Stop Zena Development Coalition is organizing a family-friendly event to bring awareness to the importance of protecting the wild spaces surrounding Woodstock that are being proposed for development with the Woodstock Walk & Rock: A Benefit to Save Our Forest on June 15 at 11 a.m.
Woodstock Walk & Rock: A Benefit to Save Our Forest will take place in the heart of the village. The event is a peaceful walk from the Woodstock Playhouse to the Colony’s outdoor event space, culminating with an eco-conscious puppetry performance by Arm-of-the-Sea Theater at 1 p.m.
Stop Zena Development is a partnership between the Woodstock Land Conservancy, environmental activists and nonprofit entities. The coalition believes the proposed development by Zena Development LLC (formerly Woodstock National LLC) will negatively impact the habitat in the eastern Catskills region. The project includes land designated a “Critical Environmental Area (CEA)” by NYSDEC because of its importance to protect water resources and habitat protection and diversity.
We designed Walk & Rock to encourage families to join our effort to save the Zena Woods. Habitat loss can give children a feeling of despair and helplessness. Being a part of a walk-a-thon to save a local forest gives children a voice in what happens to their future. By proactively engaging in a local issue, helplessness is replaced with empowerment.
Susan Paynter, environmental activist and co-chair of the coalition.
Attendees will kick off the half-mile walk at the Woodstock Playhouse (103 Mill Hill Road). The group will walk up Mill Hill Road ending at the Colony (22 Rock City Road). Those who can’t participate in the walk can still join the group at the end. There, guests will enjoy a puppet show by the acclaimed Arm-of-the-Sea Theater, a mask and puppet theater company based in Saugerties that combines art, ecology, and social action in its performances.
The event is a follow-up to the coalition’s sold-out benefit last October, a concert featuring resident and nationally acclaimed musician Marco Benevento & Friends, which applied pressure to the Zena Development Group (formerly Woodstock National). This and other grassroots activism campaigns stopped previously proposed development by the firm, such as an 18-hole golf course with a helipad.
Advance tickets are available for $15 starting May 10 (free for children 12 and under) and can be purchased here. There will be full-price tickets for sale at the Playhouse for $20 on the morning of the walk. Commemorative T-shirts will also be available for purchase. The event is positive-weather only; in the event of inclement weather, updates will be announced by 6 a.m. day-of on the website and social media, with a rain date TBD.
Sonya Cohen Cramer (1965-2015), the singular vocalist, graphic designer, and art director is being honored again with the new track “When I Was Most Beautiful,” ahead of the first-ever collection dedicated fully to her music, You’ve Been a Friend to Me, releasing on May 17 via Smithsonian Folkways.
Sonya Cohen Cramer was raised in a family committed to revitalizing the oldest songs of the American musical canon. Like her father John Cohen of The New Lost City Ramblers and her mother Penny Seeger, she believed in the transformative qualities of folk songs and traditional ballads. She has collaborated with her aunt Peggy Seeger, uncle Pete Seeger, Elizabeth Mitchell, Daniel Littleton, and the folk-fusion group Last Forever. She was the granddaughter of musicologist Charles Seeger and the avant-garde composer Ruth Crawford Seeger, and her godfather was Folkways founder Moe Asch. While shaped by the roots of her family tree, the radiating and clear sound of Cramer’s voice is distinctly her own.
Known mainly for her graphic design work for Folkways, her musicianship during her time in the New York Times-acclaimed folk band Last Forever (featuring composer and producer Dick Connette) was admired by the likes of Jeff Buckley, Loudon Wainwright III, Meredith Monk, and Joe Boyd. The upcoming project reveals her life as both a familial and mission symbol of the Folkways ethos, committed to revitalizing the oldest songs of Folkways Records and the American musical canon.
“When I Was Most Beautiful” incorporates lyrics from a poem Pete Seeger found while on tour in Japan in 1967 and got permission to record in the 60s for Columbia Records. Seeger accompanies Sonya on guitar for this version. The two performed this anti-war tune together at the Library of Congress in 2007.
For more information about Sonya Cohen Cramer visit here.
Dark Star Orchestra, one of the country’s premier Grateful Dead tribute bands, have finalized their U.S. summer touring schedule. The tour will span both coasts and everything in between, and the band’s August slate now contains shows all throughout New York State.
Along the tour, Dark Star Orchestra is going to be performing some special this summer. For the July 21 show at the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, NJ the band announced today they will be recreating the Dead’s epic 9/3/77 show from nearby Englishtown, NJ. “Its proximity, only 25 miles from Asbury Park, and the fact that it was an epic outdoor show, made sense for us to choose,” notes DSO bassist Skip Vangelas. “Itâs a classic show in the GD world and one that New Jerseyans, whether Deadhead or not have never forgotten!”
A few weeks later, the band is scheduled to play Wonderland Forest in Lafayette, NY on August 9 and 10. The newly established venue located just south of Syracuse will also play host to the Biscoland festival this summer. DSO will also play The Rooftop at Pier 17 on August 11, Innovative Field in Rochester on August 21 and the Frog Alley Summer Stage in Schenectady the following day on August 22.
Special dates are dotted all throughout the summer tour, including the band’s debut at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA on July 13. It marks a celebration of 40 years of the Rex Foundation and the benefit performance will see DSO offer a 40-years-to-the-day recreation of the Dead’s 7/13/84 performance from The Greek Theatre.
More information and links to ticketing info can be found here.
Over Saturday, May 11 and Sunday May 12, the City of Albany will host the 76th Annual Albany Tulip Festival in Washington Park, presented by KeyBank.
The Tulip Festival is Albany’s signature spring event featuring annual traditions rooted in the City’s rich Dutch heritage. The event includes over 150 craft, food, fine art and public information vendors and sponsors; 2 stages of world-class, live music and family friendly entertainment; fun performers and activities for the whole family at the Kidszone stage; a new Wellness stage offering a variety of free classes throughout the weekend; Yogafest on Saturday and more than 250,000 tulips in 175 different varieties. It all takes place in historic Washington Park, the 81-acre “crown jewel” of the City.
“KeyBank is proud to support the Tulip Festival, a tradition that is part of the fabric of the Capital Region,” said Fran O’Rourke, Albany Market President & Regional Executive of Key Bank. “This festival, a sign of spring that so many look forward to, brings joy and excitement to our region. It’s one of many initiatives and organizations that we are honored to support in the communities we serve.”
Since Mayor Erastus Corning II read the first Tulip Festival Proclamation on May 14, 1949, the Mother’s Day weekend celebration has grown into one of the Northeast’s biggest and most beloved yearly events. Featuring area vendors, businesses, community organizations and original local artists on every stage, the Tulip Festival continues to honor Albany’s four centuries of history while looking ahead to its future. As always, this event is free and open to the public.
11:30a.m. –The Mendelssohn Club A local institution for over a century, this acclaimed male chorus is the longest continuously performing arts group in the Capital Region.
11:45a.m. – Tulip Queen Procession (Begins at formal Tulip Beds by Moses Statue) 2023 Tulip Queen Olivia Owens, Mayor Kathy Sheehan and the Dutch Settlers Society lead the 2024 Tulip Queen finalists to the Lakehouse Stage.
Mayor Sheehan and MC Chad O’Hara of B95.5 crown the 76th Albany Tulip Queen in this traditional highlight of Tulip Fest weekend.
PARKALBANY’S MAIN STAGE
Washington Park Parade Grounds Media Sponsor: 102.7 WEQX
1:30p.m. –OF THE ATLAS: “Catskill NY based songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Jay Woodruff has led alternative rock band Of The Atlas through a colorful range of styles and incarnations. Started initially as a solo act by the enthusiastic and longtime member of the thriving and diverse regional underground rock community, Woodruff fleshed the group out into a powerful blend of introspective indie, vibrant art rock and infectious power pop. Now joined by Ethan Klee and Kenny Rowe”.
3:00p.m. –PRINCE DADDY & THE HYENA: “Prince Daddy & the Hyena is an American punk rock band from Albany, New York, formed in 2014. They have released three full-length albums and four extended plays”.
4:30p.m. –THE FRONT BOTTOMS: When you turn on a record from The Front Bottoms, you hear the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of two lifelong friends who stare down personal tragedy and the madness of a world gone haywire by simply playing a little louder together. The New Jersey natives went from playing in the woods to performing in high school bands. After Brian finished college, The Front Bottoms officially formed. Brian’s mom gifted the boys 12 hours of recording time for Christmas, resulting in their 2011 self-titled independent debut. A whirlwind of prolific output and countless gigs followed. The Front Bottoms reached a critical peak with 2017’s Going Grey. It received praise from the likes of The FADER, Stereogum, VICE, A.V. Club, and more. Along the way, the band performed on Late Night with Seth Meyers and NPR’s “Tiny Desk,” graced the stages of Coachella, Austin City Limits, and Bonnaroo, and toured with the likes of Blink-182, Manchester Orchestra, and many more. Not to mention, the group has tallied nearly 100 million streams, sold over 500,000 album equivalents, and launched the annual holiday festival Champagne Jam, which expands year over year at an unprecedented rate.
WEXT’S 518 STAGE
Washington Park Lakehouse Stage Media Sponsor: Exit 97.7/106.1
1:00p.m. – SIDE B : “Four-piece alternative rock band from Upstate New York consisting of drummer Dylan Travison, bassist Eric Mitchell, guitarist AJ Horton, and vocalist Ian Justino. Our debut release “The Low Budget Romance EP” out now!”
2:15p.m. – SOFIA CORTS: “Sofia Cortsis a 18 year-old singer-songwriter from the Albany, New York area who is on the cusp of a national breakout. Totally self-taught on guitar and keyboards, Sofia’s songwriting effortlessly blends genres, pop, R&B, a hint of jazz, while generating infectious, memorable melodic hooks”.
3:30p.m – CAMTRON5000: “Camtron5000, rapper from Albany NY, has been creating alternative hip-hop music since 2016. He makes music that he hopes will break the stereotypes of what it means to be a rapper. Channeling a dynamic yet playful energy with his skilled lyricism, and sporting a logo crafted from his own gapped smile, Camtron5000 is a musical personality unlike any other!”
4:45p.m. – THE INSOLENT WILLIES: “The Insolent Willies are an upstate New York-based roots-rock band known for their hip-shaking mix of quirky, clever original songs and unpredictable interpretations of tunes from all over the musical map. The band consists of Bill Ackerbauer (acoustic guitar, harmonica, mandolin, vocals), Frank DeVer Pullen (bass, banjo, vocals), Paul Gavry (accordion, fiddle, vocals) and Evan Gavry (guitars, percussion, vocals).”
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2024
25th ANNUAL CAPITAL REGION’S BEST MOM
Washington Park Lakehouse Stage
11:00a.m. – 12:00p.m
B95.5’s Chad O’Hara and local officials recognize the Capital Region’s most outstanding moms. Presented by St. Peter’s Health Partners, Times Union & B95.5.
PARKALBANY’S MAIN STAGE
Washington Park Parade Grounds Media Sponsor: 99.5 THE RIVER
1:00p.m. – OFF THE RECORD: “Off The Record Trio” is the Capital District’s only 1960’s rock and roll lounge band. Awarded a music “Eddie” for Best Capital District Party Cover Band two years in a row, the trio plays 60’s vintage tunes as well as some hidden nuggets with a modern twist. It is led by the dynamic and engaging Joanna Palladino on vocals with local favorite Geo on guitar / vocals along with Bob Resnick splashing rock and roll rhythms on a minimalist drum set.”
2:30p.m. –FUNK EVOLUTION : “Formed in 2010, Funk Evolution has been bringing top-shelf entertainment to the Northeast for 14 years. Funk Evolution features a who’s who of musicians from New York and Massachusetts. Funk Evolution is best known for its high-energy delivery and unique arrangements; epic mashups of classic R&B with modern Top 40, 15 minute mega-medleys and their legendary ‘Sax Battle’ featuring original 14 year member, Justin Godlewski on Alto saxophone. From Classic Soul, Disco and 80s Anthems to Celtic Rock, Modern Country, Jam Band, Pop and Hip Hop; Funk Evolution is one of the most diverse entertainment groups in the region and has been recognized internationally as one of the top entertainment groups in the nation.”
4:30p.m. –NEW YORK PLAYERS: “New York Players are New York’s Dance Party Experts, an entertainment powerhouse with a focus on corporate and private events, nightclubs, concerts and festivals… Keeping the Dance Floor Packed ALL NIGHT LONG!!”
WEXT’S 518 STAGE
Washington Park LakehouseStage Media Sponsor: Exit 97.7/106.1
1:00p.m. –GIRL LOVE: “Girl Love is the Albany based, folk project of award- winning poet and songwriter, Laura Beth Johnson. Laura is known for her dark blend of story and soul. She was awarded the Lucy Monro Brooker Poetry Prize from the University of Indianapolis in 2017. In 2019, Laura was awarded a Songwriting Scholarship by Image Magazine. She received a Poetry Scholarship from Hudson Valley Writers Guild in 2022. In 2023, Girl Love was nominated for two Eddies. Laura’s poetry has been published in journals such as Post Mortem Press, Lady Blue, Indie Earth, Etchings Press, and Hare’s Paw. Laura’s music strives to affirm queer holiness. You can find Girl Love on all streaming platforms. Laura is joined at this year’s Tulip Fest by her brother and sister-in-law, James and Katie Johnson.”
2:15p.m. –THE E-BLOCK: “The E-Block is a 5-piece indie R&B band based in Upstate New York, blending the acoustic warmth of singer-songwriter music with an ice-cold rhythm section informed by modern R&B. With a deep bag of influences and free-flowing style, The E-Block has earned a reputation as a unique live act in the Capital Region scene.”
3:30p.m. –REESE FULMER & THE CARRIAGE HOUSE BAND: “Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band challenge the traditional relationship of a songwriter and his band, with a fluidly rotating cast of top-notch players and a flair for experimentation that combine for a unique and mesmerizing live performance. Add to that a keen lyricism that explores the human experience with a patient and poetic touch and you have the Capital Region’s answer to the indie-folk/alt-Americana boundary pushed forward by Wilco and Iron & Wine.”
4:45p.m. –OOBLECK: “Oobleck, founded in 2008, is an original, analog funk band out of the Capital Region of NY. Known regionally for inciting dance parties wherever they land, they boast a big, in your face sound inspired by New Orleans street music. It’s a melee of horns, super heavy drums and bass and your favorite type of chunky guitar riffing that leaves your bum shaking and your face grinning.”
KIDZONE Presented by PRICE CHOPPER / MARKET32
SATURDAY & SUNDAY CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES Enjoy pony rides, a rock-climbing wall, bounce house, live music, games and more fun for the whole family! PRICE CHOPPER KIDZONE STAGE Continuous free entertainment for all ages, all weekend long!
1:00p.m., 4:00p.m. –ANDY “THE MUSIC MAN”: a well-versed children’s musician renowned for delighting audiences of all ages through sing-a-longs, dancing, play-acting and storytelling.
2:00p.m. – PARK PLAYHOUSE: Washington Park’s beloved theater group offers exciting sneak previews of their 2024 musical productions The Marvelous Wonderettes, Legally Blonde & Finding Nemo Jr.
2:45p.m., 4:45p.m. – MELVIN THE MAGNIFICENT: Melvin is a professional magician played by Joe Goode, his shows are action packed, interactive, and sure to bring huge laughs from the entire audience.
3:30p.m., 5:30p.m. – RUTH PELHAM: Ruth Pelham of the Music Mobile is a Capital Region musical treasure, exuberantly promoting her mission of building peaceful communities through original songs for all ages.
KISS 102.3’S WELLNESS STAGE
Free wellness classes for all ages, all weekend long!
KeyBank, Discover Albany and DGS present the 518 Tulip Tracker!
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024
CARILLON CONCERT 11:30 a.m. – noon, outside Albany City Hall Amy Heebner performs a special Tulip Festival musical program on Albany City Hall’s historic 1927 carillon, a unique instrument consisting of 49 bells that range in size from 27 to 11,200 pounds.
STREET SCRUBBING 12:00 p.m., State & Lodge Streets The traditional Dutch ceremony of scrubbing the streets clean before a big celebration has served as the official kickoff to Tulip Festival weekend for 76 years. This unique Albany event will include Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s Tulip Festival opening proclamation and a procession from City Hall featuring Albany High School students in Dutch costume, the Dutch Settlers Society, bagpiper Michele Lyons, 2023 Tulip Queen and Court, along with 2024 Tulip Queen finalists.
TULIP FESTIVAL LUNCHEON 12:30 p.m., The Blake Annex Immediately following the Street Scrubbing, the Tulip Festival Luncheon is a farewell and thank you to 2023 Albany Tulip Queen Olivia Owens and her Court. Proceeds from the Tulip Festival Luncheon will benefit the Tulip Court’s educational programs via the Capital City Fund, a component fund of United Way of the Greater Capital Region. Tickets are required.
LOVE ALBANY – MOVIES UNDER THE STARS
7:30 p.m., Washington Park
Part of Love Albany’s Movies Under The Stars series, presented by Christ’s Church Albany, The City of Albany and other organizations. Admission is free, and the night’s movie will be Barbie. Family activities will start at 7:30pm, followed by the movie at 8:30pm. More information on the series can be found at: Love Albany’s 2024 Movies Under the Stars
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024 ROYAL TULIP BALL 6:30 p.m., Albany Capital Center An elegant evening of dining and dancing to honor the new Tulip Queen & Court. Proceeds benefit the Capital City Fund. Tickets are required.
TULIP BULB AND DIG SALE
Saturday, May 18th: Tulip Dig Begins 9:00 a.m. at the Moses Fountain The City will provide tools, but please bring a garden fork (NOT a shovel) if you have one. Bulbs are $10 for a bag of 30 while supplies last. The tulip dig is limited strictly to designated beds, under the direction of park staff and volunteers and ends promptly at 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 19th: Tulip Sale Begins 9:00 a.m. at the Lakehouse The remaining bulbs are first come / first serve and are $10 for a bag of 30.The sale is open while supplies last. More info can be found at HERE PARKING & SHUTTLES FREECDTA shuttle runs continuously to Washington Park from Eagle Street Garage (at Eagle & Madison Ave) & Elk Street Parking Lot (at Elk & Hawk Streets) throughout the festival. Handicap parking available at Albany Medical Center lot at Robin & Morris Streets. A free, accessible CDTA shuttle runs to and from the Madison & New Scotland entrance to the park throughout the festival. Find more parking options at www.parkalbany.com.
Underground hip-hop always outlasts the mainstream appeal. Look no further than Roc Marciano for the ultimate proof of talent mastery. Since the jump, Roc Marci sets out to fine-tune his pen along the road to craftsmanship. Steel sharpens steel and this man puts forth bodies of work that prove to be ironclad. Recently, he dropped Marciology which contains some serious gems.
Leaders of the New School
For those who know – Roc Marciano remains a lowkey legend. This latest release convinced fans that the ‘Marcberg’ era returned. Busta Rhymes discovered this man through ‘seven degrees of separation’ as Roc made a debut with aptly titled, ‘Marcberg in 2010. Fast forward to 2024 and Marciano continues to take dynamic groundbreaking approaches while crafting music. Consistency combined with continuous adaptation to the times exhibits the reason why this man stands the test of time.
Masterfully, Roc produced the majority of Marciology. Add in Alchemist and Animoss for additional splashes on production and you have yourself a project. Keep scrolling to see which tracks took the cake on this all-time album.
Standout Tracks
True Love – this song serves as an anthem type track. Sounds like it deserves to be blared throughout your hometown. Makes one want to celebrate winning achievements of any sorts. Truly a blessing of a song.
Tapeworm – the most blare-worthy of any song on this entire list. Incredibly poignant placement from Animoss. Big fan of songs that have different versions of the chorus after each verse. Roc serves revolving door type hooks on this track and really makes a believer out of the listener.
Leflair – real old school vibe and a great song to kickback and relax. Sounds like it deserves to be performed by a grand orchestra. Makes one want to explore a Haunted House and escape unscathed. Definitely a top-tier track amidst a collection of brilliant songs.
Phenomenal Philosophies
For those who know – they know Roc Marciano and how much he has put on for the entire underground scene. Amongst underground circles, Roc Marciano continues to show and prove his highly earned ranking and stature as an emcee. He resonates greatly and sits atop the temple of lowkey legends.
Economically, not everyone manages to blend exuberance with agency and exigency quite like Roc Marci. Beneath the Marciology cover, his album has a mysterious handwritten note. Look closely and you may see a cult. Rather than focus on sorcery – try to interpret the reason he chose to spook the listener with the artwork.
Never one to sacrifice the purity of his artwork – Roc flies so gracefully under the radar. Rather than sign a bogus contract – he would rather experiment with music to create according to the variable nature of the artwork. By branching out of his comfort zone – he continues to push the culture forward and leave massive imprints within the underground kingdom.
Overall, this album turned out to be incredibly enjoyable. For those who have never heard from the likes of this man – now is your chance. His braggadocious nature combines swiftly with his smooth laid back raps. He strikes the right balance between just smooth enough to hit you in the heart and strong uptempo to get you going.
On Sunday, May 5, Ty Segall played the Beachland Ballroom in support of his latest album, ThreeBells. Sharpie Smile opened and played a great set. Just as Ty and his band took the stage you could hear a crackling noise. It sounded like it could have come out of the speakers, like some weird wet sounding feedback.
After the puzzled crowd looked around for a bit, everyone noticed that a sizable chunk of plaster from the venues old ceiling had fallen off on one side, and a piece was still left hanging in the balance. A hero from the venue used a precariously large ladder to grab the piece while an amused Ty and his band watched from the stage. After our hero pulled the plaster down, the crowd roared in approval and the show was once again on it’s way. I will also say that this is the only concert I have ever been to where someone from the venue came out and warned us to wear ear plugs. With no pit and myself situated right in front of the stage and about six inches from a guitarist amp, my tinnitus was happy I didn’t forget mine.
A Ty Segall show is probably not ideal when the state of the ceiling is questionable, his new album was heavily featured and it is certainly hard and blistering. Though as far as I am aware, the rest of the night went by without incident, even if it seemed like Ty and his other guitarist Emmett Kelly were egging each other on to bring down more ceiling.
Ty played a great set, with all of the hard rock proggy guitar solos you could want. The band really plays off Ty’s energy and the packed Cleveland crowd at it up. Some people don’t like it when a band plays so many new songs versus more of the hits, but I think prefer it. It shows that the band is still pushing forward and if they are excited about what they are doing it almost always translates to a better show. Next Ty heads out west before heading to Europe.
Setlist: The Bell, Void, I Hear, Hi Dee Dee, Emotional Mugger/Leopard Priestess, The Crawler, My Head Explodes, Imaginary Person, Waxman, Love Fuzz, My Best Friend, My Room, Wait, Looking At You
Up-and-coming New York City funk-rock band Summer Fling has announced a new single “Blissful Haze” set to release on May 10. The single comes in the leadup to a new album set to release in late Summer.
Singer-keyboardist Eddie Kam originally formed Summer Fling in Larchmont, NY before relocating to New York City. The group mixes chops learned from New York’s jazz conservatories with an eclectic blend of styles, ranging from indie-pop to funk, to forge an infectious sound. With a newly solidified lineup of seven recent college graduates, the band has torn up the live scene. They have played more than 35 gigs, even opening for names like They Might Be Giants and Spin Doctors.
“Blissful Haze” is a delightful song that accentuates Kam’s soulful vocals with wah-wah guitar and jazzy horns. The song’s lyrics explore the joys of a short-lived romance, with instrumentation that lends to the rosy, nostalgic atmosphere. On this track, Summer Fling’s jazz chops are on full display, crafting a smooth, yet complex pop-funk sound, with instrumentation reminiscent of Steely Dan.
This new single comes in the leadup to a very busy season for Summer Fling. The band is currently recording their debut album, which explores pop, funk and yacht rock, for release in late Summer.
The band has also planned festival appearances and tour dates in New York City, Boston and Philadelphia. At these shows, Summer Fling are sure to spread their message of inclusivity, and some great music tackling themes ranging from heartbreak to fun romance. In Eddie Kam’s words “Fun, silliness and great musicianship are the only rules at a Summer Fling performance.”
More information can be found at Summer Fling’s website and instagram.
After an extraordinary 30-year career with the Bardavon, Chris Silva is set to retire as Executive Director on December 31, 2024.
Bardavon, photo by Tim Lee.
Arts Consulting Group will facilitate a national search for a new Executive Director. Board members and full-time Bardavon employees will aid in ensuring that the new Executive Director continues the transformational momentum of Bardavon & UPAC that began over three decades ago.
Stephen LaMarca, Managing Director of Theatre Production, joined Bardavon full-time in 1994 and will retire in December. AnnMarie Faust, Managing Director of Finance, joined Silva and LaMarca the same year and retired in March 2024.
The trio operated as a dynamic and successful team for over three decades. Together, they accomplished much, including twenty-two million dollars in capital renovations between the two historic theaters. In addition, nearly three million patrons have attended Bardavon-produced events over the last thirty years and some of the world’s greatest artists have graced the stages; from Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, and Carlos Santana to Al Pacino, John Legend, Jon Batiste and Yo-Yo Ma. The Bardavon/UPAC education programs routinely reach 20,000 young people every year.
Silva and LaMarca will remain involved with the Bardavon as program consultants and will work directly with the new Executive Director. While they will no longer oversee daily operations, “…we are fortunate to have a great staff, and aspects of all our jobs have been or are being absorbed by our team right now,” Silva stated. He is confident of the organization’s future success with the staff and board they have curated and the dedication they have instilled into the foundation of the Bardavon since 1994.
For information about the Executive Director position opening, visit here.
GRAMMY Award-winning guitar virtuosos Rodrigo y Gabriela brought their 2024 Spring/Summer tour to the Ulster Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 1.
The duo showcased their craft, honed during the early years of busking on the streets of Dublin, Ireland. The night was filled with gentle melodic notes, stirring crescendos, and powerful rock anthems from this multi-talented duo.
During the two-hour show, Rodrigo navigated between his acoustic, electric, and pedal steel guitars, while Gabriela generated percussive beats and flamenco-style sounds from her acoustic guitar. The leveraging of this combination offered a diverse array of musical vistas.
The night wasn’t for the faint of heart. A dynamic interactive light show augmented the duo’s onstage chemistry, while presenting the songs in an immersive form. As the intensity increased, people couldn’t contain themselves, with dancing breaking out throughout the house.
A special moment found the pair strapping on acoustic guitars and stepping into the audience, performing songs in a fashion reminiscent of their early days of busking. Nestled amongtheir fans, the two expressed appreciation for the support received over the years, which enabled them to travel the world with their music. In this genuine moment, their humility shone brightly, reinforcing the essence of Rodrigo y Gabriela.
At first glance, the night seems like a simple setup: just two individuals with two guitars. However, this is Rodrigo y Gabriela, a formidable musical powerhouse. They filled the night with charisma and intensity, captivating their audience from start to finish.
At the end of the evening, the two left the stage as the house clamored for more. The pair reemerged, encoring with “Tucam” from their self-titled second album. As the song concluded and final bows were taken, many pairs of hands were raised high, forming a heart symbol for their beloved act.
Beginning Memorial Day weekend, Orchard Beach in the Bronx will hold its weekly Salsa Sundays dance party. Every Sunday until Labor Day weekend, New Yorkers can enjoy music, salsa dance, and concessions.
Hundreds gather in a large cement dancing area every week to celebrate the various types of salsa dance. At Orchard Beach you can see many styles of Latin dance, whether it is mambo, cha-cha, or salsa. This event celebrates the diversity of The Bronx, drawing influence from Cuban, Caribbean and African rhythms, a lively and casual atmosphere, with people dancing amidst barbecues, roller skaters and swimmers.
Salsa Sundays are a summer staple of the Bronx, taking place for over 50 years. This summer celebration reflects the Bronx’s importance to the history of salsa music.
Salsa was born in the jazz clubs of the South Bronx in the 1950s. In these clubs, musicians mixed bolero, rumba and mambo to create a new genre called “salsa conciente.” This genre took the elements of latin music and incorporated lyrics that reflected the social issues plaguing The Bronx. In the late 1960s, Fania records was formed and pushed salsa into the mainstream with names like Hector Lavoe, Celia Cruz, and Bobby Valentin.
Orchard beach is an especially important site in the history of salsa music. In 1936, Orchard Beach opened as a weekend and holiday destination for Bronx residents, quickly becoming a hub for the borough’s Puerto Rican residents. As one of the only desegregated public spaces in the city, Orchard Beach became a melting pot for music. Visitors from across New York City went to Orchard beach to hear a fusion of salsa, R&B and jazz.
An Aerial View of Orchard Beach, Bronx
Orchard Beach quickly became a local gathering place, with salsa being a medium to build a sense of community. DJs Ernie Ensley and Carlos Santiago started the Salsa Sundays event to combine community, recreation and entertainment. Since its start, Salsa Sundays has been a place for the Bronx’s Latinx community to share their pride, love of music and sense of fun.
Salsa Sundays take place at Orchard Beach Area 5, giving visitors the chance to enjoy the nearby beach, boardwalk and ball courts. Consider bringing beach chairs, sunscreen, and coolers to best enjoy the summer weather during the event.
More details on scheduling and directions can be found here.
