Alright folks, hold onto your mohawks and leather jackets because we’ve got some exciting news for you punk rock aficionados out there on this, ‘International Clash Day.’ Shared Medium, the cool cats of the arts scene, are dropping a bombshell of an album – Hearts & Minds & Crooked Beats: Songs of The Clash – paying tribute to the legendary punk rock band, The Clash.
First things first, mark your calendars because this bad boy is hitting the streets on what has been coined ‘International Clash Day’. It’s not just your run-of-the-mill album release, though. Nope, this one’s got a heart as big as Joe Strummer’s, because it’s all about supporting the International Rescue Committee (IRC). These folks are the real heroes, helping out those in dire need when the world goes topsy-turvy with conflict and disaster. And this time around, the funds are going to Palestinian civilians who could really use a helping hand.
Hearts & Minds & Crooked Beats isn’t just your typical cover album. It’s a melting pot of creativity, with bands and visual artists alike pouring their souls into honoring The Clash’s legacy. With names like The Dandy Warhols, Mirah, and Teke::Teke on the roster, you know you’re in for a wild ride. And to top it all off, it’s been mastered by the one and only Ted Jensen, a legend in his own right.
But wait, there’s more! To really kick things up a notch, Shared Medium is throwing release concerts in Seattle and New York City. Picture this: a room filled with energy, live performances that’ll make your heart race, and visual displays that pay homage to The Clash’s rebellious spirit. It’s like stepping into a time machine and landing smack dab in the middle of punk rock paradise.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your safety pins and get ready to rock out because Hearts & Minds & Crooked Beats: Songs of The Clash is about to drop, and it’s all for a darn good cause. Long live The Clash, and long live punk rock!
For now, the album is only available on vinyl, and all customers will receive a free digital download with vinyl purchase. Pick one up here.
SPAC has announced the 2024 residency of The Philadelphia Orchestra, spanning July 31 to August 17. The stellar event will feature several diverse and unique shows for folks of many tastes.
Along with this, the lineup included for this orchestra season consist of some monumental names. Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Yo-Yo Ma, John Legend, Fabio Luisi, Dalia Stasevska, Anthony Parnther, David Robertson, Xian Zhang, Gil Shaham, Mason Bates, George Li, Angélique Kidjo are some of the notable names featuring in this lineup.
The Philadelphia Orchestra will provide various intimate and whimsical journeys into sound. The season will include masterworks like the 100th anniversary celebration of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Marcus Roberts Trio.
“SPAC has become a destination stage for many of the greatest artists in the world and our 2024 season is no exception. From Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Yo-Yo Ma to John Legend and Angélique Kidjo, this year’s programming offers something for everyone highlighting SPAC’s unique ability to bring together the world’s best artists and genres on one stage,”
Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of SPAC
In addition, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana will return to SPAC for the first time in over 15 years with Albany Pro Musica. This legend-dense musical explosion is not one to miss. This show simply has sounds for a variety of tastes.
Jazz Pianist Marcus Roberts
The Philidelphia Orchestra Itinerary:
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31 @ 7:30PM: Tchaikovsky Spectacular
David Robertson, conductor
George Li*, piano
Tchaikovsky “Polonaise,” from Eugene Onegin
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1
Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet
Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 @ 7:30PM: Rhapsody in Blue Celebrates 100
David Robertson, conductor
Marcus Roberts Trio
Johnson Victory Stride*
Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances
FRIDAY, AUGUST 2 @ 7:30PM: Angélique Kidjo with The Philadelphia Orchestra
TBA, conductor
Angélique Kidjo, vocals
Following her 2023 Saratoga Jazz Festival debut, five-time Grammy Award-winner and African music icon Angélique Kidjo joins The Philadelphia Orchestra in an all-new program featuring a mix of popular African songs and original works.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 3 @ 7:30PM: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™ in Concert
Justin Freer, conductor
Hooper Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™ (complete with film)*
The Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns with HarryPotter and the Order of the Phoenix™ in Concert, the fifth film in the series. Experience the magic of Harry Potter™ soaring across the big screen in high definition, while The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Nicholas Hooper’s unforgettable score.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7 @ 7:15PM: An Evening With John Legend– A Night of Songs and Stories with The Philadelphia Orchestra
Anthony Parnther*, conductor
John Legend*, vocals and piano
This special performance will feature songs and stories with 12-time Grammy Award-winner John Legend, alongside The Philadelphia Orchestra. Experience intimate reimaginings of his greatest hits (“All of Me,” “Ordinary People,” “Tonight”), unexpected stories from Legend’s life and career, and selections from his most recent release LEGEND (“Nervous,” “Wonder Woman”).
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8 @ 7:30PM: Yannick Conducts An Alpine Symphony
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor Jennifer Montone, horn
Jeffrey Lang, horn
Chelsea McFarland, horn
Christopher Dwyer, horn
Ernesto Tovar Torres, horn
Schumann Konzertstück for horns and orchestra
Strauss An Alpine Symphony
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9 @ 7:30PM: An Evening of Brahms with Fabio Luisi
Fabio Luisi*, conductor
Bomsori Kim*, violin
Brahms Violin Concerto
Brahms Symphony No. 4
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 @ 7:30PM: Carmina burana
Fabio Luisi, conductor Audrey Luna*, soprano Sunnyboy Dladla*, tenor Sean Michael Plumb*, baritone Albany Pro Music, chorus
Beethoven Symphony No. 8
Orff Carmina burana
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14 @ 7:30PM: Gil Shaham Performs Bates
Dalia Stasevska*, conductor
Gil Shaham, violin
Bates Nomad Concerto, for violin and orchestra*
Sibelius Symphony No. 5
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15 @ 7:30PM: Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony
Dalia Stasevska, conductor
Bartók Concerto for Orchestra
Dvořák Symphony No. 8
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 @ 7:30PM: Yo-Yo Ma Plays Dvořák
Xian Zhang, conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Ngwenyama Primal Message*
Kodály Dances of Galánta*
Dvořák Cello Concerto
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 @ 7:30PM: Disney’s The Lion King in Concert
Damon Gupton*, conductor
Zimmer and John The Lion King (complete with film)*
Tickets will be available beginning on February 9 at 10 a.m. for members (tiered by level) and on February 22 at 10 a.m. for the general public. Visit spac.org for details.
The Stone Pony, an iconic venue and cornerstone of musical history, proudly announced its 50th-anniversary celebration. In honor of this monumental milestone, the New Jersey State Legislature, Monmouth County, and the City of Asbury Park united to proclaim Feb. 8 as “Stone Pony Day.”
The Stone Pony Summer Stage. Photo by Michael Dinger.
The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, one of the world’s best-known music venues, opened its doors on Feb. 8, 1974, in a building that formerly housed a popular restaurant called Mrs. Jay’s. Founders John P. “Jack” Roig and Robert “Butch” Pielka first met while working in a club on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, and the rest was history, Locals like Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, and Steve Van Zandt helped put the venue on the map, while today’s top artists and rising stars continue building a musical legacy. Artists that have graced the stage include Elvis Costello, The Ramones, Cheap Trick, Green Day, Oasis, No Doubt, blink-182, The Band, Iggy Pop, AFI, Warren Zevon, Joan Osborne, Luke Combs, Weezer, The 1975, Bleachers, and many more.
Outside of the Stone Pony, photo by Tony Cenciola.
On Thursday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m., the venue will kick off a yearlong celebration with two weeks of special events, beginning with the proclamation ceremony that features distinguished local dignitaries. Following the proclamation the public celebration “Cheers to 50!” starts at 7 p.m. Original owner Jack Roig and General Manager Caroline O’Toole will raise a toast to 50 years of music and memories, accompanied by the Pony’s original house DJ, Lee Mrowicki, spinning the greatest hits.
On Feb. 9, Asbury Park’s The Parlor Mob is reuniting for a special show at 7 p.m. The celebration continues on Feb. 10 with an event presented by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music, titled “Celebrating The Stone Pony Anniversary: Spotlighting 50 Legendary Years of Music Memories.” The event features Stone Pony founder Jack Roig, legendary musicians, impresarios, and other influential figures sharing intimate stories and memories.
Photo by Michael Dinger.
Feb. 16 and 17 hosts special shows by the Jukes, led by the charismatic Southside Johnny. They have graced the Stone Pony’s stage numerous times throughout its 50 years, leaving a mark on its rich musical history. From energetic live performances to the creation of timeless anthems, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes have been integral to The Stone Pony’s narrative, embodying the spirit and soul of the vibrant music scene.
Dead & Company have released the final dates for their 18-show residency at Sphere in Las Vegas and tickets will be on sale to the general public beginning Friday, February 9. There is also an artist pre-registration that is currently underway and can be accessed here. These shows will take place over six weekends during May and June and will utilize Sphere’s next-generation technologies, including the world’s highest resolution LED display that wraps up, over, and around the audience creating a fully immersive visual environment.
Photo Credit: Sphere Entertainment
The Artist Presale is currently underway, although advance registration does not guarantee tickets as supplies are limited. The general on-sale will begin Friday, February 9th at 10 AM PT at Ticketmaster.com.
Tickets start at $145 and will reflect all-in pricing. This means the ticket price listed is the full out-of-pocket price inclusive of taxes and fees.
For VIP packages, Vibee is the official VIP Concert & Hotel Package partner for Dead & Company’s historic residency at Sphere and is the only way to access ticket bundles for all three weekend shows. Fans can purchase various Vibee packages through the official presale. Additionally, all Vibee VIP package holders will receive priority entry into the Dead & Company Fan Portal coming soon to The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. For ticket and Vibee VIP Concert and Hotel Package information, please visit: www.deadforever.vibee.com.
Dead & Company – Dead Forever – Live at Sphere dates:
Thursday, May 16; Friday, May 17; Saturday, May 18
Friday, May 24; Saturday, May 25; Sunday, May 26
Thursday, May 30; Friday, May 31; Saturday, June 1
Thursday, June 6; Friday, June 7; Saturday, June 8
Thursday, June 13; Friday, June 14; Saturday, June 15
Thursday, June 20; Friday, June 21; Saturday, June 22
The Local, a new center for arts, culture, and community in Saugerties, has announced they plan to ramp up the venue with a new stage, enabling concert-goers to see the artists better and add to the audience experience.
Photo by Neil Segal.
Housed in a former Dutch chapel built in 1876, The Local is under the guidance of Isabel Soffer and Danny Melnick, co-founders of Hudson Valley Live. The two Saugerties-based music producers and performing arts professionals have each devoted more than 30 years to producing festivals, concerts, and curated arts experiences. Since opening its doors in September 2023, it has already welcomed more than 2,000 guests from throughout the region and beyond for Spanish flamenco, tango music and dance, West African Highlife, incredible jazz, and performances by noteworthy artists like Emel, Emily King, a tribute to Leonard Cohen, Sandy Bell, a Silent Disco with live DJs, and so much more.
They are kicking off their first fundraising campaign to purchase this highly needed stage with a $12,500 matching gift through their fiscal sponsor globalFEST. This means the donations received are tax deductible. The funds will be used to cover the stage, which will help audience members see the performers better, and also be used to cover programming, facilities maintenance, and other venue-related expenses until they become a not-for-profit and can raise money through grants and sponsorships.
Photo by Eric Delmar.
“As the only year-round music venue and cultural center in Saugerties, we are working hard to make The Local a stable, viable, fun, and accessible resource that encourages community, cultural diversity, creativity, discovery, and economic development in the Hudson Valley,” said the venue.
For every dollar people donate, it matches to two with the sponsors’ help. The campaign site has different tiers that people can donate to, with some including two tickets to an upcoming show, beer, wine or refreshments on the house, and shoutouts and additions to the venue’s Hall of Fame on their website.
For more information about The Local and to help their plans for a new stage, visit here.
The Local’s confirmed February-June 2024 season lineup:
Sat., Feb. 10, 8 pm – The Art of Arabic Maqam: Firas Zreik
The students of Berklee NYC were treated to an intimate and fascinating experience with pop legend Cyndi Lauper in January.
The 2024 Berklee NYC Career Expo was an event held at the Berklee NYC campus on January 22. The event featured several music icons including Cyndi Lauper, who took center stage.
Cyndi Lauper shared valuable knowledge about experiences in the entertainment business. Ms. Lauper was joined by several NYC songwriters, producers, and other accomplished industry leaders to discuss the many aspects of music and entertainment.
The entire event saw many students excited to listen and learn from such greatness. The program included a discussion on how a song is written, produced and marketed, as well as an interactive workshop for theater writers.
Further, students were shown a behind-the-scenes demonstration of the modern music festival setup with first-hand insights from creative designers.
“We were honored to welcome the inimitable Cyndi Lauper to Berklee NYC, an artist who has left an indelible mark on music history just as she did with the audience at the expo. We extend our gratitude to all of the brilliant artists and industry leaders who shared their experiences with our students. Our team places an extremely high value on delivering meaningful and relevant industry insights to the aspiring professionals in our program, and this event reaffirmed that shared passion within our community in every way.”
Betsie Becker – acting executive director
The Berklee NYC Career Expo was a successful means of engaging the student body with a meaningful night of intrigue and networking. Every audience member present on January 22 left with something of value to take away from the experience. For more information on the career expo with Cyndi Lauper, visit Berklee NYC’s Website.
The Skaneateles Festival has announced it is now accepting applications for the 23rd annual Robinson Award, a $2,000 prize designed to recognize an outstanding young musician for success in music performance, citizenship, and contributions to the community.
The idea for a 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.
The phrase “Spirit of the Festival” flowed from the spirit of the Robinsons, and their legacy continues today. The Skaneateles Festival’s 45th Anniversary season takes place from Aug. 1-24.
In 2002 the festival created the Robinson Award, an annual scholarship prize, to honor the memory of David and Louise Robinson. The award is given annually to a young musician whose character, musicianship, and community service reflect the values of the duo – enthusiasm and dedication to music of high quality.
SkanFest 2022.
Applications from students between the ages of 13 and 18 residing in the Central New York region (Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga, Tompkins, Madison, Oneida, and Cortland counties) will be considered. Requirements include two letters of recommendation, a written personal statement, and a 10-15 minute recording of their playing or singing. The annual presentation of the award is made at a Festival concert in August and is accompanied by a $2,000 prize. The recipient may also be invited to perform at a Skaneateles Festival event.
Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs has announced the return of their popular Family Saturdays workshops. The workshops take place at The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, located on the campus of Skidmore College.
The Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College is a pioneer of exploration and learning. A cultural anchor of the Capital Region, the Tang has become a model for university art museums across the country. The museum hosts exhibition programs that bring together visual and performing arts with interdisciplinary ideas from history, economics, biology, dance, and physics, to name just a few. The Tang has one of the most rigorous faculty-engagement initiatives in the nation. Along with this, a robust publication and touring exhibition program that extends the museum’s reach far beyond its walls.
The Tang Teaching Museum’s award-winning building, designed by architect Antoine Predock, serves as a visual metaphor for the convergence of art and ideas. The Museum is open to the public on Thursday from noon to 9 pm and Friday through Sunday from noon to 5 pm, with expanded hours beginning July 5 to include Tuesday–Wednesday, noon–5 pm.
Family Saturday programs include touring of the gallery for selected sculpture and painting. Participants will then discuss the artwork with guides and create their own sculpture. Family Saturdays are free for all, with no registration required. The program runs from 2-3:30 PM and will officially kick off on February 3. For more information, visit the Tang website at Tang.Skidmore.edu.
The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College invites the public to its February programs, featuring tours, screenings, workshops, and special guests, including the acclaimed multimedia artist Mickalene Thomas, composer-drummer Makaya McCraven, and the artists Antonius-Tín Bui and Theresa-Xuan Bui.
All events are free and open to the public. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday–Sunday, noon–5 pm, with extended hours until 9 pm on Thursdays. Some events will take place outside regular gallery hours.
A multigenerational art-viewing and art-making workshop, for children 5 and older with an adult companion, inspired by the art on view by Steven Roden. Also February 17.
The seventh annual lecture features acclaimed multidisciplinary artist Mickalene Thomas, lauded for her bedazzled portraits of Black women. Her work is on view in the exhibition Studio/Archive. Her appearance is by invitation of Abigail Svetlik ’24, the 2023-24 Eleanor Linder Winter ’43 Intern.
Emily Abi-Kheirs, part of the team that organized the 2023 Flaherty NYC program “MAKA: Many Eyed Vessel,” will present a selection of experimental documentary films. A discussion follows. Whole Grain is the Tang’s ongoing series of screenings of experimental film and videos.
Drummer-composer Makaya McCraven will be in discussion with Angus McCullough, musician and MDOCS Instructor, in advance of McCraven’s Zankel performance on February 17. The New York Times called McCraven “one of the best arguments for jazz’s vitality.” His latest album, In These Times, emerges as a polytemporal collection of compositions, drawing inspiration from broader cultural struggles and the artist’s personal experiences within a multinational, working-class musician community.
See an early work by artist Isaac Julien, his delightfully rebellious debut feature about sex, politics, music, and friendship in 1977 London. During the week of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, a young black London DJ, who together with his gay partner operates a pirate radio station, becomes implicated in the murder of a mutual friend. Julien’s Lessons of the Hour is on view in the Malloy Wing.
Rabbi Linda Motzkin, the former Jewish Chaplain at Skidmore College, returns to campus for a series of events on Jewish culture and sacred arts. Motzkin delivers the Perlow Lecture, “Women and the Making of Torah,” Monday, February 26, 5:30 pm; gives an artist’s talk, “Art and the Sacred,” on Wednesday, February 28, 5:30 pm; and leads a workshop, Community Torah Project: Making Parchment from a Local Deerskin, Friday, March 1, 1 pm.
Isaac Julien: Lessons of the Hour A tour-de-force, ten-screen video installation explores the life of Frederick Douglass. Opens February 3. Studio/Archive An ambitious selection of photographic works from the Tang collection by artists who span the globe. Opens February 3.
Elevator Music 47: Xenometok for Mutualism An experimental, multimedia artwork explores the Tibetan diaspora through music, video, and dance, featuring artist Valentina Demicheli, activist Paelden Tamnyen, and musician YESH. Closes February 4.
Abject Anatomy Photographs, prints, drawings, and paintings from the Tang collection in which the human body is transformed ask us to reflect on fears about our own bodily nonconformance and that of those around us. Opens February 10.
Elevator Music 48: Alone, only in flesh This site-specific, collaborative meditation on three diasporic artists’ experiences melds the work of Antonius-Tín Bui, Theresa-Xuan Bui, and MIZU to engage all five senses with spoken word poetry, experimental cello, traditional Vietnamese áo dài (garments), Southeast Asian home goods, and Asian snacks. Opens February 10.
Hyde Cabinet #23: Contre Le Sexisme A photograph of Kim Gordon by Chris Cuffaro with the album insert from a CD edition of A Thousand Leaves by Sonic Youth to explore seemingly contradictory concepts of girlhood and femininity. Closes February 25.
Yvette Molina: A Promise to the Leaves The Mexican-American artist Yvette Molina transforms the Tang mezzanine into a community space. The two-year project, currently in its first iteration, also features work by the artists Bel Falleiros and Cinthya Santos-Briones.
The New York Youth Symphony (NYYS) has announced they will be appointing John Kilkenny as the new executive director, effective this March. NYYS has been extensively searching for an executive director after their last director of 12 years, Shauna Quill stepped down. Now with a promising future in the hands of John Kilkenny, NYYS is thrilled at what lies ahead.
John Kilkenny has served both the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera and the Sewanee Music Festival, where he was Executive Director. His experience in leading orchestra and chamber music is extraordinary. Mr. Kilkelly has also led programs in composition and has supported music education for aspiring young artists for years.
“We are thrilled to have John at the helm of our organization. John’s experience and impressive knowledge of music education will surely help to propel NYYS to the next level. We are excited to see what John can do as he helps to shape our future and make our mark on young musicians even stronger and more impactful.”
Bill Kappel, President of New York Youth Symphony’s Board of Trustees
As Executive Director, John Kilkenny will be overseeing community outreach, fundraising, artistic programming and marketing. He will also be in charge of all programs throughout the organization from writing and composition to musical theatre, conducting, and the newest orchestra – crescendo.
NYYS at Carnegie Hall
“NYYS is an incredible organization and a fantastic match for my passion and skillset – I cannot wait to get started and write the next chapter! They are one of the premiere arts education programs in the nation – leading the way in the training of young musicians. This is a dream opportunity for me!”
John Kilkenny’s enthusiastic response to his thoughts on being appointed Executive Director of NYYS
For more information on the New York Youth Symphony and its upcoming plans, visit NYYS.org.
The 2024 Oscar nominations were just announced, featuring Robbie Robertson receiving a posthumous nomination for Killers of the Flower Moon, Billie Eilish for Barbie, and more.
The 2024 Oscars will occur on Sunday, March 10, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. With an eclectic mix of musicians, the music nominees are bold and diverse, creating songs for some great films last year.
In the Best Original Score category, Robbie Robertson earned a posthumous Oscar nomination for his score for Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Robertson, composer, songwriter, and musician known for the influential group the Band, died Aug. 9 at age 80. He was a longtime collaborator with Scorsese, starting with 1978’s The Last Waltz. The iconic director acknowledged Robertson in a statement about the Oscar nom, writing ” I only wish that Robbie Robertson had lived to see his work recognized—our many years of friendship and Robbie’s growing consciousness of his own Native heritage played a crucial role in my desire to get this film onscreen.”
Other nominees in that category include Flushing native and infamous composer John Williams for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Williams has received almost 80 GRAMMY nominations for his work in iconic films, and 54 Oscar nominations, the most of any living person. Ludwig Göransson’s emotionally charged compositions for Oppenheimer earned a rightful nomination, and English musician Jerskin Fendrix received his first nom for Poor Things.
Robbie Robertson, photo by Matthew Eisman for Getty Images.
In the Best Original Song category, Diane Warren earned her seventh consecutive Oscar nom for “The Fire Inside” from Flamin’ Hot, her 15th overall. Jon Batiste, who won an Oscar three years ago for collaborating on the Soul score with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, got his first best original song nod for “It Never Went Away” from American Symphony, a documentary about a year in his life.
Killers of the Moon received another Oscar nomination with “Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)” by Scott George. Barbie spawned two best song nominees, the first film since La La Land seven years ago. “I’m Just Ken” by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt and “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, which also received several GRAMMY noms, made it on the ballot.
To see the full list of 2024 Oscar nominees, visit here.
