Ra Ra Riot, the group that got its start right here in Syracuse, performs tonight at the Westcott Theater (524 Westcott St.). The Northbound Minstrel Traveling Jug Band and The Generationals open the show, which starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 at the door.
Also tonight
John Jorgenson and his Gypsy Band Quartet at the Kirkland Art Center (9½ East Park Row, Clinton), 7:30 p.m. - $20
Open Mike Night at Kellish Hill Farm (3192 Pompey Center Road, Manlius), 7 p.m. - donations appreciated.
At the clubs
Acoustic Open Mike at Creekside Books and Coffee (35 Fennell St., Skaneateles), 6:30 p.m.
E.S.P. at Mohegan Manor, Club Sushi (58 Oswego St., Baldwinsville), 6:30 p.m.
Import Night at Pelican Pete’s Pub (3251 Milton Ave., Fairmount), 7 p.m.
Isreal Hagan at Café at 407 (407 Tulip St., Liverpool), 7:30 p.m.
Joe Donelan at Tavern on the Lock (24 S. First St., Fulton), 6 p.m.
Just Joe at Empire Brewing Company (120 Walton St.), 10:30 p.m.
Open Mike with Bill Oeinck at Hurricanes Bar (Water Street, Oswego), 10 p.m.
Open Mike with Ronnie Dark All-Stars at Mac’s Bad Art Bar (1799 Brewerton Road, Mattydale), 9 p.m.
Cliff McCann at Parker’s Grille and Tap House, Auburn
I met Scott Columbus and his girlfriend Nancy two years ago when they adopted one of my puppies. While we were making arrangements, there were numerous phone calls back and forth, and at one point Scott asked me what I did. I told him I was a writer with a local entertainment blog and had done some PR for a couple of local bands. “Cool,” he said and then told me he was a drummer and was putting together a band with some area musicians. Would I be interested in helping him with his social media pages? I asked if he was any good, and he told me he wasn’t good, he was “damn 'expletive' good.” That was enough for me. I agreed to help.
I didn’t know he’d been with Manowar until a few weeks after we met. I must confess, I’ve never been much of a metal fan, and while I’d heard of Manowar, I really wasn’t all that aware of their music or the influence this band had on the genre. Once I checked out some videos on YouTube, however, I was quite impressed by the drumming virtuosity of my new friend.
Scott and I had absolutely nothing in common, but we clicked instantly. He trusted me because I never hesitated to call him on his crap when I saw it. He told me I was one of the only people he knew who wasn’t afraid to do that and to whom he would actually listen. He’d had too many people in his life who kissed his butt and told him what he wanted to hear. He knew if he came to me, he’d get the truth even if he didn’t want to hear it!
In the two years I knew Scott, I was privileged to see him play at his home numerous times, but I only saw him play out once – a gig in a local club with a tossed together, under-rehearsed band. He was very nervous about this gig; much more so than what was warranted. There weren’t many people there that night, and while the lack of rehearsal was pretty apparent, there was no doubt Scott was still the master of his craft. It was truly awesome!Check out the video below of Scott's solo that night.
The last few years haven’t been easy for Scott Columbus. I believe he missed the road, and at the same time, he feared the road. Despite his talent and reputation, he was surprisingly insecure. He worried he’d been away too long and that he’d lost it. He was buoyed by his return to the stage in the summer of 2010 (he played several gigs in Europe with former Manowar band mate Ross “The Boss” Friedman), and yet he didn’t make the final show. I urged him to go because so many people were looking forward to seeing him play again. It was as though he didn’t believe people still cared.
He wasn't idle, however. He had recorded some interesting new material he called Instrumetal. But as enthused as he was, he was reluctant to put it out there. “What if it sucks?” he asked me one day. “Trust me,” I told him. “It doesn’t suck.” And it didn’t.
And now this funny, genuine, and truly unique human being is gone. I am glad to have known him and already miss him more than I ever thought possible. I just wish he believed how many people really cared about him and how widespread is the ripple effect of his passing. Maybe that would have made a difference.
I hope you finally found some peace, my friend. My prayers to all who loved this man. May you also find some measure of peace in the days to come.
The annual Tap into the MOST fundraiser is happening tonight at the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) (500 S. Franklin St.). The event features music by the Jam Bones and the Tipp Hillbillies and offers up samples from area breweries and appetizers. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $55 at the door ($85 for VIP pass).
Also today
Fritz’s Polka Band at Paradise Market (3179 Erie Blvd. East, DeWitt), 1 p.m.
AmeriBeat Spring Ball with Tim Herron Corporation and Jatoba at Upstairs at the Dinosaur (246 W. Willow St.), 8 p.m.
The Easy Money Big Band at the Capitol Theatre (220 W. Dominick St., Rome), 7 p.m.- $10.
KAC Rocks at the Kirkland Art Center (9 ½ East Park Row,Kirkland), 7 p.m.
Jess Yoakam at the First Unitarian Universalist Society (109 Waring Road), 7 p.m. - $10.
Le Moyne College Jazzuits under the direction of Carol Jacobe, and featuring Matt Falker and nine area high school chorales at LeMoyne College's James Common Center, 7 p.m. - free admission.
Dick Ward and Carol Bryant at Kellish Hill Farm (3192 Pompey Center Road, Manlius), 7 p.m. - $6.
Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music Concert Series with The Ebene Quartet at Lincoln Middle School (1613 James St.), 8 p.m. - $25
Legends Of Jazz Series featuring Dr. Lonnie Smith at Onondaga Community College’s Storer Auditorium (4585 W. Seneca Turnpike), 7 p.m. - free admission
Kevin So at the Oswego Music Hall, McCrobie Civic Center (41 Lake
St., Oswego), 8 p.m. - $14 at the door.
Jony James Band at Wellsville Creative Arts Center, Wellsville
ZoSo at the Smith Opera House (82 Seneca St., Geneva), 8 p.m. - $25.
At the Clubs
Anyela’s Vineyards (2433 W. Lake Road, Skaneateles) - The Barrigar Brothers, 4 p.m.
Tokimonsta and Deadalus, Samiyam, and Chemicals Of Creation perform tonight at the Westcott Theater (524 Westcott St.). The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $20 at the door.
Also today
James Keelaghan at May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society (3800 E. Genesee St.), 8 p.m. - $15
Kevin So at Nelson Odeon (4035 Nelson Rd., Nelson), 8 p.m. - $15
Syracuse University Singers at OCC's Storer Auditorium, 11:15 a.m. - free admission
Fusion Room (3705 Brewerton Rd., North Syracuse) – Lockdown, 5:30 p.m.; East of Earth, Undergang, Papership, Born Again Savages, Zadoc and The Nightmare, 9 p.m.
Georgetown Inn (Route 80, Georgetown) - Quickchange, 9 p.m.
Donna Reynolds has been blogging about entertainment in CNY since 2003, including a five year run on syracuse.com. She is Central New York's most ardent entertainment cheerleader and her goal is to promote all the great entertainment this area has to offer.
Be sure to check out the concert calendar for upcoming events, CNY Festivals and Events, and CNY Bands for links to all your favorite local groups.
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Contact: dlrturtle@earthlink.net
