The Summer is Packed with Festivals
Skip the tavel, Capital Region is hot spot for national bands
Jason Epstein
Issue date: 5/4/05 Section: Summertime in Albany
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Most big Albany summertime events have rules in effect that prohibit recording devices and make alcohol consumption a very strict and limited process. Family oriented music and attractions are the main theme of Albany's summertime music festivals. Fresh squeezed lemonade wins out over beer, although both are available. And all ages are continually attracted to the events year after year.
Big names like the Dave Matthews Band, Motley Crue, Tom Petty, and Meatloaf are playing the Saratoga Performing Arts Center this summer. Spacious lawns and over 5,000 seats are provided for concerts. Local to Albany, many feel that this is the perfect place for a matinee concert and summer is primetime for these events. "Everyone from around the world comes and wants to have a good time," said University at Albany Freshman, Katie Valentine, who has frequently attended concerts there in the past.
The 57-year-old Tulip festival may be held a bit too early to be called a "summer" event, but for music lovers, the acoustic guitars, performing arts and classical music could be a reason to start summer early. Spread across two stages this musical entertainment highlights the event sponsored by Best-Buy, Price Chopper, and other companies with a wide array of arts and crafts, a schedule that includes "Crowning the Tulip Queen," "Gardening Talks," and a special "KidZone" with face painters and performances.
Sue Cleary, who works year round putting together the event with others said, "The main stage programming skews toward rock on Saturday and towards jazz, big band or oldies for Mother's Day Sunday." Everyone from The Spin Doctors to The Albany Symphony Orchestra has played in the past for the free Washington Park events. The media coverage also gets pretty extensive, bringing in all three local papers and plenty of attention from radio stations in the area.
Approximately 80,000 people attend the festival throughout the weekend, which draws all ages due to the events diversity. Many of the vendors and other duties of the event are volunteers that contribute an integral part to the event. And, remember: all events in Washington Park are free.
The music schedule for the Tulip Festival includes, but is not limited to flamenco guitarist, Maria Zemantauski, Albany Symphony Trio, The Burners UK, which is "a high-powered, horn-fueled 8-piece band," The Funk Brothers who "have played more number ones hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis and the Beatles combined," Zox's "groove-laden reggae and frenetic rock meet violin sonata," and many more. This information and more can be found on the informative Albany Events website and by contacting the personnel that work to bring these series of events to life year-round.
The 4th Annual Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival hosts "the hottest in regional and national jazz music" with dining and activities for children as well. While September 10th may be a bit too late to be called summer for college students, the 7-hour Jazz Fest is a local event that many lovers of the music gather from around to experience.
The Riverfront Park is the center of a large number of musical and other events during the summer. Lark Fest is at the end of the summer "celebrating 24 years of music, food, and fun". Ten concerts are being held at Academy Park during the months of June and July although it is unclear what type of music will be showcased.
Free admission is offered for the Father's Day Albany Symphony Orchestra concert and fireworks display. But, strangely enough for what seems to be the peak of popularity, advertising, and scope of all these events, River Fest will not be held for 2005. According to Cleary, this is largely due to the expansion of the Alive at Five concert series to ten shows, adding a lighted boat parade among other things, all which created certain restrictions on the event calendar.
Volunteers are sought after for staffing all Albany Summer Events. All information can be found on the webpage or by contacting the event personnel.
For more information on things to do in Albany during the summer, check out our Summertime in Albany Photo Gallery.
Photo Gallery Media Credits: City of Albany Office of Special Events & Volunteer Services, Giants.com, Captain J.P. Cruise Lines website, newagecabaret.com, Jason Epstein, Mary Growney, and D.A. Mangan
 Media Credit: City of Albany Office of Special Events & Volunteer Services Albany Tulip Festival features live music. This year´s selection includes Albany Symphony Trio, The Burners UK, The Funk Brothers, and The Family Stone Experience. |
Big names like the Dave Matthews Band, Motley Crue, Tom Petty, and Meatloaf are playing the Saratoga Performing Arts Center this summer. Spacious lawns and over 5,000 seats are provided for concerts. Local to Albany, many feel that this is the perfect place for a matinee concert and summer is primetime for these events. "Everyone from around the world comes and wants to have a good time," said University at Albany Freshman, Katie Valentine, who has frequently attended concerts there in the past.
 Media Credit: City of Albany Office of Special Events & Volunteer Services |
The 57-year-old Tulip festival may be held a bit too early to be called a "summer" event, but for music lovers, the acoustic guitars, performing arts and classical music could be a reason to start summer early. Spread across two stages this musical entertainment highlights the event sponsored by Best-Buy, Price Chopper, and other companies with a wide array of arts and crafts, a schedule that includes "Crowning the Tulip Queen," "Gardening Talks," and a special "KidZone" with face painters and performances.
 Media Credit: City of Albany Office of Special Events & Volunteer Services Albany Tulip Festival features three stages of entertainment, "KidZone" crafts, and family fun. [Click to enlarge] |
Sue Cleary, who works year round putting together the event with others said, "The main stage programming skews toward rock on Saturday and towards jazz, big band or oldies for Mother's Day Sunday." Everyone from The Spin Doctors to The Albany Symphony Orchestra has played in the past for the free Washington Park events. The media coverage also gets pretty extensive, bringing in all three local papers and plenty of attention from radio stations in the area.
 Media Credit: City of Albany Office of Special Events & Volunteer Services The Funk Brothers "have played more number ones hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis and the Beatles combined." [Click to enlarge] |
Approximately 80,000 people attend the festival throughout the weekend, which draws all ages due to the events diversity. Many of the vendors and other duties of the event are volunteers that contribute an integral part to the event. And, remember: all events in Washington Park are free.
The music schedule for the Tulip Festival includes, but is not limited to flamenco guitarist, Maria Zemantauski, Albany Symphony Trio, The Burners UK, which is "a high-powered, horn-fueled 8-piece band," The Funk Brothers who "have played more number ones hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis and the Beatles combined," Zox's "groove-laden reggae and frenetic rock meet violin sonata," and many more. This information and more can be found on the informative Albany Events website and by contacting the personnel that work to bring these series of events to life year-round.
 Media Credit: City of Albany Office of Special Events & Volunteer Services The Family Stone Experience is a six-member band that features several founding members of Sly and the Family Stone. [Click to enlarge] |
The 4th Annual Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival hosts "the hottest in regional and national jazz music" with dining and activities for children as well. While September 10th may be a bit too late to be called summer for college students, the 7-hour Jazz Fest is a local event that many lovers of the music gather from around to experience.
The Riverfront Park is the center of a large number of musical and other events during the summer. Lark Fest is at the end of the summer "celebrating 24 years of music, food, and fun". Ten concerts are being held at Academy Park during the months of June and July although it is unclear what type of music will be showcased.
Free admission is offered for the Father's Day Albany Symphony Orchestra concert and fireworks display. But, strangely enough for what seems to be the peak of popularity, advertising, and scope of all these events, River Fest will not be held for 2005. According to Cleary, this is largely due to the expansion of the Alive at Five concert series to ten shows, adding a lighted boat parade among other things, all which created certain restrictions on the event calendar.
Volunteers are sought after for staffing all Albany Summer Events. All information can be found on the webpage or by contacting the event personnel.
For more information on things to do in Albany during the summer, check out our Summertime in Albany Photo Gallery.
Photo Gallery Media Credits: City of Albany Office of Special Events & Volunteer Services, Giants.com, Captain J.P. Cruise Lines website, newagecabaret.com, Jason Epstein, Mary Growney, and D.A. Mangan