Last night, the Green Apple Music & Arts Festival officially kicked off in New York, Chicago and San Francisco. The events New York offerings spanned a number of genres and styles, featuring a pair of acoustic performances by the Benevento/Russo Duo at the Knitting Factory, a headlining spot by the Chicago Afro Beat Allstars at S.O.B.s, a livetronica bill featuring Push, Elemental Harmonics and MJ Project at the Knitting Factory Tap Bar and an appearance by the recharged New Riders of the Purple Sage at the Canal Room.
During the Duos set, Skerik and the Fat Mama horn section of Brett Joseph and Jon Gray emerged for one of Best Reason to Buy the Suns most experimental songs, Scratchitti. Skerik remained onstage for much of the Duos set, which included stripped down versions of songs from the paired performers various albums and improvisations reminiscent of the Duos early, more experimental days. Russo and his former band Fat Mama will return the stage after almost seven years this Sunday to help close Green Apples New York festivities. Until then, here is a complete list of the free Earth Fair activities being held outside Manhattans Grand Central Terminal.
Friday, April 20:
The Paul Green School of Rock featuring Jon Anderson: 12:00 PM
Gandalf Murphy: 1:15 PM
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals: 4:30 PM
Ozomatli: 5:45 PM
Saturday, April 21:
Zero: 12:00 PM
State Radio: 1:40 PM
Assembly of Dust: 3:20 PM