The pavilion on the parking lot adjacent to Syracuse’s landmark Irish pub, Coleman’s.
With all the digging in the garden dirt my dear wife Karen and I have been doing of late, we figured a Saturday night trip to the Syracuse neighborhood of Tipperary Hill would do us well.
Coleman’s Authentic Irish Pub was throwing its kickoff edition for its weekly outdoor block party.
Yes, thank you, said Karen.
Hanging out because it feels like the right thing to do.
When the weekly party rolls, it’s on a Thursday night. But we figured the Saturday night debut will put us among many.
Karen estimated the crowd at 350, but that was early. I think there might have been hundreds more than that.
We chatted with our friend Emily, a former boss and colleague of mine at the big daily who now works at Syracuse University’s Newhouse school. She’s thrilled because SU allows her to work from home two days a week to be with 2-year-old Violet. I complimented her husband, Chris, on his new beard, and he looks happy, too.
Syracuse band Mere Mortals rocks Coleman’s parking lot pavilion Saturday night.
I knew we’d like the music of Syracuse band The Mere Mortals, one of the outfits who’d performed in the white studio for the Music Notes video series I put together for the big daily when I worked there.
I was right. They sound-checked with Counting Crows’ “Mr. Jones” and started with the Stones’ “Miss You” and it only got better from there.
The good sounds were steady and strong. The Coleman’s Tipp Hill crowd loves this band. And vice versa. There was some dancing.
We talked to some people we didn’t know, too.
Karen told me to photo bomb a group in front of us, but I declined. When I informed them of my decision jokingly after the moment, the guy who snapped the photo for the three women in the picture told me I should have done it. They did not look as enthusiastic about the possibility.
Is this a good Saturday night? Well? (Photo by Karen Miller Bialczak)
Outside the restaurant proper, there’s a bench where you can sit a spell, take a load off, if you will.
But you have to share the space with a constant customer.
Had I a made a good suggestion to Karen, this Saturday night Block Party thing at Coleman’s on Tipp Hill?
Smile, dear, for the long arm of the Mark.
Why, of course I did, say those cans of beer and selfie smiles.
Have you gone to any outdoor music shows yet this year? What is your favorite outdoor party spot in your town? What is your favorite local band and your favorite cover song that they play?
Mark Bialczak 
That pavilion is probably one of the best moves Coleman’s has ever done … in my time. Haha. I heard from my mom and her friends that the pub used to be a hole-in-the-wall.
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It’s far from that now, for sure, Chris.
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I see you really did have a great weekend! Fantastic!! What a beautiful neighborhood that is. I love the shot of you on the bench and of course the one with Dear Karen. Adorable couple! I love that she wanted you to photo bomb a picture. That’s so funny!
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My dear wife Karen has a drier sense of humor than I do. I definitely laughed at her suggestion of the photo bomb, Sandra. The bench shot was my idea. Something that blatant and obvious, yup, all me. And, yes, Syracuse’s Tipp Hill is pretty cool. It is the neighborhood that boasts of the traffic light where the green signal is on top. Only one in the country, they say.
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You always find the most fun places to go! 😀 Awesome photos! 😀
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You just have to want to go, Rachel, and the rest just happens organically, if you know what I mean. I kind of like my pose with the statue dude on this one. Can I get modeling work, former professional photographer? I could use the side cash.
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Absolutely! Get 11 more; you can sell a calendar. 😉
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Coleman’s and Tippary Hill … a favorite haunt. A friend of mine lived near there on the West End. Looks like you and Karen had a great time. 😉
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Oops … that should be “Tipperary Hill,” I think. (And, that’s with absolutely no liquid refreshment from Coleman’s.) 😉
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Let’s go with Tipp Hill, Judy!
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Far better choice, Mark. 😉
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Fun way to ring in summer weather music season, Judy!
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What a great night out for the two of you!! We have a buch of outdoor spots here, but my favorite is Thursday night’s Rock The Dock in Kemah, TX. A stone’s throw away from me and the perfect evening closer. For me ….Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight is a fav cover, as its a soother, or I’d take CCR…anything.
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Anything with the name Rock the Dock has to be a great outdoor venue, Audrey, if there is truth in advertising!
‘Wonderful Tonight’ is a great slow cover, certainly.
And it takes a talented local band to cover CCR in fine style!
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It really is a great way to spend the evening. I think you and Karen would enjoy it.
Yes, I was aiming high on both. Never said the band would have it easy.
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High sights, Audrey. Cool!
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You guys really know how to live.
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Good time of year, Kim.
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You look so stoic on the bench, but then happy with your cans. I’m reminded of an old Bauhaus song, “She’s In Parties” (not your era per se) because you and the DW Karen are in parties. Social butterflies, you.
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Once in a while, Kerbey.
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Looks like a fantastic evening with amazing people!
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In a neighborhood, too. It was rocking, Kim.
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You chose an awesome good and local time to be had, great job, Mark! We had a New Moon Half and Quarter Marathon race in Delaware, Ohio (May 31, evening) that had hundreds of runners entering with the benefit of the American Lung Association. The race closed off two full blocks of downtown, with a stage band set up to greet the winners, the ones who made their destination and console the ones who may have not been able to do this lengthy race. The South Sandusky Street area between Rt. 36 and Rt. 37 was packed, Mark! I did not really know the local band, tried to look in several locations, even Ohio Runner, Cols. Dispatch and Delaware This Week, did not name the band performing. I sat out, with my two grandsons, on the front porch of our apartments, listening and enjoying such cover songs from popular rock groups. (Heart, Rush and possibly Leonard Skynard.) I am not always good at identifying groups, unless I am in my car using Syrius! Smiles, Robin
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That’s a good time, Robin. I’m glad you and the grands got to sit on the front porch and enjoy the music. The name of the band and groups are just details that don’t really matter. It’s the joys that count, my friend!
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fun post mark and great call to both of you for heading off to the pub. you both look very happy and relaxed. and if i read correctly, i believe mere mortals refused to accept their r & r hall of fame induction until bruce could be with them and all together? )
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Ah, yes, a band that stands together for one and all and dreams and glory and Born in the USA and Born to Run and me and you. And beer. I must not forget beer, Beth.
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Outdoor concerts are great! Timm McGraw and Springsteen during the Final Four and Al Jarreau the week after. All free here in TX.
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Not bad for free, Micatx. Ha!
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Now if I could only spell TIM. LOL
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Sticky mmmmmm key.
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That’s my kinda outing Mark! Did you guys dance?
Diana xo
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We are not so much for the dancing, Diana, but I do like to move in my spot!
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That’s dancing in my books – I’m more of a free-styling, hotdogger of a dancer myself!
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I’m glad to note that I was indeed dancing last night, Diana! Hot-dogging freestyle is the only way, in my book, too!
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As we walked up we could hear the hundreds of fans loudly and clearly singing along with the band. The crowd was a surprising mix of young and old, frat brats and hipsters, soccer moms, Girl’s Night girls, those who were out to be “seen” and folks far removed from the “scene”. All playing nicely in Coleman’s gigantic sandbox. The band played favorites; U2, Jane’s Addiction, Paul Simon, and oldies . Each one proved to
be high energy, danceable,
a singalong and a crowd
favorite.
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Yes, exactly. Thanks, Sugarfoot!
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Ha! As soon as I pushed that publish button I knew I sounded like an old fogey. Ha! I’m not. I do enjoy new music and if I had a better half I’d for sure check it all out. Honestly though Mark, a 55 year old single man in a group of kids no older than 22 just plain looks and feels predatory. I support local new bands and enjoy listening to their music. I buy their recordings and always find some favorites. I do find that a live mix of classic and new is more enjoyable for me. Anyway, your street party seems perfect for what I enjoy. By the way, what is “Photo-bombing”?
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I get what you’re saying about the fish out of water feeling.
Photo-bombing is when you time it right and stick your face into the back of uninvited smart phone pictures!
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Sounds like a great way to unwind after gardening all day. I live close to university so the locals are all young. I enjoy their energy and youth and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, but street parties or the bars all play music that I don’t know and are a bit loud for my old ears.
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Yes, a disconnect of era’s. That can be a bit of a jolt, if you let it, Paul.
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Looks like the perfect way to wrap up a beautiful day 🙂
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Good time, Jeanette. I was glad you and the young man had a good superhero movie day!
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