:insert sad violin music here:

40 Below's "It's All Here" committee is hosting a happy hour to benefit the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. It will take place Thursday, February 3 at 5:30. The happy hour will take place at Al's Wine and Whiskey Lounge in Armory Square (321 S Clinton St). A portion of the bar will be donated to the SSO. If you are unable to attend, you can still visit www.syracusesymphony.org to donate or call 315-424-8222 ext. 243. Syracuse prides itself on its fine music offerings. Culture, drama, foreign films...it's all here. The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra is a cornerstone of that cultural tradition. Right now it's a shaky foundation. In order to save the symphony, new blood must step up and put their money where their piano-tapping, cello-lovin', woodwind-playin' hearts lead them. To the best liquor-servin' spot in the 'Cuse this Thursday night.

Sound of Music, the

Ah, that used to be my favorite movie. My grandmother earned sainthood watching it with me what must have been hundreds of times. I've never been to Austria, but I live in a pretty hilly place and we've got lots o' music.

I don't care how tone def you are, you'll find your way down to The Sound Garden (310 W Jefferson St next to the MOST in Armory Square). Old style record shop with thousands of new and used cds/dvds, bobble head dolls, hipster caps, and some snacks for those who wander in with the (inevitable) munchies. Check out the "local" section. When it's stocked, you're looking for Sophistafunk, Joe Driscoll, Larry Hoyt, Mandate of Heaven...gosh golly, the list goes on. Go on and experiment. Don't pay any attention to this poor slob.

Where else for tunes? If you're into political rock/folk check out Syracuse Cultural Workers (400 Lodi St, look for the renewable energy murals). They've got a smashing selection of local artists like Colleen Katau, Jolie Rickman, and emma's revolution.

Books & Memories LLC ( 2600 James Street, Syracuse) has vinyl, cds, and tapes. They're open 7 days a week and I'm not allowed to go with you. I have some self-control problems around great used book stores that sell excellently roasted local coffee. :shrugs: The first step is admitting the problem.

We've also got some recording labels in town and some live music venues that make My heart want to beat/Like the wings of the birds/That rise from the lake to the trees. I'm just going to run down some names and you can investigate at your leisure:
The Folkus Project: Folk and Acoustic Music in Syracuse and Central NY; Westcott Community Center (I hear they do a lot of Punk shows); Westcott Theater & Performing Arts Center; Empire Brewing Company; Dinosaur BBQ; Society for New Music; Funk & Waffles (great open mic nights); Al's Wine & Whiskey Bar; Bull & Bear Pub...and the list goes on. As Julie Andrews taught us, sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone, expand your horizons, meet a hunky captain and make clothes out of curtains.

Sunday Dinner in the Salt City....:drum rollllll:

I found something fab-u-lous....This Sunday, Salt City DISHES be there or be square.

And I quote:
"Once a season, we get together on the Northside to share a delicious meal, listen to one another's suggestions for a community-based arts project, and vote on the project that has the most potential. The winner takes home a grant to realize their project - and returns to the following DISHES dinner to tell us about how it went. 100% of the donation goes to support the public art project."

Salt City DISHES debut: January 23, 5:30-8 pm, St. Clare Theater (840 N. Salina Street).
$10-15 sliding scale.
BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE at:
Craft Chemistry (N. Salina Street next to Biscotti's. Handcrafts galore.)
2nd Story Cafe & Bookstore (Westcott Street, look up! next to Las Delicias Dominican restaurant)
and Sound Garden (just the best lil' record/dvd store ever in Armory Square)
Contact: saltcitydishes@gmail.com

The Sweet Life of the Middle Ages

Sometimes, it seems like I'm always talking about drinking. Perceptions vs. Reality, folks. Two very different things. And yet, here we go again as one of the yummiest looking, meat filled 5-course menus popped across my inbox.


Dolce Vita & Middle Ages Brewery Got it Goin' On...

On Monday January 17, 2011 at 6:00pm, Dolce Vita has created a 5 course dinner paired with some of Middle Ages Brewery's finest beers. Middle Ages is one of our fine local microbreweries and this should be a scrumptious event.
Reservations are being taken and the cost per person is $60 including tax and gratuity and they've only got 40 seats, folks.

The Menu
Amuse Bouche
Yellow Fin Tuna, feta cheese, cucumber and soy sauce
Pair with Swallow Wit

Course I
Quail consommé
Pair with Beast Bitter

Course II
Rabbit salad, arugula, roasted beets, prosciutto, pomegranate vinaigrette
Pair with Triple Crown

Course III
Beef Rib eye, porcini risotto, celeriac puree, black currant sauce
Pair with Wizard Winter

Course IV
Braised Pork Tenderloin, polenta, apple chutney, blood orange tarragon sauce
Pair with Duke of Winship

Course V
Vanilla bean and caramel panna cotta, poached pear
Pair with Dragon Slayer

Dolce Vita
907 E. Genesee St
Syracuse, New York 13210
315-475-4700
dvcuse.com

Hey Pulled, you wanna cover this fine event? And in other Foodie Blogger News: CONGRATS to Cookin' in da Cuse who is a new momma.

New Year, new Things to Do

One of the last December posts was all about housing, now its time to pay for RENT. 40 Below just sent out this email with some sweet Things to Do in Syracuse in January.

It's All Here Task Force's next two events include a Happy Hour/Task Force Meeting on January 20 at Empire Brewing Company at 5:30pm. 40 Below will provide snacks and 1 free drink ticket for each attendee.

Syracuse Stage is also hosting a 40 Below Happy Hour on Thursday, January 27 before the showing of RENT. More information and where to buy tickets can be found here: http://itsallheresyracuse.com/new-partnership-syracuse-stage

I mean, RENT and Happy Hour? What could go wrong?

Also, the Green Campus Initiative (GCI) which is a student organization that is dedicated to creating a more sustainable campus (on-campus and community initiatives include energy conservation, recycling, composting, and zero-waste events) is hosting a public forum regarding sustainability in Syracuse:
January 26th, 2011, 5pm-7pm
Reception featuring local food vendors and organizations, 7-8pm
Location: TBD

The forum will involve a panel discussion with public officials and community activists with the goal of generating an informative and compelling dialogue regarding the current, and future, trends in sustainability for the city of Syracuse. Current panelists include:

Charlotte "Chuckie" Holstein; Executive Director of F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse
Andrew Maxwell; Director of Planning and Sustainability for the city of Syracuse
Matthew Millea; Deputy County Executive for Physical Services for Onondaga County
Person X; a spokesperson for Energy Management Program at CNY Regional Planning and Development Board

So are we going, or what?