Leaving Syracuse

Allied moving lorry

 I have decided to leave Syracuse. I've explained this more on the sister blog. No one wants me around anymore, and it's not just one person. I've outgrown the area, and it's gone downhill. I might go to south Florida, since I've had the idea for several years, and would even try just wintering there like pensioners do, even though I would have to work and outlive them to actually do that. Remote work is above my pay grade unless I can get something in AI. I'm just unhappy here now, and I'm ready to fill up boxes and get my cat and hope to meet new people, which may be easier where you have no track record. I think this is the straw that broke the camels back. Much of the area is a state these days, and people vote with their feet by buggering off to where they don't have income tax, even if they watch Fox News.

lavcd.ru

Screenshot of banner from Wayback Machine

 It appears that lavcd.ru has gone offline. I even tried the online detector to see if it was just on my end or if it had server issues. The detector claimed that it was business as usual, but I couldn't put down that it wasn't. This is where Boris has been getting most of the pirate CDs for me. Because there has been little to go on from either end lately, as well as events of the past several years, we're lucky to do this once a year now. Even though some new releases have come up that I know are in there, it's just finding enough older material to maximise the cost of P&P, especially because I have to go through a third-party service via the post or FedEx, which is a bit more expensive, along with finding all of these rare CDs in person, trying to avoid getting them all online, despite even the simplest things becoming harder to find at brick and mortar stores these days since they can't all compete with the internet. I wonder if the site is blocked outside of Russia or if the authorities even took it off, which wouldn't surprise me at all. Also having to go back to the site each week and downloading each file just became too much, and I have a life and schedule now. I hate to see this come to an end, yet I would rather get more official CDs locally in person, but not even the better known artists are on every corner, let alone ones who hardly if ever touched the US or any chart for that matter. I'm just not aware of other resources there one can turn to now. I will have to look into this some more when I have the time. It could just be either technical difficulties or they are no more. More as I can find anything, but until then, it's just indefinite hiatus.

UPDATE (25/8/26): The site is up and running again. I think they were just down for a period.

Bluetooth at home and on the go: Now in its 30th year

Leto Bluetooth speaker (no relation to Jared and Shannon Leto)

MC SeonWoo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 While Bluetooth has been around for some time now, it's not like me or other people to catch on late, often times because of the cost. Some even got telly decades after most of western civilisation to put it that way. When I switched phones, I couldn't use the classic cord that I grew up with anymore. A few years ago, I managed to find a pair of JBL headphones at the charity shop for $7. They work with my Android and I don't think I had them yet for my ageing iPhone. Only today at the chaz, did I finally find a standalone Bluetooth speaker that I could afford. I do have it in my record machine in another part of the house, but it's more inconvenient than playing good old vinyl since I just don't have that much room. On the same token, I have dozens of CDs stored in the attic, and it can be too cold in winter and hot in the summer to rummage through a large moving box in cramped quarters, especially if I need to play something at a moments notice or on a certain day. While I still want to go to shops and get real LPs and CDs when I can afford it, subscribing to Amazon and sometimes even going to YouTube or even a pirate site saves time and money, which is why streaming is mega these days. Netflix is more suited for the sister TV blog, and I don't watch much TV either way anymore. However, I wonder if it's actual stereo or just a glorified mono folddown. One brand sold at Dollar Tree with $5-10 items says to buy two speakers for true stereo, but I'm lucky to get this used one, since it takes time for newer tech to cost less and reach the second hand and even the thrift store, which doesn't happen everyday, but that can be explored at the retail blog. There's no need to spend hundreds more on hi-fi for your wi-fi. It was a right fortune as it is just to get the phone fixed after it broke more than once, mind. As for getting a good deal on Bluetooth at a place that is usually just full of junk, sometimes on a good day, you win the pools.
UPDATE (5/4/26): I brought my 5 CD carousel changer up from the basement and plugged it into the AUX jack in the back. I had the adapter for the RCA cables which I used for my old stereo that has since been recycled. Now I have a nice little system upstairs while the record machine downstairs has Bluetooth itself. At least I have both since streaming can get cut off, especially with several different apps running on a slightly older phone and on public wi-fi when I'm not at home between numerous people using it and the inherent risks unless you have VPN and antivirus software installed because you just can't be too careful these days with all the scams out there. Not to be Dale Gribble, mind, but you know how it is now. I also don't want to use up battery or data when an outlet and wi-fi are unavailable.

FloofAid

 

AI group drawing. Website is just as fake, so don't go to it yet.

    I have launched FloofAid, a unique charity to help those in the furry community afford fursuits and furry conventions. This may not be quite what I usually put here, but I haven't had anything in a period and I have the worst luck with these. This is described more on our sister blog, along with sister project Furacuse, which would be a con based right here in Syracuse, so people in the region wouldn't have to go as far for it, being between Albanys Eufuria, Buffalos Fluffalo, as well as far between Ottawas Canfur, Philadelphias Furrydelphia, and the Tri-States Furpocalypse. It would seem counterintuitive to have one thing that gets you to cons around North America (we'll throw in the boys' turf too, despite recent events) tied to one in my area. FloofAid would also help furs connect to each other. It was going to be called FurAid, but the name was already used by a rescue centre, which cons usually raise money for. Furacuse would be split between the local SPCA and FloofAid. If you don't care for GoFundMe, you can send me money directly through PayPal, CashApp, Venmo, or even Zelle (by request). This is not a scam. Just say that it's for FloofAid so I can put it aside. I would put that money specifically aside for either the three or four state regions event if I can't do both, since I'll be lucky to get to one ever, or even get another suit since the ones I have now may not be appropriate or accepted by the diehards, despite basing a lie around my main one, and the other was a cheapie I can't even bring to the charity shop. Once more money comes in, I can pay it forward, reach out to others, and file the paperwork.

    Having a benefit show would just not be feasible. This is too much of a niche market to even get small time artists on board. Maybe my prom deal would work, since people would go for the event more than for the cause in some of these cases. Even established non-profits are struggling right now. The one mainstream current artist that came even close to knowing floof is Lil Nas X with a knockoff Rivolo suit (mine is of Kevon, even though I add to him to make him my own). The Beatles with Magical Mystery Tour in the "I Am the Walrus" segment of the film and the album sleeve may be considered a precedent, yet the fandoms roots may go back as far as Victorian and Edwardian times if not even further.

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).

CNY Hall of Fame

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

 Link

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).

FYE/Transworld locations

2014 Connecticut location; courtesy Mike Mozart

 Link

Anita Baker

Anita Baker at the Lincoln 2.0 Festival, 2009

 Haven't posted here in six months' time, having focused on the sister blogs and my life, but the time has come to write about an artist I remember from growing up that I don't listen to or hear from often, this time being soul legend Anita Baker. Four years ago, she was able to get back her masters from Warner Music Group, where was signed to Elektra Records (transferred to sister label Atlantic in the mid-'90s when for AC/DC and Yes, it was the other way around until the parent company spun off of Time Warner in 2004 and the former moved to Sony and A&R queen Sylvia Rhone to Universal). While the dispute was a couple years ago, it took six months to settle. Warner has divested other artists this past decade since buying Parlophone from EMI. The past three years saw artists and songwriters selling their rights. Baker is setting a new precedent by getting them back. I asked the crystal ball which label would put out the remasters, and it would be Craft, the reissue label at Concord, one of the largest independents in the world, which also acquired Natalie Cole, REM, Jewel, Violent Femmes and Collective Soul from WMG. Nothing officially confirmed, of course, so more as this develops.

Katy Perry (née Hudson) 2001 début

Poor quality low res snap of CD for eBay listing

 Katy Perry was one of the first artists ever profiled on the blog.  After she made it, it became known that she recorded an album that Mary Whitehouse would have liked (maybe Katys UK ex-pat fiancé Orlando Bloom has heard of the late conservative activist, who was in her final days in a care home when the album was released in 2001).  Perry may now dismiss this CD as juvenilia as it's a far cry from "Hot 'n' Cold", "Roar", "Firework", and "Hey Hey Hey" just to name a few.  This is no "Teenage Dream".  Rather "The One That Got Away"!  I'm sure she'd probably just say it'll always be a "Part of Me"!  This one is more of a "Dark Horse" (not George Harrisons, of course).  Back then, it was "By the Grace of God".  I sound like Gene Shalit!  I started this "Last Friday Night"!  I could go on all day!

Before she was Katy Perry, before American Idol, she was Katy Hudson (not to be confused with Kate Hudson), who was brought up in a strict Christian home in Santa Barbara County.  At a young age, she was signed to an indie label in Multnomah County (chosen for the location as I took the zip code from the CD), recorded in Davidson County (the epicentre of country and Christian music), and could have been the next Stacie Orrico (a CCM Britney Spears at one time, perhaps), but the label closed down after the CD came out and it sold very few copies.  Katy Hudson changed her name to Katy Perry because of the unrelated new film star at the time, and tried for several years to launch a secular career before starting over the opposite of an Amy Grant (I know this sounds more like a mere review).  Once she was a household name, word got out about this early release, which is sought after, even though it contrasts the hits she's had since 2008s One of the Boys.  A right chancer can make a few bob off this one, God willing (since He is praised on there).  The price could "Rise".  This is "Never Really Over"!

I saw Katy Hudson in the charity shop for pennies, and recognised it straight away, realising it was too good to be there, so I tried at first going to the local record shop to trade it in, but got a low-ball offer.  I get that it's a small business, and they know the story themselves, so I decided to sell it online.  Amazon wasn't feasible because I would have to had several items and pay to set up an account, so it's not on, so I turned to eBay, where some interest was there, and ultimately sold it to a fan in Clark County for much less than what others would.  He won the pools, and he's in Las Vegas, where Pezza has a residency and some Idol auditions to boot (also held in Nashville and [New] Orleans Parish).  I even told missus on Twitter that I found this from early days, even though she was a different girl back then whose initial phase is another animal like Alanis Morissette, Tiffany, and even Mr Conway Twitty, showing that we all must start off somewhere.  It is very unlikely Katy Perry will ever reissue this album herself because of just how far apart from her current career it is.  You have a better chance with early '90s Alanis and KLF at this rate.  Just something the diehards are willing to look and pay for.

Impacted by Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

My house.  The paint on the stairs can wait.

Do give whatever you can to my campaign.  Bob Geldof I'm not.
UPDATE: Susan Sposato 1949-2023

Still need support to tie up loose ends.

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.

COVID-19

Concert poster from happier times

With coronavirus the elephant in the room, all aspects of life are affected.  Tours are all on hold, and many annual events cancelled making Glastonbury fallow years look like a mere blip (even they had to cancel since it came down to that).  As such, there won't be anything new to add for some time.

Sunrise Records

Toronto location.

http://nyretailroundup.blogspot.com/2020/01/sunrise-records.html

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

Greatest Hits/Best Ofs

Rihanna in concert, 2011.  She came to Syracuse just months before this show.

I don't usually write about todays Top 40 artists because it's almost too easy (I'll just let Perez Hilton do that), yet there are a number of them as well as some from yesteryear that have yet to release a greatest hits and/or best of album and have enough of a track record now to fill one up.  Russian bootleg ones exist of many of the following, but an official release is imminent for all of these artists:

Rihanna (above; already approaching the tenth anniversary of "Pon de Replay"!)
Beyoncé (Destinys Child have one)
Coldplay (Chris Martin recorded a duet with RiRi which could go on both albums)
Justin Timberlake (there is one for 'NSYNC proper however)
Kate Bush (last one was in 1986, so she has more tracks to collect)
AC/DC (have refused to put one out, yet the end of the band is likely not too far off)
Metallica (also declined to make a compilation and own their masters)
Lady Gaga (just performed with Metallica at Grammys)
Tool (not quite mainstream yet they too don't believe in a collection)
Katy Perry (maybe in 2018 for the 10th anniversary)
Scissor Sisters (overlooked at home and currently on extended sabbatical)
Lana del Rey (yes, even her)
Selena Gomez (includes with the Scene)
Miley Cyrus (not including her Hannah Montana material from more innocent times)*
The All-American Rejects (much of these are on Polydor where I found many of these)
Take That (also underrated in the US yet have enough since their reunion over a decade ago)
The Jonas Brothers (the teenybopper nature of their classics may limit their appeal now)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs (including some solo Karen O)
Mariah Carey (compilation and/or boxed set of her Universal-owned albums)
One Direction (now on hiatus)
Taylor Swift (may have to wait until 2018 as new album is out; her ex is in 1D)
John Mayer (Taylors other ex as well as Katys; Mr-Can't-Make-a-Commitment!  Coming soon to CNY)
Calvin Harris (this isn't a gossip column, yet he also used to be with TayTay!)
System of a Down (a new studio album is needed as well)
Little Mix (even them already)
NERD (could throw in solo Pharrell Williams*)
Justin Bieber (even though "Baby" and "Love Yourself" couldn't be more different; Selenas ex)
Susan Boyle (the time has come for a collection; I do admire her for being a late bloomer nonetheless)
David Gilmour (should keep live versions of Floyd proper classics off so he can stand on his own)
Kanye West (he thinks he's the greatest and may also think that of every track he's recorded.  I'm not endorsing this baciagaloop, just saying how even he might consider putting a collection together)
Alicia Keys (may have to wait until later in the year as Here is still fresh in promotional phase)*
Usher (will also have to wait as his latest release hasn't been out that long either)*
Shakira (this one would be of her English-language hits like "Don't Bother" and "Underneath Your Clothes")*
James Blunt (currently has a studio release to plug, but a compilation next year would mark a decade since "You're Beautiful")
Muse (bought a few of their studio albums for you-know-who but even he can't be bothered with cherry picking)
Fiona Apple (could also use another new album first)
Fantasia (only Idol alum here)

*The Voice judges past and present as this pattern occurred.  No past contestants combined however have enough to do a collection just yet!

Gloversville record plant

Free image due to age and lack of copyright

    I remembered hearing over a decade ago about a record plant close to the Adirondacks that was going out of business (it closed for good in 2005 after being opened in 1931 by Decca/Brunswick Records during the Depression [Decca UK & US split several years later because WWII was brewing, making multinational operations impossible for a period, not reunited until three generations later]). Universal Music Group wound up getting it with the acquisition of PolyGram (which bought Decca UK/London Records in 1979) and others. At the time it was though no one was buying new vinyl anymore. Now it ought to reopen, even if UMG doesn't need it themselves. A small company could take it over and instead of virgin vinyl from fossil fuels they could recycle old LPs and sleeves. This was done as far back as the '70s during the oil crisis, but the technology to filtre out impurities and what-have-you may have come on since then. Numerous LPs languishing in charity shops and bargain bins could all go there, particularly ones that were purchased by those who are either now deceased or just too old to bother buying and playing them again at this point. Greatest Generation-geared legends like Mantovani, Ray Conniff, Glenn Miller, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, and Anita Bryant for that matter come to mind. Fulton County and neighbouring Montgomery County have suffered in recent decades with factories closing. Like Cuyahoga County two states away, these were factory towns. The demand for vinyl is back albeit to a lesser extent than generations past.  Indie labels could have their albums pressed there. Unwanted albums and 45s that can't even get sold for pennies online could just be donated. A registered charity would have to be established in order to give people and businesses a chance to write it off their taxes but I'm not the Bob Geldof of manufacturing. A grassroots campaign might work but I don't know. There are enough other places yet to reopen but that's covered more on our sister blog NYRRU. As for LPs across the seaway in Canada they get new LPs from the States if not Europe. A licencing arrangement has to be made for the boys' later albums to be sold on their turf. This plant back in Upstate NY however would now cater to small time indie cult artists with a niche following. Perhaps limited editions to save money and to see if 5,000 for a start would sell out.

UPDATE: I learnt that this has since become a warehouse, and they rent out space that could be used for such an operation, despite the environmental risks of melting down PVC instead of upcycling it into cute things to sell on Etsy. At least I can take solace in finding a suitable photo on Facebook.

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!

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!

Julian Lennon remasters

Overlooked in the US because of grunge.

Julian Lennons catalogue is long overdue to be reissued worldwide with these bonus tracks:

Valotte
Bebop (previously unavailable on album)
Big Mama (also just a B-side)
Too Late for Goodbyes (12")
Stand by Me (live)

The Secret Value of Daydreaming
Stick Around (12")
Because (from Dave Clarks Time)
Time Will Teach Us All (w/Stevie Wonder)
If You Only Knew (Time track)
Midnight Smoke (from The Hunting of the Snark)

Mr Jordan
Now You're in Heaven (12")
Ruby Tuesday (Stones cover)
Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry cover and UK hidden track)

Help Yourself (pictured)
Saltwater (reggae mix)
Coles Song (from Mr Hollands Opus)

Photograph Smile
I Need You (America cover)
Don't Let Me Down (not a cover of you-know-who!)
Lucy (w/James Scott Cook) (for namesake of certain song who later died from Lupus)

In loving memory of Cynthia Lennon.