Category: Regions

An Evening of Psychedelic Rock at Lark Hall with Circles Around the Sun and Rich Ruth

Lark Hall in Albany hosted Circles Around the Sun with special guest Rich Ruth for a night of pure psychedelic rock on Friday, January 20.

Opening up the show was Nashville-based recording artist Rich Ruth. A seasoned session musician and an ambient music making machine, it was this critically acclaimed up-and-comers first time passing through Albany. Captivating the audience early with dreamy, lush and psychedelic post-rock styled soundscapes, the band created a huge swirling sound layered with rich textures, soaring saxophone solos, syncopated drumming, droning synthesizers, reverb-drenched feedback and huge blues rock guitar peaks. Playing mostly songs from 2022 I Survived, It’s Over, an album written in the days after a devastating twister ravaged Ruth’s neighborhood, the set found a healthy balance between beauty and chaos. Backed on this tour by a talented group of friends and equally skilled musicians, each member of the group brought something unique to the table and the result was something palpable and potent and left the Lark Hall wanting more.

Circles began their set around 930pm, taking to the disco ball laden stage, resembling mid-1960s era Deadheads and Grateful Dead members. The five giant disco balls made the stage seem more full, as the notes the band produced were far greater than the sum of the members. Yet not a moment is wasted among these four – John Lee Shannon (guitar), Dan Horne (bass) Adam MacDougall (keys) and Mark Levy (drums) – as each sonic branch ventured off into another, connecting for a sound that filled in all available space.

The highlight of the night could be found anywhere, but “Language,” a track released in March 2022 featuring the harp of Mikaela Davis, stood out. This funky new disco number is a pure dance potion, consistently hit its mark, retreating before resurging towards an extended ending and then “Money’s No Option.” The 90+ minute set was better than two separate sets, so as not to interrupt the flow. Circles could have easily played another hour and lost few, if any of the dialed in crowd.

An encore of “One for Chuck” had a smooth-flowing Dead-heavy jam that give a hint of “NFA” but ended up falling into a soft rock smooth jazz vibe.

Circles Around the Sun – Lark Hall, Albany – Friday, January 20, 2023

Setlist: Scatlotta, Landline, Outerburrows, Babyman, Rouge > Language, Money, Away Team
Encore: One for Chuck

Photos by Zak Radick

January 24, 2023
Van Norton Family Foundation Selects ESYO as First Grant Recipient

Schenectady’s Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) have announced that they’ve received a grant of $22,000 from the Van Norton Family Foundation, going towards the CHIME program.

Heather Manthey, Van Norton Family Foundation President and Co-Founder is driven by her mother’s benevolence. She says, “Our Foundation has a three-part mission: to support qualifying organizations that promote the interests of children, assist with the mental and physical health of individuals in our community, and advance the arts.” After researching ESYO, it wasn’t long before Manthey knew that she had found her perfect choice.

Founded in 1979, ESYO is a non-profit organization that is widely known as a premier music education/performance program for youth and has received three ASCAP awards.

The Empire State Youth Orchestra plans to use their stupendous gift to support their CHIME program. Creating Harmony Inspiring Musical Excellence was launched in 2015 to address fundamental inequities preventing universal access to high level music opportunities for youth. Today it is a free after-school program for grades k-12, that empowers youth to develop a strong sense of personal identity and community through ensemble-based music instruction.

The Amplify Our Voice initiative provides the youth of CHIME with a safe place to process deep emotion, explore shared experiences, and amplify their voices to the world. Through reflection, improvisation, and experimentation, the youth of CHIME create an original, multi-level composition in partnership with a guest arranger. This year’s theme, chosen by students, is “Stop Violence & Show Kindness,”. They will be collaborating with composer Adrian Gordon. The CHIME Proctors Orchestra recently performed Gordon’s piece “A Hero’s Journey.”

Currently, in support of their CHIME program, ESYO has received a total of $105,000 from regional and national Foundations. Funders, Rea Charitable Trust, Review Foundation, Carnegie Hall PlayUSA, Barry Alan Gold Memorial Fund,D’Addario Foundation, Henry M. Butzel Foundation, Seymour Fox Foundation and Price Chopper Golub Foundation have all made gracious donations. For more information, visit esyo.org.

January 24, 2023
Beck and Phoenix Announce Co-Headlining Tour Coming to MSG on September 9th

Grammy award-winning artists Beck and Phoenix have announced a co-headline tour; Beck & Phoenix: Summer Odyssey. The tour will stop at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 9.

Eight-time Grammy-winning artist Beck and French band Phoenix announced their upcoming co-headline tour. Beck is a 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee, and his single “Loser” in 1994 catapulted him into the rock scene. No record sounds quite like the rest as he changes up his sound frequently. However, The New York Times noted “Though Beck’s records through the years have tended toward maximalism, a kind of meticulous sonic gorgeousness, melody remains central to his art.”

Phoenix is a critically-acclaimed band from France and has been nominated twice for Grammy awards, winning “Best Alternative Album” in 2010 for their album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. They also won “Best Rock Album” in 2014 for Bankrupt! at the French Victoires de La Musique. They have also headlined festivals including Coachella, Rock en Seine, and Governors Ball, and have sold out Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Bowl.

The 19-city run tour will hit Madison Square Garden on Sept. 9, with special guest Weyes Blood. Tickets go on sale starting on Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. here.

SUMMER ODYSSEY 2023 TOUR DATES:

Tue Aug 01 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena ^#

Thu Aug 03 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater ^#

Sat Aug 05 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion ^#

Mon Aug 07 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum ^#

Tue Aug 08 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena +#

Wed Aug 09 – Orange County, CA – OC Fair*

Fri Aug 11 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center +#

Sat Aug 12 – Las Vegas, NV – Michelob ULTRA Arena +#

Tue Aug 15 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre +#

Fri Aug 18 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP ~#

Sun Aug 20 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ~#

Mon Aug 21 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion ~#

Tue Aug 22 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ~#

Thu Aug 31 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion #

Sat Sep 02 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre ~#

Sun Sep 03 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage ~#

Tue Sep 05 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway ~#

Fri Sep 08 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at the Mann ~#

Sat Sep 09 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden ~

Sun Sep 10 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion ~#

Support Key

^ Jenny Lewis

+ Japanese Breakfast

~ Weyes Blood

# Sir Chloe

* Fair Date

January 23, 2023
The Orchestra Now Presents “Haydn, Brahms & The Manufactured Classical Ideal” at Met Museum Feb 19

Conductor and music director Leon Botstein leads The Orchestra Now (TŌN) for their upcoming presentation of Haydn, Brahms & The Manufactured Classical Ideal on Sunday, February 19^th at 2 PM. This will be the second installment of the Orchestra’s popular Sight & Sound series performed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The program compares theories of classical music structure and 18^th-century sculpture, featuring Brahms’ Variations on a Theme of Haydn and Haydn’s Symphony No. 38. Alongside the performance, there will be projected images from the Museum’s concurrent Chroma: Ancient Sculpture in Color exhibition.

The Orchestra Now (TŌN) currently comprises 58 vibrant young musicians from 12 different countries across the globe: Brazil, China, Colombia, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States. All share a mission to make orchestral music relevant to 21st-century audiences by sharing their unique personal insights in a welcoming environment.

Conductor, educator, and music historian Leon Botstein, whom The New York Times said “draws rich, expressive playing from the orchestra,” founded TŌN in 2015 as a graduate program at Bard College, where he is also president. HuffPost, who has called TŌN’s performances “dramatic and intense,” praises these concerts as “an opportunity to see talented musicians early in their careers.”

Photo by Matt Dine

Leon Botstein is founder Leon Botstein and music director of The Orchestra Now (TŌN), music director and principal conductor of the American Symphony Orchestra (ASO), artistic codirector of Bard SummerScape and the Bard Music Festival. He has been guest conductor with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Aspen Music Festival, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Mariinsky Theatre, Russian National Orchestra in Moscow, Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden, Taipei Symphony, Simón Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, and Sinfónica Juvenil de Caracas in Venezuela, among others.

Tickets are priced at $30, $40, and $50; all tickets include same-day museum admission. Tickets may be purchased online by clicking the link here.

For upcoming activities and more detailed information about the musicians, click the link here.

January 23, 2023
Brooks & Dunn Bring ‘Reboot Tour’ to KeyBank Center in May

Brooks & Dunn, the best-selling duo of all time, have announced their 2023 return to arenas with the 2023 REBOOT Tour stopping at 17 cities, including Buffalo at KeyBank Center on Saturday, May 13. The duo will be joined by opener Scott McCreery.

With 20 Number 1 hits stretching back to 1991, as well as two GRAMMY awards, dozens of ACM and CMA honors and a discography counting more album sales than any duo in any genre in history, Brooks & Dunn’s influence on today’s country has never been in question.

Hits like “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “My Maria” and “Believe” have propelled the duo to more than 30 million albums sold, with the New York Times heralding “together they helped drive the power-country era of the early-to-mid 1990s and continued to benefit from the sea change in the genre they helped initiate right through their most recent albums.” Their original “Merle Haggard meets The Rolling Stones” vibe made them progressive stars in their own right. The duo’s recently released collaboration project REBOOT debuted at No. One on Billboard’s Top Country Albums. The impressive feat marks the first time the duo has topped the album charts since 2009 while simultaneously earning the duo their 10th Billboard 200 Top 10 album, the most of any country duo or group in the chart’s history.

In 2019 the duo was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the “Modern Era Artist” category. In 2021 Brooks & Dunn undertook their first nationwide tour in ten years with their anticipated The REBOOT 2021 TOUR, as well as wrapped their hugely successful and the longest-running country residency in Las Vegas, “REBA, BROOKS & DUNN: Together in Vegas.”

“Last year, you all reminded us just how much fun it is to walk out on that stage and share the night with ya! We love what we do, but we’re just surfing your wave …can’t wait!!” said Kix Brooks. “The Brooks and Dunn posse rides again,” said Ronnie Dunn. “More excited to hit the big stage as we ever have been! Unbelievable band of friends.…annnnnd YOU! Together, let’s rock the house!!”

After achieving five consecutive No. 1 hits during the last few years, Scotty McCreery is currently rising up the country charts with his single “It Matters to Her,” which he wrote with Rhett Akins and Lee Thomas Miller. The song can be found on his current project Same Truck: The Deluxe Album, which also features his three week No.1 hit “Damn Strait” as well as his No.1 hit “You Time” (both RIAA Gold-certified).

Opener Scott McCreery says “Having been a huge fan of their music all my life, going out on the road with Kix and Ronnie is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait for this tour to begin!”

Tickets On Sale Friday, January 27 at 10 a.m. For more information, visit www.brooks-dunn.com.

REBOOT 2023 TOUR Official Dates

Thu May 04 – Kansas City, MO – T- Mobile Center

Fri May 05 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center

Sat May 06 – Ft. Worth, TX – Dickies Arena

Thu May 11 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena

Fri May 12 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena

Sat May 13 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center

Thu May 18 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at The BJCC

Fri May 19 – Biloxi, MS – Mississippi Coast Coliseum

Sat May 20 – Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena

Thu Jun 01 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center

Fri Jun 02 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center

Sat Jun 03 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center

Thu Jun 08 – Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena+

Sat Jun 10 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center

Thu June 15 – Mt. Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort

Fri Jun 16 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena

Sat Jun 17 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum

+On Sale Friday, February 3

January 23, 2023
Nick Hakim Returns to Brooklyn with Third Album “Cometa”

Coming off the October release of his third full-length album, Cometa, Brooklyn-based artist, Nick Hakim, performed at Brooklyn Steel this past Saturday, Jan. 21.

Nick Hakim, 2023 Photo by Parker Alexander

Nick, joined by his incredibly smooth, regular musician accompaniment consisting of bassist Kyle Myles, guitarist Joe Harrison, and drummer Vishal Nayak, brought fresh sounds and layers to his already sonically rich vocal and backing melodies.

The night’s performance began with a few songs off the new record, blending in occasional songs from his second and debut album, also including, “I Don’t Know”, from his E.P. Where Will We Go, Pt. 2.

Nick Hakim, 2023 Photo by Parker Alexander

Midway through the gracefully blended set, show opener June McDoom joined the band on stage, providing harmonies fit for Nick’s soulfully gritty vocal style throughout the remainder of the show (not including the encore).

Nick Hakim & June McDoom, 2023 Photo by Parker Alexander

Later in the night, Nick’s brother Danny supplied guitar accompaniment to “Perfume”, which he wrote the chords for.

Nick and Danny Hakim & June McDoom, 2023 Photo by Parker Alexander

Some highlights of the night were a rousing performance of “Qadir”, named after his late friend, Qadir Imhotep West. Through repeated choruses, the band fully enveloped the audience, reaching out in the quiet and intimate moments, making the once industrial steel manufacturing plant feel like a personal performance in his living room, all whilst not forgetting to shy away from the crunchy, distorted guitar riffs and driving bass line.

Tomorrow night, the group heads to Philadelphia, continuing the tour through mid-February, before flying overseas in March.

January 23, 2023
Pantera and Lamb of God to play Syracuse and Darien Center back-to-back

Pantera, one of the most successful and influential bands in heavy metal history, have announced their long awaited return to the stage. They will be touring North America this summer with Lamb of God as special guests, with back to back shows this August in Darien Center and Syracuse.

Pantera got its start in Arlington, TX with its best-known lineup, consisting of founding members drummer Vinnie Paul and guitarist Dimebag Darrell, along with bassist Rex Brown and vocalist Philip Anselmo. Pantera is credited with the development and popularization of the groove metal subgenre.  To date, the group has sold 20 million records worldwide and has received four GRAMMY nominations.

One of the most anticipated tours of 2023, this celebration tour includes original members Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown joined by Zakk Wylde (guitar) and Charlie Benante (drums).  In December 2022, they kicked off the highly anticipated return in Mexico City to incredible reviews.

The 20-city tour kicks off on Tuesday, July 28 in Burgettstown, PA, at The Pavilion at Star Lake and includes a stop at Darien Lake Amphitheater in Darien Center on Wednesday, August 9. A day later the tour rolls east to Syracuse at St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview.

Fans can also see Pantera at their recently announced support dates during Metallica’s North America Stadium tour dates in 2023 & 2024 and headlining major rock festivals in 2023 including Rockfest, Inkcarceration, and more.

Tickets go on sale starting Friday, January 27th starting at 10 AM Local Time on LiveNation.com.

Pantera with Lamb of God 2023 Tour Dates

Fri May 20 – Daytona, FL – Welcome to Rockville*

Thu Jul 13 – Cadott, WI – Rockfest*

Sat Jul 15 – Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration*

Fri Jul 28 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake

Sat Jul 29 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center

Mon Jul 31 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater#

Wed Aug 02 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

Fri Aug 04 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium^

Sat Aug 05 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium

Sun Aug 06 – Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain

Tue Aug 08 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview

Wed Aug 09 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater

Fri Aug 11 – Montreal, QC – Olympique Stadium^

Sat Aug 12 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage

Tue Aug 15 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP

Thu Aug 17 – Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Fri Aug 18 – Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium^

Sun Aug 20 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater

Wed Aug 23 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

Fri Aug 25 – Inglewood, CA – SoFi Stadium^

Sat Aug 26 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

Tue Aug 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre

Thu Aug 31 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater

Fri Sep 01 – Glendale, AZ – State Farm Stadium^

Sun Sep 03 – Pryor, OK – Rocklahoma*

Thu Sep 07 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater

Fri Sep 08 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion

Sat Sep 10 – Alton, VA – Blue Ridge Rock Festival*

Tue Sep 12 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

Thu Sep 14 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach

Fri Sep 15 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live

Sat Sep 23 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life*

Sat Oct 07 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock*

Fri Nov 03 – St. Louis, MO – The Dome at America’s Center^

Fri Nov 10 – Detroit, MI – Ford Field^

2024 Dates

Fri Aug 02 – Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium^

Fri Aug 09 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field^

Fri Aug 16 – Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium^

Fri Aug 23 – Edmonton, AB – Commonwealth Stadium^

Fri Aug 30 – Seattle, WA – Lumen Field^

*Festival Date | #Support Act TBD | ^Pantera Support for Metallica Dates|

January 23, 2023
The Sound Of Animals Fighting Go Apeshit At Webster Hall

Post-hardcore collective The Sound of Animals Fighting rolled through Webster Hall this past Saturday, January 21st, for the penultimate show on their 2023 winter tour. The tour comes fresh off the release of their new EP, and first new music in 15 years, Apeshit. These shows mark the band’s only fourth ever tour, but the hardcore supergroup were in fine form Saturday night as the eight-piece collective constantly shifted roles and personnel throughout the night.

The Sound of Animals Fighting at Webster Hall, 1/21/23. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

The Sound of Animals Fighting have always existed behind shroud and mystery, famously doing their original press photos wearing animal masks and only identifying the band members via their animal monikers. While the core lineup has not been a mystery in a long time, the band has a new permutation of their rotating personnel for this era. Vocalist Anthony Green (Circa Survive, Saosin, L.S. Dunes) anchors the band with his soaring, melodic vocal style backed by RX Bandits members Rich Balling, Matt Embree, Steve Choi, and Chris Tsagakis. Rounding out the Apeshit lineup is Keith Goodwin (Days Away, Good Old War), Matthew Kelly (The Autumns), and Jonathan Hischke.

Anthony Green, The Sound of Animals Fighting at Webster Hall, 1/21/23. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

On Apeshit, The Sound of Animals Fighting dial back the atmosphere and cinematic elements of their style in favor of more straight forward and in-your-face post hardcore. Standout track “Sharon Tate, Despite Everything” comes in waves; Rich Balling drones over a dark and melodic instrumental with sporadic drumming then Anthony Green barges in screaming out a long “Sharon Tate…” as the song takes on a more formal post-hardcore progression. The two sections blend together as the song progresses, creating one of the most interesting songs in the genre in some time. The title track kicks off the EP with a relentless hardcore presentation and technical, near math rock guitar and rhythm sections. Things slow down a bit on “Wolf”, with swirling and distorted synths backed by electronic drum kicks before the EP closes with “Duche Das”, most reminiscent of the interludes on 2007’s Tiger and The Duke.

Rich Balling of The Sound of Animals Fighting, Webster Hall, 1/21/23. Photo by Joseph Buscarello

With the tour over, and the EP released, the future is uncertain for The Sound of Animals Fighting. The band has only toured four times since their debut in 2005 and all of their members are active in many other projects. Anthony Green himself has seen a resurgence in recent years, forming new band L.S. Dunes (who are fresh off a debut LP and tour) and remaining active in Saosin. While Circa Survive is currently on hiatus, you never know what Green will embark on next.

The passion and cohesiveness of The Sound of Animals Fighting was top tier at Webster Hall this past weekend. The band performs as if they have been on regular tour for 15 years and the energy and engagement with the crowd was palpable. While we wait and see what the future holds, we can rest assured that we just witnessed one of the best post-hardcore tours in recent memory. Check out the full photo gallery from Webster Hall below.

The Sound of Animals Fighting, Webster Hall 1/21/2023

Setlist: Wolf, Apeshit, I, The Swan, Act I: Chasing Suns, Act II: All Is Ash or the Light Shining Through It, This Heat, My Horse Must Lose, Another Leather Lung, Blessings Be Yours Mister V, On The Occasion of Wet Snow, The Heretic, Act III: Modulate Back To The Tonic, Act IV: You Don’t Need A Witness

Encore: The Heraldic Beak Of The Manufacturer’s Medallion, Skullflower, Stockhausen, es ist Ihr Gehrin das ich suche, Sharon Tate, Despite Everything

January 23, 2023
The Ashokan Center Winter Hoot to be held Feb 3-5 feat. The Mammals, Rachael Yamagata, and more

The Ashokan Center will host their annual Winter Hoot – a down-home and down-to-earth music gathering where are all welcome with joy to spare, over February 3-5 in Olivebridge, NY.

Located 20 minutes south of Woodstock and 25 minutes west of Kingston, The Ashokan Center offers an opportunity to reconnect with your local community through their twice a year Hoots.

The Hoot began in 2013 when Mike Merenda, Ruth Ungar, and their friends at the Ashokan Center and throughout the local community decided to pull together and try their hands at producing a festival. With the success of the first event, now twice a year, the Hoot Heroes continue to build a Hoot, a celebration of music & nature for all generations.

The Ashokan Center’s friendly and skilled Outdoor Education staff will lead blacksmithing workshops, indoor kids zone activities, and a laid-back instrument petting zoo where anyone can try their hand at a variety of musical instruments.

Food is vended festival-style by Ashokan Chef Bill Warnes and Veggie Oasis, plus local beer, cider, wine, and non-alcoholic Immuneschein spritzers.

Globe-trotting ice sculptor Thomas Brown will entertain onlookers outdoors all day, creating a unique and ephemeral work of art to be illuminated at night. Late night improvisational jazz duets will be provided by London-born saxophonist and composer George Winstone with guitarist Ben Monder (of the Bad Plus.)

The event is a showcase and fundraiser for the Ashokan Center, a unique nonprofit organization with a 55 year history of youth outdoor education and 42 years of cultural preservation at summer Music & Dance Camps for adults and families. This past year the center has expanded outreach to offer local in-school and after-school arts and nature programming, and increased access to its 385 acres of forests through guided hikes, day passes, and community events like the Hoot.

Friday, February 3rd kicks off with a dinner, documentary, and discussion as Saturday overflows with music & dancing all day into the night plus blacksmithing, mini concerts in the pewter shop, used clothing swap, kids zone activities, local food & libations. Sunday, February 5th closes with hiking, yoga, and a farewell singalong.

Admission tickets and lodging are on sale now, with passes in advance $50 for the weekend, $35 for Saturday only, $25 for Friday dinners and $10 for Friday Film Screening tickets. At the Door, “Pay what you want” admission is available – no one is turned away for lack of funds.

You can see past Hoot lineups here.

The Ashokan Center Winter Hoot Schedule of Events

Friday, February 3
3:00pm Gates Open (get cozy or go for a hike!)
4:00-6:00pm Donor Gratitude Reception and Hoot Kickoff
6:00pm COMMUNITY DINNER (by reservation)
7:00pm Inhabit DOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENING. Inhabit takes us on a tour of best practice permaculture: regenerative farms, suburban gardens, organic orchards, food forests, appropriate technology, inner city regeneration in the poorest of communities, commercial mushroom production, flood mitigation… It is a feast of practical information and a flowering of hitherto untold possibilities, showing us that we have the skills and knowledge to restore the earth and that it’s not only possible it’s already happening.” Maddy Harland, Permaculture Magazine
8:30pm DISCUSSION AND Q&A with filmmaker Costa Boutsikaris and inspiring local growers/farmers who contributed to the dinner!
9:30pm JAM SESSION

Saturday February 4

Kids Zone Activities – 12-5pm
Attire Rotation – 10am-5pm donate gently used clothing and shop sustainably
Instrument Petting Zoo in the main lobby
Nursing Nook – relax in the balcony with rocking chairs, free water, and changing tables provided
Pewter Shop Sessions – Short acoustic sets in the beautiful Pewter Shop see schedule

Music lineup
Mister Chris • 11:00 am • all-ages joy
Dr. Mack • 12:00pm • she’s got your back!
Family Square Dance • 12:30pm • fun & easy
The City Stompers • 1:15pm • fiddle & footwork
Jay Ungar & Molly Mason • 3:00pm • folk medley
Jude Roberts • 4:30pm • melodic songwriter
Rachael Yamagata • 6:00pm • engaging & terrific
The Mammals • 7:30pm • americana quintet
Square Dance • 9:00pm • all fun no fear
George Winstone w/ Ben Monder • 10:45pm • jazz improvisation
Thomas Brown Ice Sculptor • All Day
Blacksmithing 3-6pm

Sunday February 5
9:00am GUIDED HIKE WITH DEL ORLOSKE, YOGA WITH SARA TRAPANI
10:15am COMMUNITY SING
Noon FAREWELL

January 23, 2023
Sam Smith Slays as SNL Sends up Santos

The first episode of the new year for Saturday Night Live found host Aubrey Plaza welcoming back an old friend to the Update desk, while Sam Smith played tracks from his upcoming Gloria album with two mesmerizing musical performances.

With a timely opening sending up Fox NFL post-game coverage of Giants/Eagles – which ended less than a half hour before, SNL wasted no time using the Congressman and life story fabricator George Santos (Bowen Yang) reporting from the Super Bowl, delusions of grandeur on full display. Yang’s Santos would make an appearance on Weekend Update, driving the bit even further, as the jokes write themselves with the continually unraveling fictional backstory of Santos front and center this past week.

Aubrey Plaza (The White Lotus, Parks and Recreation) took the stage of Studio 8H and recounted her longtime desire to host SNL, including her time as a page. This led to the SNL monologue trope of a tour behind the scenes, meeting cast members, the set design team and special guests – like former cast member and Parks and Recreation co-star Amy Poehler – popping up along the way.

A take on the recent TikTok clip-worthy Miss Universe pageant featured cameos from both Property Brothers, and skateboarding legend Tony Hawk.

Digital short “The Black Lotus” reimagined The White Lotus as a no-nonsense black-owned and staffed hotel, while “Game Night” brought together new neighbors in a revealing game of Taboo, and despite obvious cue card reading from Plaza, the rapid fire humor was refreshing and aligned perfectly with the host.

Sam Smith’s first song “Unholy” found the London singer in a fluffy pink ball gown under pink curtains and lighting, with Kim Petras appearing out from under the dress to join in the song. By the end, this performance turned into a devilish hallucination, with Smith donning a horned helmet. This marked Smith’s third time performing on SNL, having made their debut in 2014 and performing again in 2017.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5fUCOgAJgk

Weekend Update showed that the Santos well of comedy will not run dry, with Yang showing longterm potential for his satiral take. Plaza joined the Update team as April Ludgate, revisiting her character from Parks and Recreation, and then bringing on Leslie Nope (Poehler) who made herself at home at the update desk, once again. Poehler shared Weekend Update duties with Seth Myers from 2006-2008.

The second performance from Sam Smith found him clad in gold, standing behind a choir who sang much of the track “Gloria.” Actress Sharon Stone – who starred in a remake of the movie Gloria in the late 90s – laid on a golden bed, moving to a new pose once Smith began to sing under the golden hued stage, a piece of performance art that was Smith’s idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFq8sojJNDo

Saturday Night Live returns on Saturday, January 28 with host Michael B. Jordan and musical guest Lil Baby.

January 22, 2023