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KAC Rocks On Artist Preview
May 12th from 7pm-10pm

Our silent auction pieces include selections from our community collage, as well as work from our talented and dynamic community of artists, including:

Linda Bigness
Alice Butunoi
Chris Cirillo
Albert Casatelli
Trish Craig
Suzanne Firsching
Bernie Freytag
Wendy Humphreys
John Jacopelle
J.D. King
Kathy Kiernan
Emily St. Clair-Lee
Mary Gaylord Loy
John Loy
Jim McDermid
Dr. Roger Moore
Ralph Murray
Betty Murtag
Lisa Oristian
Vartan Poghosian
Tim Pryputniewicz
Tim Rand
Alba Scott
Steven Specht
Heidi von Bergen
John von Bergen
Connie Watkins

KAC Rocks On Partial Line Up Announced!
May 12th from 7pm-10pm
All this for just $15 ($12 for members). Tickets can be purchased online (below) or at the KAC by stopping by or calling 315-853-8871

The Neon Marias
New this year! When Ryan Miller was forming a new group to perform tracks from his latest album The Flood as well as his back catalog of material, he didn’t have to look far. As a member of the Archipelagos, he already was working with some of the best musicians in the area. The Neon Marias are made up of veterans of the Central NY music scene, with members coming from hard rock, experimental, folk and jazz backgrounds. In addition to Ryan Miller, The Neon Marias personnel include acclaimed songwriter J. Schnitt (keys/accordion), Matt Wagner (guitar), Rob Pipperata (drums) and Gabe Lockwood (bass). The folk-rock group has drawn a diverse crowd at each of their engagements and created a sound with just the right amount of blues, country and rock accents. We are so excited to have The Neon Marias headlining our KAC Rocks On! event this year.

Lawless
Returning Performer!
Beth and Fritz Meeusen along with Alexis Loomis make up “The band LAWLESS”. Their syle is an eclectic blend of folk, rock, and blues, with cover tunes from the 60′s to present and originals. This band does not stick to conventions and they continuously entertain their audience with their musical role-switching. As lead vocalist, Beth makes each song their own by adding to standards with vocal harmony assist from guitarist Alexis and multi-instrumentalist Fritz (most notably trumpet). In the end, we hear a tasty mix of bass, percussion, guitar and trumpet backing two lovely songstress ladies. Bring your dancing shoes!

Strung Sideways
Returning Performer! Strung Sideways is Jim Inman (guitar, vocals, Banjitar, fiddle and kazoo), Bob Merrick (guitar, vocals, Banjitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica and kazoo) and Greg Wilson (upright bass, slide whistle and bicycle horn). All three have a unique take on songwriting and a style all their own, which combine to create the band’s signature “deep-fried blues-grass” sound. Inspired by the wave of modernized old-time string band and Alt-country music popping up all over the country like Old Crow Medicine Show, Hot Day At The Zoo, and Yonder Mountain String Band, to the originators of the genre like Ralph Stanley and Bill Monroe, Strung Sideways has developed quite a knack for the discovery and arrangement of traditional bluegrass and old-time standards to fit their darkly ironic personality.

Blending elements of bluegrass, outlaw country, blues, southern rock, Celtic and folk with a barrage of acoustic instruments, Strung Sideways have been described as everything from “darkly ironic, low-down dirty and mean to wildly hilarious, searingly cynical, and everything in between.” With their recklessly rollicking brand of “deep-fried blues-grass”, Strung Sideways, is sure to leave you hollering for more!

Scott Bravo
Returning Performer! Scott Danger Bravo picked up the guitar at age 15 and has never put it down. Getting his start in rock bands he switched to all instrumental/acoustic in 2003 and hasn’t looked back. Scott has released 4 albums and is currently taking time off the road to work on his fifth. When not recording Scott tours more than 200 days a year all over the country. He has shared stages with every kind of musician and band from Boston and Julia Othmer to Hamell on Trial and Just a Memory. He has a passionate, fiery style that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go until well after the lights go down and the shows over. Scott Bravo is an absolute FORCE on the acoustic guitar and a definite must see for music lovers and fans of virtuoso guitar palying. He says, “When you sing you tell the story. I just describe the scene. You write your own story.”

Jay Barady
Returning Performer! Jay Barady spent over 10 years recording & touring with the Bluegrass group Wooden Spoon from Taos, until returning to his hometown in central, NY. He now plays mandolin in the northeast’s newest progressive string band, Floodwood. Its members are veteran musicians who’ve performed on stages around the world over the last 20 years including Al Schnier and Vinnie Amico of moe.

Jay breathes fresh life into timeless acoustic music & play with the dexterity & chops of a seasoned pro. His music combines elements of bluegrass, jazz, latin, funk, folk, and rock. Jay’s influences include David Grisman, Sam Bush, Stevie Wonder, Jerry Garcia, John McLaughlin, and Frank Zappa. He has shared the stage with such acts as moe., Gordon Stone, Dexter Grove, and Al and the TransAmericans. Get ready to kick your heels up!

Ryan Miller
Returning Performer! Ryan Miller’s music is a testament to the bittersweet. He has been road tested as a frontman, half of a duo, and as a solo artist. Likewise the melodies and music put forth is a reflection of the many hats Miller has worn. Inspired by the writings of Tom Waits, Dan Bern, Counting Crows, U2 & Ani Difranco, Miller blends elements of folk, blues, rock, and americana into his own compositions.

With material that is both brooding and filled with joy, Miller’s music is always honest, straightforward songwriting. Performing solo, Miller takes audiences on the road with him, through the stories behind many of his songs, some of which have some truth to them. In addition to performing at coffeeshops, bars, clubs, and colleges, Miller also has shared the stage with, Howie Day, Ryan Montbleau, and Powell. Thanks to a strong Internet presence, Miller has shipped records all over the U.S. and has reached fans as far as Canada, Germany, Ireland, and Australia.

In addition to playing solo shows, Miller was the lead singer / acoustic guitarist for “The Reuben James” from Utica, NY from 1998-2008 and now leads his newest band, the Neon Marias who will be headlining KAC Rocks On!

Jay Schnitt
Returning Performer! Part poet, part folk singer, part indie-rocker, and part mad-scientist, Jay Schnitt is a fearless, inventive, and “one of the most uniquely creative” singer/songwriters in the independent music world today.  His music is a combination of dust-bowl folk, indie-rock, and poetry, with occasional forays into the experimental realm.  He is often compared to artists such as Wilco, Bright Eyes, and Sufjan Stevens as well as folk singers like Dan Bern and Richard Buckner, with the occasional mention of Radiohead usually not too far behind.  But most often he is compared to Bob Dylan, not only for his songwriting and lyrical depth, but also for his willingness to fearlessly follow his muse wherever it may lead him. According to Schnitt, a love of music lined his childhood, and brought him to ultimately becoming a musician himself. “I always knew I wanted to play,” Schnitt stated. “I played trumpet in High School. I picked up a guitar after I graduated, and just started writing songs. I didn’t start by playing covers like most people do. I taught myself by writing.”

On musicians from the Mohawk Valley: “There is so much amazing music being made in this area,” he said. “There are guys who are working a job and going out to make records and play their music. They’re doing it because they love it, not because they have to. There is so much stigma against local artists. People think of them as ‘local artists’ instead of relevant, good artists. Instead of thinking of them as local artists, we should be thinking of them as competent musicians.”

Joe Sweet
Returning Performer! Joe has been performing nationally since he was eighteen years old. He started his musical career at the age of nine in Frankfort, NY. Landing lead roles in his grade school operettas to making all-state in chorus, he focused his energy on singing and writing originals. Joe recorded his first piece with the former band Nine Ball which led him to a 1995 SAMY, (Syracuse Area Music Award) nomination for best male vocalist. Nine Ball started to gain momentum and received attention from both independent and major record labels.

Since then, Joe has been playing with Jomama and the Funkdaddys. The band recorded their first album, (Live at Tinys) in 1999 and it sold over 1000 CDs in a short time. In 2001 Joe went into the studio to record his first solo album titled “Sounds” with his band the Soultrane. While recording their album, Joe and the Soultrane were nominated for a SAMY. This time for Best Jam Band.

Joe has performed with the likes of moe., Medeski, Martin, and Wood, The Violent Femmes, Galactic, DJ Logic, Keller Williams, Charlie Hunter, Tim Reynolds, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Soulive, Karl Densons Tiny Universe, Vince Welnic, Dark Star Orchestra, Max Creek, and The New Deal, The Legendary Wailers, Otiel and the Peacemakers, Al and the Transamericans, Donna the Buffalo, North Mississippi Allstars, and John Browns Body.

Cathie Russo
Returning Performer! Cathie has a voice that quivers with Jazz and quakes with Soul. Her percussive vocal styling has been adequately called a complementary throwback of the great scat masters of the jazz era. Her lyrics are the product of an analytical mind, a soft heart and a sharp Sicilian tongue.

Cathie Russo has been on the scene with her original Femme/Funk style since 2001. She released her solo album “Four Tides of the Clearview” in 2007, which is available thru itunes. She has been seen all around NYC at places like the Blue Note, Sidewalk Cafe, B3 Lounge, Le Bar Bat, the Lizard Lounge, The Lions Den, Baby Jupiter, Sway, and has been known to perform at the Munchaba Lounge on a regular basis. Outside the metro area, shes taken her folk/funk style to the four corners of the United States. From Fredonia, NY to Jacksonville, FL, from the streets of New Orleans to Santa Monica, CA and has reached as far as the mountains of Alaska.

Side Effect
New this year! Side Effect is Gary Mazza (guitar,) Gabe Lockwood (bass), and Otto Allanson (drums.) This trio is an all original,  jazz-funk-rock-jam group that will really make you groove!

“All Irish Night” Commemorative Concert Sold Out!

Friday • January 13 • 8 PM
Admission: $15 • KAC Members: $12
Reliving the first coffeehouse 30 years ago with Craobh Dugan, Rattlin Bog, Celtic dancers and special guests.

Prices

Admission $15.00 USD KAC members $12.00 USD

Beppe Gambetta
Friday • January 27 • 8 PM
Admission: $15 • KAC Members: $12
Charismatic singer and flat-picking guitar master from Italy.

Prices

Admission $15.00 USD KAC members $12.00 USD

Bristol Mountain Bluegrass
Friday • February 3 • 8 PM
Admission: $15 • KAC Members: $12
A blast of bluegrass from the past!

Prices

Admission $15.00 USD KAC members $12.00 USD

Dirk Powell & Riley Baugus
Friday • February 17 • 8 PM
Admission: $18 • KAC Members: $15
Music straight from Appalachia. Remember Dirk? He won our hearts as Joan Baez’s accompanist at our 2010 Signature Concert.

Prices

Admission $18.00 USD KAC members $15.00 USD

Robin & Linda Williams and Their Fine Group
SUNDAY • February 26 • 7 PM
Admission: $18 • KAC Members: $15
Favorites at the KAC and on “A Prairie Home Companion”

Thank you to all of our sponsors: Golden Artist Colors, Clinton Tractor & Implement, Romanelli Communications and Clinton Agway, for supporting our Golden Anniversary fundraiser event – Barn Stomp, this Saturday, October 15 at Hamilton College’s Fillius Events Barn.