NYS Music 2024

Category: Regions

  • National Sawdust Announces Album Playcast Series “Live from National Sawdust” Beginning October 18

    National Sawdust has announced the release of their 3-part album playcast series, Live from National Sawdust. The first of this series to release is Joy on October 18.

    Live from National Sawdust

    Drawing from the countless transportive and transcendent performances presented and recorded live at National Sawdust over the decade since its inception, the series—part playlist, part podcast, part radio show—offers a curated journey through the evolution of contemporary music.

    New Sounds presents playcast selections on its daily show on WNYC Radio and the full playcasts, with commentary from hosts Prestini and Ousley is presented from their YouTube channel. The music featured in the playcasts will also be available on Apple Music Classical.

    Amidst its 10-year Anniversary season recalling the groundbreaking musical and sound-based work shared in one of the best-sounding halls in New York City, National Sawdust now brings these singular performances to listeners everywhere.

    Live from National Sawdust
    Co-Founder Paola Prestini

    The initial drop from this series features pieces that fall under the theme of joy — followed, in November, by Faith, and December, by Healing. For the first time, listeners can experience these vibrant pieces, specially mined from the National Sawdust archive.

    Joy features works by composers including Andy Akiho, Bach, Beethoven,  Magos Herrera, Emma O’Halloran, Caroline Shaw, and Paul Wiancko. The first collection Joy also includes performances from Andy Akiho, Aizuri Quartet, Attacca Quartet, Theo Bleckmann, Magos Herrera, The Refugee Orchestra Project, Brooklyn Rider, Ian Rosenbaum, and Chris Thile.

    As Live from National Sawdust explores its given theme, each episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creative processes of artists, blending live performances, studio recordings, and intimate interviews. These playcasts give listeners an immersive experience and takes them on a journey through the minds of the artists and the stories behind the music.

    Host Andrew Ousley

    To listen to the playcast series Live from National Sawdust on October 18, click here. To learn more about National Sawdust and their background click here.

  • Liza Minnelli Joins “Drag: The Musical” as Producing Partner

    Legendary EGOT-winning performer Liza Minnelli has joined the production team of Drag: The Musical. The Off-Broadway show will premiere on Oct. 21 at New World Stages.

    Liza Minnelli

    Minnelli is making her Off-Broadway producing debut with this highly anticipated production, presented at Shubert’s New World Stages. While Minnelli has previously produced her own concerts,  DRAG: The Musical represents her first venture into producing a full-length musical.

    “Kids! DRAG: The Musical is a work of art,” Liza Minnelli says. “It’s so brilliant that I had to join as a producer! Join me at every performance. Yes, EVERY PERFORMANCE!”

    In DRAG: The Musical, two Drag Houses, both alike in indignity, vie for supremacy in a wig-snatching journey of fashion, family, and forgiveness. After a bitter split, two estranged queens bring their already simmering tensions to a boiling point when they open competing clubs. In this queen-eat-queen tale of spite and survival, there’s only one rule: no lip-synching allowed.

    Written by superstar Alaska Thunderf*ck alongside her longtime musical collaborators, multi-platinum songwriter, Tomas Costanza, and chart-topping songstress Ashley Gordon. The production is directed and choreographed by Spencer Liff (Broadway: Falsettos, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Head Over Heels; TV: “So You Think You Can Dance”) 

    Tickets for DRAG: The Musical are now available here.

  • Ross & Rocky Lynch Go Global in 2025 With “The Driver Era: Obsession Tour”

    The Driver Era: Obsession Tour has been announced for 2025. The tour sees shows from January 18 to July 18, with two shows in New York State.

    the driver era obsession tour

    Ross and Rocky Lynch are set to ignite stages worldwide in 2025 with their highly-anticipated The Driver Era: Obsession Tour. The 40+ city tour in North America includes a stop at SummerStage in Central Park in NYC, on Monday, June 9, and at Artpark Mainstage Theater in Lewiston, NY on June 6.

    The 2025 tour promises to deliver the duo’s signature alternative sound with electrifying performances that blend fan favorites and exciting new music. 

    The band’s latest single, “You Keep Me Up At Night,” released in Fall 2024, has already captivated listeners worldwide, racking up impressive streams as the brothers dive deeper into their personal experiences, adding a new layer of emotional depth to their evolving sound. “You Keep Me Up At Night” follows their previous hit single “Get Off My Phone,” continuing the duo’s exploration of relatable, raw, and intimate themes.

    THE DRIVER ERA: OBSESSION TOUR DATES: 

    Sat Jan 18 – Auckland, NZ – Town Hall  

    Tue Jan 21 – Brisbane, AUS – Fortitude Music Hall  

    Fri Jan 24 – Sydney, AUS – Hordern Pavilion  

    Sat Jan 25 – Melbourne, AUS – Festival Hall  

    Mon Jan 27 – Adelaide, AUS – Hindley St Music Hall  

    Fri Mar 07 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – War Memorial Auditorium  

    Sat Mar 08 – Tampa, FL – Yuengling Center  

    Mon Mar 10 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company  

    Tue Mar 11 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy  

    Thu Mar 13 – Moon Twp, PA – UPMC Events Center  

    Fri Mar 14 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom  

    Sun Mar 16 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center  

    Wed Mar 19 – Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall  

    Fri Mar 21 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater  

    Sat Mar 22 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall  

    Mon Mar 24 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium  

    Wed Mar 26 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union Event Center  

    Fri Mar 28 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert Hall  

    Fri Apr 25 – Buenos Aires, AR – Estadio Obras Sanitarias  

    Sun Apr 27 – Santiago, CL – Teatro Caupolicán  

    Wed Apr 30 – Rio de Janeiro, BR – Sacadura 154  

    Fri May 02 – São Paulo, BR – Tokio Marine Hall  

    Fri May 30 – Milwaukee, WI – BMO Pavilion  

    Sat May 31 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory  

    Mon Jun 02 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre

    Tue Jun 03 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park  

    Thu Jun 05 – Toronto, ON – Coca-Cola Coliseum  

    Fri Jun 06 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark Mainstage Theater  

    Sat Jun 07 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena  

    Mon Jun 09 – New York, NY – SummerStage in Central Park  

    Wed Jun 11 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark  

    Fri Jun 13 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage  

    Sat Jun 14 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion  

    Mon Jun 16 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion  

    Wed Jun 18 – Virginia Beach, VA – Venue TBA  

    Fri Jun 20 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater  

    Sat Jun 21 – Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery  

    Sun Jun 22 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre  

    Tue Jun 24 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater  

    Fri Jun 27 – St. Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park  

    Sun Jun 29 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre  

    Tue Jul 01 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory  

    Thu Jul 03 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre  

    Sat Jul 05 – Las Vegas, NV – Brooklyn Bowl  

    Wed Jul 09 – Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater  

    Thu Jul 10 – Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre  

    Sat Jul 12 – Portland, OR – Theater of the Clouds  

    Tue Jul 15 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre  

    Wed Jul 16 – San Diego, CA – Gallagher Square at Petco Park  

    Fri Jul 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium  

    “We’re super excited to put on the best show we’ve ever done. Get ready to dance. This tour is really about inviting fans deeper into our world. Songs like ‘You Keep Me Up At Night’ play a huge role in that, giving us the chance to explore more personal and authentic themes night after night.”

    Ross and Rocky Lynch

    For more information on The Driver Era: Obsession Tour and to purchase tickets, click here.

  • God Street Wine Announces 5 Show Tour, Woodstock Date To Be Recorded

    Jam band God Street Wine has announced a series of five concerts in March, including a date in Woodstock that will be recorded for a live release.

    God Street Wine Woodstock
    Photo- Geoff Tischman

    One of the most prominent acts of the early jam band scene, New York based God Street Wine has been jamming on and off for over twenty six years. Within their first decade as a unit, the group had released five albums and performed over 1,000 shows across the country.

    After a nearly decades-long split, the band reunited in 2009 privately to honor the passing of an old friend and later performed a series of shows in New York City benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. With the band spread geographically, releases came sporadically throughout the next few years, including a 25th anniversary box set retrospective and the All The Way To Here documentary film.

    Just off of the heels of eight shows in the Summer of 2019, the band faced an unexpectedly lengthy hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. After four years kept apart, God Street Wine was able to reunite in 2023 with two New York shows, this time in benefit of Mission Stadiums for Multiple Sclerosis.

    Earlier this year, the group celebrated their first major-label release’s 30th anniversary with digital releases of once-lost tracks and pressed three of their albums on vinyl for the first time ever, punctuated with four sold-out shows in Woodstock, New York City, and Asbury Park in New Jersey.

    With countless performances and releases behind them, God Street Wine has decided once more that what they’ve accomplished so far is not all that is in store for the group and their fans. The band has announced five concerts in March of 2025, including a date in New York.

    Performing at the historic Bearsville Theater, God Street Wine will be making an appearance in Woodstock on March 15. This performance will wrap the mini-tour, and notably will be recorded for a future Live Release- it’s truly a show to not be missed. Tickets are on sale now- visit here to purchase and learn more.

    The full list of tour dates is below.

    TOUR DATES

    March 7: Admore Music Hall – Philadelphia, PA

    March 8: The Atlantis – Washington, D.C.

    March 13: The Sinclair – Boston, MA

    March 14: Nectar’s – Burlington, VA

    March 15: Bearsville Theater – Woodstock, NY

  • Herman Headlines Schenectady’s Sixties Spectacular at Proctors

    Legendary vocalist of Herman’s Hermits, Peter Noone, headlines the Sixties Spectacular tour on Saturday, November 2 at Schenectady’s Proctors Theatre.

    Peter Noone and his Herman’s Hermits procured a very well-groomed image which made them popular in the US during the British Invasion bands era. The band had a string of major hits such as “Ms. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” and “I’m Henry VIII, I Am” that were both #1 in the US and #12 in the UK.

    In turn of the great success, Noone decided to go solo and was able to reach the charts again at #12 in the UK, collaborating with legendary artist David Bowie writing, “Oh You Pretty Things”, going to show Peter’s impact ranging across the industry.

    hermans hermits

    Nowadays, Noone makes regular tour appearances in the US, as well as guest stars in VH1’s My Generation, Entertainment Tonight. In 2007, Peter showed up as a mentor on American Idol, offering advice to contestants singing songs from the British Invasion era.

    The GrassRoots, originally formed in San Francisco as “The 13th Floor” join Noone at Proctors Theatre after a decade.

    Although Rob Grill, the band’s original lead vocalist, passed away in 2011, current members, led by singer Mark Dawson, keep the spirit of their classic hits alive with vibrant performances. In 2015, they were inducted into the American Pop Music Hall of Fame, honoring their legacy for grateful fans.

    hermans hermits

    Gary Lewis & the Playboys will bring their longtime experience and talent to Proctors Theatre for another time.

    Rising to fame in 1965-1966, they began their journey performing nightly at Disneyland, where audiences were unaware that Gary was the son of comedy legend Jerry Lewis.

    Gary earned the title to cashbox’s vocalist of the year, competing with icons like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Following a time in the army, Gary dropped one more hit was dropped called, “Sealed With a Kiss”.

    Opening the Sixties Spectacular are the Bluz House Rockers at Proctors, celebrating their 30th anniversary.

    They are proud inductees of the NYS Blues Hall of Fame from their diverse repertoire of collaborations and sounds. With six of the seven members sharing lead and harmony vocals, they bring high energy to the stage.

    Over the past decade, they have performed at various venues, including Proctors, the Times Union Center, and the Palace Theatre, as well as special events like Albany and Saratoga First Nights and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

  • Tesla brings the electricity to the Premier Theater at Foxwoods Casino

    Legendary 80’s band Tesla brought their “Keepin’ It Real” tour to the Premier Theater at Foxwoods Casino. The band in no time sold out the casino’s biggest venue. Even before the opener, Sebastian Bach went on stage, the crowd filed in and packed the theater.

    If you were to go back in time to the late 1980s or early 1990’s the combination of Tesla with Skid Row – Bach’s former band, could have been a reality. Unfortunately for the rock community, getting this amazing duo took a little longer than normal. In the casino, there are strict curfews so Bach went on stage a few minutes past 8:00 p.m. He delivered a heavy set of 12 songs that consisted of Skid Row classics and solo material.

    As fans could have expected, more than half of Bach’s set was Skid Row songs. But, he did kick his set off with one of his newest songs, “What Do I Got to Lose?” off his newest record, Child Within The Man. It was great to hear four of his newer songs and introduce old fans to newer material. The crowd was going wild for him Bach, for each song they would give a thunderous cheer. In response, for the entire time, Bach was smiling ear to ear and his voice was pitch-perfect.

    Despite fighting some technical difficulties with his microphone and the sound, the four-piece band put on an unforgettable show. Joining Bach was his son, Paris on drums, Clay Eubank on bass and Brody DeRozie on guitar. For the entire time they were on stage, they headbanged and hair flipped. That was until they played their last song, “Youth Gone Wild,” but were cut off by the curfew and were forced not to play the song. Heroically though, Tesla brought him back out at the end of their set to play “Youth Gone Wild” and their song, “Signs.”

    PHOTO

    It only took a few short minutes between sets for Tesla to lay siege to the Foxwoods crowd. They jumped right into “Rock Me To The Top,” off of their debut record, Mechanical Resonance. The entire lower bowl of the theater stayed on its feet for the entire performance. Despite big red cushioned chairs behind them, the audience refused and stood in appreciation for the almost two-hour set.

    It’s easy to see why Tesla continues to sell out venues across the country. It’s because they deliver a great performance with so much infectious energy. Guitarist Frank Hannon, for the entire performance, ran back and forth from side to side delivering one of the best performances yet. Behind his yellow sunglasses, he shredded nonstop throughout the show. Whether it was a beautiful double-neck guitar or a classic Gibson, stopping Hanson was not possible.

    Joining Hannon in the band is Brian Wheat on bass, Jeff Keith on lead vocals, Dave Rude on guitar and Steve Brown on the drums.

    They played two new songs off an upcoming record that Hannon says come out around Thanksgiving time. “From the Heart” and the title track, “All About Love” received warm reactions from the audience. If true, this would be Tesla’s first studio record since 2018’s Shock.

    The band played all their greatest hits as well as some deep cuts. This constantly left the audience guessing on what song would be played next. At one point in the set, they played five of their most popular songs in a row which had the audience in a frenzy. “Changes,” “Paradise,” “Call It What You Want” and “Edison’s Medicine (Man Out of Time)” were the perfect final few songs.

    The band played all their greatest hits as well as some deep cuts. This constantly left the audience guessing on what song was next. At one point in the set, they played five of their most popular songs in a row which had the audience in a frenzy. “Changes,” “Paradise,” “Call It What You Want” and “Edison’s Medicine (Man Out of Time)” were the perfect final few songs to be played.

    Usually, Tesla’s first and final song of the encore is “Signs.” The popular song is a cover of Five Man Electrical Band’s version. But, for this show, after Bach’s set got cut by one song, they brought him back out to do a small snippet of “Youth Gone Wild.” This was followed by “Signs” and a great closing moment in the show. During the Bach/Tesla duet, you can tell that Bach appreciated the kind gesture of the band and it goes to show that Tesla does truly care about, not only the fans but the support act as well.

    Tesla’s one-stop at Foxwood’s on their “Keepin’ It Real” tour was well worth it for everyone involved. It was a fantastic throwback to when the 1980s was all about hard rock and metal. The Bach and Tesla pairing was perfect. Bach’s headbanging metal was the perfect balance with Tesla’s power chords and harmonies. If Tesla brings their juggernaut tour back to a New York area, I highly suggest going out and seeing them. They’ll make sure that you get your money’s worth.

    Sebastian Bach setlist: What Do I Got to Lose? Slave to the Grind, Big Guns, Sweet Little Sister, 18 and Life, Freedom, Piece of Me, Everyday Bleeds, Monkey Business, I Remember You, (Hold On) To the Dream,  Youth Gone Wild

    Tesla setlist: Rock Me To The Top, Modern Day Cowboy, Hang Tough, All About Love, Walk Away, Forever More, Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out), Miles Away, Changes, Paradise, Call It What You Want, Edison’s Medicine (Man Out of Time), From the Heart, Love Song, Little Suzi, Signs

  • Todd Rundgren To Be Presented Keys To The Town of Woodstock

    The Town Supervisor of Woodstock will be presenting Todd Rundgren with Keys to the Town on October 23 following a two-day residency.

    Todd Rundgren Woodstock

    A pioneer of electronic and progressive rock music, the usage of computer software and online music delivery, and music videos as a whole, Todd Rundgren is nothing short of a music industry legend.

     His experimental approach to creating has garnered widespread respect since his beginnings with psychedelic band Nazz, following solo career and subsequent group Utopia, and ventures into the tech world- Rundgren is to be thanked for one of the first music videos to be aired on MTV produced  in addition to one of the first computer paint programs.

    This insatiable desire to create and experiment is exactly what landed Rundgren in the limelight time and time again, as his work maintains personality and ingenuity regardless of medium or circumstance.

    Some of his most notable work not directly tied to his name came out of his 1969 move to New York, in which he found himself in the Greenwich Village club scene mingling with Manhattan creatives. 

    After accepting a job offer from former Nazz assistant manager turned new founder of Ampex Records and correlated Bearsville Studios nestled next to Woodstock, Rundgren began his journey to becoming the highest-paid producer in the world, eventually giving him the push needed to kick-start his solo career.

    Rundgren’s ties to the town continue in 2002, scoring the A Face to a Name film debuted at the Woodstock Film Festival, a piece made in and concerning the aftermath of the September 11 attacks of the previous year.

    It’s no wonder why the town of Woodstock has decided to honor Rundgren in this way- the keys will be a testament to his importance to the cultural history of the area, music, and everything in between. In addition to the symbolic presenting of keys, the ceremony will also mark the installation and dedication of a plaque to his work at Utopia Video Studio, built for Rundgren by Albert Grossman in the 1980s- the origin point of his legendary MTV music video projects.

    The ceremony runs parallel to Rundgren’s two-day set at Bearsville Theater on October 22 and 23. While the first of two dates is sold out, the second that will follow the key presenting ceremony still has tickets available- learn more and purchase tickets here.

    https://youtu.be/jI_oBXzLNmw?si=kdk5xe_cDjDU4Ekj

  • Singer/Songwriter Mihali Releases Latest Single “Free Ride” Ahead of Northeast US Tour

    Reggae/Indie artist Mihali has released his latest track titled “Free Ride” which is now streaming on all platforms. The single releases in the midst of his northeastern US tour, which stops in Port Chester on October 25.

    Mihali Free Ride

    The track “Free Ride” uniquely combines multiple sounds which I find extremely interesting, and effective at grabbing the listener’s attention. There are immediately elements of pop, southern rock, country, indie, reggae and even a touch of R&B. I find it fascinating that Mihali can effectively combine these very different genres and make it a sound that portrays himself.

    The track screams positivity – that it is wildly important to be yourself and to get what you want out of life. Life isn’t just a free ride, you have to seize the day, make it what you want it to be. This message is something refreshing in comparison to a lot of other messages in music today.

    Mihali is currently touring the northeast as both a solo act, and as a band. The tour consists of 15 dates total at 13 different venues. One of these stages is in Port Chester, NY, where Mihali is set to perform “Free Ride” along with his other hits live.

    Mihali Free Ride
    photo by Dave Decrescente

    Announced Mihali Tour Dates:

    September 26 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Cellar at Pittsburgh Winery ^
    September 27 – Harrisburg, PA – Stage on Herr ^
    September 28 – Bridgeport, CT – Park City Music Hall ^
    October 9 – South Deerfield, MA – Tree House Brewing Company ^ (SOLD OUT)
    October 10 – Portsmouth, NH – 3S Artspace ^
    October 11 – Pawtucket, RI – The Met ^
    October 12 – Orleans, MA – Outermost Roots & Blues Festival *
    October 18-20 – Kent, CT – Le Getaway V #
    October 25 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre &
    November 7 – Los Angeles, CA – The Venice West ^
    November 8 – San Diego, CA – Winstons Beach Club ^
    November 9 – Sanger, CA – Golden Road Festival ^
    November 10 – Mill Valley, CA – Sweetwater Music Hall ^

    ^ Solo Looping Set
    # Band Set
    * Solo Looping Set, with G. Love & Special Sauce
    & Solo Looping Set, with TAUK and G. Love & Special Sauce

    “When I go to write a song, sometimes I do so with a specific subject in mind, but other times the lyrics just come out of nowhere! Those surprise songs usually end up being my favorites, and Free Ride is one of those. I hope everyone takes its message to heart too. Get out there and live your life! There’s no time to waste.”

    Mihali Savoulidis

    To give a listen to Mihali’s latest single “Free Ride” and to purchase tickets to his current tour, click here.

  • Global Citizen Festival Takes Over Rainy Central Park for 12th Year

    This past weekend – Saturday, September 28 – Global Citizen Festival returned for its 12th year on Central Park’s Great Lawn in New York City.

    Photography of Global Citizen Festival in NYC by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)
    Lisa Performs at Global Citizen Festival in NY, Photography by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)

    Every year Global Citizen brings dozens of celebrities, special guests, and musical performances to the Great Lawn for their live broadcast music festival in the name of ending extreme poverty around the world and stopping climate change.

    global citizen festival
    Post Malone performs onstage during the Global Citizen Festival. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen)

    This year’s headlining acts included Post Malone, Blackpink member Lisa, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, and a special appearance by Coldplay’s Chris Martin alongside Ed Sheeran.

    global citizen festival
    Post Malone performs onstage during the Global Citizen Festival.(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen)

    Despite a steady downpour throughout the entire day, the event went off without missing a beat. Nearly 60,000 fans bundled up in ponchos and umbrellas, braving the cold and wet day.

    global citizen festival
    Dr. Jane Goodall speaks onstage during the Global Citizen Festival. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Global Citizen)

    In order to earn tickets, many festival attendees had to perform tasks such as learning about the organization’s philanthropic activities or causes.

    global citizen festival
    Ed Sheeran and Chris Martin perform onstage during the Global Citizen Festival. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Global Citizen)

    The event was hosted by Hugh Jackman, with help from a truly massive slate of celebrity guests who came onstage and on screen to speak about a number of important causes championed by the Global Citizen organization.

    global citizen festival
    Hugh Jackman addresses the crowd at Global Citizen, photo by David Reichmann.

    The organizers were proud to announce the event and its corporate sponsors had raised over $1 billion to defeat poverty worldwide and demand equity for all marginalized groups. Featured speakers included Bill Nye, Jane Goodall, and many thought leaders on women’s and minorities’ rights throughout the world.

    global citizen festival

    The festival organizers made every effort to protect Central Park’s beloved Great Lawn, and announced that as always, they would pay for any damages the park may have sustained from the event.

    global citizen festival

    You can read more about Global Citizen’s ongoing efforts at their website. Check out our photo gallery with coverage from the event by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass) below.

    Photography of Global Citizen Festival in NYC by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)
    Photography by David Reichmann (@davidpresspass)

  • RPI and Opera Saratoga Present “The Other Side of Silence” A New Opera for Synthetic and Acoustic Voices

    On Oct. 16, at the Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) at RPI in Troy, a free and open-to-the-public performance and workshop of The Other Side of Silence will be presented. This new opera is created with synthetic and acoustic voices, written by and for people who use Alternative Assistive Communication.

    the other side of silence

    The Other Side of Silence examines the intersection of art, advocacy, and technology in our lives, memories, and identities, and the role that art plays in promoting equity and agency of those who use alternative means of communication to speak to the world.

    The story draws direct inspiration from the life of Mark Steidl, a gender non-binary person who uses an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device to talk with the world. The cast also includes Opera Saratoga favorites Meghan Kasanders (The Consul, 2017) and Jennifer Zetlan (Ellen West), as well as newcomers Theo Hayes and Isaiah Musik-Ayala.

    The story follows Zari, who was born unable to speak through traditional means. Zari finds comfort in the “Lichttanz” or the magical play of light and shadow through a window. To gain more autonomy, Zari seeks help from a new technology despite opposition from their closest friends and family.

    A medical emergency prompts an intervention where it is discovered that without Zari’s express permission, an implant in Zari to help build communication between their brain and the technology. Zari fights back against this control and eventually disrupts the connection between the implant and Kim, though Zari’s memories have already been edited and manipulated. The one memory, however, that Kim is unable to alter, is that of the “Lichttanz”, representing the infinitude of human capacity and self-knowledge, their inner strength that withstands the intervention of artificial intelligence.

    The Other Side of Silence performance is presented as part of the 2024 International Symposium On Assistive Technology For Music And Art (ISATMA).

    To purchase tickets, go here.