Entertainment: Top Featured

Top anthology horror movie picks for your Halloweekend
By Dan Poorman
October 29, 2015 - 12:01pm
For those who like their horror films in small bites, or love to binge watch, we suggest classic anthology horror movies to watch this Halloween.

Everyone celebrates Halloween differently. But, whether you’re passing out candy to trick-or-treaters or dancing away your responsibilities in a sexy Donald Trump costume, it’s likely that you’ll find yourself watching a scary movie at least once this weekend — either in its entirety with a group of friends, or on cable in between rings of the doorbell. No matter your viewing habits, might I suggest a horror anthology film this year?

Welcome to the future: A look at 'Back to the Future Part II' today
By Dan Poorman
October 21, 2015 - 8:53am
See how far we've come since Doc and Marty McFly were sent to the future in Robert Zemeckis’ 'Back to the Future Part II.'

For those unfamiliar with Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future Part II, today — October 21, 2015 — is the day that 1985’s young Marty McFly was zapped to in order to prevent his son from participating in a robbery with the grandson of bully Biff Tannen. Of course, no time-travel adventure comedy would be complete without a considerable amount of butterfly effect blunders.

Spring Street Family Band performs in unique rock style at Rochester Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
By Yonah Perline
September 27, 2015 - 6:31pm
Syracuse locals, the Spring Street Family Band, rocks central New York venues on its way up.

It's about 10:45 p.m on Friday night at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in Rochester, New York, and people are having a hard time hearing over the music. The manager of the restaurant goes to the stage and tells the band to keep it down. For two songs, they do.

After the second song, bassist Dennis Lingel calls for a huddle.

“If we don't play louder, people are going to think we f------ suck,” Lingel said.

Academy Award winning actor Forest Whitaker inspires Syracuse community
By Cheyenne De'Von...
March 26, 2015 - 1:14pm
In his "The New American Opportunity" talk at SU, Forest Whitaker discusses his humble beginnings, the transformation of the economy and the importance of community building.

One of the biggest names in Hollywood visited Syracuse University to serve as the speaker for the Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Zeta chapter's fourth annual Truth Be Told speaker series.

"Hearing his story can inspire and motivate people to want to do better for themselves and their community," Cedric Bolton, coordinator of student engagement for the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said.

"Piano Man" Billy Joel takes over Carrier Dome for seventh time
By Claire Moran
March 21, 2015 - 2:04pm
Billy Joel performed many of his hits at Syracuse University in front of several generations of concertgoers.

Attendees were in a "New York State of Mind" Friday night at Billy Joel’s seventh concert at SU's Carrier Dome.

"New York State of Mind" was just one of the many hits that he played in his set, which was more than two hours long. Joel opened with "A Matter of Trust" and "Pressure" and closed with an encore set that included "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," "Big Shot," "You May Be Right" and "Only the Good Die Young." Joel also played many of his other classics, such as "Piano Man," "Uptown Girl" and "The Entertainer."

Monetizing music in the realm of YouTube and Spotify
By Nathan McAlone
March 15, 2015 - 3:50pm
Music artists will adapt to the plummet of royalties due to streaming. One artist's development agency Made at SU in Syracuse gives a jump start to new musicians.

Music has always been a hard business to monetize, but as the culture of ownership has declined, it has become even more so.

Today’s youth are less likely than ever to conceptualize music as something bought and hoarded or something to line one’s shelves with and carry forever. As the outright stealing of the Napster era gave way to to the current streaming age, where a few dollars per month subscription to Spotify could be one's access to an all-you-can-eat buffet of listening, it became clear most musicians would have to find alternative revenue streams to make a living.

On the road with Small Houses
By Patrick Hosken
March 3, 2015 - 10:30pm
Songwriter Jeremy Quentin has earned friends and supporters in cities like Rochester during his difficult months-long tours around the States.

Jeremy Quentin, a native of Flint, Mich., has spent nearly a decade recording and touring with his folk project, Small Houses. His studio albums are rich and full-blooded, with percussion and guitar layers and vocal harmonies coloring the plaintive acoustic songs.

But on stage, Quentin stands alone, yelping his way through 50-minute sets and plucking the guitar held snug to his chest.

Annual drag show competition crowns new 'totally fabulous' winner
By Cheyenne De'Von...
March 1, 2015 - 3:25pm
Sky-high heels with energy to match! The 13th Annual Totally Fabulous Drag Show did not fail to impress or entertain.

Both kings and queens competed for the champion title in the final round of the 13th Annual Totally Fabulous Drag Show. The competition was fun, fierce and brought a bit of drag culture to the Syracuse University campus.

"This has been a really positive influence on my life," competitor E Millz said. "It's a whole new culture that I've never been a part of before." 

An evening with Ira Glass
By Dianna Bell
February 15, 2015 - 5:40pm
The "This American Life" producer took the stage at the State Theatre of Ithaca to warm the hearts of frozen New Yorkers who braved the blizzard to spend Valentine's Day with him.

Despite the snow squalls, low visibility, 40 mile-per-hour-wind gusts…and oh yeah—snow squalls—my love, Ira Glass, and I were able to persevere and meet up for a romantic Valentine’s Day rendezvous at the State Theatre of Ithaca.

The venue was packed with 1,200 other people celebrating the day of love with a common passion for public radio and a nasally-voiced hottie.

The New Pornographers rock in Ithaca with top-quality show, despite low turnout
By Abby Rose Sugnet
February 12, 2015 - 3:12pm
Review: The indie rockers put on a powerhouse performance blending classic hits and new music.

The New Pornographers rocked the State Theatre of Ithaca on Tuesday night, and fewer than 200 people were there to see it.

To my surprise, the Theatre was nowhere near full. I got to the venue 30 minutes before the show, which was general admission, even started and still managed to get seats in the fourth row.

But, the show deserved a far greater turnout than it received.