Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12, 2024 in Albany, Washington Park was alive with families, tulips, and great music from bands on two stages at the 76th Annual Tulip Festival.Â
With weather that held out to provide a nearly dry weekend, Washington Park was alive with Catskill group Of The Atlas, Prince Daddy and The Hyena, and The Front Bottoms on the main stage, while over on WEXTâS 518 Stage, local bands Side B, Sofia Corts, Camtron5000 and The Insolent Willies entertained masses of crowds throughout the day.
The Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra has announced its 91st Concert Season, consisting of nine concerts. This new concert season will feature a host of shows in both Schenectady and Saratoga Springs.
Since its founding in 1935, the SSSO has prided itself in community involvement. Throughout its history, the SSSO has employed not only professional musicians, but also highlighted local amateur musicians. The orchestra has been a platform for local musicians, dance troupes and school choruses, helping to launch musical careers throughout the Schenectady-Saratoga region. Through its concerts and musical mentoring, the SSSO has become one of the greatest musical assets of the Capital Region.
This concert season will continue the SSSO’s history of involvement by hosting a series of guest musicians and incorporating new visual elements to enhance concerts. Soloists like trumpeter Robert Sullivan, and Lisa Leonard will join the SSSO for orchestral classics and new works. This season will feature a new visual elements and projections to enhance the concert experience. SSSO’s artistic director Glen Cortese says the “Visuals and projections will accompany many of our concerts to add another layer to the audience’s live music experience.” With this new aspect to their live shows, audiences will have their eyes, as well as ears stimulated at this year’s concerts.
SSSO Schedule
Free Pops Concert (not on subscription)
7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 at Music Haven Stage in Schenectady’s Central Park
A tribute to the great composer John Williams.
“Realize”
7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Zankel Music Center
3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20 at the MainStage at Proctors
Featuring soloist Lisa Leonard in Prokofiev’s “Piano Concerto #3,” Adamo’s “Overture to Lysistrata” and Respighi’s “Fontana di Roma” and “Pini di Roma.”
Poinsettia Pops (not on subscription, add-on)
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Great Hall at UPH
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Great Hall at UPH
Featuring guest soloists Jeanine Ouderkirk, Mowgli Giannitti and Elizabeth Sterling.
“Reminisce”
7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 at the Great Hall at UPH
3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 at the MainStage at Proctors
Featuring Trumpeter Robert Sullivan in Glen Cortese’s “Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra (Gabriel’s Signal),” Snider’s “Eye of Mnemosyne” and Mendelssohn’s “Symphony #4.”
“Reach”
3 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 2025 at the Great Hall at UPH
The program features John Musto performing his “Litany” and “Piano Concerto #2,” Debussy’s “Children’s Corner” and guest vocalist Ann Marie Adamick with Mahler’s “Songs of the Wayfarer.”
“Remember”
3 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2025 at the MainStage at Proctors
The Octavo Singers and surprise special guests join SSSO for Verdi’s great “Requiem.”
Season Tickets are currently on sale for $65. Individual tickets are $17-24, with children under 18 getting free entrance with a ticketed adult. For more ticketing and concert information visit the SSSO website here.
The City of Albany has announced the lineup for the annual Alive at 5 concert series for 2024. The free shows are held Thursdays from June 6 to August 1 (except July 4) from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Alive at 5 concerts take place at Jennings Landing in Albany, with views of the Hudson River beyond the stage. Parking is available at the Riverfront Garage at 2 Columbia Street and Quackenbush Garage at 25 Orange Street for $8 starting at 4 p.m.
At Alive at 5, there are a few no-no’s – no alcohol, coolers, backpacks, bags, containers, packages, thermoses, cups, bottles, cans, flasks, glass containers of any kind, recording of performances, or pets – these are not allowed at the concerts. Additionally, all Albany parks are tobacco-free.
In the event of rain, the rain location is under the 787 overpass at the Corning Preserve Boat Launch.
Alive at 5 2024 Lineup
June 6: Pride Night – Let’s Sing Taylor with Sydney Worthley
LET’S SING TAYLOR
Let’s Sing Taylor – A Live Band Experience – is the ultimate tribute to the music of Taylor Swift. We can show you incredible things, including the most faithful and lively covers of Queen Taylor’s expansive and sacred catalog. Taking the country by storm, we’re bringing the communal experience of celebrating Taylor’s music in a live setting to Swifties near and far. So, let the games begin. Calling all Swifties to sing your hearts out and sport your Taylor inspired attire. You can show up at our party any time.
SYDNEY WORTHLEY
Sydney Worthley is a singer/songwriter at heart with influences from the pop world. She pulls influences from Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, Kate Bush, and The 1975. While the production of her single “How Soon Is Now?” draws from the 80s with dreamy synthesizers and echoing drums, it can be stripped down to its core to reveal a story of wondering when the heartbreak will end. Prepare yourself for topics of growing pains, raising your standards, speculating about the one that got away, imposter syndrome, and so much more. Get ready for the emotional rollercoaster Sydney Worthley and her electric band brings to the stage.
Dokken exploded out of the boiling hard rock/heavy metal scene in Los Angeles in the early 1980s. 1983’s“Breaking the Chains” with its catchy title track, set the stage for Dokken becoming the most dominant creative and commercial force in the world of Melodic Hard Rock for the following years. DOKKEN is now Don Dokken (vocals), Mick Brown (drums), Jon Levin (guitar) and Chris McCarvill (bass).
HARK
Local veteran to the Capital District music scene put together an extraordinary party cover band in the last few years and named it “Hark” to separate it from her original works. The band features a young sharp line up of some of the best musicians in the area with an eclectic and diverse song list to go along with Harkes’ signature powerhouse vocals.
June 20: Latin Night – Toto Puente Jr. with Bronte Roman
TITO PUENTE JR.
Tito Puente Jr. carries his father with him – imprinted on his physical being and locked in his soul. It’s in his looks, his joy, and his music. Tito, Jr. is on a passionate mission. The younger Puente is determined to nurture the musical legacy left by his father. “People who don’t know anything about Latin music know my father and people always, always smile when they say my father’s name,” he confides. “That is a very special gift I have been given.” Tito, Jr. lives in South Florida and has two children, Miranda and Antonio.
BRONTE ROMAN
Bronte Roman from Brooklyn offers an 8-10 piece group. This high-spirited Pop Contemporary Vocalist shines with her melodic, rich tones and musicality for a variety of Genres. Bronte loves highlighting her Puerto Rican heritage by performing Latin-Pop and Spanish Classic hits. Bronte is excited to debut her new release,” The Dark Side” in English and Spanish.
“Always building up, falling apart. Love is an art,” sings Vanessa Carlton on the title track of her sixth album, Love Is An Art. Like the record itself, the song is a meditation on the eternal seesaw that is human connection: the push, the pull, the balance, the bottoming out.
CANELLA
The members of indie-rock band Canella love to create. Juliana Castrillón, lead singer and songwriter from Bogotá, Colombia, brings her criss-cross applesauce bedroom acoustic songs to the rest of the band. Bassist Joe Taurone, guitarist Gabe Klingler-Horn, and drummer Dan Carr, take the songs in, and output what they think is right, funny, or stupid. They have won a couple of awards from the local college radio station WCDB in 2021 and 2022 for ‘Best Song of the Year’. Canella has heavy riffs and pop melodies that they’d love to share with you.
July 11: Hip Hop Night – KRS-One with DJ Show and Ohzhe
KRS-ONE
Appearing on the rap scene in 1986 as Boogie Down Productions releasing his first hit single “South Bronx” with his late DJ Scott La Rock, KRS “the one” made it clear that Hip Hop was going to have to take itself a lot more seriously than simply being a music genre. KRS, an acronym for ““Knowledge Reigning Supreme”, has been called the “conscience of Hip Hop” (Rolling Stone), “the greatest live emcee ever” (The Source), the “spokesperson for Hip Hop” (Wall Street Journal), “master teacher” (Zulu Nation) and the “son of Hip Hop” (Kool DJ Herc). Operating as a kind of “pop-up” school, KRS-One’s Temple of Hip Hop has appeared in various cities in USA also in the UK and Europe offering the more serious student of Hip Hop an effective way to live and understand the culture of Hip Hop more deeply.
DJ SHOW
DJ SHOW, born and raised in the Bronx, fell in love with Hip-Hop early on, inspired by mentors like DJ Joey O and legends such as Kid Capri. Once he received his first set of turntables from his parents at 12 years old, SHOW’s hobby turned into a career path.
OHZHE
Hip-Hop Artist – songwriter Ohzhe brings his charisma and versatility to the stage with his ability to connect to his audience through relatability and vulnerability. Coming from upstate NY, Ohzhe looks to inspire his city with his perspective, lyrics and lifestyle.
July 18: Reggae Night – Third World with Upstate Reggae Possie
THIRD WORLD
Celebrating 50 years, ‘Reggae Ambassadors’, THIRD WORLD is one of the longest-lived Reggae bands of all time, and one of Jamaica’s most consistently popular crossover acts among international audiences. Mixing in elements of R&B, funk, pop, and rock and, later on, dancehall and rap, Third World’s style has been described as “reggae-fusion”.
UPSTATE REGGAE POSSIE
Upstate Reggae Possie is the ultimate traditional Dancehall Experience with a profound Roots flavor. Originally from Jamaica and Trinidad, each of the 4 singers charm their audiences in a unique style. Reggae with Soul, Harmony and Dance moves to Rock New York and Beyond.
July 25: Rock Night – The Record Company with Sirsy
THE RECORD COMPANY
When The Record Company pick up their instruments, the members—Chris Vos [guitar, lead vocals, harmonica], Alex Stiff [bass, backing vocals], and Marc Cazorla [drums, backing vocals]—participate in a musical back-and-forth akin to a formative and supportive conversation among siblings. The GRAMMY Award-nominated trio only amplify the power of this bond on their fourth full-length offering and 2023 debut for Round Hill Records.
SIRSY
Hailing from Upstate NY, SIRSY plays sassy singer-songwriter pop-rock with lots of heart and soul. Sirsy is known for their passionate, honest, heartfelt live performances that have a charming intensity, loads of stories from the road, and even some nerdy jokes. They can somehow make an audience sing along, dance, laugh, and cry – all at the same show. You will be moved.
August 1: Funk Night – Galactic with Jelly Joseph and Hilltop
GALACTIC feat JELLY JOSEPH
History doesn’t stand still. It impacts, influences, and inspires the ebb and flow of the future by informing the present. Galactic draw on 25 years together in order to progress with each performance and subsequent record. After 10 albums, over 2,000 gigs, and tens of millions of streams, the proud New Orleans, LA quintet—Ben Ellman [saxophone, harmonica], Robert Mercurio [bass], Stanton Moore [drums, percussion], Jeffrey Raines [guitar], and Richard Vogal [keyboards]—have kept the torch burning through five U.S. presidential regimes, the turn-of-the-century, Hurricane Katrina, a Global Pandemic, and a much-anticipated recovery.
HILLTOP
Hilltop is a four piece Funk Rock band from Albany, NY. Over the past six years they’ve made a name for themselves with carefully crafted originals, mind bending improvisation & fun, diverse covers. Each member offers a proficient, unique approach to their instrument that defines the musical experience. Hilltop has already been featured on bills with headlining acts like Dark Star Orchestra, moe, Eggy and many more. They are currently touring to promote their new EP, Getting There Together. This band of young musicians is eager to spread their music and will continue to engage crowds wherever they go.
A new partnership with The Town of Guilderland will bring Playhouse Stage Company to the Guilderland Performing Arts Center Stage (GPAC) in Tawasentha Park this summer. Following its run at Albany’s Park Playhouse from June 18 through July 14, Playhouse Stage’s The Marvelous Wonderettes will play an encore weekend in Guilderland from July 19-21.
All seating will be free on a first-come, first-served basis, at 7:30 p.m. performances Friday through Sunday, and an additional 4:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Playhouse Stage Company has been producing free, outdoor summer musicals at Albany’s Park Playhouse since 1989, and has been presenting musicals year-round at the historic Cohoes Music Hall since 2016.
The Marvelous Wonderettes tells the story of a group of friends who become the impromptu entertainment at their High School prom in 1958, singing the girl group pop songs of the decade in four-part harmony. Act Two sees the friends reunite to perform at their ten-year reunion, singing the music of the girl groups of the Sixties. With beloved songs such as “Mr. Sandman,” “Lollipop,” “Heatwave,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” and “Respect,” audiences are treated to a night of harmonious hits, wrapped around a touching and funny story of enduring friendship.
The production is directed and choreographed by Ellie Francis, who appeared on-stage as Pythio in 2022’s PSC production of Head Over Heels. Long-time PSC associate Brian Axford, will music direct and lead the live, on-stage band for the production. “We are thrilled to welcome Playhouse Stage Company to perform at GPAC this summer and we look forward to a long-term relationship with the area’s premier musical theatre organization,” added Town Supervisor Peter G. Barber. “I also extend my appreciation to former State Senator George Amedore for his generous support for GPAC’s renovation which has helped bring new entertainment options to our community.” The Guilderland Town Board officially approved the Playhouse partnership at a May 7, 2024 meeting.
We are tremendously excited about this new partnership, and new opportunity to achieve our mission making the arts accessible to all in the Capital Region community. Through the support of the Town of Guilderland, all seating for this encore weekend in Tawasentha Park will be available free-of-charge to both residents and visitors. We are grateful to Town Supervisor, Peter Barber, the Guilderland Town Board, and the staff who have worked to make this inaugural year of this partnership a reality.
Tickets for reserved seating for the run of The Marvelous Wonderettes at Albany’s Park Playhouse are now on sale through The Playhouse Stage Box Office at Cohoes Music Hall, by phone at 518-434-0776, or online. The 2024 Playhouse Stage Company Summer Season will continue in July and August with runs of the musicals Legally Blonde and Disney’s Finding Nemo playing at Cohoes Music Hall.
Caroga Arts Collective announced they are receiving a grant award totaling $850,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the construction of a year-round artists’ lodge at Myhill as part of the Sherman’s Legacy Campaign.
Myhill Lodge Performance Hall rendering by Steven Smith.
This grant is part of a capital project funding announcement by NYSCA, totalling over $32 million for 102 capital projects across New York State. At Myhill, Caroga Arts Collective will construct a lodge, including eight bedrooms, four baths, a large wing, and a basement. The plan will provide needed living space, practice space, dining, kitchen, bedrooms, administrative workspace, rehearsal/performance space, and more.
The mission of Caroga Arts Collective is to reimagine the Adirondack experience through the power of the arts. Founded in 2012, Caroga Arts presents over 50 performances and community events each year, welcoming more than 150 artists to the Southern Adirondacks. They focus on revitalizing the region through community outreach, partnerships with local businesses and non-profit organizations, and arts education programming for youth and adults.
“The over 100 projects we’re supporting through this funding will showcase arts and cultural organizations across the state and spur economic development for decades to come,” Governor Hochul said. “From historic sites to new multi-use arts centers, these diverse projects will expand the accessibility and the sustainability of arts and culture organizations while growing local economies, driving tourism and creating jobs all across New York State.”
Recently, the 2024 Caroga Lake Music Festival lineup was announced, featuring over 150 world-class artists and 40 performances. Among the artists appearing this summer is future hall-of-fame guitarist, Cory Wong on July 30. This event will be unique and rare with Wong performing “unplugged” tunes with an intimate string section, and interspersed conversation about his life/music making between pieces. Moreover, a special raffle drawing for a Limited Edition Fender guitar, The Cory Wong Stratocaster (case included), signed by Cory Wong himself will be held.
We are incredibly grateful to the New York State Council on the Arts for their support of constructing a year round multi-use lodge at Myhill as part of our Sherman’s Legacy Campaign. This grant will help us create the supporting infrastructure for year round engagement and programs in Caroga Lake and surrounding regions thus helping further our mission of reimagining the Adirondack experience through the power of the arts.
Kyle Barrett Price, Founder, Executive and Artistic Director of the Caroga Arts Collective.
The Sherman’s Legacy Campaign will help Caroga Arts revitalize Sherman’s Park and the Myhill Campus into an Adirondack vacation destination where music, arts, community, and culture flourish. Constructing an artists’ residential lodge is part of the project’s first phase, which also includes the creation of a state-of-the-art amphitheater.
NYSCA Executive Director Erika Mallin said, “We are grateful to Governor Hochul and the Legislature for their support. These projects are essential to the prosperity and well-being of our creative industry and our communities, especially as we continue to navigate the recovery of our creative sector. This support will help stimulate local economies, catalyze investment in our communities, and help to ensure the vibrancy of our cultural organizations for now and for the future. Congratulations to Caroga Arts Collective, NYSCA is a proud supporter of your contributions to New York’s arts and culture.”
For more information about Caroga Arts, visit here.
Dark Star Orchestra, one of the country’s premier Grateful Dead tribute bands, have finalized their U.S. summer touring schedule. The tour will span both coasts and everything in between, and the band’s August slate now contains shows all throughout New York State.
Along the tour, Dark Star Orchestra is going to be performing some special this summer. For the July 21 show at the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, NJ the band announced today they will be recreating the Dead’s epic 9/3/77 show from nearby Englishtown, NJ. “Its proximity, only 25 miles from Asbury Park, and the fact that it was an epic outdoor show, made sense for us to choose,” notes DSO bassist Skip Vangelas. “Itâs a classic show in the GD world and one that New Jerseyans, whether Deadhead or not have never forgotten!”
A few weeks later, the band is scheduled to play Wonderland Forest in Lafayette, NY on August 9 and 10. The newly established venue located just south of Syracuse will also play host to the Biscoland festival this summer. DSO will also play The Rooftop at Pier 17 on August 11, Innovative Field in Rochester on August 21 and the Frog Alley Summer Stage in Schenectady the following day on August 22.
Special dates are dotted all throughout the summer tour, including the band’s debut at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA on July 13. It marks a celebration of 40 years of the Rex Foundation and the benefit performance will see DSO offer a 40-years-to-the-day recreation of the Dead’s 7/13/84 performance from The Greek Theatre.
More information and links to ticketing info can be found here.
Over Saturday, May 11 and Sunday May 12, the City of Albany will host the 76th Annual Albany Tulip Festival in Washington Park, presented by KeyBank.
The Tulip Festival is Albany’s signature spring event featuring annual traditions rooted in the City’s rich Dutch heritage. The event includes over 150 craft, food, fine art and public information vendors and sponsors; 2 stages of world-class, live music and family friendly entertainment; fun performers and activities for the whole family at the Kidszone stage; a new Wellness stage offering a variety of free classes throughout the weekend; Yogafest on Saturday and more than 250,000 tulips in 175 different varieties. It all takes place in historic Washington Park, the 81-acre “crown jewel” of the City.
“KeyBank is proud to support the Tulip Festival, a tradition that is part of the fabric of the Capital Region,” said Fran O’Rourke, Albany Market President & Regional Executive of Key Bank. “This festival, a sign of spring that so many look forward to, brings joy and excitement to our region. It’s one of many initiatives and organizations that we are honored to support in the communities we serve.”
Since Mayor Erastus Corning II read the first Tulip Festival Proclamation on May 14, 1949, the Mother’s Day weekend celebration has grown into one of the Northeast’s biggest and most beloved yearly events. Featuring area vendors, businesses, community organizations and original local artists on every stage, the Tulip Festival continues to honor Albany’s four centuries of history while looking ahead to its future. As always, this event is free and open to the public.
11:30a.m. –The Mendelssohn Club A local institution for over a century, this acclaimed male chorus is the longest continuously performing arts group in the Capital Region.
11:45a.m. – Tulip Queen Procession (Begins at formal Tulip Beds by Moses Statue) 2023 Tulip Queen Olivia Owens, Mayor Kathy Sheehan and the Dutch Settlers Society lead the 2024 Tulip Queen finalists to the Lakehouse Stage.
Mayor Sheehan and MC Chad O’Hara of B95.5 crown the 76th Albany Tulip Queen in this traditional highlight of Tulip Fest weekend.
PARKALBANY’S MAIN STAGE
Washington Park Parade Grounds Media Sponsor: 102.7 WEQX
1:30p.m. –OF THE ATLAS: “Catskill NY based songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Jay Woodruff has led alternative rock band Of The Atlas through a colorful range of styles and incarnations. Started initially as a solo act by the enthusiastic and longtime member of the thriving and diverse regional underground rock community, Woodruff fleshed the group out into a powerful blend of introspective indie, vibrant art rock and infectious power pop. Now joined by Ethan Klee and Kenny Rowe”.
3:00p.m. –PRINCE DADDY & THE HYENA: “Prince Daddy & the Hyena is an American punk rock band from Albany, New York, formed in 2014. They have released three full-length albums and four extended plays”.
4:30p.m. –THE FRONT BOTTOMS: When you turn on a record from The Front Bottoms, you hear the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of two lifelong friends who stare down personal tragedy and the madness of a world gone haywire by simply playing a little louder together. The New Jersey natives went from playing in the woods to performing in high school bands. After Brian finished college, The Front Bottoms officially formed. Brian’s mom gifted the boys 12 hours of recording time for Christmas, resulting in their 2011 self-titled independent debut. A whirlwind of prolific output and countless gigs followed. The Front Bottoms reached a critical peak with 2017’s Going Grey. It received praise from the likes of The FADER, Stereogum, VICE, A.V. Club, and more. Along the way, the band performed on Late Night with Seth Meyers and NPR’s “Tiny Desk,” graced the stages of Coachella, Austin City Limits, and Bonnaroo, and toured with the likes of Blink-182, Manchester Orchestra, and many more. Not to mention, the group has tallied nearly 100 million streams, sold over 500,000 album equivalents, and launched the annual holiday festival Champagne Jam, which expands year over year at an unprecedented rate.
WEXT’S 518 STAGE
Washington Park Lakehouse Stage Media Sponsor: Exit 97.7/106.1
1:00p.m. – SIDE B : “Four-piece alternative rock band from Upstate New York consisting of drummer Dylan Travison, bassist Eric Mitchell, guitarist AJ Horton, and vocalist Ian Justino. Our debut release “The Low Budget Romance EP” out now!”
2:15p.m. – SOFIA CORTS: “Sofia Cortsis a 18 year-old singer-songwriter from the Albany, New York area who is on the cusp of a national breakout. Totally self-taught on guitar and keyboards, Sofia’s songwriting effortlessly blends genres, pop, R&B, a hint of jazz, while generating infectious, memorable melodic hooks”.
3:30p.m – CAMTRON5000: “Camtron5000, rapper from Albany NY, has been creating alternative hip-hop music since 2016. He makes music that he hopes will break the stereotypes of what it means to be a rapper. Channeling a dynamic yet playful energy with his skilled lyricism, and sporting a logo crafted from his own gapped smile, Camtron5000 is a musical personality unlike any other!”
4:45p.m. – THE INSOLENT WILLIES: “The Insolent Willies are an upstate New York-based roots-rock band known for their hip-shaking mix of quirky, clever original songs and unpredictable interpretations of tunes from all over the musical map. The band consists of Bill Ackerbauer (acoustic guitar, harmonica, mandolin, vocals), Frank DeVer Pullen (bass, banjo, vocals), Paul Gavry (accordion, fiddle, vocals) and Evan Gavry (guitars, percussion, vocals).”
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2024
25th ANNUAL CAPITAL REGION’S BEST MOM
Washington Park Lakehouse Stage
11:00a.m. – 12:00p.m
B95.5’s Chad O’Hara and local officials recognize the Capital Region’s most outstanding moms. Presented by St. Peter’s Health Partners, Times Union & B95.5.
PARKALBANY’S MAIN STAGE
Washington Park Parade Grounds Media Sponsor: 99.5 THE RIVER
1:00p.m. – OFF THE RECORD: “Off The Record Trio” is the Capital District’s only 1960’s rock and roll lounge band. Awarded a music “Eddie” for Best Capital District Party Cover Band two years in a row, the trio plays 60’s vintage tunes as well as some hidden nuggets with a modern twist. It is led by the dynamic and engaging Joanna Palladino on vocals with local favorite Geo on guitar / vocals along with Bob Resnick splashing rock and roll rhythms on a minimalist drum set.”
2:30p.m. –FUNK EVOLUTION : “Formed in 2010, Funk Evolution has been bringing top-shelf entertainment to the Northeast for 14 years. Funk Evolution features a who’s who of musicians from New York and Massachusetts. Funk Evolution is best known for its high-energy delivery and unique arrangements; epic mashups of classic R&B with modern Top 40, 15 minute mega-medleys and their legendary ‘Sax Battle’ featuring original 14 year member, Justin Godlewski on Alto saxophone. From Classic Soul, Disco and 80s Anthems to Celtic Rock, Modern Country, Jam Band, Pop and Hip Hop; Funk Evolution is one of the most diverse entertainment groups in the region and has been recognized internationally as one of the top entertainment groups in the nation.”
4:30p.m. –NEW YORK PLAYERS: “New York Players are New York’s Dance Party Experts, an entertainment powerhouse with a focus on corporate and private events, nightclubs, concerts and festivals… Keeping the Dance Floor Packed ALL NIGHT LONG!!”
WEXT’S 518 STAGE
Washington Park LakehouseStage Media Sponsor: Exit 97.7/106.1
1:00p.m. –GIRL LOVE: “Girl Love is the Albany based, folk project of award- winning poet and songwriter, Laura Beth Johnson. Laura is known for her dark blend of story and soul. She was awarded the Lucy Monro Brooker Poetry Prize from the University of Indianapolis in 2017. In 2019, Laura was awarded a Songwriting Scholarship by Image Magazine. She received a Poetry Scholarship from Hudson Valley Writers Guild in 2022. In 2023, Girl Love was nominated for two Eddies. Laura’s poetry has been published in journals such as Post Mortem Press, Lady Blue, Indie Earth, Etchings Press, and Hare’s Paw. Laura’s music strives to affirm queer holiness. You can find Girl Love on all streaming platforms. Laura is joined at this year’s Tulip Fest by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Katie Johnson.”
2:15p.m. –THE E-BLOCK: “The E-Block is a 5-piece indie R&B band based in Upstate New York, blending the acoustic warmth of singer-songwriter music with an ice-cold rhythm section informed by modern R&B. With a deep bag of influences and free-flowing style, The E-Block has earned a reputation as a unique live act in the Capital Region scene.”
3:30p.m. –REESE FULMER & THE CARRIAGE HOUSE BAND: “Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band challenge the traditional relationship of a songwriter and his band, with a fluidly rotating cast of top-notch players and a flair for experimentation that combine for a unique and mesmerizing live performance. Add to that a keen lyricism that explores the human experience with a patient and poetic touch and you have the Capital Region’s answer to the indie-folk/alt-Americana boundary pushed forward by Wilco and Iron & Wine.”
4:45p.m. –OOBLECK: “Oobleck, founded in 2008, is an original, analog funk band out of the Capital Region of NY. Known regionally for inciting dance parties wherever they land, they boast a big, in your face sound inspired by New Orleans street music. It’s a melee of horns, super heavy drums and bass and your favorite type of chunky guitar riffing that leaves your bum shaking and your face grinning.”
KIDZONE Presented by PRICE CHOPPER / MARKET32
SATURDAY & SUNDAY CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES Enjoy pony rides, a rock-climbing wall, bounce house, live music, games and more fun for the whole family! PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE Continuous free entertainment for all ages, all weekend long!
1:00p.m., 4:00p.m. –ANDY “THE MUSIC MAN”: a well-versed children’s musician renowned for delighting audiences of all ages through sing-a-longs, dancing, play-acting and storytelling.
2:00p.m. – PARK PLAYHOUSE: Washington Park’s beloved theater group offers exciting sneak previews of their 2024 musical productions The Marvelous Wonderettes, Legally Blonde & Finding Nemo Jr.
2:45p.m., 4:45p.m. – MELVIN THE MAGNIFICENT: Melvin is a professional magician played by Joe Goode, his shows are action packed, interactive, and sure to bring huge laughs from the entire audience.
3:30p.m., 5:30p.m. – RUTH PELHAM: Ruth Pelham of the Music Mobile is a Capital Region musical treasure, exuberantly promoting her mission of building peaceful communities through original songs for all ages.
KISS 102.3’S WELLNESS STAGE
Free wellness classes for all ages, all weekend long!
KeyBank, Discover Albany and DGS present the 518 Tulip Tracker!
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024
CARILLON CONCERT 11:30 a.m. – noon, outside Albany City Hall Amy Heebner performs a special Tulip Festival musical program on Albany City Hall’s historic 1927 carillon, a unique instrument consisting of 49 bells that range in size from 27 to 11,200 pounds.
STREET SCRUBBING 12:00 p.m., State & Lodge Streets The traditional Dutch ceremony of scrubbing the streets clean before a big celebration has served as the official kickoff to Tulip Festival weekend for 76 years. This unique Albany event will include Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s Tulip Festival opening proclamation and a procession from City Hall featuring Albany High School students in Dutch costume, the Dutch Settlers Society, bagpiper Michele Lyons, 2023 Tulip Queen and Court, along with 2024 Tulip Queen finalists.
TULIP FESTIVAL LUNCHEON 12:30 p.m., The Blake Annex Immediately following the Street Scrubbing, the Tulip Festival Luncheon is a farewell and thank you to 2023 Albany Tulip Queen Olivia Owens and her Court. Proceeds from the Tulip Festival Luncheon will benefit the Tulip Court’s educational programs via the Capital City Fund, a component fund of United Way of the Greater Capital Region. Tickets are required.
LOVE ALBANY – MOVIES UNDER THE STARS
7:30 p.m., Washington Park
Part of Love Albany’s Movies Under The Stars series, presented by Christ’s Church Albany, The City of Albany and other organizations. Admission is free, and the night’s movie will be Barbie. Family activities will start at 7:30pm, followed by the movie at 8:30pm. More information on the series can be found at: Love Albany’s 2024 Movies Under the Stars
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024 ROYAL TULIP BALL 6:30 p.m., Albany Capital Center An elegant evening of dining and dancing to honor the new Tulip Queen & Court. Proceeds benefit the Capital City Fund. Tickets are required.
TULIP BULB AND DIG SALE
Saturday, May 18th: Tulip Dig Begins 9:00 a.m. at the Moses Fountain The City will provide tools, but please bring a garden fork (NOT a shovel) if you have one. Bulbs are $10 for a bag of 30 while supplies last. The tulip dig is limited strictly to designated beds, under the direction of park staff and volunteers and ends promptly at 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 19th: Tulip Sale Begins 9:00 a.m. at the Lakehouse The remaining bulbs are first come / first serve and are $10 for a bag of 30.The sale is open while supplies last. More info can be found at HERE PARKING & SHUTTLES FREECDTA shuttle runs continuously to Washington Park from Eagle Street Garage (at Eagle & Madison Ave) & Elk Street Parking Lot (at Elk & Hawk Streets) throughout the festival. Handicap parking available at Albany Medical Center lot at Robin & Morris Streets. A free, accessible CDTA shuttle runs to and from the Madison & New Scotland entrance to the park throughout the festival. Find more parking options at www.parkalbany.com.
The Lake George DJ Takeover Music & Arts Festival will take place again this year at the Barn at French Mountain from June 7-9. Presented by All We Do Is Epic Dot Com, the festival will host DJs from all along the East Coast coming together to provide an eclectic mix of music.
The festival site is located just a mile and a half south of the village of Lake George and features 10 acres of countryside fields, a whole western town and the beautiful skyline of French Mountain.
The Lake George DJ Takeover Music & Arts Festival has different themes and agendas for each day of music, some coming with age restrictions.
Friday night, June 7, is Country and Rock Night with line dancing from 6:30-8:30 pm and a host of DJs and motivational dancers performing until 11:30 pm. Ages are 18 and older for this session.
Saturday, June 8, is a Super Kids Party from 12-3 pm at just $10.00 a carload. It’s a high energy, interactive dance party for children with special effects, group led activities and suitable music for all ages.
Later that night, the EDM festival runs from 3–11 pm on the main stage with a lineup of DJs from across the East Coast, amazing sound and lighting and special effects. Ages are 16 and older for this session.
A group of joyful children happily spending time at Kids neon disco party
Sunday, June 9, is the Lake George PRIDE Festival from 12-7 pm on the main stage. Amazing DJs will help celebrate pride like never before! Ages are 18 and over for this session. The festival has many lodging options nearby with a campground, and a few hotels within walking distance, and even more options within a short drive.
Tickets for the The Lake George DJ Takeover Music & Arts Festival are currently on a reduced early bird rate, and groups can also contact the festival for savings with a minimum of 10 people. Check out the festival website to learn more about the artists, purchase tickets, and even contact the festival directly with any questions, ideas, or comments.
Dan Navarro brought his decades of finely crafted songs and well-honed performance skills to a standing-room only house at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs on Friday, May 3.
Dan Navarro at Caffe Lena
Navarro, who introduced himself by promising his audience “two hours of the most depressing songs you’ve ever heard”, delivered two sets of original contemporary folk songs, all of which he wrote or co-wrote, including “Circling The Drain”, which he opened the show with, “Bullet Proof Heart”, “Rose In The Window”, “Horizon Line” and “We Belong”. He performed on both six and twelve string Taylor acoustic guitars.
Dan Navarro at Caffe Lena
Dan preceded some of his performances with explanations as to how the song came to be written or the dynamics of co-writing. He talked of how co-writer Deborah Holland suggested he might want to listen to some lyrics she wrote for a song she’d titled “Circling The Drain”, to which he commented that he thought it was the “worst song idea I’ve ever heard”, and then she sent what she’d written so far and the song ultimately became their co-write of that title. He described how at one point he really didn’t think “We Belong”, which he co-wrote with long time songwriting and performing partner Eric Lowen, would amount to much, and then it became a huge hit for Pat Benatar and continues to appear in film, TV and countless other placements. And he described his long relationship with Eric Lowen as having been like that of an old married couple, saying: “We hung together for over thirty years, fought like hell and never had sex.”
Dan Navarro at Caffe Lena
Dan Navarro graced the crowd with a wonderful and inspiring pearl of wisdom about life based upon his own experiences, saying: “If I’d have stood on my anger, my pride and my bitterness, I’d have never lived the life I’ve lived…or had the successes I’ve had…When you’re swimming in poison, regret and fear and someone reaches out with an olive branch…do it.” Then he launched into “Bulletproof Heart”, one of his solo writes, and told us after he finished the song that at a recent performance in Arizona, the woman who inspired the song showed up. He didn’t elaborate!
Dan Navarro at Caffe Lena
Toward the end of the show, he told the audience that he continues to perform in his seventies simply because he loves it, and that that love of what he does drives him to the point that he doesn’t believe he can ever stop. Judging from the crowd’s reaction to his performance of song after song, his audiences will never stop showing up to listen.
Dan Navarro at Caffe Lena
Navarro was backed up by bass player/recording engineer Mark Dann of Woodstock, NY who varied between laying down supportive, mindfully chosen simple accompaniment to Navarro’s single note playing and weaving skillfully crafted, spontaneous, lead-guitar-like melodic base lines into Navarro’s chordal passages. Navarro pointed out that he and Dann had not had a single practice session, but that he’d given the bass player no more than a set list, and presumably the key and basic progression for each song. Mark Dann’s skills at producing spontaneous creativity were quite evident.
Mark Dann, bassist for Dan Navarro at Caffe Lena
The show was part of Navarro’s continuing 2024 US tour, with NY performances at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs and Song Salon at Graveside Variety in Woodstock; and in support of his most recent solo album release, “Horizon Line”, and his duo album with James Lee Stanley, “All Wood and Led”, which he described as an acoustic “Laurel Canyon” reimagination of famous Led Zeppelin tunes, from which he played his version of “Whole Lotta Love”.
Dan Navarro at Caffe Lena
In addition to his work for decades as a singer songwriter, which have included not only his own recordings, songs he has written or cowritten have been recorded and performed by Pat Benatar, The Bangles, The Temptations, Dionne Warwick and others. Navarro’s songs have appeared in films including Deadpool 2, Pitch Perfect 2 and Talladega Nights and TV series including This Is Us and The Office. And he has performed as a singer and voice actor in movies including Encanto, Coco, Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, and Pirates of the Carribean 5, to name a few.
Dan Navarro at Caffe Lena
During the show Navarro mentioned that it “means the world to me to be in this room” and told the audience that his ties to Caffe Lena go back to 1986 when he and his former co-writing and performance duo partner, Eric Lowen, sat in a field not far from Saratoga at Lowen’s parents’ house staring at the stars and Lowen told him about Caffe Lena’s rich history. Navarro first played at Caffe Lena in 1998 and has played and taught songwriting there on numerous occasions since.
Dan Navarro at Caffe Lena
A tribute to Navarro’s songwriting skill was the presence of numerous New York State local and regional songwriters in the crowd – Michael Eck who recently performed at Caffe Lena with a release party for his CD “fermata”, Brad Cole of Rhinebeck who has opened for Dan, Carl Rubino who has co-written with Navarro, and CB Smith.
Dan Navarro at Caffe Lena
For his final song, Dan and his bass player worked their way on to the middle of Caffe Lena’s packed floor where he did “We Belong” raw, with no mic or PA. His performance at this legendary listening room once again made evident how special the intimate performances of a smaller venue like Caffe Lena are. You just can’t get the same relationship between performer and audience in a stadium or even large hall.
Dan Navarro at Caffe LenaDan Navarro at Caffe LenaDan Navarro at Caffe LenaDan Navarro at Caffe LenaDan Navarro at Caffe LenaDan Navarro at Caffe LenaDan Navarro at Caffe Lena
A pair of indie rock’s most influential bands showcased two of their impactful albums on Friday, May 3rd at the MVP Arena in Albany, as The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie teamed up for an impressive co-headlining bill. The bands were celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of their most celebrated albums (The Postal Service, Give Up and Death Cab for Cutie, Transatlanticism), with each band performing their respective album in full.
The tour itself was born out of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of The Postal Service’s iconic (and only) studio release, Give Up. The album started as a collaborative effort between Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) and electronic wiz Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel). The album, which was praised for its creative efforts, saw the tracks written with the two mailing demo CD-Rs back and forth until reaching completion. The duo would eventually add Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley) to the mix, and The Postal Service was born.
Wisconsin based Slow Pulp opened the show and provided a 35 minute set of dreamy, indie-pop tracks. From their opener, “Idaho”, the band had the early arriving crowd caught in a shoegaze induced trance.
The near capacity crowd had filled the seats when Death Cab For Cutie took to the stage. The band, all dressed in black, opened with the dramatic crescendo of “The New Year,” and continued on to perform their critically acclaimed album Transatlanticism in entirety. The album, which tells the tale of the struggles and emotions that come with a long-distance relationship, likely served as the soundtrack for many in attendance as they navigated love and loss during their adolescence.
Gibbard brilliantly wove the audience through the musical journey, which saw classic Death Cab tracks like “Title and Registration” and “Expo ’86”. Late in the set, Gibbard and his band mates performed epic renditions of the album’s title track, as well as “Passenger Seat,” both of which saw the arena illuminate with cellphone lights and even a lighter or two, a call back to the original era of this music.
Excitement was palpable through out the packed arena well before the house lights dimmed and The Postal Service made their way to the stage. Now dressed in all white, Gibbard, along with Jenny Lewis whipped the arena in to a frenzy from the opening synth notes of “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight.” While the album would cover similar themes as Transatlanticsm, the sadness and sorrow were masked with upbeat synths, sounds, and drum loops, curated by Tamborello. Highlights of the set included Gibbard and Lewis dueting on “Nothing Better” as well as the dark and isolative “This Place is a Prison”.
Gibbard and Lewis would return to the stage to perform an acoustic rendition of “Such Great Heights”, an rendition of the Give Up track which was made famous by Iron & Wine. It was the second performance of the song on this evening, as the band had previously performed the more upbeat version during the main set. It was a treat for those in attendance to hear the diverse renditions of the song, and a testament to the songwriting and musical talents displayed on the album.
