Adirondack Music Scene:Lowville Fond Farewell, Potsdam A Cappella, Reggae By The Rez

Music can be heard this week in Lowville, Potsdam, Saratoga, Thurman, and Saranac Lake (of course). Everything from a cappella to reggae to bluegrass. Quite a few events for the slowest month in the Adirondacks.

Thursday, November 5

There is a big show tonight in Lowville. The Lewis County Historical Society is hosting the last scheduled US performance of Tanglefoot,a Folk Roots Band from Ontario that has been performing together for 25 years. They have quite a following, so get there early if you don’t already have tickets. This concert is part of the Black River Valley Concert Series and starts at 8pm. Call 315-376-8957 to reserve tickets or for more info. http://www.tanglefootmusic.com

Friday, November 6

In Jay, the Jay Entertainment & Music Society (JEMS) is hosting Ballroom Dancing Instruction from 7-9pm. Cost is $5 per person or $8 per couple.
JEMS website: http://www.jemsgroup.com

The Putnam Den in Saratoga has The Breakfast playing from 10pm-2am. The Breakfast used to be called Psychedelic Breakfast and have played in the Adirondacks several times. We had them at Wiseguy’s in Lake Placid back in 2004 and they more recently headlined a night at The Backwoods Pondfest in Peru. They are a combination of Jazz and Rock. The Putnam Den is a relatively new venue and they have quite a few bigger bands on their schedule. I wish them luck, Saratoga has been in need of a good bar venue since Aiko’s closed down a few years ago. http://www.putnamden.com

Saturday, November 7

Potsdam area residents have some choices Saturday night. The band Shwa is playing at Clarkson University in The Cheel Commons at 8pm. Folk, Pop, and Rock influences can be heard here: http://www.shwamusic.com

Sweet Honey in the Rock will be performing in the Helen Hosmer Concert Hall at SUNY Potsdam. They are an a cappella group that has been performing together for 36 years. Show starts at 7:30pm. Listen here: http://www.sweethoney.com

Also at SUNY Potsdam, Ithaca-based Funk-Rock band Revision will play Hurley’s Nightclub at 7:30pm. This venue is operated by SUNY Potsdam students. The show is free for students and only $3 for the general public. http://www.revisionmusic.com

In Saranac Lake, Reggae band Spiritual Rez is playing my favorite Adirondack venue – The Waterhole #3 - at 10pm. These guys are a national act on their way to WV, NC and FL after this show. Spiritual Rez also played the Songs by the Lake Concert Series in Lake Placid this past summer. Band website: http://www.myspace.com/spiritualrez
Venue: http://saranaclakewaterhole.com or http://www.myspace.com/saranacwaterhole

Sunday, November 8

Sunday the party moves to Thurman. Hickory Ski Center is reopening this winter and Sunday is their Open House. The Stony Creek Band will be playing in their Base Lodge from 1-4pm, there will be food on site, and there will be a job fair. The Stony Creek Band is a group of very talented musicians playing mostly bluegrass originals and covers. I especially enjoy the mandolin and sometimes dobro.
Band website: http://www.stonycreekband.com
Hickory Ski Center: http://www.hickoryskicenter.com

Just a few miles away at The Stony Creek Inn, The Rock Brothers are playing at 7pm. They have live music every Sunday and it is very popular. People usually show up for dinner around 4-6pm and stick around for some dance music. This is also the home of The Stony Creek Band, who plays here about once per month.

If I were going to travel out of the area for a show this week it would be to Ithaca to see Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. http://www.giantpandadub.com

Please also check out http://www.adkmusic.com for more music related stuff.

Photo: Tanglefoot Website