HCMC connects people through music with its free community concert series, presented in spaces throughout the city of Beacon and in neighboring towns. Often in collaboration with local shops, galleries, studios, churches, and parks around the city, these events are open to visitors and locals alike. Discover a dynamic performance in a non-traditional place, where everyone can enjoy music in a casual atmosphere.

Upcoming Events

Eric Person
Pop-Up Concert

Together with:
Tim Regusis, piano
Tarik Shah, bass
Peter O’Brian, drums

Renowned saxophonist Eric Person has notched an impressive resume performing and recording with many legends in jazz such as Dave Holland, McCoy Tyner, Chico Hamilton, Houston Person, John Hicks and many others. Eric has performed with genre-bending musicians Vernon Reid, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Will Calhoun, and Ben Harper. An active band leader, Person leads the Eric Person Quartet, Trio-kinesis, Eric Person Big Band and Person2Person (features Houston Person). He is a prolific composer with eleven CDs under his leadership, with his latest being 2024’s Rhythm Edge.

In 1982, Person moved to New York City from St. Louis Missouri. The following year, he received the opportunity to perform with legendary drummer Chico Hamilton. For 15 years, Eric toured the United States, Europe, Japan, and South America, recording six CDs with him as well.

From 1994-1997, Eric was a pivotal member of the Dave Holland Quartet. This high-energy ensemble performed at prestigious concert halls and festivals throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada and recorded the classic Dream of the Elders. During this same period, Person was a member of the World Saxophone Quartet and is featured on the band’s CD Moving Right Along.

After many years as a sideman, Person recorded his debut as a leader. Arrival, the 1993 release, emphasized a variety of styles, fresh compositional approaches, and a willingness to take chances. It was an auspicious beginning with Josef Woodard of Down Beat Magazine saying “Person swerving to the left, finding a fresh path between mainstream jazz and chancier, more personalized terrain.”

In1999, Person formed his own label Distinction Records and under the newly formed moniker Meta-Four released Extra Pressure and Live at Big Sur. Reviewing Live at Big Sur, Russ Musto of All About Jazz says “Person is more then fine; he’s a major talent of his generation.” In the 2000s, he released a succession of CDs that put his saxophone in different contexts, revealing his versatility. Reflections The Best of Collection, Rhythm Edge, The Grand Illusion, Thoughts on God and Duoscope all spotlight Eric’s personal sound, dexterity, and compositional prowess. Of The Grand Illusion, Donald Elfman of All About Jazz says: “Person seems to find something new to say and a different direction to follow with every project he undertakes.”

Since arriving in New York, Eric Person’s career has featured many highlights from being a featured soloist with the New York City Symphony at the Apollo Theater to performing with the McCoy Tyner Big Band at the Newport Jazz Festival.

You can catch Eric Person in two performances. Both concerts are FREE and open to the public.

Friday, May 1st at 6:30 PM at the East Fishkill Community Library (348 Route 376, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533)

Saturday, May 2nd at 2:00 PM at The Beahive (6 Eliza Street, Beacon, NY)

Past Events

American Dreams
Pop-Up Concert

250 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this program responds to the question: what makes American music sound, or feel, American? First, there’s an immense sense of possibility, a vibrant optimism that underscores so much of American music. After all, it’s the land of opportunity. Then there’s the longing for an imagined utopia, a place of safety and belonging. American Dreams weaves together a wide array of American music that celebrates who we are and who we aspire to become.

Violinist Emily Kalish and pianist Kyle Walker combine forces for two performances. Both concerts are FREE and open to the public.

Friday, April 3rd at 6:30 PM at the East Fishkill Community Library (348 NY-376, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533)

Saturday, April 4th at 2:00 PM at The Beahive (6 Eliza Street, Beacon, NY)

Pop-Up Concert @ The Yard

NOTE: THIS PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS.
IT WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR A FUTURE DATE.

On Saturday, March 7th @ 2:00 PM we present ILLARI, a rhythm-driven ensemble led by Peruvian percussionist Angel Michael Lau.

The Yard
4 Hanna Lane
Beacon, NY 12508

FREE and open to the public.

Illari  is a rhythm-driven ensemble led by Peruvian percussionist Angel Michael Lau, centered on identity, migration, and cultural continuity. The project reflects a commitment to honoring roots while creating space to grow into the fullest version of ourselves through music, community, and creative expression.

Blending Afro-Peruvian, Brazilian, Congolese, and jazz influences, Illari creates music that is groove-forward, spiritual, and movement-centered. The ensemble brings together percussion, melody, and improvisation to build performances grounded in connection, presence, and shared humanity.

Named after the Quechua word for “sunrise,” Illari represents renewal and possibility — an invitation to begin again, to act with greater awareness and compassion, and to move toward who we are meant to become, especially in challenging times.

Pop-Up Concert @ The Beacon Music Factory

The Beacon Music Factory provides music lessons, band camps and chamber music ensembles, concerts and festivals in their space on Fishkill Avenue, Beacon, NY.

On Saturday, May 3nd @ 2:00 PM we present Richard Kolb, performing classical guitar and lute.

Beacon Music Factory
333 Fishkill Avenue
Beacon, NY 12508

FREE and open to the public.

Richard Kolb

RICHARD KOLB performs throughout North America and Europe as a soloist and with many leading early music ensembles, and has released CD’s of music by Robert Ballard, Michelangelo Galilei, and Barbara Strozzi. Since completing a Ph.D. in musicology at Case-Western University, he has edited the complete works of Barbara Strozzi, published by Cor Donato editions, and his new edition of Francesca Caccini’s Primo libro delle musiche has just been released. Kolb has taught at Case-Western Reserve University, the University of Toronto, and the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto). He currently teaches lute at Bard College and is scholar in residence for the NY Continuo Collective.

Pop-Up Concerts @ East Fishkill Community Library

We’re very pleased to present a series of three FREE Pop-Up concerts at the East Fishkill Library.

These concerts are generously sponsored by the Town of East Fishkill and held in the rotunda of the East Fishkill Community Library on Friday evenings.

March 7 we present Ed Neumeister, trombone, and his jazz quartet.

On April 4th we present Jennifer Justice vocalist and violinist.

And on May 2nd we present guitarist and lutist Richard Kolb.

All concerts are at 6:30 PM.

East Fishkill Community Library
348 Route 376
Hopewell Junction, NY