CAROGA LAKE — Caroga Arts Collective has announced the lineup for the Caroga Lake Music Festival’s 2024 summer season.
Caroga Arts will bring more than 150 artists from around the world to Caroga for 40 events spanning genres from funk, rock, pop and jazz to Americana, classical and even comedy — including notable artists Cory Wong, Sawyer Fredericks, Eddie Barbash, Alex Moffat, Henhouse Prowlers and rising superstar Eddie Benjamin. In addition, more than 100 resident artists from 24 states and five countries will be in residence across six weeks and perform major orchestral pieces such as Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and Copland’s "Appalachian Spring," as well as prominent solo and chamber works.
“Each summer it’s a joy to bring artists, audiences and communities together for concerts, events and memories along the lake. It’s hard to believe we started this 13 seasons ago when we were only teenagers and now those same artists are going on to win the Grammys, playing in Carnegie Hall and touring across the world. CLMF resides at the core of Caroga Arts' mission to reimagine the Adirondack Experience through the power of the arts,” Kyle Barrett Price, founder, executive and artistic director of the Caroga Arts Collective, said in a press release. “By showcasing a diverse group of artists ranging across genres, generations and geographies, we are confident this year’s lineup features something for everyone.”
Performing at CLMF for the first time this year are 1980s rock band Generation Radio (featuring former members of Chicago, Rascal Flatts and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers); Americana/country group The Mallett Brothers Band; and jazz vocalist Shayna Steele. Other highlights will include:
- “Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue at 100,” performed by Caroga Arts Ensemble and conducted by Grammy winner David Alan Miller, with Kevin Cole on piano.
- The return of the free Kids Carousel Concert series including a performance of Louie the Loon, back by popular demand.
- Bridging art forms together, CLMF will feature special performances by the Queen’s Cartoonists and collaborations with Running Wild Media and Utica Dance.
- Multi-instrumentalist and musical prodigy Eddie Benjamin, who toured with superstar Justin Bieber, collaborates with Caroga Arts Ensemble.
- “Tribute Night: Eagles meets AC/DC,” with Live Wire AC/DC Tribute and Epic Eagles.
The majority of CLMF concerts will once again be held at Sherman’s Park, the historic and much-loved former amusement park in Caroga Lake. With a lakeside pavilion and classic dance hall, Sherman’s Park is an idyllic backdrop for the season’s performances and community events. Caroga Arts is proud to welcome concertgoers of all ages to ride the George and Ruth Abdella Carousel before every CLMF concert. Throughout the season, CLMF resident artists will also perform at partnering venues and festivals across the region as part of CLMF on Tour performances.
Last fall, Caroga Arts launched the String Project & Arts Collaborative Education (SPACE) program in Wheelerville and Johnstown schools. This groundbreaking initiative aims to deliver accessible music lessons and mentorship opportunities to students in schools where the offerings are not otherwise provided in their music programs. This summer marks another milestone for Caroga Arts as they introduce the SPACE Summer Camp, previously recognized as the CLMF Lessons & Ensemble Program. The camp is designed to continue the momentum of providing individual and small group lessons throughout the summer, offering students the opportunity to learn from the resident artists.
Discounted season passes are now available for purchase and tickets for individual performances will go on sale April 26.
All Caroga Arts presented events are free for children and students age 17 and younger, excluding fundraising events. To learn more about Caroga Arts and reserve tickets, please visit carogaarts.org.
2024 SEASON SCHEDULE
May 25, 11 a.m. — Kids Carousel Concert: Reptiles & Friends (Via Aquarium)
May 25, 7 p.m. — The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash
July 5, 7:30 p.m. — CLMF Resident Artists: Symphonic Sparks! (Fourth of July concert and fireworks)
July 6, 5 p.m. — Red, White, Blues & Bluegrass (The Mallett Brothers Band; Quinn Sullivan; Geoff Saunders & The Nashville Bluegrass Buddies)
July 17, 7 p.m. — CLMF Resident Artists: Carousel Music Box (An immersive experience with Caroga Arts & Utica Dance)
July 19, 7 p.m. — CLMF on Tour: Caroga Chapel (Caroga Arts Ensemble performs the Holberg Suite)
July 20, 5 p.m. — Caroga Arts Gala: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Cara Samantha & The Highline Band)
July 21, 3 p.m. — CLMF on Tour: Sacandaga Valley Arts Network
July 24, 7 p.m. — The Queen's Cartoonists (Music from cartoons and animation, live and synchronized to the big screen)
July 25, 7 p.m. — CLMF on Tour: Cooperstown Summer Music Festival
July 26, 7 p.m. — CLMF Resident Artists: American Journeys (A musical landscape of American composers, Tommy Mesa, cello)
July 27, 7 p.m. — Generation Radio (Supergroup featuring Jay Demarcus of Rascal Flatts and Jason Scheff of Chicago)
July 28, 6 p.m. — CLMF on Tour: Caroga Museum
July 30, 7 p.m. — An Evening with Cory Wong & Strings (A special acoustic performance and conversation)
July 31, 7 p.m. — Cory Wong & the Wongnotes with Caroga Arts Ensemble
Aug. 1, 7 p.m. — CLMF on Tour: A Musical Exhibition at Arkell (Pre-concert with Lucy Durkin, art history professor at Eastman School of Music)
Aug. 2, 7 p.m. — CLMF Resident Artists: Metamorphosis: Where Nature meets Music (Immersive visuals from Running Wild Media)
Aug. 3, 11 a.m. — Kids Carousel Concert: Meet the Instruments! (Featuring members of WindSync with CLMF Resident Artists)
Aug. 3, 2 p.m. — SAUNDERSFEST (Henhouse Prowlers, Saunders Family Band and more)
Aug. 4, 1 p.m. — CLMF on Tour: Peck Lake Marina
Aug. 4, 6 p.m. — Rich Saunders' Songwriter Circle with Caroga Arts Ensemble (Rich Saunders, Belle-Skinner and more)
Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m. — CLMF on Tour: St. Johnsville Summer Concert Series
Aug. 7, 7 p.m. — Shayna Steele and Caroga Arts Ensemble
Aug. 8, 6 p.m. — CLMF on Tour: Johnstown Midsummer Concert Series
Aug. 9, 7 p.m. — Gershwin's “Rhapsody in Blue” at 100 9Caroga Arts Ensemble; David Alan Miller, conductor; Kevin Cole, piano)
Aug. 10, 11 a.m. — Caroga Cornhole Classic (In partnership with West Caroga Lake Association)
Aug. 10, 7 p.m. — Eddie Benjamin with Caroga Arts Ensemble
Aug. 11, 9 a.m. — Sixth annual Charity Golf Tournament
Aug. 11, 6 p.m. — CLMF on Tour: The Barge Concert at Canada Lake
Aug. 14, 7 p.m. — CLMF Resident Artists: An Evening of Encores (Part I)
Aug. 15, 6 p.m. — CLMF on Tour: Lorenzo State Historic Site
Aug. 15, 7 p.m. — CLMF Resident Artists: An Evening of Encores (Part II)
Aug. 16, 7 p.m. — CLMF Resident Artists: Festival Finale: Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (Fabiola Kim, violin; Nate West, bass)
Aug. 17, 11 a.m. — Kids Carousel Concert: Louie the Loon!
Aug. 17, 7 p.m. — A Night at the Symphony with Eddie Barbash
Aug. 18, 3 p.m. — CLMF Resident Artists: Festival Finale: Beethoven's Fifth (Fabiola Kim, violin; Nate West, bass)
Aug. 31, 11 a.m. — Kids Carousel Concert: Live Raptors! (Herkimer's own Deb Saltis & Falcon Heart Rescue)
Aug. 31, 7 p.m. — Tribute Night: Eagles meets AC/DC (Live Wire AC/DC Tribute; Epic Eagles)
Sept. 13, 7 p.m. — CLMF on Tour: A Musical Exhibition (Kyle Price, solo cello)
Sept. 14, 1 p.m. — 10th annual Woofstock: Peace, Love & Drool (Sawyer Fredericks, Sean Rowe, Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra, Girl Blue, Insolent Willies, Cleenstreet)
