Comin’ Soon: New Concert Announcements

The Ale House in Troy has pumped up its spring bookings with a pair of killer new shows – the one and only NRBQ at 8pm on Thursday, April 18 ($30) and veteran Texas outlaw troubadour Ray Wylie Hubbard at 8pm on Tuesday, May 21 ($20).

Club Helsinki in Hudson has bolstered its concert offerings with the additions of the Big Takeover at 9pm on Saturday, April 13 ($TBA); the funk-flavored double-bill of Ikebe Shakedown and Nippertown’s own Oobleck at 9pm on Friday, May 3 ($TBA); guitar great Leo Kottke at 8pm on Wednesday, June 19 ($42 in advance; $45 at the door); and the return of the Wiyos at 9pm on Saturday, September 14 ($TBA).

The Bayou Cafe in Albany (soon to be the Hollow Bar + Kitchen) is apparently going to continue featuring live music under its new moniker. Highlights of the nightspot’s recently announced shows include Twiddle at 8pm on April 4 ($10 in advance; $12 at the door); San Cisco with Stellar Young at 7:30pm on Sunday, April 7 (FREE); Orchard Lounge at 8pm on Thursday, April 25 ($14 in advance; $16 at the door); Leroy Justice at 8pm on Friday, May 3 ($10 in advance; $12 at the door); the post-Tulip Fest bash with Capital Cities and Gold Fields at 7pm on Saturday, May 11 ($10.27); and the triple-bill of Ryan Cabrera, Jason Castro and Deleasa at 7pm on Tuesday, June 4 ($18 in advance; $20 at the door).

Musical family ensemble the 5 Browns will play at Skidmore College’s Zankel Music Center in Saratoga Springs at 7:30pm on Wednesday, May 29, serving up a five-piano arrangement of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, as well as such works as The Planets by Gustav Holst and Islamey by Mily Balakirev. Tickets are $75 & $125; with Saratoga ArtsFest ArtsPass $20 & $50.

The Bearsville Theater in Woodstock welcomes the eclectic Hot Day at the Zoo at 9pm on Friday, April 19 ($10), as well as bluesman Tas Cru at 9pm on Friday, April 26 ($10).

Valentine’s Music Hall in Albany welcomes indie rock hip-hopsters Why? at 8pm on Saturday, June 15. Sarah Jaffe opens the show. Advance tickets are $13.

The Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton park welcomes T Mills – 23-year-old California rapper touring in advance of his upcoming major label debut on Columbia Records – at 8pm on Wednesday, May 1. Tickets are $12.50 in advance; $15 at the door.

Upcoming shows at the Colony Cafe in Woodstock include the double-bill of Big Sister and Patti Rothberg & the Rothstars at 9pm on Saturday, April 20 ($12); veteran singer-songwriter Tom Pacheco at 8pm on Saturday. May 25 ($18); and the unique Jonathan Richman at 8pm on Sunday, June 16 ($15).

OPENERS: Ted Leo has been tagged as the opening act for Aimee Mann at Club Helsinki in Hudson at 8pm on Thursday, April 18.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Veteran rock showman Alice Cooper returns to the Palace Theatre in Albany.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Justin Hayward leaves his Moody Blues bandmates behind for while, as heads into The Egg in Albany in support of his new solo album Spirits of the Western Sky.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Featuring headliner Lil Wayne along with T.I. and Future, the all-star hip-hop America’s Most Wanted Music Festival will be rolling into the Saratoga Performing Arts Center this summer.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Led by the acclaimed New Orleans trumpeter, composer and five-time Grammy Award-winner, the Terence Blanchard Group returns to Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall in Lenox.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Also coming to The Egg this spring is Jim Weider’s Project Percolator (with special guest Garth Hudson of the Band)…

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The North Country bluegrass band the Gibson Brothers – reigning International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainers of the Year – will be playing their CD release party at Lillian’s Restaurant in Saratoga Springs.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Old Crow Medicine Show lands at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: John Mayer returns to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs this summer with the latest “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips opening the show.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Palace Theatre hosts the Albany Spring Fest featuring the old-school roster of Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte and Doug E. Fresh.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: YouTube sensations the Piano Guys are scheduled for a tour stop at The Egg in Albany.