The Rogovoy Report: Berkshire and Hudson Valley Cultural Preview
Jan 10-19, 2023
With so much going on culturally speaking in our greater Berkshires/Hudson Valley region, this is my highly selective, curated snapshot of some of the most promising upcoming events …
STANDUP COMIC NIKKI GLASER BRINGS ‘GOOD GIRL TOUR’ to THE EGG
Standup comedian Nikki Glaser brings her so-called “Good Girl Tour,” featuring her shockingly-honest, no-holds barred style of comedy, to the Egg in Albany for a two-night stand on Thursday and Friday, January 12 and 13, at 7pm. Nikki has multiple stand-up specials and late-night TV appearances in which she jokes about her most humiliating moments as a woman in the modern world. (Thu-Fri, Jan 12-13)
ALL-FEMALE ESTHESIS QUARTET REIMAGINES JAZZ STYLINGS
Jazz fans take note: the adventurous all-female Esthesis Quartet brings its original compositions and improvisations to Jazzstock at Senate Garage in Kingston, N.Y., on Thursday, January 12, at 7pm. Together, Denver-based pianist Dawn Clement, Swedish-born and New York-based flutist Elsa Nilsson, Chicago-based bassist Emma Dayhuff, and LA-based drummer Tina Raymond shake the preconceptions of traditional instrumental roles. Indeed, when I listen to the group I hear Nilsson’s flute playing the typical role of a guitar in the ensemble. (Thurs, Jan 12)
MARCO BENEVENTO BRINGS NEW JAMS to LEVON HELM STUDIOS
Keyboardist and all-around musical visionary Marco Benevento performs music from his most recent album, Benevento, at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, N.Y., for a two-night stand on Fri-Sat, January 13-14, at 8pm. On Benevento, Marco goes all Paul McCartney/Stevie Wonder on us as a one-man band and wizard of melody and rhythm, exploring the common ground between the ambient chill room and the hot, sweaty dance floor. Benevento’s music variously suggests the influence of 1970s jazz-fusion, 1990s jam bands, LCD Soundsystem, Big Audio Dynamite, and Gorillaz. (Fri-Sat, Jan 13-14)
CARMEN LAGALA BRINGS SHOCK-COMEDY to PITTSFIELD
Speaking of standup comedy, comedian Carmen Lagala headlines the Comedy Grotto at the Flat Burger Society in Pittsfield, Mass., on Saturday, January 14, at 8pm. Lagala made her network television debut in 2018 on The Late Showwith Stephen Colbert. Originally from Vermont, Lagala endears audiences with her small-town charm, delivering jokes that are smart, dark, playful, and often shocking. (Sat, Jan 14)
I/O FESTIVAL BRINGS NEW MUSIC to WILLIAMSTOWN
The annual I/O Festival in Williamstown, Mass., features cutting-edge new music by composers representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and musical practices, and explores new modes of performance and expression. Now in its fifteenth year, the festival takes place this weekend, Friday, January 13, through Sunday January 15, on the Williams College campus and at the Clark Art Institute. Tonight at 7:30pm at the Williams ‘62 Center, the I/O Ensemble will perform works by Katherine Balch – who has been called “some kind of musical Thomas Edison” -- and Sarah Hennies. Penelope, by Sarah Kirkland Snider, a 60-minute song cycle for female voice, chamber orchestra, and electronics, based on texts by playwright Ellen McLaughlin, will be performed in the ‘62 Center on Saturday at 8pm. The festival concludes on Sunday, January 15, at 4pm at the Clark with genre-crossing jazz and new music ensemble GEORGE, performing music from their forthcoming album, Letters to George. GEORGE is the brainchild of composer and percussionist John Hollenbeck, and includes flutist and saxophonist Anna Webber; Aurora Nealand of the New Orleans band Royal Roses; and Isis Paola Giraldo aka Chiquita Magic), a musician and music producer. (Fri-Sun, Jan 13-15)
DIANA DeMUTH BRINGS FOLK-ROCK to PARK THEATER
Singer-songwriter Diana DeMuth, who has worked with the Lumineers, brings her original folk-rock songs and her powerful, gospel-influenced vocals to Park Theater in Hudson, N.Y., on Saturday, January 14, at 8pm. DeMuth’s most recent album was produced by Hudson Valley stalwarts Simon Felice and David Baron. (Sat, Jan 14)
ALBANY SYMPHONY FEATURES EVELYN GLENNIE at TROY MUSIC HALL
Albany Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of David Alan Miller, performs new and modern works at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, in Troy, N.Y., on Saturday, June 14, at 7:30pm. The program features the world premiere of a new work by Harriet Steinke, Sibelius's Symphony No. 5, and Kamran Ince’s Percussion Concerto, featuring soloist Evelyn Glennie. A double Grammy Award-winner and BAFTA nominee, Evelyn Glennie composes for film, theatre and television. Glennie, who is deaf, says “My career and my life have been about listening in the deepest possible sense. Losing my hearing meant learning how to listen differently, to discover features of sound I hadn’t realized existed. Losing my hearing made me a better listener.” There will be a repeat performance on Sunday, January 15, at 3pm. (Sat-Sun, Jan 14-15)
ROOMFUL OF BLUES BRINGS VINTAGE SOUNDS to CAFFE LENA
Roomful of Blues, the world-renowned, horn-powered, house-rocking blues band, will perform live at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Saturday, January 14, at 8pm. The Rhode Island-based group has earned five Grammy Award nominations and a slew of other accolades, including seven Blues Music Awards. The group’s latest album is filled with soaring blues, zydeco twists, late-night ballads, Latin-tinged funk, and a touch of vintage, fifth-gear rock ‘n’ roll. (Sat, Jan 14)
ENSEMBLE SCHUMANN BRINGS BEETHOVEN to SAUGERTIES
Ensemble Schumann will perform works by Beethoven, Arthur Foote, Michael White, and Charles Loeffler in a free concert in the Saugerties Pro Musica series at Saugerties United Methodist Church on Sunday, January 15, at 3pm. Players include oboist Thomas Gallant, violinist Steve Larson, and pianist Sally Pinkas. (Sun, Jan 15)
CELLIST STERLING ELLIOTT PLAYS BACH in ALBANY
Capital Region Classical presents cellist Sterling Elliott on Friday, January 13, at 7:30pm in the Massry Center for the Arts in Albany as part of its Horizons Young Artist Residency. Elliott will perform works by Bach, Mendelssohn, and William Grant Still in the free concert, accompanied by pianist Elliot Wuu. (Fri, Jan 13)
BOBBY PREVITE BRINGS NEW QUARTET to AVALON LOUNGE
Bobby Previte’s Art for Now Quartet is in residence at the Avalon Lounge in Catskill, N.Y., performing its new sounds every Sunday at 6pm. Players include saxophonist Keith Pray, trombonist Joe Fiedler, pianist John Esposito, bassist Nick Edwards, and bandleader Bobby Previte on drums.
Roll Call: Founding Members
Erik Bruun
Benno Friedman
Richard Koplin
Rhonda Rosenheck