Category: Central NY

Biscoland Returns to Wonderland this Weekend

Over July 4-6, Biscoland will return to Wonderland Forest in Central New York, for three nights of electronic music and jam bands, hosted by trance-fusion pioneers Disco Biscuits.

Official Biscoland poster by Vinny Naro

Wonderland Forest is situated roughly 25 minutes south of Syracuse in the rolling hills of Lafayette, NY. Plot your trip with the map below.

This will be the second Biscoland at Wonderland, the first being held this past October. The return to a summer music festival hosted by Disco Biscuits brings back Camp Bisco memories, albeit much smaller, and as bassist and DJ Marc Brownstein put it in October, “We really hope you will consider a spontaneous last minute trip to support the thing that you always wanted, a return to the festival of the old days.”

The Wonderland Forest Grounds

Bisconauts can expect five sets of Disco Biscuits, including one set on Thursday night of Tractorbeam. Playing each day prior to the hosts are Lettuce, Nora en Pure, Kitchen Dwellers, Lespecial, Break Science, Maniac Focus, Saxsquatch, Ben Silver, DJ Minx, Jimkata, Out of the Beardspace, RAQ, Squeaky Feet, The Breakfast, Space Bacon, Mark Farina, Cofresi, Dizgo, Cloudchord, Souleye and Horizon Wireless.

Weekend Passes & Single-Day Tickets are still available at bisco.land.

Check out the daily schedules below and stay tuned for updates during the festival!

Disco Biscuits 2024 Tour Dates

7/4-6 – Lafayette, NY – BISCOLAND
7/11 – Selbyville, DE – Freeman Arts Pavilion
7/12 – Atlantic City, NJ – Bourbon Ballroom
7/13 – Richmond, VA – The National
7/14 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
7/15 – Isle of Palms, SC – The Windjammer
7/18-19 Thornville, OH – Secret Dreams Festival
7/20 – Patchogue, NY – Great South Bay Music Festival
8/9-11 – Long Pond, PA – Elements Festival
8/29-30 – TBA
8/31-9/1 – Murphysboro, IL – Weekend at the Cave
9/6 – Dillon, CO – Dillon Amphitheater
9/7 – Bellvue, CO – Mishawaka Amphitheatre (SOLD OUT)
9/8 – Bellvue, CO – Mishawaka Amphitheatre (SOLD OUT – VIP available)
9/11 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
9/13 – Livingston, MT – Pine Creek Lodge (TRACTORBEAM)
9/14-15 – Livingston, MT – Pine Creek Lodge

July 3, 2024
Schola Cantorum Brings European Classical to Syracuse

Schola Cantorum, an early music vocal ensemble, has been performing European classical music since 1975. Catering to a unique niche of classical music, the cantorum performs compositions from the Medieval, Renaissance, and early Baroque eras.

Schola brings traditional technique and style straight from the Middle Ages to the Syracuse area. Barry Torres, Schola’s founding and present Music Director, formed the cantorum as the community based successor to an early music collegium at Syracuse University.

Barry Torres pursued his love of traditional music at Syracuse University, where he studied composition and music theory. Torres served 25 years as Director of Music Ensembles at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. At St. Lawrence, he taught singing and 16th Century performance practice in addition to directing the Laurentian Singers (St. Lawrence’s 28-member select choir), the University Chorus, and the Gospel Choir and Band. Torres has showcased his passion for music in the Orchestra of Northern New York, with NYS Baroque, and Sonare.

Every season, Schola presents three or more vocal ensemble concerts, as well as smaller early music ensembles.

Schola performing in 2009

Since 1983, Schola Cantorum has hosted their Summer Workshop for Singers, where singers have the opportunity to expand their repertoire and develop skills specific to early music ensemble singing. In 2024, Dr. Kristina Boerger will be the director of the singers workshop. From July 25 to the 28, participants will practice the mutual attentiveness that allows singing without a conductor. Dr. Boerger specializes in elements of quality vocal production: loose and relaxed onset of sound, well-defined, resonant vowel formation, crisp consonants, and precise, speech-oriented declamation.

The workshop is held primarily for amateurs aged 16 and up. Participants must be able to learn music and to sing in time, and in tune, from a score to attend the workshop. More information is available at the following link. For more information on classical events in your area, a link to the NYS Music classical section is available here.

A video of a previous year’s workshop performance is available below.

July 3, 2024
In Focus: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Beak & Skiff

Day long winds and heavy rain, along with a gloomy evening forecast did not deter the strong contingent of Jason Isbell fans from turning out to Beak & Skiff in LaFayette on Saturday June 29, as Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit made their return to Central New York.

Isbell, the critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, and guitarist has been touring endlessly in support of 2023’s acclaimed release, Weathervanes. The album showcases Isbell at his finest, with a package of songs focused on heavy topics like love and loss, addiction, and nostalgia, backed by powerful guitars and haunting melodies. Isbell, an Alabama native, formed with the 400 Unit in 2009 after he departed the Drive By Truckers. The 400 Unit, which consists of Sadler Vaden (guitars), Chad Gamble (drums), Anna Butterss (bass guitar), Derry deBorja (keyboards), and Will Johnson (percussion), have become an integral piece to both Isbell’s studio albums and live tours.

Heavy winds and rains started early and often on Saturday and continued until one final rain shower blew through the outdoor concert field shortly before 6pm. The tumultuous weather forced the cancelling of opener Courtney Marie Andrews’ set and led to a restructured timeline for the music events on this evening. That did not deter music fans from turning out in near capacity, and shortly before 7pm they were rewarded with a sun which had finally broke free of the heavy cloud cover that had dressed the fields through out the day.

Just after 7pm Isbell stepped on stage with his bandmates, flashing a smile and delivering praise to those in attendance for riding out the weather. The band launched into the gritty rocker “When We Were Close” which immediately had fans out of their chairs and making way close to the stage. Isbell wasted no time showing off tracks from his 2023 release, opening the concert with four consecutive tracks off the album. The third song this evening, “King of Oklahoma” which features a powerful, stadium-anthem like chorus, saw the first of several epic guitar-solo duals between Isbell and Vaden.

Through out the evening it became abundantly clear why Isbell has received such high praises as a songwriter. Few artists have the ability to place the listener into the scene with their lyrics quite like Isbell can. Vivid imagery, like on “Strawberry Woman” place the listener next to the song’s narrator, while addressing heavy topics all too familiar to many.

Over the course of the 110 minute set, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit treated those in attendance to a set spanning their entire catalog, performing favorites like “Alabama Pines”, “If We Were Vampires”, “24 Frames”, “Flying Over Water” and “Cover Me Up”. They even paid tribute to The Cure, by playing “Just Like Heaven” late in the set. It was a simple gesture to pay homage to the band’s classic rock roots, and one that was well received by all in attendance.

The Beak & Skiff Summer Concert Series continues on Sunday, July 7, with a performance by Lake Street Dive.

July 3, 2024
Daniel Hege to Direct Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra For 5 More Years

Renowned conductor Maestro Daniel Hege has renewed his contract as Music Director of The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra.

Hege first took the position in 2018 and with this renewal he will continue his role for another five years. He is a seasoned director as he was the music director of the Syracuse Symphony for 11 years and in 2009 he became the director of Wichita Symphony. Right before his current position he was named Principal Guest Conductor of the Tulsa Symphony of the 2015/16 season.

Hege comes from a line of musical talent as his grandfather, Boyd Eagle Piatote was a Jazz Musician and composer. Although he currently works in New York, he is a Nez Perce Colorado Native and a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes. He is also one of the only Indigenous orchestra directors in America.

In 1978, he graduated from Bethel College, Kansas where he studied music and history. He then received a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting from the University of Utah. During his time in Utah, he founded the University Chamber Orchestra, and served as both the Assistant Conductor of the University Orchestra and Music Director of the Utah Singers.

Notably, in 2015, Daniel Hege conducted Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle, with operatic bass, Samuel Ramey.

In this upcoming season he plans to do more community outreach by participating in the Kilmer Lectures and adding a series of public chats at the Broome County Arts Council.

To keep up with the The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra calendar, you can visit the website here.

July 2, 2024
Post Malone Plans Four Late Fall Shows Across New York

Global superstar Post Malone has announced his F-1 Trillion Tour, a momentous 21-show outing with stadium, festival, and amphitheater performances around the U.S., with four stops in New York State.

The New York native will play in his hometown of Syracuse, along with Saratoga Springs, Wantagh, and New York City, all in September.

The 9 times diamond-certified GRAMMY Award-nominated phenomenon, artist Post Malone regularly rewrites history, blurs boundaries, and incites internet-breaking conversation with every move. Emerging in 2015 with a genre-less brew that inspired a movement, he delivered the diamond-selling “Congratulations,” achieved back-to-back #1 debuts on the Billboard Top 200, received countless multi-Platinum certifications around the world, and smashed one record after another with his Hot 100-topping hits.

In 2022, he pushed boundaries again with his fourth full-length offering, Twelve Carat Toothache, which marked his fourth consecutive Top 5 bow on the Top 200. It also paved the way for his biggest headliner to date, The Twelve Carat Toothache Tour, taking over arenas for multiple dates in major cities throughout the year. He even scored “the highest-certified single in RIAA history” with the 17x-platinum “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse),” netting the biggest single of his generation. In 2023, he garnered a GRAMMY Award nod in the category of “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance” for “I Like You (A Happier Song)” [with Doja Cat], marking his tenth career nomination in six years.

As of 2023, his catalog comprises the GRAMMY Award-nominated “rockstar” [feat. 21 Savage” (Diamond), “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse)” [feat. Swae Lee] (2x Diamond), “I Fall Apart” (Diamond), “Psycho” [feat. Ty Dolla $ign] (Diamond), “White Iverson” (Diamond), “Better Now” (Diamond), and more. Not to mention, he sold out numerous arena tours and hosted and curated his own mega-popular Posty Fest in 2018 and 2019. It all started with his quintuple-platinum influential 2016 debut, Stoney. With records under his belt that will likely never be surpassed and a generation of artists and audiences worldwide under his spell, Post Malone simply doesn’t stop.

Tickets will be available starting with a Citi presale beginning Wednesday, June 26 at 10 a.m. local time. Additional pre-sales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning Monday, July 1 at 10 a.m. local time.

See below for the full list of tour dates.

2024 Tour Dates:

Sun Sep 8 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

Thu Sep 12 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center

Sat Sep 14 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview

Mon Sep 16 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheatre

Wed Sep 18 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park

Fri Sep 20 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium

Sat Sep 21 – Hartford, CT – The XFINITY Theatre

Mon Sep 23 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC

Wed Sep 25 – Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain

Sat Sep 28 – New York, NY – Global Citizen Festival

Sun Sep 29 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theatre

Tue Oct 1 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center

Fri Oct 4 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre

Sat Oct 5 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Amphitheatre

Mon Oct 7 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion

Wed Oct 9 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium

Fri Oct 11 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre

Sun Oct 13 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP

Tue Oct 15 – Pelham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

Thu Oct 17 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater

Sat Oct 19 – Nashville, TN – Nissan Stadium

June 26, 2024
Cake Return to Ommegang Brewery to Kick Off Summer

Cake returned to Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown, on Saturday, June 22, greeting over 7,000 fans who went the distance to attend this sold-out show in Central New York during a heat wave.

Cake, from California, has been around since the 1990s and has released original songs (“Going the Distance,” “Short Skirt” and “A Long Jacket”) and covers (“I Will Survive”) that never seem to age. Cake always makes an effort to stop in New York throughout their tours. This show was the fourth time Cake has been invited to play at the Ommegang Brewery.

Although Cake isn’t from New York, it felt like a homecoming show. The backdrop of the stage and the tree on stage blended into the mountains of New York surrounding the brewery and stage. The show opened melodically with Willie Nelsons’ ‘Sad Songs and Waltzes’ before launching into back to back songs from across their entire song catalogue – “Opera Singer,” “Rock and Roll Lifestyle,” “Long Time,” “Frank Sinatra”. Lead singer, Jon McCrea, who’s voice hasn’t aged a bit, also wasn’t stingy in use of the famous vibraslap throughout their set especially since many audience members egged him on by playing their own vibraslaps from the crowd.

The show slowed back down for ‘Mexico’ and the fans’ voiced echoes the words and melodies back to them. The frontman explained that they usually stop for a set break but they would continue to play ‘Shadow Stabbing’ and fight the impeding storm to stay away.

Sadly, lightning struck right after the song concluded and everyone was asked to evacuate the grounds to wait out the storm. Emails were sent out at around 10pm stating the show was cancelled, despite most people lacking any phone reception in the mountains to receive the update.

People went home soggy and disappointed after a short and sweet show and an hour long wait to know if the show would continue. But many Cake fans were satisfied to hear and singalong to songs old and new on a mostly beautiful day in New York and were relieved to know Cake will still be touring.

Cake is heading back to California to continue their tour in July. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps they will be back to Ommegang soon to finish the show they started and plant a tree for the Cake Forest.

Cake – Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown, NY – Saturday, June 22, 2024

Setlist: Sad Songs and Waltzes, Opera singer, Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps, Long Time, Rock and Roll Lifestyle, Meanwhile, Rick Jamesâ¦, Frank Sinatra, Sheep Go To Heaven, Mexico, Shadow Stabbing

June 26, 2024
Ray Brothers BBQ to Host Tribute to Bob Dylan

Ray Brothers BBQ will host bob., a tribute to Bob Dylan on August 11. The show will take audiences on a journey through Dylan’s timeless melodies and poignant lyrics.

Musicians from multiple bands will come together to pay tribute to Bob Dylan’s unparalleled artistry. Doors open at 3:00, and the show will run from 4:00 to 7:00.

The performance will feature Al Schnier and Vinnie Amico of the band moe. along with special guests. Known for their captivating stage presence and rhythmic wizardry, moe. has become a pioneering force in the jam band scene. moe. will be joined by Charley Orlando singer and multi-instrumentalist, Brian Lauri on keyboard, and Zach Fleitz on bass. From classic hits like “Highway 61 Revisited” to ballads like “Girl From the North Country,” bob. is sure to deliver a thrilling performance of all your favorites.

Located on Route 20 in Bouckville, Ray Brothers BBQ has received critical acclaim. Additionally, Food Network voted Ray Brothers BBQ the best ribs in the state. Owned by brothers Tucker and Colin Ray, Ray Bros has been serving authentic, slow cooked barbecue since 2014.

Ray Brothers’ outdoor venue offers a great opportunity to enjoy summer weather, great food, and even better music. Ray Bros sell out daily, so don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy critically acclaimed food and music.

More information about the tribute show is available at the following link. Ray Brothers BBQ’s episode of America’s Best Restaurants is available below.

June 25, 2024
Quinn XCII to Make New York Stops on Fall Tour

Michigan-based singer-songwriter Quinn XCII has announced three New York shows as part of his “All You Can Eat” Tour. The cross-country tour will stop at Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre, Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre, and Huntington’s Paramount in October.

Detroit native Quinn XCII burst onto the music scene with his trademark brand of pop. Quinn combines his pop prowess with influences from reggae and hip-hop, crafting a unique sound. His alternative yet catchy pop propelled Quinn to stardom with platinum selling hits “Straitjacket,” “Kings of Summer”, and “Love Me Less.” Off the back of these hits, Quinn’s catalog has garnered over 3.5 billion streams.

Quinn XCII has also found success on the live stage, headlining shows across the country. During his tours, Quinn has played at major festivals including Bonnarroo, Governors Ball, and Lollapalooza. This success has also allowed him to collaborate with major names in pop music, releasing collaborations with AJR, Noah Kahan, and Big Sean.

Quinn XCII’s “All You Can Eat” Tour comes at a new stage in his career. He kicked off this new era with the EP Breakfast, which is to be followed by Lunch, and Dinner. These three EPs follow Quinn’s alter-ego Mustard Mike, who is a sarcastic restaurant owner. In the leadup to this tour, Quinn XCII has released a new single titled “Melt.” The track is an upbeat and bouncy Summer anthem sure to get audiences dancing during the tour.

Quinn XCII in his Mustard Mike Persona

Playing off the culinary theme of his new era, Quinn has partnered with charities fighting hunger as part of his tour. $1 of all ticket sales will go towards supporting Conscious Alliance’s mission to end hunger across the US. Quinn XCII has also encouraged audiences to bring canned foods to select concerts to be donated for this cause.

Quinn will begin the “All You Can Eat” tour on September 20th in San Diego, before making his way Eastward. He will perform his first New York date at Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre on Wednesday, October 16th. Following this performance, Quinn will make his way down to Long Island to play a show at Huntington’s Paramount. The Long Island show will take place Friday, October 18th. Quinn will close out the New York Leg of the tour with a Tuesday, October 20th show at Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre.

QUINN XCII 2024 NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES:

Fri Sep 20 — San Diego, CA — Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre

Sat Sep 21 — Oakland, CA — Fox Theater

Tue Sep 24 — Missoula, MT — The Wilma

Wed Sep 25 — Boise, ID — Revolution Concert House and Event Center

Fri Sep 27 — Salt Lake City, UT — Love Letters Music Festival

Sat Sep 28 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium

Mon Sep 30 — Omaha, NE — Steelhouse Omaha

Tues Oct 01 — Fayetteville, AK — JJ’s Live

Thu Oct 03 — West Des Moines, IA — Val Air Ballroom

Fri Oct 04 — La Crosse, WI — La Crosse Center Arena

Sat Oct 05 — Milwaukee, WI — The Eagles Ballroom

Tue Oct 08 — Nashville, TN — Ryman Auditorium

Thu Oct 10 — Louisville, KY — The Louisville Palace

Fri Oct 11 — St. Louis, MO — The Factory

Sat Oct 12 — Cincinnati, OH — The Andrew J Brady Music Center

Tue Oct 15 — Toronto, ON — The Danforth Music Hall

Wed Oct 16 — Syracuse, NY — Landmark Theatre

Fri Oct 18 — Huntington, NY — The Paramount

Sat Oct 19 — Wallingford, CT — Toyota Oakdale Theatre

Tue Oct 22 — Port Chester, NY — The Capitol Theatre

Wed Oct 23 — Washington, DC — Echostage

Fri Oct 25 — Raleigh, NC — Red Hat Amphitheater

Sun Oct 27 — Birmingham, AL — Avondale Brewing Co.

Mon Oct 28 — Orlando, FL — House of Blues Orlando

Tue Oct 29 — St. Petersburg, FL — Jannus Live

Ticket Presale for the tour begins Tuesday, June 25th, with general sales beginning Friday, June 28th. To learn more about Quinn XCII’s ‘All You Can Eat” Tour, visit his website here.

June 23, 2024
Cooperstown Summer Music Festival Announces Lineup

The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival has announced the lineup for its 26th season. The festival begins July 17th, and will include six concerts. With shows ranging from jazz to blues to classical, there is a concert for everyone.

The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival has prided itself in presenting a high variety of quality shows for over 20 years. Founded in 1999, the festival has hosted over 100 artists in its history. In its 25 years of existence, the festival has exhibited classical, cabaret, and even special children’s concerts. Performance Today, the most popular classical radio program, has also frequently featured festival concerts.

“Our new season features an impressive collection of performances that will bring best-in-class artists in a wide variety of genres to perform for audiences in Cooperstown,”
– Linda Chesis, Festival founder

The Miró Quartet will kick off the season with a July 18th program titled “Voices of Home.” Beginning in 1995, the Austin-based quartet has made a name for itself as one of the most celebrated classical groups. The band takes its name from surrealist painter Joan Miró, with much of their music reflecting themes of imagination and fantasy. The quartet has previously toured across the United States, Europe, and Asia, receiving critical acclaim wherever they go. The July 18th show, titled “Voices of Home,” will tackle themes like nostalgia and yearning. It will feature compositions by Franz Joseph Haydn, Caroline Shaw, Kevin Puts, and George Walker. This concert will take place at 7pm at Cooperstown’s Farmers’ Museum.

July 25th will see a performance by the Caroga Arts Ensemble, titled “American Journey.” Cellist Kyle Price founded the ensemble in 2019, as part of the Caroga Arts Collective. The ensemble features prizewinning instrumentalists, music school faculty, and members of chamber groups. Since its founding, the ensemble has played at Chicago’s Symphony Center, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and more. Their July 25th show will feature pieces by American composers, such as Aaron Copland, John Corigliano, and more. The concert will take place at Cooperstown’s Farmers’ Museum at 7pm.

Pianist Richard Goode will perform a selection of Beethoven pieces on July 30th. Famous for his emotional interpretations of classical and romantic pieces, Goode has become one of the most acclaimed pianists of our day. He has played concerts across the United States and Europe, and has hosted multiple music masterclasses. As part of this concert, Goode will perform some of Beethoven’s later work, illustrating the emotional depth of his playing. The concert will take place 7pm at the Otesaga Resort Hotel.

Grammy award-winning vocalist Catherine Russell will perform a blues and jazz selection on August 6th. Coming from a musical family in New York, Russell has spent much of her life performing. She has previously toured with legends like Steely Dan, Paul Simon, and Cyndi Lauper. Her third album Inside This Heart of Mine reached #1 on the iTunes jazz charts upon release. Since then she has won various awards, including a Grammy for her work on the Boardwalk Empire Soundtrack. NPR hailed Russell’s vocals, saying she “wails like a horn and whispers like a snake in the garden of Eden.” She will perform at the Otesaga Resort Hotel at 7pm.

August 16th will feature two performances as part of the program’s Family Music Fest. The concerts will be hosted by Justin Jay Hines, percussionist for the NY Philharmonic Young People’s Orchestra. These family friendly performances will begin with an interactive workshop. During this workshop, kids will learn how to make instruments from natural materials, and craft different beats. The workshop will end with a performance using these handmade instruments. These workshops will be followed by a performance from Hines. The first performance will take place at Origins cafe at 10:30am. It will be followed by a second 3pm performance at the Farmers’ Museum. These performances are free, but registration is required.

The festival will conclude with an August 20th performance titled “Bach Again.” This performance will feature harpsichordist Bradley Brookshire, cellist Wolfram Koessel, flautist Linda Chessis, and violinist Rachell Ellen Wong. The night will celebrate the musical genius of Johann Sebastian Bach, featuring renditions of his instrumental sonatas. Mezzo-soprano Winona Martin will join these instrumentalists to perform a selection of Bach’s arias. This concert will take place 7pm at Christ Episcopal Church.

Concert Schedule

7/18 – Miró Quartet: Voices of Home – 7pm @ The Farmers’ Museum

7/25 – Caroga Arts Ensemble: American Journey – 7pm @ The Farmers’ Museum

7/30 – Pianist Richard Goode Plays Late Beethoven – 7pm @ Otesaga Resort Hotel

8/6 – Catherine Russell, Blues and Jazz Singer – 7pm @ Otesaga Resort Hotel

8/16 – Family Music Fest with Justin Jay Hines, Percussionist and Host of NY Philharmonic Young People’s Concerts – 10:30am @ Origins Cafe

8/16 – Family Music Fest – 3pm @ The Farmers’ Museum

8/20 – Bach Again – 7pm @ Christ Episcopal Church

Tickets are $30 for all concerts, with students under 18 having a reduced price of $15. All tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information on ticketing and concerts, visit the Cooperstown Music Festival website here.

June 20, 2024
Chenango Blues launches 2024 Thursday Concert Series in Norwich

The Chenango Blues Foundation has announced its Thursday summer concert series spanning from July 11th to August 29th at East Park in Downtown Norwich, NY, who will host free concerts every Thursday in the leadup to the Chenango Blues Festival on August 16th. These Summer concerts are free, allowing concert-goers to enjoy world class talent at no cost. 2024’s lineup provides a diverse array of genres, including blues, roots rock, and psychedelic.

Since 2003, the Chenango Blues Foundation has put on free concerts for Norwich residents highlighting blues talent. This aids in their mission to foster the appreciation of American musical arts through accessible performances. As part of this mission, the foundation has presented free concerts by American blues legends such as Shemekia Copeland in 2021. The Summer concert series has also featured legends of big-band jazz, and zydeco, including multiple shows by the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Eric Lindell will kick off the Summer series on July 11th with his trademark brand of Americana. Lindell’s strain of music mixes Southern R&B, West Coast Rock, and Soul to create an infectious sound. This performance marks Lindell’s third performance at the Chenango Thursday Concert Series, having previously played in 2007, and 2008.

Eric Lindell

New Orlean’s the Iguanas will grace the concert series with a July 18th show. The Iguanas have toured for three decades with few lineup changes, crafting a fun and almost brotherly attitude in their music. The band’s style of roots rock connects genres ranging from New Orleans jazz, blues, tejano rock, and Caribbean music.

The James Hunter Six will close out July with an evening concert on July 25th. MOJO magazine hailed Hunter as “the United Kingdom’s greatest soul singer.” Since starting his career over 30 years ago, Hunter has played guitar and backing vocals for Van Morrison, and received a Grammy nomination for “Best Traditional Blues Album.” Hunter will perform while in the US on a larger tour with Bonnie Raitt.

Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds will kick off the festival’s August lineup. Headed by singer Arleigh Kincheloe, the Brooklyn based band has made a name for themselves with their electrifying soul. For their headlining shows, festival performances, and residencies, NPR hailed them as “one of the biggest voices in rock music.” With very limited dates, this performance is sure to be one of the group’s only free shows.

Sister Sparrow

August 8th will see a special performance by the Garcia Project. The Garcia Project is dedicated to faithful recreations of Jerry Garcia Band concerts from 1976-1995. These concerts are not covers, but thoughtful musical arrangements meant to evoke the emotions of classic Garcia concerts. This concert is perfect for enjoyers of Garcia’s classic work or those who enjoy psychedelic and jam band music.

August 15th will feature a special Blues Fest pre-show with Blood Brothers. The duo consists of blues guitarists Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia. Both Zito and Castiglia are renowned musicians in their own right. In 2022, Zito won the Blues Music Award for “Best Blues Album,” and Castgilia won the BMA for “Blues Rock Artist.” Together, the duo are more than the sum of their parts, featuring immensely collaborative performances and songwriting. This concert will kick off the weekend-long Chenango Blues Festival.

Following the Blues Festival, the Thursday concert series will return on August 22nd with a performance by Sam Bush. This legendary artist spearheaded the “newgrass” movement, creating a new progressive style of bluegrass. Bush’s sound melds traditional bluegrass with long rock jams, and even aspects of Bob Marley’s reggae. Bush is a Bluegrass Hall of fame inductee, 3x Grammy winner, and Americana Music Association lifetime achievement award winner. Since beginning his career, Bush has collaborated with legends like Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks, and Bela Fleck.

Musical innovator Keller Williams will close out the summer season with an August 29th performance. Williams is not bound by conventional notions of genre, seamlessly shifting between rock, funk, and blues. With this eclectic mixing of styles, no two shows by Williams will ever be the same. Keller will play solo, accompanying himself on guitar, bass, synthesizer, and drum sampler. Williams has dubbed this style “Acoustic dance music,” which is sure to make for an engaging and danceable show.

Keller Williams

Summer Concert Series Schedule

7/11 @ 7:00pm – Eric Lindell

7/18 @ 7:00pm- The Iguanas

7/25 @ 7:00pm- James Hunter Six

8/1 @ 7:00pm- Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds

8/8 @ 7:00pm- The Garcia Project

8/15 @ 6:30pm- Blood Brothers

8/22 @ 7:00pm- Sam Bush

8/29 @ 7:00pm- Keller Williams

For more information on performers, location, and times, visit the Chenango Blues Festival website here.

June 19, 2024

Built in Breakdance