The Syracuse Vocal Ensemble will perform at the Earlville Opera House at 3 p.m., on Sunday, April 28, presenting their concert, “Kids’ Stuff." (Submitted photo)

EARLVILLE — What has the kind of Blues you'll find in a barrelhouse in New Orleans, driven by harmonicas, tuba, drums, guitars, banjo, and a full horn section? Why it’s Hazmat Modine. The Earlville Opera House is thrilled to present this special presentation on Saturday, April 27 at 7 p.m. right here in Earlville, NY, on its own 1892 historic Main Stage.

Hazmat Modine is “a uniquely intercontinental sonic collage encompassing a tremendous range of instrumental, vocal, and conceptual originality, all with a lot of soul and groove.”

This dynamic eight-piece band has toured over 40 countries and performed original songs for 25-plus years with genre-defying music that is quintessentially New York – vibrant international cultures meets American roots. Diverse backgrounds in gypsy jazz, downtown avant garde loft music, blues, soul, country, rock n’ roll, and roots is written and performed by musicians whose ages span every decade from their 20s to 70s.

Unique instrumentation matches virtuosic trumpet, saxophone, trombone, guitar, tuba, harmonica, drums, banjo, and violin with a fantastical array of folk instruments and guest performers. The extraordinary vocals by lead Wade Schuman are riveting, rousing, and emotive, and his mastery of harmonica is unparalleled.

Their newest album “Bonfire” is a collection of unique and original material. As stated by RootsWorld review, “Hazmat Modine has the soulful, scruffy feel of traditional music, but the magic of the band is that it never quite lands in one specific tradition.” The band continues to call out from its unique musical territory that co-locates with American genres.

Worldwide performances include WOMAD (England, Australia, & NZ), jazz and folk festivals of Berlin, Vienna, Montreal, Pori, Cambridge, Vancouver, and Calgary, FMM Sines, and Live on BBC 3. They have toured from China to Brazil, Mexico, Russia, India, Malaysia, Central Asia, and across Europe. Musical collaborators have included: The Kronos Quartet, Gangbé Brass Band (Benin), Natalie Merchant, Son of Dave, and Tuva’s Huun-Huur-Tu and Alash, and Balla Kouyate (Mali). They have written for Japanese television, Wim Wenders’ film “Pina," and the Nobel Laureates 75th Anniversary. Their newest album, "Bonfire" was released in May 2023.

Join us as soaring horns and wailing harmonica are joined by the clang of modern India and the murmur of China, a distillation of Hazmat Modine’s travels through time, place, and sound. Throughout weaving lyrics that reflect on the times and troubles of the world we currently live in, this band has something so Hazmatian that it needs its own genre to define it!

Tickets are $40 general admission, $36 members (become a member!), $10 for youth (17 and under), with college students half off general admission. Premiums apply to select rows. Tickets are available at www.earlvilleoperahouse.com or by calling 315-691-3550.

EOH’s Artisan Gift Shop and three galleries will be open. Gallery visits are always free and open to the public with support from Golden Artist Colors, Inc.

Great thanks to our show sponsors: Community Foundation for South Central NY; WAER FM Radio, 88.3 Syracuse University; Preferred Mutual Insurance Company; Sidney Federal Credit Union; Hamilton Community Chest; Bruce Ward, Architect; and NBT Bank.

Special thanks to our hospitality sponsor Poolville Country Store Restaurant Bed & Breakfast NOTE: Make it an evening out and receive 10% off dinner at Poolville Country Store by presenting your EOH show ticket or receive 10% off your show ticket by presenting your Poolville dinner receipt at the Box Office! Call the Poolville Country Store at 315-691-2677 for dinner reservations!

Also, show your ticket at Huff Brau before or after the show and get $1 off your first drink! EOH Family Members and up, show your membership card and show tickets to get 10% off your meal on the night of the performance! Call 315-691-3300 for dinner reservations!

Syracuse Vocal Ensemble presents "Kids' Stuff"

Earlville Opera House is pleased to host The Syracuse Vocal Ensemble in our 1892 National Landmark Theater on Sunday, April 28 at 3 p.m., presenting their concert, “Kids’ Stuff."

This program presents great choral music that is set to the texts of children’s literature such as Mother Goose, Goodnight Moon, the Velveteen Rabbit, and Alice in Wonderland. Featured composers are René Clausen, Eric Whitacre, and a commissioned work by Megan Hook. The texts will be read by actors Susan and Michael Barbour prior to each piece.

Come revisit favorites from your childhood and share these great texts with your families!

Since 1973, the Syracuse Vocal Ensemble has served the musical arts in Syracuse and its surrounding regions with excellent choral programming and performances. Their artistry, range of repertoire, and quality of sound have been established by invitations to collaborate with The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Open Hand Theatre, Society for New Music, Skaneateles Festival, Syracuse Chorale, and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.

Following a highly successful community mentoring program in the past, Syracuse Vocal Ensemble is now venturing into the planning of a multi-grade level education initiative. They have a long history of excellence in a cappella music. In recent years, with the help of generous private donations, the ensemble has expanded its repertoire to include collaborations with instrumental chamber ensembles, and local soloists.

Tickets are $15 each, $10 for students 17 and under, with college students being half off general admission with ID. Tickets are available at www.earlvilleoperahouse, and at the door.

EOH’s Artisan Gift Shop and three galleries will be open. Gallery visits are always free and open to the public with support from Golden Artist Colors, Inc.

Earlville Opera House Arts Center is located at 18 East Main Street in the quaint Village of Earlville, NY. At EOH we believe accessibility and inclusion are critical to everything we do. Our historic Opera House has been upgraded to ensure accessibility throughout the building, including a hearing loop system in our 1892 theater provided by Hamilton Hearing LLC.

EOH events are made possible with support from the Office of the Governor and NYS Legislature, administered by the New York State Council on the Arts, and through the generosity of EOH members.

-Information provided by EOH