SCHENECTADY — Area businesses, media sponsors and corporate supporters have banded together to present the summerlong Music Haven showcase - featuring high-caliber national and international touring artists, theater and film at Central Park.
“Given the domestic journeys we’ve endured for the last couple of years, I set my sights on curating an uplifting and unifying season of world class music and events,” said Producing Artistic Director, Mona Golub, in a statement. “On top of a boisterous itinerary that includes sun-splashed reggae, South Louisiana Zydeco, Balkan party music, harmony-driven bluegrass and more, I am thrilled to present Finnish folk music for the first time, to expand the Blues BBQ to a mini-festival, to welcome DakhaBrakha back for a tribute to Ukraine, and to screen Questlove’s award-winning musical documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Fest in the company of neighbors and friends.”
July will launch with the trailblazing roots reggae of Steel Pulse. Up next, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas will offer an evening of traditional South Louisiana dance music, followed by the inaugural installment of NipperFest, a celebration of the 518-music scene.
Music Haven 2022 – free to attend - takes place Sundays at 7 p.m., July 10–Aug. 27, plus concerts and special events on other days at varying times, at The Agnes Macdonald Music Haven Stage in Central Park, Schenectady. A variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase at all shows, beginning at 6 p.m. on 7 p.m. concert nights and throughout the festivals and special events.
Lineup: Sunday, July 10 — Steel Pulse — Roots Reggae; Sunday, July 17 — Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas — Zydeco; Saturday, July 23 — Nipperfest Local Music Festival - two stages with The Figgs, Sirsy, Super 400, Girl Blue, Erin Harkes, Sawyer Fredericks, Sydney Worthley, Reese Fulmer and more. Local food, local craft beer & local nonprofits round out this inaugural event; Sunday, July 24 — Sammy Miller & the Congregation – Jazz; Thursday, July 28 — Blues BBQ—Blues; Sunday, July 31 — Lemon Bucket Orchestra — Balkan Party Band; Thursday, Aug. 4 — DakhaBrakha —Ukrainian Ethno-chaos; Sunday, Aug. 7 — Spanish Harlem Orchestra — Salsa; Saturday, Aug. 13 —The Schenectady Symphony Orchestra — Pops and classical; Sunday, Aug. 14 — Steep Canyon Rangers —Bluegrass; Saturday, Aug. 20 —Summer of Soul — Screening of a music documentary; Sunday, Aug. 21 — Frigg — Finnish Folk; Friday and Saturday, July 26–27 — Will Kempe’s Players: A Comedy of Errors —Shakespeare in the park.
For more information, go to: www.musichavenstage.org
