June 5th - August 14th, 2008, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Albany, New York – Mayor Jerry Jennings and the City of Albany are pleased to announce the musical line up for the 2008 Alive at Five Concert Series. This series of free, outdoor concerts is celebrating its 19 th year. Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. downtown Albany heats up with lively music – a different theme each week! Food and beverage vendors complete the scene for a great way to start your weekend.

All concerts will be held at Albany Riverfront Park* .
*The rain location is at the Corning Preserve Boat Launch under the 787 overpass.

Additional information: (518) 434-2032 or www.albanyevents.org.

With over three dozen Billboard chart hits in the 1960's, they defined instrumental guitar rock. These hits book ended the decade, from 1960's “Walk Don't Run” to 1969's “Hawaii Five-O”.  Additional accomplishments include 2008 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, contributions to movie and commercial soundtracks including Pulp Fiction , record sales approaching 100 million and not to forget, the founders of Surf Rock. The group still remains among the top 5 instrumental artists on the singles chart.

At the age of fifteen, Peter achieved international fame as “Herman”, lead singer of the legendary pop band Herman's Hermits. His classics include “I'm Into Something Good”, “Mrs. Brown you've Got a Lovely Daughter”, “I'm Henry VIII, I Am” and many more! Herman's Hermits sold fifty-two million recordings including fourteen singles and seven albums that went gold. Peter's theatrical background on Broadway and multiple hit television series has contributed to his compelling stage presence and sold out venues.

A North-American singer-songwriter best known for her song (What if God was) “One of Us”, a five-time Grammy nominated hit and reason for multi-platinum album sales. Her audience grew significantly with her appearance at Lilith Fair, which placed her in the same school of female singer/songwriters Sarah McLachlan and Tori Amos. Osborne and her band have accompanied the Dixie Chicks, appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, performed on numerous occasions with Phil Lesh and Friends and is known for her soulful work with members of The Grateful Dead.

It's no surprise the 2005 American Idol (season 4) runner-up achieved success with his gold-certified debut album The Real Thing . This Alabama-born singer has a passionate drive to write and sing which is evident in his newest release, See The Light . The diverse classic American album is full of raw, Southern rock. Bo appreciates what the “Idol” phenomenon has done for his musical career, which includes leading him to rock-greats such as Carlos Santana, who tapped him to sing the track “Brown Skin Girl” on his 2005 album All That I Am.

By age six she was singing songs with her sisters in perfect harmony. Only 10 years later, Kathy Sledge would record a song that would touch the hearts of millions around the world. After meeting Kathy and her sisters, hit songwriters Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards wrote and produced “We Are Family” for them. The song went on to reach No. 1 position on every imaginable chart and also earned a Grammy nomination. At the start of the millennium, Sister Sledge was nominated for a Rock  & Roll Hall of Fame induction, was voted by VH1 one of the most successful girl groups of all time and in 2001, “We Are Family” was voted the No. 2 biggest record of all time.

Louisiana native and Zydeco ambassador, Simien has been intrigued by the low down, tail shaking party music since he was a teenager. He hit the road with his young band at 17, and since then he has gone on to share the stage/studio with Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Robert Palmer, Los Lobos and even toured with Dave Matthews Band. He has conquered film and records with the same intensity he brings to the stage. Rolling Stone gave him an unprecedented 3.5 star review comparing him vocally to Sam Cooke, Stax greats and showing crossover class. He is active in his non-profit artist advocacy & education organization MusicMatters, where he promotes the cultural importance of Louisiana's indigenous music artists.

After thirty years of pushing the harmonic envelope, the band's twenty-fourth album release can be expected sometime in the not too distant future.  “Why Can't We Be Friends”, “Low Rider” and many other classics can be found among War's fantastic resume filled with groove, color and passion. War's career skyrocketed in the early 70's as their exhilarating sound spoke to millions of Americans about the troubled times of Vietnam, Watergate and tensions of the inner cities.  Fusing rock, Latin rhythms, funk, blues, jazz and soul into a distinctive sound all their own, these multi platinum performers can still deliver to fans more than 30 years after their first appearance in Los Angeles.

Since 1980, this 11 piece local orchestral sensation has been the recipient of numerous awards including the New England Cultural Arts Preservation Award, The Governor's Excellence in Arts Award & Metroland Magazine's “Best Of' Award for seven consecutive years. Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra have shared the stage with major acts such as Tito Puente, Andy Montanez, Los Hermanos Moreno, Brandford Marsalis, The Count Basie and Woody Herman Orchestras and more. The group is also registered with the Arts-In-Education Program of New York State. (**FIREWORKS NIGHT**)

Coming from the predominantly Irish neighborhoods of Chicago, the Tossers have been expanding the boundaries of contemporary Irish music since the early ‘90s. Derived through the melding of traditional Irish and Punk Rock roots, you'll hear a unique mix of mandolin, fiddle, tin whistle and banjo with powerfully fueled guitar, bass and drums. An eclectic past is evident in their stage sharing with the legendary Pogues, the Dropkick Murphy's, Black 47, Clutch, Murphy's Law, and even SKA classics like Pie Tasters and Reel Big Fish.