Music Haven 2023 Kicks Off July 9

SCHENECTADY — Schenectady’s Central Park hosts the summer concert series Music Haven 2023 from July 9 – Aug. 26. 

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 festivals and special events.

The Agnes Macdonald Music Haven is family-friendly and easily accessible.

Music Haven July 2023

7 p.m. Sundays with other events as noted*

July 9: Rocky Dawuni. An international star and champion of social causes, Dawuni straddles Africa, the Caribbean Islands and the United States to create an enticing Ghanaian Reggae that unites generations and cultures. Special Guests: Zorkie Nelson & Umoja Drummers.

*7 p.m. Thursday, July 13: La Banda Morisca. This spirited sextet from Southern Spain pays homage to their ancient Al-Andalus cultural heritage while rocking it forward with rich sonic accents from north Africa’s Maghreb Desert and the Middle East. Special Guest: Maria Zemantauski.

July 16: Joey Alexander. Music Haven first presented this multiple Grammy-nominated jazz sensation in 2015. The Indonesian pianist’s star has only risen since then, with appearances at the world’s most prestigious festivals and events. Special Guests: Joe Barna & Sketches of Influence.

*11 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday, July 22: NipperFest Music & Arts Festival. Celebrate the local creative community with 16 bands on two stages of great original music, including Billboard AAA Top 40 artists Jocelyn and Chris, an artist pavilion, food trucks, and craft beer. Presented by Nippertown.com.

July 23: Sona Jobarteh. Gambian singer, educator, activist Sona Jobarteh is the first professional female Kora virtuoso to hail from any of the great West African Griot dynasties. Special Guests: Heard.

*5–9 p.m. Sunday, July 30: Blues BBQ featuring Vanessa Collier. Johnny Sansone and Jontavious Willis. 2023 Blues Music Award’s reigning Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, Collier honks a mean sax and sings with the same edge and grit. New Orleans multi-instrumentalist Sansone and Taj Mahal protégé Willis make this an undeniable triple bill.

August 2023

*7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5: Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra. Under the baton of Artistic Director Glen Cortese, the SSSO returns with “Legends of Broadway” – selections from beloved musicals including West Side Story, Les Miserables, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar and more. Special Guest vocalists: Amy Decker and Casey Gray.

Aug. 6: Eileen Ivers. The original star of “Riverdance” and a nine-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, she’s played with Sting, The Chieftains, and Symphony Orchestras alike and been called “The Future of the Celtic fiddle.” Special Guests: The McKrells.

*5–9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11: In the Heights. Before Hamilton, Broadway wunderkind Lin Manuel Miranda created this Tony Award-winning musical about life in the barrio. A block party with Latin food and music by Taina Asili precedes the screening.

Aug. 13: Aditya Prakash Ensemble. One of the youngest musicians to ever perform with sitar legend Ravi Shankar, Prakash is a master of South Indian Karnatik singing, whose fearless musical vision incorporates jazz and funk, creating an ultra-hip world music experience. Special Guests: SUNY Schenectady Jazz Faculty Combo. 

Aug. 20: Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole. One of the brightest young talents to emerge in Cajun, Creole and Zydeco over the last decade, Watson is a four-time Grammy-nominated fiddler, singer, accordionist, and songwriter with seemingly unlimited potential. Special Guests: Old-Fashioned Aces. 

*7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 25–26: Will Kempe’s Players. Will Kempe’s Players share the love, lies, and laughter of back-to-back Shakespearean comedies boasting surprises, skulduggery, hijinx, and even a little music. (The Taming of the Shrew on Friday and Two Gentlemen of Verona on Saturday). Period music by: Andy Rutherford on lute and Yvonne Hansbrough on flute.

For more information, visit Music Haven’s website, www.musichavenstage.org.