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Imani Winds & Andy Akiho

August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Skaneateles Festival

Imani Winds & Andy Akiho

Thurs. August 6, 2026

Concert at 7:30 PM

Pre-Concert Talk at 6:30 PM, Doors Open at 6:00 PM

First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles

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Event Sponsored by:

Helga Beck

Winners of a 2024 GRAMMY award, the Imani Winds have led a revolution of the wind quintet through their charismatic performances, adventurous programming, and imaginative collaborations. They are joined by Andy Akiho, a virtuoso on the steel pan, for selections from BeLonging, inspired by the sounds and protests of immigrants held at a Brooklyn detention center. The rest of their program dances a path from France, to New Orleans, to Latin America. Hear why “Imani’s got it all” (Philadelphia Enquirer).

Monica Ellis, bassoon; Brandon Patrick George, flute; Mekhi Gladden, oboe; Mark Dover, clarinet; Kevin Newton, french horn.

Program: 

Backstage Pass: A Conversation with Imani Winds & Andy Akiho

Join the Imani Winds and composer Andy Akiho for a conversation about their collaboration and music’s role as a force for social change.  Hear their insight into the music they will perform together on this evening’s program.

Imani Winds & Andy Akiho

ANDY AKIHO Longing (2024)

PAQUITO D’RIVERA A Little Cuban Waltz

ANDY AKIHO Synesthesia Suite (2007, revised 2026)

Beige

Crimson

Purple

Red

LALO SCHIFRIN La Nouvelle Orleans (New Orleans) (1987)

STEVIE WONDER Overjoyed (1983)

(arr. Mark Dover)           

 ANDY AKIHO BeLoud, BeLoved, BeLonging (2022)

BeLoud

BeLoved

BeLonging

 

Listen to the album

Meet Imani Winds

Meet Andy Akiho

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events at this time.

“Imani’s performance was brilliant — intense, dynamic and wildly colorful.”

Oregon Live

WEEKDAY EVENING CONCERTS

First Presbyterian Church

The facility was rebuilt in 1998 and the church committed to using the building as a community resource to provide space for and host various Art Shows and Music Festivals, Education programs, Co-ops, and Community based youth programs.
97 E. Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY 13152

Parking for the First Presbyterian Church along Genesee Street or in the municipal parking lot located behind M&T Bank on Genesee St. or Doug’s Fish Fry on Jordan. There is also free parking at Skaneateles High School.

From Syracuse and points east: Take Rte. 690 West to 695 West, then follow exit sign to Rte. 5 West. At the second light, turn left onto Rte. 321 (Bennetts Corners Road). Follow 321 until it ends in downtown Skaneateles. Turn left onto Genesee Street. The church is on the left, directly across from Lakeside Park and the Episcopal Church.

From Auburn and points west: Take Route 20 (Genesee Street) to Skaneateles. Go through the center village and the church will be on the left, directly across from Lakeside Park and the Episcopal Church.

SEATING
Doors open at 7:30pm – Concerts begin promptly at 8pm

The church is air-conditioned and the seats are cushioned church pews.

All seating is “first come, first served” with“A” ticket seating being designated in the front rows of the church and “B” ticket seating in the back ½ of the church.

FOOD AND DRINK
Light refreshments may be available for purchase at Intermission. There are many restaurants located in the Village within an easy walk or short drive of the church. See listing of “Friends of the Festival” restaurants.
HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY
We are happy to accommodate any accessibility needs of patrons and handicap seating is available in all price levels. Please call our office at 315-685-7418 so that we can ensure the best accommodations.
PREPARING
Attendance may be at capacity, so come early to assure yourselves of parking nearby and the seating you prefer.

Acoustics are outstanding in the church, so there are no bad seats sound-wise, but as with all venues, aisle seats may be at a premium.

Bathrooms are located in multiple locations at the church.

SKANEATELES FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE
A variety of Skaneateles Festival merchandise will be available for purchase before each concert and during intermission.

Guest artist CDs may be available on the nights they perform.

Credit cards and cash are both welcome.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND CELL PHONES
We would love for you to take lots of photos before and after the concerts and tag us on social media! We ask that you be considerate during the concert by silencing your phones and being aware of how your photography may be affecting your neighbors’ experience; we want everyone to enjoy the music in the moment. Please do not use flash during the concert.

There are a variety of ways to get tickets!

Presale tickets refer to all tickets that are sold before the day of the concert. There are no special requirements to be eligible to purchase presale tickets!

Order Online

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Order by Phone

315-685-7418
Click to Call

Order in Person

Skaneateles Festival Office
97 East Genesee Street
Hours: M-F 10am – 5pm

Purchase at the Door

On concert nights, if tickets are still available, they can be purchased at the venue entrance as follows:
First Pres. Church – side entrance off the parking lot – beginning at 7:30pm
Robinson Pavilion – tent near the Tasting Room – beginning at 6:00pm

Details

  • Date: August 6
  • Time:
    7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Venue