Music Makers Band Program: Tribute to the Venues That Shaped NYC

Tribute to the Venues that Shaped NYC

Join us for a special Tribute to the Venues that Shaped NYC workshop! This unique session celebrates the iconic NYC venues that helped launch legendary artists and shaped the city’s music scene. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician, we’ll help you enhance your skills while focusing on music from artists who got their start in these historic spots. From rock to jazz, punk to soul—whatever your genre, we’ve got a workshop for you!

Over 8 weeks, you’ll refine your instrument technique, develop the ability to play in a band, and build the confidence to perform live at The Bitter End on Friday, June 20th. This is your chance to take the stage at one of NYC’s most legendary venues!

What’s Included:

• Weekly 2 hour rehearsals – Whether you’re just starting or looking to level up, our experienced Music Directors will guide you through the process in a weekly, 2 hour, rehearsal with your band.
• Band Dynamics – Learn how to play in sync with other musicians, communicate musically, and create a cohesive group sound.
• Live Performance at The Bitter End – Showcase your progress with a live, in-person performance at one of NYC’s most iconic venues.
• Expert Guidance – Receive personalized feedback to ensure you're fully prepared and confident for your performance.

Celebrate NYC's rich musical legacy, refine your skills, and take the stage at The Bitter End! Sign up now to be part of this unforgettable experience!

Info: Skill Level Intermediate to Intermediate+

THURSDAYS with Terry Foley

5/1, 5/8*, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/19

(6:30pm - 8:30pm)

*May be rescheduled


Venues: Fillmore East, Academy of Music (later The Palladium)


Vibe: A deep dive into the mind-expanding sounds that shaped the late ‘60s and early ‘70s—where virtuosic musicianship met trippy soundscapes. Bands played extended improvisations, experimented with new recording techniques, and fused rock with jazz, blues, and classical influences.

Artists: The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, King Crimson, Yes, The Allman Brothers Band, Pink Floyd, Traffic, Procol Harum, Genesis (early years), Mahavishnu Orchestra, Gentle Giant, Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Info: Skill Level Beginner+ to Intermediate

MONDAYS with Musical Director Evan Macaluso

4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 5/26, 6/2*, 6/9, 6/16

(6:30pm - 8:30pm)*Will be rescheduled

Venues: CBGB, Max’s Kansas City, The Mudd Club


Vibe: Raw, rebellious, and DIY—channeling the sound and attitude that reshaped rock in the ‘70s and ‘80s. These critical Manhattan venues were the proving ground for punk and new wave, giving birth to bands that mixed garage rock, avant-garde art, and countercultural poetry into something primal and electric.


Artists: The Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie, Patti Smith, Television, Dead Boys, The Dictators, The Cramps, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, The Misfits, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, The B-52s, The Feelies, Sonic Youth (early years)

Info: Skill Level Intermediate+

WEDNESDAYS with Musical Director Sharon Heller

4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18

(6:30pm - 8:30pm)


Venues: Studio 54, Paradise Garage, The Loft


Vibe: Groove-driven anthems, infectious hooks, and deep-pocket rhythms that lit up NYC’s legendary dance floors. The disco and funk explosion of the ‘70s and ‘80s wasn’t just about dancing—it was a cultural revolution that blended R&B, pop, and electronic music.


Artists: Donna Summer, Chic, Grace Jones, The Bee Gees, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sylvester, Diana Ross, Prince, The Trammps, Thelma Houston, Barry White, Sister Sledge, Kool & The Gang, Rick James, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Heatwave, Labelle, Change, Giorgio Moroder, Luther Vandross

Info: Skill Level Beginner+ to Intermediate

WEDNESDAYS with Musical Director KATE VICTOR

5/7, 5/14, 5/21 (6:30pm - 8:30pm) 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18 (6:30pm - 9pm)


Venues: The Bitter End, Café Wha?, The Gaslight Cafe


Vibe: Acoustic storytelling, social consciousness, and timeless melodies from the ‘60s and ‘70s folk revival. The clubs and coffeehouses of Greenwich Village were the birthplace of an era where lyrics carried weight, harmonies were pure, and songs became anthems of change.


Artists: Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, Phil Ochs, Peter, Paul & Mary, Richie Havens, Leonard Cohen, Odetta, Gordon Lightfoot, John Prine, Tom Paxton, Harry Chapin, Tim Hardin, Arlo Guthrie, Don McLean, Judy Collins

Info: Skill level: Intermediate

TUESDAYS with Musical Director Deidre Struck

4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3, 6/10, 6/17

(6:30pm - 8:30pm)


Venues: The Village Vanguard, The Blue Note, Birdland, Smalls


Vibe: The electrifying energy of NYC’s legendary jazz clubs, where bebop, fusion, and cool jazz thrived. Musicians pushed the boundaries of improvisation, rhythm, and harmonic complexity in intimate, dimly lit venues where every note mattered.


Artists: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Charles Mingus, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley, Horace Silver, Ornette Coleman, Dave Brubeck, Dexter Gordon, Keith Jarrett, McCoy Tyner, Lee Morgan

Info: Skill level: Beginner+

TUESDAYS with Musical Director David Mayers

4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3, 6/10, 6/17

(6:30pm - 8:30pm).


Tribute to: The NYC born-and-bred artists who cut their teeth at myriad esteemed venues


Vibe: The sound of a city that never sleeps, and the bands that began their journeys here. From Greenwich Village folk to Midtown discotheques to the Bowery’s underground clubs, New York has sparked more musical revolutions than anywhere else. This workshop celebrates the artists who shaped the sound of generations--openers and innovators alike.


Artists: Simon & Garfunkel, The Velvet Underground, The Rascals, Chic, Ashford & Simpson, Talking Heads, Billy Joel, Blondie, Patti Smith, New York Dolls, Gloria Gaynor, Lou Reed, Pat Benatar, Kiss, and more!

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