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Tag Archives: local music

I Guess It’s My Thursday Thing Now

Never mind how I ended up at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY, it’s a long story (and I may make it my Lame Post Friday post,  but no promises).  The point is, I walked in, heard music, and right away saw my niece Kimi and her boyfriend,  Matt.

“Boy am I glad to see you!” I said.  Friends, music, food, this was the cure I needed.

I loved his sound.

The singer was Tom Maneen (good God, autocorrect tried to make it Hanson!), who I had never heard before.  He played acoustic guitar and a wonderful mix of music.

At one point he asked for a Jack Fire.  I asked if he had tried Mohawk Valley Fire from Dikin Durt Distillery, which I like to recommend to people when they are having something similar.  He said he had tried all their stuff and loved it.  It’s always nice to encounter someone who likes the same local business I do.

Matt asked for Cold Play but could not pick one of their great hits.  I asked for something from the ’80’s and got “Purple Rain,” which I realized I was writing about with a purple pen.  It’s the little things.

We were soon joined by Matt’s friend Dan, who I had met before.  I was pleased that I remembered his name, because I usually can only remember one person per name, and I already know a few Dans.  Dan was drinking Utica Club, which I mention in order to plug another local business.  I told Dan he was going in the blog for that reason.  He agreed to it, mentioning that he always drinks UC.

As I said, the evening was just what I needed, even if I did wait till Friday morning to make my Thursday blog post (I don’t know why I feel compelled to point up my lateness, but so it is).  I can only hope I get just what I need on Friday.

 

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It’s Not Just For Wednesdays Anymore!

Regular readers know about my regular Wednesday thing of going to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for music and food on a Wednesday night. Of course they have music other nights too.  This week I got to go there for some great music and family time on a Thursday.

I had not meant to go out this evening.  For one reason, I had to wait for the cable guy to come hook up my internet (long story, perhaps a little interesting but never mind).  While I was waiting my sister Cheryl messaged me that she was on her way to Frankfort and Fratello’s.  Damn!  That sounded good!

Long story a little short(er), I managed to join Cheryl, her daughter Kimi, and Kimi’s boyfriend, Matt for  a really fun time.  Matt happened to be on the porch making a phone call when I arrived.  He immediately gave me a big hug, which I sorely needed.  Joining Cheryl and Kimi at the bar, he said, “I brought in this lady.  She was just wandering around outside,.”

“You brought that old lady in here?”  my sister scolded. I got some more hugs.

They had already ordered their food, but I quickly got a glass of Pinot Noir and ordered a cheeseburger for myself.  The music had already started.  I took my obligatory shot to share on Facebook and encourage others to come down.

He was pretty awesome.

It was Matt Migliore, who I had heard of but never seen (I don’t think).  He played a wide variety of music and asked for any requests. Someone asked for Guns ‘N Roses, which he did a very good job of.  Some of the requests sounded more recent for my tastes, so I asked for Kansas.  It was the first one I could think of because I have been listening to “Leftoverture” in my car lately.  Then I thought of their orchestral, synthesizer-heavy harmonies and admitted it might be a little hard for a solo artist with a keyboard. He began playing a familiar riff on the keyboard then went into a beautiful verse of “Carry On, My Wayward Son.”  He paused at the chorus.

“I need a lot more voices to sing that!” he said.”At least five!”   But what he did was awesome.

Later I asked for something from the ’70’s, and he obliged with “Brandy.”  Other people asked for Cold Play or people I have never heard of.

It’s not just about the music!

Cheryl suggested I take a picture of her food for my blog post. She got Pasta  Al Forno .  I must try that some time.  I got a cheeseburger while Matt and Kimi split a pizza.

A fun group!

I asked to take a picture of my dining companions for the blog post. Cheryl was not best pleased and suggested I crop her out, but I think she is pretty.

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

 

Oh Well! It’s a Post!

It seems that I am in a time warp.  I logged on to WordPress thinking “Throwback Thursday.  I’ll make a Throwback Thursday Post.”  It was not until I looked at my previous posts for the week that I remembered:  it’s Wednesday!  What the hell, me?  Earlier today I knew it was Wednesday.  Furthermore,  I am well aware that tomorrow is NOT Friday.  Sometimes I wonder about myself.

At least it isn’t Tuesday. Or is it?

All is not lost, I tell myself (although why I should listen to myself when I am clearly an unreliable source I do not know):  I can have a Way Back Wednesday Post (should Way Back be one or two words?).

Cheers!

Going back a few years to December 2019, here is my sweet husband, Steven, at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY.  That is Phil Arcuri in the background.  I would have liked to go to Fratello’s tonight, but I called and found out there was no music.  I know, I could have gone anyways for the food, but I decided against it.

Why not another picture of Steve?

I had to look through some previous posts to rememberwhere this picture was taken.  It is Beer Belly Bob’s in Ilion,  where Red Shed Brewery of Cooperstown and Cherry Valley was doing a tasting.  I recently saw their tap room in Cherry Valley and said, “Ooh, I have to go there!”   This could be a sign I should do it soon (preview of coming attractions).

Now my post is in a time warp.  Way Back or Coming Attractions?  Oh well, it’s a post.

 

More Music on Wednesday!

Regular readers may have wondered if I was ever going to return to my Wednesday Night Thing of going to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort for music and food.  Well, tonight I finally did.  I had the best time!

I got there between 5:30 and 6:00, and noticed a bald, bearded man setting up equipment. I asked who the musical talent was.  The bartender, Kimberly, told me it was Justin, at the same time the man setting up told me, “Justin!”  I said, “What’s your last name, Justin?”  He told me Smithson but I could put “Smithsonian.”  I told him I would put it in my blog post, and he acquiesced with Smithson.  Another patron told me Justin was the lead singer with Showtime.  I have heard of that band but never seen them, so I was interested to hear this Justin.

Great guitar!

I was not disappointed.  He opened with “Layla,” followed by “Peaceful, Easy Feeling.”  He asked for requests, so after a couple other numbers,  I asked if he knew “Sister Golden Hair.”  He looked up the lyrics on his IPad, saying he would rather cheat and do that rather than cut the song short.  He did a wonderful job on the song.

“Looking up lyrics on your IPad isn’t cheating,” I told him.  “It is research!”  He liked that.

I like the hockey pennants you can see in the background.

I greatly enjoyed my evening.  I even stayed for one more song than I intended, dancing with another patron.  It was a friendly crowd at a friendly venue with a friendly, talented singer.  How I have missed my Wednesday Night Thing!

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.  They are open 11 a.m. to 10 pm. Monday through Saturday, 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday.  Local music is featured other nights than Wednesday.  You can follow them on Facebook to find out more.

 

In My Defense, Music!

This is a late Wuss-out Wednesday Post. In my defense, we went to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for food and music, one of our favorite things to do.  In my accusation (I never did figure out a good word for the opposite of “defense” in these situations), when we came home we watched a DVR’d episode of Reasonable Doubt, another of my favorite things.

I have other pictures to share, but this popped up when I hit “Add Media.”

Steven got a Shrimp Basket while I had a Chicken Wing Wrap, only with grilled instead of fried chicken. Yum!  Steven did not recognize the musician and asked his name.  The bartender said, “Jonathan.”  I remembered seeing him before and later looked him up in one of my adventure books (that is my fancy name for blank books or notebooks I carry around with me to make notes), Jonathan Minter.

Very talented guy.

I was not familiar with most of the tunes he played, but I sure dug the acoustic guitar.  We were also delighted when my niece Kimi and her boyfriend, Matt, showed up.  Fratello’s gets the best clientele!

Cute couple!

Back home, we paused in our true crime viewing to admire a rainbow.  I took a picture which does not do it justice.

I pointed it out to a couple of passersby. I feel the need to share beauty.

It was altogether a very enjoyable evening, with the result that I overslept this morning. A small price to pay.

 

Murder? Music? It’s a Friday Lame Post!

How do I not manage to make a Lame Post Friday post on Friday?  It’s a lame post,  how hard could it be?  Oh well, I was having a nice evening, sipping Barefoot Pinot Noir and watching true crime on cable television.  Yes, I am too lame to stream.  So twentieth century of me!

They are bad-ass and compassionate.

Part of the evening was spent looking at my new favorite thing, Reasonable Doubt on ID on DVR (I am at least technologically adept for that).  Actually, it was my new favorite thing some months ago, but I have not had a new favorite thing in a while.  I need some new favorite things in my life.

Speaking of favorite things,  my husband, Steve, and I may be heading to the Mohawk, NY American Legion tonight to hear The Posers, our favorite local band (preview of coming attractions).  I heard too late last night that another good local band, the Playin’ Again Trio, was at Fratello’ Pizzeria in Frankfort.  Then again, we had such a pleasant evening at home, I do not regret it too much.  We missed hearing another favorite,  Phil Arcuri, on Wednesday, because Steven was not feeling well.  And that is my local music plug for the post.

So I guess this is my Lame Post Friday post, made on Saturday morning,  but who’s counting?  Oh, YOU probably are (you know who you are).  As always, thank you for tuning in.

 

I Loves Me Some Posers!

For one reason and another, I have not made it to the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown this summer.  I was moved to remedy the error when I heard the Posers were playing tonight.  I had to at least stop down and listen to a few tunes.

The pavilion makes a good stage.

The first thing I did when the music started was to take a picture of the band and post it on Facebook, inviting folks to come one down.  I sat at one of the picnic tables with a couple of other fans and settled down to enjoy.  I must say, Herkimer really has it going on for its food truck night.  The picnic tables are handy, and the trees provide shade which I really appreciate.

Full disclosure:  I did not get anything to eat.  I was there for the music!  I saw a table at which a lady was selling sunflowers of various sizes and colors.  Of course I don’t know from flowers, so perhaps they were not actually sunflowers but some sort of cousin.  This is the sort of thing I only could have gone over and asked, but, well, sorry, my bad.

I tried to get all three front men.

I was soon tapping my foot and chair dancing (picnic table bench dancing?), but I had to get up and boogey down to “Stuck in the Middle With You” (is that the title or just the lyrics?  No matter, if you know the song, you know what I mean).  Yes, I was the only one dancing at the time.  Hey, I don’t let it stop me in the supermarket, I am not going to let it stop me when it is one of my favorite bands playing!  I also danced to a Tom Petty song, “Listen to Her Heart.”  Announcing that one, the guy said, “We tend to play a lot of music by dead people, so in keeping with that vein, here’s one by Tom Petty.”  I loves me some Tom Petty!

And how could I neglect my favorite bass player?

 

The drummer is pretty awesome, too!

I did not stay as long as I would have liked to, but I am feeling rather tired.  I was happy I got to hear what I did, though. I might return on future Mondays to hear other local musicians.  I know I have already missed some good ones!  Also, I would also like to purchase a couple of those flowers that look like sunflowers.

The Herkimer Downtown Chowdown runs through the end of September, Mondays from 4 to 8 p.m.in Meyers Park.  You can check out their Facebook page to see who is playing.

 

 

Yes, Wednesday is Still a Thing

So I had a true Wuss-out Wednesday yesterday and did not post at all. These things happen, of course. What happened was this:

I came home from work and said to my husband, Steve, “Four words: Phil Arcuri at Fratello’s.” That was all it took to get him off the loveseat and into respectable clothes.

Since the music would not start till six, I took the time to go for a run. At no time do I run either very far or very fast, but yesterday was even worse than expected. For one reason, I had underestimated the wind chill and not dressed appropriately. Yikes! But I persevered for what I considered the bare minimum. Then I showered and put on a cute outfit. It was time for fun!

We found a handy parking space and seats on the bar. Phil came over and said hello. He is such a great guy! The bartender, Gino, took good care of us. Steve got popcorn chicken and we split a 12-inch garlic bread with mozzarella. I hesitated over which chicken salad I wanted.

“Grilled chicken is more sensible,” I said, “but the Buffalo chicken is so delicious.” Gino suggested I get the Buffalo Chicken Salad with grilled chicken. Genius! I added black olives and asked for parmesan-peppercorn dressing. The beauty part is I would have leftover salad for lunch on Thursday and Friday.

We did not have long to wait for the music to start, and did we ever enjoy it! We chair danced, sang along, and applauded each number. Phil sang hits from Jimmy Buffet, Johnny Cash, the Beatles and more. I was delighted when Gino requested “Mustang Sally,” one of my favorites.

Sing it, Phil!

I suppose I only could have written this last night, but when we got home I watched Dateline instead. Sue me.

Fratello’s Pizzeria 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 find out their music schedule. It’s not just on Wednesdays!

Another Late, Brief Musical Post

How fast can I do this?

I’m tired of missing posts! So here is the Wuss-out Wednesday Post I should have done at least four hours ago (yes I get up in the middle of the night; overtime, ugh). Only I do not have a lot of time, so I will merely share a couple photos that might have gone into a posts I meant to make.

Phil Arcuri, having a great time as usual.

A week ago yesterday, we were at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, enjoying the musical stylings of Phil Arcuri.

Great service!

We were happy to see our favorite bartender, Toni.

I don’t have time to make a proper post, but for now, this will have to do. As always, thank you for tuning in.

Throwback Local

I started to write a blog post while at work (while on break, I need hardly add), but I am going to make a Throwback Thursday Post instead. Is that too much past after a Way Back Wednesday? I don’t care.

This time I will scroll through my Media Library. I do not promise to throw back very far. In fact, as usual, I make no promises at all. I am going to look for pictures beginning with p, for past, or maybe n p, for no promises.

Mmmmm… coffee.

Here is a p that is also a plug for a local business, Joseph Putrello Coffee Barista Bar on Genesee Street in Utica, NY. This is also an example of not throwing back very far, because they opened fairly recently.

I could go for some local music about now!

Here is a great p: local musician Philip Arcuri. He is performing at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY, just to plug another local business (and p for pizzeria!).

A great band to dance to!

More local music for my last p: one of my all-time favorite bands, The Posers. We have had some wonderful times dancing to their tunes and hope to do so again one day soon.

I see I am over 200 words. I shall hit Publish and daydream about local coffee and music. Happy Thursday, everyone.