Cohoes Music Hall has announced their 150-year anniversary celebration which includes three major events on Nov 23.
Saturday, November 23, 2024, marks 150 years since Cohoes Music Hall first opened its doors to the public, and the venue’s management entity, Playhouse Stage Company, will mark the momentous occasion with three public events throughout the day. Playhouse Stage Company has been producing free outdoor musicals at Albany’s Park Playhouse since 1989 and has been producing musical theatre at Cohoes Music Hall since 2016. The company has managed the Hall since August 2020.
From 10:00AM to 12:00PM, eventgoers can expect a free public event featuring music and activities for kids, including face painting, balloon animals, and live music from popular Capital Region children’s musician Andy the Music Man. Funny, quick-witted, warm, and tuneful, Andy Morse has been delighting young audiences for more than 27 years.
One of the oldest music venues in the state, Cohoes Music Hall celebrates a sesquicentennial anniversary on November 23
At 2:00PM, “London Assurance & A Toast to the Hall” begins. This special event will start with a champagne toast to Cohoes Music Hall’s 150-year history, followed by a staged reading of the play that first opened the Music Hall in 1874, and then reopened the building one hundred years later. London Assurance, adapted by Capital Region theatre artist Aaron Holbritter, will be co-presented by Creative License Theatre Collective and Playhouse Stage Company. The performance will feature Capital Region actors Ryan Palmer, Laura Darling, Amy Hausknect, Nick Martiniano, Jay Hunter, Ketih DuBois, Molly Kirby, Evan Jones, Chuck Kraus and Owen Smith.
“Get Zep! performing The Song Remains the Same” begins at 8:00PM. Get Zep!, presented by Guthrie Bell Productions, is an upstate super group consisting of Troy’s fabled rock band Super 400 and dynamic Hudson Valley vocalist Sean Matthew Whiteford. The group has been touring the region and beyond with tributes to classic Led Zeppelin albums, selling out Cohoes Music Hall on four occasions. For this event, they’ll play “The Song Remains The Same” in its entirety, and other Zeppelin hits.
Get Zep!
For more information on Cohoes Music Hall’s upcoming sesquicentennial celebration and to purchase tickets for November 23, click here.
On Friday, November 22 at 8 pm, saxophonist Eric Alexander and his quartet will perform a set of bebop jazz at Flushing Town Hall.
Eric Alexander, joined by David Williams (bass), Neal Smith (drums), and Rick Germanson (piano), has been described by NPR as “one of the finest bebop saxophonists in the world.” After releasing more than 40 albums as a quartet or sextet leader, and being heard in over 100 albums that feature his playing, Alexander has been on the cutting edge of the jazz scene for over 30 years.
Eric Alexander started on the piano at the age of six and took up the clarinet three years later. He switched to alto sax when he was 12 and studied classical music. When he was 18 years old, he fell in love with jazz and settled for the tenor saxophone. At William Paterson College in New Jersey, he advanced his studies under the tutelage of Harold Mabern, Joe Lovano, Rufus Reid, and others.
In 1991, Alexander placed second behind jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman, and ahead of Chris Potter, in the Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition. He then decided to become a professional jazz musician. In 1992, Alexander released his debut album, Straight Up for Delmark. More recordings followed, including Man with a Horn (1997) and a 1998 quartet with George Mraz, John Hicks, and Idris Muhammad, Solid!. That year also marked Alexander’s first recording with One For All, his enduring jazz sextet with Jim Rotondi, Steve Davis, Joe Farnsworth, Peter Washington, and Dave Hazeltine.
”Jazz plays such an important part in the history of Queens,” says Clyde Bullard, Flushing Town Hall’s Jazz Producer in Residence. “We at Flushing Town Hall want to continue the legacy of great jazz with outstanding established as well as emerging jazz artists on our stage. We are delighted to welcome the extremely talented Eric Alexander.”
Saxophonist, multi-wind artist, composer, and arranger Kris Jensen will perform a one-time intimate show at The Other Side in Utica on Nov. 16. Door opens at 7:00 p.m.
Kris Jensen, a versatile musician, has performed throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Bangkok, Thailand, and Switzerland. Jensen has performed alongside many prominent artists in both jazz and rock, most notably, the legendary Allman Brothers Band and many of the individual members’ bands including Gregg Allman and Friends, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, Dickey Betts and Great Southern. He has also played with trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson, and many others.
In 1996, Jensen was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. He has studied Jazz and African-American music at the University of Hartford, where he would later teach. Jensen has recently appeared with jazz legends such as trombonist Curtis Fuller, alto saxophonist Phil Woods, and pianist Larry Willis. He has appeared on New Jersey Public Television with Maynard Ferguson, on “Late Night with David Letterman” with Gregg Allman & Friends, and on stage with The Allman Brothers Band, and The Dave Matthews Band.
The Other Side is a small community space dedicated to offering a platform for expression to artists and activists from around the region and beyond. Since 2007, The Other Side has been the go-to destination for jazz musicians and audiences alike.
Orrin Evans adds, “I have been listening to our next jazz guest, saxophonist, flautist & composer Kris Jensen and I’m happy to report that our music director, Dr Mike Dubaniewicz has done it again. Kris Jensen is a ‘beast’ whether blowing w/ the Allmans or with a jazz contingent. The backing band w/ Mike D. on sax, Dan Pugh on organ and Mike Cortese, drums is going to rock the joint.”
Learn more about The Other Side in Utica and purchase tickets here.
Warren Haynes, legendary guitarist, songwriter, and Gov’t Mule frontman, has just released his highly anticipated solo album Million Voices Whisper via Fantasy Records. This album, his first solo effort in nearly a decade, captures Haynes’ blend of soulful blues-rock with a fresh perspective and messages of resilience, self-discovery, and hope.
The lead single, “This Life As We Know It,” encapsulates Haynes’ theme of embracing change and finding positivity. Accompanied by an in-studio video from Power Station New England, the track serves as an uplifting introduction to the album’s 11-track journey. Produced by Haynes, Million Voices Whisper features powerhouse collaborations, including Derek Trucks, Lukas Nelson, and Jamey Johnson, alongside Haynes’ core band members John Medeski, Terence Higgins, and Kevin Scott.
Haynes celebrated the release with a special in-store appearance at Looney Tunes Records in West Babylon on November 2nd, performing five solo electric songs including “Back Where I Started,” “This Life As We Know It,” and “To The Sun Comes Shining Through.” The intimate set offered fans a unique, close-up experience of Haynes’ exceptional guitar work and vocal intensity, leaving the crowd with a taste of the album’s soulful energy.
Supporting Million Voices Whisper, Haynes and his band have embarked on a 16-date fall tour along the East Coast, followed by his Now Is The Time Tour, a symphonic experience featuring reimagined selections from his career.
Million Voices Whisper is available on all digital platforms and for pre-order on vinyl, with the deluxe CD version featuring four bonus tracks. For more details, visit Warren Haynes’ official website.
Track Listing for Million Voices Whisper:
These Changes (ft. Derek Trucks) Go Down Swinging You Ain’t Above Me This Life As We Know It Day of Reckoning (ft. Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson) Real, Real Love (ft. Derek Trucks) Lies, Lies, Lies > Monkey Dance > Lies, Lies, Lies From Here On Out Till The Sun Comes Shining Through Terrified Hall of Future Saints (ft. Derek Trucks) Deluxe Edition (CD only)
Bonus Tracks: Baby’s On The Move Smooth Sailing Find The Cost of Freedom > Day of Reckoning [extended version] (ft. Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson) Back Where I Started (ft. Derek Trucks)
Chris Dave and Marcus King, joined by MonoNeon and Isaiah Sharkey, have announced a weeklong residency at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club from Jan. 14-19.
Drummer and composer Chris Dave and American singer/songwriter Marcus King are set for a special, one-of-a-kind six-night run at Blue Note Jazz Club. The pair will be joined by MonoNeon on bass January 14-16 and virtuoso guitarist Isaiah Sharkey making a rare appearance on bass January 17-19. Shows at 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. each night.
These special performances come on the heels of Marcus King’s new album Mood Swings, produced by Rick Rubin. In discussing the new record, GQ hails King as “a modern-day blues-rock god” while Rolling Stone notes that Rubin “helps him switch things up and bring out the soulful side of his sound.”
Houston native Chris Dave is a critically acclaimed drummer and veteran performer who has appeared with Robert Glasper, Adele, D’Angelo, The Winans, Kenny Garrett and many more. Dave most recently appeared on Keyond Harold’s Foreverland, out now via Concord Jazz.
Bassist MonoNeon has established a cult following, serving as Prince’s last bassist before his passing in 2016. MonoNeon’s new record Quilted Stereo is out now, with Bass Magazine noting that it “will captivate listeners with its dynamic blend of genres, ranging from jazz and funk to hip-hop and beyond.”
Virtuosic guitarist, singer/songwriter and producer Isaiah Sharkey started out as a child prodigy, playing local gigs in his hometown of Chicago at the age of 14. By age 16 he was touring with gospel singer Smokie Norful and soon after became one of D’Angelo’s core collaborators. Sharkey returns to the Blue Note taking a rare turn on the bass having performed alongside a long list of superstars including John Mayer, Paul Simon, Corrinne Bailey Rae and many more.
Learn more and purchase tickets to the Marcus King residency here.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) has announced that its popular “Sounds of the Season” holiday series will return from December 13-15 in Spa Little Theater.
The show features genre-defying trio Time for Three (DEC 13), Damien Sneed (DEC 14) leading “A Gospel Holiday” celebration, and GRAMMY-nominated vocal ensemble VOCES8 (DEC 15). Time For Three is back by popular demand following their “Sounds of the Season” appearance in 2023. Known for energetic performances that seamlessly merge classical, Americana, modern pop, and singer-songwriter styles, the trio will bring special arrangements of holiday favorites alongside original music.
Making his return to the Spa Little Theater stage on December 14 is multi-genre recording artist and instrumentalist Damien Sneed alongside his band. Sneed will present his new production of “A Gospel Holiday” featuring his original arrangements of gospel, jazz, and classical holiday favorites including Silent Night, The Christmas Song and Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child.
The “Sounds of the Season” series will culminate on December 15 with 2023 GRAMMY-nominated British vocal ensemble VOCES8 for its “Winter Tales” program. Following their SPAC debut in 2019, the a cappella group will perform a mix of holiday music spanning centuries from Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen to Let it Snow. The announcement marks the continuation of SPAC’s year-round programming in the Spa Little Theater, which is inclusive of a fall, holiday and spring season and is part of SPAC’s mission to present year-round programming.
Time for Three
“Sounds of the Season” Program Schedule:
A Time For Three Holiday
Friday, December 13 | 7 PM
Defying conventions with genre-bending excellence, Time For Three’s captivating sound merges classical, Americana, modern pop, and singer-songwriter styles, and their charismatic performances push creative boundaries. In addition to incredible arrangements of Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Led Zeppelin and others, the trio featuring Charles Yang (violin, vocals), Nicolas “Nick” Kendall (violin, vocals), and Ranaan Meyer (double bass, vocals), will present original music and special arrangements of holiday favorites.
Damien Sneed: A Gospel Holiday
Saturday, December 14 | 7 PM
A multi-genre recording artist, Damien Sneed is a pianist, vocalist, organist, composer, conductor, arranger, producer, and arts educator. Sneed returns to SPAC with an all-new project, “A Gospel Holiday,” featuring his original arrangements of gospel, jazz, and classical holiday favorites like Silent Night, The Christmas Song and Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child.
VOCES8: Winter Tales
Sunday, December 15 | 7 PM
Touring globally, the group showcases their diverse musical expression and versatility through an extensive repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary. Their program “Winter Tales” features a mix of holiday music spanning centuries from Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen to Let it Snow.
Damien Sneed
For more information on “Sounds of the Season” at SPAC and to purchase tickets click 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.)
The Great Salt City Blues Concert 8 has been announced for its annual return to Syracuse on December 26, this time at a new venue, the St. George Church Hall.
The area’s best musicians will be paying tribute to the music of 4 Blues Hall Of Fame members: Michael Bloomfield (2012), Johnny “Guitar” Watson (2008), Ruth Brown (2002) & Big Bill Broonzy (a charter BHOF member). Michael Bloomfield was one of the first guitar heroes of his generation, who along with Eric Clapton, was considered an early influence on many aspiring Blues guitarist’s that followed the path of the Blues boom of the late 60’s and early 70’s.
The GREAT Salt City BLUES Concert 8 will also be paying tribute to, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, a Texas Blues guitar great who began recording in 1954 and later re-invented himself as a funk soul master, best known for writing and singing the classic 1977 R&B hit, “A Real Mother For Ya”. Ruth Brown is also a member of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, inducted in 1993, mostly on the strength of 50’s classics Ruth recorded for Atlantic Records. Atlantic Records was then known as “the house that Ruth built” and Ruth a consistent hit maker and was their Queen of Rhythm & Blues.
Michael Bloomfield
On the acoustic stage, The GREAT Salt City BLUES Concert 8 will pay tribute to the legendary Chicago Bluesman, Big Bill Broonzy, a Blues Hall of Fame artist who began performing in the 1920’s and continued to record until his death in 1958. His prolific writing skills include over 300 copyrighted compositions, including many Blues classics that formed the bedrock of Chicago Blues. The great Muddy Waters was one of his biggest fans and recorded many of Big Bill’s classics for Chess Records in the 50’s and 60’s.
This year’s GREAT Salt City BLUES Concert 8 will be limited to 400 seated patrons and there is plenty of free parking at the Macedonian Orthodox Church parking lot. Food & beverages will be available and served by the church staff. Tickets are $30.00 advance / $40.00 at door, if available and go on sale, Nov. 1. You’ll want to jump on tickets now, as this show is sure to get packed quick.
A series of 10 GREAT Salt City BLUES Concerts will be presented. This is concert #8 and each concert has been performed in front of a full capacity audience. Each concert is unique and never to be repeated with a changing line-up of performers featuring some of the area’s greatest musicians. Each concert is a thematic show honoring some of our greatest Blues Artists with participating musicians chosen specifically because they are best fitted for the show.
For more information on the upcoming GREAT Salt City BLUES concert and to purchase tickets, click here.
The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls has a large schedule of shows for the coming months. From late October to late December, the venue plans to present shows for all walks of life.
The mission of Hudson River Music Hall Productions, Inc. is to create community through music and the related arts. They accomplish this goal through their venue, the Strand Theatre, at 210 Main St., Hudson Falls, NY. Since its first production on December 19, 2010 in the former Washington County Courtroom, The Strand Theatre has brought over 150 events per year to the public; live music, art gallery openings, dance seminars, theatrical productions, private gatherings and many more opportunities for the community to gather through the arts.
The theatre presents all genres of music from rock to folk, country to classical, jazz and world music, modern pop and more. They mostly host music events, but also 6-10 theater productions and 6-10 dance performances per year, monthly classic films, a World Cinema Series, Silent Film Festival, a weekly open mic, lectures and more. This fall to winter 2024 season at the theatre is no different.
For the coming months, The Strand Theatre hosts at least 50 new events within its walls. These shows range from folk and rock tributes to concert film, ensemble performances to movie screenings, dance shows to instrumental showcases, and so much more. The events hold a wide array of genres for all types of music enjoyers: rock, jam/progressive, world & reggae, pop, R&B, hip-hop, metal, classical and more.
Strand Theatre Hudson Falls has a 350-seat auditorium with a 32’x24’ stage for music performance, dance, theatre production and film, a professional concert sound system, a 9’ Steinway concert grand piano, a WiFi coffee shop, an art gallery/lobby and education/rental space. There’s simply a little something for everyone.
Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room
The Strand Theatre 2024 Schedule
10/22 – Prog Night with: Lifesigns, Mike Keneally Trio with Gregg Bendian and Teddy Kumpel, 7:30pm, doors at 7pm, $35/general admission, $50/orchestra section, VIP Post concert meet and greet for an additional $25 10/24- Artimus Pyle Band – a tribute to Ronnie Van Zandt’s Lynyrd Skynyrd, 7:30pm, ARTIMUS PYLE BAND Honoring Ronnie Van Zant’s Lynyrd Skynyrd, $50/floor level, $40/lower balcony, $30/upper balcony 10/25 – E1 Presents Raise Your Hands – a tribute to Bon Jovi, $25/balcony, $30/floor, $50 VIP Front Row 10/26 – Neil Diamond Tribute with Rich Ortiz! 7:30pm, $25/floor seats, $20/Balcony 10/27 – Monsters of Rock Band, 80’s hair metal, 3pm, $20/adults, Kids 12 and under are free, Costume Contest too! 10/28 – Lobby show – Jared Curtis, 7pm, free admission 10/30 – Movie: Rocky Horror Picture Show with shadow actors from SUNY Adirondack Theatre Club 11/1 – David Cross and Larks’ Tongues Band plays King Crimson 1972-74, $50/orchestra section, $35/general seating. 11/2 – Ernie LaRouche Band, 8pm, hosted by Mark Abodeely, Journey’s Escape album in its entirety and more, opener Nocturne Troubadours at 7:30pm featuring Marc Clayton and Tania Halko-Susi, 11/3 – North Country composer’s concert hosted by Catherine Reid, 3pm, 11/4 – Lobby Concert-Elizabeth Conant and band, pianist/singer/songwriter 7pm, free admission 11/7 – Thursday Showcase: Polar Identity, atmospheric rock, 7:30pm, $5 11/8 – Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre – a Brief History of Tull, 8pm, $60/Orchestra Section, $50/lower level, $40/lower balcony, $30/upper balcony. 11/9 – Manticore – a tribute to Emerson Lake and Palmer, 7:30pm, $25 11/10 – The Bob Cats – Rock ‘n’ roll salute to Bob Dylan with Jerry Marotta and friends, $25/floor, $20/balcony 11/11 – Lobby Concert-The Newells, family acoustic quartet-guitars/vocals, 7pm, free admission 11/12 – Movie Night – Sweet Dreams, 7pm, free admission 11/14 – World Cinema Series – Gojira, (Japanese), 7pm, free admission 11/15 – Strange Magic – a tribute to Electric Light Orchestra 11/16 – Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room, former Boston guitarist plays Boston and more, 8pm, $35/orchestra section, $30/floor, $25/balcony 11/17 – Jonathan Newell, classical chamber works, 3pm, $20/general, $15/seniors&veterans, $10/students 11/18 – Lobby Concert – Warren Sieme, acoustic guitar/vocal 11/20 – PAKT – with PERCY JONES – bass ADAM HOLZMAN – keyboard KENNY GROHOWSKI – drums TIM MOTZER – guitars, electronics, progressive rock improv. $25 11/21 – Thursday Showcase: Kaleb Dingmon, opening acts TBA, Pop/R&B/Hip-Hop, 8pm, $5 11/22 – Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute with The Fortunate Sons, 8pm, $25 11/23 – Aquanett, 80’s Rock Night!, $20/in advance, $25/day of show 11/24 – The Cosmic American Music Circus w/ The Lazy Suns, The Bluebillies, The Zorbas Trio, 3pm, $15/10 11/25 – Lobby Concert-Kevin Maynard and Ana Maynard, 7pm, free admission 11/26 – Movie Night – Miracle, 7pm, free admission and free popcorn 11/27 – Patsgiving: Benefit Concert for The Pat Nolan Scholarship Fund 11/29 – E1 Presents Kisstory – Kiss Tribute in full make up 11/30 – Mark Abodeely’s 4rd annual Thanksgiving Spectacular 12/2 – Lobby Concert: Marc Vincent, 7pm, free admission 12/5 – Thursday Showcase: Petra and Sola: The Painter and the Poet 12/6 – Across The Pond – Beatles Tribute, 7:30pm, $15/general admission, $5/students 12/7-Stephanie Schnieder Voice Studio Recital 12/7 – Seven Wonders – a tribute to Fleetwood Mac, 12/8 – Professor Louie and The Woodstock Horns play the music of The Band 12/9 – Lobby Concert- Art-n-Shawna, 7pm, free admission 12/10 – Movie Night – Somewhere In Time, 7pm, free admission and popcorn 12/12 – Thursday Showcase: HaHa Events presents Rockin’ For Christmas 12/13 – The McKrells Christmas Show, 12/14 – The Bluebillies Ol’ Time Christmas Revue, $15 general admision. $12 seniors/students. Start time 7:00 PM 12/15 – Lake George Community Band 12/16 – Lobby Concert – Johnny Clifford, 7pm free admission 12/20 – Movie Night – It’s a Wonderful Life, 7pm, free admission, 12/21 – Rock This Town – an oldies show of 50’s&60’s rock and pop and a salute to Brian Setzer and The Stray Cats 12/27 – Beyond Purple – tribute to Deep Purple, Rainbow, Dio and Whitesnake featuring guitarist Jimi Bell, 8pm 12/28 – Storm Front – Billy Joel Tribute, 8pm, presented and hosted by Mark Abodeel
For more information on The Strand Theatre’s upcoming events and to purchase tickets to any of the shows, click here.
The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall has announced the return of the fan-favorite Lift Series in 2025. The new lineup includes various multi-talented individuals set to rock the audience.
Curated by Organ Colossal, these performances give you the unique opportunity to sit on the historic Music Hall stage with the artists while they perform. The Lift Concert Series presents performances of new, independent music featuring regional performers, curated by local artists Sam Torres and Sophia Subbayya Vastek. The series sees three shows, one in January, February and March. Similarly, the lineup consists of three powerful music groups that plan to dazzle those in attendance.
The audience is invited to be seated on stage, with the musicians, creating an intimate concert experience. Concerts are designed to last about an hour, and after the performance, concertgoers are encouraged to enjoy the rest of the evening at one of Troy’s many restaurants or breweries. Tickets are only $25 in advance and are available online and at the box office now.
Doom Dogs
2025 Lift Series Lineup
January 8
DOOM DOGS
Genre-free Improvising Super Group with Reeves Gabrels, Jonathan Kane and Jair-Rohm Parker Wells.
Reeves Gabrels (Guitars): Reeves Gabrels is an electric guitar virtuoso recognized by musicians and audiences alike for his expressive range and power. He is known for his creative collaborations with David Bowie during the ’80s and ’90s, co-writing, co-producing and adding his innovative guitar work to a half-dozen acclaimed studio albums in addition to extensive touring. Since 2012, Reeves has been a member of the iconic band The Cure, where his artistry continues to captivate audiences worldwide. With Reeves Gabrels on lead guitar for Doom Dogs, sonic brilliance is a hallmark of the band’s performances.
Jonathan Kane (Drums): Jonathan Kane, the heartbeat of Doom Dogs, was a founding member of the influential band The Swans, has worked extensively with Minimalist godfather La Monte Young, was the only drummer for Rhys Chatham’s orchestra of 100 electric guitars, and leads his own trance-blues band Jonathan Kane’s February. His drumming style is characterized by a powerful and hypnotic presence, driving the band’s improvisations with precision and intensity. Jonathan’s vast experience as a drummer and composer contributes to the band’s ability to create spontaneous and enthralling musical moments that leave audiences in awe.
Jair-Rohm Parker Wells (Basses): The foundation of Doom Dogs’ mesmerizing sound lies in the hands of Jair-Rohm Parker Wells, a true legend in the world of experimental rock and jazz. Aside from being a founding member of the avant-rock band Machine Gun, Jair-Rohm was also a member of the seminal German experimental Rock band Embryo during the 1970s. His NS Design electric upright and bass guitar prowess adds a rich and dynamic depth to the band’s spontaneous compositions, pushing the boundaries of experimental rock and jazz. Jair-Rohm’s artistic sensitivity and expertise make him an indispensable part of Doom Dogs’ sonic exploration.
February 5
ZAN AND THE WINTER FOLK
Zan & The Winter Folk is an Americana band from Troy, NY. Led by Zan Strumfeld, The Winter Folk create anthems for the revivalists, lullabies for the lonely, and ballads for the hopeful. Vacillating between an acoustic quartet — two guitars, banjo and upright bass — and a rocking quintet with drums, The Winter Folk blend an upbeat, rootsy spirit with a melodic longing and vulnerability in their storytelling. Since forming in 2017, they have played at festivals, music halls and living rooms. With a captivating sound and comedic banter, The Winter Folk reveal a unique and intimate performance wherever they play. The band has two EPs, “How To Be Alone” (2019) and “Your Girl No More” (2018). Their full-length album, “New Morse Code,” was released in June 2024.
March 5
THE LADLES
The Ladles are known for their signature harmonic blend, intricate arrangements and commitment to human connection. Imagine the tight, sisterly harmonies of The Staves meets Madison Cunningham’s songwriting ingenuity. At a Ladles show, you can’t help but feel part of something bigger. Swept up in their ethereal soundscapes, you can easily forget what separates you from the person next to you. Based in NYC and San Francisco, The Ladles are Katie Martucci, Caroline Kuhn, and Lucia Pontoniere.
Troy-Natives – Zan & The Winter Folk
For more information on Troy Savings Bank Music Hall’s popular Lift Series and to purchase tickets, click here.
