Category Archives: local music

A Little Posers Is Always Nice

Posted on July 31, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tuesday I was a little bummed to hear that my favorite band, The Posers was playing in Mohawk, NY, because I had a Town Board meeting to cover in Frankfort.  However, I was able to stop by and hear a couple of songs after the meeting.

My pictures are not the best, but they will have to do.

The concert was sponsored by The Village of Mohawk Recreational Committee and took place at Tutty Field, which I had never heard of.  I was easily able to find it, though, thanks to directions on The Posers’ Facebook page.  They even put a sign on the Fishing Access Site post to help (I wish I had taken a picture of that!).

Turn around, Rick!

This was the first picture I took, and my good friend, Rick, the bass player abruptly turned his back!  Not on me, of course; I think he was fiddling with something technical.  I don’t know from band equipment.  I was happy to dance and sing along to the classic rock.

I might as well use all the pictures I took.

I did not stay long, although I could have gotten something to eat from one of the food trucks there.  I bet some of those people on the picnic tables would have been nice enough to let me sit with them.  However, I wanted to get home and start writing my story on the meeting I had been to.  Rick saw me as I was leaving and waved.  I waved back and blew a kiss.  I hope The Posers play soon at a time when I can be there for longer.

As a matter of fact, I heard they were going to be at the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown on Monday, Aug. 11.  Unfortunately I will have an Ilion Village Board meeting to attend.  Perhaps I can stop by again for a short time.  At least enough for a blog post!

 

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Post Music Post

Posted on November 14, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I knew it; I knew this would happen.  I knew if I went to Fratello’s before making my blog post I would not want to make my blog post when I got home.  Here I am, too beat to blog.  Yet here I am, ten finger typing on my Chromebook.  Perhaps I could manage a Wuss-out Wednesday post.

This was a really good episode.

I was watching Columbo earlier this afternoon while crocheting a baby afghan I want to give at a shower in another week or so.  While at Fratello’s, Phil Arcuri sang the Johnny Cash song about a Burning Ring of Fire.  I told my friend Kathy, who was there with me, how Johnny Cash was a great murderer on Columbo (this does not need a spoiler alert, as Columbo aficionados know).  So the picture above is appropriate.

And here is Phil!

This is a picture I took a while ago of Phil at Fratello’s. Tonight I took my obligatory picture to share on Facebook, inviting others out to hear good music, but it did not turn out very well.  Still, I shared it, so any of my local Facebook friends could come out and hear the music.

I see I have managed 200 words.  I say not bad for a Wuss-out Wednesday. Note to self:  next time post before going out to enjoy local music.

 

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Another Posers Post!

Posted on June 20, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Monday I braved the heat to walk down to Meyers Park for the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown.  My favorite band, The Posers, were playing.  How could I not go?  As it happened, I had not been feeling well all day.  No specific symptoms, just very run down, tired, and blah.  Could I have partied too heartily on the weekend?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!  I walked to the post office first, to mail a few postcards, then wandered around the park, deciding what to eat.

I finally decided on a hot dog from K Dogs BBQ.  It was big!  It was yummy!  I sat down at a picnic table in the shade and did not have long to wait till the band started.

They rock!

It was difficult to get a good shot, because of the posts on the pavilion and the setting sun.  Then again, I am an amateur with a cell phone.  A professional photographer was there and a friend shared some beautiful shots from him on Facebook.  Minter Photography was the guy (for once I was not too lazy to go looking for it).  You can check out his Facebook page.

It’s too bad I was not in the mood to dance.

I did boogey a little while I took the pictures but was not my usual Dancing Queen self  (I did not dub myself that; a fellow at work did) (yes, I dance at work.  If they don’t want me to dance, they should not play music).

Bass players rule!

Of course I had to zoom in on my friend Rick, the bass player. I also tried to get a good shot of Becky, the drummer.

You just can’t beat a good drummer. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Probably I should have tried for a few shots.  I must clean out the storage on my Tablet, which takes better pictures.

I love the ceiling of the pavilion.

I guess I don’t have a whole lot more to say than they were great, here are some pictures.

One more shot.

I was sorry I did not feel up to staying to hear more, but I was happy I had been there to support a community event as well as some of my favorite local musicians.  The Herkimer Downtown Chowdown runs every Monday in Meyers Park.  You can get some good food and hear some great music!

 

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A Little Art, A Little Music…

Posted on April 18, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have just returned from the Renaissance Pub in Little Falls, NY, where I attended a Meet the Artist event with Oscar Stivala.

Oscar Stivala is a jazz trumpeter as well as an artist.  The Renaissance is displaying some of his works, and he was playing music tonight.  Some friends joined him.

They were awesome!

I sat at the bar and ordered a glass of wine.  Oscar was already playing with a guy on guitar.  He was soon joined by a man on bongos and then a woman on trumpet.  The music was wonderful.  As I sipped, I looked at his paintings, which I foolishly did not get any pictures of.  It took me long enough to get pictures of the musicians, because different ones played at different times.

Here were two without Oscar.

I was joined by my friend Angela Harris, who wrote Strike Story, a play I had the honor of being in a few years ago.  She also wrote the cheese plays that were part of Little Falls Cheese Festival.  She is working on one for the next festival.  If there is a part for me, I assured her of my willingness to participate. We were soon joined by a couple other friends, and it was a very nice evening.

Here are Oscar and another musician whose name I did not ask.

I did not get the names of the other musicians playing.  My bad.  I hope to go to the Renaissance Pub again and write more blog posts about it.  I would also like to blog more about Oscar Stivala’s music and art.  However, for today, this will have to do.  Once again, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Yet More Music

Posted on May 18, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Are posts about music at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY getting a bit tiresome?  I hope not, because here comes one more.

I had made up my mind not to go out for a while.  Stay home, I told myself.  Be frugal of money and calories.  On Wednesday I was regretting that decision.  I mentioned my dilemma to a co-worker.

“I think you should do what you enjoy,” she said.

When I talked to my mother on the phone, she echoed the sentiment.  I had in fact already decided to do so.  After all, I got home from work, I put in laundry, went on a two mile run, and did the dishes.  I could reward myself and not dirty any more dishes.

It turned out to be a great reward, because Phil Arcuri was playing.

He is so fun!

I have said this many times, but it bears repeating: I love watching Phil play because he is clearly having such a good time.  I sang along with all the songs I knew and chair danced when I wasn’t eating.  It was great.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.  They have music other nights than Wednesday.  Check it out!

 

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Back Out on Wednesday!

Posted on May 11, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had planned on going to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort this Wednesday since last Friday, when Geno (the bartender) told me Matt Grainger would be playing.  Regular readers may recall that on Friday I went to the Saalty Dawg Saloon hoping to hear him but was too early.  Today I was right on time!

It was actually a little before six when I arrived at Fratello’s.  Music was to start at six.  I saw Matt Grainger in his car.  We smiled and waved at each other, which made me feel pretty good.  I have spoken to him a couple of times; he knows I am a fan.

Walking into Fratello’s,  I encountered another Matt, my niece Kimi’s boyfriend.  Kimi was there too.  I sat on the opposite side of the bar from my usual preference, just to be sociable.

This is from a different visit.

I put in a picture of them from my Media Library, because I did not take any tonight and only one I took of Matt Grainger came put.

Kimi and her Matt were sharing Chicken Riggies.  It looked good, but after much debate with myself I ordered Garlic  Parmesan Wings and Garlic Bread with Mozzarella.  The food was delicious, and the music was excellent.

He is fine, yes.

I took notes in my adventure book about the different songs he played, but I see I am over 200 words and I am tired.  Let me just say that I had a wonderful time and greatly enjoyed Matt Grainger’s music.

I think this is better than a Wuss-out Wednesday Post,  don’t you?

 

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Are Wednesdays a Thing Again?

Posted on May 4, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

After deciding last week that I was going to stay home every night this week, I  decided to go to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for food and music, as I used to do almost every Wednesday.  A quick check of their Facebook page told me Justin Smithson was playing acoustic guitar.

He is an excellent musician.

As I walked in, I was greeted by Geno the bartender and Justin Smithson himself.  I ordered a garlic pizza with sausage and mushrooms.  It was one of Steven’s favorite things to order.  I was sipping some Chardonnay, also a favorite of his.  The music started shortly.

I was loving it right away.  Justin started with a beautiful James Taylor song.  Then I dissolved into embarrassing tears as he got to the chorus:  “But I always thought that I’d see you again.”  This is what happens.  Every day I realize I will never see my husband Steve again.  However, I must try not to make a spectacle of myself.

This one turned out a little dark.

Justin moved on to play a variety of tunes.  At one point he asked for requests, and a man said, “Cat Stevens!”  Justin played “Wild World,” which is a song that plays in my head when I am running and go by a WildWood camper.

“Made my night!” said the requestor when the song was done.

I greatly enjoyed hearing the music.  I will be back at Fratello’s again soon!

 

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Music and Fun at Fratello’s

Posted on March 31, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Wednesday night I went to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY, because I saw that Mark Nanni was playing.  He’s awesome!  He plays keyboard, guitar, and accordion (no, not all at once, as I am sure some of you were about to say) (you know who you are).  When I walked in, one of the workers greeted me and told me Mark Nanni was playing.

“I know, that’s why I’m here,”  I said.

I love his sound.

While I waited for the music to start I ordered some food and a glass of wine.  Then I got into a discussion with some other patrons about my flowered headband, which I wore because it goes so nicely with my Beer Belly Bob’s tie-dye t-shirt.

“I was a little worried it would make me look like that lady they said killed her husband and fed him to the tigers,” I admitted.  I further admitted I never saw the popular Netflix series on the case, although I did see Dateline episode about it.  One of them looked up the lady’s name, and another shared me a picture.

This is me, by the way.

I believe the resemblance is only superficial, but it was a funny conversation.  I did wonder while I was getting dressed if I would remind people of that lady, and it seems I did, because they were the ones that brought it up.  I told them a friend said I looked like Frieda Kahlo and that they would sound more cultured if they made that reference instead.   I kind of lost them there.

I was delighted when the music started,  Nanni opened with a jazzy tune, which further delighted me.  In one song he transitioned smoothly from guitar to keyboard and back to guitar.  Nice!

It was a lovely evening.  I shall return to Fratello’s soon for more music and food, perhaps wearing a different hair ornament.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, 315-894-8484.

 

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Yet Another Late Post About Good Music

Posted on September 8, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Once you make one late post, it is so easy to make another!  Is that what they refer to as a “slippery slope” (whoever “they” is)?  Oh well, I am often late with my Wednesday posts, due to coming home lazy after a good meal and great music at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY.  Never mind, here is my almost weekly shout-out to one of my favorite places.

He is so talented!

I saw on Facebook that Mark Nanni would be performing.  He is so fun to watch, because he plays keyboard, guitar and accordion.  The other reason I wanted to go out was to order a salad, so I would have leftovers to bring for my lunch Thursday and Friday.  Lately if I eat anything but salad for lunch, I get so bloated.  Sorry, didn’t mean to over-share (even though that is what I usually do).

My husband, Steve, and I mostly wanted to hear some good local music to cheer ourselves up, and Nanni did not disappoint.  We did not get to hear him play the accordion last night, but the keyboard and guitar (sometimes both during the same song) were excellent.  We applauded loudly.

Back home, just like last week, we watched a DVR’d episode of Reasonable Doubt.  I can’t seem to live without my true crime fix.

Just to have another illustration.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.  You can Like them on Facebook to find out what musician they will feature next.

 

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More Mid-week Music

Posted on March 31, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

At work yesterday a co-worker told me that Matt Grainger was playing at Fratello’s. I guess my Wednesday night thing has become pretty well known, at least in my immediate circle. Yes, my husband, Steve, and I went out and enjoyed food and music. We had a great time.

He’s awesome!

This picture is from a previous performance (no, I have not yet upgraded my WordPress site to allow new images; I really should get on that). We rocked out to the tunes, mostly chair dancing. However, at one point I was dancing my way back from the ladies’ room, and a woman got up and danced with me till the end of the song..

While we listened, we enjoyed good food. Steve got the shrimp basket he had been hungry for since I came home and mentioned Fratello’s. I decided on antipasto salad. I have leftovers for my lunch today. Yum! We also indulged in a glass of wine.

Fratello’s is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484. They are open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1 to p.m. Sunday. You can follow them on Facebook to keep updated on their food and music.

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