Sign Repair, elevated section of Route I81 North
Just Above My Head
June 22nd, 2013#NextCuse
June 22nd, 2013“…that’s your competitive advantage. Don’t try to be the next Silicon Valley. Be the 21st-century version of yourself.”
Bruce Katz, Jennifer Bradley, authors of The Metropolitan Revolution
Habiba Boru, who came to Syracuse from Ethiopia, gets ready at the 500 block N. Salina Street on World Refugee Day. She led the parade to downtown Syracuse.
Starting the parade off with a smile (Near Mai Lan Restaurant)
Ladies from the Central African Republic rest after their dance performance on stage in Hanover Square. The ladies came to Syracuse about one year ago
Flagman was the MC for the festival in Hanover Square
We, too, sing America: An elder checks out the stage show in Hanover Square
For more photographs check out the World Refugee Day in Syracuse Facebook page.
Found in Translation
June 21st, 2013We know the semester is over, but how cool is it that historian/cultural critic Greg Tate, a professor at Brown University, used two Syracusans as a reference for his course this Spring on Afro-futurism? Tate gives the Cuse an indirect shout-out by talking about singer Grace Jones and writer George S. Schuyler. And speaking of academics, we wonder how many students know that Schuyler’s papers are housed at Bird Library at Syracuse University (special collections).
Throwback Thursday: Brothers
June 20th, 2013
Omanii Abdullah, poet, educator and businessman (performing at the former OnaJava Cafe)
Syracuse is a city of families. On this Throwback Thursday I want to give some dap to the Grace family. Each summer poet, educator and actor Omanii Abdullah sets up his hot dog stand near my office. He’s as famous for his country-style lemonade as he is for his spoken word performances. Omanii has specials at his stand, and one of my favorites is the Uncle Vince. It’s named for his brother Vincent Grace, who sadly passed away a few years ago. Vincent was a karate master who influenced a generation of fighters here in the city.
Sensei Vincent Grace (training at his studio, which was located on South Salina Street back in the day)
Piano Lesson
June 19th, 2013
Singer Frank McComb was the headliner for the 2013 Syracuse Juneteenth Celebration
Although the city celebrated the event on Saturday, the official day for Juneteenth (June 19) is today.
On Saturday the city got it’s first taste of soul vocalist Frank McComb, who was part of the free festival. The concert was held not too far from the Jerry Rescue Freedom Statue in historic Clinton Square.
Physically McComb resembles bassist Chris Walker and radio-personality Doug Banks. He has his roots in gospel and dabbles in jazz, but he has a vocal and playing style most reminiscent of a mid-80s Stevie Wonder (or some at the venue said Donny Hathaway).
McComb further showed his generosity by choosing a few Syracuse-area musicians to share the stage and play during his set (including beast of the beats Stephen Bender and Brownskin Band’s Nate Brown).
Although the show stared a little late, the crowd had no problem following his groove.
Syracuse-area drummer Stephen Bender was invited to play the set with McComb.
According to a promoter at the show, look for McComb to make a return to the area in September.
McComb warms up backstage before his set in Clinton Square.
Who Needs Miami
June 18th, 2013
Our Game 6: Calder Cup Finals at the War Memorial
One Source, Many Members
June 17th, 2013
Burnell Reid urges call and response at Juneteenth.
Burnell Reid & United Praise opened up for the headliner (Frank McComb) at Juneteenth on Saturday and took the crowd to church. The group is made up of members for more than a dozen Syracuse-area churches. Reid also gave a shout out to Record Store SoundGarden and Councilor Khalid Bey (who helped negotiate saving the Syracuse location).
Guitarist Jeff Houston dances while sitting in with United Praise.
Singers, United Praise
Live and Let Jam
June 17th, 2013
Dave Solazzo
Lemon Elefant features a new generation of jazz cats putting in work in-and-around Syracuse. The band is headed by Bill Horrace and Dave Solazzo, who have been fixtures for the past year or so at Connective Corridor music spots (teaming up with various musicians from the area). Last Friday Lemon Elefant was the closing act for Sitrus on the Hill, where they played their original cuts, as well as some pop tunes.
Bill Horrace
Horrace and Solazzo were joined by Josh Dekaney (drums).
Fail Not Our Fest
June 15th, 2013
John Bixler as Macbeth
The Redhouse kicked off their summer season by staging a lively performance of Macbeth in Armory Square last night. The show drew an audience of about 100 (of all ages) if you include downtown residents watching from above the square.
Upcoming performances of Macbeth, which are free, will be held in Liverpool and Dewitt.
Open Air Theater in Armory Square
The next open-air show in Armory Square will be Cabaret, the musical.
Laura Austin as Lady Macbeth with witches (left to right) Allie Villa, Tyler Spicer and Brian Detlefs.
Camp Spill Over
June 14th, 2013
Overflow Parking, Destiny USA (during weekend of RV Show)