Sunday SoundWaves
Now in its second year, Sunday Sound Waves is our summer music series at the Sterling Nature Center. We kicked things off on June 1 with Megan Hook and The Mark Wahl Trio (Mark Wahl, Loren Barrigar, and Taylor Ricks). More live music continues on July 20 and August 17, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM—free, family-friendly concerts .
Bring your lawn chairs, your friends, and come on out for a relaxing afternoon of music and nature!
Sunday June 1st
Opening act - Megan Hook
12:30 to 1:30
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Mark Whal Trio
2 to 4pm
Mark Wahl presents a collection of favorite original tunes with his gifted friends Loren Barrigar on guitar and Taylor Ricks on upright bass. Plus: Special appearance by the Canvas Moon Band members JoAnne Sherwood and Denise Knight.
Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and luthier,
Mark’s songs are often poignant vignettes with strong use of metaphor, simple melodies and compelling lyrics. He is fond of alternate tunings on guitar and baritone ukulele, and his animated and often foot stomping delivery is engaging. “I try to write with color, detail and emotion and to connect on a personal level…."
Mark’s song Paint and Canvas Heart won Gold in the Americana genre of the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest, and also won Finalist in the Folk and Acoustic genre with Perpetual Motion.
-Featured on the main stage at the Black Bear Folk Festival in 2024
-Black Bear Festival’s Curator’s Pick at the 2023 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference.
-“Performed” at the 2022 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Grassy Hill Emerging Artist Showcase.
-Featured among songwriters chosen for the 2019 Syracuse Acoustic Guitar Songwriting Project.
Circadia, Mark’s 2018 CD, “Circadia”was nominated Best Americana CD at the SAMMY’s (Syracuse Area Music Awards). His 2013 CD Everything Returns, featured his trio Canvas Moon. Mark is presently recording his third Album.
Internationally acclaimed guitarist Loren Barrigar will accompany on guitar and vocals, Taylor Ricks will on Bass and vocals., an immensely talented Syracuse based multi instrumentalist, songwriter and performer.
After 13 years as director of Ontario Center for Performing Arts, Inc. Mark now focuses on performing and making fine acoustic instruments. He owns and operates Mark’s Luthierie in Oswego, NY.
July 20th, 2025
Opening Act
Gina Holsopple
Gina Holsopple is a seasoned singer-songwriter whose original folk music weaves together elements of country and jazz with lyric-rich storytelling. Inspired by artists like Joni Mitchell and Ani DiFranco, Gina's songs are known for their emotional honesty, melodic depth, and intimate performance style.
With over 30 years of songwriting experience, she has released 14 albums and performed across the country in festivals, house concerts, and listening rooms. Beyond the stage, Gina runs Gina Marie Music Studio, a vibrant local music school and store that provides over 200 private lessons each week, serving as a creative hub for musicians of all ages.
Colleen Kattau & Jane Zell
Central New York-based Acoustic duo, Jane Zell and Colleen Kattau, have captivated audiences with their musical variety for over a decade. With roots deep in the American soundscape, Colleen and Jane offer distinctive takes on classic covers, fojazz blues, gringa-grooves and crowd-pleasing originals. Zell’s bluesy style and lead guitar meet Kattau’s background in folk, jazz and Latin music (rhythm guitar, harp, percussion) to create a unique sound. The duo’s performances are equally warm, expressive, and willful with a social justice bent. Jane and Colleen have taken the stage at such noted venues as: ➢ Syracuse Arts and Cultural Fair ➢. Homer Center for the Arts ➢ Oswego Music Hall ➢ Grass Roots Festival ➢ NERFA Showcase ➢ Westcott Community Cultural Fair ➢ Oswego Harbor Fest ➢ NYS Blues Festival Main Stage ➢ Mohawk Valley Blues Society ➢ Pan-African Stage, New York State
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The Busted Yolk
August 17th ,2025
Opening Act
Caitie Dawson
Caitie Dawson is a local performer based in Oswego. Over the past four years, she's built a presence in the local music scene with her smooth, soulful take on pop covers. Her lounge-inspired style brings a relaxed, intimate vibe to restaurants, bars and community events around the area.
Matt Venuti
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​MATT VENUTI
is a national touring multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter known for his
awe-inspiring original music performed with rare and expressive acoustic and electronic instruments that he was among the first to bring to the stage.
Two of Matt’s extraordinary instruments include the Electronic Valve Instrument (EVI) wind synth, and the Hang; an acoustic flying saucer-shaped instrument known for its hauntingly beautiful sounds. He’s toured extensively, offering genre-defying concerts as well as
“Music and Sound Alchemy” events and a critically acclaimed multimedia performance called
“The AmeriCosmos Experience”. All of Matt’s performances feature an interplay of up to 12 different instruments and a looping device.
His music has been lauded by the likes of Thomas Dolby, Herbie Hancock, George Lucas, Matt Groening and Stan Getz. He just returned to his home area in the Finger Lakes following a tour of 55 venues that circumnavigated the United States. Matt’s performances have been described as immersive experiences that inspire a sense of awe and interconnectedness with our fellow humans, with nature, and with the cosmos.
Check out Matt’s website at: www.mattvenuti.com
Some quotes:
“One of the most distinctive musical artists of our time”
Dylan Campbell, Senior Editor, SRQ Magazine
“A soul-stirring Maestro”
Jill Lawson, Huffington Post
“A symphony of creation”
Richard Dulany, President, Russell Museum
“Musical transcendence…haunting and enchanting”
Jodi Schwarzenbach, Sarasota Sun Post
“Akin to the Aurora Borealis for your ears”-
James Stimpson, Charlottesville Weekly