The Oswego Music Hall welcomes Sam Robbins for its season finale on Saturday, May 11. There will also be performances from Kenny Roffo and members of the Emerging Artist Showcase, as well as an optional dinner. The event takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego.

Oswego resident Kenny Roffo kicks off the night with his 6 p.m. performance, followed by dinner and the Emerging Artist Showcase which features local talent and SUNY Oswego students.

Artists Chloe Soba and Hunter Cazz, accompanied by Ron Castaldo, will take the stage along with Gina Marie Music Studio students. They include the band Liquid Horizon featuring Louisa Huff, Lucy MacLean, Madelyn Christ and Peyton Christ; individual artists Harper Ellis; Claire Algerian; and Chris Mandart; and the duo Melon Heart featuring Tim Attbacher and Brandon Schmitt.

Headliner Sam Robbins takes the stage at 8 p.m. A Nashville-based musician whose music evokes classic 70s singer-songwriters like James Taylor and Neil Young, Robbins was a multi-instrumentalist from a young age. He began learning drums and piano before falling in love with guitar at age 13. He started writing original music and recorded his first CD during his sophomore year of high school while playing open mics in his hometown of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Robbins gained recognition from extensive touring and is one of six winners of the 2021 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk competition, one of the largest and most prestigious songwriting competitions in the country. In 2023, he was voted “Most Wanted to Return” artist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.

To learn more, visit Robbins’ website at https://samrobbinsmusic.com/home.

The evening includes a complimentary sunset toast and dessert reception. After-party music is provided by The Dust Creatures, made up of Owego natives Erik Mosher, Emil Christmann, Josh Mumm and Chris Wahl.

Self-taught on guitar, Mosher is the band’s founder and a singer-songwriter who began performing in theater at age 4. Christmann, who performs on drums, is co-owner of the rivers’ end bookstore in Oswego and played the starring role in “Imagining Kerouac,” a multi-media presentation curated by scholar Don Masterson. Since moving back to Oswego, Mumm, who contributes on guitar and vocals, has held leading roles in a number of plays including “Imagining Kerouac.” Rounding out the group on trombone, keyboard and vocals is Wahl, who acted alongside his fellow Dust Creatures in both high school and college, and now teaches P-Tech at CiTi BOCES.

Admission to the finale is free for Oswego Music Hall members. Non-member tickets are $15, and the optional dinner is $10. Admission is half-price for children aged 6 to 16 and free for those aged 5 and younger. Tickets for the show and dinner can be purchased at the door by cash or check only. Membership can be purchased online or at the door starting at $10.

Located in the McCrobie Civic Center, the Oswego Music Hall is wheelchair accessible. The building is adjacent to Breitbeck Park and overlooks Lake Ontario and Oswego Harbor. The atmosphere is intimate with candle-lit tables surrounding a small stage. Light refreshments will be available.  

The Oswego Music Hall is a family-friendly, non-profit organization that has been run entirely by volunteers from its inception over 40 years ago. 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 ocpaoswego@gmail.com.

For performance schedules, ticket details or other information about the Oswego Music Hall, go to www.oswegomusichall.org, email ocpaoswego@gmail.com, or find it online on Facebook and Instagram.

Oswego Music Hall 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. 

OSWEGO MUSIC HALL WRAPS UP SEASON – Sam Robbins (pictured performing at the Bluebird Café in Nashville, TN) takes the stage at the Oswego Music Hall on Saturday, May 11 for the season finale. The show begins with a performance by Kenny Roffo at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the Emerging Artist Showcase. Headliner Robbins takes the stage at 8 p.m. For tickets and details, go to www.oswegomusichall.org.