NYS Music 2023

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  • Prog-Rock Legends Dream Theater stop at The Theater at MSG in June

    Progressive rock titans Dream Theater will embark on a North American “Dreamsonic” tour this summer, with a performance at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 28th, joined by special guest Devin Townsend, & Animals As Leaders.

    dream theater Madison Square Garden

    Dream Theater – the Grammy winning progressive metal pioneers – have been performing for nearly 40 years, having formed in 1985 at Berklee College in Boston. Band members James LaBrie (Vocals), John Petrucci (Guitars), Jordan Rudess (Keyboards), John Myung (Bass), and Mike Mangini (Drums) — share a unique bond with one of the most passionate fan bases around the globe, as well as all hailing from Long Island. They have been inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2010, and have sold 15 million records sold worldwide.

    We are all so incredibly excited to present Dream Theater’s very own prog-metal music festival, Dreamsonic 2023! The lineup for our inaugural run this summer features Dream Theater, Devin Townsend, and Animals As Leaders and is going to be absolutely epic! Dreamsonic promises to be a reoccurring musical event that will deliver history-making nights of amazing music for many years to come! You’re not going to want to miss this one!

    John Petrucci

    The band’s 1992 opus Images & Words received a gold certification and landed on Rolling Stone’s coveted “100 Greatest Metal Albums of All-Time.” Guitar World placed the follow-up Awake at #1 on “Superunknown: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1994,” and 1996’s A Change of Seasons notably soundtracked NBC’s coverage of Downhill Skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

    Dream Theater’s most recent release, A View From The Top Of The World, saw the album debuting at #52 on the Billboard 200. The album’s lead track “The Alien” later went on to win the Grammy award for ‘Best Metal Performance’.

    Performing ahead of Dream Theater is Canadian musical maverick Devin Townsend, who Metal Injection called a “superb addition to his one-of-a-kind catalog”. Assembled from a barrage of material written during the pandemic, ‘Lightwork’ represents a kind of ‘light in the dark’ while trying to navigate the seemingly endless challenges that life can often present. This tour is Devin’s first North American run since March 2020. Watch the video for ‘Lightworker.’

    Animals as Leaders offer more than musicianship and proficiency, a focus on mood, texture,
    and emotive power elevating the material in a fascinatingly unique phenomenon. They released their latest album Parrhesia in March 2022.

    Tickets are on sale now for Dream Theater at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, all shows on the Dreamsonic tour, via dreamtheater.net

    Dream Theater “Dreamsonic” Tour

    June 16th – Cedar Park, TX – H-E-B Center At Cedar Park
    June 17th – Dallas, TX – Texas Trust CU @ Grand Prairie
    June 18th – Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre
    June 21st – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
    June 22nd – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live Arena
    June 23rd – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock
    June 25th – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theater
    June 27th – Washington, PA – Wild Things Park
    June 28th – New York, NY – Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
    June 30th – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
    July 1st – Philadelphia, PA – The Met
    July 2nd -Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
    July 4th – Laval, QC – Place Bell
    July 5th – Hamilton, ON – FirstOntario Centre
    July 7th – Gary, IN – Hard Rock Casino
    July 8th – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion
    July 9th – Newport, KY – MegaCorp Pavilion
    July 11th – Detroit, MI – Masonic
    July 12th – OshKosh, WI – OshKosh Arena
    July 13th – Cedar Rapids, IA – Alliant Energy Power House
    July 15th – Denver, CO – Mission Theater
    July 17th – Spokane, WA – First Interstate Center
    July 18th – Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle
    July 19th – Edmonton, AB – Northern Alberta Jubilee
    July 21st – Vancover, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
    July 22nd – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Live
    July 24th – San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic
    July 25th – Inglewood, CA – YouTube Theater
    July 26th – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre

  • My Morning Jacket Fall Tour Celebates “It Still Moves”, Shows at Palace in Albany, 3 nights at Beacon

    My Morning Jacket has announced their upcoming North American headline tour, highlighted by a series of very special shows celebrating the 20th anniversary of their third studio album, It Still Moves. The first of three shows (Oct. 19-21) at The Beacon Theatre in Manhattan will include the It Still Moves celebration, as well as shows in Atlanta and Chicago. The Palace Theatre in Albany will also host MMJ for their first performance at the historic venue.

    The upcoming North American tour continues a non-stop live schedule for My Morning Jacket that includes headline shows in the UK and Europe, festival appearances at Guadalajara, Mexico’s Corona Capital Guadalajara (May 20), Barcelona, Spain’s Primavera Sound (June 3), Porto, Portugal’s Primavera Sound (June 9), Madrid, Spain’s Primavera Sound (June 10), Manchester, TN’s Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival (June 17), Scranton, PA’s Peach Music Festival (July 1), Memphis, TN’s Mempho Music Festival (September 30),  and a three-night run alongside Fleet Foxes set to visit Berkeley, CA’s Greek Theatre (August 18-19) and Los Angeles, CA’s historic Hollywood Bowl (August 20).

    My Morning Jacket and the non-profit REVERB are partnering for the third consecutive year to reduce the environmental footprint of their tour and take action on the climate crisis. In addition to a comprehensive tour sustainability program, the band will be supporting REVERB’s climate portfolio which funds projects that measurably reduce greenhouse gas pollution, address climate justice, and directly decarbonize the music industry. For more info visit reverb.org. 

    My Morning Jacket recently announced the eagerly anticipated return of My Morning Jacket’s One Big Holiday, an all-inclusive concert vacation set for April 4-8, 2024 at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo, Mexico. One Big Holiday will once again see My Morning Jacket performing three unique headline shows, joined by an all-star lineup including some of the band’s favorite artists and friends. Presale Opt-In registration is open now to One Big Holiday Returning Guest Members and members of MMJ’s One Big Family, exclusively at onebigfamily.mymorningjacket.com. Complete presale information and initial lineup details will be unveiled later this summer. For complete information, please visit mmjonebigholiday.com.

    Members of My Morning Jacket’s One Big Family fan club on Medallion will have first access to presale tickets. Free registration is available now through Monday, May 15 at 9:00 am (ET) exclusively at onebigfamily.mymorningjacket.com. Spotify and local presales begin Wednesday, May 17 at 10:00 am (local) and continue through 10:00 pm (local). All remaining tickets will be released to the general public on Friday, May 19 at 10:00 am (local). For complete details and ticket availability, please see www.mymorningjacket.com/events. VIP tickets will also be available. For complete details, please visit www.cidentertainment.com/events/my-morning-jacket. 

    MY MORNING JACKET – TOUR 2023

    MAY

    14 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre *

    15 – Jackson, MS – Thalia Mara Hall *

    19 – Guadalajara, Mexico – Guanamor Studio **

    20 – Guadalajara, Mexico – Corona Capital Guadalajara ^

    30 – London, UK – O2 Kentish Town Forum #

    31 – Manchester, UK – O2 Ritz Manchester #

    JUNE

    3 – Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound ^

    5 – Antwerp, Belgium – De Roma #

    6 – Utrecht, Netherlands – TivoliVredenburg #

    9 – Porto, Portugal – Primavera Sound ^

    10 – Madrid, Spain – Primavera Sound ^

    15 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre ‡

    16 – Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery ‡

    17 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival ^

    20 – St. Paul, MN – Palace Theatre ‡

    21 – Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater ‡

    23 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park *

    24 – Newport, KY – MegaCorp Pavilion *

    26 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark Amphitheater ¶

    28 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE ¶

    30 – New Haven, CT – Westville Music Bowl ¶

    JULY

    1 – Scranton, PA – Peach Music Festival ^

    29 – Washington, DC – The Anthem ##

    30 – Beech Mountain, NC – Beech Mountain Summer Series ##

    AUGUST

    15 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield ‡‡

    16 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater ‡‡

    18 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre †

    19 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre †

    20 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl †

    22 – San Diego, CA – CalCoast Credit Union Open Air Theatre ‡‡

    23 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Amphitheatre ‡‡

    25 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre ‡‡ +

    26 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre ‡‡

    SEPTEMBER

    30 – Memphis, TN – Mempho Music Festival ^

    OCTOBER

    17 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall

    19 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre +

    20 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre

    21 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre

    24 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner

    25 – Albany, NY – Palace Theatre

    30 – Birmingham, AL – Alabama Theatre

    31 – New Orleans, LA – Orpheum Theater

    NOVEMBER

    3 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre +

    4 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

    7 – St. Louis, MO – Stifel Theatre

    9 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre +

    10 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre

    11 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre

    APRIL 2024 

    4-8 – Puerto Aventuras, Mexico – One Big Holiday

    * w/ Special Guest Jaime Wyatt

    ** w/ Special Guest Costa de Ámbar

    ^ Festival Appearance

    # w/ Special Guest Devon Gilfillian

    ‡ w/ Special Guest Wilderado

    ¶ w/ Special Guest Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe

    ## w/ Special Guest Katie Pruitt

    ‡‡ w/Special Guest M. Ward

    † w/ Fleet Foxes

    + It Still Moves 20th Anniversary Show

  • For a Night, the Bug Jar Becomes Acid Mothers Temple

    The Bug Jar, in Rochester, is “Your Bar on Earth” as the sign on the door proclaims. But what happens when five purveyors of deep psychedelia visit from Japan and launch it and everyone inside out into the cosmos? Such was the case on May 10, and for one evening, the Bug Jar became the Acid Mothers Temple.

    Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O, opened their set in cacophony, a deep unsettling rumble that announced the journey was about to begin. They settled into a Morricone-esque sound, a languid slow-motion trek, samurais navigating a desolate landscape. By journey’s end, the band was engaging in some supremely intense rocking, and from there we were off.

    No matter where the music started, guitarist Kawabata Makoto carved out space for some ridiculous shredding. Whether it was full-throttle metal, rhythmic rock, electric Miles Davis-style fusion, slow and spacey drone, or avant arhythmic weirdness, it all wound around to some showcase-level soloing from Makoto.

    Synthesizer shaman Higashi Hiroshi meanwhile was twisting and turning knobs, eliciting otherworldly whistles and squonks from his equipment. He kindly turned back a shot offered from the audience to grease his wheels, but he did use WD-40 to liberally grease up his keyboard throughout the set.

    Jyonson Tsu added vocals and rhythm guitar and bouzouki and Ron Anderson held down the low-end. Satoshima Nani sat behind it all, holding it together and driving it ever onward with masterful drumming and boundless energy.

    Repetitive grooves broke down slowly into weird nether regions, or otherwise built up to gloriously locked-in hyper-funk. It was music to get lost in. Then Makoto would light a fuse and the eventual explosion jarred you back to consciousness. In a final flourish, Acid Mothers Temple engaged an unadulterated full-band chaos, with Nani and Makoto reaching for new levels of craziness. It culminated in Makoto hanging his guitar from the ceiling, the burning embers of his last solo still glowing as the Bug Jar landed back home, one again “Your Bar on Earth.”

    My Education, a six-piece out of Austin Texas got things warmed up nicely. As the band tuned up on stage, it started to take shape into something more. Had the set started? The dissonance swelled and eventually congealed into a singular force. What followed was a set filled with rhythmic cinematic post-rock. Drummer Earl Bowers was the centerpiece, though as they locked into a rhythm, when they were all playing the role of drummer, was when the music shined brightest.

  • LIMEHOF Announces 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop Concert

    The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall Of Fame (LIMEHOF) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with a special concert and panel discussion event on Sunday, June 11th at 2 p.m. at the venue’s home base in Stony Brook Village.

    The event will feature legendary stars Son of Bazerk, Kool Rock-Ski (of The Fat Boys), A.J. Rock (of J.V.C. F.O.R.C.E.), DJ Jazzy Jay, DJ Johnny Juice (of Public Enemy), Dinco D and Milo in de Dance (both of Leaders of the New School), and special guest Ralph McDaniels (of Video Music Box), as well as other surprise hip-hop guest artists.

    “We are honored to pay tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop with a live concert performed by some of hip hop’s most influential artists, all from Long Island. It is a testament to Long Island’s prominent and continuing role in hip-hop’s legacy.”

    Ernie Canadeo, LIMEHOF Chairman

    Although the Bronx often receives the most credit for the origins of hip-hop, Long Island was very influential in its development. Most Long Island hip-hop performers went to the city to perform. Through the years, LIMEHOF has paid tribute to the hip-hop community by inducting artists from Long Island including LL COOL J, Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Kurtis Blow, Whodini, Salt-N-Pepa, and EPMD.

    DJ Jazzy Jay, DJ Johnny Juice, Kool Rock-Ski, and Son of Bazerk will be performing live at the event. There will also be a panel discussion moderated by Tom Needham, LIMEHOF Vice Chairman and longtime host of the “Sounds of Film Radio Show,” who will be joined by members of JVC Force, Leaders of the New School, DJ Johnny Juice and Ralph McDaniels.

    Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall Of Fame (LIMEHOF) is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The organization, which encompasses New York State’s Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings (Brooklyn) Counties, was created as a place of community that inspires and explores Long Island music and entertainment in all its forms. In 2022, LIMEHOF opened its first Hall of Fame building location in Stony Brook Village. To date, the organization has inducted more than 120 musicians and music industry executives, and also offers education programs and scholarships, and awards to Long Island students and educators.

    For more information about tickets to the LIMEHOF Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Concert, please visit LIMEHOF’S website.

  • Mingus Big Band Announces “Mingus Monday’s” Residency At Drom

    NYC’s Mingus Big Band  has announced their newest residency at Drom, taking place every Monday, beginning June 5th, paying homage to the music of composer/bassist Charles Mingus.

    This 14-piece band features new arrangements of Mingus compositions in a larger band format that Mingus was not always able to organize in his lifetime. The dynamic structure encourages deep explorations and ever-evolving ideations of Mingus Music and provides a platform for individual artistic expression. Time Out New York called them “the hippest big band in the universe – robust, earthy, sanctified.”

    Drawing from a rotation of the best established and rising musicians, the Mingus Big Band is highly sought-after by festivals and prestigious venues around the world. The band has Grammy nominations spread over eleven recordings, including the Grammy-winning album Live at Jazz Standard. A new album, The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions, was released in October 2022. The second volume will be released later this year.

    The band has held down a weekly residency in New York City for three decades, beginning in 1991 Thursday nights at Fez under Time Cafe, then Joe’s Pub, City Hall, Iridium, and landing now at Drom.

    We are thrilled to partner again with Seth Abramson for Mingus Mondays — we shared 15 years at Jazz Standard (and a Grammy!). And back in Mingus’ old Village stomping grounds with the wonderful team at Drom.

    Mingus Big Band Manager Robert Ungaro

    Founded by two immigrant business entrepreneurs, Drom’s mission is to celebrate cultural diversity in the performing arts field by providing a physical space for artists from around the world to present their music, art and creative experiments. Drom’s programs span diverse artistic forms including music, dance, theater, comedy and its stage is open to the next generation, as well as established performers.

    Doors for Monday sets are 7pm and 9pm; combo tickets for both 7:30pm and 9:30pm sets are available for $45.

    For more information, please visit Drom’s website.

  • GoGo Penguin Mesmerizes Toronto’s Opera House

    On May 9th, the Opera House in Toronto hosted an unforgettable performance by GoGo Penguin, the instrumental trio hailing from Manchester, England. Since 2013, Chris Illingworth (piano), Jon Scott (drums), and Nick Blacka (double bass) have been praised for their originality and inspiration in the music industry.

    Jazz singer Melanie Charles opened the evening, captivating the audience with her soulful voice. Being a one person band for the evening , along with singing she played flute, piano and used backing tracks and a loop pedal. The near capacity crowd seemed to enjoy her performance.

    Melanie Charles

    As GoGo Penguin began their set, the room was filled with the jazz trio’s mesmerizing sound, beginning with “An Unbroken Thread of Awareness.” The group’s chemistry was undeniable, with Illingworth’s intricate piano playing complementing Blacka’s grooving bass lines and Scotts’s powerful drumming.

    GoGo Penguin’s setlist was a masterful blend of their original compositions, including “Signal in the Noise,” “We May Not Stay,” “Glimmerings,” “Wave Decay,” “Lost In Thought”, “The Antidote Is in the Poison,” “Friday Film Special,” “Saturnine,” “Soon Comes Night,” “Everything Is Going to Be OK,” “Ascent,” “Murmuration,” “Transient State,” “Hopopono,” and “Protest.”

    GoGo Penguin

    Despite the minor setback of the pedal on the grand piano breaking, causing a delay of about 20 minutes, GoGo Penguin remained professional and improvisational. This unplanned interlude allowed the audience to witness the trio’s skills of repairing a piano quickly.

    As the night progressed, GoGo Penguin’s performance reached new heights with each song. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly their encore, consisting of “You’re Stronger Than You Think” and “Parasite.” The trio poured their hearts into these final songs, leaving the audience breathless and wanting more.

    Jon Scott

    GoGo Penguin’s performance was a testament to their talent and musicianship. Their music was complex, thought-provoking, and emotive, leaving the audience in awe. The trio’s ability to seamlessly blend their individual styles and create a sound that was uniquely their own was truly remarkable.

    Nick Blacka

    As the crowd left the Opera House, there was a sense of collective elation and satisfaction. GoGo Penguin had once again proven why they are one of the most exciting and original bands in the world of instrumental music. Their performance was a true masterpiece, and one that will be remembered for years to come. They last played the Western New York area in 2018 at the Rochester Jazz Festival.

    Talking to a GoGo Penguin Fan

    After the concert, we had the opportunity to speak with a GoGo Penguin fan named Shari who was completely blown away by the performance. “Emotionally, the band’s music splits my mind into millions of pieces,” she shared. “In the moments of listening, I do not want anything, being in meditation synchronization with all the moments of the past and the future at once. Incredible energy. I am grateful to them”

    It was clear that this Shari was moved by the music and had a deep appreciation for the trio’s unique sound. She went on to explain that they had been following GoGo Penguin for several years and had never seen them perform live before. “It was everything I hoped it would be and more,” she exclaimed. “Their music takes you on a journey, and you never want it to end.”

    When asked about their favorite moment of the concert, the fan had a hard time choosing just one. “It’s hard to pick just one moment because the whole concert was incredible,” she said. “But I think the encore was definitely a highlight. ‘You’re Stronger Than You Think’ and ‘Parasite’ were the perfect way to end the show. I felt like I was part of something really special.”

    As our conversation came to a close, it was evident that this GoGo Penguin fan had been deeply impacted by the concert. “I’m already looking forward to the next time they come to town,” she said. “Their music has a way of bringing people together and creating an unforgettable experience. I feel lucky to have been a part of it.”

    GoGo Penguin’s music is a unique blend of break-beats, minimalist piano melodies, powerful basslines, and drums inspired by electronica, combined with anthemic riffs. They compose and perform together as a unit, resulting in a cohesive sound that is both powerful and mesmerizing. Their music draws from a wide range of influences, including electronica, trip-hop, jazz, rock, and classical music.

    Chris Illingworth

    Music critics have praised GoGo Penguin’s sound, comparing it to other acclaimed artists such as Esbjörn Svensson Trio, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, and Massive Attack. Additionally, they have been likened to renowned composers such as Brian Eno, as well as modern classical composers like Shostakovich and Debussy, or contemporary minimal music composers such as Philip Glass. These comparisons attest to the diverse range of influences that GoGo Penguin draws upon to create their unique sound.

  • Albany Center Gallery Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop: Call for Art & Artists

    The Albany Center Gallery (ACG), located on Broadway in Albany, is accepting submissions for an upcoming exhibition celebrating Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary this August.

    ACG and curators Robert Cooper, Truemaster, and BoogieRez invite local and regional artists to submit their work for consideration. This call for submissions is free and open to the public.

    Hip Hop finds its origins dating back to August 11th, 1973, when a back-to-school party was held in the Bronx, at 1520 Sedgwick Ave. Over the years it became known as the party that started the culture of Hip Hop. Hip Hop is both a culture and a style of music, beginning with four elements: MC’ing, B-boy/B-girl, graffiti, and DJ’ing. 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop and to commemorate this historic occasion, events of varying degrees are planned around the world, including the Capital Region at Albany Center Gallery.

    From Tuesday, August 1 to Saturday, September 2, 2023, this exhibition will be held at ACG in celebration of Hip Hop’s culture and overall multidisciplinary influence on people, especially creatives. 

    Along with the exhibition, the commemoration will include multiple associated programs highlighting performances that embody the spirit of Hip Hop and this cultural phenomenon. Albany Center Gallery is looking for visual art (photography, painting, sculpture, installations, and graffiti), and performance artists (MCs, DJs, Dancers, Poets, and more) to join ACG and curators in celebrating the 50 years of Hip Hop.

    All art forms and mediums are welcome to submit. The work submitted should represent an artistic style that is inspired or influenced by the artist’s experience in Hip Hop culture throughout the years. Work must be submitted by Sunday, June 4, 2023, at midnight to be considered. Submit work and learn more details here.

  • Second Annual Sullivan County Music Festival to Showcase Local Talent

    The second annual Sullivan County Music Festival, presented by the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre (HPAC) will be held on Sunday, June 4, from 12 pm to 8 pm. The event will be held on the lawn of Tango Café and Fireman’s Park, Main Street, Hurleyville.

    Sullivan County Music Festival
    Faith Kelly Performs at the 1st Annual Sullivan County Music Festival, June 4, 2022. Photo by Douglas Shindler. Image Courtesy Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre.

    Sullivan County Music Festival is a free community event, with a suggested donation of $10 to support local musicians and vendors. A donation of $10 will get you three complimentary raffle tickets for a chance to win exciting door prizes. Raffle announcements will occur just before the final performance at 7:10 pm.

    This year’s lineup includes 15 performances, all showcasing the incredible diversity of local talent in the the Southern Catskills. Sullivan County Music Festival will also highlight 15 non-profit organizations doing remarkable work within Sullivan County. Attendees can enjoy original music all day, along with an array of vendors, raffles, and door prizes generously provided by local businesses.

    This festival provides a vital platform for the incredible diversity of talent we have right here in our region. It’s an honor to celebrate and support our local musicians, vendors, and non-profit organizations that contribute so much to our community.

    Co-Executive Director of HPAC, Ellyane Hutchinson

    Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair to relax on the grass in front of Tango Café. Several local businesses, including The Hurleyville General Store, Tango Café, Pickled Owl, La Salumina, and Casa Mia, will offer a variety of delicious food options. Additionally, door prizes and a 50/50 raffle will give guests the opportunity to win cash and prizes from local restaurants, vendors, and businesses.

    The Sullivan County Music Festival is a family-friendly event, and will include a bouncy house and face painter. Ample parking is available in two large municipal lots on Main Street and Railroad Avenue in Hurleyville. The venue is wheelchair accessible, with restrooms available in HPAC and Tango Café.

    WJFF Radio Catskill is the official local media sponsor, while NYS Music serves as the official NY state media sponsor. The Sullivan County Music Festival is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Artist fees for the festival are supported in part by STEAM Fund’s Mission One Gig At A Time (MOGAAT). Catskill Brewery is the official beverage sponsor and Upstate D Tours is the official transportation sponsor. Other event sponsors include Funky Hippy Chic Boutique, Liberty Fine Furnishings & Upholstery, DJ Gteaze, Savory Sweet Eatery, American Storage Buildings, and Zeke1r.

    For more information, visit hurleyvilleartscentre.org.

  • Pink Talking Fish Celebrate Iconic Album Anniversaries at The Wellmont Theater

    On Saturday, May 6, Pink Talking Fish celebrated two iconic rock albums at The Wellmont Theater in New Jersey by performing them in their entirety. The albums being celebrated were Pink Floyd’s iconic Dark Side of the Moon & Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense. One Eyed Jack joined the party to open up the night.

    Pink Talking Fish played Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety for the first set. Highlights included “Money”, “Great Gig in the Sky” and the sheer funk of “Any Color You Like”.

    The band took a break and proceeded to burn down the house with a faster paced, very funky Talking Heads album. Highlights included “Psycho Killer”, “Girlfiend is Better”, & of course a crowd favorite “Crosseyed & Painless”.

    The band encored with a thumping “Carini” & groovy “2001” filling the void of Phish covers of the night. Uncle Ebenezer performed many tasteful Phish covers at the afterparty.

  • 50th Anniversary of Summer Jam to be Celebrated at Wonderland Forest in Lafayette in July

    Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic Summer Jam at Wonderland Forest, a new 500-acre campground and concert venue in Lafayette just outside Syracuse over July 28 and 29.

    Credit: Wonderlandforest.com

    Summer Jam 50 offers a recreation of the original Summer Jam from 1973, with music from Dark Star Orchestra (Celebrating the Grateful Dead Experience), Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country (A Celebration of The Allman Brothers Band), and The Weight Band (Celebrating the Music of The Band.)

    The inaugural Summer Jam Music Festival in 1973 took place at Watkins Glen Race Track in Schuyler County and featured these three historic bands with 600,000 fans in attendance.

    Each band will play both days of Summer Jam 50 at Wonderland Forest in Lafayette, as she weekend culminates with a full two-set recreation from Dark Star Orchestra of the Grateful Dead’s original show on July 28, 1973.

    Wonderland Forest’s location in the rolling hills of Central New York’s Apple Valley offers the perfect atmosphere for a variety of special events and occasions. Camp Wonderland, for long a local camping site, will soon feature vintage RVs for rent, private glamping, as well as traditional camping sites. Gatsby Landing is an elegant indoor/outdoor event area that can accommodate wedding ceremonies and receptions, team-building excursions, and much more, all surrounded by the breathtaking views of Apple Valley.

    We are honored to be hosting our first event at Wonderland Forest by recreating this iconic music festival. Wonderland Forest promises to be an amazing new venue experience for music lovers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

    Dan Mastronardi of Wonderland Forest

    A portion of Summer Jam 50’s proceeds will benefit the non-profit 501(c)(3) The Allman Brothers Band Museum in Macon, Georgia (known as ‘The Big House’). Big House Foundation’s primary mission is to preserve and promote the rich musical heritage and inclusive diverse culture of The Allman Brothers Band through music education programs and exhibits.

    Summer Jam 50 at Wonderland Forest in Lafayette tickets go on sale May 11 at 12 p.m.

    https://youtu.be/alLKuE-BC8k