Funky Jam at the Westcott Theater Friday August 14 saw the Syracuse music locale transform into a collaborative art space of opportunity for local crafters and musicians.
Painter Yegor Mikushkin planned the benefit show to raise money for supplies to execute a mural on the outer rear brick wall of the theater. The dark inner walls of the theater were brought to life with an array of Mikushkin’s vivid paintings, which were scattered throughout the 700-person venue. The tall canvases stood sentry, attesting to the skill and aesthetic the painter will be bringing to the mural, while also daring attendees to splurge and take home a Mikushkin original. Other crafters also sold their wares, including screen printed t-shirts, paper lamps and art books.
To give the audience a taste of Mikushkin’s work style, he live painted a canvas on stage with help from fellow painter and musician Sara Potocsny, while local musicians serenaded the unfavorably sparse crowd composed primarily of friends and family. The stage supported various acts of artistic expression including performances by musicians Phil Grajko, of Grayak, Morning Sun and the Essentials and Root SHOCK, Jessica Brown of Root SHOCK, Christopher Woods of Root SHOCK and The Sauce, drummers Tyler Dattmore and Adam Ast, guitarist Chris Chiesa, violist Sara Potocsny, DJ Leonard Adams, Jamie Knittel of The New Daze, and freestyle vocals of Eric Dwyre. An on stage devil stick demonstration by local artist Breeze tied into the tangle of performers who came out to support Mikushkin’s cause.
Even in a room replete with talent, some of the musical collaborations were disjointed. Musicians who have played together before, including Grajko, Brown and Woods, were able to deliver a more cohesive and satisfying performance. Grajko, performing several songs he has recorded with different bands, relied on Tyler Dattmore’s percussion skills on the cajon to backup a stripped down version of Grayak’s “Have a Beautiful Now,” which traditionally incorporates a more diverse accompaniment including elegant fiddle and upright bass parts. Mid-song, Grajko and Dattmore transitioned to a rendition of Morning Sun and the Essential’s uplifting number, “Love Agenda” before seamlessly returning back to “Have a Beautiful Now.”
As the song title, “Have a Beautiful Now” suggests, audience members and performers alike, all whom have personal ties to Mikushkin, relished in the splendor of the evening, soaking up the joy of filling the Westcott Theater with love and beauty, even in lieu of a small turnout.
On Tuesday August 25, fans lined up early in front of the gates at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center with much excitement. While some fans waited in line on the chilly August day, others took to the park to help ease the excitement. Throughout the park, families could be seen wearing their favorite Van Halen memorabilia such as shirts and shoes. Concert goers inside the theme park seemed to cover many generations. Walking through the theme park, there were young children ready to see guitar icon, Eddie Van Halen, take the stage for what would probably be their first time. Teenagers were all around the park in their own groups sporting their classic VH shirts. Most of all, the parents who grew up listening to classic Van Halen albums such as Van Halen, Van Halen II, 1984, etc. were ready to see Van Halen for what would probably be their last time at Darien Lake.
As expected, Van Halen ended the night with “Panama” and “Jump” leaving the crowd feeling like they just went back in time. Luckily for fans at Darien Lake, they didn’t have the same fate fans at Hershey Park had on Sunday. Van Halen continues their tour of North America throughout the month of September and has its final stop at the Hollywood Bowl, in Hollywood, California on Friday, October 2nd. Fans interested in catching Van Halen again before the tour ends can find all the dates and ticket information 
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