Real Good for Free: At the Plaza, Albany

By Greg Haymes On Jun 5, 2009

Whoa! They might as well have just pulled the plug on this one.

In past years, the Empire State Plaza’s At the Plaza concert series has been a regular Wednesday night place to be during the summer, and the stage has hosted fine, fine concerts by such folks as Rosanne Cash, Buster Poindexter, Grand Funk Railroad, Cowboy Junkies and Rickie Lee Jones, to name just a few.

This year, there’s nothing much on the musical menu. Don’t get me wrong – I am truly looking forward to the Cowsills. But beyond that, well, there doesn’t really seem to be anything beyond that.

Of course, I certainly realize that it doesn’t make any sense to throw a series of big parties, while NYS is ready to lay off thousands of employees. So music fans are gonna have to bite the bullet on this one.

Here’s what we know so far (additional acts to be named later):

Wednesday, July 1, 11am-2pm: Kick-off party (TBA)

Saturday, July 4, 3-10pm: Price Chopper’s Fabulous Fourth and Fireworks Festival (TBA)

Wednesday, July 8, 11am-9pm: Food Festival featuring the Cowsills with Garland Nelson & Soul Session

Sunday, July 12, 12noon-5pm: GE Kids Day (TBA)

Wednesday, July 15, 5-9pm: Country Night featuring Steve Azar

Saturday, August 1, 12noon-7pm: African American Family Day featuring the Chi-Lites with Shaun H. Mykals

Saturday, September 19, 3-8pm: Hannaford Hispanic Heritage Celebration (TBA)