Maplewood Bar & Grill

AI of Maplewood Bar & Grill in Mattydale Plaza

  Maplewood Inn started as an indie hotel on 7th North St in Liverpool after Days Inn had moved a mile away, in a part of town with lodging off of I-81 and the Thruway with proximity to the airport. Then it became a franchise of Holiday Inn Express after the full-fledged one had left the once-again Randolph House on Electronics Pkwy (previously Sheraton, later Ramada, and now sister chain Wyndham) and the later original Comfort Inn on Buckley Road (previously covered). Either corporate or the franchise shut down the restaurant section over a year ago. Not too far away in Mattydale, the flagship Zebb's in the former kmart Plaza on Brewerton Road (US 11) had closed, so the owners bought it and we're still waiting for it to open. Mattydale, Hinsdale, Pitcher Hill and Northern Lights Plaza have all fallen into decline in recent years like many part of the country as far as business goes. The ongoing I-81 Project has also caused concern for the hotel owners. The economy overall worries everyone these days.

 I went to the original Maplewood once for Halloween a few years ago when looking for somewhere to go on the night (we'll cover that later before then). I've eaten at Zebb's on occasion over the years. That chain once stretched from Rochester to the Mohawk Valley. There isn't much left in that plaza, even with their neighbor across the street making an effort to prove presenter Dave Portnoy wrong. He must have slated Mattydale Plaza as well if he bothered to look at that, but much of these places were nice once. As for Maplewood, their menu is quite good, and they focus more on local artists like Ronnie Leigh, John McConnell, Little Queen (tribute band to Heart, not Queen), and Tom Chick (seen a couple of them at other places, not sure if two have played the old guard, I know about the tribute band being regulars, and I don't typically or specifically see area performers like I would for national artists). My idea is when they have events for specific holidays and annual traditions. After three recent  attempts at Mardi Gras, only to find it's not like the other holiday as in the South with a Cajun twist, maybe the end of Carnival could have some resemblance to Orleans Parish next year, and a Zydeco, Dr John type (he did OCC for Jazz Fest once), or other band could play (I'm not the Bill Graham of CNY, mind, so it's up to them who it is). I'll have to go through the year like Stevie Wonder to determine which ones would work. St Valentines Day, then Fat Tuesday if not the same day, St Patricks Day (perfect for the local), also an Easter Sunday buffet and community-focused get-together for those of us with nowhere else to go and/or no one to go with), Adult Prom (that was inevitable, but it's big enough from what I remember as Zebb's), Fourth of July with this years milestone, even my birthday since some people hold a public birthday bash, Labor Day if that's a thing for a show, the H-word, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve. Getting there by bus at nights and weekends may be an issue. Open Jam and something else are going to be a regular occurrence. It's still early days just finishing up everything. I really would like some small-time yet international names to come here once in a while without pushing out CNY ones like Jess Novak, Mark Zane (OCC professor by day), and Paul Davie (seen them too). I love supporting small and local business, even if I go to see hometown people per se to a lesser extent. I'm looking forward to the new Maplewood Bar & Grill and their continued success in future. Not to be confused with any other place called Maplewood, given the generic nature of the name (you know how it is).

Copied from our sister blog with a few edits. Dedicated to the memory of Steve Schad (Childhoods End [Pink Floyd tribute band covered earlier]/Beatlecuse [Davies tribute show]).

Second Chance Homecoming

Notsky is dressed for the homecoming dance!

 You've seen how frustrated I've been about finding an adult prom or the like in CNY lately, and I'll be lucky to get one by autumn, when schools have homecoming. I never did that either, nor have millions of other people. One may call it Prom Lite, or even a precursor to prom if you like. Second Chance Homecoming is also held, but is even more elusive than its better known counterpart. Granted that someone does have Prom locally this fall, I would try to hold Homecoming before that not to compete, but rather to compliment, if it happens. I don't think anyone here has ever done a Second Chance Homecoming before. Maybe the S-word could do it, but if they won't do the P-word, what would make them have this instead? I would go through the same list of places on our sister blog. I've even considered having it for my birthday if I don't out to dinner for reasons I won't put here, even though it can't be on the day because it's in the middle of the week (although the latest adult prom in the region in New Hartford is on a Tuesday, which is unorthodox for this sort, yet I won't go now after plans around the Pride one in Rome fell through), and it has to be towards the weekend when people are generally up to a night out. I wasn't going to combine them in the middle of summer or make it a public event, yet I don't know too many people, and I haven't had a party in decades (she won't say how she'll be, mind). Salt City Collectives prom in October has been the one closest to homecoming season, which I put in last years post, yet when it was first held, it was when the pandemic was easing up and I gave up finding anything that year, never mind in spring. That one is still up in the air this year, as waiting is in two parts; waiting for a decision and date, and for the event itself (you know how it is, as John Lennon would say). I would look around for a registered charity, NGO, or someone in need looking for a fundraiser idea and suggest this, hoping they'll take this up, whether they use the homecoming or prom label, as this is all hands on deck, requiring a committee to organise everything as one person can't do it all. I'm not the Bob Geldof, Bill Graham or Harvey Goldsmith of homecoming or prom. Gala sounds more posh, and Met Gala downstate pulls out all the stops every year, but that's different. Bishop Ludden (+ Grimes) use that term instead of prom or ball. I want the event to use the homecoming or prom label because anyone can have a black tie event for charity or whatever. I want it to resemble what it was like in school to a degree (no pun intended) if not in films or on TV (even though I don't watch much of either anymore). We can bring in the drinks, and I'm teetotal. I've been putting floofs in tuxedos on AI as you can see with our mascot. It's been ages since I was in school. I didn't graduate in this area, and the one I did is another animal and has no such ceremony if they ever had in the old days (they did have prom before I went, and the current version does now). However, that place is too far for me, and the only reunion is mostly alums who went before I was even born, but that's for another day. I may be too old to attend either schools homecoming, but like prom, at least we can have something of our own for everyone who missed out, got it wrong then, or just wants to have another go at it to a lesser extent than its older sister, if you like. No AI whatsoever was used to write this post (she did it all on her own).

REO Speedwagon: REO-gate

REO Speedwagon in happier times (cliché, I know!) at Red Rocks, CO Capital Region, 2010

Sjgkfe, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 Seems that it's never too late for a band to have problems. Just as oasis come back, other bands fall apart, particularly ones from before thirty years ago I grew up seeing in the charts and on MTV & VH1. It's like a marriage that ran its course, A trite comparison but it's true. REO Speedwagon are no stranger to this, and now they're on the way out because of a row over bass player Bruce Halls medical recovery and frontman Kevin Cronin. A similar situation occurred twice in the late '90s with their friends Styx and contemporaries Journey, as well as Yes less than a decade later, so it's not uncommon, especially as one gets on in age. The jury are out on this one. We've just seen Hall & Oates and Janes Addiction become Behind the Music material (now on Paramount+, sister streamer to MTV and VH1).

 Remaining founding member Neal Doughty stopped touring in 2022 and I saw the band for the last time and without him last year, and it wasn't the same. I also learned co-founder and original drummer Alan Gratzer is originally from Syracuse. I didn't go the year before because I couldn't afford to go to that and Elton John, who was wrapping up his life on the road, and his bass guitarist Matt Bissonette (Greggs brother) has just taken over for Hall to boot. I just didn't go this year also because I had to cut back on shows like a lot of people are on less essential activities in this economy. Perhaps the spirits of Gary Richrath and the more recently departed Gregg Philbin told me not to go this time as they turn in their graves over this. I might have even skipped Cronins birthday this year because of how he allegedly stabbed his longtime colleague in the back or I'm focussed on other bands and priorities right now. We're riding a real (two in the south at the time of this writing) and proverbial storm out here. It'd be too easy to throw in some Gene Shalit-style puns to what is a sad end to a nearly six decade legacy that started in the Champaign-Urbana area at uni in the bar scene and became an AOR-corporate rock punchline to many. We're all experienced at being human and life is one big Pandoras box. Terry Luttrell from the 1971 début (later of Starcastle) and would-be vocalist Greg X. Volz (who joined Petra instead, who I once liked, while Cronin returned after the Mike Murphy period in 1976) found the Lord.

  It's a right shame to see a band I've known for over forty years' time since I was very young get to this stage so far along, but let's hope they can sort out their differences so they can end the band with some integrity and dignity for the sake of the fans.

UPDATE: The final lineup will now tour under Cronins name. They will tour with Styx and Don Felder (late of Eagles) in summer 2025, including Syracuse (Styx were in the same boat on a river, while Felder had left, but says never checked out of his old band).

The last REO proper show I attended at the NYS Fair

CNY Hall of Fame

SU alum Lou Reed at the Hop Farm Festival on 2/7/11

 Link

Identity crisis

Fish in Franken Germany; 2018. Courtesy Stefan Brending/Wikimedia Commons.

 If an artist or group has a common or generic name, chances are someone else will have it too. Before the internet, that was the case. If one makes it big, the other may contact their solicitors and settle out of court. I wrote a similar post years ago on our sister retail blog. In recent years, when I try to look up some people, I find mp3s from the wrong ones, who may not realise that the "real" one even exist. Spinoffs and disputes over use of the name by former members isn't exactly what I mean since that's a different post entirely. These are the ones I know off hand, but there are tonnes more out there.

Asia (my Asia settled with lesser known mid-West band and lesser knowns come up for mp3s)

Duran Duran (there are an obscure band called Duran Duran Duran)

Fish (pictured; can even be confused with Phish)

Tony Banks (once found an unknown artist with same name)

Ray Wilson (same)

Justin Hayward (there's also a DJ)

Brian May (Queen guitarist and late Australian film composer)

Roger Taylor (drummers for Queen and Duran Duran, which would probably have caused issues back at EMI)

Rush (even the boys have some chancers that are really fly by night calling themselves that, as well as Big Time Rush [please!], Mahogany Rush [also Cancon], Tom Rush, Jennifer Rush, films called Rush)

Savoy (can also get mixed up with Savoy Brown with late Oswego County resident Kim Simmonds)

Jim Diamond (was once a Diamond Jim out there)

PhD (his duo had to contend with a hip-hop one)

Bandit (his earlier band with AC/DCs Cliff Williams and Kate Bush's husband Danny McIntosh)

Status Quo (not to be confused with hip hop artist Stat Quo or song from High School Musical)

IQ (you have to have one to know who the real one are)

Jadis (even them, but could even get conflated with character on The Walking Dead)

Pallas (founder Graeme Murray originally called his band Rainbow, but that's in the same boat)

Magnum (I recently got a CD from the wrong Magnum, which I got rid of)

INXS (was once a shop in the Mohawk Valley)

Visage (was spa run by my doctor likely stopped by Steve Stranges estate if not the state)

Genesis (was once obscure band in the US at the same of the one I know being formed and another in Colombia, and also the late Genesis P-Orridge)

Alan Williams (because of others with the name, the one I used to know used the name Al Chantrey)

Toyah (not to be confused with Toya)

Slaughter (Clark County and Canadian bands)

X (US and Japan)

The Beat (Paul Collins's Beat and The English Beat)

Earth, Wind & Fire (not to be confused with Earth Fire, who Boris wants me to find)

Cinema (short-lived Yes spinoff settled with other Cinemas after becoming Yes proper again)

Tony Kaye (original Yes member and fellow UK pat and director)

Jon Anderson (not to be confused with country artist John Anderson)

Michael Jackson (even the King of Pop had two others with the same name)

Joe Jackson (his dad and the pop/jazz artist)

Paul Young (solo artist and late Sad Café/Mike & the Mechanics vocalist)

Rainbow (Ritchie Blackmores band; original name for Pallas; Sissy Spacek once recorded as Rainbo)

Velvet Underground (band with SUs own Lou Reed; early band with AC/DCs Malcolm Young)

Vanessa Williams (SU alum, Melrose Place co-star [both did Soul Food], and gospel artist)

Bush (UK and Canadian bands)

Arena (UK band and over a dozen or so different artists with that name)

Hootenanny Singers (Swedish folk band with ABBAs Björn Ulvæus and obscure US band)

Prom-enade

 

Prom fashion show from 2015 with our Michæla (second from upper right), taken by Poppi (RIP). Others TBD (photo can be removed or censored by request. This is why I don't usually use real people, especially this young and these days. I'm no solicitor myself, mind.).

    If Rolling Stone can branch out, so can I. I've posted more than once about my prom experience in bits, and I've tried putting it on Facebook, Bored Panda and Nextdoor, but it just isn't as effective, and they would just disappear like they would on X. This site is more designed for such an article.

Like many people, I didn't get to go to prom in high school when I was the age of these kids (I didn't even realise my niece Michæla had like her folks had [my sister is her mother]). My grades weren't the best to say the least, we probably couldn't afford to have me go too, I didn't dress up that nice in those days, and I had no desire to anyway. Not long after that, I transferred out of town to another school for a period, but I wasn't sure if prom was held at that stage, although I later learned it was before I went, and occasionally since after changing direction. I know there were other dances and events held throughout the year, however. Prom never crossed my mind at that point either. I'd be lucky to get a reunion with anyone from that era, but that's for another day. Just one with people who attended before I was born.

It took all the way until 2015-16 for me to finally regret having missed out on junior prom and senior ball after looking on Syracuse.com or seeing it around. Can't recall what triggered it, yet many things came into my life quite late, and some still have yet to occur. Only just went to my first two weddings just before that (again, for another time). I thought I would be trying to come up with a prom for others who also were denied that rite of passage they seen on TV or movies, or saw their friends and families get to embrace. Turns out that has been a thing for some time. Drew Barrymore is said to have paved the way since even she's in the same boat as me, but didn't finish school, and put together a couple do's and went on one of the chat shows, so when her two girls are older, she can take them to get their dresses for their big nights. In recent years, adult or second chance proms have been held nationwide.

Here's the list of all the post-traditional proms (we can change the narrative here) that I have attended:

1. Singers Karaoke Club • Syracuse, 21/5/16 - My first one ever nearly two decades too late!

2. Singers • 20/5/17 - Last one until 12. They really didn't have to take it off for so long.

3. Wholely Grounds at the Road • 14/4/18 - NY 175, Onondaga Hill (had to dig up the calendar since everything is lost to obscurity, even though it wasn't that long ago)

4. Marriott Syracuse Downtown • 10/3/19 - Charity family event held in the grand ballroom upstairs*

5. Wholely Grounds at the Road • 13/4/19 - They closed in September (I just know that the event wasn't right before Easter), Alice in Wonderland/Charisma Records theme (final one at this location)

5a. Studio 54 • 21/6/19 - NY 5, downtown - I didn't really stay too long because of delays and the hours. Venue went the way of unrelated downstate namesake*

No events in 2020 because of the pandemic, of course. We'll just leave it right there.

6. TK Tavern • 16/10/21 - Camillus (original location), Salt City Collective (former Meetup group) - First one as things were opening up again. Also the closest thing to a second chance homecoming in CNY since this occurred more during that season, although I'll consider setting up something with that name since I missed out on that as well (whole other post since that's a different set of parameters)

7. Sharkeys Bar & Grill • 23/7/22 - CR 57, Liverpool (Bayberry) - Clay Panthers Pop Warner football team fundraiser* (I found this that June while going to the St Sophias Orthodox Church Greek Festival)

8. TK Tavern • 2/10/22 - Salt City Collective; moved the next years event after fire in January 2023

9. St Josephs Catholic Church • 20/5/23 - W Genesee St., Camillus (no relation to hospital)*

10. Brewerton Centre for the Arts • 24/6/23 - US 11, Brewerton (former church turned rental space)*

11. Ukrainian National Home • 14/10/23 - S Wilbur Ave., Tipp Hill - SCC new location (may just have been the one time. 2024 prom cancelled due to leaders personal commitments and groups uncertain future, not even holding pub quiz downtown since January 2025, and perhaps Meetups rate rises. Last one to date, as of 2026, as group are most likely disbanded for good after a year without new events)

12. Singers • 8/6/24 - Full circle (only one here in town at the same time as the regular kind this year; Hollywood Nights theme [I don't always remember those, and they're hard to come up with since many are overdone like Gatsby or "under the stars"]. However, as of 2025, they are now Glastonbury in reverse, leaving me and the other diehards to worry that they've gone back to the starting gate and I'm scrambling once again. I brought this up with the owner, and she said they're focussed on other events at this time, but perhaps, missus will bring it back since a couple came to Halloween looking like they were dressed more for prom, so it could be the spirits using them to tell me it could happen after all)

13. Salt City Bar • 31/12/24 - S Salina & W Onondaga Sts, Salt City Market, Downtown Syracuse - New Years Eve Prom (also ticks the box for NYE, which has been even more elusive for me due to cost, outside pressures, and transport. I don't necessarily have to stay until midnight because I get knackered, everybody and their others trying to get home after a few pints, and I'm usually teetotal. At least this one has since become annual, and doesn't have a cover charge like most others held downtown and overall)

UPDATES 2025-26:

14. SaltSpace • 16/5/25 - Wyoming, Marcellus & S West Sts; Near West Side - Similar in scope to 3 and 5. Found at fairly short notice. First one of this year through an NGO agency. Low-cost and low-profile. Only one done as of 17/6/25. May suggest homecoming as Septembers theme, despite being a truncated version of prom (see other article), since Octobers would be Halloween (we'll go there when it's time).

15. Rome Capitol Theatre • 28/6/25 - W Dominick St, Downtown Rome - First Pride Prom and only one at all that I would go to outside Onondaga County due to lack of one of any sort announced near home so far since 14 (which is of a different calibre to put it that way). Whilst a free event (if you live right around there anyway), the cost of travelling (I can only get there and back by train and bus, and even driving could discourage anyone from outside the Mohawk Valley from going out of their way at this time, given recent events). Also my third Pride event, after getting to Uticas festival at the last minute, missing the wedding (post for a later time) and parade back in Syracuse. Unfortunately, delays with the train and busses have undermined the festivities and I had to get a lift back home. I have then decided just not to attend the Enchanted Adult Prom in New Hartford as a result, because it's now Disenchanted, if you will, even if it's during the week and a better chance at getting home in time, I just couldn't let that happen again, so no more of this on the road bit until I have my driving licence and an earnt pay cheque because of Murphys Law. If a miracle happens, then I'll go back to Oneida County for another go. Maybe even spend the night. Also had looked into a Recycled Prom on the east side of Rome near Griffiss Park, but I really didn't want to go through all of the doolally again, and spend more time and money getting there and back than being there, even if I may be reducing my carbon footprint by not driving, but even Coldplays Chris Martin would probably think it's more unorthodox than getting caught at one of his shows (story for another day; you know the one by now, but never mind).

16. Salt City Bar • 31/12/25 - Once again feeding two birds with one scone (coming from PETA's recent grassroots campaign to make classic idioms cruelty-free). This years theme was a disco '70s prom. I even wore a wig, one of three that would pass for that era, and a novelty replica tuxedo that fits me that I bought on eBay that I pay for in bits to ease my budget, so I don't have to wear my black suit again, since even Johnny Cash didn't wear black everyday (even though a competitor I went to had a Shadow Party where he could if he were still alive and not have to pay). The only adult prom event in Syracuse at all in 2025, so I hope next year, Singers will reconsider prom (just had another floof event, however), as will others who have done it in the recent past, and new people will try it in 2026 as a way to raise money or at least give those from their 20s to 90s another shot at prom. Even have something closer available for homeschooled kids since that has grown since COVID. Meanwhile, I also looked at an event in Lake George, but going away that far overnight in the middle of winter to an area I haven't gone to in thirty years' time is now unneeded, so I will now wait until spring for these events to happen like back in the old days since I typically don't do this all year. I even checked to see if St Valentines Day prom exists, and it does, but I'll add to the list when the next one comes along that I'll go to, but that will now have to wait until next year instead. Now I'll have a tuxedo that I can use again since the suit was used for more solemn if not sombre occasions. Would rather wear it to a wedding (later post).

17. SaltSpace • 15/5/26. Same as 14. For some reason, the organisation have no public record online of this event in previous years. Had to check my e-mail for private confirmation of last years do. The paper flyer I had may have been binned since then. Only available on private Facebook group. Also attended belated St Patricks Day event (due to fixed pattern of these monthly events). Could even go for their early Halloween event in October, but we'll start a separate post for that time of year another day.

18. Salt City Bar • 30/5/26. CNY Pride - Meet Cute - Bliss: Prom. First non-NYE prom held there and first Pride Prom in Syracuse in several years not for younger people (that one I'm too old for and has an emo theme this year). Won't need to go to Rome now, especially since I will be with the floofs at Fair Haven when that occurs, which is more elusive by comparison, and even if I could drive from one side of the region to the other and have everything for both, it would just be too much, and Mom used to say, "Pick one!" (even though she wouldn't be wild about either, as she was conservative, but that's a story for another day). Back in town, it was good to have this for all legal drinking ages at the eve of Pride Month, and no one gave a toss that my cheap tuxedo from last time was fixed with Sellotape I had to settle for after tearing it when floofing up for snaps since the other kind arrived too late in the post. That pales in comparison to having ordered a drink I assumed was non-alcoholic and had vodka. I was in a bit of a state, but it went away before I had to get home. Won't ever let that happen again because I'm not really supposed to do that. The one mocktail in the specials had lavender, which is for wearing, not eating or drinking. At least the other place had one I could relate to more. We need a sober bar here, but that's one for the sister blog. One slip isn't worth going to the clinic over. The kids can't even have drink yet in this country, and have to watch a dramatisation of what happens with drink driving before prom.

19. Lost Horizon • 26/9/26. Goth Prom. You've heard that right. Just after 18, I look up adult prom and find this darker variation being held a month before Halloween. Marillion and District 97 with the late John Wetton had played here (even though his missus says it's a dive, having seen the former in the old days). I have bought several bands that come close to Goth like the Cure, Bauhaus, Lacrimosa and Dead Can Dance for Boris, but I would feel like an imposter, just like if I did the same thing at the other Pride Prom for younger people if I were their age, except it's Goths cousin emo, which would call me a poser. Both make Arena look like Showaddywaddy by comparison, but I digress. I could take up the challenge and either Goth up my existing tuxedo perhaps, although I'd hate to compromise it, or just look for some affordable fancy dress, even though I'm not supposed to get any more right now (floof, anyway). This would be held just as homecoming season starts at high schools. The Goth Kids from South Park might consider that to be conformist, yet a prom more their sort may be up their alleyway. I don't know. If it was downtown, it would be as easy as the last one, but I could get there all on my own by then being on the east side right near deWitt. I'm not that desperate, but I do try to keep an open mind within reason.

20. TBD. Any registered charity or other non-profit organisation looking to raise money (also the post on the sister blog can elaborate on this too). I have an upcoming event with one that I know, but it's not really prom per se. I could maybe bring it up with them, despite being late in the season, but I just can't promise anything. I put this here so I have an even number out of principle. One adult prom I found on Facebook claiming to be in July I won't put here until a venue and other solid information is confirmed.

*One-off and/or not held again since.

Younger people who didn't have prom several years ago because of COVID can now attend since it's usually at the local or at least serving drinks (I don't typically drink). They make a great fundraiser if anyone needs to raise money and are held year round nationwide (yet you may still need GoFundMe just to bankroll the budget to hold the event unless you can find sponsors). I would get a right headache from a regular prom today at my age listening to todays Top 40! I don't need to be prom king or even have a date (been stag all my life). It's never too late. I'd consider holding a second chance homecoming in the fall since no one has had one here yet and I didn't get to go to that either, even though some may call it prom lite (semi-formal could even be that). There should also be one just for senior citizens since I don't know if one was done here before either. Why just let the kids have all the fun? Now if I could only get to one of theirs just to see it in person, noise or no noise (I have managed to get downtown for ones held there and see them head inside since the pavement is public property, and I pay city and county taxes myself, mind).

UPDATE: Salt City Collectives prom for October went the way of Glasto itself and took the year off due to the organisers personal commitments. To think Singers pulled an oasis and the other is gone now. Someone else had one on 30 November, but it's too expensive, and they don't even let you know where it's held until you pay for your ticket. Even if I got the money, I don't know. I'd rather wait until spring anyway, when the traditional sort is held in this country. I'd look into the homecoming one since those are rarer. Perhaps SCC could start having it in March-June before they have to compete, even though I'm lucky to get the one anymore. I've been spoilt. By October, I'd shifted focus to that other tradition.

UPDATE II: While SCC are still up in the air at this stage, and Singers' decision is final, as they won't have it past June, I did reach out to Emerald Cocktail Lounge on Tipp Hill and asked if they could have a go at it for a bit of a change. They said they'd consider. SCC's last one to date was a block away, yet Emerald has the rooftop, and I went for the other thing a couple weeks after going around the corner. Just hope it's still warm out at nights this time, mind. Across the county in Brewerton, a second do is another big maybe, even if the kids will be done with theirs by the time this place can clear another Saturday and I can arrange another lift that far north, but after Rome, it may as well be Timbuktu!

UPDATE III: One event held in Downtown Syracuse was blatantly mislabelled. The Fitz at Oh My Darling! had a band called Prom, and I went through all the trouble for nothing. I became the Geraldo Rivera of prom (if you're even younger than me, he wound up with egg on his face in 1986 when late Prohibition mobster Al Capone had the last laugh from beyond the grave when the trailblazing presenter had a one-off special looking for riches in the Chicago native gangsters so-called vault, only to find little to go on. I wound up buying a non-alcoholic beer because the talk show legend wasn't around for me to hold his. I decided against one in New Hartford on Memorial Day Weekend (held at a dive bar and motel, not the Enchanted one in July at a posher competitor a couple miles away) because it would have been held at 9.30, I can't afford a motel room and bus ticket, even if one was available, the place seemed dodgy, and I just want something back here in Syracuse at a place I can get to that I can afford. "Prom" returned to Oh! My Darling since then, so know it's like going to see Arena and thinking they're playing in one when all they can get are small places like these, but that's a story for another day. 

UPDATE IV: What I thought was another upcoming prom turned out be another hoax. Some hairdresser was also coming up with the idea and used AI to create an advert, but she's no more suited to hold one than I am, so back to the starting post. She just gets young girls done up during the season, I'm quite sure. With other concerns, I have less focus on prom after June. I have started Prom Aid (two separate words to avoid confusion with ProMaid) to raise money for kids trying to afford tuxedos, suits and/or dresses, or to start a prom, including adult prom, but that's for a standalone post since it's too much to just put right here. I didn't launch a GoFundMe yet since the sister projects are going nowhere as usual.

UPDATE X: Now even my own longtime hairdresser of all people wants an adult prom since she and her husband are in the same boat and missed it themselves in younger days, and haven't gone to one yet, while her youngest daughter from her first marriage is about to go to her senior ball, so now I have to find the pair of them one for all of us this year since I don't think we can go on the road since they have a young son together, as well as having this for everyone here since all of these rises are making it so one doesn't have to spend on getting done up and travelling if you can't have your faery cake and eat it too (if that's what they're serving at the buffet table, granted that's in the budget). People may already think there's bugger all to do here as it is. At least I got some inside scoop on the traditional one coming up. Even the paper doesn't list them all in advance, and they aren't cleared to do every one of them (it's a long story, that). Doubt missus could get me through the door, as it can make Studio 54. the DMZ and Fort Knox each look like an open house by comparison. Lucky I even got floof through over at the zoo.
    Meanwhile, you-know-who yet again can't be arsed to have it anymore, deciding to just move on to  other events. Shock, horror. If I do get to go to Connecticut for Halloween, two can play at that game. AI explained that the trend has all but gone in another direction, and even smaller markets like Yates County can do it now because there's less competition and overhead, while big cities can still have a go now and then. I don't know if I would even book the local like the floofs do if it can't be at nights since people won't always come in broad daylight with the nice weather, and even some having to work at the weekend. The other post lists everywhere else in CNY I can hire out instead, so I should just let the poor mans cabaret go. If they do come around, even after another several years, so be it. A colleague of mine likes karaoke, but he's just too sensible for a place like that to say the least, and I don't even know if he's into prom. He's no more a dancer than I am to put it that way, but I don't know him well enough just yet. However, he decided against Singers himself since he doesn't like to go out late at nights. Just as well.
    Now some other person on Facebook claims that on 10 or 11 July, there'll be an adult prom. Whether or not it's my scene doesn't matter. It's whether or not they have the resources to hold one, or if they're no more well-equipped than I am. I won't write it on my calendar until they have it fully confirmed so I don't clear my night for something that doesn't even exist because some chancer had led others on. This is why half of the ones I've gone to were one-offs, because of all the planning and budgeting involved, while others were short-lived or on the way out. I may even consider holding one for my birthday in August, even though it's in the middle of summer, and I've never had a real birthday party this century.
    Pride Prom in Rome is back, but I just don't need it anymore since there's now one back in town that I can go to, not wanting to repeat last years debacle. Even with the beach conflict, the Copper Easel is closing the very next day, so I don't know if the owner will change direction for next year, or who will take over by that point. I wish it could be on a Friday. I may have my driving licence and a car by that stage, but I might even have a different schedule, so one day might work over the other. Someone told me Saturdays don't for him because of his job. What a difference a year makes. I'm sure a new person or sponsor can be planned for once this years activities are in the books. That's the event for that area.
    Anything new on the prom front shall be added as it comes. I keep leaving this open on draft because there seems to be something new to throw in, especially during the season. AI can really only tell you so much. If I could gain access to a run-of-the-diploma-mill prom that the other kind can't truly replicate without having to see students pose for snaps from the pavement, that would be winning the pools, since I never even though of going at their age and it just wouldn't have been done if I had wanted to anyway. I'm likely a bit older than these kids' parents (she doesn't give out her age to just anyone, mind).

JMA Dome: Carrier No More

JMA Dome after the new roof was installed

 While other sports and live venues change names every so often, this one is unprecedented (that word is thrown around a lot these days).  The Carrier Dome, as it's been called all my life, will now be the JMA Dome due to a rift between SU and the air con trailblazers.  The local mobile company bought the naming rights as their new plant can see the stadium just over the horizon from their window.  It will take some time for everyone to adjust, though many will never let go, I'm sure (you know how it is).

I'm no sports fan, so I seldom set foot in there, even though the Dome is close to home, and the school is a big part of the local economy.  I tagged who has played there over the past four decades.  Prince closed the place in 1985.  I'll see Paul McCartney once again and Elton John at last later this year (wonder if he knows about L. Frank Baum being from the area when it comes to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road).  Non-Orange events can only be held off-semester or when there are away games during term.

There have been renovations and there will be more.  The new roof reminds me of Wembley Stadium getting done up, changing its character.  The I-81 project just down the hill will also be a game changer (did see Jim Boeheim drive by one time).  Just one sign around the corner needs to have the old guard taken off now.  Another on the new structure at the Loud House has been put on top since then.

Prom

Fox furry couple at prom (2025)

    COVID-19 has taken too much off from us already, including prom from the kids. Even this year, some were not held. One in Schenectady County was held by a student instead. While it's too late too have anything now, next year, when things are likely better, I could have something myself, and it would include 2020 and 2021 graduates alike. I would maybe have it before the end of the college semester as there would be students from out of town who were deprived this year and CNY has several schools in the region. They would be too young to go to most adult proms where you'd have to be 21 because it'd be where there's alcohol (one place in town used to have it a couple times that I went and several before that. There was also a one-off for a charity and two more at a non-profit that is now closed).

I would book the OnCenter downtown if there's enough demand. I would need sponsors, an event planner, catering, DJ, you name it. If only a few people are interested, a smaller place I know would work, yet there isn't much room to dance (the other place across town was bijou, yet they could get everyone in there). I'd like to start a GoFundMe, but each time I do, I never see a dime, as I'm not good at these things.  I have posted about this before, trying to start my own only in recent years regretting not going to prom when I was in high school, as I didn't want to then and couldn't even if I did. At least by now, I've had a handful of chances since, yet would like to see something like we've seen in film and on TV, as well as online from recent memory and days gone by. Virtual just isn't the same. Sod all that.

Teens in smaller schools without their own prom, or those who schools didn't have it this year or were homeschooled since pre-pandemic could also attend, as well as those from anywhere who missed out. I would have to plan all year, and I would lose interest once the season peters out until it starts again by next spring.

UPDATE: Salt City Collective, a Meetup group in my area, started their annual Adult Prom in October, held twice at the original TK Tavern in Camillus (burned down in January 2023 and replaced in 2024 by Byrne Dairy), then held in the Ukrainian National Home on Tipp Hill, and the next one yet to be planned. The place that had it twice with me before pulling it for seven years' time until 2024 was Singers Karaoke Club a couple miles away next to Solvay. I will do a new post listing all of the ones I've been to so far and hope to get to in future.

Artists with CNY ties

Ronnie James Dio, 2005

There are a plethora of household names that have past personal ties to Central New York as it's too easy to start in a big area.  Been meaning to do this.  Here is a list of ones I know:

Ronnie James Dio (pictured; raised in Cortland)
Grace Jones (lived in Lyncourt section of Syracuse and attended OCC and *)
Pete Yorn*
Libba Cotten
Benny Mardones (moved to CNY in mid-'80s after leaving the clinic)
Vanessa Williams (also on our sister blog)*
Lou Reed*
Joe Driscoll (born in Syracuse; was in the UK for several years before coming home)
Joey Belladonna (from Anthrax; from Oswego)
Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown; lived in Oswego County)
Masters of Reality (from Syracuse)

Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary; Cornell alum)
John Silver (early Genesis drummer; attended Cornell)

Kim Hill (Black Eyed Peas; originally from Camillus)
Gym Glass Heroes (founding members are from Geneva)
Annette Funicello (born in Utica)
Rick Cua (born in Syracuse)

Sofronio Vasquez (The Voice Series 26 winner; lives in Utica)
Martin Sexton (Syracuse native)

Alan Gratzer (formerly of REO Speedwagon; born in Syracuse)
Tommy deCarlo (Boston; born in Utica)
Joe Bonnamassa (from Utica suburb New York Mills)

Jon Fishman (Phish; Jamesville-deWitt alumnus)
Josh Batstone (The Voice; from Fulton)
Gary Carpentier (The Voice; from Oswego)
Post Malone (he's from Syracuse too, even though he's not my bag)

*SU alumni

Childhood's End - Pink Floyd Tribute Band

Ian Cattell (left) in Brit Floyd

There used to be a Pink Floyd tribute band in my area called Childhoods End (no relation to one in Italy nor a track by Marillion for that matter).  I have seen them at Palace Theatre and Westcott Theatre in Syracuse.  They went the way of the real Floyd a couple years ago.  Their site said so but then it had something else and then was taken off.  Ian Cattell would be hired several years ago by The Australian Pink Floyd Show former member Damian Darlington (above right) to form Brit Floyd who I saw the other night after missing the last two times local boy (Cattell) was back in town.  Childhoods End meanwhile carried on with another lineup or two until they broke up amicably.  Two regular venues, Uptown Theatre in Utica and Suzys Tavern in Auburn have also gone out of business.  End had fewer resources than the others and the furthest they've played was Jim Thorpe, PA if not somewhere else outside CNY to my knowledge.  They released no CDs or DVDs.  Even a gofundme or indiegogo appeal now might not gain as much traction as an all-original project would.
There have been a plethora of Floyd tribute bands founded over the past three decades such as The Machine who I saw in town as well.  The two Commonwealth ones can have more people on stage like backing vocalists and additional musicians to do the songs justice.  CE at least staged The Wall but having fake bricks like solo Roger Waters would was either a fire hazard inside a smaller place or not practical on a budget as licence royalties may be considered among other possible costs.
Steve Schad who played keyboards in CE has gone on to another tribute act called Beatlecuse who I saw twice last year but is the name of a show with a collective of local people and guest doing Beatles et al.  Other members such as Tom Robinson (guitar), Eric Garboushian (drums), Jimmy Simpson Puma (bass) , Gregory John (guitar), and others have moved on to other things for all I know.  Did see former manager Greg Jackson and his wife Sandra (who took photographs of the band during the show) at the chippy last year.  At least one could see Waters if they can make the trip.
I just wanted something to give the band and fans closure as there's nothing saved on record about the End of Childhoods End which is named for a track on Obscured by Clouds which true fans know.

Halloween 2016

Can Lovey count on your support?

Not strictly music related again, but this time it's for Halloween.  While the past couple GoFundMe appeals haven't raised a dime, I'm hoping this one will.  The money will help me have more options as I haven't done this in donkeys years.

UPDATE: May be re-launched next August in order to bankroll my own party to be held on the night which will be a Tuesday, unless one place in town decides to have it again after pulling a Glastonbury last time due to being one of those businesses who avoid Mondays like Garfield wishes he could do!

Boy George and Culture Club remasters

Japanese edition of the rare 1988 Boyfriend EP

By the cover art can be obtained from Virgin Records., Fair use, Link

With Culture Club coming to town in September, there are albums of theirs and solo Boy George needing remasters.  Here's a list as always along with bonus tracks:

From Luxury to Heartache
From Luxury to Heartache
Move Away 12"
God Thank You Woman 12"
Sexuality 12"
Gusto Blusto (rock mix)
Come Clean (early version)
In the Morning (the rarest of this lot)

Sold
Everything I Own 12"
Live My Life (from Hiding Out soundtrack)
Live My Life 12"
Sold 12"
Use Me
I Pray '87 (solo version of Culture Club track)
State of Love
Are You Too Afraid?

Tense Nervous Headache/Boyfriend (pictured)/High Hat
Don't Cry (US version)
All three should be combined into a 2 CD release as some have the same tracks.

The Martyr Mantras (Jesus Loves You)
Generations of Love (La La Gone Gaga Mix)
Bow Down Mister (A Small Portion 2B Polite Mix)
Sweet Toxic Love (Deliverance Mix)
More Than Likely (with PM Dawn)

Cheapness and Beauty
The Crying Game
Police and Thieves (reggae cover)
When Will You Learn?
Same Thing in Reverse (acoustic version)
Cheapness and Beauty (acoustic version)
Funtime (Ramp Alien Spawn Club Mix)

Don't Mind If I Do
I Just Wanna Be Loved (single edit)
Your Kisses Are Charity (with Dolly Parton)
Tracks recorded with Peter Asher (Peter & Gordon, James Taylor, Janes brother)

Second Chance Prom

Mooky, my uncle and aunties girl kitty, could be my date! It's been done, though. She's not far from that kid from the makeup company.

    Not strictly music-related but for a bit of a change I'd like to announce the Second Chance Prom. I explain more there in the link. I'm also awaiting responses from a couple syndicated advice columnists. Just feeling a little green eyed seeing the kids get dolled up for the big night. Might have it at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown (formerly the historical Hotel Syracuse) as their grand reopening occurs too late for the regular prom season so it'd be in the fall but not on a Saturday due to a solid season of wedding receptions though several area proms such as West Genesee were held in the ballroom in the past over the previous few generations and new ones can now have theirs in there.

UPDATE: Found something across town. We'll see how we get on. Money for a limo wouldn't hurt though. Then again I found an article about youngsters in Brooklyn from CW 11 WPIX who want one that have it worse than we might so they deserve a few bob much more than I do. I wanna put a link to the story but the seasonal nature of proms may not give these kids much time to set up. God bless them however.

UPDATE II: Yet another one found even though I'd have to get a bus there and get a cab if not the hotel shuttle home. Also not sure if the DJs set list will be Mary Whitehouse approved to put it that way. Still it's less expensive when someone else has it as I have no experience running my own event. Money raised now could just pay for transport for me and other people without a lift.

UPDATE III: Found another one that's two counties away yet it's not that easy to get into. Watching Family Guy gave me the idea of a second chance homecoming which is sorta close but a different animal (the UK has Old Boys Day but that's not quite the same). Not sure if any school I went to would have this now and if so I could go so there's another niche to fill that isn't done often so I could make that a thing. More as this develops.

UPDATE IV: The Marriott have one now, but I'll have to wait until next year. I might just have this in an area where such a thing isn't planned and/or the closest one is out of town. More to come. A prom themed birthday party is not unheard of, but mine's in August past prime prom period, and it's too hot to be overdressed.

UPDATE V: Singers (the one from the first update last year) might take a hiatus with theirs just as Glastonbury shall next year so I'll have to shell out on downtown and/or Oswego or create my own that people can afford. It will be black tie on a budget! I would now have a reason for a GoFundMe, but these kids in Idaho with sod all have one up and they deserve it far more than I do!

These wolves are ready to party down!

Warm-Air-Fund

Warm-Air-Fund: Trying to escape New Siberia!
UPDATE: Though it's getting warmer one can still pitch in so I can do a bit more this year.

Relocation more likely for Sound Garden - YNN CNY

Relocation more likely for Sound Garden - YNN CNY
Over my dead body!

Record Shops: Volume Records Ithaca New York

Record Shops: Volume Records Ithaca New York: Volume Records - Ithaca New York on the Commons   Now just part of the second floor of a clothing store.

Sound City Music One Stop

Sound City Music One Stop: Closed

Sound City Music One Stop

Sound City Music One Stop: Full line of accessories-including strings, treads, reeds, etc. plus new and used CD's, DVD's, incense.

Jerry's Brokendown Palaces: Onondaga War Memorial, 800 South State Street, S...

Jerry's Brokendown Palaces: Onondaga War Memorial, 800 South State Street, S...: Capacity 6230 The War Memorial at Oncenter, originally the Onondaga War Memorial, is a 6,159-seat multi-purpose arena in Downtown Syracuse...

Landmark Theatre - The Return

Forgot to take my own when I'm able to get there.  To save time, I used this free image.

Now that the Landmark Theatre in downtown Syracuse will be back this fall bigger and better than ever.  It will accomodate more A-list acts yet the integrity and legacy of this local jewel has not been compromised.  November and December have shows lined up already but for after New Years, theres plenty of room on the calendar.  I was told by someone there that they're really a rental house and don't decide themselves who will use the facility but rather promoters, managers and agents will book the former local Loews picture palace like they would any venue.  Here is a list of people I want to see at the Landmark:

The Moody Blues*
The Musical Box*
The Australian Pink Floyd Show*
Yes
Asia
Rush
Peter Gabriel
Def Leppard
Duran Duran
Fleetwood Mac

Who would you like to see?  Drop a line.  There is concern about parking though.  There are a couple car parks you could use.  At least those of us who take the bus can get right there for the most part.
Great to have the Landmark back after a year or two of reconstruction that continues for another month.

*Have been to the Landmark before as far as I know.