A TRIBUTE TO TRIBUTE BANDS

Over the years, there have been numerous  tribute bands to grace the halls of the Mid-Hudson Civic Center and Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, our recently acquired sister theater in Orange County, such as Get The Led Out, Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show, Dark Star Orchestra, Satisfaction, and more. 

Conventional wisdom says: Why bother seeing a tribute band?  It’s not “real”.  Well, I beg to differ.  Would a classical music lover not attend a contemporary performance of Beethoven’s 5^th Symphony just because Beethoven isn’t conducting?  No – of course not.  How else are you going to see a live philharmonic performance of the symphony unless someone else is conducting?  Would you deny yourself the pleasure of hearing and feeling the unmistakable “dun dun dun DUUUUUUN” just because you aren’t in Regency Vienna?  You don’t even have to answer that, it’s so ridiculous.

Then why deny yourself the sheer pleasure of hearing the music and seeing the sounds of your favorite musical artists how they originally intended, especially when that band is “no longer with us”?

We have some FANTASTIC tribute shows coming up and I encourage you to try at least one of them and let yourself go in to the experience of the era, the sights, the sounds, dare I say “the feels” of your favorite band, gracing the stage once again.

Here’s a list of a few upcoming tribute performances I’d highly recommend:

·         Feb. 25: One Night of Queen (Queen tribute) at Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center

·         May 16: Brit Floyd: Space & Time World Tour (Pink Floyd tribute) at Mid-Hudson Civic Center

·         March 15: Abba Mania (Abba tribute) at Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center

Backstage at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center



A view from  backstage

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be backstage during a concert?  I had just that opportunity last weekend at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center and I’m here to tell you all about it.  

Last weekend, the Mid-Hudson Civic Center hosted the first annual Freestyle Hudson Heart Red Ball, and a ball it was!   With a dozen or so performers on the docket, the backstage area was a virtual who’s who of Freestyle royalty plus their friends, family, and support staff.  

DJ Rob Base makes
everything outta sight!

 

Judy Torres lit up the backstage area happy to take photos with fans and sign autographs.  Hip-hop dancers who were there to support Michelle Barrone, Lisa Lisa, and DJ Rob Base were quite literally on their toes staying energized while waiting for their cues, and concert promoter and Fever Productions founder Sal Abbatiello, with multiple costume changes and a gazillion responsibilities, energized the room like no one else could.

 

Performers included Lisa Lisa, Coro, Safire, Johnny O, Judy Torres, Nice & Wild, Rockell, Fascination, Nocera, Soave, Rob Base, and local fave, Michelle Barrone.  ALL of them TORE. IT. UP!

 

Have you ever been backstage at a concert?  Tell us about it in the comments section!



Judy Torres tears it up!