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Tag Archives: Phil Arcuri

Yet More Music

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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My Cinco de Mayo

Yesterday I inadvisedly decided to do something for Cinco de Mayo, a holiday which for one reason or another I have never marked.  One reason was that I read that Matt Grainger was playing at the Saalty Dawg Saloon.  I have not heard him in a while.

I started out in some trepidation, because I have been to the Saalty Dawg once, and that time my cell phone told my friend Kim where to drive.  I no longer have a cell phone and I have never had a very good sense of direction.  Hoping for the best, I drove through Ilion till I got to the sign that said “Saalty Dawg” and pointed up Barringer Road.

And drove and drove.  I had it in my head that the Dawg was not actually on Barringer Road, but I had foolishly not written down the address.  I took two wrong turns, turned around in some dumb places, and had just about decided that I had gone too far when I found it.

Imagine my disappointment when I found out Matt would not start playing till eight.  I had a margarita and some chips with queso dip while I was there.  I admired the view and worked on a letter to a friend.

I didn’t mention that the Saalty Dawg is next to a golf course.

By this time it was after six (still too long to wait for eight), and I remembered that the Phil-Ins were playing at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort.  This is a band with Phil Arcuri and friends.  They would start at seven.  I drove there with no false starts.

Geno the bartender greeted me as I came in. I sat at the bar and ordered Sauvignon Blanc and a slice of cheesecake.  I never have room for dessert so thought for once I would get some.  I did not have long to wait for some good music.

They were great!

Unfortunately, my stomach soon let me know that the queso dip was a big mistake.  I confess to having some fears when I saw the peppers but of course I ate it anyways.  In my defense, yum.  I hoped the cheesecake would help.  It sounded soothing.

I fear it is a symptom of getting old that my stomach did not settle down.  I enjoyed some music but felt forced to head home.  I stretched out on my bed (by this time it took some effort to get there) and proceeded to feel miserable for a few hours.  That is why I did not make my Lame Post Friday post on Friday.

On the brighter side, before I left Fratello’s, Geno read me some of their upcoming musical entertainment.  Matt Grainger plays on Wednesday!

 

Some Semblance of a Blog Post

I’m afraid this is another post about What I Could Make A Blog Post About.  Because I’m just not feeling it this morning.  Tuesday we had the read-through for Shooting at the Grange, the murder mystery we are presenting April 29 to benefit Salisbury Grange.

Note to self: find out how to get to Salisbury Center.

Yesterday I took a half hour walk before work then went for a pretty good run after.  Pedestrian Posts and Running Commentary are always fun.  Later I took an unexpected trip to Frankfort, NY, to Fratello’s Pizzeria, to hear Phil Arcuri, one of my favorite local musicians.

From my Media Library.

I confess to feeling a bit down.  I took another half hour walk this morning, because I read somewhere that a half hour was the equivalent of taking 25 or 50 mg of Zoloft (I forget which).  I almost cut the walk short, because I seem to have done something to my hip again.  I said to myself, What do you think, something magic is going to happen if you walk for 30 minutes?  Well, nothing magic happened, but I am sure 30 minutes of walking burns more calories than walking for 20, that stands to reason.

So this has been my update, and I am going to call it a Wuss-out Wednesday.  I need to get on with my Thursday.

 

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.

 

I Do Love Music

On a recent Wednesday I made my way to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY, to meet my niece Kimi and her boyfriend, Matt, and to hear one of my favorite local musicians, Phil Arcuri.  It was a bittersweet but lovely evening.

Previously shared picture.

Regular readers know that my late husband, Steven, and I had a Wednesday thing of going to Fratello’s on Wednesday nights for food and music (not necessarily in that order).  More recently, I went alone as Steven did not feel up to it, but I always hoped he would be joining me again soon.  I like to think he was with me in spirit.

Right away Phil gave me a hug and said he was sorry about Steve.  Later on in the evening, he said he missed Steve’s smile.  Steve always was a big fan of Phil’s.  Some Wednesdays when he was disinclined to go out at all, I could tempt him by saying Phil was playing.

Phil opened, as he often does, with “Margaritaville.”  Traditionally, when he gets to the line, “It’s all my fault,”  I say it is Steve’s fault.  This night, I admitted it was my fault.  On the next chorus, I blamed Kimi and Matt.

Also a previously shared picture.

I was glad I got out of the house, and I am glad I finally wrote about the evening.  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, Sunday 1 to 7 p.m.  You can follow them on Facebook to find out when local musicians are featured.

 

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.

 

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.

Looking Back at and Forward to Mohawk Valley Adventures

How about a nice Throwback Thursday post?  I only hope I do not repeat something I have recently thrown back to.  As usual, no promises.

Hubba, hubba! Or do I flatter myself?

This is from April 2017.  These are my friend Kim and I at a Prohibition Party at Gerber’s 1933 Tavern in Utica, NY.  I have some better 1920’s clothes and accessories now.  I hope for a chance to wear them sometime.

Same place, different hotties.

And here are my friend Phyllis and I at the same place a few months later.  It was a delightful interlude each time.

So Sweet! And not just the people.

Here are my husband Steven and our friend Margaret, at Margaret’s business, the So Sweet Candy Cafe in Utica.  You can get lots of yummy sweets and treats there!

Another shot of favorite people at a favorite spot!

Here are Steven, our friend Thom, and Kim at Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer.  I have mentioned this place many times and will no doubt plug them again soon.

I may be biased, but I think we’re a handsome couple.

Once in a while I get a selfie to turn out right.  This was taken one evening at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort,  where we had gone to eat good food and enjoy good music from local musician Phil Arcuri.

I can’t wait to go hear this guy again!

I feel happy now, looking forward to enjoying more good times at local businesses.  Of course I will stay home and safe — and keep others safe! — for as long as it takes.  But how happy I will be when I can go Mohawk Valley Adventuring again!

 

Great Music, Great Food!

Yesterday at work, I noticed a co-worker’s t-shirt read, “Support local music.”  I thought that was definitely something Mohawk Valley Girl should do.  What I didn’t know was that opportunity awaited me that very night!

I had suggested another shop and dine evening, with the dinner part at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort,  NY.  When I got home from work, Steven told me Phil Arcuri was playing there from 6 to 8 p.m. Perfect!

We sat at the bar, right across from where Phil was going to play, and ordered wine and food.  I got angel hair pasta with a meatball.  Steven got the shrimp basket with fries. Yum! We both brought leftovers home, and I am really looking forward to eating mine!

He is a great musician!

Arcuri plays great tunes from the ’60’s and ’70’s.  I chair danced to most of them and sang along with the ones I knew the words to.  I was not the only one singing along.

Another angle.

I took a few pictures of Arcuri, but I did not manage to catch his smile.  It is a pleasure to watch such a talented musician who is so obviously enjoying himself.  I’m sure everyone there was having fun.

My delightful date for the evening.

I took a picture of Steven.  He tried to take one of me, but the Tablet would not cooperate.  I finally managed to take an ussie (I’m better at ussies than selfies, but not really good at either).

I guess we don’t look too bad.

We had a wonderful time.  I look forward to the next time we hear Phil Arcuri, and to our next great meal at Fratello’s.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.  They are open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday.  You can follow them on Facebook to find out when Phil Arcuri is going to be there again!