more information can be found here.

March 19, 2023
An Interview with Kilashandra, a Celtic-inspired Jam Band

One music that never fails to soothe me is Celtic music. I can just feel the stress and the tension of the day wash off, and something crisp and green take its place. It is always welcome, and in turn always welcoming, and there’s a heaviness and a frivolity that can dance with each other. But Kilashandra is not a strictly Celtic band.

They are a Celtic-inspired jam band, and while my questions center around the Celtic part, I hope you will see the band as they will show you below. Maybe we can get them to jam.

I sit with Mark Emanatian, Eileen Markland, Chris Gil and Tom Dolan of Kilashandra and we discuss the rarity of four-leaf clovers.

Liam Sweeny: Celtic music is instantly recognizable, and it makes people feel a certain way, like a gentle breeze on a hilltop of rolling grass, or the bow of a ship destined for the promise of the New World. So the sound is unmistakable. Do you think Celtic lyrics, if read without the music, would be unmistakable as Celtic? Why or why not?

Mark Emanatian: I think the deep rivers of Irish literature, poetry, storytelling and history would make Celtic lyrics unmistakably Irish.

LS: The music of Ireland is a tradition that goes back centuries, and listening to Celtic music, you can hear themes that, though timeless, did originate in a time. But it wasn’t just Ireland, was it? How much of Celtic music comes from Ireland, and how much from Irish immigration to America? MARK: All music is transformed as it intersects with new places and new experiences.

ME: Vocalist Chris Gil has an interesting story. I’m all about those, stories. But his was an impromptu chance to sing at the Pepsi Arena, and a standing ovation. If that doesn’t tell a person they got something, right? So something started shit right there, something inside, a switch from a private thing to a public pursuit. Tell us about it, will

Chris Gil: It was an honor and a thrill to sing the National Anthem at the Pepsi Arena and receive a standing ovation. I put the same energy into my singing whether it’s to a full crowd or 1 person in the back of a pub. It’s all about connecting with the audience.

But I really like singing and playing with this band Kilashandra. Mark Emanatian writes some great songs and is a master guitar player. Eileen Markland is a force of nature. Tom Dolan holds us together. We really connect with each other and we let the audience in on it too.

I’m looking to forward to some big gigs we have coming up: opening for the Young Dubliners at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield and the Watertown Irish Festival. And of course, we’ll be hitting the pubs from the Berkshires to the Catskills to the Adirondacks.

Come see us at a big show or a pub, I love singing to people

LS: Eileen Markland is a Berklee trained composer and arranger, with a universe of talent with different instruments, having played with more folks than can fit in a small club with the tables removed. One thing I read was that you work with music for visual media. How does playing for visual media differ from playing for the crowd?

Eileen Markland: Harmony is the reason I wake up each morning and endless melodies accompany every activity and quiet moment throughout my day. Composition is the only place in life where I experience true freedom. I can create and mix any scenario I’m craving or feeling by crafting a series of chords, melodies and vocal/ instrumental combinations which then have the potential to perfectly express what I need, if I get it right. Yes, I can tell you what I’m feeling in words, but a musical description is three dimensional, even four dimensional! Composition (and improvisation), for me, is the deep exploration and expression of the state of my soul.

Live performance is a unifying, raw experience that creates a shared sense of community and, really, nothing less than pure love between the people performing and those watching and listening. It’s a social experience with both tangible qualities, such as dollars earned and new friends made, and intangible qualities such as relieved anxiety and the lessening of feelings of loneliness. I deeply believe that live music has been and always will be one of the staples to a peaceful society on a worldwide scale. For me, personally, my best friends are the musicians in my life. The music we create together and the real bonds that come with this ride keep me happy and sane in all corners of my life.

LS: Mark Emanatian, you come from a background I’m very aware of; the blues. Coming to Celtic from blues, and going back again, must be an interesting experience. It seems that they are very different music with different conventions and origins, different historical contexts, so on. What is the common thread that unites them?

ME: First off, they come from a deeply emotional story…and tough histories of people oppressed…the music arises from that…and the music has several similar qualities based around major and minor pentatonics…you can hear a lot of the crossover in bluegrass music that was influenced by both of these musical rivers.

LS: Improvisation is my favorite quality in music. If my brain wasn’t so blues-soaked, I would’ve hopped on to the jazz train and would still be a passenger. Tom Dolan, you are an improviser. In Celtic music, is improvisation the same as it is in jazz, or is it more structured? Is there phrasing that you have in Celtic music that you base on?

ME: There is not a lot of bass in traditional Irish music. Often uilleann pipes are used for drone or acoustic guitar or bouzouki are used in place of the bass to add harmony and movement to songs and tunes. Irish music does not generally use chromaticism or altered and extended chords. So, there is not much similarity between improvising in Irish music and jazz. However, there is modal playing, and the use of pedal tones in common and that is useful for improvising in both genres. And listening to each other. Listening helps. It is using intensity, volume, rhythmic variations to push the tempo to move the song along, hopefully to greater heights, or down to support the lyrics. I have been playing in bands with Mark for 50 years. We have a good understanding of what each other might play. Mark and I have played with Eileen in various groupings for over ten years. Chris is an inventive rhythm guitar, acting as a catalyst, often playing bodhran rhythms, propelling the songs forward. We have a shared vocabulary that allows us to have a conversation on stage. Sometimes full group improvisation can break out. But above all the playing must support the song.

This article originally was featured in The Xperience Monthly.

March 19, 2023
Albany Natives Hilltop Announce 2023 Northeast Spring Tour

Albany based jam band Hilltop have announced their newest spring tour, taking place across New York and the New England area.

Hilltop, who recently too part in NYS Music’s March Madness 2023, are already starting to grow their own dedicated fanbase and now they are looking to expand that. Coming off another succesful show at the Parish Public House in their home town, Hilltop looks forward to bringing their music to audiences across the northeast.

Inspired by legendary acts like Phish and The Grateful Dead, Hilltop combines original music, iconic covers, and musical improvisation to create an unforgettable experience for their audience.

With over 100 shows under their belt, Hilltop shows no signs of slowing down. The band, consiting of brothers Stephen & Reid Perry, and their friends Aris Nieuwkerk and Dave Klang, have also performed at festivals in Lake George as well as Catskill Mountain Jubilee last August.

On tour, Hilltop will be joined by area favorites The Apollos, Vertices, as well as supporting The Chops and Seapods ft. Al Schneir. The tour will take stop at New York venues including The Monopole, Brooklyn Music Kitchen and Funk N Waffles, interlaced with vibrant New England shows.

For more information, please visit Hilltop’s website.

Hilltop 2023 Spring Tour

3/23 – Zenbarn – Waterbury, VT (w.s.g. The Apollos)
3/24 – Sawtooth Kitchen – Hanover, NH
3/25 – The Monopole – Plattsburgh NY
3/31 – Brooklyn Music Kitchen – Brooklyn, NY
4/1 – Midway Cafe – Boston, MA (supporting the Chops)
4/6 – Stella Blues – New Haven, CT
5/12 – Funk N Waffles – Syracuse, NY (supporting Seapods ft. Al Schneir)
5/13 – Parish Public House – Albany, NY (w.s.g. Vertices)

March 19, 2023
Third Annual Open Sky Music Festival Set for Aug. 19 in Lake Placid

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

March 19, 2023
In Focus: Maya Hawke Plays Second Night at the Music Hall of Williamsburg

This past Monday, March 13, Maya Hawke, well known for her role as Robin on the critically-acclaimed Netflix series Stranger Things, played an incredible show with opener Raffaella at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. The indie-folk singer, with her enchanting vocals and eclectic tone, truly wowed the crowd with various songs from her latest album, Moss. Fans from all over wearing long skirts, patterned tights, and fun jackets eagerly lined up in anticipation of Hawke’s sold-out show, one out of many for her Tactless tour.

Maya Hawke

Maya Hawke, born, raised, and based in New York City to Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, grew up surrounded by the music scene from a young age. The 24-year-old began truly taking off with her music career in 2020, with the release of Blush, a twelve-track record evoking somber yet raw lyrics with haunting instrumentals. Hawke, now nearing the end of her tour, is set to play four more shows in the US after playing eight across Europe and the UK. She last played New York in late August at the intimate, 120-capacity Colony venue in Woodstock.

Raffaella took the stage at 8 PM, rocking a pair of star-covered jeans and a gray t-shirt. Her set consisted of multiple songs like “GROWN UP” and “BLONDE” from her recent EP release, LIVE, RAFF, LOVE (Act I). Her clear and energetic tone captivated an engaged audience bobbing their heads along to her indie-rock tunes.

Raffaella

The Music Hall of Williamsburg hosted an engaging and intimate show, with Maya Hawke wowing her crazed and excited fans, many of whom brought signs, gifts, and letters for her to take. Prior to the show, a soundcheck experience and meet and greet were hosted to raise money for reproductive rights nonprofits such as Planned Parenthood and Noise for Now. Hawke improvised a song, “Running Shoes,” per the suggestion of a crowd member, and gave a heartfelt speech about her becoming the “best version of me and not the best thing that exists.” During “Here They Come,” Hawke sang beautifully with Hamilton Leithauser, and she became very emotional during her performance of “Thérèse,” waving her arms around to the beat of the music.

After a quick exit and outfit change, Hawke ended the show with an alluring encore, singing one of her earliest releases, “To Love a Boy.”

Setlist: Backup Plan, Bloomed Into Blue, Hiatus, Crazy Kid, Luna Moth, Into My Arms (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds cover), Generous Heart, Running Shoes, Mermaid Bar, Missing Out (unreleased), I Wanna Be Sedated (Ramones cover), Here They Come (with Hamilton Leithauser), South Elroy, Thérèse, Sweet Tooth

Encore: To Love a Boy

March 18, 2023
8th Annual John Henry’s Friends Benefit Concert Returns To City Winery

Raising awareness for autism, Steve Earle and City Winery are set to present the 8th annual John Henry’s Friends Benefit Concert on May 15th at The Town Hall in New York City.

This year’s eclectic lineup will feature a guitar pull with notable performances and storytelling from Steve Earle, David Byrne, Terry Allen, and Kurt Vile.

Additionally, and keeping with the annual tradition, on May 15, the City Winery’s Loft will be hosting the live rehearsal show which will feature Steve Earle solo.

Most importantly, all proceeds will support the show’s longtime partner The Keswell School, an educational program for children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Founded on the belief that children diagnosed with ASD can live full and productive lives as integrated members of their communities, The Keswell School provides educational, therapeutic, and supportive services for children diagnosed with ASD and their families.

Forever close to his heart, Steve’s son, John Henry, is a student at the school.

The John Henry’s Friends Benefit Concert has previously hosted Bruce Springsteen, Rosanne Cash, Willie Nile, Graham Nash, Shawn Colvin, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, Jason Isbell, Josh Ritter, and Amanda Shires, among others.

The show shines a light on Autism through music and uplifts a worthy program empowering individuals with ASD to live the lives they deserve.

VIP packages will be available at and will include Town Hall’s orchestra seating, as well as admission to the After Party at City Winery immediately following the show and various experiences with Steve including a private dinner.

Packages and tickets are limited and on sale now at citywinery.com.

March 18, 2023