Holiday shows are supposed to be merry. Jingle Bell Rock, held Friday, December 13th at Lark Hall in Albany, was something more.
Organized by No One You Know Presents, the night carried joy with weight behind it. A Christmas celebration fueled by community, intention, and heart that lingered long after the lights came up.
From the jump, the room felt unified. Christmas lights glowed overhead. Ugly sweaters collided with polished fits. Strangers felt less like strangers. This wasn’t a passive crowd, people showed up ready. Ready to dance and sing. Ready to support something bigger than themselves.
The evening featured a full lineup of local talent, including DJ Fearless, The Story Boys and Keegan James (who also played in Tehya’s group) setting the tone and building the crowd towards what became the night’s defining moment. A moment that belonged to Shannon Tehya.
From the second she stepped onstage, Tehya owned the night. Complimenting the evening in a Christmas trimmed dress. Her hair adorned with ornaments, holly, and garland, she was the undeniable Belle of the Jingle Ball. The embodiment of Christmas spirit without irony or restraint. This wasn’t a costume, it was commitment.
Her set walked a line between playful and powerful with total control. A crowd-delighting rendition of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” brought laughter and surprise, made even better when the Grinch himself joined her onstage. What could have stayed novelty shifted quickly into something warmer, something real.
“Take It Slow”, one of her originals, grounded the room instantly. The transition was effortless. Sparkle gave way to sincerity. It was a reminder that beneath the spectacle is an artist who knows exactly how to hold an audience, not just entertain it.
The centerpiece of her performance though was a stunning, song-blurring, long exposure medley that moved seamlessly through “Pink Pony Club” (Chappell Roan), “Killing Me Softly” (The Fugees), “Good Luck, Babe” (Chappell Roan), “Bad Romance” (Lady Gaga), “Waterfalls” (TLC), amongst others.
Each song folded into the next without losing momentum. Tehya’s vocal power was undeniable, but it was her instinctive understanding of pace, emotion, and connection that elevated the moment. She wasn’t just singing songs, she was shepherding an experience.
The encore, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” (Whitney Houston), was pure release. One final collective explosion of joy when all arms were up and smiles wide. The entire place danced like it needed to, and it did.
Jingle Bell Rock mattered for more than the music. One hundred percent of the proceeds benefited the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Suicide has touched far too many of us. It’s quiet, personal and of course permanent. It lives in empty chairs, unanswered texts, and conversations we wish we had taken seriously sooner.
For too long, this subject has been chained in silence and shame. Whispered instead of spoken. Avoided instead of addressed. Nights like this push back against that silence. They make space for honesty. They remind us that acknowledging pain doesn’t weaken joy, it deepens it.
This night didn’t avoid that reality. It met it head-on, wrapped in music, laughter, and shared humanity. It proved that awareness doesn’t have to feel heavy to be meaningful, and that celebration and compassion can co-exist in the same breath.
Joy at Jingle Bell Rock wasn’t a distraction, it was connection. It was community choosing to show up, to give, to stand beside one another and say this matters, because it does. Prevention requires visibility and care works best when it is loud, public, and shameless. Jingle Bell Rock was proof that joy can and should always be an act of self-care.
The evening also paused to honor someone else who embodies that daily. Frankie Cavone, music photographer, Mirth Films owner, and tireless champion of the Capital Region music and arts scene, received the first-ever Heart & Hustle Award. A fitting tribute to someone whose impact often happens behind the lens, driven by passion rather than praise.
Somewhere between the chords and the last goodbye, the night offered up its perfect snapshot. The Grinch and Santa Claus stood side by side for a photo. Sworn enemies, briefly united. Peace on earth, at least for a moment.
Jingle Bell Rock wasn’t just a holiday show. It was loud joy with purpose. Proof that when music, heart, and community collide, something real happens.
→ Continue reading at NYS Music
