FREE: Music Haven Concert Series… and More

Traveling the world one concert at a time…

That’s been the slogan for the adventurous, free Music Haven Concert Series since it was launched by Mona Golub back in 1990. And once again this summer, Schenectady’s Central Park will echo with the joyous, exotic, intoxicating sounds from all around the globe.

The 2018 schedule of six Music Haven concerts will take you from North Africa to South America and from the North Sea to the Gulf of Mexico, presenting the hottest traditional and contemporary international sounds – all without charging even a dime for admission.

The Music Haven Concert Series takes place at 7pm on Sundays from July 8-August 12 at the Agnes McDonald Music Haven Stage in Schenectady’s Central Park. In case of inclement weather, the rainsite for the concerts is Proctors in Schenectady unless otherwise noted.

This summer marks the inaugural season for the recently renovated outdoor venue, which has seen considerable improvements for both the audience and the performers since the close of the 2017 season. And to that end, Music Haven is partnering with a wide variety of Greater Nippertown organizations to expand its free concert offerings well beyond the Sunday evening series.

Check it out. Here’s the complete schedule for the 2017 Music Haven concert series:

BOMBINO
With Innov Gnawa
July 8
The man dubbed “the world’s best guitarist” by Noisey brings the fierce grace of the Tuareg tradition to his instrument, drawing comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Neil Young and Jerry Garcia.

GABACHO MAROC
With Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius & Heard
July 15
Gabacho Maroc freely crosses cultural and musical boundaries to create an open-minded, open-hearted hybrid of jazz crossed with African, Moroccan, Arabic and Gnawan influences.

PASCUALA ILABACA Y FAUNA
With Taina Asili y la Banda Rebelde
July 22
Pascuala Ilabaca is rooted in Chilean tradition but unafraid to incorporate influences from her life abroad, in lands like India and Mexico, or from diverse jazz, pop and rock influences.

LAKOU MIZIK
With Bonga & the Vodou Drums of Haiti
July 29
Formed in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, the Haitian collective of elder legends and rising young talents uses the healing spirit of Rara and Vodou to inspire pride, strength and hope.

DWAYNE DOPSIE & THE ZYDECO HELLRAISERS
With the New Breed Brass Band
August 5
The son of zydeco pioneer Rockin’ Dopsie, the Grammy Award-nominated accordionist-vocalist takes the musical form to an even higher level. “This is my calling,” he says, “my heart and soul.”

SKERRYVORE
With the Schenectady Pipe Band
August 12
From the tiny Scottish isle of Tiree, the award-winning band has exploded across the world, taking their distinctively rockin’ Celtic sound from New York’s Central Park to the Shanghai Expo and beyond.
Rain Site: Niskayuna High School Auditorium

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE…

Additional performances at the Music Haven 2018
All shows at 7pm

THE EMPIRE JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Tuesday, July 10
The concert will mark retiring SUNY Schenectady County Community College Dean of Music and EJO founder Dr. William Meckley’s final performance at the helm, conducting his beloved big band.
Co-presented by SUNY Schenectady—School of Music
Rain Site: Schenectady County Community College’s Carl B. Taylor Auditorium, Schenectady

MILE TWELVE
With Honeysuckle
Thursday, July 19
Impressed by the young band’s effortless blend of traditional and modern bluegrass, acoustic music icon Tim O’Brien said, “Mile Twelve is a group to watch in the coming decade.”
Co-presented by Caffé Lena

IBERI
Tuesday, July 24
From the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, the haunting a cappella polyphony of the all-male choir made the ensemble one of the biggest hits of GlobalFEST 2018.
Co-presented by Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

ESYO CHIME
Wednesday, August 8
ESYO CHIME helps students from economically disadvantaged communities shine through music, building skills to succeed in all areas of their lives.
Presented in association with Empire State Youth Orchestras

THE SCHENECTADY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Saturday, August 11
The almost 60-strong orchestra performs a starlit “Evening of Pops” under the baton of music director Charles Schneider.

BLUES BBQ featuring TORONZO CANNON
With the Matt Mirabile Band
August 19
When the Chicago bus driver puts down his keys and grabs his guitar pick, watch out. He’s the real thing, playing his music, as his album states, The Chicago Way.

MORE OF GREATER NIPPERTOWN’S FREE SUMMER EVENTS
ROCKIN’ ON THE RIVER @ Riverfront Park, Troy (5pm Wednesdays, 6/6-8/8/18
ALIVE AT FIVE @ Jennings Landing, Albany (5pm Thursdays, 6/7-8/2/18
BLACK & LATINO GAY PRIDE CELEBRATION @ Washington Park, Albany (Saturday, June 9)
CAPITAL PRIDE FESTIVAL @ Washington Park, Albany (Sunday, June 10)
HARBOR JAM @ Rivers Casino & Resort’s Mohawk Harbor Amphitheater, Schenectady (6pm Saturdays, 6/23-8/11/18)
CONCERTS AT THE CROSSINGS @ the Crossings of Colonie, Loudonville (6pm Thursdays, 7/5-8/30/18)
UPBEAT ON THE ROOF CONCERT SERIES @ Skidmore College’s Tang Museum, Saratoga Springs (7pm Thursdays, 7/5-8/30/18)
SCHENECTADY SUMMERNIGHT @ State Street, Schenectady (Friday, July 13)