518 Bites & Sights

Monthly Stockade Social Hour
2026-01-12 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Arthur’s, 35 North Ferry St., Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Every Monday afternoon from 3-4:30PM we will be hosting a social hour in collaboration with The Stockade Association.
One of the most common threads in all the memories of Arthur’s is that this shop served as a community hub — a place where friends and neighbors could meet and friendships could be made. In an effort to uphold that longstanding tradition, we are launching this new one.
The Stockade Social Hour is open to everyone whether you live in The Stockade or simply wish you did! We will periodically make Stockade-related literature and photos available to peruse. We’d also strongly encourage neighbors to bring and share and photos or artifacts you’ve found in your homes.
Plus, we will be offering 10% off coffee and baked goods, so come on by end enjoy!

Weekly Cornhole League
2026-01-12 18:00 - 22:00 | Frog Alley Brewing, 108 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Every Monday from 6-10 PM, we host Adirondack Cornhole’s weekly cornhole league. The league features 7-week tournament-style sessions with open cornhole play during off-weeks. Players can join sessions through the third week. $50 per player or $100 per team, with a payout for the winning team.
Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/AdirondackCornhole.

Family Tree
2026-01-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Putnam Place, 63 Putnam St, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Doors: 6:30pm
Show: 7:00pm
Ages: 21+
Admission: FREE (2 drink minimum)
Come join Family Tree every other Monday from 7pm – 9pm. Family Tree features Steve Candlen, Kenny Hohman, Lori Friday, Chris Carey and Chad Ploss. They will be joined each week by various guests from the regional music scene.

Hudson-Mohawk American Theatre Organ Society 2025-25 Season
2026-01-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Proctors, 432 State St, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
All concerts are FREE on Tuesday at noon in the GE Theatre at Proctors. Unless otherwise noted below.
Artists and dates are subject to change.
Due to maintenance and theatre schedule, the 2025-26 Tuesday Concerts are 12 p.m. in the state-of-the-art GE Theatre. For families and working folks, we have added a 3 p.m. Sunday concert on November 23 and 2 Saturday concerts: December 20 & April 25, as noted**. All concerts are FREE, accessible & open to the public, except the “Goldie Restoration Benefit Concert”
2025 – 2026 Season – 40 Anniversary
September 23 – 12 p.m. -CARL HACKERT, legendary 92-year-old NED SPAIN, and artist/musician SUSAN HALE, and a possible Special Guest in a 40th Season Opening Concert, in the GE Theatre
October 28 – 12 p.m.- Really Spooky Halloween Show with Ghosts of Proctors, “Count” JAY RAPPOLD, “Eric” the PHANTOM, RYDER COOLEY & the DUST BOWL FAERIES, costumes welcome, in the GE Theatre.
November 18 – 12 p.m. – Thanksgiving Holiday Season Music, PETER KRASINSKI, the brilliant & entertaining recording artist’s debut in GE Theatre.
Sunday, November 23 – 3 p.m. – The Avakian Duo: GOLDIE RESTORATION BENEFIT CONCERT. Recording artist/organist/composer NATHAN & his talented sister, actress/singer, CLAIRE AVAKIAN, with music from their latest CD. $25 Ticketed event, in GE Theatre,
December 9 – 12 p.m. – exciting JUAN CARDONA returns with Santa Claus & treats, Christmas Favorites from his CD, in the GE Theatre.
Saturday, December 20 – 12 p.m. -“Mr. Christmas” GREG KLINGLER • A Family Christmas Show, a singalong, Santa Claus & snacks, in the GE Theatre.
January 6 – 12 p.m. – in the GE Theatre – CLAUDIA BRACALIELLO, CARL HACKERT & vocalist GENINA SHEEHAN (debut) New Year’s & Epiphany Music in the GE Theatre
February 10 – 12 p.m. – veteran performers BILL GAILLARD & PAMELA SHARPE play, Valentine’s Day Music, in the GE Theatre.
March 31 – 12 p.m. – talented sisters JAYNE DOZOIS & SUSAN SAGER CLARKE (debut) play Melodies for March in the GE Theatre.
April 21 – 12 p.m. – HELEN MAKSYMICZ & MARTHA REGELMANN (debut), playing organ solos and piano duos of Music for Spring, in the GE Theatre.
Saturday, April 25 – 12 p.m. – ROBERT FERREN & CHARLOTTE PALMERI, Spring Tunes, in the GE Theatre.
May 19 – 12 p.m. -Goldie’s installer JOHN WIESNER’s FAMILY & FRIENDS, Marvelous May Music in the GE Theatre.
June 23 – 12 p.m. – creative & talented MALCOLM KOGUT plus “15 Minutes of Fame” 1st time players, always a great Season Finale in the GE Theatre.

Trivia Night with Typhoid Mary
2026-01-13 18:00 - 20:30 | Nine Pin Ciderworks, 929 Broadway, Albany, NY, 12207, United States
Join us for Nine Pin Trivia hosted by Typhoid Mary every second Tuesday of the month! Sign-ups start at 6:00 pm and trivia begins promptly at 6:30 pm.
Categories range from pop culture, sports, entertainment, music, current events, and more. Prizes include cider flights and other great Nine Pin items!

Weekly Line Dancing
2026-01-13 18:00 - 22:00 | Frog Alley Brewing, 108 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Line Dancing Lessons take place every Tuesday from 6-10 PM. Open dance runs from 6-7 PM and beginner lessons begin at 7 PM with advanced dancing to follow.
Line dancing is presented by Upstate Line Dancing, with music from DJ Ketchup.
Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/UpstateLineDancing.

Trivia Night
2026-01-13 19:30 - 21:30 | Bailey’s Cafe, 37 Phila St , Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, United States
Hosted by Trivia Nights Live.

Big Play
2026-01-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Arkell Museum, 2 Erie Blvd, Canajoharie, NY, 13317, United States
Join us every Wednesday at 10 am in the Classroom of the Canajoharie Library. Big Play brings a new kit each week of fun and educational toys for you and your little one to enjoy. Designed for littles 0-5 years old this program is for busy little bodies that might not be ready to sit though Storytime. Come in and play, meet other parents, and enjoy the fun atmosphere. Older siblings are welcome, adults must supervise children.

Tales for Tots
2026-01-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Stuyvesant Plaza, 1475 Western Ave, Albany, NY, 12203, United States
Step into a world of imagination and wonder! Join The Book House for Tales for Tots, story hour designed to delight little ones and their grown-ups.
On the 1st Wednesday of each month, dive into magical tales and spark creativity with fun activities. Perfect for children ages 2 – 4 years old, this is the ultimate storytime adventure that will leave your child excited to turn the next page.
Parents are required to attend with children. Space is limited so tickets are required. One ticket covers child and parent.

Empire State Plaza Farmers Market
2026-01-14 10:00 - 14:00 | Empire State Plaza, 100 S Mall Arterial, Albany, NY, 12242, United States
Indoors – South Concourse
Wednesdays
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The Empire State Plaza Farmers Market is your place to find the season’s freshest produce, cheeses, baked goods, cider, and much more! The Plaza Farmers Market is part of the New York State Fresh Connect program, which is designed to meet the needs of communities by bringing fresh food to under-served areas, improving nutrition education, and helping create local jobs.
Participating Vendors
Bee Hollow Farm
Big Sky Farm
Bulich Creekside Farm
Dancing Goose Flower Farm
Eat with Aliens
Fresh Starts Family Farm
Maynard Farms & Orchards
Meredith’s Bread
Morning Pine Acres
New Scotland Spirits
Nitsua
Spring Hill Farms
The Bull and Bee
The English Garden
Worldling’s Pleasure
Holistic Family Farm
Ledge Rock Hill Winery
Our Daily Bread

Museum Storytime Adventures
2026-01-14 10:30 - 11:30 | NYS Museum, 222 Madison Ave, Albany, NY, 12230, United States
10:30 am

Every Wednesday
Kids Cove
Free

Join the New York State Library for a fun and interactive storytime adventure at the New York State Museum! Enjoy engaging stories, interactive readings, and a chance to spark your child’s love for books and imagination.

Weekly Guest-Hosted Trivia
2026-01-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Frog Alley Brewing, 108 State Street, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Join us every Wednesday for trivia hosted by our bartenders, our friends, and YOU!
Each week, a new host will take over the stage. Hosts will compete with one another to win a prize for the best fanbase at the end of each month!
If you are interested in hosting a week of trivia, reach out to us at charley@frogalleybrewing.com!

Siena Saints 2025-26 Season
2026-01-14 19:00 - 21:30 | MVP Arena, 51 S Pearl St, Albany, NY, 12207, United States
2025-26 Siena Men’s Basketball season tickets – starting at an average of just $14 per game – are on sale now and can be secured online by visiting sienasaints.com/tickets or by contacting the Siena Fan Relations Management Center by phone at (518) 487-2202 or by e-mail at sienatickets2@siena.edu. Individual game tickets for the 2025-26 Siena Men’s Basketball season will go on sale in October.
Home Schedule:
*Monday, November 3 vs Bryant
*Monday, November 17 vs Colgate
*Friday, November 21 vs UAlbany
Friday, December 5 vs Niagara
Sunday, December 7 vs Canisius
Friday, January 9 vs Merrimack
Wednesday, January 14 vs Sacred Heart
Monday, January 19 vs Fairfield
Thursday, January 22 vs Marist
Thursday, February 5 vs Iona
Friday, February 13 vs Quinnipiac
Sunday, February 22 vs Saint Peter’s
Sunday, March 1 vs Rider

*non-conference

Neko Case: Neon Grey Midnight Green Tour
2026-01-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 30 Second Street, Troy, NY, 12180, United States
Singer, songwriter, music producer, visual artist, and writer Neko Case is the consummate career artist — fearless and versatile, with a fierce work ethic and a constant drive to search deeper within herself for creative growth. “One of America’s best and most ambitious singer-songwriters” (Rolling Stone) and “essentially peerless” (NPR), Case has long been revered as one of music’s most influential artists, whose authenticity, lyrical storytelling, and sly wit have endeared her to a legion of critics, musicians, and lifelong fans. In addition to numerous acclaimed and GRAMMY-nominated solo records, Case is a founding member of Canadian supergroup The New Pornographers. She is the author of The New York Times bestselling memoir ‘The Harder I Fight the More I Love You’ and the weekly Substack newsletter ‘Entering The Lung,’ and is currently composing the musical theater adaptation of the Academy Award-winning motion picture ‘Thelma & Louise.’

Pretzel Thursday
2026-01-15 00:00 - 23:59 | Nine Pin Ciderworks, 929 Broadway, Albany, NY, 12207, United States
Stop in every Thursday from 12:00 – 9:00 pm for Pretzel Thursday. You get our Bavarian pretzels with mustard and cheese and one 12 oz cider for $15.

Archives Jr Investigation Station
2026-01-15 10:30 - 12:00 | NYS Museum, 222 Madison Ave, Albany, NY, 12230, United States
Dive into the world of archives with New York Archives Jr! magazine. Each week, we’ll explore a fun learning activity inspired by an issue of New York Archives Jr!, where kids will discover fascinating history, analyze primary sources, and engage with interactive projects!

Trivia Night
2026-01-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Wolf Hollow Brewing Company, 6882 Amsterdam Rd, Schenectady, NY, 12302, United States
Join us for trivia hosted by Nat Christiana every Thursday. Test your knowledge and win prizes! Seating is first come, first serve.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood
2026-01-16 00:00 - 2026-01-25 23:59 | SLOC Musical Theatre, 427 Franklin St., Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States

Storytime
2026-01-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Arkell Museum, 2 Erie Blvd, Canajoharie, NY, 13317, United States
Join us in the Children’s Area of the Canajoharie Library for Storytime!
We have the scarves and the egg shakers. We have the songs and the stories. We just need you and the kiddos! Each month we have a new theme. Each day after Storytime we will have a craft or activity for the littles to enjoy.
Storytime promotes early literacy, and helps young learners become kindergarten ready by practicing sitting, listening, reading, sharing, following directions, movement, and song with other children and adults. All with lots of fun mixed in!
This is a weekly FREE program
Best for pre-k age kids. Families welcome! Older kids are also welcome, but might not get the most out of this program.
For questions please call 518-673-2314 ext 106 or email canlib@mvls.info

Art Night Schenectady
2026-01-16 17:00 - 20:30 | Downtown Schenectady, Jay St, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
Art Night aims to introduce a wider audience to the unique vitality of the Arts, restaurants, and businesses that Schenectady has to offer. Art Night promotes interest in the arts by making it accessible, thereby strengthening the arts and business communities in Schenectady.

All venues are within a 10-minute walk of each other, making this a great opportunity to visit Schenectady’s businesses on foot! No registration required and the event is completely FREE! (Nearly ALL art is available for purchase!)

Harvest & Rust: A Neil Young Experience
2026-01-16 19:30 - 22:00 | Cohoes Music Hall, 58 Remsen St, Cohoes, NY, 12047, United States
Harvest & Rust has earned acclaim as one of the premier Neil Young tribute bands in the Northeast USA, praised for their stirring and authentic performances. Their concerts are a journey through Young’s prolific career, featuring songs from his solo work as well as his time with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. With a commitment to variety, the band ensures that no two shows are alike, mirroring Young’s own approach.
The band promises a dynamic setlist spanning Young’s expansive catalog—from the acoustic intimacy of “Harvest” to the raw energy of “Rust Never Sleeps.” Led by frontman Garrett Lechowski, the band features Matt Cahill (guitars, piano), Andy Gordon (pedal steel), John Kiernan (drums), and Jim Reynolds (bass). Known for their authentic renditions, Harvest & Rust captures the essence of Neil Young’s music, delivering both beloved hits and deep cuts with precision and passion.
“Start to finish, Harvest & Rust lived up to their billing as one of the premiere Neil Young tribute bands in the Northeast, and one that delivers a stirring, authentic performance of Neil’s vast catalog – Harvest & Rust is the true Neil Young Experience.”
-Randy Smith, President, Cooperstown Concerts. Feb 2025

The Nightmare Expo
2026-01-17 10:30 - 17:00 | Proctors, 432 State St, Schenectady, NY, 12305, United States
One Day. One Stage. A Descent into Darkness. The Nightmare EXPO is not just an event, it’s a summoning!
For the first time in the Capital Region, 100+ vendors specializing in the occult, the obscure, and the otherworldly gather under the velvet drapes of the historic Proctors Theatre for a single day of curated chaos.
Witness hauntingly good performances, visit The Oracle Alley for psychic revelations, touch the untouchable in taxidermy classes, meet paranormal investigators, collect horror film memorabilia, or come say hello to your favorite true crime influencers.
This is The Nightmare Market’s “wicked & weird” taken to the next level. A one-day-only showcase of everything beautifully bizarre by some of the nations best creators & collectors.
For the expo schedule and more information, click here.

Extreme Music Awards
2026-01-17 19:00 - 21:30 | Empire Live, 93 North Pearl St, Albany, NY, 12207, United States

Albany Symphony: André Raphel Conducts Shostakovich 10 + Midori
2026-01-17 19:30 - 20:30 | Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY, 12207, United States
André Raphel, guest conductor
Midori, violin
Jennifer Higdon: TenFold
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10
Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Concerto

Crystal Ship: A Tribute To The Doors
2026-01-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Cohoes Music Hall, 58 Remsen St, Cohoes, NY, 12047, United States
Take a trip back to Sunset Strip in the 1960’s with CRYSTAL SHIP! This highly acclaimed touring tribute act pays tribute to Jim Morrison and the Doors by recreating the music, magic and intensity of a live Doors concert.
CRYSTAL SHIP ONLY utilizes vintage gear, instruments, and costumes to recreate a stunning Doors concert experience like no other FEATURING legendary Doors front man Eddie Racci. This is a MUST-SEE SHOW for not only fans of the Doors, but all fans of classic rock! The group focuses on all the authentic details that made The Doors one of the most iconic rock bands of the 20th century.
Crystal Ship plays all the hits you know and love, including “Light My Fire”, “L.A. Woman”, “Riders On The Storm”, “Hello, I Love You” and “The End.”
CRYSTAL SHIP has one goal and that is to keep The Doors’ legacy alive!

Almost Queen: A Tribute To QUEEN w/ The Super 70's Rock Show featuring Super Trans Am
2026-01-17 20:00 - 22:00 | Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 30 Second Street, Troy, NY, 12180, United States
They don’t just pay tribute to the legendary band, Almost Queen transports you back in time to experience the magic and essence of Queen themselves. This deliberate four piece band is “guaranteed to blow your mind” with iconic four-part harmonies and expertly executed musical interludes. Almost Queen’s impressive tribute to Queen is nothing short of breathtaking. The band’s authenticity shines through in their impeccable attention to detail and genuine costumes, while their live energy and precision will leave music fans of all ages with an unforgettable concert experience.
Almost Queen’s concerts are a true testament to the band’s love for Queen’s music. Fans often travel long distances just to experience Almost Queen’s carefully curated setlist featuring Queen’s best-loved songs, like Somebody to Love, Don’t Stop Me Now, Fat Bottomed Girls, and Radio Ga Ga. Almost Queen occasionally plays some lesser-known album tracks, such as Flash, Spread Your Wings, Love of My Life, as well as other hidden gems. And of course, no Queen tribute concert would be complete without classics like Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, and We Are the Champions! It’s no wonder fans keep coming back for more, attending again and again to experience the music of Queen in a manner that only Almost Queen delivers.
“I am a very big Queen fan and Almost Queen does a great job of creating the illusion of actually seeing Queen live. We all miss Freddie Mercury, I feel the band pays tribute to him and Queen respectfully.” -Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister)
“These guys are even better than the Queen that’s out there touring.”
Howard Stern
“I had heard a LOT of great things about these guys – but the show was even better than I imagined”
Randy Jackson -Zebra
“Without a doubt, Almost Queen are probably the finest testimonial to Queen I have ever had the pleasure in seeing. If Freddie were alive today he’d queue for tickets!”
Eric Cook -Demolition Records, UK
“Almost Queen proved that they are the best Queen tribute act around… Almost Queen captured the essence of Queen’s classic songs both from a sonic and lyric standpoint. Their show was high-energy and fun, and they are worth checking out in a live setting.”
Digital Journal
FAN TESTIMONIALS
Almost Queen is generating a lot of buzz among fans of the legendary band…
“It’s everything you can hope for in a tribute band. Great musicianship and what an amazing frontman.”
“This was our third time going to see Almost Queen. They never disappoint and put on a fantastic show. Freddie may have passed, but Joe’s voice is amazingly close to it. My wife and I already have tickets for our next show, and it will be well worth the three hour drive to see them.”
“We were blown away by Almost Queen. It was as if Freddie Mercury himself was actually on stage. All members of this band are outstanding musicians. They harmonize beautifully and are great showmen. I highly recommend!”
“I wasn’t expecting much, as a seasoned concert goer. I’m glad I took a chance. They delivered an incredible musical experience. The music was dead on, lighting was spectacular, and the singing was as if Freddie was reborn. 5 star performance, by far. Can’t wait to see the show again.”

Candlen & Friends at The Eleven at Lark Hall
2026-01-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Lark Hall, 351 Hudson Ave, Albany, NY, 12009, United States
Join us every 3rd Wednesday at The Eleven for free live music with Candlen & Friends offering ears innovative sounds. 7-9pm

Steve Treviño
2026-01-23 19:00 - 20:30 | FunnyBone Albany, 1 Crossgates Mall Rd, Albany, NY, 12203, United States
Ticket Policy:
The Funny Bone has a full bar and a dinner menu is available through your server when you are seated in the showroom!
Seating is first come, first served. We seat the room from front to back and guests will be seated accordingly based on arrival time.
Most of our tables seat 4 people. You may be seated with a separate party of guests at the same table.
If you wish to sit with another party, please arrive and enter the showroom together.
All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Sales tax and service fees are included in the ticket price.
This event is 21+ and all guests will need valid ID to enter.
About the Artist:
Comedian Steve Treviño is “America’s Favorite Husband.” He can “speak wife fluently,” he never calls “the guys” for help on a home project, and he knows better than to “make his own decisions,” since decision-making is a privilege reserved solely for his wife, Renae.
His relatable approach affirms his status as one of the country’s fastest-rising comics, viewed over 223 million times, selling out shows coast-to-coast, amassing over 2 million total social media followers, and headlining specials for Amazon, NETFLIX, Showtime, and more.
He started cutting his teeth in Dallas, Texas, working as a door guy at the Improv and earning himself a spot to open the iconic 2001 Three Amigos Comedy Tour. He quickly earned his stripes and an audience on the comedy club circuit, and he began headlining on his own by the age of 25. He delivered side-splitting performances on The Late Late Show and Comics Unleashed, and produced and wrote for international GRAMMY® Award-winning superstar Pitbull’s La Esquina.
His first Showtime special, Grandpa Joe’s Son, staked out a spot in the Nielsen Top 20. He funded, produced, and shot his 2014 runaway NETFLIX hit Relatable. To promote the special, he uploaded a clip titled “When Your Wife Comes Home From Shopping.” It exploded, generating 56 million views on Facebook alone and paving the way for heavily shared clips such as “When You Ask Your Wife If She Wants McDonald’s” (21 million views) and “When Going to Vegas With Your Wife Goes Wrong” (4 million views). Co-produced by Nacelle, the follow-up special, Steve Trevino ’Til Death, arrived in 2018. Steve maintained his momentum by broadening his social media presence through fans redoing bits of his comedy specials and posting them to TikTok. In less than two years, that grassroots effort helped him build a worldwide fanbase on the platform from the ground up, amassing 4.8 million likes and over 50 million views on the platform, while also changing up his entire social media game.
Steve’s self produced fifth special filmed in Waco, Texas, entitled I Speak Wife, independently released on Friday, October 21, for free exclusively to his global audience on YouTube.

VIP Ticket Includes:
Preferred Seating in the First Four Rows

Run Rabbit Run: A Tribute to Pink Floyd
2026-01-24 19:30 - 21:30 | Cohoes Music Hall, 58 Remsen St, Cohoes, NY, 12047, United States
E1PRESENTS – Bringing back the ultimate tribute to Pink Floyd, “RUN RABBIT RUN” Experience Pink Floyd’s full albums and masterpieces, lovingly recreated by Run Rabbit Run. These veteran artists from New York’s Capital Region play tribute across all eras of Pink Floyd’s discography–including immersive performances of complete albums. For Pink Floyd fans and newcomers alike, it’s an unforgettable concert of incredible music and compelling visuals.
Run Rabbit Run performers include :
Carl Blackwood (guitar, vocals)
Sean Fortune (bass, vocals, sampler)
Cody Bingham (drums, vocals)
Chris Andreski (keys, synths, vocals)
Lady T (vocals, percussion)
Willo (vocals, percussion)
Scott Vorwald (sax, clarinet, synths, percussion)
Eric Halder (guitars, vocals)
Grab your tickets now, and come experience all the magic with us on Jan 24th, 2026!
~ Artwork by Penny Collins

Kirill Gerstein
2026-01-24 19:30 - 21:30 | Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 30 Second Street, Troy, NY, 12180, United States
Program:
Liszt: Three Petrarch Sonnets 19’
Liszt: Après une lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata, S. 161 No. 7 18’
—
Brahms: Scherzo in E-flat minor, Op.4 10’
Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5 36’

Kirill Gerstein Bio:
Fascination for musical discovery combined with boundless curiosity, imagination, and virtuosity have established Kirill Gerstein as one of today’s most prolific and compelling performers. Gerstein is a searching artist. As a pianist, curator, educator, musical leader, and artistic collaborator, his exploration of resonant themes across a vast spectrum of repertoire – from Baroque suites and Classical concerti to contemporary creations, jazz, and cabaret – has nourished relationships with many of the world’s leading orchestras, conductors, instrumentalists, singers, composers, festivals, recording labels, and media platforms.
Highlights of the past season include Gerstein’s Carnegie Hall/Stern Auditorium solo recital debut, marking Ferruccio Busoni’s centenary with performances of his Piano Concerto with the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Orchestre National de France, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Gulbenkian Orchestra in Lisbon; Gershwin with the Staatskapelle Dresden on ZDF German national television’s traditional New Year’s eve gala broadcast; the closing concert of the Musikfest Berlin performing Messiaen’s From the Canyons to the Stars with Sir Simon Rattle; the Berg Kammerkonzert with Ilya Gringolts, Heinz Holliger and Chamber Orchestra of Europe; Rachmaninov’s 3rd Piano Concerto with Santtu-Matias Rouvali and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra; returns to Japan and Korea performing Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto; engagements with the orchestras of St. Louis, San Francisco, Pittsburgh and Atlanta; a release on the ECM label of Chick Corea’s The Visitors with legendary vibraphonist, Gary Burton; a poignantly timely program with the Wiener Symphoniker pairing Schoenberg’s Ode to Napoleon with Beethoven’s Emperor concerto followed by a satirical encore by Hanns Eisler; and an interdisciplinary project with the Ruhr Piano Festival uniting school children, renowned choreographers, scholars and world music authorities around the music of Armenian priest, musicologist, and composer, Vardapet Komitas.
Gerstein was Artist-in-Residence with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in 2023-24, Spotlight Artist with the London Symphony Orchestra, Resident Artist at the Festival Aix-en-Provence, and curated a three-part “Busoni and his World” concert series at London’s Wigmore Hall. In 2023, he released an acclaimed album with the Berliner Philharmoniker and Kirill Petrenko celebrating Rachmaninov’s 150th anniversary and performed Berlin cabaret songs of the 1920s with iconic performance artist and composer, HK Gruber. Gerstein also regularly play-conducts programs, most recently the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (Beethoven 4), the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris (a program of Mozart, Salieri and Beethoven Piano Concerti), the Budapest Festival Orchestra (Rhapsody in Blue) and the Czech Philharmonic (Beethoven 1).
Media projects, broadcasts, and digital innovation represent an integral part of Gerstein’s creativity. He has recorded for Platoon/Apple Music, myrios, Deutsche Grammophon, DECCA, Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings, with performances filmed by Unitel, Accentus Music, and EuroArts, broadcast on ORF, BBC, ARTE, and Marquee TV, and streamed on medici.tv and STAGE+. Gerstein’s “Music in Time of War”, pairing late piano works by Claude Debussy with pieces by Vardapet Komitas earned him a 2025 special Opus Klassik Award for exceptional curation. Expanding the traditional album concept, the recording is integrated into a hardcover book containing a wealth of documentary images and original scholarship.
Gerstein’s world première recording of Thomas Adès’ Concerto for Piano and Orchestra with the Boston Symphony conducted by the composer was nominated for three Grammys and received the 2020 Gramophone Award. His recording of Adès’ The Tempest Suite, with violinist Christian Tetzlaff, was released on the Platoon label in 2025. Other noteworthy Gerstein albums include Strauss’s Enoch Arden with the great Swiss actor, Bruno Ganz (Wings of Desire, The Downfall); Tchaikovsky’s complete Piano Concertos (including the 1st Concerto in the composer’s original urtext version) with Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic; The Gershwin Moment with the St. Louis Symphony and David Robertson, including special appearances from American singer-songwriter Storm Large and Gary Burton; and Mozart Four-Hand Piano Sonatas with Ferenc Rados.
A true champion of music of our time, Gerstein has commissioned and premièred new works by Timo Andres, Chick Corea, Alexander Goehr, Oliver Knussen and Brad Mehldau, among others. Since giving the world première of Thomas Adès’ Concerto Piano and Orchestra in 2019, Gerstein has performed the work over 60 times, with 20 different orchestras on three continents. Gerstein also recently recorded Thomas Larcher’s Piano Concerto with the Bergen Philharmonic and Ed Gardner for ECM. His premiere performances of Francisco Coll’s Two Waltzes Toward Civilization at Carnegie Hall will be followed by the creation of Coll’s new Piano Concerto with Sir Simon Rattle and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in 2026.
Gerstein is dedicated to learning. He is currently Professor of Piano at Berlin’s Hanns Eisler Hochschule and on the faculty of Kronberg Academy. At Kronberg Academy, his series of free online seminars featuring conversations with the 21st Century’s leading artistic minds has to date reached an audience of over 150,000 viewers. His guests have included Ai Weiwei, Brad Melhdau, Thomas Adès, Iván Fischer, Alex Ross, Matthew Aucoin, Kirill Serebrennikov, Elizabeth Wilson, Simon & Gerard McBurney, Robert Levin, Reinhard Goebel, Simon Callow, Emma Smith, Deborah Borda, Sir Antonio Pappano, and the late Kaija Saariaho. Gerstein also coaches at the Verbier Festival Academy and at IMS Prussia Cove.
Born in 1979 in Voronezh, Russia, Gerstein attended one of the country’s special music schools for gifted children and taught himself to play jazz at home by listening to his parents’ record collection. Following a chance encounter with Gary Burton in St. Petersburg when he was 14, he was invited as the youngest student to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. At the age of 16, Gerstein completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at New York’s Manhattan School of Music, followed by further studies with Dmitri Bashkirov in Madrid and Ferenc Rados in Budapest. First Prize winner at the 10th Arthur Rubinstein Competition, in 2010, Gerstein received the prestigious Gilmore Artist Award, as well as an Avery Fisher Career Grant. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Musical Arts from the Manhattan School of Music in 2021.
