Electric Forest Music Festival announced an additional 40+ artists to their 2024 lineup coming to Rothbury, Michigan. Taking place June 20-23, Electric Forest maintains its reputation of being one of the most immersive and and interactive festivals in the world. It’s fostered atmosphere of connection and discovery are why it sells out so fast.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
This renowned festival blessed their attendees even further by making their 2024 lineup even more stacked. Some of the new additions include melodic bass maestro Seven Lions, experimental bass expert G Jones, and hard techno priestess Sara Landry. They also brought on the Grammy-nominated band Hiatus Kaiyote and post-punk connoisseurs Emo Nite.
Electric Forest maintains their priorities of keeping a mixture of genres performing across their fields. They invited Nashville’s Brandi Cyrus and Chicago’s rising trio Levity. Plus, tech house sensations ODD MOB & OMNOM are presenting HYPERBEAM. Deep bass lovers will be pleased to know that the multi-instrumentalist Boogie T got added to the line-up. His blend of dubstep and funk is like no other in the scene right now.
Boogie T, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
These new additions are joining an already stacked roster of headliners making this festival a can’t miss in 2024. Some of which include, the dubstep king himself Excision, Forest favorite Pretty Lights, and the most skilled producer in the game, Subtronics.
Subtronics, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Collaborative sets are taking forest by a storm this year. Look out for EVERYTHING ALWAYS (Dom Dolla & John Summit), LSZEE (Close & LSDREAM) and Gigantic NGHTMRE (Big Gigantic & NGHTMRE). Jam band lovers are always in for a treat at Forest with of course two performances from The String Cheese Incident. Plus sets from The Disco Biscuits and Umphrey’s McGee will be must sees this year.
The Disco Biscuits, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Electric Forest has remained committed to constant re-imagination of what the festival experience can be and they do this flawlessly. They listen to their fans and make a blended lineup full of so many talented artists across an array of genres. However, they go beyond this through their production, programming, and curation of dedicated festival communities. For more information on all the magic Electric Forest 2024 holds visit here.
The City of Albany is hosting the 76th Annual Albany Tulip Festival presented by KeyBank on Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12 in Washington Park.
The Albany Tulip Festival is Albany’s signature spring event, featuring nearly one hundred artisans selling their handmade crafts, a fine arts show, delicious food trucks, the KidZone family fun destination, three world-class live entertainment stages, a brand new wellness stage with free dance classes, Yogafest, and more than 100,000 tulips can be admired in the historic Washington Park. The festival will bring many genres from across the state and beyond performing on multiple stages for the many people that attend.
Since Mayor Erastus Corning II read the first Tulip Festival Proclamation on May 14, 1949, the Mother’s Day weekend celebration has become one of the Northeast’s biggest and most beloved yearly events. Featuring area vendors, businesses, community organizations, and original local artists on every stage the Tulip Festival honors Albany’s four centuries of history while looking ahead to its future. As always, this event is free and open to the public.
For more information about the 2024 Albany Tulip Festival, visit here.
A local institution for over a century, this acclaimed male chorus is the longest-continuously performing arts group in the Capital Region.
11:45 a.m. – Tulip Queen Procession (Begins at formal Tulip Beds by Moses Statue) The 2023 Tulip Queen Olivia Owens, Mayor Kathy Sheehan, and the Dutch Settlers Society lead the 2024 Tulip Queen finalists to the Lakehouse Stage.
Noon – Tulip Queen Coronation (Lakehouse Stage)
Mayor Sheehan and MC Chad O’Hara of B95.5 crown the 76th Albany Tulip Queen in this traditional highlight of Tulip Fest weekend.
PARKALBANY’S MAIN STAGE
Washington Park Parade Grounds
1:30 p.m. –OF THE ATLAS: Catskill NY-based songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Jay Woodruff has led the alternative rock band Of The Atlas through a range of styles and incarnations. Initially, it was a solo act by the enthusiastic and longtime member of the thriving and diverse regional underground rock community, Woodruff fleshed the group out into a powerful blend of introspective indie, vibrant art rock, and infectious power pop. Now joined by Ethan Klee and Kenny Rowe.
3:00 p.m. –PRINCE DADDY & THE HYENA: Prince Daddy & the Hyena is an American punk rock band from Albany formed in 2014. They have released three full-length albums and four extended plays.
4:30 p.m. –THE FRONT BOTTOMS: When you turn on a record from The Front Bottoms, you hear the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of two lifelong friends who stare down personal tragedy and the madness of a world gone haywire by simply playing a little louder together. The New Jersey natives went from playing in the woods to performing in high school bands. After the lead singer finished college, The Front Bottoms officially formed – creating their 2011 self-titled independent debut.
A whirlwind of prolific output and countless gigs followed. The Front Bottoms reached a critical peak with 2017’s Going Grey. It received praise from The FADER, Stereogum, VICE, A.V. Club, and more. Along the way, the band performed on Late Night with Seth Meyers and NPR’s “Tiny Desk,” graced the stages of Coachella, Austin City Limits, and Bonnaroo, and toured with the likes of Blink-182, Manchester Orchestra, tallied nearly 100 million streams, sold over 500,000 album equivalents, and launched the annual holiday festival Champagne Jam, which expands year over year at an unprecedented rate.
The Front Bottoms. Photo credit: Maddie McCafferty
WEXT’S 518 STAGE
Washington Park Lakehouse Stage
1:00 p.m. – SIDE B: Four-piece alternative rock band from Upstate New York consisting of drummer Dylan Travison, bassist Eric Mitchell, guitarist AJ Horton, and vocalist Ian Justino. Their debut release The Low Budget Romance EP is out now.
2:15 p.m. – SOFIA CORTS: “Sofia Corts is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter from the Albany area on the cusp of a national breakout. Self-taught on guitar and keyboards, her songwriting effortlessly blends genres, pop, R&B, and a hint of jazz, while generating infectious, memorable melodic hooks.
3:30p.m – CAMTRON5000: Camtron5000, a rapper from Albany, has been creating alternative hip-hop music since 2016. He hopes to break the stereotypes of what it means to be a rapper. Channeling a dynamic yet playful energy with his skilled lyricism, and sporting a logo crafted from his gapped smile, Camtron5000 is a musical personality unlike any other.
4:45 p.m. – THE INSOLENT WILLIES: The Insolent Willies is an upstate New York-based roots-rock band known for their hip-shaking mix of quirky, clever original songs and unpredictable interpretations of tunes from all over the musical map. The band consists of Bill Ackerbauer (acoustic guitar, harmonica, mandolin, vocals), Frank DeVer Pullen (bass, banjo, vocals), Paul Gavry (accordion, fiddle, vocals) and Evan Gavry (guitars, percussion, vocals).
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2024
PARKALBANY’S MAIN STAGE
Washington Park Parade Grounds
1:00 p.m. – OFF THE RECORD: Off The Record Trio is the Capital District’s only 1960’s rock and roll lounge band. Awarded an “Eddie” for Best Capital District Party Cover Band two years in a row, the trio plays 60’s vintage tunes and some hidden nuggets with a modern twist. It is led by the dynamic and engaging Joanna Palladino on vocals with local favorite Geo on guitar/vocals along with Bob Resnick splashing rock and roll rhythms on a minimalist drum set.
2:30 p.m. –FUNK EVOLUTION : Formed in 2010, Funk Evolution has been bringing top-shelf entertainment to the Northeast for 14 years and features a who’s who of musicians from New York and Massachusetts. They are best known for their high-energy delivery and unique arrangements; epic mashups of classic R&B with modern Top 40, 15-minute mega-medleys, and their legendary ‘Sax Battle’ featuring original 14-year member, Justin Godlewski on Alto saxophone. Funk Evolution is one of the most diverse entertainment groups in the region and has been recognized internationally as one of the top entertainment groups in the nation.
4:30 p.m. –NEW YORK PLAYERS: New York Players are New York’s Dance Party Experts, an entertainment powerhouse with a focus on corporate and private events, nightclubs, concerts, and festivals.
WEXT’S 518 STAGE
Washington Park LakehouseStage
1:00 p.m. –GIRL LOVE: Girl Love is the Albany-based, folk project of award-winning poet and songwriter, Laura Beth Johnson. She is known for her dark blend of story and soul – awarded the Lucy Monro Brooker Poetry Prize from the University of Indianapolis in 2017. In 2019, she received the Songwriting Scholarship by Image Magazine and a Poetry Scholarship from the Hudson Valley Writers Guild in 2022. In 2023, Girl Love was nominated for two Eddies.
2:15 p.m. –THE E-BLOCK:The E-Block is a five-piece indie R&B band based in Upstate New York, blending the acoustic warmth of singer-songwriter music with an ice-cold rhythm section informed by modern R&B.
3:30 p.m. –REESE FULMER & THE CARRIAGE HOUSE BAND: “Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band challenge the traditional relationship of a songwriter and his band, with a fluidly rotating cast of top-notch players and a flair for experimentation that combine for a unique and mesmerizing live performance. Add to that a keen lyricism that explores the human experience with a patient and poetic touch.
4:45 p.m. –OOBLECK: Oobleck, founded in 2008, is an original, analog funk band out of the Capital Region. Known regionally for inciting dance parties wherever they land, they boast a big, in-your-face sound inspired by New Orleans street music. It’s a melee of horns, super heavy drums and bass, and your favorite type of chunky guitar riffing that leaves your bum shaking and your face grinning.
Get ready to map out your culinary experience while rocking out to the killer lineup at Governors Ball 2024. The highly anticipated festival has revealed the food and beverage lineup, promising a culinary adventure alongside a stellar music lineup at Flushing Meadows Corona Park this June 7-9.
This year, Gov Ball is emphasizing serving up a taste of New York City. Inspired by the borough of Queens and the city’s diverse culinary scene, the festival will feature a wide selection of local and national vendors. This commitment to variety ensures something delicious for everyone, reflecting New York City’s status as a global food destination.
Queens Night Market: Photograph by Time Out/Ali Garber
Queens Night Market fans take note: this year, there is an incredible selection of popular vendors featuring at the festival. Throughout the weekend, you can enjoy crowd-pleasing dishes from Mao’s Bao, Eemas Cuisine, Twisted Potato, La Braza, and Matyldas Polish. But that’s not all – iconic NYC staples like Roberta’s Pizza, Magnolia Bakery cupcakes, Cafe Habana, Sweet Chick, Luke’s Lobster, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream will also be on hand to satisfy your cravings.
Shutterstock/Nick Starichenko
In terms of free perks, you can beat the heat with free water stations conveniently located throughout the festival grounds. If you need a morning pick-me-up, you can also grab a complimentary iced coffee and munchkins from Dunkin’ to start your day. Feeling a little peckish later on? Cabot Creamery is offering free grilled cheese bites to satisfy those hunger pangs. Craving something with a kick? Head to the Stella Artois x Hot Ones collaboration booth for spicy popcorn, fries, and a frosty Stella Artois to cool things down.
Doughnuttery at Governors Ball 2022, photograph by Joseph Buscarello
Bands N’ Beans is making its anticipated return to Lake George for its 30th anniversary this April. The festival will showcase a slew of bands from across New York State, as well as over 20 restaurants’ homemade chili.
The annual festival is brought to the forefront by Lake George Arts Project. Bands N’ Beans is held on April 14 at Fort William Henry Conference Center. The festival sees a lineup of nine total bands playing throughout the duration of the event from 2-7 pm. These artists play on two separate stages, one electric and one acoustic. Along with the diverse and fun musical element comes the “beans” element.
Over 20 local restaurants are throwing down their best chili concoctions and vying for the sought-after People’s Choice Award. This event isn’t just a ton of fun, the proceeds from Bands ‘n Beans benefit the Lake George Arts Project’s free and open to all music and art programs like the year-round Courthouse Gallery exhibitions, Summer Concert Series and the popular Jazz at the Lake, a three-day Jazz Festival.
Tickets for Bands N’ Beans can be purchased by April 12 for $25 or bought day of for $30. For more information on the festival and to purchase tickets, click here.
The tallest peak in New York State will host the highest music festival in New York State this summer. Mount Marcy Music Festival (MMMF) will be held this June, featuring live music, hikers, yoga, food trucks, and views for miles of the Adirondack Mountains.
MMMF – mimicking the sound one makes when strenuously ascending the high peaks (mmmf!) – will take place at an altitude of 5,343 feet, atop the highest point of New York State, Mount Marcy. Using state-of-the-art airlift technology, speakers and gear transported by helicopter and bands, promoters are prepared for the day-long musical affair.
Artists will perform directly on Mount Marcy’s summit, without a stage, offering fans a chance to walk around the perimeter of the summit, taking in views of the artists and scenery from a multitude of angles, with speakers situated strategically around the peak for optimal listening enjoyment. Artists will arrive by helicopter the morning of MMMF, with hikers encouraged to begin their hike before dawn, to ensure arrival by 10am, when the music will begin with an acoustic set from Annie in the Water.
I never thought we’d see the day when live music was performed on New York’s tallest point. But here we are.
Colvin McBlake, 46er
The hike itself is 8 miles each way, with limited parking available at the Adirondack Loj and Heart Lake. Attendees should plan to pack in/pack out and bring ample hydration, as well as preparation for the elements. VIP ticket holders will be able to utilize SherpaNY™ to carry them up the peak when they get too tired (this feature is only available after reaching Indian Falls).
A food truck, featuring Michigan Dogs, Mozzarella Sticks (with choice of melba or marinara sauce), Garbage Plates, Chicken Spiedies and other New York State staples, will be available on-site, and will remain on the summit as a seasonal snack stop for Mount Marcy summiteers.
Just a 1 mile hike down from the peak, Lake Tear of the Clouds acoustic stage will feature singer/songwriters and acoustic musicians performing historic songs of the Adirondacks and the Hudson River headwaters.
MMMF will take place on Monday, June 31, 2024, from 10am-10pm. Tickets for Mount Marcy Music Festival are available exclusively at the Saranac Lake Price Chopper’s Ticketmaster counter. Ticket price does not include parking or black fly repellent, but does include a $25 donation to the NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.
Mount Marcy Music Festival Artist Lineup
Annie in the Water
Perfect Thyroid
Ra Ra Riot
Irv Lyons, Jr.
Let’s Be Leonard
Fishman (Jon, solo set)
ONYX
Ocupanther
Laura Leigh Band
Seapods
With MMMF announced, organizers also noted that in the works for 2025 is “Tipper Lake” with EDM legend Tipper bringing his legendary performance and light show to the shores of Tupper Lake, just 30 minutes from Mount Marcy.
This was an April Fools story. Had this been real news, the Department of Environmental Conservation would have probably stopped this during the permitting process.
The second annual Geneva Jazz Festival returns April 4-7, featuring 20 performances at nine venues over four days.
The Geneva Jazz Festival is held in Geneva, known for innovation and forward-thinking businesses. It is the gateway to the Finger Lakes, providing access to historical landmarks, natural beauties, wineries, breweries, food, shopping, and more.
The festival honors the late Scott LaFaro, who grew up in Geneva. At 18, he started learning to play the double bass. In 1961 he was killed in a car accident at age 25. He became the most influential jazz bassist ever after his performance with Stan Getz at the Newport Jazz Festival and subsequent recordings with the Bill Evans Trio, which still impacts jazz today.
The nine headline concerts are hosted at the historic Club 86, featuring a high-fidelity sound system by George’s Pro Audio for an immersive jazz experience. These performances represent some of the finest jazz musicians working and creating in New York State. Evening concerts on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – plus matinee shows on Saturday and Sunday.
Schedule
On the opening night on April 4, the festival celebrates women in jazz at the historic Club 86. Trombonist and vocalist Melissa Gardiner brings her organ trio MG3 (8 PM), with singer Vanessa Vacanti & Jazz Mafia (6 PM) and saxophonist Ellen Pieroni & Encyclopedia of Soul (4 PM) performing. There also is a free concert at Ventosa Vineyards with Annie Wells Trio featuring Mike Kaupa (5 PM) and the free FLIMA Open Jazz Jam at 10 p.m.
On Friday, April 5, The Ryan Johnson Project performs at 2 p.m. It has become a known name in the music industry, featuring informed, professional, outgoing attitudes, and beautifully written pieces of music that have caught the ears of many worldwide. Ryan and his group have played with, opened for, and collaborated with artists such as Cabo Frio, Chuck Mangione, Maynard Ferguson, Soulive, Sharon Jones, Gary Clark Jr., and Robert Randolph.
At 4:30 p.m., The Mellow Warblers perform playful renditions of jazz standards and deviations – setting the perfect mood with an ever-mellow attitude. At 5, The Craig Snyder Trio plays a wide variety of jazz-rock material steeped in groove, ensemble unity, and melodic soloing. The Rochester band is fronted by veteran guitarist, teacher, and composer Craig S Snyder. Others include Tony Hiler + Giancarlo, A Tribute to Sam Venuti, Mike Melito Quartet, and the free FLIMA Open Jazz Jam.
On Saturday, April 6, the Greg Lofaro Quartet begins the day at 1 p.m., with the Mike Titlebaum Quartet preceding. Mike directs the jazz studies program at the Ithaca College School of Music, teaching jazz saxophone, arranging, improvisation, and theory. Before teaching, he lived in New York City where he played at the Blue Note, Smalls, Augies, Fez/Time Café, and the legendary CBGB’s. He has performed with dozens of internationally recognized artists and groups including John Hollenbeck, Gary Versace, Branford Marsalis, Jason Robert Brown, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, and more.
At 3 p.m., the Banjo Juice Jazz band performs an eclectic blend of vintage blues, jazz, and swing. Founded by bandleader, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Tyler Westcott in 2017, the group features musicians from many notable bands. At 4:30, the Swordfish Trio brings a soulful, blues-infused, and high-energy improv experience that takes you on a journey from tight riffs and funky Afrobeat grooves to soulful jazz and subtle bass virtuosity.
At 8, the Bill Tiberio Sextet performs. In his 40th year as a music educator, he has been a band director at Fairport (NY) High School for 36 years, directing two concert bands and three jazz ensembles, and is also an adjunct faculty member at the Eastman Community Music School – directing the Educator Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble and a high school wind ensemble camp. He is an active saxophonist and clarinetist in the Rochester music scene and has recorded four albums with his contemporary jazz quintet, the Bill Tiberio Band.
The final day begins early at 11 a.m. with the Evan Dobbins Quartet feat. Bill Dobbins. At noon, the Dave Solazzo Duo plays modern interpretations of jazz standards and original compositions in the spirit of Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, and Brad Mehldau. Dave Solazzo has been a mainstay of Central New York’s music scene for over two decades, working with artists from a wide mix of genres – jazz, fusion, R&B, and beyond.
At 2 p.m., Dennis Winge + John Viavattine perform, with the Nancy Kelly Quartet following. Over her 40-plus-year career, Nancy Kelly has perfected her signature swing/bop take in front of audiences all over the U.S.A. and abroad. She performs regularly in New York City, including at The Blue Note and Birdland, The Rainbow Room, and Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Lincoln Center. Finally, at 6 p.m., The Pickle Mafia, a dynamic trio from New York, performs their unique brand of Arena Jazz Fusion. The visual appeal the band brings to audiences across the globe is an important element that adds to their musical artistry.
To purchase tickets for the many performances at the Geneva Jazz Festival, visit here.
The Skaneateles Festival is celebrating 45 years this summer from July 31 through August 24, 2024, featuring an incredible variety of concerts from jazz to classical to bluegrass.
The season includes 14 main series concerts, two KidsFest performances, a free music lecture series with Juilliard professor Aaron Wunsch, and several community outreach performances.
The idea for the Skaneateles Festival came together in the spring of 1980 in discussions between musician Lindsay Groves and Skaneateles residents Beth Boudreau and Louise Robinson. The first season, two weeks, was presented that August in the village’s Library Hall. The generous David and Louise Robinson opened their home, Brook Farm, which soon became the Festival’s center.
At Brook Farm, musicians would live, eat, rehearse, relax, and perform, all because of the Robinsons’ hospitality – which extended to the thousands of concertgoers who sat under the stars and listened to music on Saturday evenings for the first 36 years of the festival. Its mission is to be one of the nation’s outstanding summer music festivals, set in the beauty of the Finger Lakes region.
Concert evenings at the picturesque Robinson Pavilion offer stunning lake views and are situated at Anyela’s Vineyards, taking place on Friday, August 2, and Saturdays, August 10, 17, and 24.Opening the first vineyard concert of the season is renowned musician Rhiannon Giddens. A two-time GRAMMY winner and recipient of the prestigious MacArthur ‘Genius’ grant, Giddens is known for her iconic folk music and efforts to spotlight overlooked contributions to American musical history.
During week two, the festival proudly welcomes Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh and invites audience members to grab a glass of wine and bring a picnic for Beethoven Under the Stars. Appearing at the Festival for the first time on August 17 is Chris Thile – a GRAMMY Award-winning mandolinist, singer, and songwriter. Thile is a highly regarded musician celebrated for his mastery of the mandolin and innovative approach to bluegrass, folk, and classical music.
The Festival Finale features the highly anticipated return of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis on August 24.
For concerts at the vineyards, audiences are welcome to arrive as early as 6:00 pm and bring picnic dinners to enjoy on the lawn overlooking the lake. Wine and beer will be available at Anyela’s Vineyards; outside alcohol is not. On August 3, the Skaneateles Festival presents its largest-ever orchestral concert at one of the area’s high schools. The program, Music of the Americas, features colorful music from North and South America, including Alberto Ginastera’s Harp Concerto featuring Bridget Kibbey, Gabriela Lena Frank’s celebration of Inca warriors, and music by Aaron Copland and Gershwin’s beloved Rhapsody in Blue.
This season’s outreach initiative, “Searching for Home” invites performers, composers, and audiences to reflect on the nature of home and consider what it means to those who must search out a new one. It will highlight performers, composers, and musical traditions from those who resettled in Central New York: Syrians, Somalians, Afghans, and Ukrainians. The outreach initiative will include free performances open to the public between Syracuse and Auburn.
2016 Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
Chamber concerts at the First Presbyterian Church (97 East Genesee Street, Skaneateles) are performed on Thursday and Friday nights (except August 2). Two celebratory opening concerts at the church will feature favorite musicians from the festival’s past, including violinist Joe Genualdi, cellists Steven Doane and Rosemary Elliott, and pianist Andrew Russo.
Violinist James Ehne will make his Festival debut on August 1 with pianist Andrew Armstrong. He is one of the most sought-after violinists in the world, performing regularly with leading orchestras, and recently won a GRAMMY Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo.
The Dover Quartet will perform on August 8 and 9. August 8 will bring together two dearly beloved string quartets and August 9 presents a premiere performance of a new collaboration between bass-baritone Davóne Tines and the quartet where they will explore spirituality and mysticism through varied cultural lenses. The Claremont Trio takes the stage on August 15 and 16 performing a new work by Kinan Azmeh, commissioned by the Skaneateles Festival, and a “Queen of Hearts” program which will highlight regal trios by Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel.
The Westerlies debut at the Festival on August 22, joined by the young violinist-fiddler, George Meyer. Together they’ll present Songbook – music of John Prine, Randy Newman, Woody Guthrie, spirituals by the famous Golden Gate Quartet, and more.
The final week highlights this year’s Young Artist in Residence, the Ivalas Quartet – the current graduate quartet-in-residence at The Juilliard School. There will be several free outreach performances from the quartet and a ticketed evening concert by candlelight on August 23.
Tickets range from $32-70 for adults based on concert and seating choice. Youth under 18 are free in Section B (lawn). College students may purchase $10 student tickets at the door of the concert. Season Passes are on sale now. Week Passes and Vineyard Passes go on sale Monday, April 1, and individual tickets go on sale May 1.
Chelsea Music Festival has announced its 15th season of events with all new Connecting the Dots performance this Summer. The festival consists of nine evenings of shows from June 21 to 29.
This summer festival is led by Artistic Directors Melinda Lee Masur and Ken-David Masur. Connecting the Dots consists of concerts, conversation, visual and culinary arts over the span of the nine nights. The festival will focus on the restorative powers of the arts in the ways that music and art both calm and reinvigorate the brain and nervous system.
The festival sees a multitude of talented and diverse performers and artists. Each exhibit and performance take place at various locations around NYC and some locations are yet to be announced. Each night of the festival will be different from the last and the diversity allows all types of audiences to be included and wowed.
Aizuri Quartet
2024 CHELSEA MUSIC FESTIVAL LINE-UP
Connecting the Dots— 15th Season Opening Night
Friday, June 21 at 7pm – location to be announced
World Premiere of A Night at Birdland by composer Nicky Sohn performed by WindSync
Featuring Aizuri Quartet, pianist Andrea Lam, violinist Max Tan
Chamber works by John Williams & Tebogo Monnakgotla
Performance of Dancing Stars by Augusta Read Thomas with conductor Ken-David Masur
My Super Awesome Brain | Family Night
Saturday, June 22 at 10:30am at Pier 57, 25 11th Avenue, NYC
10:30am – Family Event featuring WindSync
Jazz Doubleheader | Birnbaum & the Bach Preludes and Cardume Trio
Saturday, June 22 at 7pm – location to be announced
7pm – Preludes Album (Chelsea Music Festival Records label) featuring pianist Adam Birnbaum, percussionist Keita Ogawa (Snarky Puppy), bassist Matt Clohesy (Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society) based on 12 preludes from Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier
8:30pm – Late Night with Cardume Trio featuring jazz percussionists Rogério Boccato (Orquestra Jazz Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo), Keita Ogawa, and Brazilian bassist Cleber Almeida
Festa Junina
Sunday, June 23 at 7pm at Pier 57, 25 11th Avenue, NYC
Traditional Brazilian Forró music to celebrate summer featuring percussionist Rogério Boccato, Brazilian bassist Cleber Almeida, and accordionist Vitor Goncalves
Patitucci & Friends — 15th Season special event with Jazz, Song & Chamber Music
Monday, June 24 at 7pm at High Line Nine, 507 W. 27th Street, NYC
Jazz bassist John Patitucci and pianist Renee Rosnes – with Caleb Hudson on trumpet
Austrian duo baritone Daniel Gutmann (prize winner at Elīna Garanča’s ZukunftsStimmen)& pianist Maximilian Kromer (International Brahms Competition winner)
Featuring pianist Robert Fleitz (1st Prize in 2022 John Cage Award)
Reception curated by Chef Rachel Snyder
Midsummer Night Magic— Visions & Stories
Tuesday, June 25 at 7pm at Czech Center, 321 E. 73rd Street, NYC
Selections from The Lee Trio album “Midsummer Night Magic” (Chelsea Music Festival Records label releasing June 2024)
Fern Flowers by Uljas Pulkkis
Five Trios by Edmund Finnis
Piano Trio No. 2 in F Major, Op. 80 by Robert Schumann
Fantasiestücke, Op. 88 by Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann lieder with Austrian duo baritone Daniel Gutmann and pianist Maximilian Kromer
Performance of the Dumky Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90, B. 166 by Antonín Dvořák (120th anniversary of his death)
Wednesday, June 26 at 7pm at Czech Center, 321 E. 73rd Street, NYC
World Premiere commissioned by the Festival by Czech composer Jacob Beranek
Music by Ania Vu featuring soprano Marisa Karchin, pianist Robert Fleitz
Piano Trio in G Minor by Bedřich Smetana (200th anniversary) performed by pianist Andrea Lam, violinist Max Tan, and cellist Angela Lee
Piano Quartet No. 2 in G minor by Gabriel Fauré (100th anniversary of his death)
Closing Reception | 2024 Art Exhibition – Kelly S. Williams
Thursday, June 27 at 7pm at High Line Nine Gallery 8, 507 W. 27th Street, NYC
Closing Reception for Kelly S. Williams, 2024 Visual Artist-in-Residence
Art Exhibition open June 3-29 at High Line Nine
Featuring Harlem Quartet performing Jessie Montgomery and Dizzy Gillespie
Reimagined Gems— Vignettes Across Time
Friday, June 28 at 7pm atSt. Paul’s German Church, 315 W. 22nd Street, NYC
Featuring Harlem Quartet performing Caroline Shaw and Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel
World Premiere by Ania Vu
Soprano to Marisa Karchin and Caleb Hudson on trumpet
Pieces from Caleb Hudson’s 2024 album,Nothing Less, including Corelli arrangements
Reception curated by Chef Rachel Snyder
Superhero Brain | Family Event
Saturday, June 29 at 10:30am at St. Paul’s German Church, 315 W. 22nd Street, NYC
10:30am – Family Event featuringfamily-friendly, interactive activities led by music neuroscience scholar Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver (Growing Brains)
Festival Finale | Jazz Plasticity with Helen Sung
Saturday, June 29 at 7pm at DiMenna Center, 450 W. 37th Street, NYC
JazzPlasticity features the Helen Sung Quartet with pianist Helen Sung (2021 Guggenheim Fellow), drummer Kendrick Scott, saxophonist/clarinetist John Ellis, an bassist David Wong; this program was inspired by Helen’s time as jazz artist-in-residence at the Columbia University Zuckerman Mind Brain Institute and in partnership with Arts & Minds.
Reception curated by Chef Rachel Snyder
John Patitucci
Tickets for Chelsea Music Festival’s Connecting the Dots go on sale Wednesday, May 15, 2024. For more information, visit ChelseaMusicFestival.org.
The Music is Art Festival announced its grand return to Buffalo‘s AKG Art Museum after a seven-year hiatus on September 21 at Buffalo State University.
This year’s festival promises an eclectic mix of music, live performances, art installations, and interactive experiences. The Music is Art Festival has always been a beacon of artistic expression and cultural gathering in Buffalo. The festival showcases what the creative and bright community has to offer. The scenic AKG and Buffalo State campus provide a canvas for Buffalo’s artistic prowess and vibrance.
The festival includes various diverse musical performances of many genres, choreographed dances, dazzling art exhibits, and unique, original vendors. The festival also includes theatrics, interactive experiences designed to engage, inspire, and entertain attendees of all ages.
Over 100 bands and acts are set to perform. Hundreds of art exhibits are set to dazzle attendees. Various other games, performances and displays of artisanship look to encapsulate the beauty of multiple art forms at once.
“We are thrilled to bring the Music is Art Festival back to the AKG where it really grew into the encompassing event that it is today. AKG Buffalo and Buffalo State are not just venues; they are symbols of the rich artistic heritage and vibrant community spirit that this festival celebrates. We’re committed to creating an immersive experience that highlights the incredible talent of Buffalo’s artists, musicians, and creatives.”
Robby Takac, Festival Founder
For more information about the Music is Art Festival, including how to participate or attend, please visit their website at MusicIsArt.org/festival.
Kaufman Music Center announced it is hosting the 25th annual New York Guitar Festival – held at KMC’s esteemed venue, Merkin Hall, from June 14-15th, 2024. The festival is co-presented by Kaufman Music Center, World Music Institute, New York Guitar Festival, and New Sounds Live.
Exploring virtually every aspect of the guitar’s personality since 1999, the New York Guitar Festival has presented many of the world’s most influential guitarists at iconic NYC venues large and small. From multi-GRAMMY-winners to emerging artists, the performers include masters of the classical repertoire, blues, jazz, pop, indie, folk, and Americana.
The Kaufman Music Center (KMC) presents music programs for students, performers, and audiences alike with its intimate performance space Merkin Hall and the Special Music School – among other things. It is the premier destination for learning and listening to music in New York City. The center is constantly cultivating and nurturing new generations of artists, inspiring the young and old to learn instruments and turn their passion for music into a career.
Merkin Hall – the Center’s intimate performance venue – provides access to today’s most compelling artists, competitions, and workshops. Other programs, like Artist-in-Residence, give performers resources to develop groundbreaking protects and educational opportunities to mentor and inspire the Special Music School students; New York’s only K-12 public school prioritizing musically-focused education without financial barriers.
The festival, hosted by WNYC’s John Schaefer, includes a wide range of performances across the two days from artists like Marc Ribot & Leyla McCalla, Yasmin Williams, Neel Murgai, Kunal Prakash, Medicine Singers, Lee Ranaldo, Yonatan Gat, Maalem Hassan BenJaafar, Mamady Kouyaté and additional special guests.
Friday, June 14 Programming
The New York Guitar Festival’s 25th Anniversary begins with a typically eclectic event. The unlikely duo of Marc Ribot, the New York guitarist, and Leyla McCalla, the New Orleans cellist and banjo player perform starting at 8 p.m. Ribot is known for his work with Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, his avant-noise trio Ceramic Dog, and much more; McCalla writes songs that draw on the African-American string band tradition, Cajun music, and her Haitian heritage. Ribot was also a student of the Haitian classical guitarist/composer Frantz Casseus, and the two share a strong genre-agnostic streak.
Joining them is Yasmin Williams, who has extended the “tapping” technique when she approaches the guitar -occasionally adding tap shoes and kalimba to the sound and becoming a literal one-woman band. Also performing is sitarist Neel Murgai, co-director of the globally-inspired Brooklyn Raga Massive – accompanied by Jeff The Brotherhood guitarist Kunal Prakash.
Saturday, June 15 Programming
Medicine Singers is the name of an ongoing collaboration between Yonatan Gat, the virtuosic Israeli-born, New York-based guitarist, and the Eastern Medicine Singers – an Eastern Algonquin powwow group from Rhode Island. Now joined by the legendary Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth, they combine ancient trance and spirituality with modern psychedelia and use the similarities – and differences – between the steady pulse of Indigenous American drumming and rock.
Maalem Hassan BenJaafar is the lead singer and Artistic Director of Innov Gnawa – teaching the other members of the band while performing across the world. In November 2017, Maalem Hassan and Innov Gnawa were nominated for a GRAMMY in the Dance/Electronic category. Finally, The Mandingo Ambassadors was founded in New York City by griot-guitarist Mamady Kouyaté, an enriched arranger, band leader, accompanist, and soloist, in 2005. Since 2008 the group has been in residence at Barbes, performing every Wednesday night. In addition, they have performed at many clubs, events, and festivals including Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Celebrate Brooklyn, and the International Festival of Arts and Ideas.
