Returning for its 22nd year, the Long Island Bluegrass & Roots Music Festival has announced the lineup of its day-long showcase of bluegrass and roots talent on August 17 in Copiague, Long Island.
The festival will run between noon and 7:00 p.m. in Tanner Park on Long Island’s Great South Bay and feature performances from seven accomplished artists and bands.
Copiague, located in Suffolk County, is a hamlet on the southern end of Long Island, just about an hour from Queens.
The Long Island Bluegrass & Roots Music Festival has been a staple in Copiague and the New York bluegrass and roots scene in general since its inception in 2003. After all, not many local festivals are able to run for more than 20 years with no breaks or cancellations.
Returning for the 2024 season with a date of August 17, this year’s festival lineup has not disappointed.
The Jacob Jolliff Band, a nationally touring group of virtuosic pickers headed by lifelong mandolinist Jacob Jolliff, is a must-see. Miles to Dayton, a band with a love for blending elements of folk, rock, classical and funk into an irresistible invitation, will bring their four-part vocal harmonies, clever songwriting, improvisational violin and cello and infectious rhythms to Copiague in another essential performance.
But performances aren’t only for the billed artists. If you’re a bluegrass musician at any level, bring your instruments for the bluegrass pickin’ sessions that are available to all attendees.
In addition to the all-day music, food vendors will be at the festival for anybody looking for a bite to eat.
Free parking is available, and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for extra relaxation.
Tickets for the whole day are $20 and can be purchased here. Children under the age of 12 are free. See below for the full list of performers.
Full Festival Lineup
The Jacob Jolliff Band
Miles to Dayton
Gene Casey & the Lone Sharks
Buddy Merriam & Back Roads featuring the Long Island Mandolin Quartet
Eight-time Grammy winner Anderson .Paak is heading on tour. The Super Bowl halftime performer announced The Malibu Tour, featuring Maurice Brown and Gawd, where he will perform his critically-acclaimed sophomore effort, Malibu, in its entirety. The 3-week trek will see .Paak make 14 stops with a performance at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY for the penultimate performance.
Maya Sarin
Anderson .Paak is renowned for his work as a singer, rapper, and producer. His passion for music began as a child in his church band in Oxnard, California. In 2014 .Paak released his debut album, Venice, followed by Malibu in 2016.
.Paak is known for his collaboration with other accomplisted artists. Silk Sonic, .Paak’s collaboration with Bruno Mars, earned the duo four Grammy’s and a sold out Vegas residency. Hits like “Leave the Door Open” and “Smokin’ out the Window” have cemented .Paak’s place in the public consciousness. .Paak appeared as a surprise guest at Logic and Friends’ show in 2022.
Anderson .Paak’s tour will showcase all of his strengths. With experience playing at the Met Gala, F1 Las Vegas, and Coachella, .Paak is an experienced performer with an engaging stage presence.
Tickets are currently available, and a full list of tour dates is available below. Anderson .Paak’s NPR performance is also available below.
The Malibu Tour Dates
Wed Sep 18 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Thu Sep 19 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
Sat Sep 21 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Tue Sep 24 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
Thu Sep 26 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl
On Thursday, June 27, the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater celebrated its 72nd anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the latest renovations in a multimillion-dollar project. The event marked a significant milestone for the historic venue, originally constructed in the 1950s, and highlighted its ongoing evolution to enhance the concert-going experience.
George Gorman, Regional Director of New York State Parks, welcomed the gathered crowd, acknowledging the hard work of the staff, Live Nation, and New York State Parks in bringing the project to fruition. He emphasized the theater’s rich history and the importance of these renovations in preserving its legacy. Gorman extended special thanks to New York State Senator Kevin Thomas, Governor Kathy Hochul, and other key supporters for their contributions, which were crucial in making the renovations possible.
During the ceremony, Tom See, Live Nation’s President of Venue Nation, spoke enthusiastically about the enhancements made to the theater. “The reopening of Jones Beach Theater is the start of the next chapter in the venue’s history,” he said. “As part of the venue’s renovation, you’ll just see it when you step on up. Check out this amazing brand new entry. A state-of-the-art entry of Instagrammable moments and you’ll walk right into a community plaza.”
The new community plaza, approximately the size of a football field, represents a significant improvement. “We never had that location at Jones Beach where the community could be able to hang out,” See explained. “We put them right into a concourse and it had lines and a difficult way to maneuver. But now this open concourse provides the community a place to come in, enjoy food and beverages before they go in and see the show.”
The renovations also include a reimagined premium experience, offering 280-degree views of Zachs Bay. To ensure fans enjoy as much of the show as possible and spend less time in lines, the venue has added more than 30% more food and beverage outlets. “So you can hang out, enjoy the show, and spend time with family,” See noted. “But most importantly, we added 20% more fresh food options.”
The ceremony concluded with the official ribbon-cutting, symbolizing the start of the next chapter for Northwell Jones Beach Theater. Attendees were invited to explore the new features and enjoy the event, setting the stage for many more memorable performances at this iconic venue.
This Summer, Playland Amusement Park in Port Chester presents the Playland Summer Sounds Concert Series from July 6 to Aug 31.
This is Playlandâs first partnership with The Capitol Theatre, a historical venue that has showcased legends like Bob Dylan, The Strokes and David Bowie. Playland is also collaborating with The Rock and Roll Playhouse from July 7 to Sept 1 for a family concert series.
The Rock and Roll Playhouse was founded in 2014 as a way for children to interact with music of all different genres. The group is based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, it has hosted over 1000 shows all over the U.S. Playhouse will present sing-along performances and family friendly covers of Queen, Taylor Swift and more.
Playland Summer Sounds will kick off with 1 Wild Night, a Bon Jovi Tribute band. The next day, on July 7, The Rock and Roll Playhouse: The Music of Queen the next day.
Playland is conveniently located near the Metro North Station in Rye, Ny. Beyond musical performances park guests can enjoy the 50 rides and attractions the area has to offer. Every Friday night, the park will have fireworks shows starting June 28. Playland has been entertaining the Long Island area since 1928. Anyone can attend the concerts with a day pass or an all-access season pass.
Long Island based Hip-hop artist and producer, Jesse Eplan released his single, “Sunburst,” on June 21.
Eplan releases music under his own name and produces all of his work, including pop, rap and trap music and works in every aspect of production from writing to mixing and mastering. Eplan attempts to push boundaries and create unique genre blending beats.
His interest in music started with more of a classic rock discography when he was 9 years old. “I was learning to play drums and guitar. I was listening to some of the classic rock bands such as Led Zeppelin, ACDC, The Rolling Stones and The Who” Eplan told NYS Music. “As I got into middle school, my friends and I started listening to Rick Ross, Kanye West and Chris Brown. I was DJing at local parties. All I wanted to do was make beats. So, my classic rock roots and rap-trap/pop, met somewhere in the middle and I’ve been making beats and music ever,” he said.
Eplan’s projects venture beyond his music productions. He currently owns and operates The Sound Lab, a recording studio in Bellmore, Long Island. He engineers in both studio rooms and works with other up and coming artists in the area.
After he released his first two LPs, Trap Harmony and Purple Wave at the University of Tampa the Hip Hop world took notice of the young star. He collaborated with similar artists like Wacotron, Famous Dex and Kontraversy. Although his music started to blossom in Tampa, he ultimately decided to attend The Los Angelos film school where he studied audio engineering. His range of sounds spans across his seven albums and many singles like “Sunburst.”
“Sunburst” has a catchy hook and exposes his vocals over a simple beat. It has a relatively slow tempo making it an easy-going song. Along with Sunburst, he released a “Sunburst remix,” a song with a more dance friendly tempo. The new single is accompanied by a music video featuring Eplan performing the song at a beautiful sunset lit beach.
Jesse Eplan’s upcoming album Jetty Life 3 is set to be released on July 14 – you can find his music on any streaming service – list to “Sunburst” below.
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.
New York holds a special place in the history of music, spawning countless superstar artists and musical movements. It is no wonder then, that New York has a host of institutions meant to celebrate its important relationship to music. Across New York State, there are a number of Music Halls of Fame, many of which celebrate the musical heritage of their region. Others instead celebrate entire genres that originated in New York. Let’s explore New York’s Music Halls of Fame, their histories, and what they contain.
Locations of New York State’s Music Halls of Fame
New York City Metro
Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame
The Long Island Music Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) is an organization aiming to preserve and celebrate Long Island’s musical heritage. Inspired by this emergence of Long Island, music historian Norm Prusslin and Rich L Hommedieu founded the Hall in 2004. They were quickly joined by Jim Faith and others. LIMEHOF inducts artists, producers, venues, and radio stars from Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, and Kings counties. Located in Stony Brook, the hall of fame occupies an 8,800 square foot building, which also contains a museum dedicated to Long Island Music History. The museum houses instruments, memorabilia, and awards won by some of its inductees.
The exterior of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame
Starting in the 1970s, Long Island slowly began to emerge as a hub of music. Local bands like Zebra and Twisted Sister slowly began to conquer rock radio airwaves in the 1980s. Soon, by the early 2000s, Long Island had become home to its own music festivals, such as the Great South Bay and Long Island Bluegrass festivals. As Billy Joel said in his induction to the hall of fame, “people began to recognize that the âLong Island Soundâ wasnât just a body of water.” Inspired by this emergence of Long Island, music historian Norm Prusslin co-founded the hall of fame in 2004 with Rich L. Hommedieu.
Since its founding, the hall of fame has inducted over 120 figures, who originated or lived on Long Island. Genre pioneers like punk-rockers the Ramones, and hip-hop legends Run-DMC were among the first inductees. The hall of fame also recognizes nationally-known stars, like Billy Joel, Paul Simon, and Louis Armstrong for their success and influence. Induction, however is not just limited to artists, with execs, producers, and important venues also having spots in the hall of fame.
The lobby of the hall of fame museum
The hall of fame is also involved in music education, and community involvement. The museum facilities host a theater that showcases local artists, film screenings and music workshops. In addition to inductions, the hall of fame also awards the Harry Chapin award to artists and organizations dedicated to humanitarian causes on Long Island. Past inductees have included Steven Van Zandt, and the Long Island Cares food bank. The organization also awards annual high school scholarships, and recognitions for Long Island high school orchestras.
Hip Hop Hall of Fame
The Hip Hop Hall of Fame is an organization founded in 1992 that is dedicated to the preservation of hip hop as a cultural art. The organization specifically recognizes hip hop’s role in promoting socio-economic empowerment and urban development. In addition to recognizing artists instrumental in hip hop’s foundation, the organization places a special emphasis on community involvement through charity, and education.
A photo of the inaugural inductees in 1995, with Hip Hop Legends Grandmaster Caz, Mr. Magic, Founder JT Thompson, Kool DJ Red Alert and Ez AD
New York holds a key place in the development of hip hop as a genre. Hip Hop was born in the Bronx, with many citing its origins in an August 11, 1973 party held by DJ Kool Herc. His use of two turntables to play extended instrumental funk breaks shaped the sound that would become the basis for hip hop. Since its birth, New York has spawned countless superstars, including Notorious B.I.G., Nas, and Jay Z. It is no wonder why the Hip Hop Hall of Fame is based out of New York City.
The hall of fame’s inaugural induction ceremony was held at Sylvia’s restaurant in Harlem in 1995. Since then, BET has nationally broadcast annual induction ceremony and concert every November to celebrate Hip Hop History Month. Inductees include rappers, DJs, b-boys, and producers. The organization currently has no physical location, but that will soon change. The Hip Hop Hall of Fame is constructing a massive complex in the heart of Manhattan. The entertainment complex will host the hall of fame, museum, a hotel, and stores for visitors. The hall of fame museum will contain memorabilia, and interactive exhibits for each of its inductees. The physical facilities are expected to be completed in late 2026 to early 2027.
A digital rendering of the museum’s planned exhibits
The hall of fame holds community involvement and education as a key tenet of its mission. As a result, it offers a host of scholarships, grants, and music industry mentoring programs for inner-city youth. In addition, the organization invests in efforts to register voters, empower local businesses, and provide job training. This is all part of the organization’s belief that hip hop culture can be a positive influence in fixing many of the problems that plague the inner-city.
Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame and Museum
The Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium founded the Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame in 1999. Its goal is to recognize musicians who had an impact on the cultural landscape of Brooklyn through both musicianship and community involvement. This hall of fame places specific focus on artists whose work has been overlook in comparison to other commercially successful jazz musicians.
The hall of fame’s origins can be traced to the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, an alliance of venues, community organizations, and musicians. The Consortium places special emphasis on the preservation of jazz as a piece of Brooklyn’s culture, using activism and education to aid in this mission. Specifically, the consortium works to ensure there are accessible, and affordable music shows and programs for Brooklyn’s underserved communities. As part of this mission, the Consortium hosts an annual Brooklyn Jazz Festival.
The Consortium’s Jazz Hall of Fame is currently an online entity. Its creators however hope that it can one day have a physical location. The envisioned location would contain interactive displays, educational facilities and a performance center. The hall of fames inductees include singers, instrumentalists, composers, and bandleaders. Some notable inductees are Lena Horne, Freddie Hubbard, and Max Roach.
The Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame presenting an award to flautist Herbie Mann
The Hall of Fame is also dedicated to giving back to the community, and promoting jazz to youth. As a result, they award the annual Deacon Leroy Apple Young Lion Award. The hall of fame presents this award to a young Brooklyn musician with exceptional jazz skills.
American Theater Hall of Fame
The American Theater Hall of Fame is the only organization that recognizes lifetime achievement in American theater productions. Earl Blackwell, James M. Nederlander, Gerard Oestreicher and L. Arnold Weissberger founded the hall of fame in 1970 in Manhattan. The organization’s mission is honor the past history of theater, celebrate present productions, and encourage future involvement in the arts.
The hall of fame is located in the Gershwin Theatre in the heart of Broadway. It takes the form of large gold lettering embossed on the walls of the theater’s entrance. The Gershwin Theatre also houses a small museum dedicated to hall of fame inductees. The second floor lobby houses 22 exhibition cases displaying memorabilia from past inductees. Individual donations, and ticket sales from the theater fund the hall of fame’s memorial and events.
Since its first induction ceremony in 1972, the hall of fame has honored hundreds of performers, composers, and directors. To be eligible for induction, someone must have performed for over 25 years, and have at least 5 Broadway credits. Each year, a committee of 275 critics and hall of fame members votes on candidates, inducting the top 8. In terms of musicians, the hall of fame has inducted famous composers and conductors such as George Gershwin, and Leonard Bernstein.
The hall of fame hosts an annual induction ceremony and Gala at the Gershwin Theatre each January. Leaders of the Broadway industry frequently attend the ceremony. Each year’s induction ceremony is videotaped and stored at the New York Public Library for Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.
Bronx Walk of Fame
Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer founded The Bronx Walk of Fame to honor the achievements the Bronx’s residents. The Walk of Fame came as part of a larger plan to uplift the spirits of the borough’s residents, and improve the external image of the Bronx. Today, the Walk of Fame takes the form of a 23 block long corridor along the Bronx’s Grand Concourse. Along the concourse, street signs celebrate celebrities who were born or lived in the Bronx.
An aerial view of the Bronx’s Grand Concourse – home to the Walk of Fame
The bright yellow street signs along the Walk of Fame celebrate not only honorees, but the borough as a whole. One side displays an image of the Bronx County Courthouse, the center of government for the borough. The other illustrates art deco storefronts, hinting at the vibrancy of commerce in the community. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the signs were redesigned, placing a larger emphasis on the inductees name, removing the building illustrations.
Each year, the Bronx Borough President, Tourism Council, and Overall Economic Development Corporation vet a series of candidates, before selecting inductees. There is an unveiling ceremony at the County Courthouse, where the signs are displayed for one year, before relocation to the Grand Concourse. The annual Bronx Ball celebration also honors Walk of Fame inductees.
The Walk of fame includes a number of musicians, spanning many genres and decades. Hinting to the Bronx’s importance to hip hop’s birth, a number of rappers, like Slick Rick and Kurtis Blow have signs along the concourse. Additionally, the Walk of Fame also honors the smooth voices of Luther Vandross, Bobby Darin, and Jerry Vale. The Bronx has historically been a hub for Latin music in the US, so many musical inductees have roots in this genre. Willie Colon, Johnny Pacheco, and Joseito Mateo are just a few salsa and merengue musicians honored on the Walk of Fame.
Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame
The Ertegun Jazz Hall of fame is an organization dedicated to honoring luminary minds of Jazz. The hall’s name comes from Atlantic Records co-founder Nesuhi Ertegun, whose label released many seminal jazz records. Jazz at Lincoln Center founded the hall of fame in 2004 to celebrate the definitive artists that have shaped jazz.
“The Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame will provide a center where the lives and the artistry of the greatest jazz musicians will be celebrated, and where people will come to learn about jazz, something to which my brother devoted his life’s work”
– Ahmet Ertegün
Today, Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall houses the interactive hall of fame. The hall includes a 14-foot video wall, interactive kiosks, and touch-activated virtual plaques. In addition, the hall’s architecture itself is a celebration of jazz instrumentation. The facilities make use of cork, wood, and brass, that are key materials of jazz instruments.
A 60 person panel, including artists, and scholars from 17 different countries works to select inductees. The inaugural 2004 induction included legends like Miles Davis, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, and 11 others. Jazz legends, including Herbie Hancock presented awards to inductees’ family members and friends.
A Display of Hall of Fame inductees in the Frederick P Rose Hall
Capital Region
Eddies Music Hall of Fame
The Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame, colloquially known as the Eddies Hall of Fame began in 2019. The mission of the hall of fame is to celebrate individuals from the Capital Region who have made a significant impact on the music industry. Their contributions can be national or local, drawing a great diversity of inductees.
The Eddies Music Hall of Fame unveiling ceremony
Jim Murphy and Sal Prizio created the Eddies in 2018 as part of Proctor’s Collaborative. The collaborative is a collection of Capital Region theaters, music schools, and other organizations to push music education and economic development in the area. Each year, the organization hosts the Eddies Awards to recognize musicians of the Capital Region, and induct hall of fame members. The first ceremony was held at Schenectady’s Proctors Theatre, and saw 1,250 attendees.
Since its establishment, the Eddies Hall of Fame has taken physical shape in Saratoga Springs’ Universal Preservation Hall. The venue houses a wall of plaques honoring each inductee, with a screen of rotating videos telling their life stories.
Exterior of Saratoga Springs’s Universal Preservation hall
The hall of fame celebrates not only musicians, but also songwriters, producers, journalists and execs who have impacted the industry. To be eligible for induction, candidates must have spent part of their lives in the Capital Region, and had a music career longer than 20 years. The inaugural class of 2019 only had two inductees: Celtic star Kevin McKrell, and folk singer Ruth Pelham. Since 2019, the hall of fame has expanded to include 40 inductees.
Dance Hall of Fame
Marylou and Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney founded the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame in 1986. The organization’s mission is to cultivate appreciation of musical arts, especially dance, in the larger community. The hall of fame additionally partners with the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) to aid in arts education.
A restored bathhouse in Saratoga Spa State Park houses the hall of fame and museum. The museum contains memorabilia from some of the most famous dance artists of all time. Photographs, videos, personal artifacts, and costumes are just some of the objects displayed. Additionally, the hall of fame takes the form of golden plaques with the images and biographies of inducted embossed onto them.
From 1987-2019 the hall of fame annually inducted members who left a lasting impact on the dance industry. This has included many musicians, including singers, and composers. 2009 saw the induction of the King of Pop Michael Jackson for his chart-topping dance songs, and choreography. In addition, classical ballet composers such as Igor Stravinsky hold a place in the hall of fame.
The future of the Dance Hall of Fame has been uncertain since the Covid-19 pandemic. The museum remains temporarily closed since 2020, being taken over by SPAC in the meantime. SPAC and museum board member Anthony Ianniello has said that SPAC is working to reopen the museum to the public, with more information being available soon.
Central New York
NYS Country Hall of Fame
Cortland’s Country Music Park & Campground hosts the NYS Country Hall of Fame. Local musician Merlin Reynolds envisioned a hall of fame to recognize the Western artists of New York. In 1984, Reynolds with the help of Loretta and Dr. John Eckel purchased the current property to create the hall of fame.
The Country Music Hall of Fame’s Opry Barn
Located directly off NY-13, the property’s A-frame house hosts the hall of fame. The property contains a hall of fame, and hall of honor, which takes the form of commemorative plaques on the building’s walls. In addition, the property hosts a museum dedicated to country artists from Nashville and New York. The museum has memorabilia, instruments, and costumes from legends like Willie Nelson, and Tammy Wynette. Hall of fame and museum admission is $3 per person, with admission by appointment only.
In addition to the museum, the hall of fame hosts a vast campground for visitors. The campgrounds have guests lodgings, bbq pits, horseshoe courts, and a performance space. The performance hall, called the Opry Barn, has a 150 sq foot stage, hardwood dance floor, and kitchen for visitors. It is also home to the annual hall of fame induction ceremony.
One wall of the Hall of Fame, featuring plaques and memorabilia
Induction into the NYS country hall of fame first requires induction into the organization’s hall of honor. Honorees must have been born or lived in New York, and performed country music for over 10 years. Each year, 3 members of the hall of honor are elevated into the hall of fame at the annual induction dinner dance. In addition, the organization’s lifetime achievement and horizon awards are presented at this event. This ceremony takes place the last Sunday of October. Since its inception, the hall of fame and hall of honor have inducted over 200 musicians.
SAMMY Hall of Fame
Since 1993, The SAMMYS awards have celebrated the music scene of Syracuse and Central New York. Since its inception, the awards have included an annual induction into the SAMMYS hall of fame.
Carolyn Kelly’s induction into the SAMMYS Hall of Fame in 2023
The first SAMMYS Hall of Fame induction took place at Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre in 1993. Since its founding, the annual ceremony has become the largest music event in Syracuse, drawings hundreds of musicians and guests each year. The hall of fame currently has no physical location, and takes the form of this honor at the annual awards. In addition to awards, the ceremony features live performances from local artists and honorees.
The hall of fame recognizes musical artists and organizations from Syracuse who have left a lasting impact on the music industry. Since its start in 1993, the hall of fame has inducted over 100 artists, venues, and publications. The first artist inducted was jazz trombonist Spiegle Wilcox in 1993. In addition, the SAMMYS also recognizes a select few with lifetime achievement awards. Lifetime achievement honorees include legends like Lou Reed, and Ronnie James Dio.
Oswego Music Hall of Fame
Nancy Spereno and the Oswego Harbofest board established the Oswego Music Hall of Fame in 1990. In the words of the organization, they honor artists “who have kept Oswego dancing, singing, and smiling for years.” Following the 1990 awards, the Hall of Fame went on hiatus until its revival in 2015. For the past nine years, the hall of fame has honored local artists at its annual induction ceremony.
The hall of fame’s inaugural induction honored Joseph Spereno, Charlie Davis, Dick Workmen, Jimmy Gannon and Dick Fellows. These men were recognized for laying the groundwork of Oswego’s music scene, as well as their dedication to the community. Then Mayor John T. Sullivan also presented them with keys to the city at the 1990 Harborfest celebration. Following a 15 year hiatus, the hall of fame was revived with the sole induction of Joseph P. Spereno. Spereno worked as agent for legends like Isaac Hayes, ELO, Tom Petty, and others. He was also honored for his dedication to charities fighting AIDS, and funding music education. The hall of fame now awards the “Joseph P. Spereno Hall of Fame Award,” which is the highest honor at the annual ceremony.
2023 Oswego Music Hall of Fame inductee John McConnell
The Oswego Music Hall of Fame has no permanent location, but takes the form of an annual induction dinner each October. The annual ceremony features hall of fame inductions, live music performances, and the awarding of the organization’s annual Joseph P. Spereno Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes a local youth who wishes to pursue a career in music.
Western New York
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame is an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the diverse musical heritage of Western New York. Rick and Marsha Falkowski founded the hall of fame in 1983 to honor the musicians and cultural achievement of Erie, Niagara, Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. The hall of fame not only includes international superstars, but also regional figure’s who shaped the music industry in Buffalo.
Following its founding, Niagara Falls’ Hard Rock Cafe housed the hall of fame in a dedicated room. The room displayed memorabilia and artifacts from the hall of fame’s inductees. For years, the hall of fame hoped for a standalone location to house a performance space, displays, plaques, and memorabilia. This dream came true in 2021, with the opening of a physical space in Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood.
Each year, the hall of fame announce its nominees at a midsummer press conference, with official induction taking place at its annual October gala. The 2023 induction gala took place at Buffalo’s Seneca One Tower, with an induction concert taking place the next night. Induction is based on longevity in Western New York, community service in music, music education/mentoring, charitable contributions, recording status, and production credits.
Since its founding, the hall of fame has inducted hundreds of honorees spanning countless genres. Some standouts include funk legend Rick James, pop icons Goo Goo Dolls, and jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra.
The hall of fame partners with many local Buffalo organizations to give back to the community. They often collaborate with Music to Remember WNY, and the annual Juneteenth celebration. Additionally, the hall of fame offers annual scholarships for students who study and perform music.
Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame
The Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame is an organization dedicated to preserving and honoring the musical heritage of the Greater Niagara Falls area. The organization inducts individuals, groups, and businesses that have left a lasting impact on the local, national, and international music scenes.
The hall of fame currently has no physical location, but has held induction ceremonies since its founding in 2017. As part of the inductions, an annual ceremony and concert is held, with the 2024 edition set for October 23.
The hall of fame allows members of the community to nominate individuals, groups, and venues for induction. The nominees are then evaluated based on their impact on the local community, not necessarily their popularity. Nominees must have a definite connection to the region, and a noticeable impact on music or community service. Inductees include everyone from the MacKenzie Highlanders Pipe and Drum band to rock guitarist Frank Grazanti.
The MacKenzie Highlanders play at the 2023 Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame induction
In addition to induction, the hall of fame offers an annual Dr. Sam Morreale Award. The award recognizes a musician, promoter, or fan who has shown unparalleled dedication to music in the community. The award’s namesake is Dr. Sam Morreale, a dentist, music historian, and reedist, who served Niagara Falls’ music community for over 70 years.
Rochester Music Hall of Fame
The Rochester Music Hall of Fame began in 2009 to recognize the immense talent, and promote appreciation of Rochester’s music scene. The hall of fame recognizes not only Rochester, but much of Western New York, including Monroe, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Yates, Seneca and Wayne counties.
In 2009, local musician Karl LaPorta wrote an op-ed in Rochester’s Democrat and Chronicle newspaper envisioning an institution to honor the city’s musicians. Seeing an immensely positive community response, LaPorta assembled a committee, including media, politicians, and musicians, to found the hall of fame.
The exterior of the Eastman School of Music’s Miller Center
The hall of fame made a great stride in 2018, opening a physical location in Rochester’s Miller Center. It now shares the building with the Eastman School of Music‘s Sibley Music Library. The hall of fame holds regular events for the community, including book talks and signings as part of its “Books Backstage” events. In addition, since 2019 âThe Grove Place Jazz Project” sees jazz performances from music school students each Tuesday evening.
Since 2012, the hall of fame has inducted yearly honorees, including musicians, radio hosts, venues, and philanthropists. Rock legends like Foreigner’s Lou Gramm and The Beach Boys’ Al Jardine, as well as Jazz icon Cab Calloway are among the inductees. The class of 2024 includes producer and YouTube star Rick Beato for his role in online music education. The hall of fame awards each inductee with a trophy in the shape of a gold treble clef designed by award-winning artists Mark McDermott.
The hall of fame remains dedicated to giving back to the Rochester community, offering a host of outreach programs. They offer a school outreach program to educate students on music history, opportunities in the music industry, and the hall of fame’s activities. Live music performances often accompany these talks. In addition, the hall of fame awards an annual Douglas Lowry award scholarship to a local high school senior wishing to pursue a career in music.
National Comedy Hall of Fame
The National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY houses the newly established Comedy Hall of Fame. The hall of fame is the first one in the country to honor legends of stand-up comedy. The mission of this hall of fame is to honor inductees, provide education on comedic arts, and explore the role of comedy in American history.
The National Comedy Center, which houses the Comedy Hall of Fame
A 2022 Netflix special titled “The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up” launched the hall of fame, acting as its first induction ceremony. The ceremony was hosted by current comedy icons, like John Stewart, John Mulaney, and Dave Chappelle, who honored inductees, as well as comedians who had recently passed. At this inaugural ceremony, four comedy legends were inducted, including Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Joan Rivers, and Robin Williams.
John Mulaney presenting at the first induction into the Comedy Hall of Fame
A brand new wing of the National Comedy Center will house the hall of fame will contain interactive exhibits, archives of rare performances and interviews, and memorabilia from inductees. The National Comedy Center began in 1996 as the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Museum before its rebranding in 2018. On its 37,000 sq foot grounds, the museum invites upwards of 60,000 annual visitors to explore exhibits ranging from vaudeville to internet memes. In addition, the organization has hosted sets by famous comedians, such as Jerry Seinfeld and Trevor Noah. Congress designated the museum as an official US cultural institution in 2019. The museum is located in Jamestown, NY, the hometown of I Love Lucy star Lucille Ball.
Statewide
New York Blues Hall of Fame
The New York Blues Hall of Fame is a subsection of the national Blues Hall of Fame, founded in 1999. Its mission is to preserve the legacy of the blues through local induction ceremonies across New York States. These ceremonies bring artists, fans, and contemporaries together to recognize inductees’ musical prowess. The hall of fame places special emphasis on those who have gone overlooked, tirelessly perform for passionate audiences.
The Recognition of Jeff Pevar as a Master Blues Artist at the 2016 induction ceremony
The hall of fame currently has no physical location, but has an extensive e-museum on their website. The website contains a gallery of videos and photos honoring its inductees. Additionally, the e-museum hosts pages on local blues histories, and defining bands and artists of the genre. On top of this, it also provides information on local blues jams and events across the state.
Whereas the national Blues Hall of Fame began in 1999, the New York edition had its first induction ceremony in 2011 in Middletown. The hall of fame hosted 24 induction ceremonies through 2016, traveling to NYC, the Hudson Valley, Albany, and more.
In its induction ceremonies, the Blues Hall of Fame honors great artists, photographers, venues, and more. Some honorees of note are Taj Mahal in 2016, Shemekia Copeland in 2013, and Allman Brothers Band drummer Jaimoe also in 2016. The Hall of Fame awards honorees a certificate recognizing them as either a legendary, master, or great blues artist.
Hot 97’s annual Summer Jam concert event came and went this past weekend. The annual hip hop showcase held at Elmont’s UBS arena where artists like Cash Cobain, Lola Brooke, 41, French Montana, Davido, Doja Cat, Sexyy Red and legacy acts such as Method Man & Redman all performed. While the concert celebrated hip hop old and new, Method Man made it clear that this might be his last time performing at the annual hip hop festival.
As Hot 97 took to Instagram to share highlights from the event, Method Man shared in the comments that the audience’s reaction was not to his liking. With the legendary rhymer stating that the audience was “not our crowd at all.” However, the “Tical” rapper held no qualms towards Hot 97 pillars and hosts Ebro and Peter Rosenbengerg, but simply stated that “at this point the generation gap is just too wide for me.”
With the historic radio station celebrating their 30th annual Summer Jam event, Method Man, Redman and the likes of Rakim and Big Daddy Kane were brought out to commemorate three decades of hip hop at the radio station. Moreover, Big Daddy Kane shared a heartfelt moment with the crowd, bringing out the late Mister Cee’s brother and sister to commemorate the legendary, late DJ’s tribute with a moment of silence, instructing the crowd to throw up C’s.
However, despite this, Summer Jam has routinely curated its setlist to cater to hip hop’s newer acts. With focuses on Cash Cobain — who has taken airwaves by storm with his hit-record “Fisherrr”– drill rappers 41 and Sexxy Red, with A Boogie serving as a celebrity host. From afar the lack of crowd reaction seems to be the result of hip hop being quick to discard its legends, rather than learn and study their work, which is a stark contrast to country much and rock & roll acts. As Meth and Red performed their hits includng their 1999 collaborative single “Da Rockwilder,” hip hop showed why it may not always be the best idea to cling to the youth for relevance, as it may result in legends not getting their just due.
The year is 1964 on Long Island, when a group of four high school friends decide to form a garage band called The Vagrants. Little did they know, this pet project would have a massive impact on the music scene within its four short years of existence. Its members would play with legends like Jim Morrison, John Lennon, and The Who. Their singles would influence everything from punk rock to metal to one of Aretha Franklin’s greatest hits. Their lead guitarist would even rise to classic rock stardom at Woodstock. So how is it that The Vagrants could so quickly fade into obscurity?
Like so many other bands. The Vagrants began because of the Beatles. In August 1964, friends Peter Sabatino and Larry Weinstein watched The Beatles play the Forest Hills Stadium and knew they had to start a band. The duo went around town to assemble a ragtag group of their friends to join. Peter would be lead singer, with Larry on bass guitar and backing vocals. They enlisted the best guitarist they knew, who just happened to be Larry’s brother Leslie West. They met future drummer Roger Mansour when their high school principal suspended him and the other fledgling band members for their long hair. Finally, they got Jerry Storch, a regular at the local bowling alley, to join on keys.
Storch’s bowling alley connection would save the band, as the local lanes would become their base of operations. From this headquarters, the quintet mapped out their plan for future success. As it turns out, Sabatino and Weinstein were as good entrepreneurs as they were musicians, networking to get early gigs across Queens and Long Island. They made the high school circuit, playing everything from sweet 16s to NYC nightclubs. On top of all of this, the band’s members were all still actively enrolled in an arts high school.
This early grind worked out for The Vagrants, as they soon caught the eye of a record label willing to promote and release their music. In 1965, representatives from Southern Sound approached the band, having seen their rudimentary press kit. The label offered to release The Vagrant’s debut single, an opportunity that would kickstart their fleeting career.
This debut single was “Oh Those Eyes” with b-side “You’re Too Young.” The A-side is a hidden gem of 1960s rock, starring Sabatino’s sneering vocals that sound straight out of “My Generation.” His vocals are backed up by Beatles-esque harmonies, eerie Hammond organ, and Leslie West’s reverb-laden surf guitar. All of these come together to create something punky and psychedelic, unlike much rock that had preceded it.
Their debut single propelled The Vagrants to greater stardom than before. Soon they had gotten residencies in Hampton Bays in the East end of Long Island, and the Rolling Stone in Manhattan. The single also pushed the group into movie-stardom, after gaining the attention of director Douglas Hickox in 1966. Hickox was in the process of making Disk-O-Tek Holiday, a film about an aspiring musician named Casey Paxton attempting to gain radio airplay of his song. Hickox thought that “Oh Those Eyes” would make a perfect musical number for a dance party scene, and hired the group to perform in his film.
The Vagrants soon became regulars on the “Good Guys” program of NYC’s WMCA radio station. Bolstered by its early radio support of The Beatles’ early singles, WMCA had become a haven for cutting-edge rock. The Vagrants, alongside legends like Eric Clapton’s Cream, and The Who, would often play sets for the station, broadcasting their singles across the NYC metro.
Until 1968, The Vagrants continued to release 4 more singles, which would later be collected in the 2011 compilation I Can’t Make a Friend. These singles are quintessential 1960s rock, melding influences from all of the decade’s most defining genres. “Hasty Heart” sees the band hearken back to early 60s surf rock. It combines melodic harmonies, exotica-esque organs, and reverberated guitars to craft a hazy, lazy tune that wouldn’t feel out of place at a tiki bar. Their next single, a 1967 cover of Otis Redding’s “Respect” is straight-up soul, with upbeat guitars and a catchy keyboard line. This cover allegedly caught the ear of producer Jerry Wexler who passed it along to his client Aretha Franklin.
Despite their best efforts, none of these singles were radio hits. Desperate for success, The Vagrants called in Cream producer Felix Pappalardi to record “Beside the Sea.” This single is a stark departure from their earlier soulful style of garage rock. The track is a slow psychedelic dirge, with guitars so distorted they almost don’t register as instruments. The harsh, raucous guitars foreshadow the later metal, industrial, and noise-rock genres. “Beside the Sea” mirrors the growing psychedelic and acid rock scenes expanding across late 1960s America. Despite this, the track was not the hit The Vagrants were looking for.
While The Vagrants didn’t find much success in their studio output, they became infamous for their fiery live performances. In 1966, they became the house band at The Action House in Island Park, NY. The Action House was a Mecca for the Long Island live music scene. Owned by Lucchese mafia family associate Phil Basile, the venue was infamous for its drug use, fights, and overall chaotic atmosphere. Despite its ill repute, it attracted bands both local and national. Bands like The Doors, The Hassles–with a young Billy Joel on keys–and Vanilla Fudge all played The Action house alongside The Vagrants.
The Vagrants’ live sets fit right into The Action House’s chaotic atmosphere. As the house band, they were paid $1,500 to perform 28 nights every month. Eager to earn their pay, The Vagrants cranked up their live antics to eleven. They padded out their sets with slowed-down, distorted covers of popular songs, like The Beatles’ “No Reply.” These covers, along with those of their Action House colleagues Vanilla Fudge, would lay the foundation for early heavy metal that would emerge soon after.
Their antics went beyond just musical experimentation, with the band often incorporating pyrotechnics into their performances. They timed fireworks so that they would go off at the climaxes of their songs. One night, extra fireworks stored under Storch’s organ ignited after the show. The explosion set the stage, along with the band’s instruments on fire, destroying them. The Vagrants were so popular, however, that their show set for the next night couldn’t be delayed, so their label replaced their instruments and repaired the stage in less than a day.
Despite their live success, The Vagrants’ future was far from set in 1968. None of their singles had become radio hits like they had hoped, and the band was growing restless. As a result of this restlessness, the band members began fighting more and more, worsened by their increasing drug use. Joey Ramone, who went to school with The Vagrants and followed their career, recalls that Larry modeled himself after “Jim Morrison at that point – just like permanently f—-d-up.” By summer 1968, things were beyond repair, with Jerry Storch leaving. Less than one year later, Leslie West also left, starting a new band with collaborator Felix Pappalardi, leaving The Vagrants all but dead.
While the Vagrants died in 1968, West’s new band Mountain was born, launching him to guitar god status. Mountain built off the distortion of Vagrants tracks like “Beside the Sea” to create heavy, psychedelic blues rock. The band got off to a running start, playing at Woodstock less than one year after its founding. At 9:00 PM on the second night of the festival, mountain played an eleven song set to over 500,000 people: a show that was only their fourth gig ever.
With albums like Climbing! and Nantucket Sleighride, Mountain became legends of classic rock radio. West used his newfound fame to collaborate with some of the biggest names in rock. He went on to record a demo jam with Eric Clapton and John Lennon, as well as playing guitar on the Who track “Baby, Don’t You Do It.”
While West soared to superstardom with Mountain, the other members of The Vagrants remained quiet for the next few decades. Drummer Roger Mansour became a missionary in Haiti, and keyboardist Jerry Stroch became a rabbi. Peter Sabatino started a local catering business, but still remained hopeful of a Vagrants reunion.
In 1990, Sabatino reformed The Vagrants with no other original members. These “New Vagrants” made the rounds of NYC and Long Island venues, with regular shows at Amityville’s Odyssey Club. After years of live shows, the group began recording their comeback/debut full-length LP 21st Century Vagrants in 2002. The recording was cut short, however, when their drummer Joe Forgione died of a heart attack during a live show in 2003. Any hopes of a Vagrants comeback died alongside Forgione in 2003, and the band broke up for good. For the second time in their history, The Vagrants had ended before they really got started.
Enjoy The Vagrants performing a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction” at The Action House.
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.
