NYS Music 2024

Category: Genres

  • Mutual Mentorship for Musicians Announces Third Annual M³ Festival

    The Mutual Mentorship for Musicians, or M³, mentorship initiative has announced its third annual two-day cumulative festival on October 25 and 26 in Brooklyn.

    About M³

    Founded in March of 2020 in the midst of lockdowns being put in place, co-founders Jen Shyu and Sara Sherpa created Mutual Mentorship for Musicians out of a shared recognition that music and performing arts as a whole are shaped within the context of male power, creating unequal environments and increased challenges for musicians of underrepresented groups- the exact issue M³ seeks to rectify. Through commissioning women, nonbinary, and BIPOC musicians for new music/video compositions, M³ creates the space for marginalized artists to flourish and share both their works and their stories with the world. 

    Additionally, dedicated to display a variety of composer-performers from a range of backgrounds and genres, the M³ Festival is a celebration of the founding principal of the program, the traditions and histories of the members, and the skills honed in each individual performing.

    Program Layout

    Over the course of two days, the program will feature headlining duo Linda May Han Oh with Fabian Alzaman and solo headliner Craig Taborn. Composers and musicians who have collaborated remotely, mostly those of M³’s fifth cohort, will meet in person for the first time to celebrate and share their work as well.

    The first day will feature projects “Selat Segara” (“separated by the ocean”) by Sattvitri and CC Sunchild, a project interpreting the majesty of the ocean, “All Roads Lead to Home” by The Kativa Shah Quintet, a vignette of works from their upcoming album of the same name, an improvisational exploration meshed with song-form that reflects the innermost questions of creators Tara Kannangara and Krissy Bergmark, the compositions of Jessica Jones and her fellow tenor saxist husband Tony Jones, and Craig Taborn’s working piece “Shadow Plays Solo”, a performance tailored to the concert space and audience for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    On day two, Dafna Naphtali and Gwen Laster will open with their newly reimagined M³ commissioned piece “Wake Me When It’s Green.” Now tailored to the live experience alongside musicians Ras Moshe and Alex Waterman, followed by a soundscape of Rani Jambak’s on her cultural identity journey as Minangkabau, a solo concert of Aline Franzão’s own compositions largely in portuguese with a blend of African, Brazilian, and Jazz influences, and the final performance of the evening- the ever-respected musical duo Linda May Han Oh and Fabian Almazan who will perform original works alongside improvisation, soundscapes, and both acoustic and electric elements.

    Tickets are on sale now for the M³ Festival at $25 per day on October 25 and 26 at the Roulette Intermedium in Brooklyn. For further information and ticket sales, please visit here.

  • Seagle Festival’s Fall Artists To Celebrate “The Musical World of Disney” throughout Adirondacks

    The Seagle Festival opera and musical theater production company of the Adirondacks has announced “The Musical World of Disney.” The musical revue will see performances from 100 years of Disney movies and musicals and will tour the area throughout September and October.

    Seagle Festival Flyer

    About Seagle Festivals

    Established in 1915, Seagle Festival is the oldest summer singer training program in the country. Founded by world renowned baritone Oscar Seagle, the Festival has brought history to the Adirondacks since its inception. Moreover. their singers were one of the first groups to perform in front of television cameras. Additionally, Seagle Festival was named “Best Summer Vocal Training Program in the United States” by Classical Singer Magazine in 2000. As a result, the program has grown into a competitive six-production and thirty-five plus performance season every year.

    In addition to performance experience, Seagle Festival provides weekly music coachings, private voice lessons, career development classes, acting and dance lessons, as well as master classes for famous singers and artist managers to each of its students.

    Not only is Seagle Festival putting on mainstage performances of Brigadoon, Don Giovanni, Cold Mountain, and Sweeney Todd, they have announced an exciting series of performances celebrating 100 years of all things Disney movies and musicals. Perfect for audiences of every age, the revue will feature songs from Cinderella, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Moana, Frozen, and much more.  

    The featured Fall 2024 Artists for “The Musical World of Disney” are Nicholas Farenkrug, baritone; Emily O’Connor, soprano; Collin LaHood, tenor; and Hannah Reich, mezzo-soprano.

    For further information and tickets, please refer to the full list of dates and their respective websites below.

    FULL LIST OF PERFORMANCES

    September 7: Oscar Seagle Memorial Theatre, Schroon Lake- visit here.

    September 8: VIEW Arts Center, Old Forge- visit here.

    September 13: Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, Blue Mountain Lake- visit here.

    September 14: Charles R. Wood Theater, Glens Falls- visit here.

    October 4: Tannery Pond Community Center, North Creek- visit here.

    October 5: Hubbard Hall, Cambridge- visit here.

  • fivebyfive Chamber Ensemble Announces 2024-2025 Season

    The fivebyfive chamber ensemble announces its 2024-2025 season with the “Our Stories” concert series in Syracuse and Rochester, featuring “Fantastical Stories (Historias Fantásticas)” in the fall, “Enduring Stories” in the spring, and the release of their fourth album, Eclipse, to bridge the two programs.

    fivebyfive is a Rochester based chamber ensemble of five professional musicians and one video and audio artist dedicated to cross-genre programming and commissioning new works from artists who are underrepresented in their field. Standard programs are composed of music written for flute, clarinet, electric guitar, piano, and bass- however, as is the norm with fivebyfive, this season is to be anything but standard. This year, new pieces will include banjo, fiddle, and voice.

    The evolutions in this year’s programming does not stop there. In addition, the ensemble will be performing folk songs, ghost stories, ballads, and original poetry, as well as newly commissioned works by renowned composers Roberto Sierra and Emily Pinkerton. 

    For the fall concert series on October 5 and 6, fivebyfive will perform “Fantastical Stories (Historias Fantásticas)”, featuring a newly commissioned piece from Ithaca-based Grammy-nominated composer Roberto Sierra, Sonidos Del Tiön. Sierra utilized the Argentine poet Jorge Borges’ story to weave a composition of both fantasy and reality. In addition to Sierra, the concert will highlight other Latin American composers including Clarice Assad and Miguel del Aguila. Musicians from Society of New Music will perform select pieces as well.

    In the Spring program on March 29 and 30, a mix of chamber and folk music will be performed in “Enduring Stories”, a collaboration between fivebyfive and songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emily Pinkerton of Albany. Throughout her new work “Ephemera Ballads” Pinkerton will play the banjo and fiddle alongside the ensemble, adding her voice to the mix as well. The ballads represent the lost voices of the Appalaichan and Catskills women of over two hundred years ago, whose stories of struggles with class, gender, and bodily autonomy still resonate to this day.

    In addition to these two exciting programs, the ensemble will be releasing its fourth album Eclipse on November 8. Distributed by Grammy-nominated label Bright Shiny Things, Eclipse features four pieces commissioned by fivebyfive for last April’s North American Total Solar Eclipse.

    Earlier this year, the ensemble held three sold-out shows at Rochester’s Strasenburgh Planetarium performing the tracks alongside an immersive video created by fivebyfive’s executive director Marc Webster. The composers include Jessica Meyer (“In the Path of Totality”), Marc Mellits (“Eclipse”), Kamala Sankaram (“Under the Shadow”), and Genesee Valley native Glenn McClure (“Totality”).

    Performances for “Fantastical Stories (Historias Fantásticas)” will be at the Onondaga Community College in Syracuse on October 5 and the Hochstein Performance Hall in Rochester on October 6. For more details and tickets, please visit here.

    Performances for “Enduring Stories” will be at the May Memorial Unitarian in Syracuse on March 29 and the Rochester Academy of Medicine on March 30. For more details and tickets, please visit here.

    To learn more about fivebyfive, Eclipse, and other events, please visit their website here.

  • JOE GENI Unveils Newest Single ‘City of Light’ Prior To October Album Release

    JOE GENI reveals his newest single ‘City of Light’ ahead of the October 4 release of his album ‘Cities Built Upon Cities’.

    Born in Illinois but living most of his adult life in New York City, Joe Geni has been releasing reflective indie-pop tracks since 2019 with his debut album ‘After Wandering Empire’, followed by the release of ‘Doggerland’ in 2021. Narratives of international affairs, climate change, urban infrastructure, and transportation all connect with the depths of the emotional human experience throughout his discography, a careful weaving that continues through his most recent releases.

    About The New Single

    “City of Light” joins two other pre-release singles for Geni’s newest album, “City of Energy” and “City Where The Sky Subsides,” creating a culminating piece that traces the transformation of Long Island City from its industrial past to the booming skyscrapers of today, all while reflecting on change, impermanence, the parting of friends, and feeling lost in the experience that is the city’s constant evolution.

    “City of Light” in particular highlights the power of human connection and resilience in the face of lockdowns. While highlighting the friendship and community that can come from such dire situations- a testament to human connection and hope that emerged while the earth heals.

    “And as the pandemic abated and something vaguely resembling normal life began to re-emerge, I, like one of our tiny mammalian ancestors crawling out of its burrow after the meteor that wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs, felt a burst of energy, and a feeling that that really in spite of everything we will be OK. Maybe.”

    – JOE GENI

    The upcoming album, as with Geni’s previous works, is produced, mixed, and mastered by Charlie Nieland, who has previously worked with the likes of Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, and Blondie.

    To learn more about “City of Light,” his upcoming album, and his story, visit JOE GENI’s website here.

  • COLORS Present ‘Tones of NYC’ Program at Knockdown Center in Queens this October

    COLORS has announced the “Tones of NYC” program which will see a diverse array of talented artist performances over the span of two days. The program lasts from October 10 to 11 and is hosted at Queens’ Knockdown Center.

    Knockdown Center in Queens

    About COLORS

    COLORS’ brand-new event concept, TONES OF, launches in New York in October 2024. It is set to explore NYC’s undisputed reputation as one of the most powerful cultural capitals in the world. Tones of NYC features a program of live music, art, workshops, discussions, pop ups and more. The aim is to unite leading creatives and up to 6,000 guests for 2 days of cultural exploration.

    The event boasts a stacked line-up including Street Dreams, Mustafa, Kidsuper, Moses Sumney, Half Moon BK, Sadboi, Naomi Sharon and many more. Another huge element of the TONES program is dance. TONES pulls in some of the world’s finest dancers and choreographers in the form of Charm La’Donna and Amari Marshall. They are both delivering panels as well as workshops.

    Mustafa the Poet

    Built in the city, for the city – ‘TONES OF’ unites both established and next-gen cultural pioneers to collaboratively curate each event. As well as music, TONES day-time agenda opens up discussions on topics from innovation in the arts to the future of design and more. 

    TONES OF connects live acts, DJs, artists, community projects, fashion brands, style heads, creatives, foodies and more. These creative minds deliver talks, workshops, pop-up events, Q&A sessions, parties and of course live music.

    Charm La’Donna

    For more information on the upcoming “Tones of NYC” event presented by COLORS, click here. Tickets are available to purchase on ColorsxStudios website.

  • Mary Gauthier To Co-Headline Four Shows in NY with Robbie Fulks

    Mary Gauthier is bringing her most recent tour alongside fellow singer-songwriter Robbie Fulks to Phoenicia, Saratoga Springs, and Spencertown later this month.

    Mary Gauthier Robbie Fulks

    Grammy nominated folk singer-songwriter and author Mary Gauthier has a long legacy of translating the human experience into sound. Her lyrics cut, her instrumentals hit deep, and her work has resonated with the public since the very beginning of her highly awarded 11 album, 28 year career. 

    Her first album, Dixie Kitchen, shares the name of the Cajun restaurant she opened prior to her musical career. This release gifted her the first of many award nominations to come for Best New Contemporary Folk Artist at the 1998 Boston Music Awards. Selling her share of the restaurant to finance her next album, Gauthier released Drag Queens in Limousines that same year, rocketing her into the spotlight for its unapologetically real, raw, and queer narratives.

    Since then, Gauthier has released nine albums, including Mercy Now whose titular track earned the title of one of the “Saddest 40 Country Songs of All Time” by Rolling Stone Magazine, and Rifles & Rosary Beads, a collaborative project with U.S. veterans and their families, which not only resulted in various awards and Gauthier’s first Grammy nomination, but also presented the public with a difficult conversation in a groundbreakingly beautiful way.

    Robbie Fulks, Gauthier’s co-headliner for the tour, shares her lyrical honesty and folksy charm, taking on a more bluegrass and country twang. While born in Pennsylvania and raised in Virginia, Fulks moved to New York City as a young adult and found a love for the Greenwich Village songwriting scene, there honing his skills that would carry his career to recognition from publications like NPR and Rolling Stone and two Grammy nominations.

    Gauthier and Fulks will begin their tour in a matter of days, performing at the United Methodist Church in Phoenicia, New York on September 14, both an afternoon and an evening performance at Caffé Lena in Saratoga Springs on September 15, and the Spencertown Academy Arts Center on September 26.

    For more information and tickets, please visit here. A full list of tour dates is below.

    TOUR DATES

    September 11 – Vienna, VA – Jammin Java

    September 12 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater

    September 13 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall

    September 14 – Phoenicia, NY – United Methodist Church

    September 15 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Caffé Lena (4:30 PM)

    September 15 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Caffé Lena (7:30 PM)

    September 17 – Nashville, TN – All Star Tribute and Drag Queens Album Performance

    September 21 – Palm Coast, FL – Flagler Oars Recovery Festival 2024

    September 26 – Spencertown, NY – Spencertown Academy Arts Center

    September 27 – Manchester, NH – The Rex Theatre

    September 28 – Town of Rockingham, VT – An Evening with Mary Gauthier & Ray Wylie Hubbard

    October 3 – Harvard, MA – The Fruitlands Museum

    October 12 – Nashville, TN – The Ryman Auditorium

    October 17 – San Antonio, TX – An Evening with Three Women and The Truth

    October 18 – Houston, TX – An Evening with Three Women and The Truth

    October 19 – Austin, TX – An Evening with Three Women and The Truth

    October 20 – Dallas, TX – An Evening with Three Women and The Truth

  • Five For Fighting Announce String Quartet Tour with 7 shows in NYS

    Five For Fighting’s String Quartet Tour kicks off Sept. 26. They will perform over two decades of hits and fan favorites with a four-piece string section. New York shows include stops in Homer, Saratoga Springs, Corning, Bethel, Oneonta, Bethlehem, and Port Washington.

    Five For Fighting

    Five For Fighting, otherwise known as John Ondrasik, is a platinum-selling, and Grammy-nominated songwriter and performer with a career spanning two decades since his first major single, “Superman (It’s Not Easy).” Five For Fighting has released six studio albums, including the certified platinum America Town, and The Battle for Everything.

    Ondrasik says, “The string quartet allows a more intimate experience and the ability to pull songs from my catalog with fantastic string arrangements from world-renowned composers that I do not play with the rock band. The string quartet also performs a multitude of classical and rock songs that change every night that is always a special treat for audiences.” The String Quartet will include the Tony Award-winning concertmaster and co-orchestrator of Moulin Rouge! The Musical Katie Kresek with Melissa Tong, Chris Cardona, and Peter Sachon.

    Five For Fighting Full Tour Schedule:

    September 26 in Homer, NY at Center for the Arts of Homer

    September 27 in Saratoga Springs, NY at Universal Preservation Hall

    September 28 in Corning, NY at Corning Museum Of Glass

    September 29 in Bethel, NY at The Event Gallery at Bethel Woods

    October 1 in Oneonta, NY at Foothills Performing Arts Center

    October 3 in Nashua, NH at Nashua Center for the Arts

    October 4 in Laconia, NH at The Colonial Theatre Laconia

    October 5 in Bethlehem, NY at The Colonial Theatre

    October 6 in Waterville, ME at Waterville Opera House

    October 8 in Newport, RI at The JPT Film & Event Center

    October 9 in Red Bank, NJ at Count Basie Center for the Arts – The Vogel

    October 10 in Port Washington, NY at Landmark on Main Stree

    For more information and tickets go here.

  • Boojum’s “Electric Wonderland” Lights Up Brooklyn Art Haus with Psychedelic Splendor 

    This fall, Brooklyn is set to experience a kaleidoscope of psychedelic marvels as New York rising stars Boojum take over Brooklyn Art Haus for a four-show run of “Electric Wonderland.” The residency will feature the band’s distinctive fusion of improvisational jam-band rock and immersive theatrical performances, redefining the live music experience.

    Boojum Electric Wonderland

    Every other Friday from September 13th through October 25th, Boojum will turn Brooklyn Art Haus into a playground of psychedelic fantasy, taking participants on a journey into the fantastical realms of Alice in Wonderland and other Lewis Carroll classics. Meant to be more than a series of concerts, “Electric Wonderland” is planned as an evolving spectacle, with every performance a new adventure featuring surprise guests and a dynamic setlist that guarantees no two nights are ever the same.

    Boojum Electric Wonderland

    “Electric Wonderland goes beyond music. We are creating a one-of-a-kind visually and sonically stunning theatrical experience,” said Sarah Elaz, bassist of Boojum. “By making every night of this residency different with no repeats and plenty of unexpected twists, we are embracing and evolving what it means to be a part of the modern jam band scene.”

    The residency marks a pivotal moment for Boojum as they build on their debut performance of “Electric Wonderland” at Brooklyn Bowl to establish a new home for their ambitious, immersive production. Boojum’s debut EP, Electric Wonderland Vol. 1: Down the Rabbit Hole, released in April, set the stage for what’s to expect, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the group’s ability to blend jam, EDM, funk, pop, and progressive influences into a captivating theatrical experience for fans seeking a feast for their eyes and ears. 

    Expect elaborate costumes, intricate choreography, and spellbinding projections that complement Boojum’s eclectic and improvisational soundtrack. For those ready to dive into the rabbit hole where psychedelic rock meets theatrical spectacle, “Electric Wonderland” promises an unforgettable journey. 

    Event Details:

    • What: Boojum’s “Electric Wonderland”
    • When: Fridays 9/13/24, 9/27/24, 10/11/24, 10/25/24
    • Where: Brooklyn Art Haus, 24 Marcy Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
    • Tickets: Available now

  • Megadeth Seeks to Destroy All Enemies in Albany on September 10

    Get ready headbangers, your chance to witness one of the most iconic bands in heavy music history is right around the corner.  Fresh off destroying throat cancer, Dave Mustaine’s legendary Megadeth are back and bringing their “Destroy All Enemies” tour to the MVP Arena in Albany on Tuesday, September 10th at 6:30pm.

    Featuring fellow heavy metal juggernauts Mudvayne and All That Remains, the stacked lineup is a “can’t miss” for fans of unapologetic, full throttle in-your-face metal anthems.

    megadeth albany
    Megadeth brings their “Destroy All Enemies” Tour to the MVP Arena on September 10th.

    Fueled by revenge in 1983 by frontman and guitarist Dave Mustaine after his split from Metallica, the Grammy Award winning Megadeth would go on to sell over 50 million albums worldwide and become one of the most influential bands in thrash music. One of the “Big Four” on metal’s Mount Rushmore, they are currently supporting their sixteenth studio album, The Sick, The Dying…and the Dead! Returning to the Albany venue for the first time since 2007, Megadeth’s rich history in the Capital Region dates all the way back to 1987 when they demolished the now demolished Colonie Coliseum (a.k.a. Starlite Music Theatre) in Latham.

    After pummeling the Palace Theatre a year later, the band would make their debut at the MVP Arena (formerly known as the Knickerbocker Arena) in January of 1991. With their highly anticipated return on Tuesday now 17 years in the making, this event is shaping up to be a celebration of both the band’s storied past and the enduring future of heavy metal, making it a must for longtime and new fans alike.

    At the heart of Megadeth’s success is the legendary Dave Mustaine, whose artistic vision, guitar skills and songwriting are central to the band’s identity. Mustaine’s playing style is a unique blend of fast, intricate rhythms and blistering solos, rooted in both punk aggression and classical influences. His aggressive down-picking technique and complex, jazz-inspired solos have made him one of the most respected guitarists in the genre. Despite his musical triumphs, he’s also faced significant challenges, particularly in his health. In 2019, he was diagnosed with throat cancer, leading to a brief hiatus for the band.

    However, Mustaine made a triumphant return to the stage after beating the illness, showing his resilience and commitment to his craft. His comeback is a testament to his status as a metal warrior, and fans at the MVP Arena can expect him to deliver a powerhouse performance. In addition to Mustaine, Megadeth’s current lineup includes Teemu Mäntysaari on guitar, James LoMenzo on bass, and Dirk Verbeuren on drums. Longtime followers can expect a setlist packed with hits like “Symphony of Destruction,” “Sweating Bullets,” “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due,” and “Hangar 18,” along with selections from their latest album, The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!

    Megadeth brings their “Destroy All Enemies” Tour to the MVP Arena on September 10th.

    Opening the show are two heavy hitters in Mudvayne and All That Remains. Following their groundbreaking debut album L.D. 50 in 2000, Mudvayne have become bona fide legends of the scene. With their nightmare inducing, freak-show presentation that includes painted faces and blood splatter, their fusion of nu-metal, progressive, and alternative metal has aged far better than most of their peers. Returning from hiatus in 2021, Mudvayne’s high-energy performance style is a perfect warm-up for Megadeth’s intense set. All That Remains bring a melodic metalcore sound to the bill. Founded in 1998, they’ve released nine albums, including The Fall of Ideals, which is considered a modern metalcore classic.

    For music lovers in the Capital Region, this concert is an opportunity to see one of metal’s greatest bands in action, with a setlist that spans across decades of iconic songs. For new fans, it’s a chance to experience Megadeth’s legendary status firsthand, witness the skill of Dave Mustaine and his bandmates, and be introduced to a new generation of metal through Mudvayne and All That Remains. Whether you’re a seasoned metalhead or just getting into the genre, the “Destroy All Enemies” tour at MVP Arena on September 10th is guaranteed to be a night of pure, unrelenting power, ultra-frenetic riffing, rapid solos, and headbanging anthems you don’t want to miss. Great tickets are still available.

    megadeth albany

  • Ashokan Center Announces Ukrainian Community Day Celebration on September 22

    Ashokan Center in Olivebridge, NY has announced a music celebration in honor of Ukrainian culture on September 22. The event is coined Ukrainian Community Day.

    Ukrainian Community Day

    The event features a diverse lineup of Ukrainian music. This includes The Ukrainian Village Voices, singer Maria Sonevytsky, bandura player Olya Fryz, and Eva Salina, founder of Driftwood Chorus.

    The Ukrainian American Youth Association of the Hudson Valley are selling a range of items. This includes shirts, sweatshirts, handmade jewelry, collectible Ukrainian stamps and more.

    Activities include Ukrainian folk medicine plant walks, dance instruction, hands-on workshops showcasing Ukrainian potters, and wool spinning & weaving artists. Also included, an array of authentic culinary delights to be presented by Soyuzivka, the Ukrainian American cultural center in Kerhonkson.

    Various performances are planned for the event by Zoya Shepko & YiYi Folk Ensemble, Ruby Pinyuh-Derovan, Bourbon & Breast Milk, and more. Each performance pays homage to the vast diversity of Ukrainian culture. Ukrainian Community Day is one for all to enjoy, and for all cultures to take part in and to experience this unique culture.

    Ashokan’s all-age tickets work on a sliding scale with $20 as the suggested price of the event, $10 as the minimum, and $30 to be a supporter. This allows the Ashokan Center to provide tickets to those who are financially unable to attend otherwise.

    50% of all proceeds are donated to Ukrainian-American Youth Association of the Hudson Valley. The support for Ukrainian American Youth Association’s (UAYA) efforts to aid children and hospitals in Ukraine is incredibly important, especially given the current challenges the country faces.

    “The natural beauty and wooden architecture of the Ashokan Center invokes a
    sense of the Ukrainian mountain communities, creating a meaningful and resonant
    backdrop for this event. Showcasing and connecting with Ukrainian culture and
    community helps bring the issues in Ukraine closer to people’s hearts and helps
    support its resilience and fight for freedom.”

    Danylo Mykula, Ukrainian American Youth Association

    For more information on Ukrainian Community Day, and to purchase tickets, click here.