Five-time Grammy-award winning and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Janet Jackson is set to tour across the US. Most notably, the Queen of Pop has added two New York stops – Darien Lake Amphitheater in Buffalo, and Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The Together Again tour consists of 35 dates, starting on Tuesday, June 4, and wrapping up on Tuesday July 30. Additionally, alongside Ms. Janet Jackson is Hip Hop Legend, Nelly, who will be featured across all dates of the tour.
The tour will celebrate 50 years of Ms. Jackson in entertainment. In addition, this tour will spotlight the anniversaries of three of Jackson’s albums. These include – The Velvet Rope, janet, and Rhythm Nation.
Janet Jackson Together Again 2024 tour dates:
Tue Jun 04 | Palm Desert, CA | Acrisure Arena
Thu Jun 06 | Chula Vista, CA | North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sat Jun 08 | Los Angeles, CA | The Kia Forum
Sun Jun 09 | Anaheim, CA | Honda Center
Tue Jun 11 | Sacramento, CA | Golden 1 Center
Wed Jun 12 | San Francisco, CA | Chase Center
Fri Jun 14 | Salt Lake City, UT | USANA Amphitheatre
Sun Jun 16 | Denver, CO | Ball Arena
Tue Jun 18 | Saint Paul, MN | Xcel Energy Center
Wed Jun 19 | Chicago, IL | United Center
Fri Jun 21 | St. Louis, MO | Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Sat Jun 22 | Cincinnati, OH | Riverbend Music Center
Sun Jun 23 | Indianapolis, IN | Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Tue Jun 25 | Cleveland, OH | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Wed Jun 26 | Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center
Fri Jun 28 | Boston, MA | TD Garden
Sat Jun 29 | Hartford, CT | The XFINITY Theatre
Tue Jul 02 | Detroit, MI | Pine Knob Music Theatre
Wed Jul 03 | Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena
Fri Jul 05 | Buffalo, NY | Darien Lake Amphitheater
Thu Jul 18 | West Palm Beach, FL | iThink Financial Amphitheatre
Sat Jul 20 | Orlando, FL | Kia Center
Sun Jul 21 | Atlanta, GA | State Farm Arena
Tue Jul 23 | New Orleans, LA | Smoothie King Center
Thu Jul 25 | Fort Worth, TX | Dickies Arena
Fri Jul 26 | Oklahoma City, OK | Paycom Center
Sat Jul 27 | Austin, TX | Moody Center
Tue Jul 30 | Phoenix, AZ | Footprint Center
Tickets for the shows will be available for presale starting Wednesday, January 17 at 10 AM. General on-sale begins Friday, January 19. To purchase tickets, visit LiveNation.com. For more information such as VIP packages, Meet & Greet opportunities and more visit VIPnation.com.
The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes (OSFL) has announced its upcoming Chamber Music Series concert, “Music with Friends” on Jan. 26, set to take place at a new venue 360Aurora, located in Elmira Heights.
The artists performing at the “Music with Friends” concert include Laura Campbell in flute, Lesley McClelland in oboe, Richard MacDowell in clarinet, David Resig in bassoon, and Claire Tuxill McKenney in horn. Also, representing composers from various countries, the concert repertoire will include Petite Suite by Claude Debussy from France, Six Bagatelles by György Ligeti from Hungary, Quintett, Op. 79 by August Klughardt from Germany, and Summer Evening at Ile-Ife by Godwin Sadoh from Nigeria.
The OSFL offers four regular season full orchestra concerts, including a side-by-side Youth Orchestra and professional musician collaboration, a Musicians’ Choice Chamber Music Series, concerts by the Chorus of the Southern Finger Lakes, concerts by the Youth Orchestra, and educational concerts for children.
Under the guidance of distinguished Music Director and Conductor, Toshiyuki Shimada, the OSFL is a strong supporter of highlighting the musical achievements of young musicians with its own youth ensembles and the Hertzog Concerto & Aria Competition for young artists in grades 9 through 12. The OSFL often collaborates with regional cultural partners, artists, and like-minded organizations to advance their mutual artistic growth in the greater Elmira-Corning area.
Following the tradition of the Musicians’ Choice Chamber Music Series, oral program notes will be given by the musicians interspersed throughout the performance. The short format program (60 to 75 minutes) will be presented in an intimate, relaxed setting without intermission.
Doors will open at 6:30 PM and fans are advised to come early and bring friends to enjoy a delightful evening of wine, spirits and “Music with Friends.”
Tickets start at $25 and at $15 for college students with ID. Entry is free for all children under 18. Tickets for “Music with Friends” on Jan. 26 can be purchased online at their website, by calling 607 936 2873, or in person at the OSFL office, 49 Bridge Street, Corning, NY.
Long Island’s comedy enthusiasts are in for a treat as legendary comedian Jackie Martling is set to make a memorable appearance at the LIMEHOF later this month. The event will feature Martling’s new documentary titled “Joke Man.”
Scheduled to take place at the prestigious LIMEHOF on January 27th, this event promises an evening filled with laughter, insights into Martling’s comedic journey, and a unique opportunity to engage with the comedian himself. The highlight of the evening will undoubtedly be the screening of “Joke Man,” a documentary that delves into Martling’s life, career, and the art of making people laugh.
The documentary offers fans an intimate look into the mind of the man behind the jokes, exploring his early days in comedy, the challenges he faced, and the triumphs that shaped his remarkable career. From his time on the Howard Stern Show to his stand-up performances, “Joke Man” provides a comprehensive view of Martling’s contribution to the world of comedy.
Tom Needham, the esteemed Host of the Sounds of Film, will take the reins during the Q&A session. This dynamic setup ensures a thought-provoking and engaging dialogue as Needham delves into the intricacies of Jackie Martling’s comedic journey and the making of the “Joke Man” documentary.
To add an extra layer of excitement to the event, there will also be a meet and greet session, giving attendees the chance to meet Jackie Martling face-to-face, get autographs, and capture memories with the legendary comedian. This exclusive opportunity allows fans to express their appreciation for Martling’s work and share their favorite comedic moments.
The LIMEHOF serves as a fitting venue for this special occasion, blending music and comedy in a celebration of Long Island’s rich cultural heritage. Martling’s contribution to the world of comedy has undoubtedly earned him a place among Long Island’s esteemed artists.
For more information on this event and to stay updated on all upcoming happenings at the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, visit this link. Explore a calendar of exciting events featuring the best in music, comedy, and more, ensuring that there’s always something extraordinary on the horizon for entertainment enthusiasts.
January is in full swing and while the month is quiet for live music, drummer and multi-talented musician Joshua West has a few shows around the state that are well worth checking out, including a run of shows around his 30th birthday in Albany, Plattsburgh and Burlington.
A singer, songwriter, guitarist and percussionist born and raised in Upstate NY on the shores of Lake Champlain, surrounded by the beauty of the Adirondack Mountains to the south and the Green Mountains of VT to the east.
From a young age, Joshua began studying an array of instruments and musical mediums ranging from orchestral percussion to vocal performance, rhythm guitar to world music. He has performed with numerous bands across the United States and internationally and shared stages with The Wailers, O.A.R., SOJA, Black Uhuru, Michael Franti, Rusted Root, Goose among others.
With a blend of reggae, hip hop, folk and soul, meshed with conscious lyrics that question the state of our world today, West will be celebrating his 30th birthday with stops in his ‘hometowns,’ starting at Lark Hall on January 25th, performing with Quantum Cosmic, then heads up to Burlington for a show at Nectar’s the next night to perform with Annie in the Water, then closes out the weekend at Olive Ridley’s in Plattsburgh with West’s new band on January 27.
That new band – the Joshua West Band – integrates West’s original music that hasn’t found it’s way into his other groups where he is a drummer or percussionist. West’s vocals will be front and center with his eponymous band, stepping out as a guitarist, vocalist and percussionist. The lineup features Jack McChesney (Satyrdagg) on drums, Mowgli Giannitti (Satyrdagg, The Reflexions, Heavy Nettles) on bass, Ty Miller (The Reflexions) on guitar/vocals, Van Garrison (All Night Boogie Band) on keys, and Connor Dunn (Let’s Be Leonard) on saxophone.
Coming up in February, Annie in the Water will kick’s off Winter Carnival at The Waterhole in Saranac Lake on February 2, prepared to warm up the crowd even if the temperatures are below freezing outside.
West has also recently released Let Your Voice Be Heard, and is back in the studio, currently recording “Something in the Water,” inspired by the pocket of roots reggae music that has come out of the Finger Lakes (John Brown’s Body, 10 ft. Ganja Plant, Thunderbody, Mosaic Foundation, Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, Root Shock). West shares that his collaborators include an all-time favorite rhythm section of Tommy Benedetti (John Brown’s Body, Dub Apocalypse) and Nate Edgar (The Nth Power, John Brown’s Body) along with members of Giant Panda and featured vocalists.
Joshua West’s recent debut album Let Your Voice Be Heard is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Dark Star Orchestra has announced their only New York date of their upcoming tour, returning to The Stanley Theatre in Utica on Thursday, March 14, at 7 p.m.
Dark Star Orchestra, photo by Filip Zalewski.
Recreating the sound, energy, and experience of The Grateful Dead, the renowned Dark Star Orchestra marks two decades and over 3,000 shows of musical excellence. Committing to authenticity and to the unique live experience, they have become a staple in the world of live performances. With seven talented musicians, the band brings the Dead’s music to life, using historical setlists and crafting their own unique sets locally and internationally.
Previous guest performances with Dark Star Orchestra include those of six original Grateful Dead members, including Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, and Bill Kreutzmann, and collaborations with artists like Mike Gordon and Jon Fishman of Phish, showcasing the band’s credibility and deep connection to the music community. “For us, it’s a chance to recreate some of the magic that was created for us over the years,” keyboardist and vocalist Rob Barraco explains. “We offer a sort of a historical perspective at what it might have been like to go to a show in 1985, 1978 or whenever. Even for Deadheads who can say they’ve been to a hundred shows in the 90s, we offer something they never got to see live.”
For nearly a century, The Stanley Theatre has brought the community together with live concerts, Broadway shows, musicals, ballets, movies, graduations, and recitals. Today, The Stanley Theatre operates as a not-for-profit organization run by the Central New York Community Arts Council, Inc. Originally built as a movie palace, The Stanley Theatre opened its doors in 1928 with 2,963 seats, a grand entry staircase that resembles the main staircase of the Titanic, a gold leaf interior and a terra cotta and tiled mosaic exterior.
Tickets for Dark Star Orchestra at the Stanley Theatre in Utica start at $33.50 including fees and go on sale Friday, January 19 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are available either in person at the box office or by phone at 315-724-4000. Tickets will also be available online here.
Tony Trischka, one of the most influential figures in roots music, is celebrating his 75th birthday at City Winery in NYC on Jan. 19. He has also announced the release of his new album Earl Jam: A Tribute To Earl Scruggs, out this spring.
Tony Trischka was born in Syracuse in 1949. Raised in a home full of music, he fell in love with the banjo through the Kingston Trio’s 1959 recording of “M.T.A.” In the early ’70s, he moved to New York City, releasing his landmark solo debut Bluegrass Light, mixing bluegrass, country, psychedelic pop, free jazz, and more. Many other milestone albums followed, including 1983’s A Robot Plane Flies Over Arkansas, and 1993’s World Turning, a global history of the banjo that ignited Marc Fields’ comprehensive 2011 documentary, Give Me the Banjo. As a banjoist he set new standards for genre-bending virtuosity, inspiring legions of younger players, among them Béla Fleck.
Trischka’s GRAMMY-nominated album Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, released in 2007, and Great Big World, from 2014, features a mix of veterans and up-and-comers. In addition to his GRAMMY nominations, he’s earned numerous honors, including the International Bluegrass Music Award for Banjo Player of the Year, as well as being named a United States Artists Friends Fellow.
One day during the COVID lockdown, he was checking his mail and was astonished to find a thumb drive full of rare recordings of his late friend Earl Scruggs jamming with John Hartford, mostly taken from private gatherings at Earl’s house during the 80s and 90s. Trischka began pouring over the more than 200 songs, transcribing the all-new solos, tones, and tricks from the man he’d been studying for over half a century, featuring a number of these pieces at Joe’s Pub. After that show, he decided there should be an album created of this unique material. “Whether or not you’re a banjo player, if you play bluegrass, you’re influenced by Earl. So it was easy to get world-class players on board,” says Trischka.
Names like Stuart Duncan, Ronnie McCoury, and Darol Anger are featured in the album notes, next to those of Molly Tuttle, Brittany Haas, Dominick Leslie, and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes. Trischka just shared “Brown’s Ferry Blues,” the opening track of Earl Jam, and the only tune on the album to feature another banjo player: Bela Fleck. This song, produced by Fleck at Parlor Studios in Nashville, not only gets two banjo breaks, but the steady bass thump of Mark Schatz, Sam Bush’s legendary mandolin chop, show-stopper Michael Cleveland on fiddle, and Billy Strings, on lead vocals and guitar.
This song was written by Alton and Rabon Delmore and recorded by them in 1933. I heard Earl play it backstage at a show in Missouri in 2010. He had his banjo tuned to double C— that’s g, C, D, C, D—and as far as I know, he’d never used this tuning on a studio or live recording. In the various jams with John Hartford that inspired this album, however, he always played it in standard G tuning, which is the setting you’ll hear here.
Tony Trischka.
Trischka’s 75th birthday will be celebrated in the company of an all-star list of friends, including Michael Cleveland, Michael Daves, Jared Engel, Jacob Jolliff, Kenny Kosek, Steve Martin, Bruce Molsky, Joyce Carol Oates, Noam Pikelny, Sean Trischka, Abigail Washburn, Danny Weiss, and more at City Winery in New York City. While the show is sold out, a link to sign up for the waiting list and more information can be found here.
For more information about Tony Trischka, visit here.
Referred as a singer with an exquisite tenor, echoing Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel in the piano pop, Seth Glier will perform at the Eighth Step in Schenectady on February 10. This will be the singer’s return to the Capital Region after appearing in October alongside folk singer Tom Rush.
Growing up in Massachusetts, Glier grew up singing a lot of traditional shape note choir music from Appalachia and mountain music from the countries of Bulgaria and Georgia. The singer also grew up in a singing camp called Village Harmony, but now as an artist and activist Glier’s love and understanding of nature, his care for social justice and his music are synchronous. The singer also dedicated his latest album Rise to supporting Trout Unlimited, a national organization dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring America’s coldwater fisheries and their watershed.
The singer’s commitment to using songwriting as a tool for positive change has prompted him to work with the students in Parkland, FL for the ‘Parkland Project’. The project aims to connect Parkland neighborhoods to five schools, three County Parks, and Pacific Lutheran University. It also provides a safe route for people of all ages and abilities to get around in the areas that currently have few sidewalks and bike lanes.
Doors will open at 7 pm on February 10 and tickets can be purchased here and through Proctors Box Office (518) 346-6204.
Unity Hall has announced the first six months of its 2024 Mainstage Performance Series, presented in the historic Landecker Auditorium, updated with a state-of-the-art sound system.
Unity Hall’s 2024 MainStage Performance Series opens on Saturday, February 17 at 7:30 PM with Patsy Cline: Letters, Stories and Songs. The show features Rebecca Miner as Patsy and a cast of musicians and actors depicting important people in Cline’s life.
From its start, Unity Hall was built to be used as a performing arts venue, and a place for private and public meetings, parties, and other gatherings. It was built in 1896 by the nearby Unitarian Universalist Church and soon became a cultural and community center shared with other groups from Barneveld and its surrounding villages. In 1993, just about the time when the venue’s future was becoming seriously in question, local George Landecker decided that this precious historical structure was too important to just let languish and die, creating the Unity Hall Foundation to save and replenish the iconic venue.
The Unity Hall 2024 season launches on Saturday, February 17 with an original show about the iconic singer, Patsy Cline. Titled Patsy Cline: Letters, Stories, and Songs, the showfeatures well-known local singer and performer Rebecca Miner in character as the iconic singer, joined by a cast of talented musicians and actors playing important figures in Patsy’s life.
On Friday, March 22, internationally lauded banjo player, Tony Trischka, will perform with his band in a tribute show to Earl Scruggs, a major appearance for Unity Hall. Trischka is one of the most influential and innovative banjo players in the Roots music world. He won three awards at the 2007 International Bluegrass Music Association gathering, including Recorded Event of the Year and Banjo Player of the Year, and also produced Steve Martin’s banjo album Rare Bird Alert.
Local acoustic music legend, Danny Holmes (formerly of Holmes and Mancini) returns to Unity Hall from Florida on Saturday, May 18 for his only area appearance. The multi-talented singer/songwriter Holmes will perform in the duo Rose ‘n’ Thorne with his wife, the outstanding vocalist, Karen Holmes. Finally, the talented and eclectic band, Quatro, will perform on June 22. Hailing from Syracuse, this dynamic band describes themselves as four perfectly aligned misfits performing Progressive Americana featuring guitar, cello, pedal steel, double bass, and vocal harmonies that will melt your heart.
For more information about Unity Hall and to purchase tickets, visit here.
Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater has announced iconic Americana artist Toshi Reagon’s 40th Annual Birthday Concerts from January 24-31, featuring a run of seven shows that showcase Reagon’s renowned repertoire, with a slew of special guests and events.
Joe’s Pub has hosted Toshi Reagon’s Birthday Concerts since 2005. Reagon is a multi-talented and versatile singer, composer, musician, curator, and producer with a profound ear for Sonic Americana. Her expansive career includes residences at Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera House, and multiple festivals and venues nationally and internationally. She has worked with many musicians, choreographers, film and theater makers, including Meshell Ndegeocello, Alsarah, Lizz Wright, Urban Bush Women, Dorrance Dance, Ananya Chatterjea, Nona Hendryx, Carl Hancock Rux, Rhiannon Giddens, Robert Wilson, her band BIGLovely and many more.
Reagon co-composed music for two Peabody Award-winning films and is a 2015 Ford Foundation Art of Change Fellow, a 2018 United States Artist Fellow, and Andrew W. Melon Creative Futures Fellow Carolina Performing Arts. She is currently a Met Museum Civic Practice Fellow and a Bowdoin College Joseph McKeen Visiting Fellow. In 2021, Toshi received the APAP Award for Merit in the Performing Arts and was a recipient of the Herb Alpert Award in Music.
In 2022 Toshi Reagon received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Emerson College. In 2011 she founded the Community-based festival Word*Rock*& Sword, and in 2018 she created the production company Wise Reagon Arts which produces the opera Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower, created by Toshi Reagon and Bernice Johnson Reagon. As of 2023 the opera has been presented on four continents and has been seen by over 40,000 audience members.
Toshi Reagon’s 40th Birthday Concerts include a fundraiser/concert performance of Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower and the popularSacred Music Show. Special guests include BIGLovely, Nona Hendryx, Helga Davis, Joan as Policewoman, Catherine Russell, Morley, and Tariq Al-Sabir.
Joe’s Pub was named for Public Theater founder Joseph Papp. Since it opened in 1998, it has played a vital role in The Public’s mission of supporting artists at all stages of their careers with an intimate space to perform and develop new work. It presents the best in live music and performance nightly, continuing its commitment to diversity, production values, community, and artistic freedom. In addition to one-night-only concerts and multi-night engagements, Joe’s Pub is home to the annual Habibi Festival, which hosts artists representing contemporary and traditional music of the SWANA (Southwest Asia/North Africa) region, and The Vanguard Award & Residency, a yearlong curation series that celebrates the career, and community, of a prolific and influential artist.
Joe’s Pub 2024 winter lineup includes a wide variety of events, including the return of Kim David Smith, Mali Obomsawin, Penny Arcade (as part of the Under the Radar Festival), neurodiverse cabaret from EPIC Players, Isaac Oliver, Xavier Smith, Never Sleep Alone, the debut of Venus Cuffs, Magatte Fall (curated by Angelique Kidjo), Mai Khoi, Nella, Jill Sobule, Donny McCaslin and performance pieces in concert, including Fouad of Nazareth, and Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra.
To purchase tickets to Toshi Reagon’s 40th Birthday Celebration Concerts, and for more information on Joe’s Pub, visit here.
Joe’s Pub 2024 Winter Lineup
Under the Radar Festival
Penny Arcade: The Art of Becoming
Tuesday, January 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 17 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, January 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 21 at 8:30 p.m.
From one of downtown’s most articulate survivors, comes Penny Arcade’s humorous and revealing musical memoir, The Art of Becoming.
Storytelling
House of SpeakEasy: Seriously Entertaining
Tuesday, January 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Seriously Entertaining is House of SpeakEasy’s acclaimed series of literary cabarets where authors take the stage to riff informally, dinner-theater-style, on the evening’s theme. The Wall Street Journal calls it “Think-y entertainment for New York’s book-loving crowd,” and The New York Times says it’s “a literary mixtape [with] perfect flow and variety.”
Generation Women
Wednesday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Generation Women is a multigenerational storytelling night that invites a woman or non-binary performer in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s+ to share an original true story on a theme. The mission of Generation Women is to amplify underheard voices and create space for intergenerational connection and community.
Amanda Krische: Open Invitation, presented in partnership with YoungArts
Saturday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m.
Part performance art play, part dance production, and part dinner party, Open Invitation is a farcical riot of an evening. Created and directed by multidisciplinary choreographer Amanda Krische, and featuring live music and a cast of dynamic performers, audiences are invited to participate in a night of play, care, and movement theater. Through a revolving door of short stories told through movement, Open Invitation constructs a surrealist dream space.
EPIC Underground: Storytellers
Wednesday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m.
The EPIC Underground: Storytellers is a night of dramatic storytelling, stand-up, and spoken word featuring neuro-diverse performers and their original works centered around the theme of Origins. Join the storytellers as they weave their captivating journey through a unique lens of experiences – from triumphs to trials, from laughter to tears – resulting in the joy of finding their authentic selves.
Cabaret
Peter Smith: Songs for a New Year
Thursday, January 11 at 9:30 p.m.
Kick-off 2024 at Joe’s Pub with one of New York’s favorite showgirls, Peter Smith (and a band!) singing songs and slinging stories in celebration of fresh starts. She has been called “a genius” in The Hollywood Reporter and The New Yorker has called her “wickedly playful.”
Photo: Shaniqwa Jarvis.
Monét X Change: Life be Lifein’
Tuesday, January 16 at 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 17 at 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 18 at 9:30 p.m.
Born and bred in New York City, Monét X Change is an entertainment spitfire and the first double crown winner from RuPaul’s Drag Race having earned the title Miss Congeniality on Season 10 and becoming the first Queen of Color inducted into the Hall of Fame after winning All-Stars 4. Known for delivering energetic and show-stopping performances, Monét’s showmanship is a reflection of a tireless work ethic to cultivate and perfect her immaculate lip-syncing skills, comedic chops, and pitch-perfect live singing skills.
The Meeting* hosted by Justin Elizabeth Sayre
Sunday, January 28 at 9:30 p.m.
Justin Elizabeth Sayre brings back their classic comedy-variety show, The Meeting* for another round of fun. With lots of special guests, laughs and commentary on the world that is, Sayre returns to the format and the fun.
Lisa Stephen Friday: Trans Am
Monday, January 29 at 6:30 p.m.
TRANS AM is a daring, new, one-woman rock musical by Lisa Stephen Friday, featuring the music of Lisa Jackson & Girl Friday. It’s a touching, funny, rock-your-face-off look at a transgender woman’s very human experience. The band was a cult favorite, punk-pop/glam-rock darlings in the 90s and aughts, regularly headlining NYC clubs like CBGB, The Knitting Factory, Arlene’s Grocery, Mercury Lounge, and more. Lisa is an extraordinary storyteller, actress, and musician with a fascinating life story, and the play is a necessary piece of theatre in today’s rapidly shifting cultural landscape – exploring what it means to be different in a world where labels of “other” are still too often the status quo.
Photo by Mike Kozemchak.
OK, Olympia, Let’s Go!
Monday, February 5 at 6:00 p.m.
A multimedia celebration through live theater and film of the life and career of Olympia Dukakis written by her brother Apollo Dukakis and edited by her children Christina, Peter, and Stefan Zorich. The evening will feature performances by Apollo Dukakis and Phyllis Kay with special appearances by Blythe Danner (Tony and Emmy Award winner), Rocco Sisto (two-time Obie Award winner), and Austin Pendleton (Obie & Drama Desk Award winner).
Kim David Smith: More Mostly Marlene
Tuesday, February 6 at 9:30 p.m.
Described by Broadway World as the “David Bowie of cabaret,” “slyly subversive” by The Wall Street Journal, and labeled the “male Marlene Dietrich” by The New York Times, Australian cabaret performer Kim David Smith conjures the glitter, doom, and decadence of 1920’s Berlin and beyond in his intimate celebration of Dietrich’s musical and cultural legacy: “Mostly Marlene.”
Tease Factory, presented in partnership with Venus Cuffs
Wednesday, February 14 at 9:30 p.m.
Get ready for a taste of the erotic, a rhinestone butt jiggle, spoken word that opens your mind, and sexy burlesque that will tingle your senses -this is the classiest tease you will ever experience in your life.
Mama Alto: Transcendent
Sunday, February 18 at 8:30 p.m.
One of Australia’s finest cabaret artists, Mama Alto, makes her solo USA debut at Joe’s Pub. Mama Alto is a jazz singer, cabaret artiste, and gender transcendent diva. Her liquid velvet voice comes to the fore, traversing smoky torch songs, sumptuous jazz ballads, and luscious vocals.
Joe McGinty & The Loser’s Lounge: The Music of Neil Young
Thursday, February 22 – Saturday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 22 – Saturday, February 24 at 9:30 p.m.
Joe McGinty & The Loser’s Lounge present the music of Neil Young! For the first time, The Loser’s Lounge will perform an entire show of Neil Young’s incomparable catalog, including songs from his solo career, his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Buffalo Springfield, Rick James, the hits, the oddities, and more.
Comedy
The Last Night On Earth hosted by Matt Wilkas & Nadia Quinn
Wednesday, January 10 at 9:30 p.m.
Join Nadia Quinn and Matthew Wilkas for a magical evening of music, comedy, a bunch of VERY special guests, and a healthy dose of introspection.
Ruby McCollister: Hollywood Soldier
Wednesday, February 7 at 9:30 p.m.
Ruby McCollister presents notes, thoughts, and pieces from her newest work-in-progress solo show: Hollywood Soldier. A night of revelations, laughs, and special guests.
Isaac Oliver is Your Valentine
Tuesday, February 13 at 9:30 p.m.
Writer/performer Isaac Oliver (Intimacy Idiot, The New York Times, “High Maintenance,” “GLOW,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) returns to Joe’s Pub for his annual Valentine’s Eve night of solo sit-down comedy.
Never Sleep Alone
Wednesday, February 21 at 9:30 p.m.
Celebrity sex and dating guru Dr. Alex Schiller leads her audience through a wildly entertaining comedy show where people laugh and learn. Whether you’re single and seeking or happily coupled, NEVER SLEEP ALONE is the New York night you’ve always wanted.
Ryan Raftery: The Titans of Media Trilogy (Tues Anna Wintour | Wed Martha Stewart | Thur Kris Jenner)
Tuesday, February 27 – Thursday, February 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Ryan Raftery returns to Joe’s Pub with his TITANS OF MEDIA TRILOGY OF FEMALE EMPOWERMENT. The Anna Wintour, Martha Stewart, and Kris Jenner musicals will be performed in repertory, Tuesday – Thursday, a different diva center stage every night.
Music
Sxip Shirey’s Hour of Charm
Thursday, January 11 at 7:00 p.m.
Fresh off a winter run in Munich with the contemporary circus production LIMBO, Sxip Shirey curates a night of surprising sounds, beautiful songs, and fantastic compositions.
Bria Skonberg / Anat Cohen
Friday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m.
New York-based and Canadian-born singer, trumpeter, and songwriter Bria Skonberg has been described as one of the “most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” (Wall Street Journal). Bria has stormed onto the jazz scene with her smoky vocals, blistering trumpet, and compelling compositions and arrangements. The Juno Award winner has sung the music of Aretha Franklin alongside Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, played with U2 at the iconic Apollo Theater, sat in with the Dave Matthews Band, and much more.
Celebrate AMERI’KANA feat. Making Movies, The Sensational Barnes Brothers, Los Texmaniacs & AMERI’KANA All-Stars
Friday, January 12 at 9:30 p.m.
Celebrate AMERI’KANA is a journey into the rich tapestry of American music, celebrating its diverse origins and the individuals who contributed to its evolution. The specialty show features Latin GRAMMY-nominated Panamanian band Making Movies, Memphis gospel/soul group The Sensational Barnes Brothers, and GRAMMYAward-winning Tex-Mex Conjunto ensemble Los Texmaniacs. The evening will also include a collaborative ensemble called AMERI’KANA All-Stars led by Making Movies with Los Texmaniacs, The Sensational Barnes Brother, Mexican singer-songwriter Renee Goust, Memphis swamp/soulstress Marcella Simien, and more.
Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band / Mali Obomsawin: Sweet Tooth
Saturday, January 13 at 6:30 p.m.
The Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band (JKIBB) continues sacred traditions, performing new works, reimagined traditional melodies, and standards made famous by the Indigenous jazz musicians who came before us. JKIBB is a sonic celebration of the diversity and vitality of Indigenous voices in jazz: past, present, and future.
Bitch / Kaia Kater
Saturday, January 13 at 9:30 p.m.
Bitch is a longstanding queer music icon who released her newest album Bitchcraft in 2022 on Kill Rock Stars. With her signature electric violin and lyrical smarts front and center over huge beats and deep synths, Bitch coined the genre “Poet Pop” and she has been touring nationally ever since. Montreal-born Grenadian-Canadian. Kaia Kater’s jazz-fueled voice and deft songcraft have garnered acclaim from NPR’s Tiny Desk, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and No Depression. Her upcoming album, Strange Medicine, is due out May 2024.
James Brandon Lewis / ETHEL & Robert Mirabal
Sunday, January 14 at 5:30 p.m
Love is connection. Love is gratitude. Love is passion. Love is audacity. These qualities define tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis’ second album with the glorious Red Lily Quintet: For Mahalia, With Love. In this unique expression of thirteen years of friendship and collaboration, GRAMMY Award-winning, master musician, actor, artist, and storyteller, Robert Mirabal, elder of the Taos Pueblo, and GRAMMY Award-winning, genre-defying, New York-based string quartet, ETHEL, come together gratefully to, yet again, reimagine the concert experience.
Sirintip / Kaki King / Pipo Romero
Sunday, January 14 at 8:30 p.m.
Sirintip is an award-winning experimental Swedish-Thai singer and composer clout in both the pop and jazz worlds. Her unique use of effect pedals with her voice has brought her around the world performing with Snarky Puppy, Mark Guiliana (David Bowie), Benny Andersson (ABBA), and more, heard on over 30 officially released recordings. With a star-studded career that has spanned two decades, Kaki King continues to live at the forefront of guitarists and performance-makers. In the past, she has collaborated with Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and toured with Natalia Lafourcade, contributed music to Sean Penn’s Into the Wild (which won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score), and performed in a variety of spaces.
Pipo Romero, a gifted composer and virtuoso acoustic guitarist from Cádiz, Spain, has become a prominent figure in the acoustic guitar scene. His unique fusion of styles, labeled “Spanish Acoustic Fingerstyle,” has garnered praise from critics and journalists. His compositions blend Folk, Flamenco, Celtic, and classical melodies, creating an emotional and multicultural experience.
The Matt Steckler Quartet featuring John Esposito, Otto Gardner, and Joe Barna has announced it is coming to Alias Coffee in Troy on January 14, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Saxophonist Matt Steckler is teaming with John Esposito (piano), Otto Gardner (bass), and Joe Barna (drums), for an evening of fresh takes on original works for jazz quartet. The Roman God Janus represents “beginnings, transitions, looking back and forward,” the impetus behind this adventurous and versatile lineup.
Matthew Steckler, aka Matty Stecks, performs primarily on woodwinds and composes in several musical settings internationally. As an artist, he has appeared at The Blue Note and Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Operetta Teatrul (Bucharest), House of Blues & Jazz (Shanghai), and more. He has received commissions from Chamber Music America, Meet the Composer, and American Composers Forum, has recordings on Ropeadope, Cuneiform, and Innova labels, and has made Best CD lists in Downbeat and JazzTimes.
John Esposito is an American pianist/composer/drummer/producer who works on a wide array of creative music projects, extending across the stylistic boundaries of the Stride Piano, Swing, Bebop, Modal, and Free Music movements. He has performed and recorded with artists including Nick Brignola, Dave Douglas, Dave Holland, Carter Jefferson, and more.
Joe Barna is a drummer/composer/bandleader originally from Troy whose passion and dedication to music have taken him around the world. He studied at SUNY Purchase with Jon Faddis, Hal Galper, Adam Nussbaum, John Riley and Todd Coolman, and has had the honor of playing with GRAMMY recipients Gary Smulyan and Ralph Lalama. He has taken his passion and talent abroad to Canada, Australia, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, New Zealand, Dubai UAE, Turkey, Egypt, and many other destinations, and recorded on over ten albums as a sideman and has six albums as a bandleader.
Otto Gardner is an American bass player and teacher, playing music for 40 years throughout the Northeast, California, and Canada. he is a founding member of Schenectady’s Empire Jazz Orchestra, in which he has played for more than 22 years, along with such Jazz Master guests as Jimmy Heath, Lou Soloff, Curtis Fuller, Rufus Reid, and Benny Golson. In addition to performance and recording, Otto’s teaching experience spans three decades, and since 2010, he has been a member of the Bard College community as an adjunct professor in the Jazz Department.
The Matt Steckler Quartet is playing at Alias Coffee on Jan. 14 from 6-7:30 p.m. Attendees must pay a $20 minimum donation at the door. For more information, visit here.
