The Canandaigua Business Improvement District has announced the 2024 Art and Music Festival, celebrating local musicians, artists, and businesses throughout the city.
The festival begins on Friday, July 19 at noon and goes through the weekend, ending on Sunday July 21. From 12 pm-7 pm on Friday and 10 am – 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday, Historic Downtown Canandaigua will feature over 150 restaurants, artists, and musicians.
For 34 years, the historic sidewalks of Downtown Main Street have hosted the Art and Music Festival, aimed to celebrate the works of artists belonging to several mediums. Although its start was small and featured a few artists scattered around the region, the festival has grown into a mounting success in the last three decades. Now in its 35th year, Downtown Main Street is home to over 150 artists and musicians and includes activities, classes, demonstrations, and raffles.
After an extensive jury process, artists are selected to display their works throughout the entirety of the festival. Each year, new artists in almost every category, including ceramics, pottery, jewelry, woodworking, fiber, glass, photography, and gourmet foods, showcase and sell their creations at booths. Art students at local schools join in on the fun, too, showing off their coursework for all to see.
Musical acts at the festival will take place for the entire weekend on the Maxion Stage at Commons Park. The concerts start at noon every day. This year, the Art and Music Festival features select musical acts from all genres, including Bluegrass, Blues, Rock & Roll, Jazz, and singer-songwriter Acoustic performers from all over Upstate New York. Returning performers and newcomers alike, the musicians performing at the Art and Music Festival will be bringing their best for the entire weekend.
Throughout the entirety of the festival, a wide range of activities are available in Historic Downtown. Activities include a musical petting zoo, an interactive experience complete with instruments to explore. Demonstrations of pottery making, candle creation, and glass flameworking are readily available. Lastly, the Golden Palette Studio Trail includes special events and access to original art, crafts, classes, services, and unique gift items.
For more information, visit the city’s website, linked here.
Spillway, a brother duo from Woodstock, made their musical debut on July 9, with their first release, “Are You Having Fun Yet?”
Twin brothers, Aaron and Wyatt Mones have been making music for years as singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists. However, this time around, they’re making music under their new project, Spillway. Named after the street they grew up on in Woodstock, the project emphasizes the sentiment of their musical upbringing and collaborations as brothers, even when they live on opposite coasts.
Their new single “Are You Having Fun Yet?”, gives listeners a folky tune mixed with a more universal pop sound and hints of country western. Inspired by the music of artists like Blake Mills, Frank Ocean, and Sufjan Stevens, the song represents the artistic direction of each brother respectively, coming from different perspectives and environments. The song is successful in evoking nostalgia and reflection and truly has appealing features for vast tastes in music.
The new song is Spillway’s first release on Indiana-based independent label, Wally Opus Records. The brothers self-produced the record themselves, having to either work remotely from each other or commute across the country to do so. So far, the song is gaining traction quickly on streaming services for having been out just less than a week. If “Are You Having Fun Yet?” is any indication of what Spillway will produce in the future, fans of folk and indie are going to want to keep them on their radar.
Listen to “Are You Having Fun Yet?” on your preferred streaming platform here.
Slavic Soul Party, a New York City brass band will rock Schenectady, NY with their performance at the Music Haven concert series on July 21.
The nine piece band blends Slavic, Balkan and Roma tunes to create their unique sound. The band has been officially named the number one GypsySoul, BalkanBrass band in NYC. The band is led by drummer Matt Moran who is accompanied by Kenny Bentley on the tuba, John Carlson and Kenny Warren on trumpets, Adam Dotson and Tim Vaughn on trombones, Peter Hess on the saxophone, Peter Stan on the accordion and Chris Stromquist on percussion.
Over the last 15 years they have released seven albums and toured around North America, Europe and Turkey and Zimbabwe. The group has a less than traditional way of recording. They recorded the album Bigger in under four hours with another brass band and used four roosters in the making. Slavic Soul Party re-arranged Duke Ellington “Far East Suite” for their 2016 album, adding their own twist to the classic jazz record.
Joining the concert series as Slavic Soul Party’s opener is Niva, a four-woman Macedonian band from Brooklyn. The band performs a variety of tradition folk music in Macedonian
This year’s Music Haven series features a lineup of incredible international and cultural performers. The 34th season includes Mokoomba, a Zimbabwean Afro-fusion band, Buckwheat Zydeco, a creole-funk artist from Louisiana and an Irish folk band called Goitse.
You can catch these free performances every Sunday from July 7 to Aug 30. Yanni’s 2-Go will serve a global menu throughout the series. During the Slavic Soul Party performance, they will serve traditional Balkan dishes like Moussaka and Baklava.
To find more information about the lineup, you can visit the Music Haven Website here.
Two-time Grammy Award winner, Jason Mraz, hit the stage at CMAC on Wednesday, July 10. Bringing a night of positive and inspirational messages, Mraz rocked the Northeast shore of Canandaigua Lake, along with Ripe and The Molly Miller Trio in support of his 2023 release, Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride.
Jason Mraz
With the threat of tornados from Buffalo to Canandaigua throughout the day, Mraz and fans were keeping a close on the weather. As Mraz hit stage around 830, it was clear that many fans decided to stay home. Thanks to venue staff for doing the right thing, as many lawn patrons were offered seats under the cover of the shell.
Getting the night started was Ripe. Fronted by Robbie Wulfsohn, Ripe is a highly energetic pop-funk band from the Boston area. Formed while studying at Berklee College of Music and working through the pandemic, Ripe has developed a mini cult-like following of music fans of all ages that keeps on growing. Pairing with the powerful voice of Wulfsohn were Christian Yogi Saint-Louis on guitar, Sampson Hellerman on drums, Jon Becker on Bass, Calvin Barthel on Trombone.
Opening for an act like Jason Mraz might be intimidating for some, but for these guys, not even the weather was intimidating as they dominated their set. Both Wulfsohn and Becker were all over the stage, never skipping a beat.
Ripe Setlist: Flipside, Stanky, Passerby, Say It To Me, Sussudio (P Collins cover), First Time Feeling, Noise in The Forest, Downward, Settling, (Goon Squad)
As Mraz took the stage donning a retro looking fit, the crowd is energized and ready to dance the night away, a common theme at Jason’s shows. Joining him on the stage that was backlit by large display screen was his Superband, a collection of nine other artists who were all ready for a workout, including Molly Miller, Billy Galewood, and other members of Bushwalla.
“Getting Started” and “Feel Good Too” was the ideal pair of songs to get the set started. Both songs carry poppy, trippy, and happy vibes which set the tone for the next 90 minutes.
Before song three began, insight was offered up on the meaning of “The Remedy.” He went on to talk about a conversation with a high school friend who had a deep conversation with him around age 20 and told Mraz of his recent cancer diagnosis. Definitely, not something anyone wishes to deal with but sadly becomes part of life. In an ode to his friend and the most positive outlook one could have in his situation, “The Remedy” was born. Mraz continued on saying that this friend is alive and well today, and recently celebrated his birthday.
Admittedly, I could not name more than one song from Jason Mraz before the show. As the night progressed, I recognized several, not realizing who the artist was. Not realizing the level of talent I was listening to. Guitarist, lyricist, dancer, and story teller, Jason Mraz offers it all and delivery is second to none.
As he continues his set, he adds in wit and banter related to each song, or the weather as he cracked a couple tornado jokes. He even ‘Rick Rolled’ the Canandaigua crowd. Introducing a song, he began to talk about a special guest who join in him on stage, as he called out Colbie Caillat, an artist who he has collaborated with previously. After a brief pause, he added “…Could not make it tonight” and immediately went into Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.”
Keeping the jokes going, he offered alternate lyrics to “Pancakes & Butter,” his song about waiting for someone special because they pair well together. Trying to keep straight face, Mraz started singing about Rochester and garbage plates instead of “Pancakes & Butter.” Apparently, the former didn’t flow, and he had to scrap the idea.
As the night concluded with “I Feel Like Dancing,” Mraz was joined on stage with Ripe and they danced the night away. Artists pairing up with each other and creating an amazing scene on stage as the entire crowd is up screaming for more. A very fitting conclusion to a very uplifting show.
Jason Mraz setlist: Getting Started, Feel Good Too, The Remedy (I Won’t Worry), 3 Things, Living in the Moment, Good Old Daze, Be Where Your Feet Are, Look For The Good, Make it Mine, Butterfly, Pancakes & Butter, Disco Sun, 93 Million Miles, I Won’t Give Up, Have It All, You Might Like It, I’m Yours, I Feel Like Dancing
Jon and Alonzo – RipeCalvin & Yogi -RipeCalvin Barthel – RipeAlonzi Demetrius – RipeSampson Hellerman – RipeJon Becker, Robbie Wulfsohn – RipeRobbie Wulfsohn – RipeJon Becker – RipeJason MrazJason MrazJason MrazMolly Miller Jason MrazJason MrazJason MrazJason MrazJason Mraz
Playhouse Stage Company is extending its 36th season with a production of Legally Blonde: The Musical at Cohoes Music Hall. Previews will take place on July 17 and 19, and the production will last through August 11.
Playhouse Stage Co. has been presenting musical theatre productions year-round at the Cohoes Music Hall since 2016. They are continuing that tradition with Legally Blonde: The Musical this summer. The musical comedy based on the beloved movie will feature Playhouse Stage Academy students as well as professional performers. The talented actors will tell the story of sorority girl, Elle Woods, who attends Harvard Law School to follow her ex-boyfriend and finds herself in the process.
Legally Blonde will have two previews taking place on July 17 at 7:30 PM and 19 at 2 PM for press coverage. For the rest of the run there will be 7:30 PM evening performances on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. 2:00 PM matinee performances on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The show is directed and choreographed by Ashley-Simone Kirchner, assistant choreographed by Gabi Bazinet Douglas and Alexis Papaleo, and musically directed by Brandon Jones. Additionally, Scenery is designed by Marc Christopher, costumes are by Minah Tucker, lighting is by PJ Davis, and sound is designed by Tommy Rosati.
Tickets are on sale at the Cohoes Music Hall and Playhouse Stage Co. box office. Adult tickets are $35.00, with $25.00 available for Seniors (65 and older). Tickets are $18 for children and students with identification. To purchase tickets online, visit www.playhousestage.org.
The Albany Institute of History and Art presents their latest free concert series, Summer Music at the Museum. The series will take place on select Wednesdays throughout the months of July and August and feature a number of local musicians, artists, and restaurants.
In partnership with the Albany Musicians Association and Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF), Summer Music at the Museum returns to the Albany Institute as the 2024-2025 season begins. The series consists of three separate performances, each on a select Wednesday of each month. The concert series began with its first performance on Wednesday, June 26. The next scheduled concert is Wednesday, July 17, from 5:00-7:00 pm, featuring The Art D’echo Trio.
The Art D’echo Trio is a jazz trio hailing from New York’s capital region. Its members are pianist Dave Gleason, bassist Mike Lawrence, and drummer Pete Sweeney. Formed in 2012, The Art D’echo Trio have performed together in multiple jazz combos since they were teenagers. Eventually, the three musicians formed an official jazz trio, bringing their skills to performances all over New York. Over the years, the trio have played everything, from Latin jazz tunes to their own renditions of classic jazz standards, enthralling audiences everywhere they go. Their one-of-a-kind musicianship is inspiring to both lifelong jazz fans and newcomers to the genre. Now, they head to Albany for a stellar performance at Summer Music at the Museum.
The Art D’echo Trio – official Facebook page
The next concert for Summer Music at the Museum is scheduled for Wednesday, August 14.
All concerts for Summer Music at the Museum are free and open to the public. The Albany Institute encourages attendees to bring picnic blankets or camp out on the lawn of the museum. The venue is located at 125 Washington Ave, Albany. For any updates or additional information, visit AIHA’s website, linked here.
Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC returns to where it all began. Next Saturday (July 20) the 2016 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will make an appearance at the Queens Night Market to debut his new cookie brand, Darryl Makes Cookies.
DMC will headline Summerstage on July 21. Photo by John Shore.
Late last year, DMC unveiled Darryl Makes Cookies during an appearance at Comic Con. According to McDaniels, the line of cookies and many of his artistic endeavors are intended to bridge generational gaps. As a result the cookies have made a few pop-up appearances, but DMC is officially bringing them home on July 20 at the Queens Night Market. Furthermore, fans and visitors will get a chance to meet DMC and have their cookie bags signed by the rock & roll hall of famer.
I’m so excited to be performing in my hometown borough of Queens! I’m bringing things that make people smile… music and the koolest cookies in the universe. This is going to be like the neighborhood block parties we would have that are one of the foundations of Hip Hop. It will be the culture at its finest!
– Darryl “DMC” McDaniels
About Queens Night Market
The Queens Night Market aspires to be NYC’s most affordable, most diverse, and most welcoming community space. The event features over 100 independent, local vendors on Saturday evenings in Flushing Meadows Corona Park from April through October. It maintains a unique $5-$6 price cap on all food items available for sale at the event for inclusivity and accessibility to everyone.
Since it’s launch in 2015, the Queens Night Market has welcomed approximately three million visitors, helped launch over 400 brand new businesses in New York, and represented over 95 countries through its vendors and their food. In 2023, the event averaged approximately 20,000 attendees each Saturday night. Presently, DMC and the Queens Night Market combine in their common cause towards inclusivity and accessibility for all.
DMC brought all eyes on the borough with the pioneering music of RUN DMC. We’re beyond ecstatic that DMC is hosting an official launch of Darryl Makes Cookies at Queens Night Market and can’t wait to catch his SummerStage show the day after!
Jim Jones’ rapping and delivery have aged like wine. Thus it comes as no surprise that as Brady Watt sifted through beats at — Dipset affiliates — Heatmakers’ studio, he could not help but think of Capo. “With Dipset already on my mind, we reached out to Jim Jones, and he miraculously came to the studio a few days later,” Watt recalls.
Brady Watt adds his touch to The Heatmakers’ beat, creating “Godspeed.”
Hence, the end result –“Godspeed”– is classic Heatmakers beat. Backed by a high pitch and soul sample, the record sees Jim Jones introspectively shares his life and times and Brady Watt delivers a passionate chorus. Yet during the recording process, Watt was mourning the loss of a close friend’s father. Thus channeling his emotions into the song, turning his sadness into a passionate message about gratitude, alignment with destiny and God’s timing.
“Jim did the verse on the spot and brought everything to the next level. Thankfully, my cameraman was there to document everything,” Watt reveals. Indeed, the music video for “Godspeed” consists of the intimate studio session, showcasing Watt’s diversity as he provides vocals, production and instrumentation on the record.
“I’m a lifelong Dipset fan,” Watt shares. “Over the years, I’ve developed a friendship with Jim and Heatmakerz. I’m always making beats, but I wanted to see what would happen if I used someone else’s production while still adding my instrumentation and bass.”
More From Brady Watt
Ultimately, “Godspeed” is the latest feather in the cap of the the multi-instrumentalist/producer. After all Watt has been a hip hop mainstay thanks to his musical chops. Aside from being a well-renowned live musician and session bass player, he continues to push musical boundaries with his groundbreaking “Bass & Bars” series, which has now garnered over 100 million views.
On July 13, 1994, while the Grateful Dead drew a reported 60,000 fans to northern Vermont, Phish performed five hours south at Big Birch Ski Area in Patterson, NY to a much smaller crowd who were treated to the musical risk-taking and on stage antics that Phish was slowly becoming known for, barely into their second decade of existence.
Big Birch Ski Area – now known as Thunder Ridge Ski Area – is located in the rural town of Patterson, NY, close to Connecticut border in the northern reaches of Putnam County. Big Birch would host concerts each summer at the base of the mountain hill, with parking at the top of the unimposing slope. Tickets would be purchased at the Lift Ticket window, only $18.50 for tickets at this time.
With a capacity of 6,000 and chill biker security, Phish had played Big Birch previously in 1992, opening up for Santana, but this day would be a vibe check on the growth of Phish in the greater Northeast, especially when the Grateful Dead are playing 45 minutes north of the band’s home.
With such a big show and crowd expected at Highgate, some looked at the show in Patterson as the better option with fewer in attendance and the band rewarding those who made this decision. This small out of the way hill could have easily been overlooked in 1994 for the glitz and glory of all that Dead tour had in store, let alone in such a remote part of Vermont in the middle of the summer. While one band’s star was setting, the other’s was rising, but you might not know this looking subjectively at attendance (despite a capacity of 6,000, there are unconfirmed reports of only 1,000 at this show.) And for Phish, when you snooze on a mid-week show, history shows, you lose.
But for those who attended, they knew to never miss a Wednesday show. A venue that had no permanent seating under the tent did have folding chairs lined up in the front of the venue, zip-tied together. What happened next – well there are two takes on this. First, from Phish.com:
“Fans in the front dissembled the rows of zip-tied folding chairs and stacked them to maximize dancing space.”
or you can take the first hand account of user SoundBoy1 on Phish.net:
“Inside the venue had set up probably 1000 or so folding chairs in the front of the stage. They may have been ziptied together but in no way permanent. As soon as the show started the chairs went flying in every direction including the stage. There were piles of chairs in random spots through out the crowd. They were also being thrown on stage and the band was dodging them. I remember Brad Sands standing a bit offstage and corralling what he could⦠It took awhile for all that to settle down. During It’s Ice you can hear some feedback and Page sounds like he’s fidgeting around a bit. I think that was due to chair chucking. So first set was totally solid but no real hint of what was to go down.”
Either way, Phish fans weren’t going to be seated for this show or have dance space impeded by meager folding chairs. The first set was playful, with a “Buried Alive” right out of the gate and a burst of energy from the “Poor Heart” that followed. Hoist, having been just released in April that year, found “Sample in a Jar” early in the set, followed by two live show staples, “Foam” and “The Mango Song.”
A light jam emerged from the still new “Down with Disease,” Trey sang on megaphone during “Fee” and a pair of Rift songs – “It’s Ice” and “Fast Enough For You” – added to the consistent flow of the show. “I Didn’t Know” would feature Jon Fishman (Greasy Fizeek) on trombone for a change, shifting smoothly into a “Split Open and Melt” that ended the set.
This first set is truly smooth flowing with a big cap ending in the “Melt,” but Set 2 was the treat the fans who followed the lines going south, instead of north. Opening with an unrefined “Possum,” the jam gets weird and stays that way, as the loose jam almost falls apart but is salvaged nicely. “Cavern” started with the typical drum intro, but when the lyrics arose, “Wilson” was sung instead by Trey, leaving the fan (and band?) confused for a moment. A rare mashup for Phish, they weave in and out organically of the two songs, never perfectly but just enough to make this mashup a must listen.
The still new “NICU” bridged the gap to a “Tweezer” that seemed to open up with that part of a “Tweezer” jam right after the lyrics, but moved into the natural progression of the song after that, dialing in after following what could be considered a clumsy entry. Jazzy noodling at the end led into into a slow jam that found its way into an unsuspecting “Julius.” The “Tweezer” jam just seems to keep going if you aren’t watching the time tick from track to track. This isn’t a Bomb Factory “Tweezer” but the slow return would feature a few teases, including “I Know a Little” (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and make way for a country/western version of “Big Black Furry Creature From Mars” that took its time finding the ending of “Tweezer,” eventually.
An ample “Mound” seemed to fit the venue nicely, with “Slave to the Traffic Light” starting very airy with a patient build towards the peak, the “Suzy Greenberg” that followed featuring “Slave” teases from Anastasio. The encore of “My Sweet One” and “Tweezer Reprise” capped the night, maintaining the energy of the first set and the cacophony of the second, a treat for the fans who made the call to see this show in southern New York.
The band would pack up and head west for Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center in Canadaigua (now CMAC), then Jones Beach the night after. Traversing the state for these shows, plus the finale at Sugarbush was prime 1994 Phish, was a treat if you were able to see it in person.
Phish – Big Birch Concert Pavilion, Patterson, NY – July 13, 1994
Set 1: Buried Alive > Poor Heart > Sample in a Jar, Foam, The Mango Song, Down with Disease > Fee[1] -> It’s Ice > Fast Enough for You, I Didn’t Know[2], Split Open and Melt
Set 2: Possum, Cavern -> Wilson[3] -> Cavern > NICU -> Tweezer -> Julius -> Tweezer -> Big Black Furry Creature from Mars[4] -> Tweezer -> Mound > Slave to the Traffic Light > Suzy Greenberg
Encore: My Sweet One > Tweezer Reprise
[1] Trey sang verses through megaphone. [2] Fish on trombone. [3] Played to the tune of Cavern. [4] Unfinished; Played bluegrass style to the tune of Scent of a Mule.
On Thursday, July 11, Hip Hop legend KRS-One electrified the crowd at Jennings Landing in Albany, part of the Alive at Five summer concert series. The show, packed with classic hits and vibrant energy, showcased KRS-One’s enduring influence in the Hip Hop world, creating an unforgettable experience for fans.
KRS-One hails from The Bronx and co-founded the iconic group Boogie Down Productions in the mid-1980s, solidifying his place in Hip Hop history. Regularly performing in New York, KRS-One’s connection to the state is undeniable, his current tour a celebration of his legacy and the ongoing influence in Hip Hop.
Opening for KRS was fellow Bronx native DJ Show, who got the crowd hyped by spinning some Hip Hop classics and getting the crowd dancing. He made it clear that if a track was made after 2010, he wasn’t playing it tonight.
Albany-based artist Ohzhe took the stage next. The 2024 Eddies Award nominee continued to excite the audience with his charismatic and energetic stage presence.
Ohzhe’s set ended with him hollering backstage to KRS-One, who was talking with fans behind the stage, asking if he wanted him to keep performing. This prompted KRS to join him on stage for an impromptu freestyle collaboration, illustrating why The Source called KRS “the greatest live emcee ever.”
The crowd roared as KRS-One delivered powerful performances of his classics, interspersed with insightful commentary, reinforcing his status as “Hip Hop’s first Master Teacher.” Near the end of the show, KRS and his crew brought out autographed tennis balls to throw into the audience. Giving some lucky fans a memento that will solidify this performance as unforgettable.
KRS-One’s show ended on a high note, with the crowd buzzing about the evening’s performances and some admiring their tennis balls as they left Jennings Landing. His tour continues, promising more incredible shows and affirming why he is regarded as Hip Hop royalty. Keep an eye out for his next New York stops for another chance to witness greatness.
Remaining Alive at 5 2024 Concert Schedule
July 18 – Third World
July 25 – The Record Company
August 1 – Galactic (presented by WEQX and NYS Music)
