The Waterhole Music Lounge has announced the live music lineup for their most renowned concert series, Winter Carnival at the Waterhole.
Over the course of 10 days, The Waterhole will bring 13 live musical acts to the Upstairs Music Lounge to keep Carnival goers moving & grooving as our community celebrates the 127th annual Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.
The 2024 lineup features 13 different bands including a plethora of fan favorites, and pairs them up with unbelievably talented opening acts that are sure to entertain and excite.
Things kick off on Friday, February 2 with Annie in the Water, well known for excitable, high energy jams, funky tones, and chill vibes. Special guests Organ FairChild from Buffalo, NY will open up the evening. This old-school organ trio has dance-heavy grooves and adventurous jamming.
Joslyn & The Sweet Compression make their first Winter Carnival appearance on Saturday, February 3. This groove-hardy trip of soul music filtered through a vivacious, and sometimes lush, modern lens, a psychedelic soundscape that exemplifies truth in music’s ability to shake up the establishment. This band will make the journey to the North from their hometown in Lexington, Kentucky, a follow up appearance at The Waterhole after the crowd fell in love with their sound at a Party on the Patio performance in 2023.
Los Blancos are the perfect compliment to the Saturday night bill. This band has been playing the Waterhole since the creation of the Upstairs Music Lounge in 1991. They rip through blues, soul, zydeco, and with their bottomless bag of tricks they always get the party started.
Wednesday, February 7 Hayley Jane returns to the Waterhole with her new band. Known for her emotive and memorizing performances, her vocals have a delicacy that touches the heart and also a raw power that can drive one into a frenzy. Open and honest, she chooses words that are both brazen and playful as she spills secrets onto the stage, spinning them into a web of burred lines.
Giovanina Bucci, who was born and raised in Plattsburgh and a dear friend of Hayley Jane will open up the night. Her musical style is nothing short of eclectic. Rooted in blues, soul, and folk, she writes about the intimate experiences that have shaped her as a human and as a songstress showcasing her unique guitar style and sultry delivery.
Thursday, February 8 features The Strictly Hip: Masters of The Tragically Hip. The band takes an almost academic approach to performing the music of Canada’s most popular band, performing with reverence, respect and accuracy.
Friday, February 9 Bellas Bartok & Folkfaces partner up for an energetic and bedazzling co-bill that is sure to keep concert goers dancing the night away. Bella’s Bartok live shows are a theatrical mix of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and the ‘Rocky Horror Picture’ show with a mesmerizing mix of Eastern European, Americana, punk and pop music. Folkfaces are a rowdy, roots quartet that takes its influence from weird old American music, offering an energetic variety show and traveling music review. The band explores a wide range of genres including country, blues, traditional jazz, rock & roll, honkey tonk, western swing, bluegrass, old-time, jug band and more.
Saturday, February 10 features two different shows – the first being the Post Parade Party. This day time show takes place immediately after the parade ends, and is well known as the biggest dance party of the entire year, plus its a free show headlined by another fan favorite, The Big Takeover.
Led by the powerhouse, Jamaican-born singer and songwriter NeeNee Rushie, The Big Takeover’s horn-powered global blend reveals deep fluency in reggae and world music, hints of soul and Motown, and their own infectious brand of pop classicism. Saranac Lakers will recognize The Big Takeover from their late night performance at the 2022 Northern Current Community Music Festival.
Later that evening, another show awaits Carnival goers. Fan favorite, West End Blend returns with funk and SOUL. Fronted by vocalist Erica Tracy Sullivan, WEB plays homage to classic throwback sounds while adding their own distinct vibe and flair. Behind her, the blend packs a four-piece horn section, two guitars bass, keyboards, and drums onto stages every night. From humble beginnings in an epic sweaty funky basement dance party, the Blend’s goal has always been to bring that same atmosphere to every show ever since.
Opening up for WEB will be All Night Boogie Band – hailing form the Green Mountains of Vermont, this band closed out the 2023 Party on the Patio 2023 season with a bang, and were thus invited to play during Winter Carnival. Think massive soulful vocals, big horns; and a powerfully tight rhythm section that creates a powerful and emotional blues that will make you shake your hips.
And last but certainly not least, Jatoba returns to the Carnival Lineup on Bloody Mary Sunday, February 11. This free day time show happens in the downstairs bar and will mark the band’s first Waterhole show since 2014. Jatoba sounds like groove-grass with quick bluegrass tempos driven by thumping and rockabilly-like bass lines, accentuated with soaring three part vocal harmonies. On top of this, they add effect-driven guitar solos, heavy rhythmic improvisation, beat boxing and even the occasional sitar interlude.
If you don’t want to miss a single beat of Winter Carnival at The Waterhole, consider purchasing a Week Pass for $76. This pass guarantees access to every ticketed event and saves you $24. Tickets are available for purchase on the Waterhole website saranaclakewaterhole.com and in person by stopping into the bar. As always, the Waterhole is a 21+ venue.
Saranac Lake 2023 Winter Carnival is around the corner, held February 3-12, with the schedule of events and button design by Garry Trudeau having been revealed. Get ready for the North Country’s premiere winter entertainment event, going strong for 126 years!
In addition to an all-star lineup of music at The Waterhole during Saranac Lake 2023 Winter Carnival, the week long Adirondack event features the signature ice palace (built entirely by volunteers from solid blocks of ice pulled from Lake Flower), as well as fireworks, ski and snowshoe races, art shows, book sales, concerts, variety shows, and much more. The finale features a unique gala parade on Sunday, February 13.
Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau, a native of Saranac Lake, has also released his button design for the 2023 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. The theme for this year – ‘Roman Around Carnival’ – depicts an illustration of Doonesbury character Zonker as a Roman Emperor, on the shape of an ancient coin with the year 2023 displayed in roman numerals. Trudeau has created the Winter Carnival button design since 1981 to benefit the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.
5:30 pm *22nd Annual Past Royalty Mixer and Dinner – Open to Past Royalty Only ($, Red Fox Restaurant, 5034 Route 3, contact Marilyn Bigelow at 518-891-1286)
Friday, FEBRUARY 3, 2023
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm *Live Music–Blessid Dirt at the Campfire Adirondack Bar & Grill (Hotel Saranac, 100 Main St)
7:30 pm *Women’s Civic Chamber Coronation of Winter Carnival Royalty (Harrietstown Town Hall, 39 Main St)
8:30 pm *Live Music–Annie in the Water wsg The Reflexions, doors open 7:30 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Saturday, FEBRUARY 4, 2023
10:00 am – 6:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
1:00 pm *Women’s Civic Second Corn-a-ment Cornhole Tournament (On the ice in front of Saranac Waterfront Lodge, $40 registration fee per 2-player team. Contact Deb Reilly at debreilly6@gmail.com for information. Register at https://linktr.ee/wintercarnivalcornament)
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm *Spaghetti Dinner at St Bernard’s School Cafeteria presented by Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 787 and Knights of Columbus Council 599, Take Out available ($, St. Bernard’s School, 63 River St, Orders taken 4:30 to 6:30 at 518-354-0825)
8:30 pm *Live Music–Underground System wsg TBA, doors open 7:30 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Sunday, FEBRUARY 5, 2023
10:00 am – 6:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am – 4:00 pm *–BACK THIS YEAR– Skate Lake Colby sponsored by Adirondack Health — Demos, Free Skate, Straight Line Drag Races for Ice Skates and Kick Sleds 2 pm to 3 pm. (Beach at Lake Colby)
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
3:30 pm *Scavenger Hunt for Middle School Students (Saranac Lake Youth Center, 29 Woodruff St)
5:00 pm Winter Carnival Grand Marshall Reception ($, Hotel Saranac, 100 Main Street)
6:00 pm Winter Carnival Royalty Dinner ($, Hotel Saranac, 100 Main Street)
7:00 pm *Main Street Exchange presents “Roman Around Carnival” Fashion Show, Three rounds of Roman fashion: Ancient attire based off of Social Class, Gods and Goddesses, Ancient Roman attire in modern times. Contact Main Street Exchange to purchase tickets. ($, The Graragery, behind Grizzle-T’s on Dorsey Street)
8:00 pm *Live Music–Ryan Montbleau (Solo) wsg Hayley Jane, doors open 7:00 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm —NEW– Family Night at the Ice Palace sponsored by Hudson Headwaters Health Network (Ice Palace, State Boat Launch)
6:00 pm Curtis Lumber Snowshoe Races — All Ages (Dewey Mountain, Route 3, call 518-891-2697, Children’s Event Fees paid for by Saranac Lake Kiwanis Club)
6:00 pm *Bacchanalia Feast at the Hotel Saranac (Hotel Saranac, 100 Main St)
7:30 pm *Music–Beat Authority Dance Party, doors open 7:00 ($, Half of ticket sales donated to NCPR The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Thursday, February 9, 2023
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Coakley Home and Hardware Family Open Skate with Free Hot Chocolate (Saranac Lake Civic Center, 213 Ampersand Ave)
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Tentatively) Firefighter’s Broom Ball (Saranac Lake Civic Center, 213 Ampersand Ave)
7:00 pm *–BACK THIS YEAR– Rotary Club Variety Show, Tickets available at Chamber of Commerce, Ampersound, NBT Bank ($, Harrietstown Town Hall, 39 Main St)
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm *Live Music–Moment’s Notice in the Great Hall (Hotel Saranac, 100 Main St)
8:30 pm *Live Music–The Mallett Brothers Band wsg Saints and Liars, doors open 7:30 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Saturday, February 11, 2023
8:30 am *Mason’s Pancake Breakfast with the Carnival Characters ($, Location TBD)
10:00 am – 6:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
10:00 am *CanAm Snow Rugby (Saranac Lake High School Track Field, 79 Canaras Ave, Call 518-524-5841)
9:00 pm *Live Music–West End Blend wsg Chestnut Grove, doors open 8:00 ($, The Waterhole, 48 Main St)
Sunday, February 12, 2023 — last day
10:00 am – 4:00 pm Winter Carnival History Hut and Gift Shop–Learn about Winter Carnival, Shop for Official Merchandise (Winter Carnival History Hut near the Ice Palace)
