The American Cancer Society has announced their nationwide Rock The Pink end-of-year fundraising lineup, raising money for breast cancer recovery and research through exclusive raffles, merchandise, and tickets from fan favorite musicians and venues.
The leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision of ending cancer as we know it, the American Cancer Society has dedicated themselves to making real change for over 100 years. Founded by 10 doctors in New York City, the ACS has grown into an organization that has contributed to the 33% drop in the overall cancer death rate in the United States.
Record breaking and innovating in every way, the ACS has proven time and time again their unwavering dedication to reducing cancer’s presence in the world through their own contributions and organized community efforts- just like their Rock the Pink campaign.
A donation and volunteer based initiative, Rock the Pink brings the music community into the fold of breast cancer advocacy and research efforts. With a lengthy list of bids, raffles, and more, every dollar donated through the Rock the Pink campaign goes directly to the ACS’ efforts in propelling breast cancer research forward, improving early detection and prevention capabilities, and promoting lifesaving patient support- leading to an astounding $40 million raised since the project’s inception.
This year has already been a great success for Rock the Pink, as October 16 marked the “Rock The Pink Gala” hosted by Al Schnier and Vinnie Amico of moe. alongside Joel Cummings of Umphrey’s McGee and Marc Brownstein of the Disco Biscuits in Port Chester. Over the course of the evening over $17,000 was raised that included an online auction, a hang with the band, and two sets of special “pink” inspired songs.
“This is an important cause to me because I’ve lost too many people who are dear to me to cancer. Awareness as well as funding for prevention and treatment are absolutely necessary. I truly believe that together, we can beat this.”
– Jim Loughlin, moe.
The excitement isn’t over yet, however. Names like Billy Strings, The Revivalists, Maggie Rose, Spafford and more are joining moe., Umphrey’s McGee, the Disco Biscuits, Andy Frasco & the U.N., and Doom Flamingo on stages across the country in partnership with the ACS to support and fundraise breast cancer initiatives.
Each act has put a personal spin on their advocacy efforts, ranging from wearing and playing pink clothing and instruments to including specialized incentives on their donation page- including but not limited to limited-edition merchandise, signed items, VIP ticket raffles, meet and greet and backstage hangout opportunities, and more. To find out what your favorite acts and venues are offering, check out the Rock the Pink donation page and help save lives with your donation here.
To learn more about breast cancer prevention, treatment, and advocacy and what the American Cancer Society is doing to take strides towards a cancer-free future, visit their website here.
The 7th Annual Washington Heights Jazz Festival boasts a list of over 60 musicians performing across local venues- get the scoop on the lineup and special events to attend.
Now in its seventh year, the Washington Heights Jazz Festival serves as a platform for the jazz creatives and cultural diversity of Upper Manhattan. Historically featuring both established and emerging artists, the festival aims to create an inclusive environment for music lovers while fostering and strengthening the Washington Heights community as a whole.
With performances taking place across several stages in local venues, the Jazz Festival showcases the best of today’s New York City jazz scene while honoring the area’s rich cultural diversity through their performances for jazz lovers of all ages and backgrounds.
“We are thrilled to bring together such a diverse group of musicians and celebrate the rich jazz heritage of Washington Heights. This festival is a testament to the vibrant arts community in our neighborhood and the power of jazz to connect us all.”
– Louise Rogers, Artistic Director
This year’s Festival was kicked off with an exciting set of pre-festival events on October 25 and 27, with Ethan O’Reilly on bass and Olli Hirvonen on guitar bringing jazz to Cabrini Wines and the 2024 Jazz Composition Competition Winner Meg Okura hosting a “Meet the Composer” performance at the Castle Village Community Room where she performed and discussed excerpts of her commissioned piece “Reharmonizing Identity.”
Night one opened on Halloween with the iconic Aimée Allen Quartet performing at Le Cheile.
Night two on November 1 is to feature George Michael, John Albin, and Ethan O’Reilly at 181 Cabrini and the exciting Festival All-Star Jam, in which Festival performers will jam together alongside Annette Aguilar’s String Beans at Kismat in partial support from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. Both performances are to be completely free of charge.
Saturday, November 2 boasts an expansive list of performances including Louise Rogers’ Jazzy For Kids family-oriented show, the Noah Bless & Latin Soul Party with support from a Creative Engagement Grant from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, The Chidi Trio, Shareef Clayton & Friends, The Steve Slagle Quartet, The Manual Valera Trio, 2024 Jazz Composition Competition winner Meg Okura, Vanisha Gould, and Rachel Therrien’s Latin Jazz Projects.
All Saturday events are to be ticketed and held at Le Cheile, and all-day passes are available for unlimited access to all of the day’s events at $50.
The Festival will conclude on November 3 with a free Jazz Brunch with the StringJazz Trio of WaHi at Le Creparis, Nicki Adams and Michael Eaton at The Lounge at Hudson View Gardens, and a free Latin Jazz Party with Tres Gatos at Dutch Baby Bakery.
To learn more about the 7th Annual Washington Heights Jazz Festival, find specific set times, and purchase tickets, visit the official website here.
Festival Schedule:
Thursday, October 31st
8pm Aimée Allen Quartet – Le Cheile
Friday, November 1st
5-7pm George Michael, John Albin, & Ethan O’Reilly – 181 Cabrini FREE
7-10pm The Festival All-Star Jam, Festival performers jamming with Jazz WaHi, featuring Annette Aguilar’s String Beans (partially supported by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council) – Kismat FREE
Saturday, November 2nd
11am Louise Rogers’ Jazzy for Kids Jazz for Young Children aged 2-6 and their families.
1pm Noah Bless & Latin Soul Party Supported by a Creative Engagment Grant from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.
2:15pm The Chidi Trio
3:30pm Shareef Clayton & Friends
4:45pm The Steve Slagle Quartet
6pm The Manuel Valera Trio
7:30pm Meg Okura: Reharmonizing Identity. Jazz Composition Competition 2024 winner.
8:50pm Vanisha Gould
10:10pm Rachel Therrien’s Latin Jazz Project
Sunday, November 3rd
12-2pm Jazz Brunch with StringJazz Trio of WaHi – Le Creparis FREE
3-4pm Nicki Adams and Michael Eaton – The Lounge at Hudson View Gardens
5-7pm Latin Jazz Party with Tres Gatos – Dutch Baby Bakery FREE
(All Saturday events are ticketed and will be held at Le Cheile.)
Rochester born singer-songwriter, producer, and harpist Mikaela Davis has announced a solo and acoustic tour throughout the northeast, including four stops in New York State.
Multi-talented vocalist, producer, songwriter, and harpist Mikaela Davis has been making waves since her initial release Delivery in 2018. Graduating from the Crane School of Music with a degree in harp performance, Davis bends the rules of genre and sound to her will with each release as she melds her classical training with 60s pop melodies, psychedelia, and driving folk rock.
Since her debut in the industry, Davis has shared the stage with the likes of Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Christian McBride, Bon Iver, Lake Street Dive, and Circles Around the Sun alongside her band members Alex Coté, Cian McCarthy, Shane McCarthy, and Kurt Johnson.
photo by Daniel Bocchino
Mikaela’s upcoming endeavor, however, takes on a less explored and much more personal shape- she has announced a series of six shows throughout the northeast that will feature John Lee Shannon of Circles Around the Sun on the guitar, herself, and her harp. The stripped-back series of six evenings on some of the northeast’s most beloved stages will allow for Davis’ harp background to shine even brighter.
Experimenting with new ideas as well as reimagining some old, she will be making appearances in Albany, Homer, Kingston, and Rochester over the course of the tour’s run in a string of special shows that fans new and old will not want to miss.
Tickets for Davis’ upcoming tour are on sale now, including shows at Ophelia’s in Albany on November 19, the Center for the Arts of Homer on November 20, Senate Garage in Kingston on November 23, and ARTISANworks in Rochester on November 24. For more information and ticket sales, visit her website here.
Mikaela Davis Solo Tour Dates
November 19: Ophelia’s – Albany, NY
November 20: Center for the Arts of Homer – Homer, NY
In a statement posted to his official Instagram account, it has been announced that Phil Lesh has passed away at age 84. An innovator on the bass, beloved member of The Grateful Dead, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Lesh’s career of over 60 years in the spotlight is one of both major industry success and a profound legacy as a beloved band member, idol, loved one, and friend.
Born on March 15, 1940, Phil Lesh’s passion for music ran deep. Raised in Berkeley, CA, Lesh first started as a violinist, making the switch over to the trumpet in high school in addition to participating in the school’s musical extracurricular programming. Under the tutelage of conductor of the Golden Gate Park Band, Bob Hansen, Lesh’s interests expanded into free jazz and unconventional classical music.
His interest in the trumpet would carry through into his college years at the College of San Mateo, where he played with and wrote arrangements for the school’s band. His decision to transfer sophomore year to the University of California in Berkeley would become a historic one, as he would soon befriend his future bandmate and keyboardist Tom Constanten.
Photo: dead.net
Lesh’s years at UC Berkeley correspond with his time spent volunteering for local talk and music radio station KPFA as a recording engineer. His new connections to the music world forged a seemingly unlikely friendship between the bluegrass banjo player Jerry Garcia and, at the time, classically-inclined Lesh. Garcia had been looking for a bassist for his new band the Warlocks, and a few shows into their career he extended the invitation to Lesh, who had never played the instrument before- and the rest is history.
Many credit Phil’s unfamiliarity with the instrument as being the reason behind his revolutionary sound. Unlike learning through conventional means that often carried standards and preconceived notions of rights and wrongs, Lesh developed his skill on the bass “on the job,” relying upon his classical roots to educate his performance.
“As bass players, we walk a line between holding down the foundation and finding the freedom to be melodic. No one embodied this balance like Phil; it was astounding. His playing had a mesmerizing power, and his melodic lines floated like birds dancing through endless clouds and rainbows.”
– Mike Gordon, Phish
Lesh performed alongside the Warlocks wholeheartedly as the final member to round out the group, and just over a year after their first show the unit had rebranded to the iconic Grateful Dead moniker. Early on in the band’s career, Lesh’s experimentation was a point of tension between the group and their record label, but neither Lesh nor his bandmates were ever shaken by the critique.
Complimenting Garcia’s guitar solos and the songs’ instrumentals, Lesh pioneered a sound that didn’t subject bassists to being nothing more than a time-keeper. Exploring melodies, solos, and techniques such as the Bach counterpoint all while rooting himself to the tempo, it cannot be underscored enough how excitingly revolutionary Lesh’s playstyle was for bassists and listeners alike.
Throughout the Dead’s career, Phil’s unending passion for jazz and avant-garde music continually bled into their collective sound, including key introductions to the works of jazz saxophonist John Coltrane and composer Charles Ives whose influence can be recognized throughout their discography.
After the loss of Garcia in 1995, The Grateful Dead decided to go their separate ways- at least formally. Lesh would go on to perform for years alongside Grateful Dead offshoots The Other Ones and The Dead in addition to his personal unit Phil Lesh and Friends and music legend friends like Bob Dylan, with whom he co-headlined two tours.
Reuniting with his bandmates in 2009, the remainder of the Grateful Dead toured throughout the summer, and in the fall of the same year Lesh founded the band Furthur with Bob Weir. Another new pursuit came in the form of Terrapin Crossroads, a music venue in San Rafael that Lesh ran for just under ten years. Terrapin Crossroads hosted the full Phil Lesh and Friends band and his sons Grahame and Brian countless times over the years, among several other acts.
2014 saw the disbandment of Furthur and Lesh’s wrap on touring full time, however he just couldn’t shake live music. Performing with Phil Lesh and Friends as well as the Terrapin Family Band countless times and appearing in select festivals and venues over the years, Phil’s adoration for his craft and seemingly innate need to create music for the world could be felt in each and every performance he gave.
“Anyone I’ve ever seen that interacted with Phil loved him. He was kind and real and present in ways that few people are. Connected to the here and now, and yet transcendent at the same time. This aspect of Phil Lesh was also a part of his bass playing. He was both rooted and soaring at once.”
– Derek Java, NYS Music
Beyond his incredible list of achievements and admirable legacy as a musician, Lesh was above all a loving husband and father, and a kind, giving soul. Phil and Jill, his wife, ran their Unbroken Chain Foundation charity together. He frequented benefit concerts and advocated for organ donor programs after undergoing liver transplant surgery, and was a survivor of prostate and bladder cancer. Phil will not only be remembered for his once-in-a-lifetime skill or revolutionary mind, but above all for his genuine heart and unrelenting kindness towards every single person he encountered.
In the Lesh family’s official post, they state,“He was surrounded by his family and full of love. Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love.” The Lesh family has requested that fans respect the family’s privacy at this time.
K-Pop global sensation SEVENTEEN delivered two unforgettable nights of captivating performances, stunning costume changes, and lighthearted antics to New York’s own UBS Arena as a part of their SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] World Tour, celebrating the group’s accomplishments and current endeavors alongside their international fanbase.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
Since their last US tour in 2022, 13 piece K-Pop powerhouse SEVENTEEN has seen a skyrocketing level of success. The first Korean Pop act to headline Lollapalooza Berlin and perform on Glastonbury’s iconic Pyramid Stage, the group is no stranger to making and breaking records- they are, after all, the group responsible for the best selling K-Pop album of all time at more than six million sales with their release FML.
Currently embarking on their SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] World Tour, the group looks back on what they have accomplished thus far and forwards into the exciting future ahead of them as they span venues across the United States and Asia- including New York’s very own UBS Arena in Belmont.
This tour’s two nights in Belmont marks the group’s fourth visit to the New York area, especially exciting for SEVENTEEN member and New York native Vernon who has noted that his memories of the city are especially precious as they are tied to touring with his group and being able to return to his birthplace time and time again thanks to the group’s global fanbase.
October 25 marked the first of two nights SEVENTEEN was to spend in New York, and the anticipation for the night could be felt well before the show had commenced- as all seasoned K-Pop fans will tell you, the concert truly begins hours prior. The closer to the venue, the more it was possible to pick out fellow Carats- that is to say SEVENTEEN fans (named in reference to the carats that make a diamond shine)- decked out in elaborate, fabulously curated, and sometimes even handmade outfits alongside positively glowing faces as they anticipated the show to come.
The themes for the night’s outfits were rather distinct- the first party donning seventeen’s signature color palette of pink, blue, and white, the second dressed in black and pops of sparkling red in reference to the group’s recent release “Maestro,” and the third subtle- or not so subtle- nods to fanbase favorite moments and inside jokes, including but not limited to member Hoshi’s passion for tigers and iconic “Horangae” claw pose and the now infamous black, red, and white jacket worn by two competitors on group-forming competition show Boys Planet where they performed SEVENTEEN’s “HOT”.
Outfits are only the beginning of the concert necessities, however. Carats carrying both official and custom pickets depicting the fan’s favorite member or a celebratory slogan, the group’s official light stick either freshly purchased or bedazzled to the gods, paper banners from fan projects with encouraging messages written in Korean for the members to see, and homemade goods for any and everyone lovingly referred to as “freebies” filled the halls of UBS, the merchandise and food lines a fanbase mixer and the concourse a runway.
Inside the Arena, the pre-concert sparkle was in full effect. Carats were excitedly syncing their light sticks for the corresponding light show to come, posing for photos, and exchanging even more freebies (I was gifted an adorable custom SEVENTEEN at UBS Arena photo card from a lovely blue t-shirt and face glitter clad duo as they made their rounds), singing along to the music videos playing and most noticeably- dancing.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
For the uninitiated, dance is its whole own beast in K-Pop. Almost every single release comes with corresponding choreography that some fans will learn to the point of recording in fully produced videos or forming a group dedicated to covering their favorite artists’ moves.
SEVENTEEN in particular shines on the dance floor. The group’s dedicated performance unit includes members Hoshi, Jun, The8, and Dino, though it truly isn’t difficult to describe the entire group as a set of all-rounders- that is, artists who have mastered the dancing, singing, and rapping aspects of their career.
Just prior to the SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] tour kicking off, it was announced that members Jun and Jeonghan would not be participating. As of September 26, Jeonghan began his mandatory South Korean military service, and Jun is currently exploring acting opportunities in China. While heartbroken, fans took the loss in stride, their presences felt in the arena throughout the night with pre-recorded vocals playing during their parts and accompanying visuals depicting the group as the full roster of thirteen. The two were sorely missed but present all the same.
As SEVENTEEN took the stage, the energy was electric. Wonwoo sang the opening line to “Fear” as the ring of backup dancers around him collapsed to the ground, the production leaning into full-on theatrics right off of the bat.
The red screen behind those on stage already split down the middle to reveal the remainder of the members stood upon a pyramid of stairs, their silhouettes a striking visual. By the time the full group had united on the main stage, fireworks had been set off and lasers were in full effect, setting an exciting precedent for the rest of the evening.
Captivating performances of “Fearless”, “MAESTRO”, “ASH”, and “CRUSH” followed with intermittent VCR interludes paired with an introductory ment from each member that established a communal excitement for the remainder of the show.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
The first section of the night was concluded with a VCR that allowed for the first of many costume changes, which led directly into a series of unit songs that allowed each set of members show off their specialized skillset. First up was the hip-hop/rap line comprised of S.Coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, and Vernon with “Water” and “MONSTER”, the former featuring an absolutely addictive bit of choreography in the final chorus and the latter feeling perfectly timed for a show just over a week prior to Halloween.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
Once “MONSTER” wrapped, it was time for the performance/dance line to shine. Members Hoshi, The8, and Dino took the stage to perform the effortlessly smooth track “Rain” that emphasized the trio’s fluidity and body control and “Lilili Yabbay”, named after the verbal counts the dancers used to memorize the track’s choreography.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
The vocal line- Woozi, Joshua, DK, and Seungkwan, took the stage after to perform “Candy” and “Cheers to youth”, the former perfect for a waltz in the rain and the latter a glitteringly nostalgic track that opened with corresponding confetti cannons and featured various polaroid photos of the members throughout the years behind them- a lovely testament to how far the group has come and yet another heartwarming nod to Jun and Jeonghan.
Introducing the next stage was a VCR depicting the group playing ping pong, showering one another in feathers during a pillow fight, and generally just enjoying one another’s company over a warm, homely backdrop. A metallic time machine-like structure delivered the group back on stage where they resumed their activities: lounging on bean bags, attempting a badminton rally, and playing basketball, the group’s familial rapport on full display.
The following performance of “Oh My!” was intermittently paused to allow the members to tease one another, attempt a shot at the basketball hoop, and generally just mess about on stage. It was almost surreal to observe their banter live after seeing the same rappport on their web variety series GOING SEVENTEEN, which in turn proved that yes, they are genuinely that silly in person.
In a dramatic turn of events just prior to the final chorus, the members turned to the time machine only to find it had malfunctioned… and dropped them in the middle of the jungle. Various dancers emerged from the stage in inflatable costumes and engaged the members in an over-the-top dance battle that had the audience at the edge of their seats between bouts of laughter.
SEVENTEEN has made it clear that they don’t take themselves too seriously, and it’s no wonder why- they don’t feel the need to. The sillier moments like an inflatable costume dance battle are counterbalanced with their flawless performance and sharpened skills that speak for themselves in a way that culminates in an air of effortless entertainment. The group knows they’re talented, and because of this have no qualms leaning into the silly and absurd.
“Oh My!” was followed by a series of lighthearted tracks including personal favorite “Snap Shoot” and the ever-vibrant “God of Music,” closing out the third section of the show.
Other tracks performed after a costume change into a palette of effortlessly stylish neutrals include the group’s recent release “LOVE, MONEY, FAME” in collaboration with DJ Khaled, the strikingly impactful “MARCH” that had pyrotechnics for days, and arguably one of the group’s most successful releases, “Super”.
As is tradition for most if not all concerts, the end of “Super” marked the point in which the artist would make a casual goodbye and the audience would put on an act of pretending there isn’t an encore to be anticipated ahead of them- however, SEVENTEEN’s encore comes with terms and conditions. In order to determine the encore stage’s length, fans must first prove themselves through the power of dance.
Cheers were heard throughout the stadium as the cameras panned from one fan to the next, dancing their hearts out to other fan favorite tracks absent from the set list, and lo and behold, the members re-appeared in their final outfits of the evening to perform “Adore U”.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
Now came time for the time-honored SEVENTEEN tradition that every Carat dreams of experiencing at least once in their life. The real end of the show comes in the form of “VERY NICE”, or “AJU NICE” as it’s colloquially known, a track released on SEVENTEEN’s first album repackage. “AJU NICE” is iconic, “AJU NICE” is eternal, and “AJU NICE” is never ending- literally. The beginning of the song is a standard performance, the chorus exciting and bright, and then the members pivot to a dance battle with an audience member or pass the mic off to a fan near the barricade to sing a line or two, and plot twist- you’re right back in “AJU NICE”.
All of this to say night one in New York wrapped with a total of eight “AJU NICE”s that felt so complete as a conclusion there was no need for the pretense of elongated will-they-won’t-they departures, as SEVENTEEN had left everything out on the floor, just as Carats had from their seats- something “AJU NICE” made sure of. The perfect bow on the evening, night one of SEVENTEEN in New York had come to a close.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
An absolute tour-de-force in live performance, SEVENTEEN is not a group to be overlooked regardless of whether or not you’ve ventured into the K-Pop world before. Perfectly balancing precise skills and unbelievable vocals with incredibly down to earth attitudes and a clear, genuine love for bringing their music to the stage, SEVENTEEN is a refreshing class act that knows they’re talented and isn’t afraid to be themselves all the same.
Setlist: Intro + Fear / Intro + Fearless / MAESTRO / Prelude + ASH / CRUSH / Water / MONSTER / Rain / Lilili Yabbay / Candy / Cheers to youth / Intro + Oh My! / Snap Shoot / God of Music / HOME / Intro + LOVE, MONEY, FAME (feat. DJ Khaled) (English Ver.) / MARCH / SUPER / Adore U / ’bout you / Campfire / VERY NICE
Dayglo Presents has announced the SOULSHINE concert benefiting relief and recovery efforts from hurricanes Helene and Milton at Madison Square Garden later next month, featuring household names like Dave Matthews Band, Warren Haynes Band, and more.
In the wake of unimaginable tragedy and loss, the music community has come together. Music holds the intangible power to bring folks of all walks of life together, forging new communities and strengthening old. Once more, musicians and fans alike will come together in the name of good for the SOULSHINE benefit concert on November 24 at Madison Square Garden for an evening of captivating live performances that make a real difference.
With a collective four million individuals without power, a death toll of just under 250, and entire communities destroyed, the paths Helene and Milton cut across the southeast United States was nothing short of devastating. In times of unimaginable loss like these, there is nothing more powerful than a community coming together- which is exactly what the folks at Dayglo Presents with Live Nation seek to accomplish with their SOULSHINE Concert Fund.
For one night only, acts like the Dave Matthews Band, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, the Warren Haynes Band, Goose, and more will come together under the roof of MSG to raise money for both hurricanes’ relief funds. Special guests for the evening include Trey Anastasio, Mavis Staples, Robert Randolph, Joe Russo, Trombone Shorty, Susan Tedeschi, and Derek Trucks.
Many of these acts are familiar with advocacy through their art- the Dave Matthews Band being designated the United Nations’ Environmental Goodwill Ambassadors in addition to raising over $65 million for a variety of hometown and global causes through various events and benefit concerts, and Warren Haynes being a beloved North Carolina figure and Asheville local for his annual Christmas Jam that has raised nearly $3 million for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity among various other accomplishments through his partnership with BeLoved Asheville. Haynes’ hometown of Asheville in particular was one of many communities hit by Helene’s unforgiving path- making the SOULSHINE concert all the more from the soul.
“Every year, it is my honor to host the Christmas Jam and give back to the community there, but this year, we need to do things a bit differently. I’m thrilled to partner with my good friends in Dave Matthews Band and so many other musician friends to bring ‘SOULSHINE’ to the iconic Madison Square Garden and help raise money for all those affected by both hurricanes throughout North Carolina and Florida. My heart is with you all and we look forward to creating a really special night!”
– Warren Haynes
Net proceeds from the evening’s performance will benefit the SOULSHINE Concert Fund at the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, which will support Habitat for Humanity’s 2024 Hurricane Recovery fund in addition to a variety of nonprofits in North Carolina and Florida that are currently making crucial efforts on the ground.
In addition to all sales and donations made by folks attending, leading mortgage and lender and servicer Newrez has pledged $500,000 in support of SOULSHINE’s efforts to help the communities it serves recover and rebuild.
Tickets for the SOULSHINE Benefit Concert will go live on Friday, November 1 at 10:00 AM EST. For more information, donation opportunities, and ticket purchasing, please visit the SOULSHINE website here.
ArtsWestchester presents the new exhibition Futures, in which artists tackle the question “What could the Hudson Valley look like in 100 years?”
Formed in 1965, ArtsWestchester is a not-for-profit cultural service organization that acts as Westchester County’s designated art council in addition to hosting special events and galleries, providing grants and various opportunities to local artists, and inviting local musicians and dancers into their space to perform.
An organization dedicated to cultivating the arts scene of Westchester and beyond, ArtsWestchester looks within its community once more for its newest project- and forwards. Futures, the newly opened exhibition housed in the organization’s building is an immersive and large-scale consideration of how the county will transform physically and socially over the next century.
“ArtsWestchester places artists at the center of imagining our region’s next chapter. Artists work at the intersection of visual culture, craft, architecture, and design. Through their perspectives in this exhibit, we aim to explore concepts of historic land ownership, building inclusive communities, creative placemaking, and sustainable development.”
– Kathleen Reckling, ArtsWestchester CEO
Contributing artists include Noelia Abreau, Inez Andrucyk, Sheila Benedis, Mia Brownell, Mike Depasquale, Amanda Dorval, Marielena Ferrer, Natalya Khorover, Martin Kruck, Jessica Maffia, Norman Mgnusson, Susan Manspeizer, Jorge Otero-Pailos, Teresa Pereira, Rachel Sydlowski, and VASH- all of whom offer their own unique perspective on Westchester in their respective pieces and the show’s planning at large.
Mike Depasquale: White, ArtsWestchester
Above all, Futures is a testament to the necessity of the arts in all aspects of life, especially the social wellbeing of the area and creatives’ capacity to generate productive conversations about what the future may hold for it. A rapidly redoveloping suburban and exurban community, Futures prompts the people of the Hudson Valley to consider the region’s future beyond their own and the visionaries of today and tomorrow that will be at the crux of such growth.
Funded in part by the National Endowment of the Arts, the Futures exhibition runs through January 12, 2025 in ArtsWestchester’s gallery during regular hours. For more information on how to visit and view Futures, visit the ArtsWestchester website here.
Pat Tato has announced the first release with his band, Pat Tato & The Baked Potatoes, titled “Spaceship”.
Born out of the local SUNY Oneonta music scene in 2013, Pat Tato & the Baked Potatoes released their debut album ‘Loaded’ in 2016 after their graduation and were met with critical acclaim.
Following this release, however, the unit found themselves in a hiatus as the original members moved throughout the country to pursue their own paths. Titular member Pat continued to play music and shifted to solo releases over the years with a different, lyrical, and ambitious sound.
Cobbling together a new band, Pat Tato has emerged on festival circuits with a mixed set list of his newer works and older Baked Potato songs, evolving into the new sound has become uniquely ‘Pat Tato & the Baked Potatoes’.
In an exciting announcement for fans old and new, the upcoming single “Spaceship” marks Tato’s newest release since “Heady” earlier this summer, and even more excitingly acts as the Baked Potatoes’ triumphant return to music- the track being their first release since 2016.
Recorded in Syracuse Sound Studios in Brewerton paired with visuals by Danny of Guava God Creative, “Spaceship” indicates a bright, energetic new era for the group.
With vibrant horns from Dan O’Herien and Sigurjon Stefansson, adventurous keys from Alex Seubert, kicking percussion from Joey Wise, earworm bass licks from Shannon Zory, playful lyrics and vocals from Pat Tato himself, and more, “Spaceship” invites the listener on a journey of self-reflection, escapism, and the road to healing- that is, if the adventure also consisted of absolutely jamming out while rocketing through space.
“Spaceship” is set to be released on October 24- to receive a notification and become one of the first to hear the Baked Potatoes’ triumphant return to with this new track, be sure to follow Pat Tato on Spotify here.
To learn more about Pat Tato & The Baked Potatoes, keep up to date with their latest events, and follow their social media, please visit here.
The Mountain Jam music festival and Catskills cultural cornerstone will officially return in June of 2025, just in time for its 20th anniversary.
A vivid and expansive music festival, Mountain Jam has held a reputation for its dedication to live music across the sound spectrum since its beginnings in 2005. Born as a celebration of the Radio Woodstock radio station’s 25th anniversary, Mountain Jam has developed year after year from a single-day event of about 3,000 attendees total to a multi-day event drawing in over 40,000 attendees- earning the fest the moniker of the largest rock and camping festival in the entire Northeast.
Despite the increasingly large numbers, Mountain Jam has never strayed from what made it such a fan favorite- the sense of intimacy and community found within the festival grounds. Familiar headliners and rising stars alike would tuck themselves away in the picturesque mountains of the Catskills for days at a time alongside rotating food vendors and interactive activities that gave Mountain Jam their impressive yet down to earth reputation.
Originally housed at the Hunter Mountain Ski Resort for its picturesque views and natural amphitheater environment, the Jam made the move to the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the original stomping grounds of the original Woodstock Festival, in 2019 to commemorate Woodstock’s historic 50th anniversary.
Bella’s Bartok
With names like Andy Frasco & The U.N., alt-J, Jack Johnson, Gov’t Mule, and Twiddle under their belts already, Mountain Jam’s 2020 line up was to be a hard hitter. The likes of Brandi Carlile, Grace Potter, Sammy Rae & the Friends, and more were meant to join the ranks of Mountain Jam alumnus- but, as with most live music that year, plans were put to a halt as COVID-19 kept folks at home.
Since the cancellation in late March of 2020, news on Mountain Jam’s return has been few and far between, with little more than a tentative delay announcement to reference in 2022.
However, in an exciting 25-second video announcement uploaded just days ago to the festival’s official website and social media, Mountain Jam has been triumphantly declared as “Alive in ‘25”. Described as “better than ever,” the 2025 Mountain Jam festival will be hosted at Belleayre Mountain once more from June 20-22.
While no details on featured acts or further information is currently available, there’s no doubt there’s more to come. To keep up to date on the latest from Mountain jam, visit their website here.
Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra has announced their 19th Season celebrating all things movie score, opening with “The Golden Age of Hollywood.”
Formed in 2006, the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra brings live orchestral music to northern Dutchess County and the surrounding Hudson Valley area. The Orchestra is entering their 19th season this year conducted by artistic director and leadership mainstay Kathleen Beckmann, with shows ranging between 40 and 50 performers depending on the repertoire.
Between their five main performances, special concert events, internationally acclaimed guest artists, and talented dance ensembles featured at family-affordable prices each and every season, the NDSO has and continues to cultivate a community of classical music and live performance fans within Dutchess County and beyond. Returning with their 2024-2025 season, the Orchestra has announced a series of exciting performances for music lovers of all ages.
With events like the annual “Home for the Holidays” December concert, a “Disney and Zimmer” blockbuster evening celebrating movie scores, the time-traveling “An Organ in the House” show that brings a theater organ into the fold as the Orchestra brings music from the silent film era to life, and the “Music of The Knights” show celebrating incredibly successful songwriters Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John, and Sir Paul McCartney, the NDSO’s lineup for this year will certainly be one for the books.
Perfectly fitting the film-themed season, “The Golden Age of Hollywood” concert is set to open the Orchestra’s activities for the year on October 27. Featuring scores from classic films like Casablanca, Sunset Boulevard, Psycho, and Ben-Hur, the North Dutchess Symphony Orchestra will immerse the audience in the theatrics and magic of classic cinema.
Internationally acclaimed violinist Uli Speth will make an appearance during the evening of theater to perform Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Violin Concerto, famously known as the “Hollywood Concerto” for its rich and cinematic sound.
A graduate of the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, Speth has performed extensively across the U.S. as a soloist and chamber musician in addition to performances on public radio, collaborations with renowned quartets and members of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and premiering new works alongside a string quartet among many other accomplishments. Currently the concertmaster of the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra and a dedicated educator in his own right, Speth will make a spellbinding addition to the evening’s celebration of all things hollywood.
In addition to Speth’s exciting guest appearance, prior to the show at 3:15 PM folks in attendance will be able to experience a special presentation from Bard College Professor Joseph Luzzi complete with film clips and anecdotes about this exciting period in Hollywood in order to put the show and its contents into further context.
Tickets for the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra’s “The Golden Age of Hollywood” on October 27 are available now, priced at $38 per person with special discounts available for seniors and students. To learn more and purchase tickets, please visit the Orchestra’s website here.
