A revamped Egg hosted an Open House on March 14, which featured Rock Band in the Hart. movies in the Swyer, and other attractions throughout the building.
Photography by Timothy Reidy.
The Happy Fits / BEL @ Empire Live, 3/14/2026
The Happy Fits returned to Albany, this time at Empire Live, early on their current tour. BEL provided support.
Photography by Timothy Reidy.
You Don’t Have to “Shave Yo Legs”: It’s Good to Be Home – Keb Mo’ Review
You Don’t Have to “Shave Yo Legs”: It’s Good to Be Home – Keb Mo’ Review – by Colin McCarthy.
Three songs into a sold-out show in downtown Troy, NY, Keb’ Mo’ took a moment to step to the side of the stage and settle into the groove while introducing his band member by me
In my 35 years of going to concerts, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a performer introduce the entire band that early in a set. It felt genuine,both a gesture of respect and an acknowledgment of the tight chemistry– a well deserved nod.
And the band deserved it.
For 90 minutes straight, they communicated almost entirely without words. Nothing was forced. No beats were missed. Every subtle laugh, knowing glance, and half-humbled shrug became part of the performance. The audience could feel it: the quiet, intuitive connection thats needed most for a successful night. It almost never comes down to how quickly the volunteer staff sat you and if you had to wait in line for a beer before the curtain draws.
The song playing beneath that introduction was “It’s Good to Be Home,” and midway through, Keb’ Mo’ gave the crowd a wink and salute, as if to suggest that he felt at home inside the warm acoustics of Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.
By the end of the night, the entire room did.
Shortly after, the band broke into the Keb’ Mo’ classic “Shave Yo’ Legs,” from his 2004 album Keep It Simple. The record, released in 2004, would go on to win the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Watching Keb’ Mo’’s music career unfold is kind of amazing. After all these years, he still walks on stage with the same easy charm, and before you know it the room is full of rhythm, smiles, and a little extra foot traffic as people start swaying closer to the stage. The songs feel timeless, the stories feel real, and by the time the night ends the crowd is always hoping for just one more encore. What makes it even sweeter is how far he’s come,still touring, still creating, still captivating audiences at an age when most people are thinking about slowing down. But Keb’ Mo’ clearly didn’t get that memo… and thank goodness for that. His music proves that soul, talent, and a good groove only get better with time.
Caity Gallagher @ The Eleven, 3/12/2026
Caity Gallagher returned to The Eleven on March 12, with a mix of originals and covers.
Photography by Timothy Reidy.
The Building Inspector – The Weird Side of the Internet
The Building Inspector – The Weird Side of the Internet – by Liam Sweeny.
A woman, thirty years old. She’s recently moved to an apartment complex and she saw a man, fifties, and she thouhgt nothing and she saw him again. Coincidence, whatever, but he had his phone out and it looked like he was pointing it at her. Because he was, and for the next eight months, he put her through hell, through the building association.
This was in China, and it shows that ‘that guy’ is a global phenomena. This was ‘that guy’; no, this was the big boss combat version of ‘that guy.’ He would walk around with a little pencil and tiny notepad and write every little petty infraction against a lease that had a ‘nuisance behavior’ clause that you could pied piper a whole village of rats through.
I’ve never lived anywhere with a real association, building or homeowners. My neighborhood associations were you talked smack about everyone who didn’t keep their properties up until you got tired of it and moved to North Carolina. But give people a little bit of power and a purpose no matter how insignificant and tyranny is standing over your flower bed,
It took eight months for someone to suggest to this woman that she go to the police and get a restraining order. And yes, it’s a building complex, but all of those people had to know about this guy, right? Yet he’s “investigating” this woman; yeah, “investigating.” And no one spoke up. Or even went to her in private and took her aside.
And I get that people who live somewhere want to have a say over the standards that they agree upon, shared values and whatnot. But it’s literally creating an extra government. If I want a fifteen foot steel Marlboro man with neon tobing and smoke puffs made with water vapor, there’s a line somewhere that says life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and my artistic taste please me. So where you go from there? Because anarchy sucks but it probably looks cool. Shouldn’t there be a rule where if anyone becomes insufferable you can tell them to pound sand and they have to.
Women Arts Community and Gallery 5 Collaborate with “Our Voices As One”
Schenectady, NY – Gallery 5s collaboration with Women Artist Community, Our Voices As One – Una Sola Voz presents a visual feast of multiple art forms. The exhibit is curated in celebration of Schenectady Art Night and features acrylic, oil, watercolor, prints, sculpture, mixed media and encaustic by Capital Region artists.
Key details `
April 17 opening reception, 5-8:30 p.m. 236 State Street, Schenectady NY 12305
May 15 closing reception, 5-8:30 p.m. 236 State Street, Schenectady NY 12305
For more info, contact Steve Kowalski. email: gallery5schenectady@gmail.com
More about Gallery 5
Our mission is to invigorate the local art community by providing a platform for both emerging and established artists. By hosting pop-up art shows 2-3 times per year, Gallery 5 brings a fresh, exciting energy to Schenectady. These events are more than just exhibitions; they are celebrations of creativity, drawing artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts together. The founders’ commitment to this mission has made Gallery 5 a beacon for artistic exploration and community engagement.
More about Women Artist Community
Women Artist Community (WAC) is a network of self-identifying female fine artists in the Capital Region and beyond. The group aims to share information to build connections while supporting members’ individual paths as artists. In a spirit of camaraderie and inclusivity, they respect the unique talents, backgrounds and vision of its membership. In its initial year, WAC accomplished exhibitions held in four distinct venues. Several artist members took part in other group shows and also had solo exhibits in the region.
Why women? WAC’s initiatives were launched in February 2025 by artists
Mary Wheeler and MaryK Weeks while discussing opportunities to exhibit their work. They researched disparities in representation in traditional art venues, finding that an estimated 51% of visual artists in the U.S. are women. Despite this statistic, only 12% of artists in major U.S. museum collections are female, according to a comprehensive study in 2019. (Published in The Burns Halperin Report Dec. 13, 2022 ‘Underrepresentation of Women and Black American Artists’)
In 2026, WAC remains dedicated to its mission of promoting creative growth. It continues to move forward as a community, providing resources and expanded opportunities to female artists.
Atmospirit Duo @ HVCC’s Maureen Stapleton Theatre, 3/12/2026
Hudson Valley Community College’s Noontime Concert Series continued on March 12 with Atmospirit Duo in the Maureen Stapleton Theatre. Remaining shows in this free series include:
April 16: Tangled Strings (Bulmer Telecommunication Center)
April 23: Kinloch Nelson (Bulmer Telecommunication Center)
May 7: Cold Chocolate (Bulmer Telecommunication Center)
Photography by Timothy Reidy.
A. J. Croce – Music and Life
A. J. Croce – Music and Life – in D.R.
In 1973, two-year-old A.J. Croce lost his dad, singer/songwriter Jim Croce, in a plane crash. And then things got worse for him.
But we’re not here to dwell on the past. You can look up his bio elsewhere, if you really want to know. Today we are celebrating his career as an accomplished musician and intrepid human being.
A.J. first mastered the piano, and then later, became an exceptional guitarist. Somewhere in there, he also learned to sing. He has played with virtually every notable modern musician, a spectrum including Elvis’s guitarist, James Burton, to John Oates, of Hall and Oates. In one session, he replaced Jerry Lee Lewis on keyboards. He has more than held his own in their midst many, many times.
He has also become an excellent songwriter.
In his thirties, he decided to revisit his father’s repertoire, playing those great Jim Croce songs: “Operator,” “Leroy Brown,” “Time in a Bottle,” and others. All those songs were recorded by Jim in a very narrow window of just 18 months. In retrospect, that’s astounding.
You can experience A.J. Croce during his “Croce Plays Croce 2026” tour, at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga on Thursday, April 9th. Doors at 7:30 (maybe a smidge earlier). Come and celebrate the music, the performer and, mostly, the man.
(Many thanks to Jim Merlis for facilitating this interview)
RRX: Thank you for consenting to this interview. To get right to it, you’re probably best known as a virtuoso pianist. Was piano your first instrument?
AJC: I was drawn to the piano before I could walk; it just spoke to me. I got my first lesson when I was about eight, though I was already running to the piano with my little transistor radio to play along with whatever I was tuned into at the time. Being that I was legally blind from 4 to 10, my early lessons were more about learning my scales and chords. I was encouraged to improvise, and that freedom changed my life. Piano was my solace.
RRX: Who were some of your earliest musical influences?
AJC: I was fortunate to have a father (and grandfather) who loved records and music of all eras and genres. So as a kid who couldn’t see, I was turned on to Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder. With Ray Charles I went down the rabbit hole on where his influences came from, the jazz, blues, gospel… and I was fortunate to have my dad’s record collection, which wasn’t vast but amazing and diverse. So I listened to Fats Waller, Bessie Smith, and Delta blues like Mississippi John Hurt, and Skip James as well as Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee,Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Solomon Burke, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Reed. Allen Toussaint and the records he wrote and produced for Lee Dorsey, and Irma Thomas made a big impact. Then there was great country like Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams, Jimmy Rodgers. Folk music like Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly. Gospel, and lots of 50’s and 60’s Rock & Roll.
RRX: When did you take up the guitar? Was playing your father’s music emotionally difficult at first? Has it become cathartic?
AJC: When I turned 30 my mother gave me my father’s 1933 Gibson L-00. I’d learned a few chords over the years, partially because I had recorded and toured with so many great guitarists. When someone would play a cool-sounding chord or riff I’d ask how to play it. Because I had limited knowledge of the fretboard and only maybe 6 or 7 chords under my fingers at first, it simplified my songwriting in a profound way. I had success with the first song I recorded on guitar and for a few years avoided applying the music theory that I know as a pianist in order to keep things simple. But as I fell in love with the instrument I started to feel the limitations were a bit too stifling and my desire to compose more sophisticated music on guitar won out. I’ve never forgotten the power of simplicity, though now it’s a choice and not a necessity.
After a few years of owning the old Gibson I felt obligated to learn a few of the songs that my dad wrote on the instrument. Being a piano player, finger style came naturally. While I it would be another 15 years before I’d perform any of my fathers music in concert, it was emotional and cathartic.
RRX: There’s a recurring joke about guitar players saying, “You can never own enough guitars.” How many guitars do you own? Do you have any favorites?
AJC: Too many! Instruments are tools. My rule for acquiring guitars is that each one needs to do something unique that none of the others can do. I need to be inspired to write a song when I pick up a guitar, or I don’t need it. I’m currently in the process of culling my collection. With a couple exceptions, my criteria for getting rid of guitars is that if I don’t want to tour with it, because it’s rare or in mint condition, or it’s too heavy, then I don’t need it. There are still a few guitars that I’m on the lookout for that I could really put to good use, but not until I get rid of a few. My favorites and ones I’ll never part with are my 1967 Gibson 330 (my first electric), 1955 Gibson SJ, a 1966 Martin D18, my 1951 Martin 0018, a ‘57 Les Paul Gold Top (Murphy Lab), a custom Jazzmaster and of course the ‘33 L-00. I have other great guitars but these are the most special to me.
RRX: You’ve released eleven albums, the latest being “Heart of the Eternal” (BMG, 2025). There’s some pretty tasty music on there. I particularly liked “Hey Margarita” and “On A Roll.” How is that you are not more widely known? I think you just got yourself a new fan…
AJC: Thank you! I don’t know if I have an answer to your question. One thing I can tell you is that for most of my life I avoided celebrity. Growing up in the periphery of renown made me cautious and a little suspicious at times. While I always wanted my music to be heard, I never felt like I needed to be adored by strangers. At a certain point maybe ten year ago, I realized that a certain amount of recognition is a necessity if I wanted to share my music with a larger audience (which is a little crazy, since I’d been touring and recording for about 25 years at that point). Who knows if it will make a difference since so much of this business is about good luck, great timing, and perseverance. At least I have the perseverance in spades. Curiously, there’s an ideal for musicians not to sell out, and yet the whole point of performing live is to sell out. Once I finally embraced the idea that I deserved to have my work recognized (as everyone does), my perspective changed and I became open to whatever may come, for better or worse.
RRX; Jazz pianist Bill Evans is reported to have told a colleague, just before his death: “Focus on truth and beauty, and forget all the rest.” It seems like this is precisely what you have done. True? Has music kept you going through good times and bad?
AJC: Truth and beauty are critical to the music I try to create. There’s a lot of music that I’ve composed which require dynamics. Lately I feel that outside of jazz or classical music fans, there aren’t many people that have the patience to listen to a song develop these days. I want my music to be universal, so I try to be very aware when I’m writing a song if the verse is simple and clear. I do my best to tell a good story and get to the point. So, the time it takes to get to the chorus and whether a song needs a bridge, (because fewer and fewer people have the patience to listen to an entire three minute song) are important factors to consider.
As for music keeping me going, it’s been profoundly rewarding in a holistic way. It’s my life and I wear many hats: artist, publisher, record label head. This business is like a roller coaster with it’s ups and downs, so I’m very grateful to make a living entertaining people, whether the crowds are big or small.
RRX: It seems that you have a broader family, made up of all the incredible musicians you have encountered over your career. Is it a comfort knowing you have been accepted into this amazing family?
AJC: It’s an enormous comfort and honor to have worked and played with so many talented folks. As you mentioned, not everybody is aware of my music, or my history as an artist and some folks assume that I just started my career by playing my fathers music five years ago. But for the first 30 years of my career I didn’t talk about my father in interviews or play his music. People can get nasty on social media sometimes, but you know B.B. King, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Leon Russell, Allen Toussaint and the dozens of other amazing artists I’ve performed, written, or recorded with didn’t need me or my last name to sell tickets or records. I guess knowing it was due to my own merits as an artist feels rewarding. When I was younger I never even brought up all the iconic folks I worked with — I just thought people would think I was bragging — though because many people are just discovering me now and I’m paying tribute to my father’s legacy more than my own, I think it’s important that they know a little about my past.
RRX: Any thoughts you want to leave your fans with?
AJC: I really just want to thank everyone out there for supporting my music over the last 35 years. After my 2026 Croce Plays Croce tour winds down in December I’m going to give it a rest here in the US for a year or more, in order to focus on my own music again. It’s been a great success and I never thought it would be so much fun, however as a creative artist I need the freedom to experiment with new ideas. So, if you haven’t seen it, make sure to come out and see my band and me.
Kevin McKrell @ Cohoes Music Hall, 3/13/2026
Kevin McKrell brought a five-piece to Cohoes Music Hall for his final St. Patrick’s Day celebration show. The show featured special guests, and Kevin was also handed his 2026 Listen Up Hero Award.
Photography by Timothy Reidy.
Whassup in the 518? – Weekend Shows
Whassup in the 518?
Friday, March 20th
DIRECT FROM SWEDEN – THE MUSIC OF ABBA, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, 7:30pm
“The music of ABBA” are no strangers to the incomparable sound and look of Sweden’s greatest music export with meticulous attention to costumes, make-up, musical arrangements, movements and the singing, nothing is left to chance. Adding a few of Abba’s live traits such as great solos, musical numbers and a complete live band with back-up singers, ensures an extra dimension unheard of in most similar productions.
Dance, sing along and enjoy the hits such as Dancing Queen, Chiquitita, Waterloo, Mamma Mia, The Winner Takes it All, Fernando, SOS, Take a Chance, Money Money Money, Knowing Me Knowing You, Super Trouper, Gimme Gimme Gimme, Voulez-Vous and many more.
The Egg Presents: Ballet Hispánico New York, The Egg, Albany, 7pm
Ballet Hispánico New York performed at our Grand Opening Weekend in 1978. Nearly five decades later, as we celebrate our 2026 re-hatching after renovations, we are thrilled to welcome them back to help usher in this next chapter.
Since her debut in 1875, Carmen, the titular character from Bizet’s opera, has become a timeless cultural icon, inspiring generations of composers, choreographers, and writers to attempt to capture her elusive and alluring nature. Ballet Hispánico honors the powerful Spanish leading lady with Gustavo Ramirez Sansano’s electrifying CARMEN.maquia. One of today’s most sought-after choreographers, Sansano’s quintessential ballet invigorates this timeless tale with an unrelenting energy that leaves you breathless. Highly original and full of explosive movement, CARMEN.maquia is a bold reimagining of this tragic tale.
The Sound of Music, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady, 8pm
For 65 years, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has been one of our “favorite things.” With its timeless story and irresistibly charming score, this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic isn’t just meant to be enjoyed – it’s meant to be shared. Now, a critically acclaimed North American tour brings the cherished musical to stages across the country to teach a new generation to sing.
Directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this vibrant and romantic tale of Maria and the von Trapp family will captivate audiences with its universal themes of love, resilience and the power of music.
Featuring beloved songs like “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Edelweiss,” THE SOUND OF MUSIC is the iconic tale of a spirited nun who chooses not to live behind closed doors – and, by following her heart, learns to climb every mountain.
Broadway Rave, Empire Underground, Albany, 8:30pm
RAEL – The Music of Genesis and Peter Gabriel, Cohoes Music Hall, 7:30pm; 9:30pm
RAEL-The Music of Genesis and Peter Gabriel is a New York and Northern New Jersey-based tribute band that recaptures the energy and originality of the “early years” live stage performances by Genesis. RAEL pays homage to the most groundbreaking and influential band in the progressive rock genre by incorporating the musical excellence, lyrical storytelling, and theatricality that brought Genesis to a position of prominence in the rock world. RAEL-The Music of Genesis brings older listeners back to the day, while introducing progressive rock newcomers to the sights and sounds right along with other legendary bands such as Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, Yes, Rush and King Crimson to name but a few.
Mike McMann and The Underdawgs, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 8pm-11pm
Get ready to rock down memory lane with Mike McMann and The Underdawgs live at Rustic Barn Pub in Troy, NY.
The Eugene Tyler Band at The Eleven at Lark Hall, Albany, 6pm-9pm
The Eugene Tyler Band returns to The Eleven on Friday 3/20 6-8pm. FREE Show.
Indie-bluegrass trio Eugene Tyler Band is a road band, cutting their teeth on the bluegrass festival circuit and clubs across the northeast. Sharing stages with bands like Mountain Grass Unit, Sicard Hollow, The Kitchen Dwellers, and Michigan Rattlers, they’ve carved out a unique voice in the bluegrass scene, with sharp songwriting and high-energy performances. Blending indie spirit with bluegrass grit, their live shows strike a balance between tight musicianship and loose, conversational banter. Called “a trio that punches above its weight”, ETB is back on the road this spring, bringing their charismatic brand of new acoustic music to audiences around the country.
Eugene Gardner (vocals/guitar/mandolin/tenor guitar), Danny Tyler (banjo/guitar) and Marc Jaffee (upright bass/vocals) all grew up within a few miles of each other in New York’s Hudson Valley, where they are currently based.
WINNER Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival Band Competition
The Samples w/ Rob Beaulieu Band, Putnam Place, Saratoga, 8pm-11:45pm
The Samples, led by founding singer-songwriter Sean Kelly, have been blending rock, reggae, and folk into their signature melodic sound since emerging from Boulder, Colorado in the late ’80s. Best known for hits like “Nature,” “Did You Ever Look So Nice,” and “When It’s Raining,” the band built a devoted following through national touring, standout festival appearances, and their feel-good, harmony-rich live performances.
Momentum Series: Joy Clark with opener Buggy Jive, Caffe Lena, Saratoga, 8pm-10pm
Caffè Lena is thrilled to welcome Louisiana-born singer-songwriter and guitarist Joy Clark, a rising force in Americana and folk whose debut album Tell it to the Wind marks her arrival as a bold new voice. Raised just outside New Orleans in a tight-knit, deeply religious family, Joy first learned guitar and harmony in her parents’ church. As she came into her identity as a queer Black woman, songwriting became her path toward freedom and self-definition.
CPS / OTOBO / Purple Lung / Horse Grave, No Fun, Troy, 7pm-11pm
From “Bar People.”
3/20 5:00 PM Dan Sherwin- Wheatfields Clifton Park
3/20 6:00 PM BJ Fitzgerald- Spa City Tap & Barrel
3/20 6:00 PM Christine Spero- The Wishing Well
3/20 6:00 PM Dan Dekalb- 677 Prime
3/20 6:00 PM Doc Orloff- Powers Pub
3/20 6:00 PM Eugene Tyler Band- Eleven at Lark Hal
3/20 6:00 PM Foil In The Muck- Conroys Irish Tavern
3/20 6:00 PM Gordan Grey- Carsons Woodside Tavern
3/20 6:00 PM Harmonic Duo- Saratoga Winery
3/20 6:00 PM Jason Irwin- VFW Lansingburgh
3/20 6:00 PM Jay Yager- The Scarlet Knife
3/20 6:00 PM Matt Ryan- Thirsty Owl
3/20 6:00 PM Nick Mattison- Holy Moses
3/20 6:00 PM Russ Kennedy- Treehouse Brewery
3/20 6:00 PM Steve Candlen- Hilton Garden Inn,,, 30Park
3/20 6:00 PM Thom Powers- Inn at Saratoga
3/20 6:00 PM Wayne & Joey- Saratoga Elks Club Route 9 North
3/20 6:30 PM Kyle Hommel- Other One Brewery
3/20 6:30 PM Margo Macero- Artisanal Brew Works
3/20 6:30 PM Warden & Company – Peddlers Bar & Bistro
3/20 7:00 PM DJ Chizzzik- Night Owl
3/20 7:00 PM Duck & Du- Emack & Bolios
3/20 7:00 PM Jeff Walton- Principessa Elena
3/20 7:00 PM John Eisenhart- Seven Bistro
3/20 7:00 PM Lacey Allen & Mike Bruce- Bunker Clifton Park
3/20 7:00 PM Tiny Planet- Kraverie
3/20 7:00 PM Vagabond- O’Slattery’s
3/20 7:30 PM 8 Track Massacre , Devil You Know , Deadbeat Valentine- Wicked Eatery
3/20 8:00 PM Bailee Jordyn- Cooperstown Distilling Saratoga
3/20 8:00 PM Buggy Jive & Joy Clark- Caffe Lena
3/20 8:00 PM Comedy Night- Ft. Orange Brewery
3/20 8:00 PM DJ Chris G- Misfit
3/20 8:00 PM Karaoke With Dan Leto- September’s Too
3/20 8:00 PM Mike McMann & The Underdawgs- Rustic Barn Pub
3/20 8:00 PM The Samples wsg Rob Bealuieu Band- Putnam Place
3/20 8:30 PM American Honey- Vapor
3/20 9:00 PM Brian Patneaude Quartet- Nine Maple
3/20 9:30 PM The Schmooze- Spa City Tap & Barrel
Saturday, March 21st
Gaelic Storm, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, 7:30pm
It’s hard to imagine a band just coming into their own after 20 years of success, but that’s exactly what makes a true anomaly.Gaelic Storm, a multi-national, Celtic juggernaut grows stronger with each live performance, and after two decades and over 2000 shows, they are a true force to be reckoned with.
The band attributes their continued success to their fanatic audience, and it’s a well-diversified crowd for sure – attracting fans of every genre with their rich storytelling, energetic instrumentals, devotion to Celtic traditions and passion for their stagecraft. They are as loyal to their fans as the fans are to them, as frontman Patrick Murphy states, “The fans are the ones that have given us this life. We’re here for them.”
The Egg Presents: FIREBIRD, The Egg, Albany, 3pm
An epic adaptation of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite performed by a monolithic orchestra of tail lights.
This is a guided, immersive audiovisual art experience. Attendees will start on the Concourse (under The Egg) before they make their way up into the venue.
FIREBIRD is both an audio experience and an otherworldly light show. Inspired by Igor Stravinsky’s 1919 “Firebird Suite”, a unique orchestra of over 600 recycled car lights unleashes a hypnotic choreography of light upon the audience to a pre-recorded composition. Together, they bring the mythical firebird to life in an overwhelming visual and musical spectacle.
Clover Fest 2026, MVP Arena, Albany, 7pm
Featuring Meek Mill, DaBaby, JT, BTB Dezz, Thetylilshow, Rakai, Raysianboy, Reggie, 3xpunga, Valiant, Zeddy Will, BunnaB, Hurricane Wisdom, Chuckyy, Trim, Biggz the MC, DJ Static, DJ JP, DJ Hell Rell, Morefiyah Dread, DJ Bully.
The MVP Arena Box Office will be open from 2:00PM to 9:00PM on the day of the show.
The Sound of Music, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady, 2pm;8pm
For 65 years, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has been one of our “favorite things.” With its timeless story and irresistibly charming score, this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic isn’t just meant to be enjoyed – it’s meant to be shared. Now, a critically acclaimed North American tour brings the cherished musical to stages across the country to teach a new generation to sing.
Directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this vibrant and romantic tale of Maria and the von Trapp family will captivate audiences with its universal themes of love, resilience and the power of music.
Featuring beloved songs like “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Edelweiss,” THE SOUND OF MUSIC is the iconic tale of a spirited nun who chooses not to live behind closed doors – and, by following her heart, learns to climb every mountain.
They Built America: Workers of the Erie Canal, Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga, 11am
Join Kelly McPhearson, a fearless Irish lass, on an incredible journey to find her brother (her only family in America), who’s working on the canal. Sourced from more than 35 historical records, this original work celebrates the real men, women, children, politicians, farmers, merchants, and laborers who built the Erie Canal – the miraculous waterway that transformed America from a burgeoning country into a great nation! Told with live music and text, history comes to life with figures such as physician Dr. Finch, Italian mason Antonio, Swedish packet boat Captain Gus, Governor DeWitt Clinton, congressmen, and many more!
All of Us Presents: Bloomin’, Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga
Spring is calling… and we’re answering on the dancefloor.
All of Us Events proudly presents the 3rd annual Bloomin’ — returning for a night where electronic music, renewal, and community collide. Bloomin’ celebrates the Spring Equinox — the moment when darkness and light meet, and everything begins to grow again.
A Night of the Kinks, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 8pm-10pm
From the host that brought you sold-out evenings of Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Simon & Garfunkel, and CSNY, come celebrate one of the most influential British rock groups of all time: The Kinks! Featuring a mix of Capital Region’s premier singers and musicians for this very special tribute, with performances by The Abyssmals, Super 400, Chris Carey, Mike O’Donnell, and Raurri Jennings. Produced by A Zan Strumfeld Show.
Chris Carey
Chris Carey is a native of New York’s Capital Region. A born musician, he grew up playing any instrument within reach (or turning any random object into one). He has spent the last two-plus decades in many different musical roles. These include session musician/sideman to several local greats including Super 400 and Sean Rowe, engineer and producer at his Millstone Studio in Saratoga Springs, solo artist/songwriter, educator at Troy Music Academy and co-frontman of local folk-rock favorites Rodeo Barons.
Harmonic Duo, Rustic Barn Pub, Troy, 7pm-10pm
Experience the mesmerizing harmonies of the Harmonic Duo, with the sound of a full band!
Happy Hour at The Eleven with Oobleck, Lark Hall, Albany, 6pm-8pm
Join us on Saturday, 3/21 to welcome back our favorite funk band, Oobleck to The Eleven at Lark Hall. 6pm// FREE
Oobleck is 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. When we say funk, we actually mean funked-out-afro-rock-alt-dub-whatever.Balancing razor-sharp horn lines with live group improvisation, Oobleck mesmerizes…delving fearlessly where the moment takes them. Pushing the bounds of sound, Oobleck’s funk is an unbridled expression of the dark and light: a quintet’s worth of energy and synergy, infusing you with the raw love of music that comes only from playing, dancing and breathing from a place deep down. In the end, it’s funk to fuel your soul.
One Time Weekend w/s/g Dysfunktone, Lark Hall, Albany, 8pm-11:59pm
Join us in welcoming back One Time Weekend wsg Dysfunktone to Lark Hall on Saturday, March 21st. Doors 7/ Show 8.
Shred, funk, metal, jam. Take these four ingredients and sauté them in a sauce of songwriting and groove, and you might create something that tastes like One Time Weekend. Known for their electrifying live shows, OTW delivers an unforgettable high-energy experience at every performance. They’ve performed at major festivals such as The Peach Music Festival, Northlands, and Memorial Meltdown, and have toured with acts like Twiddle, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and High Fade. Over the last ten years the band has released four studio albums and over one hundred live albums. With millions of streams across platforms and a rapidly growing social media following, One Time Weekend continues to expand their reach through relentless touring, engaging live shows, and a strong connection with their community of fans aka “OTW Nation”.
Bright Series: Andrea von Kampen Trio, Caffe Lena, 8pm-10pm
Intimate Songs • Lyrical Guitar • Thoughtful Storytelling
Described by The New York Times as “a fine singer with guitar work reminiscent of the cult hero Nick Drake,” Andrea von Kampen is a songwriter of rare subtlety—an artist whose music invites deep listening, reflection, and connection.
Her songs are intimate and introspective, guided by graceful melodies and a calm, expressive voice that feels both timeless and immediate. After a series of well-received EPs, von Kampen released her full-length debut Old Country in 2019, followed by That Spell (2021) on Fantasy Records. In 2022, she made her acting debut in the independent film A Chance Encounter, starring in the film and writing and recording its soundtrack, also released via Fantasy Records.
Karaoke with JC, Lost and Found, Albany, 9pm
RECON / Shattered Realm / Frozen Ground / War Nerve / Price of Redemption, No Fun, Troy, 6:30pm-11:30pm
RECON / Revenge (Late Show 11PM) No Fun, Albany, 11pm-12pm
From “Bar People.”
3/21 10:00 AM Grace Corbett- Saratoga Farmers Market at Wilton Mall
3/21 3:00 PM Ron Comstock- Helderberg Mountain Brewing
3/21 5:00 PM Jay Yager Duo- Dancing Grain Farm Brewery
3/21 5:00 PM Juniper- Artisanal Brew Works
3/21 6:00 PM Ben Zoleski- Spa City Tap & Barrel
3/21 6:00 PM Brian Kane Duo- Carsons Woodside Tavern
3/21 6:00 PM Christine Spero- The Wishing Well
3/21 6:00 PM Dan Sherwin- Tinney’s Tavern
3/21 6:00 PM Erin Powers- S&S farm Brewery
3/21 6:00 PM Franklin Micare- 677 Prime
3/21 6:00 PM Jeff Walton- Henry’s Tavern
3/21 6:00 PM Larry Gravett- The Scarlet Knife
3/21 6:00 PM Maggie Doherty & Rick Bolton- Keuka Wine Tasting Saratoga
3/21 6:00 PM Oobleck- Eleven at Lark Hall
3/21 6:00 PM Ryan Clark- Thirsty Owl
3/21 6:00 PM Ryan Clark- Thirsty Owl
3/21 6:00 PM Shine On- Inn at Saratoga
3/21 6:00 PM Will Pedicone- OK Social Club
3/21 6:00 PMParty Of 3- The View at Brookhaven Golf Course
3/21 6:30 PM Jeff Brisbin- Diamond Club at Embassy Suites
3/21 6:30 PM Titanics- Peddlers Bar & Bistro
3/21 7:00 PM Alan Goldberg- Emack & Bolios
3/21 7:00 PM Chris Dollard- Principessa Elena
3/21 7:00 PM Completely Different Band- Kraverie
3/21 7:00 PM DJ Tune- Night Owl
3/21 7:00 PM Harmonic Duo- Rustic Barn Pub
3/21 7:00 PM Joannes Driving The Bus- Outpost 40
3/21 7:00 PM North & South Dakota’s- Unihog
3/21 7:00 PM Tooty and The Motherpluckers- Seven Bistro
3/21 7:30 PM BR & B- Kris’s Mid City Tavern
3/21 7:30 PM Doug Villano Band- Wicked Eatery
3/21 8:00 PM Andrea Von Kampen Trio- Caffe Lena
3/21 8:00 PM DJ Chizzzik- Misfit
3/21 8:00 PM Dysfunktone- Lark Hall
3/21 8:00 PM Mark Hodgkins- Excelsior Pub
3/21 8:00 PM Matty Finn- Parting Glass
3/21 8:00 PM Stretch- September’s Too
3/21 8:30 PM DJ NPG- Vapor
3/21 9:00 PM John Savage Quartet- Nine Maple
3/21 9:30 PM Ill Funk Ensemble- Spa City Tap & Barrel
Sunday, March 22nd
Next Generation Festival, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, 3pm
Music history is the story of premieres—Beethoven’s concerto debut in Vienna, the Rhapsody in Blue, The Rite of Spring. And nowhere is it more exciting than when the next generation takes the stage: students, making their debuts in the hall renowned for some of the greatest acoustics in the world. Combine that with the enormous wealth of music programs here in the Capital Region, Mid-Hudson & Berkshires, and you have a festival of music as only the young can bring it: from a flute trio to the Moldau, from Renaissance polyphony to percussion quintet and even the World Premiere of a Sonata by one of the performers, they bring their energy and excellence to a program that spans centuries and a debut that will only ever happen this once. Be there to enjoy and support them! Students from SUNY Schenectady, UAlbany, UMass Amherst, Queens College CUNY, SUNY New Paltz and RPI, curated and hosted by your WMHT-FM hosts live on stage and recorded for broadcast on both WMHT TV and radio.
A Music Dialogue: Bamboo Meets Brass on the Silk Road, The Egg, Albany, The Egg, 2pm
This one-of-a-kind concert is a true musical dialogue between East and West. Along the historic Silk Road, Chinese music blended with Central Asian and Middle Eastern elements—including Persian, Arab, and Indian influences—forming new genres and introducing improvisation as a powerful mode of musical dialogue. Even Country music lovers will also be delighted to hear timeless classics through live improvisation with Eastern folk musicians.
The Sound of Music, Proctors Theatre, Schenectady, 2pm
For 65 years, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has been one of our “favorite things.” With its timeless story and irresistibly charming score, this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic isn’t just meant to be enjoyed – it’s meant to be shared. Now, a critically acclaimed North American tour brings the cherished musical to stages across the country to teach a new generation to sing.
Biohazard, Empire Live, Albany, 6pm
The Gambler Returns: The Ultimate Kenny Rogers Tribute Show, Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes, 10pm-4pm
Experience the music of GRAMMY® Award-winning superstar Kenny Rogers. A musical experience that spans over six decades of hit after hit song! His music is loved throughout the world and connects with generation after generation. Kenny’s command of the stage, heartfelt performances, gift for storytelling and distinctive voice are all on full display in this honoring recreation of his LIVE performances.
Join us as, award winning country recording artist Alan Turner, recreates the magic of a night with Kenny in the Ultimate Kenny Rogers Tribute Show, The Gambler Returns. This full band top production show will take you on a musical journey through the career of an American Icon and Legend that sold over 120 million albums worldwide and racked up some 24 No.1 hits (including “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “Islands In The Stream,” “Lucille,” “She Believes In Me” and so many more). Audiences leave the performance wanting more.
One Day of Peace and Music, Lost and Found, Albany
Ulrika Spacek / Bruiser and Bicycle / Gray Monitor, No Fun, Troy, 5pm-11pm
From “Bar People.”
3/22 12:00 PM Caity Gallagher- Lost & Found
3/22 2:30 PM Leslie Barkman & Friends- Lark St. Tavern
3/22 4:00 PM Shannon Lynch Duo- Carsons Woodside Tavern
3/22 4:00 PM Triple Trouble wsg Dan Bernstein- Artisanal Brew Works
3/22 5:00 PM Bobbie Van Detta- Charlton Tavern
3/22 5:00 PM Brian McCann- Conroys Irish Tavern
3/22 6:00 PM Sinatra And Friends- Panza’s
3/22 7:00 PM Mark & Jill Sing The Blues wsg Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim- Caffe Lena