Blog

BOOGIE T.RIO Sell Out Buffalo Ironworks

Funk and electric group BOOGIE T.RIO made a stop at in Buffalo November 17. The band packed in Buffalo Ironworks for a sold out crowd on their Manic Daze and Boogie Nights tour.

BOOGIE T.RIO, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

Opener Marvel Years showed his fusion early on in the night with his blend of electronic beats and soulful guitar. The producer also known as Cory Wythe looks to create a hybrid of EDM fusing glitch, retro-funk, classic rock, soul, and jazz.

Marvel Years, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

The electronic project Manic Focus followed with a live band. This multidimensional artist has a rowdy style that also spans across numerous genres. The band he brought out on stage in Buffalo isn’t always with him so locals were in for a treat that mixed heavy bass with soulful blues. The Denver-based producer used a Numark Orbit on stage which is a wireless midi controller mapped to various one-shot effects. It was entertaining to watch this artist utilize all his various musical partners and tools to build a new-era hip-hop vibe.

Manic Focus, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

Finally, anticipating fans got the performance they’ve been waiting for as BOOGIE T.RIO took to the stage. This three man group consists of Brock Thornton (guitar/vocals), Andriu Yanovski (keys), and Frank Castro (drums). The band didn’t always use to be the dynamic trio it is now. Brock began in the music scene behind the decks producing heavy beats and funky wubz. He has gained significant popularity in the bass music world and has performed countless festivals under his DJ name Boogie T.

BOOGIE T.RIO, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

Boogie T to BOOGIE T.RIO

As Brock has built a huge fandom for his dubstep music, it still has always been a dream of his to tour with live musicians. And with the success that Boogie T has brung calls upon the next phase in his evolution: BOOGIE T.RIO. This group is more than your average jam band and their performance in Buffalo proved just that.

BOOGIE T.RIO, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

The boys played numerous hits off of their EP’s including “Get What You Give” and “Disco Moses.” They allow for old jam roots to carry the grooves through their tunes and mix it with new school funk. The guitar shredding solos and organic keytar melodies constantly left everyone impressed.

BOOGIE T.RIO, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

Longtime Boogie T Fans enjoyed his performances of “Dear Weedman” which brought layered instrumentals to a heavy song. This part of the night Brock invited everyone to smoke up and get jiggy with it. Couldn’t think of a more perfect way to end the night than the trio playing “Flava.” They kept the heavy electronic beats and mashed them with guitar riffs that had the crowd in awe.

You might have missed this past weeks sold out show at Ironworks but you don’t have to miss the next one! Workingman’s Dead perform November 24 and Bumpin Uglies will be there December 1. Get your tickets here.

BOOGIE T.RIO, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

BOOGIE T.RIO, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

BOOGIE T.RIO, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty

November 23, 2023
Crandell Theatre in Chatham to Show Classic Holiday Films Starting Thanksgiving Weekend for $5 a Show

The historic Crandell Theatre on Main Street in Chatham will celebrate the holiday season with screenings of classic holiday films for just $5 a ticket.

Beginning Friday, November 24, after Thanksgiving, the lineup includes The Polar Express, Gremlins, The Nutcracker: The Motion Picture, Elf, The Grinch (2018), An American Tail and It’s a Wonderful Life.

The Crandell Theatre in Chatham, NY, is one of a few community-based, nonprofit theaters in the United States devoted to film and one of fewer than one hundred single-screen movie theaters nationally. Since 2010, Crandell Theatre, Inc., has raised more than $1 million to purchase the historic theater and make needed repairs. The current Crandell board is engaged in a multi-million-dollar campaign to renovate and restore the area’s oldest, largest, single-screen theater and enhance the moviegoing experience for generations to come.

The Polar Express

2004. Rated G. 100 min.

Friday, November 24 at 10 am

In this beloved animated family classic, an 8-year-old boy, doubting whether Santa Claus exists, is swept up on a magical nighttime journey to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Tom Hanks, in multiple roles, stars. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas to this special morning screening.

Gremlins

1986. Rated PG. 106 min.

Friday, November 24 at 1 pm

Called a “wacky, satirical spectacle of chaos” (Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian), this sci-fi-comedy-horror-fantasy was written by a young Chris Columbus (Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire, the first two Harry Potter films) and produced by Steven Spielberg. Spielberg polished Columbus’s script, after successive drafts, into the classic tale of a cuddly, seemingly innocuous gift named Gizmo and the multiplying pack of destructive loonies he unleashes. Even if you are familiar with Mogwai ways, you haven’t truly experienced these magical creatures until you’ve seen them on the Crandell’s 26-foot screen.

The Nutcracker: The Motion Picture

1986. Rated G. 89 min.

Saturday, November 25 at 12:30 pm

The colorful holiday classic comes to the big screen in a close adaptation of the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann. Designed by famed children’s author and artist Maurice Sendak and based on the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s original production, it is a magical and heart-warming celebration of dance, music, art and fantasy.

Elf

2003. Rated PG. 97 min.

Saturday, December 2 at 1 pm

Raised as an elf but clearly cut from a different cloth, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn’t know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit. Bring the whole family to re-experience the hilarious delights of New York City during the holidays as only Will Ferrell’s relentlessly optimistic oversized elf can.

The Grinch

2018. Rated PG. 85 min.

FREE

Saturday, December 9 at 1 pm

The Grinch (the animated version by Illumination Entertainment) is part of the theater’s popular series Crandell Kid Flicks. Everyone is encouraged to wear their favorite, silliest or ugliest holiday sweater to the show. This special free screening, happening during Chatham’s all-day, village-wide WinterFest, is sponsored by Chatham Area Businesses and Arts (CABA). Several very special guests will also stop by and join the fun!

An American Tail

1986. Rated G. 80 min.
December screening times TBA.

Animator Don Bluth directed this animated tale of Fievel Mousekewitz and his family, who emigrate from Russia to the United States to escape the cats in their homeland. When Fievel gets lost, he must find a way to reunite with his family. Steven Spielberg produced this charming animated parable about immigration, new beginnings, family and home.

It’s a Wonderful Life

1946. Rated PG. 130 min.

Saturday, December 23 and Sunday, December 24 at 1 pm.

Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed star in Frank Capra’s penultimate family classic about a small-town man, ready to throw in the towel, who meets an angel named Clarence summoned to give him another chance. Clarence treats George Bailey to a masterclass in perspective, showing him what life would have been like had he never existed. Many critics say this is among a handful of classics that deserves annual viewing, especially if you’re lucky enough to see it on the big screen.

All tickets are available on the Crandell Theatre website, crandelltheatre.org.

November 23, 2023
The Klezmatics To Play Hanukkah Show In Schenectady This December

8th Step & Proctors Passport Series have announced an appearance from The Klezmatics at The GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady, performing their holiday show, The Klezmatics: Happy Joyous Hanukkah, on December 5th.

In the first show on the group’s nationwide tour, the Klezmatics will sing Woody Guthrie’s uncovered Hanukkah songs, alongside accompaniments from celebrated violinists.

The Klezmatics

The Klezmatics formed in New York in 1986, and are now one of the world’s most renowned klezmer artists, performing traditional klezmer music for audiences around the world. Klezmer originated in Eastern Europe in Ashkenazi communities, and includes instruments such as violin, clarinet, trumpet, percussion, and more.

The Klezmatics will perform songs originally by Woody Guthrie that have been newly uncovered in recent years. Guthrie himself was not Jewish, but married into a Jewish family in 1945 through his second wife, Marjorie Greenblatt. During their marriage, he wrote tunes such as “Hanuka’s Flame,” “Hanuka Gelt,” “Spin Dreydl Spin,” and “(Do the) Latke Flip-Flip.” The Klezmatics will perform these songs, and more from Guthrie’s expansive catalog.

GE Theater at Proctors

The Klezmatics are Lorin Sklamberg (lead vocals, accordion, guitar, piano), Frank London (trumpet, keyboards, vocals) and Paul Morrissett (bass, tsimbl, vocals), Matt Darriau (kaval, clarinet, saxophone, vocals), Lisa Gutkin (violin, vocals), and Richie Barshay (drums, vocals).

The Klezmatics will perform their show Happy Joyous Hanukkah at the 8th Step at Proctors (GE Theatre) on December 5 at 7:30PM. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door, and $65 Gold Circle (Includes priority seating and meet & greet with The Klezmatics onstage). Tickets are available through the Proctors Box Office at (518) 346-6204, or at proctors.org and 8thstep.org.

November 23, 2023
In Focus: John Scofield Trio featuring Vicente Archer & Bill Stewart Residency at The Blue Note

The John Scofield Trio, featuring Vicente Archer & Bill Stewart, began their residency at The Blue Note in NYC on Tuesday, November 21.

A three-time Grammy winner, Scofield has recently released Uncle John’s Band (ECM), featuring Vicente Archer and Bill Stewart tackling material from Dylan’s “Mr Tambourine Man” to Neil Young’s “Old Man”, Leonard Bernstein’s “Somewhere” and Miles Davis classic “Budo.”

While there has been a John Scofield Trio at play since the late 70’s, remaining his undisputed favorite format for live performance, this newest incarnation has Scofield on guitar, bassist Vicente Archer, and drummer Bill Stewart, sailing through tightly knit sets that typify the musical diversity that has colored Scofield’s long career.

There are two shows a night during this current John Scofield Trio residency at The Blue Note NYC, through November 26. Tickets and more info can be found here.

November 22, 2023
LaMP Announce NYE Show At The Warehouse In Fairfield

LaMP featuring Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger and Ray Paczkowski have announced they will ring in 2024 with a headline performance at The Warehouse in Fairfield, CT on December 31.

The improvisational groove trio who formed in 2018 have ramped up their touring schedule this year, as well as, re-releasing their 2020 debut self-titled album. Guitarist Scott Metzger, described by The Village Voice as “an ace guitarist of a thousand styles,” also performs as a member of the beloved Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD), while drummer Russ Lawton and organist Ray Paczkowski forged their decades-strong synergy playing together as part of the Trey Anastasio Band (TAB) and their duo project Soule Monde. As the three members busy schedules have allowed, LaMP has been prioritized, performing shows up and down the East Coast with plans already in the works for venturing further next year.

In addition to their New Year’s Eve performance, LaMP has four remaining shows this December on their previously scheduled Fall tour, including stops at The Atlantis in Washington, DC, The Jefferson in Charlottesville, The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ and The Drake in Amherst, MA.

Tickets for LaMP at The Warehouse are on-sale now HERE.

LaMP 2023 Tour Dates

12/6 – Washington DC – The Atlantis
12/7 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theatre
12/8 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Wonder Bar
12/9 – Amherst, MA – The Drake
12/31 – Fairfield, CT – The Warehouse

November 22, 2023
The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra Hits High Notes with “Faces of Joy”

On Saturday, November 18, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra continued its 2023-2024 Symphonic Series with “Faces of Joy,” an exhilarating program of music spanning two centuries. The evening began with a short piece for strings and celesta, “Five Faces of Joy,” by the living Chinese-American composer Wang Jie.

The composer calls her work a portrait of “five comic ways of smiling,” including “the smile of a dancing Godzilla,” and Maestro Daniel Hege and the ensemble brought out the wit and whimsy of Wang’s music, providing a fitting introduction to a concert whose theme was joy.

Pianist Andrew Russo performing at Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Faces of Joy”

Also on the program was Sergei Prokofiev’s delightful Symphony No. 1, known as the “Classical” Symphony. Writing in 1917, the young Prokofiev sought to imitate the musical style of Mozart and Haydn, and this piece is full of delicacy, dynamic contrasts, and devilish speed. The principal woodwinds of the Philharmonic gave a collective star turn in the dizzying fourth movement.

The highlight of the concert, though, was the second half of the program, with guest soloist Andrew Russo playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the “Emperor.” Russo, Maestro Hege, and the orchestra seemed to become an organic whole, breathing together as Russo pushed the piano to the utmost extremes of emotional expression. Russo’s virtuosic playing and Hege’s sensitive conducting created a spellbinding atmosphere of joy, which the audience acknowledged by leaping to its feet with loud cheers at the conclusion.

As always, it was uplifting to see many children and teens in the concert hall. One young boy told this reviewer that he particularly loved Andrew Russo’s performance, saying, “He reminds me of Beethoven!” It was pure joy to hear Beethoven and his colleagues brought to life so skillfully by the Binghamton Philharmonic.

Don’t miss the next event from the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, Soprano Robin Johannsen & Pianist Tomoko Kanamaru on December 3. Both internationally acclaimed artists, the duo will perform a program of art songs by women composers from the nineteenth through the twenty-first centuries, including works by Clara Schumann, Florence Price, and Yui Kitamura.

Tickets are $25. For more information, contact the Binghamton Philharmonic Box Office at 607-723-3931 or visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org.

November 22, 2023
Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes Announces “Holiday Traditions Together”

The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes (OSFL) has announced its upcoming holiday concert, “Holiday Traditions Together,” set to charm the community in early December at the Clemens Center in Elmira. As the region’s premier holiday event, this concert is not just a performance but a vibrant celebration of community spirit and festive joy.

Featuring a dynamic collaboration with the Honors Chorus from the Alternative School for Math & Sciences, soprano Rachel Schutz from the faculty at Ithaca College, and skilled dancers from Rafael Grigorian Ballet, “Holiday Traditions Together” on December 9 promises an afternoon of enchanting music and dance. The concert will include a special singalong segment, inviting the audience to participate in the holiday cheer.

“Dancing to the vibrant strains of a live orchestra is a rare and exhilarating opportunity for these young dancers…This concert embodies the spirit of togetherness and celebrates the rich tapestry of talent we have right here in our community.”
Toshiyuki Shimada, Music Director of the OSFL

The OSFL offers four regular season full orchestra concerts, including a side-by-side Youth Orchestra and professional musician collaboration, a Musicians’ Choice Chamber Music Series, concerts by the Chorus of the Southern Finger Lakes, concerts by the Youth Orchestra, and educational concerts for children. Under the guidance of Music Director and Conductor, Toshiyuki Shimada, the OSFL is a strong supporter of highlighting the musical achievements of young musicians with its own youth ensembles and the Hertzog Concerto & Aria Competition for young artists in grades 9 through

The OSFL collaborates with regional cultural partners, artists, and like-minded organizations to advance mutual artistic growth in the greater Elmira-Corning area. Support for the OSFL comes from the Corning Incorporated Foundation, the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Hilliard Foundation, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the governor and the New York State Legislature.

“We are proud to offer this musical gift to the community. With tickets starting at just $25 and free admission for children under 18, we are making the joy of live music accessible to all. This is our way of saying thank you to the community that supports us year-round.”
Karen Dusek, OSFL’s Managing Director

Tickets start at $25 and college students pay $15 if they show their student ID. Entry is free for all youth under 18.

Tickets for “Holiday Traditions Together” on December 9, 2023 at 3:00pm can be purchased online at their website, by calling (800) 724-0159, or in-person at the Clemens Center Box Office.

November 22, 2023
The Bacon Brothers Cook at The Egg

On a Friday evening in Albany, The Egg was cooking with bacon inside. Not your typical menu item, but when Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael came to The Egg, things definitely got cooked up during an all-too-brief concert.

photo by Karen Squires

The duo – one, an actor (Kevin), the other an Associate Professor at CUNY Lehman College (Michael) – share a deep love for American roots music, as well as DNA. For a quarter-century the pair have performed around the country playing what they call “Forosoco,” or a blend of folk, rock, soul, and country influences.

The show was short – 80 minutes including the encore – but worth it. Fans seemed content settling in for the show, which didn’t feel scripted, but definitely felt like the same show you’d catch anywhere else this tour. Kevin couldn’t resist making a comment about “a couple of Bacons in The Egg,” joining years of Egg jokes on stage that have even led to live album releases.

Michael and Kevin Bacon

Kevin took turns playing on a conga drum, tambourine and guitar, while Michael played guitar, cello, and autoharp at different points of the evening.

Highlights from the set include the moving “Tom Petty T-shirt,” the countrified rock of “Erato,” an angsty “Take off this Tattoo,” a cover of The Lovin Spoonful‘s “Do You Believe in Magic?,” “Ukulele Lady” with all on ukulele, making this stripped down song was the most soulful of the evening, and “She-Zee-Zee (Easy On My Eyes)”

For the encore, a cheesy “Hands Up” audience interaction song started things off. (Bands, take note: always get the audience involving songs going earlier in the set so they’re engaged early!) And just when you thought it was over, and maybe thought they weren’t gonna play it, the opening notes to “Footloose” began, and the front rows of the audience were up out of their seats grooving along, feet from the actor who made the song famous (apologies to Kenny Loggins). The fans and the band were dancing around, footloose as could be, transported back to 1984, for a moment, if not the evening.

And while the venue staff was a bit overzealous this evening with limiting any video recording (a first at The Egg), here’s a video from The Bacon Brothers at Daryl’s House a few years back.

November 21, 2023
The Sees Perform At The Bowery Electric for Their Album Release Party

Brooklyn-based rock band ‘The Sees’ performed at The Bowery Electric on Wednesday, November 15, to celebrate their latest album release entitled Conversations With My Future Self.

‘The Sees’ have established themselves to capture the essence of life and humanity within their songs. The band includes frontman Jamie DiTringo, bassist Alex Daly, drummer Tim O’Brien and keyboardist Yoni Wilkenfeld. Their music has become a reminder to make the most of the time we do have and not be afraid to confront the harsh realities of it running out.

The Bowery Electric was the perfect venue for a night of rock and roll, with a bar in the back and an intimate standing room allowing show goers to get personal with the band and enjoy their hypnotic pulse of synth sounds, strong drum beat accentuated with electric and bass guitar. The show on this Wednesday night, included three bands, Smoke Break, Newborn Kings and finished off strong with The Sees album release performance.

The album explores a connective sense of global reflection, the nuances of time and the effects it has on us by always slipping away, the concept record tells its story through captivating rhythms and styles that push the boundaries of genre while exploring fresh perspectives. Stitched together by standout guitar riffs and a whirlwind of sonic textures, the group makes a noteworthy entrance onto the scene with this genre blend, encouraging listeners to not only connect deeper with the world, but ourselves.

“We hope that everyone who listens to the record can sit back, take it in, and recognize that while we are here on this mortal coil, we must take a moment to find space for positivity and love. Even with the world in chaos, we can always choose love.“
– Jamie DiTringo

In its entirety, the album crafts a thought-provoking musical experience, taking listeners on a profound ride through various facets of the human experience. The group of four interacted with the crowd and created a truly accomplished sound that left friends, family and fans excited for the future of their music ahead of them.

November 21, 2023
In Focus: Dirty Work encapsulates the original work of Steely Dan at The Town Ballroom

Dirty Work – a tribute to Steely Dan, played the main stage at The Town Ballroom in Buffalo on November 17. And play they did! As the energy captured and released upon the crowd was something to see and hear.

As the band took the stage to a grand applause the sounds of the band filled the Ballroom, the crowd was instantly engaged, dancing and singing every word to every song. The ability needed to pull off this night smoothly was quite evident with this group right from the beginning of the night.

The first set of the two-set night was filled with random hits and deep cuts pulled from the catalog of Steely Dan. The beginning of the second set, played in its entirety was Aja. With the remainder of the set being more hits and deep cuts.

Dirty Work is made up of some of Buffalo’s best. Consisting of, Mike Gantzer on Guitar/vocals, David Loss on Guitar/Vocals, Drummer Ryan Nogle, Evan McPhaden on Bass, Harry Graser on Keyboards/vocals, Matthew Hawke on Trombone, Craig Abraham on Saxaphone, John Hasselback on Trombone, and with backing vocalists Tru Journey and Erinn.

Set 1: FM, Haitian Divorce, Kid Charlemagne, Hey 19, Caves of Altamira, Time Out of Mind, Sign In Stranger, Kings, Dirty Work, Babylon Sisters, Barrytown, Reelin’ In the Years, My Old School

Set 2: Black Cow, Aja, Deacon Blues, Peg, Home at Last, I Got The News, Josie, Green Earrings, Do it Again, King of The World, Gaucho

Encore: Black Friday

November 21, 2023