April 26, 2026 – Hoke's Jukebox

The first Mohawk–Hudson Earth Fest drew families and folk fans to Schenectady’s Central Park Saturday, despite chilly gray weather, for music and messages mixing alarm and hope on environmental concerns.

The free-admission noon to 4:30 p.m. co-production of Music Haven and the Eighth Step folk Coffeehouse at Proctors alternated music with speeches on the Music Haven stage; plus family activities in the Kids Area.

Speaking between musical acts, representatives of many of the 14 sponsoring organizations and some guests highlighted community environmental programs.

Musically, the ghost of Pete Seeger stood tall in songs urging cultural diversity and environmental action inspired by biologist Rachel Carson’s alarmist 1962 warning “Silent Spring” that jump-started citizen environmental action across America.

Thrilling sounds of area world-music hero Taina Asili’s electric mixed media Fever Pitch presentation rang through Central Park as I arrived late after reviewing Club D’Elf at The Egg the night before. Broke my heart not to see her show; but she then joined the audience and sang along.

Schenectady City Council member Justin Chaires read a Council proclamation supporting the event. Kim Ireland spoke of National Grid volunteers working a recent park clean-up, and Brendan Woodruff of NYS ENCON urged home energy conservation; all introduced by Music Haven managing creative director and co-host Mona Golub.

Mona Golub, above; Justin Chaires, below

WAMC folk DJ Wanda Fischer and Eighth Step director Margie Rosenkranz then brought on folksinger Lui Collins and accompanist Anand Nayak for 45 minutes of mostly hopeful and always well-sung and -played folksongs on environmental themes. Singalong songs by Peter Mayer, and Garnet Rogers with David Tamulevich, stood out for compelling singing and thematic uplift. So did Woody Guthrie’s compassionate “Deportee” which put a human dimension on farm labor as environmental and social asset.

Wanda Fischer, left, and Margie Rosenkranz, above; Lui Collins, right, and Anand Nayek, left, below

Judith Tutor spoke of a world beyond plastics, NYS Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara noted legislative action and converting the park’s dormant “casino” building into an environmental education center. Ariel White and Hayden Schwartz linked carbon capture to urban farming and food-based initiatives before Union College’s first woman President Elizabeth Kiss read an Earth Day poem.

Magpie: Terry Leonino plays dulcimer at left; Greg Artzner guitar, right

Then, back to music with Magpie, the folksinging duo of voluble multi-instrumentalist Terry Leonino and partner-guitarist Greg Artzner. Seeger’s “My Rainbow Race” urged gratitude as inspiration for environmental stewardship. They cited Seeger’s reading of “Silent Spring” as impetus for leading many water-centered actions. The jaunty antique “River’s Taking Care of Me” and hopeful “We Belong to the Earth” kept the mood mostly upbeat and entertaining, not preachy. Leonino changed instruments often and mimed lyrics at times as Artzner’s solid guitar riffs supported everything.

Speakers in the stage changeover break between Magpie and Betty and the Baby Boomers also stayed upbeat. Schenectady Foundation Chief Catalyst Bob Carreau explained the Foundation’s “One Schenectady” initiative to engage “civic muscle,” Kate Kruk pointed to the success of Lynkwell in developing electric vehicle infrastructure here, and longtime Music Haven volunteer and Kids Arts Fest spark plug Betsy Sandberg read a Keats poem on benevolent insects.

Kids Arts Fest is June 6, and Lynkwell will be involved in National Drive Electric Week starting October 4.

Betty and the Baby Boomers: From left, Robert Bard, Paul Rubeo, Jean McAvoy, Betty Boomer, and Steve Stanne

Betty and the Baby Boomers closed the show strong, embracing their long record – 30 years together – making music to persuade with principled messages as well as to charm with closely linked voices and instruments.

Betty Boomer sang some leads, belting out the closing verses of “The River Rag,” continuing the water-centered theme of both Lui Collins and Magpie before them. More often she harmonized with Jean McAvoy and guitarists/singers Paul Rubeo (who also played bodhran) and Steve Stanne (who played leads on both guitar and dobro) while Robert Bard anchored the quintet with acoustic bass. They made a big sound, on big sentiments, indicting environmental damage and urging correction.

The finale, with nearly all the performers onstage

Then, nearly all the day’s performers from both stages clustered together on the Music Haven stage in a reprise of Seeger’s “My Rainbow Race” that Magpie had played earlier.

By then, the afternoon’s raw chill had thinned the audience. Those who stayed – some dressed as if for Alaska’s Iditarod dog-sled marathon – shared the warming mood of engagement in a unifying cause and enjoyment of earnest, gentle music.

Many sponsors staffed tables while hot food from HomeStyle drew longer lines than Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream.

Without setting a date, organizers announced Saturday’s inaugural Earth Fest would repeat next year; as some fans headed across town to the six-act Golden Oldies Spectacular on Proctors Main Stage.

A thrilling-sounding baseball game, fans loudly cheering every pitch, filled the park’s nearby main diamond. Some artists accepted the noisy baseball fan uproar as applause, as their own. Sweet.

Music Haven will soon announce its 2026 summer season of free concerts.

The Sponsors: Music Haven, the Eighth Step, National Grid, Kids Arts Fest, One Schenectady (Schenectady Foundation), Union College, Schenectady County, The Daily Gazette, ReTree Schenectady, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Price Chopper Market 32, Exit 97.7 WEXT and the City of Schenectady

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