What has become an annual Syracuse holiday music tradition, the Salt City Waltz has added the moniker A Sound Check 35th Anniversary Celebration to commemorate Dave Frisina’s ongoing contributions to the regional music scene. For the first time with Salt City Waltz, The Levon Helm Studio Horns will be featured, the LHS Horns are: Jay Collins, Steve Bernstein, Erik Lawrence and the legendary Howard “Hojo” Johnson (Charles Mingus, Taj Mahal, Levon Helm, The Band for the original Last Waltz). Local stand-outs Joe Altier, Miss E (Missy Ragonese), Sean Patrick Taylor, Karen Savoca, and Pete Heitzman will be featured (among many others), also, fresh off his amazing performances on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, Syracuse native Jonah Smith completes the ensemble.
Through his long-running radio show Sound Check, countless time and boundless energy, Frisina is the definition of what is good in the regional scene. The CNY reading of The Band’s classic performance movie, The Last Waltz, has been announced for Saturday, November 29 at The Palace Theater in Eastwood. This remarkable work will highlight Syracuse’s music scene at one of the area’s most acclaimed venues, creating an event that is singular in its scope. This once a year event has sold-out in each of its prior performances and this year anticipates the same. With the intimacy of the venue and vibe created through musical and audience energy, SCW has come to be known as one of the hottest tickets of the year. SCW is scheduled on Thanksgiving weekend to echo the date of the original recording of the movie on Thanksgiving day 1976, which was billed as the farewell performance of the The Band.
Stacey Waterman, owner of DMR Booking Agency and Organizer of this event is thrilled to announce the event date and the incredible line-up of artists contributing. With Gary Frenay as Music Director, Syracuse’s own Los Blancos performs as The Band, accompanied by Joshua Collins on piano in a special homecoming performance from Louisville, plus a stellar compliment of local, national and native ‘cuse musicians.
Photo by Juan Junco
This is Waterman’s personal expression and cornerstone annually, she takes special pride in this event and if you’re aware of her skills, that says a lot. She is the driving organizational force behind a majority of the larger musical events in this area. She states, “The music of The Band has historic musical significance world-wide and the same reverence is given by many musicians and music fans right here in Central New York.”
Being held on Thanksgiving weekend allows the community to participate in a charitable sense too as St. Lucy’s Food Pantry will be on hand for Salt City Waltz’s Food Drive, collecting much-needed items to re-stock their shelves right after the holiday. Corporate sponsor, the Syracuse Crowne Plaza Hotel, is also collecting food donations through their many departments. Please join in on the collection as this is a big part of the community spirit of the event, yet another aspect of the whole production.
The Crowne Plaza is offering a “room and show” package for those traveling into town for the show as well as their sponsorship, along with media partner 105.9 The REBEL, Red Shoes Marketing, Meyda Tiffany and Saranac Brewery.
Waterman and her crew encourage concert-goers to purchase their tickets early, as another sell-out is anticipated. There will be no second show or change of venue to accommodate a larger crowd, the ambiance and intimacy of The Palace is essential to the overall vibe of the event. That, combined with the All-Star level of musicians participating make the Salt City Waltz a stand-out and stand-alone event annually.
Doors open at 7pm for the 8pm show, tickets are priced at $30 in advance and are on sale now at Sound Garden in Armory Square, The Palace Theater and online at upstate-shows.com. Salt City Waltz “Room and Show” packages include either a king or a double room at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Syracuse and two (2) tickets to the show. The package includes overnight parking, wireless internet and access to their fitness and business centers. That’s a $199 value for $159 + tax, for reservations call (315) 479-7000.
You can follow the event’s progress on either their Facebook event page or Facebook page.
Following the lead of the always innovating Umphrey’s McGee – who announced a similar service earlier this year – Phish today revealed a new upgrade for their LivePhish app called LivePhish+. Fans will be able to sign up for a free ten-day trial which they can continue for $9.99 a month or $99.99 for a full year. Subscribers will get unlimited access to the entire LivePhish catalog including archived shows, new shows, studio albums and side projects.
The first show on October 22 will be streamed from the House of Blues in Cleveland, OH as part of the Yahoo Music and Live Nation’s 365 shows in 365 days free series. Umphrey’s will join a bill that includes such artists as Ray LaMontagne and The Dave Matthews Band. Fans will have the ability to stream the concert via Yahoo Screen on iOS, Android, mobile, desktop, and Smart TV platforms including Apple. 
These two banjoists have mastered the deceptively intricate art of the duet. Their performances embrace a diversity almost unthinkable – coming from just two banjos and one voice. Washburn’s beguiling composing, playing and singing blend with Fleck’s riveting and virtuosic musicianship to create music both unique yet familiar in texture.
