NEWSLETTER
In collaboration with Radio Catskill
Narrowsburg, NY (July 29th, 2026) – On Thursday, August 6th the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) will present two captivating young singer-songwriters at the Tusten Theatre, Shlomo Franklin and AILÍSE.
Raised in Bethel, NY and now residing in Nashville, TN, this Tusten Theatre appearance will be something of a homecoming for Shlomo Franklin. Shlomo sings country-tinged sepia-inflected folk songs about love, loss, and the American dream. Born in Ireland and now residing in the Western Catskills, AILÍSE sings songs rooted in ancestral spirit, pulling on themes of change, personal evolution and re-igniting the fires within. This promises to be a magical evening, recommended for fans of Folk Music, Americana, and traditional Irish ballads.
Shlomo Franklin Bio
Shlomo Franklin is an American singer/songwriter born on a small cow farm in upstate New York. Raised off the cultural grid, without music, television, or radio, his songs are strongly influenced by his cult-like religious upbringing. Shlomo released his debut album in 2019, which was produced by Grammy Award winner C Lanzbom, and released a double album follow up from his now Nashville, TN home. His 3rd album, Land of Hopes & Schemes, was released on June 16th, 2026. Franklin has opened for Jakob Dylan and The Wallflowers and shared festivals with The Nude Party and The Bones of JR Jones. His songs are as comfortable in front of a crowd of two thousand as they are in a living room house concert. Shlomo sees himself as a bare bones troubadour and is stubbornly trendless.
www.shlomofranklin.com
AILÍSE Bio
Now based in upstate New York, AILÍSE (pronounced eye-leash) is a multi-instrumentalist from the west coast of Ireland whose practice honors the Irish tradition while also drawing inspiration from other diverse musical landscapes. Her work is centered around emotive vocal performance with controlled vibrato, tight melodic agility and a haunting, spellbinding tone that carries ancestral spirit from forgotten times. This proficient air of musical mysticism flows into her playing on the fiddle and low whistle, engaging and enchanting those who witness her performances. In her music, AILÍSE explores themes of self-development, historical memory and the human effort to navigate complexity and change.
Here & There is part of a series of musical performances DVAA has been presenting in collaboration with Radio Catskill this year, all taking place at the Tusten Theatre. The final collaborative event will be:
Saturday, September 5th, 7pm
LETZ
Explore ancient melodies and folk tales from around the world.
A modern roots musical ensemble featuring violinist Odetta Hartman, bassist Jamie Mohamdein and guitarist/composer Perry Foster.
ABOUT DVAA
The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance serves as the Arts Council for Sullivan County, New York, presenting year-round programs in the visual, performing, and community arts and providing resources for artists and arts organizations throughout the region, on both sides of the Delaware River.
A 50
To mark a half century of advancing the arts in the Sullivan Catskills and Upper Delaware River Valley Region, DVAA has planned a number of celebratory and forward looking events over the course of 2026. From anniversary exhibitions and theatrical productions to celebrations of the amazing creative community that DVAA has helped foster in surprising places and through new partnerships, it will be a year of celebrating what has been built as we gather momentum for what comes next. To learn more, visit DVAA50.org.
SUPPORT
DVAA's programs are made possible thanks in part to the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; the Nancy Stevenson Memorial Fund; the Upstate Theater Coalition for a Fair Game Grant Program; our Business Sponsors; DVAA members; and individuals like you.
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Image: Shlomo Franklin