The Capital Region’s premiere annual cover show took place recently at No Fun. The show has been held annually for the last three years to celebrate ‘Valentine’s Week’ — both an ode to the legendary former venue in Albany and the anniversary of its unofficial reincarnation in Troy. Called the Great 518 Cover Show this ..read more

Capital Region music fans are no stranger to Meg Duffy, who began performing locally under the name Hand Habits a decade ago. Their music took off to new heights after moving to LA. Now, a long-awaited tour stop in Troy meant this show was more than just another gig. It was a journey back to ..read more

Troy DIY is alive and well thanks to an active season of shows inside a living room known as Elephant Alley. Local acts Toriendofstory and Laveda recently performed alongside Fort Collins-based Autumnal, who were in the midst of a 20-stop tour across the country. Take a drive around 787 with Laveda in their new music ..read more

The old newspaper vending box has been remade, painted purple and decorated with pictures and words that proclaim its purpose to all who pass by.   The phases of the moon, encircled by a wreath of flowers, painted in crisp black-and-white. A uterus. An assortment of period products, hearts and teardrops floating around a statement: “Menstrual hygiene is a human right.”  The contents of the box, called a period pantry, reflect this spirit.  Inside is a neatly-sorted array of menstrual supplies, all free and available 24-7. Anyone can take what they need, no questions asked ..read more

Equity in New York’s legal cannabis industry was off to a bad start after the roll out of cultivation licenses earlier this year. That’s according to the Cannabis Social Equity Coalition, who claims the state is ignoring their recommendations to invest in the Black and Brown farmers highlighted by the legislation. Hemp growers, who according to the coalition are 97% white, were instead given first dibs at cultivation licenses.  Near Albany, one of those cultivators is connected to an heir of the Rockefeller fortune. Abigail Rockefeller, the niece of former New York Governor Nelson Rockefe ..read more

The people who frequent the West Hill Farmers Market live in the neighborhood, usually just a block or two away.  Many of them discovered the small-but-busy market while walking down the street, headed elsewhere. Perhaps they passed by a few times before opting to stop, curious about what it had to offer.    “They’d been here for some time before I decided to come in,” said Tinesha Hooks, a West Hill resident who gets fresh produce from the market. “I get a lot of fruit here. It’s expensive at stores.”  Tucked between Clinton Avenue and First Street, the farmers market ..read more

Standing outside the ALB1 Amazon Fulfillment Center in Schodack, NY, surrounded by supporters holding signs reading “Union Strong!” and “Protect All Workers,” Heather Goodall—president of the nascent ALB1 unionization effort—spoke out against violence inside Amazon warehouses.  “We are organizing this union to put an end to the abuse,” said Goodall. “We will not tolerate any more deaths at the hands of Amazon.”  Organizers were gathered to honor the life of Rafael Reynaldo Mota Frias, a 41 year-old man who died from a fatal heart attack at a New Jersey Amazon warehouse this past Prim ..read more

The Ukrainian folk band DakhaBrakha defies easy categorization – yes, it’s folk music but with elements of punk, jazz, drone and dance that shifts quickly and suddenly from fist-pumping, high-energy harmonies to slow, mournful ballads.  The band has long served as ambassadors for Ukrainian music and culture – I discovered them in 2016, when the rapturous response to their performance at Schenectady’s Music Haven inspired me to check them out. Ever since, I’ve been eager to see them live.  I finally got my opportunity last week, when DakhaBrakha stopped at the Colony in Woodstock.&nbs ..read more

The Sankofa Sculpture Park sits on a formerly blighted parcel of land in Schenectady’s Hamilton Hill neighborhood.  The garbage and run-down buildings that once marred the site have been replaced with art celebrating the culture of the African diaspora, while also expanding the footprint of a longtime non-profit organization, the Hamilton Hill Arts Center.  A project several years in the making, the Sankofa Sculpture Park is a beautiful and peaceful oasis that immerses visitors in unique and thought-provoking art.  “People walk by and feel inspired,” said Rachel Conn, executive ..read more

Activists rallied outside of Albany City Hall on Thursday to call for justice after Albany Police officers allegedly assaulted a child during a Juneteenth celebration on Sunday. According to the Times Union, police arrived to shut down Juices Forever’s third annual Juneteenth celebration after organizers were denied a permit to officially hold the event. When Charles Whitaker, the owner of Juices Forever, moved to set off fireworks before packing up the party, police officers sprayed a fire extinguisher and began shoving him. Several attendants tried to get in between the officers and Whitaker ..read more