2023 marks the 16th anniversary of the Schaghticoke Summers Eve Concert Series, presented by the Schaghticoke Entertainment Committee. Each summer, mid-June through August, Thursday evenings are dedicated to bringing relaxation, entertainment, food, and fun through free musical performances. Shows take place from 6:30-8:30 pm at 290 Northline Drive in Melrose, NY.
Another beautiful summer night on the shores of Canandaigua Lake enjoying some live music at CMAC. Such was the fate for the thousands of fans who filled the shell and lawn for the Tedeschi Trucks Band show Tuesday night. What could be better?
The stage would also be filled to the max. Reggae great Ziggy Marley and his ten-piece band would command the stage for an hour-long opening set before the Tedeschi Trucks Band would take over, besting Marley with their unit of twelve. At nights end however a band of eighteen would be serenading the audience. Six from Marley’s band would join the headliners for a raucous encore of a mashup of Sly and the Family Stone’s “Sing a Simple Song” and “I Want to Take You Higher.”
Like a series finale, all the story lines from the evening came to a head at once, resolving in highly entertaining fashion. Mini-jams broke out all over: a keyboard duel, a 2-man bass-off, a drums and percussion battle, a triple guitar threat, horns aplenty, and a handful of vocalists directing it all to a t. The entire audience was on their feet, amazed at how they managed to wrap up the evening so perfectly.
Watching it unravel song by song, it was a lot to binge in just one evening. Marley flexed his heritage in the opening set, getting properly political with the dark dub of “See Dem Fake Leaders” and “Justice,” which effortlessly worked in splashes of his father’s “Get Up Stand Up.” Those contrasted nicely with the sunnier “We Are the People” and “Circle of Peace.” His two female backup singers added some edge with rapping over “The Lucky One” and the soulful closer “Look Who’s Dancin’” while also exhibiting some entrancingly good dance moves.
The intrigue was set, it was time for the main act. The Tedeschi Trucks Band worked a solid groove on Joe Cocker’s “Woman to Woman,” using it as a quasi walk-out tune for Susan Tedeschi. When she finally took the stage, she immediately commanded it, her incredible voice carrying over all else. She would continue to be the person of interest in the following “Anyhow,” ripping a rocking solo reminiscent of Traffic’s “Dear Mr. Fantasy.”
Each ensuing song would bring different members of the endlessly talented ensemble into the spotlight. Piece by piece the story of the band would come together, all working toward that grand finale. The three segments of the band, be it Tedeschi, Truck, or Band, got equal time and each had their highlights. Tedeschi’s voice shined brightest on “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright,” just crackling and soaring. Trucks’ guitar found no better time to growl, stretch and moan then the set-closing “I Want More / Beck’s Bolero” combo. The drummers took over on Dr. John’s “I Walk On Guilded Splinters,” blasting low rumbles leaving the rest of the band hanging on and hanging in. Keyboardist Gabe Dixon took a turn on the vocals and highlighted his playing on the New Orleans soaked “Gravity.” Saxophonist Kebbi Williams got his turn on the retro soul groover “Part of Me,” and also got to tangle for a spell with Trucks, Dixon, and bassist Brandon Boone on a gorgeous “Midnight in Harlem.”
Whatever they made it out on a Tuesday night for, be it Tedeschi, Trucks, or any and all of the band, there’s not a chance anyone went home unsatisfied. And now the difficult wait for the next season to get released so we can binge on their talents all over again.
Whirlybird Music and Arts Festival have announced their stacked lineup featuring a wide variety of genres and bands! The festival returns to Downtown Jamestown from July 20-22.
Whirlybird Music & Arts Festival is a collection of carefully curated concerts that take place at a variety of venues across downtown Jamestown. Featuring three days of music with 20 artists scheduled, as well as live painting, comedy, dancing, and more, the festival has something for everyone. Headlining the festival will be jamtronica legends Jimkata along with Colorado-based festival favorite Magic Beans. Other acts include the Smackdab, Sophistafunk, Space Bacon, Miller & the Other Sinners, Charity Nuse & Friends, Grub, and many more. This years Grateful Dead tribute will be performed by Eberwine & Friends.
The Beer Snob and Jamestown Wine Cellar will play host to Whirlybird’s ticketed evening headliners; Sophistafunk, Space Bacon, Grub, Organ Fairchild, & Well Worn Boot. These shows are 21+ and require a Whirlybird Pass or Cover Charge to enter.
Free pop-up solo performances by the likes of Adam McKillip, SON, Kallie Williams, Ryan Buzzetto, Ion Sky, Catch Phrase, and more will be happening at Labyrinth Press Co, Brazil, 4 Below Haggy’s Bar and Grill, and Jamestown Public Market all throughout the festival.
For tickets, schedules, and information, please visit here.
Silver Bay YMCA has announced the first ever Bluegrass In Heaven Music Festival, taking place September 15th- 17th. Located along the northern end of Lake George, Bluegrass In Heaven will bring together some of the top bluegrass artists such as 2019 Grammy Bluegrass Album of the Year winner Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper and regional talent such as the Bob & Sarah Amos Band.
Festival attendees will not only be able to listen to some of the top artists in bluegrass today, but they will also have access to the programs offered at Silver Bay YMCA during the festival as well. Between sets festival guests are encouraged to take a paddle on the northern end of Lake George, read a book in the Silver Bay YMCA library, play a round of disc golf, or partake in one of the many other programs and activities offered.
“We are thrilled to announce the start of a new annual tradition here at Silver Bay YMCA: the Bluegrass in Heaven music festival! Thanks to the cooperation and support from key partners in our community, we are going to build off the success of our summer concert series and bring you a whole weekend of family fun. We have a full schedule of musicians of nationally and regionally acclaimed performers – this weekend festival will be a real treat for any music enthusiast”
Zac Smalley – Director
The festival will be spread out throughout Silver Bay YMCA’s 700-acre waterfront campus, providing a one-of-a-kind venue for artists and music enthusiasts alike. To encourage festival attendees and artists to explore Silver Bay YMCA’s personal piece of heaven a Bluegrass in Heaven themed photo wall will be hidden somewhere on campus. Guests who find this unique photo wall are encouraged to share their photos with Silver Bay on social media using #BLUEGRASSHEAVEN. Additionally, Silver Bay YMCA is partnering with local businesses to highlight what the northern part of Lake George has to offer.
There are two ticket options available for purchase: a Festival Pass and an All-Inclusive Festival Pass. The Festival Pass costs $40 and includes access to YMCA workshops, a variety of vendors, and performances by local and regional talent. The All-Inclusive Festival Pass costs $80 and includes everything in the Festival Pass plus access to headliner performances which will take place at the YMCA’s historic auditorium.
The latest updates about the festival’s lineup, schedule, and anything BGIH related can be found at the Silver Bay YMCA website.
Times Square Alliance has announced its this years schedule for its annual arts initiative, Times Square Live (TSQ LIVE).
This years TSQ LIVE will be a series of over 80 free, open-air performances across its public plazas, beginning this May and running through September 2023. Marking its biggest series to date with more partners than ever, TSQ LIVE will be NYC’s largest public program series featuring DJ sets, live concerts, and dance performances from some of the most prestigious organizations in NYC and beyond, including Pioneer Works, Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Ailey Extension, New York Live Arts, Rash Bar, Elsewhere, and Soul Summit.
“This summer we have the chance to turn over Times Square to the artists, musicians and performers that make New York City such an incredible place. In turn, the plazas of Times Square become a stage for over 80 free events – from punk shows to classical music; West African dance workshops to voguing classes -all timed to reach the millions in Times Square this summer heading home from work, to a show or visiting for the very first time,”
TSQ Arts Director Jean Cooney
Each year in the warmer months, the Times Square Alliance celebrates New York City’s creative community and vibrant arts ecosystem with TSQ LIVE, offering free and accessible programs nearly every weekday to the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors that pass through the Crossroads of the World. The series spotlights the rich diversity of talent found on our city’s streets, and brings together artists, performers and cultural partners from quintessential New York institutions to share their work in one of the world’s most iconic public stages.
Programs
Tune in on Tuesdays to hear NYC-based DJs bring their expert craft to music lovers and passersby in Times Square. The series kicked off from May to June presented by Brooklyn-based Rash Bar, and followed with programs by Brooklyn venue Elsewhere to return in August. Once a month from July to September, DJ collective Soul Summit will bring their soulful house music to the plazas of Times Square, along with other local DJs joining the celebration each Tuesday in July at 5 pm.
Brooklyn-based leading nonprofit cultural center Pioneer Works, known for their experimental music program and residency, is curating and presenting a series of musical performances featuring past, current, and future musicians-in-residence across all genres, including Michael Foster, Corrine Jasmin, Avola, Greg Fox, H x H (Lester St. Louis & Chris Williams), Kwami Winfield, Ciarra Black, Brent Arnold, and Issei Herr.
Photo courtesy of Michael Hull for the Times Square Alliance.
Jazz at Lincoln Center is taking over Times Square to bring New York City’s jazz scene to Broadway, creating the feeling of an intimate club amidst the lights and sounds of the city. In keeping with its mission to entertain, enrich, and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy, the organization will present a dynamic array of musicians including Naledi Masilo, Mariel Bildsten Septet, and Roxy Coss Quartet.
Check out NYC’s buzziest up-and-coming talent live on Fridays in Times Square. Musicians from New York City and beyond will present free concerts, ranging from indie, pop, and electronic, many of whom will be celebrating the debut of new work or an upcoming summer album release.
Rescheduled due to inclement weather, Carnegie Hall will host a free concert in Times Square by accordionist Gregorio Uribe, known for his eclectic Colombian rhythms, celebrating sensational sounds from across the country and around the globe.
FULL JULY SCHEDULE
Wednesday, July 5, 5 pm: Live Music with Pioneer Works | The Manhattan Review of Unnatural Acts (Broadway & 43rd St)
Thursday, July 6, 5 pm: Live Music with Jazz at Lincoln Center | Winard Harper and Jeli Posse (Broadway & 46th St)
Friday July 7, 6 pm: Live Music on Summer Fridays | Julia Wolf (Broadway & 46th St)
Tuesday, July 11, 5 pm: DJ Sets with Soul Summit Music (Broadway & 43rd St)
Wednesday, July 12, 5 pm: Live Music with Pioneer Works | Ciarra Black (Broadway & 43rd St)
Thursday, July 13, 5 pm: Live Music with Jazz at Lincoln Center | Mariel Bildsten Septet (Broadway & 46th St)
Friday, July 14, 6 pm: Live Music on Summer Fridays | Brooke Alexx (Broadway & 46th St)
Tuesday, July 18, 5 pm: DJ Sets with Disco Tehran (Broadway & 43rd St)
Wednesday, July 19, 5 pm: Live Music with Pioneer Works | Brent Arnold: Solo Cello & Electronics (Broadway & 43rd St)
Thursday, July 20, 5 pm: Live Music with Jazz at Lincoln Center | Naledi Masilo [in honor of Nelson Mandela’s Birthday Celebration] (Broadway & 46th St)
Friday, July 21, 5 pm: Live Music with Carnegie Hall | Gregorio Uribe (Broadway & 46th St)
Tuesday, July 25, 5 pm: DJ Sets | (Broadway & 43rd St)
Wednesday, July 26, 5 pm: Live Music with Pioneer Works | Kwami Winfield (Broadway & 43rd St)
Thursday, July 27, 5 pm: Live Music with Jazz at Lincoln Center | Roxy Coss (Broadway & 46th St)
Friday, July 28, 6 pm: Live Music on Summer Fridays | (Broadway & 46th St)
FULL AUGUST SCHEDULE Tuesday, August 1, 5pm: DJ Sets with Elsewhere | Swami Sound (Broadway & 43rd St)
Wednesday, August 2, 5pm: Live Music with Pioneer Works | Issei Herr/Princess Princess feat. Concrete Husband (Broadway & 43rd St)
Thursday, August 3, 5pm: Live Music with Jazz at Lincoln Center | Grace Fox Big Band (Broadway & 46th St)
Friday, August 4, 6pm: Live Music on Summer Fridays | The Scarlet Opera (Broadway & 46th St)
Tuesday, August 8, 5pm: DJ Sets with Soul Summit (Broadway & 43rd St)
Wednesday, August 9, 5pm: Live Music with Pioneer Works | Corrine Jasmin (Broadway & 43rd St)
Thursday, August 10, 5pm: Dance with Ailey Extension | 50th Anniversary Celebration Hip Hop Class with TweetBoogie feat. LIVE DJ (Broadway & 46th St)
Friday, August 11, 5pm: Dance with Brickhouse NYC | 50th Anniversary Celebration Hip Hop Showcase (Broadway & 46th St)
Tuesday, August 15, 5pm: DJ Sets with Elsewhere | Jubilee (Broadway & 43rd St)
Wednesday, August 16, 5pm: Live Music with Pioneer Works | The Chutneys (Broadway & 43rd St)
Thursday, August 17, 5pm: Live Music with Jazz at Lincoln Center | Simon Moullier Quartet (Broadway & 46th St)
Friday, August 18, 6pm: Live Music on Summer Fridays (Broadway & 46th St)
Tuesday, August 22, 5pm: DJ Sets with Rash Bar | Time Four You to Get a Watch (Broadway & 43rd St)
Thursday, August 24, 5pm: Dance with OTA Vogue Academy | Dance Class (Broadway & 46th St)
Friday, August 25, 5pm: Live Music on Summer Fridays | Backwoodz Studioz Showcase featuring Fatboi Sharif, Fielded, Cavalier, and E L U C I D (Broadway & 46th St)
Tuesday, August 29, 5pm: Dance with Big Apple Ranch | Line Dancing with Jon Lee (Broadway & 43rd St)
Wednesday, August 30, 5pm: Live Music with Pioneer Works | H x H (Lester St. Louis & Chris Williams) (Broadway & 43rd St)
Thursday, August 31, 5pm: Live Music with Jazz at Lincoln Center | Endea Owens and the Cookout (Broadway & 46th St)
For more information, please visit Times Square Live’s website.
Choreographer/performance artist Charles Dennis announced he is once again teaming with guitarist/composer Sal Cataldi (aka Spaghetti Eastern Music) for a three-hour performance of “Recycle Me” at Glasshouse Project in New Paltz on July 23 from 5:30-8:30 pm.
“Recycle Me”
“Recycle Me” imagines physical responses to the volume of plastic waste that is accumulating in our environment. Charles Dennis has collected plastic waste that has been consumed in his household and stored it for use in this performance. He physically interacts with the plastic and has choreographed a duet with it, building a sculpture of plastic garbage, creating a visual landscape that Dennis dances through. Accompanying the performance is a live musical score for solo electric guitar composed and performed by the acclaimed Spaghetti Eastern Music, the solo project of guitarist Sal Cataldi.
Born and raised in NYC, Charles Dennis is an award-winning choreographer/performance and video artist. He co-founded the legendary New York City performance venue P.S. 122 in 1980. His work is interdisciplinary, including elements of dance, theater, visual art, and media, described by Dancemagazine as “physical theater.” His work has been presented in art centers, colleges, community centers, and theaters worldwide.
Guitarist/composer Sal Cataldi (a.k.a. Spaghetti Eastern Music) has created an original score for solo electric guitar that will be played live to accompany the performance. The duo first collaborated on a reprise of Dennis’ well-known piece, “2x2x4” at the Avant-Garde-Arama Lands in Woodstock Festival of July 2021. Spaghetti Eastern Music’s recording of the three-movement scores of “2x2x4” was released in November 2021 on Bandcamp and other streaming services.
Sal Cataldi (a.k.a. Spaghetti Eastern Music). photo by Tracy Yarad.
“Recycle Me” is included in the “Present Continuous,” a unique summer festival of durational performance art works held over three, 24-hour sessions, a highlight of Upstate Art Weekend 2024 at Glasshouse Project in New Paltz. This program is free and open to the public with a suggested donation to support the artists. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP.
The Jungle Shakedown Music Festival just announced its lineup featuring a wide variety of acts, relocating to the lush landscapes of Costa Rica.
Jungle Shakedown Festival has become synonymous with unforgettable musical experiences and enchanting destinations. This year, the festival is elevating the adventure by embracing the captivating beauty and raw energy of the Costa Rican jungle. Set against the backdrop of the Vajra Jahra Retreat Center, this immersive experience promises to be the ultimate all-inclusive VIP getaway.
It promises not to just be a transformative musical experience, but also an adventure in Costa Rica, including spotting wildlife, longing on beaches, surfing, and picturesque sites of the jungle. Not your average festival, the experience allows you to hang out with the musicians, uniting the power of music, the beauty of nature, and the magic of community.
The lineup for Jungle Shakedown features an impressive roster of renowned musicians from the jam band scene. Attendees can expect performances from music icons including Al Schnier and Vin Amico of moe., Jason Hann of The String Cheese Incident, Steve Molitz of Particle, Mark Joseph of The Big Wu, and Janis Wallin of Family Groove Company. These talented musicians form the supergroup The Dire Wolves! More acts are to be announced.
Villas for Jungle Shakedown are on sale now. At the time of release there are only ten villas remaining, each with space for two-four individuals.
Get your school of fish/phish together – Oregon State University will host the second ever Phish Studies Conference on May 17-19, 2024, in Corvallis, Oregon.
artwork by Ryan Kerrigan
First held in 2019, the #PhishStudies Conference is an in-depth look at the band, fans, culture, community, publications, and of course music, of Phish. The event was a huge success, with 100s attending daily to take part in panels, discussions, observe gallery displays and presentations of Ph.D dissertations and theses.
Jnan A. Blau said of the 2019 conference: “I’ve just come back from one of the coolest, most stimulating and invigorating, and definitely one of the most “far out” (to quote Mr. Bill Kreutzman, via Mr. Benjy Eisen) experiences of my life. Late last Monday night, I got back home to San Luis Obispo, California from Corvallis, Oregon. I had to rise and shine the next day, no time at all to transition from Phishiness to so-called real life—a direct, rather abrupt segue (a rip cord if there ever was one!) into a full day of teaching in university classrooms. I was, and still am, kind of exhausted. But, I’ve had a secret smile the size of Mt. Icculus plastered across my face and tattooed on my heart ever since. This because I am back from Phish Studies, the first-ever academic conference dedicated to our favorite topic/subject/phenomenon.”
Also featured at the conference was an exhibit from the Phishsonian Institute, “Beyond The Moss Forgotten exhibit at the Phish Studies conference” which celebrated the art and history of Phish’s performances in the Pacific Northwest since the 1990s.
Check out more photos from the 2019 Phish Studies Conference by Derek Finholt and visit Phish.net for an in depth recap of the conference by Jnan A. Blau.
The #PhishStudies Conference is also looking for sponsors to support the mission and event. For more information, contact Professor Stephanie Jenkins.
The only rule is it begins! More info, including sponsorship opportunities, at phishstudies.net.
Rochester-based indie band Joywave has announced they will play the New York State Fair at the Chevy Court Stage on Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.
Formed in 2010, Joywave started when lead vocalist, Daniel Ambruster, was writing and recording music in his parents’ basement. They gained traction with a series of online mixtapes that blended their original songs with material from other artists. The group’s debut studio album, How Do You Feel Now? peaked at #3 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Album chart, where their second album, Content, also cracked the Top 10. In 2014 they released the popular hit “Dangerous” with Big Data, and their most recent record Cleanse features a series of songs that explore life in the early 2020s.
Their infectious brand of indie rock and electronic elements has led them to perform at major festivals including Lollapalooza and Coachella. They have toured with Bastille, The Killers, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Bleachers, Foals, and more, and also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Watching Joywave’s performance is included with the price of Fair admission.
New York State Fair Lineup
Chevy Court
Aug. 23 at 1 p.m.- Chubby Checker
Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.- Salt-N-Pepa
Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.- Quiet Riot
Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.- Peppa Pig Live! Peppa Pig’s Adventure
Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.- Julio Iglesias Jr.
Aug. 27 at 1 p.m.- The Prodigals
Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.- Matt Stell
Aug. 28 at 1 p.m.- Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.- Anne Wilson
Aug. 29 at 1 p.m.- Tommy James and the Shondells
Aug. 29 at 6 p.m.- Bret Michaels
Aug. 30 at 1 p.m.- Danielle Ponder
Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.- Chapel Hart
Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.- The Fray
Sept. 2 at 12-9:45 p.m.- JAMS Funk Fest Featuring: Brick (6:45 p.m.) & Dazz Band (8:15 p.m.)
Sun. Sept. 3 at 1 p.m.- Disney Junior Live On tour: Costume Palooza
Sept. 4 at 12 p.m.- The High Kings
Suburban Park
Aug. 23 at 2 p.m.- Steven Page
Aug. 23 at 8 p.m.- Lainey Wilson
Aug. 24 at 8 p.m.- Theory of a Deadman
Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.- George Thorogood and the Destroyers
New York State is home to a great deal of recording studios, and Central New York certainly has their fair share. These studios are found from Ithaca to Syracuse and Utica, with many of these studios having a long and rich history, while others have only been around for a few years.
Cooperstown, NY
Rep Studio in the heart of downtown Ithaca provides recording artists with a spacious, comfortable environment in which to create and hone a first-rate product, whether it be a music CD, a radio spot, custom music for any application, sound to picture, or anything else audio.
Pyramid Sound Studios in Ithaca is a state-of-the-art recording facility that has worked with both major label and independent artists worldwide for the past 30 years. The studio offers music production services for the entire album-making process including writing, recording, mixing, and mastering. Pyramid Sound is equipped with a live room that features three iso booths built with acoustic production in mind. Both the live room and the control room are built on sand and separated from one another to avoid excessive bleeding and vibrations, and both spaces are patchable to any other room via both instrument and speaker cables.
Subcat Studios was originally founded in 2001 in Skaneateles before moving to Syracuse. The SAG-AFTRA-approved studio offers music recording and production, professional video production, and other educational services for recording artists. Mastering Engineer and Principal Owner Ron Keck had been working with digital recording since 1989. Because of his experience and skillset, SubCat quickly gained a reputation for high-quality audio recording. Today, SubCat prides itself on high-quality studio recording, remote recording, audio mixing and mastering, videography and photography, graphic design, CD and DVD duplication, printing, and much more.
Studio A in Subcat Studios is equipped with a drum set.
Big Blue North Recording Studio in Utica has a rich and extensive history. It was initially a wooden church erected in 1920, and on October 9, 1927, the current brick church building opened to the public with an auditorium filled. Big Blue North was purchased by its current owners, Audio Engineer Jeff Aderman and Studio Manager Pamela Jardieu in 2000 and underwent two and a half years of renovation under the supervision of audio industry icon John Storyk. The facility opened as Castle Recording Studio in 2003, and continued until the owner’s retirement 10 years later, reopening as Big Blue North Recording Studio in 2013.
Big Blue North Recording Studio comes equipped with 5,000 square foot residence, a.k.a The Fort, with a large kitchen and dining room to self-cater your meals, a living room with a big TV to veg out, a practice room to work out your parts, a library to check your email, a private outdoor courtyard to get some fresh air, four bedrooms and an attached garage to securely park the band van and free wireless internet. Weekly cleaning service is included. Available free of charge for out-of-town residents.
There are several recording studios throughout New York State and Central New York where aspiring musicians can produce music in their pursuit of making their musical dreams come true. If you know of another we missed, reach out to editors@nysmusic.com!
