NYS Music 2024

Category: Festival News

  • Big Eddy Film Festival Comes to Narrowsburg Oct 18-20

    The Big Eddy Film Festival is coming to Narrowsburg in Sullivan County from October 18 to 20. The weekend festival contains several screenings of films along with workshops for all ages.

    Over the three-day span at Big Eddy Film Festival, there are 11+ events to behold. Several film screenings are to take place prior to panel discussions where the films are dissected and analyzed. Along with the film screenings and panel discussions, a segment of the festival is dedicated to the young filmmakers of Sullivan County.

    Nine kid-directed short films will be screened, followed by a Q&A with the cast and production teams. An animation workshop is also included in the festival on Sunday, October 20. This workshop aims to educate young filmmakers on animation, camerawork, and abstract artistry.

    Opening night on Oct 18 features a single film screening – “Happy Campers.” From 10:00AM to 11:00PM on October 19, the day is jampacked with six total events for festgoers to enjoy. Wrapping up on Oct 20, four events take place, with the final film screening of the festival being documentary feature “Dory Previn: On My Way To Where.” This is an all-encompassing screening you won’t want to miss.

    Feature Film – Happy Campers

    BIG EDDY FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

    Friday, October 18

    6:30 PM Opening Night Feature Event: Happy Campers – Feature Documentary

    Followed by a panel discussion moderated by Greg Triggs. HAPPY CAMPERS chronicles the final days of a working-class summer colony in a scrappy trailer park that just happens to hold the secret to a rich life.

    Saturday, October 19

    10:00 AM Kids Make Film – Free Entry for Under-16s

    Followed by Q&A with young filmmakers

    Celebrating the creations of Sullivan County’s newly minted young filmmakers.

    12:30 PM Prodigal Daughter – Feature Documentary

    Filmmaker and former punk artist Mabel Valdiviezo reunites with her family in Peru after 16 years of estrangement, confronting her troubled past as an immigrant in the United States.

    2:30 PM Space Cowboy – Feature Documentary

    Followed by Q&A with the film’s editor Eric Bruggemann

    Joe Jennings, an innovator in the world of skydiving, has spent decades capturing breathtaking aerial moments with his camera for extreme sports competitions, Super Bowl commercials, and Hollywood blockbusters. Flying at the top of their game, Joe’s world was shattered when tragedy struck, leaving him to navigate the skies alone. Filmmaker in attendance.

    5:00 PM Rural Shorts

    Followed by a Q&A with filmmakers moderated by Greg Triggs Short films celebrating local New York makers and the rural imagination. Filmmakers in attendance.

    7:00 PM Start Them Young – Narrative Short David and Danielle take their 4-year-old daughter, Dahlia, to interview at the prestigious Future Generations Preschool; they are adamant that Dahlia gets into this school, they are sick with anxiety over it. 

    Hummingbirds – Documentary Feature In HUMMINGBIRDS, Silvia and Beba tell their own coming-of-age story, transforming their hometown on the Texas-Mexico border into a wonderland of creative expression and activist hijinks.

    9:30 PM Scarlet Winter – Narrative Feature After waking up to find his girlfriend murdered in bed, Mark must cover up her death while trying to piece together events from the previous night to find her murderer. Filmmaker in attendance.

    Sunday, October 20

    11:00 AM Drawing On Film Animation Workshop

    At Tusten Community Center Join us for a lively workshop where we will collectively make a handmade animated film without using a camera. Participants will draw directly onto clear 16mm film to create colorful dancing abstractions of lines and shapes on celluloid.

    11:00 AM Too Short To Suck

    Followed by Q&A with filmmakers The Big Eddy Film Festival is excited to present a screening of “Too Short To Suck”. Organized by ConPAC, this shorts program celebrates brevity and intensity through the works of 23 filmmakers whose films run the gamut from narrative, experimental, stop-motion animation, and more. Each short is a universe onto itself that doesn’t exceed 2 minutes. Filmmakers in attendance.

    1:00 PM A Song For Imogene – Narrative Feature After discovering she is pregnant by her abusive boyfriend, a fallen-away musician must decide between freeing herself or remaining a relic of her drive-by Southern town.

    3:30 PM Dory Previn: On My Way To Where – Feature Documentary

    Followed by Q&A with the film’s co-director 

    Writing and singing the unvarnished truth about one’s buried secret life experiences is more common today than when Dory Previn wrote brilliant, disturbing, and darkly funny songs in the 1970s. Previn began as an Academy Award-nominated lyricist for Hollywood musicals with songs for Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland & Dionne Warwick before a tabloid scandal and public breakdown led to her re-emergence as a cult artist in the Laurel Canyon scene. Filmmaker in attendance.

    DORY PREVIN: ON MY WAY TO WHERE

    Entry to each film costs $10 unless stated otherwise. For more information on the Big Eddy Film Festival and the many film screenings, click here.

  • Fall Fest Debuts at Buffalo Central Terminal on October 12

    Fall Fest will debut at Buffalo Central Terminal on October 12. Guests can expect everything from live music, awesome activities and various vendors for a day of fall fun.

    Buffalo Fall Fest

    Fall Fest 2024 features live music and local bands, food trucks, beer and wine vendors, no-mess pumpkin decorating, henna artists and face-painting. Festgoers can also expect carriage rides and photo installations, local vendors for laser engraved products, embellished glassware, clothing, books, syrups, health and beauty care products, and much more.

    The musical artists featured for October 12 are Chuckie Campbell and Diyene. Chuckie Campbell is a hip-hop artist who originated in Buffalo. He plans to dazzle audiences with his impressive wordplay and poetry-forward rapping style. Diyene is a funk-soul-pop fusion band based out of Buffalo as well. Their distinctive sound is characterized by heartfelt lyrics and catchy hooks, delivered through powerful performances bursting with energy.

    “Western New Yorkers have a long history of celebrating fall. On Oct. 12, Fall Fest will combine traditional community aspects of events like Oktoberfest with family-friendly contemporary elements for an unforgettable experience for people all ages.”

    Monica Pellegrino Faix, Executive Director of the Central Terminal Restoration Corp.

    The Fall Fest takes place from 11am to 3pm at 495 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo. For more information on this free event, click here.

  • Farm Aid Returns to SPAC on Saturday: Get the Scoop on What to Expect!

    Farm Aid 2024 arrives at Broadview Stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Saturday, September 21, with preparations in store for a full day of live music, farming education and festival events that make the day long event an annual affair a can’t miss show for the whole family.

    farm aid 2024

    Even if you won’t be in Saratoga Springs, you can still be a part of the annual excitement that Farm Aid brings. Watch on FarmAid.org or the Farm Aid YouTube channel where they will livestream the full festival (including a press event) from the Broadview stage beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET.

    Additionally, SiriusXM subscribers can listen to Farm Aid 2024 starting at noon ET on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse (channel 61) and Dave Matthews Band Radio (channel 30) via SiriusXM radio and on the SXM app. Live coverage will include backstage interviews with artists and family farmers, hosted by SiriusXM’s Dallas Wayne, Ari Fink and Joey Black. Eligible customers can get their first three months of SiriusXM streaming for free. Click here to see offer details, sign up and experience all that SiriusXM has to offer.

    Of course there’s a huge day of music on tap, featuring Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price, Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff, Lukas Nelson, Charley Crockett, Joy Oladokun, Southern Avenue, Cassandra Lewis, Jesse Welles, Wisdom Indian Dancers, and Kontiwennenhá:Wi.

    Farm Aid 2024 Music Performances Schedule

    1 p.m.: Kontiwennenha: Wi
    1:12 p.m.: Wisdom Indian Dancers
    1:27 p.m.: Jesse Welles
    1:43 p.m.: Cassandra Lewis
    2:07 p.m.: Southern Avenue
    2:42 p.m.: Joy Oladokun
    3:17 p.m.: Charley Crockett
    3:57 p.m.: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
    4:42 p.m.: Lukas Nelson with the Travelin’ McCourys
    5:27 p.m.: Mavis Staples
    6:22 p.m.: Margo Price
    7:17 p.m.: Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds
    8:12 p.m.: John Mellencamp
    9:07 p.m.: Neil Young
    10:02 p.m.: Willie Nelson & Family

    Here’s a step-by-step guide for an awesome Farm Aid 2024 festival!

    Willie Nelson performs at Farm Aid on Randall’s Island Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

    First and foremost – get the Farm Aid 2024 app: Download the Farm Aid 2024 app for iPhone and Android to personalize your festival experience. Use it to get details about the HOMEGROWN Concessions® menu, learn the stories of local farmers, and make a schedule of music, workshops and artist briefings for the day. The app includes photo frames so that you can share your Farm Aid 2024 experiences.

    Get your hands dirty: In the HOMEGROWN Village, you can celebrate and engage in the cultures of agriculture. From noon until 5:00pm, experience hands-on activities about climate, soil, water, energy, food and farming. Check out the FarmYard Stage where farmers and artists will discuss pressing issues, like food access, soil health and climate change and share inspiring stories. In the HOMEGROWN Skills Tent participate in hands-on demonstrations, including beekeeping, willow weaving and mushroom growing.

    Discover the Music and More from Farm Aid 2007 at Randall’s Island – the first Farm Aid in New York State!

    Swap Seeds: Join the annual HOMEGROWN Seed Swap! Bring seeds from home and come on down to the HOMEGROWN Skills Tent to meet enthusiastic seed savers, swap seeds and go home with new varieties to try (you can even take home seeds even if you have none to swap). If you’re bringing seeds keep them domestic, please, and bring them in a sealed and labeled envelope.

    Meet a Farmer: Introduce yourself to a farmer! We’re here to celebrate farmers and they’ll be all around at Farm Aid 2024 at SPAC. Look for people wearing a “farmer” pass, enjoy their food at HOMEGROWN Concessions® and hear from them on the FarmYard Stage and in the HOMEGROWN Skills Tent.

    farm aid 2024
    Farm Aid Board of Directors – Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews, Margo Price, John Mellencamp – Photo by Scott Streble

    Eat HOMEGROWN: We’re proud to offer family farm food throughout the venue. Our HOMEGROWN Concessions® contains ingredients produced by family farmers utilizing ecological production practices with a fair price paid to the farmers. Check out menu items like: local pastured beef burgers, pastured pork sausages, delicious cheeses from pasture-based and organic dairies, watermelon and feta salad, cider donuts made from local flour and much more. Farm Aid partners with Legends Hospitality and Live Nation to offer HOMEGROWN Concessions®.

    Want to learn about how HOMEGROWN Concessions® started and how it’s changing the live music industry? Take a listen to a brand-new podcast episode where farmers and eaters unite! 

    Make Soil: Be passionate about composting and recycling! With a goal of zero waste, HOMEGROWN Concessions® uses compostable serviceware and Farm Aid promotes and supports composting in the venue. Loving Earth Compost of Saratoga will receive the food waste gathered at Farm Aid 2024 to make future soil.

    Revisit the last time Farm Aid was at SPAC in 2013!

    Wear the mission on your T-shirt: Take home a Farm Aid at SPAC t-shirt, hoodie, bandana or hat. New limited-edition items include a custom screenprint poster by artist Gary Houston and Wachiay Studio, regenerative leather bracelets stitched by Native artists from Oyate Studio and locally produced leather key fobs. Our online store is open for pre-orders!

    Support the Regional Food Bank: Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring non-perishable, unopened items in original packaging. Grains, soups, proteins and personal hygiene items are highly desired. No glass or pet food, please! Food Bank volunteers will be stationed at both entrances. The Food Bank helps feed 350,000 people each month through a network of more than 1,000 partner agencies and direct distribution programs.100% of the fresh, nutritious food grown on the Regional Food Bank’s farm, Patroon Land Farm, goes to the clients of the Food Bank!

    Chat with a volunteer: So many folks donate their time to create an incredible Farm Aid experience for all festivalgoers. Our team (in the volunteer t-shirts) is ready to help out in any way!

    Eat apples at the HOMEGROWN Youthmarket Presented by Taste NY: Come to our farm stand run by young people who care about agriculture. This year’s HOMEGROWN Youthmarkets will be staffed by young people from Saratoga County 4-H, The National Grange, FFA’s Saratoga County chapter and Two Bridges Youth Farmers Market. Festivalgoers can meet these young adults, learn about the work they do in their communities, get to know the farms represented and taste fresh fruits, vegetables, cider, juices, cookies and maple candy from local farms and orchards. Donors supporting the HOMEGROWN Youthmarket include Square, Red Jacket Orchards and Indian Ladder Farms.

    If you’re joining NYS Music for Farm Aid this weekend at SPAC, make sure to read through the venue rules and make sure your bag meets the guidelines! And keep an eye out for special guests – the late Pete Seeger joined Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews and John Mellencamp on stage for an unforgettable performance of “This Land is Your Land.” Watch below.

  • Jersey City’s Hudson West Music Festival Returns Sept 28

    Hudson West Music Festival will provide a day of Americana, folk, and roots music on Saturday, Sept 28, 2024, from noon to 10:00 pm in Downtown Jersey City at the Nimbus Arts Center.

    Hudson West Music Festival

    Founded in 2016, as a non-profit organization, the Hudson West Fest is an Americana, Folk & Roots music festival that presents performers from across North America to both play and teach. New Jersey’s Hudson West Fest annually holds an all-day music festival but has also expanded its music programming over the years to include Music Workshops, a Talent Search, Open Mics, Free Concerts presenting local musicians, and School Music Programs. This year the festival will include a free street festival that will take place on Warren street right in front of the Nimbus Art center from 2:00 to 7:00. The street festival will include a book signing with Terri Thal, music lessons, performances, and a jam.

    You can enjoy all the performances indoors as well as a variety of music workshops on topics such as guitar tricks and song writing taught by this year’s Hudson West Fest performers and Welcome Home New Jersey will bring a taste of ethnic foods. Entry is $35 each person, or $40 at the door. 

    Hudson West says their mission is “to enable fine musicians to earn a living from their art.” and “to help the larger community hear high quality music and gain a greater appreciation.”

    Hudson West Music Festival Mainstage Lineup

    Jenni Muldaur & Teddy Thompson, with David Mansfield

    Lily Henley

    Adam Falcon

    Christine Santelli and Heather Hardy

    Ed Snodderly

    Joe Crookston

    Jared Tyler

    Paul Sachs 

    Learn more here.

  • Annual Oaktoberfest Returns to Oak Mountain in Speculator on September 29

    This September 29, Oak Mountain in Speculator announces the return of the acclaimed Oaktoberfest. The Central Adirondacks festivities include a wide array of activities for the whole family.

    Oaktoberfest speculator
    The views from Oak Mountain in the Fall

    Oaktoberfest in Speculator is back and better than ever. This family-friendly event is bursting with activities and entertainment, including live music with The Altered Tones & Wayward Folk. Upstate roots-rock band The Insolent Willies are planned to perform both original and all-time classic tunes for the crowd.

    The event begins at 12 noon and wraps up at 4 PM on September 29. Oak Mountain’s Acorn Pub and Eatery serves fall favorites and a full bar. One of the Adirondack’s most critically acclaimed breweries, Paradox Brewery is set to serve some brews. Nine Pin Ciderworks from Albany is planned to be on tap as well.

    The event includes vendors, a craft market, wine and beer sampling, a camp store with snacks and games, and even the opportunity to visit with animals at the Utica Zoomobile. In the spirit of Oaktoberfest, you’ll want to be sure to participate in the German costume contest and ride the chairlift to the top of Oak Mountain to enjoy views of the beautiful Adirondack fall foliage.

    What could be better than the picturesque Oak Mountain displaying the lovely fall foliage? Oak Mountain in all its fabulous fall glory, with scenic lift rides, delicious food and drinks, live music, and so much more. Be sure to bring the whole family, as there’s something for each and every individual who partakes in the festivities.

    For more information on Oaktoberfest click here. Additionally, to learn more about Oak Mountain in Speculator, NY, click here.

  • BRIC JazzFest Celebrates 10th Anniversary JazzFest

    BRIC Arts and Media Institution of Brooklyn announced this past week its 10th anniversary celebratory JazzFest 2024, with 18 performances over the course of three days.

    BRIC JazzFest

    BRIC Arts Media, based in Downtown Brooklyn has been bringing free access to creative and cultural programming as well as opportunities for local artists to realize their works since its inception. 

    Originating as The Fund for the Borough of Brooklyn in 1979, the organization offers residencies, youth fellowships, grants, prizes, and partnerships to the artists of the Brooklyn community, as well as collaborations with other public resources in the area including Media Education classes at the Brooklyn Public Library, a cyclical program focused on community engagement through the arts titled the Intergenerational Community Arts Council, and partnerships with over 75 organizations to bring media and production skills to nonprofits based in Brooklyn.

    One of the biggest programs run by BRIC in recent years is the BRIC Jazzfest, an annual presentation of the newest voices and hidden gems of the Jazz scene. Now, a decade into the program, BRIC will present “A Decade of Discovery” from October 17-19, a dazzling three-day lineup showcasing rising stars, contemporary innovators, and jazz legends.

    Day one will consist of performances by NEA Jazz Master Gary Bartz co-headlining with acclaimed harpist Brandee Younger, genre-defying drummer Kassa Overall, rising star Josh Johnson, and emerging talents Milena Casado and Mali Obomsawin.

    Performances for day two feature cutting-edge drummer and produce Makaya McCraven, jazz luminary Terri Lyne Carrington, innovative alto saxophonist Caroline Davis, and percussionist Daniel Villarreal.

    The concluding evening will cover the full spectrum of contemporary jazz, highlights including powerhouse saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, jazz elder statesman Reggie Workman, jazz and Iraqi maqam fusionist and trumpeter Amir Elsaffar, Australian neo-soul artistAllysha Joy, and Afro-Cuban jazz master Joaquin Pozo. 

    In addition, the final evening will conclude with a special jam session honoring the legacy of jazz drummer Casey Benjamin curated by a party and live music experience called The Jungle, a collaboration of DJs, musicians, and artists for a unique journey across the African Diaspora- embracing Latin, Jazz, Afrobeat, Amapiano, Percussion, Brazilian, Caribbean, House, and Soul sounds.

    Three-day passes are available now. For tickets, the full festival schedule, and more information, please visit here.

  • New York State Blues Festival Returns in 2025

    The annual New York State Blues Festival has been confirmed and will once again return to the Chevy Court in Syracuse from June 12-14, 2025.

    New York State Blues Festival

    The annual free festival will take place on the New York State Fairgrounds (581 State Fair Blvd Syracuse, NY 13209) in mid-June of 2025. This will be the 32nd edition of the festival. Founded in 1992, every year the festival brings thousands of music fans from around New York and beyond to celebrate blues music and culture.

    A diverse line-up of local, regional, and national artists will take to the stage. In the past, acts such as Little Feat, Buddy Guy, Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul, and many more have headlined the festival. A variety of food vendors will be onsite and wine & beer will be sold. Retail & craft vendors will also be set up inside of the festival grounds.

    The team behind the New York State Blues Festival has said, “The mission of the NYS Blues Festival is to preserve, protect and promote blues music and culture. The Syracuse, NY festival entertains while educating on the role of the blues in the development of popular music in the US and around the world.”

    The lineup for this year has yet to be announced. Learn more about the festival here.

  • Eid Fest Comes to the Buffalo Central Terminal September 14

    A celebration of Buffalo’s 50,000+ Bengali people and culture, Eid Fest will bring members of the community and beyond to the grounds of the Buffalo Central Terminal on Saturday, September 14.

    eid fest

    From 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Central Terminal will be transformed to a celebration of everything Bengali- food vendors, musicians, clothing and jewelry shops, and more. Vendors for the day’s celebrations include food from RFC, clothing from Mimi’s Fashion, jewelry from Mochak Fashion, henna by Farhana Fiha, and much more

    In addition to the shopping and eating opportunities, the soundtrack for the day’s festivities will be provided by artists Moshin Reza, Sabiha Chowdhury, Reni Seddiqui, and Shurojit Roy.

    To join the Eid Fest celebration of all things Bengali community and culture, visit the grounds of Central Terminal at 495 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo on September 14 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. For more information, visit here.

    This event is free and open to all.

  • NY Harvest Fest Returns October 11-13 In Bainbridge

    The 27th Annual NY Harvest Festival & Freedom Fair Returns to the Electric Echo Lake in Bainbridge October 11-13, 2024.

    Originating as a “protestival”, the Harvest Festival is a celebration of cannabis culture and the community it brings. Now, 27 years into the festival, it has grown from an event under the shadow of prohibition to an annual cornerstone of community, togetherness, and all-around good times.

    This year, visitors can expect multiple stages, a diverse musical lineup, a vendor village and fine art gallery, the return of the country’s longest running public and celebrity cannabis and edible cups, workshops, activist and educational speakers, a drum circle, a dedicated kids/family space, a farmer’s market, onsite camping, and much more. 

    The soundtrack for this year’s Harvest Festival will be provided by artists Dr. Jah and The Love Prophets, Black Sabbath Tribute EARTH, Gratefully Yours, Steal Your Face, Grateful Upstate Toodeloo, Ramona Lane, Papa MUSE, Patchwork Down, Spunday Morning, CC-13, Trapper & Friends, and BlahsuM.

    In addition, there will be laser light shows featuring the music of the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, and the sounds of Woodstock 1969.

    To learn more and take part in community, education, and celebration, you can visit the Harvest Fest’s website here. Tickets are on sale now.

  • 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.