Today’s Top Tips for Live Music (December 1, 2023)

Best Bet: Heard @ Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 8-10 p.m.

“You can’t really get away from the emotional and physical experience of the transition to the winter solstice,” band leader and local Troy native Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius said during a recent interview with Nippertown.

Heard has been presenting a concert of December music titled “Planet Light” for nearly 20 years throughout the Capital Region. A collective of local musicians who share a passion for world music, jazz and improv, Heard will celebrate the seasonal change with music set to energize, inspire and connect us to one another during this challenging time.

Other Featured Events

• Johnny Irion @ Clark Art Institute, 225 S. St., Williamstown, 6-10 p.m.
• First Friday Holiday Makers Market @ 200 Washington Ave., 200 Washington Ave., Albany, 6-9 p.m.
• Ill Bill – Day 1 of the Annual Holiday Toy Drive @ Empire Underground, 93 N. Pearl St., Albany, 7 p.m.
• The Bluebillies Christmas Show @ Dorn Space, 99 N. Main St., Gloversville, 7-10 p.m.
• Pressing Strings w/ The Rollin’ Rust at Colony Woodstock @ Colony, 22 Rock City Road, Woodstock, 7-11 p.m.
• LURK @ No Fun, 275 River St., Troy, 7-11 p.m.
• MARK209 – Christmas from the Heart of Nashville @ Vantage Pointe, 543 Ridge Road, Queensbury, 7-11 p.m.
• Snakes and Stars @ The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, 79 N. Pearl St., Albany, 7:30-11:30 p.m.
• Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy Present: A Celtic Family Christmas @ Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Million Dollar Quartet Christmas @ Capital Repertory Theatre, 251 N. Pearl St., Albany, 8 p.m.
• Martin and Kelly @ Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, 1 Rush St., Schenectady, 8 p.m.- Dec. 2, 12 a.m.
• Heard @ Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 8-10 p.m.
• The Q-Tip Bandits with special guest Kale the Band @ Lark Hall, 351 Hudson Ave., Albany, 8-11 p.m.
• Moondance – The Ultimate Van Morrison Tribute @ The Linda WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, 339 Central Ave., Albany, 8-11 p.m.

For additional listings, see our Calendar. Is there a gig (original music) missing? Go to the calendar and click “Create an Event”.