NYS Music 2023

Tag: Summer Festivals

  • The Phoenix Festival Returns For A Second Year Of Programming

    The Phoenix Theatre Ensemble revealed its lineup for its second annual Phoenix Festival, set to run from Sept. 28 to Oct. 21. The event will feature an engaging mixture of live theater, dance, music, and arts. Phoenix Festival includes 30 performances and will take place on multiple indoor and outdoor stages in Nyack, New York. 

    Founded in 2004, Phoenix Theatre Ensemble is a nonprofit theatre ensemble producing in New York City and Nyack. Phoenix Festival is aimed at celebrating classical theater, music, local culture, and the creative spirit of the Nyack community. 

    Festival venues include the tented outdoor meadow stage at Marydell Faith and Life Center, the garden at Hopper House, the Nyack Center, the ‘little theater’ at Nyack’s RCC Culinary Arts Center, Maureen’s Jazz Cellar and Nyack’s classic restaurant the Hudson House. The festival boasts a diverse set of programming with something for all ages and interests. 

    We’re excited about the 2023 program, and proud to present world class live performances at affordable prices rarely available in ‘big city’ locations.

    Craig Smith, executive director, Phoenix Festival

    This year’s performances range from classic theatrical shows like Crime and Punishment and Now I am Alone, to stand-up poetry, and even an augmented reality tour. One of Phoenix Festival’s most innovative and creative performances is Pan and The Lost Boys. The show combines theater and dance to examine Black masculinity through hip-hop. Stemming from the killings of Tamir Rice, George Floyd, etc; Pan looks at the impacts of these events on the health, wellness, and growth of young black men in America.

    The Phoenix Festival gets underway on Sept. 28 with Crime and Punishment, directed by Karen Case Cook. A full list of performances can be found below. For tickets and details about the festival click here. 

    Festival Schedule 

    September 28- Crime & Punishment- Nyack Center

    September 29- Crime & Punishment- Nyack Center

    September 30- Remembering Good Harbor Beach- The Garden at Edward Hopper House Museum and Study Center

    September 30- Crime & Punishment- Nyack Center

    October 1- Crime & Punishment- Nyack Center

    October 4- Scandalton- Maureen’s Jazz Cellar

    October 5- Pan and the Lost Boys- Nyack Center

    October 6- Wind and the Willows- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 6- Pan and the Lost Boys- Nyack Center

    October 7- Wind in the Willows- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 7- Honduras- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 7- Pan and the Lost Boys (sold out)- Nyack Center

    October 8- Children’s Shakespeare Theatre- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 8- Wind in the Willows- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 9- Children’s Shakespeare Theatre- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 9- Wind in the Willows- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 11- Drinks with Dead Poets- Hudson House Upstairs Bar

    October 12- Drinks with Dead Poets- Hudson House Upstairs Bar

    October 13- Drinks with Dead Poets- Hudson House Upstairs Bar

    October 14- ArtsRock Concert- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 14- Drinks with Dead Poets- Hudson House Upstairs Bar

    October 15- Now I Am Alone starring Geoffrey Owens- Marydell Faith and Life Center

    October 19- Reflections from the Shallow End of the Dating Pool- The Little Theater at RCC Culinary Arts Center

    October 20- Reflections from the Shallow End of the Dating Pool- The Little Theater at RCC Culinary Arts Center

    October 21- Reflections from the Shallow End of the Dating Pool- The Little Theater at RCC Culinary Arts Center

  • Northern Current Returns to Saranac Lake this September

    Northern Current is back for another year of live music on Labor Day weekend. The annual free festival takes place on Sept. 3 at Riverside Park in Saranac Lake. The celebration gets underway at Noon and runs until 9:30 PM. 

    Located at the base of Lake Flower, Riverside Park provides a picturesque setting for the event. The festival looks to celebrate the beauty and richness of Saranac Lake and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains. Northern Current is focused on enriching the cultural and artistic diversity of the town by presenting a diverse set of performing artists. This year’s lineup features offerings of Rock, Blues, R&B, Afrobeat, Americana, Old Time Folk, Jazz, Country, and more.

    www.northerncurrentadk.org

    Headlining Northern Current is Canadian outfit Bywater Call. The group’s blend of rock, blues, and R&B results in a soulful and powerful sound. Standout vocalist Megan Parnell fits perfectly with the cascade of horns and noisy guitars that usually features in Bywater Call’s music. Together the group has carved out a lane somewhere between Southern Soul and modern blues-rock. 

    Local bands High on the Hog and Midnight Stargazers will open up the festival. Other New York acts include Afro-funk outfit Kaleta & Super Yamba Band and Americana pairing Richie & Rosie. The festival will also feature Huntress & the Holder of Hands, The Soggy Po Boys, Badenyah Drum & Dance, and DiTrani Brothers. 

    In addition to live music, Northern Current boasts a designated “kid zone,” merchandise, and local food vendors. The event is scheduled to take place rain or shine. Visit here for details and information about the event. 

  • West Indian American Day Carnival Association Announces Annual Labor Day Parade

    The West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) has announced their annual celebration of New York City’s West Indian Labor Day Parade. The festival is a celebration of West Indian culture that entails a full day of soca/dancehall music, vibrant costumes, dancing, and food for sale nearby. This all day event will occur on September 4th in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. 

    West Indian Parade labor day

    Traditions of the West Indian Labor Day Parade Festival dates back to the 1920s. A Trinidadian immigrant named Ms. Jesse Waddle met with other immigrants to find a solution to their homesickness. The people missed celebrating cultural carnivals in their hometowns. As a result, Ms. Waddle organized a carnival celebration to take place in the months of February or March. The carnivals were held indoors at places such as the Savoy, the Renaissance, and the Audubon Ballroom due to New York’s cold winter weather. Eventually the indoor carnivals became an issue because of its space limitations. Ms. Waddle applied for and received a street parade permit in the 1940s. This shifted the celebrations to the summer. 

    The permit was originally used in Harlem but was revoked because of a violent riot. Five years later, a committee organized by Trinidadian Carlos Lezama acquired another permit for a parade on Eastern Parkway. Since then, the parade has begun from Eastern Parkway and Utica Avenue ending at Grand Army Plaza.  The West Indian Labor Day Parade has grown into one of the biggest parades of New York City, attracting up to four million people. 

    Some Caribbean Islands celebrated by the parade include Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and Grenada, Afro-Panamanians, etc. The festival is a representation of Caribbean’s pride in their country, heritage, and culture. Participants of the celebration invest both money and time to brainstorm themes, costumes, and floats for the festivities. Face masks come in a variety of styles inspired by natural and spiritual elements, mythical creatures, political events, and popular culture. The artistic and historical value of the parade are displayed through costumes which are later recognized with prizes.  

    West Indian Parade labor day

    The march from Eastern Parkway to Grand Army Plaza is accompanied by the sounds of drums, whistles, calypso, soca, dancehall, kompa, and reggae music. Oftentimes people enjoy a battle of  throwing paint and powder. There is also a wide range of ethnic treats to fuel up on to keep the party going. Although the parade itself is on Labor Day, the partying starts days before.

    A celebration called J’ouvert marks the official start of carnival. It means “daybreak,” and occurs during early morning hours.  J’ouvert was celebrated as the opportunity to embrace the emancipation of Caribbean slaves. During slavery the French excluded Black people from their masquerade balls so J’ouvert and Carnival became a celebration of culture. Like carnival, people are dressed in costumes with bright colorful feathers, glitter and sometimes you can even catch people walking on five- foot stilts. Both events are also used as a way for Caribbean immigrants to adjust to society without forgetting their roots.  

    The West Indian Labor Day Festival is welcome to all and free for everyone. End your summer with a bang by enjoying one of the most exhilarating parades of the summer with the Carribbean residents of New York City.

  • Ellicottville Summer Music Festival On June 30-July 2, Headlined by Former Members of Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire

    The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce has announced the lineup for this year’s Summer Musical Festival at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, New York.

    “The Players” including former members of the stellar bands Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire will take the stage on July 1st as the headlining performers. Barracuda, America’s Heart Tribute, will also perfrom, taking fans back in time with 70s, 80s, and 90s hits. 

    The Summer Music Festival is a three-day event and is a tradition to those who spend the July 4th holiday in Ellicottville, NY. The weekend will be filled with live music, fun, and a spectacle firework show right above your head. Guests can bring chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets to echoey the show. The festival is a one-of-a-kind event for the whole family

    Acclaimed rock band Chicago is among the most popular American recording artists of all time. The band was formerly known as the Chicago Transit Authority before they shortened the name to the city it was founded in. With over one hundred million sales in records, Chicago distinguished itself from other rock bands of the late 1960s. Earth, Wind & Fire is a pop, soul and jazz fused band that became one of the top-selling and most influential groups of the 1970s. The band is renowned for their remarkable versatility. Throughout the years the group has given their fans soulful ballads, spiritual anthems, Afro-Caribbean jazz, driving funk and rock, and upbeat disco dance hits.

    Bill Champlin, the two-time Grammy winner, and former member of Chicago will be joined by the former Chicago members Jeff Coffey and Keith Howland. Gorden Campbell, the former drummer of Earth, Wind & Fire will also accompany the Chicago members. Fans can expect to dance the night away with hits like “If You Leave Me Now,” “You’re the Inspiration” and “Hard To Say I’m Sorry” from Chicago and “Shining Star”, “Boogie Wonderland” and “September” from Earth, Wind & Fire.

    “We are ecstatic to have a soulful, jazz group come together with an iconic rock and roll group for one special night that families of all ages can enjoy!”

    -Brian McFadden, Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

    Barracuda-America’s Heart Tribute has earned the reputation for one of the best tribute bands by recreating the rock band, Heart’s greatest hits with mind-blowing accuracy. Each member has traveled the world with an impressive number of years of experience and skill. Barracuda-America’s Heart Tribute is recognized for their masterful vocals, brilliant musicianship and unceasing over-the-top performances which has created a solid foundation for this extraordinary tribute. 

    Don’t wait to spread the word and make plans to kick off your fourth of July weekend with Ellicottville’s Summer Music Festival. More information about the Summer Musical Festival and tickets can be found here.

  • Hilltap Festival Returns To Holiday Valley For A Full Day Of Adventure in July

    42 North Brewing Company and Holiday Valley Resort have announced their partnership to celebrate the third annual Hilltap Festival at Holiday Valley on July 2nd. From 12pm-9pm this outstanding festival fuses music, craft beer, and outdoor adventure atop the mountain at Spruce Lake.

    Hilltap Festival holiday valley

    The Hilltap Festival will kick off with Kody & Herren bringing their roots from Springville, NY as the opening act. Following the guitarists will be the Buffalo-based Ten Cent Howl. The folk band is renowned for their up-tempo, Americana sound. Ionic band, The Probables will be giving a special performance at the base of the mountain for the closing act. Fans can expect to hear their bluegrass, rock and contemporary sounds at the festival as part of their 2023 Destination Tour. 

    “This is one of our favorite events of the year. There is no better place to merge craft beer, roots music, and adventure. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind venue”

    -John Cimperman, 42 North Brewery Founder

    Festival attendees will park at the Tannenbaum Lodge and take a chair lift ride to the top of the mountain. Once everyone has arrived at the mountain, a full day of music and adventure can be enjoyed along with thrilling activities such as mountain biking, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), and ax throwing. Furthermore, attendees can fill their stomachs at Fat Bob’s BBQ and Villagio. 

    Presale tickets are $40, same day tickets are $45 and $50 if you want to transport a mountain bike on the chairlift. Admission provides a lift ride to Spruce Lake, a full day of music, and access to the vendors and demos. Children ten and under are admitted for free if they’re accompanied by a paying adult. 

    More information about about the Hilltap festival and tickets can be found here.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWDkn5yLvL4

  • CMAC Events Announces Roc The Lake Festival With Pop Trio AJR

    The Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) in Canandaigua has announced the 2023 Roc The Lake Festival with the renowned trio AJR as a headliner. On July 17, fans can jam to their favorite songs by AJR, and a lineup including Chelsea Cutler, Lawrence Blake Rose and Almost Monday.

    AJR, is a renowned pop trio of brothers that has garnered an abundance of success since their formation in 2012. Over the past decade AJR has accumulated billions of streams, released a platinum album, double-platinum single, triple-platinum single, and four platinum singles. The band has also been ranked #1 on the Top Alternative Albums and Rock Albums Charts following their biggest first-week debut at the Neotheater in 2019. Apple Music and Spotify showed appreciation for the trio’s electric sound by placing AJR’s “Sober Up” & “Weak” among the Best Rock and Alt Songs of the 2010s. Fans can rock out to songs from the brother’s fourth full-length album, OK ORCHESTRA at the Roc The Lake Festival. 

    Chelsea Cutler is a singer, songwriter, and the producer of introspective EDM.  After signing to Ultra Records in 2017, the vocalist released mixtapes such as Sleeping with Roses I and II and a full-length debut, How to Be Human. Lawrence Blake Rose is an upcoming Australian singer and songwriter based in Los Angeles.  The gifted musician recently released a new single “Rest Of Us.”

    The San Diego based trio, Almost Monday quickly transformed from garage band to an upbeat pop sensation.  While only having a few songs released, the boys gained a tremendous amount of fame and millions of streams since the release of their disco-infused track “Broken People” in 2020. 

    The Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) was founded by Marvin Sands. The arts center has been on a mission to unite communities through art and culture since 1983. 

    Tickets to the Roc The Lake Festival can be found here. 

  • Lollapalooza Reveals Lineup Featuring Over 170 Musicians for 2023 Edition

    Lollapalooza revealed a powerhouse lineup for their 2023 edition, featuring stars such as Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, ODESZA, Lana Del Rey etc. The biggest music festival of 2023 will take place August 3-6 at Grant Park in Chicago.

    The exhilarating celebration will showcase over 170 bands with nine stages and four full days of music and programming.  Lollapalooza is always on the hunt for upcoming artists to take the stage. As a result, fans can enjoy the must-see breakout stars including, Dom Dolla, Sabrina Carpenter, Lovejoy, Knock2, Jessie Murph, Suki Waterhouse, Thee Sacred Souls, and The 502s. Fan favorites Lil Yachty, Tems, J.I.D, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Maggie Rogers, Carly Rae Jepsen, Diplo, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Fred again and Noah Kahan will also be featured in the festival. 

    Lollapalooza is recognized as the premier music festival across the world because of its diverse lineup. The 2023 edition presents NewJeans,, The Rose, Rina Sawayama, Rema, NIKI, Morgan Wade, DPR IAN + DPR LIVE, Lainey Wilson, L’Impératrice, Ivan Cornejo and Sudan Archives.Furthermore, Lollapalooza makes history this year with its first Latina female performer, Karol G. Additionally, British superstars The 1975, and Tomorrow X Together will also take the stage. Chicago will be fully represented with musicians such as Louis the Child, Dehd, Sincere Engineer, Friday Pilots Club, Motherfolk, Kidd Kenn, and more.

    lollapalooza 2023

    Lollapalooza was founded in 1991 by Perry Farrell and remains an innovator in festival culture over 30 years later. The festival made its mark by being the first festival to bring together artists from a wide range of musical genres on one bill, the first to expand to multiple days, the first to blend art and activism, and the first to expand internationally. Besides Chicago Lollapalooza has held shows in culturally rich countries including Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, France, Sweden and India.

    Lollapalooza’s contribution to the City of Chicago trumps all other festivals in the region., Although the festival occurs over an annual four-day weekend in the summer, Lollapalooza strives to provide meaningful engagement and impact year-round.  The festival supports local communities by introducing Chicago youth to creative opportunities in the concert industry and reducing barriers to arts access in Chicago schools. To support arts and education in Chicago Public Schools, organizers created the Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund donating $2.2M to programs. Additionally, Lollapalooza hosts an annual Sueños Job Fair and is united with African American Heritage Festivals, Teens in the Park Fest, Black Culture Fest, Musically Fed, and After School Matters.  For more information, please visit here. 

    To secure 4-Day General Admission, fans can sign up for the SMS Presale that begins this Thursday, March 23 at 10am here. A full list of amenities can be accessed here. Layaway Plans are also available on all ticket types starting at $20 down.

    1-Day Tickets, along with the lineup-by-day will be available later. Kids eight and under may attend for free with a ticketed adult and enjoy Kidzapalooza. It’s presented by Lifeway Kefir and is an interactive music playground within the festival that presents a lineup of family-friendly performances, activities, music, and dance workshops and more.