NYS Music 2024

Category: News Desk

  • Dark Star Orchestra Fall 2024 Tour Features 7 NY Dates

    Grateful Dead cover band Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) has announced their Fall 2024 tour which sees 11 dates in the northeast including 7 dates in NY.

    Dark Star Orchestra Fall Tour

    Performing to critical acclaim for over 25 years and over 3100 shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience. Their shows are built off the Dead’s extensive catalog and the talent of these seven fine musicians.

    On any given night, the band will perform a show based on a set list from the Grateful Dead’s 30 years of extensive touring or use their catalog to program a unique set list for the show. This allows fans both young and old to share in the experience. By recreating set lists from the past, and by developing their own sets of Dead songs, DSO offers a continually evolving artistic outlet within this musical canon.

    Honoring both the band and the fans, Dark Star Orchestra’s members seek out the unique style and sound of each era while simultaneously offering their own informed improvisations. DSO offers much more than the sound of the Grateful Dead; they truly encapsulate the energy and the experience. It’s about a sense of familiarity. It’s about a feeling that grabs listeners and takes over. It’s about that contagious energy…in short, it’s about the complete experience and consistent quality show that the fan receives when attending a DSO show.

    Dark Star Orchestra Fall Tour

    Dark Star Orchestra Fall 2024 Tour Dates:

    Nov 15, 2024 – The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, NY

    Nov 16, 2024 – The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, NY

    Nov 17, 2024 – MJN Convention Center – Poughkeepsie, NY

    Nov 20, 2024 – Rome Capitol Theatre – Rome, NY

    Nov 21, 2024 – Broome County Forum Theatre – Binghamton, NY

    Nov 22, 2024 – House of Blues Boston – Boston, MA

    Nov 23, 2024 – College Street Music Hall – New Haven, CT

    Nov 26, 2024 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA

    Nov 27, 2024 – Penn’s Peak – Jim Thorpe, PA

    Nov 29, 2024 – The Paramount – Huntington, NY

    Nov 30, 2024 – The Paramount – Huntington, NY

    For more information on Dark Star Orchestra’s upcoming Fall 2024 tour and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • Adirondack Wind Ensemble Hosts “Home in the Adirondacks”

    The Adirondack Wind Ensemble’s Eleanor Marcus Memorial Concert was held on Sunday, Sept. 22 at the E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium in Plattsburgh.

    Adirondack Wind Ensemble

    The Adirondack Wind Ensemble (AWE) celebrated Eleanor Marcus’s love of music through its annual Memorial Concert. Marcus graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1943 and loved music, attending almost every music event at E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium for decades until her passing. Since its founding in 2002 by Daniel Gordon, a member of the music faculty at SUNY Plattsburgh, AWE has performed an annual concert in E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium.

    AWE is a professional musical ensemble of wind and percussion instruments comprised of music educators and other outstanding community musicians from around the North Country. Its performers represent every public school district in Clinton County as well as several communities beyond. AWE is dedicated to providing quality concert performances by members of this community for this community.

    From 2010-20, AWE performed its program at a second venue in either Lake Placid or Saranac Lake.over the years, AWE has also performed at Battle of Plattsburgh Commemorations (2002-2004), in annual fall concerts at Plattsburgh High School (2007-2009), at First Night Saranac Lake (New Year’s Eve 2014), and as part of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival (2020). These geographic expansions have made AWE a true “Adirondack” Wind Ensemble.

    Program:
    “Home in the Adirondacks”

    Gustav Holst (1874-1934):

    • Second Suite in F, Op. 28b (1911)
      – March
      – Song without Words “I’ll love my love”
      – Song of the Blacksmith
      – Fantasia on the “Dargason”

    Maurice Whitney (1901-1984):

    • Introduction and Samba (1951)
      – for alto saxophone and band

    Todd Pray, soloist
    – Intermission –

    Ian Deterling (b. 1990)

    • Images of the Adirondacks, Op. 25 (2024)
      – Autumn Colors
      – Mountain Sunset
      – Tempest

    – AWE Commission, World Premiere –

    Charles Ives (1888-1897) arr. Elkus

    • Old Home Days
      – Waltz (1874-1954)
      – The Opera House – Old Home Day
      – The Collection
      – Slow March
      – London Bridge Is Fallen Down!

    Learn more about AWE here.

  • Guitar God Gary Lucas Unveils Reunited Power Trio GODS AND MONSTERS at Colony Woodstock this December

    Gary Lucas (Jeff Buckley, Captain Beefheart) has released over 50 acclaimed albums as a leader or co-leader to date and toured in over 40 countries worldwide since cutting his teeth as a featured soloist and member of Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band. Gary may be best known for co-writing and playing on Jeff Buckley’s “Grace” album (Jeff thanked him in the liner notes for “magical guitarness”)— but those who have heard him live in whatever context he is playing in are still shaking their heads in amazement and trying to pick their jaws up from the floor!

    Gary Lucas

    In 1989, Lucas formed his longtime band GODS AND MONSTERS, featuring a revolving cast of stellar players orbiting Lucas’s incendiary guitar playing electric and acoustic. The December 22 performance at the Colony Woodstock will serve as the debut for the latest iteration of the band. In the words of the acclaimed guitarist, GODS AND MONSTERS is now “a psychedelic power trio” featuring the rock-steady propulsive bass of Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers, Arthur Russell) and the exploding nebula of drummer extraordinaire Calvin Weston (James “Blood” Ulmer, Lounge Lizards).

    Gary Lucas’ varied works have generated critical acclaim that is second to none in the world of guitaring. Rolling Stone calls him “one of the best and most original guitarists in America” and his trio “a 21st Century Cream.” UK music bible Melody Maker labels him “a true axe god” while  MOJO Magazine proclaims him “the psychedelic guitarist for the post-modern set.” The New York Times says Lucas “plays guitar like Salvador Dali paints…guitarist with a global beat.” His work has also received praise from many musicians, from Lou Reed and Bruce Springsteen to Nick Cave and Leonard Bernstein.  You can stream Lucas’ extensive discography here on Spotify. 

    Show opener Spaghetti Eastern Music is the genre-leaping solo project of Woodstock-based guitarist/keyboardist and NYSMusic contributor Sal Cataldi. Spaghetti Eastern Music marries funky, acid jazz-fueled guitar instrumentals and ambient soundscapes with bare-bones acoustic ballads straight out of the Nick Drake school.  Cataldi debuted the project with the critically acclaimed 2016 album, “Sketches of Spam,” followed by numerous singles and EPs.

    The New York Times says Cataldi “has a beat unmistakably his own” while Time Out New York praises his “delicate guitar work and the hauntingly moody atmosphere he conjures.” His music has been called “beautiful and unique” by WFUV’s Mixed Bag and “charmingly melodic and off-center” by WFMU.  Hudson Valley One has called Spaghetti Eastern “part Sergio Leone fever dream, part Ravi Shankar raga, a whirling dervish of musical creation… a must-see” while Chronogram Magazine calls his music “cool, melodic, inspired and transcendent, a wave of sonic warmth and light.” Look for his music here at Spotify

    Colony Woodstock is located at 22 Rock City Road, Woodstock – for information and tickets to Gary Lucas and Gods and Monsters, visit here.

  • Tannery Pond Center Announces Family Fun Christmas Concerts on December 7 and 15

    Tannery Pond Center has announced two magical Christmas concerts on Dec 7 and 15 as part of their 2024 season.

    Tannery Pond Center in North Creek, NY, is the premier arts venue for the lower Adirondack region. The intimate and welcoming performance space brings high-quality music, dance, and dramatic performances to the Gore Mountain region. The Center presents concerts throughout the year in a variety of styles including, but not limited to, folk, rock, classical, jazz, and bluegrass, in our state-of-the-art Lyle Dye Auditorium, where every sound and artistic nuance can be heard and appreciated. The region has a rich history as a retreat for artists and musicians from New York City and we regularly feature the music of touring artists as well as established and talented musicians and performers from the local area.

    Tannery Pond Center (TPC) presents a full schedule of arts programming, including exhibits of original art, musical concerts and performances, as well as workshops and children’s programs. TPC also manages the community center for the Town of Johnsburg. Other groups presenting arts programs at the center include Our Town Theatre Group, North Country Singers, Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts and more. Put simply, TPC is a keystone of the community, and they work to provide upstate New York with fun, captivating performances, activities, community events and more.

    On December 7 and 8 at 7pm and 4pm respectively, Tannery Pond Center presents ‘A Holiday Celebration’ by North Country Singers. This concert includes all of your favorite holiday season jingles performed by the best of the North Country’s voices. All ages are welcome, but make sure to reserve your seat, as these festive concerts always fill up. On Sunday, December 15 at 3 PM, The McKrells bring their signature Celtic-infused bluegrass for an afternoon of holiday cheer – featuring traditional and original songs, classic Christmas stories and good humor. The band is led by singer/songwriter Kevin McKrell and features Frank Orsini on fiddle, Scott Hopkins on banjo, Peter Pashoukas on guitar, Arlin Greene on bass, and Brian Melick on percussion.

    The McKrells

    For more information on Tannery Pond Center’s Christmas concerts, other upcoming events and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • The Orchestra Now Presents Two Manhattan Shows as Part of “Sight and Sound” Series Dec 8 and 15

    NYC-based ‘The Orchestra Now’ has announced Manhattan performances of ‘Siena, Wagner & Parsifal’ and ‘The Nutcracker & The Planets’ as part of their Sight and Sound series starting Dec 8.

    On Sunday, December 8, the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) hosts The Orchestra Now’s performances of ‘Siena, Wagner & Parsifal’ which kicks off the organization’s Sight and Sound concert series. The program will examine Wagner’s remarkable innovations in opera via selections from his work Parsifal, set against the background of notable painterly invention during the Italian Renaissance in Siena.

    The Orchestra Now (TON) Sight & Sound series at the Met explores the parallels between orchestral music and the visual arts. Each performance includes an introduction by a Met curator, a discussion with conductor and music historian Leon Botstein accompanied by on-screen exhibition images and live musical excerpts, followed by a full performance of the works and an audience Q&A. Tickets include same-day museum admission.

    Richard Wagner

    At the dawn of the Italian Renaissance, Siena was the site of remarkable artistic innovation. Sienese artists—including Duccio, Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and Simone Martini—played a pivotal role in defining Western painting. Over 500 years later, Richard Wagner revolutionized opera composition in much the same way. Twelve years after he read Wolfram von Eschenbach’s Parzival, a poem from the Renaissance era, he began working on a libretto inspired by this tale of the quest for the Holy Grail. This eventually became his final composition, the opera Parsifal.

    The Orchestra’s second December performance will offer a FREE holiday concert of audience favorites by Johann Strauss II, Tchaikovsky, Borodin, and Holst, led by Leonardo Pineda and joined for some of the pieces by the All-City High School Orchestra at New York City’s Talent Unlimited High School on December 15.

    The Orchestra Now and Interim Assistant Conductor Leonardo Pineda present a free holiday season concert at the Talent Unlimited High School for the performing arts on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The program of high-spirited popular works includes Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and Johann Strauss II’s Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka. TŌN is joined by NYC’s All-City High School Orchestra for Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances and two movements from Holst’s The Planets.

    For more information on the upcoming Manhattan performances by The Orchestra Now and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • Ruf Records Announce Show In NYC For 30 Anniversary Tour

    Ruf Records celebrates three decades of success with an anniversary tour which includes a show at Sony Hall in NYC on Saturday, Nov. 23. The lineup will feature Samantha Fish with Mitch Ryder, Canned Heat with special guest Bernard Allison, and one-woman band, Ghalia Volt.

    Ruf Records

    Ruf Records has been a cornerstone of the blues genre, nurturing some of the most renowned and respected artists in the world, Since its founding in 1994 by Thomas Ruf. Indeed, the 30 Anniversary Tour is not just a celebration of the label’s past, but a testament to its ongoing commitment to preserving and advancing the blues tradition.

    Headlining this tour is Samantha Fish, who opened for The Rolling Stones and performed on Slash’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Tour this past year. Joining the tour as Samantha Fish’s special guest is rock ‘n’ roll icon Mitch Ryder. Ryder’s career spans over five decades who’s known for his high-energy performances and hits like “Devil with Blue Dress On.” Ruf Records released The Roof Is On Fire, a two-disc live album recorded by Ryder, last January.

    Canned Heat will also perform on this tour. The quartet is known for timeless hits “Let’s Work Together” and “Going Up The Country” and performed at the iconic Woodstock Music & Arts Festival in 1969. Canned Heat’s special guest, Bernard Allison, is son of blues legend Luther Allison. Last January Ruf Records released Luther’s Blues, a tribute to his dad’s songs, re-imagined in Allison Jr.’s unique style. Last but not least, is “one-woman band” Ghalia Volt. Born in Belgium, Volt decided during the pandemic to embark on a month-long Amtrak journey across America, writing songs and performing solo shows from the train. Ruf dropped her most recent release, Shout Sister Shout, last October.

     The show at Sony Hall begins at 6:30pm. Tickets start at $69. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

    Ruf Records 30 Anniversary Tour 2024: 

    Nov. 7 (Thu) – Pittsburgh PA@Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead

    Nov. 8 (Fri) – Warren OH@Robins Theatre

    Nov. 9 (Sat) – Cincinnati OH@Ludlow Garage

    Nov. 10 (Sun) – St. Charles IL@Arcada Theatre

    Nov. 11 (Mon) – Columbus OH@Bluestone

    Nov. 15 (Fri) – Virginia Beach VA@Elevation 27

    Nov. 16 (Sat) – Hopewell VA@Beacon Theatre

    Nov. 20 (Wed) – Washington DC@Warner Theatre

    Nov. 21 (Thur) – Glenside PA@Keswick Theatre

    Nov. 22 (Fri) – Jim Thorpe PA@Penn’s Peak

    Nov. 23 (Sat.) – New York NY@Sony Hall

    Nov. 24 (Sun) – Beverly MA@Cabot Theatre

  • Endicott Performing Arts Center Presents Holiday Magic with EPAC Christmas Show

    Endicott Performing Arts Center (EPAC) located in Endicott, NY, has announced the magical EPAC Christmas Show, beginning on Friday, December 6.

    This shows offers the opportunity to experience the magic of the holiday season like never before at the Endicott Performing Arts Center. Immerse yourself in the festive spirit with a handpicked selection of captivating Christmas Shows that are sure to create lasting memories for audiences of all ages. Prepare to be transported to a world of wonder and joy with the EPAC Christmas Show December 6 & 7 with 7pm showtimes.

    This enchanting production is a heartwarming journey through the holiday season, featuring a dazzling array of music, dance, and captivating performances that perfectly encapsulate the magic of Christmas.

    Delve into the enchanting world of The Nutcracker December 12 – 15, a timeless holiday classic that continues to captivate audiences year after year. Follow Clara on her magical journey to the Land of Sweets as talented dancers from EPAC (1st Act) and The FUSE Dance Center of Binghamton (2nd Act) bring this beloved ballet to life with grace, skill, and artistry. This show begins at 7pm on Friday, Saturday and 3pm on Sunday.

    Experience a holiday extravaganza like no other with the EPAC Holiday Burlesque Show, Naughty & Nice December 21. This unique and sassy twist on traditional holiday entertainment combines comedy, dance, and glamour to create a festive experience that is both entertaining and unforgettable. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this one-of-a-kind celebration. This show is one night only and begins at 8pm Saturday.

    For more information on the upcoming EPAC Christmas Show Series and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • Psych-Funk Band Lettuce Partners with GZA of Wu Tang Clan for 2025 Co-Headline Tour

    Psychedelic funk band Lettuce and legendary emcee GZA join forces for ‘The Get Up Tour’ in 2025. The tour sees 17 dates including one at Brooklyn Steel on February 7.

    GRAMMY-nominated psychedelic funk band Lettuce kicks off 2025 with ‘The Get Up Tour,’ an expansive 17-date run at prominent venues throughout the U.S. Joining Lettuce on seven of those performances is legendary hip-hop artist GZA of Wu-Tang Clan. GZA presents his iconic 1995 album Liquid Swords in full with The Phunky Nomads Band. On those performances, GZA will play the first set of the evening followed by Lettuce marking a full night of music and inevitable collaboration.

    The tour kicks off on the West Coast from Jan 22 – 24 in Del Mar, CA, followed by Los Angeles and Oakland. The tour comes to a close on March 2 in Denver, Colorado. New York City gets a taste of the tour on February 7 at Brooklyn Steel in Brooklyn.

    GZA’s Liquid Swords was released in 1995 and has become a widely revered album celebrated for its sharp lyricism and vivid imagery. The record heavily samples dialogue from the 1980 cult martial arts classic Shogun Assassin and uses dark, atmospheric beats throughout. The record charted at #9 on the Billboard 200 chart, #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and was certified platinum nearly 20 years after its release.

    The Get Up Tour 2025 Dates:

    Jan 22, 2025 – The Sound at Del Mar – Del Mar, CA*

    Jan 23, 2025 – The Novo – Los Angeles, CA*

    Jan 24, 2025 – Fox Theater – Oakland, CA*

    Jan 31, 2025 – Mercury Ballroom – Louisville, KY ^

    Feb 1, 2025 – Mercury Ballroom – Louisville, KY ^

    Feb 2, 2025 – Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH ^

    Feb 4, 2025 – XL Live – Harrisburg, PA*

    Feb 5, 2025 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA*

    Feb 6, 2025 – The Fillmore Silver Spring – Silver Spring, MD*

    Feb 7, 2025 – Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY*

    Feb 8, 2025 – House of Blues Boston – Boston, MA %

    Feb 10, 2025 – Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC ^

    Feb 11, 2025 – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA ^

    Feb 12, 2025 – Victory North – Savannah, GA ^

    Feb 13, 2025 – Miami Beach Bandshell (Jam Cruise Pre-Party) – Miami, FL

    Feb 14-19, 2025 – Jam Cruise – Miami, FL

    Mar 2, 2025 – The Mission Ballroom – Denver #

    * Co-Headline Show w/ GZA

    ^ An Evening with Lettuce

    % Lettuce w/ Support TBD

    # w/ The Colorado Symphony

    For more information on Lettuce and GZA’s ‘The Get Up Tour’ and to purchase tickets to any of the dates, click here.

  • New York Philharmonic Announces Recipients of the 2024 Marie-Josée Kravis Prize for New Music

    The New York Philharmonic has announced the recipients of this year’s Marie-Josée Kravis Prize for New Music. The honor has been awarded to American composers David Lang and Missy Mazzoli.

    One of the world’s largest new-music prizes, the Kravis Prize includes $200,000 and a commission for a work that the New York Philharmonic will premiere. Lang’s new work will be premiered in the 2025–26 season, and Mazzoli’s will be premiered in 2026–27. Additionally, the NY Phil has named Kate Soper the Kravis Emerging Composer, an honor bestowed as part of The Marie-Josée Kravis Prize for New Music. Soper receives a $50,000 stipend, including a commission to compose a work that the Philharmonic will premiere in May 2025. Funding for both honors comes from a $10 million gift to the New York Philharmonic in 2009 by Henry R. Kravis in honor of his wife, Marie-Josée, for whom the Prize is named.

    The Philharmonic has performed two works by Missy Mazzoli: Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres), conducted by Dalia Stasevska (October 2021), and River Rouge Transfiguration, led by Daniela Candillari (February 2023). Musicians from the NY Phil have also performed Mazzoli’s works on CONTACT!, the new-music series (November 2014; April 2015), and Kravis Nightcap (October 2022). In February 2025 Mazzoli will
    be a featured speaker at the Young People’s Concert: The Future Is Innovation, in which the Orchestra, led by Jerry Hou, will reprise Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres).

    Missy Mazzoli

    The NY Phil has performed five works by David Lang, beginning in January 1991 with the New York Premiere of Eating Living Monkeys, conducted by Zdeněk Mácal, and most recently with the June 2019 World Premiere of prisoner of the state, conducted by then Music Director Jaap van Zweden. Additionally, Lang’s works have been performed by Musicians from the New York Philharmonic on two NY Phil new-music series: CONTACT! (January 2017) and Sound On (June 2019; March 2022).

    In naming Kate Soper the Kravis Emerging Composer, the NY Phil is commissioning a work
    that will mark the Philharmonic’s first performance of one of her orchestral compositions. The NY Phil will give the World Premiere of Kate Soper’s Orpheus Orchestra Opus Onus — the fulfillment of her commission as part of being named a Kravis Emerging Composer — in May 2025, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. Soper, in her NY Phil debut, will also perform in the work as the soprano soloist. The only previous occasion on which the Philharmonic presented her work was a CONTACT! concert (November 2015), when Musicians from the New York Philharmonic performed Into That World Inverted for horn and piano.

    David Lang

    For more information on the NY Philharmonic’s Marie-Josée Kravis Prize recipients, click here.

  • Funk ‘n Waffles Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Four Nights Of Music

    Beloved Syracuse waffle shop and live entertainment venue Funk ‘n Waffles has announced a four-night concert lineup to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

    Independent Music Venues

    Born from two college students’ love for waffles and live music seventeen years ago, Funk ‘n Waffles offers a truly one of a kind live entertainment experience. Having properly opened their doors as a dual food-and-entertainment space a decade ago now, founder Adam Gold has built quite the reputation for Funk ‘n Waffles as a premiere downtown Syracuse destination. 

    With an expansive menu of sweet and savory bites and beverages, the venue has been featured countless times on Food Network as one of Guy Fieri’s time-honored favorites. Not to mention the funk half of the venue, with the space  consistently stacked on weekends and occasionally even weekdays with shows from folks across all varieties of the sound spectrum. 

    Drawing in bands and fans from near and afar, Funk ‘n Waffles’ list of artists that have graced their stage goes on into the thousands- and it’s no wonder why. Between an undeniably delicious menu and a lively community of performers and fans alike, Funk ‘n Waffles is going into its 10th year with a bang.

    Over the course of four nights – Thursday, December 5 through Sunday, December 8 – Funk ‘n Waffles will be host to several unforgettable nights of live music and entertainment from the likes of Skunk City (whose show will act as the kick-off and be completely free of charge!) on Thursday, Pearly Baker’s Best on Friday, Rootshack with special guest RUHA on Saturday, and Sophistafunk with special guests Nik Greeley & The Operators and The Gunpoets on Sunday.

    Tickets for this unforgettable celebration are on sale now, priced at just $15 for presale or $25 at the door. In addition, Funk ‘n Waffles is offering a special weekend price of $30 that offers full access to all three ticketed shows.

    For more information on the venue, further details on their anniversary bash, and ticket purchasing, check out their official website here.