Powerful vocals, expressive dance, rousing instrumentals, moving testimonials, and stunning views of the city lights in Columbus Circle were in store for attendees of Josh Groban’s “Find Your Light” benefit concert for arts education. The annual fundraiser at Jazz at Lincoln Center raised $1.35 million to support arts programs across the country during its 20th anniversary event on October 29th.
Sara Bareilles, Jojo Levesque, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Renée Fleming, Josh Groban, Dr. Vivek Murthy, and Misty Copeland. Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
After a social cocktail hour, patrons flooded the Appel Room in the iconic Jazz at Lincoln Center venue for a star-studded lineup of performances. Throughout the night, the audience witnessed a reflection of the wide array of programs that received the Find Your Light Foundation’s support through the variety of song and dance on the setlist. From Jojo’s energetic delivery of Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire” to Matthew Whitaker’s jazz piano improvisation to contemporary dance choreographed by MOVE|NYC| to accompany Josh Groban’s live “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, there was truly something for everyone during the benefit.
Matthew Whitacre. Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
The concert not only raised money for music, dance, and theater programs, but it also recognized the work of two advocates in arts education. The awards segment was initiated with a beautifully harmonized rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” sung by Sara Barielles and Josh Groban. The song, originally recorded by the duo during the Covid-19 pandemic, was dedicated to the first award recipient of the night: U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. For his advocacy of the arts as it relates to medicine and world health, Dr. Murthy received the “Arts for Healing Award”. To celebrate the accolade, Dr. Murthy joined the band and treated the Find Your Light audience to a demonstration of the mridangam, a drum instrument commonly found in Carnatic music.
The arts are not optional
Dr. Vivek Murthy
Dr. Vivek Murthy. Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
For the second award introduction of the night, Angel Blue’s masterclass-level vocal delivery of Puccini’s “Vissi D’arte” soared through the room as she sang the aria without a microphone. The sonic landscape of the piece provided the perfect opportunity for Josh Groban to acknowledge the second honoree. Renée Fleming accepted the “Find Your Light Award” for her notable contributions to the expansion and advocacy in music across the wide range of genres in which she has sung and joined Groban for a performance of Leonard Cohen’s well-known “Hallelujah”.
Renée Fleming. Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
At the end of our lives, the last thing that remains is music memory
Renée Fleming
Groban closed the event alongside a choir of representatives from Broadway Bound Kids and the Stuttering Association for the Young, two organizations that were highlighted earlier in the evening. The ensemble’s uplifting “Bridge Over Troubled Water” left patrons feeling proud of the work they had done to support the arts and hopeful about the advances that are now possible through the funds raised during the benefit. Thanks to the work of Josh Groban and countless others behind the scenes, students across America may, too, find their light.
Josh Groban auctions the prop razor from his recent Broadway bow as the title character in Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd”. Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
In a statement posted to his official Instagram account, it has been announced that Phil Lesh has passed away at age 84. An innovator on the bass, beloved member of The Grateful Dead, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Lesh’s career of over 60 years in the spotlight is one of both major industry success and a profound legacy as a beloved band member, idol, loved one, and friend.
Born on March 15, 1940, Phil Lesh’s passion for music ran deep. Raised in Berkeley, CA, Lesh first started as a violinist, making the switch over to the trumpet in high school in addition to participating in the school’s musical extracurricular programming. Under the tutelage of conductor of the Golden Gate Park Band, Bob Hansen, Lesh’s interests expanded into free jazz and unconventional classical music.
His interest in the trumpet would carry through into his college years at the College of San Mateo, where he played with and wrote arrangements for the school’s band. His decision to transfer sophomore year to the University of California in Berkeley would become a historic one, as he would soon befriend his future bandmate and keyboardist Tom Constanten.
Photo: dead.net
Lesh’s years at UC Berkeley correspond with his time spent volunteering for local talk and music radio station KPFA as a recording engineer. His new connections to the music world forged a seemingly unlikely friendship between the bluegrass banjo player Jerry Garcia and, at the time, classically-inclined Lesh. Garcia had been looking for a bassist for his new band the Warlocks, and a few shows into their career he extended the invitation to Lesh, who had never played the instrument before- and the rest is history.
Many credit Phil’s unfamiliarity with the instrument as being the reason behind his revolutionary sound. Unlike learning through conventional means that often carried standards and preconceived notions of rights and wrongs, Lesh developed his skill on the bass “on the job,” relying upon his classical roots to educate his performance.
“As bass players, we walk a line between holding down the foundation and finding the freedom to be melodic. No one embodied this balance like Phil; it was astounding. His playing had a mesmerizing power, and his melodic lines floated like birds dancing through endless clouds and rainbows.”
– Mike Gordon, Phish
Lesh performed alongside the Warlocks wholeheartedly as the final member to round out the group, and just over a year after their first show the unit had rebranded to the iconic Grateful Dead moniker. Early on in the band’s career, Lesh’s experimentation was a point of tension between the group and their record label, but neither Lesh nor his bandmates were ever shaken by the critique.
Complimenting Garcia’s guitar solos and the songs’ instrumentals, Lesh pioneered a sound that didn’t subject bassists to being nothing more than a time-keeper. Exploring melodies, solos, and techniques such as the Bach counterpoint all while rooting himself to the tempo, it cannot be underscored enough how excitingly revolutionary Lesh’s playstyle was for bassists and listeners alike.
Throughout the Dead’s career, Phil’s unending passion for jazz and avant-garde music continually bled into their collective sound, including key introductions to the works of jazz saxophonist John Coltrane and composer Charles Ives whose influence can be recognized throughout their discography.
After the loss of Garcia in 1995, The Grateful Dead decided to go their separate ways- at least formally. Lesh would go on to perform for years alongside Grateful Dead offshoots The Other Ones and The Dead in addition to his personal unit Phil Lesh and Friends and music legend friends like Bob Dylan, with whom he co-headlined two tours.
Reuniting with his bandmates in 2009, the remainder of the Grateful Dead toured throughout the summer, and in the fall of the same year Lesh founded the band Furthur with Bob Weir. Another new pursuit came in the form of Terrapin Crossroads, a music venue in San Rafael that Lesh ran for just under ten years. Terrapin Crossroads hosted the full Phil Lesh and Friends band and his sons Grahame and Brian countless times over the years, among several other acts.
2014 saw the disbandment of Furthur and Lesh’s wrap on touring full time, however he just couldn’t shake live music. Performing with Phil Lesh and Friends as well as the Terrapin Family Band countless times and appearing in select festivals and venues over the years, Phil’s adoration for his craft and seemingly innate need to create music for the world could be felt in each and every performance he gave.
“Anyone I’ve ever seen that interacted with Phil loved him. He was kind and real and present in ways that few people are. Connected to the here and now, and yet transcendent at the same time. This aspect of Phil Lesh was also a part of his bass playing. He was both rooted and soaring at once.”
– Derek Java, NYS Music
Beyond his incredible list of achievements and admirable legacy as a musician, Lesh was above all a loving husband and father, and a kind, giving soul. Phil and Jill, his wife, ran their Unbroken Chain Foundation charity together. He frequented benefit concerts and advocated for organ donor programs after undergoing liver transplant surgery, and was a survivor of prostate and bladder cancer. Phil will not only be remembered for his once-in-a-lifetime skill or revolutionary mind, but above all for his genuine heart and unrelenting kindness towards every single person he encountered.
In the Lesh family’s official post, they state,“He was surrounded by his family and full of love. Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love.” The Lesh family has requested that fans respect the family’s privacy at this time.
Multi-platinum Hip Hop artist Aloe Blacc has announced his upcoming three-night residency at the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC. This residency takes place from January 24 to 26, 2025, ahead of the release of his upcoming new album.
This series of intimate performances comes ahead of the release of his first album of original new music in five years, set to drop in February 2025. Known for his hits such as the diamond-certified global anthem “Wake Me Up”, as well as classics like “I Need A Dollar” and “The Man,” Aloe Blacc continues to fuse his soulful sound with a deep commitment to social change.
This upcoming album pairs each track with a different charity or philanthropic initiative, showcasing Blacc’s ongoing efforts to use his music to make a tangible impact on the world.
With contributions from notable producers like Hunter Hayes, DJ Khalil, and Stargate, this album promises to be both musically innovative and socially significant. At the Blue Note residency, fans will experience an up-close performance, blending his classic hits from albums like Lift Your Spirit and Good Things with previews of his forthcoming album.
Aloe will also perform one of his latest singles, “Shine”, a moving track inspired by his work with the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, which he debuted at the 2024 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity Ceremony in Los Angeles.
For more information on Aloe Blacc’s upcoming three-night residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club and to purchase tickets, click here.
“Keep Marching On”- the closing number’s titular command that beautifully presented the recurring theme of the evening at the “No Matter What We Sing Out For Freedom” concert on October 28 at the NYU Skirball Center.
Presented by the New York Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union, the production featured an uplifting setlist sung by a who’s who of Broadway greats. The event also celebrated this year’s recipient of the Michael Friedman Freedom Award: Busy Philipps.
Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, and Katie Couric. Photo provided by NYCLU.
As the house lights went down to begin the concert, the NYCLU and ACLU sought to conjure the positive energy and love that was synonymous with Gavin Creel, the Broadway actor and civil rights advocate who passed away in September at the age of 48. Creel opened the show via a video of his 2011 “Sing Out For Freedom” performance of his original song “Noise”. The cautious optimism and hope expressed in his act would continue throughout the evening.
Sara Bareilles. Photo provided by NYCLU.
As the show went on, host Katie Couric introduced musical performances from Jasmine Amy Rogers, Jenna Bainbridge, Sara Bareilles, Ally Bonino, Nadia Dandashi, Eden Espinosa, J Harrison Ghee, The Good Liars, Hawley Gould, Christine Heesun Huang, Alex Newell, Liana Stamper, and Monica Nulia Ramirez. Following Bareilles’ stirring rendition of Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work”, she introduced her close friend and Girls 5eva costar Busy Philipps to receive the Michael Friedman Freedom Award.
Honoree Busy Philipps. Photo provided by NYCLU.
The Freedom Award, inaugurated in 2017 to recognize the work of people or organizations as humanitarians and activists, was presented to Busy Philipps on behalf of her advocacy and support for women’s rights. For all of her work in the civil rights realm, Busy Philipps joined an impressive roster of Freedom Award recipients including Shaina Taub, Harry Belafonte, and Alan Cumming.
Busy is the definition of ‘put your money where your mouth Is
Sara Bareilles
As the United States rapidly approaches Election Day, the speakers and musicians of the NYCLU and ACLU “No Matter What We Sing Out For Freedom” concert shared a message of simultaneous hope and urgency to make their voices heard.
J. Harrison Ghee. Photo provided by NYCLU.
Through music and speeches, audiences were motivated to take full advantage of their right to vote and make change. However, the organizations’ work will not end on November 5th. Katie Couric summarized the mission best when she exclaimed “whatever happens, we stand for freedom”. Regardless of what the next chapter holds, these organizations will in fact keep marching on.
Alternative/Reggae group Badfish have announced the “Gimme the Gold Tour 2025” which sees dates in Buffalo, Saratoga and Brooklyn in February.
For nearly 25 years, Badfish have channeling the music and live performance of reggae/punk/ska legends Sublime with a reverence to the ingenuity of Sublime’s songs – and a vibe all their own. Sublime is arguably one of the most influential and enduring acts of their generation. In 2001, Rhode Island-based Badfish was formed as a fun project with one goal: to perform the Sublime songs they knew and loved for fans who shared that love. It didn’t take long for this “fun project” to develop into a full-time touring endeavor that persists to this day.
Badfish regularly tallies over a hundred shows per year, performing at large-scale festivals and headlining theaters across the US. Now after two decades of celebrating the music of Sublime, Badfish is ready to kick into another gear with the release of some exciting new original tracks on Ineffable Records. Badfish recently released its second new track – the anthemic “F You Pay Me” (featuring Grieves) – as the follow up to the band’s first single “High With You” (featuring Little Stranger). The crowd’s enthusiastic response to these new songs makes them feel right at home alongside Sublime staples in the Badfish set.
Harnessing this new creative energy, Badfish is set to gear up for their 2025 “Gimme the Gold Tour.” The tour takes the boys around the country where they’ll surely keep the vibes high for some familiar faces and many new ones as well. Badfish’s tour sees three dates in NY on this tour. Firstly, in Buffalo at Town Ballroom on February 2, next in Saratoga Springs at Putnam Den on Feb 20, and lastly on Feb 21 at Brooklyn Bowl in NYC.
Badfish 2025 Gimme the Gold Tour Dates
1/23: Ardmore, PA | Ardmore Music Hall 1/24: New Haven, CT | Toad’s Place 1/25: Sayreville, NJ | Starland Ballroom 1/29: Charlottesville, VA | Jefferson Theater 1/30: Falls Church, VA | State Theater 1/31: Virginia Beach, VA | Elevation 27 2/1: Charlotte, NC | Amos Southend 2/2: Charleston, SC | Charleston Pour House 2/5: Oklahoma City, OK | Tower Theater 2/6: Tulsa, OK | Cains Ballroom 2/7: St Louis, MO | The Pageant 2/8: Fort Wayne, IN | The Clyde Theater 2/12: Columbus, OH | Newport Music Hall 2/13: Pittsburgh, PA | Thunderbird Music Hall 2/14: Buffalo, NY | Town Ballroom 2/15: Cleveland, OH | House of Blues 2/16: Wyandotte, MI | District 142 2/19: Killington, VT | Pickle Barrel 2/20: Saratoga Springs, NY | Putnam Den 2/21: Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Bowl 2/22: Boston, MA | Paradise Rock Club
For more information on Badfish and to purchase tickets to their upcoming 2025 “Gimme the Gold Tour,” click here.
K-Pop global sensation SEVENTEEN delivered two unforgettable nights of captivating performances, stunning costume changes, and lighthearted antics to New York’s own UBS Arena as a part of their SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] World Tour, celebrating the group’s accomplishments and current endeavors alongside their international fanbase.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
Since their last US tour in 2022, 13 piece K-Pop powerhouse SEVENTEEN has seen a skyrocketing level of success. The first Korean Pop act to headline Lollapalooza Berlin and perform on Glastonbury’s iconic Pyramid Stage, the group is no stranger to making and breaking records- they are, after all, the group responsible for the best selling K-Pop album of all time at more than six million sales with their release FML.
Currently embarking on their SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] World Tour, the group looks back on what they have accomplished thus far and forwards into the exciting future ahead of them as they span venues across the United States and Asia- including New York’s very own UBS Arena in Belmont.
This tour’s two nights in Belmont marks the group’s fourth visit to the New York area, especially exciting for SEVENTEEN member and New York native Vernon who has noted that his memories of the city are especially precious as they are tied to touring with his group and being able to return to his birthplace time and time again thanks to the group’s global fanbase.
October 25 marked the first of two nights SEVENTEEN was to spend in New York, and the anticipation for the night could be felt well before the show had commenced- as all seasoned K-Pop fans will tell you, the concert truly begins hours prior. The closer to the venue, the more it was possible to pick out fellow Carats- that is to say SEVENTEEN fans (named in reference to the carats that make a diamond shine)- decked out in elaborate, fabulously curated, and sometimes even handmade outfits alongside positively glowing faces as they anticipated the show to come.
The themes for the night’s outfits were rather distinct- the first party donning seventeen’s signature color palette of pink, blue, and white, the second dressed in black and pops of sparkling red in reference to the group’s recent release “Maestro,” and the third subtle- or not so subtle- nods to fanbase favorite moments and inside jokes, including but not limited to member Hoshi’s passion for tigers and iconic “Horangae” claw pose and the now infamous black, red, and white jacket worn by two competitors on group-forming competition show Boys Planet where they performed SEVENTEEN’s “HOT”.
Outfits are only the beginning of the concert necessities, however. Carats carrying both official and custom pickets depicting the fan’s favorite member or a celebratory slogan, the group’s official light stick either freshly purchased or bedazzled to the gods, paper banners from fan projects with encouraging messages written in Korean for the members to see, and homemade goods for any and everyone lovingly referred to as “freebies” filled the halls of UBS, the merchandise and food lines a fanbase mixer and the concourse a runway.
Inside the Arena, the pre-concert sparkle was in full effect. Carats were excitedly syncing their light sticks for the corresponding light show to come, posing for photos, and exchanging even more freebies (I was gifted an adorable custom SEVENTEEN at UBS Arena photo card from a lovely blue t-shirt and face glitter clad duo as they made their rounds), singing along to the music videos playing and most noticeably- dancing.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
For the uninitiated, dance is its whole own beast in K-Pop. Almost every single release comes with corresponding choreography that some fans will learn to the point of recording in fully produced videos or forming a group dedicated to covering their favorite artists’ moves.
SEVENTEEN in particular shines on the dance floor. The group’s dedicated performance unit includes members Hoshi, Jun, The8, and Dino, though it truly isn’t difficult to describe the entire group as a set of all-rounders- that is, artists who have mastered the dancing, singing, and rapping aspects of their career.
Just prior to the SEVENTEEN [RIGHT HERE] tour kicking off, it was announced that members Jun and Jeonghan would not be participating. As of September 26, Jeonghan began his mandatory South Korean military service, and Jun is currently exploring acting opportunities in China. While heartbroken, fans took the loss in stride, their presences felt in the arena throughout the night with pre-recorded vocals playing during their parts and accompanying visuals depicting the group as the full roster of thirteen. The two were sorely missed but present all the same.
As SEVENTEEN took the stage, the energy was electric. Wonwoo sang the opening line to “Fear” as the ring of backup dancers around him collapsed to the ground, the production leaning into full-on theatrics right off of the bat.
The red screen behind those on stage already split down the middle to reveal the remainder of the members stood upon a pyramid of stairs, their silhouettes a striking visual. By the time the full group had united on the main stage, fireworks had been set off and lasers were in full effect, setting an exciting precedent for the rest of the evening.
Captivating performances of “Fearless”, “MAESTRO”, “ASH”, and “CRUSH” followed with intermittent VCR interludes paired with an introductory ment from each member that established a communal excitement for the remainder of the show.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
The first section of the night was concluded with a VCR that allowed for the first of many costume changes, which led directly into a series of unit songs that allowed each set of members show off their specialized skillset. First up was the hip-hop/rap line comprised of S.Coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, and Vernon with “Water” and “MONSTER”, the former featuring an absolutely addictive bit of choreography in the final chorus and the latter feeling perfectly timed for a show just over a week prior to Halloween.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
Once “MONSTER” wrapped, it was time for the performance/dance line to shine. Members Hoshi, The8, and Dino took the stage to perform the effortlessly smooth track “Rain” that emphasized the trio’s fluidity and body control and “Lilili Yabbay”, named after the verbal counts the dancers used to memorize the track’s choreography.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
The vocal line- Woozi, Joshua, DK, and Seungkwan, took the stage after to perform “Candy” and “Cheers to youth”, the former perfect for a waltz in the rain and the latter a glitteringly nostalgic track that opened with corresponding confetti cannons and featured various polaroid photos of the members throughout the years behind them- a lovely testament to how far the group has come and yet another heartwarming nod to Jun and Jeonghan.
Introducing the next stage was a VCR depicting the group playing ping pong, showering one another in feathers during a pillow fight, and generally just enjoying one another’s company over a warm, homely backdrop. A metallic time machine-like structure delivered the group back on stage where they resumed their activities: lounging on bean bags, attempting a badminton rally, and playing basketball, the group’s familial rapport on full display.
The following performance of “Oh My!” was intermittently paused to allow the members to tease one another, attempt a shot at the basketball hoop, and generally just mess about on stage. It was almost surreal to observe their banter live after seeing the same rappport on their web variety series GOING SEVENTEEN, which in turn proved that yes, they are genuinely that silly in person.
In a dramatic turn of events just prior to the final chorus, the members turned to the time machine only to find it had malfunctioned… and dropped them in the middle of the jungle. Various dancers emerged from the stage in inflatable costumes and engaged the members in an over-the-top dance battle that had the audience at the edge of their seats between bouts of laughter.
SEVENTEEN has made it clear that they don’t take themselves too seriously, and it’s no wonder why- they don’t feel the need to. The sillier moments like an inflatable costume dance battle are counterbalanced with their flawless performance and sharpened skills that speak for themselves in a way that culminates in an air of effortless entertainment. The group knows they’re talented, and because of this have no qualms leaning into the silly and absurd.
“Oh My!” was followed by a series of lighthearted tracks including personal favorite “Snap Shoot” and the ever-vibrant “God of Music,” closing out the third section of the show.
Other tracks performed after a costume change into a palette of effortlessly stylish neutrals include the group’s recent release “LOVE, MONEY, FAME” in collaboration with DJ Khaled, the strikingly impactful “MARCH” that had pyrotechnics for days, and arguably one of the group’s most successful releases, “Super”.
As is tradition for most if not all concerts, the end of “Super” marked the point in which the artist would make a casual goodbye and the audience would put on an act of pretending there isn’t an encore to be anticipated ahead of them- however, SEVENTEEN’s encore comes with terms and conditions. In order to determine the encore stage’s length, fans must first prove themselves through the power of dance.
Cheers were heard throughout the stadium as the cameras panned from one fan to the next, dancing their hearts out to other fan favorite tracks absent from the set list, and lo and behold, the members re-appeared in their final outfits of the evening to perform “Adore U”.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
Now came time for the time-honored SEVENTEEN tradition that every Carat dreams of experiencing at least once in their life. The real end of the show comes in the form of “VERY NICE”, or “AJU NICE” as it’s colloquially known, a track released on SEVENTEEN’s first album repackage. “AJU NICE” is iconic, “AJU NICE” is eternal, and “AJU NICE” is never ending- literally. The beginning of the song is a standard performance, the chorus exciting and bright, and then the members pivot to a dance battle with an audience member or pass the mic off to a fan near the barricade to sing a line or two, and plot twist- you’re right back in “AJU NICE”.
All of this to say night one in New York wrapped with a total of eight “AJU NICE”s that felt so complete as a conclusion there was no need for the pretense of elongated will-they-won’t-they departures, as SEVENTEEN had left everything out on the floor, just as Carats had from their seats- something “AJU NICE” made sure of. The perfect bow on the evening, night one of SEVENTEEN in New York had come to a close.
Photo: PLEDIS Entertainment
An absolute tour-de-force in live performance, SEVENTEEN is not a group to be overlooked regardless of whether or not you’ve ventured into the K-Pop world before. Perfectly balancing precise skills and unbelievable vocals with incredibly down to earth attitudes and a clear, genuine love for bringing their music to the stage, SEVENTEEN is a refreshing class act that knows they’re talented and isn’t afraid to be themselves all the same.
Setlist: Intro + Fear / Intro + Fearless / MAESTRO / Prelude + ASH / CRUSH / Water / MONSTER / Rain / Lilili Yabbay / Candy / Cheers to youth / Intro + Oh My! / Snap Shoot / God of Music / HOME / Intro + LOVE, MONEY, FAME (feat. DJ Khaled) (English Ver.) / MARCH / SUPER / Adore U / ’bout you / Campfire / VERY NICE
Albany Symphony has announced a dazzling new program for the month of November which features outstanding and captivating works presented November 16 and 17. The concerts take place at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.
The November concert features Smetana’s “Moldau”, Joan Tower’s Cello Concerto, “A New Day” and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” These shows take place on November 16 at 7:30 PM and November 17 at 3:00 PM. The evening opens with the flowing, lyrical, “Moldau,” by Czech composer, Bedřich Smetana, which evokes the Vlatava River (the Moldau). The piece evokes the composer’s deep love of his homeland.
“A New Day,” written in 2021 by GRAMMY Award-Winning composer Joan Tower, will feature cellist Raman Ramakrishnan. The piece is an appreciative, hopeful, and nostalgic work of art reflecting on love and a long, fruitful relationship. Joan wrote the piece with the thought in mind that this life of love lasts only a limited time, and a duo must appreciate every moment together until the end. Joan Tower is widely regarded as one of the most important American composers living today. Her works have been commissioned by major ensembles, soloists, and orchestras across the country and the world.
Composer Joan Tower
The evening concludes with one of the most beloved symphonies of all time, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” The piece was composed in 1893 while Dvořák was the director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City. It premiered at Carnegie Hall to ecstatic acclaim. Dvorak conceived the piece as a blueprint for future American composers to find their uniquely American voices. It is an anthem to America and reflects Dvorak’s great interest in Spirituals and Native American Music.
The 2024-2025 season runs through the American Music Festival in June. It includes the Water Music NY: More Voices Festival, a Symphony Side-by-Side with the Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO), Magic of Christmas, Tiny Tots concerts for young people, and more. The shows on Nov 16 and 17 are ones you’ll certainly regret missing. These shows highlight legendary classical pieces that have shaped the way composition is done. Seeing an art form like this is timeless.
For more information on the Albany Symphony and to purchase tickets for the upcoming November 16 and 17 concerts, click here.
Dayglo Presents has announced the SOULSHINE concert benefiting relief and recovery efforts from hurricanes Helene and Milton at Madison Square Garden later next month, featuring household names like Dave Matthews Band, Warren Haynes Band, and more.
In the wake of unimaginable tragedy and loss, the music community has come together. Music holds the intangible power to bring folks of all walks of life together, forging new communities and strengthening old. Once more, musicians and fans alike will come together in the name of good for the SOULSHINE benefit concert on November 24 at Madison Square Garden for an evening of captivating live performances that make a real difference.
With a collective four million individuals without power, a death toll of just under 250, and entire communities destroyed, the paths Helene and Milton cut across the southeast United States was nothing short of devastating. In times of unimaginable loss like these, there is nothing more powerful than a community coming together- which is exactly what the folks at Dayglo Presents with Live Nation seek to accomplish with their SOULSHINE Concert Fund.
For one night only, acts like the Dave Matthews Band, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, the Warren Haynes Band, Goose, and more will come together under the roof of MSG to raise money for both hurricanes’ relief funds. Special guests for the evening include Trey Anastasio, Mavis Staples, Robert Randolph, Joe Russo, Trombone Shorty, Susan Tedeschi, and Derek Trucks.
Many of these acts are familiar with advocacy through their art- the Dave Matthews Band being designated the United Nations’ Environmental Goodwill Ambassadors in addition to raising over $65 million for a variety of hometown and global causes through various events and benefit concerts, and Warren Haynes being a beloved North Carolina figure and Asheville local for his annual Christmas Jam that has raised nearly $3 million for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity among various other accomplishments through his partnership with BeLoved Asheville. Haynes’ hometown of Asheville in particular was one of many communities hit by Helene’s unforgiving path- making the SOULSHINE concert all the more from the soul.
“Every year, it is my honor to host the Christmas Jam and give back to the community there, but this year, we need to do things a bit differently. I’m thrilled to partner with my good friends in Dave Matthews Band and so many other musician friends to bring ‘SOULSHINE’ to the iconic Madison Square Garden and help raise money for all those affected by both hurricanes throughout North Carolina and Florida. My heart is with you all and we look forward to creating a really special night!”
– Warren Haynes
Net proceeds from the evening’s performance will benefit the SOULSHINE Concert Fund at the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, which will support Habitat for Humanity’s 2024 Hurricane Recovery fund in addition to a variety of nonprofits in North Carolina and Florida that are currently making crucial efforts on the ground.
In addition to all sales and donations made by folks attending, leading mortgage and lender and servicer Newrez has pledged $500,000 in support of SOULSHINE’s efforts to help the communities it serves recover and rebuild.
Tickets for the SOULSHINE Benefit Concert will go live on Friday, November 1 at 10:00 AM EST. For more information, donation opportunities, and ticket purchasing, please visit the SOULSHINE website here.
Bluegrass-Americana troubadours, GreenskyBluegrass have announced 17 new tour dates that will bring the band coast to coast. The tour includes a stop at Brooklyn Paramount on February 13.
The newly announced dates kick off on January 16 in Blue Lake, CA and include stops throughout California, Nevada and Arizona. Following their West Coast leg, the band will make their way to the East Coast for several shows, including two nights in Washington, D.C. and a stop at NYâs very own Brooklyn Paramount.
Fans can expect an unforgettable experience highlighted by their cross-genre blend of bluegrass, Americana, rock, and beyond. Greensky Bluegrass are widely known for their thoughtful lyricism, edgy and genre-expansive sound, dazzling live performances and relentless touring schedule. Some of the newly added dates include performances by Fruition and Railroad Earth.
However, that is only the tip of the complex tale of the five musicians that make up Greensky Bluegrass: Anders Beck [dobro], Michael Arlen Bont [banjo], Dave Bruzza [guitar], Mike Devol [upright bass], and Paul Hoffman [Mandolin]. The five are connected through a deep bond, just as they are seasoned road warriors, theyâre a band of brothers who have seen each other through decades of ups and downs, personal and collective highlights, and the moments when life turns it all upside down.
GREENSKY BLUEGRASS ON TOUR
October 31 @ The Refinery | Charleston, SC
November 1 @ The Underground | Charlotte, NC
November 2 @ The Eastern | Atlanta, GA
November 8 @ Avett Moon | Miramar Beach, FL
November 9 @ Highlands Food & Wine Festival | Highlands, NC
November 10 @ The Mill & Mine | Knoxville, TN
November 12 @ Tipitinaâs | New Orleans, LA
November 14 @ White Oak Music Hall | Houston, TX
November 15 @ Granada Theater | Dallas, TX
November 16 @ Stubbâs Waller Creek Amphitheater | Austin, TX
December 12-16 @ Strings & Sol | Puerto Morelos, MX
December 30 @ The Mission Ballroom | Denver, CO*
December 31 @ The Mission Ballroom | Denver, CO*
January 16 @ Blue Lake Casino | Blue Lake, CA
January 17 @ The Crystal Bay Club | Crystal Bay, NV
January 18 @ Fox Theater | Oakland, CA^
January 19 @ The Catalyst | Santa Cruz, CA
January 22 @ Orpheum Theater | Flagstaff, AZ
January 23 @ The Van Buren | Phoenix, AZ
January 24 @ The Wiltern | Los Angeles, CA
January 25 @ The Sound at Del Mar | Del Mar, CA
February 5 @ F.M. Kirby Center | Wilkes-Barre, PA
February 6 @ The Fillmore | Philadelphia, PA
February 7 @ The Anthem | Washington, D.C.
February 8 @ The Anthem | Washington, D.C.
February 11 @ Count Basie Center for the Arts | Red Bank, NJ
February 13 @ Brooklyn Paramount | New York, NY
February 14 @ College Street Music Hall | New Haven, CT
February 15 @ House of Blues | Boston, MA
February 16 @ State Theatre | Portland, ME
* with Fruition
^ with Railroad Earth
For more information on Greensky Bluegrass’ upcoming tour and to purchase tickets, click here.
The Palace Theatre, in partnership with the City of Albany’s 2024 Cash for Coats Drive, welcome the Nolanauts on Friday, November 8.
The free performance enjoines funk music lovers in the Capital District to support CA$H FOR COATS, with donations of $25 or more garnering an invite to a special VIP Reception area with complimentary food provided by The Hollow Bar + Kitchen.
The Cash for Coats program is a community-based initiative designed to collect funds to purchase new winter clothing items for Albany school children in need. Donations can be made the following ways.
Nolanauts is a fast rising, high octane, 10-piece rockin’ funk collective fired up about celebrating the joyful historical and contemporary fire of New Orleans music, sharing it with fans of all ages while creating a vibrant party atmosphere wherever they go. The ensemble features passionate, committed musicians of different generations playing music by Crescent City legends, from 50-60-year- old chestnuts to more contemporary songs.
Starting with a livestream presentation at The Linda WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio in Albany, fans, NoLaNauts have performed at such mid-size venues as Frog Alley in Schenectady, Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs, Lark Hall in Albany (including an opening slots for NOLA legends, Glen David Andrews & John “Papa” Gros), Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes, NY and at the Rye Bread Music & Arts Festival. The band dropped their debut original single “Early Warning” in February 2023 and has three upcoming singles set for release throughout 2024.
The Palace Sessions is a live music series featuring some of our favorite regional & national acts performing in different spaces within the historic performing arts center. The Palace Sessions was conceived in 2020 through a partnership with the City of Albany & Mirth Films as an outlet to provide live music to the Capital Region (and entertain ourselves!) during a time when venues were closed and live music was difficult, if not impossible to come by as well as raise money to support the Palace Theatre.
The Palace Sessions lives on with free live performances in the Palace Lobby, open to the public and aired online.Past Palace Sessions performers include moe., Eastbound Jesus, Annie in the Water, Thomas Nicholas, Moriah Formica, and more… To enjoy past episodes of the Palace Sessions online, visit here.
