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When we think of propaganda, we tend to imagine old war posters, bold slogans, and confusing cover-ups. Or maybe you see black-and-white films telling us to smoke cigarettes, then later telling us not to. Or telling women to stay home, then telling them to go to work. We’re taught in school to spot bias and question sources, as if propaganda is always loud and obvious. But like everything else in the world, propaganda has evolved and now it’s a lot harder to see. In my fin

Before Madonna vogued, before RuPaul was a household name, before Beyoncé built a Renaissance, there were queens carving out space in a city that had none for them. Ballroom culture was alive and pulsing through New York’s underground clubs, basements, and warehouses long before drag hit reality TV. And no, we’re not talking about classical square dancing. To the queer community, ballroom is a subculture built on freedom, according to CR Fashion book. Freedom from social norm

In the quiet town of Enfield, Connecticut, a tale whispered among locals spoke of a couple harassed by the restless dead. Faced with an otherworldly spirit that defied conventional understanding, they turned to the one individual rumored to possess the power to intervene: Rita MacRae, a medium with the ability to bridge the gap between the living and deceased. As the couple grew desperate, the ghostly presence intensified. They turned to MacRae for help, hoping she could brin

“Doin’ It” is a steamy rap classic from 1995, brought to life by hip-hop legends LL Cool J and LeShaun. The track captures New York’s unique mix of culture, raw energy, and charm at the height of the ‘90s. LL represents Queens, LeShaun brings the Brooklyn edge, and together, they created a bold, unforgettable track that helped shape a new chapter in hip-hop. Released in 1995 on his sixth album Mr. Smith, “Doin’ It” stands out as one of LL Cool J’s most unforgettable songs. Bu

The Geneva Music Festival is back in Upstate New York this summer, bringing together a great mix of music and local wine across the Finger Lakes region. The 2025 lineup includes internationally known musicians performing pieces by Mozart, Dvorak, Brahms, Ravel, and more. Accompanying the beautiful classical and contemporary music is tastings from nearby wineries. The festival kicks off with Tradition and Innovation on May 23 and 24, spotlighting composers from the past and pr

Modest Mouse is set to light up New York this fall with five stops across the state as part of their expansive 2025 North American tour. Their summer tour starts June 9 in Orlando, the tour features summer dates across the U.S. and Canada. New Yorkers can catch the plan during the fall season. Modest Mouse was formed in 1993 in Washington. They became a key name in indie rock with hits like “Float On.” Known for their raw sound and sharp lyrics, the band has built a loyal fan

New York City trio Dive Brake brings us “Bravo”, a genre-bending progressive rock album released in 2024. Formed from the ashes of Gone Quite Mad, Dive Brake has defined themselves with their high-level musicianship and unpredictable energy. Made up of Nick Pascarella, Steve Remp, and Dexter Larsen, Dive Break is rooted in the NYC music scene. Bravo builds on the groundwork of their previous projects and feels like the band’s boldest work yet. While the album only clocks in a

Starting this summer, The Egg Performing Arts Center in Albany will close for over six months to undergo major renovations. The venue, a landmark in New York’s Capital Region, plans to reopen in 2026 with updated seating, improved accessibility, and enhanced audience experiences. What’s changing? The renovations will include replacing seating, carpeting, and lighting throughout the entire building, covering both theatrical and common spaces. The Egg will also upgrade to a sta

Lake George Arts Project is bringing back the summer vibes with its 2025 Summer Concert Series. There will be free live music every Wednesday night all July and August at Shepard Park. Established in 1977, the Lake George Arts Project offers a wide range of arts programs for the Lake George region. Its mission is to provide exposure and income opportunities for both professional and emerging artists, while delivering quality arts programming for residents and visitors. Their

The Wood Brothers are coming to New York this fall as part of a 17 city U.S. tour, supporting their new album Puff Of Smoke, out August 1. The run includes a stop at the Brooklyn Paramount on December 10 and the State Theatre of Ithaca on December 6. The tour kicks off November 6 in Knoxville and runs through mid-December, giving fans across the Midwest and East Coast a chance to hear new songs live for the first time. But you don’t have to wait until fall to see The Wood Bro

As Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) nears its 60th anniversary in 2026, the beloved Upstate arts institution is launching its largest fundraising effort yet. The newly announced $17.5 million “Four Seasons” capital campaign will fund major renovations of the historic Spa Little Theater, while also supporting SPAC’s expanded year-round programming and arts education initiatives. Four Seasons Campaign The campaign’s title, “Four Seasons,” reflects SPAC’s evolution from a

Brooklyn alt-rock band War Honey returned on June 8, 2025, with their third EP, All You’ll Ever Be Good For. After a two-year break, the band delivers a set of four tracks that explore heavy emotions through layered guitars, atmospheric soundscapes, and some surprising sonic choices that keep listeners engaged. The EP features “My Little House,” a fan favorite from their live shows; “The Ballerina”; and two instrumental pieces, “This Time It Will Be Different” and “Behind The

Kristian Montgomery dropped his latest EP and is heading to New York to share it. This mix is more than just a collection of songs, it tells a story of survival. The artist released Prophets of the Apocalypse on March 15 while living out of a hotel room after a devastating house fire. With the sounds of the Winterkill Band, this EP captures the raw grit and emotional depth of an artist rising from the ashes. A month before the planned release, Montgomery lost his home, pets,

Some of hip-hop’s biggest names from the 2000s are heading to Buffalo this summer for a full day of music, food, drinks, and activities. On Saturday, August 23, the Tacos & Tequila Festival will hit Terminal B at the Outer Harbor with a stacked lineup, local tacos, and plenty of ways to keep the energy high. The one-day festival features an iconic lineup of artists who defined the era. Artists like Fat Joe, Fabolous, Bow Wow, Soulja Boy, Twista, and more will all take the sta

Ballard Park’s annual Summer Concert Series returns to Westport this July, bringing six weeks of free live music to the Adirondacks. Concerts take place Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. from July 10 through August 14 at the park’s lakeside pavilion, overlooking Lake Champlain. This year’s lineup features a mix of regional and international talent, including folk duo Cold Chocolate, Ugandan-led global fusion band Zikina, and South Bronx-born jazz trumpeter Ray Vega. Performers span

The legendary Todd Rundgren is hitting the road again this summer, and New York is getting a front-row seat. The influential songwriter, producer, and guitarist will bring his “Still Me, (Still We)” tour to multiple spots in New York including Syracuse, Albany, Niagara Falls, and Woodstock. As part of a nationwide run, this tour revisits and expands on the narrative-driven show Rundgren debuted last year during his “Me/We” tour. With a career spanning over five decades, Rundg

This summer, the Albany Symphony is celebrating the Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary by taking classical music on the road and into the heart of New York’s canal towns. From July 2-6, the Water Music NY: More Voices Festival will bring live outdoor performances, local stories, and brand new music to five historic communities, all for free. The orchestra will perform nightly in Medina, Utica, Seneca Falls, Fort Plain, and Schuylerville. Each stop features a world premiere by a d

Schenectady’s Music Haven Concert Series will welcome two Alligator Records artists to Central Park on Sunday, August 3. San Francisco’s Rick Estrin & The Nightcats and Florida’s Selwyn Birchwood will headline the series’ annual Blues BBQ, bringing a mix of gritty streetwise blues and electric swamp rock to upstate New York. Rick Estrin & The Nightcats bring decades of blues expertise to the Schenectady stage. With a reputation built on tight musicianship and witty, insightf

My Morning Jacket will mark the 20th anniversary of their critically acclaimed album Z with special performances in New York this fall. The Louisville-based band will play the album in full at Brooklyn’s Paramount Theatre from October 16-18 as part of the second leg of their ongoing tour. Z, released in 2005, quickly became a defining album for My Morning Jacket, praised worldwide for its innovative mix of musical styles and heartfelt songwriting. This year, the band continue