Whassup in the 518? – Weekend News Cuts

Whassup in the 518

Friday, September 19^th

The Great Gatsby Ballet by the World Ballet Company, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady

Dance into the Roaring Twenties with this dazzling Broadway-style ballet.

Immerse yourself in the jazzy world of flappers and champagne with this new and entirely original production from World Ballet Company. Experience the glitz, glamor, and tragic romance of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel LIVE on stage, featuring a multinational cast, lustrous hand-crafted costumes, and sweeping Art Deco-inspired sets, brought to life by WBC’s all-star creative team.

World Ballet Company’s “The Great Gatsby” is the must-see show of the season. Dress to impress, raise a glass, and get swept away in an unforgettable night of elegance, drama, and breathtaking artistry.

The Great American SoulBook, Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs

“The Great American SoulBook” delivers a journey through the decades of Motown, R&B, and other iconic soulful music that inspired generations. This is no oldies show, it’s a high-energy tribute to the music that made us groove, made us move, and filled dance floors and concert halls from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and beyond.

It’s A 2000’s Party: Albany, Empire Live, Albany, 8pm

Classic Skynyrd Live performed by Southern Steel, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 7:30pm-9:30pm

Chris Sanders Duo, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 7pm-10pm

Chris Sanders is a talented singer-songwriter known for his dynamic acoustic performances.

Monkey & the Crowbar at the Eleven (FREE show), The Eleven, Lark Hall, Albany, 6pm-8pm

The Wheel play Europe ’72, Lark Hall, Albany, 8pm-12am

PEAK at The Eleven at Lark Hall (The Wheel Aftershow), The Eleven, Albany, 11:30pm-1am

Margo Macero w/ Shannon Tehya & The Troupe, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs,

Ari Hoenig Trio, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 8pm-10pm

Renowned for redefining the role of the jazz drummer, Ari Hoenig brings his extraordinary trio to Caffè Lena for a night of boundary-pushing rhythm, melodic interplay, and deep musical conversation.

Widely celebrated for his inventive and expressive drumming, Ari turns the drum kit into a lead voice—not just keeping time, but telling stories. His signature style seamlessly fuses complex polyrhythms with lyricism, elevating the role of percussion in modern jazz.

NOYK Presents Emo Feminomenon, Lost and Found, Albany, 9pm

WCDB Fall Show w/ Gas Leak (EP Release Show) / Sophie’s Body / Super Ego and the ID, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm

From “Bar People.”

9/19 3:00 PM Pat Decker- Kings Tavern

9/19 4:00 PM Twilight Drive- Dancing Grain Farm Brewery

9/19 5:00 PM Darryl Daily- Frog Alley Brewing

9/19 5:00 PM Jenn DeSantis- Mittlers

9/19 5:30 PM Rob Aronstein- Wishing Well

9/19 5:30 PM Russ Kennedy- Fairways Of Halfmoon

9/19 6:00 PM Chris Dollard- Prime at Saratoga National

9/19 6:00 PM Chuck Kelsey- Olde Bryan Inn

9/19 6:00 PM Grit n Whiskey- Carsons Woodside Tavern

9/19 6:00 PM Jeff Grippin- Indian Ladder Farms

9/19 6:00 PM Matt Evans- Spa City Tap & Barrel

9/19 6:00 PM Radio Junkies- Lagos

9/19 6:00 PM Somewhat Country Band- Saratoga Winery

9/19 6:00 PM TBow & The Klips- Holy Moses Tavern

9/19 6:00 PM Thom Powers- Inn at Saratoga

9/19 6:00 PM Tim Wechgelaer- The Scarlet Knife

9/19 6:00 PM Upstate Buskers- S&S farm Brewery

9/19 6:30 PM K&O Duo- Artisanal Brew Works

9/19 6:30 PM Ryan Clark- Diamond Club at Embassy Suites

9/19 6:30 PM Ryan Clark- Diamond Club at Embassy Suites

9/19 6PM Caity Gallagher – Centre St Pub

9/19 7:00 PM Cryin Out Loud- Beach Bar At Dock Browns Tavern

9/19 7:00 PM Dazey- Quarters

9/19 7:00 PM Jeff Walton- Principessa Elena

9/19 7:00 PM Jeff Walton- Principessa Elena

9/19 7:00 PM Motion Blur- Hometown Pub & Grub

9/19 7:00 PM Radio Gold- Panza’s

9/19 7:00 PM Tim & The Mergs Train- Kraverie

9/19 7:30 PM Great American Songbook- Universal Preservation Hall

9/19 8:00 PM Ari Hoenig Trio- Caffe Lena

9/19 8:00 PM DJ Mic Power- Misfit

9/19 8:00 PM Karaoke with Deb Zep-Douglas- Bourbon Room

9/19 8:00 PM Margo Macero & Shannon Tehya & The Troupe- Putnam Place

9/19 8:00 PM Matt Cosgrove- Bourbon Room

9/19 8:00 PM Ragged Company Band- Cooperstown Distilling Saratoga

9/19 8:00 PM Rich Clements Band- Druthers Saratoga

9/19 8:00 PM Ten Most Wanted- Centre St Pub

9/19 8:30 PM Accents- Vapor

9/19 8:30 PM Skeeter Creek- Frog Alley Brewing

9/19 9:00 PM Matt Niedbalski Group- Nine Maple

9/19 9:00 PM TBD- The Ice House

9/19 9:30 PM Schmooze- Spa City Tap & Barrel

9/19 9:30 PM The Schmooze- Spa City Tap & Barrel

Saturday, September 20^th

Christine Spero Group, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, 6pm

The Summer Square Concert Series is a free, outdoor event at 6 PM Saturday nights June -September in front of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

Even before Christine Spero began recording with her dynamic quartet, she was earning numerous accolades for her melodic, emotionally powerful and soulful songwriting and was Winner of the USA Songwriting Competition/Jazz category with her song,”He Wasn’t Always That Way”.

Red White and Brew Festival, MVP Arena, Albany, 2pm

The second annual Red, White & Brew festival is returning to South Pearl Street in front of MVP Arena on Saturday, September 20!

This FREE, family-friendly celebration honors our nation’s veterans with a full day of live music, local vendors, and unforgettable entertainment. Festivities kick off at 2pm with a performance by local country favorite, Tame the Rooster. The energy continues to build with a set from national recording artist Tyler Farr, known for chart-toppers like “Redneck Crazy” and “A Guy Walks Into a Bar”. This year’s headliner, Randy Houser, will close out the event with powerhouse hits like “How Country Feels” “Boots On” and “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight”.

The Best of the Eagles, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady

“Best of the Eagles” is one of the top Eagles tribute bands in the country, performing the band’s greatest hits from the ’60s, ’70s, 80s, and beyond. What makes this tribute unique from other bands is that each member performs and sings the songs just as the original member does. That means that our “Joe Walsh,” sings the Joe Walsh songs, our “Glenn Frey” sings the the Glenn Frey songs and our “Don Henley” replicates all of his incredible vocals. It is the most authentic recreation next to seeing the Eagles live. Here is a testimonial that says it all.

Joe Jencks, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady

Touring musician, award-winning songwriter and blessed with an exceptionally resonant singing voice, JOE JENCKS is known for his exquisite and often haunting musical beauty, social consciousness and spiritual exploration. Merging conservatory training with his Irish roots and working-class midwest upbringing, he blends well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting, delivering compelling musical narratives with heart, soul, groove and grit. But in the immediacy of performance, it’s first his voice that stuns an audience: Jencks reaches the far corners of any theatre with his lyric baritone voice, resonating with gorgeous tone and an edgy richness.

Jade Bird – Who Wants to Talk About Love? Empire Underground, Albany, 8pm

Sploinky Rave, Empire Live, Albany, 8pm

A Brother’s Revival, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 7:30pm-9:30pm

Karaoke Night with Deb Zep, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 5pm-10pm

Don’t miss out on an evening full of great music, fun vibes, and the chance to showcase your singing!

The Eugene Tyler Band at The Eleven at Lark Hall (FREE SHOW), The Eleven, Albany, 6pm-8pm

Mikaela Davis with special guest Lily Seabird, Lark Hall, Albany, 8pm

Slingshot Funk Band, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 9pm-11pm

Slingshot is a dynamic band that has been bringing the groove for 10 years, delivering high-energy performances across funk, R&B, smooth jazz, rock, reggae, and soul music. With a passion for timeless sounds, they specialize in hits from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s, blending classic vibes with a fresh, electrifying stage presence. Known for their tight musicianship, soulful harmonies, and infectious rhythms. Slingshot keeps the audience dancing and singing along at every show. Whether it’s a funky bassline, a smooth jazz melody, or a reggae groove, Slingshot brings the perfect mix of nostalgia, electrifying modern performance, making every event an unforgettable experience.

Ladies Night ft: King Bully & Sly Fox, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 11pm-3am

Come get down on the biggest dance floor in Saratoga at our weekly Ladies Night with King Bully, Sly Fox and percussionists Seth Casale and Johnny Ellis.

King Bully blurs the lines between Dancehall, Afrobeat, Hip-Hop, and Latin into what is a refreshing departure from anything else you’ve heard. The Troy NY native not only dominates the Capital Region club circuit, he also boasts an impressive list of concerts, which includes acts like Dababy, Lil Baby, Cardi B, Fabolous, DMX, Ja Rule, Ashanti and more. Always sure to get the crowd hype and the club packed, DJ King Bully is the sound that keeps any party going strong.

Guitarist Sly Fox is best knows as the front man for blues-rock outfit Sly Fox and The Hustlers.

EDM Night, Lost and Found, Albany, 8pm

Honky Tonk Record Club – Live music by Andrea Maddox and the Hey Ya’lls + DJ’s Tex & Steve, No Fun, Troy, 2pm; 6pm

From “Bar People.”

9/20 1:00 PM NYmbis- Fossil Stone Wine Harvest

9/20 11:00 AM Joe Adee & The Lugnuts- Altamont Fairgrounds

9/20 11:00 PM King Bully & Sly Fox- Putnam Place

9/20 2:00 PM Get Up Jack – Frog Alley Brewing

9/20 4:00 PM North & South Dakotas- Whitmans Brewing

9/20 5:00 PM Dan Sherwin- Frog Alley Brewing

9/20 5:00 PM Dan Sherwin- Frog Alley Brewing

9/20 5:00 PM HoneySuckle- Dancing Grain Farm Brewery

9/20 5:00 PM Richard Clements Band- Artisanal Brew Works

9/20 5:30 PM Matty Finn- Tinney’s Tavern

9/20 5:30 PM Rob Aronstein- Wishing Well

9/20 6:00 PM Ben Zoleski- Spa City Tap & Barrel

9/20 6:00 PM Broken Spur Band- The View at Brookhaven Golf Course

9/20 6:00 PM Chris Dollard- Prime at Saratoga National

9/20 6:00 PM Christine Spero Group- Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

9/20 6:00 PM Jeanine O’connor & Friends- Panza’s

9/20 6:00 PM Jeff Walton- Olde Bryan Inn

9/20 6:00 PM Larry Gravette- The Scarlet Knife

9/20 6:00 PM Matt Cosgrove- Thirsty Owl

9/20 6:00 PM Matt Steckler Organ Trio- Stella’s Pasta Bar at The Van Dyck

9/20 6:00 PM On Tap Duo- Inn at Saratoga

9/20 6:00 PM Up The River- Carsons Woodside Tavern

9/20 6:00 PM Wandering Roots- S&S farm Brewery

9/20 6:00 PM Whiz Bang- Lagos

9/20 6:30 PM Rich Ortiz- Diamond Club at Embassy Suites

9/20 7:00 PM Betsy & The Bygones- Kraverie

9/20 7:00 PM Earlybirds- Kris’ Mid City Tavern

9/20 7:00 PM EB Jeb- Beach Bar At Dock Browns Tavern

9/20 8:00 PM DJ Vison- Misfit

9/20 8:00 PM Doug Villano- Septembers Too

9/20 8:00 PM Eric Hoffman- Towne Tavern

9/20 8:00 PM Gianna Robustiano- Bourbon Room

9/20 8:00 PM Jimmy Kelly- Parting Glass

9/20 8:00 PM Pat Decker- Druthers Saratoga

9/20 8:30 PM Brian Kane & The Beginning- Frog Alley Brewing

9/20 9:00 PM Bad Monk- Nine Maple

9/20 9:00 PM DJ NPG- Vapor

9/20 9:00 PM Mischief- The Ice House

9/20 9:00 PM Slingshot Funk Band- Putnam Place

9/20 9:30 PM Tailspin- Spa City Tap & Barrel

Sunday, September 21^st

Word Plays: Peace Tales, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”

Buddha said,”Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
Mother Teresa said, “Peace begins with a smile.”

Come hear these eight splendid storytellers share all sorts of about peace: Fran Combs Berger, Joe Doolittle, Kate Dudding, Margaret French, Eileen Mack, Claire Nolan, Nancy Marie Payne, and Sandy Schuman.

An Evening With David Byrne – Who is the Sky Tour? Proctors Theatre, Schenectady

Between the Buried and Me & Hail The Sun, Empire Live, Albany, 7pm

Graham Barham, Empire Underground, Albany, 8pm

The Last Lap Market, Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs, 11am-5pm

Come down to Putnam Place to enjoy a day of oddities and vintage!

We will have 25 vendors from the capital region and beyond including everything from oddities to hand crafted soaps, crystals, vintage, jewelry, apothecary, tarot readers, tooth gems, and flash tattoos!

Swing by for a quick drink or stay the whole day from 11am-5pm.

Crystal Bowersox: A Saratoga Peace Week Concert, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, 7pm-9pm

As part of Saratoga Peace Week, Caffè Lena is honored to host Crystal Bowersox, the soulful singer-songwriter whose powerful blend of folk, rock, and Americana has inspired audiences worldwide. Drawing on the influence of icons like Janis Joplin, Tracy Chapman, and Bonnie Raitt, Bowersox delivers music with passion, grit, and healing energy. From her early days performing on Chicago’s subway platforms to her rise to national attention on American Idol, Crystal has always used music as a form of catharsis and a way to uplift others. She has also used her talents to champion causes close to her heart, becoming an inspiration for people living with Type 1 Diabetes. Domestic violence is an issue that has touched Crystal’s own life, and she has spoken about it throughout her career, lending her voice to raise awareness and hope.

Shallow Alcove / Sarah Gross / The Belle Curves, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm

From “Bar People.”

9/21 10:00 AM TBD- Saratoga Farmers Market At Lincoln Baths

9/21 10:00 AM TBD- Saratoga Farmers Market At Lincoln Baths

9/21 12:00 PM Tame The Rooster- Altamont Fair Grounds

9/21 3:00 PM Annie In The Water- Druthers Saratoga

9/21 3:00 PM Annie In The Water- Druthers Saratoga

9/21 3:00 PM Kevin Kennedy- FRanklin Square Market

9/21 3:00 PM Kevin Kennedy- FRanklin Square Market

9/21 3:00 PM Pat Decker- Lagos

9/21 3:00 PM Pat Decker- Lagos

9/21 3:00 PM Triple Trouble Wsg Swallowtail Vagabonds- Artisanal Brew Works

9/21 3:00 PM Triple Trouble Wsg Swallowtail Vagabonds- Artisanal Brew Works

9/21 4:00 PM Lustre Kings- Carsons Woodside Tavern

9/21 4:00 PM Outlaw Country Showcase with Northern Borne- Unihog

9/21 6:00 PM Open Mic hosted by Erin Powers- Inn at Saratoga

9/21 6:00 PM Open Mic hosted by Erin Powers- Inn at Saratoga

9/21 6:00 PM Sinatra And Friends- Panza’s

9/21 6:00 PM Sinatra And Friends- Panza’s

9/21 7:00 PM Crystal Bowersox- Caffe Lena

9/21 7:00 PM Crystal Bowersox- Caffe Lena