Syracuse in focus (SIF)

Sophisticated Lady

February 14th, 2011

Antoinette Montague, jazz vocalist, at the Sheraton Hotel Ballroom

Antoinette Montague, mind jazz vocalist, at the Sheraton Hotel Ballroom

Singer and Newark (aka Brick City)-native Antoinette Montague returned to Syracuse for this year’s Central New York Jazz Arts Foundation Black History Month Cabaret. Montague’s range includes jazz, blues and gospel. She sang several standards and also interpreted “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” but really moved the crowd with “Miss Celie’s Blues (Sister).”

The show hit a cresendo when Montague was joined on stage by wealth management professional Vicki Brackens for a duet. Brackens was this year’s Cabaret sponsor.

Antoinette Montague sings with Vicki Brackens (left).

Montague was accompanied by Joe Carello (sax), Rick Montalbano (keys), Larry Luttinger (drums) and Darryl Pugh (bass). She closed the show with “When The Saints Go Marchin In.”

Antoinette Montague

Tags: 2011, Antoinette Montague, Behind the Smile, Blues, CNY Jazz Arts Foundation, CNYJAF, Darryl Pugh, Jazz, Joe Carello, Larry Luttinger, Music, Rick Montalbano, Syracuse, Vicki Brackens
Posted in Art, Music | No Comments »

Winter Weather Advisory

February 5th, 2011

Ice Dam, Oak Street

Snow storms and lingering cold temperatures commonly bring ice dams to Syracuse and Central New York this time of year.

Ice Dam, James Street

Tags: 2011, Energy, Gutter, Ice Dam, icicles, Roofing, Snow Storms, Syracuse, Weather, Winter Weather Advisory
Posted in Science | No Comments »

We All Got History

January 27th, 2011

Richard Breland at Syracuse University discussing his photo collection

Photographer, historian, activist and all-around nice guy Richard Breland attended a public event and talked about his life in pictures tonight. Much of his archive features pictures of Syracuse’s old 15th Ward. Breland’s work, which will be displayed on campus until March, is the latest public showing for the Black Syracuse Project coordinated by Syracuse University.

Tags: 15th Ward, 2011, Art, Black Syracuse & Beyond, History, Photography, Richard Breland Photography Collection, Syracuse University
Posted in Art, Photography | Comments Closed

Buffalo in Focus

January 20th, 2011

Documentary photographer Milton Rogovin, who passed away recently, began his career as a photographer at age 48 (he was previously an optometrist). His work can be defined as a portrait of everyday life.

Tags: 2011, Buffalo, Forgotten Ones, Milton Rogovin, New York, Photography
Posted in Art, Business, Photography | Comments Closed

Good Guys Wear Black

December 31st, 2010

Hon. Langston McKinney

Today marked the end of an era. Syracuse City Court Judge Langston McKinney closed the chapter on his judicial service with a public valedictory exercise at the Onondaga Courthouse Building. Saying he wanted to pursue other interests that could not be done from the bench, McKinney and a few hundred of his friends celebrated and recollected on his more than 20 years of service.

Hon. Sandra Townes

Before he packed away his robe and gavel to accept the oath of private citizenship, Judge McKinney, in his last official act, swore in Judges Kate Rosenthal and Theodore Limpert.

Judge Langston McKinney swears in Hon. Theodore Limpert and Hon. Kate Rosenthal

Citizen McKinney

Tags: 2010, Hon. Jeffrey Merrill, Hon. Kate Rosenthal, Hon. Sandra Townes, Hon. Theodore Limpert, Langston McKinney, Law, Legal, Onondaga County Courthouse, Politics, Syracuse City Court
Posted in Politics | No Comments »

Esquire

December 27th, 2010

Vonzell Jones, Esquire

Attorney Vonzell Jones, Associate Director of the New York State Science and Technology Law Center, speaks to students at Corcoran High School during a recent W.E.B. DuBois Society lecture series.

Jones, who specializes in intellectual property law, recommended proper preparation, tenacity and strategic mentorship to attain educational and career goals.

Tags: 2010, Corcoran High School, Mentoring, New York State Science & Technology Law Center, SU Law, Vonzell Jones Esquire
Posted in Business | No Comments »

The Three Wiseguys

December 24th, 2010

Moody McCarthy

Central New Yorker’s turned New York City comics Moody McCarthy and Dan Frigolette came home to the Jazz Central stage last night for two shows.

McCarthy took a satirical view of his alma mater’s mascot (Moody’s a Corcoran alum) and family gift giving, while Frigolette (an SU grad) engaged the crowd about the chances of a Jersey guy picking up women from Manhattan and a comedian’s limitations in hierarchy of show business.

MC for the show was ESM grad Justin Taylor.