Tag Archives: music

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.

 

 

Cool Music on a Hot Night

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!

Short, Late Post about Good Music and Food

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.

More Mid-week Music

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.

Yes! More Music!

It is a week of returns! Tonight my husband, Steve, and I returned to our favorite Wednesday night thing of going to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for food and music!

I had a cheeseburger, adding sauteed mushrooms and onions. Steven enjoyed a shrimp basket. And we grooved to the tunes of Mark Nanni!

He is multi-talented.

Full disclosure: this is a picture from a previous night when we heard Nanni. He plays guitar, keyboard, and accordion. We were loving it!

On previous Wednesdays we have been waited on by our favorite bartender, Toni. Tonight we had Kayla, who was also a delightful server. I admired her butterfly pen. She said she was into fun pens, and I said Toni was, too.

“She has a llama pen,” Kayla said.

“We gave it to her!” I said. I mentioned Toni’s mermaid tail pen.

“She stole it from me!” Kayla said. Now the truth comes out! Oh well, I have been known to filch a writing implement or two in my time.

We had a wonderful time. I was happy we returned to our favorite 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 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1 to p.m. Sunday.

Wednesday Night, What Else Is New?

Here is yet another short post about our Wednesday Night Thing of going to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for great food and music. It was our favorite, Phil Arcuri.

He’s so fun!

This is a picture of a previous appearance, but it was the same wonderful Phil. He is so fun to watch, and he loves his fans. He incorporated my name into “Under the Boardwalk.” When he sang “Margaritaville,” it was all Steve’s fault. And after we “Sha-la-la-la’d” with him, it was his green-eyed girl, instead of the usual brown-eyed.

As always, we enjoyed delicious food. Steve had a shrimp basket while I tried a Cuban wrap. Yum! We also had an enjoyable conversation with another fellow sitting at the bar.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St. In Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484. They are open 11 a.m. to 0 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 to p.m. on Sunday.

Another Short Post About Wednesday Music

Once again we had a lovely evening at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, enjoying yummy food and great music. And once again, I have not upgraded my WordPress site to allow myself to upload new photos. However, I can include a previously shared photo of Max Scialdone, the musician of the evening.

He’s so cool.

We were joined this evening by our friend Kim. We had food and wine, exchanged Christmas presents, and sang along to songs we knew the words to.

I think I will bill this as a Wuss-out Wednesday Post, because I really feel too tired to say much else. However, I reserve the right to feel pleased with myself, because at least I posted something.

Another Short Post About a Good Wednesday

My husband, Steve, and I just returned from a lovely Wednesday night at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY. Normally at this time I would be getting ready for bed and saying, “Oh hell, I can miss a day of blogging.” Yes, I can. However, I prefer not to.

He’s awesome!

Full disclosure: this is a picture from another night, found in my Media Library.

We sang along with many of his songs, sometimes changing the words. Instead of “Brown-eyed girl,” I sang to my “Green-eyed boy.” I was not the only one doing so. On another song, instead of, “Amy, what you wanna do?” Phil sang, “Cindy, ” etc. I was quite flattered.

We also enjoyed delicious food, served by our favorite bartender, Toni. We brought home leftovers. Yay!

So this is my short post. Call it a Wuss-out Wednesday and drive on.

More Fun at Fratello’s

This past Wednesday my husband, Steve, and I experienced a little indecision as to whether or not we would go to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort as usual. The reason was we had not seen any Facebook posts about any musical entertainment. Of course, the food alone is reason enough to go to Fratello’s, but we are just so into the local music scene these days. Finally Steve called and found out Max Scialdone would be there. Max Scialdone? Yes, please!

He is fine, yes.

When we walked in, a whole group of women was sitting on my preferred side of the bar. When they noticed me looking at them I explained I seemed to be staring because they were sitting where I like to.

“We like sitting over here, too,” Steve reminded me, leading me to the opposite side. Max Scialdone, who was setting up, told us there were seats on the perpendicular side as well; it was just his stuff in the seats.

“We like this side better,” I said, “so our back’s not to the music.”

We split a grilled chicken sub with French fries. Yum!

Another couple sat near us, and we soon got into a nice conversation with them. Their names were Shirley and Russ. Steve asked if we could get a selfie (I guess it’s an ussie in the plural. I was sceptical of my abilities to get a good one, but while we were situating ourselves, our favorite bartender, Toni, volunteered to take the picture.

From left: Russ, Shirley, Steve, and me

They said it was OK to use the picture in my blog post. They asked about the blog, and Russ even had me type the link into his phone. So I might have a new follower!

Good food, good music, good company… it was quite a delightful evening.

We loved grooving to the tunes!

I Gotta Have My Music!

My husband, Steve, and I have been greatly enjoying our usual Wednesday thing of going to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY, to enjoy yummy food and great music. Last night we enjoyed one of our favorites, Phillip Arcuri.

He has as much fun as the audience!

Last night when we walked in, there were a number of people sitting at the bar, our favorite place to sit. However, a man graciously agreed to move one seat down freeing up two seats in a row. Steve’s view of the musician was a little obscured, but he managed to peep around and could of course hear perfectly well.

We decided on pizza and wings but had some discussion on pizza toppings and wing sauce. For pizza we got garlic with pepperoni and black olives. For wings, I was interested in Buffalo Garlic but worried they might be too spicy. Our favorite bartender Toni said if we wanted less spicy, Barbecue, Garlic or Garlic Parmesan were better choices. Still, I wanted to try to Buffalo Garlic and Steven said OK.

“The hot stuff makes his bald spot sweat,” I explained to our new friend, who had also taken part in the discussion. “As for me, I’m going to have another hot flash any minute, so it really doesn’t matter.”

“You might as well add to it,” he agreed.

The wings were spicy, but after we asked for celery and bleu cheese (which we should have ordered in the first place; I love celery and bleu cheese), all was well.

The music, of course, was wonderful. We sang along whenever possible and chair danced when we weren’t eating. I could see other people enjoying themselves as much.

Sometimes I think I would like to stay home and vegetate, but when I have a chance to take in the local music scene, how can I resist?