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Mar 29, 2024 - Fri
Bolton United States
Wind 0 m/s, SSE
Pressure 755.31 mmHg
43°F
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Humidity 61%
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43/37°F
44/35°F
48/37°F
50/41°F
46/36°F
Mar 29, 2024 - Fri
Bolton United States
Wind 0 m/s, SSE
Pressure 755.31 mmHg
43°F
overcast clouds
Humidity 61%
Clouds 100%
fri03/29 sat03/30 sun03/31 mon04/01 tue04/02
43/37°F
44/35°F
48/37°F
50/41°F
46/36°F

Lake George Concert Series Features Eclectic, Innovative Music

After almost thirty years and 300 performances, John Strong’s Summer Concert Series in Shepard Park is both a popular and critical success, drawing 600 to 800 people to every show, and commonly acknowledged as one of the best concert series of its kind anywhere.

The setting in Shepard Park helps, says Strong, who is executive director of the Lake George Arts Project, which established the series. “It’s a magical place,” he says, not only because of the quality of the acoustics but because of “the open air, the lawns, the lake in the background. It’s an oasis.”

Robert Michaels

But it is Strong’s ability to attract talented, emerging performers that is the key to the series’ success. From among the hundreds of CD’s, demo tapes, and calls he receives throughout the year, Strong chooses nine performers.

“I look for an eclectic mix, a nice balance  – singer songwriters, big bands, tango, Irish, blues – not the commercial bands that you can hear in any bar,” he explains.

While Strong searches for new talent every year, he’ll occasionally invite performers to return if they’ve made an impression on him and on the audience. One such performer, Latin jazz guitarist Robert Michaels, played last year.

“There are so many people who wanted to hear Robert Michaels but weren’t able to, and even more people who heard about the concert after the fact who wished they’d been here, that we decided to invite him back. It’s rare for us to invite someone to come in consecutive years, but we wanted to give people another chance to hear him,” said Strong.

Born in Canada, raised in Italy, and having studied in Cuba, Robert Michaels is a prize-winning artist whom the critics call dazzling and who leaves his audiences spell-bound, Strong said.

“We invited him back from his first appearance here last year for one reason: he is that good,” said Strong.

Robert Michaels will perform July 27. The 2011 concert series starts on July 6 with the Chris O’Leary Band. As a matter of tradition, the first concert of the season is meant to be a crowd pleaser, and this seven piece, roots and blues band from the Hudson Valley will fit the bill, said Strong.

Harold Ford

The Chris O’Leary Band will be followed by the Seattle-based Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers on July 13. “This is one of the performers I’m most excited about,” said Strong. “Zoe Muth combines an interesting blend of styles and she has a great band, which includes mandolin, bass, guitars, drums and keyboard. Zoe Muth plays guitar and sings, and her lyrics have an honesty that’s reminiscent of some of country music’s greats,” said Strong.

Another act that’s sparked Strong’s enthusiasm is Chatham County Line, an acoustic American Bluegrass band from North Carolina.

“The band is very cool, very young, with a deep interest in traditional American music,” said Strong. Chatham County Line will play on August 10.

Other acts this season include: Hair of the Dog, the Capital District-based Celtic rock band, which will perform July 20; the 42nd Infantry Division Band of the New York National Guard, playing August 3; the Sweetback Sisters, a country band from Brooklyn, performing August 17; Harold Ford’s tribute to Johnny Cash, appearing August 24; and on August 31, Mule Bone, which features blues guitarist Hugh Pool and wind instrumentalist John Ragusa, will perform.

All concerts start at 8:30 pm and are free. The Summer Concert Series is sponsored by the Village of Lake George, the Town of Lake George and the New York State Council on the Arts.  This year’s media sponsors are LakeGeorge.com and the Lake George Mirror.

Lake George Concert Series Features Eclectic, Innovative Music

After almost thirty years and 300 performances, John Strong’s Summer Concert Series in Shepard Park is both a popular and critical success, drawing 600 to 800 people to every show, and commonly acknowledged as one of the best concert series of its kind anywhere.

The setting in Shepard Park helps, says Strong, who is executive director of the Lake George Arts Project, which established the series. “It’s a magical place,” he says, not only because of the quality of the acoustics but because of “the open air, the lawns, the lake in the background. It’s an oasis.”

Robert Michaels

But it is Strong’s ability to attract talented, emerging performers that is the key to the series’ success. From among the hundreds of CD’s, demo tapes, and calls he receives throughout the year, Strong chooses nine performers.

“I look for an eclectic mix, a nice balance  – singer songwriters, big bands, tango, Irish, blues – not the commercial bands that you can hear in any bar,” he explains.

While Strong searches for new talent every year, he’ll occasionally invite performers to return if they’ve made an impression on him and on the audience. One such performer, Latin jazz guitarist Robert Michaels, played last year.

“There are so many people who wanted to hear Robert Michaels but weren’t able to, and even more people who heard about the concert after the fact who wished they’d been here, that we decided to invite him back. It’s rare for us to invite someone to come in consecutive years, but we wanted to give people another chance to hear him,” said Strong.

Born in Canada, raised in Italy, and having studied in Cuba, Robert Michaels is a prize-winning artist whom the critics call dazzling and who leaves his audiences spell-bound, Strong said.

“We invited him back from his first appearance here last year for one reason: he is that good,” said Strong.

Robert Michaels will perform July 27. The 2011 concert series starts on July 6 with the Chris O’Leary Band. As a matter of tradition, the first concert of the season is meant to be a crowd pleaser, and this seven piece, roots and blues band from the Hudson Valley will fit the bill, said Strong.

Harold Ford

The Chris O’Leary Band will be followed by the Seattle-based Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers on July 13. “This is one of the performers I’m most excited about,” said Strong. “Zoe Muth combines an interesting blend of styles and she has a great band, which includes mandolin, bass, guitars, drums and keyboard. Zoe Muth plays guitar and sings, and her lyrics have an honesty that’s reminiscent of some of country music’s greats,” said Strong.

Another act that’s sparked Strong’s enthusiasm is Chatham County Line, an acoustic American Bluegrass band from North Carolina.

“The band is very cool, very young, with a deep interest in traditional American music,” said Strong. Chatham County Line will play on August 10.

Other acts this season include: Hair of the Dog, the Capital District-based Celtic rock band, which will perform July 20; the 42nd Infantry Division Band of the New York National Guard, playing August 3; the Sweetback Sisters, a country band from Brooklyn, performing August 17; Harold Ford’s tribute to Johnny Cash, appearing August 24; and on August 31, Mule Bone, which features blues guitarist Hugh Pool and wind instrumentalist John Ragusa, will perform.

All concerts start at 8:30 pm and are free. The Summer Concert Series is sponsored by the Village of Lake George, the Town of Lake George and the New York State Council on the Arts.  This year’s media sponsors are LakeGeorge.com and the Lake George Mirror.