An evening Brew for all tastes
By Ana Barbu
April 20, 2011 - 12:15pm
Review: The jam band took a small Westcott Theater audience on a ride across musical genres during a recently rescheduled show.

The Brew waited two months for this night.

The eclectic jam band with a chameleonic stage presence has been gaining prominence across the Northeast, but had their second appearance at The Wescott Theater delayed by one of Syracuse’ s infamous snow-heavy blizzards. Last Thursday the group finally played in an intimate, airy concert hall to an audience of about 50 people.

Ambitious new album dominates Iron & Wine concert in Buffalo
By Shawn Arrajj
April 17, 2011 - 5:19pm
Review: Sam Beam steals show with songs off far-reaching new album, 'Kiss Each Other Clean.'

Part way through the Iron & Wine concert at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo on April 15 - maybe eight or nine songs in - one voice emerges loud and clear from the audience. It’s around the time in the show when people start getting anxious that their favorite songs aren’t going to be played. Some people might start shouting requests.

The request here was an easy one to fulfill.

"Play whatever you want.”

Everyone else cheers in agreement. They know that Sam Beam can do no wrong.

Review: "Spelling Bee" a G-O-O-D time
By Heather N. Duggan
April 15, 2011 - 1:49pm
First-year students shine in the Tony-award winning musical, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

There was hardly an open seat on the floor of the Goldstein Auditorium as the First Year Players opened their rendition of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The actors' vibrant performances were the strong point of the single act, two-hour play.


“The Spelling Bee” is about pre-teens, complete with stereotypical personalities, trying to win their county's top spelling competition. It's a musical sprinkled with humor and has been preformed on Broadway, as well as by theater groups all over the world.

STRFKR makes a name for themselves in Ithaca
By Nathan Mattise
April 13, 2011 - 8:47am
Review: The Portland, Ore., electro-pop act makes an impression on fans and local authorities with an intimate, raucous set.

The alarm continued to wail in rhythm with the music as STRFKR played their version of “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” None of the 100 or so people in attendance really noticed or reacted, all too busy dancing. Firefighters eventually ushered everyone out of the attic-like space. The lead singer of the local opening act, Bruce Hyde of Blow!, grabbed his equipment and evacuated to the street like everyone else.

“Great show tonight.”

Thumbs Upstate debuts improv festival
By Alexandra Spychalsky
April 9, 2011 - 7:26pm
The Syracuse improv group hosted a weekend of spontaneous scenes and laughter Saturday, bringing in groups from Rochester, Buffalo and Albany.

Two men who'd known each other for just a few hours jumped on stage and into the scene. One grabbed the other and pushed him around, pretending that he was an “emotional crayon.” He began sketching his feelings across the stage.

“That’s what it’s all about. Get everyone to meet each other, perform together, and open people’s minds a little bit,” said Joe Blum, co-director of the Thumbs Upstate improv festival.

Ra Ra Riot delivers a long-awaited show at The Westcott
By Ana Barbu
April 8, 2011 - 1:03am
Review: Hometown heroes and SU alums provide a top-level performance Thursday while reminiscing a bit about how it all started.

A full house of college-aged students and Syracuse locals played a game of patience. They waited to see Ra Ra Riot's performance for nearly three hours after The Westcott Theater doors opened last night, but the group's passionate and energetic delivery of a wholesome setlist, lasting a little over an hour, was well worth the wait.

SXSW '11: Music fest is big, loud and (sometimes) tiring
By Seth Sommerfeld
April 6, 2011 - 6:21pm
Otto-Tune music blogger Seth Sommerfield breaks down the annual Austin, Texas, music event's best sets, breakout bands and acts coming soon to CNY.

If one word could describe SXSW it would be “exhausting,” but in a very, very awesome way. 

For of four days, Austin, TX becomes the epicenter for the music world.  Live music pours out of every nook and cranny from noon to the late hours of the morning.  SXSW is an audio barrage that pummels even the most intense listeners into a tired mess so full of bliss that all one could want is to hibernate and dream of even more music.

Concert Crowdsourced: Diplo at SU
By Nathan Mattise
March 27, 2011 - 2:18pm
The popular DJ partied both during and after his set on Saturday to the delight of all at Goldstein Auditorium.

Diplo's show on Saturday was the most anticipated event on campus up to this point in the year. So when the DJ actively engaged our fondness for social media throughout his night in addition to providing what seemed to be a highly regarded set, it all lived up to the hype.

Drag show provides a fabulous evening
By Jayne Jaramillo
March 26, 2011 - 3:09pm
Dancing and performances at Pride Union's Totally Fabulous IX Drag Show Finals brings plenty of entertainment to SU.

Glitter, condoms, money and even some clothing went flying at Pride Union’s IX Totally Fabulous Drag Show Finals at the Goldstein Auditorium in Schine on Friday night.

Backstage, the excitement turned to anticipation as performers and their back-up dancers got ready to go on-stage.

“I’m really excited but nervous. This is my first drag show,” said Paula Jordan, a communications and rhetorical studies senior.  But her first experience with drag, she said, has been special.

Comedian-songwriter Bo Burnham gets lyrical
By Alexandra Spychalsky
March 23, 2011 - 1:01am
The YouTube sensation entertained students in Goldstein Auditorium Tuesday night with his smart, shameless style.

Slouched over his keyboard like the Peanuts’ resident pianist Schroeder, Bo Burnham’s shaggy, blond hair shakes to the rhythm as he pounds the keys and belts his original ballad, “Love is.”

“I want you, yea, like JFK wa-aa-nted a car with a roof.”