Van Dyck Music Club

“Stella Pasta Bar & Bistro, Seven Points Brewery, & the Van Dyck Music Club pledge to never incorporate Artificial Intelligence into our communications, advertising, or businesses operations.” Happy Friday, y’all - Chris here! My opinions on AI are just like the espressos I’m constantly drinking here at the Van Dyck: VERY STRONG. I’ve held on to these thoughts for a while, but today I felt like penning this letter in order to both express my feelings on these technologies to our customers, and to make a pledge to keep them out of our family business here at @stellapastabar , @sevenpointsbrewery , & @thevandyck . I know Mom would definitely co-sign this one - thanks for reading. “Let’s hold onto that *human connection* for as long as we can”

and a one, and a two, and a one, two, three, four…

SATURDAY, JUNE 20th: Join us at the VDMC when Hartford, Connecticut’s THE CRIBTET return to Schenectady’s Stockade with their original sextet lineup for a special reunion show! With roots in hard bop jazz, The Cribtet performs a number of original compositions written by members of the group. Formed in 2024, the bandmates started working together when four musicians moved into a house together (better known as “The Crib”). After getting a couple more musicians involved, the group grew into a sextet. All of the members originally met through studying music together at the Hartt School’s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz in Hartford, CT, with the members originating from across the country. The musicians of the band are all composers with different writing styles, but are influenced by the music of Jackie McLean, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, and many others. The Cribtet is excited to return to the Van Dyck Music Club for a third time after sets in May ‘25 & January ‘26. We’re thrilled to present The Cribtet in their original lineup, featuring Ben Malynoski (Alto Saxophone), Patrick Gordon (Bass), Dan Jantson (Drums), Aidan Slate (Piano), Gavin Tarling (Tenor Saxophone), and Parker Lewis (Trumbone). **Student Tickets ($5 off w ID) & Advance Tickets availiable In-Person or Over-the-Phone via Stella Pasta Bar & Seven Points Brewery, 237 Union St, (518)630-5173**

THURSDAY, JUNE 18th: The VDMC, Stella Pasta Bar, & Murder Cafe present another thrilling 3-course MURDER MYSTERY DINNER in Schenectady’s historic Stockade District! The Last Laugh 🎤 A Murder Mystery with a Puncline 🎭 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW! 🔪 ‘Welcome to The Chuckle Shack, a comedy club hosting the Tournament of Champions. The night takes a dark turn when the crowd favorite collapses mid-act, leaving an unfinished punchline. What begins as a fun event turns into a mystery, with the host, comedians, and audience under suspicion. Can you solve the whodunit?’ *SAVE $5 on TICKETS & $7 in FEES by purcahsing IN-PERSON via Stella Pasta Bar & Seven Points Brewery at 237 Union St in Schenectady -or- OVER THE PHONE by calling (518)630-5173 during business hours (Tue- Sat 4pm-9pm & Sun 10am-2pm) - feel free to call with any questions or concerns as well!*

SATURDAY, JUNE 13th: Our pal Michael Benedict is bringing back his all new jazz project to the Van Dyck Music Club - SMOOTH! Joining SMOOTH for their second trip to the Van Dyck will be a very special guest​, saxophonist and member of the Average White Band, Cliff Lyons!! Cliff Lyons is a versatile saxophonist known for his dynamic performances and diverse musical talents. Since joining the Average White Band, Cliff has brought his expertise to stages worldwide, blending soulful grooves with precise technique. With a background in jazz, rock, R&B, and big band, he has played or recorded with many well known artists such as Smokey Robinson, Manhattan Transfer, Bo Diddley, The O’Jays, and Ben E. King to name a few. Featuring Bert Pagano on Electric Guitar, Michael Richmond on Electric Bass, and Pete Sweeney on the Drums, SMOOTH is led by Michael Beendict on Vibraphone & features smooth grooving jazz of the 60’s & 70’s - heavily influenced by legends Herb Alpert, Pat Metheny, Ramsey Lewis, Sergio Mendes, the Yellowjackets, and more! PS. Check out @stellapastabar ’s Club Menu, available upstairs at the Van Dyck Music Club during all our excellent events!! *Advance Tickets always available in-person at the Van Dyck or over the phone by calling in at (518)630-5173*

FRIDAY, MAY 15th: @_fouureyes & Friends Vol II Join us at Schenectady’s Van Dyck Music Club for a special performance from the 4i’s SEXTET! ft. 4i’s: Connor Shearer - Keys Sattviki Rishi - Vocals Sebastian McHenry - Drums & Friends: Mi-Son Hinkson-Serrano - Saxophone Vinny Marotta - Bass Eric Achzet - Trumpet 5/15 - $15 - 6:30 Doors 237 Union St, Schenectady, NY

FRIDAY, MAY 29th: The VAN DYCK MUSIC CLUB welcomes Killdeer Trio & Laura Andrea Leguía to the Stockade for an incredible night of LIVE JAZZ! Inspired by their roots in Upstate NY, Killdeer Trio answers the constant invitation to explore the surrounding unknown. The band draws from their diverse musical experiences in experimental and mainstream music to create a sound that challenges expectations of genre and style. Killdeer Trio is co-led by bassist Evan Jagels, drummer Sebastian Green, and guitarist Wyatt Ambrose. They perform all original music composed by each member, and arranged collectively. Laura Andrea Leguía started her musical career in the National Conservatory of Lima, Peru. Laura Andrea has played the saxophone worldwide along artists such as Deepak Chopra, Maria Schneider, Ingrid Jensen, Alex Acuña, Eva Ayllón, Arturo O’Farrill, the Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet, and the Laura Andrea Leguia Afro-Peruvian Big Band, in which she participates as band leader, saxophonist and composer. Saxofón Criollo, her debut solo album, emphasizes the composition of songs in traditional Peruvian Criollo style, with harmonies that belong in the jazz tradition. The melodies are very lyrical, as most of her compositions have accompanying lyrics. The Van Dyck Music Club is the second floor entertainment venue located at the famous Van Dyck in Schenectady’s Historic Stockade District. A home to live jazz in the Capital Region since 1947, the Van Dyck has been under new ownership since 2022, with Stella Pasta Bar & Bistro, Seven Points Brewery, and the Van Dyck Music Club operating in harmony under Owner/Operators Chris Sule & John Reilly. See you Friday May 29th at the VDMC!

TONIGHT! Doors at 6:30 for a 7:30pm Showtime, with Stella’s Club Menu being served upstairs until 9pm! The Keith Pray Quartet is featuring special guest pianist Enrique Haniene up from NYC, alongside Capital Region drummer Matt Niedbalski & bassist Otto Gardner, led by Keith on saxophone. Hope to see you at the show!

THURSDAY, MAY 21st: @satyrdagg !!!!! THIRDSDAY NITE was the Van Dyck Music Club’s first regular series, with 18 excellent shows held at this historic venue from Novemeber ‘24 through April ‘26. Please join us for our series GRAND FINALE as we simultaneously celebrate the outrageous fusion tunes of VT-based Saytrdagg, VDMC owner & operator Chris Sule’s 35th birthday, and the very exciting future of the Capital Region’s home for Pasta, Beer, & Jazz: the Van Dyck!! Tickets to this show are on a SLIDING SCALE, aka PAY WHAT YOU CAN! We’ve got the entire Saytrdagg big band to support, so we’re asking for donations of $5-$35 per to take care of our musicians, with 100% of ticket sales are going directly to the artists. NO PRESENTS, JUST PRESENCE!! Secure tickets online, in-person at the Van Dyck, or over the phone at (518)630-5173 - or just show up & pay cash at the door on Thursday, May 21st! NOTAFLOF (No One Turned Away For Lack Of Funds), but keep in mind we’re only a ~150 person capacity club. Food & Beer specials to be announced soon, but rest assured we’ll be doing something fun on the Stella & Seven Points side of things for this one!! About The Artist: Envisioned and directed by bassist, singer, songwriter, and composer Mowgli Giannitti, Satyrdagg is an eclectic journey across genres, combining the sounds of funk, samba, gospel, jazz, rock, and folk from around the world. Featuring luscious multi-horn writing, 3-part vocal harmonies, an all-star lineup of players, and complex song forms that explore themes of love, actualization, and justice and equality. About The Birthday Boy: when Stella Pasta Bar originally opened in Burnt Hills back in 2016, Chris Sule was 25 years old. That’s definitley not the case anymore, but to be celebrating a 35th bday 10 years later in our new home at the Historic Van Dyck as a member of the Eddie’s Capital Region Music Hall of Fame is pretty damn cool. When I originally started this series, I peeked ahead to see if a Third Thursday would ever fall on an important date... this is close enough. Come hang!

FRIDAY, MAY 15th: The VDMC welcomes back experimental jazz trio @_fouureyes , performing jazz standards & deep cuts in an exciting SEXTET formation! 4i’s is a Jazz and Experimental trio based in Albany, New York. After the release of their latest ambient album - Guide to Mediation - their primary focus has turned back to their Jazz roots. Following their debut ‘4i’s & Friends’ at the Van Dyck in January, we’re thrilled to welcome these young musicians back to our historic venue on Friday, May 15th for the second installment in this excellent series, 4i’s & Friends Vol II: 4i’s SEXTET! Presenting the “4i’s Sextet” 4i’s: Connor Shearer - Keys Sattviki Rishi - Vocals Sebastian McHenry - Drums & Friends: Mi-Son Hinkson-Serrano - Saxophone Vinny Marotta - Bass Eric Achzet - Trumpet Join us for an unforgettable evening of Jazz standards and deep cuts in the Capital region’s home for LIVE JAZZ! Dinner & Drinks abvailble on the second floor from Stella Pasta Bar & Seven Poinst Brewery! **Student Tickets ($5 off) & Advance Tickets availiable In-Person or Over-the-Phone via Stella Pasta Bar & Seven Points Brewery, 237 Union St, (518)630-5173**

SATURDAY, MAY 9th: Join us for an incredible night of LIVE JAZZ with Art D’Echo Trio +2: a Centennial Celebration of Miles Davis & John Coltrane, with an opening set by our friends the Vinny Marotta Trio! American Music Legends Miles Davis & John Coltrane are being honored across the country in 2026 for what would be there 100th birthday celebrations, as their contributions to the genre are a defining part of modern jazz music and will continue inspiring new generations of musicans for centuries to come. Art D’Echo Trio +2 8:00pm-9:30pm featuring: Dave Gleason - keys Mike Lawrence - bass Pete Sweeney - drums Brian Patneaude - sax Dylan Canterbury - trumpt Vinny Marotta Trio 7:00-7:45pm featuring: Vinny Marotta - bass Nat Mussman - keys Isaac Nokes - drums

May 1st Schenectady Headliners: Featuring Mrs. Kasha Davis Headliners is back and it doesn’t get more fabulous than this! Join this amazing cast for Headliners Drag Show, hosted by Stella Progress, with special guest from Rupaul’s Drag Race and Drag Race All Stars, Mrs. Kasha Davis! Featuring performances from Miss Gay Empire State 2026 Natalie Taylor, Noa Thee Brat Progress, Miss Adirondack North Country Pride 2025/26, Fenix Fox, Spice Diamond, Great Lakes Xomedy Queen 2026 Miss Viola, Gemini DaBarbay & Psoria Siss! Featuring music by DJ Loki! Tickets: /e/1984307963535?aff=oddtdtcreator