The Town Hall, located in the Theater District in Manhattan, announced the 125th season of Peoples’ Symphony Concerts, including performances by the Juilliard String Quartet, The Knights, Paul Lewis, among others. Additionally, Allison Loggins-Hull and David Lang will premiere new works.
On Sunday, May 19, Frank Salomon will be presented with the Friend of the Arts Award in recognition of his contributions to New York Arts. Salomon served as director of Alexander Schneider’s New School Concert Series for fifty years. His love for classical music began in childhood, when his family subscribed to the Chamber Music series at the Town Hall.
As an adult, Salomon worked as the manager of the Peoples’ Symphony Concerts for over 50 years. Richard Goode, a performer with PSC, said of Salomon, “his feeling for the human values inherent in great art, continue to find an ideal environment in the warmth and surprising intimacy of The Town Hall”.
The Peoples’ Symphony concerts have offered New Yorkers affordable access to classical music since 1900. The Symphony offers exposure to established masters and promising young artists. At under $60 per concert season ($10 per concert), Peoples’ Symphony Concerts are an excellent option for affordable live music. Peoples’ Symphony also offers concerts in the Washington Irving Campus one block from Union Square.
The Salomon Series will showcase the beauty of chamber music while paying tribute to Frank Salomon. Performances will take place from October 2024 to March 2025. Paul Lewis will perform the Complete Schubert Piano Sonata on October 27. The Knights Orchestra will be performing Mozart, along with a new composition by Allison Loggins-Hull on December 8. The Town Hall will ring in 2025 with the performance of a mystery pianist on January 26. February 2, Raphaël Feuillâtre will make his NYC debut with performances of Bach and his contemporaries. Baritone Benjamin Appl and pianist Shai Wosner will pay tribute to Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau on February 16. Finally, on March 30, the Juilliard String Quartet will make their PSC debut.
In a quaint corner of the Hudson Valley, bordering Massachusetts lies Spencertown. This small hamlet is home to the Spencertown Academy, an institution dedicated to education and preservation of the arts. The academy strives to foster a sense of community by promoting the arts and humanities to all ages.
For over 50 years, the Spencertown Academy has excelled in this mission, hosting a slew of traveling musicians and artists, as well as holding numerous annual events. The venue has hosted performances supporting local talent, such as one highlighting blues women of the Capital Region. Additionally they have hosted national stars, like grammy-nominated singer-songwriters Gary Lucas and Guy Davis.
The Academy also promotes community involvement in the arts, hosting free writing, and blues workshops for all to attend.
The Spencertown Academy Arts Center’s history dates back almost two centuries to 1845. At its founding, the academy was not an arts center, but rather a teachers school. Founded by pastor Timothy Woodbridge, the academy was open to the region’s boys and girls, an uncommon practice at the time.
By 1847, construction on the schoolhouse had been completed, leaving the Academy’s current structure. The two-story high Greek revival building featured imposing ionic columns, a large front portico, and a high gabled roof, making it an architectural marvel of the region. In 1973, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance.
The Academy continued life as a public school until its closure in 1970. Desperate to save this community icon, Spencertown residents founded the Spencertown Academy Society. This society undertook a 10 year restoration of the building, allowing for its reopening as a community arts center. Following the tumult of the 2008 recession, the community banded together to eliminate the academy’s debt and establish it as a volunteer-based organization.
Today, the Academy hosts rich arts spaces, both indoor and outdoor. At its center, a 110 seat auditorium holds the Academy’s concerts, theater performances, and film screenings. The Academy’s Backer Room is a smaller, more intimate space in a restored classroom, used for its educational programs. The interior of the Academy also features two art galleries, featuring art and artisan pieces from locals.
In addition to this is the sprawling outdoor spaces, home to many of the Academies annual events. The Academy hosts the annual Hidden Gardens event, offering tours of the Spencertown Green’s manicured landscapes. This event also hosts a plethora of local craft and antique vendors. Other outdoor events, like Twilight in the Garden, and Community Day offer a chance for Spencertown’s residents to get together and enjoy food, and live music in an outdoor setting.
The Academy remains dedicated to the community, and especially its youth, hosting events to get them involved in the arts. The annual Festival of Books, sees the Academy transformed into a massive library, offering books for all ages. Additionally, the event features book talks, live readings, and other special activities.
The Academy has a busy upcoming season, with many events scheduled for the Summer. On May 31, the Academy will host The Lovestruck Balladeers playing an old-fashioned mix of Americana and swing. Continuing their dedication to arts education, the Academy will host a poetry and prose writing workshop on June 15. This workshop will focus on the Summer landscapes of Columbia County, and how nature has influenced past poets. In terms of theater, the Academy will show a production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest on June 21. The upcoming summer season continues to show the Academy’s dedication for the performing arts, and local arts education.
For more information, visit the Spencertown Academy website here.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) paid homage to their Jersey roots with an unbelievable spectacle of a show at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park. The show included Stuart Bogie sitting in on many songs, notably during “Eyes of the World.”
The first set started off with a classic Bluesy Dead song “Good Morning School Girl”. The set included an extensive “Fire on the Mountain” and a beautiful “Eyes of the World”. The band ended the set with one of my absolute favorite renditions of “Dancing In the Strets”.
It was so good JRAD started the second set at Stone Pony with the same jam. The “Music Never Stopped” that followed was equally as groovy and kept the vibe going.
What followed was a beautiful medley of Deadhead favorites including “Help on the Way”, “St Stephen”, “The Wheel”, and even “Uncle John’s Band” done in pristine JRAD fashion.
Most of the band is from New Jersey, the show is in the Jersey shore, so proper homage was paid with a double Bruce Springsteen encore. This band was truly born to run!
JRAD – Stone Pony – May 17, 2024
Set1: Good Morning School Girl, Touch of Grey, Silvio, Fire on The Mountain, Eyes of the World, Dancing in the Street
Set2: Dancing in the Street, The Music Never Stopped, Help on the Way, Slipknot!, St.Stephen
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts will be returning this year with a variety of acts throughout the summer, with shows running between June and September.
This year, a variety of camping options are available, with two separate sites within 0.5 miles of the venue being available for tent-only camping, glamping and car and RV camping. The 16,000-person venue will feature performances from Phish, Pretty Lights, Luke Bryan, Limp Bizkit and many more.
John Fogerty with special guests George Thorogood & The Destroyers and Hearty Har – The Celebration Tour – June 14, 6:50 PM
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award winner John Fogerty will stop by Bethel as the third New York stop in a row on his Celebration Tour. George Thorogood & The Destroyers and Hearty Har will join as special guests. Tickets are available here.
Roger Daltrey with special guest KT Tunstall – 2024 North American Tour – June 16, 7:30 PM
Roger Daltrey, lead singer for The Who, will perform a mix of The Who hits and solo music during a stop at Bethel for his 2024 North American Tour. Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall will join as a special guest. Tickets are available here.
Hootie & the Blowfish with special guests Collective Soul & Edwin McCain– Summer Camp with Trucks Tour – June 27, 7:00 PM
Two-time Grammy Award winners, Hootie & the Blowfish, will take on Bethel as a stop on their Summer Camp with Trucks Tour. Rock band Collective Soul and singer-songwriter Edwin McCain will make appearances as special guests. Tickets are available here.
James Taylor and His All-Star Band – June 8, 8:00 PM
Six-time Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee James Taylor, along with his all-star band, will arrive in Bethel on June 8. Notable musicians from Taylor’s band include The Blues Brothers saxophonist Lou Marini and Steely Dan and Bee Gees drummer Steve Gadd. Tickets are available here.
Alanis Morissette with special guests Joan Jettand the Blackhearts and Morgan Wade – The Triple Moon Tour – July 5, 7:00 PM
Alternative rock musician Alanis Morissette will stop by Bethel for her tour, The Triple Moon Tour. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Morgan Wade will open up as special guests. Tickets are available here.
Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, & Celisse – The Outlaw Music Festival – July 6, 5:30 PM
American folk legends Willie Nelson & Family and Bob Dylan will play together as part of the traveling “must see music festival of the summer,” Outlaw Music Festival. Robert Plant, Alison Krauss and Celisse will perform as well. Tickets are available here.
Luke Bryan with special guests HunterGirl, Larry Fleet, Dillon Carmichael and DJ Rock – Mind of a Country Boy Tour – July 11, 7:00 PM
Country music veteran Luke Bryan will be visiting Bethel in July for his Mind of a Country Boy Tour. The show will be opened by country singer-songwriters, HunterGirl and Dillon Carmichael and professional DJ, DJ Rock. Tickets are available here.
Jason Mraz & The Superband with special guest Ripe – July 12, 7:30 PM
Two-time Grammy Award winner Jason Mraz, known for hits like “I’m Yours” and “I Won’t Give Up,” will perform alongside his band the day after Luke Bryan. Alternative band, Ripe, will open the show. Tickets are available here.
The iconic family-friendly pop song cover group, Kidz Bop Kidz, is landing in Bethel for an early show on July 14. With “sung by kids for kids” being the group’s motto, this is a show that would be great for younger children. Tickets are available here.
Santana and Counting Crows – Oneness Tour – July 18, 7:00 PM
Santana, headed by legendary guitarist Carlos Santana, and Grammy-nominated rock band Counting Crows will perform in Bethel as the first of three shows in New York for their Oneness Tour. Tickets are available here.
Impractical Jokers – The Drive Drive Drive Drive Drive Tour – July 19, 8:00 PM
The Impractical Jokers are driving to Bethel for the first of two stops in New York on their Drive Drive Drive Drive Tour. The classic comedy group, known for their TV show with 10 seasons to date, will entertain using all new material on July 19. Tickets are available here.
Daryl Hall and Elvis Costello and The Imposters with Charlie Sexton – July 20, 7:00 PM
Daryl Hall, half of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Hall & Oates, will be playing with fellow inductee and two-time Grammy Award winner Elvis Costello. The two will be joined by The Imposters with Charlie Sexton. Tickets are available here.
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo with special guest The Vindys – Funtastic 24′ Tour – July 21, 7:00 PM
Multi-platinum album-selling Pat Benatar will be joined by husband and five-time Grammy Award winner Neil Giraldo in Bethel as a stop on their Funtastic 24′ Tour. American pop-rock band The Vindys will open as special guests. Tickets are available here.
Train & REO Speedwagon – Summer Road Trip 2024 Tour – July 24 6:00 PM
Pop-rock band Train and rock band REO Speedwagon are set to co-headline Bethel as the second of four New York shows on their collaborative Summer Road Trip 2024 Tour. Rock tribute band Yacht Rock Revue will be joining them as an opener. Tickets are available here.
Hank Williams Jr. with special guests Ian Munsick and Payton Smith – July 25, 7:00 PM
Country music star Hank Williams Jr. will play a set in Bethel as a celebration of the 45th anniversary of his hit song, “Family Tradition.” Special guests Ian Munsick and Payton Smith will open up for Williams Jr. Tickets are available here.
Limp Bizkit with special guests BONES, Eddy Baker, Xavier Wulf, N8NOFACE, Corey Feldman and Host/ MC Riff Raff – Loserville Tour – July 26, 6:30 PM.
Nu metal band Limp Bizkit is set to rock out at Bethel as a stop on their Loserville Tour. Rap artists BONES, Eddy Baker and Xavier Wulf will open the show alongside N8NOFACE and Corey Feldman, with MC Riff Raff hosting the event. Tickets are available here.
Hozier with special guest Allison Russel – July 27, 8:00 PM
Irish folk and blues singer Hozier best known for his massive hit “Take Me to Church,” will play in Bethel the day after Limp Bizkit at 8:00 p.m. Country singer Allison Russel will play as a special guest. Tickets are available here.
Phish – Summer Tour 24 – August 9, 7:30 PM, August 10, 7:30 PM, August 11, 7:30 PM
Massively popular jam band Phish will be playing in Bethel for not one but three nights for their 2024 Summer Tour. With no special guests, Phish will be the main focus of the jam-packed three-day weekend. Tickets are available here.
Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Topwith special guest The Outlaws – The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour – August 16, 6:30 PM
American rock bands Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top will perform at Bethel for their second of four New York shows as a part of their collaborative tour. Fellow American rock band, The Outlaws, will open up the show. Tickets are available here.
Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls – I’m Not Broken Tour – August 21, 7:30 PM
Grammy Award-winning country artist Melissa Etheridge and American folk music duo Indigo Girls will stop in Bethel as their second New York destination for their I’m Not Broken Tour. Tickets are available here.
Pretty Lights – Soundship Spacestation 2024 Tour – August 23, 8:00 PM
Electronic music veteran Pretty Lights, aka Derek Smith, will headline Bethel on August 23 for his Soundship Spacestation 2024 Tour. The Grammy Award-nominated artist, once described as “the face and voice of the new American electronic music scene” by Rick Rubin, is well known for his visually and sonically entrancing performances. Tickets are available here.
Tedeschi Trucks Band with special guests Little Feat & Margo Price – Deuces Wild 2024 Tour – August 25, 6:00 PM
Grammy Award-winning 12-piece rock and soul group Tedeschi Trucks Band will arrive in Bethel as the third of nine shows in New York for their Deuces Wild 2024 Tour. Special guests Little Feat and Margo Price will open the show. Tickets are available here.
Deep Purple with special guest YES – = 1 More Time Tour – September 6, 6:30 PM
Highly celebrated hard rock pioneers Deep Purple will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of their hit song “Smoke on the Water” on September 6 for their = 1 More Time Tour. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Yes will perform as well as a special guest. Tickets are available here.
Megadeth with special guests Mudvayne and All That Remains – Destroy All Enemies Tour – September 13, 6:00 PM
Grammy Award-winning British heavy metal band, Megadeth, will end Bethel’s summer lineup with a bang on September 13 as a stop for their Destroy All Enemies Tour. Heavy metal band Mudvayne and metalcore band All That Remains will open up the show. Tickets are available here.
Verve Records has announced the release of Louis in London, Louis Armstrong’s last great live performance on July 12. The album will be released on digital, CD, and exclusive black-and-blue vinyl.
Anyone who has listened to jazz is sure to recognize the music of Louis Armstrong. Throughout his five decade career, he revolutionized jazz trumpet and singing, achieving critical and commercial success never seen before. While born in New Orleans, Armstrong settled in Queens, NY, where he worked for much of his life. His work altered jazz, placing emphasis on improvised solos, crafting the jazz we know today. Off of the success of hits like “Hello Dolly” and “What a Wonderful World,” Armstrong and his All-star Band played across the world.
In 1968, they traveled to London to play the BBC Show of the Week. The performance was one “full of vitality and joy,” with some of Armstrong’s most inspired singing and trumpeting. Armstrong realized the impact of this recording, choosing to share it with his close friends more than any of his other works. Additionally, Armstrong hoped that the world could enjoy the recording, affixing a note that read “for the fans” on the tape box after receiving it. Now over five decades later, the recording is being released to the public, just as Armstrong hoped.
“Armstrong once claimed he was here ‘in the cause of happiness.’ All these decades later, albums like LOUIS IN LONDON continue his life’s mission at a time when we still need to be reminded that maybe it still is a wonderful world and maybe we’ll never walk alone after all.”
-Ricky Riccardi
The Album features eleven of the greatest songs recorded by Armstrong and The All Stars. Additionally, the release will feature extensive liner notes from Ricky Riccardi, an Armstrong biographer and director of research collections at the Louis Armstrong House Museum.
On Thursday, May 23rd, Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB concluded their tour with a 3 night run at Brooklyn Steel, which saw their final show of the May tour sold out. Fans gathered by the masses at the brewery adjacent from the venue and all around the block, waiting in eager anticipation of what was to come.
Trey and Classic TAB traveled far and wide for this tour, going from Canada, to the Midwest, and ending in Brooklyn; it is clear that momentum is on Mr. Anastasio’s side. Fresh off an acclaimed 4 night run at The Sphere, a new album, Evolveon the way, and not to mention a nation wide summer tour, as well as a 4 night festival, Mondegreen, all of which on the horizon, it’s a busy time for Trey. However, he proved without a shadow of doubt that he has no intention of slowing down, regardless how much success he meets. Flanked by longtime collaborators Dezron Douglas on the bass, Ray Paczkowski on keys, and Russ Lawton on the drums, the evening featured an array of classics and bust-outs.
Their first song, “Party Time” foreshadowed the evening with fans swaying from side to side right off the bat. “A Wave Of Hope”, a song featured on the upcoming album, “Evolve”, saw Classic TAB delving into uncharted territory. Other classic tunes such as “Gotta Jibboo, “Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan”, and “Twist”, solidified the evenings themes of a true celebration.
Returning for a second set, Trey and Classic Tab delivered an explosive rendition of “Blaze On”. Keeping the foot on the collective gas pedal, they navigated from “Plasma” to the rare but beloved “Alaska”. The vibe was locked and loaded when “Quantegy” rang out. The whole evening could be compared to a masterclass in the subject of musical exploration. Space, sound, and melodies interchanging, intermingling, and an audience paying such close attention, one could hear a pin drop.
Encores featured, “A Life Beyond the Dream”, and closed with “First Tube”. Fans left encouraged, knowing more music is on the way. Fans of Ray Paczowski and Russ Lawton can see their new project “Lamp” on a limited east coast tour. Fans of Trey can catch him with Phish on tour this summer, which features a 3 night run in Bethel. All tickets are on sale now.
Trey Anastasio – Brooklyn Steel – May 23, 2024
Set 1: Party Time, A Wave of Hope, All Pretending, Gotta Jibboo, Shade, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, Where They’ll Find Us, Twist, About to Run
Set 2: Blaze On, Plasma, Alaska, I Never Needed You Like This Before, Quantegy, 46 Days
A night after receiving a warm welcome at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn, genre-bending psych rockers Levitation Room brought their cosmic vibes up the Thruway to Troy’s No Fun on Tuesday, May 14. Delivering a captivating performance that took listeners to the other side and carefully back, the gravity-defying band showcased exactly why they’ve emerged as one of the leaders of their genre. Playing mostly songs from the recently released album Strange Weather, the cool cats from California made a colorful impression that first-time listeners won’t soon forget. Â
Kicking off the evening with Bob Forget of Schenectady’s The Abyssmals playing his first solo set, followed by a short, high energy set by the local rock trio Stroma, Levitation Room casually took the stage around 10pm. Getting their fingers loose with the technical and shifting rhythms of the opening instrumental “Pintura,” Levitation Room quickly found their groove with back-to-back bangers from their 2019 breakout album Headspace, “Warmth of the Sun” and “2025.”
“I wonder if I’ll be living In the year 2025 You know my futures uncertain I’m losing grip all the time”
Lyrics from 2025
Led by front man Julian Porte on vocals and guitar, alongside Gabriel Fernandez on guitar, Johnathan Martin on drums and Kevin Perez on bass, one look at this band and you could just tell they “weren’t from around here.” Casually dressed in retro threads, the music itself also sounded like a bit of a throwback. Blurring the lines of psych-rock, garage and surreal pop, every song felt catchy, like it could be a radio single, and it made you wonder why these guys aren’t more well known.
Levitation Room performing in Troy, NY 5-14-24.
Far from a “new band”, the East Lost Angeles quartet has been around for nearly a decade now. Carving out a niche in the psychedelic-rock realm and releasing three full length studio albums, it’s perhaps their harrowing experiences from the road that have earned Levitation Room the most publicity. Whether that be coming face-to-face with an alleged U.F.O. while passing through Arizona, or a terrifying incident in 2022 when members of the band were allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint, dosed with unknown hallucinogens, and robbed of all their equipment, Levitation Room has somehow soldiered on and continued making great music. Making their Troy debut on this Tuesday night, the band briefly paused to introduce themselves and invite the crowd of mostly twenty-somethings to come closer to the stage.
Levitation Room’s Julian Porte performing in Troy, NY 5-14-24.
After taking “Mr. Polydactyl Cat” for a walk around the block, Kevin Perez’s infectious bass lines on “Cool It, Baby,” were so mesmerizing and playful that it nearly overshadowed the songs’ more serious lyrical themes. Such was also the case on the follow-up song “Grand Illusion (Expectations), where the far-out pop sound seemed to mask the existential questioning of Porte’s words.
Raise your glass, move your feet Are you dead or asleep? Talking heads on the screen Keeps you stuck in the dream Where the rat race is rigged And the presidents picked By the bankers who lend All that money you spend
And I said cool it, baby
Lyrics from Cool It, Baby
Further captivating the audience by switching gears and showing off their tender side with a pair of love songs “Heaven,” and the well-received “Ooh Child,” the waves of emotion swelled up like an ocean when Levitation Room uncorked what was perhaps the highlight of the set, an extended take on “Revelations,” a song about living in the moment, that saw the band firing on all cylinders and jumping around the stage, while guitarist Gabriel Fernandez navigated through a bevy of effects pedals during the song’s incendiary solo. It was refreshing to see the guys cutting loose, having fun and believing in what they were doing.
Levitation Room performing in Troy, NY 5-14-24.
After reminding the audience to be weary of the CIA, FBI, and NSA keeping tabs on YOU during “The Other Side,” Levitation Room casually eased into their most well-known single, “Friends,” from their debut 2015 EP Minds of Our Own before the equally hypnotic and dreamy vibe of “Immoral Love” sent the entire room into a blissed-out trance. Bathed in abstract visual projections and peering through a pair of old school 3-D glasses, the cool and steady hands of drummer Johnathan Martin mesmerized all evening long. Shifting tempos and playing up their strengths, “Loved” snapped the crowd out of it before the title track of “Strange Weather” brought the main portion of our sonic odyssey to a close.Â
Watch fan shoot footage of Levitation Room performing “Reasons Why” in Troy, NY 5-14-24.
After walking off stage to an enthusiastic ovation, the band decided to treat the crowd to one more song, choosing “Reasons Why” as the lone encore of the evening, bringing the colorfully cathartic, rewarding and fun performance to a close. Afterwards, the band could be found at the merch table taking selfies and signing records for the dozens of new fans they’d just won over. No rest for the weary, Levitation Room would find themselves playing gigs in Canada less than 24 hours later.Â
Taking place at No Fun in Troy, it’s easy to be fooled by the venue’s tongue-in-cheek name. A beacon for Capital Region counterculture since opening their doors in December 2021, the heady, 200 person capacity club known for its DIY punk-rock atmosphere and excellent craft beer selection, No Fun has proven to consistently contradict itself. Booking bands you won’t find anywhere else and holding events nearly every night of the week, it’s shows like Levitation Room on a Tuesday night that stand out as making the place truly special. That’s why when the venue suddenly announced it’s looking for a new owner and operator this week it, it sent shockwaves through the local music community. Claiming a “work life balance thing” as the reason with a listing of $149,000, the current owner wants it to be clear, No Fun is NOT closing, but rather opening the doors of opportunity for someone with the same spirit and passion to take over. Stay tuned to NYS Music as we will be sure to keep you up to date on this developing story.
Levitation Room | May 14th, 2024 | Troy, NY | No Fun
Setlist: Pintura, Warmth of the Sun, 2025, Mr. Polydactyl Cat, Cool It, Baby, Grand Illusion (Expectations), Heaven, Ooh Child, Revelations, The Other Side, Friends, Immortal Love, Loved, Strange Weather
Encore: Reasons Why
Bob Forget (of Abyssmals) | May 14th, 2024 | Troy, NY | No Fun | First Solo Set
In the heart of the Hudson Valley, just 30 minutes south of Albany lies Catskill’s Bridge Street Theatre. The theater is a non-profit seeking to enhance the cultural life of Greene County through the independent production of musical and theater performances.
Greene County’s seat of Catskill is home to the Bridge Street Theatre opened in 2014. Since its founding, the theater has sought to set itself apart from the region’s other performing arts centers, with a focus on accessibility. The theater’s board focuses on highlighting overlooked musical and theater artists, even commissioning new works for the stage. They also strive to keep ticket prices low to make sure their performances can reach the widest possible audiences.
Since 2014, the Bridge Street Theatre has been a haven for cutting edge performance art. The theater has hosted over 62 musical performances, 84 plays, and 33 dance performances. It has staged productions of Monty Python’s Spamalot, Frankenstein and the Epic of Gilgamesh. Amongst these productions was The Shaggs’ Philosophy of the World, a stage retelling of The Shaggs’ legendary outsider music career. Additionally, the theater has also hosted a decade’s worth of musical performances ranging from classical to bluegrass. These concerts include San Francisco’s award winning Zelos Saxophone Quartet, and Capital Region folk band Ramblin Jug Stompers.
Downtown Catskill, NY
The theater’s story begins with its founder John Sowle. Following decades of acting and theater production in both San Francisco and Manhattan, Sowle relocated to Catskill in 2008. Following the move, Sowle focused his attention on finding a permanent home for his nomadic theater production company Kaliyuga Arts.
This plan came to fruition in 2013, when Sowle purchased a derelict air curtain factory just outside of downtown Catskill. After a year of renovations, the abandoned factory was transformed into a state of the art 12,000 square foot center for performing arts.
The derelict air curtain factory on the site of the theater, 2009
The theater’s premises house many venues for performing arts. At the center of the theater, is the Charles and Priscilla Patterson Mainstage. This auditorium has seating for 84 people, making it a perfect setting for the theater’s major productions.
There is additionally a smaller cabaret-style concert space, known as “The Speakeasy.” This area also currently serves as the theater’s lobby, but can be quickly converted into a performance space, with a small raised stage allowing for intimate shows. The venue also houses “The Big Room,” a space to host sculpture and art exhibitions. The theater values the comfort of its performers, housing dressing rooms, a lounge and living spaces for visiting artists.
The theater prides itself in collaboration with Catskill’s local youth. As it is located next to Catskill High School, the theater provides opportunities for local students to get involved in theater production and performance, getting a new generation involved in music and the arts.
The Bridge Street Theatre has a busy upcoming Summer season, with a host of performances set for the near future. On June 1, the theater will welcome world-renowned sitarist Ustad Shafaat Khan. Khan is famous for his simultaneous vocals, sitar, and tabla playing, which has spread appreciation for Indian classical music across the world. His performances have taken him around the globe, playing with legends like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles.
On June 8, the theater will be hosting the local magician Thomas Baker for an all-ages journey through the history of magic. The Saugerties-based illusionist puts a modern twist on classic magic tricks, all while sharing fun stories from throughout his life.
Finally, on June 22, the theater will host the 7th Bridge Street Belly Dance event. This event will weave together dance, music, and poetry to tell a story of how pain and beauty go together in life. Featuring dance from multi-disciplinary artist Jesse Sykes, and the poetry of Alysia Quinn, the event will tell a story of innovation and personal growth.
For more information, visit the Bridge Street Theatre website here.
Basilica Hudson announced their lineup of events for the 2024 season. Basilica Hudson is celebrating their new renovation with an action packed 2024 season. Summer events were kicked off May 18 & 19 with their 24 hour drone. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the 24 hour drone is a non stop 24 hour concert. A nearly religious experience, listeners challenge their endurance with the non stop music.
The Climate Action Film Festival will also be returning to Basilica’s North Hall on May 31st. The Festival showcases international stories of human bravery in the face of climate change. The Basilica will also be hosting Jupiter Nights throughout the summer. The event offers live music, food, art, and beautiful views of the sunset at Hudson Valley.
Additionally, the Basilica will be throwing two parties over the summer: (Freak) Flag Day and All The Bodies. (Freak) Flag Day will be a dark, gothwave dance party under the fireworks. All The Bodies will be hosted at Lil Deb’s restaurant on June 21 in celebration of Pride Month. Soundscape, a weekend of art and music, will also be returning this September. Farm & Flea will be returning this year for the summer and the holiday season. Farm & Flea offers a sustainable, local alternative to the mania of Black Friday.
Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth will be performing at the Basilica as part of her upcoming Collective Tour. Tickets to the above events and many more will be available at the following link. A trailer for this year’s Climate Action Film Festival is also available below.
Phish has officially unleashed “Oblivion,” the second song released from their forthcoming new album Evolve. The band’s first album in over four years, Evolve, is set to arrive via JEMP Records/ATO on Friday, July 12. But now two tracks from it have been unveiled before its official release next month. First, the album’s title track “Evolve” premiered last month. And now “Oblivion” has been made available to the public – with both studio cuts able to be heard below.
Evolve, Phish’s 16th studio album, is produced by Vance Powell and Bryce Goggin. It was recorded in the fall of 2023 at the band’s now famous Vermont recording studio, The Barn. True to Phish’s unique creative process, the album’s 12 tracks were selected from arrangements shaped by the band’s dynamic live performances. Some, like the fan-favorite “A Wave Of Hope,” have become springboards for Phish’s most soaring improvisation.
Phish seems to be giving “Oblivion” the same treatment. The song first debuted last summer and has already been played ten times, with a few serious jams attached to the back end. This includes a standout performance in Syracuse just a few weeks after its debut. And a huge arena rock version as only Madison Square Garden can supply.
This new album seems to have a fitting title as Phish’s distinct musical language is on vivid display; still pushing boundaries, still very much continuing to evolve. The cover of Evolve and gatefold feature paintings by Mehdi Ghadyanloo. The track “The Well” is only available on the vinyl version of the album.
Phish Dry Goods has three different exclusive pressings of Evolve available for pre-order, including a “Crimson Robed Edition” (neon-pink/maroon colored wax), “Pillow Jets Edition” (transparent/blue colored wax), and an “Eco-Onyx Gates” 180g Audiophile Edition pressed on recycled eco-black wax. T-shirts, CDs, and hats are also available.
Evolve Tracklist
1. Hey Stranger 4:47 2. Oblivion 6:03 3. Evolve 4:12 4. A Wave Of Hope 5:04 5. Pillow Jets 5:57 6. Lonely Trip 6:00 7. Life Saving Gun 4:25 8. Monsters 5:15 9. Ether Edge 4:06 10. Human Nature 2:54 11. Valdese 3:36 12. The Well 4:30* 13. Mercy 4:11
*track available only on the vinyl version
Pre-orders for Evolve are available now in all formats – including digital, CD, and double LP vinyl – via the Phish Dry Goods store: https://dry.gd/evolve.
