PREVIEW: The Van Dyck Presents: Stockade-apalooza-stock
Beginning 7/10 @ The Van Dyck, Schenectady
**This article originally appeared in our July 2025 issue.**
“Stockade-apalooza-stock is not an ordinary music festival, but a way to provide for and nurture the incomparable talent of the Capital Region.”
Within the Stockade District, Schenectady's oldest neighborhood rich with original and classic historic period homes and buildings, sits the beloved Stella Pasta Bar and Seven Points Brewery. 237 Union St. is home to a delightful selection of food and beverages, while its second floor features the Van Dyck Music Club. This vibrant venue is committed to offering the community an array of entertainment, including jazz performances, comedy shows, open mic nights, and much more that you won't want to miss.
With the Van Dyck Music Club already bringing a diverse and unique selection of performances and events to Schenectady, I was instantly curious as to where owner Chris Sule got the idea to bring together a total of 12 bands for “Stockade-apalooza-stock,” a four-day festival running 7/10, 7/24, 8/14, and 8/28. When discussing the decision to make the shift from primarily jazz performances to a diversified collection of genre-ranging bands and artists, Sule said, “The Van Dyck is primarily a jazz club. We have live jazz every Saturday night from September through June. But I've learned through some great acquaintances in the scene that summer isn't the strongest time for consistent jazz, so this year in July and August, we're making a few changes to our schedule.”
Attendees can look forward to an authentic and personal experience featuring some of the best bands from the Capital Region. With performances by Canella, The Sugar Hold, Rodeo Barons, and The E-Block, along with eight other incredibly talented musicians, there’s something for every musical preference. The lineup is so impressive that it might just inspire you to showcase your own artistic talents. Fortunately, the Van Dyck Music Club has arranged “Bootleg Karaoke,” where you can take the spotlight and enjoy special drinks from Seven Points Brewery, starting at 10 pm after each show.
As if the atmosphere, location, and music lineup weren't impeccable enough, Sule highlighted one more aspect of the event that fantastically wraps it all together. Beginning at the end of June, a new app, “IntraStar,” will be released in partnership with Stockade-apalooza-stock. IntraStar—designed by customers turned friends of the restaurant, as a new approach to connecting up-and-coming local artists with venues, fans, and talent agents—will be working to provide an even more enjoyable experience for attendees of the Van Dyck’s festival.
“A big, exciting thing is that any guest that downloads this new entertainment app will get a bracelet and $2 dollars off their beers provided by Seven Points Brewery. This is a really cool platform connecting unsigned performers to venues in their areas and trying to link creatives with spots to play.”
Stockade-apalooza-stock is not an ordinary music festival, but a way to provide for and nurture the incomparable talent of the Capital Region. When speaking with Sule about his favorite areas of the Stockade, it was clear to see that his admiration for his community has fueled his push to create such an amazing event.
“It's a beautiful neighborhood. It's full of kind and friendly people, people who have accepted us right off the bat, moving into the Van Dyck, so [Stockade-apalooza] is to give something back to them.”
For more information and specifics about Stockade-apalooza-stock, visit www.stellapastabar.com or the Van Dyck Music Club’s Instagram page @thevandyck.