Monk Rowe and the Five Families Ensemble will explore 250 years through music and stories.

By David Laguerre | November 10, 2026

The Oneida County History Center will host “The Sound of America: 250 Years” on Friday, November 13, at 7 p.m. Eastern. Monk Rowe and the Five Families Ensemble will present a program connecting music with American history at the center, 1608 Genesee Street in Utica.

The center’s official event listing confirms the program. A November 9 release on I LOVE NY says it is open to the public with a $5 suggested donation.

Music with a historical connection

The announced program looks at America’s 250 years through music and stories, including the Erie Canal and “Taps.” That combination gives local audiences a way to explore history through performance rather than a lecture alone.

The event is still ahead. This preview describes the announced program, not a review of a performance that has already taken place.

What to know before going

The most recent release lists a suggested donation, rather than a mandatory ticket price. Older listings describe the event as free; readers should use the November 9 release and the organizer’s current page when checking details.

No cancellation, sold-out notice or reservation requirement was found in the information reviewed. That does not establish how many seats remain available. Check with the history center before traveling if seating or access arrangements are important to your visit.

This Friday program is separate from Rowe’s November 12 jazz event at Kirkland Art Center in Clinton. Be sure to use the correct date and venue when making plans.

At a glance: Friday, November 13, 2026; 7 p.m. Eastern; Oneida County History Center, 1608 Genesee Street, Utica; $5 suggested donation, according to the November 9 announcement.

Sources: Oneida County History Center’s organizer listing and the November 9 event release linked above. No live seating inventory was available.