Vocalist Shemekia Copeland will celebrate the release of her Grammy-nominated album, Blame It On Eve, with a live performance at The Egg in Albany on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
Shemekia Copeland’s latest album, Blame It On Eve, received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. The title track, written by John Hahn and Will Kimbrough, received nominations for Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song. These three nominations now bring her total to eight. Upon release, Blame It On Eve debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart.
Born in Harlem in 1979, Shemekia Copeland released her debut album “Turn The Heat Up” in 1998 when she was only 18. The New York Times and CNN, among many others, praised her talent, larger-than-life personality, dynamic, authoritative voice, and true star power. Copeland’s music has continued to evolve over the years along with her notoriety and skill.
Blame It On Eve was recorded in Nashville with producer Will Kimbrough, who also produced her previous three albums and doubles as an instrumentalist and songwriter. Each of the 12 songs has substance and contains jaw-dropping performances from Copeland and the band.
“There’s serious business on the new album,” Copeland says. “But there are a lot of smiles here too, a lot of joyous moments. It’s my blues for sure but it’s the brighter side. Issues are always important to me, but so is rocking, dancing and just having fun. And that’s something we all can all agree on.”
Tickets are on sale now. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Albany’s MVP Arena, has been ranked by Pollstar as 83rd globally, and 52nd in the United States, in terms of attendance, a premier status for the Capital Region’s #1 venue for live events.
This ranking highlights the arena’s continued success in attracting large audiences for a variety of events, including sports, concerts, and other entertainment spectacles.
MVP Arena’s strong performance in global rankings reflects a wide range of events that resonate with audiences, including Major League Lacrosse, Arena Football, a variety of concerts, comedians, College Basketball, and much more.
photo by Dave Decrescente
Notably, gross ticket sales generated in Albany (more than $28 million dollars) exceeded major markets such as New Orleans, Cleveland, Glendale, Minneapolis, Columbus, Grand Rapids, Atlantic City and many international cities that ended the year behind Albany’s ranking.
“We are proud to be ranked among the top 100 venues in the world,” said Bob Belber, General Manager of MVP Arena. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our team, the support of our community, and the incredible fans who fill the arena for every event. We look forward to continuing to host unforgettable experiences for our guests.”
photo by Conor McMahon
This milestone further reinforces Albany County’s commitment to providing a top-tier facility. The re-investment that County Executive McCoy has made into the arena with upgrades to seating, technology, locker rooms and the enclosure of the atrium has made MVP Arena a must play for many tours.
Photo by Mike Miller
“This ranking reflects how years of strategic investment and management have transformed MVP Arena into a first-class venue for residents and visitors alike. I would like to thank our partners at ASM Global as well as our naming sponsor, MVP Health Care, and the Albany County Legislature for their continued support. Together, we are ensuring that our arena remains a source of pride for our County and a key driver of tourism and economic activity in the Capital Region. I look forward to seeing even greater success and growth as we continue to raise the bar and attract world-class entertainment,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy.
The ability for Albany to make a strong showing in the Top 200 venues shows a resilience for the town, that despite the monikor ‘Smallbany,’ folks come from all over to take part in the rich variety of arts and music offered in the state capital.
Albany indie-rock band Canella has released their latest single titled “Groomer,” a powerful track of resiliency and reclamation.
Based in and frequently performing throughout Albany, Canella is rooted in a shared love of creation. Written acoustically by lead singer and songwriter Juliana Castrillón, members Joe Taurone, Gabe Klingler-Horn, and Dan Carr expand each and every track to whatever extent they feel- whether that results in a song meant to make you laugh, or a track that’ll bring you to tears.
Having released their debut albumCan’t Make You Smile in 2023, Canella has returned with the second pre-release single off of their upcoming EP The Snake, the deeply personal and intense “Groomer.”
Penned after a turning point in Castrillón’s life, “Groomer” encapsulates the intense and complex emotions felt after she reconnected with a former music teacher from her adolescence, consequently uncovering an uncomfortable truth about her past.
With her perspective altered, Juliana was caught in a limbo of deep depression and months of silence. Unable to put the storm of emotion to paper, Castrillón would not be able to write again until 2024, driven by a mix of fear, anger, and shame.
Now, after years of processing and healing and in the wake of the 2024 election, Juliana is not only ready to share her story but is determined to do so in a show of reclamation, solidarity, and support.
“I didn’t realize how much I had blamed myself for being a victim of abuse,” says Juliana. “Now, taking back my story and sharing it is a crucial part of healing—taking my power back and feeling finally free and not alone.”
– Juliana Castrillón
“Groomer” is heavy, gritty, and full of sharp emotion. It’s always awe-inspiring to hear tracks full of pure emotion, but this track takes it to another level. The rage, disgust, betrayal, and defiance can all be felt palpably, an all-consuming experience with cutting vocals and aggressive instrumentals where words fail- perhaps the kind of all-encompassing emotion that can only be communicated through sound.
The track concludes with a powerful moment of pure guitar, drums, and bass- the kind of music felt down to the bones. “Groomer,” is a rallying cry just as much as it is a moment of emotional release. Intense, emotive, and guttural, Canella’s latest release is a striking example of shaping one’s darkest moments into something relentless.
Canella will be gracing the stage of No Fun in Troy on December 20 to celebrate the release along with support by Tula Vera and Rat Motel. Tickets are priced at $10 and are available here.
For more information on Canella, their upcoming EP, and all other future endeavors, be sure to check out their official website here.
On December 7, Lespecial brought their genre-defying prog-rock energy to Albany’s Lark Hall for a night of unforgettable music.
The evening kicked off with a lively performance from Timbre Coup, the Capital Region-based jam/prog-rock foursome. With plenty of local supporters in the crowd, the band’s energetic set got the audience primed for Lespecial to take the stage. Their engaging performance left an impression, and fans should keep an eye on their Facebook page for future shows.
Timbre Coup setlist: Firestorm, August, 55, Arnold Schwartzeneggar, HTRAB, Machine Head (Bush cover), January
Lespecial, a prog-tronic power trio took the stage with their signature sound that defies expectations. With each member contributing vocals and synths in addition to guitar, drums, and bass, their music filled the room with a robust energy that was hard to believe came from just three people. Seamlessly blending genres, the band moved effortlessly from smooth, swaying jams to heavier riffs that had the crowd headbanging in unison.
The band made several references to an incident after the previous night’s show in Syracuse, where their van was broken into, and bass guitars, along with Luke and Rory’s luggage, were stolen. Despite the setback, bassist Luke Bemand powered through with help from his trusty Ibanez Soundgear bass, which he hadn’t used in years, while both musicians rocked Lespecial merch as an improvised wardrobe solution.
As the set approached its finale, drummer Rory (check out his Primus audition reel) delivered a jaw-dropping solo while the other band members took a short break to prepare for the final songs. The crowd was left in awe of his stellar performance, capping off an unforgettable night of progressive rock brilliance. Exiting the warmth of Lark Hall, concertgoers were greeted by a steady snowstorm blanketing the streets—a fitting end to a night that will be remembered for its electrifying energy and unique challenges, both on and off the stage.
lespecial – Lark Hall, Albany – Saturday, December 7, 2024
Setlist: Repeater, Machine Elf, Snell’s Fleet, First Light, Rays, Divider, Bitch Don’t Kill My Dub (Kendrick Lamar cover), Disassociate, Fruit Wolf Dance, Orb, Vessel, GDH3, Unearthed, Drums, Thela Hun Ginjeet (King Crimson cover), Lungs of the Planet
On a late-fall Sunday evening in Albany, Nine Inch Nails brought their “Further Down the Spiral Tour” to the Knickerbocker Arena (now MVP Arena). The December 4, 1994 performance was notable not just for the opening acts – Marilyn Manson and Jim Rose Circus – but also a show cut short when a fan threw a shoe at the head of NIN drummer, Chris Vrenna.
Ticket stub – Nine Inch Nails, Albany, NY – December 4, 1994
The second part of Nine Inch Nails’ Self Destruct Tour saw shows in Buffalo and New York City coming on either side of the Albany show, and following the release of the critically acclaimed album The Downward Spiral. With recent performances that summer – not only the legendary mud show at Woodstock 94, but also in Poughkeepsie at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center a few weeks prior on August 3, 1994 – the Albany show was hotly anticipated by grunge loving teens.
And while this show’s openers were Marilyn Manson and Jim Rose Circus, other openers this tour included bands from the grunge era – Hole, The Melvins and Pop Will Eat Itself.
Manson and his band were introduced onto the stage by the Jim Rose Circus, with a lineup including serial killer inspired aliases – Daisy Berkowitz (guitar), Twiggy Ramirez (bass), Madonna Wayne Gacy (keyboard) and Sara Lee Lucas (drums). This was among the first times fans could see the controversial Marilyn Manson live, and while memories of the opening set are fleeting – the 30 minute set likely began close to the ticket time of 7:30pm, with many fans still waiting to get inside – one fan recalls from Manson’s set a vulgar tirade directed at a young woman in the crowd.
Both before, during and especially after Manson’s set, hundreds of fans in seated sections rushed down the aisles past security, packing the floor to nearly uncomfortable levels even before Jim Rose Circus took the stage. The ensuing snarl of bodies on the floor meant the circus – a freak show, really – meant that there were many more eyes on the stage for graphic stunts. The modern-day circus freak show that first made its name at Lollapalooza 1992, had interjections from Rose who kept the crowd on the hook as ringmaster, guiding the captive audience through a series of tricks and stunts taking place across the stage.
Early 1994 NIN Tour After-Show Pass
Among the acts were swallowing and regurgitating razor blades, smashing a cinder block on a strongman’s chest, ‘eating’ sparks from a grinding machine, and one member of the circus taking a unstrung 1970s tennis racket (smaller than today) and squeezing his entire body through the racket, slowly but surely dislocating appendages and succeeding in the act. For the more adventurous, click here to see what the performance included, but for those in attendance, time has thankfully aided in forgetting some of this set.
Note – I was a week away from turning 17, and still to this day, have only rushed the floor at a concert once. While the Nine Inch Nails performance was as memorable as could be, the Jim Rose Circus interlude has stuck with me for 30 years. I don’t know where my seats actually were for the show, but they sure weren’t on the floor. Of all the times to rush the floor and crowd near the stage…
photo by Paul Carter
And for the next 20 minutes or so as the freak show went away and a screen lowered behind Nine Inch Nails’ gear, the anticipation grew steadily for an already GRAMMY-winning band (Best Metal Performance – “Wish”) to play songs from the new album, as well as the previous seven ‘halos‘. What would amount to a 74-minute show due to the aforementioned shoe to the head, was nothing short of memorable, albiet confusing at the end.
The Nine Inch Nails lineup for this tour included frontman Trent Reznor (vocals, guitar, keys), Robin Finck (guitar, keys, backing vocals), Danny Lohner (bass, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Chris Vrenna (drums), and James Woolley (keys, programming, backing vocals). With a sepia-toned screen/banner behind the band, projections followed along with the music as themes of darkness, death and generally disturbing imagery were shone, adding a visual layer to a band that drew heavily on imagery in music videos for “Closer” and “Hurt,” in addition to previous videos.
Ticket stub – Nine Inch Nails, Albany, NY – December 4, 1994
The band went through the setlist (seen below) as they likely did for many shows that tour – a good deal of The Downward Spiral songs, plus some older songs, and the anger-filled anthem “Head Like a Hole” closing the show. It was during this song that someone in the audience threw a shoe (rumored to be a boot, but alas, a sneaker) and hit drummer Chris Vrenna in the head. Presumably, someone threw someone else’s shoe, making it easier to avoid being caught for the offending toss.
Vrenna finished the song, the band left the stage, and a few moments later, an announcement would come over the public address system, saying “The drummer suffered a concussion. The band is unable to continue.â With that, the lights were up and the show was over. Confusion abounded but the crowd was shuffled out towards South Pearl Street, an abrupt ending to an epic evening.
Without a basis for pop-culture shoe-throwing references, this notable tennis shoe toss was relegated to urban legend status, as the incident took place a full three years before Austin Powers coined the phrase “Who throws a shoe, honestly?” and 14 years before an Iraqi journalist threw a shoe at then-President Bush.
photo by Paul Carter
On December 17, 1994, the Daily Gazette gave brief mention of the show in the “Spotlight” section of the paper by writer M.L., under the heading “Really Nailed.”
“For Nine Inch Nails drummer Chris Vrenna, the show ends when the shoe hits him in the head. The Nails refused to come back for an encore after their Dec. 4 show at the Knickerbocker Arena when Vrenna was beaned in the noggin by a sneaker thrown by rowdy fans, according to Soo Hyun, a music publicist in New York City.”
It does not seem though that Vrenna had a concussion, but given the circumstances and sudden stopping of the show, giving the audience a reason was paramount at the time.
This author’s NIN cap from the 90s, still in good/used condition
M.L. continues, “Although the show left a nice bruise on Vrenna’s head, it seems the offending sneaker injured the drummer’s pride more than his body, Hyun said. “There was no damage, it was just a shoe,” Hyun said. “He’s played while bleeding before without any problems.”
The show marked a first for Vrenna, as it was the first time he had been hit while performing on stage by fan throw items. Hyun continued “While fans often chuck objects at the band during their shows, the Knick concert was the first time that Vrenna has been struck while playing. They really expect this kind of stuff to happen.
Luckily, two audience recordings of this show are available here (Sony ECM-155 + Aiwa J505) and here (Sonic Studio DSM6 Mics + Sony TCD-D7). The recordings are decent for the time period, with a little chatter over ambient sections of songs. A close listen to “Head Like a Hole” may indicate when in the song Vrenna was struck – Head, meet Sole – but kept playing til the end.
The memory of the non-encore stands out, and looking back on setlists of the tour, “Closer” and “Something I Can Never Have” were among the songs the crowd missed out on. Still, between rushing the floor, a musical freak, a freak show, and Nine Inch Nails, the night of December 4, 1994 at the Knickerbocker Arena was nothing short of memorable.
Ticket stub – Nine Inch Nails, Albany, NY – December 4, 1994
While no video footage of the show exists, you can view the Nine Inch Nails performance a few days later at Madison Square Garden, on December 7 and 9, 1994, which shows what the entire show in Albany would have been like, encore and all.
Nine Inch Nails – December 4, 1994 – The Knickerbocker Arena, Albany
Setlist: Pinion. Mr. Self Destruct, Sin, March of the Pigs, Piggy, Reptile, Gave Up, Happiness in Slavery, Eraser, Hurt, The Downward Spiral, Wish, Suck, The Only Time, Down In It, Head Like a Hole
Phish and the City of Albany have always had a cozy relationship. Going to back to 1989 and their first gig at Pauly’s Hotel, Phish has played a total of 17 shows in Albany during the course of their career. Shows in the early 90’s at the Palace Theatre helped establish their Upstate New York following. So it would come as no surprise when their 2003 20th Anniversary Tour rolled around that Albany would be one of the stops. This would only be a short, four-show trek around the Northeast, culminating in the “anniversary” of their first ever show on December 2.
The first two shows of the tour did not disappoint at all. Special guests like the Dude of Life popped out for the encore in Long Island on November 28, and Tom Marshall joined in on a classic version of “Buffalo Bill” the night before in Philadelphia. Now it was Albany’s turn and the band went even further back in their history for tonight’s guest selection.
Picking up on the palpable December pre-show energy, the show begins with a “Chalkdust Torture” that ramps it up even more. The entire Pepsi Arena crowd seems to join in on the “Can’t I live while I’m young” line. A blistering guitar solo from Trey Anastasio highlights this one before all is said and done. The “Stash” that comes next allows for plenty more audience participation. It eventually develops into a dark, yet fairly uneventful jam. A standard run-through of “Guyute” then follows, with the Albany crowd audibly loving every minute of this first set Phish staple.
An interesting little juxtaposition of both styles and song histories then proceeds this. The delicately mellow “Thunderhead,” from 2002’s Round Room release, makes a rare appearance. It’s only the sixth live performance ever of this song. And, to date, it has yet to be played a seventh time. After a tidy little jam that gradually picks up in intensity, “Sparkle” emerges. The high pace, first set romper dates all the way back to 1991 and has been played hundreds of times.
“Wolfman’s Brother” finally gives the band a chance to stretch things out a little again. Aside from “Stash,” this is really the only other true “jam” of the first set. Mike Gordon’s aggressive bass play provides the fuel for this one and dominates throughout. Gradually, the rest of the band seems to catch up in this “Wolfman’s” that easily glides past the 15-minute mark after an exuberant finish. “Good Times Bad Times” then puts a cap on a rockin’ but relatively quick first set. Perhaps this was done to allow some additional set break practice time with the still-TBA special guest.
Before said guest would be revealed, there was still some business to tend to first. Phish would grace the Albany crowd with three classic songs sure to make any show memorable. “Tweezer” promptly begins the second set. It sees more inspired guitar play from Anastasio atop the funky rhythms generated by Gordon and drummer Jon Fishman. The jam continues to ascend accordingly until about the ten-minute mark, when it takes an ambient hard left turn. The music continues to devolve and get spacey for another few minutes before Fishman slyly increases the tempo and the band is off and running with the instrumental “Also Sprach Zarathustra” aka the theme to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Keyboardist Page McConnell takes control early on with his standard electric keyboard fills complementing Anastasio’s iconic guitar riffs.
Before the last remnant of “2001” even finish echoing, Phish launches into “You Enjoy Myself,” further delighting the Albany faithful with an epic start to the second set. There’s no issues with this version at all as the band rips through the composed sections with ease. Then another cohesive, psychedelic jam emerges with McConnell continuing to dazzle on piano.
Finally, it was time to reveal tonight’s special guest. It would be none other than Jeff Holdsworth, one of the original members and co-guitarists of Phish from its inception in 1983. Jeff would eventually leave the band before they gained much notoriety. Tonight marked the first time he played with Phish since a gig on May 17, 1986 at Goddard College in Plainfield, VT. As befitting for an anniversary run, they would play a few of the songs he wrote that are still regular fixtures at Phish shows to this day.
The first of these was “Camel Walk.” Holdsworth seems to have a little issue with the lyrics early on, but manages to keep it together for this longtime favorite. Trey then gives him proper thanks for writing that song as well as the next one, “Possum.” Despite some feedback issues, they manage to maneuver through this Phish classic as well, with Anastasio doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
Jeff stays on stage and even takes lead vocals on the first song Phish ever played as a band, a cover of The Hollies’ “Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress.” Understandably, he seems to be a little more comfortable singing on this one than the Phish songs he hadn’t played in more than 17 years.
“Run Like An Antelope” would then go on to close the second set. While Holdsworth would remain on stage to play guitar, he must have been turned down fairly low in the mix. This also gave Phish one last chance to surprise the Albany crowd. Longtime lyricist and friend of the band Tom Marshall emerged to deliver the song-ending vocals. One last cover, Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire,” would complete one of the more interesting and memorable Phish show in Albany’s rich history.
Check out the full audio below, or go here for track-by-track selections.
Phish – December 1, 2003 – Pepsi Arena – Albany, NY
Set 1: Chalkdust Torture, Stash, Guyute, Thunderhead -> Sparkle, Wolfman’s Brother -> Good Times Bad Times
Set 2: Tweezer -> Also Sprach Zarathustra > You Enjoy Myself, Camel Walk, Possum, Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress > Run Like an Antelope
Encore: Fire
Note – Camel Walk through Fire with Jeff Holdsworth on guitar
Put down your farming tools and pick up a program, the Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons Concert Tour has announced a show in Albany’s own Palace Theatre in 2025.
With over 30 million copies sold across all major platforms and 12 translations, Stardew is a major success for an indie project – a testament to both the passion of the creator and the vibrant fanbase that has been cultivated.
If you ask anyone passionate about the cozy game genre what they would recommend, one of the first titles to crop up would likely be Stardew Valley.
An indie title beloved for its open-endedness that allows players to grow crops and livestock, mine in the cavern and fight mysterious hidden monsters within, spend in-game days fishing at sea (or wherever else your heart desires), socialize with the townsfolk, and either take things at your own pace or maximize efficiency to the umpteenth degree, Stardew Valley has something for everyone.
Largely inspired by its farming simulation predecessor Harvest Moon, players begin the game by learning of their inheritance of their late grandfather’s farm tucked away in a quaint community named Pelican Town. Developed by Eric Barone, colloquially known online as ConcernedApe, Stardew Valley is even more beloved as a solo development venture of Barone’s- a labor of love down to every aspect, especially when it comes to the game’s soundtrack.
Curated by Barone himself, Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons will transport audiences into the quaint Pelican Town and beyond into all of the whimsical nooks and crannies the Valley and beyond have to offer. This exciting tour will make its stop in Albany on October 30, 2025 at the Palace Theatre.
A reinvention of the game’s first concert tour which sold out in record time, Festival of Seasons, Symphony of Seasons returns bigger and better with a 35-piece orchestra and entirely new arrangements of tracks from the game spanning Pelican Town to Ginger Island, Calico Desert to the Wizard’s Tower.
Accompanying the orchestra’s performance will be a screen displaying gameplay from Stardew itself in addition to original content created exclusively for the concert series under ConcernedApe’s supervision.
“It was a special experience to hear the music of Stardew Valley performed live in concert for the first tour, surrounded by fans of Stardew Valley. But now, with the upcoming Symphony of Seasons, we’ll hear the music in a bigger and grander way, with a larger orchestra and additional songs from the game. I’m really looking forward to it!”
– Eric Barone (ConcernedApe)
As with the last set of shows, fans and newcomers alike are encouraged to arrive dressed in their best game-themed clothing and costume. In addition, event-exclusive merchandise will be available to purchase the night of.
Tickets for Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons at the Palace Theatre in Albany on October 30, 2025 will go live on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 9:00 AM. For more information on how to attend and purchase tickets, visit Palace Theatre’s official event page for the whimsical evening here.
After wrapping a standout year of headlining shows, including a performance to over 100,000 fans in downtown Nashville for the World’s Largest Album Release Party, multi-Platinum country-rock artist, Brantley Gilbert has announced his Tattoos Tour 2025 following the release of his seventh studio album, Tattoos.
“Music has always been about bringing people together and offering a break from the grind, even if it’s just for a few hours,” says Gilbert. “My hope is that with tickets starting at $25, people can step away from everyday stresses and enjoy themselves—whether it’s making it a fun evening with the family or giving mom and dad the chance to hire a babysitter and have a night out just for them.”
Tickets start at $25.00 plus applicable fees and go on sale Friday, Nov. 29, at 10 am. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Full Tatoos Tour Dates:
Feb. 27 – Angel Of The Winds Arena – Everett, WA
Feb. 28 – Missoula, MT – Missoula, MT
Mar. 01 – Toyota Center – Kennewick, WA
Mar. 06 – Toyota Arena – Ontario, CA
Mar. 07 – Findlay Toyota Center – Prescott Valley, AZ
Mar. 08 – Mullett Arena – Tempe, AZ
Mar. 13 – Grossinger Motors Arena – Bloomington, IL
Mar. 14 – Alliant Energy PowerHouse – Cedar Rapids, IA
Mar. 15 – Cable Dahmer Arena – Independence, MO
Mar. 20 – Salem Civic Center – Salem, VA
Mar. 21 – The Classic Center – Athens, GA
Mar. 22 – Orion Amphitheater – Huntsville, AL
Mar. 27 – Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell – Lowell, MA
Mar. 28 – Cross Insurance Arena – Portland, ME
Mar. 29 – Total Mortgage Arena – Bridgeport, CT
Apr. 24 – MVP Arena – Albany, NY
Apr. 25 – Utica Memorial Auditorium – Utica, NY
Apr. 26 – Mohegan Sun Arena At Casey Plaza – Wilkes Barre, PA
Jun. 08 – Carolina Country Music Fest 2025 – Myrtle Beach, SC
Jun. 20 – WYRK Taste of Country 2025 – Buffalo, NY
The Albany Symphony plans to take the holiday season to new heights with their “Magic of Christmas” concert at The Palace Theatre this December.
The award-winning Albany Symphony provides a whole lot of extra sparkle this holiday season in one of the Capital Region’s favorite holiday musical traditions. On Sunday, December 8, “The Magic of Christmas” fills The Palace Theatre with festive holiday music, family fun and special guests. The Albany Symphony and its sleigh-full of hometown talent will delight and entertain audiences of all ages with an afternoon of holiday musical favorites, a carol sing-along and a visit from the big man in the red suit.
In keeping with the Albany Symphony’s longtime role as a collaborator, the orchestra is proud to be joined by community partners, including The Music Studio, Capital District Youth Chorale, Rince go Brach (formerly Boland) School of Irish Dance, Northeast Ballet, Saratoga Springs High School Choraliers, and Schalmont High School Concert Choir.
Founded in 1930 in New York’s Capital Region, the Albany Symphony serves a diverse regional audience covering more than seven counties and parts of three states. In addition to an eight-concert subscription season, an annual multi-day American Music Festival including performances by the orchestra’s genre-bending ensemble Dogs of Desire, and a host of education and community outreach events, the Albany Symphony regularly serves as an ambassador for new music and Upstate innovation beyond the Capital Region.
“The Magic of Christmas” takes place from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on Sunday, December 8 at The Palace Theatre in downtown Albany. Conducted by David Alan Miller, prepare for an afternoon of festive family fun and cheer. Sponsored in part by Price Chopper and Market 32, the concert is jam-packed with holiday classics. Like everything the Albany Symphony does, the afternoon includes a medley of familiar and brand-new tunes, including “Joy to the World,” “Sing Noel,” “Santa’s Holly Jolly Little Christmas,” Nutcracker selections with dancers, and much more. In traditional joyful fanfare, audiences join in a Christmas sing-along to close the program.
For more information on “The Magic of Christmas” concert at The Palace Theatre on Dec 8 and to purchase tickets, click here.
LaMP – Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger, and Ray Paczkowski – performed at Lark Hall on Saturday, November 9 at Lark Hall in Albany with special guest Oobleck.
LaMP is the trio of drummer Russ Lawton, organist Ray Paczkowski, and guitarist Scott Metzger. Lawton and Paczkowski have been performing music together since the late 1990s, before joining together in Trey Anastasio Band. The sound of LaMP infuses Metzger’s telecaster melodies into the synergy of âRuss and Rayâ from Soule Monde, creating a funky night of music, every time.
NYS Music photographer Conor McMahon was on hand to capture the evening of LaMP at Lark Hall. The band will be at the Towne Crier in Beacon on Friday, November 22, and Brooklyn Bowl the following night.
