NYS Music 2024

Category: Special

  • Tanglewood’s Packed 2024 Lineup

    Tanglewood, the esteemed Western Massachusetts venue, has announced its lineup of performers for the 2024 Popular Artists Series part of the season, running from June 20 to August 31. The lineup includes big names like Trey Anastasio, Beck, Dispatch, and pop and R&B acts like Boyz II Men, Brandi Carlile and Jason Mraz. 

    Since 1936, Tanglewood has been the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and is located in Lenox Massachusetts right in the Berkshire Hills. Although Tanglewood features the BSO, the festival is not just for classic music fans. The 350,000 yearly attendees come to this venue to hear Jazz, pop, choirs and more.

    This year’s Popular Artist series has a list of timeless performers. Kool & The Gang and En Vogue are set to perform on June 23, bringing back the sounds of the 70’s and 90’s. On July 16 the Pretenders will be on the stage and Grammy award winning artists Jon Batiste and James Taylor are also bringing their talent to the festival. 

    The festival has performances for movie lovers as well. The Boston Pops will present a John William’s film night for the second year and conductor Keith Lockhart will lead the Jurassic Park score.

    With so many concert goers on the 500 acre property, there’s two buildings where performances take place.The Koussevitzky Music Shed was inaugurated in 1938 and reconstructed in 1959, making it the iconic stage that Tanglewood is most known for. This is where the BSO and Boston Pops shows are held. Seiji Ozawa Hall, a newer structure, was built in 1994. It’s received numerous architectural awards including the National American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Interior Architecture in 2000. 

    The first big name to start off the Festival on June 20 is John Fogerty on his “Celebration Tour.” To find out more information and to purchase tickets you can visit the Tanglewood website here.

    2024 season at Tanglewood

    June 20, 7 p.m.: John Fogerty: The Celebration Tour

    Founder of Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Fogerty will join the Music shed Tanglewood stage alongside his band to bring the classic rock sound to the Berkshire hills.

    June 22 7 p.m.: Roger Daltrey

    Roger Daltrey is a British musician and songwriter most known for the Who’s hits like “My Generation” and “Baba O’Riley.”

    June 23, 2:30 p.m.: Kool & The Gang and En Vouge 

    Since 1969, Kool & The Gang has released 26 albums and earned 7 American Music Awards. R&B trio, En Vogue will join the group on the stage performing their hit 90’s songs.

    June 26: TLI Open Workshops: Techniques of String Quartet Performance

    June 27, 7 p.m.: Boyz II Men

    This Philadelphia trio will bring their emotional ballades to the music shed stage this summer.

    June 28, 7 p.m.: Jon Batiste

    Legendary Musician, Jon Batiste will perform at this year’s Tanglewood. Not only is he a Grammy Award winner but he is a composer and stars in his documentary “American Symphony.”

    June 29: TMC Vocal Recital

    June 29 7 p.m.: Trey Anastasio with the Boston Pops

    Phish guitarist, Trey Anastasio and his band will play with the Boston Pops, mixing the classic Tanglewood sound with Anastasio’s classic rock.

    June 30: TMC Chamber Music

    June 30: TMC String Quartet Marathon

    June 30: TMC String Quartet Marathon

    June 30 6 p.m.: Brandi Carlile

    The 10-time Grammy Award winner and Emmy Award winner, Brandi Carlile will take to the stage, sharing her folk, indie and americana sound with fans.

    June 30: TMC String Quartet Marathon

    July 2, 7 p.m.: Jason Mraz with the Boston Pops

    Jason Mraz has released timeless pop songs and has had a long and successful career including multiple Grammys and hit, charting songs.

    July 3-4, 8 p.m.: James Taylor and his All-Star Band

    “Fire and Rain” singer James Taylor will mark 50 years of performing at Tanglewood followed by fireworks on his celebratory July 4 performance.

    July 5: Prelude Concert

    July 5: Opening Night at Tanglewood

    July 6: Open Rehearsal: Broadway Today! Broadway’s Modern Masters

    July 6: TLI The Art of Conducting: Andris Nelsons and Hilary Hahn

    July 6: Prelude Concert: TMC Fellows

    July 6: Broadway Today! Broadway’s Modern Masters

    July 7: TMC Chamber Music

    July 7: Andris Nelsons leads an all-Strauss program featuring Renée Fleming, soprano

    July 7: TMC Vocal Recital

    July 8: Andris Nelsons and the TMC Conducting Fellows lead the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5

    July 10: TLI Open Workshops: Stephanie Blythe, mezzo-soprano

    July 10: Tanglewood Recital Series: The Arts and the Hours with Miloš, guitar

    July 11: TLI Talks and Walks

    July 11: TLI The Art of Conducting: Dima Slobodeniouk

    July 12: TLI Presents: George Balanchine—Stravinsky’s American Muse

    July 12: Prelude Concert

    July 12: Andris Nelsons conducts Stravinsky and Rimsky-Korsakov featuring the Boston Ballet

    July 13: Open Rehearsal: Andris Nelsons conducts Kirkland Snider, Prokofiev, and Dvořák featuring Augustin Hadelich, violin

    July 13: Prelude Concert: TMC Fellows

    July 13: Andris Nelsons conducts Simon and Beethoven featuring Yuja Wang, piano

    July 14: TMC Chamber Music

    July 14: TLI for Families: “Join the Dance” with BU Tanglewood Institute musicians

    July 14: Andris Nelsons conducts Kirkland Snider, Prokofiev, and Dvořák featuring Augustin Hadelich, violin

    July 14: TMC Vocal Recital

    July 15: TLI The Art of Conducting: Andris Nelsons with TMC Vocalists

    July 15: Dima Slobodeniouk and the TMC Conducting Fellows conduct Perry, Bernstein, and Stravinsky

    July 16, 7 p.m.: An Evening with Pretenders

    This Iconic British band formed in the 70’s but hasn’t stopped performing since. On July 16 they will give an electrifying performance of their extensive discography.

    July 17: TLI Open Workshops: William Christie, conductor and director of Les Arts Florissants

    July 17: Tanglewood Recital Series: Yuja Wang, piano

    July 18: TLI Talks and Walks

    July 18: TLI Open Workshops: Emanuel Ax, piano

    July 18: Tanglewood Recital Series: Les Arts Florissants

    July 19: Prelude Concert

    July 19: Dima Slobodeniouk conducts Bernstein and Brahms featuring Conrad Tao, piano

    July 20: Open Rehearsal: Andris Nelsons conducts Ives, Beethoven, and Strauss featuring Emanuel Ax, piano

    July 20: BU Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Orchestra

    July 20: TLI Spotlight Series: Tracy K. Smith

    July 20: Prelude Concert: TMC Fellows

    July 20: Andris Nelsons conducts Act III of Wagner’s Götterdämmerung

    July 21: TMC Chamber Music

    July 21: Tanglewood Family Concert

    July 21: BU Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Wind Ensemble

    July 21: Andris Nelsons conducts Ives, Beethoven, and Strauss featuring Emanuel Ax, piano

    July 21: Tanglewood Recital Series: Gerald Clayton Trio

    July 22: TLI The Art of Conducting: Thomas Wilkins

    July 22: TLI The Art of Conducting: Great Conductors on Film

    July 23, 7 p.m.: Beck With Boston Pops

    From performing in Coffeehouses and clubs to now performing at Tanglewood with the Pops, Beck is a successful grunge-pop artist that whose career has earned him multiple Grammy Awards.

    July 24: TLI Open Workshops: Edwin Barker, double bass

    July 24: Tanglewood Recital Series: Boston Symphony Chamber Players and Paul Lewis, piano

    July 25: TLI Talks and Walks

    July 25: TMC Festival of Contemporary Music

    July 26: TMC Festival of Contemporary Music

    July 26: TLI Presents: “The Legacy of Serge Koussevitzky”

    July 26: Prelude Concert

    July 26: Andris Nelsons conducts Mackey, Koussevitzky, Sibelius, and Scriabin

    July 27: Open Rehearsal: Andris Nelsons conducts Lee, Copland, Thompson, and Stravinsky featuring Paul Lewis, piano

    July 27: TMC Festival of Contemporary Music

    July 27: Prelude Concert: TMC Festival of Contemporary Music

    July 27: Andris Nelsons conducts León, Khachaturian, and Tchaikovsky featuring Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano

    July 28: TMC Festival of Contemporary Music: Chamber Music

    July 28: Andris Nelsons conducts Lee, Copland, Thompson, and Stravinsky featuring Paul Lewis, piano

    July 29: Stefan Asbury and the TMC Conducting Fellows conduct Zwilich, Mackey, Anderson, and León

    July 31: TLI Open Workshops: Toby Oft, trombone

    July 31: Tanglewood Recital Series: Kirill Gerstein, Joshua Bell, and Steven Isserlis

    August 1: TLI Talks and Walks

    August 1: Tanglewood Recital Series: Danish String Quartet

    August 2: TLI The Art of Conducting: Alan Gilbert

    August 2: Prelude Concert

    August 2: John Williams’ Film Night

    August 3: Open Rehearsal: Alan Gilbert conducts an all-Beethoven program featuring Kirill Gerstein, Joshua Bell, and Steven Isserlis

    August 3: BU Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Orchestra

    August 3:TLI Presents: “Black Voices in Cabaret – Josephine Baker”

    August 3: Prelude Concert

    August 3: John Williams’ Film Night

    August 4: TMC Chamber Music

    August 4: TLI for Families: In collaboration with the Norman Rockwell Museum

    August 4: BU Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Wind Ensemble

    August 4: Alan Gilbert conducts an all-Beethoven program featuring Kirill Gerstein, Joshua Bell, and Steven Isserlis

    August 4: TLI Presents: Kirill Gerstein and HK Gruber perform Cabaret music from 1920s Berlin

    August 6: Tanglewood on Parade

    August 7: TLI Open Workshops: Kirill Gerstein, piano

    August 8: TLI Talks and Walks

    August 8: TLI Open Workshops: Jeremy Denk, piano

    August 9: TLI Presents: “Decolonizing Classical Music in Eight Difficult Steps” with George Lewis

    August 9: TLI Presents: “This Is America,” Part 1, with Johnny Gandelsman, violin

    August 9: Prelude Concert

    August 9: Alan Gilbert conducts Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky featuring Kirill Gerstein, piano

    August 10: Open Rehearsal: James Gaffigan conducts Clyne, Mozart, and Mahler featuring Elena Villalón, soprano

    August 10: BU Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Chorus

    August 10: TLI Presents: Palaver Strings with Nicholas Phan, tenor perform “A Change Is Gonna Come”

    August 10: TLI Spotlight Series: Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

    August 10: Prelude Concert

    August 10: Dalia Stasevska conducts Sibelius and Stravinsky featuring Leila Josefowicz, violin

    August 11: TMC Chamber Music

    August 11: James Gaffigan conducts Clyne, Mozart, and Mahler featuring Elena Villalón, soprano

    August 11: TLI Presents: “This Is America,” Part 2, with Johnny Gandelsman, violin

    August 11: TLI Presents: Jeremy Denk, piano, performs The Battle of Manassas by ‘Blind Tom’ WIGGINS and IVES’s Concord Sonata

    August 12: TMC Opera Excerpts

    August 14: TLI Open Workshops: Roberto Díaz, viola

    August 14: Tanglewood Recital Series: The Knights and Emanuel Ax perform Bologne and Mozart

    August 15: TLI Talks and Walks

    August 15: TLI Open Workshops: Elizabeth Rowe, flute

    August 15: Tanglewood Recital Series: The Knights and Emanuel Ax perform Ortiz and Mozart

    August 16: TLI Presents: Trauma, Memory & Transcendence in Music Part 1: “Do Not Forget Me” with Mark Ludwig

    August 16: Prelude Concert

    August 16: Samy Rachid conducts Svetlanov, Prokofiev, and Tchaikovsky featuring Midori, violin

    August 17: Open Rehearsal: Earl Lee conducts Simon, Schumann, and Beethoven featuring Yo-Yo Ma, cello

    August 17: BU Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Orchestra

    August 17: TLI Presents: Trauma, Memory & Transcendence in Music Part 2: “A Search for Meaning” with Mark Ludwig and Osvaldo Golijov

    August 17: TLI Spotlight Series: David Pogue

    August 17: Prelude Concert

    August 17: Jurassic Park in Concert

    August 18: TMC Chamber Music

    August 18: TLI for Families: Circle Round

    August 18: Earl Lee conducts Simon, Schumann, and Beethoven featuring Yo-Yo Ma, cello

    August 18: TLI Presents: Silent Film project with TMC Composers, Conductors, and Instrumentalists, in collaboration with Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival

    August 18: TLI Presents: Silent Film project with TMC Composers, Conductors, and Instrumentalists, in collaboration with Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival

    August 19: Hannu Lintu and the TMC Conducting Fellows conduct Prokofiev

    August 21: Tanglewood Recital Series: Leonidas Kavakos, violin and Daniil Trifonov, piano

    August 22: TLI Talks and Walks

    August 23: Ryan Bancroft conducts Chopin and Elgar featuring Bruce Liu, piano

    August 24: Open Rehearsal: Hannu Lintu conducts Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9

    August 24: Karina Canellakis conducts Beethoven, Brahms, Chausson, and Ravel featuring Leonidas Kavakos, violin

    August 25: Hannu Lintu conducts Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9

    August 25: TLI Presents: Edmar Castaneda Quartet

    August 30, 7 p.m.: Judy Collins, Indigo Girls, and Rufus Wainwright

    August 30 is packed with American folk-pop icons. With their wide discography, these artists and group’s music span from the 70’s to now.

    August 31, 7 p.m.: DISPATCH with the Boston Pops

    This indie-rock band that formed in the 90’s known for the “The General” and “Only the Wild Ones,” will join the Boston Pops for the final performance of the 2024 Tanglewood season.

  • Bronx Summer Jam Is Back For The Third Year

    Bronx Summer Jam will be back for its third season this June 30. Bronx Summer Jam brings a community of all ages together with local artists and a positive space for music lovers.

    Unlike most festivals, the summer jam is free and attendees can easily get tickets on eventbrite. The festival has also started to receive sponsorships from small businesses in the Bronx. With the volume of artists, the festival is split between two stages, the Kings stage and the Sirens stage.

    This grassroots festival was created by nightlife and entertainment company Sounds and Sirens Productions and the media agency The Fox and The King who started collaborating in 2019. Sounds and Sirens serves the NYC and Westchester area of New York and offers live sounds for bands, event production and promotion as well as booking services. The Fox and The King is located in the Bronx and focuses on promoting local artists and supporting the DIY music scene. 

    Last year’s lineup included artists like Bronx native Drew Torres and the NYC based band The Phoenix Within.

    The first summer jam in 2022 was created to get music fans together again after the COVID-19 Pandemic. “I’m inspired and humbled by our progress with Bronx Summer Jam over the last few years.,” DJ Mike said, Founder of Sounds & Sirens in a press release. “I’ve always believed that music brings people together in the best ways. Bronx Summer Jam expands on that year after year, fostering community, promoting artists, and providing a free platform for people to come and experience what local music is all about.” 
    The festival will run between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. To RSVP, you can find the eventbrite page here.

  • NYC-Based Electronic Musician Moby Shares new Track “where is your pride?”

    Acclaimed New York City-based electronic musician, producer and activist Moby celebrates the life of Benjamin Zephaniah with the new track “where is your pride?,” out now taken from his 22nd studio album always centered at night, due out June 14th .

    Moby
    Moby, photo credit: Lindsay Hicks

    The break-beat-driven track is spoken word with a powerful message delivered in the late dub poet’s characteristically warm burr. “Where is your love? / Where is your faith? / Where is your hope? / Where is your place? / Where is your pride?” Moby is proud to share a track with the late Benjamin Zephaniah to continue celebrating his life and note their aligned ideals: “As a vegan activist, and as a wise and compassionate man, Benjamin inspired me for many years. I hope that ‘where is your pride’ honors his legacy and also draws people’s attention to his life, work, and principles.”

    Benjamin Zephaniah was a British writer, dub poet, actor, musician, and poetry and creative writing professor. He was included in The Times list of Britain’s top 50 post-war writers in 2008. He won the BBC Radio 4 Young Playwrights Festival Award in 1998 and received at least sixteen honorary doctorates.

    Benjamin Zephaniah | Photo credit: Adrian Pope.

    Moby was born Richard Melville Hall, in Harlem, in 1965. His father gave him his nickname, Moby, because of his hereditary relationship with Herman Melville. Moby started playing classical music and studying music theory when he was nine and came of age musically in the punk rock scene in and around New York in the early 80’s. He released his first single, “Go,” in 1991 (listed as one of Rolling Stone magazine’s best records) and has been making albums ever since. He has sold over 20,000,000 albums worldwide.

    Even by Moby’s standards, always centered at night is special. The album features 13 collaborations from names many might recognize to others many undoubtedly will come to know. The captivating voices on always centered at night include Sudanese, Netherlands-based chanteuse Gaidaa, London-based, Burundian royal refugee J.P. Bimeni, and Kingston-raised, London-based Aynzli Jones. These are often personal songs, and the personal is the political, as is the border-defying nature of the work.

    In his pursuit of new sounds, Moby has become a collector of voices. He’s a connoisseur of the timbre and texture of human vocal chords, whether sampling artists like Bessie Jones, Vera Hall, or Boy Blue, or working with superstars like David Bowie.

    Thrilled to bring this dynamic body of work to the world, Moby explains, “For the last 30 years, I’ve worked with amazing singers–everyone from David Bowie to Freddie Mercury, Gregory Porter to Jill Scott. Always centered at night continues my love of collaborating, but has a focus of working with amazing singers who might not be as well known as David Bowie and Gregory Porter.” Though all tracks are collaborations, the music remains unmistakably Moby, dripping with glittery melodies and warm, hypnotic instrumentals.

    For more information, visit here.

  • Castle Black Release “Fly (Just Try)” for Women’s Health Month

    On May 17, Brooklyn-based punk band Castle Black released their new single, “Fly (Just Try),” a powerful rock anthem that dives into the traumatic experience of dealing with the lead singer’s health issues.

    Castle Black single

    Formed in 2015 by lead singer and frontwoman Leigh Celent and drummer Joey Russo, Castle Black is a post-punk powerhouse that combines elements of punk, grunge, and new wave into one showstopping rock duo. The last 10 years before the release of their first album have brought Castle Black’s sound all across North America, performing in several festivals and making their mark as one of the few female-fronted punk bands emerging out of New York City.

    Since their inception, Castle Black has released four EPs: Find You There (2015), Losing Forever (2016), Trapped Under All You Know (2017), and the gods that adored you (2018). Furthermore, the first single of their upcoming album, “Bright-Eyed,” was released in November 2023 and received critical acclaim, being named as one of the top 20 songs of 2023 by Scenes from the Underground.

    Released during Women’s Health Month, “Fly (Just Try)” is an anthem for women who have had traumatic and life-changing experiences with their health. Castle Black’s single is no different. Leigh included her experiences with her own health as inspiration. Above all, this single served as Leigh’s way of expressing what the experience was like, from the symptoms, the diagnosis, treatment, and even the stigma against these issues.

    “The song coincides with Women’s Health Month and is a tune largely about my own personal journey with endometriosis, adenomyosis, and fibroids.”

    Leigh Celent, lead singer

    “Fly (Just Try)” is an ode to those women who have struggled not just with reproductive health issues but with their mental and physical health, as well as the damage that illness can cause to their bodies. A music video for the single will be released on May 23, 2024. The highly emotional and personal single is the third to come from the band off their upcoming album, The Highway at Night, set to release on June 21, 2024.

    Following the release of their album, Castle Black will tour all over North America in June and July, including two shows in Brooklyn.

    Castle Black Tour Dates

    May 18 – Brooklyn, NY (Fly Single release) – Unruly Collective

    June 8 – Montreal, Canada – L’Esco (Equinox Festival)

    June 22 – Brooklyn, NY (album release) – Bar Freda

    June 5 – Carrboro, NC – Speakeasy

    July 6 – Columbia, SC – Art Bar

    July 7 – Atlanta, GA – Bogg’s

    July 8 – Athens, GA – Flicker

    July 10 – Chattanooga, TN – Cherry Street

    July 11 – Knoxville, TN – Six O’Clock Swerve at Barley’s and Preservation Pub

    July 12 – Nashville, TN – Punk Wok

    July 13 – Louisville, KY – Mag Bar

    July 14 – Cincinnati, OH – Northside Tavern

    July 17 – St. Paul, MN – White Rock

    July 18 – Madison, WI – The Rigby

    July 19 – Green Bay, WI – UFO Fest

    July 20 – Kenosha, WI – The Port

    July 24 – Grand Rapids, MI – Pux Cider

    July 25 – Saginaw, MI – Hamilton Pub

    July 26 – Detroit, MI – Corktown Tavern

    July 27 – Toronto, Ontario – Hard Luck Bar

    Their new single, Fly (Just Try), is available to stream everywhere. For more information, fans can visit here.

  • NYC Indie Singer Nikita Lev Releases Single “We All Die Anyway”

    Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Nikita Lev has released her new single “We All Die Anyway” on May 15. This single comes in the leadup to a new EP and her first European tour in the fall. 

    Lev’s musical instincts began at a young age. Coming from a family of chamber musicians, music surrounded Lev since childhood. As a result, during her youth on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, she quickly picked up piano and flute.

    The Cover for Nikita Lev's new single "We All Die Anyway"
    Nikita Lev

    By the time her family relocated to Westchester, she had learned guitar and begun writing songs. Lev says “I always know what I’m going to say first and the melody comes later,” using her musical chops to back up her deep lyrical narratives. To date, Lev has written over 200 songs that are “evocative, relatable, universal, yet ambiguous.”

    Lev’s music has quickly gained renown from both radio and print media. Her debut single “Elegance” was highlighted by both SiriusXM and MTV’s Spankin’ New. Additionally, publications like the LA Music Review and Earmilk have showcased Lev’s songs.

    Her new single “We All Die Anyway” is a highlight of the indie folk genre. Lev is accompanied by gentle fingerpicked guitars, trip-hop influenced drums and eerie synths. This dreamy instrumentation backs up Lev’s soft, emotional vocals and mature lyricism. The song tackles a relationship gone cold, and the feelings that accompany having to leave someone you cared about. Her meaningful and clever songwriting is reminiscent of indie icons like Lana Del Ray, and Phoebe Bridgers.

    This single comes just after her May 10 release of the music video for “Now I Think Of You Unspeakably.” The song’s lyrics touch on the pains of being in love with someone who does not feel the same. Driving drums and growing distorted guitars back up the song’s heavy lyricism, adding an edge to the acoustic instrumentation. The video features Lev dancing around a bonfire in a winter scene. Its atmosphere matches with the instrumentals and lyrics that all aid in a simultaneously warm yet icy feeling. Michael Rees directed the video, following collaborations with Charli XCX and The Kid LARoi. 

    This new single is just the start of a busy Summer and Fall for Lev. Later this year, she will release her first EP, titled Clearly Misunderstood. The EP’s songs will tackle the theme of the conflict between adult responsibilities and youthful independence. In November, Lev will depart for Europe for a tour stopping in Berlin and Vienna. 

    For more information, visit Nikita Lev’s website here.

  • Seventh Annual Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists at SPAC Announced

    Saratoga Performing Arts Center has announced their seventh annual Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists. The community festival celebrates over 700 of the Capital Region’s promising young artists, including dancers, musicians, poets, and visual artists. Pop-up performances and art displays will culminate in a large-scale production on the main stage.

    Performing organizations include Empire State Youth Orchestra, Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet, Capital District Artis initiative. Additionally, an original musical composition 12th Grader Lucia Vysohlid will be performed by ESYO Symphony Orchestra, Capital District Youth Chorale, and singers from three local high schools.

    Festival of Young Artists_2023. June 04, 2023 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, New York, USA

    Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is dedicated to providing New Yorkers access to the arts. Through their partnerships with nonprofits and over 120 schools, SPAC provides arts programing and outreach, prioritizing historically marginalized groups.

    The festival’s theme is Rhythm, a thread that was woven throughout the 2024 season. SPAC’s annual student gallery features 95 pieces inspired by a passage from Langston Hughes’ “The First Book of Rhythms”.

    Performances will be held from 2-5:30 PM on Sunday, June 2. Food-stands and immersive arts activities will be available on the grounds, along with free ice cream provided by Stewart’s Shops. The production on the main stage will begin at 4:45. The event is free to the community, but registration is required for admission. A recap of last year’s Summer SPAC events can be found below.

  • Summer Fling tease debut album with single “Blissful Haze”

    Up-and-coming New York City funk-rock band Summer Fling has announced a new single “Blissful Haze” set to release on May 10. The single comes in the leadup to a new album set to release in late Summer.

    Summer Fling

    Singer-keyboardist Eddie Kam originally formed Summer Fling in Larchmont, NY before relocating to New York City. The group mixes chops learned from New York’s jazz conservatories with an eclectic blend of styles, ranging from indie-pop to funk, to forge an infectious sound. With a newly solidified lineup of seven recent college graduates, the band has torn up the live scene. They have played more than 35 gigs, even opening for names like They Might Be Giants and Spin Doctors. 

    “Blissful Haze” is a delightful song that accentuates Kam’s soulful vocals with wah-wah guitar and jazzy horns. The song’s lyrics explore the joys of a short-lived romance, with instrumentation that lends to the rosy, nostalgic atmosphere. On this track, Summer Fling’s jazz chops are on full display, crafting a smooth, yet complex pop-funk sound, with instrumentation reminiscent of Steely Dan.

    Summer Fling

    This new single comes in the leadup to a very busy season for Summer Fling. The band is currently recording their debut album, which explores pop, funk and yacht rock, for release in late Summer. 

    The band has also planned festival appearances and tour dates in New York City, Boston and Philadelphia. At these shows, Summer Fling are sure to spread their message of inclusivity, and some great music tackling themes ranging from heartbreak to fun romance. In Eddie Kam’s words “Fun, silliness and great musicianship are the only rules at a Summer Fling performance.”

    More information can be found at Summer Fling’s website and instagram.

  • Buffalo Central Terminal Announces 2024 Calendar of Free Events from May to October

    Buffalo Central Terminal has announced the release of their calendar of free events for the 2024 season. The community events take place from May to October at the Buffalo Central Terminal Lawn.

    The Buffalo Central Terminal

    The festival includes a large variety of fun activities and events for all members of the community to enjoy. Events range from live music, plays, and movie nights to fitness bootcamps and car shows. Along with this, there are school giveaways for kids returning to the books along with an all-encompassing fall fest. From summer to fall, the Buffalo Central Terminal Festival keeps the community engaged and entertained.

    The Buffalo Central Terminal

    The historic Buffalo Central Terminal is a prominent feature of Buffalo’s East Side and the Broadway Fillmore neighborhood. The not-for-profit Central Terminal Restoration Corp. has been the caretaker for more than 20 years.

    The community driven Master Plan re-establishes the Terminal as a hub of activity. Buffalo Central Terminal is a beacon that attracts people and investment, celebrates, and fosters community voice and connections that contributes to the strong future of the city and region.

    This year, the historic landmark boasts 15 free of charge events over the course of five months. The festival sees one event May 18, three in June, five in July, three in August, and two sendoff events in October.

    The Buffalo Central Terminal

    Buffalo Central Terminal 2024 Festival Events

    Health is Wealth Fitness Bootcamp A 3-part fitness and cardio bootcamp lead by GCOPE Fitness. The series is held on the Central Terminal Lawn from 9am to 10am on May 18, June 22, and June 29.

    Central Terminal Car Show Admire over 100 meticulously restored sport compact and muscle cars Sunday, June 30 from 10am to 5pm at the Central Terminal Car Show.

    Movie Night This year we’re hosting two movie nights at the Terminal. Join us July 29 for a taste of nostalgia with “The Goonies.” August 28 shows an animated film that’s perfect for the little ones. More to be announced soon.

    Summer Concert Series After the tremendous enthusiasm from our audience last year, we’re excited to announce that our Summer Concert Series has been expanded to four sensational nights! Join us July 11, July 18, July 29, and August 8 from 5pm to 8pm.

    Shakespeare in the Park returns to the Central Terminal Friday, July 19 with a “Midsummer Night’s Tour.” from 7pm to 8:30pm.

    5th Annual Back to School Giveaway hosted by Leg. Howard Johnson & CM Nowakowski

    Get geared up for new school year at our giveaway Saturday, August 17 from 9am to 12pm.

    Fall Fest Enjoy our family-friendly Fall Fest Saturday, October 12 from 11am-3pm, featuring music, pumpkin decorating, photog areas, beer & wine vendors and more.

    Trunk or Treat hosted by Matt Urban Center The tradition continues Tuesday, October 29 from 4pm to 6pm.

    To learn more about each event, and for more information on the Buffalo Central Terminal, click here.

  • Gooseberry Gives A Taste Of New LP With Alt-Rock Single ‘Kikiyon’

    With the announcement of their highly anticipated debut album, All My Friends Are Cattle, set for release on September 6,, Brooklyn-based trio Gooseberry has once again set the music world on fire. The news follows the release of their incredible new song, “Kikiyon,” accompanied by a visually stunning music video.

    “Kikiyon” is a raw and intense song that pulsates with rebellious energy. This song demands attention and makes an impression, whether you’re headbanging to the beats or wondering the meaning behind the lyrics. Listen to “Kikiyon” below.

    Moreover, their EP Validate Me cemented Gooseberry’s place as a major player in the music industry. With a growing fan base and more than 500K Spotify streams, the band started The Validation Tour and impressed audiences.

    All My Friends Are Cattle is expected to be an unmatched experience that shows the band’s versatility and inventiveness. Additionally, the album travels a wide musical setting, from lyrically-driven ballads to punch-you-in-the-mouth punk rock. With songs like “Golden,” “Cherry Blossoms,” and “Bitter,” Gooseberry creates an intense vibe that cuts across genres.

    Evin Rossington on drums and Will Hammond on bass give a powerful rhythm section that backs up frontman Asa Daniels‘s dynamic songwriting. Additionally, GRAMMY-winning artists Phil Joly and James “Jimmy T” Meslin add their production and mixing skills, guaranteeing that All My Friends Are Cattle is a masterwork.

    Further, Gooseberry is getting ready for a cross-country tour as excitement builds for their music. With All My Friends Are Cattle leading the charge, 2024 is shaping to be their year.

  • Olatuja Release “Ijo” Ahead of Long-Awaited Album

    World/roots duo Olatuja has announced the release of their latest single, “Ijo” which heralds their upcoming self-titled album, Olatuja set to release on May 31.

    Olatuja

    Olatuja is a duo comprised of Alicia and Michael Olatuja. “Ijo” fuses the rich heritage of Michael’s Yoruba culture, the evolving popular music of West Africa, and the gospel and jazz traditions that inform Alicia’s musicality. The two have played a prominent role in New York’s music scene for years. Their work spans the worlds of jazz, Broadway, soul, African music, film, and more.

    The duo released their last album The Promise in 2011. The release of their self-titled album May 31 marks their first completed compilation since then. The track “Ijo” has been in genesis since the pandemic, and the duo are eager to share their combined talent with the world.

    Olatuja

    “Ijo” is a song heavily inspired by the music of West Africa. Its powerful bassline drives the music forward. The percussion is dynamic, the strings add a wonderful element, and the layered vocals make the track pop with life. The song is vibrant. Olatuja added several small elements along with large ones throughout.

    You can hear horns, strings, percussion, and vocals in each sector of the tune. There is a rising action and a climax followed by a triumphant finish. “Ijo” is certainly a song that makes you want to move and sing. The track’s lyrical presence is strong, and it holds meaningful themes about not giving up in the face of hardship.

    For more information on Olatuja, their past releases, and to stay up to date on upcoming music, click here.