Classic blues band Blood Brothers announced their live performance at Schenectady’s Music Haven. Their concert is held on August 16, in between concerts from Elias Ochoa and Banda Magda. The band is supported by blues powerhouses Misty Blues and Piedmont Bluz.
Hot off of their most recent album, Live in Canada, a collection of their best live performances in the country released last October, Blood Brothers have reached incredible success in the world of Blues and Rock’n’roll, in both their solo and group careers. In the past, both guitarists Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia won Blues Rock Album of the Year at the Blues Music Awards for their solo works, Zito winning in 2022 and Castiglia in 2024. That same year, Castiglia won for Blues Rock Artist of the Year. Earlier this year, the duo won for Blues Rock Album as Blood Brothers, and Zito won for Blues Artist of the Year.
Now, after their resounding season, they make their way over to New York for a performance at the Music Haven festival. This year, Music Haven celebrates several diverse performers, ranging in several genres from Brazilian Funk to Zydeco to Afrofusion.
Blood Brothers are the latest to join the lineup, making their Music Haven debut on August 16 as part of the Blues BBQ Concert Series. They are joined by their loyal band, including Doug Byrkit on bass guitar, Matt Johnson and Ephraim Lowell on drums and percussion, and Lewis Stephens on keyboards.
Opening for the band are fellow blues artists Misty Blues and finger-pick guitar specialists Piedmont Bluz. Blood Brothers’ headlining performance ends at 9:30 pm. Following the performances is a festive;-wide barbecue for all fans and attendees. After the show, they continue on the rest of their nationwide tour.
Blood Brothers On Tour
AUGUST
08/02 Notodden Blues Festival – Notodden, Norway – Info/Tix
08/15 Chenango Blues Festival Kick-Off in East Park – Norwich, NY – Info/FREE
08/17 Big Bull Falls Blues Fest – Wausau, WI – Info/Tix
While the band gets ready for their tour dates and upcoming festival performances, they are working hard on their solo careers. Mike Zito recently released his latest solo album, Life is Hard, in February earlier this year. Just a week ago, on July 19, Castiglia released Righteous Souls. Both albums have received widespread critical acclaim, ensuring Blood Brothers is a name that blues fans will never forget.
More tour dates are to be announced later this year. Information and tickets are available on the band’s official website. Check them out here.
Tina, the Tina Turner Musical on Broadway, will tour upstate to Schenectady from July 30 to Aug 4.
The eight performances are part of the Keybank Broadway series at Proctors Theater. Tina just finished performances further north in Toronto at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre from June 18 to July 28.
The historical Proctors Theatre has been open since 1926 and first brought in large audiences by hosting continuous performances like they do today.
Tina first made its debut in London in 2018. Other international productions began to open in the following years. In 2019, Tina opened in Germany. It made its way to the Netherlands in 2020 and Spain in 2021. The show opened on Broadway in 2019 and was nominated for 12 Tony Awards that year and re-started in 2021 after the industry’s complete shutdown due to COVID-19.
The current North American tour has a talented cast led by Ari Groover and Zurin Villanueva who share the role of Turner herself. The musical was directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall.
Tina tells the life story of the Grammy award winning artist. Tuner began her musical career as a duo with her then husband Ike Turner. The two rose to fame with their cover of “Proud Mary” in 1966. In 1976, Turner divorced her husband after years of abuse. She made her comeback in the 80’s with her solo album Private Dancer. The singer had decades of musical success until her recent death in 2023. A feature documentary TINA exploring the life and career of this esteemed singer is available to stream on HBO Max.
To buy tickets to Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, you can visit the Proctors website here.
The town of Glenville, NY, 30 minutes west of Albany, has revealed the details of its annual Thursdays in the Park summer concert series. The exciting lineup of performers will take the stage in one of two local parks every Thursday at 7 p.m. this August.
Thursdays in the Park, a staple in the community of Glenville, has been an annual celebration of local and visiting musical talent for many years. This year is no different, with five unique playing shows on all five Thursdays in August.
Each event will have its own food and drink vendors. Some vendors for this year’s series include Flacos Tacos, Grilled Cheese Guy and Burger 21. Free ice cream will also be available every Thursday, courtesy of Stewarts Shops.
A family movie night, showing the 2023 children’s movie Trolls Band Together, will also happen on Saturday, August 24, in Maalwyck Park.
All shows will happen either at Indian Meadows Park or Legacy Park. Locations of specific shows are noted in the full written lineup.
Visit here for more information. See below for the series graphic and a full written lineup.
Slavic Soul Party, a New York City brass band will rock Schenectady, NY with their performance at the Music Haven concert series on July 21.
The nine piece band blends Slavic, Balkan and Roma tunes to create their unique sound. The band has been officially named the number one GypsySoul, BalkanBrass band in NYC. The band is led by drummer Matt Moran who is accompanied by Kenny Bentley on the tuba, John Carlson and Kenny Warren on trumpets, Adam Dotson and Tim Vaughn on trombones, Peter Hess on the saxophone, Peter Stan on the accordion and Chris Stromquist on percussion.
Over the last 15 years they have released seven albums and toured around North America, Europe and Turkey and Zimbabwe. The group has a less than traditional way of recording. They recorded the album Bigger in under four hours with another brass band and used four roosters in the making. Slavic Soul Party re-arranged Duke Ellington “Far East Suite” for their 2016 album, adding their own twist to the classic jazz record.
Joining the concert series as Slavic Soul Party’s opener is Niva, a four-woman Macedonian band from Brooklyn. The band performs a variety of tradition folk music in Macedonian
This year’s Music Haven series features a lineup of incredible international and cultural performers. The 34th season includes Mokoomba, a Zimbabwean Afro-fusion band, Buckwheat Zydeco, a creole-funk artist from Louisiana and an Irish folk band called Goitse.
You can catch these free performances every Sunday from July 7 to Aug 30. Yanni’s 2-Go will serve a global menu throughout the series. During the Slavic Soul Party performance, they will serve traditional Balkan dishes like Moussaka and Baklava.
To find more information about the lineup, you can visit the Music Haven Website here.
Music Haven announced the return of their beloved summer series of international music. From July 7 to September 6, Music Haven will host diverse performances for Schenectady residents.
Each concert will feature artists from different parts of the world, from Brazilian Jazz to Zimbabwean Afro Fusion. Schenectady’s Central Park will host the series in their award winning outdoor venue. Music Haven has transported viewers on a musical trip around the world for over 30 years.
In addition to the returning festival, Music Haven is excited to introduce their new Blues BBQ, and a three-part film and event series.
The Agnes MacDonald Music Haven is a family-friendly, accessible venue that has been voted “Best Outdoor Concert Venue” in the Capital Region. In addition to an excellent venue, the series will boast a collection of local craft beverages from Frog Alley and Wolf Hollow Brewing Companies and Nine Pin Cider. Ben and Jerry’s ice cream will also be available at each show, along with Yanni’s 2-go and Flacos Tacos.
Music Haven will welcome special guests as exciting as their headliners.
The series will open with Mokoomba, a Zimbabwean Afro Fusion group with infectiously danceable music. Special guest Jordan Taylor Hill will join Mokoomba with West African drums and dance.
The next performance will feature Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. & The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band for an evening of Louisiana Zydeco, a unique blend of jazz, blues, and Indigenous Creole influences. Special guest The Brass Machine will bring New Orleans style jazz .
Afterwards, the next performance will feature Balkan Brass, Roma (gypsy) accordion, and Slavic Soul Party jazz. Special guest Niva will perform Izverna, Macedonian roots music. The musical globetrotting trip will visit Ireland with Goitse, Live Ireland’s “Traditional Group of the Year”. The Capital region’s own Hair of the Dog will join Goitse.
More jazz will follow with Brazilian artist Anat Cohen, Jazz Journalists Association’s “Clarinetist of the Year”. Additionally, the jazz quartet Art D’echo Trio will be joined by percussionist Brian Melick.
Cuban musician Eliades Ochoa will perform classic Cuban Son. Cuban sextet Bolero Blues, led by Walter Ramos, will join Ochoa.
Music Haven will also feature food from around the world.
A full list of Music Haven’s summer events is available below, along with a news interview regarding the 2023 season.
Beetlejuice The Musical The Musical The Musical opened at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady on Tuesday, June 18, bringing in a packed audience who laughed and sang along to the beloved film, now in musical form.
Photo by Matthew Murphy
Telling the story of Lydia Deetz with greater empathy and backstory – she is at her mother’s burial at the onset of Act 1 – gives cause for Lydia to seek out the help of Beetlejuice, performed masterfully by Justin Collette.
With a recently diseased deceased couple, Adam (Will Burton) and Barbara (Megan McGinnis) Maitland, taking up residence in their former house – now the Deetz’ – they become visible to Lydia, leading to haunting hilarity and foot-tapping musical numbers amid a visually stunning series of sets that utilize the slant framed doors, windows and hallways of the Tim Burton film.
Photo by Matthew Murphy
Pulling from the source material effectively, but introducing Beetlejuice by the end of the first number, the focus in Act 1 on the demon in the striped suit was on par with that of Lydia (Isabella Esler, making her professional debut), a shift from the 1988 film. The 2018 debut on Broadway garnered Tony Award nominations for Best Musical, and well deserved given the production of songs “Dead Mom,” “That Beautiful Sound,” “Say My Name,” “Barbara 2.0” and of course, “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song).”
The first act was Beetlejuice’s time to shine, taking centerstage until he finally joins the world of the living by the end of the act. But Act 2 is greatly focused on Lydia, a time for actress Isabella Esler to be front and center, belting out number after number – “Home” being a show-stopping highlight. In Act 1, Lydia gives the story heart, a tease of what a treat audiences were in store for, both in Act 2 of Beetlejuice and Esler’s career potential as well.
Beetlejuice The Musical The Musical The Musical contains strong language, mature references, and a lot of the crazy, inappropriate stuff you would expect from a deranged demon, but great family fun nonetheless.
Photo by Matthew Murphy
Beetlejuice The Musical The Musical The Musical at Proctors runs through Sunday, June 23. Tickets are available here.
Jazz on Jay returns to Schenectady this summer with an exciting lineup of family friendly acts. The lunchtime concerts will be held at a new location this year, the outdoor venue at Jay Square.
Located across from City Hall, Jay Square offers an improved sound and overall experience. Every Thursday at noon, top singers and instrumentalists from across the region bring their bands to Jay Street.
Lanaea Brice, the new chair of the beloved series, described it as, “a lively celebration of our shared love for harmony, community, and the pure bliss of gathering together.”
The rain location remains at Robb Alley at Proctors, 32 State Street, Schenectady. This year, souvenir tumblers will also be available for purchase while supplies last. Spectators are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs, and to enjoy the many nearby restaurants. A full list of performances is available below, and admission is free! For updates, follow Jazz on Jay on Facebook.
2024 Jazz on Jay Schedule
June 6: Killdeer Trio
June 13: Cliff Brucker & New Circle
June 20: Michael Benedict Jazz Vibes
June 27: Matty Stecks & The 518
July 11: MC2 Featuring special guests Andrew Hearn on drums and Dave Shoudy on bass
July 18: Brian Patneaude Quintet
July 25: Awan Rashad Quartet
Aug. 1: Joe Sorrentino
Aug. 8: Terry Gordon Quintet
Aug. 15: Joe Finn Trio
Aug. 22: Bossamba
Aug. 29: Joe Barna
A previous performance by The Ragtime Windjammers is available below.
As we approach the bicentennial of the Erie Canal in 2025, let’s look back at this marvel of modern engineering. Not only did the Canal transform much of Upstate New York, but it also transformed folk music. While known by many names since its composition, “The Erie Canal Song” has become a staple of the American folk songbook. With lyrics reflecting life on the canal, and the changes it brought to the state, it proves a useful tool for exploring New York’s history.
Before the Days of Rapid Transit, Edward Lamson Henry (1841-1919) c.1900 Pencil and watercolor, ht.13 3/4′ x w.34 3/4″ Albany Institute of History & Art Purchase, 1976.7.2
The year is 1807, and the United States is slowly expanding into The Northwest Territories (or what is now the Midwest). This region was rich in the grain and metals needed to supply populations on the East Coast. The only issue was that transporting these resources to the East Coast commercial hubs was difficult to say the least. The Appalachian mountains provided a massive barrier for mule trains, with the journey from New York City to Detroit taking four weeks.
New York was specifically poised to tackle this transportation issue. The Hudson River was the main artery of trade for New York, connecting commercial Manhattan to the capital in Albany. Of the Hudson’s many tributaries, the Mohawk River proved to be the most important. Flowing eastward from Oneida County, it cut a low valley through the Appalachians, the only valley of its kind in the Northeast. Because of this, Governor DeWitt Clinton authorized the construction of a canal along this route in 1817.
Map showing Present and Proposed Canal System, to accompany report of Edward A. Bond, State Engineer and Surveyor of N.Y. (from:Annual report of the State Engineer and Surveyor of the State of New York, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1903 (Oliver A. Quayle, Albany, 1904) — facing p. 60)
Following eight years of disease, construction accidents, and hard manual labor, the Canal was opened in 1825. The canal was 4 feet deep, 40 feet wide, and spanned 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo. With the construction of the canal, boats could travel from the Hudson River to Lake Erie in less than five days. While many were originally skeptical of the canal, it soon proved its worth. Completed ahead of schedule, and under-budget, the canal paid itself off with tolls in under ten years.
The Erie Canal was one of the first great highways of the United States, bringing goods, ideas, and most importantly people across New York. The Canal revolutionized the economy of Upstate New York, practically creating the cities we know today. In 1817, Buffalo was a village of 2,000 people recently destroyed by the British. Canal commerce turned Buffalo into the world’s premier grain hub, with the city growing into the 9th largest metropolis in the US. Cities sprang up all along the canal route. Hamlets like Rochester, Syracuse, and Schenectady grew into cities with hundreds of thousands of residents, and national centers of industry.
“The most fertile and extensive regions of America will avail themselves of its facilities for a market … [and New York City] will, in the course of time, become the granary of the world, the emporium of commerce, the seat of manufactures, the focus of great moneyed operations.”
– DeWitt Clinton, Governor of New York
Thomas S. Allen
On top of having such economic importance, the canal quickly became a cultural symbol of New York. To many, the canal symbolized their identity as Upstaters, and hope for a prosperous future. One person enamored by the legendary canal was Natick, Massachusetts’s Thomas S. Allen. Allen recalled, “When a boy in school, a picture of the Erie Canal in a Geography attracted my attention and I exclaimed: ‘If I ever see the Eric Canal, I’ll think I’ve seen something worth seeing.’” Sometime around 1910, when traveling to Rochester, Allen finally saw the canal, and immediately knew he had to write a song about it.
It turns out Allen was somewhat of a 1900s musical renaissance man. He was foremost a violinist, playing everywhere from professional orchestras to burlesque shows. On top of this, he directed Vaudeville shows, composing songs for them in the Tin Pan Alley tradition. Throughout his career, he published nine songs under his name, including “The Erie Canal Song.” Originally published in 1913 by Manhattan’s F.B. Haviland Publishing Co, the song was titled “Low Bridge, Everybody Down.” The song looked back to the work of mule barges along the canal.
At the time of its publishing, New York was constructing the Barge Canal System, a mechanized successor to the Erie Canal. Newer diesel and steam powered barges carried much of the cargo down these new canals. Allen’s writing harkened back to a simpler time of mule-drawn ships on the Erie Canal. “We’ve hauled some barges in our day, filled with lumber, coal and hay. And every inch of the way I know, From Albany to Buffalo.” These lines also highlight some of the major midwestern resources that would have flowed Eastward through the canal. Grain and ore were the two specifically that allowed cities like Buffalo to become breadbaskets, and industrial hubs of the East.
The lyrics while romanticizing life on the canal, also speak to the hardships it brought. The repeated chorus “low bridge everybody down,” reflects just one of these difficulties. Nearing the fledgling cities along the canal, extremely low bridges were common obstacles for barges. The cover for the song’s original sheet music depicts this, with the narrator ducking down on his mule to pass under one such bridge. In reality, however, these bridges were bigger dangers for barge passengers. Passengers on barges would commonly ride on top when conditions allowed, having to quickly get down to safely pass under these bridges.
Lift Bridge and Canal St., Canastota, N.Y. — Postcard ; not postmarked ; another slightly variant copy is postmarked Sep. 19, 1907. [CSNYS 1096.1.0890]
The song’s lyrics also play into the themes of hardiness that would fit perfectly in a Spaghetti Western. The lyrics repeatedly mention Sal the Mule’s fighting spirit. Throughout the song Sal brawls her way across the state, sending Mike McGinty to the bottom of the canal, and kicking a man all the way to Buffalo. All of this fighting occurs during the narrator’s 15 years of hard work along the canal. This story of hardy enterprise and masculine bravado call to mind the Wild West. One could easily imagine these stories of barging and brawling taking place in a classic Eastwood or Wayne movie. This makes sense remembering that at the canal’s completion, Upstate New York very much was the “Wild West.”
Since its original composition in 1913, “Low Bridge” has become a folk standard, being performed by countless artists. The first known recording we have of the song is by Billy Murray (not to be confused with actor Bill Murray) from 1912. Murray was a star Tenor of the early 1900s, recording many vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley tracks. This recording is now featured in the Library of Congress’s National Jukebox and Recorded Sound Section.
Aiding in the Canal’s place in American mythology was a recording by folk legend Pete Seeger. Seeger included “The Erie Canal” as track #10 on his 1954 album Frontier Ballads. This album celebrated the stories of workers, and settlers who traveled westward through the new territories of the United States. This album places the Erie Canal alongside stories of Cowboys and railroad workers, placing it firmly within the canon of Americana, and further cementing its Western connection.
Perhaps the latest great recording of “The Erie Canal Song” came from rock legend Bruce Springsteen, as part of his 2006 album We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions. This album included Springsteen’s interpretations of 13 folk and Americana classics popularized by Pete Seeger. Because of this, this version is moreso a Springsteen cover of Seeger’s version, rather than a direct reimagining of the original. The album, including “Erie Canal” shot to number 3 on the billboard top 100, also earning Springsteen a Grammy for best folk album.
Since its publishing 111 years ago, “The Erie Canal Song” has become an icon of American folk music. Not only have massive stars covered it over the years, but it has also really lived up to the definition of folk music, and spread to the masses. Reading comments on the YouTube video of Seeger’s version you see nothing but fond memories. Whether it’s people who learned it as kids in school, or sang it with their grandparents, the song holds an important place in the collective American cultural memory.
On top of all of this, the song speaks to the role the Erie Canal plays in American imagination. It singlehandedly built upstate New York, and connected the country more than it had ever been before. More than just this, it represents a time long gone, where the Wild West wasn’t so far west. Its no wonder why when many people think of New York, they think of the Erie Canal.
“The Erie Canal Song” Lyrics:
I’ve got an old mule, and her name is Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
She’s a good old worker and a good old pal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
We’ve hauled some barges in our day, filled with lumber, coal and hay.
And every inch of the way I know, From Albany to Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, we must be getting near a town.
You can always tell your neighbor; you can always tell your pal.
If he’s ever navigated on the Erie Canal
We’d better look ’round for a job old gal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
You bet your life I wouldn’t part with Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
Giddyap there gal we’ve passed that lock, we’ll make Rome ‘fore six o-clock
So one more trip and then we’ll go, Right straight back to Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town
Once a man named Mike McGinty tried to put it over Sal
Now he’s way down at the bottom of the Erie Canal
Oh, where would I be if I lost my pal? Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
Oh, I’d like to see a mule as good as Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
A friend of mine once got her sore, Now, he’s got a broken jaw.
Cause she let fly with her iron toe and kicked him into Buffalo.
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town.
If you’re looking ’round for trouble, better stay away from Sal.
She’s the only fighting donkey on the Erie Canal
I don’t have to call when I want my Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
She trots from her stall like a good old gal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
I eat my meals with Sal each day, I eat beef and she eat hay.
She isn’t so slow if you want to know, she put the “Buff” in Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town
Eats a bale of hay for dinner, and on top of that, my Sal.
Tries to drink up all the water in the Erie Canal
You’ll soon hear them sing everything about my gal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
It’s a darned fool ditty ’bout my darned fool Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
Oh, every band will play it soon, Darned fool words and darned fool tune!
You’ll hear it sung everywhere you go, from Mexico to Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town.
She’s a perfect, perfect lady, and she blushes like a gal.
If she hears you sing about her and the Erie Canal
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 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.
