Category: Regions

Bardavon Announces the Retirement of Executive Director Chris Silva in December

After an extraordinary 30-year career with the Bardavon, Chris Silva is set to retire as Executive Director on December 31, 2024.

Bardavon, photo by Tim Lee.

Arts Consulting Group will facilitate a national search for a new Executive Director. Board members and full-time Bardavon employees will aid in ensuring that the new Executive Director continues the transformational momentum of Bardavon & UPAC that began over three decades ago.

Stephen LaMarca, Managing Director of Theatre Production, joined Bardavon full-time in 1994 and will retire in December. AnnMarie Faust, Managing Director of Finance, joined Silva and LaMarca the same year and retired in March 2024.

The trio operated as a dynamic and successful team for over three decades. Together, they accomplished much, including twenty-two million dollars in capital renovations between the two historic theaters. In addition, nearly three million patrons have attended Bardavon-produced events over the last thirty years and some of the world’s greatest artists have graced the stages; from Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, and Carlos Santana to Al Pacino, John Legend, Jon Batiste and Yo-Yo Ma. The Bardavon/UPAC education programs routinely reach 20,000 young people every year.

Silva and LaMarca will remain involved with the Bardavon as program consultants and will work directly with the new Executive Director. While they will no longer oversee daily operations, “…we are fortunate to have a great staff, and aspects of all our jobs have been or are being absorbed by our team right now,” Silva stated. He is confident of the organization’s future success with the staff and board they have curated and the dedication they have instilled into the foundation of the Bardavon since 1994.

For information about the Executive Director position opening, visit here.

May 10, 2024
Rodrigo y Gabriela 2024 tour stop at UPAC

GRAMMY Award-winning guitar virtuosos Rodrigo y Gabriela brought their 2024 Spring/Summer tour to the Ulster Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 1.

The duo showcased their craft, honed during the early years of busking on the streets of Dublin, Ireland.  The night was filled with gentle melodic notes, stirring crescendos, and powerful rock anthems from this multi-talented duo.

During the two-hour show, Rodrigo navigated between his acoustic, electric, and pedal steel guitars, while Gabriela generated percussive beats and flamenco-style sounds from her acoustic guitar.  The leveraging of this combination offered a diverse array of musical vistas.

The night wasn’t for the faint of heart.  A dynamic interactive light show augmented the duo’s onstage chemistry, while presenting the songs in an immersive form.  As the intensity increased, people couldn’t contain themselves, with dancing breaking out throughout the house.

A special moment found the pair strapping on acoustic guitars and stepping into the audience, performing songs in a fashion reminiscent of their early days of busking.  Nestled among their fans, the two expressed appreciation for the support received over the years, which enabled them to travel the world with their music.  In this genuine moment, their humility shone brightly, reinforcing the essence of Rodrigo y Gabriela.

At first glance, the night seems like a simple setup: just two individuals with two guitars. However, this is Rodrigo y Gabriela, a formidable musical powerhouse.  They filled the night with charisma and intensity, captivating their audience from start to finish.

At the end of the evening, the two left the stage as the house clamored for more.  The pair reemerged, encoring with “Tucam” from their self-titled second album.  As the song concluded and final bows were taken, many pairs of hands were raised high, forming a heart symbol for their beloved act.

May 9, 2024
Salsa Sundays at Orchard Beach in The Bronx Start Memorial Day Weekend

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, Orchard Beach in the Bronx will hold its weekly Salsa Sundays dance party. Every Sunday until Labor Day weekend, New Yorkers can enjoy music, salsa dance, and concessions.

Hundreds gather in a large cement dancing area every week to celebrate the various types of salsa dance. At Orchard Beach you can see many styles of Latin dance, whether it is mambo, cha-cha, or salsa. This event celebrates the diversity of The Bronx, drawing influence from Cuban, Caribbean and African rhythms, a lively and casual atmosphere, with people dancing amidst barbecues, roller skaters and swimmers.

Salsa Sundays are a summer staple of the Bronx, taking place for over 50 years. This summer celebration reflects the Bronx’s importance to the history of salsa music.

Salsa was born in the jazz clubs of the South Bronx in the 1950s. In these clubs, musicians mixed bolero, rumba and mambo to create a new genre called “salsa conciente.” This genre took the elements of latin music and incorporated lyrics that reflected the social issues plaguing The Bronx. In the late 1960s, Fania records was formed and pushed salsa into the mainstream with names like Hector Lavoe, Celia Cruz, and Bobby Valentin.

Orchard beach is an especially important site in the history of salsa music. In 1936, Orchard Beach opened as a weekend and holiday destination for Bronx residents, quickly becoming a hub for the borough’s Puerto Rican residents. As one of the only desegregated public spaces in the city, Orchard Beach became a melting pot for music. Visitors from across New York City went to Orchard beach to hear a fusion of salsa, R&B and jazz.

An Aerial View of Orchard Beach, Bronx

Orchard Beach quickly became a local gathering place, with salsa being a medium to build a sense of community. DJs Ernie Ensley and Carlos Santiago started the Salsa Sundays event to combine community, recreation and entertainment. Since its start, Salsa Sundays has been a place for the Bronx’s Latinx community to share their pride, love of music and sense of fun.

Salsa Sundays take place at Orchard Beach Area 5, giving visitors the chance to enjoy the nearby beach, boardwalk and ball courts. Consider bringing beach chairs, sunscreen, and coolers to best enjoy the summer weather during the event.

More details on scheduling and directions can be found here.

May 9, 2024
DJ Takeover Music & Arts Festival Returns to Lake George in June

The Lake George DJ Takeover Music & Arts Festival will take place again this year at the Barn at French Mountain from June 7-9. Presented by All We Do Is Epic Dot Com, the festival will host DJs from all along the East Coast coming together to provide an eclectic mix of music.

The festival site is located just a mile and a half south of the village of Lake George and features 10 acres of countryside fields, a whole western town and the beautiful skyline of French Mountain.

The Lake George DJ Takeover Music & Arts Festival has different themes and agendas for each day of music, some coming with age restrictions.

Friday night, June 7, is Country and Rock Night with line dancing from 6:30-8:30 pm and a host of DJs and motivational dancers performing until 11:30 pm. Ages are 18 and older for this session.

Saturday, June 8, is a Super Kids Party from 12-3 pm at just $10.00 a carload. It’s a high energy,
interactive dance party for children with special effects, group led activities and suitable music for all ages.

Later that night, the EDM festival runs from 3–11 pm on the main stage with a lineup of DJs from
across the East Coast, amazing sound and lighting and special effects. Ages are 16 and older for this session.

A group of joyful children happily spending time at Kids neon disco party

Sunday, June 9, is the Lake George PRIDE Festival from 12-7 pm on the main stage. Amazing
DJs will help celebrate pride like never before! Ages are 18 and over for this session. The festival has many lodging options nearby with a campground, and a few hotels within walking distance, and even more options within a short drive.

Tickets for the The Lake George DJ Takeover Music & Arts Festival are currently on a reduced early bird rate, and groups can also contact the festival for savings with a minimum of 10 people. Check out the festival website to learn more about the artists, purchase tickets, and even contact the festival directly with any questions, ideas, or comments.

May 9, 2024
Ckord App: Find Live Music Near You
Necessity is the mother of invention. In the case of Darko Mijatovic, the need to find live music locally led to the creation of Ckord, an app designed to bring together music lovers, support emerging artists and democratize music.

A native of Serbia, Darko moved to Ridgewood, Queens in the 1990s, earned a degree in electrical engineering from SUNY Binghamton, and later moved to Long Island where he is a Sr. Director at an engineering firm.

Always looking to find music in Queens or Nassau counties, the concept for the app came from his need to discover live music. The fully developed app now has the ability to get people out of their communities to find and support the arts.

While some apps isolate you and keep you glued to your phone, Ckord aims to get people out, building community, and creating real memorable experiences, with a goal to bring venues and artists together.

It looks really great to me. My first impressions are very positive and Iâm going to keep using it going forward.
Joseph – CKord user

With big name artists getting the lion’s share of the attention and money, Darko notes there is no reason why balance isn’t possible, or why a great artist shouldn’t be able to live off of music alone. Thus, Ckord focuses on emerging artists and gives them the attention not available elsewhere.

Having lived the past three decades in New York, the Big Apple was the natural first place to start with the app, focusing on the greater NY Metro area, where more than 3,000 NYC events have been listed, with more than 1,000 artists utilizing the app already. Venues, as well as artists and users, will find Ckord to be an entirely free app to utilize for their benefit.

Ckord also has lined up artists with whom they will work to capture a behind the scenes look at being an emerging music artist in NYC, among them are Nory, KLD Wave and Tucker Woods.
Download Ckord from the App store. An Android version is in the works, while the web version is designed for use by mobile device.
May 9, 2024
Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra Season Finale was Out of This World!

On Saturday, May 4, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra presented “Other Worlds,” its grand finale of the 2023-2024 season. Maestro Daniel Hege led the orchestra in an evening of music from the superhero, fantasy, and sci-fi genres, enlivening a program of beloved classics with crisp, expressive musicianship and bringing delight to a large, all-ages audience.

The concert was dedicated to first responders. Members of local police, fire, and rescue departments received complimentary tickets, and at the start of the concert the entire audience rose to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” along with the orchestra in honor of these true superheroes of the community.

Cher and Ben Douglas

The musicians of the Philharmonic demonstrated tight, committed ensemble playing in an uplifting program of genre favorites, including themes from Black Panther, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and many more. The orchestra delivered a big, enveloping sound, highlighted by showy contributions from Principal Trumpet Frank Campos. Outstanding solos were also provided throughout the program by Assistant Principal Cellist Michael Newman. And the percussion section was elevated not only by the spectacular playing of Principal Percussionist Sam Lazzara, but also by the introduction of a new bass drum expressly designed for the Philharmonic by ErgoSonic Percussion. Lazzara and ErgoSonic President Ken Turner demonstrated this beautifully resonant instrument to the audience before the start of the show.

Maestro Hege was an engaging presence throughout, providing a feeling of warmth and welcome to the audience as he introduced each piece. Hege called the Binghamton Philharmonic “a true gem of the community,” and it was clear from the standing ovation and many curtain calls the orchestra received that the audience agreed. In all, “Other Worlds” was a bright and spirited finale to an invigorating season.

May 9, 2024
Bryant Park Picnic Performances Feature Extensive Lineup of Latin Music this Summer

Bryant Park has an exciting season of free, live Latin Picnic Performances lined up for the summer of 2024. From June 7 to September 13, you can expect paramount talent of Latin performers from around the globe.

Many of this season’s performances will livestream for free on Bryant Park’s social media channels and website, reaching national and international audiences. Food and drink are available for purchase from a curated lineup of local vendors near the lawn. At all performances, attendees can discover new dishes and celebrate classics from the five boroughs. A rotating line-up of artisanal vendors by Hester Street Fair welcomes all hungry fest-goers. Stout NYC offers light bites as well as a selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.

All shows are free to the public and designed to be enjoyed casually. There are more than 700 picnic blankets for audience members to borrow and ample chairs available. A total of 22 Latin performances are set to hit Bryant Park this summer. Genres range from jazz to classical to funk and much more. This series of shows are free for the public and should not be missed.

Bryant Park Latin Picnic Performances 2024

June

June 07: Contemporary Dance – David Dorfman Dance, Soles of Duende, Joffrey Concert Group

June 14: Contemporary Dance – Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, Robin Dunn and Friends, Kevin Wynn Tribute

June 21: Jazzmobile – Sarah Vaughan Centennial Featuring Charenée Wade

June 28: Emerging Music Festival Day 1 – Artists TBA

June 29: Emerging Music Festival Day 2 – Artists TBA

July

July 05: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Tania León and The Harlem Chamber Players

July 12: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Thandiswa Mazwai

July 19: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Louis Cato

July 26: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Michael Olatuja & Lagos Pepper Soup

August

August 02: Carnegie Hall Citywide – La Excelencia

August 09: Joe’s Pub – Broadway en Spanglish: Florencia Cuenca and Jaime Lozano

August 10: New Victory Theater – Ephrat Asherie Dance + Barkin/Selissen Project

August 16: World Music Institute – Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Artists TBA

August 17: Jalopy Theatre – Artists TBA

August 23: New York City Opera – Tosca

August 24: New York City Opera – Tosca

August 30: Asian American Arts Alliance – Vijay Iyer Trio

August 31: Contemporary Dance – Mark Morris Dance Group, Blacks in Ballet, Reed Luplau

September

September 05: Accordions Around the World – Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, Afro Dominicano, Artist TBA

September 06: American Symphony Orchestra – Beyond the Hall

September 12: Harlem Stage – Artist TBA

September 13: The Town Hall + Belongó – The Man with The Golden Horn

For more information on the upcoming Bryant Park Picnic Performances, visit Bryant Park’s website or click here.

May 9, 2024
Governors Ball Announces After Dark Lineup

The annual Governors Ball has released its After Dark lineup for this year’s festival. After Dark shows take place all around the New York Metro Area in the nights leading up to, during, and after Governors Ball.

The After Dark festivities will start the night before Governors Ball kicks off with Teezo Touchdown performing at Irving Plaza, TV Girl (ft. Jordana) at Warsaw, Alex Chapman & Friends holding a single release party at Elsewhere Zone One, and The Thing x Telescreens at the Mercury Lounge.

After Friday, June 7- night one of the festival, Farruko will perform at The Venue at the Hard Rock Hotel, Flo at the Sony Hall and Skizzy Mars (ft. Hotline TNT) at the Mercury Lounge.

There will be one After Dark performance Saturday, June 8, with Ryan Beatty at the Bowery Ballroom, and one on Tuesday night, June 11, with d4vd at Irving Plaza.

After Dark tickets are available at govball.com/afterdark.

May 9, 2024
In Focus: Sum 41’s Final NYC Headline Show

On Monday, May 6 in Brooklyn, at the newly reopened Brooklyn Paramount, Canadian pop-punk sensation Sum 41 took the stage for their farewell performance in New York City.

Earlier this year the band announced it was calling it quits after 27 years, going out with a bang while celebrating their amazing career. The farewell tour coincides with the release of the new double album, Heaven :x: Hell, which came out March 29 of this year.

The bill included opening act Joey Valence & Brae from Pennsylvania, an unexpected hip-hop duo, followed by The Interrupters, who are Los Angeles based and delivered an igniting set complete with confetti in the end.

To close out the night, Sum 41 of course! Being my first time seeing them, I have to say they put on an epic show, amazing production, filled with pyrotechnics, lasers, a beautiful light show and multiple use of streamers and confetti. A larger-than-life spectacle in a standing-room-only, sold out venue, is definitely the way to go, if you’re really gonna go.

Sum 41 – Brooklyn Paramount – May 6, 2024

Setlist: Motivation, The Hell Song, Over My Head (Better Off Dead), No Reason, Underclass Hero, Some Say, Landmines, Dopamine, We’re All to Blame, Walking Disaster, With Me, Makes No Difference, My Direction / No Brains / All Messed Up, Drum Solo, Preparasi a salire, Rise Up, We Will Rock You, Ring of Fire, Pieces, What We’re All About, Fat Lip, Still Waiting

Encore: Summer, Waiting on a Twist of Fate, In Too Deep

Encore 2: So Long Goodbye

May 8, 2024
Buffalo Central Terminal Announces 2024 Calendar of Free Events from May to October

Buffalo Central Terminal has announced the release of their calendar of free events for the 2024 season. The community events take place from May to October at the Buffalo Central Terminal Lawn.

The festival includes a large variety of fun activities and events for all members of the community to enjoy. Events range from live music, plays, and movie nights to fitness bootcamps and car shows. Along with this, there are school giveaways for kids returning to the books along with an all-encompassing fall fest. From summer to fall, the Buffalo Central Terminal Festival keeps the community engaged and entertained.

The historic Buffalo Central Terminal is a prominent feature of Buffalo’s East Side and the Broadway Fillmore neighborhood. The not-for-profit Central Terminal Restoration Corp. has been the caretaker for more than 20 years.

The community driven Master Plan re-establishes the Terminal as a hub of activity. Buffalo Central Terminal is a beacon that attracts people and investment, celebrates, and fosters community voice and connections that contributes to the strong future of the city and region.

This year, the historic landmark boasts 15 free of charge events over the course of five months. The festival sees one event May 18, three in June, five in July, three in August, and two sendoff events in October.

Buffalo Central Terminal 2024 Festival Events

Health is Wealth Fitness Bootcamp A 3-part fitness and cardio bootcamp lead by GCOPE Fitness. The series is held on the Central Terminal Lawn from 9am to 10am on May 18, June 22, and June 29.

Central Terminal Car Show Admire over 100 meticulously restored sport compact and muscle cars Sunday, June 30 from 10am to 5pm at the Central Terminal Car Show.

Movie Night This year we’re hosting two movie nights at the Terminal. Join us July 29 for a taste of nostalgia with “The Goonies.” August 28 shows an animated film that’s perfect for the little ones. More to be announced soon.

Summer Concert Series After the tremendous enthusiasm from our audience last year, we’re excited to announce that our Summer Concert Series has been expanded to four sensational nights! Join us July 11, July 18, July 29, and August 8 from 5pm to 8pm.

Shakespeare in the Park returns to the Central Terminal Friday, July 19 with a “Midsummer Night’s Tour.” from 7pm to 8:30pm.

5^th Annual Back to School Giveaway hosted by Leg. Howard Johnson & CM Nowakowski

Get geared up for new school year at our giveaway Saturday, August 17 from 9am to 12pm.

Fall Fest Enjoy our family-friendly Fall Fest Saturday, October 12 from 11am-3pm, featuring music, pumpkin decorating, photog areas, beer & wine vendors and more.

Trunk or Treat hosted by Matt Urban Center The tradition continues Tuesday, October 29 from 4pm to 6pm.

To learn more about each event, and for more information on the Buffalo Central Terminal, click here.

May 8, 2024