The Battery Park City Authority announced the River and Blues lineup for this year’s Summer Concert Series held in Rockefeller Park, Manhattan.
For 25 years, the Battery Park City Authority’s River and Blues concert series has served as a fun, classic summer tradition. Fans of folk, soul, blues, and rock’n’roll alike gather in one of many of Manhattan’s parks and enjoy its free live performances. Since its inception, it has served as an opportunity to host a series of both legendary and recently emerging musicians.
This year, the concert series will be at Rockefeller Park, located in Battery City, Manhattan. To travel via public transit, use the 1, 2, or 3 train and exit at Chambers Street, or the E train, exiting at the World Trade Center. Following your stop is a 5-8 minute walk.
During the entire month of July, the River and Blues concert series features four free live performances every Thursday evening. The concert series hopes to bring together fans of multiple genres, including Tejano, rhythm and blues, country, folk, and soul music. This summer’s River and Blues lineup features an astounding collection of diverse, talented up-and-coming musicians.
Below is the information regarding the performances. All shows are free to the public and welcome all ages. Doors open at 6:00 PM and feature an opener from DJs Reganomics and Suzan D Anthony.
July 11 – Los Lobos
Multi-Grammy-winning artists Los Lobos‘ music embodies the idea of America as a melting pot, combining Tejano, son jarocho, and norteño with folk, country, and rock ‘n’ roll. Together, they create a sound that’s greater than the sum of its parts. For more than 50 years, this East L.A. band has been wowing audiences with daring and diverse recordings and legendary live shows.
6:30PM – DOORS
7:00PM – DJ REAGONOMICS
7:30PM – LOS LOBOS
July 18 – Hooray for the Riff Raff
Hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, is the folk band Hurray for the Riff Raff. Combining elements of traditional American folk with elements of 90s punk-rock, Hurray for the Riff Raff offers a unique sound for listeners of all genres and generations. Join them on July 18 at 7:30 PM.
6:30PM – DOORS
7:00PM – DJ SUZAN Z ANTHONY
7:30PM – HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF
July 25 – Leela James
On July 25, Get soulful with singer Leela James for her live performance at Rockefeller Park. Without a doubt, James has remained an important figure in R&B, still topping the charts with a discography of quality soul music spanning nearly two decades. Leela’s music is a constant reminder of what it is to be human — to love, to regret, and to dream.
6:30 PM – DOORS
7:00 PM – DJ SUZAN Z ANTHONY
7:30 PM – LEELA JAMES
August 1 – Abraham Alexander
Finally, A night of folk-pop fusion awaits with Abraham Alexander’s performance on August 1st. The final performance of the series is a refreshing genre fluidity at play as elements of folk, pop, rock, R&B, gospel, and even electronic music intertwine into a cohesive whole that is simultaneously warm and cool.
Queens’ Forest Hills Stadium was a fitting venue for folk-rock singer-songwriter Hozier‘s Unreal Unearth tour, with the artist playing four back-to-back shows beneath picturesque sunsets in the open air stadium.
Photo by Molly Higgins
Hozier’s New York City dates kicked off June 4, and the atmosphere was cozy as hundreds of fans dressed in whimsical, earth-toned outfits to match the artist’s aesthetic packed the venue.
The artist made his first entrance with his 2024 hit “Too Sweet,” which he noted was his first song to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. His soulful vocals and expert instrumental skills were captivating, whether he was belting out “Francesca” with a stronger rock influence, or softly strumming “Cherry Wine” from the B-stage with a single acoustic guitar.
Hozier’s stage presence was humble yet commandingâbetween songs, he addressed the audience like old friends. But when each number started, the crowd was left transfixed by the sheer power of his vocals. Fans swayed, sang along, and then exploded into applause between each song as the sun set over Forest Hills.
Hozier’s ongoing tour in support of his 2023 album Unreal Unearth includes three more shows at Forest Hills Stadium June 5, 7, and 8, and is currently scheduled to continue through late November. Additional New York dates include July 7 in Bethel.
Hozier – Forest Hills Stadium – June 4, 2024
Setlist: Too Sweet, Jackie and Wilson, To Be Alone, Dinner & Diatribes, Wildflower and Barley (with Allison Russell), Francesca, Eat Your Young, Cherry Wine, Unknown/Nth, De Selby (Part 1), De Selby (Part 2), From Eden, Would That I, Almost (Sweet Music), It Will Come Back, Movement, Take Me to Church, Like Real People Do, Nina Cried Power, Happy Birthday to You (sung to the tour’s lighting crew chief Kitty Hoffman), Work Song (with Allison Russell)
The American Classical Orchestra has announced its 2024-25 season, in celebration its 40th anniversary, with three performances in Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall
Artistic Director at Alice Tully, Thomas Crawford will lead the three orchestral concerts starting with the performance on Sept. 18. Of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 and Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92. Despite the grand 40th celebrations, the season will feature smaller performances in more intimate venues like Schubert’s Piano Quintet at University Club of New York on Oct. 30.
Another performance at the Salmagundi Art Club on Dec. 6 will highlight Keyboard music throughout music history. The musicians will start with François Couperin’s Pièces de clavecin and end with György Ligeti’ Book Two: Étude 10 – Der Zauberlehrling.
The anniversary season will end on May 7, 2025 with “Mostly Mozart” at Alice Tully Hall, notably featuring principal bassoonist Andrew Schwartz.
ACO was founded in New York City 1984, then known as the Orchestra of the Old Fairfield Academy. In 2005, Crawford renamed the non-profit Orchestra and furthermore established NYC as it’s official home. Crawford is not only the director of AOC, but is also passionate about music education outreach to children in New York City schools. He studied music composition and organ performance at Eastman School of Music and has worked with world renowned musicians like Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma.
Today, the musicians pay homage to centuries of music history by using original instruments and repertoire. The instrumentalist’s talent reaches beyond the ACO as many of them perform in other NYC ensembles like Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Handel and Haydn Society, and the New York Philharmonic.
To purchase tickets for the American Classical Orchestra 40th anniversary shows, and find out more information visit the American Classical Orchestra website here.
This summer, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy hosts the Sounds at Sunset summer concert series at Pier 3 Plaza, located on Pier 3 at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Standing along the banks of the East River, Pier 3 Plaza offers a wonderful view of the Manhattan skyline. The best method to travel by subway is to take the A or C train to High Street, followed by a 15-20 minute walk from the station.
The concert series hosts a variety of artists from all over the world. Solo artists, small ensembles, and even conductors and chamber groups will play at these concert series throughout the summer. Special events, including the Americana Music Festival and Paak Appreciation Night, are scheduled for the concert series as well.
Due to the high variety of events, the Sounds at Sunset summer concert series will be hosting an incredible lineup. The full list is posted below, but for more information, visit here.
Friday, June 21 at 6:00 PM – The Steely Dan Happy Hour
Kicking off the series is The Royal Scam with a Steely Dan Happy Hour at Pier 3 Plaza. Featuring NYCâs elite touring and recording musicians, The Royal Scam brings a night of fun and nostalgia to Pier 3 as an iconic tribute band. Before the show, there will be an opening DJ set by Maurice Bernstein, founder of Giant Step.
Friday, June 28 at 7:00 PM – Igmar Thomas & Musical Guests
Maestro, Trumpeter, conductor, composer, and arranger Igmar Thomas brings special musical guests, including a chamber ensemble, to Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park. In the past, Thomas has worked with hip-hop legends Lauryn Hill, Nas, and Busta Rhymes on lyrics and music composition. Join Thomas and guests for a night of big band-style jazz and jazz fusion on Friday, June 28.
Friday, July 12 at 7:00 PM – Yacouba Sissoko
World-renowned kora player Yacouba Sissoko and his band SIYA share West African songs and stories at Pier 6 Plaza. These stories have passed down from generation to generation. A night of tradition, culture, and folklore arrives in Brooklyn with Sissoko and SIYA on July 12.
July 26 at 7:00 PM – Brooklyn Americana Music
Brooklyn Americana Music curates a taste of their award-winning festival at Pier 6 Plaza. Featuring internationally touring singer-songwriters with fiddles, banjos, and guitars, the festival celebrates its tenth anniversary. Their annual festival curates a blend of internationally recognized and up-and-coming music artists in the folk, country, and Americana music scene.
Friday, August 2 at 7:00 PM – PAAK Appreciation
The final Sounds at Sunset event dedicates itself to one of music’s biggest names. For fans of the R&B icon Anderson .Paak, a night of deep cuts, unreleased tracks, and collaborations, awaits at Brooklyn Bridge Park. The event will be hosted by producer and drummer George “Spanky” McCurdy, accompanied by a band and DJ set.
On May 31, Brooklyn-based indie rock band Hipsy Gap released their new single, “Nothing’s Good Enough.” Emerging on the indie rock scene last fall, the newfound group stuns audiences with its odes to indie and alternative legends like Paramore, The Cranberries, and The Smiths.
A journey of self-discovery and identity can be one of the hardest that a person has to make in their life. Feelings of isolation, loneliness, and estrangement can creep up at any moment, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdowns. With constant stimulation and ostracization, it can be difficult to find something that relates to life’s toughest battles. Yet, Hipsy Gap is able to do just that in their soothing, easygoing latest track.
“Nothing’s Good Enough” handles a complex, deeply personal issue that would still be relatable for listeners: the idea of home. Part of life is learning how to make your own home, even if it is in an unfamiliar environment. But what if there was never a model for a person while they were growing up? The idea of “home” has different definitions for different people, of course. But there is no denying how difficult it can be to form and maintain those ideas.
“Nothing’s Good Enough” captures a unique perspective; searching for a “home” in the eyes of a person who has never known one before. The easygoing and flowing melodies showcase their dream of a life with no bounds, a feeling of true freedom. The increase in tempo and volume of the bridge, when the characters realize home is within, is just gut-wrenching enough to hit home for listeners struggling to find their home.
With their latest single bringing a feeling of comfort, angst, and discovery all in one, Hipsy Gap encapsulates the meaning of home from within. Their fascinating combination of genres makes them an exciting up-and-coming band to keep your eye on.
For more information, fans can listen below as well as all streaming platforms, or visit here.
Since the summer of 2008, legendary hip-hop group and Philadelphia’s hometown legend The Roots have put on the Roots Picnic, a music festival created and curated by the band that has evolved into one of the city’s most anticipated cultural experiences of the year.
The 2024 Roots Picnic opened its doors on Saturday, June 1, to the masses who filled the grounds of Fairmount Park in the City of Brotherly Love. Several brand activations had treats for guests, including French liqueur brand Grand Marnier, Charmin’, Chase Sapphire and more. Beyond the music, the festival has become a platform for social commentary and community engagement. This year, Roots Picnic Con featured panelists discussing music education, real estate and beauty careers, as well as a keynote conversation with renowned Roots drummer Questlove.
Jill Scott, Nas, Sexyy Red and more set the bar high on the first day of the 2024 Roots Picnic. Early acts such as BLK ODYSSY, Chioke, and more graced the festival stages before the crowds were treated to an afternoon of electrifying performances. Acclaimed DJ J.PERIOD brought his beloved THE LIVE MIXTAPE series to The Roots Picnic with Black Thought, Method Man, Redman, Common, Freeway, Ferg, and more.
Following that performance, The-Dream hit his trademark vocals and succulent R&B aura. The-Dream wasted no time letting people know he is a true R&B hitmaker with smooth renditions of “Fancy,” “Falsetto,” “Purple Kisses,” and more. Fans were enamored with the quick trip down memory lane and were left wanting more.
Nas then took over the main stage to perform his legendary catalog, even bringing out Ghostface Killah as a special surprise guest. He ripped through some of his classic hits such as “N.Y. State of Mind,” “The Message,” “Spicy,” “Get Down.”
The biggest part of Day 1 was the arrival of Sexyy Red with her dancers and secret service team. The St. Louis native brought her brand of rowdy and raunchy hip-hop to The Roots Picnic and turned it upside down, with fans screaming and twerking the night away.
Jill Scott closed out Day 1 with her headlining set, which featured a floral stage design. For her set, Scott performed “Hate on Me,” “Whatever,” “The Way,” “You Got Me” with Black Thought, a new track titled “Norf Philly” alongside Tierra Wack, and more.
The artists performing on Day 2 kept the momentum going from the previous day. On the bill were acts such as Robert Glasper, Shaboozey, Wale, BabyFace, Cam’Ron, André 3000, Gunna, Lil Wayne, and the hometown heroes, The Roots.
Rising country music star Shaboozey had the early afternoon crowd rocking at the Fairmount Stage with tracks off his newly released album, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, blasting through the speakers.
Babyface, the legendary singer/songwriter let the crowd know why he’s been at the top of his game for over five decades. In addition to his own records, such as “Everytime I Close My Eyes” and “For the Cool in You,” Face dipped into his immense bag and performed incredible renditions of tracks he’s written over the years for artists such as Bobby Brown, After 7, Boyz II Men, Whitney Houston, TLC, Toni Braxton and more.
Following up after Babyface , but Gunna picked up the mantle and deliver his swagger injected brand of hip-hop. The Atlanta native took the stage and wasted no time getting into his set with electrifying renditions of “back at it,” “whatsapp (wassam),” “P power,” and “fukumean.” Unfortunately, fans were vibing for a limited time as Wunna’s set was cut short for undisclosed reasons.
With all the amazing performances spread out across two days, The Roots had to send the massive crowd home truly entertained with their headlining set. The hometown natives used their closing set to honor New Orleans, Louisiana, and its rich music history by having the city’s most talented artists, such as Trombone Shorty, Lloyd, and PJ Morton, join them onstage.
While fans were enjoying the New Orleans sounds, it was obvious they were anticipating the arrival of the man of the hour, Lil Wayne. Tunechi glided effortlessly through his set with fans screaming at the top of their lungs to hits like “Mr. Carter,” “John,” “I’m Goin In,” and more. It was a marvelous ending to a rather eventful weekend in the city of Brotherly Love. The Roots Picnic 2024 surely did it again.
Lounge Studios in New York City, located on 39th Street and owned by Walt Randall, has been operating for over 20 years and remains one of the most popular recording studios among upcoming and established artists. In an interview with New York State Music, Randall opened up a little about his journey to becoming the owner of one of the most successful recording studios in Manhattan.
Owner and CEO Walt Randall mixing in the Solaris Room at Lounge Studios. Credit: Hummingbird Media
We previously featured Lounge over the summer, on our list of recording studios in New York City, one in a series of articles.
The interview took place in the Brown Sugar Lounge, the first room Randall built for the studio after graduating from Northern Iowa State University in 2001 and moving to New York City with $50 to his name.
The first room Owner and CEO Walt Randall ever built for Lounge Studios, titled Brown Sugar. Credit: Lounge Studios.
Established in 2003, Lounge Studios is an 11-room professional multimedia studio that houses some of the finest equipment in the music industry. Each of the eleven lounges has been meticulously designed and built by Randall himself to create the most comfortable atmosphere and highest quality. From 2013 – 2016, Lounge Studios served as the East Coast Recording Studio Headquarters for Atlantic Records and Warner Chappelle.
Of the various reasons an up-and-coming artist should aspire to record at Lounge, the number one selling point would be, Randall says, “The engineers and the environment.”
Randall continues, “Those things sort of go hand and hand because the engineers help create the environment. Like I said we’ve worked with a lot of big people, but we’re made to do independent artists. That’s where the bread and butter comes from and I’ve always kept our prices low to do that.”
Randall finishes, “That being said, we get a lot of first-time people in the studio. They’ve never been, they’re a little nervous, and you need to create a good environment for them. So our engineers are some of the best and fastest but, outside of being the best and the fastest, they’re very personable. They know how to make you relax, they can read the room, for a first-timer.”
In all his over 20 years of operating Lounge, Randall says his favorite artist to work with throughout his career is Solange Knowles.
“A Seat at the Table, the first time I ever heard the album front to back, I was like ‘Oh, this is a cultural shift album,” Randall said.
Randall continued, “At the time I was with Atlantic Records, and I used to always tell them ‘This album is going to be the album.’ Not only was it critically acclaimed, it got Album of the Decade with Noisy Magazine, she got a Grammy, that album was at the top of the Obama’s playlist. It was just a cultural thing.”
Solange Knowles worked on her groundbreaking third studio album, A Seat at the Table, at the Live Lounge in Brown Sugar at Lounge Studios.
“To me it was spiritual, we’ve had a lot of artists here but I have yet to hear an album that moved me like that immediately,” Randall finished.
Randall says he isn’t surprised by Lounge’s success, but, “Believing it’s coming, and then living the reality of not being able to pay rent sometimes, not knowing if you’re even going to be in business next year, just the struggle to make it and survive in the landscape that we were in, and trying to build a name for myself as a studio. I always had a belief that this was going to be big, and I took joy, I was in shock and awe every time there was a big artist here, but it never made me feel like I was ‘above it.”
Before opening Lounge in the early 2000s, Randall was headed towards a career as an athlete, although his passion for music was always there. After suffering injuries that prevented him from continuing to play Football, Randall leaned in fully towards this passion, a turn of events that worked out for the better in his view.
“I think music was my destination from the beginning,” Randall said.
Randall feels, that while football was a craft he was skilled at, it was never the end goal. “I was an athlete, and I was always competitive, but I never loved football.”
Despite suffering intense physical injuries in his athletic career, nothing compares to the struggles he overcame during his journey to opening Lounge.
“I’ve had three ACL tears, I’ve had all types of injuries in football, all types of adversity. None of that was even a fraction of what I’ve been through building this studio, this business, this enterprise. Not even close,” Randall said.
In a way, Randall’s injuries were an unexpected twist of fate.
“I think I got injured on purpose,” Randall said.
Randall continued, “I’m not the type of person that ever looks back and regrets anything, but specifically in this situation, I can look back and say, ‘That ended for this to start.’”
Randall concluded his interview with NYS Music by offering words of advice to anyone trying to make their dreams a reality, in the face of the curveballs life can throw at you.
“I needed to understand, personally, that there was something bigger than me,” Randall said.
“It gets so hard on this journey, that I’m not strong enough to do it on my own. There have been so many days where I’ve stepped on this floor while I was building it, and just cried, and said ‘I want to go home,” Randall said.
“It was taking forever, I didn’t have any money, I was falling behind on rent, and stuff was falling on my head in the middle of me trying to put it up. I wasn’t strong enough by myself,” Randall continued.
Randall finished, “When those insurmountable things happen, those insurmountable obstacles happen, the thing that has gotten me through is understanding that it’s not just me. I can lean on something else, I can lean on something bigger than me, that is pushing me through this when I’m tired when I don’t feel like it will ever end, I feel like a lot of times, I’ve done the work but I’ve been partially carried through those times. I get to the other side and I’m like, ‘I have no idea how I just did that.’ and I understand it wasn’t just because of me. It was because I had faith that there was something bigger than me that I could depend on.â
Spanning just over a mile long, the park is home to activities for all ages. These include biking trails, skating rinks, basketball and handball courts, playgrounds, and fields. In addition to the array of activities, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers a scenic view of the Lower Manhattan skyline, admired by tourists and locals alike.
Other than its views and activities, the park is an important location for the DUMBO community. For decades, the space has served as the host of many neighborhood-wide events. These events include art shows, game nights, athletic events, and live concerts.
This summer, Brooklyn Bridge Park will be hosting a variety of events. Starting May 31st, the sixth annual DUMBO Drop marked the beginning of the season.
The Dumbo Drop is a neighborhood-wide block party signifying the beginning of the summer season in Brooklyn. According to tradition, thousands of Dumbo-shaped balloons and toys are tied to parachutes made by local artists and lifted into the air. Immediately after the viewing follows a block party. Activities are available for adults and children alike. Visitors can visit stands dedicated to hundreds of local restaurants and shops.
Live at the Archway – Weekly on Thursdays starting June 20th
Following the Dumbo Drop, the Live at the Archway event will begin on Thursday, June 20th. Live at the Archway is an annual series of free concerts and interactive visual arts programming located in the DUMBO Archway. Each year, the event seeks to promote local artists and musicians. Founded in 2015, the series reflects the neighborhood’s diversity and commitment to the arts. Here, you can find several arts showcases, including a broad variety of music, dance, and visual art styles.
Each event, which is held weekly on Thursdays, will feature a live concert followed by an art display. Live at the Archway begins on June 20 and will last until August 15th. Tickets are free and available to the public.
Lineup for Live at the Archway
June 20 Fogo Azul | La Banda Chuska / Art Wall by Sam Ticknor
Fogo Azul is a New York City-based all-women, trans, and non-binary Brazilian Samba Reggae drum line. Launched in 2016 with Marcus Santos’ Grooversity education project, Fogo Azul is a diverse community that showcases drummers from all walks of life.
La Banda Chuska is re-imagining the vintage sounds of Peruvian cumbia and surf through the lens of their New York City home and diverse musical and cultural backgrounds. Taking inspiration from the twangy 1960s surf bands of Lima, as well as the psychedelic flavors of 1970s chicha, the band has been playing their musically expansive and dancey tunes. They have performed around New York City for the past three years, building up a loyal local following.
June 27 Paisley Fields / Art Wall by Billie Elise
Paisley Fields is an up-and-coming country singer-songwriter. His recently released duet with Mya Byrne featured on Democracy Now, in Rolling Stone, NPR, and more. Join Fields for their live performance in Live at the Archway on June 27.
July 11 Brasil Summerfest / Art Wall by Noah Lyon
Brasil Summerfest is a list of festival events hosted around several venues throughout New York City. On July 11, they come to Live at the Archway for a showcase of traditional Brazilian funk, samba, and bossa nova.
July 18 La Sonora Nuyorkina / Art Wall by Joan LeMay
La Sonora Nuyorkina is a contemporary salsa band comprised of young, talented musicians who bring a fresh sound to the Latin genres. The band covers a variety of songs, from salsa classics to original compositions. Join them on July 28th at Live at the Archway.
July 25 Jerron Paxton / Art Wall by Emily Nam
Multi-instrumentalist Jerron Paxton revives the once-buried sounds of classical American music. Drawing inspiration from the 1920s, Paxton’s many talents allow him to revive old-fashioned blues, jazz, and country music in the twenty-first century.
August 1 Gentleman Brawlers / Art Wall by Annick Martin
Drawing inspiration from Afrofunk and indie dance genres, Brooklyn collective Gentleman Brawlers will stun the audience with an electrifying performance at Live at the Archway on August 1st.
August 8 Tracy Bonham / Art Wall by Joshua Reynolds
Two-time GRAMMY nominee Tracy Bonham celebrates with a night of alternative and indie throwbacks at Live at the Archway on August 8th.
August 15 Queerchella / Art Wall by Melanie Hope Greenberg
Join Queerchella for their second year of festivities with a lineup of over 70 different LGBTQ+ artists from all over the country. The festival features live concerts, dance, and other visual arts performance showcasing the diversity of New York City’s music and arts scene.
Drink and Draw – Weekly on Wednesdays starting on June 19th
Presented by the DUMBO Improvement District with Creatively Wild Art Studio, Drink and Draw workshops provide the opportunity to work with some of DUMBO’s best artists. Although the event specifically caters to adults, there is no artistic requirement to join. All artistic levels are welcome at the workshop. Tables, easels, and art supplies are provided.
For the first workshop of the summer, DUMBO artist Craig Anthony Miller (CAM) will lead participants in a project incorporating the symbolism of the elephant. As a representation of strength, wisdom, and overcoming obstacles, the elephant serves as a model for the workshop to capture the essence of Brooklyn’s rich history. DJ Zemotion will provide a soundtrack for the night.
Cyndi Lauper has announced her ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ farewell tour, which will last from October through December. The tour is Lauper’s first major run in over a decade, including 23 headlining shows. As part of the tour, Lauper will make an October 30th stop at Madison Square Garden.
Cyndi Lauper is a Grammy and Tony award-winning songwriter and performer, who has captivated audiences since the 1980s. Growing up in Queens’ Ozone Park neighborhood, Lauper took in influences from punk, and glam that formed her unique brand of pop music. Lauper broke out into the mainstream with her 1983 debut She’s So Unusual, which won her a Grammy for best new artist. The album spawned four top-5 singles, including “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and “Time After Time.” Since her debut, Lauper has sold over 50 million records, and been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
On top of music, Lauper has led successful careers in theater and writing. In 2013 Lauper won the Tony for best original score for Kinky Boots – becoming the first woman to do so. In 2012, she released a New York Times best-selling memoir, detailing her childhood struggles. Lauper has used her fame to fight for a number of marginalized groups, including women, LGBT people, and people with HIV/AIDS.
Lauper’s farewell tour will begin October 18th in Montreal, Canada, before moving its way westward across the US. On October 30th, Lauper will return to her hometown of New York City, to play a show at Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden. This show, along with others across the tour, will feature a special guest who will be revealed at a later date.
Lauper will release a documentary Let the Canary Sing to accompany her farewell tour. The documentary, directed by Emmy-winner Alison Ellwood, will tackle Lauper’s rise to stardom and ever-evolving identity. The film will place a special focus on Lauper’s influence on younger generations, and dedication to social advocacy. There will be a world premiere and Hollywood Walk of Fame print ceremony at Los Angeles’s TCL Chinese Theater on June 4th. In addition, Lauper will make a special guest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on June 5th, 11:35pm ET. Lauper will talk about the release of her documentary, and her farewell tour.
GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN FAREWELL TOUR DATES:
Fri Oct 18 | Montreal, QC | Bell Centre
Sun Oct 20 | Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena
Thu Oct 24 | Detroit, MI | Fox Theatre
Sat Oct 26 | Boston, MA | MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Sun Oct 27 | Washington, DC | Capital One Arena
Wed Oct 30 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden
Fri Nov 01 | Nashville, TN | Bridgestone Arena
Sun Nov 03 | Columbus, OH | Schottenstein Center
Wed Nov 06 | Tampa, FL | Amalie Arena
Fri Nov 08 | Hollywood, FL | Hard Rock Hollywood
Sun Nov 10 | Atlanta, GA | State Farm Arena
Tue Nov 12 | Dallas, TX | American Airlines Center
Thu Nov 14 | Austin, TX | Moody Center
Sat Nov 16 | Houston, TX | Toyota Center
Tue Nov 19 | Phoenix, AZ | Footprint Center
Wed Nov 20 | San Diego, CA | Viejas Arena
Sat Nov 23 | Los Angeles, CA | Intuit Dome
Sun Nov 24 | Palm Desert, CA | Acrisure Arena
Tue Nov 26 | San Francisco, CA | Chase Center
Sat Nov 30 | Portland, OR | Moda Center
Sun Dec 01 | Seattle, WA | Climate Pledge Arena
Wed Dec 04 | Minneapolis, MN | Target Center
Thu Dec 05 | Chicago, IL | United Center
Tickets will be available starting with an artist presale beginning on Tuesday, June 4. Additional pre-sales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, June 7 at 10am. For more information regarding Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Wanna Have Fun tour, visit her website here.
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.
