Five For Fighting kicked off Independence Day with a performance on Live With Kelly and Mark at “Live’s 4th of July Family Party” in New York City. In addition the Grammy-nominated soft-rock star has announced an upcoming 4-month nationwide tour beginning in July until October. Moreover the tour will be split into two separate legs; a full-band Tour and a string quartet leg of the tour.
John Ondrasik’s top-40 Billboard hit “Superman” earned him a Grammy nomination in 2002. Credit: Nikolai Puc
FFF — also known as John Ondrasik — will be joined by experienced banmadates; drummer Randy Cooke, bassist Sean Hurley, and guitarist Peter Thorn for the first 2 months of the tour. Comparatively he will be joined by the likes of violinist Melissa Tong –who toured with Post Malone in 2023, Tony-winner Katie Kresek on violin, Broadway’s own Chris Cardona on viola and cello player Peter Sachon for the tours finals two-months. Markedly FFF’s eclectic style has brought out a wide-arrange of highly decorated performers.
“If it’s summer, the Five for Fighting rock band is back in the bus! It’s always a thrill for me to play with such amazing musicians, Pete, Randy, and Sean,” said Ondrasik. “We look forward to playing songs people know and love and some of the newer songs like ‘OK (We Are Not Ok)’ and telling some stories along the way. See you this summer!”
– John Ondrasik
All dates for the Full Band and String Quartet shows are listed below. For more information and tickets, as well as to request a show, visit Five For Fighting’s website linked here.
FIVE FOR FIGHTING FULL BAND TOUR DATES:
Thus, July 11: Hot Summer Nights Concert Series @ Municipal Lawn in Sherman, TX (Free Show)
Saturday, July 27 @ Mystic Lake Casino, Mystic Amphitheater in Prior Lake, MN (Free Show)
Tuesday, August 6 @ Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA
Thus, August 8 @ Electric City in Buffalo, NY
Friday, August 9, 2024 @ House of Blues, Cambridge Room in Cleveland, OH
Saturday, August 10, 2024 @ St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, MI
Sunday, August 11, 2024 @ Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 @ Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 @ Oceanfront Concerts Series, 24th Street Park in Virginia Beach, VA
Friday, August 16, 2024 @ Cabot Theater in Beverly, MA
Saturday, August 17, 2024 @ The Wolf Den At Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT (Free Show)
Sunday, August 18, 2024 @ Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, NY
Five For Fighting Quartet Shows
Thus, September 26, in Homer, NY, at the Center for the Arts of Homer
Fri, September 27, in Saratoga Springs, NY, at Universal Preservation Hall
Sat, September 28, in Corning, NY, at Corning Museum Of Glass
Sun, September 29, in Bethel, NY, at The Event Gallery at Bethel Woods
Tuesday, October 1 in Oneonta, NY, at Foothills Performing Arts Center
Thursday, October 3 in Nashua, NH, at Nashua Center for the Arts
Friday, October 4 in Laconia, NH, at The Colonial Theatre Laconia
Saturday, October 5 in Bethlehem, NY, at The Colonial Theatre
Sunday, October 6 in Waterville, ME, at Waterville Opera House
Tuesday, October 8 in Newport, RI, at The JPT Film & Event Center
Wednesday, October 9 in Red Bank, NJ, at Count Basie Center for the Arts – The Vogel
Thursday, October 10 in Port Washington, NY, at Landmark on Main Street
This fall, Kaatsbaan Cultural Park hosts the 2024 rendition of their annual cultural festival. The festival, held in Tivoli, NY, begins on the weekend of September 13 and ends on October 6.
For the three weekend of the festival’s duration, an array of visual and musical artists will showcase their work, with each weekend focusing on a different medium. Attendees can enjoy a wide variety of activities and shows, including film screenings, concerts, art exhibits, dance shows, and more.
Founded in 1990, Kaatsbaan Cultural Park promotes all forms of art and culture found throughout the world. The organization hosts a wide variety of events, including the Annual Festival, art and dance exhibitions, and even educational programs such as the Ballet Intensive. With a diverse set of performers, Kaatsbaan Cultural Park brings culture and art to the town of Tivoli. As both an incubator for creativity and presenter for world-class artists in dance, theater, music, film, poetry, and culinary and visual arts, Kaatsbaan provides artists with state-of-the-art dance studios, accommodations, an indoor theater, and outdoor stages.
The three weeks of the Annual Festival involves dozens of performers, each specializing in their own form of art. Due to the festival’s length, the events are dedicated to a specific medium.
September 13-15
September 13–15 focuses on film, literary, and visual art. The events include an author reading and conversation with Francine Prose, an art walk with curator Hilary Greene and artists, and a screening of MERCE / MISHA / MORE, a film celebrating decades of friendship and collaboration between Mikhail Baryshnikov and Merce Cunningham.
Mikhail Baryshnikov – MERCE / MISHA / MORE
September 19–2, Gaia Music Collective and Contemporaneous
The festival celebrates music with a free Community Sing hosted by Gaia Music Collective and a performance of History of Life—Act 1, anin-development productionby Contemporaneous, a Kaatsbaan-grown ensemble,inspired by Homer’s Odyssey.
Gaia Music Collective- PC Joanna Lee Johnson
September 28–29, Limón Dance Company, Boca Tuya, and Music From The Sole
A preview performance of a new creation by Bessie Awardee Kayla Farrish that examines two thematically aligned works by José Limón, Redes (1951) and El Grito (1952).
Boca Tuya performs Like Those Playground Kids at Midnight, a shapeshifting duet developed at Kaatsbaan in 2023. Boca Tuya is led by queer Puertorriqueño choreographer and director Omar Román De Jesús.
Music From The Sole closes out the night with a new work-in-development that explores the profound link between tap dance, Afro-Brazilian, and house music.
Limon Dance Company – PC Kelly Puleio
October 5–6
The weekend begins with the Kaatsbaan debut of multi-award-winning British choreographer and director Sir Wayne McGregor and his work Autobiography (v100 and v101) on the outdoor Mountain Stage.
Tickets and any additional information for the Kaatsbaan Cultural Park Annual Festival are available on their website, linked here.
This September, the town of Hudson, NY, will host the 2024 Basilica Soundscape Music Festival. From September 27-29, fans and attendees can see a wide variety of concerts, art installations, and high-tech performances from local and nationwide artists.
Founded in 2010 by Melissa Auf der Maur, Patrick Doyle, and Tony Stone, Basilica Hudson has been providing local artists, writers, and musicians alike with a historic space to showcase their work. Located in a reclaimed industrial factory from the 1880s, the original architecture included industrial windows, brick walls, terracotta ceiling tiles, and an intricate steel truss system. With thorough renovations, but still preserving the original features, it became the perfect scenic location to present these works. Since then, a wide variety of programs hosted through Basilica Soundscape include music festivals, live readings, and gallery presentations.
Through its programs, Basilica Hudson actively encourages and supports the creation, production, and presentation of independent arts and culture. One of its trademark festivals, Basilica SoundScape, features live concerts, conceptual sound performances, author readings, art installations, curated local vendors and artisans, on-site activities, and more, creating an immersive, innovative weekend of art, music, and culture.
Presented below are the full list of performers coming to Basilica Soundscape:
Friday, September 27
“Motherbeat” vinyl DJs Eris Drew & Octo Octa return to Basilica Soundscape for a night of bass-blasting house music. They’re bringing their powerful, custom LUV NRG sound system to the cavernous Main Hall for an all-night party, presented by the Bunker.
Nitemind returns with an electric and innovative light show to accompany the party.
Eris Drew and Octo Octa – Crack Magazine
Saturday, September 28
Noise legends Lightning Bolt bring their exciting sound from Providence, Rhode Island, to Hudson for a night of energetic rock and roll.
Lightning Bolt – Official photo
Post-rock band Still House Plants make their Basilica Soundscape debut. Join them on Saturday to hear some creative, innovative sounds.
Still House Plants – Pitchfork
An exciting combination of genres awaits as new rap combines forces with a nü-metal edge with the heavy style and flow of hardcore rapper E L U C I D.
E L U C I D – Pitchfork
Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Greg Mendez shares songs from his newest self-titled album on Saturday night.
Maria BC presents dark, ambient movements that accompany melancholy, soaring vocals with a haunting new song featured on the soundtrack for the new film “I Saw the TV Glow.”
Cassandra Jenkins, the unofficial songwriter laureate of Central Park Birders, will present songs from her upcoming album, My Light, My Destroyer, set to release on July 12.
Local band Babehoven brings the indie-rock sound to Basilica Soundscape. They will be presenting songs from their latest album, Water’s In You, released in April of this year.
Babehoven – Rolling Stone
Movement and music presented by Kinlaw, a composer, choreographer, and performer.
Open Head, one of the most exciting bands local to Kingston, NY, brings a night of post-punk fun to Basilica Soundscape.
Basilica Hudson’s signature Writers in the Rafters program makes a return to Basilica Soundscape, featuring live readings from local writers and poets alike.
Sunday, September 29
Although Sunday’s program is yet to be announced, Basilica Hudson promises a night of family-friendly fun for free!
For any festival, artist, or ticket information, visit the festival’s website.
Beginning Friday, July 5, the Crandell Theatre in Chatham, NY, will screen iconic Hollywood movies throughout the summer months. Ranging from science fiction to classic comedies, the Crandell Theatre offers a series of fantastic, nostalgic films for the entire family.
Built in 1926 by Walter S. Crandell, the theater was an architectural marvel in the town of Chatham. The Spanish Renaissance style created an “atmospheric theater” for the auditorium, providing a comforting space for the over 500 seats. Anthony Quirino purchased the theatre in 1960. For 50 years, it was owned and operated by the Quirino family, until Anthony’s son, Tony, died in 2010.
Following Quirino’s death, the Crandell was closed and faced an uncertain future. With an outpouring of community support and the leadership of the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, Lael Locke, and Judy Grunberg, the Chatham Film Club (CFC) raised approximately $600,000 to buy the theater and make repairs.
Despite its small size, The Crandell Theatre is an incredible historic venue that makes a big impact. The theater is one of fewer than one hundred single-screen theaters in the United States and one of the few non-profit theaters nationwide. In 1998, the CFC began hosting independent film nights, promoting the works of local and regional filmmakers.
In 2000, the CFC hosted the first ever FilmColumbia festival, originally for one weekend during the year. Two decades later, FilmColumbia expanded to a 10-day-long affair. Since 2010, Crandell Theatre Inc. has raised over $1 million for renovations and continues to enhance the moviegoing experience for generations to come.
Theatre Schedule
First up on the list of Hollywood classics is Stephen Spielberg’s iconic film Jaws. The series will also include such fan favorites as Saturday Night Fever, The Big Lebowski, Dirty Dancing, Pulp Fiction, Star Wars Episode IV – A New Hope (the 1977 original), The Godfather, Jurassic Park, and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.Minions will screen at 10 am on July 13 for free during the annual Chatham Summerfest. These films will be screened in addition to regular new releases. Below is the schedule for screenings at the Crandell Theatre. For ticket information, visit their website here.
“Hollywood Summer Nights” Crandell Theatre Movies Schedule
July 5, 7 pm Jaws
July 6, 7 pm Saturday Night Fever
July 13, 10 amMinions*FREE* (Part of Chatham Summerfest)
July 13, 7 pmThe Big Lebowski
July 19, 7 pmDirty Dancing
July 26, 7 pmPulp Fiction
August 9, 7 pmStar Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
August 16, 7 pmThe Godfather
August *TBA*Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Bard College announced the return of its Bard Music Festival, “Berlioz and His World,” a two-weekend concert event in the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts Aug 9-18.
The festival has been presented since 1990 and this summer will be its 34th season. Co-artistic director and founder of the festival, Leon Botstein will conduct The Orchestra Now (TŌN) on weekend one and the American Symphony Orchestra on weekend two. The Bard Festival Chorale is also featured in all vocal repertoire under the direction of James Bagwell.
As referenced in the title, the theme of this year’s festival is French composer, Hector Berlioz. He was a guitarist and flutist who toured all over Europe but surprisingly was not very popular in his home country. His most famous work is Symphonie fantastique, an orchestra piece inspired by an opium dream. Aside from larger orchestral pieces, Berlioz also wrote songs for guitar and voice.
Weekend one is titled “Revolutionary Spectacle and Romantic Passion.”The first of these five concerts will be Symphonie fantastique performed by the TŌN. The last concert will pay homage to “Women Musicians in Berlioz’s Time,” with music from composers like Clara Schumann and Louise Bertin.
The final weekend explores “Music and the Literary Imagination.”The first concert of the weekend will move to Rhinebeck, NY in Episcopal Church of the Messiah for the sound of its renovated organ.
For the final concert, “Faust and the Spirit of the 19th Century,” on Aug 18, New York City residents have the opportunity to take a bus to and from the venue. The roundtrip can be ordered online. Tickets for mainstage events are $25 per person and the live streams are $20. Patrons can purchase these tickets on the Fisher Center website.
Program details of Bard Music Festival, “Berlioz and His World”
WEEKEND ONE: Revolutionary Spectacle and Romantic Passion
PROGRAM ONE: Staging the Musical Imagination
Friday, August 9
Sosnoff Theater
7pm performance with commentary by Leon Botstein, with Joshua Blue, tenor; Alfred Walker, baritone; Bard Festival Chorale and James Bagwell, choral director; and The Orchestra Now, conducted by Leon Botstein, music director (plus livestream)
Hector BERLIOZ (1803–69)
Symphonie fantastique: Episode de la vie d’un artiste, Op. 14 (1830)
Lélio, ou Le retour à la vie, monodrame lyrique, Op. 14b (1831–32, rev. 1855)
PANEL ONE: A Revolutionary Life in a Revolutionary Era
Saturday, August 10
Olin Hall
10am–12 noon
Leon Botstein, moderator; Anna Celenza; Esther da Costa Meyer; Michael P. Steinberg
Free and open to the public
PROGRAM TWO: Anxieties of Influence: Models and Teachers
Saturday, August 10
Olin Hall
1pm preconcert talk: Jonathan Kregor
1:30pm performance: Jana McIntyre, soprano; Rebecca Ringle Kamarei, mezzo-soprano; Tyler Duncan, baritone; Noël Wan, harp; Michael Stephen Brown and Erika Switzer, piano; Balourdet Quartet; and others
Hector BERLIOZ (1803–69)
Le montagnard exilé (1822–23)
Songs
Luigi CHERUBINI (1760–1842)
Etude No. 2 (1804)
Anton REICHA (1770–1836)
String Quartet in C minor, Op. 49, No. 1 (1803)
Carl Maria von WEBER (1786–1826)
Invitation to the Dance, Op. 65 (1819)
Elias PARISH ALVARS (1808–49)
Introduction and Variations on Themes from Bellini’s Norma, Op. 36 (n.d.)
Arias by Jean-François LE SUEUR (1760–1837), Gaspare SPONTINI (1774–1851), and Ambroise THOMAS (1811–96)
PROGRAM THREE: The Sounds of a Nation: Patriotism and Antiquity
Saturday, August 10
Sosnoff Theater
6pm preconcert talk: Sarah Hibberd
7 pm performance: with Jana McIntyre, soprano; Megan Moore, mezzo-soprano; Joshua Blue, tenor; Bard Festival Chorale and James Bagwell, choral director; and The Orchestra Now, conducted by Leon Botstein, music director (plus livestream)
Hector BERLIOZ (1803–69)
Hymne des Marseillaise (arr. 1830)
“Trojan March,” “Nuit d’ivresse et d’extase infinie,” and “Royal Hunt and Storm” from Les Troyens (1856–58)
Te Deum Op. 22/H.118 (1849)
Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714–87)
Overture to Iphigenia in Aulis (1774; arr. R. Wagner 1847)
Daniel-François-Esprit AUBER (1782–1871)
Overture to Fra Diavolo (1830)
PROGRAM FOUR: Chansons, romances, et mélodies: Vocal Music from Cosmopolitan Paris
Sunday, August 11
Olin Hall
11 am performance with commentary by Byron Adams; with Jana McIntyre, soprano; Rebecca Ringle Kamarei, mezzo-soprano; Maximillian Jansen, tenor; Tyler Duncan, baritone; and Kayo Iwama and Erika Switzer, piano
Hector BERLIOZ (1803–69)
From Irlande, Op. 2 (1830); songs
Songs and arias by Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791–1864); Gioachino ROSSINI (1792–1868); Franz LISZT (1811–86); Richard WAGNER (1813–83); Pauline VIARDOT (1821–1910); Ernest REYER (1823–1909); Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835–1921); Georges BIZET (1838–75); Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840–93); and Gabriel FAURÉ (1845–1924)
PROGRAM FIVE: Women Musicians in Berlioz’s Time
Sunday, August 11
Sosnoff Theater
2:30pm preconcert talk: Hilary Porris
3pm performance: Laquita Mitchell, Monica Yunus, and Camille Zamora, sopranos; Rebecca Ringle Kamarei and Adriana Zabala, mezzo-sopranos; Noah Stewart, tenor; Babatunde Akinboboye, baritone; Anna Polonsky and Lucy Tucker Yates, piano; Sharyn Pirtle, director of Le dernier sorcier; and others (plus livestream)
Hector BERLIOZ (1803–69)
Le mort d’Ophélie, Op. 18, No. 2 (1842)
La captive, Op. 12 (1831–32)
Pauline VIARDOT (1821–1910)
Le dernier sorcier (1869)
Works by Gioachino ROSSINI (1792–1868); Louise BERTIN (1805–77); Clara SCHUMANN (1819–96); and others
WEEKEND TWO: Music and the Literary Imagination
PROGRAM SIX: Sacred Music in France
Thursday, August 15 at 7pm
Friday, August 16 at 3pm
Episcopal Church of the Messiah, Rhinebeck
With Renée Anne Louprette, organ, and members of the Bard Festival Chorale and members of The Orchestra Now, conducted by James Bagwell
Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869)
Veni Creator Spiritus (c. 1860-68)
La fuite en Égypte: Mystère en style ancien (1850)
Choral and organ works by Dmitry BORTNIANSKY (1751-1825), Luigi CHERUBINI (1760–1842), Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791–1864), Gioachino ROSSINI (1792–1868), Pierre-Louis DIETSCH (1808–65), Alfred LEFÉBURE-WÉLY (1817–69), César FRANCK (1822–90), Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835–1921), Gabriel FAURÉ (1845–1924), and Olivier MESSIAEN (1908–92)
PROGRAM SEVEN: Berlioz: The Composer as Writer
Friday, August 16
Sosnoff Theater
6:30pm preconcert talk: Peter Bloom
7pm performance: Jana McIntyre, soprano; Noah Stewart, tenor; Alfred Walker, bass-baritone; Luosha Fang, viola; Piers Lane and Orion Weiss, piano; and others (plus livestream)
Hector BERLIOZ (1803–69)
Harold en Italie, Op. 16 (1834; arr. Liszt)
Niccolò PAGANINI (1782–1840)
Cantabile (1823)
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809–47)
Andante and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14 (1830)
Piano works and arias by Louis SPOHR (1784–1859), Fromental HALÉVY (1799–1862), Adolphe ADAM (1803–56), Mikhail GLINKA (1804–57), Michael BALFE (1808–70), Charles-Valentin ALKAN (1813–88)
PANEL TWO: Musical Romanticism and Literature
Saturday, August 17
Olin Hall
10am–12 noon
Eric Trudel, moderator; Francesca Brittan; Mark Pottinger; and others
Free and open to the public
PROGRAM EIGHT: Literary Romantics
Saturday, August 17
Olin Hall
1pm preconcert talk: Dana Gooley
1:30pm performance: Jana McIntyre, soprano; Rebecca Ringle Kamarei, mezzo-soprano; Noah Stewart, tenor; Tyler Duncan, baritone; Piers Lane, Anna Polonsky, and Orion Weiss, piano; Balourdet Quartet; and others
Hector BERLIOZ (1803–69)
Les nuits d’été, Op. 7 (1841)
Fanny MENDELSSOHN (1805–47)
From Sechs Lieder, Op. 1 (1846)
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809–47)
String Quintet No. 2, Op. 87 (1845)
Robert SCHUMANN (1810–56)
Andante and Variations, Op. 46 (1843)
Piano works by Ferdinand HILLER (1811–85), Stephen HELLER (1813–88); and Louis Moreau GOTTSCHALK (1829–69)
SUMMER SOIRÉE
Saturday, August 17
Blithewood
3:30pm
PROGRAM NINE: An Evening with the Orchestra
Saturday, August 17
Sosnoff Theater
6 pm preconcert talk: Christopher H. Gibbs
7 pm performance: American Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leon Botstein, music director (plus livestream)
Hector BERLIOZ (1803–69)
Waverley Overture, Op. 1 (1827)
Gioachino ROSSINI (1792–1868)
Overture to William Tell (1829)
Louise FARRENC (1804–75)
Symphony No. 3 in G minor, Op. 36 (1847)
Joachim RAFF (1822–82)
Symphony No. 10 in F minor, “In Autumn,” Op. 213 (1879)
PROGRAM TEN: Berlioz’s Transformation of the World of Sound
Sunday, August 18
Olin Hall
11 am preconcert talk: Richard Wilson
11:30am performance: Anna Polonsky, piano; New Hudson Saxophone Quartet; Bard Festival Wind Ensemble; and others
Hector BERLIOZ (1803–69)
Chant sacré (arr. 1844)
Jean-Baptiste ARBAN (1825–89)
Fantaisie and Variations on The Carnival of Venice (1861)
Richard STRAUSS (1864–1949)
Andante, op. posth. (1888)
Edward ELGAR (1857–1934)
Romance, Op. 62 (1910)
Eugène BOZZA (1905–91)
Andante et Scherzo (1938)
Edgard VARÈSE (1883–1965)
Density 21.5 (1936, rev. 1946)
Olivier MESSIAEN (1908–92)
Le merle noir (1952)
Steve REICH (b. 1936)
Clapping Music (1972)
Luciano BERIO (1925–2003)
Sequenza V (1966)
György LIGETI (1923–2006)
Six Bagatelles (1953)
PROGRAM ELEVEN: Faust and the Spirit of the 19th Century
Sunday, August 18
Sosnoff Theater
2pm preconcert talk: Francesca Brittan
3pm performance: with Sasha Cooke, mezzo-soprano; Joshua Blue, tenor; Alfred Walker, bass-baritone; Stefan Egerstrom, bass; Bard Festival Chorale and James Bagwell, choral director; American Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leon Botstein, music director (plus livestream)
The Bearsville Theatre complex lit up with excitement and good vibes on Friday, June 28 for a double-headlined show from Ratboys and Water From Your Eyes. The event brought together fans of a multi-genre spectrum and vibrant performances to Woodstock.Â
Ratboys
Chicago indie-rock band Ratboys, are on a break from their tour opening for The Decemberists, which picks back up in July. After which the band, comprised of Julia Steiner, Dave Sagan, Marcus Nuccio, and Sean Neumann, will embark on a fall headline tour. For now, theyâre playing a few headline shows including Friday nightâs juncture with Water From Your Eyes, who then go to Europe and return to the States for a lineup of festivals.
The show served as a standalone experience with both bands, who are currently on their respective tour schedules, coming together for one special show. Fans got to witness the first time the two bands played a show together since 2016. Fans of both bands in the audience blended in with each other seamlessly in this union of rock music.
Water From Your Eyes
As the crowd shuffled into the venue, the first band of the night, alt-rock group Water From Your Eyes took the stage. Singer, Rachel Brown, began by declaring they had lost their voice, however, they along with bandmate, Nate Amos, proceeded to put on an electrifying performance. Each band member brought their own style to the set, making it an enjoyable watch.
Ratboyâs set presented music from old and new albums filling Bearsville Theater with their repertoire of musical approaches. Frontwoman, Steiner, rocked a flying V guitar throughout the show adding flare to their rhythmic indie music. Each tune sonically transitioned into another, with the occasional introduction, making the exhibition of their music look so natural.
Because the room fostered such intimacy between the audience and the bands, the connection was radiant. Attendees were able to interact easily with the band, whether it was while they were on stage or walking around when they weren’t performing. Overall, the casual and welcoming nature of the concert left everyone in high spirits.
Julia SteinerSean NeumannJulia SteinerRachel BrownJulia SteinerRatboysWater From Your EyesRachel BrownRachel BrownSean NeumannRachel BrownDave SaganRachel BrownJulia SteinerRachel Brown
Hugely popular country-rock band, Hootie & The Blowfish touched down in Bethel on Thursday, June 27 during their “Summer Camp With Trucks” tour.
Bethel Woods Center For The Arts is a stone’s throw from the original site of the Woodstock music festival, and joining Hootie & The Blowfish is Collective Soul and Edwin McCain. Collective Soul is celebrating their 30th anniversary and did so by releasing their newest record, Here To Eternity.
As fans were still finding their seats, buying merchandise and beverages, McCain graced the stage. Joining McCain was Larry Chaney on lead guitar with Craig Shields on saxophone and keyboards. The trio had a short set yet prepped the crowd for the rock and roll later in the show. Throughout McCain’s set, he shared stories about his family and laughed with the audience in between songs. Some of his most popular songs like “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask For More,” were received well by the fans. The trio’s chemistry on stage was extremely noticeable while they were on stage.
All the bands were on a tight schedule so Collective Soul hopped quickly on stage. The band blasted into their first song, “Mother’s Love” off their brand new record. The crowd rose to their feet at the start of the set and did not sit until the end of the last song, “Run.” Collective Soul’s style of rock is different than Hootie & The Blowfish’s yet at the same time, complimented each other. It was great to see so many people have equal interest in Collective Soul and Hootie & The Blowfish. The band’s nine-song set was packed with some of their biggest hits. The crowd sang along to every one of the group’s songs.
Collective Soul is fronted by Ed Roland on lead vocals and acoustic guitar. Joining Ed is his brother Dean Roland and Jesse Triplett on guitars. Will Turpin was on bass and Johnny Rabb on drums.
Collective Soul has always been a great band and their stage presence is unmatched. All of their songs are catchy and their legion of fans brought their singing voice with them. As the band started a cover of AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, McCain ran on stage to help sing. This brought a loud cheer from the audience. “December,” off the band’s self-titled record was the second to last song played but was the fan favorite. The fans that sat down immediately stood up and took out their phones to record the tune.
With the sun now dipping behind the general admission lawn, the stage quickly was turned over. Hootie & The Blowfish’s road crew did a swift and efficient job at getting the gear all set and ready to go. Before anyone could get a new beer, 001: A SpaceOdyssey’s theme song was blasted into the set and the house lights dimmed.
Hootie & The Blowfish jumped into a cover of 54-40’s “I Go Blind” as the first song. Like Collective Soul, fans in the lower section remained on their feet for the entire 23-song set. The energy from the crowd was soaked up by the band as they had smiles on their face from the first note till the last.
The band is led by singer and guitarist Darius Rucker. Joining Rucker is Mark Bryan on lead guitar, Dean Felber on bass and Jim Sonefeld on drums. In addition to the quartet are touring musicians Gary Greene, Garry Murray and Lee Turner.
With the temperature dropping below the 60s, the cooler weather didn’t deter the band or fans. The rock-infused country style made fans feel right at home at the site of “peace and love.” Throughout the band’s set, they sprinkled in a ton of covers including “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield, “Hey, Hey What Can I Do” by Led Zeppelin and “Solitude” by McCain. The latter even saw McCain, yet again, grace the stage to perform the song. The cheers for McCain were louder than the other two times. The band did a great job at adding their own twists to some of those classic covers and made some of the songs the memorable tunes of the evening.
The team that was mixing the band’s sound was at the top of their game. The band overall sounded great. No member was louder than the other, they were just perfect. Behind the band was a spectacular video screen with top-notch graphics of live video and different animations. It was amazing to see different animations of campfires and big trees displaying different color lights to the audience.
It’s difficult to not play the famous tune “Wagon Wheel” for Rucker and fans got their money’s worth when that song was played towards the back half of the set. Fans screamed at the top of their lungs and embraced their friends and partners. This tune has become a favorite among music lovers and it was a great song to hear live, it sent chills down the spines of fans across the amphitheater.
With the band in full command of the stage – and one shoeless Bryan – the band weaved in and out of covers and original material before the end of the set. The final song before the set was over was “Hold My Hand,” off of 1994’s Cracked Rear View and, like “Wagon Wheel,” people embraced each other as the band waved goodbye.
It wasn’t until the three-song encore started that more thunderous cheers were heard. “Go and Tell Him (Soup Song)” was the first song up to bat before a cover of Stone Temple Pilots’ “Interstate Love Song” was played. The STP song was one of the best songs and covers played that evening. Rucker’s vocals were on course with original singer, Scott Weiland and the rest of the band followed his lead.
Of course, “Only Wanna Be With You” was the very last song of the evening and while fans were slowly filing out of the crowd and into the cold night, there was not one negative word said. The crowd loved the entire show and it was all they could talk about as they left the amphitheater.
Hootie & The Blowfish’s “Summer Camp With Trucks” tour has two more dates left. On September 5, they will be in Long Island and on September 6 they will be in Syracuse. This is truly a show you do not want to miss, it’s spectacular in every sense of the word.
Edwin McCain setlist: Darwin’s Children, I Could Not Ask For More, Promise of You, I’ll Be
Collective Soul setlist: Mother’s Love, Bluer Than So Blue, Heavy, Shine, The World I Know, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC cover), Where the River Flows, December, Run
Hootie & The Blowfish setlist: I Go Blind (54-40 cover), Wishing, I Will Wait, Time, Running From an Angel, For What It’s Worth (Buffalo Springfield cover), Hannah Jane, Not Even the Trees, Will the Circle Be Unbroken? (William MacEwan cover), Desert Mountian Showdown, I Hope I Don’t Fall in Love With You (Tom Waits cover), Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Shop cover), Miss California, Hey, Hey What Can I Do (Led Zeppelin cover,) Solitude (Edwin McCain cover), Old Man & Me / Mo Money Mo Problems / Big Poppa, Let Her Cry, Losing My Religion (R.E.M cover), Alright, Hold My Hand, Go and Tell Him (Soup Song), Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots cover), Only Wanna Be With You
The two-piece rock band, AM Gold, just released their long awaited, self-titled album on all streaming platforms.
Today, Aaron Magram and Dana Fasano make up the rock band. When the project first started, AM Gold was Magram’s solo work. Between 2017 and 2020 he released three albums, Fuckin’ A, Love Pharmaceuticals & Smooth Jazz and SuperUltraMegaMediocre along with their two EPs, Xanax and Aww Yeah!
In late 2022, the project was re-born and Magram and Fasano started to perform together. Originally, the two wanted to find other bandmates to fill out their sound more, but with the help of music technology, they no longer have that need.
With octave and vocal pedals along with guitar looping, AM Gold sounded like a full band. Recordings for this new album started in early 2024 at Magram’s home studio with the help of Bob Hershberger, who professionally mastered the album.
In preparation for the new album they’ve released three singles, “Unto You,” “Use Your Delusions I” and “Tell Me.”
Listening to AM Gold is like taking a journey through rock history. You can find the resemblance to 80’s hair rock with the opening track “Word of God” as well as “About Me.” Their intense guitar instrumentations and harsh vocals speak to the inspiration. “Sleight of Hand” is a more easy-going carefree 70’s style song.
Although this grunge punk album has clear inspiration, it is original and unique to AM Gold’s style. Their mixing and instrumentation is exactly the modern touch rock music needs in 2024.
AM Gold also has some performance dates in the Hudson Valley and you can find more information about it on their website.
It was an exhilarating homecoming jam for Mikaela Davis at Thursday nightâs show at the Colony in Woodstock. The June 27 show was full of high energy, dancing, and an extraordinary show from a group of versatile musicians.
Davis, originally from Rochester and now based out of Catskill, is currently on a tour of headline shows and festivals opening for Amos Lee. This show was even more significant, marking her return to the Hudson Valley before embarking on a West Coast tour in July.Â
The audience got a taste of what they were about to witness when she joined opener Rich Ruth on stage for a harp contribution. Davis’ harp playing was recently featured on Ruth’s latest release Water Still Flows. Ruth along with his band and Davis, treated the audience to a special collaborative performance.
Another highlight of the night with Mikaela Davis at Colony in Woodstock was the remarkable musicianship exhibited by the band. By crossing genres, they exemplified how a variety of musical backgrounds can come together to create new distinctive pieces of art. It’s not every day there’s a harp and a double-neck bass in the same band. The experimentation allowed for making the environment feel like a jam session where everyone in the room was equal to the performers, witnessing genuine virtuosity.
After spending the last few years playing with legends like Bob Weir and Phil Lesh, it’s no surprise that Davis chooses to cover a Grateful Dead song at most of her shows. Characteristically, she ended the show with the Jerry Garcia tune “Bird Song.” This was an extremely successful way of uniting the room even more, by playing a song loved by everyone with such positive energy.
Saugerties’ exciting multi-arts and cultural center, The Local, is following up its highly acclaimed first year with another remarkable series of live events starting in September. With 16 shows previewed, and more to come, The Local is continuing its mission of bringing a diverse lineup of world-class artists from around the globe and around the corner to perform in an intimate setting.
The Local is a new venue for arts, culture, and community in Saugerties, NY, founded by Isabel Soffer and Danny Melnick, co-founders of Hudson Valley Live. The two Saugerties-based music producers and performing-arts professionals have each devoted more than 30 years to producing festivals, concerts, and curated arts experiences.
Besides its own world-class series of music and dance events, the ADA-accessible space is available to rent for parties, concerts, pop-ups, gallery exhibits, and more. The Local is located in the heart of the Village of Saugerties at 16 John St., behind the Saugerties Reformed Church on Main Street.
In The Local’s first year, more than 50 acclaimed acts performed, dozens of shows sold out and a fundraiser to help purchase a new stage and make necessary upgrades raised more than $35,000.
This upcoming season will see an eclectic range of performances—and many Hudson Valley NY debuts—including Brazilian singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Bia Ferreira (Sept. 25); Habibi Festival Hudson Valley with Arabic Trance Jazz (Oct. 3); and the ambient country sounds of SUSS (Nov. 1), described as “Brian Eno meets Ennio Morricone.” Psychedelic Furs guitarist Knox Chandler will be a special guest of Doom Jazz duo Bobby Previte and Jamie Saft (Nov. 2), and the riveting 20-piece NYC Ska Orchestra brings their uplifting big-band sound (Nov. 9).
Plus, this season will bring additional collaborations with renowned Brooklyn venue Barbès Brooklyn, more dance parties with Turntables on the Hudson (their April 2024 dance party at The Local with DJ Nickodemus was a wild success), and a continuation of the popular Consider This speaker series featuring experts discussing topics relevant to our communities.
The entire season kicks off Friday, Sept. 20, with a thrilling performance by acclaimed eight-piece band Sidy Samb’s Afroflamenco, direct from Spain.
“We’re grateful for the support The Local has received so far, and our next season will continue to bring more music, dancing, culture, inspiration, and collaboration to the area,” said co-founder Isabel Soffer.
“We’re starting the second fall season with a wide array of events that we hope will encourage curiosity and cross-cultural understanding,” said co-founder Danny Melnick.
Ticket sales will begin on Sunday, July 21. For tickets and more information, visit The Local’s website here. See below for the current full fall lineup.
The Local’s Fall 2024 Preview September-December
Fri., Sept. 20, 8pm – Sidy Samb’s Afroflamenco Band leader Sidy Samb is a highly acclaimed Senegalese musician based in Spain who connects flamenco to its African roots.
Sat., Sept. 21, 8pm – Toombs Dixon Dance Party: Return of the Rock ‘n Twist Parade! This supergroup celebrates the origins of rock ’n roll with tributes to the sounds of Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Carl Perkins, The Everly Brothers, and more.
Sun., Sept. 22, 6pm – Opera: Chant du Équinoxes by Gilbert-Michel Rolle and Katya Grineva A US premiere! Highly acclaimed tenor Rolle and renowned pianist Grineva perform Rolle’s newest composition, Chant du Équinoxes (Song of the Equinoxes), on the day of the Autumn Equinox.
Wed., Sept. 25, 7pm – Sounds of Brazil: Bia Ferreira This singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and queer and women’s rights activist harnesses Brazilian rhythms and styles with funky beats, hip-hop, reggae, and soulful ballads.
Fri., Sept. 27, 8pm – Yemen Blues Drawing from the great traditions of Jewish and Arabic culture, each note sings with a love for common humanity coexisting in both the past and present, at once timeless and modern.
Sun., Sept. 29, 5pm – Afro-Cuban Music and Dance A workshop and performance featuring members of the legendary Los Muñequitos de Matanzas—one of the most critically acclaimed rumba groups of all time.
Thurs., Oct. 3, 7pm – Habibi Festival Hudson Valley: Tarek Yamani and Yacine Boulares Award-winning artists blend Lebanese and Tunisian traditions to create a unique Arabic trance with the harmonic and melodic flexibility of jazz.
Sat., Oct. 5, 8pm – Marilyn Crispell & Harvey Sorgen Duo Woodstock-resident Crispell has performed and recorded extensively with well-known players on the US and international jazz scenes. She’ll be joined by long-time collaborator percussionist Sorgen, celebrating their new album.
Sun., Oct. 20, 2pm – Transylvanian Dance Romanian pianist Lucian Ban and US violist Mat Maneri find fresh inspiration as they follow the trail of Béla Bartók, revisiting the Transylvanian folk music that spurred the imagination of the great Hungarian composer.
Fri., Nov. 1, 8pm – Ambient Country: SUSS Cowpunk pioneer Bob Holmes, w/ Jonathan Gregg and Pat Irwin, combine roots music with elements of electronic and shoegaze for a sound described as an imagined collaboration between Brian Eno and Ennio Morricone.
Sat., Nov. 2, 8pm – Doom Jazz: Bobby Previte & Jamie Saft with Knox Chandler A vast landscape of cascading sound diving deeply into the abyss, marrying the intricate web of jazz and the visceral heft of rock. W/S/G guitarist Knox Chandler (Psychedelic Furs, Lou Reed, REM).
Sat., Nov. 9, 8pm – NYC Ska Orchestra This 20-piece big band performs originals and arrangements of Jamaican ska, mento, rock steady, and reggae from the 1950s-60s. They’ve recorded and/or performed with Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Skatalites, Toots & The Maytals, and more.
Sun., Nov. 10, 5pm – Gospel: Mount Olive Men’s Chorus / Innervisions One of the area’s preeminent gospel ensembles, performing in gospel quartet style—the same tradition that gave rise to Mavis Staples, Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, and Lou Rawls. Innervisions is led by Rev. Thomas V. House, a prominent member of the legendary Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes from TX.
Fri., Dec. 6, 8pm – La Banda Chuska Reimagining the vintage sounds of Peruvian and Colombian cumbia and surf music with the psychedelic flavors of 1970s chicha and ’80s club rock, through the lens of a NYC home and diverse backgrounds. Crazy fun dance party vibes! (A collab w/ Barbès Brooklyn.)
Sat., Dec. 7, 8pm – The Harpweaver: Maeve Gilchrist Scottish-born harper, composer and producer Gilchrist’s innovative approach to her instrument stretches its harmonic limits and improvisational possibilities. She’s performed with Yo-Yo Ma, Esperanza Spalding, Arooj Aftaab, and many others.
Sat., Dec. 14, 8pm – Matt Wilson Christmas Tree-O Matt Wilson is one of the most in-demand musicians in jazz, and Christmas Tree-O is a joyous project celebrating the holiday season.
