The Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance will hold its 43rd annual celebration at Altamont Fairgrounds in Albany County from June 23-25.
The three main stage concerts each feature multiple artists on Friday and Saturday from 6:30 -11 p.m., and Sunday from 3:30 – 7 p.m. in the leafy, open-air main stage area, and over 100 daytime workshops, dances, and performances. Also featured are craft, food, and instrument vendors, and a well-run children’s activity area for all three days of the festival.
Pianists perform at a previous Old Songs Music Festival at Altamont Fairgrounds. Credit: Old Songs Festival.
The Old Songs Music Festival held annually at Altamont Fairgrounds since 1997, celebrates Folk, Celtic, Quebecois, Roots, Americana, and World music from Ireland, Scotland, England, Quebec, Italy, India, the Midwest, Appalachia, New England, and more. This participatory event for the whole family encourages audience members to join jam sessions, take part in learn-how sessions, and classes, sing sacred harps, or move their feet to our great dance bands. School-age children who play an instrument can participate in the “Great Groove Band,” which has a stage performance at the Sunday festival, with the help of music coaches and musical instruction.
Old Songs, Inc., centered in the Capital Region, is a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping traditional music and dance alive through festivals, concerts, dances, and educational programs.
Tickets may be purchased online, by phone, or at the festival gate.
The Park Theater Foundation will present a wide variety of shows this May as part of their 2022-23 season. Among the scheduled acts and events include JeremyGarrett ft. ShadowGrass, the Matt Niedbalski Trio featuring pianist, Ian MacDonald, Corner House, ‘Live & Local: Songwriters’ Showcase’, ‘Comedy After Dark’, and Rochmon Record Club. The series will begin on May 11 and continue until the end of the month on May 31.
Jeremy Garret will perform with ShadowGrass on May 11. Credit: Park Theater Foundation.
Innovative fiddle player, expressive singer, and songwriter in the Grammy award-winning band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Jeremy Garrett, will perform at the theater on May 11 at 7 p.m. with the opening bluegrass band, ShadowGrass. Garrett is known for his dynamic stage presence and his performance is sure to be one you won’t want to miss.
The Matt Niedbalski Trio featuring pianist Ian MacDonald will perform on May 18. Credit: Park Theater Foundation.
On May 18 at 7:30 p.m., the third Thursday of the month, the theater presents ‘Third Thursday Jazz’ with The Matt Niedbalski Trio featuring pianist, Ian MacDonald, delighting audiences with some of the best jazz music in the Capital Region.
The members of Corner House, from left to right: Cellist Casey Murray, guitarist Ethan Hawkins, bluegrass mandolinist Ethan Setiawan, and Scottish fiddle player Louise Bichan. Corner House will perform live on May 19. Credit: Park Theater Foundation.
Portland, Maine-based Corner House, with roots in Boston, is made up of cellist Casey Murray, guitarist Ethan Hawkins, bluegrass mandolinist Ethan Setiawan, and Scottish fiddle player Louise Bichan and will perform live at the Park Theatre on May 19 at 7 p.m. Corner House has created a singular sound that incorporates old-time, Scottish, progressive bluegrass and folk. Rooted in a close interpersonal bond, Corner House has garnered attention for its energetic and intricate compositions.
‘Live & Local: Songwriters’ Showcase’ is scheduled for May 25. Credit: Park Theater Foundation.
Performer, producer, and engineer Josh Morris hosts ‘Live & Local: Songwriters’ Showcase’ – an intimate evening featuring some of the Capital Region’s favorite songwriters on May 25 at 7 p.m. The showcase features Josh Morris, Kyla Silk, Sydney Worthley, and more.
New York City-based comedian Jim Tews will perform on May 26. Credit: Park Theater Foundation.
On May 26 at 8 p.m., New York City-based comedian Jim Tews will perform at the Park Theater for ‘Comedy After Dark.’ Tews has performed at notable comedy festivals including San Francisco Sketchfest and Just For Laughs Montreal and has appeared on television, including NBC, FX, and more.
Chuck Vosganian will host the Rochmon Record Club on May 31. Credit: Park Theater Foundation.
Rounding this series of six events is Rochmon Record Club, hosted by Chuck Vosganian on May 31 at 7 p.m. This event will focus on The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Greatest Hits Collection “Smash Hits” (1968.)
Rock band Shinedown has announced the fall leg of their Revolutions Live Tour, which will stop at St. Joe’s Amphitheater at Lakeview in Syracuse on Sept. 13. The tour comes off the heels of their 2022 seventh studio album Planet Zero and their current spring tour in support. The album spawned the hit singles “A Symptom of Being Human, ” making the Top 25 on Hot AC Radio, “Dead Don’t Die,” the band’s recent #1 on Active Rock Radio, and #1 rock hits “Planet Zero”, and “Daylight.”
The members of Shinedown, from left to right: Zach Myers (guitar,) Eric Bass (bass, production,) Brent Smith (vocals,) and Barry Kerch (drums.) Credit: Sanjay Parikh.
Shinedown was formed in Jacksonville, Florida by lead singer Brent Smith, after the break-up of his previous band, Dreve, and encompasses Smith with Zach Myers, Eric Bass, and Barry Kerch. They released their debut studio album, Leave a Whisper, in 2003, with support from lead single “Fly from the Inside,” which peaked at #5 on Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks. The band’s more than decade-long career, has spawned a total of seven studio albums, most recently 2022’s Planet Zero.
Tickets for Shinedown: The Revolutions Live Fall Tour, which includes a performance at the St. Joe’s Amphitheater, go on sale May 5 beginning at 10 a.m. Various presales are available until May 4, and VIP packages featuring exclusive access are also available.
Shinedown: The Revolutions Live Fall Tour Dates 2023:
September 3 – St Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre #
September 4 – Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center #
September 6 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center #
September 8 – Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake #
September 9 – Blue Ridge Rock Festival @ The Virginia International Raceway *^
September 12 – Detroit, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre ~
September 13 – Syracuse, NY @ St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview #
September 15 – Ocean City, MD @ Ocean City Bike Fest*^
September 16 – Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion +
September 19 – Gilford, NH @ Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion #
September 21 – Bangor, ME @ Maine Savings Amphitheater #
September 23 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center #
September 24 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center #
September 26 – Simpsonville, SC @ CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park #
September 27 – Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheatre #
September 29 – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater #
September 30 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live #
October 3 – Franklin, TN @ FirstBank Amphitheater #
October 5 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP #
October 6 – Allen, TX @ Credit Union of Texas Event Center #
October 8 – Houston, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion #
October 9 – San Antonio, TX @ Freeman Coliseum #
October 12 – Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre #
October 13 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena #
October 15 – Irvine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheatre #
October 17 – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheater #
October 19 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater #
October 20 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena #
Previously Announced Tour Dates:
May 3 – Bozeman, MT @ Brick Breeden Fieldhouse =
May 6 – Spokane, WA @ Spokane Arena =
May 7 – Everett, WA @ Angel of the Winds Arena =
May 9 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center =
July 14 – Fargo, ND @ Red River Valley Fair ^$
July 16 – Madison, WI @ The Sylvee +$
July 17 – Green Bay, WI @ EPIC Events Center +$$
July 20 – Monticello, IA @ Jones County Fair *##
July 21 – Gary, IN @ Hard Rock Live ^$$
July 23 – Niagara Falls, ON @ Fallsview Casino Resort ^$$
The Barclays Center will host the 38th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Nov. 3.
Among the honorees are Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, The Spinners, DJ Kool Herc, Link Wray, Chaka Khan, Al Kooper, Bernie Taupin, and Don Cornelius. The group will all be inducted at Barclays Center celebration of the 38th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Performer inductee Kate Bush. Credit: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Kate Bush created a unique space in rock. She used lush soundscapes, radical experimentation, literary themes, sampling, and theatricality to captivate audiences and inspire countless musicians.
Performer inductee Sheryl Crow: Credit: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Missouri-born Sheryl Crow is forever woven into the tapestry of American music. Through her powerhouse solo performances, collaborations with industry icons, and early session musician work, Crow’s influence reverberates through classic 1990s rock, pop, country, folk, blues, and the work of countless singer-songwriters.
Performer inductee Missy Elliot. Credit: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Singer-songwriter, groundbreaking producer, label executive, and video trendsetter, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, of Virginia, rose to fame as a member of the all-girl R&B group Sista in the 90s. She established herself as an in-demand songwriter and producer and founded her own record label, all before breaking out as a Platinum-selling solo star.
Performer inductee George Michael. Credit: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
English singer-songwriter and record producer George Michael (1963-2016) had an incomparable vision and drive that propelled him to superstardom, becoming the most-played artist on British radio from 1984 to 2004 and one of the best-selling artists of all time. Michael’s career began when he formed the pop duo Wham! with schoolmate Andrew Ridgeley in 1981, but his foray into the solo spotlight with the introspective hits “Careless Whisper” and “A Different Corner” eventually spelled the end of the group in 1986.
Performer inductee Willie Nelson. Credit: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Texas-born singer, songwriter, performer, anti-establishment outlaw, political activist, and philanthropist Willie Nelson has over 60 years in the music business. Nelson may call country music his home, but he has always pushed stylistic boundaries – mixing in rock & roll, jazz, pop, and blues.
Performer inductees Rage Against the Machine. Credit: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1991, Rage Against the Machine shook the foundations of the status quo lyrically, sonically, and philosophically, mixing hip-hop, punk, metal, funk, and rock in an entirely new way. They took aim at oppressive systems of power and set a new standard for how to ignite a revolution through the power of music.
Performer inductees The Spinners. Credit: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Formed in Ferndale, Michigan in 1954, The Spinners have a career that spans almost 70 years. The Spinners remain one of the most beloved R&B vocal groups in the world, celebrated by fans and fellow artists alike.
Musical Influence inductee DJ Kool Herc. Credit: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Born Clive Campbell in Kingston, Jamaica, DJ Kool Herc is credited with contributing to the development of hip-hop music in the Bronx. Herc’s innovation and experimentation with music helped create the blueprint for hip-hop and set the stage for future artists to build upon, taking existing music and technology and innovating new ways of thinking about how the music could be played, how it could directly interact with the audience and eventually, how emcees such as Coke La Rock and the Herculords would rap over his beats.
Musical Influence inductee Link Wray. Credit: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
North Carolina native Link Wray was the original punk, the inventor of the power chord, and the architect of a sound that laid the foundation for metal, punk, and every genre that relies on raw, untamed noise to convey its message. With a DIY ethos and an electric intensity unlike any other guitarist, Wray was a decade ahead of his time when he emerged in the 1950s, and embraced sounds that had rarely been heard before – distortion, fuzz, tremolo, and wah-wah effects – all of which have become staples of rock guitar.
Musical Excellence inductee Chaka Khan. Credit: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Chicago-born singer Chaka Khan has a voice and presence that represents the racial and social integration at the heart of rock & roll. With her incredible vocal range and mastery of dynamics, Chaka Khan has recorded long-lasting, powerful music for close to five decades.
Musical Excellence inductee Al Kooper. Credit: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Composer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, arranger, and producer Al Kooper, born in Brooklyn, has collaborated with the biggest names in rock & roll. His work as a songwriter, session player, and producer places him among the giants of popular music.
Musical Excellence inductee Bernie Taupin. Credit: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
English-American songwriter, singer, songwriter, and visual artist Bernie Taupin has been collaborating with Elton for over 50 years, and their songwriting partnership is one of the most successful in rock & roll history. In addition to his work with Elton John, Taupin has written songs for other artists, including Alice Cooper and Brian Wilson, and earned Number One hits with songs like Starship’s “We Built This City” and Heart’s “These Dreams.”
Ahmet Ertegun inductee Don Cornelius. Credit: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Chicago-born Don Cornelius created Soul Train a vehicle for soul, R&B, dance, and hip-hop to find their way into our living rooms. In the process, he became a visionary entrepreneur who opened the door, holding it open for many others to follow him through.
Born from the collision of rhythm & blues, country, and gospel, rock & roll is a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates the sound of youth culture, honoring the artists who connect us all. They foster a diverse, equitable, educational nonprofit Museum that encourages and embraces creativity and innovation.
Open to the public for the first time, the Hudson Valley Meadowlark Festival is set to take place from Sept. 8-10 at Stone Ridge Orchard & Farmers Market in Stone Ridge, NY, featuring some of the most storied names in Americana, indie rock, and experimental music.
Meadowlark Festival is a curated three-day experience celebrating American roots and independent music. This year the festival is open to the public, last year it was an invite-open event, featuring Mississippi bluesman RL Boyce and NYC singer/songwriter Jeffrey Lewis, among others. The venue is the picturesque Stone Ridge Orchard, operating for the past 200 years as a productive, diversified farm, raising a wide variety of sustainably-grown gourmet fruits and vegetables on 115 scenic rolling acres. The performance site will be under the shade of the farm’s iconic nearly 400-year-old oak tree, the jewel of Stone Ridge, next to a stand of some of the oldest apple trees in the region.
Meadowlark producer Daniel Leslie, who hails from the Hudson Valley region, graduated from Vassar College, and now resides in Brooklyn, describes its inspiration, “This grew out of a vision shared with some of my musician friends about blending traditional and experimental music in a special, secluded setting,” he said. “The Hudson Valley is such an epicenter of music culture, it’s the perfect setting for this type of experience we wanted to create that blends traditional music with an edgier counterculture vibe.” Besides music, the festival will feature many food trucks and vendors, from fresh produce from farmers’ markets to homemade cider donuts.
Saturday, Sept. 8, features New York singer-songwriter, harpist, and guitarist Lizzie No, one of the most exciting new voices in contemporary Americana music. Her 2017 debut album Hard Won was hailed as “simultaneously understated and fervent” by Billboard Magazine, and her 2019 album Vanity was a hit at college radio stations across the country, cracking the NACC Top Adds Chart. She is currently working on her third studio album, and this summer she joins the Basic Folk podcast team as guest cohost. Also featured is Brooklyn-based indie pop artist beccs, hailed as one of NYLON Magazine’s “favorite cool girls,” and Massachusetts-based singer-songwriter Cloudbelly, aka Corey Laitman. Accompanied by a rotating cast of inspired instrumentalists and friends, Laitmain makes music that includes poetic lyricism, stirring vocals, and a disarming stage presence.
Lizzie No.
Saturday, Sept. 9 features a wide array of artists, including headliners Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. The band is led by Alec Ounsworth, described by Pitchfork as, “musically adventurous… melodic, exuberant indie rock…” After nearly two decades Ounsworth remains one of music’s most distinctive voices. Jolie Holland has knotted together a century of American song, from jazz to blues, to soul, to rock and roll, into an indescribable sound. Taking inspiration from the likes of Mavis Staples or Al Green, her voice is immediately booming and gritty.
Continuing, Saturday also includes Chris Staples, who has garnered over a million streams on Spotify, creating indie rock music for the past 25 years. Ending the day is Hudson Valley’s own Babehoven. Maya Bon, the singer-songwriter behind the band, writes about the confusing and jarring aspects of life with emotional vulnerability, collaborating with producer Ryan Albert.
Alec Ounsworth aka Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.
The final day of the festival on Sunday features Grammy-nominated quartet Devotchka, described by the NY Times as “striking… attention-grabbing.” Formed in Denver by multi-instrumentalists Nick Urata (vocals, guitar, trumpet), Tom Hagerman (violin, accordion), Jeanie Schroder (sousaphone, bass), and percussionist Shawn King, Devotchka infuses modern indie music with a global flavor. Also featured is Chris Smither, described by the Associated Press as one of the absolute best singer-songwriters in the world, filling concert venue after concert venue with eager fans waiting to hear his electrifying folk and blues tunes.
Other performers on the final day include genre-defying New Orleans hard rockers Quintron & Miss Pussycat, creating 14 full-length records over the past 15 years that have the psychedelic soul of traditional New Orleans party music. Finally, Boston-based blues guitarist Ryan Lee Crosby performs, described by Aquarium Drunkard as “sometimes light and free-flowing, sometimes intense and heavy.” Other acts are to be announced.
It was a heavy night of sonic improv and heavy themes at Lark Hall on April 26th, when enduring jam band veterans Perpetual Groove made their long-awaited return to Albany. Tackling topics of loss and regret, redemption and hope, the band was at the top of their game and demonstrated a level of musical maturity and precision that can only come from decades of playing together. Commemorating 20 years since the group’s breakout album, Sweet Oblivious Antidote, the evening also marked the debut of the venue’s brand new disco ball.
Perpetual Groove made their Lark Hall debut on 4/26/2023
Kicking things around 8pm, The Social Assassins got things off to a loud and progressive start. Featuring fusion guitarist virtuoso Gabriel Marin of Consider the Source, the band has only played handful of live shows together since their debuting in October of last year. Marin, along with his trademark Vigier double neck guitar and a bevy of effects pedals, took us on a sonic journey through instrumentals like “Begrudging Acquiescence” and “The Red Hour,” while his high energy band of Assassins pummeled away on songs like “Hora Attik” and “Blood Boi.” Playing before a moderate crowd of concert goers on this Wednesday night, the band turned in a max effort performance for those who were there to appreciate it. A fusion of eastern influences mixed with everything from metal and disco, The Social Assassins surprised everyone with their unique sound, especially on their set closing version of A-ha’s classic sing along “Take On Me.”
Watch fan shot footage of Social Assassins performing “Take On Me” at Lark Hall on 4/26/23
After a brief intermission, it was officially time for Perpetual Groove to launch the Lark Hall crowd into orbit. Originally formed in 1997, the Athens, GA based quartet opened their single set performance with “Save For One” from 2007’s Live Love Die album. Sounding fantastic from the opening note to the last, guitarist/vocalist Brock Butler would lead P-Groove straight into a heady version of “Stealy Man” that saw the crowd let out collective cheers and head bangs when it’s extended jam dipped into the ‘heavy’ section before shifting gears into the first cover of the night with The Cars classic song “Drive,” and then finally returning to “Stealy Man” to complete an impressive 30+ minutes of uninterrupted music to start the show. After a few welcoming words, the groove would pick up again with another oldie in 2005’s “Andromeda.”
Watch fan shot footage of Perpetual Groove “Stealy Man” and “Drive” at Lark Hall on 4/26/23
Despite it being the 20th anniversary of the bands Sweet Oblivious Antidote album, Perpetual-Groove would only play one song from it, “TSM2.” Laying down the tastiest of bass lines, Adam Perry stole the show next on a well-received version of “Crockett and Tubbs” that got the whole place dancing. A bit of a deep cut in “Cairo” was next, allowing keyboardist Matthew McDonald a chance to stretch out both musically and physically. The burley chairman’s other-worldly synth textures were magnified all evening long thanks in part to the venue’s brand-new disco ball that was also making it’s Lark Hall debut during this performance.
It’s been 20 years since Perpetual Groove released their breakout album Sweet Oblivious Antidote
Perhaps the highlight of the show came next when P-Groove would uncork a monstrous version of the hard rocking “Speed Queen” bolstered by Butler’s trademark precision and the heavy hands of the newest member of the band, drummer Darren Stanley, who joined in 2022 after spending time with Jimmy Hearing and Col. Bruce Hampton. The thunderous and cathartic peak would seamlessly transition into a beautiful and introspective version of “Out Here,” a longtime live favorite that was only recently given the studio treatment. Following that up with one of Butler’s most personal songs was “It Starts Where It Ends.” Wailing away on his signature Stratocaster with eyes closed and his back arched, the song featured some of the most expressive playing of the night. Seamlessly transitioning into the set closing “Space Paranoids,” the band performed like a well-oiled machine and spoke a musical language unto themselves, effortlessly communicating changes just by exchanging glances at each other.
Watch fan shot footage of Perpetual Groove performing “It Starts Where It Ends” during their Lark Hall on debut 4/26/23
Rather than go through the typical rigmarole of exiting the stage prior to the encore, P-Groove would simply tell fans this will be their last song of the night and thanked them for coming out to their Lark Hall debut. Opting to go with a crowd-pleasing cover of Talking Heads “This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody),” coincidently the same song had also been covered by Ryan Montbleau at the venue just one week prior. Whether by choice or by happy accident, an agreeable theme appears to be emerging at Albany’s newest concert spot. After yet another night of stellar musicianship, improvisation and overall good vibes, if Lark Hall isn’t the place, then I don’t know what is.
Perpetual Groove | April 26, 2023 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Setlist: Save For One > Stealy Man > Drive* > Stealy Man, Andromeda, TSM2, Crockett & Tubbs, Cairo, Speed Queen > Out Here, It Starts Where It Ends > Space Paranoids
Encore: This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)**
*The Cars cover
**Talking Heads cover
Social Assassins | April 26, 2023 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Setlist: Begrudging Acquiescence, The Red Hour, Hora Attik, Blood Boi, A Well-Placed Pen, Take on Me*
The Tony Awards announced the 2023 award ceremony nominees, celebrating 76 years of excellence on Broadway.
Photo courtesy of the Tony Awards.
The 2023 Tony Awards will air live on Sunday, June 11, from the historic United Palace in Washington Heights in New York City from 8-11 p.m., hosted by Ariana DeBose. The awards are bestowed upon theatre professionals for their high achievements. It is one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry and one of the most prestigious award ceremonies on television. Legitimate theatrical productions opening in any of the 41 eligible Broadway theatres during the current season may be considered for Tony nominations, voted in 26 competitive categories by 769 designated Tony voters within the theatre community.
Joel Grey and John Kander will each receive the 2023 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. Launching his career in the 1950s, Joel Grey has made an everlasting impact as an actor and director, from Cabaret, for which he received the Academy Award, the Golden Globe, and the BAFTA for his performance as the Emcee, to Goodtime Charley, The Normal Heart and his acclaimed Yiddish production of Fiddler on the Roof. He is also one of only nine actors to have won both the Tony and Academy Awards for the same role. John Kander grew up around music, playing the piano when he was four, and seeing musicals by age ten. As part of the songwriting team Kander and Fred Ebb, Kander wrote the scores for 15 musicals, including Cabaret and Chicago, both of which were later adapted into acclaimed films.
Joel Grey and John Kander attend the opening night of “The Landing” at Vineyard Theatre on October 23, 2013, in New York City, photo by Walter McBride.
Highlights from the 2023 Tony Awards nominees include the first nonbinary actors to be nominated: J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell. The musical Some Like It Hot, a theatrical remake of the 1959 Billy Wilder movie musical, garnered 13 Tony nominations, the most in this season. Ghee plays the leading role of Jerry in Some Like It Hot, a man who disguises himself as a woman and then comes to realize parts of both identities suit,and Newell plays the featured, female role of Lulu in Shucked. The nominations also highlighted three plays that have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama: Between Riverside and Crazy, Cost of Living, and Fat Ham. Tom Stoppard’s new play about the Holocaust, Leopoldstadt, received the most nominations at six. The Atlantic Theatre Company in New York City came out with eight nominations for Kimberly Akimbo.
The cast of Some Like It Hot, photo by Marc J. Franklin
The 2023 Tony Awards will air live on Sunday, June 11, 2023, from 8-11 p.m. on CBS Television Network, and streaming live and on-demand on Paramount+. A limited number of tickets are on sale now.
2023 Tony Award Nominees
Best Book of a Musical
& Juliet David West Read
Kimberly Akimbo David Lindsay-Abaire
New York, New York David Thompson & Sharon Washington
Shucked Robert Horn
Some Like It Hot Matthew López & Amber Ruffin
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Almost Famous Music: Tom Kitt Lyrics: Cameron Crowe & Tom Kitt
Kimberly Akimbo Music: Jeanine Tesori Lyrics: David Lindsay-Abaire
KPOP Music & Lyrics: Helen Park & Max Vernon
Shucked Music and Lyrics: Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally
Some Like It Hot Music: Marc Shaiman Lyrics: Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog Corey Hawkins, Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog Sean Hayes, Good Night, Oscar Stephen McKinley Henderson, Between Riverside and Crazy Wendell Pierce, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Jessica Chastain, A Doll’s House Jodie Comer, Prima Facie Jessica Hecht, Summer, 1976 Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Christian Borle, Some Like It Hot J. Harrison Ghee, Some Like It Hot Josh Groban, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Brian d’Arcy James, Into the Woods Ben Platt, Parade Colton Ryan, New York, New York
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Annaleigh Ashford, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Sara Bareilles, Into the Woods Victoria Clark, Kimberly Akimbo Lorna Courtney, & Juliet Micaela Diamond, Parade
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Jordan E. Cooper, Ain’t No Mo’ Samuel L. Jackson, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson Arian Moayed, A Doll’s House Brandon Uranowitz, Leopoldstadt David Zayas, Cost of Living
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Nikki Crawford, Fat Ham Crystal Lucas-Perry, Ain’t No Mo’ Miriam Silverman, The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window Katy Sullivan, Cost of Living Kara Young, Cost of Living
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Kevin Cahoon, Shucked Justin Cooley, Kimberly Akimbo Kevin Del Aguila, Some Like It Hot Jordan Donica, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot Alex Newell, Shucked
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Julia Lester, Into the Woods Ruthie Ann Miles, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Bonnie Milligan, Kimberly Akimbo NaTasha Yvette Williams, Some Like It Hot Betsy Wolfe, & Juliet
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Miriam Buether, Prima Facie Tim Hatley & Andrzej Goulding, Life of Pi Rachel Hauck, Good Night, Oscar Richard Hudson, Leopoldstadt Dane Laffrey & Lucy Mackinnon, A Christmas Carol
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Beowulf Boritt, New York, New York Mimi Lien, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Michael Yeargan & 59 Productions, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot Scott Pask, Shucked Scott Pask, Some Like It Hot
Best Costume Design of a Play
Tim Hatley, Nick Barnes & Finn Caldwell, Life of Pi Dominique Fawn Hill, Fat Ham Brigitte Reiffenstuel, Leopoldstadt Emilio Sosa, Ain’t No Mo’ Emilio Sosa, Good Night, Oscar
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregg Barnes, Some Like It Hot Susan Hilferty, Parade Jennifer Moeller, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot Clint Ramos & Sophia Choi, KPOP Paloma Young, & Juliet Donna Zakowska, New York, New York
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Neil Austin, Leopoldstadt Natasha Chivers, Prima Facie Jon Clark, A Doll’s House Bradley King, Fat Ham Tim Lutkin, Life of Pi Jen Schriever, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman Ben Stanton, A Christmas Carol
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Ken Billington, New York, New York Lap Chi Chu, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot Heather Gilbert, Parade Howard Hudson, & Juliet Natasha Katz, Some Like It Hot Natasha Katz, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Sound Design of a Play
Jonathan Deans & Taylor Williams, Ain’t No Mo’ Carolyn Downing, Life of Pi Joshua D. Reid, A Christmas Carol Ben & Max Ringham, A Doll’s House Ben & Max Ringham, Prima Facie
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Kai Harada, New York, New York John Shivers, Shucked Scott Lehrer & Alex Neumann, Into the Woods Gareth Owen, & Juliet Nevin Steinberg, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Direction of a Play
Saheem Ali, Fat Ham Jo Bonney, Cost of Living Jamie Lloyd, A Doll’s House Patrick Marber, Leopoldstadt Stevie Walker-Webb, Ain’t No Mo’ Max Webster, Life of Pi
Best Direction of a Musical
Michael Arden, Parade Lear deBessonet, Into the Woods Casey Nicholaw, Some Like It Hot Jack O’Brien, Shucked Jessica Stone, Kimberly Akimbo
Best Choreography
Steven Hoggett, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Casey Nicholaw, Some Like It Hot Susan Stroman, New York, New York Jennifer Weber, & Juliet Jennifer Weber, KPOP
Best Orchestrations
Bill Sherman and Dominic Fallacaro, & Juliet John Clancy, Kimberly Akimbo Jason Howland, Shucked Charlie Rosen & Bryan Carter, Some Like It Hot Daryl Waters & Sam Davis, New York, New York
Best Play
Ain’t No Mo’
Author: Jordan E. Cooper Producers: Lee Daniels, BET: Black Entertainment Television, Len Blavatnik, Ron Burkle, Aryeh B. Bourkoff, 59th & Prairie Entertainment, RuPaul Charles, I’ll Have Another Productions, Jeremy O. Harris, Lena Waithe, Tucker Tooley Entertainment, CJ Uzomah, Ann Cox, Gina Purlia, Bob Yari, Marvin Peart, Colleen Camp, Marvet Britto, Jeremy Green, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Jillian Robbins, The Public Theater, Oskar Eustis, Patrick Willingham, Mandy Hackett
Between Riverside and Crazy
Author: Stephen Adly Guirgis Producers: Second Stage Theater, Carole Rothman, Khady Kamara, Atlantic Theater Company
Cost of Living
Author: Martyna Majok Producers: Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Barry Grove, Williamstown Theatre Festival
Fat Ham
Author: James Ijames Producers: No Guarantees, Public Theater Productions, Rashad V. Chambers, National Black Theatre, Tim Levy, Bards on Broadway, Bob Boyett, Ghostbuster Productions, James Ijames, Cynthia Stroum, Audible, Adam Cohen, Blake Devillier, Firemused Productions/JamRock Productions, The Forstalls, Iconic Vizion/Corey Brunish, John Gore Organization, Midnight Theatricals, David Miner, Robin Gorman Newman/PickleStar Theatricals, Marc Platt, Play on Shakespeare, The Wilma Theater, Colman Domingo, Cynthia Erivo, Andy Jones, Dylan Pager, Roundabout Theatre Company, Oskar Eustis, Patrick Willingham, Mandy Hackett, Sade Lythcott, Jonathan McCrory
Leopoldstadt
Author: Tom Stoppard Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, Roy Furman, Lorne Michaels, Stephanie P. McClelland, Gavin Kalin, Delman Sloan, Eilene Davidson, Brad Edgerton, Patrick Gracey, Hunter Arnold, Burnt Umber Productions, Cue to Cue Productions, The Factor Gavin Partnership, Harris Rubin Productions, Robert Nederlander, Jr., No Guarantees, Sandy Robertson, Iris Smith, Jamie deRoy/Catherine Adler, Dodge Hall Productions/Waverly Productions, Richardo Hornos/Robert Tichio, Heni Koenigsberg/Wendy Federman, Thomas S. Perakos/Stephanie Kramer, Brian Spector/Judith Seinfeld, Richard Winkler/Alan Shorr
Best Musical
& Juliet
Producers: Max Martin & Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, Jenny Petersson, Martin Dodd, Eva Price, Lukasz Gottwald, 42nd.club, Independent Presenters Network, Jack Lane, Library Company, Shellback, Shivhans Pictures, Sing Out, Louise!, Kim Szarzynski, Taylor/Riegler, Tenenbaum/Keyes, Barry Weiss, John Gore Organization
Kimberly Akimbo
Producers: David Stone, Atlantic Theater Company, James L. Nederlander, LaChanze, John Gore, Patrick Catullo, Aaron Glick
New York, New York
Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, Tom Kirdahy, Wendy Federman & Heni Koenigsberg, Crossroads Live, Playing Field, Stephanie P. McClelland, Ambassador Theatre Group, Waiting in the Wings Productions, Colin Callender, Gilbert and DeeDee Garcia/Sue Vaccaro, Peter May, Rileyfan, Silverhopkins+/Hunter Johnson, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Eric Passmore, Thomas Swayne, Elliott Cornelious/SunnySpot Productions, Santino DeAngelo/Cynthia Tong, Craig Balsam, Richard Batchelder, Concord Theatricals, Creative Partners Productions, Marguerite Hoffman, Jessica R. Jenen, John Gore Organization, MGM on Stage, James L. Nederlander, Linda B. Rubin, Seriff Productions, Shivhans Pictures, 42nd.club/Beards on Broadway, AGL Productions/Brad Blume, Hunter Arnold/Red Mountain Theatre, Cue to Cue Productions/Roy Putrino, Jamie deRoy/Janet and Marvin Rosen, Edgewood/Silva Theatrical Group, Dale Franzen/Henry R. Muñoz, III, Deborah Green/Chris Mattsson, Branden Grimmett/DMQR Productions, Christen James/Gregory Carroll, NETworks Presentations/Lamar Richardson, Ron Simons/Adam Zell, Chartoff-Winkler
Shucked
Producers: Mike Bosner, Jason Owen, AEG Presents/Jay Marciano/Gary Gersh, Jeffrey A. Sine, Richard Smith, Silvia Schmid, Bob Boyett, Jeremiah J. Harris, James L. Nederlander, EST/Emily Tisch, Sony Music Entertainment, DudaAllen, David W. Busch, Karen Fairchild, HoriPro Inc., Gordon-Helfner, John Gore Organization, Madison Wells Live, S&Co., Terry Schnuck, Jimi Westbrook, ZKM Media
Some Like It Hot
Producers: The Shubert Organization, Neil Meron, MGM on Stage, Roy Furman, Robert Greenblatt, James L. Nederlander, Kenny Leon, Hunter Arnold, John Gore Organization, The Dalgleish Library Company Group, Sheboygan Conservatory Partners, Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Bob Boyett, Cue to Cue Productions, Janet and Marvin Rosen, The Araca Group, Concord Theatricals, Marc Howard, Independent Presenters Network, Juanita Jordan, Jujamcyn Theaters, Henry R. Muñoz, III, Ostar, Mariah Carey, D.S. Moynihan
Best Revival of a Play
August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson
Producers: Brian Anthony Moreland, Sonia Friedman, Tom Kirdahy, Kandi Burruss & Todd Tucker, Hunter Arnold, Playing Field, The Factor Gavin Partnership, FBK Productions/42nd.club, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Creative Partners Productions, Harris Rubin Productions, Marguerite Steed Hoffman, Alia Jones-Harvey, Mark Gordon Pictures, Stephanie McClelland, Moore Delman, James L. Nederlander, Seriff Productions, The Shubert Organization, Salman Al-Rashid/Jamie deRoy, Brad Blume/Cliff Hopkins, Jean Doumanian /Fakston Productions, Edgewood/DMQR Productions, Jay & Cindy Gutterman/Caiola Productions, Van Kaplan/Lu-Shawn Thompson, Erik A. King/Finewomen Productions, Marc David Levine/William Frisbie, Syrinda Paige/Kevin Ryan & Diane Scott Carter, Silva Theatrical Group/Tilted, Thomas Swayne/Cynthia J. Tong, Constanza Romero-Wilson
A Doll’s House
New Version by: Amy Herzog Producers: Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Wessex Grove, Julie Boardman, Kate Cannova, Bob Boyett, Hunter Arnold, Creative Partners Productions, Eilene Davidson Productions, GGRS, Kater Gordon, Louise L. Gund, Los Angeles Media Fund, Stephanie P. McClelland, Tilted, Jessica Chastain, Caitlin Clements/Francesca Moody Productions, Caiola Productions/Amanda Lee, Ted & Richard Liebowitz/Joeyen-Waldorf Squeri, Richard & Cecilia Attias/Thomas S. Barnes, OHenry Theatre Nerd Productions/Runyonland MMP, The Jamie Lloyd Company
The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window
Producers: Seaview, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Phil Kenny, Audible, Sony Music Masterworks, Jillian Robbins, Jeremy O. Harris, Larry Hirschhorn and Ricardo Hornos, Shields Smedes Stern Ltd., Kevin Ryan, The Shubert Organization, Willette and Manny Klausner, Marco Santarelli, Be Forward Productions, Concord Theatricals, Creative Partners Productions, Invisible Wall Productions, Salman and Moudhy Al-Rashid, TodayTix Group, Ido Gal, HarrisDonnelly, Sally Cade Holmes, Stella LaRue, LAMF Protozoa, Kati Meister and John Sorkin, Meredith Lynsey Schade, Catherine Schreiber, Dennis Trunfio, MCM Studios, 42nd.club, BAMM Productions, CarterMackTaylorWilliam, HB2M Productions, HK-Undivided Productions, MAJIKK Theatricals, Tanker Kollev Productions, Douglas Denoff, OHenry Productions, Plate Spinner Productions, Runyonland Productions, Mad Gene Media, Scrap Paper Pictures, Joi Gresham, BAM, Gina Duncan, David Binder, Elizabeth Moreau
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog
Producers: David Stone, LaChanze, Rashad V. Chambers, Marc Platt, Debra Martin Chase, The Shubert Organization
Best Revival of a Musical
Into the Woods
Producers: Jujamcyn Theaters, Jordan Roth, New York City Center, Daryl Roth, Hunter Arnold, Concord Theatricals, Nicole Eisenberg, Jessica R. Jenen, Michael Cassel Group, Kevin Ryan, ShowTown Productions, Armstrong, Gold & Ross, Nicole Kastrinos
Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot
Producers: Lincoln Center Theater, André Bishop, Adam Siegel, Naomi Grabel
Parade
Producers: Seaview, Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Alex Levy, Kevin Ryan, Eric & Marsi Gardiner, Interscope & Immersive Records, Erica Lynn Schwartz, Creative Partners Productions, Marcia Goldberg, John Gore Organization, Cynthia Stroum, Tom Tuft, Benjamin Simpson, Nathan Vernon, Brian & Nick Ginsberg, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Roth-Manella Productions, Chutzpah Productions, 42nd.club, Ahava 72 Productions, The Andryc Brothers, The Array, At Rise Creative, Caiola Jenen Productions, Coles Achilles, deRoy Brunish Productions, Fakston Productions, Federman Batchelder, Level Forward, Pencil Factory Productions, Renard Lynch, Robin Merrie, Rubin Stuckelman, Runyonland Sussman, Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Bee Carrozzini, New York City Center
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Producers: Jeffrey Seller, Bob Boyett, Diana DiMenna & Plate Spinner Productions/Aaron Glick, Eastern Standard Time, Roy Furman, Thomas Kail, Jim Kierstead/Benjamin Leon IV, TourDForce Theatrical, Maggie Brohn, Andy Jones
Rema, the Nigerian superstar, has announced his North American tour with the support of the iconic musician Victony. The tour kicks off on July 15th and Rema will make a stop at the Coney Island Amphitheatre in Brooklyn.
Rema, also known as Divine Ikubor, was born, and raised in Benin City. The young superstar is on a mission to pave the way for younger generations with his unmatched vocals, fusion of genres and ease of being unapologetically himself. After his appearance on the covers of The Fader & Dazed & Confused in his career’s infantry, Rema was one of Apple Music’s Up Next artists in 2020, joined the FIFA 2021 soundtrack, and caught the attention of Radio 1, 1Xtra and Kiss. The album Rave & Roses allows fans a glimpse of Rema navigating life, fame, love, and sex while simultaneously creating a sonically pleasing and thrilling experience.
After Rema’s 2022 release of Rave & Roses he is back with a deluxe “ULTRA” version that will be available to the public this Friday. This edition is bulked with additional hits that Rema released after the album including the Selena Gomez version of “Calm Down”, “Holiday” and “Reason You.” His song “Calm Down” has reached one billion combined global streams on Spotify and has become the highest charting African song of all time on the US Singles Chart. The single “Holiday” earned Rema his first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 1 on the Billboard Global (Excl. U.S) chart and has become the best performing Afrobeat videos on YouTube of all time.
Victony is a twenty-two-year-old Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter. He suffered a near death car accident that left him in a wheelchair for months. Despite enduring multiple surgeries and a long recovery, Victony made time to record numerous acclaimed singles. His singles “Pray”, and the Mayorkun collab “Holy Father” earned more than 20 million streams on Spotify. In the October of 2022 Victony released a music video for his single “Soweto” and it gained over 54 million views since its release. The song has over 30 million audio streams, over a billion views on TikTok, and Rolling Stone listed the track as #15 on their top Afropop songs of 2022.
Tickets are now available for purchase and can be found here. For more ticket information visit here.
Europe
6/1 – Barcelona, Spain @ Primavera Sound Barcelona
6/8 – Madrid, Spain @ Primavera Sound Madrid
6/9 – Porto, Portugal @ Primavera Sound Portugal
6/24 – Reims, France @ La Magnifique Society
6/25 – Paris, France @ Solidays Festival
6/28 – Roskilde, Denmark @ Roskilde Festival
6/30 – Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands @ WOO HAH! x Rolling Loud
7/2 – Maramande, France @ Garorock Festival
7/4 – Montreux, Switzerland @ Montreux Jazz Festival
7/12 – Tønsberg, Norway @ Slottsfjell Festival
7/13 – Bern, Switzerland @ Gurtenfestival
North America
7/15 – Washington, DC @ Broccoli City Music Festival
7/16 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore Philadelphia
7/21 – Boston, MA @ Citizens House of Blues Boston
Rock duo Hot Tuna will kick off their final “Electric Hot Tuna” tour on July 20, opening the Great South Bay Music Festival at Shorefront Park in Patchogue. The duo will stop in Upstate New York in September before wrapping up their tour at the Beacon Theatre in NYC.
Jack Casady (left) and Jorma Kaukonen (right.) Credit: Erik Kabik.
The duo, which comprises Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen, originated in San Francisco and has been making music for more than 50 years. They released their self-titled debut studio in 1970, and have since their most recent studio album was 2011’s Steady as She Goes. While their last official album was released over a decade ago, Hot Tuna is still going strong, soon to begin a tour across the country this month.
Members of Hot Tuna have come and gone, but Casady and Kaukonen have been steady members since its inception, while also maintaining solo careers. Casady released a solo album, Dream Factor, in 2003, while Kaukonen begin his solo career early into Hot Tuna’s career, releasing a solo record, Quah, 1974.
Tickets are now available for Hot Tuna’s upcoming final tour.
Pete Mancini is a welcomed troubadour for our times, by building community though his music. His lyric are as comfortable as your favorite weather-worn blue jeans, and his style is reminiscent of Tom Petty and Hank Williams, with a hint of John Prine. Looking for some new music to add to your playlist? Check out Pete Mancini’s latest EP release, The Commonwealth Sessions Volume 1.
With Mancini’s signature blend of Americana and folk, this EP is sure to be a hit with music lovers of all kinds. Over the years, Mancini has opened for acts such as Jimmy Webb, Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, Pure Prairie League, Robbie Fulks, Amy Helm, Larry Campbell & Theresa Williams, Kevin Gordon, and Iain Matthews.
I was fortunate to stumble on Mancini over a year ago during the pioneering days of The Long Island Sound podcast. Pete was one of my early guests on the podast and I was fortunate enough to sit down with him and talk about his travels and ever growing catalog of songs on the most recent episode out today. Pete Mancini keeps popping up on my radar. In a soon-to-be episode of The Long Island Sound Podcast, I interviewed Bill Herman of Paradiddle Records only to find Pete singing on the opening track of the Hank Williams Uncovered album, “Lovesick Blues” to perfection. More to come on the Hank Williams’ project on May 12th. You can find a deeper conversation with Pete Mancini right here on The Long Island Sound.
Commonwealth Music Sessions
The feeling of loneliness, isolation and lack of companionship have been on the rise in the past few years. Covering the music scene in this little corner of New York State, I often search for connection and community, pleasantly surprised to pick up on a musican who lifts me up, and welcomes me into their world. I found artists who love their labor, while patching us up with their original music. Pete Mancini is a craftsman and consumate performer, a troubador who on track, in my opinion to be the next Gordon Lightfoot. The late Gordon Lightfoot (passed away on May 1st), was a favorite of both John Prine and Bob Dylan. I hear a thread of Gordon in Mancini’s music as he is admired as well among the community of musicians on Long Island.
New EP Release
Mancini, a prolific songwriter, had just buttoned up some thirty songs for his next album, yet to be released. There were five songs, which didn’t fit the theme of the pending album, so Pete decided to release an EP on May 5th called, The Commonwealth Music Sessions, Volume One, which can be found here at his Bandcamp site. Pete assembled a fine group of musicians who played on the EP, including Joe Leone, Delaney Hafener and Nick Balzano.
EP’s are often used to keep an artist’s audience engaged. Listenting to his latest EP, I found myself craving for more and maybe that’s the unintended consequence for a fan on releasing an EP with an album in the wings. Pete gave me an exclusive preview of the opening song, “Golden Hour” on our quickie podcast interview being released today. A great commentary on vanity, and the images we build up in seeking admoration and attention.
Lamenting Loss
The passing of good friend and collaborator, especially one so close becomes pain that dwells deep in one’s heart. On September 16, 2021, Travis McKeveny, a well-respected singer/songwriter from Long Island, passed away. Pete often mentions the impact Travis had on his craft, and how much he learned from him. Pete is also a member of The Famous Doctor Scanlon Band, playing the music of Travis McKeveny. There’s no better way to pay tribute to those who built us up, than by performing their music with friends.
He was my brother in arms, in music and in life. I miss him dearly.
Pete Mancini
Upcoming Shows
You can find Pete Mancini paying all around from New York City to various venues on Long Island. Friday, May 5th, Pete will be opening up for Rhett Miller at My Father’s Place in Glen Cove. On May 13th, in support of Labor and the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Pete joins a wonderful lineup of artists at the Bald Hill Ampitheater for the Mayday Music Festival, including Blues Traveler, The Wallflowers, Wheatus, John Hampson (Singer Nine Days/”Absolutely (Story of a Girl)”), and The Belle Curves (Delaney Haefner, a recent guest on the podcast)
Leave the Loneliness Behind
Old man gushing alert! I’ve interviewed many artists over the past year and a half. From time to time, I become enamored with the music and the musician. Pete Mancini is a rising star in my book, and a must-see performer who keenly observes the world around us, articulating needed insights, while entertaining in a folksy manner. We can listen to music on our favorite platforms, but there’s nothing that replaces the live performance! Pete Mancini was generous enough to join Mike Nugent and The Blue Moon Band for an experiment of sorts, called The Long Island Sound Showcase. We did a livesteam podcast, featuring Nugent as the main act and Mancini performing the second set.
During the show we all got to experience Mancini as he welcomed the audience into his world and entertained us though song and conversation. I’ll take pride in being a broken-record preacher of the benefits of live local performances! I emplore of all us to heal though the music, and confront the isolation and loneliness by getting out to hear the music. To hear the full interview with Pete Mancini, search for The Long Island Sound, wherever you listen to podcasts. As I say, “Be generous with your joy, keep your spirits high, and let the music take you on a journey.”
