At Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, a captivated audience was on hand for the June 9 performance from Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams.
The second of two nights for the Woodstock couple at the historic venue, each night was opened by Jenna Nicholls, who brought a unique voice to the stage, one that is tailor made for Caffe Lena. With Jon LaDeau on guitar alongside her, Nicholls opened with a ukulele song that had an old timey radio sound, making horn sounds via bilabial fricative while she plucked away.
A resident of Saugerties, Nicholls cited the Jalopy Music Hall scene for her folk/Americana sound, one that is as unique as it is intriguing. Add in some cowboy songs and a little yodeling, and Nicholls rightfully has earned her first headline show at Caffe Lena on January 18, 2025.
Woodstock locals Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, fresh off the release of All This Time earlier this year, took the stage around 9pm for a mesmerizing set. Joined by former Hot Tuna drummer (and longtime Midnight Ramble production manager) Justin Guip and bassist Branden Morrison (whose tone was on point all night), the band opened with the lead single from All This Time, “Desert Island Dreams.”
During the show, Campbell was impressively augmenting his guitar sound to have that of a slide guitar, minus the slide. He mentioned that his father grew up in The Bronx, while Williams mentioned her home of Peckerwood Point, TN, in a dry county, just north of Memphis.
Performing much of their new album in order – “All this Time,” “Ride with Me,” “The Way You Make me Feel” and others, Campbell and Williams would pause between songs to share stories, including those involving legendary drummer, Levon Helm. Sharing a story from the recording of Electric Dirt, Campbell recalled that Levon suggested the duo start their first record, which would be recorded at Levon’s barn in Woodstock. One of those tracks would end up on their recent release, the George Jones/Gene Pitney composition, “That’s All it Took.”
A mid show cover of Duke Ellington’s “Caravan” was time for all four on stage to shine, as seen below.
A deep cut of American comedy and vaudeville came to light with “A Little Better,” a song referencing Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, bringing to mind the simple joys of life that can make you feel better, by watching ‘Stan and Ollie Dance.’
Stories from Williams of ‘pew jumpers’ at revivals down south peppered the set, noting the spirit of the music that compelled even the most devout to rise from their seats in joy and exultation. A cover of “Long Black Veil” by Lefty Frizzell featured Larry Campbell on mandolin and tugged at your emotions as Teresa Williams belted out the lyrics in the small confines of Caffe Lena.
A cover of Helm’s “Poor Old Dirt Farmer” off Dirt Farmer, which featured Campbell as producer and on multiple instruments and was engineered by Guip, was presented as a ‘cajun waltz’ but had a distinct sound of having Irish and Appalachian roots.
The penultimate song, “When I Stopped Loving You” was a highlight of the night, as was the Julie Miller penned “I Love You.” The encore of “Down on My Knees” was followed by a rousing rendition of the Grateful Dead classic, “Sugaree.” The duo spent time meeting fans in the lobby of Caffe Lena, discussing songs and their show and taking photos, a treat to close out a spectacular performance.
On July 20, 2024, catch Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams with musical friends old and new at their inaugural July Jam at Arrowood Farms in Accord. Get tickets here.
The premier New York summer event for Deadheads and jam band enthusiasts is back. The Circus of the Dead Festival will be returning to Lee’s Campground in Saratoga Springs on June 21 and 22 for a literally jam-packed weekend of performances celebrating the spirit of the Grateful Dead.
2024 marks the second year of Saratoga Springs’ spin on their annual Circus of Life Festival, Circus of the Dead, which stemmed from a visit by Dead and Company in 2023 while they were on their final tour. While the Grateful Dead will sadly not be touring in Saratoga Springs this year, or anywhere for that matter, this year’s festival is still set to deliver an experience for Deadheads of all ages.
Highlights among the bands set to perform include high-octane new-funk electrofusion and dance band Kung Fu, never-before-heard supergroup Uncle Vin’s Band, featuring Vinnie Amico, Nate Wilson, and Al Schnier from moe.., Marc Brownstein of The Disco Biscuits, and Max Verna of The Ominous Seapods. This extraordinary supergroup promises a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration that will blow your mind and leave you craving more. Plus don’t miss genre-bending one-man band Keller Williams, who’s playing a must-see Dead Infusion set. Multiple performances will also include light shows and other visual effects. 16 other bands are billed to play during the densely packed two-day festival.
Beyond the performing artists, a variety of activities and attractions for guests will be available during the weekend. Art installations and workshops, food and merchandise vendors, circus acts and performances and LED walls, lasers and light shows will all be present to enhance everyone’s experience.
General admission tickets cover both days of the weekend and also include the ability to tent or car camp. Tickets for no-camp single days are also available, as well as early arrival and RV passes. General admission tickets are $176.88, and single-day tickets are $74.64.
The first ever Belmont Festival in Saratoga Springs kicked off in grand fashion on Wednesday night, June 5th. Ahead of the historic weekend, concert goers turned out by the thousands for the official opening, a block party dubbed ‘Belmont on Broadway’ headlined by the Grammy Award winning rock band Blues Traveler.
Often referred to as “the Summer place to be,” the enthusiastic atmosphere could be felt all over the city. Propelled by the distinct voice of the legendary John Popper and his scorching array of harmonicas and harmonies, the good-time vibes were off the charts, contagious and perhaps a little rowdy.
Belmont on Broadway: Fans flocked to Saratoga Springs for a free Blues Traveler performance on 6/5/2024.
With the six-day festival expected to bring the Spa City more than $50 million in revenue, the massive crowds also meant massive business for the local shops and restaurants downtown. People of all ages lined every inch and stoop of Broadway, arriving early to catch the opening set from eight-piece local rock and soul ensemble Tops of Trees. With a steady influx of concertgoers packing in like sardines by the time the charismatic Pat McGee Band took the stage, it was Grade A entertainment all around as friends, families, and strangers stood shoulder-to-shoulder, sweaty and smiling on this humid summer night in early June.
And They’re Off: The Pat McGee Band got the party started early in Saratoga on 6/5/2024.
With stellar production services provided by the fine folks at High Peaks Production, the overall program ran incredibly smooth and both looked and sounded great from the start. After a brief word from organizers, the winners of the Belmont on Broadway window decoration contest were announced as Heidi Owen West and Stacey D’Andrea-Goodman of the Lifestyles of Saratoga boutique. Clearing the stage shortly after 8pm, it was finally time for the band everybody came out to see.
Dancing in the Streets: Concert fans lined the streets of Saratoga ahead of the Blues Traveler performance on 6/5/2024.
Once ruling the radio with chart toppers from their massive, multi-platinum selling album Hook, the beloved improv-heavy rockers from Princeton, New Jersey, Blues Traveler proved they still know how to party like it’s 1994. No stranger to headlining festivals, the band is credited as the driving force behind the original H.O.R.D.E. (Horizons of Rock Developing Everywhere) festival that successfully toured the country from 1992 to 1998, including memorable stops at SPAC just up the road. Once again playing up to a massive crowd all these years later, Blues Traveler hit them with hits early and often.
Hey babe, let’s keep in touch: John Popper sings “Run-Around” with Blues Traveler in Saratoga Springs 6/5/2024.
Consisting of harmonica wizard and band leader John Popper, along with guitarist Chan Kinchla, bassist Tad Kinchla, keyboard player Ben Wilson and drummer Brandon Hill, Blues Traveler opened with perhaps their most popular song, “Run-Around” resulting in city-wide sing-along that’s still reverberating somewhere down Caroline Street. Demonstrating their propensity to jam, Popper would catch fire early, utilizing his signature array of custom harmonicas to blow the audience away on a “Dropping Some NYC” > “Moby Dick” > “NY Prophesie” sandwich.
Dressed in a familiar floppy-brimmed hat and looking as healthy as he has in years, the band would find it’s lengthiest groove on the psychedelic Kingpin rocker “But Anyway,” while fans then took the opportunity to spark up during a cover of Tom Petty’s “Mary Janes’s Last Dance.” The heartfelt “Mountains Win Again” was perhaps the most emotional song of the evening, followed up by perhaps the funkiest in a cover of the Son Seals classic, “Funky Bitch,” which many fans often confuse as a Phish original.
Blues Traveler performing in Saratoga Springs on 6/5/2024.
Segueing nicely into an equally funky “War Pigs” keyboard jam before alligator-ing at breakneck speed into a ferocious, foot stomping rendition of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” (which the band humorously changed to “The Devil Went Down to Saratoga”), the melodic interplay between Popper and Chad Kinchla’s colorful guitar solos would shine bright all night long, but especially on 1997’s “Carolina Blues.”
Tasty Licks: Guitarist Chan Kinchla preforming with Blues Traveler on 6/5/2024.
Gracefully dipping off stage while each member of the band was given the chance to solo in the spotlights, Popper would lead Blues Traveler through the remainder of the set that combined an easy melodic flow crossed with a plethora of choice cover songs and sophisticated soul-funk boogie. With highlights that also included teases of Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” and Aerosmith’s “Eat the Rich,” Blues Traveler would bring the main portion of the set to a close with a massive sing along to their smash hit “Hook.”
With the curfew rapidly approaching and the enthusiastic Spa City crowd still eating it up and begging for more, the band would insight the famous “Toga” chant from the Animal House film, before encoring with one final cover, ZZ Top’s “La Grange.” A great evening of music powered by a band that’s stood the test of time, the atmosphere in downtown Saratoga Springs was downright electric and made you hope ‘the powers that be’ will take notice and introduce more events like this one in the future. For now, you can re-live this entire performance via tapper audio at the link below courtesy of Archive.org.
“The newsman said not to sit on strange toilet seats / It’s my life he’s trying to save, but anyway I found out that I got eye cancer / Too many television waves, but anyway” – Lyrics to Blues Traveler’s “But Anyway”
Up next for the band, Blue Traveler will take the rest month off before returning to the legendary Red Rocks in Morrison, CO for their annual 4th of July throwdown. Later this August, you can catch them back in New York with a pair of dates at Lewiston Artpark and the Perinton Center Park Amphitheater in Fairport.
Blues Traveler | June 5,2024 | Belmont on Broadway | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Run-Around > Things Are Looking Up, Dropping Some NYC > Moby Dick > Bass Solo > NY Prophesie > Dropping Some NYC, But Anyway, Mary Jane’s Last Dance, Mountains Win Again, Funky Bitch > War Pigs Jam > Devil Went Down to Georgia, Carolina Blues > Drums > Hook.
Encore: La Grange.
The Pat McGee Band | June 5,2024 | Belmont on Broadway | Saratoga Springs, NY
Caffè Lena has been a continuously operating folk coffee house since 1960 and Tom Rush has been a continuously performing folk musician for just about as long. That certainly made Rush, who released his first album in 1962 and recorded for Prestige, Elektra, and Columbia records in the 60s and 70s, a perfect selection for Caffè Lena’s Folk Heritage Series which brought the New England troubadour to the stage for two shows on Friday, May 31.
Tom Rush at Caffe Lena. Photo by Derek Java.
In the early bird set, which kicked off just after 5 pm to the delight of the mostly-baby boomer crowd, Rush performed a tight 70 minute set that showcased his wide-ranging skills as a songwriter, storyteller, bluesman, interpreter, and champion of other songwriters from his generation.
Tom Rush at Caffe Lena. Photo by Derek Java.
After the packed house welcomed Rush to the stage, he joked that he was in the sixty-third year of his farewell tour and kicked into “Making the Best of a Bad Situation” a talking blues that featured a number of narrative follies and established the lighthearted and humorous nature that continued throughout the set.
Upon completion of the first number, Matt Nakoa took the helm of the legendary Caffè Lena upright piano and accompanied Rush for most of the night. Nakoa, a songwriter who hails from Kerhonkson, NY, looks startlingly like the young, pre-mustachioed Tom Rush as captured in the photo that adorns the album cover of The Circle Game (1968). Nakoa also displayed a dexterous and adaptable approach to the keyboards all night, ranging in styles from barrelhouse to boogie-woogie to straight ahead rock n’ roll. “Hot Tonight” was an apt place in the set for Nakoa to join in since his playing certainly raised the temperature of the music on the stage for the duration of the concert.
Matt Nakoa caught in reflection at Caffe Lena. Photo by Derek Java.
Nakoa is also the producer of Rush’s most recent album “Gardens Old, Flowers New”, which was released in March of this year. “Won’t Be Back At All” was the first of three numbers that the duo played from this latest album. Rush joked that he learned a long time ago that he should play new songs early in a set in case he needed to redeem himself for any missteps, but despite his self-deprecation, the three new songs included in the set were among the most poignant of the night.
True to his word, Rush followed a recently recorded track with a song nearly 60 years old: Joni Mitchell’s “The Circle Game”. Rush recounted that he first met Joni Mitchell in 1966 while he was doing a two week residency in Detroit at the famed The Chess Mate folk and blues club. He was two years overdue on an album for Elektra and asked the budding songstress if she had anything he could record. Shortly thereafter, Mitchell sent Rush a six song demo tape, humbly introducing “The Circle Game” as something she didn’t think was all that good. Rush’s reverential rendition reminded the audience of just how wrong Mitchell was – the lyrics remain spellbinding and perceptive. In many ways, Rush’s baritone, grown gravelly with age, continues to be the perfect foil for the lyrics, “we can’t return, we can only look / behind from where we came / and go round and round / in the circle game. Rush, who alternated between a standard-tuned acoustic, a 12-string, and his open-tuned, signature Martin guitar (replete with naked-lady-wrapped-up-in-a-snake inlay) mentioned that while David Crosby takes the credit, he’s pretty sure he was the one to first introduce Mitchell to open-tuning (something she became famous for). Rush said he’s pretty sure he was the one who showed Crosby how to do it too!
Tom Rush at Caffe Lena. Photo by Derek Java.
Rush continued to school the audience in the ways of the old folk house with Sleepy John Estes’ “Drop Down Mama” which featured an exquisite barroom piano solo by Nakoa. Rush, who hails from New Hampshire, went to college at Harvard and got a second degree in the folk music of 1960s Cambridge clubs where he saw numerous blues and bluegrass legends, Estes included.
Rush then turned the stage over to Nakoa for an interlude of piano instrumentals that shared one quality – they were scores for film. “Tumbleweed Tango” was a clever and playful piece that was commissioned to score a short animation about two balloon animal dogs (check out the video on YouTube if you get a chance). The impressionistic “8MM Home Movies” was inspired by Nakoa’s COVID lockdown with his father. Instead of family movie night, Nakoa’s dad fired up old 8MM home videos and Nakoa was inspired to rewrite an old composition from his high school days that conjured up the images of his youthful grandparents.
Matt Nakoa at Caffe Lena. Photo by Derek Java.
Then Rush returned to the mic for “The Remember Song”, which was probably the highlight of the evening in terms of crowd response. Written by Steven Walters, the song captures exactly what it feels like to misplace the phone or walk into a room without knowing quite why you’re in there. Improbably, a 2007 upload of “The Remember Song” has 7.7M views on YouTube (a true viral sensation)– and Rush made it clear he’s never seen a dime from those clicks. Maybe, he mused, it was the same guy clicking it over and over and forgetting that he’d watched it in the first place.
“Siena’s Song” was a tender ballad for his daughter. Rush wrote the track more than 20 years ago and revisited the lyrics at the behest of his 25-year-old daughter. His young daughter may also have influenced the addendum Rush added to the lyrics of “Ladies Love Outlaws” to bring the 70s hit for Waylon Jennings up to date in 2024: “Outlaws touch the ladies somewhere deep down in their soul, but never without proper consent,” sang the hip octogenarian.
Tom Rush at Caffe Lena. Photo by Derek Java.
In the same way Rush paid tribute to Mitchell, his take on Jackson Browne’s classic “These Days” was a reminder of Rush’s role as champion of great songwriters. Browne wrote the song when he was only 16 and Rush was one of the first to record any songs written by the young prodigy.
“Lost My Drivin’ Wheel”, penned by Canadian David Wiffen, followed the Browne number and brought to mind Rush’s years as a Columbia recording artist in the 1970s at the height of the country- and folk-rock music. “Drivin’ Wheel” featured an extended soulful and percussive organ solo from Nakoa. The rock and roll spirit continued for a medley of the rock standards “Who Do You Love?” and “Hey! Bo Diddley”. Rush, a clever, twinkle-in-the-eye English major at heart, cracked up the audience by singing the lyrics “WHOM do you love?”.
Tom Rush at Caffe Lena. Photo by Derek Java.
The encore for the early evening was the aptly titled “I Quit” which also closes out Rush’s new album. The tune could apply to quitting a job or relationship or a music career, but Tom Rush is in no hurry to leave the spotlight and shows no signs of slowing down. Heck, he had a second sold out show at 8 pm.
Setlist: Making the Best of a Bad Situation, Hot Tonight*, Won’t Be Back At All*, Circle Game*, Drop Down Mama*, Tumbleweed Tango**, 8MM Home Movies**, The Remember Song, Siena’s Song, Ladies Love Outlaws*, These Days*, Lost My Drivin’ Wheel*, Who Do You Love?/Hey! Bo Diddley Medley*
Encore: I Quit *
*Accompanied by Matt Nakoa on piano and keyboard ** Matt Nakoa solo (instrumental piano compositions)
Tom Rush at Caffe Lena. Photo by Derek Java.Tom Rush at Caffe Lena. Photo by Derek Java.Tom Rush at Caffe Lena. Photo by Derek Java.Tom Rush at Caffe Lena. Photo by Derek Java.
Pride month is upon us once again, and New York has no shortage of inclusive pride events. From live music events to festivals, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Below you’ll find a complete guide to New York State’s pride events this coming June, from Long Island to Rochester.
Albany
May 31, 5:00 PM: Start Pride on the right foot with the Waterworks Pub’s Pride Kick-Off block party and BBQ. Admission is free!
June 1, 9:00 PM: Pay homage to queer art with ICONS: A Pride Variety Show and Party at Lark Hall. The celebration begins with a pre-show party from 9-11, where there will be giveaways and teaser performances. The main show, ICONS- The Variety Show, will feature drag queens Brita Filter, Lagoona Bloo, Amanda Blair, and many more. The fun does not stop after the show. An after party with DJ Synes will begin at midnight and continue until 2 AM. Tickets are available here.
June 9, 11:30 AM: Capital Pride Parade & Festival will take place in Washington Park. Registration can be found at the following link, and proceeds go to the Pride Center of the Capital Region’s programming advocating for the LGBTQ+ community.
Troy
June 15, 2:00-6:00 PM: Join Collar City Pride for their picnic in Troy’s Prospect Park. The barbecue will feature vegan and non-vegan options, snacks, and beverages. There is a suggested donation on a sliding scale, and everyone is invited to bring lawn games, speakers, and frisbees.
July 14: The pride celebration continues into July, with performances by Typhoid Mary and DJ Lovely Candela. More queer artists and drag performers are to be announced. Good Karma Studios will also be performing an acrobatic act. There will be a family section with balloon animals and a drag story hour. There will also be over 40 vendors, most of whom are from Rensselaer County and LGBTQ+ owned and operated. The festival will be held in Riverfront Park, further details can be found on the facebook page linked here.
Schenectady
June 1, 10:00 AM: The Dynasty will introduce their first ever wrestling event for this year’s pride celebration. “Sounds Gay, I’m In” will be held at Gateway Park. The festival will begin at 10:00 AM, and the wrestling will begin at 6:00 PM. All ages are welcome, and more information is available at the following link.
Saratoga Springs
May 30, 2:45: Join the Ballston Spa High School in the raising of the pride flag.
June 27, 6:00 PM: LGBTQ parents and children are invited to Saratoga Arts’ “POP” Gathering (parents of pride). The event will feature arts, crafts, and community building activities for the whole family. More information can be found here. Saratoga Arts hosts the event monthly, so dates will be available all year!
July 11, 6:30 PM: Join Saratoga Pride members for their Cornhole League. The informal, weekly drop-in league costs $15 a ticket, which offers guests a 20% discount on all food and drinks. Tournaments will be held at Saratoga Winery, and guests are encouraged to support the local restaurant. There will be more sessions every Thursday throughout the summer, with the tournament finals on August 29.
June 23, 2:00 PM: Saratoga’s Pride festival will return to High Rock Park this year, with an after party to follow. The family friendly event will feature live music, family activities, and community groups. Food and ice cream will also be available for purchase on site.
Lake George
Lake George Pride Festival, ages 16+ (under 16 admitted with parent/guardian only), featuring DJs from the community representing, vendor village, disc golf, frisbee golf, lawn games, walking trails, photo areas, cash bar and more! $20 to enter, brought to you in partnership by Warren County and The Lake George Area and powered by Rocavaka and Goldstein Auto Group.
Binghamton
June 20, 6:00 PM: Binghamton Pride Coalition will host a clothing swap from June 3-10. Participants are asked to donate gently used, clean clothes and accessories at Butterfields. On June 20, the clothes will be organized and displayed for people to choose. There is a suggested donation of $10, which will be donated to Identity LGBTQ+ Youth Center in Binghamton. The invitation is available at the following link.
June 8, 12:00 PM: Pride Palooza will return this year to Otsiningo Park. Guests are invited to bring their own picnic blankets and lunches to enjoy live music and entertainment. Local food vendors will be available, and admission is free! The flyer is available at the following link. There will also be a firework show in Martin Luther King Jr. Park & Promenade.
June 21, 5:00 PM: Join Southern Tier Aids Program (STAP) in celebrating their 40 year anniversary. STAP will hold a gala at the Binghamton DoubleTree, and admission costs $50. Tickets are available at the following link. STAP will honor the dedication of Drew and Gertrude Noden, whose support of their AIDS Ride for Life fundraiser has been instrumental. STAP also thanks JPMorgan & Chase for their generosity and allyship. A cash bar will be available, and there are menu options for vegetarian and vegan guests.
Otsego County
June 1, 2:00 PM: Otsego Pride Alliance will host their annual Pridefest. The festival will be held on Main Street in Oneonta. Parade line up begins at 1:00 PM, and the route will begin at 27 Market St to Elm St. Guests are asked to bring a chair, water, cash to tip performers and flags. The full schedule can be found below, and the event is open to the public.
June 13, 7:00 PM: Otsego Pride Alliance will host a Baseball Pride Night at Damaschke Field. Admission is $5, with discounts available to seniors and students.
June 1: Winners of the “Pets for Pride” event will be announced at the OPA’s Pridefest. Voting is open to decide on the winner, cast your ballot at the following link.
Hudson Valley
May 30, 6:00-10:00 PM: Dutchess County Pride Center is throwing Poughkeepsie’s Kick off Party for pride month. The Factory at Sloop Brewing will host the party, with appetizers and drinks available. There will be special programing to commemorate the 100 year mark of the modern pride movement, and guests will be offered a sneak peek of the Annual Pride Auction items before they’re released to the public. Tickets are available at the following link.
June 1, 8:00 AM- 1:00 PM: Habitat Newburgh will host a Pride Build, bringing together members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to help those in need. Attendees will help build affordable homes for local families, and celebrate pride while making a difference. Volunteers can register here.
June 1, 12:00-5:00 PM: New Paltz Pride Coalition and Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center will host their annual Pride March & Festival in Hasbrouck Park. Voting for local Pride Marshall is also open, cast your ballot at the following link. More information about the festival and parade is available here.
June 1, 12:00-4:00 PM: Join Opus 40 and Queer Conspiracy for a family-friendly celebration of pride in the Hudson Valley. The picnic will be held at Opus 40 in Saugerties, and carpool tickets are available here. The event will feature a drag story hour, live music, a kids dance party, and local vendors.
June 1, 4:00-7:00 PM: Join DJ Trevor for an afternoon tea party in Pine Plains. More info about the dance celebration is available here.
June 1, 7:00: Join Hudson Valley Improv for their celebration of PrideProv! Doors open at 6:45 and the show starts at 7:00. The show will be held at Boughton Place in Highland. Tickets are only available online at the following link. A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to GLSEN, a non-profit dedicated to ending discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.
June 2, 9:00-10:15 AM: Inspired by Holi and powered by pride, Pound Ridge Partnership and the Human Rights Advisory Committee have come together to host the 3rd annual Pound Ridge Color Run. The 5K race will begin at Pound Ridge Elementary School, and runners of all ages and abilities are welcome. Registration is available at the following link. Highlights from the 2022 race are available below.
June 2, 11:30 AM: Watch the White Plains raising of the Pride Flag outside the Michaelian Office Building. More information is available on The Loft LGBTQ’s instagram here.
Didn’t find an event in your town? A full list of Hudson Valley Pride Events is available here.
Catskills
June 15, 5:30: Catskills Pride will host an Awards Gala to honor champions of the LGBTQ+ community. The awards ceremony and following reception will be held at The Eldred Preserve. Tickets are available at the following link.
June 8, 1:00 PM: Woodstock Public Library will host a drag story hour and sparkle party with Katrina Mirage, who will read a book about peace, acceptance, and love. More information is available here.
Syracuse
June 13, 5:00 PM: Join the Syracuse Mets in their pride celebration. Enjoy a tailgate party with giveaways, a DJ, $1 hot dogs, and $2 beers. Everyone is welcome, tickets are available here.
June 22, 11:00 AM: Central New York Pride will host a Pride Parade and Festival in Progress Park. The parade will begin at 11:00 AM, and the festival will go from 12:00 to 5:00 PM. More information is available at the following link.
Watertown
June 2, 12:00 PM: Watertown NY Pride, Lewis County Pride, and Planned Parenthood of the North Country New York, Inc., have joined together to host their annual Pride Picnic.
June 14, 11:00 AM: Join Watertown NY Pride for their pickleball activity. Foster community while picking up a new hobby at the downtown YMCA. The event is open to beginners, and no sign up is necessary. 30 spots are available, the announcement is available at the following link.
Rochester
July 20, 11:00 AM: Celebrate pride at the Rochester Pride Festival at Highland Park. The festival will feature food, wine, beer, games, vendor tables, and live music and performances. Tickets are available for purchase at the following link.
July 14, 11:00 AM: Join the Rochester Rainbow Riders in this year’s Pride Ride. The race is 18+, and registration is available at the following link.
July 14, 12:00 PM: Celebrate pride at the annual Rochester Pride Picnic. There will be food trucks, DJs and dancing, a piano bar, a gift raffle, and community information tables. Check this link for ticket information, which is TBD.
Finger Lakes
June 7, 4:00 PM: Join Southern Finger Lakes Pride for their “Twas the Night Before Pride” event. There will be an official raising of the pride flag at 6:00 PM, and several activities throughout the evening. Art installations, drag bingo, and tarot readings are among the exciting activities SoFLX has scheduled for the event; find the full schedule here.
June 7: Southern Finger Lakes Pride will also host a 21+ dance party, featuring performances 5 DJs. There is a suggested donation of $5 for entry, which supports SoFLX and local breweries and restaurants. More information is available here.
June 8, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM: Southern Finger Lakes Pride will welcome back its Pride fest for the fifth year, with an exciting lineup of performers and a weekend of celebration. More details are available at the following link.
Ithaca
June 5, 8:30 PM: Ithaca Pride Alliance hosts weekly support meetings for LGBTQ+ youth. This is the first meeting of pride month, but the meetings take place every Wednesday. More information is available here.
June 8: The evening of June 8th will mark the beginning of the celebration, with speeches from Ithaca Pride Alliance and notable LGBTQ+ leaders in the community. The ceremony will take place on the Bernie Milton Pavillion at 6 PM, more details are available at the following link.
June 9, 2:00 PM: Pride in the Park will celebrate Ithaca’s LGBTQ+ community with food vendors, arts and crafts, and a resource fair. Performances will be held on the Pride Stage, including local bands, dance groups, and drag performances. More information is available here.
Buffalo
June 2, 202411:00 AM: Show off your pride at the Buffalo Pride Parade. The march is free and open to the public, though registration has ended. The parade will march along Elmwood Avenue, and volunteering positions are available at this link.
June 15, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM: Oliver Street Merchants’ Association presents the 4th annual Pride Fest at Heritage Park. Admission is free, and over 70 vendors will be there. All are welcome, more information is available here.
New York City PRIDE
Manhattan
June 28, 7:30 PM: City Winery at Pier 57 will host a documentary concert exploring the history of the Stonewall Uprising. Proceeds from ticket sales go to The Stonewall Community Foundation, which works towards liberation for all LGBTQ+ people. Enjoy the musical performances and oral history that make up the story of the Stonewall Uprising and the vibrant community culture it stemmed from. Tickets are on sale at the following link.
June 29, 12:00 PM: The South Street Seaport will host a Youth Pride event, celebrating LGBTQ+ teens and youth. The event is free, and a wide range of activities will be available, including carnival activities, free food and snacks, DJs, and musical performances. More information is available at the following link.
June 30, 11:00 AM: Join New York City’s 30th annual Pride March. The march began in 1970, on year after the Stonewall Uprising, and has continued the legacy of civil rights and awareness. The march will form on 25th St and 6th Ave, and move down to Christopher Street, passing the Stonewall Inn. Footage of the 2023 Pride Parade is available below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGl2QbxsjrI&t=51s
Brooklyn
June 7, 7:30 PM: In New York, enjoy Brooklyn Pride’s Movie Night for a screening of Sekiya Dorsett’s inspiring short film Caribbean Queen. RSVP here for a free ticket.
June 15, 12:00 PM: Join the Brooklyn LGBTQ+ community for a youth festival. Intended for kids and teens age 13-21, there will be arts and crafts, food, music, and giveaways. RSVP to attend at this link.
June 8, 12:00 PM: Brooklyn Pride’s Main Stage offers an exciting lineup this year, with a wide range of genres and performances. Find the full lineup of up and coming artists here.
Queens
June 2, 12:00 PM: Celebrate your Pride at the 32nd Queens New York Pride Parade. The parade will start in Jackson Heights, and the multicultural festival will memorialize Jackson Heights resident Julio Rivera, whose murder sparked community activism. Learn more about Julio Rivera here, and find more details about the parade at the following link.
June 28, 7:00 PM: Join the New York Mets in celebrating pride at Citi Field. The first 15,000 fans to arrive will receive an exclusive Mets hat. Festivities will include a DJ, in-game entertainment, Mets merchandise, and themed cocktails. Tickets are available here.
The Bronx
June 18,7:00 PM: Join the New York Yankees in celebrating Pride Night. A portion of every ticket sold will go to The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative. Purchase of a special event ticket includes a special edition hat, a hot dog, and your first drink of the game. More information is available here.
July 20, 11:00 AM: The 13th Annual Bronx Pride Fair will be held at the Crotona Park Amphitheater.
Staten Island
June 1, 12:00 PM: Celebrate pride with the Pride Center of Staten Island at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. The event will feature live music, art, activities, food, and performers. More information is available here.
Long Island
June 9, 12:00-5:00 PM: Huntington Village will host the 34th Annual Pride Parade and Festival. The parade will end with a concert and festival. More information is available here.
July 1-July 7: Commemorate the Fire Island Invasion of 1976 by recreating the event with the New York LGBT community. A longtime landmark in LGBTQ+ history, Fire Island has served as a safe haven for members of the community to express themselves freely. In 1976, after a restaurant in Fire Island Pines denied entry to a visitor in drag, the visitor and their friends stormed into the Pines dressed in drag. More information about this year’s recreation is available here.
The annual Stewart’s Signature Series at Skidmore College is back for 2024, with an exciting list of public summer events, starting June 24 and running until July 16. Events will take place between four different venues, which include Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the Arthur Zankel Music Center.
The series will kick off on Monday, June 24, with a reading by novelist Cristina Garcia and poet Megan Fernandes. The event will begin at 8 p.m. in Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor, on Skidmore’s campus. Additional highlights include a performance by Grammy Award-winning Panamanian pianist, Danilo Pérez and a reading given by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Paul Harding. Events will be held on the Skidmore College campus, or locally at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Caffe Lena.
“Stewart’s and the Dake family are proud to support Skidmore’s contribution to Saratoga’s arts community,” said Bill Dake, chairman of the board of Stewart’s Shops. “Saratoga’s eclectic mix of live events, from the excitement of horse racing to the enchantment of theater, dance, and music, encapsulates the essence of our city’s charm. The Stewart’s Signature Series plays an important part in the Saratoga summer experience, and we strongly encourage everyone — local residents and visitors — to seize the opportunity to attend these unique events at Skidmore.”
Stewart’s Signature Series has been an essential part of the Saratoga Springs summer cultural scene since 2017.
“Skidmore is excited to present the 2024 Stewart’s Signature Series,” said Auden Thomas, director of Skidmore’s Special Programs and Summer Academic Programs. “We are thrilled to play a part in bringing these amazing artists to our community during the vibrant summer months.”
Presented by the New York State Summer Writers Institute, novelist and Guggenheim Fellow Cristina Garcia, author of eight novels including “Dreaming in Cuban,” a finalist for the National Book Award, will read with poet Megan Fernandes, associate professor of English and writer-in-residence at Lafayette College.
A Conversation with New York Times Columnist John McWhorter
Friday, June 28, 8PM
Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor
John McWhorter is the author of 20 books and a regular columnist for The New York Times. His most recent book, “Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America,” critiques the way antiracism is often viewed and enacted in the leftist cultural sphere. McWhorter is in residence with the New York State Summer Writers Institute and will be joined by Institute Director Robert Boyers, professor of English at Skidmore College and editor of Salmagundi Magazine.
Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars
Sunday, June 30, 11:30 AM
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
In collaboration with Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, Skidmore Jazz Institute faculty members Clay Jenkins (trumpet), Steve Wilson (saxophone), Steve Davis (trombone), Mike Moreno (guitar), Bill Cunliffe (piano), Todd Coolman (bass), and Dennis Mackrel (drums) will be performing.
Danilo Pérez Trio
Tuesday, July 2, 7:30 PM
Arthur Zankel Music Center
Danilo Pérez
Danilo Pérez, a Grammy Award-winning Panamanian pianist and composer, is considered a paragon of creativity in contemporary music, blending influences from his Panamanian roots with Latin American folk music, West African rhythms, and European impressionism. In this concert, presented by the Skidmore Jazz Institute, he leads a trio featuring talented performers Ian Ashby (bass) and Adam Cruz (drums).
Jenny Offill and April Bernard
Thursday, July 4, 8 PM
Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor
Novelist Jenny Offill will join April Bernard for a reading of fiction and poetry. Offill’s second novel, “Department of Speculation,” was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2014 by the New York Times. Bernard is a poet and professor at Skidmore College and a past recipient of the Walt Whitman Award from the Academy of American Poets. The event is presented by the New York State Summer Writers Institute.
Poetry & Jazz: An Evening with Robert Pinsky, Todd Coolman, and Bill Cunliffe, with special guest Pat LaBarbera
Friday, July 5, 8PM
Caffe Lena
A collaboration between the Skidmore Jazz Institute and the New York State Summer Writers Institute yields an evening with former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, Grammy Award-winning musicians Todd Coolman (bass) and Bill Cunliffe (piano), and special guest Pat LaBarbera.
Alexa Tarantino Quartet
Tuesday, July 9, 7:30 PM
Arthur Zankel Music Center
Alexa Tarantino
The Skidmore Jazz Institute presents Alexa Tarantino, a rising alto saxophone star, educator, and composer, who will be performing alongside Grammy Award-winning musician Steven Feifke (piano) and Mark Whitfield Jr. (drums) and sought-after jazz player Raviv Markovitz (bass).
Paul Harding and Karan Mahajan
Tuesday, July 16, 8 PM
Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor
Paul Harding
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Tinkers,” Paul Harding, will read with novelist Karan Mahajan. Mahajan’s 2016 novel, “The Association of Small Bombs,” was a finalist for the National Book Awards. The event is presented by the New York State Summer Writers Institute.
Visit here for more information and to purchase tickets for the signature series.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center has announced their seventh annual Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists. The community festival celebrates over 700 of the Capital Region’s promising young artists, including dancers, musicians, poets, and visual artists. Pop-up performances and art displays will culminate in a large-scale production on the main stage.
Performing organizations include Empire State Youth Orchestra, Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet, Capital District Artis initiative. Additionally, an original musical composition 12th Grader Lucia Vysohlid will be performed by ESYO Symphony Orchestra, Capital District Youth Chorale, and singers from three local high schools.
Festival of Young Artists_2023. June 04, 2023 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, New York, USA
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is dedicated to providing New Yorkers access to the arts. Through their partnerships with nonprofits and over 120 schools, SPAC provides arts programing and outreach, prioritizing historically marginalized groups.
The festival’s theme is Rhythm, a thread that was woven throughout the 2024 season. SPAC’s annual student gallery features 95 pieces inspired by a passage from Langston Hughes’ “The First Book of Rhythms”.
Performances will be held from 2-5:30 PM on Sunday, June 2. Food-stands and immersive arts activities will be available on the grounds, along with free ice cream provided by Stewart’s Shops. The production on the main stage will begin at 4:45. The event is free to the community, but registration is required for admission. A recap of last year’s Summer SPAC events can be found below.
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.
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
Saratoga Springs music venue Caffe Lena has announced their top picks for the month of May. From May 1 to 31 Caffe Lena sees a massive lineup of shows and performers for the community to enjoy.
Caffe Lena is a well-known host of talent for the Upstate New York community. Various walks of life see the stage at this venue through a wide range of genre and background. The venueâs mission is to keep a diverse set of programs and artists, regardless of fame, to present to the community. Caffe Lena is where musical discovery begins on all fronts. All shows held in-person in Lenaâs historic listening room are also streamed live to living rooms around the world.
In May, the venue showcases a lengthy, talent-packed lineup of shows including musical performances, poetry open mic nights, and more. Genres like folk, bluegrass, jazz and roots are showcased this May along with songwriting workshops, poetry nights, and kids club concerts. There’s something for all members of the community this month.
Caffe Lena’s Top Shows for May
May 1 – 7 PM Poetry Open Mic Night feat Darcy Smith
May 2 – 7 PM Kruger Brothers
May 3 – 8 PM Dan Navarro
May 7 – 7 PM Live Stream: Storytelling Night feat Miki Conn
May 11 – 8 PM Bandits on the Run
May 12 – 7 PM Peter Rowan
May 17 – 8 PM Ana Egge
May 22 – 7:30 PM Willi Carlisle
May 30 – 7 PM Abigail Lapell
For more information on Caffe Lena’s upcoming dates and performers, click here.
