A concert for learning from Grupo Pagan

Over 20 years, I’ve admired Edgar Pagan the man and Edgar Pagan the music maker. The Syracuse band leader of Grupo Pagan is once again bringing both sides of his generous personality together to present “Bringing the World Together in Syracuse 2014.” The show starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at The Palace Theater…

New York State Blues Festival back with big lineup

After a year off to retune the organization and format, the New York State Blues Festival has announced a big and impressive lineup for a two-day return, July 18 and 19 in Clinton Square in Syracuse. Media relations representative Julie Briggs sent out the list of performers today. Coming to play the free-admission event in…

Add local music to this giant mall’s ever-expanding menu

Once upon a time, the halls inside a mall were the last place I’d expect to find a growing local music scene. It’s happening at Destiny USA, the mega shopping, dining and entertainment complex in Syracuse. They call the expansive new wing The Canyon. And that’s the way it looks from the rails of all…

Avery Sunshine to play free show at OCC

Avery Sunshine knows how to spread jazz love with her voice and keyboard work. And, in a show that pays tribute to Women’s History Month, the Avery Sunshine Duo will perform a free admission show at 7 p.m. March 29, in Storer Auditorium on the campus of Onondaga Community College. The native of Chester, Pa.,…

What would you do to fight a class system?

The novel of Vernonica Roth will be brought to the big screen this weekend with the tense “Divergent.” Teens will fight for their lives and the good of all in this futuristic Chicago. The makers expect success; there’s already plans for two more films. The trailer shows a lesson for sticking up for what makes…

Red Carpet treatment at the Syracuse Area Music Awards

The organizers of Friday night’s Syracuse Area Music Awards made sure the guests felt welcome. The lobby of The Palace Theatre in Syracuse included a red carpet staging area. They put a banner with the event’s sponsor logos on it, and pushed a big replica of the Sammys trophy on the side, too. In other…

Syracuse rocks live to the voice of SpongeBob

Before the hard-working members of new hall of fame band The Flashcubes were ready to call the Syracuse Area Music Awards officially over Friday night, they invited a good friend to the stage to sing with them for one last song. SpongeBob SquarePants bounced up to perform. Well, this being real life and not Nickelodeon,…

It’s time for Syracuse to flaunt the importance of local music again

There’s no national music scene without local music. There’s no international music superstars without local music. Simply stated: Every musical journey has to start in somebody’s garage. Or bedroom. Or living room. Much of the time, they start to jam with a neighbor. Or classmate. If they get confident, they’ll play out in public at…