NYS Music 2024

Author: kennedy joseph

  • Reggie Harris And Pat Wictor To Perform at Proctors in Schenectady

    Singer, songwriter, guitarist and storytellers in harmony, Reggie Harris and Pat Wictor will take the stage together for a powerfully harmonic concert at the 8th Step at Proctors (GE Theatre) in Schenectady on Saturday, February 24. 

    pat wictor Reggie Harris

    Often known as a performer of uncommon depth and talent; Reggie Harris writes from a personal but accessible place that reveals his deep sense of humanity and a uniquely positive world view. Harris is also known as a one-half of the eminently prominent duo, Kim & Reggie Harris, the musical trailblazer and master songwriter continues to criss-cross the country, carrying the message of joy, unity, tolerance and peace through the powerful medium of live music. 

    Upstate NY-based artist performs for audiences of all ages and his 2018 album Ready To Go was ranked as the #5 CD on the Folk DJ Charts and was in the top 30 on the US Folk DJ charts for 5 months of 2018. The title cut was the  #1 song for May 2018. In 2019 Reggie and Greg Greenway released Deeper Than the Skin in response to their challenging and insightful presentation of the same name. Reggie is currently a rotating DJ featured on Prisms: The Sound Of Color on SiriusXM’s The Village.

    Pat Wictor, of the late lamented band “Brother Sun” is a songwriter rooted in traditional blues, but ranging much wider than that. His strong clear voice and tasty slide guitar accompaniment characterizes his performance, and have made him highly sought after in backing up innumerable other performers on recording and performance. Wictor first burst onto the folk and acoustic scene as an innovative slide guitarist known for fresh and memorable interpretations of traditional and contemporary songs. Since then, he has made his mark as a singer-songwriter penning lean and poetic songs that honor and extend rural blues and gospel traditions. For seven years he toured as one third of Brother Sun, the powerful harmonizing trio with Joe Jencks and Greg Greenway, garnering critical acclaim, two #1 CDs on the Folk DJ charts, and a continent-spanning tour schedule.

    Pat spent his early years in Venezuela, the Netherlands, Norway, England, and East Texas and his time abroad gave him an outsider’s wide perspective and set him on a journey to understanding America – and his own American-ness – through music. His early experiences of living amidst different languages and cultures made him accustomed to charting his own course and being ready for the unexpected.

    Tickets for Pat Wictor and Reggie Harris at the 8th Step at Proctors (GE Theatre) in Schenectady on February 24 are $26 advance, $28 day of show and $40 Gold Circle (front center section seats & 6:30 pm Meet & Greet onstage), are available here. 

  • Spaced Releases Cathartic New Single “Rat Race” Ahead of Tour, Coming To Bowery Ballroom

    Hardcore band Spaced has released their new single “Rat Race” ahead of their North American tour which will make a stop at the Bowery Ballroom on February 15

    Spaced consists of five members blending and combining stunning vocals, remarkable instrumentals, and distinctive songwriting. The band includes Lexi Reyngoudt on vocals, Joe Morganti and Donny Arthur on guitar, John Vaughan on bass, and Dan McCormick on drums. 

    The Buffalo-based band live up to their name by blending hardcore with unique sounds to create an explosive and hallucinogenic landscape. Originally formed in 2019, Spaced would burst onto the scene in 2021 with their four-song demo, followed by their 2022 compilation, Spaced Jams and a dual single in 2023, both on New Morality Zine. The band has a vitality and unique take on the genre that quickly caught the attention of long-standing home to hardcore Revelation Records, who announced the band’s signing in 2023. 

    “Rat Race” features catchy themes and eccentric guitars with continuous drumming that give it a sentimental and hardcore vibe. With the groove-driven riffs moving into trippy whirls, the song features pulsating drums that plead for side-to-side mosh. The band’s vocalist Lexi Reyngoudt can be heard as she sings “us against you” with distinct enunciation that makes the song stand out.

    A track about not fitting into everyday life while simultaneously not caring about it. There will always be someone who tries to dictate how you live your life and will tell you what you’re doing ‘wrong.’ The best way to go about that? Tell them you don’t care and continue to be yourself.

    Lexi Reyngoudt.

    With the release of a new track, the band has also announced the release of their new album, This Is All We Ever Get, set to premiere on March 22. Working with Jay Zubricky (Mindforce, Terror) at GCR Audio in Buffalo, Spaced recorded their new album over a few days in May 2023 and sent the album off for mastering with Will Killingsworth (Orchid) at Dead Air Studios. On the record, the band pulls from a wide range of influences, while still staying centered around individuality. Fans can preorder the album here.

    Spaced will also join Militarie Gun, Spiritual Cramp, and Pool Kids on a North American tour which will make a stop at the Bowery Ballroom, on February 15. For tickets and more information about the band fans can visit here. 

    Tour Dates:

    w/ Militarie Gun, Spiritual Cramp, Pool Kids

    2/12: Raleigh, NC @ Kings

    2/13: Washington, DC @ The Atlantis

    2/14: Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church

    2/15: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

    2/16: Boston, MA @ The Sinclair

    2/17: Montreal, QC @ Les Foufounes Electriques

    2/18: Ottawa, ON @ The Brass Monkey

    2/20: Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground

    2/21: New Kensington, PA @ Preserving Underground

    2/22: Detroit, MI @ Edgemen Printing

    2/23: Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge

    2/24: Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry

    2/25: Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar

  • Samantha Fish Brings The “Death Wish Blues” tour in Albany, Syracuse, and Buffalo This Spring

    Samantha Fish has announced her anticipated “Death Wish Blues” tour which will be stopping at the Hart Theatre at The Egg in Albany on March 10, at the The Beacon Theatre in New York on March 15, at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse on March 23 and at the Asbury Hall at Babeville in Buffalo on March 24. 

    Kansas City based songwriter tour will be a collaboration with Texas-base rock singer Jesse Dayton after the success of their joint album Death Wish Blues which was released in May 2023 . The album produced by Jon Spencer went #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart for three consecutive weeks and since December 2022, the duo have toured across the U.S., U.K., Europe and Australia, and soon they will bring rock performances to Albany and New York.  

    After its release in 2023, the powerful and spirited album praise is neverending, Rolling Stone stated, “Jesse Dayton and Samantha Fish make the blues cool and current,” while Saving Country Music called it “wild, rambunctious and loud”. Before Death Wish Blues, Samantha released her critically acclaimed Faster in 2021. The album uncovered new possibilities in Samantha’s captivating sound, revealing her affinity for North Mississippi blues heroes like R.L. Burnside and wildly inventive iconoclasts like Prince. Faster followed her 2019 Rounder Records debut, Kill or Be Kind, produced by the Massachusetts-based Scott Billington. 

    Growing up in Missouri, Fish first found her love of songwriting in her late teens, mining inspiration from Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen. The singer first took up guitar at the age of 15 and began seeking gigs by cold-calling countless local bars. “I used to open the phone book and call up every place in Kansas City, even if they didn’t have live shows,” she remembers. “I had maybe a three percent success rate, but eventually, I started filling up my calendar—if you put on a good enough show, word of mouth gets around.” She added. 

    Over the years, Fish has maintained her reputation as a phenomenal live act and repeatedly turned out critically acclaimed albums, earning an ever-growing number of accolades. This coming spring the singer will be performing in Albany, Syracuse and Buffalo and fans can find tickets here. 

    Samantha Fish Tour Dates:

    02/16/24: Dallas, TX, Majestic Theatre w/ Kenny Wayne Shepherd

    02/17/24:San Antonio, TX, ACL Live w/ Kenny Wayne Shepherd

    02/18/24: San Antonio, TX, The Espee

    02/20/24: Oklahoma City, OK, Tower Theatre

    02/21/24: Little Rock, AR, The Hall

    02/22/24: Kansas City, MO, The Truman

    02/23/24: St LSt Louis, MO, Delmar Hall

    02/24/24: Nashville, TN, Ryman Auditorium w/ Kenny Wayne Shepherd

    02/25/24: Chattanooga, TN, Barrelhouse Ballroom

    03/08/24: Uncasville, CT, Mohegan Sun Casino

    03/09/24: Fall River, MA, Narrows Center For The Arts

    03/10/24: Albany, NY, Hart Theatre at The Egg

    03/13/24: Ridgefield, CT, Ridgefield Playhouse

    03/14/24: Boston, MA, The Wilbur

    03/15/24: New York, NY, The Beacon Theatre w/ Kenny Wayne Shepherd

    03/16/24: Great Barrington, MA, Mahaiwe PAC

    03/17/24: Newton, NJ, Newton Theatre

    03/20/24: Bethlehem, PA, Musikfest Cafe

    03/21/24: York, PA, Appell Center

    03/22/24: Collingswood, NJ, Scottish Rite Auditorium

    03/23/24: Syracuse, NY, Westcott Theater 

    03/24/24: Buffalo, NY, Asbury Hall at Babeville

    03/26/24: Detroit, MI, St. Andrews Hall

    03/27/24: Kent, OH,The Kent Stage

    03/28/24: Grand Rapids, MI, Elevation

    04/27/24: New Orleans, LA, Fillmore

    05/02/24: New Orleans, LA, Saenger Theater

    09/19/24 – 09/22/24: Louisville, KY, Bourbon & Beyond

  • Young People’s Orchestra To Perform With The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes This March 

    The Young People’s Orchestra will perform side by side with The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes for their “Side by Side Through the Ages” show at the Corning Museum of Glass, One Museum Way in Corning, NY on March 10. 

    Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes Young People's Orchestra

    The Young People’s Orchestra, directed by Margaret Matthews and Gary Chollet, will perform alongside the professional musicians of the OSFL in a moving and challenging suite of music from the Broadway hit West Side Story. They will perform side by side with the OSFL musicians, Hertzog Concerto and Aria Competition winner Riley Hubisz.

    The OSFL will perform the music by Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and Bernstein on the March 10 concert while SUNY Corning Community College Theatre students will perform scenes from Romeo and Juliet, a play written by William Shakespeare around 1595, which has inspired numerous creatives throughout the ages. The play was set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1869 as an overture-fantasy. The play was also set to music as a ballet by Sergei Prokofiev in 1935 and rewritten into two concert suites in 1936. 

    The OSFL is known for supporting the creative and artistic development of students through side-by-side opportunities for middle school, high school, and college students. “March is music in our school’s month, when we invite our local young talent to share the stage with us,” says Toshiyuki Shimada, the Music Director of the OSFL. “The Young People’s Orchestra will sit among the OSFL musicians on stage, for an inspiring highlight in their musical development. We also showcase the winner of our own Hertzog Concerto & Aria Competition, Riley Hubisz, who is a gifted flute student in 11 th grade at Ithaca High School. It is a pleasure to work with Professor Mary Guzzy from Corning Community College and give the theater students the rare opportunity to perform on stage with a professional orchestra.” He added. 

    General admission tickets start at $50 and $15 for College students. Entry is free for all children under 18 while groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount. Tickets for the “Side by Side Through the Ages” show on March 10 can be purchased through OSFL.org, by calling 607-936-2873, or in person at the OSFL office, 49 Bridge Street, Corning, NY.

  • The Frank White Experience to Perform in Utica This Spring

    The dynamic tribute band, The Frank White Experience will hit the Parish on Broadway in downtown Utica on April 13 to perform a tribute show to honor the legendary rapper Notorious B.I.G.

    the frank white experience utica

    The Frank White Experience is a tribute band that pays homage to the late great rapper Notorious B.I.G. With their authentic sound and electrifying performances, the band brings  the spirit and essence of Biggie Smalls back to life on stage. The Frank White Experience has become renowned for their commitment to capturing the heat of Notorious B.I.G.’s music and persona. With their flawless flow and meticulous attention to lyrical details, the trio delivers  a musical experience that transports the audience back to the golden era of hip-hop. 

    When fans witness The Frank White Experience in action, they can expect to be transported back to the 1990s, reliving the magic of Biggie’s music and the vibrant hip-hop and R&B culture of that era. The Bands’  shows are a celebration of Hip Hop history, and their dedication to preserving the legacy of Notorious B.I.G. is evident in every rhyme and rhythm they deliver. 

    The trio will perform the nostalgic journey throughout hip-hop history at the Parish on Broadway in downtown Utica on April 13 with tickets exclusively available through Eventbrite.

  • American Classical Orchestra Performs Bach’s B Minor Mass This Spring 

    The American Classical Orchestra will perform Bach’s infamous B Minor Mass at the Alice Tully Hall with the Aco Chorus on March 7.

    The American Classical Orchestra will perform the infamous Bach’s B Minor Mass at the Alice Tully Hall with the Aco Chorus on March 7.

    Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 by Johann Sebastian Bach is a musical setting of the complete Latin Mass, the 1749 work includes nine arias and duets, 14 ensemble sections for vocal groups of various sizes, and a range of instrumental solos in numerous styles. The piece is one of Bach’s best-loved vocal works, the B Minor Mass is widely considered to be the crowning achievement of the Baroque era, since he completed it a year before his death in 1750. 

    The composition as it is known today did not originate as a titled whole in any of Bach’s surviving documents. It was uncovered by his son C.P. E. Bach as a collection of his father’s hand-written scores grouped together inside four folders. The manuscripts were organized in four parts: The Kyrie and Gloria, followed by the Credo, the Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. Once published, the four parts became known as the B Minor Mass. Of note, Bach managed to complete the Mass while nearly blinded by cataracts. He subsequently underwent two unsuccessful eye surgeries using questionable methods, which worsened his condition. 

    The performance will be directed by the founder and Artistic Director Thomas Crawford who founded two other Connecticut orchestras: the Fairfield Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Old Fairfield Academy, the period instrument offshoot of the Fairfield Orchestra, was later renamed the American Classical Orchestra in 1999. With the Fairfield Orchestra, Crawford conducted the world premiere of Keith Jarrett’s Bridge of Light at Alice Tully Hall, subsequently recorded on the ECM label.

    Featured soloists are soprano and crossover artist Kristen Hahn, who recently appeared at the Kennedy Center in Hello Dolly, soprano Nola Richardson, hailed by The NY Times for her “beautiful tone;” countertenor Reginald Mobley, who has forged a stellar career across Baroque and Classical repertoire; noted Bach interpreter tenor Steven Soph, who was praised for his “impressive clarity and color” by the NY Times and Baroque music specialist bass Steven Eddy, a 1st Prize winner of the 2019 Oratorio Society of New York Competition. 

    Thomas Crawford will lead  the American Classical Orchestra (ACO) in a performance of Bach’s monumental B Minor Mass with the acclaimed ACO Chorus at Alice Tully Hall on March 7 and the fans can find tickets at www.aconyc.org, or by calling ACO at (212) 362-2727, ext.4, or by visiting lincolncenter.org or calling CenterCharge at 212.721.6500. 

  • The Crandell Theatre Board Elects Three New Directors 

    The Crandell Theatre Board of Directors has approved three new members to the Crandell board at its January annual meeting.

    Joining the historic venue board are retired tax attorney John T. Lillis, Mirissa Neff, a documentary filmmaker, and Carol Sadlon, the former owner of Cinerom cinemas and Millerton’s The Moviehouse. 

    crandell theater

    The Crandell Theatre in Chatham, NY, is one of the few community-based and nonprofit theaters in the US that is devoted to film and one of fewer than one hundred single-screen movie theaters nationally. The theater is dedicated to enriching the cultural vitality of the region through film programming that challenges, inspires, educates and entertains.

    The nearly 100-year-old cinema is supported by ticket sales and earned revenue, contributions of members and friends, also private and public grants, including the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. 

    According to Crandell Board President Lydia Kukoff, “This is such an exciting moment for the Crandell. As we get closer to the full renovation of our beloved theater, we are delighted to welcome John, Mirissa, and Carol to our extraordinary board. They bring with them a wealth of talent and expertise that will further enrich our thinking and planning for the future.” 

    John T. Lillis, based in Old Chatham, retired as partner in a law firm in 2019. During his 39-year tenure at the firm, he focused on the tax planning and documentation in mergers and acquisitions transactions, as well as the tax aspects of investment funds formation (primarily private equity and real estate opportunity funds). His investor representation largely focused on representing non-US sovereign investors investing in the United States. Serving for many years as the firm’s Head of the Global Tax Practice. The retiree spent his final years at the firm as Chair of its Global Tax Committee. 

    Mirissa Neff is a Chatham-based documentary filmmaker, public broadcast producer and also a reporter. Her debut feature film, This Is National Wake, premiered in competition at Sheffield DocFest and has garnered awards around the world. Her ethos as a filmmaker and journalist is to explore how culture and music illuminate our lives, and can help others surmount their deepest divides. The filmmaker also worked as a producer and correspondent on PBS’s SOUND TRACKS: Music Without Borders, PBS’s Quick Hits, public television’s Music Voyager, and has contributed music-oriented audio essays to public radio programs, including BBC/PRI’s The World and WNYC’s Studio 360. In early 2023, Neff founded Crandell Kid Flicks, the theater’s popular activity and film series for young children and families. 

    Carol Sadlon, a former fashion designer, is a creative entrepreneur with a passion for art, architecture, preservation, history and cinema. Inspired by a mutual interest in architectural preservation and film, she and her late husband purchased the shuttered and dilapidated 1903 former Grange Hall building on Main Street in Millerton, NY. The Moviehouse, sold in 2021, now operates as a nonprofit cinema.

    Since 2010, the Crandell Theatre has raised more than $1 million to purchase the historic theater and make needed repairs. The current Crandell board is also engaged in a multimillion-dollar campaign to renovate and restore the area’s oldest, largest, single-screen theater and enhance the moviegoing experience for generations to come. For more information, fans can visit crandelltheatre.org, or call 518-392-3445.

  • Usher To Bring Nationwide “Past, Present, Future” Tour to New York 

    Usher has announced his nationwide “Past, Present, Future” tour, featuring four nights at Barclays Center on Sept. 6, 7, 9, and 10.

    The tour announcement comes just days ahead of the multi-platinum-selling artist to headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show on Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. 

    With the new tour dates, Usher will also release his ninth studio album titled Coming Home on February 9. Coming Home is the singer’s first solo album in nearly eight years since Hard II Love (2016) and his first studio album in six years since A (2018), marking the longest gap between the two albums. The album will be his first independent album and will feature collaborations with Burna Boy, Summer Walker, 21 Savage, Latto, The-Dream, H.E.R, Pheelz, and Jungkook from BTS.

    The “Caught Up” singer first released his self-titled debut album in 1994 at the age of sixteen and rose to fame in the late 1990s following the release of his second album My Way (1997). His third album, 8701 (2001), saw continued success with the number-one singles “U Remind Me” and “U Got It Bad”, as well as the top-three single “U Don’t Have to Call”. It sold eight million copies worldwide and won the artist his first two Grammy Awards as Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 2002 and 2003. 

    In addition to music, Usher has made numerous TV and film appearances, including as a Guest judge on Star Search in 2003 and also the iconic cameo as himself in the 2019 film Hustlers directed by Lorene Scafaria. He holds an entire strip club in his thrall, his song “Love in the Club” playing as he lavishes attention on the dancers. His 2022 NPR Tiny Desk Concert gained over 20 million views, making it one of the series’ most popular installments.

    Since he made his professional debut, Usher has achieved nine No. 1 singles and released eight studio albums. His 2004 hit track “Confessions Part II” was crowned by Rolling Stone as the “best R&B song of the 21st century.” His 2004 album Confessions, achieved the highest certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, Diamond, as it surpassed 10 million sales in 2008, which made him the first and last R&B artist since Stevie Wonder, whose 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life was certified in 2005, to receive this distinction. He’s also the last Black artist in any genre to achieve this.

    Tickets for his “Past, Present, Future” Tour will begin on February 7. Additional pre-sales will be available  throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on February 12 at LiveNation.com

    Usher: Past Present Future North America Tour Dates:

    Tue Aug 20 – Washington, DC  – Capital One Arena

    Wed Aug 21 – Washington, DC  – Capital One Arena ADDED DATE

    Fri Aug 23 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena ADDED DATE

    Sat Aug 24 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena

    Tue Aug 27 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

    Wed Aug 28 – Boston, MA – TD Garden ADDED DATE

    Fri Aug 30 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

    Sat Aug 31 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center ADDED DATE

    Mon Sep 02 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena

    Tue Sep 03 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena

    Fri Sep 06 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center

    Sat Sep 07 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center

    Mon Sep 09 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center ADDED DATE

    Tue Sep 10 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center ADDED DATE

    Thu Sep 12 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena

    Fri Sep 13 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena ADDED DATE

    Tue Sep 17 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

    Wed Sep 18 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena ADDED DATE

    Sat Sep 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome

    Sun Sep 22 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome

    Tue Sep 24 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome ADDED DATE

    Wed Sep 25 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome ADDED DATE

    Sat Sep 28 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena

    Sun Sep 29 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena

    Fri Oct 04 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center

    Sat Oct 05 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center ADDED DATE

    Mon Oct 07 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ATX

    Tue Oct 08 – Austin, TX – Moody Center ATX ADDED DATE

    Fri Oct 11 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center

    Sat Oct 12 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center

    Mon Oct 14 – Miami, FL– Kaseya Center ADDED DATE

    Thu Oct 17 – Atlanta, GA– State Farm Arena

    Fri Oct 18 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

    Sun Oct 20 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena ADDED DATE

    Tue Oct 22 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center

    Wed Oct 23 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center ADDED DATE

    Fri Oct 25 – St Louis, MO – Enterprise Center ADDED DATE

    Sat Oct 26 – St Louis, MO – Enterprise Center

    Mon Oct 28 – Chicago, IL – United Center

    Tue Oct 29 – Chicago, IL – United Center

    Thu Oct 31 – Chicago, IL – United Center ADDED DATE

  • Hip-Hop Education Center & Lincoln Center Collaborate to Celebrate Women in Hip-Hop 

    The Hip-Hop Education Center and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) will present the inaugural Fresh, Bold & So Def Symposium: A Tribute to Women in Hip-Hop on April 5 at the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. This will be the first conference of the three-part series that will spotlight the often-unsung heroines who have played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Hip-Hop culture.

    Hip-Hop Education Center

    The mission of the Hip-Hop Education Center is to empower individuals and communities by catalyzing social change and equity through research, curated curricula, collaborative programming, career and leadership training, and the development of a living archive. 

    The Fresh, Bold & So Def Symposium aims to showcase the rich tapestry of talent and innovation that these trailblazing women offers in a male-dominated industry as a means of empowering future and seasoned artistic leaders to push Hip-Hop culture forward with new perspectives and daring insight, backed by prominent leaders in the community.

    “The Hip-Hop Education Center is extremely proud to elevate the achievements and contributions of women in Hip-Hop at one of the most prestigious performing arts institutions in our country,” Martha Diaz, the Chief Curator for Hip-Hop Education Center shared, “Having a platform where our history is honored and can be shared, documented, and made accessible to the masses is not only monumental, it is empowering!” She added. 

    B Girl G.I.Jane

    The morning sessions will focus on mostly educating local high school students on the elements of Hip-Hop culture through hands-on workshops, a career cipher, and more, while the afternoon symposium, tailored to industry professionals, will offer panel discussions, fireside chats, performances, and networking opportunities.

    The inaugural celebration will include over seven different panels that will include the DiSRUPTERS: Women Who Dare To Be Different, the first panel moderated by author and journalist Kathy Iandoli on paving new career pathways with trailblazers Erica Ford, founder of violence prevention organization LIFE Camp, also a renowned graffiti artist and designer Claw Money, legendary DJ and radio host Jazzy Joyce, and Rosa Clemente, the first Afro-Latina to run for Vice-President of the United States on the Green Party ticket. 

    BOSS UP! The Art of Negotiation, will be a lecture with Wendy Day, the founder of the Rap Coalition, a not-for-profit organization helping artists navigate the industry more advantageously. GAME CHANGERS: Trailblazer Mentoring The Next Generation of Girls & Women in Hip-Hop, featuring legendary stylist and fashion designer Misa Hylton of Misa Hylton Fashion Academy, Tiffany Miranda of Girls Make Beats, Ladies of Hip-Hop founder Michele Byrd-McPhee, music industry veteran Sophia Chang of Unlock Her Potential, and Shyvonne Sanganoo of Lower East Side Girls Club.  

    Straighten Your Crown: Staying Grounded and Centered in Self-care, a fireside chat with artist and Hip-Hop ambassador Toni Blackman and music industry executive Shanti Das on how community and mental health affect quality of life

    Blow the Whistle: Culture Shifting Women, will be a panel discussion on navigating misogyny in the culture with filmmaker and scholar Rachel Raimist, pioneering MC and author Sheri Sher of the Mercedes Ladies, Elizabeth Mendez-Berry, Vice President and Executive Editor of One World, May Praseuth, Founder and Executive Director of The Good Foot Arts Collective, Juana Sperling of female rap group JJ Fad, and writer and producer Kim Osorio

    Mic Check: First Ladies Cypher, a fireside chat with pioneering MCs Sha-Rock, Pebblee Poo, Debbie D, and Lisa Lee, moderated by Martha Diaz

    The award winning journalist Dr. Joan Morgan will present Hip-Hop Feminist Futurism and later fans will be able to participate in workshops rooted in breaking, beat-making, graffiti, and oral history with Community for Urban Dance & Art, Girls Make Beats, Ladies Love Project, and Lower East Side Girls Club. The panel will host performances by Ladies of Hip-Hop and Full Circle Souljahs of world-renowned Hip-Hop dance duo Kwikstep and Rokafella. 

    Fresh, Bold & So Def Symposium will take place on April 5, 2024, inside Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. Tickets are Choose-What-You-Pay and go on sale on February 22, and fans can view the full schedule by visiting  LincolnCenter.org/SoDef.

  • K-Pop Band Oneus Returns to New York This Spring

    K-pop band Oneus has announced they are returning on a major North American Tour “La Dolce Vita”, with the 11-city tour featuring a stop at Madison Square Garden on March 24.

    oneus madison square garden K-pop

    South Korean pop band Oneus first released their debut EP Light Us in 2019 with “Valkyrie” serving as its lead single. The song was received with positive reviews and quickly gained attention in the international markets by charting in top ten of several countries’ iTunes charts, including at number one in the US and Australia. In 2021 the pop band released their first full-length album Devil, consisting of eleven tracks, including the lead single “No Diggity”. 

    Oneus members, Ravn, Seoho, Leedo, Keonhee, Hwanwoong and Xion came up with their band name which has two meanings. One is that the members came together by gathering strength from every one of their fans, the other meaning symbolizes Oneus’ mission to bring together regular people who will work side-by-side to create a united world. “Oneus” in Korean also can be spelled as “One Earth”. The band is seemingly eager to get back in front of their fans and follow up from their Blood Moon tour in 2022.

    In addition to the success of other K-pop acts like Blackpink and BTS, Korean dramas like “Squid Game” have also contributed to the appeal of Korean pop and culture in the US. It goes without saying that local and NY K-pop fans will be thrilled to see one of the South Korean boy bands perform in their area soon. 

    “La Dolce Vita” will be the band’s third tour after their Fly With Us tour in 2019 and the Blood Moon tour in 2022.

    Fans can find tickets here for Oneus’ 11 stop tour that will feature a performance at the Madison Square Garden on March 24.

    Oneus “La Dolce Vita” 2024 World Tour dates:

    Sat Mar 16 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre

    Mon Mar 18 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre

    Fri Mar 22 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom

    Sun Mar 24 – New York, NY – Theater at Madison Square Garden

    Tue Mar 26 – Washington, D.C. – The Theater at MGM National Harbor

    Thu Mar 28 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace

    Sun Mar 31 – Orlando, FL – Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts

    Wed Apr 03 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park

    Fri Apr 05 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center

    Mon Apr 08 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre

    Wed Apr 10 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern