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CAPITAL REGION FESTIVAL OF THEATRE RAISES OVER $50,000 TO SUPPORT INAUGURAL WEEKEND OF EVENTS JUNE 12-15

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Staff
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Jam-packed festival schedule puts the Capital Region center stage as a great place to love theatre.

ALBANY, NY – The Capital Region Festival of Theatre (CRFT) will be hosting its inaugural festival June 12-15, 2025.   This four-day celebration will take place all over the Capital Region, with events stretching from Fort Salem to Albany, NY. The festival’s purpose is to celebrate the thriving performing arts scene in our area by showcasing the diverse professional and community theatre companies, performers, playwrights, designers, technicians, and theatre enthusiasts that make up our flourishing artistic community.

In January of 2024, Patrick White and Chris Foster organized an informational meeting for the purpose of creating a Capital Region-wide theatre festival. Nearly one hundred theatre companies and educational institutions were represented at that meeting, and the list of Capital Region theatres involved continues to grow. From that initial meeting, the Capital Region Festival of Theatre, abbreviated as CRFT, was born, and has since become an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The company has since succeeded in raising over $35,000 through events including a Cast Party hosted by Playhouse Stage Company at Cohoes Music Hall in October, and a bash celebrating Shakespeare’s birthday in April at The Albany Barn Theatre. Significant donations have also been received from Dylan and Krystal Clements and Chet and Karen Opalka, plus numerous individual and company memberships.

Now, with funding secured, the first annual Festival weekend will be held across the region in June. Festivities kick off with a celebratory mixer on Thursday, June 12th at The Cue Theatre, from 6pm to 10pm. Guests can expect an evening of food, wine and entertainment hosted by Erin Harkes and Jaye McBride. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. All subsequent festival events are FREE to the public!

Friday, June 13 takes CRFT from Sand Lake, NY to Troy NY, with Sand Lake Center for the Arts, (SLCA) running a Senior Day from 10am to 4pm, and The Theatre Institute at Sage (TIS), organizing a Youth Theatre Education Day from 3pm to 9pm. SLCA has programming for Seniors by Seniors (55 and up) in the morning, and an afternoon of performances for all ages to enjoy. TIS will host youth-focused workshops from 3-5:30pm and then an evening of performances from youth theatre groups from all around the Capital Region.

Saturday, June 14, the festival continues at Fort Salem Theater for a Theatre Maker Morning from 9am to 1 pm, including workshops on sensory-inclusive performances and improving dance audition techniques, plus a panel discussion on producing for theatre and film. Their morning concludes with a performance of Songs from Upstate, which highlights musicals written and produced in the Capital Region.

Saturday’s program continues with a Musical Matinee at SLOC Musical Theater (SLOC), where there will be a courtyard gathering for music, games, and DIY theatre from 2pm to 3:30pm. This will be followed by performances on the SLOC stage through 5pm, including selections from MopCo, Aaron Moore, and a variety of upcoming musicals from several Capital Region companies.

CRFT’s Saturday schedule continues in Albany with an Albany Mayoral Candidate forum on the arts at The Madison Theatre at 5pm. This special forum ahead of the June 24 Democratic Primary will be hosted by Tenth Ward Councilperson Owusu Anane, and moderated by Playhouse Stage Company Producing Artistic Director, Owen Smith. Candidates participating are City Auditor Dorcey Applyrs, businessmanDan Cerutti, Council President Corey Ellis, and County Legislator Carolyn McLaughlin.

Events continue with Downtown Saturday Night, programming at Capital Repertory Theatre, with a pre-show theatre fair from 6pm to 7pm, where numerous theatres will have information about their upcoming seasons, along with a free raffle drawing with prizes including theatre tickets, restaurant gift cards, and more. An evening of diverse performances on theRep stage will follow from 7pm to 10pm, with selections from Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate NY, Create a Space NOW, The Vocal Studio of Lisa Franklin, and more.

On Sunday, June 15, the festival moves to the Campus Center at the University at Albany where there will be programming all day from 9am to 6pm. The Sunday Festival program will offer something for everyone. Fourteen different one-act plays will be performed, including some by local playwrights. Workshops will be offered in everything from auditioning to vocal techniques, lighting design, improv, stage management, stage combat, and more. Panel discussions will be held on fighting censorship in theatre, scenic design, playwrights of color, diversity, equity and Inclusive casting, theater for social justice, and a round table discussion with artistic directors from Capital Region theatre companies. The day will also feature a satellite version of Playwright’s Jams held at Caffé Lena in Saratoga Springs, and an address from keynote speaker, American playwright Sharr White. Panelists and moderators to include Hettie Barnhill, Maggie Cahill, D. Colin, Jarel Davidow, Annabelle Duffy, Eunice Ferreira, Jordan Harrison, Bill Kellert, Sarah LaDuke, Carol Max, Kevin McGuire, Jean-Remy Monnay, Aaron Moore, Joanna Palladino, Gabriella Pizzolo, John Saunders, Owen Smith, John Sowle, and many more.

“For thirty years, I’ve worked in the Capital Region theatre community and have been amazed by the extraordinary growth in interest, support, and participation for our work,” said Patrick White, President of the CRFT Board of Directors. “The broader county, state, and world need to know what a phenomenal community of theatre artists we have here in our region and the tremendous economic and community development our work helps catalyze.”

For more information, patrons are encouraged to visit the CRFT website at www.crftinc.org, as well as the festival’s social media channels. Members of the media are encouraged to contact Jillian Becker, CRFT Vice President, with further inquiries at jillianbecker1025@gmail.com or 518-210-8090.

 

Women Artists Community – An Xperience Interview

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Staff
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Women Artists Community

Women Artists Community – An Xperience Interview – by Liam Sweeny.

RRX: Tell me a little bit about Women Artists Community, so we can get a sense of what you’re doing and what you’re involved in.

Mary K: We started by bumping into each other at a show we were exhibiting in, and Mary (Wheeler) invited me to stop into her house and visit when we realized we live within walking distance of each other in Cohoes, which we didn’t know. So I came over and we discussed the need for creative women to build connections, to be supportive of each other, and to overcome the underrepresentation that we feel we have in galleries. So that’s how we started WAC, Women Artists Community. And that was February 2025. We started with a winter salon meeting where people brought their works and talked about their role in the arts. And since then, we’ve expanded into some planned group exhibitions.

RRX: When you say that women are underrepresented in art galleries, can you talk about that a little bit? What do you think are some of the reasons that women aren’t represented enough? Is it not enough women owners of galleries, or do you think that there are other factors involved? ‘Cause a lot of people don’t really go to galleries, so they wouldn’t know.

Mary W: I think women have learned to take a backseat. We’re not as out there and pushy as men tend to be. I think that it was a fairly male-dominated situation from the beginning. When you start looking back in history, how many women artists do you come up with? I think that a lot of men already had the leg up starting out way before we were even born. I think that has continued. Most of the galleries around here have women in them, that’s not to be misunderstood by people reading. Every once in a while, they will have a woman’s show all through the year, maybe one. There’s a lot of that. So we’re trying to have women get together and say, this is a group, this is a show, this is all women, and we are trying to go in droves to each one of our shows that we have procured on our own, saying we are here to show up for the women. You got to start seeing us. And I think also with everything that’s happened in the political climate, we feel very underrated. This is another reason why this has grown now as a movement.

RRX: When you’re talking about the galleries and the Women Artists Community, you’re thinking visual art. Is this just a visual art thing, or is this women writers? Is this all aspects of creatives like women writers, women musicians, women artists, or is this really focused more on the visual art?

MK: We have some members that relate to the arts in different ways other than visually. We have a couple of writers. We have poets. We have potters, we have some 3D people and some fabric or textile artists. Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible and if you’re in the arts in some way, we welcome you into the group.

RRX: We talked about, you know, the barriers for women in galleries, but do you think women have other barriers in general, women coming into the arts? What are some of the barriers that you think women have more than men, from the perspective of, say, a kid that wants to be an artist and go from that to actually being an artist, and actually putting work together that’s gonna be commercially sold? Do you think there are more obstacles for women to enter into that field? Do you think they are promoted by their parents as much as maybe a boy, or do you think that neither are actually promoted by the parents enough?

MW: I believe parents are either going to support it or not support it; it doesn’t matter the gender. It also has to do with the person. They’re either going to strive to become more or they’re not. And I don’t think that has to do with a lot of gender, but what I do know for a fact is that women have to put something in a backseat because we are way too responsible for the families and the households and the marriages and the children and the children’s needs, even to the point of taking your kids to their art classes by setting your art aside. We actually have had several women who are in the group reaching out to us with that very same frustration of how they can pursue their art now that they’re at retirement age. They think this is the time that they’re going to sit down and be able to work on their art and come to meetings like this that we only hold once a month. And they can’t find the time because their family obligations are pushing forward. Now we 100% do not want to separate that. We as women believe family first, but this is just some of the struggles women have in trying to get their art career off the ground.

RRX: I have a tough question. I think it might be a tough question. Art grows in pressure. So women have to give things up to pursue their art, or they may have to pursue their art through having to take care of children and not being able to just dedicate their entire lives to art in a lot of cases. Do you think the art that actually comes out is more powerful or likely to be more powerful because it’s kind of “cooked in pressure”?

Both: Definitely, absolutely, we both agree.

MW: I think that it also has a bigger range. We have more emotions, and we encounter more setbacks. So I think our art is better.

RRX: So, how do you have Women Artists Community set up? Is it based in a single place, or do you have a more spread-out collection of people?

MK: At the moment, we’re operating with basically two strands of membership. One is a virtual presence on Facebook and Instagram, which has no geographical limit to membership. And then we also have a core local group of committed artists who are involved in staging exhibitions to come to the monthly meetings and make their wishes known to the group, and they’re helping us put everything together. So there are kind of like two ways to go into membership with us … As I said, we’re inclusive. We seek diverse members to join us, and we think of it as a movement, not just a group that will continue to grow.

RRX: What can the Capital Region local communities do to help you get to the point that you have in your mind’s eye where you want to be? What can the local region do to help you get there? ‘Cause I think they would want to.

MW: By helping us have spaces to show and spaces to gather in. Those are the two things that I think would be the biggest help.

MK: I think space is a priority. We have been working kind of night and day on trying to get into places that would accommodate all our members for group shows. So, just available space at a reasonable rate. Because we’re bootstrapping this, you know? We’re brand new, and it’s the two of us in charge, and we’re doing it all. But we need support in the larger area for sure.

 

 

 

More from Liam Sweeny…

Blast-Craze – Interview – Thanks for Asking!

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Staff
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Blast-Craze

Blast-Craze – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

RRX: Like songs, every artist has a unique feeling about their first show. What was your first show like? Was it your best show? If not, what was your best show like?

BC: Our first show was the Album release of Death Cult Pharmaceutical at Sweet Side Records in Glens Falls.  We really did not know what to expect not only from the venue and scene, but from ourselves..  Although we are are seasoned musicians and have been playing out in different configurations for years, this was a new endeavor and we had new roles in this band.  Our previous band (Totally Gnarly) was a high energy hard partying 5 piece.  We occupied a lot of space both on the stage and sonically. Tony, now Blast-Craze’s lead singer and sole guitar player, has a lot on his shoulders.  Adam was a guitarist and hadn’t been a bass player in a band for almost a decade. We were comfortable playing together and well rehearsed, but launching a new endeavor was daunting. Being a trio there really is no place to hide.  Everyone has to be on point, and someone needs to engage the crowd.  Even if we have to share that responsibility.  Luckily everything went great.  The record store was cool as hell and the crowd was stoked to be there and supper supportive. Was it the best show?  Maybe, but it was definitely the biggest hurdle.

RRX: Every artist’s first song is a milestone. But so is the latest song. Describe the first song/album you recorded, and also the latest song/album you recorded; what are the differences?

BC: The first song we recorded was a cover.  Career Opportunities by the Clash.  It’s a song we love and have been playing forever.  It has been on the covers list from previous bands that we have been in and it’s a song we have been listening to for decades.  It was kind of a no brainier to do it first because we needed something solid to test our studio out with and learn to use our gear.  We also shot a Youtube video when we recorded it, so that was another first for us.  It came out pretty decent for a bunch of dudes learning how to work a camera and a protools session at the same time.

The latest is our first original single “Tony the Pony”.  It is also self recorded and produced.  We shot a music video for it too, but this time after the recording was finished. Definitely more of a “real” music video.  This is our fifth release and video but our first original tune.  Being that we do all the production ourselves we wanted a few covers under our belt to gain some experience before putting out one of our original songs.  “Tony the Pony” is a crossover thrash song something like Municipal Waste.   It’s our most metal song.  We released it as a single because it’s kind of an oddball in our set.  It’s fast, loud, and fun even though it sounds agro.

RRX: We have to play somewhere, and sometimes those places have more going for them than a stage and a power outlet. What is a memorable place you played, and bonus points if it’s not a well-known place.

BC: The venue that just blew us away was someplace we played while on a short run in “Totally Gnarly” the last band we where all in.  It was the Warehouse run by Jamie Pickslide of the War Lovers in Syracuse NY.  It was a huge run down industrial space with a big stage and half pipe right behind where the bands set up.  It was hidden from the outside but opened up to reveal a punker paradise when walking through the doors.  One was reminded of the lair of the Foot clan from the original Ninja Turtles movie.  This was also the show that inspired the idea for “Tony the Pony”.

After our show the previous night, we partied with the Mill Bastards in Ithaca NY.  Tony our (Blast-Craze) singer totally blew his voice out singing, smoking, and carrying on till the wee hours of the morning.  The next day during load in he was a spotter for backing in the trailer.  He was waiving his arms and signaling but couldn’t muster more than an airy “woah”.  We played tired, hungover, with blown out voices.  All the vocals were more of a black metal hiss than a hardcore bark or a crooners drip. The show went well all things considered, and it yielded a new nickname.  Tony was dubbed “Tony the Pony” he’s just a little hoarse.

RRX: How does practice go? Is the road practice enough, or do you have a practice shack? If so, how does it look? What’s on the walls? What cool sh*t is in there?

BC: Our practice is dependent on what we have going on, and whats coming up.  If we have a show its mostly playing the set and maybe working on the up and coming songs.  We also record demos, shoot some video for reels, or track songs for up coming releases.  Our practice space (the Blast Pad) is set up to accommodate a variety of tasks.  We built it to suit our needs and basically is a production studio with a live room.  It was a pigeon poop filled warehouse when found it.  After a long building process but has become more pro than we could have hoped for years ago.  It’s covered with horror movie posters, instruments, and action figures so it has the appeal of our younger selfs playing in basements and garages.  If you watch some of our videos on our Youtube channel you can get a good look at the place.

RRX: We all get a little support from those around us. And we also can be impressed by our fellow performers. Who do you admire in your community, and why?

BC: There are two bands in our punk scene that always come to mind that seem to just have it all going on.  Great players, great songs, great stage presence,  they are active doing new things and their fans care about them.  That is the mighty Girth Control and  local legends Trauma School Dropouts.  We were lucky enough to play shows hosted by each of these bands last summer.  The people came out in droves and each headliner respectively crushed.  We did fine, but in both instances as we watched we could see there was another level to live up too.  We hope to be on more shows like that.  They raise the bar for all of us and both the bands are so so much fun to watch and listen too.  Go see them in you like fun punk rock.  Especially if we are on the bill haha.

RRX: Let’s talk about your next project, your next few. Just not the ones you’re working on now. The ones you have your eyes on for the future. What’s coming to us?

BC: We recorded “Tony the Pony” along with a lot more originals and a few covers.  We took a weekend and tracked drums, guitar, and bass live for a whole bunch of stuff.  We shot some video too. Our next release will be an EP, hopefully a 7” from that session.  We are recording vocals and guitar solos now.  We have some music video plans too when the recording and mixing is done.  This will be our first vinyl release so we are excited to have some cool physical version of our music not just a Bandcamp link.  By the way, go to our Bandcamp in the  meantime.  A few long weekends out on the road in the northeast to push the record would be killer.

 

 

More from Liam Sweeny…

THEATER REVIEW: A Perfect Ganesh

By
Joanna Palladino
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Schenectady Civic Players’ “A Perfect Ganesh” Delivers a Touching Journey of
Self-Discovery and Acceptance

Words by Joanna Palladino. Photos by Willie David Short V.

“Wanna get away?”  

If you have ever found yourself wanting to pack your bags and get a change of scenery in hopes of changing your life, or changing your outlook on your life, this show is for you.  Terrence McNally’s “A Perfect Ganesh” is a play about two American women, played by Melissa Brown and Susan Katz, who take a vacation to India.  Both women are searching for more than adventure – ironically, they are searching for peace in a land with 1.46 billion people.   

(l-r) Susan Katz, Melissa Brown

 

Guiding them on this journey is Ganesha (Barry Streifert), a Hindu god, remover of obstacles and creator of opportunity, who has four arms and the head of an elephant.  Ganesha appears to them in various guises during their journey and provides them with opportunities to uncover self-awareness and ultimately acceptance. Also on stage is Nate Beynon, who literally plays every other character in the play, ranging from an airline attendant, to a tour guide, to a fellow traveler from Boston, to a man surviving in the midst of the HIV epidemic.  “A Perfect Ganesh” explores how our ugliest beliefs can impact our acceptance of others and those we hold so dear.  Ultimately, the play explores how we can truly accept ourselves despite our own flaws, imperfections, and ugliness that lies on and beneath the surface.  

The performances of Melissa Brown (as Margaret) and Susan Katz (as Katherine) were a delight!  The challenges two close friends encounter while travelling were hilariously, but realistically, revealed during the show.  Katz and Brown explored the fragility, honesty, duplicity, and depth of female relationships with such authenticity.  Katz and Brown deliver one of their best performances on stage to date.  Beynon’s multi-faceted characters were the perfect companions to Brown and Katz, delivering some of the most poignant and disturbing scenes in the play.  

The crew should also be acknowledged for their contributions:

Director Tom Keckert, Producer Laura Graver, Stage Managers Regina Baker and Beth Swallow, Set Designer Remet Kotch. Lighting Designer Joel Katz, Board Operators Stephen Henel, Marissa Lounello, Vincent James Lounello, Wig and Hair Designer John Fowler, Costumer Designer Sheena Johnson and Pat Sowle, Choreographer Rita Russell, Master Carpenter David Zwierankin, and Sound Designer Jacob Pickett.  

Come to the play early so you can enjoy the Bollywood-esque pre-show music selected by Pickett.  The music helps the audience feel transported to India.  Highlights include:  

  • Sikandar Naache – JAM8, Sameer Anjaan, Amit Mishra, Akasa and Siddhaant Miishhraa
  • Be My Mehbooba- Amaal Mallik, Darshan Racal, Neeti Mohan and Kumaar
  • Nain Matakka – Thaman S, Diljit Dosanjh, and Dhee
  • Holiya Mein Ude Re Gulal- Nikhita Gandhi, Romy, Ila Arun, Lijo George and Shyam Sidhawat
(l-r) Susan Katz, Barry Streifert, Nate Beynon, Melissa Brown

During the second act of the play, Pickett relies on American traditional favorites to create a juxtaposition to India and to take the audience back in time to Margaret and Katherine’s past.  Song selections included Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” and an instrumental version of Gershwin’s “They Can’t Take That Away from Me.”  Pickett returns the audience back to India, or maybe the everlasting memory of India, with selections from:

  • Wavvy – COSNIGHT
  • Navavidha Bhakti- Dishant Saini
  • Bomma Bomma – B. Sivaramakrishna Rao

There was limited transition music and no intermission music at all.  It was almost as if Pickett, or the director Tom Heckert, wanted the audience to be alone with their thoughts during intermission and not escape their own feelings through music.  The director’s comments on the playbill did state, “Allow. Accept. Be.”  The scarcity of music at the end of Act 1 and during the intermission forced the audience to do just that. 

During the play itself, various characters take to song, and references to music are peppered throughout the play.  At one point, McNally references the great Guy Lombardo in a line of dialogue. Lombardo was a Canadian-American violinist and big band leader.  The quick reference stuck with me and encouraged me to revisit some of Guy’s work.  I landed on “Enjoy Yourself, It’s Later Than You Think” where Lombardo sings:

Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think
Enjoy yourself, while you’re still in the pink
The years go by, as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think

You’re gonna take that ocean trip, no matter come what may
You’ve got your reservations made, but you just can’t get away
Next year for sure, you’ll see the world, you’ll really get around
But how far can you travel when you’re six feet underground?

“A Perfect Ganesh” at Schenectady Civic Playhouse is a night of theater where you can enjoy yourself and “just be!”  The playwright and the cast take the audience on an expedition of exploring faith, acceptance, grief, loss, hate, fear, the human spirit, and the presence of the divine in our everyday lives.  Although the play is roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes, it is worth every second of your time.  

Performance dates are Friday–Sunday (May 9-11) and Wednesday–Sunday (May 14-18). Friday and Saturday curtains are at 8 pm, Wednesday and Thursday curtains are at 7:30 pm, and Sundays are matinees only at 2:30 pm. All tickets are $25. Tickets are available online through the SCP website, by phone, or at the door, for any performance. Call 518-382-2081 or visit civicplayers.org for more information.

Jukebox – Music News Cuts – 5/9

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Staff
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Jukebox

Jukebox.

Brad Arnold

Singer Brad Arnold from 3 Doors Down has been diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer. The band has canceled tour dates for shows in which they would’ve been supporting Creed. Arnold made the announcement on social media.

“Hey, everybody, it’s Brad from 3 Doors Down. I hope you’re having a great day today. I’ve got some not-so-good news for you today. So I’d been sick a couple of weeks ago and then went to the hospital and got checked out and had actually got the diagnosis that I had clear cell renal [cell] carcinoma that had metastasized into my lung. And it’s stage 4, and that’s not real good. But you know what? We serve a mighty God, and he can overcome anything. So I have no fear. I really, sincerely am not scared of it at all. But it is gonna force us to cancel our tour this summer. And we’re sorry for that. And I’d love for you to lift me up in prayer every chance you get. And I think it is time for me to maybe go listen to [our 2008 song] ‘It’s Not My Time’ a little bit.” (from Blabbermouth.com)

Rob Thomas

Rob Thomas’s first solo tour in six years is kicking off. The Matchbox Twenty frontman announced the tour to support his new studio album, All Night Days. The tour will cover 25 cities, such as Boston, New York, Nashville, Philadelphia, Houston, and more. Openers are The Lucky and A Great Big World.

Tickets go on today via Ticketmaster.

Rob Thomas 2025 Tour Dates:

08/01 — Atlanta, GA @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park *

08/02 — Jacksonville, FL @ Daily’s Place *

08/03 — Boca Raton, FL @ Mizner Park Amphitheatre *

08/05 — Nashville, TN @ Ascend Amphitheater *

08/06 — Raleigh, NC @ The Red Hat Amphitheater *

08/08 — Richmond, VA @ Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront *

08/09 — Philadelphia, PA @ TD Pavilion at the Mann *

08/10 — Washington, DC @ The Theater at MGM National Harbor *

08/12 — New York, NY @ The Rooftop at Pier 17 *

08/13 — Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center *

08/15 — Boston, MA @ Leader Bank Pavilion *

08/16 — Bridgeport, CT @ Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater *

08/18 — Dayton, OH @ Rose Music Center at The Heights *

08/20 — Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island *

08/22 — Indianapolis, IN @ Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park *

08/23 — Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center *

08/24 — Detroit, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill *

08/26 – St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater *

08/27 — Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre *

08/29 — Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory *^

08/30 — Houston, TX @ Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land *^

09/02 — Denver, CO @ Bellco Theater ^

09/04 — Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre *^

09/05 — Las Vegas, NV @ Fontainebleau Las Vegas *^

09/06 — Los Angeles, CA @ YouTube Theater *^

 

^ = w/ The Lucky

* = w/ A Great Big World

John Garcia

John Garcia, former frontman of KYUSS, brings us a Summer 2025 North American Tour. He will be performing songs from celebrated projects. It will take place June 26th until July 13th. Supporting the tour will be Telekinetic Yeti.

John Garcia North American tour dates

June 26 – San Diego, CA @ The Casbah

June 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Fonda Theatre

June 29 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace Of Spades

June 30 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall

July 01 – Portland, OR @ Dantes

July 02 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon

July 03 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre

July 05 – Calgary, AB @ Dickens

July 06 – Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room

July 08 – Winnipeg, MB @ Park Theatre

July 09 – St Paul, MN @ Turf Club

July 10 – Milwaukee, WI @ Club Garibaldi

July 11 – Omaha, NE @ Slowdown

July 12 – Denver, CO @ Marquis

July 13 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge

July 19 – Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet’s #

 

# No TELEKINETIC YETI

 

Touring lineup:

John Garcia – Vocals

John Bennet – Guitar

Billy Cordell – Bass

Greg Saenz – Drums

 

“Women in Cannabis: Ri Tokes”

By
Penny Piper
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0
Screenshot

Ri Tokes Is Shaping the Future of Weed in NY—On Her Own Terms

Words by Penny Piper. Photo provided.

When I first connected with Riana Lynn Piccarillo, I knew immediately that she was bringing something powerful to the cannabis space—something rooted in lived experience, deep knowledge, and straight-up fire. She’s been working with the plant for over 26 years, with the last four years spent on the legal side of the industry in New York. Now, she’s launching Tokes On NY, a brand and a podcast that are all about education, experience, and community.

I caught up with Riana to talk about what it’s like building a business in a still very male-dominated space, why New York consumers are different, and what it really takes to survive—and thrive—in this industry.

RRX: Riana, you’re launching not just a brand, but a podcast too. What’s lighting the fire under you right now?

Riana: Oh man, a few things are lighting my proverbial ass up! I’ve been doing this for 26 years, and in the last four years on the legal side, I’ve really come to understand what New Yorkers want when it comes to cannabis. Our market is totally unique—people here are going through so much. Helping them see that the plant can help reset them to a healthier baseline has become one of my biggest missions.

I call it experiential consumption. Basically, it’s about consuming intentionally—creating a specific experience based on the context of your day. Are you having a rough time? Feeling stress, pain, anxiety? Once you understand that, you can decide how you want to interact with the plant.

Tokes On NY, the brand, is designed to help people adjust to those shifts in their day. And the podcast? It’s about celebrating the community—highlighting who’s really here, sharing knowledge, and making it fun. Because at the end of the day, this industry needs three things: education, experience, and community.

RRX: You and I both know this space can still feel like a boys’ club. What’s it been like for you as a woman carving out your own lane?

Riana: Yeahhh… the dudes. I’ve had a lot of moments where I wanted to scream. I’ve dealt with sexism, sexual harassment, and even some mild sexual assault. It’s wild out here. People need to learn boundaries—especially when women are here to work.

The bigger issue, though, is that when you’re not “one of the boys,” you’re the outlier. You make people uncomfortable. And that means your voice often gets dismissed—even when you’re the most knowledgeable person in the room.

Just last week, a guy on a call referred to me as a “girl.” I’m turning 40 this year—I haven’t been a girl in a long time. But also, what do my lady parts have to do with my brain? One came from the universe. The other came from years and years of study and hustle. I’m no girl—I’m a legend in the making.

This industry has kept women out of grows and out of leadership for decades. And it’s wild when you think about the fact that we’re all working with a female plant. Who better to understand her than another woman?

 RRX: That’s powerful. Let’s talk licensing for a second. It’s no joke here in New York. What’s been your biggest challenge—and what’s one victory you’re proud of?

Riana: Honestly? Just applying was a huge victory for me. I went through the OCM SEE Mentorship program and got a guaranteed review. I’m not rich—I’m actually pretty broke—so I made the choice to hold off on applying for the license I really want, which is for cultivation. That’s my dream.

I didn’t want to risk everything too early, so I stayed patient. I started working with Jaunty as their Upstate Account Manager, then moved to Highline where I worked my way up to Sales Director. I just left a few weeks ago to chase this dream full-time.

Right now, I’m praying I can afford packaging when the time comes. But still—I applied. That’s something.

RRX: So with all this in motion—what kind of energy do you want your brand to put out into the world?

Riana: Positivity and connectivity. Life’s been hard, but I’ve held onto that lightness that keeps things fun. I want this brand to bring joy, education, and some really good weed to the table. That’s it.

RRX: Last one—and I ask every woman this: What’s something you wish someone had told you before you started? And what advice would you give the next woman following your path?

Riana: Don’t trust too easily. And if you can, build your name before your brand. I got burned early on in NY, and it took a serious toll on me. You’ve got to take your time getting to know people—not everyone deserves access to your energy.

Also, don’t lose yourself in the work. I know it’s exciting, but it’s still a job. And you need people around you who are good to you. Tokes On NY, the brand and podcast, aren’t just mine. I’ve got amazing people helping me build this dream.

My partner Jenni is my ride-or-die for both projects. I try to tell her all the time how much she means to me. I’ve also got a few other beautiful humans in my corner, and I feel truly blessed for the community I’ve found here in New York.

So, to the next woman? Take your time. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t let any man yuk your yum. And above all—stay true to yourself. That’s your superpower.

 

Riana’s Shout Outs:

Lex (Jaunty), Lexi (Heavy Hitters), Nick (Jaunty), Rob (Ayrloom), Alysia (Legacy), Brandi (Alchemy Pure), Jenni (Puff, my ride or die), Erin D (BFF4Lyfe), Liz B (my sister from another mister)—thank you. Y’all keep me going.

 

RRX: Riana, thank you. For your voice, your truth, and your vision. You’re not just launching a brand—you’re helping shape a whole new culture for cannabis in New York. I’m so honored to share your story.

Stay tuned, folks. Tokes On NY is just getting started.

 

Lonely Man – The Weird Side of the Internet

By
Staff
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Lonely Man

Lonely Man – The Weird Side of the Internet – by Liam Sweeny.

Loneliness bits big. If you listen to dusty old memes, if you ride alone, you ride with Hitler. No one wants to be alone, not always, not forever, and we live the breadth of our lives in avoidance of loneliness. But I think we’ve all heard of feral children who were abandoned at birth, only to be found eighteen years later with the table manners of a moderately-sized jackal.

But these kids, when found, are cared for and reintegrated into society. Some of them, anyway. I guess it’s a crapshoot when it come to whether or not Wild Timmy will crap on the deviled eggs at the family barbeque.

So imagine a man, not abandoned as a child, but left the only member of his tribe after a massacre. That was this man in the Amazon rainforest, a man left so alone only he knew his name. Maybe not even.

So let’s call him Ishmael. So Ishmael spent 26 years in the rainforest, seen here and there but never encountered, a near perfect isolation.

Imagine getting convicted for murder and sentenced to twenty-five years to life, and you spend all twenty-five years in solitary confinement. They say that even a month can drive out out into the fields, but what about a whole life of nobody?

He was a study in human survival, though. He had a small home built out of palm trees, trapping pits for small animals, even a hammock. Sadly, that’s where they found his body in August 2022.

What I think is interesting here is that he wasn’t somw feral human. He was a legitimate tribesperson with the weight of his slaughtered tribe on his shoulders and no one to say it to. He knew what he was missing out on.

I wonder if he ever found a volleyball?

 

 

More from Liam Sweeny…

The Heights – An Xperience Column

By
Joe Barna
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The Heights

The Heights – An Xperience Column – by Joe Barna.

Welcome back to The Heights … your monthly opinion piece that explores a wide variety of topics within the musical idiom known as jazz. It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to share my thoughts and perspectives. Thank you to all who have and continue to take time out of your busy lives to embark on these monthly explorations with me. It’s deeply appreciated.

In this month’s edition, I will pay homage to an individual I consider a hero and champion for the Capital Region performing arts scene. His dedication to facilitating engaging performances, his commitment to being in attendance for live shows, and the sheer audacity he emits in taking on seemingly insurmountable tasks inspire those lucky enough in the community who know him.

Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses and join us in a toast for one of upstate New York’s true ambassadors of jazz … the one and only, Bill McCann.

I recently had the honor of performing at the SUNY Albany 40-year Celebration & Jazz Festival, paying tribute to Bill’s 40th year presenting his jazz radio show on Saturday mornings from 8 am-12 pm. To say this event was big would be a gross understatement. When I was first asked to perform, I was both thrilled and curious. As a person who has produced a couple hundred concert events myself, as well as yearly festivals (much smaller than this one), I was profoundly intrigued to witness exactly how Bill would facilitate such an enormous event. Well, folks, let me tell y’all something. When I walked into the Campus Center West on the SUNY Albany campus on the afternoon of Saturday, April 5th, 2025, I was overwhelmed, taken aback, and extremely engaged by the energy I was met with. The entire building was filled with a who’s who of the Capital Region jazz scene. But, not just the players … there were patrons effortlessly flowing to and from both stages. Photographers were standing, kneeling, bending, and stretching to get precisely the right angle for the shot. Fans were lined up on the standing-room-only conference room wall because all seats were accounted for. The musicians were in the lobby sharing stories, talking gear, congratulating one another on their performances, hugging, shaking hands, and showing love for the man who made this day a reality, Bill McCann.

In my estimation, the festival on April 5th was one of the largest jazz events to ever take place here in New York’s Capital Region. On this day, 16 bands performed on two stages and not one of them disappointed. Each had their own unique take on the art form. Some were straight ahead, some were all original, some paid respect to certain eras, some stepped outside the traditional lines of jazz, and others just went for it hard on all fronts. As one of the musicians who had the good fortune to participate in this production, I can say with confidence it was genuinely one of the brightest highlights of my 30-year career as an artist. Being on that stage, looking out and bearing witness to all the smiling faces looking back gave me goosebumps. However, the heaviest and most joyful moment for me was looking over to my right from behind the drums and seeing the happiness that was exuding outwards from Bill McCann’s entire being. At one point, he was so compelled by the music that he stood up, walked over to pianist Ian MacDonald during an impassioned solo, and proceeded to wave a towel on him, as to fan the musical fire that had been sparked at the hands of MacDonald. It was a night many will remember the rest of their time here on Earth.

Bill McCann is one of my favorite people. Not just because he loves jazz, or helps put on events that benefit both the musicians and the community at large. But, because he is a good man, a courageous man, a loving man, a good father, a person you can talk to during good times and bad, a man of his word, and someone I would consider a friend. His body of work speaks for itself. He has dedicated his entire life to making others happy, as well as feel worthy of this life. He has hosted a radio show on WCDB 90.9 for 40 years. That’s longer than most marriages will ever last. He makes the time to be present for over 100 shows per year, both in and outside of the region. He donates money to causes he believes in and asks nothing in return. And Mr.McCann does all of this while working a full-time gig as a lawyer and raising two children. I say Bill is a hero, but that word doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of his value. He is a warrior, a mentor, a father, a friend, and most importantl,y an authentic human being that possesses a level of integrity few will ever match.

Dear Bill,

In the event you read this article, I’d like to personally thank you for being born. What you have brought to this community can never be measured in dollars. It goes beyond the superficial and gently steps into the spiritual. You are humble, loyal and someone I look up to for inspiration. I feel privileged to have you in my life.

God Bless You Bill McCann

Warmest Regards, 

 Joe

 

 

More from Joe Barna…

“The Spring Thing” @ Hangar on the Hudson, 5/3/2025

By
Timothy Reidy
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The Spring Thing, at Hangar on the Hudson, is a terrific event whose goal is to get people out in front of musicians they may not normally see. As such, the genres are intentionally very eclectic. The event featured eight bands across two different stages: Coupons, Ice Queen, Wavy Cunningham, Toriendofstory, Girth Control, the A.M.’s, Laura Leigh, and Grief Group.

Hats off to Kim Neaton for pulling this wonderful event together.

Photography by Timothy Reidy.

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More from the Hangar on the Hudson …

 

 

 

“Saratoga Sponsor-a-Scholar Derby Day Party 2025”

By
Penny Piper
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Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar’s Derby Day 2025 Was a Win—And Not Just at the Races!

Words and Photography by Penny Piper.

Derby Day 2025 was the place to be this past Saturday as Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar (SSAS) threw their annual fundraiser at The Lodge at Saratoga Casino Hotel—and wow, did they deliver! Dressed to the nines in fabulous hats and festive spring fashion, guests came ready to party, place bets, and most importantly, support an incredible cause.

The venue was alive with energy as people gathered to sip, dine, and cheer on their picks for the Kentucky Derby. With a four-hour open bar (yes, four), delicious food, and the Derby streaming on giant screens, it felt like we were right at Churchill Downs—minus the travel. A racetrack bugler added the perfect touch of tradition, and Raven Events kept the party flowing all afternoon with the perfect playlist, seamless transitions, and exactly the right vibes to keep everyone in the Derby Day spirit.

But beyond the mint juleps and fancy fascinators, the real win was raising money for SSAS, a program that helps hard-working Saratoga Springs High School students get into—and graduate from—college. These are the kids who just need a little extra support to reach big dreams, and thanks to events like this, SSAS keeps delivering results: a 100% college acceptance rate and over 90% of scholars earning their degrees. That’s what we call a photo finish.

Huge shoutout to everyone who showed up, donated, or cheered from afar. If you missed it, don’t worry—there’s always next year. But seriously, you’ll want to get in on the fun (and the good feels) in 2026.

To learn more, donate, or see photos from the event, visit saratogasponsorascholar.org or follow SSAS on Instagram and Facebook.

 

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