A week before the official release of her new album, The Healing, Sarah De Vallière hosted a listening/release party at Tones Studios in Rochester, for fans who booked a spot, which turned out to be close to 60.
In collaboration with Tones Studios, where De Vallière recorded vocals, fans were able to listen to the new album, chat with the talented artist, as well as tour the three floor studio.
Born in Rhode Island and living in Rochester, Sarah has been passionate about music for most of her life, starting with piano at age 3, and eventually graduating from Berklee College of Music. Like many artists, she uses personal experience in her song writing and as well as topics she is passionate about.
Between listening sessions, I had a chance to sit with Sarah for a few questions.
Jamie Mohr: The first time I discovered you, you were portraying Pat Benatar. There is a big difference in music between that and this album, which is very good by the way. Do you have any aspirations or ambitions to do more of that kind of music?
Sarah De Vallière: Not at the moment, though I wouldn’t totally rule it out for the future. I used to be in a relatively popular local 80’s band called the M80s (as the keyboardist) and would sing a bunch of female-led songs, and I did enjoy it. But I’m very passionate about telling stories, particularly through music. As a kid, I originally had an interest in being a filmmaker because I enjoyed storytelling, so I eventually studied film scoring as a way to tie that to my musical skill set. Then, after graduating from music school, I found myself getting right to the heart of what I love, which is telling stories through songs, and performing those songs. Long story short, I have a passion for telling stories, both my story, as well as the story of others, particularly stories that aren’t typically told. I have a deep respect for people who do tributes, and obviously, I have a deep respect for Pat Benatar, but I want to first work on telling my story before emulating someone else’s story.
SarahDe Vallière: No at the moment, that doesn’t mean I would totally rule it out. I was in relatively popular local band 80s called the M-80s (as the keyboardist) but would do a bunch of female songs and I enjoy it, I do enjoy it. I’m very passionate about telling stories and for me music is a way that I do that. I originally had an interest in being a filmmaker, as I’m writing and being an author. And actually, I really like writing music, and studied film scoring, and now I’m back to song writing. Long story short, I really have a passion for telling stories and telling my own story, as well as telling the story of others. Telling stories, that are not told as often. I have deep respect for people who do tributes and that kind of thing. I have deep respect for Pat Benatar, obviously. I want to first work on telling my own story, before I try to emulate a story of someone else.
JM: You mentioned that this is the first music/album that is truly you.
SD: Yes, out of all my previous work, “The Healing” is the fullest expression of me.
JM: The new music seems to have some deep meanings. Is this spiritual or religious based?
SD: Maybe spiritual? I am not religious, although I did grow up in a very religious home, so those themes do end up making their way into my music. Probably what you are referring to in terms of a “religious feeling” comes from one song on the album, “Saint Anne”, which is actually about Leonardo DaVinci. It’s really about his art, and most of his art was religious-themed. But yes, I do have an interest in religious figures. I find them, from a historical and storytelling perspective, very interesting. But when you really look into what I write in my lyrics, it’s likely contrary to what most religious people would want me to think.
JM: First track, “Goddess of The River”…is there a story behind or more a life lesson?
SD: It’s actually a true story of the extinction of the Chinese River Dolphin which went extinct roughly around 2016. I had an interest in writing stories to honor these lost species, and I felt very connected to the idea that the species is lost but we can still learn something from it. Yes, it’s too late for this species to ever come back, but perhaps in remembering its story and thinking of what it meant to the area where it is from, we can resolve to do something about it and save what still remains. “It’s never too late to fail, it’s never too late to mend” means, in a way we failed that species, but we can take its story and feel empowered to do something about it.
JM: One last question. You sat there for 45 minutes or so, what is it like to sit there and listen to your own album in its entirety?
SD: It’s not as difficult as I thought it would be. I thought it would be gut-wrenchingly terrible. This is the first thing I’ve put out that I feel is truly me and because of that, it is a little weird, but I feel good! I liken it to looking in the mirror. When you look in the mirror, you notice all the flaws, and you think “I wish that or that were different”. But at the end of the day, you know, I like my music. And when you have a healthy sense of positive self-image, you look in the mirror and regardless of the flaws, think “You look good”, “You look nice today”, or “You look beautiful”. I’m just happy and appreciative that I can share my true self in this form with people.
JM: Like a gentleman said in there, be proud of this. It’s a great album, super mellow and chill but has very powerful meanings behind each song, which people will talk about.
As we approach the bicentennial of the Erie Canal in 2025, let’s look back at this marvel of modern engineering. Not only did the Canal transform much of Upstate New York, but it also transformed folk music. While known by many names since its composition, “The Erie Canal Song” has become a staple of the American folk songbook. With lyrics reflecting life on the canal, and the changes it brought to the state, it proves a useful tool for exploring New York’s history.
Before the Days of Rapid Transit, Edward Lamson Henry (1841-1919) c.1900 Pencil and watercolor, ht.13 3/4′ x w.34 3/4″ Albany Institute of History & Art Purchase, 1976.7.2
The year is 1807, and the United States is slowly expanding into The Northwest Territories (or what is now the Midwest). This region was rich in the grain and metals needed to supply populations on the East Coast. The only issue was that transporting these resources to the East Coast commercial hubs was difficult to say the least. The Appalachian mountains provided a massive barrier for mule trains, with the journey from New York City to Detroit taking four weeks.
New York was specifically poised to tackle this transportation issue. The Hudson River was the main artery of trade for New York, connecting commercial Manhattan to the capital in Albany. Of the Hudson’s many tributaries, the Mohawk River proved to be the most important. Flowing eastward from Oneida County, it cut a low valley through the Appalachians, the only valley of its kind in the Northeast. Because of this, Governor DeWitt Clinton authorized the construction of a canal along this route in 1817.
Map showing Present and Proposed Canal System, to accompany report of Edward A. Bond, State Engineer and Surveyor of N.Y. (from:Annual report of the State Engineer and Surveyor of the State of New York, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1903 (Oliver A. Quayle, Albany, 1904) — facing p. 60)
Following eight years of disease, construction accidents, and hard manual labor, the Canal was opened in 1825. The canal was 4 feet deep, 40 feet wide, and spanned 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo. With the construction of the canal, boats could travel from the Hudson River to Lake Erie in less than five days. While many were originally skeptical of the canal, it soon proved its worth. Completed ahead of schedule, and under-budget, the canal paid itself off with tolls in under ten years.
The Erie Canal was one of the first great highways of the United States, bringing goods, ideas, and most importantly people across New York. The Canal revolutionized the economy of Upstate New York, practically creating the cities we know today. In 1817, Buffalo was a village of 2,000 people recently destroyed by the British. Canal commerce turned Buffalo into the world’s premier grain hub, with the city growing into the 9th largest metropolis in the US. Cities sprang up all along the canal route. Hamlets like Rochester, Syracuse, and Schenectady grew into cities with hundreds of thousands of residents, and national centers of industry.
“The most fertile and extensive regions of America will avail themselves of its facilities for a market … [and New York City] will, in the course of time, become the granary of the world, the emporium of commerce, the seat of manufactures, the focus of great moneyed operations.”
– DeWitt Clinton, Governor of New York
Thomas S. Allen
On top of having such economic importance, the canal quickly became a cultural symbol of New York. To many, the canal symbolized their identity as Upstaters, and hope for a prosperous future. One person enamored by the legendary canal was Natick, Massachusetts’s Thomas S. Allen. Allen recalled, “When a boy in school, a picture of the Erie Canal in a Geography attracted my attention and I exclaimed: ‘If I ever see the Eric Canal, I’ll think I’ve seen something worth seeing.’” Sometime around 1910, when traveling to Rochester, Allen finally saw the canal, and immediately knew he had to write a song about it.
It turns out Allen was somewhat of a 1900s musical renaissance man. He was foremost a violinist, playing everywhere from professional orchestras to burlesque shows. On top of this, he directed Vaudeville shows, composing songs for them in the Tin Pan Alley tradition. Throughout his career, he published nine songs under his name, including “The Erie Canal Song.” Originally published in 1913 by Manhattan’s F.B. Haviland Publishing Co, the song was titled “Low Bridge, Everybody Down.” The song looked back to the work of mule barges along the canal.
At the time of its publishing, New York was constructing the Barge Canal System, a mechanized successor to the Erie Canal. Newer diesel and steam powered barges carried much of the cargo down these new canals. Allen’s writing harkened back to a simpler time of mule-drawn ships on the Erie Canal. “We’ve hauled some barges in our day, filled with lumber, coal and hay. And every inch of the way I know, From Albany to Buffalo.” These lines also highlight some of the major midwestern resources that would have flowed Eastward through the canal. Grain and ore were the two specifically that allowed cities like Buffalo to become breadbaskets, and industrial hubs of the East.
The lyrics while romanticizing life on the canal, also speak to the hardships it brought. The repeated chorus “low bridge everybody down,” reflects just one of these difficulties. Nearing the fledgling cities along the canal, extremely low bridges were common obstacles for barges. The cover for the song’s original sheet music depicts this, with the narrator ducking down on his mule to pass under one such bridge. In reality, however, these bridges were bigger dangers for barge passengers. Passengers on barges would commonly ride on top when conditions allowed, having to quickly get down to safely pass under these bridges.
Lift Bridge and Canal St., Canastota, N.Y. — Postcard ; not postmarked ; another slightly variant copy is postmarked Sep. 19, 1907. [CSNYS 1096.1.0890]
The song’s lyrics also play into the themes of hardiness that would fit perfectly in a Spaghetti Western. The lyrics repeatedly mention Sal the Mule’s fighting spirit. Throughout the song Sal brawls her way across the state, sending Mike McGinty to the bottom of the canal, and kicking a man all the way to Buffalo. All of this fighting occurs during the narrator’s 15 years of hard work along the canal. This story of hardy enterprise and masculine bravado call to mind the Wild West. One could easily imagine these stories of barging and brawling taking place in a classic Eastwood or Wayne movie. This makes sense remembering that at the canal’s completion, Upstate New York very much was the “Wild West.”
Since its original composition in 1913, “Low Bridge” has become a folk standard, being performed by countless artists. The first known recording we have of the song is by Billy Murray (not to be confused with actor Bill Murray) from 1912. Murray was a star Tenor of the early 1900s, recording many vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley tracks. This recording is now featured in the Library of Congress’s National Jukebox and Recorded Sound Section.
Aiding in the Canal’s place in American mythology was a recording by folk legend Pete Seeger. Seeger included “The Erie Canal” as track #10 on his 1954 album Frontier Ballads. This album celebrated the stories of workers, and settlers who traveled westward through the new territories of the United States. This album places the Erie Canal alongside stories of Cowboys and railroad workers, placing it firmly within the canon of Americana, and further cementing its Western connection.
Perhaps the latest great recording of “The Erie Canal Song” came from rock legend Bruce Springsteen, as part of his 2006 album We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions. This album included Springsteen’s interpretations of 13 folk and Americana classics popularized by Pete Seeger. Because of this, this version is moreso a Springsteen cover of Seeger’s version, rather than a direct reimagining of the original. The album, including “Erie Canal” shot to number 3 on the billboard top 100, also earning Springsteen a Grammy for best folk album.
Since its publishing 111 years ago, “The Erie Canal Song” has become an icon of American folk music. Not only have massive stars covered it over the years, but it has also really lived up to the definition of folk music, and spread to the masses. Reading comments on the YouTube video of Seeger’s version you see nothing but fond memories. Whether it’s people who learned it as kids in school, or sang it with their grandparents, the song holds an important place in the collective American cultural memory.
On top of all of this, the song speaks to the role the Erie Canal plays in American imagination. It singlehandedly built upstate New York, and connected the country more than it had ever been before. More than just this, it represents a time long gone, where the Wild West wasn’t so far west. Its no wonder why when many people think of New York, they think of the Erie Canal.
“The Erie Canal Song” Lyrics:
I’ve got an old mule, and her name is Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
She’s a good old worker and a good old pal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
We’ve hauled some barges in our day, filled with lumber, coal and hay.
And every inch of the way I know, From Albany to Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, we must be getting near a town.
You can always tell your neighbor; you can always tell your pal.
If he’s ever navigated on the Erie Canal
We’d better look ’round for a job old gal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
You bet your life I wouldn’t part with Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
Giddyap there gal we’ve passed that lock, we’ll make Rome ‘fore six o-clock
So one more trip and then we’ll go, Right straight back to Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town
Once a man named Mike McGinty tried to put it over Sal
Now he’s way down at the bottom of the Erie Canal
Oh, where would I be if I lost my pal? Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
Oh, I’d like to see a mule as good as Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
A friend of mine once got her sore, Now, he’s got a broken jaw.
Cause she let fly with her iron toe and kicked him into Buffalo.
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town.
If you’re looking ’round for trouble, better stay away from Sal.
She’s the only fighting donkey on the Erie Canal
I don’t have to call when I want my Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
She trots from her stall like a good old gal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
I eat my meals with Sal each day, I eat beef and she eat hay.
She isn’t so slow if you want to know, she put the “Buff” in Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town
Eats a bale of hay for dinner, and on top of that, my Sal.
Tries to drink up all the water in the Erie Canal
You’ll soon hear them sing everything about my gal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
It’s a darned fool ditty ’bout my darned fool Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
Oh, every band will play it soon, Darned fool words and darned fool tune!
You’ll hear it sung everywhere you go, from Mexico to Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town.
She’s a perfect, perfect lady, and she blushes like a gal.
If she hears you sing about her and the Erie Canal
Buffalo’s Larkin Square has announced the return of its beloved Live at Larkin and Food Truck Tuesday weekly events this summer. The KeyBank Live at Larkin Summer music series will begin June 5th.
The summer series will include 13 weeks of live shows, ending on August 28th. Larkin’s annual Food Truck Tuesdays season will also begin June 4th, offering a host of curated food trucks and live music until August 27th.
This year marks the 12th season of Live at Larkin, which has become a staple of Buffalo’s Larkinville neighborhood. The site was home to the former Larkin Soap Factory, which supplied the second largest catalog sales business in the country. Since the factory’s closure in the 1940s, there have been many attempts to revitalize the neighborhood. These came to a head in 2012, with the opening of Larkin Square. Since its establishment, the venue has become a community gathering place, offering a host of family-friendly events.
One of the most popular events hosted by Larkin Square is Food Truck Tuesdays. This weekly event begins June 4th, offering around 25 food trucks each Tuesday. Truck offerings range from Italian to Thai to Halal, with each truck offering nutritionist-certified options. The event draws trucks from Buffalo, Rochester, and beyond for visitors to enjoy. Guests can bring their own chairs, but coolers and outside alcohol are prohibited.
In addition to food trucks, the weekly event offers the chance to enjoy live music from local bands. The Walter Kemp 3 will kick off the summer season with their award winning jazz. When not playing with legends like Sun Ra’s Arkestra and Sabu Adeloya, kemp teaches at Buffalo’s Villa Maria College. The event series offers a diverse spectrum of genres, ranging from McCarthyizm‘s garage rock to Dee Adams’ country. With this vast array of music, event-goers are sure to enjoy the performances while enjoying food truck fare.
June 5th also marks the return of the KeyBank Live at Larkin summer concert series. This weekly concert series will feature performances from local groups, as well as other amenities. Concert-goers will be able to purchase bites from a curated array of on-site food trucks each week. In addition, Larkin Square will offer beer, wine, and cocktails for purchase. Larkin Square’s Bratts Hill Restaurant will be open to serve authentic Jamaican cuisine for dinner services during Live at Larkin.
The concert series kicks off at 5pm on June 4th with a performance from John & Mary & the Valkyries. The folk-rock duo is comprised of 10,000 Maniacs members John Lombardo and Mary Ramsey. The series will continue for 13 weeks, until a closing performance by hard rockers Grosh on August 28th. Over the course of the summer series, concert-goers can enjoy tributes to classic groups like Steely Dan, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Fleetwood Mac.
Food Truck Tuesdays Band Lineup
6/4 – Walter Kemp 3 Quartet
6/11 – McCarthyizm
6/18 – Diyené
6/25 – The Fever Pitch String Quartet
7/2 – Stress Dolls
7/9 – Whitford-Klyma Band
7/23 – Sabu Adeyola & Oasis
7/30 – The Britt Band
8/6 – Zak Ward
8/13 – Dueling Pianos Band
8/20 – Dee Adams’ Grand Isle Opry
8/27 – Jony James Band
Live at Larkin Summer Season Lineup
6/5 – John & Mary & the Valkyries
6/12 – Will Holton & Daniel Powell’s Mid-Week Vibe
6/19 – Juneteenth ft. Farrow & Project Access to A-Free-Kas
6/26 – Dirty Work: A Tribute to Steely Dan
7/3 – Blues 4 Vets w/Miller & the Other Sinners & more
7/10 – Songbirds: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
7/17 – Talking Dead Heads
7/24 – Ticketed Event, TBA
7/31 – Big Easy in Buffalo presents: Terrence Simien and the Zydeco Experience with El Batey’s Agua de Liberté”
8/7 – Buffalo’s Last Waltz Band Does Dylan & The Band
8/14 – Handsome Jack Does CCR
8/21 – Stoneflower/ Hollyfeld Does Springsteen
8/28 – Grosh Prime ft. Alex McArthur, Harry Graser & Michael DeLano
Thanks to sponsorship from KeyBank and Independent Health, both Food Truck Tuesdays and Live at Larkin are free events. There will be free parking in lots along Exchange Street and Hydraulic Street.
Larkin Square will continue to announce live events for the summer. For more information and updates, visit the Larkin Square website here.
After several weeks of great performances, the Geneva Music Festival is wrapping up for the 2024 season. The final week of performances begins on June 4, with a free lakefront concert. This concert is followed by a photography exhibition and chamber performance on June 7 while June 9 marks the end of the season, with an outdoors blues concert closing out the festival.
Violinist Geoffrey Herd founded the Geneva Music Festival in 2011, as a weekend to spread appreciation of classical music. The festival soon evolved into a four-week long celebration, attracting artists from across the globe. While originally based in classical music, the festival also now highlights jazz, and bluegrass artists. The festival’s mission is to spread music appreciation to everyone, being an all-ages event. The event now attracts thousands of concert-goers from across the Finger Lakes.
2024 has already been a busy season for the Geneva Music Festival, hosting a number of spectacular performances. The festival kicked off with a sold-out Musicology Mixer night at Geneva’s Linden Social Club. Week two of the festival saw the acclaimed Brentano Quartet play Hobart and William Smith Colleges’ Gearan Center. The Juilliard-formed quartet played a selection from Haydn, Shostakovich, and Mendelssohn.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges’ Gearan Center for Performing Arts
The festival’s final week will kick off with a free lakefront concert on June 4th, at 8:15pm. This concert will be a preview for the festival’s final artist-in-residence concert. The theme of this year’s final concert is “Night and Day,” with pieces meant to illustrate the progression from dawn to dusk. World-renowned cellist Clive Greensmith, pianist Anna Petrova, and other talented musicians will perform. The concert will begin with “String Quartet Op. 76, No.4” by Haydn, meant to represent the sunrise. It will also feature modern composer Mark Olivieri’s “Artifacts of a Valiant Past”, a Scriabin solo by pianist Anna Petrova, a piano trio by Kaija Saariaho, and a Schoenberg tone-poem for a string sextet.
“The solo piano piece that I’m playing has to do with day and night. The first movement represents the day and the sea in daylight. [Scriabin] was inspired to write this piece when he first saw the sea, and so you can hear the peacefulness and the beauty of that; and the second movement is very turbulent and represents the stormy sea”
– Pianist Anna Petrova
Hobart and William Smith Colleges’ Gearan Center will host the concert on June 7th, at 7:30pm. Prior to the concert, a photography exhibition highlighting local artists will be held at the center’s Melly Lobby.
The final concert of the season will be The Brothers Blue, a local cross-genre bluegrass band. Back by popular demand, the concert will be held outdoors at Geneva on the Lake. The Brothers Blue will close out the season with their invigorating fiddle, mandolin, and banjo playing. This concert will take place June 9th, at 2:00pm.
The Brothers Blue
Tickets for these concerts are currently on sale. Standard ticket price is $35, with discounts for college students available. Children under 18 can attend concerts for free. For more information on the Geneva Music Festival and ticketing, visit the link here.
Raz Fresco collaborated with Billie Essco? Say less, though! It’s only right that these two also teamed up with The 6th Letter – an underground producer who emerged circa 2010-2011. Hence, this mixtape takes it all the way back to the back of the Cadillac and makes you feel so fly. The smooth tunes will certainly take you for a ride and makes you want hoodie season to be every season.
Initially, the internal rhymes stood out between Fresco/Essco – the interesting part about this mixtape on paper points to the Jonny Shipes connection. Shipes propelled Joey Bada$$ and Pro Era a great deal amongst several talented others along the way. 6th Letter/Raz Fresco opened on Jonny Shipes ‘Smokers Club’ Tour in 2011. Later, they hosted their own ‘Bakers Club’ in Toronto, Raz/6th’s respective hometown.
Furthermore, Kazaa/Ares/Limewire Days evolved into the MySpace/Worldstar/Datpiff essentially within decades. Judiciously, the pace of the world continues to turn on its axis. Rotationally, each spin may contain an urge to splurge on some Bape – quick hint – hit Pondon for authentic gear. Either way, when these tracks play it puts the listener in a space-time-continuum loop that engulfs the audience all throughout the experience.
Nonetheless, sensationalism within journalism must perish. Within the aura and orchestral collection of gems these gentlemen pieced together a fully textured and evenly weaved garment of a mixtape. Truly, a piece of history to have heard this formulaic foundry of intertwined intricacies.
TCT Track Reviews
Track: Getting Baked in the Bakery
Notes: “Mary go round” line symbolizes the amount of haziness provided.
Music supplies, “Homeostasis brainwave shifts.”
“Closet is brolic” means that their apparel selection and wardrobe stands next to impeccable.
Cream team on these tracks represent the trifecta of making the listener feel fly.
Thus, the accompaniment of “wisdom and mic divine” together combine to make an incredible project.
Track: 05 Baby Milo
Notes: Track brings great energy and tempo to an all-inclusive listening experience.
Track: Favorite Sweater
Notes: This track definitely has the most bop and best soul out of any of them
Quotable: “She turned the capital sweater into a crop top
Almost got cut off for that but she my top stop
We go back like blank tees from Top Shop
Calmly mami graduate to Givenchy.”
Track: Patent Leather Bapestas
Notes: These artists hit the track with a trifecta of angles. This track reminds you of an old school Wale track as this whole tape makes the listener feel fly.
Quotables: “All Star Lebron the blue resembling Neptune
Basquiats in the bedroom
On the flights you know it’s emergency
Real leg room in first class
I ain’t camera shy get real close and see the details.”
Other tracks like “Japanese Fabrics” and “Multiple Choice” stood out amongst a collection of wavy tunes. Make sure to tap in and ride the waves.
Khruangbin came to Buffalo to play outside the AKG Art Museum on May 25. Rain was in the forecast and it started to drizzle as fantastic opener John Carroll Kirby took the stage. The set was cut short a few songs later as a threat of lighting shut everything down.
As the sky darkened, it started to rain and people scurried to various spots for cover, the smarter people going inside (I was not one of them). The rain came down harder and I was starting to think that Khruangbin were going to get rained out. There was more and more movement onstage and credit to the crew, they were actually able to get the stage ready even though it was still pouring out.
Khruangbin breaks their show up into two sets, on this tour the first one was a play through of their fantastic new album, A La Sala. The album is a little more laid back than previous efforts, but it is full of luscious textures and melodies, which were often a slow burn that really simmered in the night with the rain coming down.
You could tell the Texas trio (Mark Speer on guitar, Laura Lee Ochoa on bass and DJ Johnson on Drums, with everyone sharing vocal duties) was enjoying playing the new tunes. The highlights from the album were my highlights from the set, (“May Ninth, “Hold Me Up (Thank you)”, and “Three From Two”) and the set peaked with the blissful ending of “A Love International”. The album closer then ended the set, the dreamlike “Les Petits Gris” and they took a quick break.
A “Bin Bin” started off set two and got the crowd moving. After playing the new album, the second set was more of their older crowd favorites. The rain was a little too much for some, so the crowd thinned out and we seemed to lose some talkers and some of the more fairweather fans, so the crowd during this part of the show was really locked in.
Khruangbin’s vibe is generally a deep groove but right during the last section of “Lady and Man”, they seemed to flip the switch and the rest of the set felt like music you’d hear in a club vs. on a beach. The drenched crowd ate it up and tried to unsuccessfully to dance themselves dry, though the rain did finally let up towards the end of the second set.
Khruangbin next heads to the Midwest before wrapping up their US summer tour in Bonnaroo.
Set 1: Fifteen Fifty-Three, May Ninth, Ada Jean, Farolim de Felgueiras, Pon Pon, Todavia Viva, Juegos y Nube, Hold Me Up (Thank You), Caja de la Sala, Three from Two, A Love International, Les Petits Gris
Set 2: Bin Bin, August 10, Master of Life, Father Bird, Mother Bird, Lady and Man, So We Won’t Forget, Even Finds the Third Room, Time (You and I), People Everywhere (Still Alive)
On May 18, From Ashes to New electrified the stage at Waterstreet Music Hall with their Blackout Tour Part Two. They were joined by an exciting lineup of Ejiajh, Phix, Ekoh, and Point North, making it an unforgettable night for fans of rock, metal, and rap.
Ejiajh Opens the Show
The evening kicked off with Ejiajh, a dynamic rock/metal band hailing from Austin, TX. Their high-energy performance set the tone for the night, captivating the audience with their powerful riffs and commanding stage presence. Ejiajh’s set was a perfect blend of raw energy and technical prowess, leaving the crowd eagerly anticipating the acts to follow.
Phix Keeps the Momentum
Next up was Phix, a talented rapper and songwriter also from Texas. Phix brought a unique blend of lyrical depth and stage charisma, engaging the audience with his sharp rhymes and catchy hooks. A special highlight of Phix’s performance was the appearance of 11-year-old drumming prodigy Bronx Sandoval. Despite his young age, Bronx is no stranger to the stage, having completed four tours with the band. During a brief technical difficulty, Ekoh’s drummer joined Bronx for an impromptu jam session, showcasing their incredible synergy and adding a spontaneous thrill to the set.
Ekoh Takes the Stage
Following Phix was Ekoh, a rapper who has been rapidly gaining fame on social media platforms like TikTok and X. Ekoh’s performance was nothing short of electrifying, as he connected with the audience through his relatable lyrics and energetic delivery. His growing popularity was evident, with many fans in the crowd singing along to every word. Ekoh’s stage presence and interaction with the audience made for a highly engaging set.
Point North’s Dynamic Performance
The penultimate act of the night was Point North, a band based in Los Angeles, CA. Point North delivered a high-octane performance, blending elements of rock and punk with infectious energy. Their tight musicianship and engaging stage presence kept the momentum going strong, leaving the audience primed and ready for the headlining act.
From Ashes to New’s Triumphant Return
Finally, From Ashes to New took the stage, led by local favorite Danny, who previously fronted the band Vanity Strikes. The band’s performance was a triumphant homecoming for Danny, and the energy in the room was palpable. From Ashes to New delivered a powerful set, seamlessly
blending their signature mix of rock, rap, and electronic elements. Danny’s connection to the local crowd added an extra layer of intensity to the performance, making it a night to remember.
Overall, the Blackout Tour Part Two at Waterstreet Music Hall was a resounding success. Each act brought their unique flair to the stage, creating a diverse and exhilarating concert experience and leaving the fans buzzing with excitement.
The acclaimed Brentano Quartet is scheduled to perform at the Geneva Music Festival on May 30. The string quartet will play a number of classical pieces in the festival’s intimate performance space.
Violinist Geoffrey Herd founded the Geneva Music Festival in 2011, to spread appreciation of classical music in his hometown. Originally intended to be a weekend of chamber performances, it soon evolved into a four-week long event, drawing artists from around the world. The festival has expanded to include jazz, bluegrass, and other contemporary musicians on top of classical performances. The festival is an all-ages event, spreading music engagement everywhere from Geneva’s schools to senior living facilities
2024 has been a busy season for the Geneva Music Festival, already hosting spectacular performances, with more scheduled for the near future. The season kicked off with a sold-out musical mixology night at the Linden Social Club. This night was followed by two “Love and Loathing” concerts, which illustrated the intimacy and passion the festival is known for.
The Brentano Quartet will kick off week two of the festival. The quartet began at the Juilliard School in 1992, and have been legends of modern classical performance since. They have traveled across 5 continents on tours, most recently holding a residency at the Yale School of Music. Despite these travels, this performance marks the quartet’s first visit to Geneva. Violinist Serena Canin was especially excited, stating “Being in nature centers us, connects us to the Earth, and opens our spirits. The way we connect to our music and to each other changes. I can’t wait to be near the lakes, the breeze, the trees and the open sky and see what happens.”
The Brentano Quartet will play three classical pieces at the festival. The quartet will begin with Haydn’s “String Quartet in G Major, Op. 33, No. 5.” They will follow this performance with Shostakovich’s “String Quartet No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 110,” which is a new addition to the quartet’s repertoire. Following an intermission, the quartet will close their set with Mendelssohn’s “String Quartet in D Major, Op. 44, No. 1.”
Hobart and William Smith Colleges’ Gearan Center
The Brentano Quartet is only one of many performance during the festival’s second week. On May 31st and June 1st, there will be a performance of “War and Peace,” featuring works by Beethoven, Shostakovich, and Antoine. This is followed by a June 2nd performance by the Kate McGarry and Keith Ganz Ensemble. This show by Grammy-nominated jazz virtuosos is sure to enchant audiences.
The Brentano Quartet will perform Thursday, May 30th, at 7:30pm. The concert will take place at the Gearan Center on the Hobart and William Smith campus. General admission tickets for the concert are $60. Children under 18 enter free, and college students with Valid ID have reduced ticket prices. Tickets are on sale now at the link here.
Gay pop icon Chappell Roan has taken the world by a storm in just these last few months and Buffalo is no exception to that. The artist performed at Buffalo’s Outer Harbor on May 24 for a sold out crowd where fans got to the venue as early as 8 a.m. to get a spot up close.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Chappell Roan was originally supposed to perform her Buffalo stop of The Midwest Princess tour at Town Ballroom. However, after a heavy demand from fans she got upgraded to an even bigger venue where she quickly sold out as well.
Chappell Roan is known for creating a safe space for members of the queer community and even sets to uplift those members in each city she performs in. She does this by having local Drag Queens perform as her openers who energize the crowd effortlessly. Western New York’s local queens included Morticia C Monroe, Daphne York, and Little Mx. Bunny. Chappell shared their Venmoes with the crowd so fans could directly support their own queer community.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
This Midwest Princess has flipped the concert scene on its head and has brought new art forms into live music. Inviting drag queens allows for greater representation and creates a fun environment. Chappell even has themes for each tour stop so fans can dress up alongside the artist. Buffalo’s theme was “My Kink Is Karma” which left a sea of red and black through the crowd. From devil ears, to cowboy hats, and go-go boots, people were dressed to the nines.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Buffalo’s Kink is Karma
The iconic star came out in her red bedazzled corset and snatched makeup look that made her first song choice so obvious: “Femininomenon.” A song that invites listeners to question the norms that women must conform to in order to be deemed of value. This is one of many themes that Chappell displays in her music. She poses insightful questions while also encouraging everyone to embrace their femininity.
The room for self-expression layered with Chappell’s unmatched vocal range makes this a concert experience everyone needs to have. She is a pop phenomenon that without a doubt has the talent but synchronously has the “it” factor that make her addicting to watch.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Chappell Roan’s control of the pulse of the crowd is of a true performer. She knows exactly when to let loose with fans and when to reel it back to take in those slow moments to feel all the feelings. Chappell then has everyone lifting a middle finger up for their exes. She guides people through pure entertainment especially when getting everyone to do hand signals for her song, “HOT TO GO!.”
Dedicated to the Exes
Her stage is shared with other powerful women including Lucy Ritter on drums, Devon Eisenbarger on guitar and Allee Futterer on bass. The group mostly played tunes off of her latest album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. She performed her latest single, “Good Luck, Babe!” which has taken the internet by a storm. She obviously had to play Buffalo’s theme single “My Kink Is Karma” but not before dedicating it to the audiences exes.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Some people tried to exit the venue before the encore in order to beat traffic. Although, once Chappell came back on stage singing “California” with her angelic voice so many people could be seen beelining it back into the crowd just to get a final glimpse.
That’s the thing about Chappell Roan, she is constantly pulling the crowd in. She’s addicting to watch and enthralling to listen to. A Chappell Roan show isn’t just a safe space for the queer community, but a reminder of what letting go and embracing joy is all about.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Terminal B is having quite the lineup to kick off their Summer concert series. Brothers Osborne is coming June 14 and Lil Yachty performs June 15. Get your tickets here!
Setlist: Femininomenon, Naked in Manhattan, Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl, Love Me Anyway, Picture You, Guilty Pleasure, HOT TO GO!, After Midnight, Coffee, Kaleidoscope, Casual, Red Wine Supernova, Good luck Babe!, My Kink Is Karma
Pride month is upon us once again, and New York has no shortage of inclusive pride events. From live music events to festivals, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Below you’ll find a complete guide to New York State’s pride events this coming June, from Long Island to Rochester.
Albany
May 31, 5:00 PM: Start Pride on the right foot with the Waterworks Pub’s Pride Kick-Off block party and BBQ. Admission is free!
June 1, 9:00 PM: Pay homage to queer art with ICONS: A Pride Variety Show and Party at Lark Hall. The celebration begins with a pre-show party from 9-11, where there will be giveaways and teaser performances. The main show, ICONS- The Variety Show, will feature drag queens Brita Filter, Lagoona Bloo, Amanda Blair, and many more. The fun does not stop after the show. An after party with DJ Synes will begin at midnight and continue until 2 AM. Tickets are available here.
June 9, 11:30 AM: Capital Pride Parade & Festival will take place in Washington Park. Registration can be found at the following link, and proceeds go to the Pride Center of the Capital Region’s programming advocating for the LGBTQ+ community.
Troy
June 15, 2:00-6:00 PM: Join Collar City Pride for their picnic in Troy’s Prospect Park. The barbecue will feature vegan and non-vegan options, snacks, and beverages. There is a suggested donation on a sliding scale, and everyone is invited to bring lawn games, speakers, and frisbees.
July 14: The pride celebration continues into July, with performances by Typhoid Mary and DJ Lovely Candela. More queer artists and drag performers are to be announced. Good Karma Studios will also be performing an acrobatic act. There will be a family section with balloon animals and a drag story hour. There will also be over 40 vendors, most of whom are from Rensselaer County and LGBTQ+ owned and operated. The festival will be held in Riverfront Park, further details can be found on the facebook page linked here.
Schenectady
June 1, 10:00 AM: The Dynasty will introduce their first ever wrestling event for this year’s pride celebration. “Sounds Gay, I’m In” will be held at Gateway Park. The festival will begin at 10:00 AM, and the wrestling will begin at 6:00 PM. All ages are welcome, and more information is available at the following link.
Saratoga Springs
May 30, 2:45: Join the Ballston Spa High School in the raising of the pride flag.
June 27, 6:00 PM: LGBTQ parents and children are invited to Saratoga Arts’ “POP” Gathering (parents of pride). The event will feature arts, crafts, and community building activities for the whole family. More information can be found here. Saratoga Arts hosts the event monthly, so dates will be available all year!
July 11, 6:30 PM: Join Saratoga Pride members for their Cornhole League. The informal, weekly drop-in league costs $15 a ticket, which offers guests a 20% discount on all food and drinks. Tournaments will be held at Saratoga Winery, and guests are encouraged to support the local restaurant. There will be more sessions every Thursday throughout the summer, with the tournament finals on August 29.
June 23, 2:00 PM: Saratoga’s Pride festival will return to High Rock Park this year, with an after party to follow. The family friendly event will feature live music, family activities, and community groups. Food and ice cream will also be available for purchase on site.
Lake George
Lake George Pride Festival, ages 16+ (under 16 admitted with parent/guardian only), featuring DJs from the community representing, vendor village, disc golf, frisbee golf, lawn games, walking trails, photo areas, cash bar and more! $20 to enter, brought to you in partnership by Warren County and The Lake George Area and powered by Rocavaka and Goldstein Auto Group.
Binghamton
June 20, 6:00 PM: Binghamton Pride Coalition will host a clothing swap from June 3-10. Participants are asked to donate gently used, clean clothes and accessories at Butterfields. On June 20, the clothes will be organized and displayed for people to choose. There is a suggested donation of $10, which will be donated to Identity LGBTQ+ Youth Center in Binghamton. The invitation is available at the following link.
June 8, 12:00 PM: Pride Palooza will return this year to Otsiningo Park. Guests are invited to bring their own picnic blankets and lunches to enjoy live music and entertainment. Local food vendors will be available, and admission is free! The flyer is available at the following link. There will also be a firework show in Martin Luther King Jr. Park & Promenade.
June 21, 5:00 PM: Join Southern Tier Aids Program (STAP) in celebrating their 40 year anniversary. STAP will hold a gala at the Binghamton DoubleTree, and admission costs $50. Tickets are available at the following link. STAP will honor the dedication of Drew and Gertrude Noden, whose support of their AIDS Ride for Life fundraiser has been instrumental. STAP also thanks JPMorgan & Chase for their generosity and allyship. A cash bar will be available, and there are menu options for vegetarian and vegan guests.
Otsego County
June 1, 2:00 PM: Otsego Pride Alliance will host their annual Pridefest. The festival will be held on Main Street in Oneonta. Parade line up begins at 1:00 PM, and the route will begin at 27 Market St to Elm St. Guests are asked to bring a chair, water, cash to tip performers and flags. The full schedule can be found below, and the event is open to the public.
June 13, 7:00 PM: Otsego Pride Alliance will host a Baseball Pride Night at Damaschke Field. Admission is $5, with discounts available to seniors and students.
June 1: Winners of the “Pets for Pride” event will be announced at the OPA’s Pridefest. Voting is open to decide on the winner, cast your ballot at the following link.
Hudson Valley
May 30, 6:00-10:00 PM: Dutchess County Pride Center is throwing Poughkeepsie’s Kick off Party for pride month. The Factory at Sloop Brewing will host the party, with appetizers and drinks available. There will be special programing to commemorate the 100 year mark of the modern pride movement, and guests will be offered a sneak peek of the Annual Pride Auction items before they’re released to the public. Tickets are available at the following link.
June 1, 8:00 AM- 1:00 PM: Habitat Newburgh will host a Pride Build, bringing together members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to help those in need. Attendees will help build affordable homes for local families, and celebrate pride while making a difference. Volunteers can register here.
June 1, 12:00-5:00 PM: New Paltz Pride Coalition and Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center will host their annual Pride March & Festival in Hasbrouck Park. Voting for local Pride Marshall is also open, cast your ballot at the following link. More information about the festival and parade is available here.
June 1, 12:00-4:00 PM: Join Opus 40 and Queer Conspiracy for a family-friendly celebration of pride in the Hudson Valley. The picnic will be held at Opus 40 in Saugerties, and carpool tickets are available here. The event will feature a drag story hour, live music, a kids dance party, and local vendors.
June 1, 4:00-7:00 PM: Join DJ Trevor for an afternoon tea party in Pine Plains. More info about the dance celebration is available here.
June 1, 7:00: Join Hudson Valley Improv for their celebration of PrideProv! Doors open at 6:45 and the show starts at 7:00. The show will be held at Boughton Place in Highland. Tickets are only available online at the following link. A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to GLSEN, a non-profit dedicated to ending discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.
June 2, 9:00-10:15 AM: Inspired by Holi and powered by pride, Pound Ridge Partnership and the Human Rights Advisory Committee have come together to host the 3rd annual Pound Ridge Color Run. The 5K race will begin at Pound Ridge Elementary School, and runners of all ages and abilities are welcome. Registration is available at the following link. Highlights from the 2022 race are available below.
June 2, 11:30 AM: Watch the White Plains raising of the Pride Flag outside the Michaelian Office Building. More information is available on The Loft LGBTQ’s instagram here.
Didn’t find an event in your town? A full list of Hudson Valley Pride Events is available here.
Catskills
June 15, 5:30: Catskills Pride will host an Awards Gala to honor champions of the LGBTQ+ community. The awards ceremony and following reception will be held at The Eldred Preserve. Tickets are available at the following link.
June 8, 1:00 PM: Woodstock Public Library will host a drag story hour and sparkle party with Katrina Mirage, who will read a book about peace, acceptance, and love. More information is available here.
Syracuse
June 13, 5:00 PM: Join the Syracuse Mets in their pride celebration. Enjoy a tailgate party with giveaways, a DJ, $1 hot dogs, and $2 beers. Everyone is welcome, tickets are available here.
June 22, 11:00 AM: Central New York Pride will host a Pride Parade and Festival in Progress Park. The parade will begin at 11:00 AM, and the festival will go from 12:00 to 5:00 PM. More information is available at the following link.
Watertown
June 2, 12:00 PM: Watertown NY Pride, Lewis County Pride, and Planned Parenthood of the North Country New York, Inc., have joined together to host their annual Pride Picnic.
June 14, 11:00 AM: Join Watertown NY Pride for their pickleball activity. Foster community while picking up a new hobby at the downtown YMCA. The event is open to beginners, and no sign up is necessary. 30 spots are available, the announcement is available at the following link.
Rochester
July 20, 11:00 AM: Celebrate pride at the Rochester Pride Festival at Highland Park. The festival will feature food, wine, beer, games, vendor tables, and live music and performances. Tickets are available for purchase at the following link.
July 14, 11:00 AM: Join the Rochester Rainbow Riders in this year’s Pride Ride. The race is 18+, and registration is available at the following link.
July 14, 12:00 PM: Celebrate pride at the annual Rochester Pride Picnic. There will be food trucks, DJs and dancing, a piano bar, a gift raffle, and community information tables. Check this link for ticket information, which is TBD.
Finger Lakes
June 7, 4:00 PM: Join Southern Finger Lakes Pride for their “Twas the Night Before Pride” event. There will be an official raising of the pride flag at 6:00 PM, and several activities throughout the evening. Art installations, drag bingo, and tarot readings are among the exciting activities SoFLX has scheduled for the event; find the full schedule here.
June 7: Southern Finger Lakes Pride will also host a 21+ dance party, featuring performances 5 DJs. There is a suggested donation of $5 for entry, which supports SoFLX and local breweries and restaurants. More information is available here.
June 8, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM: Southern Finger Lakes Pride will welcome back its Pride fest for the fifth year, with an exciting lineup of performers and a weekend of celebration. More details are available at the following link.
Ithaca
June 5, 8:30 PM: Ithaca Pride Alliance hosts weekly support meetings for LGBTQ+ youth. This is the first meeting of pride month, but the meetings take place every Wednesday. More information is available here.
June 8: The evening of June 8th will mark the beginning of the celebration, with speeches from Ithaca Pride Alliance and notable LGBTQ+ leaders in the community. The ceremony will take place on the Bernie Milton Pavillion at 6 PM, more details are available at the following link.
June 9, 2:00 PM: Pride in the Park will celebrate Ithaca’s LGBTQ+ community with food vendors, arts and crafts, and a resource fair. Performances will be held on the Pride Stage, including local bands, dance groups, and drag performances. More information is available here.
Buffalo
June 2, 202411:00 AM: Show off your pride at the Buffalo Pride Parade. The march is free and open to the public, though registration has ended. The parade will march along Elmwood Avenue, and volunteering positions are available at this link.
June 15, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM: Oliver Street Merchants’ Association presents the 4th annual Pride Fest at Heritage Park. Admission is free, and over 70 vendors will be there. All are welcome, more information is available here.
New York City PRIDE
Manhattan
June 28, 7:30 PM: City Winery at Pier 57 will host a documentary concert exploring the history of the Stonewall Uprising. Proceeds from ticket sales go to The Stonewall Community Foundation, which works towards liberation for all LGBTQ+ people. Enjoy the musical performances and oral history that make up the story of the Stonewall Uprising and the vibrant community culture it stemmed from. Tickets are on sale at the following link.
June 29, 12:00 PM: The South Street Seaport will host a Youth Pride event, celebrating LGBTQ+ teens and youth. The event is free, and a wide range of activities will be available, including carnival activities, free food and snacks, DJs, and musical performances. More information is available at the following link.
June 30, 11:00 AM: Join New York City’s 30th annual Pride March. The march began in 1970, on year after the Stonewall Uprising, and has continued the legacy of civil rights and awareness. The march will form on 25th St and 6th Ave, and move down to Christopher Street, passing the Stonewall Inn. Footage of the 2023 Pride Parade is available below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGl2QbxsjrI&t=51s
Brooklyn
June 7, 7:30 PM: In New York, enjoy Brooklyn Pride’s Movie Night for a screening of Sekiya Dorsett’s inspiring short film Caribbean Queen. RSVP here for a free ticket.
June 15, 12:00 PM: Join the Brooklyn LGBTQ+ community for a youth festival. Intended for kids and teens age 13-21, there will be arts and crafts, food, music, and giveaways. RSVP to attend at this link.
June 8, 12:00 PM: Brooklyn Pride’s Main Stage offers an exciting lineup this year, with a wide range of genres and performances. Find the full lineup of up and coming artists here.
Queens
June 2, 12:00 PM: Celebrate your Pride at the 32nd Queens New York Pride Parade. The parade will start in Jackson Heights, and the multicultural festival will memorialize Jackson Heights resident Julio Rivera, whose murder sparked community activism. Learn more about Julio Rivera here, and find more details about the parade at the following link.
June 28, 7:00 PM: Join the New York Mets in celebrating pride at Citi Field. The first 15,000 fans to arrive will receive an exclusive Mets hat. Festivities will include a DJ, in-game entertainment, Mets merchandise, and themed cocktails. Tickets are available here.
The Bronx
June 18,7:00 PM: Join the New York Yankees in celebrating Pride Night. A portion of every ticket sold will go to The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative. Purchase of a special event ticket includes a special edition hat, a hot dog, and your first drink of the game. More information is available here.
July 20, 11:00 AM: The 13th Annual Bronx Pride Fair will be held at the Crotona Park Amphitheater.
Staten Island
June 1, 12:00 PM: Celebrate pride with the Pride Center of Staten Island at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. The event will feature live music, art, activities, food, and performers. More information is available here.
Long Island
June 9, 12:00-5:00 PM: Huntington Village will host the 34th Annual Pride Parade and Festival. The parade will end with a concert and festival. More information is available here.
July 1-July 7: Commemorate the Fire Island Invasion of 1976 by recreating the event with the New York LGBT community. A longtime landmark in LGBTQ+ history, Fire Island has served as a safe haven for members of the community to express themselves freely. In 1976, after a restaurant in Fire Island Pines denied entry to a visitor in drag, the visitor and their friends stormed into the Pines dressed in drag. More information about this year’s recreation is available here.
