The Dawg Trio to Headline New York State's Hops and Harvest Festival on Wednesday September 19

New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner RoAnn Destito today announced the lineup for the second annual New York State Hops and Harvest Festival at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. This free event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18 and feature a performance by The Dawg Trio with David Grisman, Sam Grisman, and Danny Barnes.

“Following the success of our inaugural event last year, we are very excited to be presenting our second Hops and Harvest Festival at the Empire State Plaza where we will showcase highlights of upstate New York’s harvest season as well as tasty beers crafted by several of the most innovative breweries our state has to offer,” Commissioner Destito said. “This event will feature an exciting lineup of bluegrass and folk bands on two stages, including our headliner, The Dawg Trio.”

Originating a signature mix of bluegrass, gypsy jazz, Latin rhythms, klezmer music, and myriad global influences into a holistic approach he calls “dawg music,” David Grisman began his career during the explosive folk and blues revival of the 1960s. Grisman’s iconic 1975 acoustic quintet album with Jerry Garcia, “Old and in the Way,” became one of the best-selling bluegrass albums of all time. Texas-born banjoist Danny Barnes is a visionary musician equally informed by the bluegrass tradition and the punk rock of his youth. He was the 2015 recipient of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass. David Grisman’s son, Sam Grisman, joins the trio on bass.

The free entertainment will begin at 5 p.m. with a performance by the Dixieland Windjammers, a band for all who appreciate the upbeat rhythms and tunes from the heart of America’s musical history — jazz.

Sierra Hull will be the next act to take the stage. In 2017, Hull’s breakout album, “Weighted Mind” was nominated for a 2017 Grammy in the Best Folk Album category. Hull, who joined her friend and hero Alison Krauss on stage at the Grand Ole Opry when she was just 11 years old, became the first woman to earn the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Mandolin Player of the Year award.

The Montana-bred bluegrass outfit, Kitchen Dwellers, will be the next group to perform. The band has been captivating fans across the country with their high-energy live performances and unique approach to traditional music that fans have dubbed Galaxy Grass. Kitchen Dwellers released their second album, “Ghost In The Bottle,” in 2017 and continue to push the boundaries of their genre.

Adults with proper identification will be able to purchase New York State craft beers and a cider: Druthers All-In IPA, Brown’s Brewing Cherry Razz, Saranac Hop Harvest Haze, RS Taylor Coconut Cream Stout, Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale, Ithaca Flower Power, Adirondack Headwater Heffe, Ommegang Rare Vos, Artisanal BB Brown Ale, and Bad Seed Sider. Also available: Heron Hill Winery’s Chardonnay, Gamebird Red, and Riesling along with White Claw Spiked Seltzer. 

In addition to the great beer, food, and music, there will be opportunities to lean about hops farming and beer-making in New York from vendors such as Kinderhook Creek Hop Yard and the Homebrew Emporium. The festival will also include activities the whole family can enjoy: a pie-eating contest sponsored by Meredith’s Bread, a beehive and honey presentation by Bee Hollow Farm, glass etching, plus yard games such as Cornhole and Jenga Giant.

Performance schedule:

• 5:00 p.m.      Dixieland Windjammers
• 5:30 p.m.      Sierra Hull
• 6:45 p.m.      Kitchen Dwellers
• 7:30 p.m.      The Dawg Trio with David Grisman, Sam Grisman, and Danny Barnes

Free parking will be available after 2 p.m. in the Cathedral lot off Madison Avenue and the Grand Street lot and after 4 p.m. in the East Garage on Philip Street off Madison Avenue. Paid parking is available in the visitor lot underneath the Empire State Plaza.

For event updates and additional information on opening acts, visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov, @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, and @plazaevents on Twitter or call (518) 474-4759.

Sponsors include the New York State Museum, Times Union, 102.7 fm EQX, Saranac, Druthers Brewing Company, Brown’s Brewing, Albany.com, and Renaissance Albany Hotel.