Festival Fever: Basilica Music Festival @ Basilica Hudson, 8/10-11/12

The Basilica Hudson in Hudson is one of the many art & music hotspots of the City of Hudson’s rapidly growing arts community, and this weekend the folks from the Basilica are teaming up with Pitchfork to host one of their biggest events to date – the inaugural Basilica Music Festival.

In conjunction with the weekend-long Hudson Music Festival, the Basilcia – an old re-purposed factory operated by creative directors Melissa Auf der Maur (formerly of Hole and Smashing Pumpkins) and filmmaker Tony Stone – is hosting two days of music, art and the middle ground of music/art (or is it art/music?) on Friday and Saturday (August 10 & 11).

The festival opens on Friday (August 10) with “Metal Machine Music,” a showcase organized by Brandon Stosuy’s Show No Mercy. The night features Liturgy, guitarist Mick Barr (Krallice/Orthrelm/Ocrilim), Catskills-based Renaissance man Brian Dewan, and C. Lavender. It will also include a performance of Hudson artist-welder Kris Perry’s “Machines,” an ensemble of musical sculptures which will be played by an all-star band featuring Tommy Stinson (the Replacements, Guns ‘N Roses), Elvis Perkins (Elvis Perkins in Dearland), Brian Dewan and others. Friday’s festivities also feature DJ sets from Rainbow in the Dark.

The festival continues on Saturday (August 11) with “Neidan!”, a evening curated by Brian DeRan of Leg Up! Management/Gleam House. The lineup includes Gang Gang Dance, Prince Rama, the Psychic Paramount, Hiro Kone and Blanko & Noiry.

Meanwhile, an art exhibition, “Suggested Destination,” will feature sculptures and paintings by William Stone, Pia Dehne, Jim Krewson, Todd Jordan, Sadie Laska and more at the Basilica.

Single day tix are $15. Two-night advance tix are $25. Overnight camping is also available for $15 per tent for the weekend.

ADDITIONAL UPCOMING FESTIVALS FOR 2012:

moe.down @ Snow Ridge Ski Resort, Turin, 8/10-12/12
Empire State Plaza Food Festival @ Empire State Plaza, Albany, 8/15/12, FREE
SAWFest Music Festival @ Salem Art Works, Salem, 8/18/12
WGNA Summer Picnic @ Saratoga County Fairgrounds, Ballston Spa, 8/25/12
Restoration Festival @ St. Joseph’s Church, Albany, 9/7-9/12
Port of Albany’s Riverfront Jazz Festival @ Riverfront Park, Albany, 9/8/12, FREE
Local Legends Live @ Empire State Plaza, Albany, 9/8/12, FREE
FreshGrass Bluegrass Festival @ MASS MoCA, North Adams, 9/21-23/12
PearlPalooza @ North Pearl Street, Albany, 9/22/12, FREE
Hannaford Hispanic Heritage Celebration @ Empire State Plaza, Albany, 9/22/12, FREE
Kickin’ It Country @ Saratoga County Fairgrounds, Ballston Spa, 9/29/12