NYS Music 2024

Category: Upcoming Shows

  • SPAC Announces 2024-25 Spa Little Theater Dance Season

    Saratoga Performing Arts Center shares two special dance performances that will take place during their Spa Little Theater Dance Season. The dance season features performances of A.I.M by Kyle Abraham on Nov. 9 and 10 and Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana on Mar. 8 and 9.

    Spa Little Theater Dance Season
    A.I.M by Kyle Abraham

    The series starts with A.I.M by Kyle Abraham on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7 PM and Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2 PM. Throughout the two performances, the show’s company will tell a myriad of black and queer stories through contemporary dance. The dances are combined with music, text, videos, and visual art to convey the messages of the stories. These shows will be A.I.M by Kyle Abraham’s SPAC debut. In the past, Kyle Abraham has had two New York City Ballet shows at SPAC, finding great success with them.

    Our year-round home in Spa Little Theater has truly become a vibrant hub for all genres of music, dance, and theater. In addition to the presentation of and education in the arts,  we are also proud of our role as a commissioner and incubator of new and exciting works.

     Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center

    Another exciting SPAC deput happening during the Spa Little Theater Dance Season is Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana. At this show, they will highlight the premiere of their evening-length work QUINTO ELEMENTO (Fifth Element). The show navigates the element, ether, which concerns the essence that makes up our surroundings, through dances choreographed by Patricia Guerrero to original scores played live. The flamenco sounds and movements portray chaos while expanding past boundries. Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana will perform on Saturday, Mar. 8, 2025 at 7 PM and Sunday, Mar. 9, 2025 at 2 PM

    Tickets will be available for purchase on July 10, 2024 for members (tiered by level), and on July 12, 2024 for the general public. Visit spac.org for additional details.

  • Dromedary Records Return to Catskill for Second Annual DromFest

    After an incredibly successful debut, making their way back to the Avalon Lounge in Catskill, NY, is the highly anticipated DromFest.

    Hosted by Kingston-based micro-indie record label Dromedary Records, DromFest celebrates Dromedary artists, DJs, and some of indie rock’s biggest names, including The Figgs, King Missle, and Aeon Station. From August 30 to September 1, join Dromedary Records in Catskill for this year’s rendition of DromFest.

    dromfest

    Initially conceived in 2023 as a party to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Dromedary Records, DromFest reached smashing success that inspired the label to make it an annual event. “The weekend was so much fun for the bands and attendees alike, that there was demand to do another,” explained Dromedary founder Al Crisafulli. “So  we’re all going to get together in the Catskills and have a big, weekend-long  party, hopefully feel like kids again, and celebrate this amazing community of  artists we’re so proud to be a part of.”  

    However, this year, DromFest plans on making history. This festival sees the return of Cell, a New York-based indie rock band that played a major role in the emergence of alternative and indie rock onto the music scene of 1990. The band unfortunately disbanded in 1995 and has not played a show since, until now, that is. For the first time in almost three decades, Cell will not only be performing, but co-headlining the closing show with Aeon Station on Sunday, September 1.

    Performing alongside Cell are several Dromedary artists, including Cathedral Ceilings, Karyn Kuhl, Dew Claw, Overheard,  Sleepyhead, and Matt Hunter & the Dusty Fates. The entire festival will be emceed by comedian and musician Doug Stoley, known for his work on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Manhattan. “It’s a great lineup,” says Crisafulli, “an excellent blend  of indie rock royalty, great bands that haven’t played together in years,  and newer bands that wear their 90s indie rock influences on their sleeve.” 

    Admission for Friday night’s events will be $25, and Saturday/Sunday passes will be $80, with VIP passes that include a new Sleepyhead 7″, bonus sampler CD, and a donation to a local food bank priced at $100. Passes go on sale at 12 pm Friday, June 14 at noon and are available HERE. 

    DromFest 2024 Lineup

    August 30 – 7pm-midnight  
    The Figgs, Chris Brokaw Rock Band, The Royal Arctic Institute  

    August 31 – 12pm-midnight 
    King Missile (Dog Fly Religion), Scrawl, Antietam, Thalia Zedek Band, Poem Rocket, Moviola, Karyn Kuhl & the Gang, Dew-Claw (Stephen Hunking (Hypnolovewheel) w/Chris Xefos, Dave Rick & Dave Ramirez (King Missile, Bongwater, et al), DJ sets 

    Readings by 
    Bela Koe-Krompecher, John S. Hall, Karen Schoemer 

    Sept 1 – 12pm-midnight 
    Aeon Station (3/4 of The Wrens w/Tom Beaujour and Lysa Withay), Cell, Cathedral Ceilings, Sleepyhead, Tuscadero, Human Hearts (Franklin Bruno & friends), Matt Hunter & the Dusty Fates, DJ sets 

  • Mabee Farm Announces July 26th Benefit Concert

    The Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Junction, NY has announced a benefit concert set for Friday, July 26th. The concert will feature performances from Capital Region acts Lost Radio Rounders and Mark & Jill. 

    Mabee Farm's Dutch Barn
    Exterior of Mabee Farm’s Dutch Barn

    Located just 10 minutes West of Schenectady, Mabee Farm is the oldest farm in the Mohawk Valley, dating back to 1705. In addition to scenic forest trails and orchards, the site is host to a number of historic buildings. These buildings include the handbuilt Dutch Barn from 1760. The Dutch barn will host the benefit concert performances. This site frequently hosts concerts, most notably the annual Howlin’ at the Moon Concert Series each summer. 

    Proceeds from the concert will go towards preserving the farm’s Brick House. The Brick House – built in 1767 – was home to Mabee Farm’s 14 enslaved people. Following surveys, engineers determined that $76,000 in preservation work, including repairs to the basement was needed to stabilize the structure. This restoration comes as a part of the site’s mission to acknowledge the role of slavery in the Mabee Farm’s history. 

    “It is vitally important to preserve this building. The Brick house – particularly its barren basement – is a tangible connection to the lives of enslaved Schenectadians. It is our duty as stewards of history to safeguard this structure so that future generations will be able to delve into the complexities of our shared past”

    – Mary Zawacki, Mabee Farm Executive Director

    These plans have gained the support of politicians like New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. Delgado recognized the restoration’s role in “keeping this history alive for generations of New Yorkers to enjoy.”

    Lost Radio Rounders and Mark & Jill have volunteered to perform at the July 26th benefit show. The trio Lost Radio Rounders are staples of the Capital Region Americana scene. Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame inductees Paul Jossman and Michael Eck, alongside multi-instrumentalist and educator Tom Lindsey founded the trio in its current form in 2021. With acoustic instrumentation including resonator guitars, mandolins, and double basses, the trio transports audiences to a time long passed. 

    Lost Radio Rounders

    Their sound is aided by the group’s love of history, frequently performing frontier ballads and even historical presidential campaign songs. Lindsey – a New York State history teacher – holds a special love for the oral tradition of folk music. Speaking on the benefit concert, Lindsey said the band has “always explored the way American music reflects American history, and we are delighted to lend a helping hand to this important project. As a former educator I know the impact that living history sites like Mabee Farm can have on people of all ages, especially children.”

    Mark and Jill

    Blues duo Mark & Jill will join Lost Radio Rounders at the benefit concert. Founded by New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee Mark Tolstrup and singer Jill Burnham, the duo has produced a unique blend of American roots music. Combining Tolstrup’s bluesy slide guitar and Burnham’s sultry vocals, they explore the joy and sorrow that life brings through their songs. The group’s blending of styles from Texas, New Orleans, and New York has brought them much acclaim. In 2022, the duo won the Capital Region Thomas Edison Awards “Blues Artist of the Year.” Additionally, they were finalists in the 2022 Memphis International Blues Challenge. 

    The benefit concert will take place on Friday, July 26th starting at 7:00pm. The concert is an “admission by donation” event with proceeds going towards the restoration project.

  • Amsterdam Holds 2024 Riverlink Park Summer Concerts

    The Amsterdam Waterfront Foundation has announced the lineup for their 2024 Riverlink Park summer concert series, supported by the community of Amsterdam. For years the concert series has been held every summer in Riverlink Park, with a variety of local artists, tribute performances, and festivities.

    Riverlink Park summer concert series

    Music fans from across the Capital Region will head down to 1 Front Street in Amsterdam, NY. The series of free evening concerts on the river edge will overlook the picturesque Mohawk River. The lineup includes ten fun, energetic performances and celebrations from a wide variety of entertainers. Taking place every Saturday until the end of August, the shows will last from 7 to 9 PM.

    Some of the events featured over the next few weeks include Dark Sarcasm, a Pink Floyd tribute show on July 20. This show is one of many cover sets that attendees will get to enjoy. To switch things, up the series will end with Electric City Horns, a dance music set, allowing new audiences to experience a party on the riverfront.

    Other types of events that are happening are Riverfest on Aug. 3 and Latinfest on Aug. 10. Riverfest will give families the opportunity to head down to Riverlink Park for live music, vendors, and family-friendly activities. Similarly, Latinfest will celebrate Latin-American heritage will music, parades, and traditions. Overall, the large spectrum of genres and dynamics offered will provide entertainment for everyone.

    July 3: Amsterdam’s Independence Day Fest featuring Big Sky Country

    July 6: Family Night with the Amsterdam Marching Rams

    July 13: Across the Pond – Beatles Tribute Band

    July 20: Dark Sarcasm – Pink Floyd Tribute Band

    July 27: Showtime – CNY’s Hot Cover Band

    August 3: Amsterdam’s RiverFest (starts at 1 p.m.)

    August 10: Amsterdam’s LatinFest

    August 17: Rivers of Dreams- Billy Joel Experience with the American Elton John

    August 24: Legacy – the Music of Journey and Foreigner

    August 31: The Electric City Horns

    Find more information about Amsterdam’s Riverlink Park Concert Series here.

    • Duran Duran Haunts The Danse Macabre Halloween Party At Madison Square Garden

      British pop icons Duran Duran joins the macabre for an all-night Halloween party at Madison Square Garden. On October 31, the band returns to New York City for the Danse Macabre Halloween Party and encourage fans to dress up and go all out for a night of electrifying, spooky fun.

      duran duran

      Madison Square Garden’s Danse Macabre Party originally began during their 2022 tour on Halloween night as a once-fabled Duran Duran show come to life. The party featured new music, concept art, and themes for the band, now compiled in a full new album, Danse Macabre. In the two years since the first concert, it has become a highly anticipated annual tradition. Lifelong fans and newcomers alike head to MSG for fresh, spooky music Billboard calls “delightfully devilish.”

      Along with a night in New York City, Duran Duran has announced an official North American tour starting in October. The tour will take their new album across the American Northeast, with an earlier stop in Verona, NY. The final show will take place on November 2 in Manchester, New Hampshire.

      For those who want to get a head start on the haunting vibes, Danse Macabre is out now and is available on all streaming platforms. Below is the complete list of tour dates. Public on-sale begins Friday, July 12 at 10 am local.  Along with every ticket purchased, fans will receive a digital copy of Duran Duran’s 16th studio album, Danse Macabre, repackaged with unreleased extras. For more information, visit the band’s official website here. Get started on those costumes if you haven’t already!

      NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

      10/21 – PPL Center – Allentown, PA

      10/23 – The Event Center at Turning Stone Resort Casino – Verona, NY

      10/25 – Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT

      10/26 – Borgata Event Center – Atlantic City, NJ

      10/28 – CFG Bank Arena – Baltimore, MD

      10/31 – Madison Square Garden – New York, NY **HALLOWEEEN DANSE MACABRE PARTY**

      11/02 – SNHU Arena – Manchester, NH

    • Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Set to Premiere at theREP in Albany

      Coming to Albany’s Capital Repertory Theatre (theREP) this summer is their very own rendition of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Previews begin on Friday, July 12. The official opening night is Tuesday, July 16, and the show will run through Sunday, August 18.

      Featuring over two dozen pop classics, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” and “Natural Woman,” this international phenomenon is filled with the showstoppers everyone knows and loves.

      beautiful: the carole king musical

      The Tony® and Grammy Award®-winning Carole King musical thrilled Broadway audiences for six years, and now makes its way over to theREP in its own up-close-and-personal production for a unique experience unlike anything on Broadway. On certain days of the show’s running, theREP will host pre-performance events serving complimentary food and drinks, all provided by local restaurants, distilleries, and vendors. Events include a chef’s table, a happy hour, and special conversation with cast and crew members. Below is the full list of events and their descriptions.

      REP-ception nights sponsored by Delmar Beverage Center

      Preview Performance – Friday, July 12-Sunday July 14
      Patrons can act out their own “Beautiful” dreams by jumping on stage for a karaoke session before each preview performance.

      Opening Night – Tuesday, July 16
      Includes complimentary post-show champagne toast. Sponsored by Columbia Development Companies. 

      Chef’s Table – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 23
      Hors d’oeuvres will be provided by local restaurants

      ASL Performance – 3 p.m. Saturday, July 27
      This performance features sign language interpreters. To request access to the designated seating section, please call the box office at 518.346.6204

      Thirsty Thursday – 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 1
      Light fare and tasting samples from local breweries, cideries, and distilleries.

      Behind the Scenes – 1 p.m. Sunday, August 4
      12:30 p.m., complimentary coffee and pastry before the pre-show presentation of the special effects behind “Beautiful,” hosted by Producing Artistic Director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill. This special conversation is free and open to the public.

      This production also sees the return of several alumni from theREP, including Elizabeth Nestlerode, playing the role of Carole King. Nestlerode returns to the MainStage in the titular role after playing Darlene in Honky Tonk Angels, and Evelyn/Mary Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life. Shannon Rafferty (Cynthia Weil) and Taylor Hilt Mitchell (Barry Mann/Dance Captain) make their way back to theREP stage after stellar performances at theREP’s production of Jersey Boys earlier this year.

      beautiful: the carole king musical

      However, several actors make their debut at theREP with this production. Male lead Nikita Burshteyn (Gerry Goffin) is performing at theREP for the first time in his life after his landmark Off-Broadway performance as Romeo in Romeo and Bernadette.

      Making their debut at theREP are Stavros Koumbaros (RB Bobby Hatfield), Adriana Vicinanzo (Betty), Christian A. Boyd (Drifter), Byron St. Cyr (Drifter), Damon McToy (Drifter)and Cal Mitchell (Drifter)

      Previews for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical take place at theREP, 251 N. Pearl St., Albany ,July 12-14. Opening night is Tuesday, July16. Regular performance times from July 16 to August 18 are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday with matinees 3p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays. There is no matinee on July 17. Tickets are available on theREP’s website, linked here.

    • New Wave Rock Band The Pretenders To Perform Hits At Tanglewood

      New wave British-American band, The Pretenders, will perform at this year’s Tanglewood concert series on July 16. 

      The Pretenders started with vocalist and guitarist, Chrissie Hynde. She moved from Akron, Ohio to London to begin her music career in 1973. She recorded demos with original bandmates including lead guitarist and keyboardist James Honeyman-Scott, bassist Pete Farndon, and drummer Martin Chambers. They released their first original record, Pretenders, in 1980. The album was a huge success and so they released their second album, Pretenders ll, in 1981.

      The band, surrounded by the drugs in the London music scene, experienced the great loss of Honeyman-Scott due to an overdose in 1982. This happened just two days after Farndon was kicked out of the band because of his drug use.

      With new members, they released 10 more albums, but their earlier music remained their most successful records. The Pretenders is currently made up of Hynde and Chambers, bassist Nick Wilkinson, lead guitarist James Walbourne, pedal steel guitarist Eric Heywood and keyboardist Carwyn Ellis. In 2005, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This month, The Pretenders will perform for their fans on the Koussevitzky Music Shed stage.

      Tanglewood is an iconic annual concert series located in the Berkshire hills in Western Massachusetts. It is the summer residence of the Boston Symphony Orchestra where they regularly give performances throughout the summer. 
      To find more information on Tanglewood and to buy tickets for The Pretenders you can visit the website here.

    • Rochester Jazz Vocalist Nancy Kelly To Perform In Buffalo Series

      Renowned jazz vocalist Nancy Kelly will inaugurate the Jazz at Richardson Jazz series in Buffalo on Aug 16. Her performance will be inside the Richardson Hotel as part of the “pre-fall” preview performance. Thus Kelly will sing alongside a band including saxophonist Jerry Weldon, organist Dino Losito, and drummer Carmen Intorre, Jr. 

      Nancy Kelly began her career in her hometown of Rochester.

      Namely, Kelly started her career in her hometown of Rochester, NY studying piano, clarinet and voice at the Eastman School of Music. She became a house singer at Jewels, a jazz venue in Philadelphia. Currently, she often appears in other iconic venues such as Birdland, The Blue Note and The Rainbow Room all in NYC. 

      Moreover, she performs in clubs in Los Angeles, Miami and even around the world including France, Switzerland and Turkey just to name a few. She’s released chart topping recordings and in 2020, she was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame. 

      Markedly, Jazz at Richardson is the “central hub” for jazz within the buffalo music scene. It is JazzBuffalo’s collaboration with the Richardson Hotel and the Douglas Development Corporation, inviting artists to perform indoors and outdoors at the hotel. JazzBuffalo or Greater Buffalo Jazz Society, mission is to make more performances like this possible. The non-profit organization has continued to build a new jazz audience since it was founded in 2011. 

      To purchase tickets to the star-studded performance, you can purchase tickets on eventbrite.

    • Long Island Music Hall of Fame Announces Summer Concert Lineup

      The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook, Long Island announced its summer concert calendar July through August. 

      The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame or, LIMEHOF, was created to celebrate the history of musical talent in Long Island. As a result it was officially born in 2004 after the decades-long buildup to the music hot-spot that Long Island is Today.

      The museum has inducted over 120 artists. Their current featured exhibit is Billy Joel: My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey. Meanwhile, every year LIMEHOF gives back to the community with their $1000 scholarships to music students to inspire the next generation of Long Island Talent.

      However, to support the Long Island artists, LIMEHOF hosts concerts year round as well. This summer, returning bands like the Liverpool Shuffle will perform. Similarly, Long Island natives Frank Latorre, the King Bees and Joe Piket will also take the stage. 

      Performers

      Starting the July events is Bob Westcott on July 7. Westcott is a guitarist that got his start in the 60’s in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. He performed all over the U.S. before settling down in eastern Long Island.

      In addition, singer-songwriter Linda Sussman will take to the stage on Aug 4. She is an americana folk artist who has performed at iconic venues like Prospect Park in Brooklyn and Kenny’s Castaways in NYC as well as the Hall of Fame.

      Chiefly, all summer concerts are free with admission to the museum. Additionally more information about the concert schedule and LIMEHOF can be found their website here.

      Summer schedule 2024

      July 7 – Bob Westcott

      July 14 – Ben Diamond / Son Stone

      July 28- (“Beatles on the Balcony” featuring the Liverpool Shuffle – first ever free concert outdoors on LIMEHOF terrace featuring Beatles tribute band)

      Aug. 11- Frank Latorre & the King Bees

      Aug. 18- Shindig!

      Aug. 25- Joe Piket & the Storm

    • Plattsburgh’s Retro Live Announces Two Upcoming  Blues Shows in July & August


      Plattsburgh’s Retro Live nightclub has announced two summer blues shows. On Wednesday, July 17, New Orleans’ The Rumble will perform. This concert will be followed by a performance from blues legend Kenny Neal on Saturday, August 10th.

      Crowds at Retro Live

      Retro Live is one of Plattsburgh’s premier nightlife destinations. This Summer, the venue hosts a number of special events offering drinks and live music. Throughout June and early July, Retro Live has already presented shows by Canadian Bluesmen the Blackburn Brothers, and multiple local DJs. The venue will continue its blues streak with two more shows announced for July and August. 

      Bourdreux 7 Come Retro Live

      First is a July 17th performance from the Rumble. The seven-piece from New Orleans features seven Grammy winning artists, including bandleader Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. Boudreaux is the son of Monk Boudreaux, leader of the Golden Eagles tribe of Mardi Gras Indians. Together, the Rumble brings traditional New Orleans music into the modern age. They combine classic meters-esque funk, mardi gras horns, and modern roots music to make a unique blend of sounds.

      With Boudreaux leading call and response chants, the Rumble puts audiences at the heart of their shows. This audience involvement combined with the funky, bluesy tones of the Rumble are sure to make a show as lively as a Mardi Gras celebration. In 2024, the group won a Grammy nomination for Best Regional Roots Record. Their performance will take place from 7:00-9:30pm. 

      Kenny Neal at Retro Live

      A show from legendary bluesman Kenny Neal will follow in August. Also hailing from Louisiana, Neal has played the blues since he was only 13 years old. Making a name for himself in Buddy Guy’s backing band, Neal soon went solo. He released his debut Big News From Baton Rouge!! In 1988. With his guitar chops and smooth vocals, Neal quickly became a staple of the swamp blues genre. 

      In 1991, Neal took to the stage acting in a Broadway production of Mule Bone. In this role, Neal performed poetry from Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston set to music by blues legend Taj Mahal. Following his stint on Broadway, Neal continued to release music. His most recent album Bloodline (2016) has received much critical acclaim. In 2017, Bloodline was nominated for Best Blues Album at the Grammys, and won 2 Blues Music Awards. Neal’s performance will take place on Saturday, August 10th from 8:00-11:00pm. 

      Both performances are made possible through a collaboration between Retro Live and Plattsburgh Blues & Jazz. Tickets for both concerts are $25 if purchased in advance, and $30 day-of. For more information on Retro Live, Summer events, and ticketing, visit their facebook page here.