Singer, songwriter, guitarist and storytellers in harmony, Reggie Harris and Pat Wictor will take the stage together for a powerfully harmonic concert at the 8th Step at Proctors (GE Theatre) in Schenectady on Saturday, February 24.
Often known as a performer of uncommon depth and talent; Reggie Harris writes from a personal but accessible place that reveals his deep sense of humanity and a uniquely positive world view. Harris is also known as a one-half of the eminently prominent duo, Kim & Reggie Harris, the musical trailblazer and master songwriter continues to criss-cross the country, carrying the message of joy, unity, tolerance and peace through the powerful medium of live music.
Upstate NY-based artist performs for audiences of all ages and his 2018 album Ready To Go was ranked as the #5 CD on the Folk DJ Charts and was in the top 30 on the US Folk DJ charts for 5 months of 2018. The title cut was the #1 song for May 2018. In 2019 Reggie and Greg Greenway released Deeper Than the Skin in response to their challenging and insightful presentation of the same name. Reggie is currently a rotating DJ featured on Prisms: The Sound Of Color on SiriusXM’s The Village.
Pat Wictor, of the late lamented band “Brother Sun” is a songwriter rooted in traditional blues, but ranging much wider than that. His strong clear voice and tasty slide guitar accompaniment characterizes his performance, and have made him highly sought after in backing up innumerable other performers on recording and performance. Wictor first burst onto the folk and acoustic scene as an innovative slide guitarist known for fresh and memorable interpretations of traditional and contemporary songs. Since then, he has made his mark as a singer-songwriter penning lean and poetic songs that honor and extend rural blues and gospel traditions. For seven years he toured as one third of Brother Sun, the powerful harmonizing trio with Joe Jencks and Greg Greenway, garnering critical acclaim, two #1 CDs on the Folk DJ charts, and a continent-spanning tour schedule.
Pat spent his early years in Venezuela, the Netherlands, Norway, England, and East Texas and his time abroad gave him an outsider’s wide perspective and set him on a journey to understanding America – and his own American-ness – through music. His early experiences of living amidst different languages and cultures made him accustomed to charting his own course and being ready for the unexpected.
Tickets for Pat Wictor and Reggie Harris at the 8th Step at Proctors (GE Theatre) in Schenectady on February 24 are $26 advance, $28 day of show and $40 Gold Circle (front center section seats & 6:30 pm Meet & Greet onstage), are available here.
The 2024 Eddies Music Award nominees have been announced, featuring a total of 218 nominations in 34 categories. The annual ceremony is at 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 21 on the MainStage at Proctors, in partnership with WEXT and WEQX.
NYS Music is proudly nominated for Arts Publication of the Year, with Jarron Childs nominated for Photographer of the Year and Pete Mason nominated for Music Journalist of the Year. The total number of nominations since the Eddies Music Awards was founded in 2019 is 959. All nominees and award recipients are determined by members of the local music community.
“The Eddies are all about the incredible local talent. Decision-making during nominations and voting is all made by active members of the music community–with increased participation every year,” said founder and co-producer Jim Murphy.
The Albany-based indie rock quartet E.R.I.E. leads all artists with four nominations. These include Album of the Year for Suburban Mayhem, Record of the Year for “World is on Fire” featuring Sydney Worthley, Rock/Pop Artist of the Year, and the band’s TJ Foster for Songwriter of the Year. They were a featured performer at the 2023 Eddies Music Awards celebration. Alt/Indie band Architrave and solo artists Shannon Roy and Angelina Valente each received three nominations.
In addition to finalists in the categories below, several Merit Award recipients will be announced for music-related activities outside of traditional award categories. A new category the 2024 Eddies is the Seasonal Outdoor Venue/Concert Series. “We’ve awarded venues in the past but there was feedback that too many venues were overlooked when we reviewed the scene regionwide,” said co-producer, Kelly Auricchio. “Judges and members of our advisory council gravitated towards rotating the category focus from year to year, the first being seasonal concerts series at community outdoor venues.”
This is one of two annual Eddies Music Awards ceremonies. The late Jackie Alper, the late Nick Brignola, George Guarino, David Alan Miller, the late Pauline Oliveros, Margie Rosenkranz, Billy Waring, and Don Wilcock will be inducted into the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame on Monday, March 25 at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs.
Dylan was at Proctors Theatre on Monday, October 30, and although he did not entertain one of the songs that follow, here is a look at the many songs written about Schenectady, as well as the songs that reference the notoriously difficult to spell Upstate city.
Prior to being settled by the Dutch in 1661, the Mohican originally lived in the area around the Mohawk River. The Mohawk referred to the area as “Schau-naugh-ta-da,” meaning ‘Over the Pine Plains” which eventually morphed into “Sche-nec-ta-dee” and finally, Schenectady. Part of the colony of New Netherland settled by Arent Van Curler of Nijkerk, Netherlands. The town was famously burned by the French and their Indian allies in February 1690 in what has been known as “The Schenectady Massacre,” killing nearly all inhabitants. Home to Union College and General Electric, the town’s sobriquet is “The City that Lights and Hauls the World,” a little more wordy than ‘The Electric City’ that many also refer to the town.
With 350 years of history, and a cultural landmark in Proctors Theatre, the historic Stockade District, miSci (Museum of Innovation and Science), Jazz on Jay, Music Haven Concert Series, the Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra, and the still relatively new Rivers Casino, the town on the shores of the Mohawk River is experiencing a downtown Renaissance, with events for all tastes and interests found all throughout the city.
So this ‘Electric City’ of Schenectady is notable enough, both for spelling and history, that over time, a few songs have been written about the town. Two of the most notable, “I Can’t Spell Schenectady” and “Schenectady” from Synecdoche, New York, we’ll get to in a moment, but let’s look at a pair of songs written for the town.
First, there’s “Schenectady Song” from Jason Martin. A ‘love ballad to the Electric City,’ the tune was originally released on cassette in 1998 and a re-edited version from Martin’s Magic Recording Eye (2001) can be heard below. Featuring samples at the start and end mentioning ‘High Voltage Hall’ and tests of electricity, the experimental song is unique, odd, and worth a listen.
Then there’s “Schenectady’s the Place,” the Official City Song, written by Cliff Brucker in 2016, a graduate of The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and The College of Saint Rose. Brucker’s song has the ‘commissioned by the local Chamber of Commerce’ vibe, although the version by SCCC School of Music heard below does have a certain panache and inviting nature to it. For an official city song, this is spot on for style, lyrics and music.
Then there are quite a few songs – much to this author’s surprise – that reference Schenectady, including “Hamilton Hill” by Demmene Syronn, released in 2020 and referencing a small neighborhood near Mont Pleasant. “I was a witness to the cultural birth of Hip Hop / From Hamilton Hill, Schenectady, Upstate New York”
“Starlight in Schenectady” by Peter JB Carman, the first track on Life the Pain, was released on Stockade Records in 2019. The song was first played at Moon and River where Carman and wife Lynn can often be found playing. Carman is a Baptist minister, writing hymns, poems and songs about Massachusetts, Rhode Island, North Carolina and Upstate New York, all places where he has served churches.
“Walking by starlight in old Schenectady And I don’t know where I’m bound Listen to the songs from the café down the street I surely love the sound And the years they do so swiftly roll And all day long it’s trouble and toil But I’m walking by starlight in old Schenectady And it’s home, it’s home I’ve found”
“Starlight in Schenectady”
“Afro Angel” by Will Smith (yup, that Will Smith) “Nothing” by Raekwon – “He felt bad but respected me / Pass the watch and the chain off respectably / Moseyed off, ran through Schenectady” – and “Someone to Love” by Fountains of Wayne – “Seth Shapiro got his law degree / He moved to Brooklyn from Schenectady, ’93 / Got some clients in the food industry” – all mention the town.
There’s also “Grim Reaper” by MC Zappa – “Try me; you might find I’m not in my right mind / Heads will roll, and I’ll repossess ya soul / I’m murderin’ rappers from here to Schenectady / Turn around, you see a sight you didn’t expect to see” “DECAP” by Dicaprio – “And I’m from Brazil, but I’ll always representing the County of that city, electricity, Schenectady” and “Bon Soirée” by Clay Coughlin – “I was laid up in Schenectady / But I’ll be bedding down on rue Sainte-Catherine.”
But for a double dose of local Upstate references, look no further than “The End’s The Same” by Off Balance, who drop a Stewart’s reference – “So sweet you make me feel at home just like some Stewart’s ice cream” as well as one for the town – “Disorder’s light to me / I hear these grimy synths like Ludwig on the ivories / and ebonies / Like nights I’m in Schenectady”
Getting back to the history of Schenectady, the Dutch settlement was burned to the ground in February 1690 by a war party of French soldiers and allied Mohawk and Algonquin. This event may have produced the first song in the 1840s, “The Burning of Schenectady.” Originally a broadside, featuring just lyrics and sometimes a suggestion for a familiar tune to pair with, the ballad can be sung to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne.”
The Burning of Schenectady – from a painting by Giles F. Yates, owned by A. A. Yates of Schenectady
There is some debate on the origin of the poem/ballad that led to the song, with folklorist ad historian Harold Thompson noting in his 1939 book Body, Boots & Britches that the original was written by Walter Wilie of Albany in June of 1690. Wilie notes before the lyrics (abbreviated below) “A Ballad – In which is set forth the horrid cruelties practiced by the French and Indians on the 8th of last February. The which I did compose last night, in the space of one hour, and am now writing, the morning of Friday, June 12th, 1690 – W.W.” Still, a debate continues as to the true origin of the first song of Schenectady.
God prosper long our King and Queen, Our lives and safeties all, A sad misfortune once there did Schenectady befall.
From forth the woods of Canada The Frenchmen tooke their way The people of Schenectady To captivate and slay.
They marched for two and twenty daies, All thro’ the deepest snow; And on a dismal winter night They strucke the cruel blow.
….
They then were murthered in their Beddes. Without shame or remorse; And soon the Floores and Streets were strew’d With many a bleeding corse.
The Village soon began to Blaze, Which show’d the horrid sight – But, O, I scarce can Beare to Tell The Mis’ries of that night.
They threw the Infants in the Fire, The Men they did not spare; But killed All which they could find Tho’ Aged or tho’ Fair.
O Christe ! In the still Midnight Air, It sounded dismally, The Women’s Prayers and the loud screams’ Of their great Agony.
…
And Here I End the long Ballad The Which you have just redde; And wish that it may stay on earth, Long after I am Dead.
Lyrics (partial) to “The Burning of Schenectady” – Walter Wilie, 1690
The aforementioned “Schenectady” from the motion picture Synecdoche, New York, stands out as one of the two most notable songs on the town. The title of the film makes a play on pronouncing the town name – Synecdoche (Sin-eck-duh-kee) while also being a literary expression alluding to a larger concept by bringing to mind a single part of the whole. Raul Yang notes “It perfectly captures the essence of the movie it was written for, and it stands on its own as a beautiful piece of music.” The deeply surreal film with a focus on aging and death, with director Charlie Kaufman including “Schenectady,” which introduces the idea of death in its last verse: “There’s always a never again.”
But of all these songs about Schenectady, the standard bearer has to be “I Can’t Spell Schenectady.” Written in 1948, let’s glance at the lyrics first.
Reading, writing and geography; But when it comes to spelling, I’m confessin’ There’s just one word that stumps me constantly. I can spell Dakota, can handle Minnesota, but I can’t spell Schenectady, I can spell Havana and figure out Savannah, but I can’t spell Schenectady. Why, one time at a spelling bee Said teacher all at once, “Now, Willie, spell ‘Schenectady’,” I felt just like a dunce! I spelled Anaconda and even Tonawanda, So what does she expect of me? I just can’t spell Schenectady. I can spell Pomona, Seattle and Tacoma, but I can’t spell Schenectady, I mastered Ypsilanti and Agua Caliente, but I can’t spell Schenectady.
Written by Al Trace, Arthur Terker, Abner Silver and Harry Clarkson, “I Can’t Spell Schenectady” is not in the range of “Weird” Al Yankovic for comedic songs, but rather resides in the realm of satire he would come to be known for, More so, this song is akin to a Bob Hope “Road To…” film featured song.
Starting out with a high pitched Alvin and the Chipmunks voice, the song laments Schenectady’s spelling difficulties with multiple voices joining in to drive home the orthographic dilemma they face.
The song was released on vinyl in July 1953, with a B-Side of “The Who is it Song,” both songs performed by Big Jon Arthur and No School Today Cast, and released on a 45 RPM Decca (9-88153) 7″ record, Children’s Series 1-252, with artwork by Sam Norkin.
Schenectady is the home of General Electric, the early radio-drama pioneer WGY, the first television station with WRGB, not to mention bread so delicious, Jack Nicholson had Perreca’s ship him loaves of bread following the filming of Ironweed in 1987. Yet for all these, Schenectady does not get respect in song or other media as should be afforded. Sure, the town name is difficult to spell, but ‘Place Beyond the Pines’ is a bit wordy. Schen-ec-ta-dy – it’s just that easy!
Album art for “I Can’t Spell Schenectady”
FormerLate Show with David Letterman head writer Bill Scheft once referred to Schenectady as “the Xanadu of funny-sounding places” in an interview with the Daily Gazette. “Four syllables, good rhythm and that hard comedy ‘K’ right in the middle. It scans perfectly. Of course, it’s no Cohoes, but what is?” And with that, check back soon following a search for songs about Cohoes.
In the heart of the Capital Region, you’ll find more than just streets and buildings â you’ll discover a lively melody that reverberates through Albany, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, and Troy. These cities collectively host a variety of venues, each adding its unique flavor to the local music scene.
From lively stages to cozy spots, every venue contributes to the dynamic soundtrack of the region stretching from Lake George to the tip of the Hudson Valley.
The Arthur Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College has a capacity of 600. Offering a highbrow lineup featuring classical and jazz artists, the center also occasionally hosts mainstream heavyweights. The venue, with upgraded facilities, provides a unique experience for both students and the wider community.
Address: 815 N Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Situated in the heart of historic Saratoga Springs in the Capital Region The Brook Tavern is a beloved neighborhood gathering spot at the crossroads of Union and Nelson Ave. Only a short walk from the Saratoga Race Course and within walking distance of Congress Park, it offers a convenient and welcoming locale for locals and visitors alike. Don’t miss the live music every Tuesday, adding a delightful rhythm to the vibrant atmosphere.
Address: 139 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Bye-i ⢠Brewing is dedicated to delivering the Capital Region the beer they deserve, prioritizing quality over profit. As they aspire to become a symbol of American culture, their commitment extends to community involvement and giving back to those who support their growth. The brewery also features live music as a focal point of its offerings.
Caffè Lena is the oldest continuously operating folk venue in the US. With a capacity of 110, it has hosted iconic artists like Bob Dylan and Emmylou Harris. The venue’s intimate setting underwent a $2 million renovation in 2016, offering a cozy space for folk enthusiasts to enjoy live performances.
Nestled in downtown Albany, Capital Repertory Theatre (theREP) stands as an acclaimed professional theater, recognized for its diverse range of productions. From contemporary and classic drama to off-Broadway musicals, cutting-edge comedy, and world premieres, theREP’s year-round season draws theater enthusiasts of all ages. Beyond providing opportunities for seasoned professionals and rising stars, theREP extends its impact by offering unique educational programs to students in the Capital Region.
Centre Street Public House and Beer Garden (Schenectady)
Centre Street Public House and Garden offers a distinctive and inviting atmosphere, featuring top-notch craft brews, a gastropub menu, and exquisite banquet facilities. Additionally, the venue hosts weekly live music, adding a vibrant and entertaining element to its appeal.
Opening in 1976, the Cock n Bull celebrates a near half-century of great food and more recently, Music in the Barn. As notes by the business, the custom of playing music in a barn has been a lively part of American rural life since the 19th century, with the acoustics of the Cock n Bull’s post-and-beam barn continuing this regional tradition.
Established in 1874, Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes is the fourth oldest operating music hall in the US. It hosts solo artists, theater troupes, jazz acts, and tribute bands. The venue actively supports up-and-coming acts, contributing to the local arts community.
A distinctive landmark in Albany’s skyline, The Egg offers two theaters with capacities of 982 and 450. Completed in 1978, it hosts a range of events, from jazz-rock acts to ballet performances. The Egg stands out not only for its unique architecture but also for its diverse programming, including roots, rock, jazz, and comedy.
Address: Agency Building 1, S Mall Arterial, Albany
ââOwned by Michell Ramsey, who also owns Jay St. Pub in Schenectady, The Electric Grinch derives its name from a Schenectady bar of the 1970s and 1980s. Situated at 116 Jay Street, the venue offers live music and a full bar, with operating hours on Wednesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to midnight, Friday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Empire Live in downtown Albany, a top music venue in the Capital Region, features two stages: Empire Live and Empire Underground. With a 1,000-person capacity, Empire Live offers a spacious setting and excellent stage views. In contrast, Empire Underground, located in the basement, provides a more intimate experience with a 350-person capacity.
The Step stands as America’s oldest continuously running non-profit coffeehouse and concert stage, showcasing the finest independent acoustic music in Upstate New York, Western Massachusetts, and lower Vermont. Featuring a diverse range of genres, including contemporary and traditional folk, blues, jazz, bluegrass, Celtic, and more, our five-decade performer roster reads like a folk Who’s Who. From Pete Seeger and Janette Carter to The Chicks and Jeff Daniels, The Step continues to bring exceptional acoustic performances to its audience.
The Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) is a multi-venue arts center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, opening in 2008. A variety of adventurous programming in music, performance, media, theater, and much more can be found at EMPAC, including a state-of the-art concert hall, leading the New York Times to call EMPAC a âtechnological pleasure dome for the mind.”
Since 1985, The Fuze Box has been a historically diverse live performance venue, consistently at the forefront of championing the next generation of alternative misfits and miscreants.
The Glove Theatre opened in 1914 and hosted movies, music, vaudeville, and civic events, and in 1920 it became the flagship theatre and home office of Schine Enterprises until 1965. In 1971 the venue officially closed, though it did have a few civic engagements during that decade, and reopened in Oct. of 1997 with the âThe Phantom of the Glove.â The Glove Theatre is a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing an accessible expression platform for the arts that engages, entertains, and educates the regional community, giving economic opportunities to the Southern Adirondack and Mohawk Valley regions.
The Hangar is a concert venue and event space showcasing both local and national acts, with most shows occurring on Friday through Sunday nights. Nestled by the Hudson River in Troy, it offers an intimate, roadhouse-style experience for music enthusiasts. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, The Hangar consistently features entertaining bands, providing a great setting for friends and fellow music fans. The attentive, friendly, and professional bar staff enhance the overall experience.
Established in 2013, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen stands as a celebrated and distinctive downtown Albany establishment. It holds the distinction of being the sole 4-star restaurant in the Capital Region. Under the guidance of Anna Weisheit, the 2016 Albany Chef’s Food & Wine Festival Rising Star Chef Winner, The Hollow offers a remarkable combination of a craft beer bar and a recognized live music venue, making it a unique and acclaimed destination.
The Inn at Saratoga (Saratoga Springs) The Inn, adorned with live music, becomes a haven for relaxation and entertainment.. The monthly-updated music calendar ensures a delightful experience for patrons seeking a harmonious blend of ambiance and talent.
In the evening, The Kings Inn hosts live music performances, enhancing its hospitality-driven atmosphere. The staff, known for their patience, plays a pivotal role in ensuring a welcoming environment. For those seeking prompt service, The Kings Inn stands out. Visitors have praised the bar for its exotic ambiance, making it a notable venue where bands regularly perform.
Lark Hall, a historic music venue was originally constructed in 1916 by the Daughters of the Eastern Star. Meticulously restored and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, it provides a unique and unmatched experience for both performers and audiences alike.
Situated in the heart of the Lark Street district, Lark Tavern, an iconic establishment in the Capital District since 1933, serves as a cherished watering hole and gathering spot for locals. With a rich tradition centered around food, drink, and entertainment, the revamped Lark Tavern adds a retro vintage flair to the Tavern experience, featuring live music for an added vibrancy.
The Linda â WAMCâs Performing Arts Studio (Albany)
Founded in 2002, The Linda â WAMCâs Performing Arts Studio, is a meticulously restored 1926 bank situated in the heart of Albany’s Central Avenues Business District. This versatile venue serves as a multi-purpose auditorium and recording studio, welcoming a diverse array of events such as concerts, debates, lectures, films, celebrations, and more, many of which are broadcasted across WAMC’s seven-state listening area and online at wamc.org.
The Arena hosts a variety of events including concerts, family shows, sporting contests and trade shows. Home to the AFL Albany Empire, and the Siena Saints MAAC basketball team, the MVP Arena is a regular host to premier NCAA events.
No Fun, presented by Pint Sized, serves as the primary hub for experimental music aficionados in the Capital Region. Recognized as a live music venue, it is celebrated for providing a platform for avant-garde and cutting-edge musical performances.
Opening its doors in 1931, it has hosted iconic acts like The Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen. The Palace Theatre continues to feature Broadway plays, dance concerts, and movies, providing a stunning setting for diverse performances.
Originally a vaudeville venue, it has evolved into a multi-genre event space hosting Broadway musicals, dance concerts, and movies. Proctors continues to adapt its mission to the contemporary environment while maintaining its historical charm.
Formerly known as Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs, Putnam Place underwent a major transformation into a classy music venue, nightclub, and event space. With a capacity of 500, it has become a year-round destination, hosting diverse acts and contributing to Saratoga’s vibrant nightlife.
Renowned as Troy NY’s premier live music venue, The Rustic Barn Pub consistently delivers high-quality live entertainment, emphasizing the importance of exceptional performances. Committed to creating memorable experiences, they invite audiences to join them on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights for live music spanning a diverse range of genres.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (Saratoga Springs)
Located in Saratoga Springs, SPAC is a versatile venue with a capacity of 25,000. It hosts a diverse range of events, from performances by The Philadelphia Orchestra and New York City Ballet to Live Nation’s pop, country, hip-hop, and classic rock acts. Surrounded by natural beauty and historic architecture, SPAC provides a unique experience, attracting top artists across genres.
Address: 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs
Nestled in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs, NY, Saratoga City Tavern is a vibrant establishment offering a selection of over 110 draughts, delectable cuisine, and entertainment seven days a week. With five floors, this Saratoga, NY bar and tavern ensures there’s something to delight every visitor.
Nestled in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs, Spa City Tap & Barrel stands as the city’s newest hangout. With a rustic charm and a modern touch, this cozy pub offers 32 beers on tap, signature cocktails, and a pub-style menu perfect for pairing with any sporting event. Patrons can enjoy live music on weekends, along with game nights and themed events throughout the week, making Spa City Tap & Barrel a vibrant destination for entertainment. Open seven days a week, it’s the ideal spot to experience Saratoga’s lively atmosphere.
Built in 1875, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy is celebrated for its exceptional acoustics. With a capacity of 1,253, the venue attracts classical, folk, and Americana performers. The Music Hall preserves its 19th-century charm, providing an intimate connection between performers and the audience.
For over 50 years, the UAlbany Performing Arts Center has stood as a prominent cultural asset for the University at Albany and the wider Capital Region community. Hosting the Prime Performance Series annually, the center brings a diverse array of national and international artists in music, dance, and theatre. With five distinctive performance theatres, a dance studio, rehearsal spaces, and dedicated libraries, the UAlbany PAC serves as a vibrant hub for artistic endeavors.
Additionally, A Place for Jazz shares a few dozen or so venues in the Capital Region that offer Jazz occasionally, or regularly.
Just north of the Capital District are a few venues that may fall outside of the typical ‘Capital Region’ geographic definition, but are still under an hour drive to see great live music.
Charles R Wood Theater (Glens Falls)
The Charles R. Wood Theater is a year-round performing arts facility in downtown Glens Falls, offering cultural events and productions with three spaces in the building for events – a 300-seat theater, a 3,000 square foot rehearsal hall, and over 2,600 square feet of lobby space.
The Festival Commons at Charles R. Wood Park, located at the southern end of Lake George, is home to many events during the summer, most notably Memorial Meltdown and Adirondack Independence Festival, and much more in between. The grounds also include a skatepark and have public restrooms, all within walking distance of “The Queen of American Lakes,â Lake George.
Cool Insuring Arena is a multi-purpose sports and music arena located in downtown Glens Falls. When they are not home to the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL, the former Glens Falls Civic Center has hosted a great number of classic concerts – The Who’s first comeback show in 1989, Phish performing The White Album in its entirety (and playing past 3am), among many others – and has many great years left as the Glens Falls region sees a renaissance in their downtown over the past decade.
DJ’s Niteclub is a seasonal club in Lake George, New York that offers a view of the village strip. They offer a variety of music and night life in Lake George for locals and tourists alike.
The building structure of Fort Salem Theater dates back to 1774, and after fires and rebuildings, by 1882, a chapel made this future theatre and arts venue, complete. Improvements in the 1970s made Fort Salem the premiere summer stock theater in the Northeast, with family-oriented musicals, comedies and dramas. Renovations from 2006-7 brought Fort Salem into the 21st century, with seats donated from Broadwayâs Helen Hayes Theater. The theater is under new ownership and reopened in June 2021.
Since 1878, Hubbard Hall has developed, produced, and presented theater, music, opera, dance, and the visual arts and in recent years has become a world-class development center for new work. A non-profit since 1977, Hubbard Hall attracts artists, students, and audience members as a fertile training ground for both young and seasoned artists, Offering classes in dance, theater, music, movement, visual arts, puppetry, creative writing, martial arts, yoga, and even gardening, this multi-purpose venue gives students of all ages an opportunity to train, collaborate, and thrive.
Built in 1911, The Park Theater is the premier entertainment venue located in the heart of downtown Glens Falls. The theater holds a rich history within the community and has been revitalized as a destination for performing arts, weddings, and events.
A former lakeside teaching studio of internationally renowned soprano Marcella Sembrich (1858-1935), The Sembrich has a distinguished operatic career and musical legacy, offering a variety of programs, articles, and multi-media presentations online and in person.
The Strand Theatre opened its doors on January 17, 1923, and after being closed for a period of time, was reopened on October 7, 2016 through the nonprofit Hudson River Music Hall Productions, which came together in 2010 with the goal of helping to rehabilitate old buildings in Hudson Falls. Having a huge calendar each month (see below) with a wide variety of genres, shows and experiences, the Strand Theatre holds the distinction as the only major music venue in Washington and Warren Counties that is open year-round. Part of a chain of Strand Theatres built in the early 20th century, other venues under the name Strand can be found in Plattsburgh and Schroon Lake, as well as others that have closed over time.
