Archive for January, 2012

Get on the Bus

Friday, January 27th, 2012
Band on the Bus

Band on the Bus

Centro driver Raul Erives of Baldwinsville has been driving for 7 years, and he says he’s had musicians on his bus before (the 443 on the Connective Corridor), but never like this.

Centro driver Raul Erives of Baldwinsville has been driving for 7 years, and he says he’s had musicians on his bus before (the 443 on the Connective Corridor), but never like this.

Bill Horrace, Bass

Bill Horrace, Bass

This afternoon at about 3:45 p.m., Centro, Connective Corridor and the Bill Horrace Trio combined to turn a 40-plus minute ride into a live jazz party.  Many of the riders, students from Syracuse University, seemed pleasantly surprised to get on the bus as the music was playing.
John Solazzo

Dave Solazzo

Tom Bronzetti

Tom Bronzetti

According to Horrace, who plays a regular gig with his band at Pheobe’s on East Genesee Street, there was no particular playlist for the ride. Instead he and his mates, John Solazzo and Tom Bronzetti improvised and played  everything from Miles Davis to Kurt Weill as the bus rolled from Midtown through Downtown and the Near West Side. This particular Centro route is free.
Let Me Ride: Live Music on the Connective Corridor Bus

Let Me Ride: Live Music on the Connective Corridor Bus 

Statement in the City

Thursday, January 26th, 2012
Outside the State of the City Address (Landmark Theater)

Outside the State of the City Address (Landmark Theater)

Dream to Destiny

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Hon. Dave Bing, Mayor of Detroit, gives the keynote address at Syracuse University’s 27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

The theme for this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at Syracuse University was “A Living Legacy: The Fierce Urgency of Now.”  The event featured performances by Dance Theater of Syracuse, BCCE, and a keynote address by the Hon. Dave Bing, the Mayor of Detroit, who graduated from SU 2 years before Dr. King’s assassination.

Dance Theater of Syracuse

Dance Theater of Syracuse

Ave Maria

Saturday, January 21st, 2012
Maria DeSantis sings at the Sitrus Lounge sings with her band last night.

Maria DeSantis sang at the Sitrus Lounge with her band last night.

Last Stand

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
Occupy Syracuse, Day 109

Occupy Syracuse, Day 109

Welcome to Day 109 at Occupy Syracuse (About 5 minutes beyond the deadline for eviction).

Occupy Syracuse--Day 109

Occupy Syracuse–Day 109

Occupy Syracuse--Day 109

Occupy Syracuse–Day 109

Urban Planners and CEOs (Chief Energy Officers)

Friday, January 13th, 2012
Urban Planners: Local skaters redevelop tennis court on Water Street.

Urban Planners: Local skaters redevelop tennis court on Water Street.

Back in 2010 Victor Guilefoy, A.J. DeStephano, Alton Lawson (pictured above, far left) and some of their friends began to develop a dilapidated court at  Ormand G. Spencer park (East Water Street) and make it a place to skate.

Victor G. told me his friends wanted a public skating facility since there are times when skates get tickets for being on the road or sidewalks. After some civic finesse with the Parks Commissioner they got their wish.

Fast forward to Wednesday, when it was almost 50-degrees and Ormond Spencer Park, located near the vacated Kennedy Square Complex,  pulsated with kick…push…jump, and the sounds of skateboarders surfing on air.

Perfect Combination

Monday, January 9th, 2012
Perfect Combination: Mike Houston and Anjela Lynn at Sitrus

Perfect Combination: Mike Houston and Anjela Lynn at Sitrus

Syracuse vocal duo Michael (Houston) and Anjela Lynn belted out a litany of soul classic and R&B hits at the Sheraton Hotel’s Sitrus Lounge on Friday.  MichaelAnjelalynn (as they are known) were joined on stage by the Bowen Brothers: Deyquan and John II.

Daquean Bowens on keys

Deyquan Bowens on keys

The quartet wasted no time finding grooves that coaxed the audience onto the dance floor.

Michael Houston mingles on the dance floor

Michael Houston mingles on the dance floor