NYS Music 2024

Author: Abby Littman

  • Songwriters Hall of Fame Announce Gala Performers and Presenters

    The 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala will take place on Thursday, June 13, featuring a slate of legendary musicians to perform and present.

    Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction

    Along with Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) Chairman Nile Rodgers, Trey Anastasio, Kevin Bacon and Michael Bacon p/k/a The Bacon Brothers, Cary Barlowe, Andra Day, Rodney Chrome, El Debarge, Missy Elliott, Jason Isbell, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Deniece Williams, Paul Williams, are all slated to either present and/or perform at the induction.

    These musicians will celebrate the art of songwriting and the decades of work the inductees have put into their craft. The SHOF also educates the public about the significance of songwriting through workshops, showcases, and scholarships at programs across the country.

    The 53rd Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala will be inducting Hillary Lindsey, Timothy Mosley p/k/a Timbaland, Dean Pitchford, Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe p/k/a R.E.M., and Donald Fagen and Walter Becker p/k/a Steely Dan. Additionally, SZA will receive the Hal David Starlight Award and Diane Warren will receive the Johnny Mercer Award.

    They will be joining the likes of Bob Dylan, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Elton John & Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and Pharell Williams in the SHOF, to name a few out of approximately 400 inductees.

    Tickets for the Songwriters Hall of Fame event begin at $2,000 each and are available through Buckley Hall Events, 914-579-1000 and SHOF@buckleyhallevents.com. Net proceeds from the event will go toward the Songwriters Hall of Fame programs.  Songwriters Hall of Fame is a 501(c)3 organization.  The non-deductible portion of each ticket is $215. Contributions, for which no goods or services are received in exchange, are fully tax-deductible as provided by law.

    For more information visit www.songhall.org

  • Freedom Park of Scotia Announces 2024 Summer Concert Series

    This summer, Freedom Park will hold their annual concert series from June 19 through Aug. 21, bringing 26 free shows to Scotia.

    Freedom Park, Scotia

    Kicking off the summer of concerts is a Taylor Swift Singalong featuring singer-songwriter, Sydney Worthley, on Wednesday, June 19.

    Whether you’re a ‘Swiftie’ or not, this is sure to be a fun-filled way to open our season.

    Cathy Gatta, Freedom Park Foundation Board President and Entertainment Director

    This season, Freedom Park is welcoming 10 new acts ranging from party bands to classic rock, including Local 11,  Roxy & The Rollers, and Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band.

    Additionally, Soul Provider will play on Friday, June 28 during the town’s fireworks display. Triffid 2.0 will also play, bringing a revival of the Upstate New York 1980s band on Aug. 10. On the following night, the BWC Jazz Orchestra will perform a tribute show in memory of late Freedom Park visionary, Dennis Madden. Screaming Orphans make their return to Scotia to close out the season on Aug. 21.

    “We’re also excited this year to offer an Improv Night with Schenectady’s Mop & Bucket Company, promising an evening filled with spontaneous humor, audience participation, and lots of fun. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see some of the best local talent in action, delivering a night of laughter and creativity,” added Gatta.

    Shows are offered every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7 PM located at the outdoor amphitheater on Schonowee Avenue, Scotia across from Collins Park. All performances are rain or shine.

    This season’s concerts are presented by Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive-In, and media partners B95.5 FM, The Daily Gazette, and Discover Schenectady.

    Moreover, the Freedom Park Foundation is powered by the support of local businesses, the Village of Scotia, and Freedom Park memberships. With the addition of grants from the Schenectady County Arts & Culture Grant and Town of Glenville, and audience donations, attendees can experience a wide variety of shows free of charge while supporting local musicians.

    Freedom Park Scotia Summer 2024 Concerts

    June 19: Taylor Swift Singalong with Sydney Worthley

    June 22: Big Fez & The Surfmatics 

    June 23: Music Company Orchestra 

    June 26: Capital District Youth Pipe Band 

    June 28: Soul Provider

    July 6: The Rogues

    July 7: SUNY Schenectady Jazz Faculty Combo

    July 10: Cryin’ Out Loud!

    July 13: Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra (6:30 Learn to Salsa)

    July 14: Improv Night with The Mop & Bucket Co. 

    July 17: Grand Central Station 

    July 20: Local 11

    July 21: Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band

    July 24: The Refrigerators

    July 27: Get Up Jack

    July 28: The Lustre Kings 

    July 31: Skeeter Creek (6:30 Learn to Line Dance)

    Aug. 3: The Seth Tucker Band 

    Aug. 4: Bluz House Rockers

    Aug. 7: Harvest & Rust ~ Neil Young Tribute 

    Aug. 10: Triffid 2.0

    Aug. 11: The BWC Jazz Orchestra (6:30 Learn to Swing Dance)

    Aug. 14: SIRSY

    Aug. 17: Roxy and The Rollers

    Aug. 18: Three Quarter North

    Aug. 21: Screaming Orphans

    For more information on Freedom Park and the 2024 Schedule of Events visit FreedomParkScotia.com

  • 42nd Annual Strawberry Festival Returns to Owego

    Owego’s Strawberry Festival will run from June 13 to 15 with a 5K, a block party, a parade, various musical acts, and a lot of strawberries.

    Owego Strawberry Festival

    Over the past 42 years and in many forms, the community of Owego has worked together to bring the Strawberry Festival to fruition and make it the spectacle it is now. In its current form, the celebration takes place over 3 days, two venues, and 27 performances.

    Thursday, June 13

    At 5 PM the festival will begin with a Rock and Run. The event consists of a one-mile kids’ fun run starting at 5:15 as well as a 5K Run and Walk starting at 6 PM. The event held at Hickories Park in Owego, is presented by Tioga State Bank and the Historic Owego Marketplace. Hi-Way Fruit Market and The Dean Goble Band will play during throughout the day.

    For more details and to sign up for the race, visit here

    Friday, June 14

    At 5 PM, the festival will move to downtown Owego for the Block Party. There will be musical acts throughout the day on three different stages. Namely, the Nate Gross Band, fronted by Nate Gross, a Syracuse Area Music Award recipient, will play the Courthouse Stage at 6:30 PM. Following the Nate Gross Band is Stone Senate. The band, who are returning to the Strawberry Festival will hit the stage at 8:15.

    Other performances will include bands, Foggy Maloon, Making The Band, Crossing the Line, and others. Additionally, there will be other forms of entertainment including jugglers, busking, and the Kidz zONe, hosted by the Owego Nazarene Church. The Courthouse Square will have the Wine & Beer Tasting Tent open from 5:30-8:30 PM

    Afterwards, A firework show sponsored this year by the Pumpelly Estate will take place in Draper Park at 9:30 PM.

    Owego
    Stone Senate

    Saturday, June 15

    At 9:30 AM the annual parade will begin. Coordinated by John Loftus, and led by Grand Marshals Jim Raftis Sr. and Dick Franz, the parade will travel through Downtown Owego. The celebrations will include Hose Teams, Inc., Owego Little League, and veteran organizations.

    After the parade, music will begin at 11 AM with 17 acts playing throughout the day across four stages, with additional shows at the M&T Bank Lawn, Pumpelly Estate, and Belva Lockwood Inn Lawn. The bands include Randy McStine with a 3-hour performance, the Waverly High School Band, Junkyard Heights, and many others.

    Owego
     Nate Gross – Photo by Hajo Müller.

    The complete lineup of music and events can be found at www.owego.org

  • The Egg Announces Free Open House Event Series

    The Egg, Albany’s Center for Performing Arts will host a new free series, OPEN House, starting Friday, August 2. The event is in partnership with the NYS Office of General Services, Black Arts & Culture Festival, and First Friday.

    The Egg Open House

    The Egg is holding a new series of events, opening their unique venue up to the community and anyone who wants to attend. Attendees who RSVP will get a preview of the space while being able to enjoy a night full of various forms of entertainment, all free of cost.

    To commence the series of visual arts and music, entertainment starts at 6 PM as doors open in the lobby. Guests will be greeted by projections by B.A. Miale, a psychedelic visual and projection creator from the Hudson Valley. Additionally, the projections will be accompanied by music from a DJ set by Intell Hayesfield.

    The Egg Open House

    At 6:30, there will be a screening of Black Panther in The Egg’s Swyer Theatre. The movie will be followed by a performance from Ghost-Note at 8:30, to close the night out.

    Ghost-Note is an 8-piece funk band headed by two members of the Grammy-winning band Snarky Puppy. The band is made up of talented musicians whose combined repertoire includes the bands of Prince, Snoop Dogg, and Erykah Badu to name a few.

    Ghost-Note

    Members and new patrons alike are invited to the Open House series to experience what The Egg has to offer.

    For more information visit theegg.org To acquire tickets and donate to The Egg, RSVP here.

  • Cory Wong to Play Special Limited Capacity Show At Caroga Arts

    Funk guitarist Cory Wong is set to play a special show at Caroga Arts Collective on Wednesday, July 31. A raffle will be held, giving audience members the opportunity to win a limited-edition Fender guitar.

    Cory Wong

    Known for his extensive solo work as well as collaborations with Vulfpeck and many others, Cory Wong will play two consecutive nights of the 2024 Caroga Lake Music Festival. The first show on July 30 will feature a special acoustic set inside the Sherman’s Park Dance Hall.

    Wong’s return to Caroga will feature a unique set joined by a strings section. This show will provide the opportunity to experience an up close and personal concert with a guitar virtuoso.

    In addition to the performance, Caroga Arts is offering a raffle for the chance to win Fender’s 2023 limited-edition surf green Cory Wong Stratocaster, valued at $2,400. The winner will be drawn at the show where they can get the guitar signed and a photo with Wong.

    Only 100 raffle tickets will be sold at $100 each and can be purchased HERE or when buying the tickets.

    Taking place between his performances at the esteemed Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, An Evening with Cory Wong & Strings: A special acoustic performance and conversation is a show not to be missed.

    Tickets and seating will be extremely limited for this intimate performance and can be purchased HERE

  • Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra to Play in Bryant Park

    New York City’s Bryant Park has added Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra presented by Harlem Stage to their 2024 Picnic Performances lineup on Thursday, September 12 at 7 PM.

    Eddie Palmieri

    Joined by his 13-piece band, Salsa Orchestra, 10-time Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri will commence Harlem Stage’s 2024-2025 season. This show is presented in partnership with the Bryant Park Picnic Performances.

    Eddie Palmieri is regarded as one of the greatest pianists. In addition to piano, he is a bandleader and composer of Salsa and Latin Jazz. His music perfectly encapsulates his Puerto Rican Heritage while honoring his Harlem culture. With his musical accomplishments and innovation over his 60-year career, Palmieri and the band will certainly bring a spectacular performance to the series’ final weekend.

    Bryant Park
    Photo Credit: Ryan Muir.

    The Picnic Performances are a free concert series held in Bryant Park and sponsored by Bank Of America. The series gives diverse artists a performance platform as well as exposure to new audiences. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis, and audience members can borrow blankets and chairs. The shows will be on from May 31 to September 13.

    Likewise, Harlem Stage is a cultural arts center with a rich history of supporting the visions and creativity of artists of color. Their partnership with Bryant Park Picnic Performances significantly contributes to their mission of providing a safe community for artists.

    Bryant Park Picnic Performances 2024 Lineup

    May

    May 31: New York City Opera – Puccini Celebration

    June

    June 01: New York City Opera – Puccini Celebration

    June 06: Contemporary Dance – Naomi Funaki + Jared Alexander Featuring Ayodele Casel, Sidra Bell, It’s Showtime NYC!, National Dance Institute

    June 07: Contemporary Dance – David Dorfman Dance, Soles of Duende, Joffrey Concert Group, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts

    June 14: Contemporary Dance – Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, Robin Dunn’s ‘SHOUT,’ Kevin Wynn Tribute, Brooklyn Arts

    June 21: Jazzmobile – Sarah Vaughan Centennial Featuring Charenée Wade

    June 28: Emerging Music Festival Day 1 – Chanel Beads, Mei Semones, Los Esplifs

    June 29: Emerging Music Festival Day 2 – Horsegirl, Hannah Jadagu, Bloomsday, Greg Mendez, @

    July

    July 05: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Tania León and The Harlem Chamber Players

    July 12: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Thandiswa Mazwai

    July 19: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Louis Cato

    July 26: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Michael Olatuja & Lagos Pepper Soup

    August

    August 02: Carnegie Hall Citywide – La Excelencia

    August 09: Joe’s Pub – Broadway en Spanglish: Florencia Cuenca and Jaime Lozano

    August 10: New Victory Theater – Ephrat Asherie Dance + Barkin/Selissen Project

    August 16: World Music Institute – Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Natu Camara

    August 17: Jalopy Theatre – Cristina Vane, Slavic Soul Party!, Guachinangos

    August 23: New York City Opera – Tosca

    August 24: New York City Opera – Tosca

    August 30: Asian American Arts Alliance – Vijay Iyer Trio

    August 31: Contemporary Dance – Mark Morris Dance Group, Blacks in Ballet, Reed Luplau

    September

    September 05: Accordions Around the World – Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, Afro Dominicano, Lakou Mizik

    September 06: American Symphony Orchestra – Beyond the Hall

    September 12: Harlem Stage – Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra

    September 13: The Town Hall + Belongó – The Man with The Golden Horn

    For the most current performance information please visit bryantpark.org/picnics.

  • The Struts and Kelsea Ballerini Join the Lineup for Special Edition of The Soho Sessions

    On Wednesday, June 5, British rock group, The Struts, and country artist, Kelsea Ballerini will play a special show co-presented by Rolling Stone CEO Gus Wenner and The Soho Sessions, to support Everytown for Gun Safety.

    The Struts for The Soho Sessions in support of Everytown
    Photo Credit: Ben Cope

    The Soho Sessions is an exclusive collective of people and shows that create intimate musical, invite-only experiences. They have included performances from Gary Clark Jr., Marcus King, and Lukas Nelson among many others. The shows are produced by RWE Partners, the company behind Love Rocks NYC. They use live music to shed light and support on important issues and have raised over $50 Million for non-profits.

    For this special show, The Soho Sessions and Gus Wenner are utilizing their influence in the industry to bring awareness to gun violence through the organization, Everytown for Gun Safety. Everytown is a network of mayors, teachers, students, and survivors across the country in a movement to end gun violence.

    Gun violence is a preventable epidemic, and an organization like Everytown for Gun Safety is bringing crucial education and awareness to communities nationwide. I am very pleased to be partnering with The Soho Sessions for this special event to help put an end to the urgent issue of gun violence.

    Gus Wenner

    The Struts, who debuted in 2016 with Everybody Wants and have most recently put out their fourth album Pretty Vicious in 2023, will headline the event. The band has opened on tour for The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, and Guns N’ Roses. Additionally, they’ve collaborated with Tom Morello, Robbie Williams, and Kesha, who appears on their 2018 hit “Body Talks.”

    Grand Ole Opry member, Kelsea Ballerini, will also be performing in support of Everytown. The singer topped the charts with her debut album, The First Time, and continues to do so. Her recent albums, SUBJECT TO CHANGE and Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, have brought universal praise. Undeniably, her subsequent SNL appearance and Time Magazine cover reflect her influence in country and as a woman in music. 

    Kelsea Ballerini for The Soho Sessions in support of Everytown
    Photo Credit: John Russo

    In addition to the musical acts, actress, and Everytown Creative Council founding chair Julianne Moore will host the performance with model and musician Karen Elson.

    To stop the shooting, we don’t just need to change the laws — we also need to change the culture, which is why Everytown is so grateful to Gus Wenner and RWE Partners for pulling together this group of creative heavyweights. Right now, gunfire is part of the daily soundtrack in too many American communities, and artists like Kelsea Ballerini, The Struts, Karen Elson, and Julianne Moore are harnessing their talents to raise an alarm and rally support.

    John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety

    A limited number of tickets are on sale to the public, with net proceeds going to Everytown for Gun Safety. For inquiries on how to purchase tickets, please contact Charlie Johnson at cjohnson@everytown.org

    For more information about The Soho Sessions, visit www.thesohosessions.com.

    Find more information about Everytown for Gun Safety here.

  • Queens Rising Announces Lineup for Queens Scene Performance Series

    Queens Rising is back for its third year of the Multidisciplinary Arts Festival with the Queens Scene series starting Saturday, June 1st.

    Queens Scene

    Queens Rising is a collective celebration honoring the culture and diversity of the borough. Their mission is to spread awareness of Queens’ rich history in the arts and contributions to New York City art. They work with many organizations and establishments to bring these celebrations to life. Queens Scene is one of the many programs they offer to exemplify pride for their community.

    Additionally, the venues taking part in the festival have chosen artists all of whom they feel represent the creative and cultural significance of Queens. Each performer was chosen from an open call in the spring and will have the opportunity to grow their platforms.

    Sponsors for the event include Northwell Health, Resorts World NYC, Howard Gilman Foundation, and the Kupferberg Center for the Arts.

    Queens Scene 2024 Performances

    June 1 at Flushing Town Hall, 7 PM– Sin Fronteras World Jazz Quintet, The Scooches, and Mr. Pablo

    June 14 (7 PM); June 15 (6 PM); June 16 (4 PM), at Terraza 7– Guachinangos, Samuel Torres: Alegria, and Terraza Big Band

    June 19 (Juneteenth) reception at 7:30 PM, showtime at 8 PM, at Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning– JRose, Jerome Heka, Keys Will, Unique on Purpose, Divine Wordsmith

    June 29, 1:30 PM at Queens Botanical Garden– Gina D’Soto, Jenna Vox, and Queens Symphony Orchestra

    Additional Events

    June 6 at 6 PM at Culturelab LIC – Visual Art Exhibition Opening “Say It Loud: Unsung Heroes”

    June 8 at 4 PM at Flushing Meadows Corona Park– Queens Night Market

    JCAL has participated in Queens Rising since its founding, and watching the growth of this remarkable initiative has inspired our dedication to performing arts, visual arts, and arts education here in “the world’s borough.” To see Queens Rising now supporting borough-based artists—it’s a tangible recognition of how far and how fast Queens has really risen, and of our extraordinary potential to draw arts patrons from every corner of our city.

    Leonard Jacobs, Executive Director

    For more information on Queens Rising and a full schedule of events, please visit queensrising.nyc

  • Hearing Aide: Dasychira’s “Undead”

    NYC-based electronic artist Dasychira has released their second LP and first release in 3 years, Undead, on May 10. The album explores themes of transformation and adaptation, giving listeners a glimpse into Dasychira’s personal development.

    Undead

    Dasychira was raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, but has been a New Yorker for the last decade. Studying at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, they took on their pseudonym allowing them to write and produce music while exploring their own identity. Since then, Dasychira has released works of all sizes, including the most recent, Undead.

    After releasing their first EP Immolated in 2017, Dasychira went on to co-found the label unseelie in 2018, where they released their last two albums, Hollywood Forever and Undead.

    This album represents Dasychira’s navigation through the drastic changes the world has faced over the past few years. These songs articulate their mental journey through COVID-19, war, environmental disasters, and rising technologies. Undead walks you through a dream-like state using a mix of synthesizers and a variety of instruments such as electric guitar, gamelan, and violin, blurring the lines between humans and technology.

    Dasychira

    The album opens with “Bleed and Glow,” which establishes the feeling of being lost through its lyrics. Using electronics and synths, Dasychira conveys the need for fantasy during such a confusing time. The title track, “Undead,” features ballad-like violin and synth arrangements to express longing and desperation during a personal struggle.

    The album’s closer, “Expand Yourself,” signifies the progress of Dasychira’s search for contentedness in the now. By making the electric guitar more prominent than the synth, the music becomes grounded in reality. This completes the album’s goal of accepting personal growth while their surroundings evolve out of their control.

    To learn more about the context of Undead and hear the full album, click here

  • Ashokan Center Presents The Spirit of Aloha in Olivebridge with Uke Revue

    The Ashokan Center in Olivebridge, NY will hold The Spirit of Aloha ukulele concert on Saturday, May 25 at 7:30 pm, to kick off their 11th annual Uke Revue.

    Ashokan Center Ukulele Revue Concert

    This special concert will feature 6 remarkable ukulele players from all across the country coming together to honor the tradition of playing the instrument. Additionally, the concert previews the weekend-long celebration where musicians come together with enthusiastic learners to teach and play ukulele together.

    Musician, Ben Hassenger, known as the “Ukulele Ambassador of Michigan,” will host the festival. Hassenger is a strong advocate for ukulele playing and education. Currently, he uses his passion to spread the teachings of the ukulele in the form of Uke Fest, which he’s been the coordinator of since 2020.

    I like to call the ukulele the ‘most folk of folk instruments’ because it brings folks together. Rarely do you see one uke player sitting by themselves; more often it’s a group of two, three, or dozens playing together and singing. It’s a communal music experience and that’s one of the many things that makes it so very special.”

    Ben Hassenger

    Along with Ben Hassenger, the Uke Revue will include performances from Lil Rev, Kelly Jolly, Victoria “Viggy” Kolasinski, Dani Joy, and Perry Stauffer. All six musicians will be participating in the weekend’s activities as educators.

    This lineup consists of ukulele social media influencers, festival organizers, creators of ukulele academies, and sponsored musicians.

    Ashokan Center Ukulele Revue Concert

    Ticket prices are on a sliding scale, ranging from $10 to $30 for all ages.

    More information and tickets for Uke Revue 2024 and Uke Fest can be found here. For more events at The Ashokan Center, fans can visit ashokancenter.org

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