Show Detective – Weekend Shows – June 2nd – June 4th

Show Detective

Friday, June 2^nd

Brandon Santini & Band, The Linda, Albany, 8pm-10pm

There are many different opinions as to what the future of the blues harmonica will be. International touring vocalist and harmonica player Brandon Santini is undeniably a worthy player to keep an eye on as the latest surge of young blues artists leave their footprint in blues history. His name is worthy of conversations that include James Cotton, Kim Wilson, Dennis Gruenling, Charlie Musselwhite and other frontline harmonica players by combining his love and respect for traditional blues with a present, colorful style of playing that is often compared to James Cotton or Paul Butterfield. Raised in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, Santini purchased his first harmonica in 1997 at the age of fifteen when his mother took him to the local music store upon his request. He founded the Blues Music Award-nominated band Delta Highway in 2003 and relocated to Memphis where he absorbed the sounds and culture of the Delta and North Mississippi Hill Country, honing his craft night after night, sweating it out in local Beale Street clubs just like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King did decades before him. Now playing over 100 shows per year throughout the world, Santini has garnered five Blues Music Award nominations, festival headlining slots and even performing on stage with the likes of Buddy Guy and Gary Clark, Jr.

Brandon Santini’s latest release, The Longshot, from the American Showplace Music label takes listeners on a slight detour from the traditional blues highway he has logged many miles on. One may not be surprised that the 36 year old vocalist and harmonica player is influenced and inspired by legendary rock artists such as The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Allman Brothers Band and Creedence Clearwater Revival just as much as Little Walter, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. From the ferocious opener, “Don’t Come Around Here” to the embattled acoustic American driven, “Broken Bones,” Santini ties his blues and rock influences together to deliver an energetic album of introspective heartbreak and lament.

Blippi, the Wonderful World Tour, The Palace, Albany, 6pmBlippi is coming to your city for the ultimate curiosity adventure in Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour!

So, come on! Dance, sing, and learn with Blippi and special guest Meekah as they discover what makes different cities unique and special. Will there be monster trucks, excavators, and garbage trucks galore? You bet! So get ready to shake those wiggles out and OJ Twist your way through this brand-new musical party.

Summer SPACtacular, SPAC, Saratoga Springs, 8pm

Inaugural SPAC Season-Kickoff Fundraiser

Join us for a magical evening under the moonlight and on our stage

Create Your Own Adventure with Live Music, DJ, Dancing, Cocktails, Culinary Delights, Fireworks and Festivities!

All to celebrate and support SPAC’s mission, residencies, and youth education initiatives.

Dark & Kinky Munch, Fuze Box, Albany, 8:30pm-11:30pm

Its Pride Month and we’re starting our celebrations at our munch!

Got some kinky pride wear? Its time to show it off and mingle with other kinksters.

Oobleck, The Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 8pm-11pm

A melee of horns, super heavy drums and bass, and your favorite type of chunky guitar riffing.

FREE First Friday with Dr. Jah & The Love Prophets, Lark Hall, Albany, 7pm

Dr. Jah and the Love Prophets have been bringing the reggae heat for over 25 years. Their original blend of conscious reggae and jam-band sensibilities have entertained audiences around the globe. A Dr. Jah show is a party like no other, with heavy reggae grooves and inspirational lyrics. The music is a blend pays homage to Bob Marley, The Grateful Dead, Sublime and many other influences. With great original music and classic re-imaginings of rock classics, Dr. Jah is a band not to miss!

The NolaNauts w/ Sugar Hold, Victory Soul Orchestra, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-12:30pm

The NolaNauts, are a spicy groove collective dedicated to serving up a healthy dose of “Who Dat Funk”.

The NolaNauts reflect years of living, visiting, immersing and loving New Orleans, its people and their rich culture. New Orleans is the most interesting city in the United States and it lives by its own rules and traditions – Mardi Gras – Jazz Fest – Red Beans – Tipitina’s – PoBoys – Preservation Hall – Crawfish and festivals that celebrate every aspect of being alive and being in the Crescent City.

The NolaNauts are the dream of Tom O’Connor and Brian Lawlor who have faithfully participated in every available New Orleans experience including decades of nearly religious attendance at New Orleans’ Jazz and Heritage Festival. Tom and Brian have played music together for over 30 years and seized the opportunity to assemble some of the finest musicians in the area to bring a taste of the New Orleans music scene to life in the Northeast.

These musicians have worked tirelessly to respectfully capture the joy and depth of the music of New Orleans including the Meters, Allen Toussaint, Dr.John, Neville Brothers, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Subdudes, Little Feat, The Iguanas and many more artists who honor the spirit of New Orleans and its people.

SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING:

Hanging out with the NolaNauts can be a mildly infectious. Symptoms include: Loss of inhibition, careless displays of groove induced happiness, feverish outbreaks of funky fires and decadent desires. Fortunately….for all of our sisters and brothers…. there is no known antidote for this condition!

So- put on your dancing shoes and load up on the beads!!

Band Website: www.nolanauts.com

Eric Andersen, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 7:30pm

Folk-based, cult-favorite balladeer and storied poet/songwriter, Eric Andersen’s cinematic tales are set to music as timeless as folk itself

Eric Andersen is widely regarded as one of the most poetic songwriters that sprang from the Greenwich Village folk scene of the 1960s. His artful blend of love, despair, hope and stirred memory has earned him a passionate international following and the respect and admiration of artists ranging from Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen to Lou Reed and Wyclef Jean.

Andersen’s bio reads like a Jack Kerouac novel: from 1963’s San Francisco, writing poetry and living in a coldwater room over the Hot Dog Palace in North Beach, to spending time in Manhattan’s notorious Chelsea Hotel with Kris Kristofferson, Patti Smith, Sam Sheppard, and Robert Mapplethorpe to receiving an “Andy” award with Lou Reed, Ultra Violet, Billy Name and Holly Woodlawn at the Andy Warhol Week Celebration in 2008, where he and Debbie Harry performed sets, Andersen has experiences to fill a thick leather-bound encylopedic memoir.

From the Beats and Greenwich Village folkies to The Netherlands where Andersen now lives, his journey continues today. “Andersen is the most elegant of singers.” (Rolling Stone). Bob Dylan calls him “a great ballad singer and writer,” while The New York Times said he is “A singer and songwriter of the first rank.” Anderson isn’t just a celebrated and storied poet and songwriter, he is a walking, talking, living, breathing gallery of modern American music and culture.

Soul Night feat. E-Block. Lost and Found, Albany

Clubdrugs (Black Moth Super Rainbow) / Bad Bloom / Architrave, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm

Clubdrugs – https://clubdrugs.bandcamp.com

Bad Bloom – https://badbloom.bandcamp.com

Architrave – https://architrave.bandcamp.com

Saturday, June 3^rd

Barbara’s School of the Dance 48th Recital, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady, 10am, 3pm

Recital #1 – Longer Event
48th Season
Fabulous Feet

Soul Searchers Duo, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, NY, 7pm

Soul Searchers Duo plays a mix of covers and originals. Infusing Blues, Funk and Rock & Roll.

Nectar’s Presents Earthkry with special guests Dr. Jah & The Love Prophets, Lark Hall, Albany, 8pm

Roots Rock Reggae band EarthKry band was born and nurtured within the halls of the Edna Manley College of The Visual & Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica where four budding musicians hoped to hone their skills.

Their journey began with a twist of fate which brought together keyboard player Phillip Mcfarlane , drummer Kieron Cunningham, bass guitarist Kamardo Blake and vocalist/guitarist Aldayne Haughton, to play a series of small gigs. Drawing inspiration from Bob Marley and The Wailers, The Beatles, John Holt, Peter Tosh, Jacob Miller, Black Uhuru and Steel Pulse, the group soon cemented a wholesome fusion of Roots Reggae, Souls and Rock genres for a fresh but universal sound.

Much like the iconic reggae outfit The Wailers, the band chose its name, EarthKry, to signify its mission to voice the grievances of the downtrodden through the vibrations of their Legacy music. Since 2013 the band has spent much of their time creating music with other notable artists in recording sessions while further developing their signature sound.

Through the guidance of veteran drummer/ lecturer Derrick Stewart, veteran trumpeter Nambo Robinson, guitarist/former tutor Maurice Gordon and producers Stephen Stewart and Sam Clayton, the band has since released a successful debut EP “Hard Road”, an acclaimed, worldwide top charting debut album “SURVIVAL” and have toured extensively on some of the biggest international stages.

Student Showcase by Good Karma Studio, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 6:30pm-9:30pm

You are cordially invited to watch Good Karma Studio’s second annual Student Showcase!  Come watch a group of 12 aerialists from Good Karma dazzle you with their circus pieces they’ve been working on over the last few months! Lyra hoop, silks, hammock — oh my!  Dinner (for those who purchase the “Dinner + Show” option) will be provided by Meaty Max Vegan Meats! Truffle Parmesan Pasta with shiitake bacon served with a side of broccoli salad.

Good Karma Studio is Albany, New York’s premier circus arts, aerial yoga and bungee fitness studio offering Lyra Hoop, Silks, Silk Hammock, Aerial yoga, Mat yoga, group fitness classes and more!! We are the area’s ONLY certified circus arts studio, and the very first to bring aerial yoga and bungee fitness to the Capital Region! Whether you’re new to yoga or an experienced Yogi, you’ll find comfort in our studios and with our highly-trained and compassionate teachers.

Good Karma Studio Website: www.thegoodkarmastudio.com

Little Folks Show with Moose Jr., Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 3pm-4:30pm

Moose Jr.’s music is designed for young children but fun for all ages. Zak, Joe, Emma and Brian are full of energy and always entertaining!

Moose Jr. is a trio of musicians that tours the northeast performing for low income housing communities, schools, in parks, and at private venues like Headstart. The band performs fun music, tailored specifically for elementary students and young middle schoolers. They work collaboratively with teachers and community organizers to present an interactive performance. Emma-Paige, our hula-hooper/Jester extraordinaire, will mesmerize children, while including them in the music and movement fun.

The Little Folks Series is made possible by Polyset and Kevin & Claudia Bright.

Ritz Carlton, Lost and Found, Albany

Soul Clap Dance Party with DJ Jonathan Toubin / Bloodshot Bill, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm

Jonathan Toubin – https://www.youtube.com/@JonathanToubin

Bloodshot Bill – https://bloodshotbill.bandcamp.com

Ramblings of the Unpredictable!, Pauley’s Hotel, Albany, 6pm

Sunday, June 4^th

The Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists, SPAC, Saratoga Springs, 2pm

Amphitheater

The Festival of Young Artists is a free community event that is presented annually at SPAC to celebrate hundreds of the Capital Region’s brightest young actors, dancers, musicians, singers, poets, and visual artists.

At 2pm, SPAC’s grounds will be transformed into a festival of student pop-up performances, fine art displays, food stands, poetry slams, games & activities, and free ice cream provided by Stewart’s Shops! At 4:30pm, hundreds of young artists will gather to present a show-stopping concert on SPAC’s main stage, featuring large-scale productions that combine music, song, poetry, visual art, and dance.

Rival Sons, The Record Company, Starcrawler, Empire Live, Albany, 7pm

Oakheart, No Eye Has Seen, Illusion Of Solace, Feed The Addiction, Breathe The Skyline, Empire Underground, Albany, 5pm

Soul Searchers Duo, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, NY, 10pm

Soul Searchers Duo plays a mix of covers and originals. Infusing Blues, Funk and Rock & Roll.

Concert for Frank, Hangar on the Hudson, Troy, 4pm – 9pm

A celebration of the life of our friend Frank Daley, featuring Super 400 , Jack Daley, Felicia Collins, Penny Knight, Leo Kachidurin, Family Tree, Chris Busone Band, Soul Sky, Tommy Love, Gracies Paris, Jeff Dillenbeck, Denny Dwyer, Bert Pagano, and the Matt Mirablie Band.