Schenectady, New York. Last Ssunday’s Central Park double-bill was the first one I've caught at the new Agnes Macdonald Music Haven Stage — and I don't think I can say enough about how magnificent a facility Schenectady has added to its already too-cool-to-believe green space. But I’ll try: The Music Haven’s stage setup was solid and aesthetically pleasing, sound quality was exceedingly high (especially for an outdoor venue), and the grassy hill opposite the stage may quickly emerge as the best concert-watching site in the Capital Region. This is the kind of venue that draws people out regardless of who’s playing on a given Sunday.

Synthesis was the architect for this new amphitheater project.