KISS’ End Of The Road Farewell Tour found them playing the second of two sold-out nights at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York City on December 2. After 50 years of rock and roll music, KISS decided to go out where they started, at home in New York.
Photo Credit: Instagram/thegarden
The New York natives announced back in March of 2023 on The Howard Stern Show that the band’s final show was to take place where it all started. KISS was able to sell out The Garden for the second straight night ahead of their final curtain call.
All around the arena leading up to the show, the energy was through the roof. People dressed as their favorite members of KISS past or present and were walking around, dining in the local restaurants, or being interviewed by members of the press outside. Other fans flocked to the giant screens outside MSG promoting the sold-out show to snap a photo.
Before KISS hit the stage, Amber Wild got the chilly New York crowd in the right mood for the rock and roll domination that was going to take place. Amber Wild consists of Jacob Massanari on bass, Marshall Via on guitar, Thomas Lowrey on drums and Evan Stanley on lead vocals and guitar. Stanley is the son of KISS frontman, Paul Stanley, who is also a founding member of KISS .
Amber Wild performed just six songs for the audience. Despite the short set, the band made sure that the New Yorkers didn’t forget them. From the moment that they jumped on stage, fans immediately took notice as the band jumped into one of their first singles called “Breakout.” From that moment until they left the stage, fans listened intently as the next wave of rock and roll music debuted before them.
Photo Credit: Instagram/amberwildband
After pre-recorded interviews with the band and other interviews with family and friends that were being broadcast on PPV.com were complete, the house lights dimmed and Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” off of Led Zeppelin IV blasted through the speakers signaling that it was time for KISS to take the stage. This version of KISS consists of founding member Paul Stanley on lead vocals and guitar, founding member Gene Simmons on bass and vocals, Eric Singer on drums, and Tommy Thayer on lead guitar
Photo Credit: Instagram/kissonline
As KISS entered from the ceiling on platforms, the band blasted in “Detroit Rock City” off of Destroyer, and from there, they played 20 songs that spanned their entire catalog. From classic songs off their self-titled debut record to one of their most recent albums, 2009s Sonic Boom, every era of KISS was played. This is in part because KISS has become a generational band. Kids as young as three and people as old as their 70s attend this final show as the KISS Army joined and became one for one final time.
Photo Credit: Instagram/thegarden
For the entire two-hour show, the entire arena did not sit down once. From the fans on the floor to the bleacher creatures up in the rafters, fans stood the entire time as they witnessed the final show from their beloved band. Throughout the entire show, the classic KISS theatrics took center stage. Before “God of Thunder,” Simmons spat out fake blood and breathed fire after “I Love It Loud,” Thayer shot rockets out of his guitar after “Cold Gin” and Stanley flew through the air to a mini stage in the middle of the crowd to sing “Love Gun” and “ I Was Made For Lovin’ You.” KISS did not miss a beat the entire show.
They looked and sounded like they were at the top of their game. If you put them up against any version of the band, it would be hard to pick a winner due to the band being at its peak of performing.
Photo Credit: Instagram/thegarden
Stanley and Simmons were very thankful for all the fans who showed up to every one of their concerts as throughout the show, they kept saying “thank you” to the cameras as well as making hearts with their hands to show their appreciation. The band has cited throughout their career that the fans are the ones that got them there and that they will always be thankful to them for that.
Photo Credit: Instagram/thegarden
As the show powered through into the night, the anticipation of former members jumping on stage hit an all-time high when Singer sang “Beth.” For the other two encore songs that ended with the KISS anthem of “Rock and Roll All Nite,” no former members of the band jumped on stage with the current lineup which didn’t sour anyone’s mood as the band went out with a bang.
Photo Credit: Instagram/thegarden
As the band took their final bows and announced that a new era of KISS was coming (which ended up being digital Avatars of the band), fans excited MSG with commemorative 24 Karat Gold plated tickets. As fans spilled out onto 34th street in Manhattan, they knew that they helped write the final chapter of KISS-story that started in 1974 with their self-titled debut record and ended, where it all began, in New York.
KISS Setlist: Detroit Rock City, Shout It Out Loud, Deuce, War Machine, Heaven’s on Fire, I Love It Loud, Say Yeah, Cold Gin, Lick It Up, Calling Dr. Love, Makin’ Love, Psycho Circus, 100,000 Years, God of Thunder, Love Gun, I Was Made for Lovin’ You, Black Diamond, Beth, Do You Love Me, Rock and Roll All Nite
Dances With Films have announced this year’s indie focused film festival lineup, highlighting 135 films in four days including 64 world premieres beginning on Thursday, November 30.
Advanced Chemistry by Etana Jacobson
On their 26th year, Dances With Films celebrates the unflinching spirit at the very core of the independent film scene. They rely on innovation, talent, creativity, and sweat equity that revolutionizes the entertainment industry, that reliance continues to prove successful with alumni moving on to write, direct (etc). Among DWF NYC’s lineup of 136 films, including 20 narrative features, 9 documentary features, 19 television and streaming pilots, and 88 short films, are an impressive number of world premieres, all screenings will take place at Regal Union Square.
After becoming the leading beacon for true indie films and filmmakers in Los Angeles over the past 26 years, this will mark Dances With Films’ return to New York City for the second year.
“This year’s theme is “the color of imagination”, and that imagination, by its various definitions, exemplifies what Dances With Films will be highlighting this December. We could not be more excited to return to NYC and debut so many wonderful films and help provide a platform for all our indie filmmakers and their projects under the spotlight of this great city.”
– DWF Founder and Director Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent
On Thursday, November 30 will feature the opening night presentation of DWF alumni Dylan K. Narang’s Tapawingo. Tapawingo is a light-hearted coming of age comedy starring Jon Heder as an eccentric young man who lives with his mother and works in a mailroom. The film also stars Gina Gershon, Billy Zane, John Ratzenberger, and Amanda Bearse.
Tapawingo by Dylan K. Narang
Additional feature films making their world premieres are Etana Jacobson’s Advanced Chemistry about a scientist who attempts to help his lesbian best friend stop cheating on her wife suddenly backfires. Kevin Interdonato’s The Bastard Sons a story of revenge by a group of men, Michael Groom’s British romantic drama Between The Lights, Isaac Hirotsu Woofter’s Bound. The North American Premiere is Vardan Tozija’s M, a multi-national production centering a young boy who lives in the forest under the watchful eye of his overprotective and mysterious father, their sheltered existence is all he knows.
The Zombie Wedding by Micah Khan
Also making their world premieres are Sara Katarina Burke and Aaron Andrew Keene’s Can’t Seem to Make You Mine about a recent parolee who tries to make amends with his ex. Ryan Moore’s Influencefocuses on a struggling female filmmaker, Michelle Bossy’s Nobody’s Home follows the mind-bending journey of a young man after he is released from the psychiatric hospital. Brendan Boogie’s buddy comedyTallywacker, Micah Khan’s outlandish comedy The Zombie Wedding and finally, Justin Best’s Sherylabout a woman who goes on a bloody quest to create the perfect face after dumped by her serial killer boyfriend. As part of DWF NYC’s dedicated programming of horror, thrillers, and genre films, the Closing Night selection also comes from the film festival’s Midnight section. On Sunday, December 3 the closing night will feature Nicholas Gyeney’s The Activated Man making its first world premiere to officially close off the film festival. In the film, a man, struggling with the grief from losing his best friend and beloved dog to cancer, begins to have strange visions only he can see, questioning whether his mind has been fractured.
The Activated Man by Nicholas Gyeney
For more information about the Dances With Films NYC film lineup, events, passes, and tickets, please visit here.
The 2023 Dances With Films NYC official selections:
OPENING NIGHT SELECTION Tapawingo Director: Dylan K. Narang Country: USA; Running Time: 109 min An oddball becomes the bodyguard for a misfit teenager and finds himself in the crosshairs of the town’s family of bullies.
CLOSING NIGHT SELECTION The Activated Man World Premiere Director: Nicholas Gyeney Country: USA; Running Time: 115 min As Ors Gabriel struggles with the grief from losing his best friend and beloved dog to cancer, the trauma brings on strange visions only Ors can see. While he questions whether his mind has fractured or if it’s real, a mysterious rise in murder-suicides takes hold of the city, and Ors becomes haunted by images of a shadowy figure known as ‘The Fedora Man’. Through torments and terror, Ors must face his fears and confront ‘The Fedora Man’ as he uncovers dark secrets from his past, while finally embracing who he really is, and what he is meant to do.
ADDITIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURES Advanced Chemistry World Premiere Director: Etana Jacobson Country: USA; Running Time: 96 min A scientist injects his lesbian best friend with a compound he’s created to make her stop cheating on her wife (who is bi), but when the wife finds her new monogamous fixation suffocating, he injects the wife too, which backfires when she falls for him.
The Bastard Sons World Premiere Director: Kevin Interdonato Country: USA; Running Time: 90 min Life for a crew of organized criminals is disrupted when Vincent Damiano’s father, the family’s boss, is murdered. Vincent’s ‘bastard’ brothers (UFC legend Frank Edgar, Chicago Med star Malik Whitfield), a group of orphaned souls he raised together, have an idea of who killed their father…his partner Rome (TV/Film veteran Al Sapienza). In a valiant and calculated attempt to regain the business and enact vengeance on Rome over the course of one day, the Bastards wage an all-out war to get their pound of flesh.
Between The Lights World Premiere Director: Michael Groom Country: UK; Running Time: 104 min When skeptical scientist Alice falls for reluctant medium Jay, she’s taken on an odyssey of love, loss and discovery that will turn her world upside down. Between the Lights is a romantic drama with a liberal dose of the supernatural, in which we visit our characters over three consecutive Christmases. It is set within the ancient walls of York and the stunning natural beauty of the Lake District.
Bound World Premiere Director: Isaac Hirotsu Woofter Country: USA; Running Time: 101 min To escape her drug-dealing controlling stepfather, a young introvert flees to NYC with only her pet pocket squirrel. After successfully reinventing herself, she realizes she must confront her dark past, to truly be free.
Can’t Seem to Make You Mine World Premiere Directors: Sara Katarina Burke, Aaron Andrew Keene Country: USA; Running Time: 102 min A man who was just released from prison tries to make amends with his ex and become a father to his 6-year-old son while staying with a stripper he met on a pen-pal website.
Daruma Director: Alexander Yellen Country: USA; Running Time: 104 min Patrick (bitter wheelchair user) must enlist the help of his cantankerous neighbor (double amputee veteran) to transport the daughter he never knew he had to live with her maternal grandparents on the other side of the country.
Grounded Director: Justin Chan Country: USA; Running Time: 84 min William Lee, a 30-something Chinese-Filipino American, introduces his Caucasian girlfriend to his overbearing, immigrant parents when a mysterious cosmic force takes hold of their day.
Home Free Director: Aaron Brown Country: USA; Running Time: 98 min In 1997, a group of college misfits invite an unhoused professor to crash on their porch. Home Free is a Trojan horse, a bold coming-of-age comedy aimed at reaching a mass audience, but also intended to be a catalyst for serious social change sharply focused on one of the most pervasive problems across America—the homelessness epidemic. Humor is our spoonful of sugar.
Influence World Premiere Director: Ryan Moore Country: USA; Running Time: 83 min A female filmmaker struggling with her career and her mental health reaches a breaking point and decides to kidnap a famous social media influencer in an attempt to coerce them into playing the lead role in her latest project.
Katie’s Mom Director: Tyrrell Shaffner Country: USA; Running Time: 111 min A heartfelt comedy influenced by The Graduate but told from the perspective of a protagonist inspired by Mrs. Robinson. Set in modern-day Pasadena, California. Nancy Rosenfeld (Dina Meyer), a nurturing mom and recent divorcée, whose beloved Jewish/Christmas mashup holiday celebration with her adult children is derailed when she falls for Alex Rojas (Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building), her daughter’s charming new boyfriend. Their electrifying affair upends her status quo and sets her on a path to becoming who she was meant to be.
M North American Premiere Director: Vardan Tozija Countries: Macedonia/Croatia/Kosovo/France/Luxembourg, Running Time: 99 min In a secluded forest, young Marko lives under the watchful eye of his overprotective and mysterious father. Their sheltered existence is all he knows. Marko seeks solace in his cherished picture book, finding comfort and answers within its pages. One day, an encounter with a kind-hearted, helpless boy named Miko, brings a glimmer of warmth and connection into Marko’s isolated world. As his curiosity grows, Marko yearns to uncover the secrets that lie beyond the confines of the wilderness. But, a cruel turn of events grants him his wish sooner than he expects…
Nobody’s Home World Premiere Director: Michelle Bossy Country: USA; Running Time: 83 min When Luca is released from the psychiatric hospital where he and his girlfriend Theodora live, she escapes with him. To remain in control, she takes him to his childhood home, the root of his trauma. Time lapses. Consciousness is distorted. A dead body is discovered. Theodora insists Luca committed the murder in his sleep. Is she telling the truth? A knock on the door suddenly diverts them. Angelica and Jeremy show up, high on acid. Theodora invites them in to test Luca’s loyalty. Her jealousy increases to the point of danger. In the end, nothing is what it seems. Everyone has darkness inside.
Palimpsest North American Premiere Director: Hanna Vastinsalo Country: Finland; Running Time: 109 min Two elderly roommates are selected for a medical trial that makes them younger. Given a second chance at life, with the memories of their past life intact, they realize that growing young is not just fun.
Space Baby Director: Rex Dean Country: USA; Running Time: 99 min Three friends fight fascist Nurse Nancy to rebuild the holy grail and get a new soul for the earth. Each friend is different. 8-year-old Sam (“Mental Man”) is a mad scientist and inventor; 6-year-old Sophia (“Nature Girl”) is a caretaker of the earth; 300-year-old Blue (a great ballplayer like Satchel Paige) was the keeper of the holy grail in Africa before he and his siblings were captured as slaves. With help from a squadron of ladybugs, they fight the “greed, intolerance, and just plain cruelty” that Nurse Nancy and her demonic crow inhabit. A story of courage, friendship, and love.
Tallywacker World Premiere Director: Brendan Boogie Country: USA; Running Time: 90 min A rock and roll buddy comedy about 2 bandmates whose relationship gets tested when one of them gets a gig touring with a major rock star.
The Zombie Wedding World Premiere Director: Micah Khan Country: USA; Running Time: 99 min A young Cumberland County, NJ couple decides to go through with their wedding – during the Zombie Apocalypse. Unfortunately, he’s a zombie and she’s not. Both families are fearful, but the humans’ behavior is brutish. When the Zombies begin feeling brain-deprived, the ceremony takes a turn for the weird. Weekly World News reporters are there to cover this wild wedding – while trying to get out alive!
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES 44 Lights: Music from Ground Zero Director: Barbara Blackburn Tuttle Country: USA; Running Time: 68 min A musical journey to healing in the aftermath of 9/11. A story of pain, loss, and ultimately rebirth through music.
American Pot Story: Oaksterdam Directors: Dan Katzir and Ravit Markus Country: USA; Running Time: 97 min This award-winning documentary is a decade-long follow-up of the underdogs who put their blood, sweat, and tears to overturn a 100-year-old policy, proving in the process that “a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world,” to quote Margaret Mead).
Brothers Broken Directors: Geoff Levin, Lily Richards Country: USA; Running Time: 86 min This is the story of brothers Geoff and Robbie Levin, who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area as part of the 60’s music scene including Jerry Garcia, the Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin. The brother’s band PEOPLE! had the hit record “I Love You” in 1968 and toured with The Who; then Scientology entered their lives destroyed their band and split up the brothers. After 46 years Geoff despite losing his children and friends to the cult, left the church and reunited with his brother and band. It’s a tale of breaking free from a modern-day prison of belief.
Denim Hunter U.S. Premiere Director: Emilio Di Stefano Country: Sweden; Running Time: 87 min In the road movie documentary Denim Hunter, we meet Viktor – a regular guy from Sweden but with a burning passion for really old jeans. The film follows Viktor on his wild journey through the deserts of California, Arizona, and Nevada as well as up the snowclad Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where he hunts for denim treasures in hazardous run-down gold mines from the 1880s. On his journey, Viktor comes across an array of unlikely desert characters, like Indiana Jeans, Dynamite Dan, and Redneck-Mike. In various ways, they all lead Viktor from one failure to the next.
The Depths of My Despair Director: Elizabeth Lawrence Country: USA; Running Time: 68 min The Depths of My Despair is a visceral rabbit hole toward the authentic self. Filmmaker Elizabeth Lawrence takes an emotional, first-person detour inward. Oscillating through saneness and psychosis; debris and lucidity, the film stares at depression dead-on.
District Of Second Chances World Premiere Director: Wynette Yao Country: USA; Running Time: 76 min District of Second Chances follows the journeys of three men from Washington, D.C., all sentenced to life in prison during the 1990s. Now, because of sentencing reform, they have a rare chance at release and new lives.
Meet Me Where I Am Director: Grant Garry Country: USA; Running Time: 86 min Meet Me Where I Am explores the topic of grief through individual stories of loss, love, and hope. The film aims to normalize grief in our culture and explores how we can actively participate in helping others through grief. By accepting grief and its impact, we hope to help individuals find new meaning as they move forward with their grief.
Studio One Forever Director: Marc Saltarelli Country: USA; Running Time: 86 min The untold story of America’s iconic gay disco, a kaleidoscopic excursion into LGBTQ+ history through the lens of this groundbreaking club. From 1974-1994, Studio One and its adjoining live music venue, The Backlot, became symbols of hope and community for gay men during tumultuous times. Amidst the rise of gay rights, disco’s heyday, and the devastating AIDS crisis, the club offered sanctuary from rampant homophobia and police oppression.
Torched – The Story of Austin Torch Director: Hoag Kepner Country: USA; Running Time: 66 min Torched tells the story of the Austin Torch, a wild and fiery group of women/non-binary athletes in Austin who are trying to legitimize and professionalize their fringe sport of Ultimate Frisbee in a historically male-dominated sports industry. As we follow the Torch on the road and at home during their 2022 season, we realize that though the Torch might not always win, they never really lose, because it’s more than a team: it’s a movement.
MIDNIGHT FEATURES Sheryl World Premiere Director: Justin Best Country: USA; Running Time: 72 min After she’s dumped by her serial killer boyfriend for not being “hot enough”, a beauty-obsessed woman goes on a bloody quest to create the perfect face, all while navigating her new relationship with the cop investigating the murders.
Wild Eyed and Wicked Director: G.S. Foxwood Country: USA; Running Time: 99 min Lily Pierce is sick of being haunted. She decides to reconnect with her estranged father, a disgraced history professor, and learn how to draw upon a time of steel and blade when armor-clad knights rode out and dueled their monsters to the death.
TELEVISION AND WEB SERIES PILOTS
A Killer Service Director: Gio Randazzo Country: USA; Running Time: 25 min The hapless daughter of an incarcerated con-artist finds she has inherited a substantial debt to a dangerous crime boss. Forced into a corner, Elliott discovers how to take control of her life while helping empower other women.
Awesome Director: Paul Munger Country: USA; Running Time: 16 min Every night, 20-year-old Joy gets a glimpse of the future. But with a dad on parole, a pill-popping boyfriend, and a recent lay-off, that doesn’t mean she can stop it from being shitty. That is until she foresees an event that will ruin the lives of her loved ones forever. She’ll have to figure out how to change her future–or live with the consequences.
The Blind ZoneWorld Premiere Directors: Federica Marchese, Vinushu Sundaresan Country: China; Running Time: 32 min Battle of wits and violence ensues when the separate worlds of two teenage sociopaths collide after they set their eyes on the same target.
East Director: Dana Marisa Schoenfeld Country: USA; Running Time: 32 min When Ella Goldman, a New York City Corporate attorney, gets engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Josh, she is ecstatic to embark on the next stage of her life. With a wedding to plan and a blossoming career, Ella thinks she has it all. But when she suddenly loses her job and catches her boyfriend cheating, her world comes crashing down. This devastating turn of events forces her to confront the truth about her life – and what it is she really wants. Convinced that this is a “wake-up call,” Ella pursues her childhood dream of being an actress.
Events At Hemlock Manor Director: Katie North Country: USA; Running Time: 15 min At its core, this is a series about underdogs: a ragtag group of spooky weirdos with nowhere else to go. Hemlock Manor is not only a year-round haunted house with a terrible business model; it’s also a home. But what do you do when the thing you love is in trouble? You fight for it. Even when that means throwing a baby shower for a group of rich ladies who thought “the historic Hemlock Manor” was a charming country villa, not a haunted house open in July.
For Years to Come Director: Micah Stuart Country: USA; Running Time: 27 min An irreverent and heartfelt romantic dramedy about a gay man who falls in love with his dead mother’s hospice nurse, while struggling to reconnect with his elderly father…who’s secretly a porn director.
Hit Man: Secrets Of Lies Director: Elias Plagianos Country: UK; Running Time: 19 min A reflective hitman from New York City travels to small towns around the country trying to find meaning in his seemingly inconsequential life as he fulfills his contracts and eliminates his targets.
Hot Angry Mom Director: Clarissa De Los Reyes Country: USA; Running Time: 34 min A people-pleasing mom must face her rage, as a video of her epic meltdown goes viral.
I Could Eat Director: Rick Bedrosian Country: USA; Running Time: 28 min A new TV/Web Series showcasing the cuisine & music that unites diverse cultures. Host, Rick Bedrosian (“George” in a Beatlemania stage show for 7 years, leader of Celtic music powerhouse, Hair Of The Dog, since 1993 and an international tour guide) spans the globe seeking out the finest food and the most interesting music makers.
L.I.F.E.: It’s Wonderful Director: Dathan Smith Country: USA; Running Time: 22 min L.I.F.E. is an anthology series set in the near future where citizens receive a hand-delivered card notifying them the day they will die. Rose feels trapped in her new “home”. Emilia feels trapped by her daughter’s recent news. Bob is forced to deliver a card he has been dreading since joining L.I.F.E. Corp. as Diane adjusts to her new job.
MomentsNorth American Premiere Director: Aaron Lewis Country: USA; Running Time: 23 min Moments is a gripping 9-episode digital series, each under 13 minutes, offering intimate glimpses into characters on the brink. Driven by black trauma and mysticism, it unravels mind-reading and hidden truths through therapist Dr. Winston. An enigmatic narrator, Rutina Wesley, introduces time travel, adding layers of self-discovery. Momentshints at an expanded episodic journey, diving deeper into characters’ histories and relationships, while authentically addressing themes of healing and transformation within the mystical. Boasting a stellar ensemble cast and profound storytelling.
Morse Code Director: Travis Nicholson Country: USA; Running Time: 37 min In the eccentric community of modern-day East Nashville, Simon, a talented but flawed thirty-something indie folk singer finds himself at a crossroads as he struggles to strike a balance between family and career.
Off The Menu Director: Daniele Sestito Country: USA; Running Time: 37 min “Chef” is a perfectionist, Italian cook who works for an unordinary institution. Typically stern and grandiose, a new side of Chef is revealed when he is forced to make a meal that’s beyond his grasp.
Q Train Directors: Dionne Van Den Berg, Samantha Tran Country: USA; Running Time: 10 min A Brooklyn based DJ explores the queer dating scene.
Roboto Directors: Mari Madrid, Keone Madrid Country: USA; Running Time: 18 min Ky loses his entire career as a highly successful choreographer when AI takes over the dance industry and the world by storm. This throws Ky into suicidal ideations until Mikah, a bright and optimistic 12-year-old boy, decides to disregard the latest craze of dancing with Roboto and instead asks Ky to choreograph for his school performance. While at first Ky reluctantly decides to help the kid, he begins to find a bit of light in his life again. And when it’s revealed that Mikah had a battle with cancer Ky’s perspective is completely shifted.
The SelectmanWorld Premiere Director: David Antonio Martin Country: USA; Running Time: 26 min In the wake of Selectman Joseph Allenby’s untimely death, this absurd comedy begins amid a memorial service in the small town of Picasquiddy, Maine. Subverting the idyllic nature of small-town New England, our protagonists are trapped in a picturesque world where the forces of learned behavior, arrested adolescence, and the quest for power forever collide. As two unlikely successors emerge as candidates for the Board of Selectmen, the town’s fate hangs in the balance. Does anybody have what it takes?
Travel Fox World Premiere Director: Henk Pretorius Country: UK; Running Time: 5 min Get ready for a wild adventure in Travel Fox, the pilot episode of an animated series tailor-made for curious kids. Follow the inquisitive Travel Fox and Bogie the Tortoise as they race across the world, chasing rainbows in search of a legendary pot of gold. But here’s the twist – instead of gold, our friends discover something even more precious: a treasure trove of unique characters and unforgettable experiences.
Ülom: The Primary Experiment World Premiere Director: Jon Da Country: USA; Running Time: 25 min In Ülom, one can find anything, even meaning. A desperate scientist undertakes a labyrinthian experiment he believes will locate his missing daughter. Journeying ever deeper into the labyrinth, he must confront an invasive, fictional reality. Remember: what feels real, is real. Ülom is here.
XanderWorld Premiere Director: Jonathan Chao Country: USA; Running Time: 11 min When lonely high school student Luke befriends Xander the Genie, he’s forced to consider if making his one wish is worth losing his new genie best friend.
NARRATIVE SHORTS (In)Convenience Director: Alexandra Greenspan Country: USA; Running Time: 12 min
#Pizzagate World Premiere Director: Danny Piñeros Country: USA; Running Time: 8 min
The 1971 Kitchen Grand Brie Director: Ian Beckman Country: USA; Running Time: 11 min
Bisected World Premiere Director: Danny Piñeros Country: USA; Running Time: 8 min
Black Silk World Premiere Director: Patrick Michael Country: USA; Running Time: 16 min
Blight World Premiere Director: Markus Hoeckner Country: USA; Running Time: 15 min
Bloodworm World Premiere Director: Kai Wen Country: USA; Running Time: 13 min
Bounce House Directors: Callie Bloem, Christopher Ewing Country: USA; Running Time: 16 min
Burraco World Premiere Director: Isabella Tagliati Country: Italy; Running Time: 14 min
Candice Director: Tyler Martin Country: USA; Running Time: 15 min
Career Day Directors: Jason Robinson, Chris Hooper Country: USA; Running Time: 10 min
Chauncey World Premiere Director: Reilly Anspaugh & Daniel Rashid Country: USA; Running Time: 11 min
Cheol World Premiere Director: Yeajoon Cho Country: USA; Running Time: 19 min
Church Camp Director: Andrew Bourne Country: USA; Running Time: 14 min
The Chat World Premiere Writer/Dir/Prod: Artie Brennan Country: USA; Running Time: 6 min
Clownfish Director: Clayton Henderson Country: USA; Running Time: 11 min
Dear Owner Director: Jing Ai Ng Country: USA; Running Time: 17 min
Delta World Premiere Director: Jonathan Coleman Country: USA; Running Time: 9 min
Detox Director: Alex Hanno Country: USA; Running Time: 19 min
Dropping Director: Rj Collins Country: USA; Running Time: 10 min
Echoes Of My Father World Premiere Directors: Junko Kajino, Ed M Koziarski Country: USA, Japan; Running Time: 18 min
The Electro-Rocker Director: Chris Edgar Country: USA; Running Time: 17 min
Entrainment Director: Bill Prokopow Country: USA; Running Time: 12 min
Esperance To Fremantle World Premiere Director: William Sebastian Turner Country: Australia; Running Time: 18 min
Everything Goes Dark International Premiere Director: Alex Casimir Country: USA; Running Time: 15 min
Fate Vs. Elena World Premiere Director: Laura Sedlak Country: USA; Running Time: 23 min
From The Dark North American Premiere Director: Erika Sanz Country: USA; Running Time: 7 min
Hot Soda Director: Nello Digiandomenico Country: USA; Running Time: 15 min
How To Disappear World Premiere Director: Milton Woods Country: USA; Running Time: 20 min
I Keep Bumping into Candy Maldonado World Premiere Director: Luke Black Country: USA; Running Time: 11 min
In The Quiet World Premiere Director: Merle Dandridge Country: USA; Running Time: 5 min
Interracial Couple In A Cheerios Ad Director: Christine Lakin Country: USA; Running Time: 4 min
The Invaders Director: Erin Doyle Cooper Country: USA; Running Time: 4 min
Itch World Premiere Director: Mohammad Anwerzada Countries: Pakistan/Canada; Running Time: 9 min
Letters To the Wind World Premiere Director: Terrence Shu Country: USA; Running Time: 13 min
Karina Rykman made her debut appearance in Saratoga Springs with a show at Putnam Place on Thursday, November 30. With a strong crowd in attendance – and some fans making the trek up to Burlington on December 1 and 2 – Rykman’s first show in the Spa City will certainly not be her last.
Opening the night was Coyote Island, a reggae/pop group from Maine, on tour with Rykman this fall.
Throughout her single set, Karina would play a variety of songs from her debut album, Joyride, released this past August. Beginning the show with some of the most familiar tracks on the album, from “Beacon” through “Plants,” each was played with slow building energy and focus from the band, loosening up as the set progressed.
“City Kids” would mark a frenzied shift of the set’s vivacity, with Rykman running around in circles, pumping the already engaged crowd up even more. Guitarist Adam November dropped rapid fire guitar, the kind you’d hear in “The Great Curve,” with just the proper amount of distortion incorporated – never too heavy and present in the right spots. Rykman dropped a few bars of “The National Anthem” by Radiohead, per usual turning ears to the stage when this ear worm of a bass line makes its appearance.
“Run of the Mill” brought with it venue-shaking bass bombs, and slowly seeped into Butthole Surfers’ “Pepper,” which had more energy than the 1996 song. Rykman and drummer Chris Corsico put a grungy feel to the debut of “Canary in a Colemine,” a tinge of Mary J. Blige’s “Family Affair” slipping in amid the final songs of the set.
For an encore, Rykman chose to debut “Song 2” from Blur, a great addition to their setlist arsenal, and a performance that assures her return to the Capital Region in the future.
Setlist: Beacon, Skylark/Slowlark, Joyride > All That You Wanted > Plants > Arbitrary > Dirty South, City Kids, Run of the Mill > Pepper, Reboot, No Occasion > Canary in a Colemine > The Hardest Button to Button, Atom Dance, Elevator Encore: Song 2
Up next for Rykman is a performance at Warren Haynes’ XMas Jam in Asheville, NC on Saturday, December 9, then at Mohegan Sun on December 30. Check out her full tour dates here.
If you grew up in the past three decades paying attention to pop culture, then you know Britney Spears. She took America by storm since she was just a little girl with her raw vocal talent and knack for dancing. With her quick rise to fame came unexpected and unwanted attention: being scrutinized by the media for her clothes, her body, her virginity, and later on, her mental health.
It didn’t matter that she was successful; she shaved her head and went “rogue,” so she was “bad.” She was put under a conservatorship, a legal status where someone else is appointed to take care of personal and financial matters instead of the original person, typically reserved for the elderly or disabled: of which, she is neither. Britney Spears’ book The Woman In Me uncovers the Circus that was her life, the abuse she endured, and how she is recovering to this day.
Britney Spears revolutionized teen pop during the 1990s and early 2000s. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 at the young age of 15, and faced immediate success. …Baby One More Time and Oops!…I Did It Again are among the best-selling albums of all time.
She’s a famous artist, but she’s also a mother of two boys (Sean Preston Federline and Jayden James Federline), as well as an author, as of October 2023.
Spears, with the help of ghostwriter Sam Lansky, tells her story. She starts with her early life, hiding no tarnishes, such as her family’s struggles with mental health and her father’s alcoholism, and how both have affected her throughout her career.
Spears began taking dance lessons in her hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana, and from then, she was hooked. She later tried out for the 1990s revival of The Mickey Mouse Club, and after being rejected the first time and returning later with more experience, she was hired in December of 1992 as well as Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling, and Keri Russell. After the termination of The Mickey Mouse Club, she realized she needed to pursue her true passion: music.
After a few rejections, Jive Records signed Spears and ordered a full album, which we know today as the infamous …Baby One More Time.
With so much success so fast, Spears realized that her life would never be the same. She was no longer a 15 year old girl in Louisiana: she was a national super star. And with all that attention came a lot of unwanted attention, too.
Male hosts, some who could be classified as Womanizers, constantly asked about her breasts, her virginity, and her “risqué” clothing. She noted that many of her male peers simply weren’t asked these questions. In fact, the sexism in the industry is very easily distinguished from her recollection of her time dating Justin Timberlake.
Their relationship was very serious very fast, which unfortunately led to many issues. Timberlake allegedly cheated on Spears with numerous women, but that’s not how he told the story. Through his music videos, he alluded to Britney Spears cheating on him, and how it hurt him so much– and everyone believed it, because why wouldn’t they?
What didn’t make it into the press was the abortion she underwent at Timberlake’s request, and the pain and heartache it caused her. Britney Spears recounts her loneliness at this time and how, no matter what, she felt her story would be overshadowed by Timberlake’s.
She fell into a deep depression, feeling as if the world was against her, and no matter what she did, it was wrong. She later married Kevin Federline, with whom she had their children, and ultimately divorced in 2007. During a long and difficult custody battle, Spears was often photographed at her worst: she lost her children, lost her voice, and lost any support system she had (if there even was one to begin with). The most infamous photos from this time are when she shaved her head, and proceeded to smash a car window with an umbrella. This image tarnished her reputation, changing her from being a pop star to a Crazy woman. She was put under a conservatorship for her well-being, but what she really needed was support and real, genuine help.
After 13 years of having her life controlled at the hands of her Toxic father, being told what to eat, when to eat, when to go to the bathroom, when to perform, and even being denied the removal of her IUD, she had enough when her father allegedly hurt one of her sons. She started searching for a good lawyer, and a court date was eventually set.
In November of 2021, the conservatorship was removed, and Britney was free. After years of other people telling her story– the press, her Criminal father, and numerous documentaries– she decided it was time to tell hers.
“Sometimes I talk trash on Instagram. People don’t know why I have such anger toward my parents. But I think if they were in my shoes, they would understand.”
Britney Spears’ “The Woman In Me,” pg. 171
Britney does not deny that the trauma she endured made her Stronger, and she makes it clear that she would not be the woman she is today if it weren’t for that trauma. But she also makes it clear that she, or any woman for that matter, shouldn’t have to be that strong in the first place, because no one should go through what she did.
Being a religious woman herself, one would think that she’d be preaching “forgiveness sets you free,” but it’s the opposite.
In our patriarchal society, women are indirectly, and sometimes directly, told to not express anger. It’s not feminine, it’s not pretty, so don’t do it. But Britney Spears has a lot of rage because of her past, and she doesn’t hide it, because women shouldn’t have to.
“In that moment, I made peace with my family– by which I mean that I realized I never wanted to see them again, and I was at peace with that.”
Britney Spears’ “The Woman In Me,” pg. 251
While there were some flaws, such as a vague description of some vital points in her career (such as the sexualization of her from such a young age and how that affected her later on, and her Instagram posts), one thing that this book really gets right is peace.
While she says that reaching peace is important, she actually defines her version of peace. “Peace,” to Britney, is not forgiving her family for what they did to her, or even keeping them in her life. Peace is being alone, and being at peace knowing that you are okay alone. So no, she does not forgive them– but she’s still free.
The idea that you have to forgive someone who traumatized you is absolutely ludicrous: and that’s really the takeaway from Britney’s book. Sometimes it’s okay to be angry, and it’s okay to feel that. Don’t let it destroy you, but remember that you don’t owe anyone anything.
The SAMMYS (Syracuse Area Music Awards) has announced the dates for the 2024 SAMMYS Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Show. The dinner will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2024, Upstairs at Dinosaur BBQ and the Award Show on March 8, 2024, at the Palace Theatre in Syracuse.
Photo by Jack O Bocchino.
Syracuse Area Music Awards, more commonly known as the SAMMYS, is an awards show that celebrates the work created by people in the music industry from the Syracuse Area.
The 2024 SAMMYS Award Show will include musical performances by area artists/bands. Awards will be presented in 12 recording categories, in addition to the People’s Choice awards in four categories, Brian Bourke Award for Best New Artist, Jack O Bocchino Spirit of the SAMMYS Award, and the Community Spirit Award.
The entry form is now open. Each artist must select one category they wish to be judged in. Only commercially released albums or EPs, released between January 1 – December 31, 2023, by artists in the Central NY area are eligible. All entries must be available on Apple Music, Spotify, or Tidal. No physical recordings will be accepted. Categories are subject to change at the discretion of the judges. Entry form closes on January 5, 2024.
People’s Choice Submissions and Voting The 2024 SAMMYS People’s Choice online open submission phase begins January 1, 2024. The public is encouraged to nominate their favorite artist or band, event or music series, academic or musical organization, and favorite venue to see live music. For more information, to submit your nominations, or to vote for your favorites, visit here.
The 2024 SAMMYS sponsors include NYS Music, Bridge Street, SubCat Music Studios, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, KMASE Productions, Joshua Johnson Design, Skinner & Associates Realty, NewsChannel 9, 315 Music, CNY Alive!, 92.1 The WOLF, Soulshine Radio, 96.5 The Beat, and 94.1 The Dinosaur.
The Buffalo Central Terminal invites the WNY community to join in seasonal merriment at the inaugural Winter Fest. As the cold weather sets in, Buffalo Central Terminal’s outdoor Winter Fest event promises a heartwarming and memorable experience for attendees of all ages.
Winter Fest at the Terminal features an ice sculpture display, horse-drawn carriage rides, a variety of winter characters, live saxophone performance and DJ music from Will Holton, Victorian-themed carolers, AKG Art Truck kids’ activity, and more.
The Central Terminal Restoration Corp. (CTRC) is a 501c3c non-profit organization driven by a mission to develop the Buffalo Central Terminal – a majestic historic landmark – as a lasting cultural and economic hub for the community. The CTRC has cared for this living landmark for more than 20 years. A prominent feature of Buffalo’s East Side and the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood, the Buffalo Central Terminal is an opportunity to ignite a shared vision for a new future. The 2021 community-driven Master Plan re-establishes the Terminal as a vibrant local and regional destination—a beacon that attracts people and investment, celebrates and fosters community voice, and shapes broader equitable development.
Buffalo Central Terminal‘s Winter Fest is the perfect opportunity to embrace the winter spirit, bundle up for an outdoor celebration, and create lasting memories with friends and family, so clear your calendar on Saturday, December 9th, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
“These events at Buffalo Central Terminal are all about uniting our diverse East Buffalo community. We’re creating an inclusive space right in our very own neighborhood where families can come together and celebrate the season without having to venture out of the heart of the city.”
Lindsey Taylor, events consultant for the Buffalo Central Terminal.
EVENT FEATURES
Ice Sculpture Exhibition: Renowned artist Stan Kolonko from The Ice Farm will craft a 7-ft tall Terminal Tower and other impressive ice sculptures.
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides: Enjoy scenic rides against the backdrop of Buffalo Central Terminal in charming horse-drawn carriages.
Winter Characters: Meet popular winter characters Elsa and Olaf from Frozen, the Grinch, and a festive Toy Soldier.
Live Jazz and DJ Music: Will Holton returns to the Terminal for a live saxophone and DJ performance.
Victorian-Themed Carolers: Experience the spirit of the season with holiday favorites performed by a trio of Victorian-themed carolers.
AKG Art Truck: Encourage creativity at the AKG Art Truck, offering engaging artistic activities for kids.
Crafts for All Ages: My Victorious Lifestyle will offer candle decorating for all ages.
Hot Beverages: Bubba’s Blue Coffee & Logan Berry will offer hot beverages for attendees to enjoy.
Winter Fest at the Buffalo Central Terminal is completely free to enter, and all are welcome. For more information and event updates, please visit the Buffalo Central Terminal website.
The Albany Symphony has a fun, festive lineup of holiday shows this December, featuring events and performances such as The Magic of Christmas, and two shows by world-renowned pianist and Grammy nominee Yefim Bronfman. The symphony organization will get involved this holiday season with a toy drive and collaborations with new and long-time community partners during their upcoming programming.
On December 3, The Palace Theater will present The Magic of Christmas, joined by community partners including The Music Studio, Capital District Youth Chorale, Boland School of Irish Dance, and the Zorkie Nelson African Drumming Ensemble. The performance will feature favorite Christmas carols, sing-a-longs, selections from the beloved Nutcracker musical, and more festive performances for all ages. In addition, Santa Claus will make an appearance for a night filled with family fun.
On December 9 and 10, the symphony will welcome six-time Grammy nominee Yefim Bronfman to Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, performing a selection of famed classical pieces for Capital Region audiences. A world-renowned piano soloist, Bronfman will present Johannes Brahms’ Piano No. 2, Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 4, as well as the world premiere of Loren Loiacono’s Beanie’s Chapbook.
We are so fortunate to have Yefim Bronfman join us for these exciting concerts. He is one of the greatest pianists in the world, and a dear friend of our Albany Symphony. We are always deeply honored that he makes time in his busy schedule to come play with us. Working with an artist of his caliber elevates all of us, and always inspires us to match his brilliance. Hearing the mighty Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in the legendary Troy Savings Bank Music Hall with arguably its greatest living interpreter and our brilliant Albany Symphony musicians will be an unforgettable experience for everyone!
David Alan Miller, Music Director and Conductor
In addition to the upcoming performances, audiences are invited to participate in a Toy Drive for Mom Starts Here on December 3. The organization will be accepting new and unwrapped toys for the nonprofit that works to support local parents in need of resources and support as they navigate parenthood.
Tickets for these events and more information on Albany Symphony performances are available at albanysymphony.com.
On a day where shoppers flocked to stores and malls in search of holiday deals, music fans made their way to the Middle Ages Beer Hall to see Mike Powell and the Echosound. The Echosound, a jam-rock band from Syracuse is the latest musical incarnation of singer-songwriter Mike Powell.
Opener Neil Minet got things rolling on Friday evening, with a blistering sixty minute set. Minet and his band have been turning heads over the last year in Syracuse, has included a notable performance at the 2023 NYS Blues Fest. The Neil Minet Band blends blues, funk and R&B sounds, resulting in a set that had the entire room swaying and dancing.
As Mike Powell and his bandmates took to the stage, Powell stepped towards the mic and offered a smile and the following words; “Let’s have some fun.” With that, the house lights dimmed and the band was underway. Opening with a cryptic musical jam, guitarist John Hanus was given the opportunity to step in to the spotlight early, and he did not disappoint. Hanus would deliver a guitar solo that was both beautiful and powerful, while backed by the strong musicianship of the remaining members of the Echosound. As the solo ended, Mike Powell quickly launched in to the raucous and upbeat “Submarine Gin.” The set was fully underway and the packed beer hall crowd pushed their way closer to the stage.
It was evident early and often that Mike Powell and the Echosound carried with them a loyal and devoted following, as fans danced, swayed, and sang back Powell’s catchy choruses, with the concert hall filled elbow to elbow with fans. While the band performed many of the dynamic tracks off their recent release Plastic Spoon Honeymoon, they dipped their toes into Mike Powell’s diverse solo catalog as well.
Songs like “Josephine” took on dramatic new life when paired with the talents of the Echosound. The song, which would stretch over nine minutes long, would build to yet another epic solo by Hanus, while bandmates Zak Masoud (bass guitar), Adam Manion (percussion) and Jeff Alderman (keyboards) kept pace, each taking their turn to shine. The song would eventually break down into a brief cover of “Come Together”, fusing both songs into one seamless piece. It was perhaps the standout moment on an evening filled with highlights, and one that will be sure to keep music fans coming back to see the band.
Jess Novak has released her EP Sonrise, a love letter to the two most important men in Jess’ life: her husband and her son. She also comes with news of future concert dates and other projects to come.
Jess Novak (electric violin, guitar, vocals, piano, percussion, looping) makes The Jess Novak Band what it is with the help of Byron Cage on drums, Anthony Saturno on electric guitar, Jay Fabbri on bass, and Gavin George and Marcus Oliver on drums.
Having traveled across the country and playing 200 shows every year, Jess Novak and her band are well-versed in music, determined to make their next concert even better than their last.
Novak boasts many talents: with her electric violin and other instruments, she also is credited with aiding in the creation of F.I.R.E Festival (Females. Inspire. Rock. Empower.). This event is meant to create a safe space for women in a male-dominated industry, inviting old and young from all kinds of backgrounds.
F.I.R.E is also accepting applications for participants, be it volunteering, performing, or sponsoring.
On top of this festival, she also boasts a future in being an author, with one already published book Dare to Begin published in September 2022, discussing her own musical journey and dreams. Another book is also on the way– a fiction novel “The House Musician” likely to hit the shelves in 2024.
Just when you think she can’t do anything else, Jess brings a life into the world. She and her husband, Ben, collaborated on an EP called Sonrise, an in-depth and vulnerable love letter to her son, the life she brought into the world, and the immediate connection they shared since his birth.
It’s an eclectic album with heartfelt vocals and rock instrumentals, from the loving “Falling” to the hard rock “My Baby,” this EP shows all the emotions that can be experienced when one becomes a parent, and how this forever alters one’s life.
“This album doesn’t feel like an album to me. It feels like a love letter to the two most important men in my life. It feels like a proud way to say how much I love them and how I can’t believe I’m this lucky to be sharing my heart in these songs.”
Playhouse Stage Company has opened their 36th season presenting the beloved story of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Based on the children’s novel by Barbara Robinson, the musical adaptation will be presented at Cohoes Music Hall outside Albany.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was first published in 1971, and has since become a children’s classic holiday story. After a nearly sold out run in 2017, Playhouse Stage Company continues to present the show each year for holiday audiences in the Capital Region.
The story follows the “horrible Herdmans,” a rowdy family keen on joining the local Sunday School Christmas pageant. With humor, song, and heartwarming moments, the production brings laughter and holiday cheer to audiences all over. This year’s cast features 7 local professional actors, alongside 13 local Playhouse Stage Academy students in age appropriate roles.
The show will run from December 1-23, with 7PM performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 2PM performances on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever are on sale through The Cohoes Music Hall Box Office, by phone at 518-434-0776, or online at www.playhousestage.org.
