Archive for August, 2012

Return to Funky: A Monday Jam Session

Monday, August 27th, 2012
Earth Jam (Otteson on Keys and Vertino on Bass) played the Midway Music Series on Day 5 of the New York State Fair

Earth Jam (with Otteson on keys and Vertino on bass) played the Midway Music Series on Day 5 of the New York State Fair.

FairWeather

Monday, August 27th, 2012
Starship 2000 at the New York State Fair after a downpour

Starship 2000 at the New York State Fair after today's downpour.

Travel Journal

Saturday, August 25th, 2012
People in Transit (Strasburg, PA)

People in Transit (Strasburg, PA)

Word Power

Saturday, August 18th, 2012
George Kilpatrick reads the words of Harriet Tubman at the Skaneateles Festival, not far from a stop on the Underground Railroad.

George Kilpatrick reads the words of Harriet Tubman at the Skaneateles Festival, not far from a stop on the Underground Railroad.

As part of the Skaneateles Festival’s “Not Your Mother’s Chamber Music Concert,” baritone Tony Cook sang several Civil War-era songs and George Kilpatrick read speeches by Frederick Douglass, Beethoven and Harriet Tubman.  Below listen to a clip of GK reading a speech by Abraham Lincoln.

Chamber Crusaders

Saturday, August 18th, 2012
Monica Ellis, Jeff Scott, Mariam Adam, George Kilpatrick and David Yin at a post concert reception in Dobson Hall, First Presbyterian Church, Skaneateles

Monica Ellis, Jeff Scott, Mariam Adam, George Kilpatrick and David Ying at a post concert reception in Dobson Hall, First Presbyterian Church, Skaneateles.

Imani Winds, the Grammy-nominated chamber music ensemble, held a series of concerts in the area this week, including The Red House in Syracuse on Wednesday, and  last night at the First Presbyterian Church in Skaneateles.  Their relevant and authentic style was illustrated wonderfully when they made a delightful excursion through  “Cane,” a piece written for the group by Jason Moran.

Imani Winds will make their next stop in Europe.

Tony Cook, baritone, performs "Dixie"

Tony Cook performs “Dixie”

Also performing were George Kilpatrick (readings/speeches),  Tony Cook (the soulful baritone), Elinor Freer (piano) and the Jasper Quartet.

The concerts were part of the Skaneateles Festival. Last night’s production, directed by David Ying, was called Not Your Mother’s Chamber Music Concert.

Photos were taken at the First Presbyterian Church.

Monica Ellis, Imani Winds

Monica Ellis, Imani Winds

Summer Stock

Friday, August 17th, 2012
Midsummer Night's Dream in Thornden Park: Act Four

Midsummer Night’s Dream in Thornden Park: Act Four

To celebrate their 10th year of production for Shakespeare in the Park, the Syracuse Shakespeare Festival, staged A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Thornden Park this month. These are photographs from last night’s show.

Midsummer Night's Dream in Thornden Park: Act Three

Midsummer Night’s Dream in Thornden Park: Act Three

Midsummer Night's Dream in Thornden Park: Act Four

Midsummer Night’s Dream in Thornden Park: Act Four

The Maestro

Friday, August 17th, 2012
Alex Torres plays Jazz in the City (Westside)

Alex Torres sings salsa: Jazz in the City (West Side)

CNY Jazz ended a jam-packed summer of programming with last night’s Jazz in the City (West Side) held near Skiddy Park.  The night featured dancing in the streets to the explosive salsa, merengue and cha-cha sounds of Alex Torres and his Latin Orchestra.
Publisher Hugo Acosta dances at Jazz in the City

CNY Latino Publisher Hugo Acosta (Venezuela) and Marisol Hernandez (Puerto Rico) dance at Jazz in the City (West Side).

Strictly for the Grown and Saxy

Monday, August 13th, 2012

Curtis Haywood plays Eastwood

Curtis Haywood plays Eastwood



Brooklyn sax man Curtis Haywood made a visit to Syracuse last week and played his sophisticated sounds in Eastwood for the Jazz in the City series. He was joined on stage by Habbert Cheeks, Steve Rodriguez, Barry Dee and Yasu.

© 2012

Yasu Hitosasaki on guitar

The Jazz in the City series concludes with the West Side concert on Thursday.

Curtis Haywood

Curtis Haywood grooves to the music.

Who’s the Mack

Saturday, August 11th, 2012

Julius "Pop" Anderson drives to the bucket during a 2nd round game at Gus Macker on Saturday.

Julius “Pop” Anderson drives to the bucket during a 2nd round game at Gus Macker on Saturday.



Since 1974 the Gus Macker 3on3 Basketball Tournament has been providing a venue for bragging rights among family, friends and rivals in the world of street ball. The Cicero edition will crown champions on Sunday afternoon. Here are some photos from Saturday.

The CNS Studs battled Clear the Lane for bragging rights in the Younger Division.

The CNS Studs battled Clear the Lane  on Dream Court for bragging rights in the Younger Division under the watchful eye of Scoop Jardine and Jasmine Jordan (Aspen Athletic Announcers Booth).

The Write Stuff

Saturday, August 11th, 2012


At Thursday’s Jazz in the City (Eastwood) Syracuse Common Councilor Van Robinson made a short tribute to journalist Saundra Smokes.

Smokes, who was a syndicated columnist,  and more recently a radio host, passed away earlier this week.  She was a resident of Eastwood.