A Typical Saturday Night in Rochester . . .

So, since I stayed in Rochester (due to weather) instead of going to visit my daughter, Joe and I met some friends, Dave and Tina, out for dinner at Pomodoro. We had a good meal - Joe and I both had the Linguine Limone and Dave and Tina both had the cod special. Tom Passamonte and Special Blend - a group I've heard of, but I've never heard - was there last night. I really liked them. Tom's voice was very versatile and sounds a lot like Eric Clapton. I'd go just to listen to them again.

After dinner we buzzed over to the Little Cafe to hear Kinloch Nelson, Dave Arenius and Bill Blind. Very nice. I've heard Kinloch before, solo, and I've heard the other guys in different groups over the years. Their sound was just beautiful.

I'm happy to say that both places were packed!! On a cold Saturday night in Rochester! Some people actually do come out of hibernation to hear the wealth of musical talent we have here in Rochester.

yours in music,

Tracy

Valentine's Day (the movie)

Not as impressive as I'd hoped given the cast and the trailers I'd seen. Kind of slow moving. None of the characters were engaging enough for me to care what happened to them. Not a big Ashton Kutcher fan, though I thought he was much less obnoxious in the film than in anything else I've ever seen him in. Joe thought his character was wimpy. I don't know. I just didn't care. Too bad; I had such high hopes.

Next movie is Joe's pick, and I know it's going to be Brooklyn's Finest, which would be mine too. It opens next week - I think on the 5th. Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Wesley Snipes, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio - another great cast. I think it will be more exciting and engaging than Valentine's Day, for sure.

Saw Rodrigo y Gabriela on some morning show yesterday. They are truly awesome; I wish Nugent would get them to come here for Jazz Fest. I'd be in line five hours ahead to see them!

yours in music (and movies),
Tracy

Rooney's vs. Max - and the winner is . . .

Rooney's!

Well, though dinner was lovely at Max of Eastman Place, there weren't as many things that I like on the menu at Max last night as there were on the menu at Rooney's. I ended up with a Caesar salad, which was very good and just the right size for me, and scallops. The scallops were seared to perfection. They were sweet and tender, but they were served with "root vegetables" in a butternut squash puree with toasted walnuts. I would much rather have had some vegetables that I could identify. The potatoes and mixed vegetables at Rooney's were phenomenal. For the money, there wasn't a lot of food on that plate.

Now let's talk about the wine. Before dinner, I had a "glass" of Estancia pinot grigio. It was very nice, but I bet there wasn't more than three ounces in the glass. A very stingy pour, and it was just as stingy for everyone who had a glass of wine before dinner. We decided to get a bottle of wine for the table to go with dinner. There weren't many wines on the fairly large wine list that cost between $40 - $60. I'm sure I would love some of those $70, $80 and $90+ bottles very much; I just can't afford them. Hey, Max: you are lacking a middle ground. I chose a very nice Ponzi pinot noir, but I really wanted a meritage. There was nothing between the $32 bottle and $65 bottle.

Our server was nice and very attentive, but she was a "low-talker." We ended up listening to the waiter at the next table as he described the dishes because we could hear him.

For the money, mine's on Rooney's. Can't wait to go back!

yours in music,
Tracy

Dinner out - Rooney's vs. Max at Eastman Place

So last Sunday night, Valentine's Day, Joe and I went to Rooney's for dinner with friends. There was a fixed price four-course menu. Sometimes when there's a special menu at a restaurant, choices are limited. That was not the case at Rooney's. There were six to ten choices in each category - appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert. Everything was delicious. Three of us had filet mignon, and one had the sea bass. Each course was generous; sometimes with special menus, they amount of food served can be kind of stingy. Not the case here. There was the right amount of food served in each course. And, the service hit the standard for which Rooney's is known. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, personable, and each course arrived and was cleared in a timely manner.

Rooney's was pricey, that's for sure, but for a special occasion, it can't be beat. Romantic, kind of European in its atmosphere, it's a place to share with the one you love.

Tonight, it's Max at Eastman Place. I'll let you know how it stacks up.

yours in music (and food!),
Tracy

Music out and about tonight

Dave Arenius Trio with an old friend, Michael McNeill, will be playing at The Little Theatre Cafe tonight at 8:30. If it's not too cold and I'm not too cranky, then I'll be there! Joe told me that the Nightstalkers are going to be at the Landing in Fairport tonight at 10:00. I'd like to try to make that one too. We shall see.

yours in music,
Tracy

Rochester Music Hall of Fame - Current Activity

A small subcommittee of the Board of Directors of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame is working on logistics for an upcoming buzz-worthy music event. This spring, we will have a benefit concert to 1) raise awareness of what the Rochester Music Hall of Fame is and will be; 2) introduce people to the nomination process; 3) raise funds so that the RMHF can become a reality; and 4) have an excellent time with some of the fantastic musical talent that we have right here in Rochester.

I will keep you updated on RMHF in general, and this event more specifically.

Please think of RMHF when you are thinking about a charitable contribution. Rochester, NY - home to the prestigious Eastman School of Music, Gene Cornish, the Mangione brothers, Lou Gramm, Cab Calloway, Joe Locke, Steve Gadd, Mitch Miller, William Warfield, "Son" House, and many more - needs and deserves to have a Hall of Fame dedicated to honoring and celebrating the place that we have in music history and in the future of music as well.

If you want to know how you can help, please email me at rmhof2009@gmail.com.

yours in music,

Tracy

I Would See It Again!

Those of you who know me well, know that I really do not care for musical theatre. I know. Blasphemy. Be that as it may, it is then even more remarkable that I would want to see something again!

Though my seats were great last night, if I were able to get seats on the stage, I would love it. Being onstage would be an extraordinary way to experience this show.

Top photo: Christy Altomare and Jake Epstein (Wendla and Melchior) with the Spring Awakening national tour. Photo by Joan Marcus, 2009. Bottom photo: Ben Fankhauser and Andy Mientus with the Spring Awakening national tour. Photo by Paul Kolnik, 2009.

yours in music (and musical theatre),
Tracy

Provocative Show, Fabulous Set, Great Cast! Go see Spring Awakening!

Written in 1890-91 by Frank Wedekind, Spring Awakening touches on child abuse, sexual abuse, masturbation, homosexuality, teen pregnancy, illegal abortion, and teen suicide. A play that my companion thought was a contemporary work examines a society that is not that different, in some ways, now than it was in the 19th century.

The cast, though young, was good. The singing was very good and very high energy; the musicians were excellent. The score, by Duncan Sheik, did not disappoint. The set was so well designed and the lighting was perfect.

Here's a link to one of the most lively songs.

I'll write some more tomorrow and post some more photos. Spring Awakening was most definitely a show worth seeing!

yours in music,
Tracy

On my way to see Spring Awakening at the Auditorium

Taylor Trensch of the Broadway touring company of Spring Awakening. Photo by Paul Kolnik 2009. I hope his hair really looks like that tonight.

yours in music,
Tracy

Spring Awakening opens at the Auditorium Theatre this Tuesday night!

Check out this link to see a clip from Spring Awakening. I will be at the Auditorium Theatre this Tuesday night to experience the show that is said to be QUITE the experience!

Spring Awakening is the coming-of-age story of three teenagers in oppressive 19th century Germany. The score, by Duncan Sheik, is supposed to ROCK. The show deals with some pretty heavy subjects, including teen pregnancy, teen suicide, homosexuality, masturbation and abuse--with a brief nude scene and songs with titles that I can't list here. This show is NOT for children, but it has run to rave reviews across the country and has received eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, and a Grammy!

I'm looking forward to it. The show runs Feb 9-14th, 2010, and tickets start at $30.50. If you want to sit ON the stage (partial view) for a unique experience, they're only $25. Get them here.

yours in music (and musical theatre!)
tracy

Ralph's Anniversary

Today is a difficult day for the many people who knew and loved Ralph Ortiz. One year ago today, he left this world to go and teach the Angels how to be funky.

We have lost many of Rochester's musicians over the past few years. That's one of the many reasons why creating the Rochester Music Hall of Fame is so very important - to honor those musicians who have passed on, so that they and their contributions to the Rochester music scene may never be forgotten. Another reason for the creation of RMHF is to honor those who are still here making music in Rochester as well as those from Rochester who have gone on to make music all over the country and all over the world.

Rochester has been blessed with an abundance of wonderfully talented musicians. Let's honor and celebrate them.

yours in music,
Tracy