All Over Albany

At The Plaza 2014

This summer's slate of events at the Empire State Plaza is out. It includes the usual mix of festivals and concerts.

The outdoor moves are also back this year, with some changes. The screenings -- now called "Friday Night Flicks" -- are being moved to West Capitol Park. And they'll happen each Friday night in August. The series will "feature classic films suitable for the entire family," according to the state Office of General Services.

On to the schedule...

Compact schedule

June 4: Living Colour

June 11: Kellie Pickler

June 18: Bootsy Collins

June 25: George Thorogood

July 4: New York State's 4th of July Celebration starring Felix Cavaliere's Rascals and Gedeon Luke & The People

July 13: Kids Day Sing Along Adventure with Mike the Knight

Fridays in August: Friday Night Flicks in West Capitol Park

August 2: African American Family Day with musical guests to be announced

August 13: New York State Food Festival with musical guests to be announced

September 13: Hispanic Heritage Celebration with musical guests to be announced

Expanded schedule

Descriptions via the NYS Office of General Services.

June 4: Living Colour
The music performed by this New York City-based, Grammy Award-winning band is an original fusion of free jazz, funk, hip hop, hard rock, and heavy metal. Living Colour rose to fame in 1988 following the release of their first album "Vivid." The recording featured the group's signature song, "Cult of Personality."

June 11: Kellie Pickler
"My life is a country song," Kellie Pickler has said on occasion, and no one who knows her or has watched her career evolve from her days as a breakout presence on American Idol would argue that in the least. Over the course of three albums, hundreds of concert appearances, and a breath-taking 2013 win on ABC's "Dancing With The Stars," she has earned the admiration and affection of countless fans, serving as both inspiration and role model.

June 18: Bootsy Collins
Known as the "man who put bass in yer face," Bootsy Collins is one of the all-time great funk and R&B bassists/singers/bandleaders. His first group, the Pacesetters, functioned as James Brown's backup band, and Bootsy's inspired, clever progressions and patterns on the bass were a vital part of James Brown's recordings. Bootsy later joined George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic, before launching Bootsy's Rubber Band as a spinoff to P-Funk.

June 25: George Thorogood
George Thorogood and his band played their first gig in 1973 and are still making explosive music, thrilling audiences, and are the baddest-to-the-bone performers in rock. With hits that crackle with humor and swagger -- "Who Do You Love," "I Drink Alone," "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," "Move It On Over," and "Bad To The Bone" -- the band defines powerhouse rock with bar band roots, unchained attitude and a fierce love of its country and blues history.

July 4: New York State's 4th of July Celebration starring Felix Cavaliere's Rascals and Gedeon Luke & The People
Price Chopper has presented this Albany tradition since our country's bicentennial celebration in 1976. The annual holiday celebration features live music and fun for the whole family including the best fireworks show in the region. Each year, more than 30,000 people gather to enjoy the day at the Plaza, which includes a naturalization ceremony, dozens of food and craft vendors, activities for kids, and an evening of live entertainment leading up to the big pyrotechnics show. Felix Cavaliere earned his place in music history as the keyboard player and vocalist for the '60s pop/rock sensation, The Rascals. From 1965 through 1969, The Rascals were one of the biggest groups in the country, with a string of hits including the Felix-sung "Good Lovin'" "Groovin'," "A Girl Like You," "A Beautiful Morning," and People Got to Be Free." Hailing from the streets of Memphis, soul music flows through Gedeon Luke's veins in rainbow colored hues. Gedeon and his band The People are here to crash through the boundaries of music and society, to bring Love, Peace and Soul to the world.

July 13: Kids Day Sing Along Adventure with Mike the Knight
GE's Kids Day is this area's "kid-centric" outdoor event. Nowhere else can children enjoy live music, theater, and dance, in addition to an array of favorites, such as face painting, bounce rides, puppet shows, arts and crafts, animals and amazing stilt walkers and unicyclists all in one place. Mike the KnightTM and his friends transport children to a world filled with marvelous missions, castles, dragons, Vikings and trolls. Mike is an energetic, cheeky yet bountiful young knight-in-training, driven by his passion to help others and, along the way, be the best knight he can be. Determined to do his best, through comedy and adventure with his rallying cry "Be a knight, do it right," Mike learns the power of responsibility and how to do things the right way.

Fridays in August: Friday Night Flicks in West Capitol Park
The popular outdoor movie nights will return, but on a new night and in a new location. Friday Night Flicks will feature classic films suitable for the entire family every Friday in August, beginning at 8 p.m. in West Capitol Park.

August 2: African American Family Day with musical guests to be announced
Come celebrate the traditions and contributions of the African American community through music, art and dance featuring a variety of family-oriented activities. Bands and local choirs will also perform. In addition to great music there will be lots of fun kids' activities including, arts and crafts, face painting, and more. This important day also features community organizations, ancestry research, health and safety awareness, food, and crafts.

August 13: New York State Food Festival with musical guests to be announced
With nearly 100 food vendors to choose from, 15,000 people annually flock to the Plaza Food Festival for lunch, dinner, or both. They come for the food and stay for a day of live musical entertainment, capped off by a major headline performer. The Food Festival showcases New York producers and products, and the popular Farmers Market.

September 13: Hispanic Heritage Celebration with musical guests to be announced
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with this this tribute to Latin culture. Rich in tradition, the Hispanic community comes together in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center for a colorful pageantry of live music, dance, food, and crafts.
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photo via Bootsy Collins FB