Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas to Rock the Empire State Plaza a...
New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced that Starship featuring Mickey Thomas will perform at this year’s New York State Food Festival on Wednesday, August 12, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.
A beloved summer tradition, the festival transforms the Plaza into a vibrant experience, lining the reflecting pools with diverse food vendors serving up authentic cuisines from around the world, including West African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, American, and Asian dishes. Paired with a dynamic lineup of free live music, the event is designed to celebrate New York’s rich culture and support local culinary entrepreneurs.
“The Empire State Plaza is an important public space that brings people together, fosters community, and celebrates the diversity of New York,” said Commissioner Jeanette Moy. “The New York State Food Festival transforms the Plaza into a destination where New Yorkers can enjoy the best in global cuisine, support local businesses, and experience world-class entertainment.”
The festivities kick off early with the Lunchtime at the Plaza Music Series, presented by M&T Bank. At noon, the Slingshot Funk Band will take the stage by the Farmers Market, setting a vibrant daytime vibe with a high-energy mix of funk, soul, rock, and smooth jazz.
The evening lineup features beats by DJ Mr. CEO and opening performances by Capital Region favorites Whiskey Highway and Sound Minds, culminating in a powerhouse set by Starship featuring Mickey Thomas.
Continuing the legacy of the band that dominated the 1980s rock radio, Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas, brings a catalog of universally recognized stadium anthems to Albany. With his soulful vocals, Mickey Thomas solidified his place as one of rock music’s most recognizable stars when he joined Jefferson Starship in 1979, singing lead on enduring hits like “Jane,” “Find Your Way Back,” and “No Way Out.”
After being renamed Starship in 1985, the group recorded three chart-topping singles: “We Built This City,” “Sara,” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” the latter earning an Academy Award nomination for its use in the 1987 film “Mannequin.” Today, the band continues to thrill audiences worldwide, performing hits from both the Starship and Jefferson Starship catalogs.
Tentative Performance Schedule:
Lunchtime at the Plaza Music Series presented by M&T Bank (Located at the Empire State Plaza Farmers Market)
12:00 p.m. - Slingshot Funk Band
Main Stage
5:00 p.m. - DJ Mr. CEO
5:30 p.m. - Whiskey Highway
6:15 p.m. - DJ Mr. CEO
6:30 p.m. - Sound Minds
7:15 p.m. - DJ Mr. CEO
7:45 p.m. - Starship featuring Mickey Thomas
Sponsors of the New York State Food Festival include I LOVE NY, Miller Lite, Albany Renaissance Hotel, Metroland Now, PYX 106, B 95.5, Reimer Heating and Cooling, and Maharaja.
For event updates and additional information, visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov, @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, and @plazaevents on Instagram, or call (518) 474-4759.
OGS uses an emergency text alert system that the public can opt in to receive event-specific notifications. For all 2026 Summer at the Plaza events, the public can text ESP26 to 888777 or sign up online here for event alerts.
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