NYS Music 2023

Tag: judy collins

  • 2023 Caroga Lake Music Festival Programming Announced

    The Caroga Arts Collective announced the complete Caroga Lake Music Festival (CLMF) 2023 programming, featuring more than 125 artists for over 35 concerts, starting May 27 and ending Sept. 15.

    Photo by Kevin Bacon.

    The Caroga Lake Music Festival features many performances, as well as the second annual edition of the CLMF Lesson & Ensembles Program, providing music workshops and individual or small group lessons, led by Caroga Arts Ensemble artists, to community members looking to learn new instruments or hone their talent. “We’re excited to bring a robust lineup of artists to Caroga Lake for our 12th summer season,” said Kyle Barrett Price, Founder and Artistic Director of the Caroga Arts Collective. “Our concerts will feature a diverse array of genres, classical, jazz, rock, and everything in between, presented lakeside at Sherman’s Park and at other beloved venues across the region.”

    The venue is important to the wider community, notes Dr. William Crankshaw, Caroga Arts board member and Superintendent of Schools at the Greater Johnstown School District. “Caroga Arts is breathing life into musical arts in our communities, and even in our schools. The potential to offer students the opportunities to experience a wide variety of world-class musical programs, not to mention exposure to string instruments and summer ensembles, excites me. There have been hundreds of educators in our region who have been pining for these types of opportunities, which, until now, were only available to communities with the resources and affluence to do so.”

    Over the course of its five-week season, the Caroga Lake Music Festival 2023 will feature more than 20 touring guest artists and ensembles at Sherman Park. Well-known names include Grammy-nominated folk singer Judy Collins, group Baha Men, known for the Grammy-award-winning song “Who Let The Dogs Out,” husband and wife duo The War and Treaty, the Zac Brown Tribute Band, Queen tribute band: Almost Queen, and many more. CLMF will also highlight up-and-coming artists such as Laufey, an Icelandic musician and songwriter who recently ranked #1 on Billboard’s Alternative New Artist Chart. Returning performers include Eddie Barbash, performing at Sherman’s Jazz Fest; The Ultimates, back for a Labor Day concert with fireworks; and Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra at Fiesta Caroga, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

    For the second time in its 12-year history, this year’s festival will include a full symphony performed conductorless by the Caroga Arts Ensemble, Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony on Aug. 11. Also happening are two world premieres, including “27 Steps,” an immersive theater experience presented in partnership with Utica Dance and family-friendly “Louie the Loon,” composed by Brian Shank based on a short story by Julian Muller, which will be performed at a Kids Carousel Concert. Caroga Arts will return with its five-week-long artist-in-residence experience, 100+ musicians living amongst the community and curating unique chamber music and orchestral collaborations as part of the Caroga Arts Ensemble. These artists hold positions as leading soloists, chamber musicians, and orchestral musicians from across the country, performing in the Met Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Verona Quartet, KASA Quartet, and more.

    In addition to collaborations at Sherman’s Park, CLMF resident artists will be featured at partnering venues and festivals across the region in the CLMF on Tour performances. These include Little Falls at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, the Johnstown Midsummer Concert Series at Charles Jenner Memorial Band Shell, Barge Concert at Canada Lake Store & Marina, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival at Otesaga Resort Hotel, shows at the Glove Theatre, and more.

    Barge Concert at Canada Lake Store & Marina.

    For the first time ever, Caroga Arts are offering a 2023 season pass, with discounted premium seats. To learn more about Caroga Arts and the Caroga Lake Music Festival 2023, as well as reserve tickets, visit here.

    2023 SEASON SCHEDULE

    Sherman’s Concerts

    Sat, May 27 @ 7 PM – Zac Brown Tribute Band

    Sun, June 4 @ 3 PM – Alex Moffat and Friends: A Comedy and Music Block Party

    Sat, July 1 @ 2 PM – SAUNDERSFEST, artists to be announced

    Sat, July 15 @ 7 PM – Tommy V Live

    Wed, July 19 @ 7 PM – The Gibson Brothers

    Fri, July 21 @ 5 PM – Caroga Arts Collective Gala, featuring Tony DeSare and the Caroga Arts Ensemble

    Sat, July 22 @ 7 PM – Baha Men

    Wed, July 26 @ 7 PM – Rich with Caroga Arts Ensemble

    Fri, July 28 @ 7 PM – “27 Steps” World Premiere – Caroga Arts Ensemble, Utica Dance

    Sat, July 29 @ 7 PM – Almost Queen: A Tribute to QUEEN

    Sun, July 30 @ 7 PM –  “27 Steps” – Caroga Arts Ensemble, Utica Dance

    Wed, August 2 @ 7 PM – Laufey with Caroga Arts Ensemble

    Fri, August 4 @ 7 PM –  Musical Kaleidoscope: A Tribute to Jonah Poplove

    Fri, August 4 @ 9:30 PM – “Dime-a-Dance” with Kyle Athayde Dance Party 

    Sat, August 5 @ 11 AM – Kids Carousel Concert – WARP Trio

    Sat, August 5 @ 5 PM – Sherman’s JazzFest – Kyle Athayde Dance Party, Eddie Barbash with KASA Quartet, WARP Trio, Miriam Elhajli

    Wed, August 9 @ 7 PM –  Concert by Candlelight: An Evening of Encores

    Fri, August 11 @ 7 PM – Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony

    Sat, August 12 @ 11 AM – Kids Carousel Concert – “Louie the Loon” World Premiere – Composed by Brian Shank

    Sat, August 12 @ 7 PM – Judy Collins with Caroga Arts Ensemble

    Wed, August 16 @ 7 PM – Grace Kelly Quartet

    Fri, August 18 @ 7 PM –  The Coda: A Chamber Music Round-robin

    Sat, August 19 @ 7 PM – The War and Treaty

    Sat, September 2 @ 7 PM – The Ultimates (with fireworks)

    Fri, September 15 @ 7 PM – Fiesta Caroga: Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra

    Caroga Lake Music Festival on Tour

    Thur, July 20 @ 7 PM – CLMF on Tour: Caroga Chapel

    Sun, July 23 @ 3 PM – CLMF on Tour:  SVAN at Mayfield Presbyterian Church

    Thur, July 27 @ 7 PM – CLMF on Tour: Little Falls at Emmanuel Episcopal Church

    Sun, July 30 @ 2 PM – CLMF on Tour: Pecks Lake at Pecks Lake Marina

    Thur, August 3 @ 6 PM – CLMF on Tour: Johnstown Midsummer Concert Series at Charles Jenner Memorial Band Shell

    Sun, August 6 @ 6 PM – CLMF on Tour: Barge Concert at Canada Lake Store & Marina 

    Thur, August 10 @ 7 PM – CLMF on Tour: The Glove Theater

    Sun, August 13 @ 2 PM – CLMF on Tour: Lorenzo State Historic Site

    Tue, August 15 @ 6 PM – CLMF on Tour: Cooperstown Summer Music Festival at Otesaga Resort Hotel

    Thur, August 17 @ 7 PM – CLMF on Tour: Arkell Museum

    Sun, August 20 @ 12 PM – CLMF on Tour: Brunch Concert at Paul Nigra Center for the Creative Arts

    Sun, August 20 @ 6 PM – CLMF on Tour: Caroga Museum

    Sat, August 26 @ 6 PM – Caroga Arts Ensemble: Maverick Concerts

  • Guitarist Gretchen Menn to be Honored at 11th Annual She Rocks Awards

    The Women’s International Music Network (WiMN) has announced guitarist Gretchen Menn will be honored at the 11th annual She Rocks Awards, among other musical legends.

    Gretchen Menn, She Rocks Awards
    Photo of Gretchen Menn by Larry DiMarzio

    Founded in 2012, the Women’s International Music Network unites women who work within all facets of the music and audio industries, honoring female artists, industry executives, and media personalities throughout the music landscape. The WiMN provides a community for women within the industry while enriching their careers and musical experiences through networking and sharing. The She Rocks Awards honors trailblazing women from all areas of the industry– from educators, to label execs, manufacturers, non-profits, media, performers, engineers, and more.

    Laura B. Whitmore, founder of the WiMN said that she is “incredibly excited to celebrate 11 years of honoring women in music. This year will present opportunities for new surprises and loads of inspiration both in person and online.”

    Honored at this year’s award ceremony is Gretchen Menn, guitarist and a founding member of Zepparella, the acclaimed Led Zeppelin powerhouse. She has performed as a solo artist throughout the U.S. and in guitar festivals in Switzerland and Germany, releasing her first record Hale Souls in 2011, full of original, instrumental works. Her second release, Abandon All Hope in 2016 combines modern and classical instruments to bring the listener on a musical journey. She is currently working on her third solo album. “Being honored with the Inspire Award means the world to me. If I have encouraged or inspired anyone along their musical paths, I consider that a huge achievement,” she shares.

    Along with Menn, several other women will be honored at the She Rocks Awards. Judy Collins, a platinum-selling singer/songwriting icon will be honored at the award ceremony. Other honorees include Noelle Scaggs, co-frontperson for multi-platinum band Fitz and the Tantrums and founder of Diversify the Stage, Shelly Peiken, Grammy-nominated, chart-topping hit songwriter, Mary Spender, guitarist, singer, songwriter, and Youtube star, Michelle Bell, VP of Creative for Roc Nation. Also included in the list of honorees is the Chief Operating Officer for the School of Rock, Stacey Ryan, the Chief Operating Officer for Audiotonix, Helen Culleton, VP of Marketing for Roland and drummer Katherine Wing, and photographer and author of 108 Rock Star Guitars and Immortal Axes, Lisa S. Johnson.

    Judy Collins photo by Shervin Lainez.

    This year’s event is co-hosted by former She Rocks Awards honoree Lisa Foxx, radio host for myFM and iHeartRadio, and Aijia Grammer, LA-based, pop songwriter, vocal producer, and musician. This year’s opening performer will be Canada’s own Juno award-winning alternative act, The Beaches. Their latest single, “Grow Up Tomorrow,” spent seven-plus weeks at Number 1 on Alternative Radio, and Elton John described their last album as “The best rock album of last year.”

    To learn more about the She Rocks Awards, purchase tickets, and find out how to watch the live stream the evening of the awards, visit here.

  • Judy Collins to Perform Acclaimed Album ‘Wildflowers’ at The Town Hall in NYC

    On Saturday, February 25, pop icon Judy Collins is heading to the Town Hall to bring her signature blend of folk and pop to NYC as she performs her 1967 album, Wildflowers — to this day, her highest-charting album —  front to back with the Harlem Chamber Players. 

    Judy Collins Wildflowers
    Judy Collins, performing Wildflowers on February 25 at The Town Hall

    Judy Collins came to NYC from the west coast at the start of the sixties. She landed in Greenwich Village, singing songs written by contemporaries such as Tom Paxton, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. With Cohen, Collins was a veritable salonnière of the Greenwich Village scene; she brought together Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman and many more, so the artists could share inspirations and audiences. Her background working with protest singers has stayed with Collins, she works with multiple social justice organizations and represents UNICEF.

    While she came on the scene as an interpretive cover artist — she won the Grammy for Best Folk Recording in 1969 for her cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now — Collins soon established herself as an adept songwriter as well, starting with “Since You Asked” in 1967. This year, Collins has been nominated for a Grammy again, this time for her folk album Spellbound, her first complete album of all original, self-penned songs in her career. 

    At the Town Hall on February 25, fans will hear Collins’ famous rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” live, as well as other hits from that album: “Albatross,” “Since You Asked,” and “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye.” Joining Collins is the Harlem Chamber Players, an acclaimed chamber band that works to increase access to high-caliber classical music in Harlem and the greater city. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.