Stationed in Chestertown, a 20-minute drive from Lake George, The Carol Theatre opened its doors in 1931, and its rich history will glide into the Summer with seven new shows.
Walter “Pop” Wertime built the historic building, known as the Chester Theatre at the time, and enjoyed nothing more than bringing live, vibrant entertainment to the region.
Following Wertime’s passing in the 1950s, the new owner ensured to push out impeccable content for the community and renamed it the Carol Theatre after his daughter.
For 80 years, live events, movies, and other forms of entertainment passed through the historic theater, but in 2013 they shut their doors. Many of the new movies and productions coming out did not fit their old projection systems but in 2019, a local group of volunteers known as the Tri-Lakes Community Alliance took over, rebooting the location.
Since the mark of the Tri-Lakes Community Alliance take over, they have put on concerts and live shows every Summer. The Carol Center for the Arts ownership position has helped the theater continue its performing arts traditions and turn its films into a more digital era market.
Beginning June 14, the Summer show series will return to the theater, with the concerts running until August 11.
Summer Concert Schedule
Seagle Festival (Free Concert), June 14 at 6:00 pm – The oldest summer vocal training program in the United States comes to perform at the Carol Theatre.
June 30 – TBD
Margo Macero Band, July 8 at 7:30 pm – Glen Falls-based vocalist Margo Macero brings her whole band to Chestertown for an amazing Summer concert. Buy Tickets Here!
July 14 – TBD
Mamma’s Marmalade, July 22 at 7:30 pm – Bluegrass and pop group Mamma’s Marmalade performs covers, classics, and original pieces from their catalog. Buy Tickets Here!
The Wheel, August 5 at 7:30 pm – The Grateful Dead cover band has their own take on the group’s rock hits. Buy Tickets Here!
Thor Jensen, August 11 at 7:30 pm – Singer and songwriter Thor Jensen, who has performed here in the past with Hot Club of Saratoga, is back for a solo performance. Playing in multiple bands and putting out his own music, Jensen will have an unforgettable showing at the Carol Theatre.
The upcoming New York Film and Multi-Media Tribeca Festival running next week, June 7-18 includes a vast array of music performances, films, and talks.
109 feature films from 127 filmmakers will be presented throughout the 10 venues spread across the city over the 12 days.
If you unable to attend the festival in-person, you can still view the premieres at home through the At Home Festival Pass.
Check out the music events at Tribeca Festival 2023 below:
Wednesday, June 7
Opening Night: “Kiss the Future” – Directed by Nenad Cicin-Sain
OKX Theater at BMCC TPAC | 8:00 PM | 103 min
A stirring testament to art’s enduring ability to cast light even in the darkest of circumstances, Kiss the Future follows an underground community that worked and created throughout the nearly four-year-long Siege of Sarajevo. Sensing that a larger voice is needed, an American aid worker makes a longshot pitch to U2 to help raise awareness about the Bosnian capital’s plight. The band immediately agrees and begins a series of live satellite interviews with local Sarajaevans during their 1993 ZOO TV Tour in an effort to highlight the direness of the situation on the ground.
Thursday, June 8
Storytellers – John Mellencamp with David Letterman
OKX Theater at BMCC TPAC | 6:00 PM | 60 min
John Mellencamp is one of the most highly respected singer/songwriters of a generation. He will be joined in conversation by David Letterman who can currently be seen hosting My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, a four-time Emmy-nominated interview show streaming on Netflix.
“Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall“ – Directed by Ben DiGiacomo and Dutty Vannier
The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios | 8:15 PM | 93 min
This documentary explores the ‘80s and ‘90s emergence of dancehall as Jamaican immigrants brought the music, dancing, and vibes of their home to New York City. Nicknamed the 15th Parish of Jamaica, New York City became home to an influential movement that saw dancehall rise alongside hip-hop and eventually spread across the country.
Tribeca Music Lounge – Tei Shi With Tony & Tony, Miette, DJ Set by Frost Children
Baby’s All Right | 8:00 PM | 180 min
Miette Hope is a Brooklyn based singer-songwriter and producer. Inspired by both the grit and glam of their home base of New York City, TONY OR TONY is a dynamic blend of The Prodigy, MGMT, and A.G. Cook, who are ready to grab your attention with their fast & active mix of punk, indie-pop, and electronica. Tei Shi (pronounced “tay-shee”) is the moniker of singer/songwriter and producer Valerie Teicher. Frost Children is the project of NYC- based siblings Lulu and Angel Prost.
Friday, June 9
“Maestra” – Directed by Maggie Contreras
Village East by Angelika | 5:30 PM | 88 min
Following the buzz of Tár, Maggie Contreras’ documentary Maestra follows several women from around the world as they compete in the only all-women competition for conductors. This ultra-competitive field is riddled with long-standing issues of sexism, and each participant is approaching the contest with fierce tenacity.
“Cypher” – Directed by Chris Moukarbel
SVA Theatre | 6:00 PM | 89 min
Tierra Whack first gained recognition at the age of 15 when she stunned viewers with her slick poetry while rapping for a YouTube channel on a Philadelphia street. The video rapidly drew thousands of views and marked the first of Tierra’s many performances for the camera. Years later, director Chris Moukarbel begins documenting her astronomical rise, going behind the scenes of concerts and music videos as she navigates fame and receives exalted praise from stars like Erykah Badu and Billie Eilish.
“Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive” – Directed by Betsy Schechter
The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios | 8:15 PM | 99 min
This documentary recounts Gloria Gaynor’s life while also chronicling her comeback journey. It is both a moving story of an artist’s resilience and a scintillating peak at the machinations of the music industry. After the Premiere: A performance by the one and only Gloria Gaynor.
Tribeca Music Lounge – David Duchovny with Blake and Caroline and Laundry Day
Baby’s All Right | 8:30 PM | 240 min
Broadway trained singer Caroline Iliff and songwriter Blake Harmon will be on opening duties for David Duchovny’s band in anticipation for his film premiere Bucky F*cking Dent.
Saturday, June 10
Tribeca Festival & Gov Ball Presents: Storytellers – Diplo
The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios | 12:00 PM | 60 min
Born in Mississippi and raised in Florida, Diplo’s 20-year career began with his now-legendary Philly club night Hollertronix. The three-time Grammy nominee is also a member of the iconic Major Lazer, one third of LSD (with Sia and Labrinth), and half of Silk City with Mark Ronson.
“Flower” – Directed by Lauren Finerman
Village East by Angelika | 12:30 PM | 28 min
World-renowned ballerina Misty Copeland stars in her first independently produced short art film, an immersive experience in movement storytelling that highlights intergenerational equity in the community of Oakland, California, featuring new, original music from Grammy-winning recording artist Raphael Saadiq.
“Letter to Rosie” – Directed by Ariel Danziger
Village East by Angelika | 12:30 PM | 6 min
Letter to Rosie captures an intimate portrait about survival, self worth, self love, and overcoming all of life’s obstacles. Matt’s tormented past finds its way into our short film.
“Melody of Love” – Directed by Edmundo Bejarano
AMC 19th St. East 6 | 2:45 PM | 85 min
Clad in slim jeans and a leather jacket, with his electric guitar strapped to his back, jazz musician Michael (Elijah Reid) cuts an effortlessly cool figure as he moves through the streets of Addis Ababa. Playing the nightclubs of his beloved city and excited by the promise of an upcoming tour, Michael is every bit the working musician.
Tribeca Music Lounge Free Talk with BMI: How I made that soundtrack with Ali Dee
Baby’s All Right | 3:00 PM | 60 min
Ali Dee Theodore has over 3 decades of experience in the entertainment industry as a songwriter, producer, composer, artist and Executive Music Producer. In 1989, Dee signed a recording deal with Chysalis Records for his group The Next School, which was the first African American and white rap duo. Dee would go on to join the famed Hip Hop production juggernaut, The Bomb Squad, from 1990 to 1993.
“Uncharted” – Directed by Beth Aala
OKX Theater at BMCC TPAC | 8:00 PM | 95 min
Filmmaker Beth Aala takes us behind the scenes of Alicia Keys‘ She Is The Music songwriting camp in this revealing look at the music business that focuses on the lack of access and opportunity granted to young black and brown women. The camp’s participants take center stage as they try to break through the industry with the next big hit song. After the Premiere: A performance from She Is The Music artists, curated by Alicia Keys.
“Songs About Fucking” – Directed by James Gallagher
The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios | 8:00 PM | 99 min
Marc Rebillet is a lot of things. He’s a musician, a comedian, an artist, and some even say an innovator. Known for his improvised shows and signature tight boxers, he’s certainly someone you can’t put into a neat label. However, as this documentary, Songs About Fucking, proves, he wouldn’t have it any other way. After the Premiere: A musical Q&A with Marc Rebillet.
Tribeca Music Lounge – Jitwam, Eddie Chacon, dreamcastmoe, Willy Soul
Baby’s All Right | 8:00 PM | 240 min
A night of smooth indie and psychedelic music featuring Indian Psychedelic soul savant Jitwam (freshly nominated for best Album at Australian Grammys), Eddie Chacon who just released one of this year’s best album on the storied Stones Throw Records, and East Coast rising star in the Funk scene, dreamcastmoe.
“Milli Vanilli” – Directed by Luke Korem
Village East by Angelika | 8:30 PM | 106 min
This documentary dissects the duo’s trajectory from their humble origins through their collaboration with legendary music producer Frank Farian — a toxic partnership that cemented the band’s fate and concealed a shocking secret about their music and craft.
Sunday, June 11
“Cinnamon” – Directed by Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr.
SVA Theatre | 2:00 PM | 91 min
Aspiring singer Jodi Jackson (Tony nominee Hailey Kilgore) has a big voice and dreams to match but struggles to make ends meet as a gas station attendant whose boss (Damon Wayans) may not be on the up and up. Enter charming small-time crook Eddie (David Iacono). Reminiscent of ‘70s blaxploitation films, with an outstandingly menacing performance from the genre’s queen, Pam Grier, this directorial debut from Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr. is a superfly thriller filled with intrigue, music, and a whole lot of heart.
“Boca Chica” – Directed by Gabriella Moses
AMC 19th St. East 6 | 2:45 PM | 97 min
Dominican twelve-year-old Desi has musical aspirations and performs with a local all-girls choir, but her ambitions are much bigger. Desi yearns to one day leave her beachside community of Boca Chica behind and achieve fame and recognition as a singer. She keeps this yearning a secret from her family, specifically the women in her life who have raised her.
“Anthem” – Directed by Peter Nicks
The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios | 5:00 PM | 98 min
“The Star-Spangled Banner”, written in 1814 using the melody of an old British tune, is a song that evokes a range of emotions from patriotic pride to cynicism and terror. But what would the national anthem sound like if it was based on American music? This documentaryfollows composer and pianist Kris Bowers and producer Dahi as they journey across the country to find out.
“Lost Soulz” – Directed by Katherine Propper
Village East by Angelika | 5:15 PM | 95 min
Sol (Sauve Sidle) is an aspiring young rapper living with his best friend Wesley (Siyanda Stillwell), whose family has embraced him as a brother. After a raucous night causes Wesley to overdose, Sol abandons him at a house party, and eventually chooses to leave home for good and join a touring group of hip-hop artists.
“Special” (Lizzo Music Video) – Directed by Christian Breslauer
AMC 19th St. East 6 | 5:30 PM | 3 min
In Lizzo’s music video, visuals, empowering lyrics, and energetic performances celebrate self-love, body positivity, and individuality. Bold, colorful, and full of positive energy.
“Ron Delsener Presents” – Directed by Jake Sumner
The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios | 8:00 PM | 102 min
Documentaries about figures of music history tend to focus on artists, but here, the subject is influential concert promoter Ron Delsener who worked with some of the biggest names in music over his decades-long career. Featuring a bevy of legends from Cher to Gene Simmons, Roger Daltrey, and Simon and Garfunkel, Ron Delsener Presents is a career retrospective stuffed with star power.
Tribeca Music Lounge: Iranian Live Music Showcase with LuNika, Sussan Deyhim, Habibi
Baby’s All Right | 8:30 PM | 240 min
Tribeca will be hosting a women-fronted lineup of Iranian musicians or musicians from the Iranian diaspora. All generations will be represented, from a teenage sister-brother LuNika duo whose latest protest single “Women Life Freedom” went viral on Instagram, to Brooklyn girl band HABIBI, to celebrated composer and musician Sussan Deyhim.
Monday, June 12
“Honeycomb” – Directed by Sam Roden
Village East by Angelika | 5:15 PM | 32 min
After a has-been musician (Baron Vaughn) live-streams his suicide attempt, his band’s single goes viral. For the first time in their life, they have a chance at fame and fortune — as long as the world continues to believe he’s dead. (New York Indie Episodic Premiere)
“Waitress, the Musical – Live on Broadway!” – Directed by Brett Sullivan
OKX Theater at BMCC TPAC | 7:30 PM | 144 min
Waitress, the Musical – Live on Broadway! is a heartwarming story that follows the life of Jenna Hunterson (Sara Bareilles), a pie-maker and waitress stuck in an unfulfilling marriage in a small town. Jenna finds solace in baking and dreams of winning a baking contest in a nearby city to escape her mundane life. When Jenna becomes pregnant, she decides to take control of her life with the help of her co-workers and a new town doctor. She confronts her past, faces her fears, and makes life-changing choices. After the Premiere: A special performance from Sara Bareilles.
Tuesday, June 13
Storytellers – Lin-Manuel Miranda with Rosie Perez
OKX Theater at BMCC TPAC | 6:00 PM | 60 min
Lin-Manuel Miranda is a Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, Emmy and Tony award-winning songwriter, actor, director and producer. He is the creator and original star of Broadway’s Tony-winning HAMILTON and In the Heights. Miranda is the recipient of the 2015 MacArthur Foundation Award, the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors and the 2019 Portrait of a Nation Prize. He will be joined in conversation by Academy Award-nominated actress Rosie Perez.
“Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story” – Directed by Nate Pommer and Eric Weinrib
The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios | 8:00 PM | 90 min
Capturing the raucous atmosphere of their live performances, this frenetic globe-trotting history of the immigrant punk band Gogol Bordello is a firecracker of a documentary. Spanning the final days of the Soviet Union all the way to pre-9/11 New York, and ending with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story is as much about how the world shaped Gogol Bordello as how the band shaped the world. After the Premiere: A performance by Gogol Bordello.
Wednesday, June 14
“It’s Only Life After All? – Directed by Alexandria Bombach
OKX Theater at BMCC TPAC | 5:00 PM | 123 min
A revealing exploration and much-anticipated love letter to the massively beloved folk-rock duo Indigo Girls. From their serendipitous meeting at Emory University, where their innate musical styles collided, to their hardscrabble days as a popular bar band, to their explosion on the worldwide music scene with their eponymous album — this is the deep dive into their story that their intensely devoted fans have craved.
Storytellers – Chance the Rapper
The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios | 6:00 PM | 60 min
Multi-Grammy award winner Chance the Rapper has built a multi-faceted career across music, film, television, and art. His new body of work, Star Line Gallery, has premiered at art institutions around the world including Art Basel and Los Angeles’ Museum Of Contemporary Art (MOCA).
“Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music” – Directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman
The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios | 8:00 PM | 106 min
New York’s hottest club is Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music. This club has everything: countercultural history, off-the-wall interpretations of America’s most recognizable tunes, ping pong warfare, giant inflatable penises making love and war to David Bowie‘s “Heroes,” shameless gay melodrama, and of course, MacArthur Fellowship winner Taylor Mac.
Let the Canary Sing – Directed by Alison Ellwood
The Beacon Theatre | 8:00 PM | 96 min
Cyndi Lauper anxiously rides in the backseat of a car stuck in New York City traffic. In her distinctively thick New York accent, she reflects on her career, saying “I didn’t want anyone to tell me what I could and couldn’t do.” On her longevity and unique ability to adapt to shifting social trends, she says “I never think of it as reinvention. I want to learn.” After the Premiere: A performance by Cyndi Lauper at the Beacon Theatre.
Thursday, June 15
Storytellers – Billy Porter
The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios | 6:00 PM | 60 min
Billy Porter is an Emmy, Tony and Grammy award-winning actor, singer, director, producer, composer, and playwright, best known for FX’s Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated drama “Pose” and Broadway’s Kinky Boots.
Storytellers – Paul McCartney with Conan O’Brien
OKX Theater at BMCC TPAC | 6:00 PM | 60 min
Paul McCartney will be joined in conversation by Conan O’Brien. The pair will discuss McCartney’s new book 1964: Eyes of the Storm, which is being published on June 13. The book showcases 275 of McCartney’s rediscovered photos from his archive from the end of 1963 and beginning of 1964 when Beatlemania erupted. The conversation will be recorded for a future episode of O’Brien’s podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.”
Storytellers: Megan Thee Stallion
The Beacon Theatre | 8:00 PM | 60 min
Megan Thee Stallion is a three-time GRAMMY-winning recording artist, actor, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. Megan has been recognized for her musical achievements, including nine BET Awards and back-to-back Billboard Music Awards for “Top Rap Female Artist.”
Friday, June 16
“Choir” – Directed by Rudy Valdez
SVA Theatre | 5:30 PM | 93 min
For the Detroit Youth Choir, everything changed when they entered the spotlight on America’s Got Talent. They’d come a long way from rehearsing in a church basement with a handful of kids, but now their past achievements are old news and the new kids need to step up. With new talent and auditions underway, can the DYC stay relevant both in their hometown and on the national stage? After the Screening: A conversation with Artistic Director of the Detroit Youth Choir Anthony White, director Rudy Valdez, executive producer Sara Bernstein, and members of the choir, plus a special performance by the Detroit Youth Choir.
Storytellers – Hailee Steinfeld
The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios | 6:00 PM | 60 min
Academy Award-nominated actress, multi-platinum recording musician, and producer, Hailee Steinfeld remains a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry.
“For Khadija” – Directed by Mandon Lovett
The Beacon Theatre | 8:00 PM | 90 min
French Montana is many things, including an entrepreneur and Grammy-nominated rapper. But what did it take for a hungry talent from Africa to reach those lofty heights? The Moroccan-born and New York-bred multi-platinum artist behind hits such as Pop That, Unforgettable, and No Stylist is giving us a deeper look through his lens. This globe-spanning showcase provides views of French we haven’t seen, including the unbreakable bond he shares with his single mother, Khadija. After the Premiere: A performance by French Montana, Triplets Ghetto Kids, and Very Special Guests.
Sunday, June 17
“All Up In The Biz” – Directed by Sacha Jenkins
The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios | 8:00 PM | 100 min
New York native Biz Markie remains a hip-hop icon despite his untimely death in 2021. Best known for his 1989 Top 40 hit “Just a Friend”, Markie was a rapper, beatboxer, songwriter, and producer who was fondly referred to as the clown prince of hip-hop. In All Up in the Biz, Director Sacha Jenkins weaves together a collage of dynamic celebrity interviews, rare archival footage, reenactments with puppets, and playful animation to share the personal and professional story of Biz Markie and the mark he left on hip-hop history and the music industry around the world.
“Carlos” – Directed by Rudy Valdez
The Beacon Theatre | 8:00 PM | 87 min
The lively and intimately-crafted documentary Carlos immerses us in rock icon Carlos Santana’s life and musical trajectory. Filmmaker Rudy Valdez bolsters this personal narrative with pulsating, never-before-seen footage — guided by Santana himself, in his own words. After the Premiere: A performance by the legendary Santana.
The temps are heating up outside, and so is the music scene in the Capital District in New York, including two of the most exciting bands on the scene right now. On Saturday, May 20th, New York City-based band Escaper warmed everyone up for the main act, Prince Bowie.
Escaper
Escaper is possibly the most appropriate name for a band in the history of band names — after all, it is impossible to ascribe a specific genre to this act. Will Hanza (guitar, vocals), Phil Kadet (keys) Sam Crespo (drummer from Space Bacon), and Luke Bemand from (bassist from Lespecial) have truly escaped a label of any kind. They enjoy being known as “one who breaks free from confinement,” and this comes across in every note that they play. If you haven’t had a chance to check out this band yet, you are truly missing something special. If you want to get right on it, you can check out their music on SoundCloud.
Prince Bowie
Prince Bowie is one of the most unique acts I have ever seen, covering the songs of Prince and David Bowie like you’ve never heard before. Prince Bowie almost never has the same lineup twice. This has no effect whatsoever on their level of talent, however, it is impossible to tell that they rarely play together as they gel quickly on stage.
Saturday Night’s Lineup
Saturday’s lineup included some local favorites as well as some glorious out-of-town guests. Featuring Eric Gould (Bass, Pink Talking Fish), Cal Kehoe (Guitar, Pink Talking Fish), Alric “AC” Carter (Keys, TAUK), Rory Dolan (Drums, lespecial), Chris Brouwers (Trumpet, The Horn Section / Cool Cool Cool), Greg Sanderson (Tenor Saxophone, The Horn Section / Cool Cool Cool, Josh Schwartz (Baritone Saxophone, lead vocals, The Horn Section / Cool Cool Cool) and Matt Wayne (Alto Saxophone, Bobby Deitch Band), they were joined for a few songs – “Under Pressure” and “Kiss” among them – by local legend Shannon Lynch (Saxophone, vocals, Midnight Sun, Conehead Buddha).
Prince/Bowie – Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs – May 20, 2023
Set: Let’s Go Crazy, Let’s Dance, Delirious, Ziggy Stardust, 1999, Starman, KISS, Under Pressure, DMSR, Young Americans, I Wanna be Your Lover, Fame > Cream, Space Oddity, I Would Die For You, Controversy, Moonage Daydream Encore: Life on Mars, Purple Rain
Times Square Alliance and Playbill are proud to partner on the second annual Pride In Times Square celebration, full of free events centered around NYC Pride Weekend, from June 23-24, 2023. It promises to be an exciting addition to New York City’s celebration of Pride right at the Crossroads of the World.
Founded in 1992, the Times Square Alliance works to improve and promote Times Square, cultivating the creativity, energy, and edge that have made the area an icon of entertainment, culture, and urban life for over a century. It keeps the neighborhood safe and clean, promotes local businesses, manages area improvements, and produces major annual events, like Pride in Times Square. Founded in 1884, Playbill is an internationally known trademark synonymous with theatre and is a symbol of the arts. Playbill Magazine is distributed to every Broadway theatre, most Off-Broadway theaters, regional theaters, and fine arts institutions in over 24 cities across the country.
Pride in Times Square features top-stage and screen celebrities, Broadway/Off-Broadway productions, local Times Square business promotions, Pride Piano sessions, live DJ sets, a Trans and ENBY Pride celebration, a Drag Pride celebration, the return of last year’s Big Broadway Disco, and more. Pride in Times Square’s main stage will celebrate dynamic voices in the community, and support the continued fight for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all. Special guests, concerts, surprise performances, and more will take to the stage on Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, with acts to be announced on June 1.
For the second year in a row, Playbill and Times Square will celebrate Pride like never before with The Big Broadway Disco, a large-scale street party that invites everyone to dance through Times Square to classic and contemporary Broadway songs and performances. The Playbill Pride Float acts as a focal point for the night, including DJs, performers, dancers, costumes, and more on Saturday, June 24, beginning at 5 p.m.
Other exciting things include the Pride Piano Bar, where audiences can take photos with the one-of-a-kind designed piano and piano sing-along performances and piano concerts, led by top-Broadway musicians and performers, and interactive pride installations, including Double Decker Buses, acting as anchor points for audiences to explore on Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24. Select buses will then become part of the NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 25 down 5th Avenue. Local businesses will also provide deals, discounts, giveaways, and special menu items all month long. Visit here to get a list of all the participating businesses, available in June.
For more information about the Times Square Alliance, and to find more Pride events happening around the city this June, visit here.
On Sunday, May 22, 2016, Dave Mustaine paused during Megadeth’s performance at Rock’N Derby, to pay tribute to former Megadeth drummer, Nick Menza.
Mustaine asked the crowd for a moment of silence and what can be heard is a crowd quiet as can be, a solid 30 seconds of silence, before a drum solo begins that lead into “Trust,” off Cryptic Writings.
Among other praise, Dave Mustaine said, “Nick went to heavy metal heaven last night.” When the band finished their final song and took their bows, Mustaine addressed the crowd, saying, “I usually say, ‘You’ve been great, we’ve been Megadeth.’ But Nick, you’ve been great. I love you, buddy.”
Megadeth was part of the incredible lineup at the 2016 festival Rock’N Derby, a multi-faceted entertainment festival held east of Troy, at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds. The three-day event featured demolition derbies, wrestling, fair-style food, overnight camping and metal and rock bands including Five Fiver Death Punch, Lamb of God, Halestorm, A Day to Remember, Shinedown, Sevendust, Sixx A.M., Trivium, Coheed & Cambria, and of course, Megadeth.
Roughly 7,000 to 9,000 people attended Rock’N Derby each of the three days, coming from all over the country to see a stellar lineup like this.
Three stages hosted the bands on the Upstate Concert Hall Arena Stage (set up in one of the fair’s agricultural barns), and two larger stages, the Rock’N Stage and the Derby Stage, both outdoors and on opposite ends of the grounds.
Rising soul and R&B artist, Danielle Ponder, released her new song “Roll the Credits” on May 5th. Her single is accompanied by a cinematic music video directed by Broadway choreographer and dancer Hettie Barnhill. Originally from Rochester, the singer has left her mark on New York’s music scene for more than a decade.
“Roll the Credits” takes listeners into a passionate and pulsating world of spirituality. Filmed in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the video allows listeners to connect the spiritual relationship that Ponder speaks of in her dynamic lyrics with culture, dance, music, and nature. Throughout the verses, the artist shows off her range and confidence in her weighty, graveling vocal style along with her clarity and evocation in her alternative gospel-like chorus.
After playing the song in various live shows, it has clearly become a crowd and fan favorite throughout North America as well as Europe. The video itself has reached over 16,000 views in the past two weeks and continues to rise.
Ponder’s new single is produced by Grammy nominated musician Gianluca Buccellati who has worked with artists ranging from Lana Del Ray to Paris Texas. The pair collaborated on Ponder’s debut album Some of Us Are Brave which was released last year.
When speaking about her biggest influences Ponder comments, “We couldn’t listen to secular music so, I was listening to a lot of gospel early on, like Shirley Caesar, John P. Kee, the Blind Boys of Alabama — a mix of old and new school stuff. However, the blues is where I really developed a desire to sing. Listening to Big Mama Thornton and Koko Taylor, I wanted to know how to do that.“
After taking the risk of leaving her career as a public defender behind in 2018, the artist has followed a path of expression and music all the way to the lime-light. She has unveiled her voice and passion with the world, landing her television appearances on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
In order to celebrate and share her new music, Ponder has set out on a twenty-four date tour. Her live show will be performed in select cities throughout North America and Europe.
Danielle Ponder Live Shows
May 12 – Miramar Beach, FL – Brandi Charlie’s Mothership Weekend
May 13—New Orleans, LA—Toulouse Theatre
May 16—Austin, TX—Antone’s Nightclub
May 18—Dallas, TX—Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit
May 19—Houston, TX—The Heights Theater
May 21—Phoenix, AZ—Valley Bar
May 22—San Diego, CA—Voodoo Room at House of Blues
May 24—West Hollywood, CA—Troubadour
May 26—San Francisco, CA—Cafe Du Nord
May 27—Napa, CA—BottleRock Napa Valley
June 2—Ogden, UT—Ogden Music Festival
June 17—Manchester, TN—Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
June 22—Rothbury, MI—Electric Forest Festival
June 29—Montreal, Québec—Montreal International Jazz Festival
July 1—Werchter, Belgium—Rock Werchter
July 5—Aix-les-Bains, France—Festival Musilac
July 7—Rotterdam, Netherlands—North Sea Jazz Festival
July 29—Newport, RI—Newport Folk Festival
August 5—Chicago, IL—Lollapalooza
August 18—North Adams, MA—MASS MoCA
August 29—Red Bank, NJ—Count Basie Center for the Arts
August 30—Syracuse, NY—Chevy Court Stage
September 14 – September 17—Louisville, KY—Bourbon & Beyond
September 29 – October 1—Dana Point, CA—Ohana Fest
Watch the official music video for Danielle Ponder “Roll the Credits” below.
Tanglewood, a music venue in the towns of Lenox and Stockbridge in the Berkshire Hills in Western Massachusetts, has announced the lineup for their 2023 summer series, celebrating 85 years as an operating venue.
Tanglewood exterior, photo by Aram Boghosian.
Tanglewood has been the famed summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937, as well as the Tanglewood Music Center, and the Boston Pops. The venue welcomes more than 350,000 visitors to performances, recitals, and seminars across 500 acres. This summer, the venue is hosting a variety of events, including the Boston Pops and Film Night, Tanglewood on Parade, popular artists like Train, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, and the Steve Miller Band, along with Boston Symphony Orchestra guest conductors and performances, and more. Tanglewood welcomes all to its iconic grounds surrounded by the beautiful Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts.
Popular Artists Series
The Popular Artists Series at Tanglewood was founded in 1968 when the venue decided to expand its musical offerings with the creation of “Contemporary Trends” concerts. The purpose of the series was to present performances by popular groups representing important trends in contemporary music outside the sphere of Western “classical” music. The first few years included performances by The Association, Ravi Shankar, Chicago, and more. Over the years, the Koussevitzky Music Shed has welcomed artists such as The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, and more. “Tanglewood has long been renowned as a classical music venue; but since the 1960s, the Popular Artists Series has added to the breadth of musical offerings and the diversity of audiences visiting the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer home base in the Berkshires,” says Anthony Fogg, William I. Bernell Vice President, Artistic Planning. All concerts will take place in the Koussevitzky Music Shed this summer.
Thursday, June 22 at 8 p.m.- Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!
NPR’s oddly informative news quiz program returns to Tanglewood, now in its 25th year. The Peabody Award-winning series offers a fast-paced, irreverent look at the week’s news, hosted by Peter Sagal and Official Judge and Scorekeeper Bill Kurtis.
The Steve Miller Band is an American rock band formed in 1966, led by Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals releasing a string of mid-to-late-1970s hit singles that are staples of classic rock, including “Fly Like An Eagle,” “The Joker,” and more. Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers support.
Robert Plant is best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band Led Zeppelin for all of its existence from 1968 until 1980. He collaborated with bluegrass-country singer and fiddler Alison Krauss on Raising Sand in 2007 and promptly won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Their album Raise The Roof (2021) is available everywhere you can stream music. The support is JD McPherson known for his retro sound rooted in the rock and roll, rockabilly, and rhythm and blues music of the 1950s.
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, photo by David McClister.
Monday and Tuesday, July 3 and 4 at 8 p.m.- James Taylor
James Taylor is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide. He is a six-time Grammy award winner and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. James Taylor and his All-Star Band will celebrate the start of the Tanglewood season with two intimate and memorable performances, both sold out.
Thursday, August 24 at 7 p.m.- Train with Very Special Guest Parmalee
Since their formation in 1994, multi-GRAMMY Award-winning, diamond-selling band Train has had 14 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100, 12 albums on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and has sold more than ten million albums and 30 million tracks worldwide. Support is Parmalee, an American country music band consisting of brothers Matt Thomas and Scott Thomas, along with their cousin Barry Knox and best friend Josh McSwain.
Jackson Browne has written and performed some of the most literate and moving songs in popular music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2007. Throughout his career, he has released fourteen studio albums, four collections of live performances, two “best of” compilations, two DVDs, and several single recordings. Browne’s newest studio album Downhill From Everywhere was released in July 2021 and received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Americana Album. Tickets for this show go on sale on June 1 here.
Jackson Browne.
Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Boston Symphony Orchestra, led by Andris Nelsons since 2014, will be doing its annual residency at Tanglewood this summer, at various places within the venue, including the Shed, Ozawa Hall, and the Linde Center. BSO gave its inaugural concert in 1881, and now reaches millions of listeners through performances in Boston and at Tanglewood, and also via streaming on BSO NOW, educational and community programs, radio, television, recordings, and tours.
Boston Symphony Orchestra in the Shed, including guest conductors
Friday, July 7 at 8 p.m.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra’s opening concert of the season begins with Wynton Marsalis’s Herald, Holler, and Hallelujah, followed by Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, with soloist Daniil Trifonov, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, led by Andris Nelsons.
Sunday, July 9 at 2:30 p.m.
A world premiere of Iman Habibi’s Zhiân and Jessie Montgomery’s Freedom Songs, featuring vocalist Julia Bullock, make up the first half of this program. Hilary Hahn joins the BSO and Andris Nelsons for Brahms’s Violin Concerto to finish the night off.
Andris Nelsons, photo by Marco Borggreve.
Saturday, July 15 at 8 p.m.
A Nelsons-led BSO concert performance of Mozart’s opera Così fan tutte, with Nicole Cabell and Kate Lindsey in the lead female roles, with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, James Burton conductor. Will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.
Sunday, July 16 at 2:30 p.m.
The BSO and Andris Nelsons, joined by the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and children’s choir, perform Orff’s Carmina burana. The program opens with Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3.
Guest Conductors
Friday, July 21 at 8 p.m.
In her BSO debut, Xian Zhang leads the BSO and performers of Nimbus Dance in Copland’s Appalachian Spring with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World.
Xian Zhang, photo by Benjamin Ealovega.
Saturday, July 22 at 10:30 a.m.
Thomas Wilkins leads members of the BSO in a Family Program entitled May I Have Your Attention Please.
Saturday, July 22 at 8 p.m.
David Afkham conducts an all-Mozart program featuring pianist Martin Helmchen.
Sunday, July 23 at 2:30 p.m.
Thomas Wilkins returns the next day to lead a Boston Symphony Orchestra concert, with mandolin soloist Jeff Midkiff in his own concerto entitled From the Blue Ridge, along with the music of Coleridge-Taylor and Ellington.
Friday, July 28 at 8 p.m.
Giancarlo Guerrero leads the BSO and Lorelei Ensemble in Julia Wolfe’s Her Story (BSO co-commission). Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 finishes off the night.
Thomas Wilkins, photo courtesy of Omaha Symphony Orchestra.
Saturday, July 29 at 8 p.m.
Dima Slobodeniouk leads the BSO in a program that opens with Messiaen’s Les Offrandes oubliées and includes Agata Zubel’s In the Shade of an Unshed Tear and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2.
Sunday, July 30, 2:30 p.m.
BSO Assistant Conductor Anna Rakitina leads the BSO and Joshua Bell in Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1, with Ellen Reid’s When the World as You’ve Known It Doesn’t Exist (featuring vocalists Eliza Bagg, Martha Cluver, and Sonja DuToit Tengblad) and a suite from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet.
Friday, August 4 at 8 p.m.
Emanuel Ax performs Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 with Dima Slobodeniouk and the BSO. The program opens with John Adams’ Shaker Loops.
Sunday, August 6 at 2:30 p.m.
Kazuki Yamada, in his BSO debut, is joined by Lucas and Arthur Jussen for Mendelssohn’s Concerto in E for two pianos and orchestra. The program also includes Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique.
Friday, August 11 at 8 p.m.- Guest
Anne-Sophie Mutter joins the BSO and Nelsons for John Williams’ Violin Concerto No. 2, on a program with works by Strauss and Ravel.
Saturday, August 12 at 8 p.m.
Susanna Mälkki leads the BSO and Seong-Jin Cho in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat on a program with Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra.
Susanna Mälkki, photo by Marica Rosengard.
Sunday, August 13 at 2:30 p.m.
Julia Adolphe’s Makeshift Castle opens the program, followed by Yo-Yo Ma performing Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1. The program closes with Stravinsky’s Petrushka (1947 version).
Friday, August 18 at 8 p.m.
Andris Nelsons leads the BSO in Carlos Simon’s Four Black American Dances and Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5, Egyptian, and Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, both with Jean-Yves Thibaudet as soloist.
Saturday, August 19 at 8 p.m.
Leonidas Kavakos performs Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto on a program with Prokofiev‘s Symphony No. 5.
Special Event
Friday, August 25 at 8 p.m.
Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma perform an all-Beethoven program in the Shed, with the Archduke Trio and a transcription by Shai Wosner of the Fourth Symphony.
Leonidas Kavakos, photo by Marco Borggreve.
Ozawa Hall: Chamber Music, Recitals, Operas, Dance, Jazz, and More
Wednesday June 28 at 8 p.m.
In its final appearance at Tanglewood, the Emerson String Quartet, joined by Emanuel Ax, performs a new work by Sarah Kirkland Snider and works by Purcell, Shostakovich, and Dvořák.
Thursday, June 29 at 8 p.m.
The Knights, with conductor Eric Jacobsen, perform a new work for voice and orchestra by Chris Thile, who will also be featured as vocal soloist, and Jessie Montgomery’s Source Code for strings, with works of Bartók and Enesco.
Thursday, July 13 at 8 p.m.
Vocalist Julia Bullock in recital.
Thursday, July 20 at 8 p.m.
Philharmonia Baroque, led by Richard Egarr, performs Handel’s Acis and Galatea with singers Nicholas Mulroy, Hera Hyesang Park, Dashon Burton, and Isaiah Bell.
Wednesday, July 26 at 8 p.m.
The Boston Symphony Chamber Players perform works of Yehudi Wyner, Sofia Gubaidulina, Shulamit Ran, and Schumann.
Wednesday, August 2 at 8 p.m.
The Danish String Quartet performs the works of Schubert and Bent Sørensen.
Danish String Quartet, photo credit by Caroline Bittencourt.
Sunday, August 6 at 8 p.m.
The Aaron Diehl Trio, consisting of pianist Aaron Diehl, drummer Aaron Kimmel, and bassist David Wong, presents a jazz program that includes Sir Roland Hanna’s 24 Preludes.
Wednesday, August 9 at 8 p.m.
Cellist Alisa Weilerstein presents FRAGMENTS 2, an immersive, multi-sensory audience experience combining music by contemporary composers with unaccompanied Bach.
Wednesday, August 16 at 8 p.m.
Pianist Bruce Liu presents a recital of works by Barber, Chopin, Kapustin, and Rameau.
Sunday, August 20 at 8 p.m.
TLI Presents the Gerald Clayton Trio.
Tuesday, August 22 at 8 p.m.
Vocalist Kelli O’Hara, joined by pianist Dan Lipton, performs Broadway favorites.
Kelli O’Hara.
Boston Pops and Film Night
The Boston Pops Orchestra, led by Keith Lockhart, performs the best music of the past and present with a broad spectrum of styles, from jazz to pop, indie rock to big band, film music to the great American songbook, and more. They appeal to the widest possible audience due to their variety and are perfect for people who may not even like orchestras. This summer, all shows will be performed at the Shed.
Saturday, July 8 at 8 p.m.
The Boston Pops, Keith Lockhart, and a cast of acclaimed Broadway singers perform a new symphonic arrangement of Ragtime: The Symphonic Concert, prepared by the original creators Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens, and Stephen Flaherty
Friday, July 14 at 8 p.m.
The Boston Pops and Keith Lockhart present an All-Gershwin program with artist Michael Feinstein and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet joining forces for a celebration of the music of this iconic American composer.
Keith Lockhart, photo by Hilary Scott.
Saturday, August 5 at 8 p.m.
John Williams’ Film Night, with conductors John Williams and David Newman, features classic film clips and favorite film score themes from the silver screen.
Saturday, August 26 at 8 p.m.
Keith Lockhart leads Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™ in Concert, with John Williams’ score performed by the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra while the film is presented on high-definition screens.
Sunday, August 27 at 2:30 p.m
Star Wars: The Story in Music features Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops performing the most memorable music from the sprawling saga of all nine Star Wars movies composed by John Williams.
Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra Concerts
The Tanglewood Music Center (TMC) offers an intensive schedule of study and performance for emerging professional instrumentalists, singers, conductors, librarians, and composers. Applications are now open to be a part of the TMC, for more information, visit here. Chamber music and recital programs presented by the young Fellows of the TMC are free of charge and take place throughout the summer
Xian Zhang conducts Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 6 on a program with works by Strauss and Gabriela Lena Frank led by TMC Conducting Fellows.
Monday, August 7 at 8 p.m. Ozawa Hall
Dima Slobodeniouk conducts Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 on a program with works by Rachmaninoff and Ravel led by TMC Conducting Fellows.
Monday, August 14 at 8 p.m. Ozawa Hall
Dame Jane Glover, in her Tanglewood debut, conducts Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 on a program with Britten and Dvořák led by TMC Conducting Fellows.
Sunday, August 20 at 2:30 p.m. Shed
Susanna Mälkki returns to the podium for the final orchestra program of the summer, leading the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and soloists Amanda Majeski, J’Nai Bridges, Stephen Costello, and Ryan Speedo Green in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and spirituals from Tippett’s A Child of Our Time.
Tanglewood Lawn with an audience, photo by Hilary Scott.
Festival of Contemporary Music Performances
The Festival of Contemporary Music (FCM) is one of the world’s premier showcases for works from the current musical landscape and landmark pieces from the new music vanguard of the 20th century. Recitals and many concerts are free of charge. FCM opens with “In Conversation: Curators of the Festival of Contemporary Music and Michael Gandolfi” on Thursday, July 27, at 1 p.m. in the Linde Center.
Thursday, July 27 at 8 p.m. Ozawa Hall
The music of FCM Co-curator Gabriela Lena Frank (Milagros, Sonata Serrana No. 1, and Las Sombras de los Apus) is included in FCM’s first musical program, which also includes Bartók’s Contrasts.
Friday, July 28 at 2:30 p.m. Ozawa Hall
Works by FCM Co-curator Anna Thorvaldsdottir (Spectra, Reminiscence I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII, Hrim, Aequilibria, and Ró) highlight this program. Kurtág’s 12 Microludes and Six Moments Musicaux also are performed.
Saturday, July 29 at 4 p.m. Linde Center
TLI Presents: A Curated Concert by Reena Esmail (FCM Co-curator), featuring Indian classical vocalist Saili Oak, in an all-Esmail program.
Saturday, July 29 at 6 p.m. Ozawa Hall
Prelude Concert with the Tanglewood Music Center
Ozawa Hall & Lawn, photo by Stu Rosner.
Sunday, July 30 at 10 a.m. Ozawa Hall
Interspersed with music by FCM Co-curator Tebogo Monnakgotla (It is the Lark that Sings, Five Pieces for String Trio, Le dormeur du val, Toys [or The Wonderful World of Clara], and Companion) are works by Malin Bång (Arching), Andile Khumalo (Schaufe[r]nster II), and Bent Sørensen (The Lady of Shalott).
Sunday, July 30 at 8 p.m. Linde Center
Experience a silent film screening of a score written by TMC Composition Fellows and performed live by TMC Fellows
Monday, July 31 at 8 p.m. Ozawa Hall
Works by all four curators are featured in the closing concert, with Stefan Asbury and TMC Conducting Fellows leading the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in Esmail’s RE / Member, Thorvaldsdottir’s METACOSMOS, Monnakgotla’s Un Clin d’oeil, and Frank’s Walkabout: Concerto for Orchestra.
For more information about the Tanglewood 2023 season and to purchase tickets, visit here.
Multi-platinum, R&B icon John Legend will be bringing his talents to New York’s historic Beacon Theatre for a pair of live, mid-week performances dubbed, “An Evening With John Legend.” Scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday on November 7 and 8, this special solo performance will feature intimate reimagining’s of Legend’s greatest hits.
Since the release of his debut in 2004, John Legend has delivered some of music’s most soul-touching records and moments. His 2013 single “All of Me,” hit number 1 on the Billboard charts and the accompanying music video — featuring his wife Chrissy Teigen — has over 2 Billion views on Youtube. Other crowd pleasers will include his Grammy-nominated records “Ordinary People,” from his debut album Get Lifted, and “Tonight.” The latter which featured as the lead single from the soundtrack to the 2012 romantic-comedy film Think Like a Man.
Together with the medley of chart-topping hits, An Evening With John Legend will also include selections from his latest album Legend recently released via Republic Records. Not to mention, unexpected stories from the legendary musician’s life and career.
Ticket sales will begin with an artist presale on Wednesday, May 17 at 10 a.m. until Thursday, May 18 at 10 p.m. before the general on-sale on Friday, May 19 at 10 a.m. at LiveNation.com.
Fear of Strangers, originally known as The Units, is an Albany-based quartet that revolutionized the DIY era of the city during the 70s with its simple, melodic rock and clever lyrics. The band announced they will be doing a reunion show at Lark Hall on June 2.
Update – this show has been moved to November 4th. Read a message from the band below.
Dear devoted fans and FOS curious, we’re sorry to have to postpone our FOS/Units reunion show at Lark Hall. We’ve had a personal injury within the band. Everyone is fine and it’s not something too serious or life-threatening, but still it would hamper our performance. We want to put on the best show that we can, so we hope you’ll find it worth waiting for. The rescheduled date is Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Lark Hall. Check this page for updates as the date approaches and we hope everyone can still make it!
The Units came onto the Albany DIY scene with their fresh energy of punk and new wave, fusing the luster of Steely Dan, the thump of Parliament/Funkadelic, and the firm edge of the Talking Heads. They traded the name for the ferocious and catchier Fear of Strangers, going from doing covers of whatever was hot at the moment to creating their own fresh and catchy covers. The quartet is comprised of bassist Steve Cohen, vocalist ‘Lonesome’ Val Haynes, drummer Al Kash, and guitarist Todd Nelson.
Photos by Dave Suarez and Lynne Harty.
They released their debut single “Japan” b/w “I am Sorry” in December 1979 under the name The Units, and once they changed their name they released their only album in 1982 on the Faulty Products label. The band became one of the most prolific ones to come out of the late 70s DIY scene in Albany, eventually opening shows for like-minded pioneers including The Police, Squeeze, XTC, The Specials, B-52’s, and R.E.M. In 1983, the band called it quits, but Cohen, Haynes, Kash, and Nelson have all made music in other realms and in other cities.
The band will be hosting a Fear of Strangers/The Units Reunion Show on June 2 at Lark Hall, dedicated to the memory of Lin Brehmer, shining a light on the beginnings of the underground Albany scene, serving as a powerful reminder that the scene is still bright and beaming. Upstate New York’s premiere acoustic Americana trio, Lost Radio Rounders, will start the evening off at 8 p.m. For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit here.
The final Dead & Company tour, stopping in Saratoga Springs on June 17-18 and Citi Field June 21-22. will include a traveling charity auction featuring ten one-of-a-kind D’Angelico guitars designed by contemporary rock music artist AJ Masthay.
Each guitar features designs using images from Masthay’s Dead & Company poster art, creating an anthology of his work with the band, dating back to 2016.
The auction is part of the “Participation Row” activism village organized by HeadCount, a non-profit organization that promotes voter registration and civic participation, along with REVERB, which promotes environmental responsibility. Since 2015, Participation Row has raised more than $2.8 million dollars for nearly two dozen “Dead Family” charities through auctions and activity at over 180 concerts. Participation Row’s impact also includes over 25,000 fans registering to vote or signing up for election alerts, and over 100,000 single use water bottles being eliminated.
Masthay has this to say about his collaboration with HeadCount:
I’m a firm believer that if our democracy is going to function as intended, we all as citizens have an obligation to be informed and participate in said democracy, that’s why I am and will continue to be a supporter of HeadCount and their mission. My relationship with HeadCount started over a decade ago and out of our partnership has come some of the most cherished pieces in my portfolio.
Masthay is most well known for his unique style of reduction block printing in the concert art arena. His blend of traditional techniques and love of live music has made him one of the most prominent figures in the rock art industry. Masthay established his own letterpress studio in 2001 and is currently based out of Hartford, CT. He has also done work for Black Sabbath, Foo Fighters, South Park, Queens of the Stone Age, Umphrey’s McGee, Widespread Panic, and many more.
