The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra has announced an exciting collaboration with Jeans ‘n Classics, “Dancing Queen: The Music of ABBA,” as the first performance of the Philharmonic’s 2024-2025 Visions Federal Credit Union Pops Series.
Acting as the Southern Tier’s largest and longest-serving professional symphony orchestra, the Binghamton Philharmonic serves up to 10,000 people annually through a variety of innovative, engaging, educational, and affordable programming upon the core philosophy of “building community through the power of music.”
Partnering with the Philharmonic is Jeans ‘n Classics, who have a remarkable 27 year legacy of their own. Since its inception, the group bridges the skill of symphony orchestras with that of emerging world-class rock musicians. Creating new interpretations of orchestral scores through a rock lens, Jeans ‘n Classics transcends both genre and generational boundaries to create a broader community of music lovers at large.
The two class acts will combine for one timeless evening celebrating all things ABBA in Dancing Queen: The Music of ABBA. Featuring beloved hits like “Fernando,” “Waterloo,” and the title track of the evening “Dancing Queen,” it’s sure to be an unforgettable night of orchestral, rock, and Swedish pop fun.
Known for their particular spin on classic hits with orchestra, Jeans ‘n Classics’ skills will shine as their dynamic stylings meet the sonic grandeur of the Binghamton Philharmonic in a love letter to ABBA’s works. A lifelong fan or uninitiated to the 70s Swedish pop craze, Dancing Queen: The Music of ABBA promises an unforgettable night of pure joy, celebration, and powerful live music.
Tickets are available now, with prices starting at $28. Kids 17 and under can attend free thanks to Pops Series Sponsor Visions Federal Credit Union. For more information on ticket purchasing and the Binghamton Philharmonic’s other events, visit their website here.
To learn about Jeans ‘n Classics, listen to their works, and keep up to date on future events like Dancing Queen, visit their website here.
Contemporary pop visionary and musician Stranger Cat has released the second pre-release single off of her upcoming sophomore album, “Hollow Heartbreak”.
With her hands on every step of the creative process, New York City based Stranger Cat is a vocalist, producer, composer, light artist, video maker, DJ, and dancer- creativity is her calling, and each contemporary pop release of hers encompasses Cat’s inner mind, bringing it into the physical for others to appreciate and connect to.
Cat’s self-made range of creative skills have earned her merits such as the New York Foundation of the Arts Women’s Grant in 2020 and the NYFA/NYC City Corps Grant in 2021, in addition to a performance spot at the iii Points festival in Miami in 2023 and installations of her self-programmed light sculptures at Art Basel Miami events from 2021-2023.
Stranger Cat’s skills have also made their way into collaborations with musical luminaries like Sufjan Stevens, Sharon Van Etten, Son Lux, Lucius, and the Shins on Saturday Night Live, among many others.
Following her debut album In the Wilderness, Cat’s sophomore album Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces gives the listener permission to feel and express every emotion, no matter how embarrassing or big- “the kind of dance you do alone when no one is looking.”
This album in particular encapsulates several experiences of high emotions, as the tracks were produced from bed while Cat recovered from a life-threatening accident that kept her completely immobilized for five months, doctors predicting that she would not be able to dance again. As Cat healed physically and emotionally, Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces was brought into fruition, piece by piece.
Despite predictions of the worst, Cat returned to dancing and left all of her pain, heartbreak, and hope in ten tracks that would become her upcoming album. Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces may have been largely a tool for healing and an emotional outlet for herself in a moment of great emotional stress, but it has become larger than just the singular- the project channels these emotions and connects with the listener, allowing them to reflect and heal as well.
“Hollow Heartbreak” allowed Cat to process the ache of loss, opening the track and the production process with the idea of angels weeping in mind. Throughout the iterations of vocals and audio mixing, the music became cleansing- it enabled emotional realization and reflection in a way other things simply couldn’t. “By the end of building the track I’d reached a total 180,” Cat admits- “through creating an 808s and synths dance party, letting it all go.”
A synth-heavy anthemic dance track, “Hollow Heartbreak” invites the listener along the journey to rediscovering the relief and joy at the end of the grieving process when coping with a breakup. A testament to Cat’s personal journey and desire to bring listeners the same emotional catharsis, “Hollow Heartbreak” bares emotions raw and dances without care.
Stranger Cat will be performing alongside Laura Burhenn of The Mynabirds in New York City and Brooklyn for two nights at the end of October. Night one will be held at the Francis Kite Club as a part of the Artists For Ceasefire + Special Guests event on October 26, and night two will be held on October 27 at the Agrarian Loft in Brooklyn.
To learn more about Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces, Stranger Cat’s other projects, and keep up with her latest releases, you can visit her website here.
Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs has announced the return of their free annual pop-up health and wellness clinic on October 20.
Medical professionals from Saratoga Hospital and community organizations will provide testing, evaluation, health & wellness education, as well as assistance obtaining access to ongoing care during a one-day pop-up health clinic. These services are available free of charge to anyone in the creative community, including artists, musicians, designers, photographers, filmmakers, writers, and all others who work in a creative capacity and live in the Saratoga region.
The clinic was brought to life three years ago through the vision of Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center nurse and musician Jill Burnham RN, BCEN of “Mark and Jill Sing the Blues”. This year’s event is made possible by the generous support of the Rotary Club of Saratoga, with additional support from Caffè Lena, Sight and Sound Vision Care for the Music Industry, and Saratoga Hospital.
Available services will include:
Vision Screenings and Free Eyewear/Sight and Sound Vision Care
Insurance Navigation Services
Connection to Primary Care Services/Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center
Narcan Training & Distribution
Blood Pressure Screenings
Nutrition Services
Cancer Screening Program
Hearing Screenings
To learn more about Caffe Lena’s pop-up health and wellness clinic on October 20 visit their website by clicking here.
Brooklyn based project Bands Do BK has announced the official VHS compilation release of live performances from a 3-day, 15-band event held at Arlene’s Grocery earlier this May.
Born out of a desire to bring musicians to fans and vice versa throughout Brooklyn and beyond, Bands do BK is a project designed to offer readers uncut perspectives of the borough from their favorite local artists and musicians. From personable conversation, spotlights on new releases, and events hosted for fans and creators alike, Bands do BK avoids pomp and pretense in favor of genuine content curated for music lovers and makers, by music lovers and makers.
Back in May of this year, Bands do BK put on a powerful three-day event at the iconic Arlene’s Grocery comprised of 15 emerging bands of the local indie scene. Capturing the liveliness of the tightly knit NYC music scene throughout every set while in a historically significant area that has consistently provided a space for creatives and musicians alike, the event was a major hit.
Now, in an exciting one-of-a-kind VHS compilation, the project and its impactful message have been further immortalized. Spearheaded by Executive Producer Marc Seligman and Production Coordinator (and Bands do BK Curator) Sam Sumpter, The Music Matters NYC is a 67 minute testament to the immortality of music in New York City and the newest voices taking that charge.
Artists featured in the compilation correspond with the original performance dates- day one’s Big Girl, Tilden, A Very Special Episode, Tetchy, and TVOD are showcased alongside day two’s O. Wake, NEVVA, Two-Man Giant Squid, Mary Shelley, and day three’s AVATAREDEN, Jelly Kelly, Go Home, Night Spins, and SKORTS.
Largely inspired by the authentic work of these artists and a vision of capturing the essence of their performances in a genuine way, a simple documentary-style idea quickly developed into the nostalgic experience that is a VHS release- a perfect call back to analog recordings that pays homage to the timelessness of New York City’s indie music scene alongside a uniquely nostalgic viewer experience.
“My hope is that this doc serves as a window into our community—what’s happening in venues, parks, bars, backyards and basements across the city on any given day or night. I hope it inspires you to fall in love with these artists like I have and to buy music and merch, go to local shows and support this sweet, sweet scene that we, as New Yorkers, are unbelievably lucky to have access to. NYC isn’t even close to dead, and I’m beyond stoked to showcase some of the incredible bands who are out there proving it.”
– Sam Sumpter, Bands do BK Curator
The event’s performances were subsequently recorded by a top-tier crew including Brad Wagner and Juan Soria on audio and video production assisted by Charlie Peterson, Jeff Schaer-Moses on photography, and Jason Toledo on video editing in addition to being a co-producer.
To be released on Friday November 1, the official The Music Matters NYC VHS compilation will be available through Bands do BK, Arlene’s Grocery, Village Revival Records, and all of the bands featured at their shows.
In addition, Bands do BK has announced an exciting upcoming watch party at the very same Arlene’s Grocery. Bringing together fans, friends, and artists in a larger community of creativity and appreciation for live performance, the once-in-a-lifetime chance to relive the magic in the same room where it was made is not to be missed.
No official date for the watch party has been announced yet, so to keep up to date on the latest updates as well as all of Bands do BK’s endeavors, visit their website here.
On Sunday, October 13, Marcus King took the stage at Brooklyn Paramount, delivering a solid performance that highlighted his powerful vocals and guitar work.
With his new album Blood Orange recently released, the show was a blend of older fan favorites and fresh material, showcasing King’s mix of blues, rock, and Southern soul.
Backed by a talented band, King was joined by Jack Ryan on drums, Drew Smithers on guitar, Mike Runyon on keys, and Eric Vogel on bass, all of whom contributed to the full, rich sound of the night. Kicking off with “The Well,” King set a steady pace. His voice carried depth, particularly on tracks like “Hero” and “Beautiful Stranger,” while “Goodbye Carolina” brought a bluesy vibe that resonated with the crowd. Songs from Blood Orange reflected a more refined sound, thanks in part to Rick Rubin’s stripped-back production, which allowed King’s musicianship and storytelling to come through clearly.
One of the highlights of the evening was a cover of “Me and Bobby McGee,” where King invited opener Brittany Spencer and 18-year-old guitarist Grace Bowers to join him on stage. Their performance of the classic song was a nice change of pace, and the blend of voices and guitar added a fresh layer to the song.
Brittany Spencer opened the night with a strong set of her own, performing tracks like “Night In,” “If You Say So,” “Bigger Than The Song,” and “My First Rodeo.” Spencer’s voice was clear and powerful, and she kept the audience engaged with her mix of country and soul influences. Over the years, she’s shared stages with artists like Willie Nelson and Jason Isbell, and her reputation as an up-and-coming artist continues to grow.
For the encore, King returned with a soulful rendition of “When a Man Loves a Woman,” followed by a cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” Grace Bowers joined him again for the latter, adding a punch to the performance with her impressive guitar skills.
Overall, Marcus King’s show at Brooklyn Paramount was a solid mix of blues, rock, and heartfelt performances. The new material from Blood Orange stood out, marking a step forward in King’s evolving sound, while the mix of covers, collaborations, and a talented backing band made the night memorable for fans.
Setlist: The Well, Hero, Inglewood Hotel, Beautiful Stranger, Honky Tonk Hell, Die Alone, Bipolar Love, Goodbye Carolina, F*** Up My Life Again, Lie, Lie Lie, Me and Bobby McGee, Delilah, Wildflowers & Wine
On Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 at Kleinhans Music Hall of Buffalo, the 120th birthday of legendary composer Harold Arlen will be celebrated.
Presented by JazzBuffalo in collaboration with Kleinhans Music Hall, a special 120th birthday celebration and concert will pay tribute to one of Buffalo’s most legendary musical icons, Harold Arlen, in the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall.
Born on Feb. 15, 1905, Arlen was the composer behind some of the most beloved songs in the Great American Songbook such as, “Stormy Weather,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Get Happy,” and, of course, “Over the Rainbow.” The latter is of course the iconic song from The Wizard of Oz that earned him an Academy Award and is frequently hailed as the greatest song of the 20th century.
Since passing away in 1986, Arlen’s compositions have left a mark on American music, shaping the landscape of jazz and popular music for generations.
This concert aims to highlight Arlen’s Buffalo roots by exploring where he grew up, performed, and began his illustrious career. From his early days playing piano on the S.S. Canadiana to his rise as a Broadway and Hollywood composer, Arlen’s Buffalo upbringing was integral to his success, and the event will honor the city’s role in shaping his career.
The concert will be headlined by acclaimed jazz pianist and Western New York native Pete Malinverni, who has made a name for himself as a composer, arranger, and educator based in New York City. Joining Malinverni will be internationally renowned violinist Julie Kurtzman and rising star jazz vocalist Anaïs Reno. Together, they will bring new life to Arlen’s cherished songs, including “Over the Rainbow” through fresh arrangements and performances, offering audiences a unique opportunity to experience the music of this Buffalo-born legend.
Early bird ticket pricing is available throughout Oct. at $35 and tickets are priced at $40 afterward. Purchase tickets here.
The Big Eddy Film Festival is coming to Narrowsburg in Sullivan County from October 18 to 20. The weekend festival contains several screenings of films along with workshops for all ages.
Over the three-day span at Big Eddy Film Festival, there are 11+ events to behold. Several film screenings are to take place prior to panel discussions where the films are dissected and analyzed. Along with the film screenings and panel discussions, a segment of the festival is dedicated to the young filmmakers of Sullivan County.
Nine kid-directed short films will be screened, followed by a Q&A with the cast and production teams. An animation workshop is also included in the festival on Sunday, October 20. This workshop aims to educate young filmmakers on animation, camerawork, and abstract artistry.
Opening night on Oct 18 features a single film screening – “Happy Campers.” From 10:00AM to 11:00PM on October 19, the day is jampacked with six total events for festgoers to enjoy. Wrapping up on Oct 20, four events take place, with the final film screening of the festival being documentary feature “Dory Previn: On My Way To Where.” This is an all-encompassing screening you won’t want to miss.
Followed by a panel discussion moderated by Greg Triggs. HAPPY CAMPERS chronicles the final days of a working-class summer colony in a scrappy trailer park that just happens to hold the secret to a rich life.
Saturday, October 19
10:00 AM Kids Make Film – Free Entry for Under-16s
Followed by Q&A with young filmmakers
Celebrating the creations of Sullivan County’s newly minted young filmmakers.
12:30 PM Prodigal Daughter – Feature Documentary
Filmmaker and former punk artist Mabel Valdiviezo reunites with her family in Peru after 16 years of estrangement, confronting her troubled past as an immigrant in the United States.
2:30 PM Space Cowboy – Feature Documentary
Followed by Q&A with the film’s editor Eric Bruggemann
Joe Jennings, an innovator in the world of skydiving, has spent decades capturing breathtaking aerial moments with his camera for extreme sports competitions, Super Bowl commercials, and Hollywood blockbusters. Flying at the top of their game, Joe’s world was shattered when tragedy struck, leaving him to navigate the skies alone. Filmmaker in attendance.
5:00 PM Rural Shorts
Followed by a Q&A with filmmakers moderated by Greg Triggs Short films celebrating local New York makers and the rural imagination. Filmmakers in attendance.
7:00 PM Start Them Young – Narrative Short David and Danielle take their 4-year-old daughter, Dahlia, to interview at the prestigious Future Generations Preschool; they are adamant that Dahlia gets into this school, they are sick with anxiety over it.
Hummingbirds – Documentary Feature In HUMMINGBIRDS, Silvia and Beba tell their own coming-of-age story, transforming their hometown on the Texas-Mexico border into a wonderland of creative expression and activist hijinks.
9:30 PM Scarlet Winter – Narrative Feature After waking up to find his girlfriend murdered in bed, Mark must cover up her death while trying to piece together events from the previous night to find her murderer. Filmmaker in attendance.
Sunday, October 20
11:00 AM Drawing On Film Animation Workshop
At Tusten Community Center Join us for a lively workshop where we will collectively make a handmade animated film without using a camera. Participants will draw directly onto clear 16mm film to create colorful dancing abstractions of lines and shapes on celluloid.
11:00 AM Too Short To Suck
Followed by Q&A with filmmakers The Big Eddy Film Festival is excited to present a screening of “Too Short To Suck”. Organized by ConPAC, this shorts program celebrates brevity and intensity through the works of 23 filmmakers whose films run the gamut from narrative, experimental, stop-motion animation, and more. Each short is a universe onto itself that doesn’t exceed 2 minutes. Filmmakers in attendance.
1:00 PM A Song For Imogene – Narrative Feature After discovering she is pregnant by her abusive boyfriend, a fallen-away musician must decide between freeing herself or remaining a relic of her drive-by Southern town.
3:30 PM Dory Previn: On My Way To Where – Feature Documentary
Followed by Q&A with the film’s co-director
Writing and singing the unvarnished truth about one’s buried secret life experiences is more common today than when Dory Previn wrote brilliant, disturbing, and darkly funny songs in the 1970s. Previn began as an Academy Award-nominated lyricist for Hollywood musicals with songs for Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland & Dionne Warwick before a tabloid scandal and public breakdown led to her re-emergence as a cult artist in the Laurel Canyon scene. Filmmaker in attendance.
DORY PREVIN: ON MY WAY TO WHERE
Entry to each film costs $10 unless stated otherwise. For more information on the Big Eddy Film Festival and the many film screenings, click here.
Indie-pop artist Olivia Reid has announced the release of her latest heartwarming single “Love Don’t Leave.”
Based in NYC, Olivia Reid’s unique production style blends indie acoustics with exploratory pop soundscapes, creating a distinctive sonic space to express her most inward emotions. Reid’s artistic style fuses the expressive sounds of artists like Bon Iver, Norah Jones, Sylvan Esso, and Florence + The Machine, with the intensely emotional experiences she channels.
“Love Don’t Leave” is a song about the little elements of connection that feel so simple, yet make love feel deep and pure. That purity and depth of connection is the very thing that makes the hard times in life sting less. The track begins with an otherworldly soothing aura that entices and pacifies the listener in the best ways possible.
The track combines Olivia’s signature indie-pop sound whilst also implementing notes of folk and even country. The track is upbeat, yet lowkey. Its full of life and vibrancy yet is suited to soothe and relax the audience. The theme here is love and Olivia Reid does a beautiful job at conveying the message that love is simple but extraordinary and deep. The dynamic nature of the track truly speaks to the impressive songwriting abilities of the artist.
“Love Don’t Leave” is the first song off of her forthcoming EP and is born out of Reid’s centering experiences in Poland’s countryside. She describes the track as a love letter to love, which is the perfect explanation of the song’s overall feel. The EP, titled soft songs for the soul, is to be released in the coming months and will be available on all streaming services.
For more information on Olivia Reid and to hear her latest single “Love Don’t Leave,” visit her website by clicking here.
Her famous dad may not have played the renowned festival, but Moon Unit Zappa certainly was a hit when she ventured to Woodstock to discuss Earth to Moon(Deyst/William Morrow Books), her acclaimed memoir of growing up in the unconventional household of her iconic musician dad, Frank Zappa.
The October 12 event was sponsored by The Golden Notebook, Woodstock’s premiere independent bookshop since 1978. The shop’s co-owners, Jacqueline Kellachan and James Conrad, have brought many outstanding writers to town for lively readings, including notable musicians like Blondie’s Chris Stein and Steve Earle. To accommodate the 100 attendees, the event was moved from The Golden Notebook’s cozy location on Tinker Street to the larger Mountain View Studios.
With wit, humor, and humility, Moon addressed the cost of being raised by her largely absent genius father (who she idolizes above all others) and controlling mother – a woman whose anger arose, in no small part, due to her father’s constant philandering. Moon also discussed her much-varied career as an MTV and VH-1 VJ, an actress, author and the founder of an upscale food concern, Moon Unit® Tea. She also conversed on her spiritual quest to rise above the challenges of her youth and become a better parent to her daughter, Mathilda. And, of course, there was plenty about her time in the spotlight helping to create what would become her father’s biggest hit, “Valley Girl.” For a more in-depth look, read our earlier review of the book here.
In true Zappa tradition, the event kicked off with an unannounced surprise. It was a high-energy performance of “Valley Girl” by Mona Freaka, a quintet of teenage girls from Woodstock who truly captured the punky and snarky spirit of Moon and Frank’s original recording.
Martha Frankel, the Executive Director of the annual Woodstock Bookfest, moderated the discussion with insight and humor that matched the tenor of Moon’s wonderfully rich memoir. Frankel began by saying that the Zappa household was “truly the epicenter of lax parenting.” She added what would’ve been her advice to Moon’s parents if she had known them – “If you’re going to be doing bad shit, you probably shouldn’t let your kids have diaries!” Moon credits her lifelong interest in writing to her parents in the book, who gave her a new leather-bound diary every year. These diaries provided much of the source material for her memoir.
In the Q&A with Frankel, Moon discussed the many challenges she faced in writing the book. It was a process that took place over four and a half years and several drafts. Due to the well-publicized squabbles between Moon and her three siblings generated by her mother’s uneven distribution of control of her father’s legacy in her will, she mentioned how her first go at the book was “a f*ck you draft that I ultimately decided to throw out.” Another thing she first left out of the early drafts of the book was the chapter on the whirlwind created by the unlikely success of “Valley Girl.” Unfortunately, this sudden fame came to her during her “awkward teenage phase.” The fact that this novelty tune was the massively productive Frank’s most significant commercial success was something he greeted with chagrin.
Midway through the event, Moon Zappa teared up reading the chapter where she and her brother Dweezil are invited into Frank’s most sacred space – the rehearsal hall. They each got their turn at the mic, as their father conducted the band with a wide smile.
Moon also shared some humorous and heartbreaking facts not covered in the book. These included her unlikely teenage crushes: the stern ABC newsman Sam Donaldson, humorist Spalding Gray and comedian Sam Kinison and how, though she was hugely impressed with it, she was “mortified by my father’s music … largely because it wasn’t lady friendly.” She also mentioned her idea of pursuing a documentary where she would interview the many women her father had affairs with over the years. She also observed that she and her siblings are all “serial monogamists” and very attentive parents, an oppositional reaction to their experiences with their parents.
Like the book itself, Moon’s discussions of her life with her parents are anything but a bitch fest. Even with their many faults, Moon’s love and admiration for both came through. Moderator Frankel would comment more than once during the event that Moon was “probably the most forgiving person on the planet.”
To hear more, check out the extensive interview with Moon on my podcast, “Reading Is Funktamental.”
Adirondack Theatre Festival (ATF) and Proctors Collaborative have entered into a three-year agreement to expand shared services and explore how the two will partner more significantly over the long term.
Proctors Collaborative has provided the Adirondack Theatre Festival with set construction and marketing services on a fee basis for the past three seasons and cross-marketed for over five years. These efforts have led to conversations about the production of theatre in the Capital Region, the state of locally produced professional theaters around the country and the opportunities for ATF, the Collaborative and its affiliate Capital Repertory Theatre to work together. The goal is to imagine and deliver ever-better professional theater with ever-more stable means and methods for the larger community.
Glens Falls-based ATF has operated a summer season for three decades under an agreement with the Actors’ Equity Association, casting actors, designers and directors who have worked regularly on and off-Broadway, on television and in movies. Under the leadership of Producing Artist Director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill, Albany’s Capital Repertory Theatre has a longer but similar history. Since its founding in 1976, it has produced over 300 shows across 6,000 performances, including 46 world premieres and is the Capital Region’s only League of Resident Theatres member.
The merging of these two entities has potential to create a collaborative project that may change the state of theater in upstate NY and throughout the nation. Since the Covid pandemic, the theater industry has been struggling to get back to the glory of its past. With this new collaborative adventure afoot, the capital region may see an explosion of creativity, success, and artisanship.
“Our donor community and funding communities and the cultural industry in general are focusing more and more on collaborations and efficiencies. Proctors Collaborative was born of that sensibility; the opportunity to connect and work with the region’s other significant professional theater company just makes sense at this point.”
Philip Morris, CEO of Proctors Collaborative
For more information on the Adirondack Theatre Festival and their upcoming collaborations click here. To learn more about Proctors Collaborative and their upcoming events, click here.
