Category: Regions

Historic Cohoes Music Hall Announces Three New Events

The historic Cohoes Music Hall announces three new shows to their calendar of upcoming events, featuring Hootenanny at the Hall, A Night of Joni Mitchell, and Stephen Pearcy’s “The Voice Of RATT.”

The Cohoes Music Hall opened its door in 1874 in Cohoes. It was restored in 1974 to become what it is today, a historic music hall with a great lineup of events. In late December, the venue was awarded $1.88 million in funding through New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation grants, transforming it into an energy-efficient building.

Their upcoming lineup of events features three new shows on the bill. On Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Steven Pearcy brings “The Voice of RATT” to the Cohoes Music Hall. He is the founder, lead singer, and songwriter of the metal rock band RATT, credited with having been a pioneer of the early 80’s Sunset Strip rock scene. RATT has nearly four decades of success, having released eight albums and played thousands of shows worldwide all the while selling over 20 million records. He will be performing all the hits, including “Round & Round,’“ “Wanted Man,” “Lay It Down,” “Lack Of Communication,” “Dance” and many more.

Other events added at the Cohoes Music Hall include A Night of Joni Mitchell with Zan & The Winter Folk, Girl Blue, Hold on Honeys, and Belle-Skinner on March 11. The evening will be celebrating the music of the legendary Joni Mitchell, with four of the Capital Region’s premier musical acts together. Finally, the second annual Hootenanny at the Hall will happen on March 25. The event focuses on celebrating Country, Bluegrass, and Blues in the Capital Region, featuring three incredible artists/bands, The Moon Shells, Caity & the Gallaghers, and Jacob Shipley.

There are more events happening at the venue that have already been announced, including Zach Nugent and Dead Set on Jan. 20, The British Legends of Rocks Show on Feb. 17, ACROBAT, The International U2 Tribute Show on Feb. 25, Haley Reinhart on March 24, and many more.

Information about the events announced at the Cohoes Music Hall and to purchase tickets, visit here.

January 11, 2023
“The Marvelous Mr. Mizrahi” returns to Café Carlyle, Feb. 14-25

Isaac Mizrahi will return to Café Carlyle in February with his all-new show, “The Marvelous Mr. Mizrahi,” for a two-week residency, running from Valentines Day through the 25th.

Accompanied by his band of jazz musicians – led by Ben Waltzer – Mizrahi will perform a range of tunes from Arthur Freed to Grace Jones. The New York Times notes that Isaac Mizrahi “qualifies as a founding father of a genre that fuses performance art, music and stand-up comedy.”

The Marvelous Mr. Mizrahi

Isaac Mizrahi has worked extensively in the entertainment industry as a performer, host, writer, designer and producer for over 30 years. Along with his annual residency at Café Carlyle, Isaac has performed at various venues across the country such as Joe’s Pub, The Regency Ballroom, several City Winery locations nationwide and comes to the Carlyle fresh from his run as Amos Hart in the Broadway production of CHICAGO.

Mizrahi is also the subject and co-creator of Unzipped, a documentary following the making of his Fall 1994 collection which received an award at the Sundance Film Festival. He hosted his own television talk show, “The Isaac Mizrahi Show” for seven years, has written three books, and has made countless appearances in movies and on television. He served as a judge on “Project Runway: All-Stars” for the series’ entire seven-season run. Previous residencies of Mizrahi’s at Café Carlyle were sellouts, receiving widespread critical acclaim.

Performances will take place at Café Carlyle from February 14-25 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:45pm. Weekday pricing begins at $100 per person for General Seating, $150 per person for Premium Seating, and $85 per person for Bar Seating. Weekend pricing begins at $135 per person for General Seating, $185 per person for Premium Seating, and $100 per person for Bar Seating. Reservations can be made online via Tock. Café Carlyle is located in The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel (35 East 76th Street, at Madison Avenue).

January 10, 2023
Inaugural Black Star Line Festival in Ghana Highlights Artists of African Diaspora

The 2023 Black Star Line Festival, hosted by Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa made its historic, inaugural debut in Accra, Ghana on Friday, January 6. The all star concert featured celebrities such as Erykah Badu, Dave Chappelle, T-Pain, Jeremih, Sarkodie, Tobe Nwigwe, Asakaa Boys, M.anifest and more.

More than 52,000 fans united at Black Star Square in Accra to enjoy an outstanding concert combining music, art, and culture. Prior to the performance, there was a week of events and panels at cultural centers throughout Accra. The free gatherings provided opportunities for education, enrichment and cultural diffusion.

The festival aims to improve the connection between Black people, artists of the Diaspora and the globe with the continent. The Black Star Square is a remembrance of the political freedom that was fought for and won by Ghanaians in 1957. Ghana was the first Sub-Saharan African country to fight for independence from colonialism. Under the leadership of its first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, several continents followed in the footsteps of Ghana. Dr. Nkrumah was inspired by the Jamaican-Born activist Marcus Garvey. The revolutionary believed in a free Africa and a global connection between the people of the continent and Black people globally.

The Black Star Line Festival is more than just a celebration of Black culture and music, it’s a chance for the Diaspora to come together as a community and remind ourselves of the power that lies within us. It’s an opportunity to honor the legacy of those who came before us, and to inspire and uplift each other. It’s a historic event and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Black Star Line Festival.
Chance the Rapper

In 1919, Garvey founded the Black Star Line. It was a line that generated economic opportunities for Black people from North America, the Caribbean and Africa. The Black Star Line was a symbol of pride for Black people in all ports of call. Dr. Nkrumah insisted that these principles were cardinal to the forward mobility of its people. After almost 40 years, the Ghanaian government inaugurated their fleet with the same name, in homage to Garvey, and even added a black star to the country’s new flag.

Through groundbreaking installations and collaborating with artists from The Continent and The Diaspora, Chance spent 2022 welding the worlds of art and cinematography. His new works include “Child of God” (collab with Gabonese artist and painter Naïla Opiangah), “A Bar About A Bar” (collab with Chicago-based painter Nikko Washington and filmmaker Troy Gueno), “The Highs & The Lows” feat. Joey Bada$$ (collab with Gabonese photographer Yannis Davy Guibingua), all of which celebrate Black artists. Chance’s newly released “YAH Know” features prominent Ghanaian artist King Promise.

Chance the Rapper’s highly anticipated new project, Star Line Gallery is due out later this year

January 10, 2023
Bonnaroo Announces 2023 Lineup Featuring Kendrick Lamar and Foo Fighters

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival has announced the 2023 event lineup, taking place June 15-18, 2023 on the Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester, TN.

Bonnaroo started back in 2002 highlighting the greats of the jam band scene including Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio Band, String Cheese Incident, and Phil Lesh and Friends with Bob Weir. Now the festival is known for its wide-ranging bill bringing in people from all over to enjoy its 10 unique stages and four days of great music.

This year’s lineup features some old greats and new faces spanning multiple genres, including Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Odesza, Paramore, Lil Nas X, Baby Keem, My Morning Jacket, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Louis The Child, and Pixies. The four-day festival will run from June 15-18.

The complete Thursday lineup includes Zeds Dead, Liquid Stranger, 070 Shake, Abraham Alexander, Big Freedia, Briscoe, Celisse, Cimafunk, CVC, Daily Bread, Dehd, Diarrhea Planet, Elephant Heart, Ezra Furman, JP Saxe, Mersiv, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Neighbor, Petey, and Suki Waterhouse.

Friday’s performing artists include Kendrick Lamar, Baby Keem, Vulfpeck, GRiZ, Portugal. The Man, Noah Kahan, Subtronics, Three 6 Mafia, Fleet Foxes, AFI, Sylvan Esso, Rina Sawayama, Charley Crockett, Morgan Wade, Alex G, MUNA, Diesel, Destroy Lonely, The Midnight, Knocked Loose, Matt Maeson, Peekaboo, black midi, Apashe, Emo Nite, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Madison Cunningham, Sampa the Great, Boogie T b2b Dirt Monkey b2b SubDocta, Maddy O’Neal, Jupiter and Okwess, and NotLö.

Saturday’s lineup includes: Odesza, Lil Nas X, Tyler Childers, My Morning Jacket, Louis the Child, Korn, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, JID, Sheryl Crow, STS9, Sofi Tukker, Big Wild, The Band Camino, Jenny Lewis, Yung Gravy, Remi Wolf, Bob Moses, Cory Wong, Ken Carson, Elderbrook, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Colony House, Walker & Royce, Devon Gilfillian, The Beths, Danielle Ponder, Giolì & Assia, Thee Sacred Souls, Night Tales, and SuperJam.

Finishing off the festival on Sunday includes: Foo Fighters, Paramore, Marcus Mumford, The Revivalists, Alesso, Pixies, girl in red, Umphrey’s McGee, Rebelution, Jacob Collier, Hippo Campus, Jauz, Peach Pit, Franz Ferdinand, Men I Trust, MK, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Amber Mark, Wax Motif, Kip Moore, Makaya McCraven, Sammy Rae & The Friends, Hermanos Gutiérrez, Paris Jackson, and Rome In Silver.

The early access on sale for Bonnaroo is on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. CT time. Tickets available include the General Admission (4-Day), GA+ (4-Day), VIP (4-Day), and Platinum (4-Day), along with a limited range of 1-Day tickets (including General Admission, GA+, VIP, and Platinum). To sign up for early access, go here.

January 10, 2023
Steve Aoki Announces First U.S. Tour Since Pandemic, Stop at Terminal Five, New Single “New York” Out Now

Steve Aoki announces his first U.S. tour since the pandemic started, with a stop at Terminal Five on March 16. He also announced a new single titled “New York” with Regard, featuring mazie out now.

Steve Aoki, Photo Credit: Jana Schuessler

Steve Aoki is a 2x-GRAMMY-nominated music producer, artist, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and Dim Mak Records founder. He has been described by Billboard as one of the most in-demand entertainers in the world.” He holds the Guinness World Record for “Most Traveled Musician in a Single Calendar Year,” performing at nearly every top festival worldwide, including Coachella, Ultra Music Festival, Lollapalooza, Fuji Rock Festival, Tomorrowland and Electric Daisy Carnival.

Aoki has collaborated with an impressive list of artists, including BTS, Maluma, Snoop Dogg, Linkin Park, blink-182, One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, Machine Gun Kelly, and Lil Uzi Vert. He released three Platinum singles, six Gold singles, and over ten Top 10 radio records in his career. Aoki recently released his album HiROQUEST: Genesis, featuring collaborations with Taking Back Sunday, Mod Sun, Kane Brown, and more, and sold a staggering 27K+ CDs. His ongoing HiROQUEST brand is a growing extension of him and the worldwide community he created through his music, welcoming all into his universe.

Aoki announced his brand new fiery single “New York” featuring multi-platinum DJ and producer Regard and up-and-comer alt-pop artist mazie. Regard has amassed a worldwide following since the release of his chart-topping 2019 hit “Ride It,” and has gone on to achieve over 10x Top 10 single chart placements globally. mazie went viral on Tik Tok for her song “dumb dumb,” which amassed 70+ million cumulative streams, and her debut album “blotter baby” is coming out in 2023. Together on the track, the three come together to make the pop anthem of the year.

Aoki also announced a winter run of dates, his first since the pandemic started. The 12-city run sees him wrapping up in Terminal Five on March 16. Ticket information can be found here.

HiROQUEST: GENESIS TOUR DATES:

Wed, Feb 22 / Montreal / New City Gas

Thu, Feb 23 / Toronto / Rebel

Fri, Feb 24 / Chicago / Aragon

Sat, Feb 25 / Las Vegas / Hakkasan

Wed, Mar 1 / Washington DC / Echostage

Thu, Mar 2 / Austin / Stubb’s

Fri, Mar 3 / Dallas / Factory at Deep Ellum

Fri, Mar 3 / Las Vegas / Omnia

Thu, Mar 9 / Denver / Mission Ballroom

Fri, Mar 10 / Los Angeles / Shrine Expo

Sat, Mar 11 / San Francisco / Bill Graham

Sat, Mar 11 / Las Vegas / Omnia

Wed, Mar 15 / Boston / Big Night Live

Thu, Mar 16 / New York / Terminal 5

Sat, Mar 18 / Las Vegas / Omnia

January 10, 2023
Patti Smith Celebrates 76th Birthday at Brooklyn Steel

As 2022 was wrapping up its final week, Patti Smith returned to Brooklyn Steel for two nights on December 29 and 30 to celebrate her birthday (which coincided with the second evening). Brooklyn Steel was flooded with fans for the shows, seemingly sold out on the evening we attended and sold out on Dec. 30. The venue’s size and layout made it an excellent atmosphere for an intimate performance.

In her true spirit, Smith’s show was an amalgamation of poetry, beauty, and fierceness wrapped in a blanket of rock and roll. The show featured her high energy songs such as “Free Money,” “People Have the Power,” and her mainstay take on Them’s “Gloria.” Earlier that day, the world had lost iconic British fashion designer and cultural influencer Vivienne Westwood. Many musicians had taken to social media to pay tribute to her, and Smith dedicated her song about sadness and loss “Redondo Beach” to Westwood after saying a few words.

A motif of the evening was time, given the impending change of year and two more important milestones – the birthdays of both Smith and her long-time collaborator and guitarist Lenny Kaye. While taking a brief break mid-set, the band covered “Time Won’t Let Me,” “If I Could Turn Back Time,” and “Time Is On My Side” while a cover of The Chambers Brothers’ “Time Has Come Today” came later in the show. With Kaye’s birthday a few days prior, Smith rallied the audience for a round of “Happy Birthday” for his day (Smith had her birthday moment with the sold-out crowd the next evening, with cake!).

Along with Patti Smith, her band includes Lenny Kaye and her son Jackson Smith on guitar, Tony Shanahan on bass/keys, and Jay Dee Daugherty on drums. Smith’s tradition of performing shows for her birthday (and by nice coincidence, celebrating the upcoming New Year) is one not to miss.

Patti Smith – Brooklyn Steel – December 29, 2022

Setlist: Dancing Barefoot, Redondo Beach, Free Money, Ghost Dance, Because the Night, My Blakean Year, Nine, Pissing in a River, Time Won’t Let Me (>) If I Could Turn Back Time, Time Is on My Side, One Too Many Mornings, Peaceable Kingdom / People Have the Power, Summer Cannibals, Ain’t It Strange, Time Has Come Today, People Have the Power

Encore: Happy Birthday to You, Gloria

January 10, 2023
moe. to join Umphrey’s McGee at Red Rocks in June
In the midst of the band’s 25th year, Umphrey’s McGee will once again return to Colorado, performing two nights at the fabled Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and they’ll be bringing along longtime friends moe. for the shows.

Umphrey’s McGee will start their Colorado run with one night at Dillon Amphitheater on June 15th, followed by two nights at Red Rocks on June 16th and 17th. moe. will be performing an extended set each night at Red Rocks, opening up for Umphrey’s.

Umphrey’s McGee shared in a statement, “We are thrilled to be welcoming our long-time compadres moe. for an extended set both nights at Red Rocks! Dillon Amphitheater easily became one of our favorite venues following our debut last year. And if you have rocked the Rocks with us before, you know it is not-to-be-missed – if you have’t, make this your year.”

umVIP will be offering enhanced experience packages for Dillon and Red Rocks to make the Colorado weekend smooth and seamless. Enjoy program perks including exclusive pit access in Dillon and a private set at Red Rocks, signed posters, merch and more. Read up on the works here.

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, January 10th, with general on sale beginning Friday, January 13th.
- Tuesday, January 10th, 10:00 am MT: umVIP tickets go on-sale
- Wednesday, January 11th, 10:00 am MT: Two-Day Umphrey’s Pre-Sale tickets for Red Rocks only
- Thursday, January 12th, 10:00 am MT: Limited venue Pre-Sale for all three shows
- Friday, January 13th, 10:00 am MT: General on-sale begins for all three shows
- Tuesday, January 10th, 10:00 am MT: umVIP tickets go on-sale
- Wednesday, January 11th, 10:00 am MT: Two-Day Umphrey’s Pre-Sale tickets for Red Rocks only
- Thursday, January 12th, 10:00 am MT: Limited venue Pre-Sale for all three shows
- Friday, January 13th, 10:00 am MT: General on-sale begins for all three shows
January 10, 2023
Joe Magnarelli Quartet to Visit Jazz Central in Syracuse

Joe Magnarelli, a world-class jazz expatriate from the Salt City, always makes time for his hometown when on tour. Even with a busy road schedule, the prodigal son will have an upcoming stop at the Jazz Central theater on Saturday, January 21st at 7:30 pm.

Magnarelli, who made his bones with stints in Harry Connick’s band and the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, will front his current touring trio of luminaries, including organist Pat Bianchi, veteran of the Pat Martino and Lou Donaldson groups; Eastman School faculty Bob Sneider on guitar, and drummer Joe Strasser, former percussionist for artists as diverse as Harold Mabern, Jane Monheit, David Hazeltine, and Kyle Eastwood; all are leaders in their own right.

We haven’t seen enough of Joe Mags of late, due to pesky conflicts like pandemics. Area fans have been waiting too long for his return, so we expect them to line up for this one as well. The red carpet will be fully rolled out.
Larry Luttinger CNY Jazz founder

Well known to local audiences, Joe has appeared many times at CNY Jazz festivals and concerts, to play with his group, as a guest soloist with other jazz legends, or with the Syracuse Symphony and Symphoria.

Magnarelli’s career output continues to grow as his heavy international schedule continues into its fourth decade, including past experience with leaders Buddy Rich, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Brother Jack McDuff, Maria Schneider, Ray Barretto, his wife, Akiko Tsuruga, and many groups of his own. He has recorded over 15 albums as leader and logged many, many more as a sideman.

If you do attend, mask wearing is encouraged at the cozy downtown venue. Jazz Central is located at 441 E Washington St, Syracuse. Advance sale tickets are available now at cnyjazz.org/tickets

January 9, 2023
Damn Tall Buildings Bring Brooklyn Bluegrass to Caffe Lena on January 20

Brooklyn-based bluegrass trio Damn Tall Buildings will bring their fresh bluegrass sound to Caffè Lena on January 20 at 8PM with unmatched energy and enthusiasm that creates a captivating, high-energy sound.

Damn Tall Buildings

Consisting of fiddler/vocalist Avery Ballotta from Bozeman, guitarist/lead vocalist Max Capistran from Bedford, and bassist/lead vocalist Sasha Dubky from Philadelphia, Damn Tall Buildings is a tight, harmonizing, swinging trio that specializes in bluegrass but also expertly ventures through jazz, ragtime, country swing, and contemporary singer-songwriter styles. They have been called “The Carter Family for the millennial generation” by the Boston Globe.

Damn Tall Buildings is a damn fine trio, mixing bluegrass, swing, and foot-stomping old-time music you wouldn’t think possible from a band from Brooklyn.
No Depression, Chris Griffy

Continuing the busk energy in their early days, Damn Tall Buildings still radiates the energy of a ragtag crew of music students playing bluegrass on the street. But anchoring that energy is their instrumental chops, their strong songwriting, and their varied influences that stretch beyond bluegrass. Their latest release was their thrid full length album called Sleeping Dogs including 11 tracks in the summer of 2022.

Holding the mission that “To provide music, connection and learning from a legendary venue”, Caffè Lena presents extraordinary music in Saratoga Springs. It is renowned for its long history on continuously operating folk music venue in the United States. It has been recognized as “An American treasure” by The Library of Congress. The GRAMMY Foundation also recognized for its important contributions to the development of American music. In 2020 they launched a School of Music for the purpose of carrying on the folk tradition of music as a social pastime.

The performance of Damn Tall Buildings will start at 8PM and doors at 7:30PM (EST). Livestream is also available. Tickets for student or child are $10, while $18 for members and $20 for general admissions. For ticket and more information, please visit this link.

January 9, 2023
The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls Centennial Season Begins on January 17

In the Washington County town of Hudson Falls, a year of celebration is underway. The Strand Theatre, which opened its doors on January 17, 1923, will kick off a centennial year of celebration, with a series of films that call back to the silent film era, which the Strand Theatre was initially built for.

October 2022

Having reopened on October 7, 2016 through the nonprofit Hudson River Music Hall Productions, which came together in 2010 with the goal of helping to rehabilitate old buildings in Hudson Falls. Having a huge calendar each month (see below) 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. Part of a chain of Strand Theatres built in the early 20th century, other venues under the name Strand can be found in Plattsburgh and Schroon Lake, as well as others that have closed over time.

1923

The Strand Theatre opening night in 1923 incldued two screenings of One Week in Love. Now in 2023, the Hudson Falls Strand Theatre, starting on January 17th, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the venue’s grand opening with the 1923 comedy classic Safety Last, starring silent-era film star Harold Lloyd. January 19th will feature The General, starring Buster Keaton, with Max Schreck’s Nosferatu the feature film on January 20th, and Fritz Lang’s NYC-inspired Metropolis on January 21.

All movies will start at 7 pm, with admission and popcorn free.

Stay tuned for NYS Music’s full history of The Strand Theatre and more info on the centennial year of this Northeast New York multi-purpose performing arts venue.

January 9, 2023