Live concert series starts Dec. 8 with Robison-Willis at the Aztec

By Sam Waller

Albany Live will present the first concert of its live music series on Wednesday, Dec. 8, with Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis performing a holiday-themed program at the Aztec Theater.

Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with the performance to start at 7:30 p.m.

“It should be a great holiday show,” Albany Live president Michaela Smith said. “Bruce and Kelly will be playing some of their music and also some holiday music. We’re really excited to have them for our first show.”

Tickets, which range from $50 to $75, can be purchased online at albanylive.org. A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door.

“We’re doing pre-sales through our website,” Smith said. “We will have some tickets the day of, but we prefer that we sell as many beforehand as possible.”

Wednesday’s concert kicks off a monthly series that will bring live entertainment to the Aztec. Future concerts will feature performers such as Chris Knight, Paul Cauthen, Radney Foster and James McMurtry.

In addition to concert tickets, patrons can purchase VIP passes for $50 each, Smith said.

The pass will give holders access to a special area that has snacks, complimentary wine and beer, and nonalcoholic beverages.

Smith said ticket sales have been slow so far, but she anticipates that they will pick up now that Thanksgiving has passed.

“I think it was because people were out of town for the holiday and also because of the possibility a playoff game could happen on Thursday, Dec. 9,” she said. “I think people were holding out to see what happened with that, but we are still expecting a pretty full show. We’re excited to see the audience that comes out, and we know Bruce and Kelly will put on a good show for everyone.”

All tickets are for reserved seats.

“The first three rows are currently reserved for donors,” Smith said. “Those seats are priced at $75. We’ll release those closer to the show if any are left.”