May 03 Friday
Samora Pinderhughes is a composer, pianist/vocalist, interdisciplinary artist and surrealist. His primary body of work, The Healing Project, is an extension of the political commitments that Samora has held throughout his life and work: abolitionist, anti-capitalist, anti-colonialist, internationalist, pro-Black power, intersectional, revolutionary. Pinderhughes has been known in the music world for a while now as somebody who goes past just making songs about issues and is actively involved in the struggle—it’s an everyday, lifelong commitment for him, not just a moment.
May 04 Saturday
Haneef Nelson is a New York born and raised trumpeter, educator, and composer. His lifelong love of music started with his early studies at the famed Jazzmobile program in Harlem. At the Jazzmobile he studied trumpet, music theory, as well as played in ensembles taught by jazz luminaries including Eddie Preston, Cecil Bridgewater, Dr. Donald Byrd; John Stubblefield; Frank Foster; Charles Davis; Roland Guerrero. Donald Byrd continued to be a mentor along with his high school music teachers Cedric J. Lemmie from Uniondale High School and Dave Burns from the Long Island High School of the Arts.
Haneef has performed with jazz greats Yoron Israel, Avery Sharpe, Bill Saxton, Paul Brown, and Charles Tolliver. His original music and arrangements for Big Band have been featured around the world and on the records of the New London Big Band. He holds a Bachelor of Music in African American Music Study from the University of Hartford, a Master’s Degree in Jazz Composition and Arranging from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and he will receive his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Composition from the University of Hartford in May 2024.For this performance Haneef will be joined by Michael Carabello-keyboard, Matt Dwonszyk-bass and Akin Hobson-drums.
May 06 Monday
In an intimate dinner-theater experience, "Domme & Giovanni" is a modern retelling of Mozart's famous opera "Don Giovanni". In this sexy, modern and comedic twist of the centuries-old opera, Giovanni better ensures the relevancy told from a female point of view.
May 09 Thursday
Carsie Blanton is a songwriter with hooks, chutzpah, and revolutionary optimism. Inspired by artist-activists including Nina Simone and Woody Guthrie, her catalog careens through American popular song from folk and swing to pop-punk protest anthems.
With her unique mix of humor, soul, and political wit, and fifteen-plus years on the road, Blanton has amassed a dedicated fan base and a small menagerie of viral hits (Rich People, Shit List, Fishin’ With You). Her latest album, After the Revolution, produced by Grammy-winner Tyler Chester, was released in March of 2024.
Co-presented with Twilight Music.
May 10 Friday
J.S. Bach owed part of his creative inspiration to the 17th-century’s Stylus phantasticus, a method that sought freedom of form and expression, especially in instrumental works. This program explores several composers who embraced this approach. With a flourishing send-off in the finale of our 25th anniversary year, birds of a feather include Rosenmüller, Reincken, Westhoff, Schmelzer, Scheidt, and Bach, with his sparkling harpsichord concerto in E major.
With Christina Day Martinson, Megumi Stohs Lewis, violins; Jenny Stirling, viola; Jennifer Morsches, piccolo cello; Timothy Merton, cello; Maggie Cole, harpsichord.
Information at https://www.sarasamusic.org/birds
May 11 Saturday
May 12 Sunday
May 18 Saturday
Lisa Gutkin will teach a klezmer tune with a focus on ornamentation, phrasing and accompaniment.This is a participatory class for musicians of all levels, listeners, folks who know the music and folks who are just curious. Audience members are welcome to participate with instruments, voice, clapping or foot tapping. Or to simply sit back and enjoy!
Lisa Gutkin (fiddle), Peter Rushefsky (tsimbl) and Rachel Leader (fiddle) will play a concert of klezmer music.Lisa is a fiddle player with the Klezmatics. Pete has played with many internationally with many of the Jewish music leading performers and is the executive director of the Center for Traditional Music and Dance. Rachel is a fiddle player with Mamaliga and Burikes and A Glezele Tey and teaches klezmer music locally.
“Satisfaction/The International Rolling Stones Show” is the international touring tribute show to the World’s Greatest Rock & Roll Band. This Billboard & Pollstar highly rated show are entering their 20th year in production with over 4000 performances listed to their credit. Their client list include the nation’s top casinos, performing arts centers, music halls and corporate clients. Performing up to 150 shows a year, this highly acclaimed production showcases the most authentic cast & costuming of its kind. The likes of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and cast bring a colorful performance to over 50 years of classic hits. They have been featured in Rolling Stone magazine, Showbiz Magazine, Las Vegas Today, CBS Sunday Morning news and hundreds of national newspapers, magazines, television & radio as the world’s greatest show honoring the Rolling Stones and their legacy.