Solaris Live Music Cruises features a local musical artist every Thursday at 6pm from June through September.
What to Expect
Enjoy a gentle cruise down the creek while you listen to an intimate concert onboard our solar-powered boat, Solaris. Click on an individual artist image to book, or go to the calendar to view cruises.
An Intimate VenueSolaris holds just 24 passengers making it arguably the most unique concert space and the smallest live music venue in the Hudson Valley.
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Diverse ActsOur cruises feature artists from across the region—each with a unique musical style. Support an artist you already love, or discover someone new.
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A Unique ExperienceGet lost in the music as you cruise down the creek. An unforgettable way to experience the beauty of the water. Bring your own snacks and drinks!
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Upcoming Concerts
About the Artists
Mario Rincon
JUNE 6
Life-long disciple of the great folk traditions of the world, singer/songwriter Mario Rincon draws inspiration from Andalusia and Appalachia alike, crafting a bi-lingual blend of flamenco cante, Latin-American folklore, and classic Americana. He’s based in New York’s Hudson Valley where he teaches private lessons and workshops. |
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Jude Roberts
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JUNE 13
Jude Roberts writes and performs evocative folk songs with authenticity and grace. His music is a melodically rich tapestry of woven language. Jude's song, "Suzanne", written for Holocaust Survivor Tommy Wald, was featured in the 2022 PBS documentary "We Remember: Songs of Survivors"; as was an earlier composition entitled "I Don't Need To Tell You". A 2018 Falcon Ridge Folk festival Emerging Artist, Jude writes songs influenced by English, Irish and Appalachian folk music, with touches of baroque and Romantic-era classical pieces and European folk/pop. A unique amalgam of style and talent, Jude Roberts draws the listener inward and invites them to dive deep. Having traveled extensively throughout Europe for performance and pleasure, he launched a project leading music-focused retreats to Greece in October 2019. These tours will resume in 2024. |
“He fingerpicks with the delicacy, assurance and color of Nick Drake; sings with the bell-like clarity and gentle high end of a lost Finn brother; and writes Anglo- and pop-inflected folksongs with the offhand grace and deceptive sophistication of early James Taylor, Richard Thompson or Sir Paul himself.” |
Juliana Nash
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JUNE 20
Juliana Nash is a globally recognized and award-nominated songwriter, singer and performance coach. She has been teaching vocal technique, songwriting and performance coaching since 1992.
From her days leading the indie rock group Talking to Animals, soloing with singers like Sarah McLachlan and Bonnie Raitt at Lilith Fairs, to co-writing the acclaimed rock musical Murder Ballad, which has been performed across Asia, the U.S., and Europe, Juliana has demonstrated her tremendous unique talents as a singer, songwriter and vocal coach. She is currently teaching at The Rock Academy (one of the original School’s of Rock) in Woodstock, NY and loves teaching her talented students. |
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Key of Q
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June 27
Singers from Key of Q perform eclectic a cappella tunes celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Based in Kingston, NY, Key of Q is an auditioned group of LGBTQ and allied singers who travel from all corners of the Hudson Valley to blend our voices and perform beautiful a cappella music together! We focus on mostly-modern secular music with interesting arrangements and intricate harmonies. Artists in our rep range from Harold Arlen to Queen and Dua Lipa, with an eclectic mix of everything in between, and common themes include equality, love, and celebration of identity in its many forms. For our cruise aboard Solaris, a small, select group of singers from Key of Q will perform some of our favorites! Learn more about us at |
“The Key of Q Chorus has reached perfection! The singing….superb, the program….outstanding… The Key of Q Chorus is by far, the most outstanding GLBTQ choral group I have yet to experience…” – Chuck Z. |
Colton Thorn
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July 11
Colton Thorn MT-BC (he/they) will perform covers and sentimental original tunes. Thorn is a board certified music therapist, local quirky singer-songwriter, and a multi-instrumentalist and voice teacher. They have a wide variety of original songs and have been performing as a singer-songwriter since 2012. They have original tender songs around transitions, love, and even Oreos. Colton's style could be described as folky with a little bit of bounce. Colton runs local open mics at Saltbox and Holding Space Place in Kingston. Colton loves playing guitar, ukulele, piano, violin, banjo, and singing. Colton believes music can empower through learning and expression of emotion and provides an "in the moment connection" and loves to help foster independent and group growth. When not playing music, they love wiggling around, going on runs, eating their veggies, and time with friends in nature. |
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Rick and Marilyn
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July 18
Experience the synergy of 'Rick and Marilyn', the acoustic duo that is dedicated to bringing you Guitar-Centric, Hippie-Folk-Rock. Centered around the magical combination of Guitar and Song, our performances are a musical journey that traverses Marilyn's soulful original compositions and a thoughtfully curated selection of beloved classic folk and rock covers that resonate with audiences of all musical tastes. Rick's masterful guitar solos add a touch of brilliance, intertwining seamlessly with Marilyn's dynamic rhythm guitar and powerful vocals. The result is an electrifying, high-energy show that promises an unforgettable auditory experience. Join us for an evening of musical enchantment as we bring our passion for music to your audiences. |
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Perry Foster
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July 25
Perry Foster is an indie singer-songwriter from Arizona - coupling folk, country, klezmer, and jazz, into a signature style. He has been performing for most of his life - living, working, and playing in the Hudson Valley, New York. “A new twist on indie folk” - Metronome “Music to look forward to” - NPR KJZZ |
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Lara Hope
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August 1
Lara Hope performs original roots rock ‘n’ roll, country, and rhythm & blues. Winner of an Ameripolitan Music Award, and named the “Best Up-And-Coming Band” by New York's Hudson Valley Magazine, Lara Hope & the Ark-Tones are the Northeast's premier Roots Rock n’ Roll outfit! This intimate show on the Solaris will feature stripped-down acoustic versions of their songs performed by songwriter/guitarist Lara Hope and lead guitarist Christian Smythe. Describing their sound, Hope explained “I would say we are a new take on an old sound. It’s been described as ‘pan-americana’ which means we use many areas of early rock and roots music as a creative launchpad. Where it goes from there is anyone’s guess! |
"A beguiling chanteuse, Lara swirls with facility from sonorous swinging to purred intimations to powerhouse, knock-down-drag-out rock ‘n’ roll." |
callie mackenzie
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August 8
callie mackenzie (she/they) is a Kingston based musician, multidisciplinary artist, and organizer. Armed with a guitar, she brings the audience us on a smooth, soulful and sometimes funky journey of deep feelings about oppression, freedom, love, heartbreak, and mental health. Her second album (r)evolution will be released in Spring 2024. 
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Andrea Maddox performs country, accompanied by Max Fass on accordion
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August 15
Andrea’s Tennessee upbringing comes through her songs as she channels the legendary women of classic country music while connecting to her audiences with the timeless themes of love and heartbreak. All of her songs come from her twisted heart and she delivers them with a wink in her eye. Andrea will be joined by Kingston accordionist Max Fass. |
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Dempsey/Nelson Way
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August 29
Dempsey & Nelson Way performs funky and soulful jazz, pop, blues, and originals. This husband and wife team have been playing music together for over twenty years. DeWitt’s funky upright bass and Barbara’s smoky, soulful voice open up the door for all kinds of music. From jazz standards to pop (done their way) to blues and originals. This is a sweet listening experience. |
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Mike + Ruthy (of the Mammals)
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September 5
The Mammals are folksingers Ruth Ungar, Mike Merenda, and a cohort of compelling collaborators who form a touring quintet on the fiddle, banjo, guitar, organ, bass, and drums. Over the past 20 years they have quietly composed a canon of original songs (“some of the best songwriting of their generation.” -LA Times) that both reflect our culture and offer a vision of how the world might yet be. “These days we sing about what we’re for over what we’re against,” says songwriter, Mike Merenda, and what they're for is "nothing short of sublime” according to Americana UK. A rough and tumble decade in the 00's forged The Mammals identity as "subversive acoustic traditionalists” (Boston Globe) or a "party band with a conscience." Re-emerging in 2017 from a hibernation period during-which the band's founders explored new songwriting terrain, The Mammals “don’t suffer from multiple genre syndrome, they celebrate it as if gleefully aware that the sound barriers separating old-timey music, vintage pop and contemporary folk are as permeable as cotton” (Washington Post). Their latest album, Nonet, "marshalls the defiant spirit needed to heal a damaged world" (No Depression). In 2023 they released a series of singles recorded at their own Humble Abode Music, as well as issuing bonus material from 2020’s landmark Nonet album. “Hailed by many as Americana trailblazers and exuding togetherness on stage, [The Mammals] are also gently-mannered activists with well-crafted songs that successfully ask potent questions and raise issues to probe how we can improve the planet. They deliver their material persuasively and in an eloquent manner with enjoyment of their music underpinning the approach overall. The music is the motivator throughout.” |
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Veterans in a New Field
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September 19
The Veterans in a New Field present the music of the Union Irish Brigade in the Civil War, and other old time tunes. Our style is traditional, historic Celtic melodies played on period type instruments. For our performances on Solaris we have focused on songs of the maritime life; sea shanties, tunes of the River, Naval songs and boats; clippers, whalers, tugs, fishing smacks and steamers. We have been performing for nearly fifteen years now. We present primarily at history events and have played at libraries, historic sites and societies and festivals and re-enactments, from Grant Cottage in the Adirondacks to the Persen House in Kingston to the NYS Military History Museum in Saratoga and Kiersted House in Saugerties. We have recorded three CDs with one more currently in production. |
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