NYS Music 2024

Category: News Desk

  • Mihali Announces Annual Mihalidaze Tour Dates

    Singer-songwriter Mihali has announced the dates for his annual Mihalidaze tour spanning nine venues across the Northeast, including three nights around New York State.

    Photo by Dave DeCrescente

    Reggae artist Mihali Savoulidis has spent the past few years spreading his good vibes through sound and live performance. Formerly the frontman and founding member of rock band Twiddle, Mihali began his solo career formally in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, bringing in fans new and old with a series of singles and albums following in the following months and years.

    Most recently, Mihali has been on a collaboration streak, making tunes with the likes of Andy Frasco, Coyote Island, and Collie Buddz, in addition to touring the country as a solo headliner and supporting musical acts G. Love & Special Sauce and The Movement on their recent tours. 

    Wrapping his incredibly successful year in an exciting bow, Mihali has announced the 2024 dates of his annual ‘Mihalidaze’ holiday themed tour, returning to some of his favorite venues including a few in Syracuse, Saratoga, and Woodstock with both his live band and his solo looping act.

    Composed of Scott Hannay on keys, Adrian Tramontano on drums, Zdenek Gubb on bass, and Mihali himself on guitar and vocals, the band will kick off the tour in Massachusetts and make their way through the Northeast- including stops at the Westcott Theater on December 11, Putnam Place on December 12, and Bearsville Theater on December 14. A celebration of family, friends, and the holiday season, this tradition is not one to be missed.

    “Every year, I get super excited to announce my Mihalidaze celebrations. The holidays are so important for friends and family to come together and celebrate life, and I can’t think of a better way to do that than with live music!”

    – Mihali Savoulidis

    Tickets to Mihali’s Mihalidaze tour are available now- for more information on how to attend, ticket purchasing, and Mihali’s other adventures, visit his website here.

  • Tom Paxton’s To Play Three Final Shows In New York

    The GE Theatre presented by the Eighth Step will host one of folk legend Tom Paxton’s final shows in his farewell tour in Schenectady on Saturday, Oct. 19.

    Tom Paxton

    The Eighth Step has hosted Paxton about every two years since the mid-1980s. First, on Willett Street in Albany, then at the Cohoes Music Hall, and since 2007, at the GE Theater in Schenectady. On Oct. 19, they will once again present Grammy-winning folk legend Tom Paxton in concert with the Don Juans live at 7:30 pm. Paxton has toured and written with the DonJuans [Grammy winners Don Henry & Jon Vezner] for the past several years and as of next Spring, he will retire from touring.

    Since the beginning of Tom Paxton’s career, he has delivered clever political commentary, and poignant love songs. His story began in 1960s Greenwich Village, playing in now-legendary coffee houses like The Gaslight and befriending other folk legends like Dave Van Ronk, Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, and Eric Anderson. Since then, has gone on to perform thousands of concerts, in places across the world like Hong Kong, Denmark, Tokyo, Oslo, and New Zealand. He has also toured England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland over 50 times and has recorded over 50 albums of his own songs.

    Recordings of Paxton songs by other artists number in the hundreds and include artists such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Judy Collins, John Denver, Joan Baez and Peter Paul & Mary.

    In 2009, Tom Paxton was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. In addition, he has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from ASCAP, and the BBC.

    Tickets are $32.50 Advance, $37.50 day of show, and $55 Gold Circle including front center section seats and admission to the 6:30 pm Artist Reception onstage with Tom, Don and Jon. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

    Tom Paxton Farewell Tour

    Fri, OCT 18 РCaff̬ Lena -Saratoga Springs, NY

    Sat, OCT 19 – Eighth Step at Proctor’s – Schenectady, NY

    Sun, OCT 20 The Park Theatre Jaffrey, NH

    Mon, OCT 21 – The Iron Horse – Northampton, MA

    Tue, OCT 22 – Club Passim – Cambridge, MA

    Wed, OCT 23 – The Loft at City Winery New York – New York, NY

    Sat, OCT 26 – Birchmere – Alexandria, VA

    Thu, NOV 14 – Triple Door – Seattle, WA

    Fri, NOV 15 – Spanish Ballroom at Elks Temple – Tacoma, WA

    Sun, NOV 17 – Alberta Rose Theatre – Portland, OR

    Tue, NOV 19 – Musical Instrument Museum – Phoenix, AZ

    Fri, NOV 22 – daniels hall – Denver, CO

    Sat, NOV 23 – TACAW – The Arts Campus At Willits – Basalt, CO

    Sat, JAN 11, 2025 – The Sofia – Sacramento, CA

    Fri, MAR 14, 2025 – The Cultural Arts Center – Glen Allen, VA

    Thu, APR 3, 2025 – Temple Isaiah – Fulton, MD

  • Cohoes Music Hall Hosts Cast Party Fundraiser for Capital Region Festival of Theatre on October 27

    Cohoes Music Hall announced that on October 27 the venue will host a grand Cast Party to raise funds for the inaugural Capital Region Festival of Theatre. The party is presented by Playhouse Stage Company.

    The party will be the biggest gathering of Capital Region theater fans ever in the interest of building a Festival to promote their interests. There will be a substantial sampling of the area’s entertainment, light fare provided by Cohoes’ finest restaurants, a cash bar, over $13,000 in Raffle prizes, wine pull and a generous wine sampling.

    Entertainment at the Cast Party will back up CRFT’s motto that “The Capital Region is a GREAT place to love theatre your whole life long.” Performers will come from the youth company, The Cue Theater, which serves students as young as 5 years old, to stand-up comedian and actor Judi Clements who takes her act to senior centers.

    Performer Claire Flynn

    There will be someone new to discover for even the most dedicated theatre fan in the wildly eclectic line-up curated by PSC Artistic Director Owen Smith who is also deservedly showing off a number from his company’s smash hit production from earlier this year, “Spring Awakening.”

    The lineup of performers so far includes Kelly Blitz, Shayne Cameris, Judi Clements, Ellen Cribbs, The Cue Theatre, Keith Dubois, Suzie Dunn, Claire Flynn, Jake Goodman, Steve Grogan, Taylor Hoffman, Jon Maltz, Maria Mucaria, Jeff Stubits, Luca Verner & Will Kempe’s Players.

    CRFT will have many donation opportunities from a huge raffle that over 30 theatre companies have donated tickets, t-shirts commemorating the event and buttons thanking every dollar offered. Cast Party begins on October 27 from 6:00PM to 9:30PM.

    Keith DuBois in “Spirit Awakening”

    To purchase tickets online and for more information on Cohoes Music Hall’s Cast Party on October 27, click here.

  • Night Tales To Headline Halloweekend Show At The Surrogate’s Courthouse

    Australian Indie-Electronic duo Night Tales have been announced as the headliner of New York City landmark The Surrogate’s Courthouse’s Halloweekend themed show.

    The dynamic electronic-live duo Night Tales has been on a powerful streak of accomplishments this year, including a debut at Coachella, a nomination for EDMA’s ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’ award, and a premier slot at EDC Mexico. 

    Composed of Aaron Bannie and Kamaliza Salamba, the pair has been a driving force in the progressive dance music scene with their signature blends of sounds floating over deep house anthems and dynamic live-electronic performances.

    With cross-cultural ambitions and no signs of stopping, Night Tales has amassed over 50 million streams across all platforms so far with fans across the globe connecting over a shared love for the duo’s bridging of urban culture and electronic music.

    Fans of Night Tales’ dynamic blend have the chance to experience a once in a lifetime set at The Surrogate’s Courthouse on October 26, as the duo has just been announced as the headliners for the venue’s Halloween themed event. With supporting DJ sets from rising artists like Alta Sounds and contributions for the evening’s creation being made by Hampton Water and recognized New York City event brand Project 91, it’s a show not to be missed. 

    “We are beyond excited to bring a high energy DJ set that blends live vocals to NYC. This set will include reimagined versions of our original music, along with tasteful mash-ups and remixes of some amazing new and old classics, like our latest recreation of Miguel’s R&B hit, ‘Sure Thing’. ”

    – Night Tales

    Tickets for the 21+ evening are available now. All tickets include admission to the show and access to an open bar from 9:00-10:00 PM- and, most importantly, all attendees are expected to match the night’s Halloweekend atmosphere and dress up in costume. For more information and ticket purchasing, please visit the event page here.

    In addition to being an exciting Halloween-themed celebration, October 26 marks the New York City date of Night Tales’ 2024 Club Tour. For further information on the duo’s adventure across the country, visit their website here.

    UPCOMING TOUR DATES

    October 26: 31 Chambers Surrogate’s Court – New York City, NY

    November 1: Larimer Lounge – Denver, CO

    November 2: Audio SF – San Francisco, CA

    November 8: Summit Austin – Austin, TX

    November 9: NOTO Houston – Houston, TX

    December 14: Bloom Nightclub – San Diego, CA

  • Award-Winning Professor Louie & The Crowmatix to Perform at Caffe Lena October 26

    Caffe Lena has announced the return of blues-roots fan-favorite Professor Louie & The Crowmatix on October 26.

    Professor Louie & The Crowmatix from Woodstock have been consistently returning to Caffe Lena. They have been expanding the borders of the Americana, Roots & Blues genres since the early 2000’s with Professor Louie’s stories, keyboard playing, singing and accordion. Their repertoire continually expands with Crowmatix songs from their 17 albums of originals, blues and Americana music.

    Their connection with audiences at shows helps create a family rapport. Prof. Louie (keyboards vocals-accordion) is joined onstage by band mates Miss Marie (vocals, percussion and piano) Frank Campbell (bass, vocals) guitar-slinging skills of Todd Mihan and drummer Dan Hickey. Professor Louie & The Crowmatix create a show that is constantly evolving with songs consisting of elements of Rock n Roll, Blues, Folk & Gospel Music with a dose of Jam framed in solid songwriting.

    Professor Louie is known for his production work with the famous rock group The Band. His performance style and songwriting has been known to captivate audiences in both The Crowmatix and his solo work. Caffe Lena is proud to host the multi-talented group yet again this October 26 from 8:00PM to 10:00PM.

    Professor Louie & The Crowmatix

    Tickets to see the group play at Caffe Lena start at $15 and can be purchased online here. To learn more about the Crowmatix, click here.

  • Works & Process Presents Peter & the Wolf with Isaac Mizrahi

    Works & Process has announced a production of Peter & the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev in direct collaboration with and featuring Isaac Mizrahi among other seasoned creatives at the Guggenheim.

    A non-profit without walls, Works & Process promotes performing artists and their creative endeavors from studio to stage. Through longitudinal and fully funded creative residencies and commissioning support, Works & Process platforms creators from the world’s largest organizations and amplifies under-recognized performing arts cultures. 

    Presenting at the Guggenheim Museum, Manhattan West, and the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts with the Jerome Robbins Dance Division, Works & Process presents a variety of year round programs including their iconic summer dance programs with City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage and NYC Parks, all while their LaunchPAD program offers industry-leading residencies and amenities for rising creatives.

    Veteran of practically every aspect of the entertainment industry, Isaac Mizrahi has worked as a performer, host, writer, designer, and producer for over 30 years. Most recently seen as Amos Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago and widely recognized for his annual residency at Café Carlyle in New York City among his archive of other iconic venues throughout the state and beyond, it’s no wonder why he’s been hailed as the pioneer of  “a genre that fuses performance art, music, and stand-up comedy”- as put by The New York Times.

    In addition to live performance, Mizrahi can be recognized through his television and film works including the Sundance Film Festival award-winning documentary Unzipped  that followed the making of his Fall 1994 collection, his seven-year run as the host of his own talk show appropriately titled The Isaac Mizrahi Show, and his position as judge for all seven seasons of Project Runway: All-Stars.

    The skill of Mizrahi, the mission of Works & Progress, and many other creatives’ efforts will be meeting in their production of Peter & the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev on December 6 and 7. Not only has Mizrahi taken on the mantle of director for the production, the cast will be fully costumed in his designs and his voice will grace the stage as the show’s narrator. 

    Mizrahi is in great company- Peter & the Wolf  is to feature the sound of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect conducted by Michael P. Atkinson and the moves of recognized choreographer John Heginbotham. 

    Photo: Shervin Lainez

    New York City based composer, arranger, conductor, and instrumentalist Michael P. Atkinson is most recognized for his collaborations with the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Justin Peck, William Kentridge, New York Philharmonic, Amsterdam Sinfonietta, New York Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, International Contemporary Ensemble, BalletCollective, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the list goes on. 

    An Associate Conductor of The Knights and guest conductor of the New York City Ballet, the Orlando Philharmonic, and the world premiere of seven ballets- including two of Justin Peck’s presented at Works & Process- it’s an understatement to say it’s exciting to see his skill lent to the production.

    Graduate of The Juilliard School for dance, John Heginbotham is a powerhouse of a choreographer. Among countless other works, Heginbotham has choreographed Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy Season 3- which earned him a 2023 World Choreography Award nomination, the Tony and Olivier Award-winning revival of Oklahoma!, and has created works for ballet and opera companies including The Washington Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, BalletX, Dutch National Opera, LA Opera, and San Francisco Opera.

    In addition to these accomplishments, Heginbotham has collaborated with the likes of Maira Kalman, Maile Okamura, Colin Jacobsen, Tyondai Braxton, Joshua Bell, Ethan Iverson, Brooklyn Rider, The Knights, Alarm Will Sound, and the production’s very own Isaac Mizrahi. He also lends his skills to Dance Heginbotham as Artistic Director, the Dartmouth Dance Ensemble as Director and faculty to the school, and the founding teacher of Dance for PD.

    Each iconic figure in this collaboration guarantees a culminating unforgettable thirty minute production of Peter & the Wolf for the young and young at heart in the iconic Guggenheim Museum. With four shows over the course of December 6 and 7, the heartwarming show is not one to be missed.

     No matter how big or small, all audience members will require a ticket- which are available now. Starting at $20, tickets can be purchased on the Works & Process website here.

  • BRIC Announces Afrofuturistic Halloween Event ‘Disturbia’ as Part of BRIC House Party Series

    BRIC, the Brooklyn-based leading arts and media institution announces the next event in the BRIC House Parties series – Disturbia.

    The October 26 Halloween event at BRIC House in Brooklyn is a project in collaboration with The Culture LP. Disturbia is an eerie Afrofuturistic Halloween experience hosted by multi-talented DJs Quiana Parks, Vashtie, 9am and Eden. This one-of-a-kind Halloween party promises to transport guests into an Afrofuturistic realm with immersive visuals, haunting soundscapes, and pulsing beats.

    BRIC House Party is a new series at BRIC House in Downtown Brooklyn that lets DJs take center stage in their own creative playground. It’s not just a gig; it’s a full takeover. DJs curate the vibe, from the layout and visuals to the crowd size, for a dynamic, 360-degree experience that fosters a tight-knit connection between them and the audience.

    BRIC House Party builds on BRIC’s longstanding commitment to empowering the communities of Brooklyn. By handing the reins to local DJs, we create a platform for diverse voices and artistic visions, ensuring everyone has a chance to be seen and heard. This event sells tickets ranging from standard to VIP and is mandatorily 21+.

    Disturbia takes place at 9:00pm at 647 Fulton Street in Brooklyn, NY. Standard tickets are being sold online for $27 while VIP tickets are $85. Come in your best futuristic attire and let the beats and visuals guide you through this dark, mystical voyage into the unknown. Disturbia is not just a Halloween event—it’s an odyssey into a haunted futurescape.

    “Disturbia is my way of bringing together everything I love- art, music, and that eerie magic only Halloween can create. With New York’s best DJs and an art and sound exhibition that speaks to the soul, we’re crafting an unforgettable experience that invites everyone to step into the unexpected”

    DJ Quiana Parks

    For more information on BRIC House’s Disturbia event and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • Binghamton Philharmonic and Jeans ‘n Classics Present “Dancing Queen: The Music of ABBA”

    The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra has announced an exciting collaboration with Jeans ‘n Classics, “Dancing Queen: The Music of ABBA,” as the first performance of the Philharmonic’s 2024-2025 Visions Federal Credit Union Pops Series.

    Acting as the Southern Tier’s largest and longest-serving professional symphony orchestra, the Binghamton Philharmonic serves up to 10,000 people annually through a variety of innovative, engaging, educational, and affordable programming upon the core philosophy of “building community through the power of music.”

    Partnering with the Philharmonic is Jeans ‘n Classics, who have a remarkable 27 year legacy of their own. Since its inception, the group bridges the skill of symphony orchestras with that of emerging world-class rock musicians. Creating new interpretations of orchestral scores through a rock lens, Jeans ‘n Classics transcends both genre and generational boundaries to create a broader community of music lovers at large.

    binghamton philharmonic bingphil

    The two class acts will combine for one timeless evening celebrating all things ABBA in Dancing Queen: The Music of ABBA. Featuring beloved hits like “Fernando,” “Waterloo,” and the title track of the evening “Dancing Queen,” it’s sure to be an unforgettable night of orchestral, rock, and Swedish pop fun. 

    Known for their particular spin on classic hits with orchestra, Jeans ‘n Classics’ skills will shine as their dynamic stylings meet the sonic grandeur of the Binghamton Philharmonic in a love letter to ABBA’s works. A lifelong fan or uninitiated to the 70s Swedish pop craze, Dancing Queen: The Music of ABBA promises an unforgettable night of pure joy, celebration, and powerful live music.

    Tickets are available now, with prices starting at $28. Kids 17 and under can attend free thanks to Pops Series Sponsor Visions Federal Credit Union. For more information on ticket purchasing and the Binghamton Philharmonic’s other events, visit their website here. 

    To learn about Jeans ‘n Classics, listen to their works, and keep up to date on future events like Dancing Queen, visit their website here.

  • Third Annual Pop-Up Health and Wellness Clinic Returns to Caffè Lena in Saratoga on October 20

    Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs has announced the return of their free annual pop-up health and wellness clinic on October 20.

    Medical professionals from Saratoga Hospital and community organizations will provide testing, evaluation, health & wellness education, as well as assistance obtaining access to ongoing care during a one-day pop-up health clinic. These services are available free of charge to anyone in the creative community, including artists, musicians, designers, photographers, filmmakers, writers, and all others who work in a creative capacity and live in the Saratoga region.

    The clinic was brought to life three years ago through the vision of Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center nurse and musician Jill Burnham RN, BCEN of “Mark and Jill Sing the Blues”. This year’s event is made possible by the generous support of the Rotary Club of Saratoga, with additional support from Caffè Lena, Sight and Sound Vision Care for the Music Industry, and Saratoga Hospital.

    Available services will include:

    • Vision Screenings and Free Eyewear/Sight and Sound Vision Care
    • Insurance Navigation Services
    • Connection to Primary Care Services/Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center
    • Narcan Training & Distribution
    • Blood Pressure Screenings
    • Nutrition Services
    • Cancer Screening Program
    • Hearing Screenings 

    To learn more about Caffe Lena’s pop-up health and wellness clinic on October 20 visit their website by clicking here.

  • Bands Do BK Presents The Music Matters NYC VHS Compilation

    Brooklyn based project Bands Do BK has announced the official VHS compilation release of live performances from a 3-day, 15-band event held at Arlene’s Grocery earlier this May.

    Born out of a desire to bring musicians to fans and vice versa throughout Brooklyn and beyond, Bands do BK is a project designed to offer readers uncut perspectives of the borough from their favorite local artists and musicians. From personable conversation, spotlights on new releases, and events hosted for fans and creators alike, Bands do BK avoids pomp and pretense in favor of genuine content curated for music lovers and makers, by music lovers and makers.

    Back in May of this year, Bands do BK put on a powerful three-day event at the iconic Arlene’s Grocery comprised of 15 emerging bands of the local indie scene. Capturing the liveliness of the tightly knit NYC music scene throughout every set while in a historically significant area that has consistently provided a space for creatives and musicians alike, the event was a major hit. 

    Now, in an exciting one-of-a-kind VHS compilation, the project and its impactful message have been further immortalized. Spearheaded by Executive Producer Marc Seligman and Production Coordinator (and Bands do BK Curator) Sam Sumpter, The Music Matters NYC is a 67 minute testament to the immortality of music in New York City and the newest voices taking that charge.

    Artists featured in the compilation correspond with the original performance dates- day one’s Big Girl, Tilden, A Very Special Episode, Tetchy, and TVOD are showcased alongside day two’s O. Wake, NEVVA, Two-Man Giant Squid, Mary Shelley, and day three’s AVATAREDEN, Jelly Kelly, Go Home, Night Spins, and SKORTS.

    Largely inspired by the authentic work of these artists and a vision of capturing the essence of their performances in a genuine way, a simple documentary-style idea quickly developed into the nostalgic experience that is a VHS release- a perfect call back to analog recordings that pays homage to the timelessness of New York City’s indie music scene alongside a uniquely nostalgic viewer experience.

    “My hope is that this doc serves as a window into our community—what’s happening in venues, parks, bars, backyards and basements across the city on any given day or night. I hope it inspires you to fall in love with these artists like I have and to buy music and merch, go to local shows and support this sweet, sweet scene that we, as New Yorkers, are unbelievably lucky to have access to. NYC isn’t even close to dead, and I’m beyond stoked to showcase some of the incredible bands who are out there proving it.” 

    – Sam Sumpter, Bands do BK Curator

    The event’s performances were subsequently recorded by a top-tier crew including Brad Wagner and Juan Soria on audio and video production assisted by Charlie Peterson, Jeff Schaer-Moses on photography, and Jason Toledo on video editing in addition to being a co-producer. 

    To be released on Friday November 1, the official The Music Matters NYC VHS compilation will be available through Bands do BK, Arlene’s Grocery, Village Revival Records, and all of the bands featured at their shows. 

    In addition, Bands do BK has announced an exciting upcoming watch party at the very same Arlene’s Grocery. Bringing together fans, friends, and artists in a larger community of creativity and appreciation for live performance, the once-in-a-lifetime chance to relive the magic in the same room where it was made is not to be missed. 

    No official date for the watch party has been announced yet, so to keep up to date on the latest updates as well as all of Bands do BK’s endeavors, visit their website here.