December 26th, 2023 -Very excited to announce a show at our favorite venue in Manhattan and a longtime dream of ours to play, THE IRIDIUM!!  Our great friends Joe Deninzon's Stratospheerius have invited us to open for them at NYC's premiere Rock, Blues and Jazz venue where we've seen some of our favorite musicians perform.  Be there, Friday, February 9th 2024.  Tickets here!

December 2023 - Not only one of the area's best musicians with the hottest band, violinist Joe Deninzon has also been a great friend and supporter of AD ASTRA over the last decade.  We were incredibly happy for him when he got the nod this year to join Prog stalwarts KANSAS as their new violinist for their 50th Anniversary Tour and beyond.  Even happier now that in between some time off  from his heavy touring schedule, he'll be joining us for a special show on Long Island with his band Stratospheerius!  Their latest CD/DVD package "Behind the Curtain - Live at ProgStock" has been at the top of every pertinent poll this year and has just been voted "one of the best live progressive rock albums of the year" by Metal Digest magazine.

Join us at a great club we have yet to perform at - Industry in Huntington, NY on Saturday, December 16th for a special night of Progressive Rock.  Also on board we'll be our good friend Scott Thomas Ferreira with his incredible band Seven Vs Never!  This will be our last show of 2023 as we look back on our best year so far, showcasing new music, performing multiple shows/mini-tours with our great friends Magic Elf, Travis Larson Band and Ethan Meixsell, as well as an incredibly memorable time performing at ProgStock - The NorthEast's Premiere Progressive Rock Festival.

Onward and Upward to 2024 with our most exciting announcement yet...STAY TUNED!!

June 2023 - Very happy to announce that we will be appearing at ProgStock 2023 Progressive Rock festival in Rutherford, NJ on Friday, Oct 6th! Special thanks to Thomas Palmieri and Ann Rinaldi for inviting us to perform. Aside from the other amazing bands on the bill that weekend, our good friends the Travis Larson Band will be appearing as well!   Get your tickets here!

May 2023 - NEW JERSEY! Super excited to be invited by our good friend Robert Shepard and the boys in Manticore - the tribute to ELP to open their show at Debonair Music Hall on Saturday, July 22nd! We will be performing brand new material along with fan favorites...be there!  Tix available in advance here!

March 2023 - Magic Elf and Ad Astra together again - Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of album releases with a short tour!  Both bands began doing shows together at Canno's Swiss Tavern in Lynbrook, NY 20 years ago, coinciding with the release of albums that same year.  Four shows from April 27th to May 1st are planned in celebration. Beginning with a Thursday, April 27th performance at Mr. Beery’s in Bethpage, NY; followed by appearances at The Royal in Glenside, PA and Lucy’s in Pleasantville, NY. The string of dates ends at Rockwood Music Hall on May 1st in New York City. Check the shows page for more details.

January 2023 - Looking forward to an awesome year of music ahead with two shows already booked for this month!  Prog Night on January 13th at Olive's in Nyack, NY with the awesome Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius and Orpheus Nine.  January 21st at Mr. Beery's in Bethpage, NY with the always amazing Ethan Meixsell, with special guests Emmett Hughes/Laura Press!  These will prove to be rousing events with face-melting performances from the area's top Progressive Rock bands! Check the shows page for more details.

September 2022 - Super excited to be invited to do a show with Long Island's hottest instrumental band RainBrain!!  We'll be at THE WAREHOUSE, LI’s newest & most exciting live music venue.  We start early at 7:00pm, so with THE WAREHOUSE's great food & drink, this will be a perfect night for dinner and a show.  See you there!!

 

July 2022 - Live on Long Island!  We’re honored to have been invited to perform at a benefit concert for Katie’s of Smithtown on Saturday, August 13th.  All proceeds of the show going to restore “Roxy the Food Truck”, recently damaged by fire.  Featuring 7 original music acts starting at 4:30, AD ASTRA closes the show at 10:30.  See you there for a good cause!  Check the shows page for more details. Come on down and support live, original music played with power, passion, precision and soul!

 

November 2021 - Honored to be opening up for L.A.X. (with Dave LaRue and Van Romaine of Steve Morse Band fame), some of the top musicians in the Prog/Fusion genre.  We'll be playing with them on Thursday, Dec. 2nd at The Warehouse, one of Long Island's newest live music venues.  We start early at 7:00pm, so with The Warehouse's great food & drink, this will be a perfect night for dinner and a show.  Check the shows page for more details. Come on down and support live, original music played with power, passion, precision and soul!

August 2021 - Super excited to be getting out there again with our first live shows after 21 months! Friday, September 24th at Olive's in Nyack, NY and Tuesday, October 12th at Arlene's Grocery in NYC.   Billed as "Prog Nights" with the awesome Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius and Mile Marker Zero, these shows will be sure to prove as rousing events with face-melting performances from the area's top Progressive Rock bands!   Check the shows page for more details.

November 2020 - We hope everyone has been doing well over the last year since our world has been turned upside down.  The band has been inactive since February and recently got together for a few rehearsals.  Some songwriting and demos have ensued and we are very happy to have been invited by the good people at the ProgStock Festival to be a part of their Virtual Series for a live-stream show on Saturday, November 28th!  This will be a multi-camera soundstage performance broadcast via the StageIt platform.  Direct link to the $4 ticket purchase and show can be found here.  Check the shows page for more details.

September 2019 - We are featured in the September 20th, 2019 issue of the New York Post on the same page  as the "Ad Astra" movie review starring Brad Pitt.  The paper reached out to us because we share a name with the movie, something we've been having fun with our friends and fans since April.  We had lots of fun with this and hopefully it will lead to more exposure for the band.  Below is a photo of the print edition and link to the article online.  This ties in perfectly with our upcoming shows with Joe Deninzon's Stratospheerius in Manhattan at Shrine World Music Venue on Tuesday, October 8th and Friday, November 1st at Olive's in Nyack, NY.  Check the shows page for more details.

 

August 2019 - A few shows coming up in September in support for Mörglbl, the band that "blew Liquid Tension Experiment off the stage", according to multiple comments on a YouTube video where they shared the stage with LTE!  These French Instrumental Prog/Fusion phenoms have been tearing it up around the world for 20 years and we're happy to host them for a few shows in the NYC area (New Jersey & Long Island) for their upcoming US tour:

Sep. 6th at the New Jersey Proghouse, Dunellen, NJ; 7pm doors, 8pm show
Sep. 7th at Orion Studios, Baltimore, MD; 7:30pm
Sep. 8th at The Village Pub, Lindenhurst, NY; 6:30pm sharp; with Ethan Meixsell and Scott Ferreira

Check the shows page for more info.

April 2019 - New show booked!  Thursday, May 9th at The Rail in Smithtown, NY - Instrumental Rock/Fusion Night celebrating the CD releases of two of Long Island's finest guitar players, good friends Ethan Meixsell and Scott Thomas Ferreira!  We round out the bill, for a night of high energy, original progressive music played with passion and spirit.  The Rail is a really nice, comfortable Long Island venue with an excellent sound system.  Looking forward to playing there for the first time!

February 2019 - Big show news!!  We have been invited to perform at the legendary My Father's Place with good friends Callooh Callay for the re-opened venue's first "Progressive Rock Night"!  High-energy, original progressive music played with passion and spirit. Thursday, April 4th, come celebrate Callooh Callay's CD release "Astonishing Flow of Time" and Ad Astra performing new material. 6:00 doors for dinner and drinks; 8:00 showtime. $20 - 2 Drink Minimum - Get your tickets in advance here!

November 2018 - Final show of the year on Saturday, December 1st at the Debonair Music Hall in Teaneck, NJ, opening up for the incredible ELP Tribute band Manticore!  Get you tickets in advance for only $10 here!

June 2018 - A bunch of shows coming for the summer and fall!  Ethan Meixsell and Eric Wollman will be joining us for a Manhattan show at Desmond's Tavern on Friday, June 29th. Then a show at the New Jersey ProgHouse with Andy Timmons and Travis Larson Band on Saturday, July 28th.  And of course out annual show at KJ Farrell's with Travis Larson Band and Ethan Meixsell.  Check the shows page for more info.

January 2018 - A few Long Island shows coming up in February with Grammy Award winning  guitarist/producer Larry Mitchell!.  Ethan Meixsell will be joining us for the 89 North show on Thursday, February 8th and then we'll hit the Long Beach Music Festival on Saturday, February 10th. Check the shows page for more info.

October 2017 - A few shows coming up at the end of October.  Excited to be playing with good friends Ethan Meixsell and The Travis Larson Band on October 24th at KJ Farrell's in Bellmore, Long Island.  Also playing with Joe Denzinon's Stratospheerius for his CD Release party on October 31st in Manhattan!  Check the shows page for more info.

August 2017 - We have once again been invited to perform at this year's WUSB Benefest at Katie's of Smithtown in Smithtown, NY - SPECIAL BENEFIT CONCERT FOR WUSB Stony Brook radio on Saturday, September 9th.  Check the shows page for more info.

April 2017 - Excited to have been invited to this night of Original Progressive Rock at 89 North on Thursday, April 13th! Hope to see all of our Long Island fans there as we tear it up with Joe Deninzon's Stratospheerius and Callooh Callay. Early night with AD ASTRA opening the show at 7:30.  Check the shows page for more info.  Writing continues for our third CD!

January 2017 - The new year starts off with a couple of shows with the great people of SONIC VOYAGE FEST.  Friday, February 10th at OLIVE'S, Nyack, NY and Thursday, March 9th at The Shrine, NYC!  And a special show on February 16th in Bethpage, NY with Grammy Award winning Instrumental Guitarist and Producer LARRY MITCHELL!  Check the shows page for more info.  Writing continues for our third CD!

August 2016 - Very excited to have been selected to play ProgDay 2016!  The International Progressive Rock festival is the longest running of its kind at 22 years and counting.  We will be performing on Sunday, September 4th at 12:30.  We have also been invited to perform at this year's WUSB Benefest at Katie's of Smithtown in Smithtown, NY - SPECIAL BENEFIT CONCERT FOR WUSB Stony Brook radio on Saturday, August 13th.  Check the shows page for more info.

June 23rd, 2016 - Just announced!  We will be special guests of the Stu Hamm Band on Wednesday, July 6th at Revolution Music Hall in Amityville!  I've been a fan of Stu's for many years, especially after seeing him perform live for the first time with Joe Satriani at the Bottom Line in NYC in January 1988.  Mick Jagger came out and sang Jimi Hendrix's "Red House" with the band...unforgettable night!

June 2016 - First gigs of 2016 will be on June 21st and July 2nd! We're excited to be invited as the opening act for Circuline's CD Release Party at the New Jersey Prog House in Dunellen, NJ on Tuesday, June 21st!  We'll be doing some songs in the set that we have never performed with the current line-up. As a super-bonus, Harold Skeete will be playing bass in both bands that night! Looking forward to a great night in a venue that specializes in Prog.  We will also be performing at the Somerville Summer Stage on Saturday, July 2nd in Somerville, NJ.  Hope to see you at the shows!  Check the shows page for more info.

Fall 2015 - Regional Mini-Tour - 6 shows - Nov. 6, 7, 8, 10, 13 and 28 - Totally pumped to be doing a Regional Mini-Tour!! Six dates, hitting Upstate NY, Manhattan, Long Island and New Jersey.  4 dates with our good friends Magic Elf and 2 dates with new friends Shadow Eden!  Also joining us on different nights of the tour will be Eric Wollman Trio, Ken Talve Trio, New Jersey's own Orpheus Nine, Stratospheerius and Joe Stump.  Six nights of live, original music played with passion, fire, precision and soul!!  Check the shows page for date venue info.

Summer 2015 - We are continuing to play live shows in the NYC/Long Island area!  Check the shows page for venue info:  Friday, June 12th at Mr. Beery's in Bethpage, NY; Thursday, August 6th at KJ Farrell's in Bellmore, NY; Saturday, August 22nd at Katie's of Smithtown in Smithtown, NY - SPECIAL BENEFIT CONCERT FOR WUSB Stony Brook RADIO!!  And, if all goes well, there is a mini-tour of the tri-state area brewing with some special friends, details to follow shortly!

Winter/Spring 2015 - We are continuing to play live shows in the NYC/Long Island area!  Check the shows page for venue info:  Sunday, February 22nd at 89 North in Patchogue, Long Island, NY and March 27th at The Delancey in Manhattan, NY

Summer/Fall, 2014 - We are continuing to play live shows in the NYC/Long Island area!  Check the shows page for venue info.  We're excited to be doing a run of shows with good friends, Magic Elf, Ethan Meixsell and the  Travis Larson Band from October 9th through 12th.  Check out the shows page for venue info.

September 24th, 2013 - Our next live gig will be on Saturday, October 12th at ShapeShifter Lab with good friends Ethan Meixsell and Eric Wollman Trio!!.  ShapeShifter Lab is a highly esteemed performance venue in Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY and we are privileged to be given a night there to play our special brand of Prog/Fusion...Rock!! Check out the shows page for venue info.

April 25th, 2013 - Our next live gig will be on Thursday, May 2nd at KJ Farrell's opening up for instrumental guitarist extraordinaire LARRY MITCHELL.  This will be a fun show with all the local guitar heads in attandance!  We go on early at 7pm, so come down for dinner - KJ's has an excellent bar menu!  Check out the shows page for venue info.

July 2012 - Our first show with new drummer Tony Savasta will be on Friday, July 6th at KJ Farrell's in Bellmore, Long Island, NY.  KJ's is the premiere venue for local talent on Long Island and we're glad to be back.

May 2012 - We have found a new drummer and the first few jams are going great.  Tony Savasta is a welcome addition to the band and we're excited to be hammering out these tunes again!  Live show coming soon.

July 17th, 2011 - Our last show with David Penna will be on Friday, August 5th- Check out the shows page for venue info.   It is with great sadness that we announce Dave's departure form the band.  We wish him much luck and success as he focuses on his writing.  Can't wait to hear it Dave!  In the meantime, we're looking for a drummer...know anybody?!

March 15th, 2011 - Check out the shows page for a bunch of live gigs already booked through the spring and summer!  We're psyched to be out there playing regularly!

February 20th, 2011 - We have a couple of shows lined up with the incomparable Chick Corea/Return to Forever cover band SCOGEOJAM.  This Saturday, February 26th at Zebra Club in Copiague, NY and Wednesday, March 30th at KJ Farrell's in Bellmore, NY.  Check out the SHOWS page for more info.

October 22nd, 2010  - We have a couple of gigs booked and are looking forward to get back out there.  First up is our debut Manhattan gig, Friday, October 29th, 9PM at Desmond's Tavern.  Click here for venue information.  
Next up is a Long Island show at the Zebra Club, Copiague, NY on Saturday, November 20th, 10PM.  Click here for venue information.

January 13th, 2010  - Another stunning review on Dr. Music's website.  It's great when people "get it"!

November 4th, 2009 - There's a review and interview up on the Music Web Express site.  We're really humbled and flattered!

August 9th, 2009 - Thanks to all who came out to our CD release party show last month.  We had a great turn-out with people coming all the way out from South Jersey and Connecticut.  Our next show is scheduled for Friday, August 28th at The Wave in Patchogue, NY.  Click here for more info.

June 1st, 2009 - We've finally mustered up some time from our busy lives to get together for sporadic rehearsals and will be doing our first live show in over three years!  The CD release party celebrating the long awaited release of "AD ASTRA" will be Friday, July 10th at Whoville in Bethpage, NY featuring two sets of material from "AD ASTRA" and "Joe Nardulli".  For more details, check out the shows page.

November 7th, 2008 - AD ASTRA feature/interview this afternoon on Randy Allar's "The Fusion Show" Friday afternoon, November 17th from 1 - 3 PM EST on WCSB radio 89.3FM Cleveland, live streaming www.wcsb.org/listen/.  We are very honored to be featured on Randy's highly esteemed radio show with listeners spanning the globe.

October 13th, 2008 -  AD ASTRA feature/interview TONIGHT @ 8PM EST on Delicious Agony Progressive Rock Radio!  Tune in to www.deliciousagony.com.  Listen to the MP3 archive here.

July 23rd, 2008 - Joe Nardulli Band is now AD ASTRA and their debut CD is available now!  We're really happy with how it turned out and are looking forward to getting out there with a bunch of live shows to promote the CD.  Click here to order by Credit Card, PayPal, Google Checkout, etc.  Stay tuned for more updates.