Back for its 24th year in a row, the Brunswick Summer Concert Series is here for another summer of jams in the park. The free-to-the-public series will feature shows every Tuesday between 6:30-8 p.m. from July 9 to August 27 in the Brunswick Community Center field.
Brunswick, located in Troy, just northeast of Albany, has long been a musically rich town. With the combined populations of Troy and Albany reaching above 150,000, the region has a lot of space for fostering talent.
Initially beginning in 2001 as the only Albany-area summer concert series other than the wildly successful Alive at 5, the Brunswick Summer Concert Series has evolved into a musical community staple. What was once a far-out idea to organizers now attracts around 400 people to all of its concerts. Bands that perform in the series are often local to Brunswick or at least have local connections.
Located in the beautiful Brunswick Community Center field, the series’ venue has everything that one could need. All shows will take place on the community center’s wooden stage, overlooking a large grass field that’s perfect for blankets and lawn chairs. A professional sound system will also be hooked up for all shows, courtesy of local audiovisual company Live Sound Inc. Performances will usually have food vendors that open 30 minutes before the start time so that guests have the opportunity to get food before the performances begin.
One of this summer’s vendors is the local American food restaurant, Big Bellies. Big Bellies has a permanent storefront in Troy but also operates a food truck for special occasions. Come down and see Big Bellies at the Brunswick Community Center for burgers and fries ahead of any of the shows.
As with every year, this summer has a wide variety of acts. From Get Up Jack’s Celtic/Americana to The Tichy Boys’ country/rockabilly, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Big Fez & The Surfmatics, a surf and beach band, will even bring along two dance instructors to help anyone in the crowd looking to learn dances from the 60s to fit the mood during their performance on July 23.
So if you’ve got the time, take a trip to the Brunswick Community Center on a Tuesday night this summer and enjoy an evening of live music, delicious food and a spirited atmosphere.
In the event of rain, shows will be canceled. Visit here for updates.
Classical chamber music ensemble Musicians of Ma’alwyck presents Pulitzer Prize winner Dominick Argento’s 1975 mono-opera “A Water Bird Talk,” paired with Anton Chekhov’s one-act monologue “On the Harmful Effects of Tobacco,” on which the opera is based.
The performance will take place on June 15 at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, with a pre-opera talk with the performers scheduled at the Hart Cluett Museum, both located in Troy.
“A Water Bird Talk” is a sharp-witted piece that follows a gentleman lecturer presenting a scholarly talk on water birds in a late nineteenth-century ladies’ club. His descriptions of each bird serve as metaphors for his own dejected life, portraying him as an inherent victim of constant ridicule from his domineering wife and daughters.
In 1962, Paul Newman directed an Oscar-nominated film adaptation of Chekhov’s play featuring music by David Amram, and Musicians of Ma’alwyck intend to pay tribute by using Arman’s score to provide musical interludes to the play. The opera boasts a 12-piece orchestra, including core Musicians of Ma’alwyck personnel: Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz, artistic director and violin; Norman Thibodeau, flute; and André Laurent O’Neil, cello. Internationally acclaimed baritone Joseph Han will also be part of the opera, with direction by Brian Sheldon, known for his work on plays like “Minutes” in Albany, and musical conducting by Micah Gleason.
“A Water Bird Talk” stands as a testament to Musicians of Ma’alwyck’s mission to cultivate and promote an understanding of American life in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, particularly in New York. The opera follows the legacy of the ensemble’s previous nationally recognized opera “Shield’s The Poor Soldier,” and other remarkable productions like “Blum’s The Ship’s Captain” and “Max Caplan’s Aleda.” They have also been in residence at the Schuyler Mansion in Albany for over twenty years, and currently hold a residency at SUNY Schenectady.
This collaboration with Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy, NY promises a mesmerizing evening of musical brilliance.
Tickets are available for purchase by calling (518) 273-0038 or online here.
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
Starting Friday May 17, live music tavern Twisted Fiddler is hosting 10 Free Friday Night Summer Block Parties at 9 First Street in Troy with outdoor live music, a beer truck and food from the famous Slidin’ Dirty food truck. The Summer Concert Series features top jam and funk artists on weekly “Fiddler Fridays” for 10 Friday nights, May through September, from 7-10 p.m.
Five Friday nights highlights top local music acts while five “Funk Nights” features members of national touring bands. Now in their third year, Funk Nights are held on the last Friday of the month to concur with the downtown-wide Troy Night Out. This year’s artists include some bigger names in the funk/jam scene. “We are continuing to bring live music to downtown Troy and building on the momentum,” said Twisted Fiddler Owner Tim Taney. “This is a great block to have a block party.”
Fiddler Fridays Schedule 7 PM – 10 PM | Gates Open at 6 PM
May 17 – Brian Kane Trio (Country / Southern Rock Night )
Vocalist Brian Kane, a Troy NY Native, takes the stage at the inaugural Fiddler Friday Summer Block Party on First Street.
Joined by Chris Beam on bass, Jeff Prescott on drums, Tony Pellegrino on guitar, and Luke McNamee on sax.
May 31 – Funk Night: Rob Compa (Dopapod ) WSG Mike Oehman (Mihali)
Guitarist Rob Compa of progressive jam band Dopapod takes the Fiddler Fridays stage with special guest saxophonist Mike Oehman of Mihali. They will be joined by Krystal Surgick on vocals, Beau Sasser (of Kung Fu) on keys/organ, Justin Henricks (of Wurliday) on guitar, and Colin Jalbert on drums.
June 14 – Chef Dave’s Blues All Stars
Featuring Chef Dave Rozier, who made his name while performing and cooking at the famous Los Angeles Baked Potato restaurant, on harmonica, Rich Ertelt on guitar/vocals, Chris Beam on bass, Chad Ploss on drums, Keith Pray on sax, Ben O’Shea on trombone, and Sonny Speed on keys.
June 28 – Funk Night: New Orleans Legend Glen David Andrews
Glen David Andrews is a vocalist and trombonist that hails from the historic Treme neighborhood of New Orleans. His commanding voice, fierce trombone sound and electric stage presence create a musical experience that never fails to meet the moment.
He takes the Fiddler Fridays Funk Night stage with Beau Sasser (of Kung Fu) on keys/organ and Justin Henricks (of Wurliday) on guitar.
July 12 – Super 400 (I Heart Troy NY Rock ’N’ Roll)
Super 400, Troy’s fabled rock trio, known far and wide for telekinetic jams and big love, takes the Fiddler Fridays stage for I Heart Troy NY Night.
Featuring Lori Friday on vocals/bass, Kenny Hohman on vocals/guitar andJoe Daley on drums
July 26 – Funk Night: Tim Palmieri (of Lotus), Zdenek Gubb & Adrian Tramontano (of Twiddle)
Three of the biggest names in the funk / jam scene take the Fiddler Friday Funk Night Stage.
Tim Palmieri (of Lotus) on guitar/vocals, Zdenek Gubb (of Twiddle) on bass, and Adrian Tramontano (of Twiddle) on drums.
Aug. 9 – The Deadbeats (Grateful Dead Tribute )
The Deadbeats have been playing Grateful Dead in NY’s Hudson Valley & Capital District for 31 years.
Aug. 30 – Funk Night: Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan
Funk Fusion Organ driven, hard hittin’, boogaloo rooted funk with a rock ’n’ roll spirit.
Beau Sasser of Kung Fu – Keys & Organ Justin Henricks of Wurliday – Guitar Rob Somerville of Deep Banana Blackout – Sax Bill Carbone of Max Creek – Drums Krystal Surgick – Vocals
Sept. 13 – Lustre Kings (Rockabilly)
The Lustre Kings bring their old time rock ’n’ roll sound to the Fiddler Fridays stage.
Trumpeter and vocalist Jennifer Hartswick is an original member of the Trey Anastasio Band and has recorded/shared the stage with Herbie Hancock, Phish, Christian McBride, Tom Petty, Aaron Neville, Carlos Santana, The Rolling Stones, Big Gigantic, Dave Matthews and countless others.
Hartswick takes the Fiddler Fridays stage with Beau Sasser of Kung Fu on keys/organ, Justin Henricks of Wurliday on guitar. More musicians TBA
Funk Nights are presented by Beau Sasser (of Kung Fu) and Troy Native Justin Henricks (of Wurliday). The duo of Sasser on keys/organ and Henricks on guitar will back up the headlining musicians on all Funk Nights except July.
Music is Rain or Shine. In the event of rain, the show will be moved inside Twisted Fiddler. Due to limited space, a cover charge may apply.
Experience live new works from world-renowned composers of today debuting at the Albany Symphony’s 2024 American Music Festival, “Water Music NY: More Voices.”
The event will take place between June 7-9 at the EMPAC concert hall on the RPI campus and locations throughout Troy, NY. “This is the beginning of a three-year project in which we will celebrate and explore the history of New York through the lens of people whose stories have not been told,” writes Music Director David Alan Miller.
Performances will kick off with Dogs of Desire on Friday, June 7. The festival will also celebrate 30 years of the innovative ensemble by Dai Wei, del Pino, Sohn, Bansal and JURAKHAN.
Taking place on June 8 is FLOW, a “Water Music NY: New Voices” commission by Clarice Assad. The suite for piano and orchestra is a musical journey through the symbolic currents of emotions, exploring themes of change, resilience, and the passage of time through the idea of water. All the movements connect seamlessly, each representing a different dynamic ebb and flow of emotions and experiences. Its lively and improvisational character is a celebration of endurance, affirming the idea that even in the face of challenges, the capacity to adapt and emerge stronger exists. The festival will host some of its favorite composers and performers, including Joan Tower, Christopher Theofanidis, and Brandon Patrick George. It will also feature wonderful creators who are new to its stage.
Performances include Jack Frerer’s covers of hits by NY-born songwriters, from Cab Calloway to Grace Jones and Lana Del Rey, not to mention an audience. Following the concert, there will be a late-night lounge event where listeners can enjoy the sultry Brazilian rhythms of father-daughter duo Sérgio and Clarice Assad. Sergio Assad is one of the world’s greatest living classical guitarists. Clarice is a major Brazilian-American composer, much loved by the Albany Symphony audience and community.
The Last of James Fenimore Cooper on Sunday, June 9 is set to close the event at The Sanctuary for Independent Media. Native American composer Brent Michael Davids has composed a witty, satirical quartet about James Fenimore Cooper. Davids. He embraces indigenous themes and subjects in his music, considering Cooper’s ignorance of native culture in “The Last of the Mohicans” in this work for string quartet, featuring members of the Albany Symphony. This event is featured as part of the Sanctuary for Independent Media’s Freedom Festival in collaboration with the American Music Festival.
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.
A night after receiving a warm welcome at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn, genre-bending psych rockers Levitation Room brought their cosmic vibes up the Thruway to Troy’s No Fun on Tuesday, May 14. Delivering a captivating performance that took listeners to the other side and carefully back, the gravity-defying band showcased exactly why they’ve emerged as one of the leaders of their genre. Playing mostly songs from the recently released album Strange Weather, the cool cats from California made a colorful impression that first-time listeners won’t soon forget. Â
Kicking off the evening with Bob Forget of Schenectady’s The Abyssmals playing his first solo set, followed by a short, high energy set by the local rock trio Stroma, Levitation Room casually took the stage around 10pm. Getting their fingers loose with the technical and shifting rhythms of the opening instrumental “Pintura,” Levitation Room quickly found their groove with back-to-back bangers from their 2019 breakout album Headspace, “Warmth of the Sun” and “2025.”
“I wonder if I’ll be living In the year 2025 You know my futures uncertain I’m losing grip all the time”
Lyrics from 2025
Led by front man Julian Porte on vocals and guitar, alongside Gabriel Fernandez on guitar, Johnathan Martin on drums and Kevin Perez on bass, one look at this band and you could just tell they “weren’t from around here.” Casually dressed in retro threads, the music itself also sounded like a bit of a throwback. Blurring the lines of psych-rock, garage and surreal pop, every song felt catchy, like it could be a radio single, and it made you wonder why these guys aren’t more well known.
Levitation Room performing in Troy, NY 5-14-24.
Far from a “new band”, the East Lost Angeles quartet has been around for nearly a decade now. Carving out a niche in the psychedelic-rock realm and releasing three full length studio albums, it’s perhaps their harrowing experiences from the road that have earned Levitation Room the most publicity. Whether that be coming face-to-face with an alleged U.F.O. while passing through Arizona, or a terrifying incident in 2022 when members of the band were allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint, dosed with unknown hallucinogens, and robbed of all their equipment, Levitation Room has somehow soldiered on and continued making great music. Making their Troy debut on this Tuesday night, the band briefly paused to introduce themselves and invite the crowd of mostly twenty-somethings to come closer to the stage.
Levitation Room’s Julian Porte performing in Troy, NY 5-14-24.
After taking “Mr. Polydactyl Cat” for a walk around the block, Kevin Perez’s infectious bass lines on “Cool It, Baby,” were so mesmerizing and playful that it nearly overshadowed the songs’ more serious lyrical themes. Such was also the case on the follow-up song “Grand Illusion (Expectations), where the far-out pop sound seemed to mask the existential questioning of Porte’s words.
Raise your glass, move your feet Are you dead or asleep? Talking heads on the screen Keeps you stuck in the dream Where the rat race is rigged And the presidents picked By the bankers who lend All that money you spend
And I said cool it, baby
Lyrics from Cool It, Baby
Further captivating the audience by switching gears and showing off their tender side with a pair of love songs “Heaven,” and the well-received “Ooh Child,” the waves of emotion swelled up like an ocean when Levitation Room uncorked what was perhaps the highlight of the set, an extended take on “Revelations,” a song about living in the moment, that saw the band firing on all cylinders and jumping around the stage, while guitarist Gabriel Fernandez navigated through a bevy of effects pedals during the song’s incendiary solo. It was refreshing to see the guys cutting loose, having fun and believing in what they were doing.
Levitation Room performing in Troy, NY 5-14-24.
After reminding the audience to be weary of the CIA, FBI, and NSA keeping tabs on YOU during “The Other Side,” Levitation Room casually eased into their most well-known single, “Friends,” from their debut 2015 EP Minds of Our Own before the equally hypnotic and dreamy vibe of “Immoral Love” sent the entire room into a blissed-out trance. Bathed in abstract visual projections and peering through a pair of old school 3-D glasses, the cool and steady hands of drummer Johnathan Martin mesmerized all evening long. Shifting tempos and playing up their strengths, “Loved” snapped the crowd out of it before the title track of “Strange Weather” brought the main portion of our sonic odyssey to a close.Â
Watch fan shoot footage of Levitation Room performing “Reasons Why” in Troy, NY 5-14-24.
After walking off stage to an enthusiastic ovation, the band decided to treat the crowd to one more song, choosing “Reasons Why” as the lone encore of the evening, bringing the colorfully cathartic, rewarding and fun performance to a close. Afterwards, the band could be found at the merch table taking selfies and signing records for the dozens of new fans they’d just won over. No rest for the weary, Levitation Room would find themselves playing gigs in Canada less than 24 hours later.Â
Taking place at No Fun in Troy, it’s easy to be fooled by the venue’s tongue-in-cheek name. A beacon for Capital Region counterculture since opening their doors in December 2021, the heady, 200 person capacity club known for its DIY punk-rock atmosphere and excellent craft beer selection, No Fun has proven to consistently contradict itself. Booking bands you won’t find anywhere else and holding events nearly every night of the week, it’s shows like Levitation Room on a Tuesday night that stand out as making the place truly special. That’s why when the venue suddenly announced it’s looking for a new owner and operator this week it, it sent shockwaves through the local music community. Claiming a “work life balance thing” as the reason with a listing of $149,000, the current owner wants it to be clear, No Fun is NOT closing, but rather opening the doors of opportunity for someone with the same spirit and passion to take over. Stay tuned to NYS Music as we will be sure to keep you up to date on this developing story.
Levitation Room | May 14th, 2024 | Troy, NY | No Fun
Setlist: Pintura, Warmth of the Sun, 2025, Mr. Polydactyl Cat, Cool It, Baby, Grand Illusion (Expectations), Heaven, Ooh Child, Revelations, The Other Side, Friends, Immortal Love, Loved, Strange Weather
Encore: Reasons Why
Bob Forget (of Abyssmals) | May 14th, 2024 | Troy, NY | No Fun | First Solo Set
Basilica Hudson announced their lineup of events for the 2024 season. Basilica Hudson is celebrating their new renovation with an action packed 2024 season. Summer events were kicked off May 18 & 19 with their 24 hour drone. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the 24 hour drone is a non stop 24 hour concert. A nearly religious experience, listeners challenge their endurance with the non stop music.
The Climate Action Film Festival will also be returning to Basilica’s North Hall on May 31st. The Festival showcases international stories of human bravery in the face of climate change. The Basilica will also be hosting Jupiter Nights throughout the summer. The event offers live music, food, art, and beautiful views of the sunset at Hudson Valley.
Additionally, the Basilica will be throwing two parties over the summer: (Freak) Flag Day and All The Bodies. (Freak) Flag Day will be a dark, gothwave dance party under the fireworks. All The Bodies will be hosted at Lil Deb’s restaurant on June 21 in celebration of Pride Month. Soundscape, a weekend of art and music, will also be returning this September. Farm & Flea will be returning this year for the summer and the holiday season. Farm & Flea offers a sustainable, local alternative to the mania of Black Friday.
Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth will be performing at the Basilica as part of her upcoming Collective Tour. Tickets to the above events and many more will be available at the following link. A trailer for this year’s Climate Action Film Festival is also available below.
Troy Chromatic Concerts will return for its 127th season at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall this fall. Performances for 2024-2025 feature numerous talents from across the globe, including the Australian Chamber Orchestra with Richard Tognetti. The venue, now a National Historic Landmark in Renneslaer, has been an establishment of New York classical music since 1874 and has hosted performances by world-renowned artists, from Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Isaac Stern, Yo-Yo Ma, and Vladimir Horowitz, to the best on today’s music scene, including Boz Scaggs, India Arie, Lake Street Dive, Trey Anastasio, and many more.
Frank Vignola an Tessa Lark
The upcoming lineup includes the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra from Riverside, NY. They will be joined by violin virtuoso Maxim Vengerov playing selections from Mozart’s “Violin Concerto.” Following this, 24-year-old violin prodigy Randall Goosby, will perform Mendelssohn and Janáček in his repertoire. Lastly, the acclaimed Steven Isserlis CBE to close out the season with a cello recital set to play Beethoven’s “Cello Sonata No. 2.”
The music hall is offering new subscribers a one-time special price for the season, adding that early subscription commitments go a long way toward supporting the enduring tradition of presenting classical music performances from 1894. Subscription renewals received by June 14, 2024 will guarantee preferred seats from the last season. First-time subscribers enjoy a 32% and can now lock in their favorite seats the entire season for $150. More information on the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and upcoming programs is available at www.troymusichall.org.
To perform “The Ottoman Four Seasons” with violinist Richard Tognetti directing their high octane and brave interpretive style.
November 3rd: Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Joined by violin virtuoso Maxim Vengerov performing selections from Mozart’s “Violin Concerto.”
November 23rd: Randall Goosby
24-year-old violin prodigy performs Mendelssohn, Janáček among other pieces, paired with
a string quartet.
February 4th: Steven Isserlis
Acclaimed British cellist will close out the 127th season with a cello recital featuring Canadian pianist Connie Shih performing several cello favorites, including Beethoven’s “Cello Sonata No. 2.”
Electronic music can be confusing. Deciphering the differences between Jungle, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Techno, House, Trance, and numerous others can be quite the challenge, but also part of the fun. Electro-Soul Beats is a genre that might elude most, but not Atlas B, it’s where he lives. On April 13, at NoFun in Troy, Atlas B performed his unique brand of music.
Using a laptop, an APC 40 controller, and (I assume) Ableton Live, Brian Enders took the audience on a sonic journey that was sample-rich, melodic, often-times wobble-bassey, and just plain fun. And that was just the sound.
Brian Enders A.K.A. Atlas B. is a Clifton Park native and has been making a name for himself locally. Starting in November of 2021 he launched his Atlas B. project using DistroKid to distribute his first single “Aeronautics” and has consistently been producing and performing ever since. He’s no stranger to NoFun as he’s done numerous shows there and packs in a crowd.
The normally darkened scene at NoFun was lit up like a Christmas tree with a gigantic curved LED wall that spanned nearly the entire width of the stage, not to mention the 6 CRT monitors at the foot of the stage. The complex, fractal-like, mirrored animations were a great accent to the hard-driving grooves that boomed throughout the space and spilled into River Street.
Occasionally Atlas B. was joined by Noah Fense Beers for some welcome and well-delivered rap lyrics atop the pristine chunked-out beats, giving the whole show a nice ebb and flow. It highlighted the power of collaboration and how music can be a binding force between people. That force was present between the two performers and it radiated into the audience. That good vibe was brought to the forefront when Ender’s brought out his remix of “Say You’ll Be There” by The Spice Girls. There’s something to be said about an artist that can weave a set of music together that hits hard and then drop in The Spice Girls without causing bedlam.
The future for Atlas B. looks bright as word gets out and his music gains momentum. No future dates announced yet, but certainly keep an eye on Troy’s NoFun and Empire Live in Albany as he tends to pup up there.
