Bo Bice to perform at Taste of Utica June 19

American Idol 4 runner-up, Bo Bice, will be headlining the Time Warner Cable Taste of Utica festival, which runs June 18-19 at Hanna Park in downtown Utica. Bo will be performing Saturday, June 19 at approximately 9:20 p.m. on the on the MVCC Main Stage.

Bo will be releasing his third album, 3, May 18.

Along with two days of live entertainment, the event features food and drink from Mohawk Valley restaurants. Attendees can purchase $1 samples of the best of each restaurant's menus. There will also be larger portions to purchase.

Admission to the event is free. Here's the MVCC Main Stage music lineup:

Friday, June 18

• 5 pm - Classified
• 6:35 pm - The Watch
• 7:55 pm - Square Pegs
• 9:30 pm - Gridley Paige

Saturday, June 19

• 12 pm - Wooden Spoon
• 1:10 pm - Fritz's Polka Band
• 2:20 pm - Fulton Chain Gang
• 3:50 pm - Showtime
• 5:40 pm - Honey Bush Brothers
• 7:20 pm - Dashboard Nixon
• 9:20 pm - Bo Bice

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Friday, April 30: Colbie Callait at SUNY Cortland benefit

Pop Singer Colbie Caillet headlines tonight's Rock for a Cause concert at the Corey Union Function Room on the SUNY Cortland campus. The concert, which benefits the Haitian Orphan Rescue Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation, starts at 8 p.m. General admission is $10 and student will be admitted for $5.

Also tonight

• Rapper Drake headlines the annual Syracuse University Block Party at the Carrier Dome on the Syracuse University campus. N.E.R.D. and K-OS. will also perform. The concert starts at 8 p.m. General admission is $25, $15 for SU students. 
• Electronica project EOTO is at the Westcott Theater (524 Westcott St.) for a 9 p.m. show. Tickets are $15.
• Set Your Goals and Comeback Kid are at Lost Horizon (5863 Thompson Rd) for a show starting at 6 p.m. Admission is $15.  
• Keyboardist Robert Coxon performs at 7:30 p.m. at Energy-Wellness (Plainfield Rd., North Syracuse). Admission is $25.
• The Le Moyne College Jazz Ensemble with guest trumpeter John McNeil perform a concert at Coyne Center for the Performing Arts on the Le Moyne College campus. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10.
• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is at the Showroom at Turning Stone Resort and Casino. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $40. 
• Kinlock Nelson and Loren Barrigar are at the Auburn Public Theater (108 Genesee St.) for an 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $15. 
• The Syracuse University Symphony Band performs a free concert at Setnor Auditorium on the SU campus at 8 p.m.

At the clubs

• Back On Track Again Tavern (Route 11 Brewerton) – Dovetail Joint, 8:30 p.m.
• Bosco’s Village Pub (210 Cogswell Ave., Solvay) – Karaoke with Ormond Entertainment, 8 p.m.
• Brae Loch Inn (2 Albany St., Cazenovia) - Gary Frenay and Arty Lenin, 8 p.m.
• Buffalo’s (2119 Downer St., Baldwinsville) – Free Reign, 10 p.m.
• Bull and Bear Pub (125 E. Water St.) – Tommy Connors, 9 p.m.
• Caddyshack Tavern (402 Old Liverpool Rd.) – DJ Skeet, 10 p.m.
• Carnegie Café (Maplewood Hotel, 7th North St. and Buckley Rd.) – Isreal Hagan, 7 p.m.
• Club 48 (266 Route 48, Fulton) - Superfine Behind, 9:30 p.m.
• Cooper’s Landing (7459 Murray Dr., Cicero) – DJ TT, 9 p.m.
• Creekside Books and Coffee (25 Fennell St., Skaneateles) - Gsus Forth, 7:30 p.m.
• Dewittshire Tavern (3010 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt) - The Boatmen, 10 p.m.
• Dewey’s Third Ward Tavern (39 Bridge St., Seneca Falls) - Dave Hawthorn, 9:30 p.m.
• Edgewater, 2 Oswego St., Baldwinsville) – Tiger, 10 p.m.
• Frank’s Country Roadhouse (7119 Minoa-Bridgeport Rd., East Syracuse) – Amethyst, 9:30 p.m.
• Fusion Room (3705 Brewerton Rd., North Syracuse) – Dave Hanlon’s Cookbook, 9 p.m.
• Happy Valley Inn (1628 Route 69, Parish) - Joey Belladonna’s Big Way, 9:30 p.m.
• J.P.'s Tavern ( Syracuse St., Baldwinsville) - Jeff Meloling, 6 p.m.
• Jake’s Grub and Grog (7 E. River Rd., Brewerton) – The Reissues, 10 p.m.
• Johnny B’s Jukebox (103 N. Geddes St.) – Karaoke with Ormond Entertainment, 5:30 p.m.; DJ CJ Styles, 9 p.m.
• Kitty Hoyne’s (301 W. Fayette St.) - 2 Hour Delay, 9 p.m.
• Knoxie’s Pub (Route 20, Pompey) – Jason Wicks and Pure Country, 9 p.m.
• LWB'S Camillus Grill (72 Main St., Camillus) – 4 on The Floor with Scotty Trudell, 9 p.m.
• Lakeview Lanes (723 Route 3, Fulton) – Back Flash, 6 p.m.
• La Vie Boheme Bistro (109 - 111 Madison Street, Oneida) – Open Mike with Woody, 7 p.m.
• Legends Sports Bar and OTB (Erie Blvd, Rome) – DJ Sugarbear, 9:30 p.m.
• Links at Erie Village (5900 N. Burdick St. E.) - Letizia and The Z Band, 6 p.m.
• Mac’s Bad Art Bar (1799 Brewerton Road, Mattydale) – Square Pegs, 10 p.m.
• MacNamara’s (5600 Newport Rd., Camillus) – Fitz ‘N Dale, 8 p.m.
• Metro Sushi Bar and Lounge (505 Westcott St.) – Prime Time, 9:30 p.m.
• Mohegan Manor (58 Oswego St., Baldwinsville) - Jimmy Cox, 6:30 p.m.
• Monirae’s (688 County Route 10, Pennellville) – Stone Albatross, 10 p.m.
• Old City Hall (159 Water St., Oswego) - Brian McArdell and Mark Westers, 6 p.m.; Joe Driscoll, 10 p.m.
• Paradise Market (3179 Erie Blvd. E.) – Jerry Cali, 1 p.m.
• Rain Lounge (218 Franklin St.) – DJ Keene, 10 p.m.
• River Rock Bar and Grill (8 Bridge St., Phoenix) – Outta the Red, 9 p.m.
• Route 69 Steakhouse (409 Oriskany Blvd., Whitesboro) - Over the Top, 10 p.m.
• ShamROCKS! Rock and Roll Irish Pub (109 East Taft Road, North Syracuse) – The Bourbon Mothers, 9:30 p.m.
• Shenanigan’s Bar and Grill (318 E. Fayette St.) – Karaoke with Chad the Entertainer, 10 p.m.
• Sheraton University Inn (801 University Ave.) – Chameleon, 5 p.m.
• Shifty’s (1401 Burnet Ave.) – Lisa and Mojo Filter, 9 p.m.
• Singers’ Karaoke Club (1345 Milton Ave., Solvay) – DJ Fixx, 6 p.m.; Karaoke with Dr. Fantastic and Mr. Automatic, 9 p.m.
• Spaghetti Warehouse (689 N. Clinton St.) - Mike Sims, Stan Prezley and Scotty Trudell, 6 p.m.
• Suzy’s Tavern (346 W. Genesee St., Auburn) – Under the Gun, 10 p.m.
• Ukranian National Club (125 Washington St., Auburn) - Tuff Luck, 9 p.m.
• Village Tavern (6 E. Main St., Marcellus) – Frank Malfa and Mike Burns, 7:30 p.m.

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93Q Summer Jam on the Island lineup set

Syracuse radio station 93Q's "Summer Jam on the Island" will take place June 7 at Papermill Island in Baldwinsville. This summer's lineup includes Spose, We the Kings, Aaron Fresh, Charice, Mayday Parade and Taio Cruz.

The event starts at 6 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.

The only way to attend this event is to win tickets from 93Q. During each contest period (9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily), a secret word is announced. To enter, text the secret word to 68683. You can also enter online and there are call-in contests throughout the day. The contest begins April 28. Click here for all the contest rules.

Tickets will be awarded in blocks of four.

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Thursday, April 29: Protest the Hero at Lost Horizon

Protest the Hero and Architects rock out at Lost Horizon (5863 Thompson Rd.) tonight. The show starts at 6 p.m. and admission is $12.

Also tonight

• The Oswego State Singers perform their spring concert, From Debussy to McCartney at the Campus Center Auditorium on the SUNY Oswego campuse. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and a $5 donation is requested.
• The Syracuse University Wind Ensemble performs the works of Jenkins, Elgar, Gershwin, Daugherty, Wagner and Sousa at 8 p.m. in Setnor Auditorium on the SU campus. Admission is free.

At the clubs

• Al's Wine and Whiskey Lounge (321 South Clinton St.) - Jesse Collins, 9 p.m.
• Asil’s Pub (220 Chapel Drive) - T.J. Sacco and Hank, 6 p.m.
• Breeders Tavern (Iona Corners, Memphis) - Mike Sims, 7 p.m.
• Bridge Street Tavern (109 Bridge St., Solvay) – Open Mike with the Johnny Rage, 8 p.m.
• Caddyshack Tavern (402 Old Liverpool Rd., Liverpool) - DJ Skeet, 10 p.m.
• Cooper’s Landing (Lakeshore Rd., Cicero) – DJ Swing Low, 6 p.m.
• Cornerstone Restaurant and Bar (6805 Main St., Red Creek) - Karaoke Talent Show Night w/Paul Taylor and Mark, 7:30 p.m.
• Dewittshire Tavern (3010 Erie Blvd. E.) – Karaoke, 10 p.m.
• Empire Brewing Company ( 120 Walton St.) – Mikey Powell, 10:30 p.m.
• Fireside Inn (2345 W. Genesee Rd., Baldwinsville) – Damdog, 8 p.m.
• Hoosey’s (106 Williams St.) – Tiger, 9 p.m.
• Joe Reddick’s Sports Bar (2960 Erie Blvd. E., De Witt) – Karaoke with Ormond Entertainment, 8 p.m.
• Kitty Hoyne’s Irish Pub (301 W. Fayette St.) – Tommy Connors, 8 p.m.
• Mac’s Bad Art Bar (1799 Brewerton Rd., Mattydale) - Open Mike with Air Traffic, 9:30 p.m.
• Mirbeau Spa (851 W. Genesee St., Skaneateles) - Bob Piorun, 7 p.m.
• Parker’s Grille and Tap House (129 Genesee St., Auburn) – Elephant Shoes, 8 p.m.
• Shifty’s (1401 Burnet Ave.) – Brian McArdell and Mark Westers, 8 p.m.
• Singer’s Karaoke Club (1345 Milton Ave.) – Karaoke with DJ Octane, 8 p.m.
• Tavern on the Lock (24 S. First St., Fulton) – Joe Donelan, 6:30 p.m.

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Taylor Hicks to headline Syracuse Balloon Festival

The organizers for the 31st annual Syracuse Balloonfest have announced this year's national acts, and American Idol Season 5 winner, Taylor Hicks, will be performing at the festival on Sunday, June 13. Taylor's set should start around 8 p.m. The event takes place at Jamesville Beach Park, June 11-13.

Also appearing at this year's festival are John Waite, who will perform on Friday and April Wine, who takes the stage Saturday.

The festival also includes local musicians. A complete listing and times will be announced shortly.

The price of admission for this year's festival has not been announced. Last year, entry was $5 for adults and parking was included in the price of admission.

I had the opportunity to see Taylor perform live a couple of years ago in Watertown. He puts on a great show and is well worth the trip out to Jamesville.

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Wednesday, April 28: Vince Gill at Turning Stone

Country singer Vince Gill performs at the Showroom at Turning Stone Resort and Casino singing songs from his most recent CD Love Songs and more. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $65, $70, $80.

Also tonight

The  Cayuga Community College Jazz Ensemble performs at the Take Back the Night Rally” at City Hall, Auburn. Music starts at 5:45.

At the clubs

• Bull and Bear Pub (125 E. Water St.) – Salt City Ramblers, 10 p.m.
• Caddyshack Tavern (402 Old Liverpool Rd., Liverpool) - Karaoke with Cornell Entertainment, 9 p.m.
• Copper Top Tavern (3380 Milton Ave., Camillus) – Ryan Burdick, 6 p.m.
• Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (246 W. Willow St.) - Los Blancos, 9 p.m.
• Froggy’s Tavern (3898 New Court Ave.) – Open Mike with Frank Rhodes, John Latocha and Chuck Sgroi, 7 p.m.
• Half Penny Pub (321 W. Fayette St.) - Brand New Sin, Born Again Rebels, 7 p.m.
• Quaker Steak and Lube (3535 Walter St., Syracuse) – AboutTime Band with Sheela Tucker, 6 p.m.
• ShamROCKS! Rock and Roll Irish Pub (109 E. Taft Rd., North Syracuse) - Tony Marsala and Corey Paige, 9 p.m.
• Sheraton University Inn (801 University Ave.) – Gary Frenay and Arty Lenin, 5 p.m.
• Shifty’s (1401 Burnet Ave.) – Open Mike with Big D, 9 p.m.
• Singer’s Karaoke (1345 Milton Ave.) - Karaoke with Dr. Fantastic, 9 p.m.
• Syracuse Suds Factory (320 S. Clinton St.) – Bobby Green and a Cut Above, 5:30 p.m.
• Woody’s Jerkwater Pub (2811 Brewerton Rd., Mattydale) – Dave Hawthorn, 6 p.m.

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'Idol' is skipping Syracuse this year?

Adam Lambert performs at the Syracuse War Memorial in Sept. 2009 (Gloria Wright / The Post-Standard)

During Tuesday's 'American Idol,' host Ryan Seacrest announced the dates have been posted for this summer's "American Idols Live" concert on the show's Web site. The tour kicks off July 1 in Auburn Hills, MI and ends September 14 in Pittsburgh. In between, there are 48 other cities listed, but Syracuse isn't one of them. The closest the Idols will get to the 'Cuse is Albany (July 7) and Buffalo (Sept. 10).

The Idol tour has included Syracuse four times, but skipped Season 7.

With many people calling this one of, if not the most boring seasons in the show's history, one wonders if that might be the reason for skipping over Central New York entirely. Last season's show at the War Memorial September 14 was sold out, but attendance at the Season 6 show, which was held at the Mohegan Sun Grandstand during the New York State Fair, was abysmal.

It appears that the concert producers are already expecting a lower turnout this year as they've changed a lot of the venues from larger auditoriums to smaller concert halls for this season, and dropped cities like Worcester, Mass. and Providence, R.I., which have always had the tours stop off.

Of course, it's always possible additional dates will be added. We'll keep you posted.

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Tuesday, April 27: Open mikes and karaoke in the 'Cuse tonight

It's Tuesday, and that means open mike and karaoke night in CNY! Release your inner rock star at on of the following venues:

• Colin Aberdeen hosts open mike at the Limerick Pub (134 Walton St.) at 10 p.m.
• Big D is in charge at the weekly open mike at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (246 W. Willow St.).
• Joe Henson hosts open mike at the Village Tavern (6 E. Main St., Marcellus) starting at 7:30 p.m.
• Tommy Connors is at the Bull and Bear Pub (125 E. Water St.) for an open mike starting at 8 p.m.
• Sweet Lou hosts an open mike at Lock 24 (33 Water St., Baldwinsville)
• The DTs are featured at the weekly open jam at Auburn Public Theater (108 Genesee St., Auburn)
• There’s karaoke at ShamRocks Rock & Roll Irish Pub (109 E. Taft Road, North Syracuse) at 9 p.m., Singers Karaoke (1345 Milton Ave.) at 9 p.m., and at Mac’s Bad Art Bar (1799 Brewerton Rd., Mattydale) at 10 p.m.

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Hit the road with Fritz's Polka Band in November

Fritz's Polka Band is performing at Tony Petkovsek's Thanksgiving Polka Weekend, held at the 5-star Cleveland Marriott in Cleveland, Ohio and you can join in the fun! The band is sponsoring a bus trip to Cleveland leaving Verona at 6 a.m. on November 26. The bus will leave at 10 a.m. Sunday morning, returning to Verona early in the evening.

FPB will perform Friday evening.

Round trip bus fare from Verona, NY is $100 per person. Rooms at the Marriott are $105 per person, per night, and you can have up to four people per room. Don't wait, though, because there are only a few seats available.

For more information, contact Fritz Scherz at  fpolkaband@aol.com.

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Monday, April 26: Tantric at the Westcott tonight

Radio station 95X presents Tantric at the Westcott Theater (524 Westcott St.). Augustine, Born Again Rebels, and Crows Cage open the show, which starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door.

 

Also tonight

• Ryan Burdick is at the Copper Top Tavern (905 N. Main St., North Syracuse) at 6 p.m.
• The weekly Country Music Showcase takes place at the American Legion Post 418 (9 Oswego River Road, Phoenix) at 6 p.m.
• DJ Smegie hosts at Singers Karaoke Club (1345 Milton Ave.) starting at 9 p.m. 
• Sean Patrick Taylor is at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (246 W. Willow St.)

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Sunday, April 25: The Commodores at Turning Stone and more

R&B legends, The Commodores are at the Showroom at Turning Stone Resort and Casino for a 7 p.m. show. Tickets are $45 to $65.

Also today

• Bleeding Through headlines tonight at the Westcott Theater (524 Westcott St.). Born of Osris, Sleeping Giant, and Oceano open the show, which starts at 5 p.m. Tickets are $18 at the door.
• The Bear Cat Jass Band works it out at McNamara's Pub (5600 Newport Rd., Camillus) at 4 p.m. Admission is $12.
• The Atkinson Family Bluegrass Band is at the Scriba Town Inn (5338 Route 104, Oswego). The show starts at 1 p.m. General admission is $10.
• The Mohawk Valley Blues Society presents a special concert at Daniele's Banquet Specialists (8360 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford) at 2 p.m. Featured performers include Tom Townsley and the Backsliders and Ron Spencer Band, along with an all-star jam. Admission is $20, which includes dinner and the show.
• Area guitarists will be at Solvay Public Library (615 Woods Rd., Solvay) for a free show at 2 p.m.
• The Onondaga Community College wind ensemble presents its spring concert at 3 p.m. at Storer Auditorium on the OCC campus. Admission is free.

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Saturday, April 24: Gretchen Parlato at the Palace and more

Jazz singer Gretchen Parlato performs at the Palace Theater (2384 James St.) the concert starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $15. 

Also tonight

• Earth Crisis, First Blood, Thick as Blood, and Ghostship are at the Westcott Theater (524 Westcott St.). The show starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 at the door.
• The CNY Jazz Orchestra will offer a clinic starting at 3 p.m. at the Carrier Theater (411 Montgomery St.). The orchestra will also perform at 8 p.m. Also on Saturday’s bill, the Legends of Upstate New York II program. The clinic is free. Tickets for the concert ar $19.50 - $27.50.
• Philadelphia’s Mandala is at Erwin First United Methodist Church (920 Euclid Ave.) for a 7 p.m. show. Admission is free but a donation will be appreciated.
• Musicians from Grace Episcopal church perform a concert in memory of Gail Tyler featuring the works of Mendelssohn and Wild. The concert takes place at 7 p.m. at the church (819 Madisoin St.). Admission is $10.
• The Tired Hands String Band is at the Steeple Coffeehouse (310 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville) for a 7:30 p.m. concert. Admission is $7 and includes dessert and a beverage.
• Apples in Stereo is in Ithaca tonight at the Castaways (413 Taughannock Blvd.). The show starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $15 at the door.
• Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks are at the Center for the Arts (72 S. Main St., Homer). The show starts at 8 p.m. General admission is $25, seniors $20, students $10.
• Dusty Pas’cal and Loren Barrigar, Joe Driscoll, and Mikey Powell pool their considerable talent at the Auburn Public Theater (108 Genesee St., Auburn). The concert starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.
• Harpist Patrick Ball performs at Ontario Center for Performing Art ( McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego) at 8 p.m. General admission is $14.

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