u/AmityAstoria

Between the late freeze that destroyed crops, now the heat wave, storms and power outages, plus gas prices, rising rents…our local businesses are taking hit after hit.

Is anyone thinking differently about how much they’re spending with local businesses?

This question was inspired by two things: 1- Darling’s has already had to close twice because of power outages and once due to heat, and 2 - there has been an Amazon truck at my neighbor’s house every single day for at least 10 days straight.

Before anyone gets defensive: Yes, delivery is a godsend for people with mobility or other special needs, third shift workers, and anyone who doesn’t have the time or resources to add friction to their lives. There are also plenty of Prime members who could easily spend an extra 15 minutes popping into a locally owned store but get choose to get a 6 pack of paper towels delivered.

Hi all!! First, thanks to the many dozens (hundreds?) of members who have been supportive of all the small businesses and community orgs that post here. HV is NTA, at least not on Reddit.

I’m hosting a monthly series called Pairings, which is part lecture series, part listening bar. We have two experts or enthusiasts pair a drink and an album, they talk about why the pairing works, and then we all enjoy both together.

The wonderful venue I’m working with in Kingston has asked if I can do the first one next Wednesday, in one week.

It holds 60 but I’d be happy with 30 for the first one. Tickets priced around $25 and would include the drink.

Do you make plans for ticketed events the day of? A week ahead? Could I start promoting now and make it work?

FWIW I used to run a whiskey club where I could have pulled this off because I had momentum with my members. Makers & Lovers is new so I’m way less confident.

ETA: The first "Makers & Lovers Pairings" event will be on July 15 at Stockade Tavern. Newsletter subscribers will find out what drinks and music we're pairing first!

Folks, I can’t get enough of the new Bobby Lees album. Best weight lifting and workout album of my year so far. So stoked they’re playing at Bearsville again in October!

I cant remember how I discovered them. Maybe they were opening for someone touring nationally?

The Restless Age is on the other side of the rock spectrum but I love them too. Saw them first when they played in the Keegan warehouse during 0+, probably pre-Covid. They play at The Falcon often because the drummer now runs it following his dad’s passing. It’s under appreciated as a venue, IMO.

For as active as the local music scene is, I don’t hear a lot of fans talking about their favorites. Who do you love to see live, and how did you find out about them?