by Contributor | October 22, 2025 10:46 am
OSWEGO —Oswego Music Hall continues its Open Mic series on Thursday, October 30. Show begins at 7:00 PM; sign-ups at 6:30.
Guest Host, Jane Zell, leads off Open Mic Night and will be followed by performers who sign up that evening. Doors open at 6:30 with sign-ups taking place then and throughout the evening, as space allows. Musicians typically play three songs each.
All ages and experience levels are welcome. Budding performers, singer-songwriters and musicians of all genres are given an opportunity to perform in a supportive environment using cutting edge professional sound and lighting equipment.
Syracuse Native, Jane Zell finds her groove in musical variety. Influenced early on by the country blues, Jane learned to finger pick and lace single lines into her rhythm playing. She performs classic covers along with crowd pleasing originals laced with blues, funk, and jazz. A solid guitar player, vocalist and songwriter, Zell’s performances are upbeat, warm, expressive, and oft-times willful.
Jane Zell has released two CDs of original material: Sistah Moon and Almost Real, both discs were nominated for a Syracuse Area Music Award. She performs solo, in different combos and with her band the Zelltones.
Jane Zell has taken the stage at such noted venues as: New York State Fair Pan African Village Stage; I love NY Stage; North East Regional Folk Alliance; Blues Showcase; NYS Blues Festival Main Stage; Women in Blues Showcase; Acoustic Stage; Maui Jazz Festival; Westcott Arts and Cultural Fair; Folkus Project – Acoustic Guitar Project; Oswego Music Hall Open Mic and The Hook Songwriter Series.
Visit https://janezellmusic.com/janezellmusic-com[1] or https://www.youtube.com/@janezellmusic[2] for information and videos.
Scheduling guest hosts for Open Mic Nights is Coordinator Bryan Dickenson. Open Mics are usually held on the Friday night prior to Saturday’s National Stage concert.
November 1, Kaia Kater (Khalil Jade opening) will perform on the Main Stage. Kater is the 2025 JUNOS Contemporary Roots Album of the Year winner and nominated for the International Folk Music Awards. “…plaintive, mesmerizing…writes and performs with the skill of a folk-circuit veteran…”, Rolling Stone.
Kater, now 32, has won a big following among folk, bluegrass and American roots music fans for her deep and soulful songs accompanied by her smooth and skillful banjo playing.
Her credentials include appearances on National Public Radio’s Tiny Desk concerts and World Café, rave reviews from Rolling Stone and Folk Alley, and a new album, “Strange Medicine” (her fifth) that won Contemporary Roots Album of the Year at the 2025 Juno Awards, Canada’s equivalent of the Grammys.
She’ll be bringing her banjo to Oswego for a duo show with bass player Andrew Ryan at the Oswego Music Hall as part of the fall season for the non-profit music venue.
Oswego Music Hall Artistic Director Tom Lambert and his wife, Ann Buchau, traveled to Kingston, Ont., on a friend’s recommendation to see Kater in concert last year and “I was drawn in to her Appalachian-style banjo playing and captivating vocals,” Lambert said. “I immediately knew that I wanted to bring her to the Oswego Music Hall,” he said.
“I saw her perform again in February at the 2025 Folk Alliance International Music Festival (in Montreal), where she was one of the most sought-after musicians at the conference and played to standing-room only audiences,” he added.
Kater said she felt a great rapport with the music hall folks that made her want to come to Oswego. “The older I get, the more I believe that a lot of things are about relationships,” she said.
In a new partnership for the music hall, Kater’s opening act comes via a new Syracuse venue, Pink Rock Culture Co-op, whose founder, Amanda Rogers, recommended Khalil Jade, a CNY singer-songwriter and guitarist whose style “has a rootsy, Americana, bluesy feel that’s a nice match for Kaia’s music,” Rogers said. For further information visithttps://www.kaiakater.com/[3] or view a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IE0F3wViDk[4].
For a complete performance schedule including the National Stage and Open Mic Nights as well as ticket information, visit the website at https://www.oswegomusichall.org/ [5]or stop at the river’s end bookstore, 19 West Bridge Street in Oswego.
The wheelchair accessible venue is located in the McCrobie Civic Center, on 41 Lake Street in Oswego. It is adjacent to Breitbeck Park and overlooks Lake Ontario and the Oswego Harbor. The intimate atmosphere has candle-lit tables surrounding a small stage with light refreshments available. Tickets at the door and refreshments are cash or check only.
Oswego Music Hall is a family-friendly, non-profit organization that has been run entirely by volunteers since its inception in 1977. Volunteers can earn admission to shows through various tasks — from running the sound board to making popcorn. Students can also earn credit for community service. To volunteer, email Volunteer Coordinator Michael Moss at [email protected][6].
Find more information via the Oswego Music Hall website athttps://www.oswegomusichall.org/[7], the Facebook page, or email [email protected][6].
Concerts are made possible in part with funding by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the governor and New York Legislature. Other major supporters are the City of Oswego and Shineman Foundation.
PSA/Calendar:
On Thursday, Oct. 30th at 7 PM (sign-ups at 6:30) at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall continues its Open Mic with Host Jane Zell. Info:https://www.oswegomusichall.org/[7]
On Saturday, Nov. 1st 7:30 PM at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall will feature Kaia Kater. Info: https://www.oswegomusichall.org/[7]
On Friday, Nov. 7th, 7:30PM, at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall will feature the musical COMPANY (music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by George Furth.) It was originally produced and directed on Broadway by Harold Prince, with Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick. COMPANY will be curated by Oswego Opera, and is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com[8]. Info: www.oswegomusichall.org[9].
On Sunday, Nov. 9th, 3PM, at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall will feature the musical COMPANY (music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by George Furth.) It was originally produced and directed on Broadway by Harold Prince, with Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick. COMPANY will be curated by Oswego Opera, and is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com[8]. Info: www.oswegomusichall.org[9].
On Friday, Nov. 14th 7 PM (sign-ups at 6:30) at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall continues its Open Mic with Host Bob Raymonda. Info:https://www.oswegomusichall.org/[7]
On Saturday, Nov. 15th 7:30 PM at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall will feature Abby Posner with Mira Grimm opening. Info:https://www.oswegomusichall.org/[7]
On Friday, Nov. 21st 7:30 PM at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall will feature Actual-Proof. Jazz-by-the-Lake. Info:https://www.oswegomusichall.org/[7]
On Friday, Dec. 5th 7 PM (sign-ups at 6:30) at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall continues its Open Mic with Host Larry Kyle. Info:https://www.oswegomusichall.org/[7]
On Saturday, December 6th 7:30 PM at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall will feature Mad Agnes. Info: https://www.oswegomusichall.org/[7]
2025 Music Hall Events Calendar – Fall Season
National Stage 48th season
Oct. 30 Open Mic (Thursday) hosted by Jane Zell
Nov. 1 Kaia Kater / Kahlil Jade Opens
7 Musical COMPANY (Guest Curator Friday: Oswego Opera)
8 Musical COMPANY (Guest Curator Sunday: Oswego Opera)
14 Open Mic Friday hosted by Bob Raymonda
15 Abby Posner / Mira Grimm Opens
21 Actual-Proof (Jazz-by-the-Lake, Friday)
Dec. 5 Open Mic Friday hosted by Larry Kyle
6 Mad Agnes
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