RSS Feed

Tag Archives: music

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?

 

Advertisement

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, local music, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

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!

 

4 Comments

Posted in humor, local business, local music, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

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.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, local business, local music, personal, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

There Are No Words

Posted on March 23, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was reading a few other blogs hoping to get some inspiration for today’s post, and there it was: Wordless Wednesday.  If only I had a good, evocative picture to share.  Damn!

He was so handsome!

After looking through a LOT of pictures on my Tablet, I came across several of my dearly missed husband, Steven.  This one caught my eye, because I am wearing that same shirt tonight. I spilled a little sauce on it when I was eating supper.  I’d better remember to rub in a little soap when I take it off later.

Anyways, the picture was taken at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort,  NY, when we used to go almost every Wednesday for music and food.  That adds a little symmetry to the post, I think.

Full disclosure:  I did not want to make a cheerful, chatty post today.  I was rather inclined to give a grief update.  It occurred to me today that my sadness is just a chronic condition I have to get used to, like a bad back or knees (both of which I have, but they are not constant, so I count my blessings).  This is actually a helpful thought: Just something I have to get used to.  I can get used to something.

So I am over 200 words on this Wordless Wednesday.  I can never get these things right.

 

2 Comments

Posted in humor, personal, Wordless Wednesday and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Rock and Lame

Posted on October 15, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here is something different for me, at least in recent weeks (as usual too lazy to go back and check how many): I am making my Lame Post Friday post on Friday.  Just to give you a picture:  I am lounged on my couch, Tablet on lap, stylus in hand, glass of wine nearby, ’70’s music on cable television.

Yes, let me reflect for a moment on those lovely ’70’s tunes.  In addition to being some of the sweetest music ever recorded, I keep flashing back.  Oh, junior high and high school!  It was far from the best of times, but, man, what a soundtrack! I think if I manage to get back into writing novels I will set them in the ’70’s or ’80’s, just for the music.

I have been grooving to Classic Rock at work sometimes, when somebody brings in a radio and tunes it to 92.7 The Drive out of Utica, NY.  I especially like Genessee Joe.  My co-workers are quite amused when I bogey down to some of the tunes, although I am sure most of them understand the impulse (full disclosure: I do the same thing in the supermarket).

I confess that the nostalgia is not always painless.  As I said, not the best of times.  But I learned then as I remember now:  Music is magic.  It can make you feel better.  Can it make you do better?  Well, I made a 200 word Lame Post Friday post on Friday.  I call that a win.  Rock on!

 

2 Comments

Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

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.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, local business, local music, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

In My Defense, Music!

Posted on September 1, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

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.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, local business, personal, Wuss Out Wednesday and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Loves Me Some Posers!

Posted on August 16, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

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.

 

 

2 Comments

Posted in Community Events, humor, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Cool Music on a Hot Night

Posted on July 21, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I noticed that Phil Arcuri was playing at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY.  While waiting to punch out after work, I called my husband, Steve.  The answering machine picked up.

“Hi, honey, I just wanted to put this in your mind before I get home…”

“Get your ass in the shower, we’re going out!”  my work friend Rick shouted behind me.  Steve picked up the phone at that point.  He had not heard Rick’s interjection, so I filled him in on that.  The current heat wave has drained up both of energy (yes, I KNOW other parts of the country have it worse, at least we have fans, we are just big babies, oh, shut up), but we decided it would be nice to go sit somewhere air conditioned, eat some good food and hear some music from one of our favorites.

Oh no, my computer is doing the thing where I add the picture and it does not let me type anything below it.  When I try to the cursor jumps back up here.  Well I don’t have time to futz with it now.  I’ll just leave the picture at the end of the post.  It is not a current picture anyways.  I did not bring my Tablet, because I forgot to charge it.  I took one picture with my phone, which I immediately shared on Facebook, in case any local friends might like to hurry out and join us, but right now my phone is charging.  This is all by the way.  Let’s get back to the post.

Steve and I agree that nobody seems to have more joy in music and living than Phil Arcuri.  It is always a pleasure to hear him play.  Additionally, he includes the setting and audience in his songs.  In “Margaritaville,” he said his “brand new tattoo” is “a Fratello’s cutie,” and in one chorus it was “all Geno’s fault.”  Geno is a member of Fratello’s excellent staff.

Speaking of staff, we had a new bartender, Savannah.  She was new to Fratello’s, too.  I asked her what the Cali sauce was like in the Cali Chicken, available as a sandwich or wrap.  She said it was barbecue and spicy, but not too spicy.  I decided to try it, as a wrap, only with grilled instead of fried chicken.  Geno once suggested that substitution to me, when I wanted the chicken wing salad but hesitated, because deep fried does not always agree with me (although I confess I love it).  It was a delicious sandwich.  Steven contented himself with a salad.

We had not been to Fratello’s for food and music in a while, because I usually have rehearsal for Love’s Labour’s Lost in Little Falls (perhaps you read a few of by blog posts about that).  We were delighted to have the opportunity to go last night.  It made a nice break from hunkering down in front of fans at our house (YES, I am grateful I have fans! Sheesh!)

He always has a great time, and makes sure everybody else does, too!

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, local business, local musician, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Short, Late Post about Good Music and Food

Posted on June 16, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oops, I missed making my Wednesday blog post, a true Wuss-out Wednesday, I suppose. I did not have rehearsal, so naturally Steve and I went to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for music and food. Stay home and study my lines, you suggest? I can do that later. Phil Arcuri was playing!

Old photo, but he still looks like this.

We chatted up our favorite bartender, Toni (although we like all the bartenders), and enjoyed a shrimp basket (Steve) and a Cuban wrap (me).

Another previously used photo.

I don’t have time to make a proper blog post (that is, 200 words) (by my rules for me), but for a late Wuss-out Wednesday Post, I hope this will do.

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Wuss Out Wednesday and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
→