Celebrating Ithaca life in general, and music in particular, are naturally popular pastimes here. The 3rd annual Porchfest brings these impulses together on Sunday 13 Sept., from 1 - 5:30 pm.
Porchfest is local musicians playing on their own front porches. The event takes place mostly in Fall Creek and Northside.
Participants include Mary Lorson, Hubcap, The Small Kings, The Black Walnuts, Diana Leigh Jazz Trio, The GoCats, Nate and Kate, the Yardvarks, and many more.
The event ends with a party at the Auburn Street Triangle Park. You are invited to bring an instrument to play, and a dish to pass.
Maps are available at GreenStar, Gimme at Cayuga, and www.porchfest.org.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Don't Drink Bees
One of the potential hazards of summer, we realized yesterday, is bee drinking.
We were sitting on the Commons with a visitor from Japan, here to study Ithaca Hours. I had coffee. He had a bottle of Reed's Ginger Ale.
After 45 minutes of nice talk, I went back to work in Small World Music, in the basement of Autumn Leaves Books.
All of a sudden, our guest comes running into the building. He had chugged down the corner of his soda, for a stinging sensation stronger than his prior sips. He spit out a mouthful of bees which had apparently descended into his soda bottle while we talked.
He wasn't sure if he had swallowed any. But the ones that had stung his tongue and mouth roof were bad enough, at the moment.
He said he didn't know if he was allergic to bee stings. He had never even been bitten by a Japanese bee.
So I called 911, and they sent all the trappings of an emergency, including a hook and ladder. Apparently this is standard, in case you get so crazy by your bee stings that you set a fire, or jump off a roof.
Anyhow, the emergency professionals were very nice, comforting, and competent. They took our visitor to the emergency room, in case he reacted badly.
We figure, for our part, we can pass along a warning for something we never even thought about before. Let summer be days of soda and pretzels and beer. Not bees.
(By the way, our visitor is fine. As he got into the ambulance, I gave him my card, with home phone, and told him to call if he needed help with anything. He called that night to say he was okay. In halting English, but very sweet, he said his name, and left a message saying, "Maybe you remember me, by, bees in the mouth. I am getting better. Thank you for helping me.")
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We were sitting on the Commons with a visitor from Japan, here to study Ithaca Hours. I had coffee. He had a bottle of Reed's Ginger Ale.
After 45 minutes of nice talk, I went back to work in Small World Music, in the basement of Autumn Leaves Books.
All of a sudden, our guest comes running into the building. He had chugged down the corner of his soda, for a stinging sensation stronger than his prior sips. He spit out a mouthful of bees which had apparently descended into his soda bottle while we talked.
He wasn't sure if he had swallowed any. But the ones that had stung his tongue and mouth roof were bad enough, at the moment.
He said he didn't know if he was allergic to bee stings. He had never even been bitten by a Japanese bee.
So I called 911, and they sent all the trappings of an emergency, including a hook and ladder. Apparently this is standard, in case you get so crazy by your bee stings that you set a fire, or jump off a roof.
Anyhow, the emergency professionals were very nice, comforting, and competent. They took our visitor to the emergency room, in case he reacted badly.
We figure, for our part, we can pass along a warning for something we never even thought about before. Let summer be days of soda and pretzels and beer. Not bees.
(By the way, our visitor is fine. As he got into the ambulance, I gave him my card, with home phone, and told him to call if he needed help with anything. He called that night to say he was okay. In halting English, but very sweet, he said his name, and left a message saying, "Maybe you remember me, by, bees in the mouth. I am getting better. Thank you for helping me.")
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Music in Ithaca, Sept. 10 -13
Thursday 10 Sept.: Promotional powerhouse Popcorn Youth presents an all-ages show at the Community School of Music and Arts, with Desolation Wilderness, Mountains, Duane Pitre, Other People, and Tzar. Doors, 7:30. $10, or $8 with student ID.
The Grady Girls and Friends play traditional Irish music at the Scalehouse Brew Pub, 23 Cinema Drive, 7 pm.
* * *
Friday 11 Sept.: The Rozatones, jazz and funk, with Wonderboy. Castaways, 9 pm.
* * *
Saturday 12 Sept.: John Brown's Body and the Black Seeds, at Castaways, 8 pm.
Evil City Trio, with Hank Roberts, the Chapter House, 10 pm.
* * *
Sunday 13 Sept. : Crow Greenspun at Maxie's, 6 pm.
Jennie Lowe Stearns at Felicia's, 7 pm.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The Grady Girls and Friends play traditional Irish music at the Scalehouse Brew Pub, 23 Cinema Drive, 7 pm.
* * *
Friday 11 Sept.: The Rozatones, jazz and funk, with Wonderboy. Castaways, 9 pm.
* * *
Saturday 12 Sept.: John Brown's Body and the Black Seeds, at Castaways, 8 pm.
Evil City Trio, with Hank Roberts, the Chapter House, 10 pm.
* * *
Sunday 13 Sept. : Crow Greenspun at Maxie's, 6 pm.
Jennie Lowe Stearns at Felicia's, 7 pm.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Best Ethnic Restaurant in Ithaca??
Annually, in filling out the Ithaca Times "Best of Ithaca" poll, there are a few categories that stop us, or stump us entirely.
One this year is Best Clergymember. Another, less expectedly, is Best Ethnic Restaurant.
There is plenty of good food in Ithaca, as we mention here from time to time. But "Ethnic" is really a bit lacking.
The "new" ethnic food in town is Thai. Correct? Well, only if one considers presence for over a decade new.
We just got back from a trip to NYC where the dinner choice one night was Senegalese versus Chinese/Peruvian. They were both neighborhood places, within a few blocks.
There is an unpretentious but excellent Vietnamese place on Dryden Road in Collegetown - or was, when we were up there last. Maybe that would be our choice for the Times poll (after checking its continued existence).
There are some good sushi places, too, but sushi is pretty old hat anymore, isn't it? When you can get it in Tops?
Maybe we will just withhold our vote, until it can really reflect something new and fine. Ethiopian or Sri Lankan, anyone?
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
One this year is Best Clergymember. Another, less expectedly, is Best Ethnic Restaurant.
There is plenty of good food in Ithaca, as we mention here from time to time. But "Ethnic" is really a bit lacking.
The "new" ethnic food in town is Thai. Correct? Well, only if one considers presence for over a decade new.
We just got back from a trip to NYC where the dinner choice one night was Senegalese versus Chinese/Peruvian. They were both neighborhood places, within a few blocks.
There is an unpretentious but excellent Vietnamese place on Dryden Road in Collegetown - or was, when we were up there last. Maybe that would be our choice for the Times poll (after checking its continued existence).
There are some good sushi places, too, but sushi is pretty old hat anymore, isn't it? When you can get it in Tops?
Maybe we will just withhold our vote, until it can really reflect something new and fine. Ethiopian or Sri Lankan, anyone?
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Burke Reunites With Other Burke, and Bone, For Music Tonight
Brian Burke, fiddler and guitarist, returns to Ithaca after an extended foray in Ann Arbor, and will play tonight at Maxie's in a reunion of old-timey band Burke, Burke, and Bone.
The other Burke is Brian's father, Pat, who plays guitar and sings. Gregor Sayet-Bone also sings and plays guitar, along with harmonica and jug.
The show is free, as part of the Maxie's Southern-Fried Tuesdays series, which features a fried chicken dinner offering.
The show is from 6 - 9 pm. The special lasts as long as the chicken does.
Happy Hour is from 4 - 6 and features half-price oysters. The Bluepoints have been especially good.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The other Burke is Brian's father, Pat, who plays guitar and sings. Gregor Sayet-Bone also sings and plays guitar, along with harmonica and jug.
The show is free, as part of the Maxie's Southern-Fried Tuesdays series, which features a fried chicken dinner offering.
The show is from 6 - 9 pm. The special lasts as long as the chicken does.
Happy Hour is from 4 - 6 and features half-price oysters. The Bluepoints have been especially good.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Ymous In Ithaca
We just returned from 4 days in New York City, a place we love as much as Ithaca, despite our disparate standings in the two places.
We spent Sunday at a street fair on Amsterdam Avenue, delightful but a little strange-feeling, which we realized was because we were outside for three hours or so, among many persons, and knew none of them. This never happens in Ithaca.
We didn't even need to set foot back in Ithaca before it changed. When we boarded the bus to return yesterday, the driver said, "Who's watching the record store?" Beneath the Coach USA cap, we recognized a customer of ours at Small World Music. (We know his name: Leo. We didn't know he drives a bus.)
As a city native, I don't mind the anonymity which comes with citizenship there, unflagging though it is. One always has identity there, as a city-o, which is enough.
Among other only-in-NY moments, our favorite was a pick-up ping-pong game we saw in Bryant Park, between a young Asian woman and an older Hasid. It reminded us of Levy's Rye.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We spent Sunday at a street fair on Amsterdam Avenue, delightful but a little strange-feeling, which we realized was because we were outside for three hours or so, among many persons, and knew none of them. This never happens in Ithaca.
We didn't even need to set foot back in Ithaca before it changed. When we boarded the bus to return yesterday, the driver said, "Who's watching the record store?" Beneath the Coach USA cap, we recognized a customer of ours at Small World Music. (We know his name: Leo. We didn't know he drives a bus.)
As a city native, I don't mind the anonymity which comes with citizenship there, unflagging though it is. One always has identity there, as a city-o, which is enough.
Among other only-in-NY moments, our favorite was a pick-up ping-pong game we saw in Bryant Park, between a young Asian woman and an older Hasid. It reminded us of Levy's Rye.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Friday, August 28, 2009
Summer and Fall Come To Ithaca At Once
Summer has come late to Ithaca this year, after unseasonable chill through June, July, and most of August.
At the same time, the students are back, which translates to Fall on the academic calendar which runs town.
It is disconcerting, so you are not to blame if your personal calendar is agog, and you are caught unawares by the new populace. It is not a good time to shop for shower curtains, nor for quick trips to Wegman's.
But now that the freshman families are gone, and the weather is nice, it is a fine time for outside dining, both in and around town.
In town, Aurora Street has become an al fresco restuarant row, with wider sidewalks for a scheme of outside tables. Just A Taste also has a nice dining area in back, that reminds us a bit of Greenwich Village places, that do a lot with small square footage.
Many eateries on the Commons also commandeer outside space. There is a new campaign for using past public space for private seating, which we think is fine. There's still lots of public space left. That Burrito Place is one spot with tables and chairs in the middle of the mall, set off by rope, which seems a little upscale for burritos, but not These Burritos, we guess.
We had the pleasure of spending some stay-cation time this month at Sheldrake Point, where Simply Red's Bistro has not outdoor dining, strictly speaking, but a widely-windowed dining room with wistful vistas.
There are also a couple of unpretentious joints in Sheldrake, O'Malley's and Kidders, where the food is not regal, but neither are the prices, and the drinks are good, and the dining decks are almost as restorative as the meals, mere yards from the lake. It is a short and pleasant drive to Sheldrake, about 25 minutes from town up Route 89.
We hope the late arrival of summer will also mean a late staying time, but as things in life are generally 6 to 5 against, as Damon Runyon said, we say, get outside now. Maybe we'll see you in the alley outside Felicia's tonight.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
At the same time, the students are back, which translates to Fall on the academic calendar which runs town.
It is disconcerting, so you are not to blame if your personal calendar is agog, and you are caught unawares by the new populace. It is not a good time to shop for shower curtains, nor for quick trips to Wegman's.
But now that the freshman families are gone, and the weather is nice, it is a fine time for outside dining, both in and around town.
In town, Aurora Street has become an al fresco restuarant row, with wider sidewalks for a scheme of outside tables. Just A Taste also has a nice dining area in back, that reminds us a bit of Greenwich Village places, that do a lot with small square footage.
Many eateries on the Commons also commandeer outside space. There is a new campaign for using past public space for private seating, which we think is fine. There's still lots of public space left. That Burrito Place is one spot with tables and chairs in the middle of the mall, set off by rope, which seems a little upscale for burritos, but not These Burritos, we guess.
We had the pleasure of spending some stay-cation time this month at Sheldrake Point, where Simply Red's Bistro has not outdoor dining, strictly speaking, but a widely-windowed dining room with wistful vistas.
There are also a couple of unpretentious joints in Sheldrake, O'Malley's and Kidders, where the food is not regal, but neither are the prices, and the drinks are good, and the dining decks are almost as restorative as the meals, mere yards from the lake. It is a short and pleasant drive to Sheldrake, about 25 minutes from town up Route 89.
We hope the late arrival of summer will also mean a late staying time, but as things in life are generally 6 to 5 against, as Damon Runyon said, we say, get outside now. Maybe we'll see you in the alley outside Felicia's tonight.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Sheldrake Point Voted NY Winery of Year
Our local Sheldrake Point Winery was named winery of the year this week in the New York Wine and Food Classic competition.
Wine and Spirits magazine has named Sheldrake among the top 100 wineries in the U.S., and one of the 12 best U.S. value brands.
We happened to stop by the winery yesterday, up the road from a friend's vacation rental. The winery has a beautiful lakeside location, and is accessible by boat. Their restaurant, Simply Red's Bistro, is the most popular vineyard eatery in the region.
Their parking lot is the fullest, with the most out-of-state plates.
The hamlet of Sheldrake is the hippest, as the home of the late Rod Serling, creator of the Twilight Zone. Sheldrake has a distinct Twilight Zone feel, of both being there and not being there.
Congratulations to the good people of Sheldrake Point winery, and thanks for creating such a special place for good food and drink.
Sheldrake Point Winery is on County Road 153 off Route 89 in Ovid. At the signpost up ahead.
submitted for your approval -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wine and Spirits magazine has named Sheldrake among the top 100 wineries in the U.S., and one of the 12 best U.S. value brands.
We happened to stop by the winery yesterday, up the road from a friend's vacation rental. The winery has a beautiful lakeside location, and is accessible by boat. Their restaurant, Simply Red's Bistro, is the most popular vineyard eatery in the region.
Their parking lot is the fullest, with the most out-of-state plates.
The hamlet of Sheldrake is the hippest, as the home of the late Rod Serling, creator of the Twilight Zone. Sheldrake has a distinct Twilight Zone feel, of both being there and not being there.
Congratulations to the good people of Sheldrake Point winery, and thanks for creating such a special place for good food and drink.
Sheldrake Point Winery is on County Road 153 off Route 89 in Ovid. At the signpost up ahead.
submitted for your approval -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Friday, August 14, 2009
Poems On A Blog?
Poetry on an Ithaca blog is near-fetched, in our opinion (in George Carlin's phrase). It is a college town, after all, and college people write a lot of poetry. Mostly enrolled ones rather than alumni, no doubt, but let's change that.
When we were enrolled, we studied with Archie Ammons and Albert Goldbarth, two of the best. Studied is probably too strong a word; we wrote, and had fun.
Recently here we posted a piece about our friend John, "The Most Self-Sufficient Guy in the World." Last night we got up from bed mid-night and wrote the story as a poem. It follows, here.
#
Mettle
A book
one of us had read, about
the bare one hundred things
one needs to live.
- Way too many, said John,
and we all agreed;
so it became a game to see
how many we would count.
Indoor plumbing, permanent press,
said two. My answer
(sure winner for spareness, I thought):
- A source of water, and seeds.
But I never got to say, as John
stopped it with his sum:
- A piece of metal, and
something to sharpen it with.
My answer, from someone who only
spells (like these words, here).
John's, from someone
who casts them.
John, who never
surprises, but amazes,
who always
does so much, requires so little,
gives so much, takes only
what he needs -
Love, I reckon
and all of us
to sharpen it with.
#
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
and J.C.
When we were enrolled, we studied with Archie Ammons and Albert Goldbarth, two of the best. Studied is probably too strong a word; we wrote, and had fun.
Recently here we posted a piece about our friend John, "The Most Self-Sufficient Guy in the World." Last night we got up from bed mid-night and wrote the story as a poem. It follows, here.
#
Mettle
A book
one of us had read, about
the bare one hundred things
one needs to live.
- Way too many, said John,
and we all agreed;
so it became a game to see
how many we would count.
Indoor plumbing, permanent press,
said two. My answer
(sure winner for spareness, I thought):
- A source of water, and seeds.
But I never got to say, as John
stopped it with his sum:
- A piece of metal, and
something to sharpen it with.
My answer, from someone who only
spells (like these words, here).
John's, from someone
who casts them.
John, who never
surprises, but amazes,
who always
does so much, requires so little,
gives so much, takes only
what he needs -
Love, I reckon
and all of us
to sharpen it with.
#
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
and J.C.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Live Old-Time Music, and Newly Located Music Store, on Commons Tonight
As part of the summer live music series on the Commons, tonight at 6 pm the Evil City String Band will perform, with Richie Stearns, Pat Burke, and others.
Pat Burke's brother Steve (yours as ever) will be about a hundred paces away at the new location of his shop, Small World Music, which has moved to Autumn Leaves Used Books, in the basement.
Come see us both.
You can read all about the Small World Music move in this week's Ithaca Times, in an excellent article by Natasha Pickowicz.
Steve Burke
for Small World Music and Ithaca NY Blog
Pat Burke's brother Steve (yours as ever) will be about a hundred paces away at the new location of his shop, Small World Music, which has moved to Autumn Leaves Used Books, in the basement.
Come see us both.
You can read all about the Small World Music move in this week's Ithaca Times, in an excellent article by Natasha Pickowicz.
Steve Burke
for Small World Music and Ithaca NY Blog
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Sidewalk Sale Days Downtown, Aug. 1 - 2
It is good weather today for the sidewalk sale extravaganza downtown this weekend.
Have a look by Autumn Leaves Books and witness the start of our (Small World Music's) relocation there from our old home up West State Street.
Let us know if you need any free tables, chairs, or miscellany that accompanies moves!
Steve Burke
for Small World Music and Ithaca NY Blog
Have a look by Autumn Leaves Books and witness the start of our (Small World Music's) relocation there from our old home up West State Street.
Let us know if you need any free tables, chairs, or miscellany that accompanies moves!
Steve Burke
for Small World Music and Ithaca NY Blog
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Most Self-Sufficient Guy in the World
Have you heard of this new non-fiction book listing the bare 100 items one needs in order to live?
100 seems like a lot to me. I do generally think of myself as a guy who doesn't need much. Not so much out of virtue, but because I don't know how to do much. The most useful thing I learned in school was spelling. I realize other people learned a lot from computer science, engineering, physics, etc., but not me.
Some friends of mine were discussing this book and decided to get it down to the real minimum, a challenge I relished. My answer - a source of water, and seeds - was definitive, I thought.
I never gave this answer, though, as the contest was stopped almost immediately by my great friend John, who knows how to do a lot, but requires little.
His answer was, "a piece of metal and something to sharpen it with."
If you have a worthier answer, please let me know. We'll print it here, and give John something to consider about paring down.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
100 seems like a lot to me. I do generally think of myself as a guy who doesn't need much. Not so much out of virtue, but because I don't know how to do much. The most useful thing I learned in school was spelling. I realize other people learned a lot from computer science, engineering, physics, etc., but not me.
Some friends of mine were discussing this book and decided to get it down to the real minimum, a challenge I relished. My answer - a source of water, and seeds - was definitive, I thought.
I never gave this answer, though, as the contest was stopped almost immediately by my great friend John, who knows how to do a lot, but requires little.
His answer was, "a piece of metal and something to sharpen it with."
If you have a worthier answer, please let me know. We'll print it here, and give John something to consider about paring down.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
"Food, Inc." at Cinemapolis
How can it be that a fast food hamburger costs less than a head of lettuce? That the poorest people in the U.S. are the most obese? That the local supermarket sells apples from New Zealand but not local farms?
It all has to do with a food industry that puts profit ahead of health, as documented in the new film, "Food, Inc."
In the style of Michael Moore's films about the auto, gun, and health industries, "Food Inc." points fingers - not just at industry irresponsibility, but at tax-supported public policies supporting it.
In the style of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth," it provides potential remedies.
"Food, Inc." is showing at the new Cinemapolis theater.
GreenStar Co-op is a sponsor of the screening, and gives a 10%-off coupon for its stores to everyone attending.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
It all has to do with a food industry that puts profit ahead of health, as documented in the new film, "Food, Inc."
In the style of Michael Moore's films about the auto, gun, and health industries, "Food Inc." points fingers - not just at industry irresponsibility, but at tax-supported public policies supporting it.
In the style of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth," it provides potential remedies.
"Food, Inc." is showing at the new Cinemapolis theater.
GreenStar Co-op is a sponsor of the screening, and gives a 10%-off coupon for its stores to everyone attending.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Plenty of Music, July 23 - 26
The music hasn't stopped with GrassRoots. In fact, it's almost like the genie's out of bottle now for swingink summertime.
Thursday 7/23:
Radio London, free on the Commons, 6 pm.
The Small Kings at the Pourhouse in T-burg, 7 pm.
Wingnut, at Castaways. Keir Neuringer opens. 8 pm.
* * *
Fri. 7/24:
Hee Haw Nightmare plays happy hour at Felicia's, 5:30.
Kelly Birtch at the Scalehouse Brew Pub, 23 Cinema Dr., 7 pm.
Makepeace Brothers at Castaways. Keir Neuringer opens. 9 pm.
Urban Horse Thieves at the Lost Dog Lounge, 9 pm.
* * *
Sat. 7/25:
El Caminos and Purple Valley in a benefit for Hospicare, at the Haunt, 5 pm.
Talk Normal and Wingnut with Hank Roberts, Chapter House, 10 pm.
* * *
Sun. 7/26:
Mother Mallard celebrates their 40th birthday with a free performance at the Johnson Museum, 2 pm..
Thursday 7/23:
Radio London, free on the Commons, 6 pm.
The Small Kings at the Pourhouse in T-burg, 7 pm.
Wingnut, at Castaways. Keir Neuringer opens. 8 pm.
* * *
Fri. 7/24:
Hee Haw Nightmare plays happy hour at Felicia's, 5:30.
Kelly Birtch at the Scalehouse Brew Pub, 23 Cinema Dr., 7 pm.
Makepeace Brothers at Castaways. Keir Neuringer opens. 9 pm.
Urban Horse Thieves at the Lost Dog Lounge, 9 pm.
* * *
Sat. 7/25:
El Caminos and Purple Valley in a benefit for Hospicare, at the Haunt, 5 pm.
Talk Normal and Wingnut with Hank Roberts, Chapter House, 10 pm.
* * *
Sun. 7/26:
Mother Mallard celebrates their 40th birthday with a free performance at the Johnson Museum, 2 pm..
Real Life
Not the cars in commute
Not the keyboards and screens
Not the apps and the files
Not the Running Machines
But the birdsong at dawn
And the arc of the light
And the sweet evening kiss
And the dark sacred night.
- turn off, tune out, drop in -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Not the keyboards and screens
Not the apps and the files
Not the Running Machines
But the birdsong at dawn
And the arc of the light
And the sweet evening kiss
And the dark sacred night.
- turn off, tune out, drop in -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Small World Music Is Moving (and having a sale)
Small World Music is moving - from 614 W. State St., to the basement of Autumn Leaves Books, on the Commons.
SWM will be in partnership there with Angry Mom Records, the new music franchisee at Autumn Leaves.
Angry Mom Records is upgrading the record department in Autumn Leaves, with 50,000 titles and new, high standards of curation and customer service.
SWM will join Angry Mom to sell new and used CDs of the most popular as well as hard-to-find varieties, as we have always done.
The move will be complete by the end of July.
Meanwhile, Small World Music is having a moving sale: 20% off everything.
Just mention this post for the sale price.
We hope to see you before we go - and after!
Steve Burke
for Small World Music and Ithaca NY Blog
SWM will be in partnership there with Angry Mom Records, the new music franchisee at Autumn Leaves.
Angry Mom Records is upgrading the record department in Autumn Leaves, with 50,000 titles and new, high standards of curation and customer service.
SWM will join Angry Mom to sell new and used CDs of the most popular as well as hard-to-find varieties, as we have always done.
The move will be complete by the end of July.
Meanwhile, Small World Music is having a moving sale: 20% off everything.
Just mention this post for the sale price.
We hope to see you before we go - and after!
Steve Burke
for Small World Music and Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Small World Music Shuts (Mostly) For GrassRoots Weekend
Small World Music (home of Ithaca Blog) will keep only sporadic hours during GrassRoots Festival. Real sporadic, as in we don't know which. Probably it will be for the first few hours of each day - 11 a.m. til 2 p.m., or so.
We know from past years we will see a few visitors to town, here for the festival, but also wanting to see local landmarks, as it were.
Give us a call at 256-0428 if you need directions or details.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for SWM and Ithaca NY Blog
We know from past years we will see a few visitors to town, here for the festival, but also wanting to see local landmarks, as it were.
Give us a call at 256-0428 if you need directions or details.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for SWM and Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, July 13, 2009
Advance GrassRoots Tickets Still Available at Small World Music
Advance 4-day tickets for GrassRoots are still available at Small World Music on Tuesday 14 July, until whatever time GrassRoots comes to pick them up, which might be some time on Tuesday, or might be Wednesday.
Call Small World Music for details and odds at 607/256-0428.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Call Small World Music for details and odds at 607/256-0428.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
No Confusion About McNamara
There seems to be a lot of unwarranted confusion about the legacy of Robert McNamara, secretary of defense during the Vietnam war, who passed away this week at 93.
How could one among the so-called Best and Brightest, an elite of the meritocracy, have contrived such a misguided, murderous morass? McNamara perpetuated the undertaking long after he recognized -privately - that it was indefensible, and probably illegal.
The reason is simple. He hoped against hope to win -or, more accurately, annihilate his opposition - to avoid prosecution and punishment.
He came close to saying so in his emotional, public appraisals of Vietnam in the last decade of his life. He said he had realized since World War II, when he helped orchestrate the bombings of Japanese civilians, that often the only difference between a crime and a strategy in war was winning. The winners don't face charges.
So there is the simple answer for the years and years of violence in Vietnam, beyond mercy or sanity. McNamara feared for himself and the people he worked for. "Peace with honor" really meant violence until the victims were so broken they could not respond even with calls for accountability. They would consent to simply being left alone.
McNamara is dead and there is no joy in that. As the saying goes, when God puts his hand on a man, we should remove ours. Still, we have a responsibility to know the truth, and learn from mistakes and sins.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
How could one among the so-called Best and Brightest, an elite of the meritocracy, have contrived such a misguided, murderous morass? McNamara perpetuated the undertaking long after he recognized -privately - that it was indefensible, and probably illegal.
The reason is simple. He hoped against hope to win -or, more accurately, annihilate his opposition - to avoid prosecution and punishment.
He came close to saying so in his emotional, public appraisals of Vietnam in the last decade of his life. He said he had realized since World War II, when he helped orchestrate the bombings of Japanese civilians, that often the only difference between a crime and a strategy in war was winning. The winners don't face charges.
So there is the simple answer for the years and years of violence in Vietnam, beyond mercy or sanity. McNamara feared for himself and the people he worked for. "Peace with honor" really meant violence until the victims were so broken they could not respond even with calls for accountability. They would consent to simply being left alone.
McNamara is dead and there is no joy in that. As the saying goes, when God puts his hand on a man, we should remove ours. Still, we have a responsibility to know the truth, and learn from mistakes and sins.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
ABC Cafe Stuff For Sale
Ken Hallett of the ABC Cafe is selling objects from the cafe - from the functional to the collectible. (Among the collectible, a handmade flier - by the performer's own hand? - for a 1992 Ani Difranco show at the cafe ("308 Stuart Avenue"), and the cafe's neon sign).
Call Ken for information: 793-3560.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Call Ken for information: 793-3560.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Friday, July 03, 2009
Visual Arts in Ithaca On Display: "First Friday Gallery Night" Tonight
The visual arts are on display tonight in Ithaca, with another monthly installment in the First Friday Gallery Night series.
Ten downtown galleries, all within easy walking distance of one another, sponsor an "artwalk" of receptions and new exhibits.
The event is from 5 - 8 pm. Information available at http://www.gallerynightithaca.com/.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Ten downtown galleries, all within easy walking distance of one another, sponsor an "artwalk" of receptions and new exhibits.
The event is from 5 - 8 pm. Information available at http://www.gallerynightithaca.com/.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Ithaca Fireworks Are On, As Of 6 PM
We just heard the "boom" set off at the top of every hour if the fireworks show is still in the works.
Of course, things could change by 9:30. But soon the buses will be running (see previous post for details on getting to the show). And they'll be there to get you back, no matter what transpires.
See you there -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Of course, things could change by 9:30. But soon the buses will be running (see previous post for details on getting to the show). And they'll be there to get you back, no matter what transpires.
See you there -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Fireworks, If Weather Works, Thursday 2 July
The forecast is forbidding for the Independence Day fireworks display scheduled for Thursday night in Ithaca.
We don't know the actual chance of rain - we only know it feels like 100%, lately, any given day.
TCAT provides bus service to the show at Ithaca College from the Seneca Street parking structure. Service starts at 6:30, with a bus every 15 minutes. Return service starts immediately after the show and continues until 11:30.
TCAT is definitely the quickest way to and from campus, with priority lanes for bus entrance and exit.
The service is free, though donations for the show are encouraged.
The rain date is Monday the 6th.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We don't know the actual chance of rain - we only know it feels like 100%, lately, any given day.
TCAT provides bus service to the show at Ithaca College from the Seneca Street parking structure. Service starts at 6:30, with a bus every 15 minutes. Return service starts immediately after the show and continues until 11:30.
TCAT is definitely the quickest way to and from campus, with priority lanes for bus entrance and exit.
The service is free, though donations for the show are encouraged.
The rain date is Monday the 6th.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, June 29, 2009
Could Bernie Madoff Not Cheat An Honest Man?
In wondering where Bernie Madoff got the chutzpah to swindle $65 billion from friends and associates, he must have thought they had it coming.
"You can't cheat an honest man," the saying goes. Did any of these people not occasionally suspect they were part of a swindle? Mr. Madoff never gave any information about any investments their profits were coming from, since there were no investments, except investments into his personal lifestyle.
Apparently the swindle is alright with everyone as long as it pays. Someone was getting cheated, but everyone figured it was someone else, which is fair, it seems, in such circles.
We know a lot of hard-working and honest people got caught up in this. We're not saying anyone deserved it, even those who perhaps reckoned it out. We're just speculating, you should pardon the expression, on Madoff's mentality.
The one thing we can't figure out at all is why Mr. Madoff never thought, hey, I could get in a lot of trouble for this.
Maybe it's like smoking. You figure it's going to kill you. But you also figure this particular cigarette is not going to kill you. So, strike a match. Maybe Madoff got ensnared that way: it hasn't hurt me so far. When it starts to, I'll deal with it.
He must have been charming, because he doesn't seem smart. He hired for his defense a lawyer whose parents once invested money with him. He gets a sentence of 150 years. I could have gotten him that. Maybe this particular lawyer, for some reason, wasn't trying too hard.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
"You can't cheat an honest man," the saying goes. Did any of these people not occasionally suspect they were part of a swindle? Mr. Madoff never gave any information about any investments their profits were coming from, since there were no investments, except investments into his personal lifestyle.
Apparently the swindle is alright with everyone as long as it pays. Someone was getting cheated, but everyone figured it was someone else, which is fair, it seems, in such circles.
We know a lot of hard-working and honest people got caught up in this. We're not saying anyone deserved it, even those who perhaps reckoned it out. We're just speculating, you should pardon the expression, on Madoff's mentality.
The one thing we can't figure out at all is why Mr. Madoff never thought, hey, I could get in a lot of trouble for this.
Maybe it's like smoking. You figure it's going to kill you. But you also figure this particular cigarette is not going to kill you. So, strike a match. Maybe Madoff got ensnared that way: it hasn't hurt me so far. When it starts to, I'll deal with it.
He must have been charming, because he doesn't seem smart. He hired for his defense a lawyer whose parents once invested money with him. He gets a sentence of 150 years. I could have gotten him that. Maybe this particular lawyer, for some reason, wasn't trying too hard.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Ithaca Music, June 25 - 28
Thurs. 6/25: It's raining sweet peas and horseshit, as Grandma used to say, which probably puts the kibosh on tonight's free music on the Commons by Jimkata, scheduled for 6 pm. But it should clear up in time for Steve Selin and the Creek Dippers, 7:30 at Six Mile Creek Vineyard; and a 10 pm triple-bill at Castaways, of Driftwood, Hee Haw Nightmare, and Nate & Kate.
* * *
Fri. 6/26: Free music on Cornell's Arts Quad by Sim Redmond Band, 7:30 pm.
Modern rock - not the WVBR kind, but the Brooklyn/Baltimore sort - with Magic Markers, Mouthus, and American Sphinx, at the Lost Dog, 9 pm.
* * *
Sat. 6/27: Boy With A Fish and Mary Lorson at Castaways, 10 pm.
* * *
Sun. 6/28: a winery gig by Urban Horse Thieves, at Americana Vineyards, 4 pm.
Dee Specker and Tres Swing at Maxie's, 6 pm.
Johnny Dowd Project at Felicia's, 7 pm.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
* * *
Fri. 6/26: Free music on Cornell's Arts Quad by Sim Redmond Band, 7:30 pm.
Modern rock - not the WVBR kind, but the Brooklyn/Baltimore sort - with Magic Markers, Mouthus, and American Sphinx, at the Lost Dog, 9 pm.
* * *
Sat. 6/27: Boy With A Fish and Mary Lorson at Castaways, 10 pm.
* * *
Sun. 6/28: a winery gig by Urban Horse Thieves, at Americana Vineyards, 4 pm.
Dee Specker and Tres Swing at Maxie's, 6 pm.
Johnny Dowd Project at Felicia's, 7 pm.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
TCAT To Accept Ithaca Hours
After a meeting last month with the Ithaca Hours Board, TCAT has announced the county's bus system will start accepting Hours for fares.
Details are still unformed. Most likely, Hours will at first be accepted as partial payment for passes, rather than in the fare box.
Time magazine is researching an article on community currencies across the country, and suggests that this is the first collaboration between a community currency and a government entity.
The Time article is scheduled for publication this month.
Developing details about Hours and TCAT will be posted on www.ithacahours.org.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Details are still unformed. Most likely, Hours will at first be accepted as partial payment for passes, rather than in the fare box.
Time magazine is researching an article on community currencies across the country, and suggests that this is the first collaboration between a community currency and a government entity.
The Time article is scheduled for publication this month.
Developing details about Hours and TCAT will be posted on www.ithacahours.org.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Music Writer Jim Catalano Leaves Ithaca Journal
Jim Catalano announced in his music column in today's Ithaca Journal that he is leaving the paper, "due to the continuing cutbacks."
Jim has edited the Journal's weekly "Ticket" entertainment section since 2003, and written about music for the paper since 1992.
Jim has been a major contributor to the local music scene, as a champion of local musicians and venues.
It's a sad and pound-foolish move by the Journal. A lot of local businesses - many of them Journal advertisers - relied on Jim's press. A lot of readers only consistently buy the Journal on Thursdays, for the Ticket.
Jim's work was always constructive, instructive, and comprehensive, and will be missed.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Jim has edited the Journal's weekly "Ticket" entertainment section since 2003, and written about music for the paper since 1992.
Jim has been a major contributor to the local music scene, as a champion of local musicians and venues.
It's a sad and pound-foolish move by the Journal. A lot of local businesses - many of them Journal advertisers - relied on Jim's press. A lot of readers only consistently buy the Journal on Thursdays, for the Ticket.
Jim's work was always constructive, instructive, and comprehensive, and will be missed.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Ithaca Observations By Outsiders
You know how it is, that other people can sometimes see your situation clearer than you can. It goes for cities as well as people, we reckoned, in the midst of a visit this week from some friends who moved away from Ithaca five years ago after a brief tenure here, and were making their first return.
The observations are pedestrian rather than poignant, maybe, but usually we prefer that.
1. There is a lot of good food, close together, in Ithaca. On Tuesday, we bought an early take-away lunch from Collegetown Bagels on Aurora Street. We also wanted some fruit, so we went a block, to GreenStar Oasis in the Dewitt Mall, and got organic peaches and local apples. We noticed that the Farmers Market was setting up at Dewitt Park, so we went there and bought strawberries from an Amish vendor. Then we noticed the beautiful offerings from Macro Mama. So we bought another whole lunch. Why not? Dinner was hours away.
2. Restaurants are noisy. Lost Dog, Viva, and Maxie's all had decibel levels that challenged conversation. At Lost Dog, it was the piped-in music; at Viva, the structure: close-together tables, and brick walls with bad acoustic properties; Maxie's, live music that was a little too amplified (but was ultimately adjusted). On the other hand, Moosewood is quiet - the cafe part, at least, where the seat-spacing is generous. (We discovered there a killer house specialty tea, of ginger, with a splash of lemon and orange juices. We went back for it a second night.)
3. Cops can be genteel. We were misery-lighted down for, oops, driving without lights (at 10:30 pm). The driver, a high-strung type (charmingly so, though) started "shit, shitting" as she pulled over. The passenger, who comes from cops, partly, said, don't worry, just explain it's a rental, and you're unfamiliar with it. All he really wants to know is if you're drinking. (We weren't.) The officer asked for license and registration, and the driver couldn't produce the registration for the rental (for her nerves); so the cop just asked if she had a clean record. She said yes. "You haven't had anything to drink, have you?," he asked. She said no. He said, turn on your lights, and have a nice night.
4. Politics Pervade. There is a Peace and Justice Gift Shop on the Commons. The 10,000 Villages fair-trade franchise in Ithaca is, per capita, the organization's highest-grossing store. Gas stations have organic coffee. Every friend our guests called had to check their meeting schedules, for various political, civic, and volunteer groups, before making plans.
I have a GreenStar meeting to attend now. (True!) And I'll be coming back with triple-filtered water, in a refilled gallon jug, for 25 cents, to brew locally-roasted Gimme coffee in my local/world music shop (oh, yes, another observation: there is a lot of music here).
Thanks to our friends for their good-natured subjecthood -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The observations are pedestrian rather than poignant, maybe, but usually we prefer that.
1. There is a lot of good food, close together, in Ithaca. On Tuesday, we bought an early take-away lunch from Collegetown Bagels on Aurora Street. We also wanted some fruit, so we went a block, to GreenStar Oasis in the Dewitt Mall, and got organic peaches and local apples. We noticed that the Farmers Market was setting up at Dewitt Park, so we went there and bought strawberries from an Amish vendor. Then we noticed the beautiful offerings from Macro Mama. So we bought another whole lunch. Why not? Dinner was hours away.
2. Restaurants are noisy. Lost Dog, Viva, and Maxie's all had decibel levels that challenged conversation. At Lost Dog, it was the piped-in music; at Viva, the structure: close-together tables, and brick walls with bad acoustic properties; Maxie's, live music that was a little too amplified (but was ultimately adjusted). On the other hand, Moosewood is quiet - the cafe part, at least, where the seat-spacing is generous. (We discovered there a killer house specialty tea, of ginger, with a splash of lemon and orange juices. We went back for it a second night.)
3. Cops can be genteel. We were misery-lighted down for, oops, driving without lights (at 10:30 pm). The driver, a high-strung type (charmingly so, though) started "shit, shitting" as she pulled over. The passenger, who comes from cops, partly, said, don't worry, just explain it's a rental, and you're unfamiliar with it. All he really wants to know is if you're drinking. (We weren't.) The officer asked for license and registration, and the driver couldn't produce the registration for the rental (for her nerves); so the cop just asked if she had a clean record. She said yes. "You haven't had anything to drink, have you?," he asked. She said no. He said, turn on your lights, and have a nice night.
4. Politics Pervade. There is a Peace and Justice Gift Shop on the Commons. The 10,000 Villages fair-trade franchise in Ithaca is, per capita, the organization's highest-grossing store. Gas stations have organic coffee. Every friend our guests called had to check their meeting schedules, for various political, civic, and volunteer groups, before making plans.
I have a GreenStar meeting to attend now. (True!) And I'll be coming back with triple-filtered water, in a refilled gallon jug, for 25 cents, to brew locally-roasted Gimme coffee in my local/world music shop (oh, yes, another observation: there is a lot of music here).
Thanks to our friends for their good-natured subjecthood -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Free Movies Tonight at New Cinemapolis
Tonight, Cinemapolis celebrates the opening of its new, bigger theater with free screenings of 5 classic movies.
In betaalphacal order, the movies are The Last Waltz, Little Miss Sunshine, City Lights, Cinema Paradiso, and Chinatown.
Check www.cinemapolis.org for screening times, and details about the new facility, located behind Ithaca Center, on the street level of the Green Street parking structure.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
In betaalphacal order, the movies are The Last Waltz, Little Miss Sunshine, City Lights, Cinema Paradiso, and Chinatown.
Check www.cinemapolis.org for screening times, and details about the new facility, located behind Ithaca Center, on the street level of the Green Street parking structure.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Friday, June 12, 2009
Ithaca Weekend: Outsiders Looking (and Coming) In
We have a couple of friends, ex-Ithacans, visiting this week, and we thought it might be instructive to tell some of what erstwhilers plan to do while here on a long weekend.
Friday 6/12: (1) June Drucker and Friends at Felicia's happy hour, 5:30 pm. (2) NHL Stanley Cup final, and Mets vs. Yankees, at Benchwarmers.
Saturday 6/13: (1) Lunch from GreenStar and Wegman's for trip to Buttermilk Falls. (2) Short winery tour, as far as Sheldrake, at least. (3.)Movie at new Cinemapolis?
Sun. 6/14: The Hold Steady at Castaways, 8 pm.
Mon. 6/15: Benefit Dinner for ABC Cafe, 6 pm.
Tues. 6/16: Maxie's Shuck'n'Jive, with music by Crow Greenspun, 6 pm. Traditional Irish Music at Chapter House, starting at 7 pm.
gia sou -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blo0g
Friday 6/12: (1) June Drucker and Friends at Felicia's happy hour, 5:30 pm. (2) NHL Stanley Cup final, and Mets vs. Yankees, at Benchwarmers.
Saturday 6/13: (1) Lunch from GreenStar and Wegman's for trip to Buttermilk Falls. (2) Short winery tour, as far as Sheldrake, at least. (3.)Movie at new Cinemapolis?
Sun. 6/14: The Hold Steady at Castaways, 8 pm.
Mon. 6/15: Benefit Dinner for ABC Cafe, 6 pm.
Tues. 6/16: Maxie's Shuck'n'Jive, with music by Crow Greenspun, 6 pm. Traditional Irish Music at Chapter House, starting at 7 pm.
gia sou -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blo0g
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Roxana Robinson, Award-Winning Author, Reads in Ithaca, June 20
Acclaimed author Roxana Robinson comes to Buffalo Street Books in Ithaca on Saturday 20 June for a reading and signing of her novel, "Cost", which is newly issued in paperback.
"Cost" was named among best books of the year by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and Washington Post, which named it #1.
"Cost" is the story of an accomplished family in idyllic Maine suddenly confronted with the heroin addiction of a son in Brooklyn.
We find Ms. Robinson's writing elegant and pleasurable even when her subjects are discomforting. The Wall Street Journal says it is "both lyrical and unsentimental" and "of uncommon stature."
We are told that her public readings are, similarly, exceptionally good.
The reading is at 3 pm. For more information, contact Buffalo Street Books - the new name of the Bookery II in the Dewitt Mall.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
"Cost" was named among best books of the year by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and Washington Post, which named it #1.
"Cost" is the story of an accomplished family in idyllic Maine suddenly confronted with the heroin addiction of a son in Brooklyn.
We find Ms. Robinson's writing elegant and pleasurable even when her subjects are discomforting. The Wall Street Journal says it is "both lyrical and unsentimental" and "of uncommon stature."
We are told that her public readings are, similarly, exceptionally good.
The reading is at 3 pm. For more information, contact Buffalo Street Books - the new name of the Bookery II in the Dewitt Mall.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Lou and Peter Berryman: Fun Music at New Venue in Old Church
A folk music duo featuring a guy on guitar and a woman on a piano accordion probably ought to be very serious or else very funny.
Tom Paxton says of Lou and Peter Berryman, "They don't come any funnier." Garrison Keillor of Prairie Home Companion (where they have been repeat guests) calls them "a couple of wonderful songwriters."
L & PB come to Ithaca on Thursday 25 June for a 7:30 pm concert.
Or, actually, to Enfield. Yes, Enfield, at a new performance venue in an old church, at 7 Enfield Center Road West.
The performance is a benefit for the new locale, called the McMillan Art Center.
Tickets are $15 at the door. There are no advance tickets. Cornell Folk Song Society members get a 20% discount.
For more information, check www.mcmillanartcenter.com or www.louandpeter.com, or call 277-3147, or 330-1892.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tom Paxton says of Lou and Peter Berryman, "They don't come any funnier." Garrison Keillor of Prairie Home Companion (where they have been repeat guests) calls them "a couple of wonderful songwriters."
L & PB come to Ithaca on Thursday 25 June for a 7:30 pm concert.
Or, actually, to Enfield. Yes, Enfield, at a new performance venue in an old church, at 7 Enfield Center Road West.
The performance is a benefit for the new locale, called the McMillan Art Center.
Tickets are $15 at the door. There are no advance tickets. Cornell Folk Song Society members get a 20% discount.
For more information, check www.mcmillanartcenter.com or www.louandpeter.com, or call 277-3147, or 330-1892.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Super Sale at Small World Music for Ithaca Blog Readers
From now (3:45 pm Thurs.) through the end of our weekend here at Small World Music (6 pm Saturday), we are offering you, dear Ithaca Blog readers, sale prices of 25% off all new CDs, and 50% off all used CDs, and all LPs.
This means literally thousands of titles, you know. It could really blow your mind. But not your bank account.
The only fine print exception is new CDs by local artists. We can't mess with their monies. But we will take 10 % off local CDs, out of our modest cut.
One more bit of fine print - the sale is for you Ithaca Blog readers, and not advertised anywhere else, including in the store. So, just mention the offer to get it. Ask and receive, so to speak.
We hope to see you here at Small World Music, down the driveway (not facing the street) here at 614 W. State St., between Meadow and Fulton Streets, across the street from Kinko's and Finger Lakes Beverage. You can save enough here to go buy beer and make copies, too.
Steve Burke
for Small World Music
and Ithaca NY Blog
This means literally thousands of titles, you know. It could really blow your mind. But not your bank account.
The only fine print exception is new CDs by local artists. We can't mess with their monies. But we will take 10 % off local CDs, out of our modest cut.
One more bit of fine print - the sale is for you Ithaca Blog readers, and not advertised anywhere else, including in the store. So, just mention the offer to get it. Ask and receive, so to speak.
We hope to see you here at Small World Music, down the driveway (not facing the street) here at 614 W. State St., between Meadow and Fulton Streets, across the street from Kinko's and Finger Lakes Beverage. You can save enough here to go buy beer and make copies, too.
Steve Burke
for Small World Music
and Ithaca NY Blog
Weekend Picks in Ithaca, June 5 - 7
Fri. 6/5:
ABC Cafe has benefit performances tonight and tomorrow for itself, trying to pay off some debts before its closure this month. Tonight is a bayou dance party with Zydeco Trail Riders. 9 pm.
* * *
Sat. 6/6:
GrassRoots favorite and emerging star (or emerged, already) Eilen Jewell, at the Rongovian Embassy, 8 pm.
The Macgillicuddies reunite, at least for the night, at Castaways. 9 pm.
Another benefit performance for the ABC, at the ABC, with Les Forces Atomique, Johnny Dowd, Rocket Morton, Ken Hallett, and Cosmo Alpern. 10 pm.
* * *
Sun 6/7:
Teachers Lounge provides extra incentive for making a foray to the wine trail. At the Americana Winery, which features a comfortable listening room with modest food offerings and good libations. 4 pm.
cheers
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
ABC Cafe has benefit performances tonight and tomorrow for itself, trying to pay off some debts before its closure this month. Tonight is a bayou dance party with Zydeco Trail Riders. 9 pm.
* * *
Sat. 6/6:
GrassRoots favorite and emerging star (or emerged, already) Eilen Jewell, at the Rongovian Embassy, 8 pm.
The Macgillicuddies reunite, at least for the night, at Castaways. 9 pm.
Another benefit performance for the ABC, at the ABC, with Les Forces Atomique, Johnny Dowd, Rocket Morton, Ken Hallett, and Cosmo Alpern. 10 pm.
* * *
Sun 6/7:
Teachers Lounge provides extra incentive for making a foray to the wine trail. At the Americana Winery, which features a comfortable listening room with modest food offerings and good libations. 4 pm.
cheers
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Bikes, Yikes: the Extremes of Expertise
In his new book, "Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities", Jeff Mapes suggests that the growth of biking for ordinary people is thwarted somewhat by the image of bikers as spandexed gearheads obsessed with equipment, paraphernalia, and feats of endurance - more a cult than fellow travelers.
Not that our own personal bike is like an Irish farmer's, which it is, nor that we ride about as fast as one coming from (not going to) the publican's (we're just trying not to make everyone else look shabby). But we understand Mr. Mapes's point.
It hit home today when we saw an ad for a bike on Craigslist. It advertised a Fuji Espree, with "steel-lugged, 45-centimeter frame", "12-speed Sountour ARX derailleurs", and "Dia-compe 500 brakes".
Because we don't know what any of that means, except "brakes," we figured this is probably a $500 vehicle. Right?
Wrong. It is an $80 bike.
To us, these are the specs for an $80 bike:
"White. Wobbly. Upright handlebars, not the curled-over kind. Brakes on handlebars, plus on peddles."
We would feel comfortable buying that. Not the one we have to study on before climbing on.
It reminds us of an interview we read once with Paul McCartney, the prominent bass guitarist, in a specialty magazine for musicians. They asked Mr. McCartney what kind of strings he used.
"Silver, I think," he said.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Not that our own personal bike is like an Irish farmer's, which it is, nor that we ride about as fast as one coming from (not going to) the publican's (we're just trying not to make everyone else look shabby). But we understand Mr. Mapes's point.
It hit home today when we saw an ad for a bike on Craigslist. It advertised a Fuji Espree, with "steel-lugged, 45-centimeter frame", "12-speed Sountour ARX derailleurs", and "Dia-compe 500 brakes".
Because we don't know what any of that means, except "brakes," we figured this is probably a $500 vehicle. Right?
Wrong. It is an $80 bike.
To us, these are the specs for an $80 bike:
"White. Wobbly. Upright handlebars, not the curled-over kind. Brakes on handlebars, plus on peddles."
We would feel comfortable buying that. Not the one we have to study on before climbing on.
It reminds us of an interview we read once with Paul McCartney, the prominent bass guitarist, in a specialty magazine for musicians. They asked Mr. McCartney what kind of strings he used.
"Silver, I think," he said.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, May 28, 2009
J. Robert Lennon: Good Notice For Ithaca Author
J. Robert Lennon is an author living in Ithaca, who writes about it, in a sense, tempered by an imagination that sees mystery and trouble in the mundane life of a small (and officially fictional) upstate town.
His two most recent books, "Castle" and "Pieces For the Left Hand: 100 Anecdotes", received good notice in the NY Times this week.
The Times cites a dichotomy in Lennon's work, calling it both "morbid" and "fun."
Lennon will be interviewed tonight on Out of Bounds With Tish Pearlman, the weekly interview program on WEOS radio. The program will also be archived on the WEOS website.
Lennon is also a musician, recording under the name Inverse Room. His recording "Pieces For The Left Hand: 100 Songs" is advertised as "a musical companion" to his book. It is available at Small World Music, in the store or by mail order.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
His two most recent books, "Castle" and "Pieces For the Left Hand: 100 Anecdotes", received good notice in the NY Times this week.
The Times cites a dichotomy in Lennon's work, calling it both "morbid" and "fun."
Lennon will be interviewed tonight on Out of Bounds With Tish Pearlman, the weekly interview program on WEOS radio. The program will also be archived on the WEOS website.
Lennon is also a musician, recording under the name Inverse Room. His recording "Pieces For The Left Hand: 100 Songs" is advertised as "a musical companion" to his book. It is available at Small World Music, in the store or by mail order.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Ithaca Festival Highlights
Everyone knows, we guess, about the financial woes from the over-reaching Ithaca Festival of 2008.
The Fest is still here, thanks to some massive, active good will and acts of charity. It needs and deserves everyone's support, so by all means, buy a button, smile, and get out there to celebrate our community.
Some highlights, by our lights:
Thursday: The lead event is the Parade, which we think is the hippest part of the whole fest. Not many towns our size have enough going on to throw an hour-long parade in homage to their own character(s), communities, and causes. The parade starts moving south on North Cayuga Street at 6:30. Integral to the parade each year is a happenstance of rain. Be prepared.
* * *
Friday: Irish music doesn't get much reeler or more jiggy than with Traonach. At the Aurora Street Pavilion on the Commons, 4:30.
The TalkToMes play that cockamamie local style in the Bernie Milton Pavilion at 6:30.
Adonai and I scratch that Hebrew-reggae itch. Aurora St., 7:30.
* * *
Saturday: Is it really the return of the Hog Tie Sessions? Bernie Milton Pavilion, 4:30.
Pan-Gypsy music from Gadje, Cayuga Street, 5:30.
Mike Brindisi and the New York Rock, and they do, on Aurora Street, 6:30.
* * *
Sunday, at Stewart Park.
All day long goes a new Jam Tent, featuring varied styles: Folk (noon), Bluegrass(1:00), Old-Time (2:30), Contra (4:00), Cajun (5:30), and Irish (7:00).
Jomo and Johnnycake play jug band music with an assortment of instruments, some they've invented, and a yodeling dog. Small Pavilion, noon.
Jali Jobateh plays Malian music on kora. Large Pavilion, 4 pm.
Ithaca's ambassadors, the Sim Redmond Band, on the Ballpark Stage at 8 pm.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The Fest is still here, thanks to some massive, active good will and acts of charity. It needs and deserves everyone's support, so by all means, buy a button, smile, and get out there to celebrate our community.
Some highlights, by our lights:
Thursday: The lead event is the Parade, which we think is the hippest part of the whole fest. Not many towns our size have enough going on to throw an hour-long parade in homage to their own character(s), communities, and causes. The parade starts moving south on North Cayuga Street at 6:30. Integral to the parade each year is a happenstance of rain. Be prepared.
* * *
Friday: Irish music doesn't get much reeler or more jiggy than with Traonach. At the Aurora Street Pavilion on the Commons, 4:30.
The TalkToMes play that cockamamie local style in the Bernie Milton Pavilion at 6:30.
Adonai and I scratch that Hebrew-reggae itch. Aurora St., 7:30.
* * *
Saturday: Is it really the return of the Hog Tie Sessions? Bernie Milton Pavilion, 4:30.
Pan-Gypsy music from Gadje, Cayuga Street, 5:30.
Mike Brindisi and the New York Rock, and they do, on Aurora Street, 6:30.
* * *
Sunday, at Stewart Park.
All day long goes a new Jam Tent, featuring varied styles: Folk (noon), Bluegrass(1:00), Old-Time (2:30), Contra (4:00), Cajun (5:30), and Irish (7:00).
Jomo and Johnnycake play jug band music with an assortment of instruments, some they've invented, and a yodeling dog. Small Pavilion, noon.
Jali Jobateh plays Malian music on kora. Large Pavilion, 4 pm.
Ithaca's ambassadors, the Sim Redmond Band, on the Ballpark Stage at 8 pm.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
YouTube Film: Timmy Brown at GrassRoots, 2003
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xn1dK7vt1Y
As posted by Timothy's good friend, my brother Patrick.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
As posted by Timothy's good friend, my brother Patrick.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Friday, May 22, 2009
Music in Ithaca, May 22 - 24
Friday 5/22: noted folkie Jamie Notarthomas does a tribute show for Bob Dylan's birthday, a tradition at Castaways. 8 pm.
* * *
Saturday 5/23: There is likely to be music at the gathering for the late Timmy Brown (see previous post), which starts at 3 pm and will likely last late.
Andy Culpepper receives favorable notice in this week's Ithaca Times for his CD of flamenco guitar. He plays at the Smart Monkey Cafe on Elmira Road at 6:30.
Hee Haw Nightmare plays rollicking old time at Castaways. Lazy Devil opens the 9 pm
show.
* * *
Sunday 5/24: Mary Lorson leads a new band, the Soubrettes, at Felicia's, 7 pm.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
* * *
Saturday 5/23: There is likely to be music at the gathering for the late Timmy Brown (see previous post), which starts at 3 pm and will likely last late.
Andy Culpepper receives favorable notice in this week's Ithaca Times for his CD of flamenco guitar. He plays at the Smart Monkey Cafe on Elmira Road at 6:30.
Hee Haw Nightmare plays rollicking old time at Castaways. Lazy Devil opens the 9 pm
show.
* * *
Sunday 5/24: Mary Lorson leads a new band, the Soubrettes, at Felicia's, 7 pm.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Gathering For Timmy Brown, Sat. 23 May
Friends of Timmy Brown will gather in his memory on Saturday 23 May, starting at 3 pm, at the off-site campground of the GrassRoots Festival, on Agard Road, a half-mile east of Route 96.
Everyone is invited, and encouraged to bring food or drink to share.
There will be a bonfire at nightfall.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Everyone is invited, and encouraged to bring food or drink to share.
There will be a bonfire at nightfall.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Timmy Brown, Rest In Peace
We have received a visit and then an e-mail from close friends of Timmy Brown to tell us that Timmy passed away early this morning.
Timmy had been battling the effects of a brain aneurysm, as noted here in Ithaca Blog over the past months.
Recently, reports came from Timmy's caretakers in North Carolina that Timmy had taken a turn for the worse and his prognosis was not good.
Timmy was an influential and beloved musician in Ithaca since the 1970's.
Like many others, we admired Timmy's musicianship and spirit, and were proud to call him friend.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Timmy had been battling the effects of a brain aneurysm, as noted here in Ithaca Blog over the past months.
Recently, reports came from Timmy's caretakers in North Carolina that Timmy had taken a turn for the worse and his prognosis was not good.
Timmy was an influential and beloved musician in Ithaca since the 1970's.
Like many others, we admired Timmy's musicianship and spirit, and were proud to call him friend.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, May 15, 2009
It Takes A Lot To Lead, It Takes Dick Cheney To Mislead
A corollary to the idea that it takes a lot to laugh, but not much to cry (yesterday's discussion) is that it's a lot easier to do bad than good.
Doing good is relatively static and cumulative. It's hard to do a whole lot of noticeable good at once. You can in sports, where with one stroke you can win a contest and make people love you, and they even keep records of it. But of course it's not a very important kind of good.
Doing bad is more immediate. It's explosive. It satisfies itches, from the simple and biological, to the complex and pathological.
Thus, in public life, it is easier to be Dick Cheney than Barack Obama.
Barack Obama is obviously not antithetical to money and power, but his values seem higher, reflecting a background battling poverty and prejudice. His successes have been in spite of challenges, not because of privilege. Against the odds, he went to Harvard Law School. He graduated at the top of his class. He went to work not on Wall Street, but as a community organizer.
That type of character makes it harder to get things done in politics than for a man like Cheney, where lust for money and power fuels a career of destruction, lying, and hate.
Obama is having a hard time finding his way now that he represents insiders at least as much as outsiders. This is why he doesn't support single-payer health care anymore, as he did as a community organizer. Now he has to represent the current health care industry as well as people, and the industry is rather more focused in its demands and its ability to extract them.
It seems the thing for us to do now is to recognize the realities of power, and keep calling out, so Obama might recall his way of old.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Doing good is relatively static and cumulative. It's hard to do a whole lot of noticeable good at once. You can in sports, where with one stroke you can win a contest and make people love you, and they even keep records of it. But of course it's not a very important kind of good.
Doing bad is more immediate. It's explosive. It satisfies itches, from the simple and biological, to the complex and pathological.
Thus, in public life, it is easier to be Dick Cheney than Barack Obama.
Barack Obama is obviously not antithetical to money and power, but his values seem higher, reflecting a background battling poverty and prejudice. His successes have been in spite of challenges, not because of privilege. Against the odds, he went to Harvard Law School. He graduated at the top of his class. He went to work not on Wall Street, but as a community organizer.
That type of character makes it harder to get things done in politics than for a man like Cheney, where lust for money and power fuels a career of destruction, lying, and hate.
Obama is having a hard time finding his way now that he represents insiders at least as much as outsiders. This is why he doesn't support single-payer health care anymore, as he did as a community organizer. Now he has to represent the current health care industry as well as people, and the industry is rather more focused in its demands and its ability to extract them.
It seems the thing for us to do now is to recognize the realities of power, and keep calling out, so Obama might recall his way of old.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Senor Wences Versus Ennui, Via Dylan
Somehow, in the past few weeks, we've twice been asked about the meaning of the Bob Dylan song title, "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry."
Maybe this is not so unusual when one works in a music environment. Certainly it will be much less usual outside such an environ, so it will not exactly be a red-hot service to clarify this matter publicly, but we will do so anyway, as it happens to be raining, and a little slow in this music environment at the moment.
Here's what we wrote on our friend Mike Hanson's "Facebook" page about it. Mike plays banjo, and occasionally puzzles over Bob Dylan.
"It takes a lot to laugh, it takes a train to cry" means that life is essentially sad. How much in life reliably makes us laugh and feel joy? Not much. Senor Wences, and that's about it. But all it takes is something as mundane as a train (lonesome whistle; going away) to make us sad.
So, the more explicit song title would be, "It Takes A Lot To Make One Laugh, Or Feel Life's Joy, But It Takes No More Than the Mere Thought Of an Ordinary Transportation Vehicle, For One Example, To Make Us Feel, Quite Disproportionately, the Fundamental Tragedy of Life"; but that would be too long.
(P.S. Senor Wences was a big guy in my hometown, NYC. The block of 54th Street where he lived is named for him. He died in 1999 at age 103.)
Cf. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YJLGOBLvfE)
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Maybe this is not so unusual when one works in a music environment. Certainly it will be much less usual outside such an environ, so it will not exactly be a red-hot service to clarify this matter publicly, but we will do so anyway, as it happens to be raining, and a little slow in this music environment at the moment.
Here's what we wrote on our friend Mike Hanson's "Facebook" page about it. Mike plays banjo, and occasionally puzzles over Bob Dylan.
"It takes a lot to laugh, it takes a train to cry" means that life is essentially sad. How much in life reliably makes us laugh and feel joy? Not much. Senor Wences, and that's about it. But all it takes is something as mundane as a train (lonesome whistle; going away) to make us sad.
So, the more explicit song title would be, "It Takes A Lot To Make One Laugh, Or Feel Life's Joy, But It Takes No More Than the Mere Thought Of an Ordinary Transportation Vehicle, For One Example, To Make Us Feel, Quite Disproportionately, the Fundamental Tragedy of Life"; but that would be too long.
(P.S. Senor Wences was a big guy in my hometown, NYC. The block of 54th Street where he lived is named for him. He died in 1999 at age 103.)
Cf. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YJLGOBLvfE)
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
A Town Without Cars
The NY Times reports today on Vauban, a German suburb that is acting against the use of cars.
It is, largely, environmental activism. But it also embraces issues of safety, health, and quality of life.
Vauban is a new planned community near Freiburg, in the Black Mountain region of Germany, near the Swiss and French borders.
Freiburg - I've visited - is a lovely, historic town where fountains run water along street curbs for aesthetics and cleanliness.
The streets of Vauban are free of cars, except the main thoroughfare, where a tram also runs. Stores and other amenities are on the streets of the town, rather than in malls.
70 percent of Vauban's families do not own cars.
" 'When I had a car, I was always tense. I'm much happier this way,' " says a Vauban resident quoted in the Times, "as she walked verdant streets where the swish of bicycles and the chatter of wandering children drown out the occasional distant motor."
City planning in the past 50 years has revolved around car use. As a result, as much as 50% of greenhouse gas emissions in cities comes from cars. Vauban hopes to show that, as we created the pollution, we can reverse it with planning.
Until then, we can still change car use from rampant to rare. Or, at least, rarer.
We use our cars so much, partly, because they cost so much. If we're paying $2500 a year for insurance, maintenance, repair, registration, inspection, and depreciation, we're damn sure going to use them.
This is where efforts like Carshare of Ithaca come in, offering partial rather than sole car ownership.
We also use cars to save time. But what does that saved time turn into? Going to the gym to make up for the exercise one doesn't get while driving?
The other main component of car use is, let's admit it, laziness. The desire to get somewhere while sitting down.
Compare that to the idea of walking streets like Vauban's, with children and bikes, birds and trees, and no specters of crashes and death.
Joe McMahon of Ithaca recently posted a comment online about hoping for a day when people are as shocked and upset about a death from a car as from a strain of flu.
Information about Ithaca Carshare is at http://www.ithacacarshare.org/. Also, see the comment linked to this article from a message from Carshare.
Information about public transportation in Ithaca is at http://www.tcatbus.com/.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
It is, largely, environmental activism. But it also embraces issues of safety, health, and quality of life.
Vauban is a new planned community near Freiburg, in the Black Mountain region of Germany, near the Swiss and French borders.
Freiburg - I've visited - is a lovely, historic town where fountains run water along street curbs for aesthetics and cleanliness.
The streets of Vauban are free of cars, except the main thoroughfare, where a tram also runs. Stores and other amenities are on the streets of the town, rather than in malls.
70 percent of Vauban's families do not own cars.
" 'When I had a car, I was always tense. I'm much happier this way,' " says a Vauban resident quoted in the Times, "as she walked verdant streets where the swish of bicycles and the chatter of wandering children drown out the occasional distant motor."
City planning in the past 50 years has revolved around car use. As a result, as much as 50% of greenhouse gas emissions in cities comes from cars. Vauban hopes to show that, as we created the pollution, we can reverse it with planning.
Until then, we can still change car use from rampant to rare. Or, at least, rarer.
We use our cars so much, partly, because they cost so much. If we're paying $2500 a year for insurance, maintenance, repair, registration, inspection, and depreciation, we're damn sure going to use them.
This is where efforts like Carshare of Ithaca come in, offering partial rather than sole car ownership.
We also use cars to save time. But what does that saved time turn into? Going to the gym to make up for the exercise one doesn't get while driving?
The other main component of car use is, let's admit it, laziness. The desire to get somewhere while sitting down.
Compare that to the idea of walking streets like Vauban's, with children and bikes, birds and trees, and no specters of crashes and death.
Joe McMahon of Ithaca recently posted a comment online about hoping for a day when people are as shocked and upset about a death from a car as from a strain of flu.
Information about Ithaca Carshare is at http://www.ithacacarshare.org/. Also, see the comment linked to this article from a message from Carshare.
Information about public transportation in Ithaca is at http://www.tcatbus.com/.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Money, the Cayuga Trail, Eminent Domain, and Money
It is curious, in all the hubbub about some property owners in the West End blocking the development of the Cayuga Trail, and the threats against them of eminent domain, that nobody is mentioning actual money.
We imagine that if a business were offered $500 for a right-of-way through 5 of its parking spots, it might fight. To use another extreme example, in order to make the point, we imagine that if it were offered $5 million, it would offer to help shovel.
Has the city made firm offers to these property owners for the various rights-of-way? Have the property owners made counter-offers?
Are the money matters confidential? If so, it's hard to know who is being reasonable and who isn't. It seems about time to clear the air.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
We imagine that if a business were offered $500 for a right-of-way through 5 of its parking spots, it might fight. To use another extreme example, in order to make the point, we imagine that if it were offered $5 million, it would offer to help shovel.
Has the city made firm offers to these property owners for the various rights-of-way? Have the property owners made counter-offers?
Are the money matters confidential? If so, it's hard to know who is being reasonable and who isn't. It seems about time to clear the air.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
ABC Cafe To Close?
Expatriates of Ithaca might not have gotten the news, reported on the front page of the Ithaca Journal yesterday, that the ABC Cafe, the venerable vegetarian place on Stewart Avenue, may be closing in June.
The ABC opened in 1980. It undertook a major expansion in 1999, and took on two new partners in the past year. Despite these developments, and a longstanding, gritty determination to survive, it seems the end is near.
It's a shame, of course, when any beloved business closes, but this one particularly hurts. The Moosewood is better known, but the ABC is probably the most resolutely Ithacan of eateries, with its Orthodox vegetarianism, international menu, and sense of easy anarchy, from the mismatched tables and chairs to the varied entertainment.
We think it was Hemingway who described the process of going broke as one that happens slowly, then all at once. President Obama has said that things are going to get worse before they get better. The possible - or likely - closing of the ABC seems an example of both.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The ABC opened in 1980. It undertook a major expansion in 1999, and took on two new partners in the past year. Despite these developments, and a longstanding, gritty determination to survive, it seems the end is near.
It's a shame, of course, when any beloved business closes, but this one particularly hurts. The Moosewood is better known, but the ABC is probably the most resolutely Ithacan of eateries, with its Orthodox vegetarianism, international menu, and sense of easy anarchy, from the mismatched tables and chairs to the varied entertainment.
We think it was Hemingway who described the process of going broke as one that happens slowly, then all at once. President Obama has said that things are going to get worse before they get better. The possible - or likely - closing of the ABC seems an example of both.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, April 30, 2009
GrassRoots Performers For 2009
GrassRoots has announced its performers list for the 2009 festival.
Among the new headliners are Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Bela Fleck, Oumou Sangare, Pine Leaf Boys, and Toots and the Maytals.
The full, current list can be seen at www.grassrootsfest.org. The actual schedule is not yet done.
Tomorrow, Friday 1 May, is the final day for the "Early Bird" ticket price of $75 for the four day event. Afterwards, the Advance price is $95.
Tickets are available here at Small World Music, 614 W. State St., down the driveway. We're here 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Please bring cash or check for ticket purchases.
Steve Burke
for Small World Music and Ithaca Blog
Among the new headliners are Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Bela Fleck, Oumou Sangare, Pine Leaf Boys, and Toots and the Maytals.
The full, current list can be seen at www.grassrootsfest.org. The actual schedule is not yet done.
Tomorrow, Friday 1 May, is the final day for the "Early Bird" ticket price of $75 for the four day event. Afterwards, the Advance price is $95.
Tickets are available here at Small World Music, 614 W. State St., down the driveway. We're here 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Please bring cash or check for ticket purchases.
Steve Burke
for Small World Music and Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Pete Seeger Birthday Bash in Ithaca, Sunday 3 May
Music lovers in Ithaca are staging a party to celebrate Pete Seeger's 90th birthday this weekend.
The event is at the Small Pavilion in Stewart Park, from 12 to 6 pm. It is sponsored by the Cornell Folk Song Society, the Bound For Glory radio program, and others.
Pete will not be there in person. We are happy to say he also will not be there in spirit, in the expression that people use about someone dead. Pete is live and kicking, and he will be feted that night by a group of stellar musicians at Madison Square Garden.
Here at Small World Music, we have Pete's autograph on an Ithaca Hour note on our wall. We got it when we traveled to Beacon a few years ago at Pete's request to talk to a community group there about starting their own local currency.
The note is not for sale, but Pete's CDs are, including his release from earlier this year. We also have a number of collectible Seeger LPs at very reasonable prices.
Happy birthday to a great musician, American, and world citizen.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The event is at the Small Pavilion in Stewart Park, from 12 to 6 pm. It is sponsored by the Cornell Folk Song Society, the Bound For Glory radio program, and others.
Pete will not be there in person. We are happy to say he also will not be there in spirit, in the expression that people use about someone dead. Pete is live and kicking, and he will be feted that night by a group of stellar musicians at Madison Square Garden.
Here at Small World Music, we have Pete's autograph on an Ithaca Hour note on our wall. We got it when we traveled to Beacon a few years ago at Pete's request to talk to a community group there about starting their own local currency.
The note is not for sale, but Pete's CDs are, including his release from earlier this year. We also have a number of collectible Seeger LPs at very reasonable prices.
Happy birthday to a great musician, American, and world citizen.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Last Week For GrassRoots "Early Bird" Tickets
This is the final week for discount "Early Bird" tickets to the GrassRoots Festival.
On May 1, the Early Bird price of $75 for the 4-day festival ends, and the cost goes up to $95, until the day of the show, when it again rises.
Tickets are available at Small World Music. We're here from 11 a.m - 6 p.m.
GrassRoots does not give us credit card capacity, so please bring cash or check for payment.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
On May 1, the Early Bird price of $75 for the 4-day festival ends, and the cost goes up to $95, until the day of the show, when it again rises.
Tickets are available at Small World Music. We're here from 11 a.m - 6 p.m.
GrassRoots does not give us credit card capacity, so please bring cash or check for payment.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Friday, April 24, 2009
Plenty of Music, April 24 - 26
It's practically supernatural that, on a weekend when temperate spring emerges, there are so many places to go to hear music and socialize.
Fri. 4/24: Bayou Road Krewe brings the sounds of the southern swamp to the swinging State Street scene of Felicia's happy hour. 5:30 pm.
Andy Culpepper palys flamenco guitar at the Smart Monkey Cafe, 6:30.
John Brown's Body at Castaway's. SOJA is a pretty respectable opening act. 8 pm.
A GrassRoots preview with reggae from the Overtakers, and fiddle tunes from John Specker. At the Rongo, 9 pm.
A big quadruple bill at the Lost Dog: Urban Horse Thieves, Hee Haw Nightmare, ZipWire, and Steve Gollnick. 9 pm.
* * *
Sat. 4/25: Emma's Revolution in a Cornell Folk Song Club show at 165 McGraw Hall, 8 pm. Discount advance tickets available at Small World Music.
Boy With A Fish at the Chapter House, 10 pm.
* * *
Sun. 4/26: "Healthy Food For All" benefit at Castaways, 3 pm, with Hee Haw Nightmare, Evil City String Band, The Talktomes, and Thousands of One.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Fri. 4/24: Bayou Road Krewe brings the sounds of the southern swamp to the swinging State Street scene of Felicia's happy hour. 5:30 pm.
Andy Culpepper palys flamenco guitar at the Smart Monkey Cafe, 6:30.
John Brown's Body at Castaway's. SOJA is a pretty respectable opening act. 8 pm.
A GrassRoots preview with reggae from the Overtakers, and fiddle tunes from John Specker. At the Rongo, 9 pm.
A big quadruple bill at the Lost Dog: Urban Horse Thieves, Hee Haw Nightmare, ZipWire, and Steve Gollnick. 9 pm.
* * *
Sat. 4/25: Emma's Revolution in a Cornell Folk Song Club show at 165 McGraw Hall, 8 pm. Discount advance tickets available at Small World Music.
Boy With A Fish at the Chapter House, 10 pm.
* * *
Sun. 4/26: "Healthy Food For All" benefit at Castaways, 3 pm, with Hee Haw Nightmare, Evil City String Band, The Talktomes, and Thousands of One.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Of Course, Obama Wants To Prosecute Cheney
As a partisan, patriot, decent person and, especially, as the one who has to clean up the horrific messes of the Bush administration around the world, there is probably no one who would like Dick Cheney prosecuted more than Barack Obama.
But, as a politician, he knows the last thing he should do is even hint at that.
In baseball, they call it tipping your pitch. In boxing, telegraphing your punch.
President Obama's job is to build the case, quietly. No doubt his able and energetic inner circle is at work on it.
Obama went to the CIA to publicly absolve the underlings who carried out the Bush/Cheney orders for torture.
This does not relax Cheney and his cohorts. Just the opposite. If the new administration were concerned with expediency rather than justice, it would go after a few little guys, and wrap it up.
That isn't happening.
Obama's adminstration will spring when the time is right. The time is right when the public makes it right.
Keep up the pressure. Obama will strike when he can say he has no choice.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
But, as a politician, he knows the last thing he should do is even hint at that.
In baseball, they call it tipping your pitch. In boxing, telegraphing your punch.
President Obama's job is to build the case, quietly. No doubt his able and energetic inner circle is at work on it.
Obama went to the CIA to publicly absolve the underlings who carried out the Bush/Cheney orders for torture.
This does not relax Cheney and his cohorts. Just the opposite. If the new administration were concerned with expediency rather than justice, it would go after a few little guys, and wrap it up.
That isn't happening.
Obama's adminstration will spring when the time is right. The time is right when the public makes it right.
Keep up the pressure. Obama will strike when he can say he has no choice.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Record Store Day at Small World Music
This Saturday is National Record Store Day. At Small World Music (physical home of Ithaca Blog), we don't have any events per se, but we do have a sale.
All new items are 10% off. All used items are 20% off.
For all you vinyl people (many have been writing us about this Day), the 20% level includes all our vinyl. We have hundreds of LPs at $1 each. We also have collectibles and hard-to-finds, from rock and roll to blues, reggae,, folk, bluegrass, jazz, international, etc.
Small World Music is down the driveway at 614 W. State Street. Hours are 11 - 6, Tuesday through Saturday. Phone is 256-0428.
Steve Burke
for Small World Music and Ithaca Blog
All new items are 10% off. All used items are 20% off.
For all you vinyl people (many have been writing us about this Day), the 20% level includes all our vinyl. We have hundreds of LPs at $1 each. We also have collectibles and hard-to-finds, from rock and roll to blues, reggae,, folk, bluegrass, jazz, international, etc.
Small World Music is down the driveway at 614 W. State Street. Hours are 11 - 6, Tuesday through Saturday. Phone is 256-0428.
Steve Burke
for Small World Music and Ithaca Blog
Saturday, April 11, 2009
NY Times Poll: Grateful Dead Show At Cornell Best Ever
The erstwhile Grateful Dead are touring again - now known simply as the Dead, with the death of Jerry Garcia (though logically, perhaps they should be the Grateful).
It might not be a big deal to a lot of people, but it apparently is to NY Times readers, who have made the Dead story the paper's #1 e-mailed feature.
If you go to the story, you can vote for the Grateful Dead's #1 show of all time. Even if you don't know or care, you can do a civic act by voting for their show at Cornell on 8 May 1977. Currently, in fact, that show is polling #1 by a comfortable margin.
Here on Ithaca Blog, you can also read the fascinating story (a first-hand account) of how one could gain admittance to that show with a sandwich from Tennessee. Just go to the "Search Blog" space at the top of this page, and search for "Tennessee sandwich." You'll see the posting, from the 30th anniversary of the show, May 2007. (You'll also see this posting again, as we just used the phrase "Tennessee sandwich" here. Twice.)
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
It might not be a big deal to a lot of people, but it apparently is to NY Times readers, who have made the Dead story the paper's #1 e-mailed feature.
If you go to the story, you can vote for the Grateful Dead's #1 show of all time. Even if you don't know or care, you can do a civic act by voting for their show at Cornell on 8 May 1977. Currently, in fact, that show is polling #1 by a comfortable margin.
Here on Ithaca Blog, you can also read the fascinating story (a first-hand account) of how one could gain admittance to that show with a sandwich from Tennessee. Just go to the "Search Blog" space at the top of this page, and search for "Tennessee sandwich." You'll see the posting, from the 30th anniversary of the show, May 2007. (You'll also see this posting again, as we just used the phrase "Tennessee sandwich" here. Twice.)
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Easter Joke
This is one of our favorite theological anecdotes. (Ellen Grady's, too. )
It actually takes place on a Holy Thursday, which is today.
It's 5 o'clock and St. Peter is wrapping it up for the day at the gates in Heaven. He checks in with God.
"Well, busy day," St. Peter says. "We were hoping to get out of here on time, with the holiday and all. Then, a minute ago, three guys show up from Brooklyn.
"They're wiseguys. Professional hitmen. Hundreds of murders. They're here because they were setting a bomb on a guy's car and it blew up on them.
"I think we can knock this one right out. Open-and-shut, straight consignment to Hell." He looks at his clipboard. "Any problem?"
God says, "Well, I understand you wanting to get home, with the big weekend, but I'm feeling especially merciful today, with Easter here.
"So, I tell you what let's do. Not to keep you too long, just ask these guys one question: 'What Is Easter?' If even one of them can I.D. it, he has an inkling of redemption, and we'll save their souls."
"You're the boss," says St. Peter.
St. Peter heads back to the gate, where the three guys are waiting. "Alright," he says, "you guys are getting a break like you wouldn't believe. If one of you can explain what the holiday of Easter is, you're all saved."
The first guy, Tony, steps forward. "Hey, I know what Easter is. It's a big holiday every winter. This big fat guy flies around the world in a cart with reindeers and gives out presents to the good little girls and boys."
"Wrong," says St. Peter.
The next guy, Fat Tony, steps up. "Hey, hold up, I know Easter. It's a holiday every summer, and everybody has hots dogs and hamburgers and lights off firecrackers."
"Sorry," says St. Peter.
"What are yous, nuts?," says the last guy, Big Fat Tony. "You're getting us killed here. I know what Easter is. They take a guy and nail him up on a big cross. Am I right?," he says.
"Keep going," says St. Peter.
"Yeah," says Big Fat Tony. "So the guy dies and they bury him in a cave. He stays in there three days. Then, on the third day, it turns out he's okay, and he comes out."
"Good," says St. Peter.
"Yeah," says Big Fat Tony. "He comes out of the cave, and he looks around. And then, if he don't see his shadow," ...
#
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
It actually takes place on a Holy Thursday, which is today.
It's 5 o'clock and St. Peter is wrapping it up for the day at the gates in Heaven. He checks in with God.
"Well, busy day," St. Peter says. "We were hoping to get out of here on time, with the holiday and all. Then, a minute ago, three guys show up from Brooklyn.
"They're wiseguys. Professional hitmen. Hundreds of murders. They're here because they were setting a bomb on a guy's car and it blew up on them.
"I think we can knock this one right out. Open-and-shut, straight consignment to Hell." He looks at his clipboard. "Any problem?"
God says, "Well, I understand you wanting to get home, with the big weekend, but I'm feeling especially merciful today, with Easter here.
"So, I tell you what let's do. Not to keep you too long, just ask these guys one question: 'What Is Easter?' If even one of them can I.D. it, he has an inkling of redemption, and we'll save their souls."
"You're the boss," says St. Peter.
St. Peter heads back to the gate, where the three guys are waiting. "Alright," he says, "you guys are getting a break like you wouldn't believe. If one of you can explain what the holiday of Easter is, you're all saved."
The first guy, Tony, steps forward. "Hey, I know what Easter is. It's a big holiday every winter. This big fat guy flies around the world in a cart with reindeers and gives out presents to the good little girls and boys."
"Wrong," says St. Peter.
The next guy, Fat Tony, steps up. "Hey, hold up, I know Easter. It's a holiday every summer, and everybody has hots dogs and hamburgers and lights off firecrackers."
"Sorry," says St. Peter.
"What are yous, nuts?," says the last guy, Big Fat Tony. "You're getting us killed here. I know what Easter is. They take a guy and nail him up on a big cross. Am I right?," he says.
"Keep going," says St. Peter.
"Yeah," says Big Fat Tony. "So the guy dies and they bury him in a cave. He stays in there three days. Then, on the third day, it turns out he's okay, and he comes out."
"Good," says St. Peter.
"Yeah," says Big Fat Tony. "He comes out of the cave, and he looks around. And then, if he don't see his shadow," ...
#
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Binghamton Shootings: Easy Guns
With the shooting deaths yesterday in Binghamton, there has been much media speculation about the mental state of the killer, but little to how he got the guns.
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence rates New York State only 51 on a scale of 100 for safe gun policies.
Except for New York City, with its stringent controls, handgun registrations are permanent, not renewed - unlike, for instance, car registrations and driver's licences.
Records are kept on handgun sales, but there is no state system to automatically identify a gun owner who has committed a crime or otherwise become ineligible to possess a gun.
New York City leads the way in controlling access to murder weapons, with its re-registrations, and its policy of needs assessment for handguns. The rest of the state is overdue in following.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence rates New York State only 51 on a scale of 100 for safe gun policies.
Except for New York City, with its stringent controls, handgun registrations are permanent, not renewed - unlike, for instance, car registrations and driver's licences.
Records are kept on handgun sales, but there is no state system to automatically identify a gun owner who has committed a crime or otherwise become ineligible to possess a gun.
New York City leads the way in controlling access to murder weapons, with its re-registrations, and its policy of needs assessment for handguns. The rest of the state is overdue in following.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Call State Theater For Free Amy Goodman Tix
The State Theater will save people a trip to their box office and, with a phone call, reserve free tickets for tonight's appearance by Amy Goodman - "if you're sure you're coming," we were told.
We are, and they did.
Call the theater at 27-STATE to reserve tickets for the 7 pm event.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
We are, and they did.
Call the theater at 27-STATE to reserve tickets for the 7 pm event.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Amy Goodman and Glenn Greenwald Speak At State Theater, Tues. 31 March
Amy Goodman of the "Democracy Now" news broadcast and blogger Glenn Greenwald will appear at the State Theater this Tuesday, 31 March, at 7 pm, to receive the first annual "Izzy" Award from Ithaca College for pioneering journalists.
The award is named for the late independent journalist I.F. "Izzy" Stone.
Admission is free, but tickets are required. The free tickets are available at the State Theater box office.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The award is named for the late independent journalist I.F. "Izzy" Stone.
Admission is free, but tickets are required. The free tickets are available at the State Theater box office.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Ithaca in DC Protest Online
Local views, including text and video, of the recent DC rally against war in the Middle East are now available at http://www.tompkinsagainstwar.org/.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, March 27, 2009
Ein Klein Beruhmtheit For Ithaca in Germany, Through Ithaca Hours
Joerg Pfeiffer, a video journalist from Germany's "Der Spiegel" magazine, came to Ithaca this week on a cross-country trip he is documenting about notable places in the U.S.
His main focus was Ithaca's local currency, Ithaca Hours.
The video, viewable at http://km42.spiegel.de/, features interviews at Alternatives Federal Credit Union, Silk Oak Clothing, and Small World Music. There is also footage of Ithaca Bakery, GreenStar, Autumn Leaves Books, and Cayuga Medical Center - all Hours participants - as well as the Commons, Stewart Park, Cascadilla Creek, and area neighborhoods.
The Ithaca Hours website usually averages about 100 hits a day. Today it is about one per minute.
Danke and gut Arbeit, Joerg -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog & Hours
His main focus was Ithaca's local currency, Ithaca Hours.
The video, viewable at http://km42.spiegel.de/, features interviews at Alternatives Federal Credit Union, Silk Oak Clothing, and Small World Music. There is also footage of Ithaca Bakery, GreenStar, Autumn Leaves Books, and Cayuga Medical Center - all Hours participants - as well as the Commons, Stewart Park, Cascadilla Creek, and area neighborhoods.
The Ithaca Hours website usually averages about 100 hits a day. Today it is about one per minute.
Danke and gut Arbeit, Joerg -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog & Hours
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Is Your Facebook Information Being Marketed?
You know those fun little quizzes you take on Facebook about your real biological age, or who you were in another life?
With permission you give in order to take these quizzes, the information you provide becomes legal for sale to marketers, drug companies and, presumably, anyone willing to pay for it.
You might consider it personal that you take antidepressants, have two drinks a day, are sexually active, or consider your marriage unhappy. But you lose your right to privacy about such information when you provide it to these online quizzes, and companies such as Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and others are buying it.
Has your own personal information been compiled for marketing? Thirty-seven guesses, as an old teacher of mine used to say about simple questions.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
With permission you give in order to take these quizzes, the information you provide becomes legal for sale to marketers, drug companies and, presumably, anyone willing to pay for it.
You might consider it personal that you take antidepressants, have two drinks a day, are sexually active, or consider your marriage unhappy. But you lose your right to privacy about such information when you provide it to these online quizzes, and companies such as Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and others are buying it.
Has your own personal information been compiled for marketing? Thirty-seven guesses, as an old teacher of mine used to say about simple questions.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Alash Meets the Evil City String Band at the Lost Dog Lounge
It sounds like a wrestling card or a grade-B movie. But it is actually a fine and unique amalgam of world music, presented in Ithaca this Friday, 27 March .
It is a bill that spans the globe. Alash is a group of cowboys from Mongolia who sing in an eerie but captivating style called throat singing. From the diaphragm and throat, the singers create multiple notes simultaneously. The sound, once assimilated by the listener, reveals sounds of nature as its ultimate inspiration. Like traditional American cowboys, these men spend a lot of time in remote country, and their art reflects that.
Rounding out the worldly tableau is Ithaca's own Evil City String Band. To Alash, maybe this music sounds exotic. But it has similar strains of remote, country lonesomeness, tempered by jubilation that comes because it has to.
The double bill is presented at the Lost Dog Lounge at 8 pm. Tickets are $15 and will probably sell out for the small venue, so get yours soon. They are available at Small World Music.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
It is a bill that spans the globe. Alash is a group of cowboys from Mongolia who sing in an eerie but captivating style called throat singing. From the diaphragm and throat, the singers create multiple notes simultaneously. The sound, once assimilated by the listener, reveals sounds of nature as its ultimate inspiration. Like traditional American cowboys, these men spend a lot of time in remote country, and their art reflects that.
Rounding out the worldly tableau is Ithaca's own Evil City String Band. To Alash, maybe this music sounds exotic. But it has similar strains of remote, country lonesomeness, tempered by jubilation that comes because it has to.
The double bill is presented at the Lost Dog Lounge at 8 pm. Tickets are $15 and will probably sell out for the small venue, so get yours soon. They are available at Small World Music.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Distracted From Our Lives
Today brings news that four major cities in Michigan are losing daily newspapers to insolvency, as Denver and Seattle have recently.
Many papers in the Gannett chain are said to be in trouble, including the Ithaca Journal.
Buying a newspaper is now old-fashioned as a system of communication. On-line is quicker and cheaper.
It is not necessarily better. The New York Times is a worthy site. So is the website of the "Democracy Now" broadcast by Amy Goodman.
There are not many others, especially considering the amount of time people spend on line. Much of what is offered is distraction - attractive, but empty.
Much media is also largely repetitive, with the 24/7 news cycle. The stories one hears on NPR are much the same in content and tone from one day to the next. Similarly, the guests and topics on even such commendable efforts as the Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann shows repeat from night to night.
Old-fashioned newspapers - the type that are fading away - dealt with local issues, of interest to a defined audience. Today, websites and other media have essentially limitless audiences, so the content is less specific - and so, ultimately, less useful to any particular place, or any community other than "virtual."
Maybe that's all we'll be left with soon, as we get less news about the real world, and more about created ones.
Sandra Day O'Connor made the point in the New York Times recently that most Americans cannot name the three branches of the American government, much less what they do. Probably a greater percentage has discussed, in the past week, the new format changes on Facebook.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Many papers in the Gannett chain are said to be in trouble, including the Ithaca Journal.
Buying a newspaper is now old-fashioned as a system of communication. On-line is quicker and cheaper.
It is not necessarily better. The New York Times is a worthy site. So is the website of the "Democracy Now" broadcast by Amy Goodman.
There are not many others, especially considering the amount of time people spend on line. Much of what is offered is distraction - attractive, but empty.
Much media is also largely repetitive, with the 24/7 news cycle. The stories one hears on NPR are much the same in content and tone from one day to the next. Similarly, the guests and topics on even such commendable efforts as the Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann shows repeat from night to night.
Old-fashioned newspapers - the type that are fading away - dealt with local issues, of interest to a defined audience. Today, websites and other media have essentially limitless audiences, so the content is less specific - and so, ultimately, less useful to any particular place, or any community other than "virtual."
Maybe that's all we'll be left with soon, as we get less news about the real world, and more about created ones.
Sandra Day O'Connor made the point in the New York Times recently that most Americans cannot name the three branches of the American government, much less what they do. Probably a greater percentage has discussed, in the past week, the new format changes on Facebook.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Learn About Ithaca Hours, and Some Italian, on YouTube
An hour-plus video about Ithaca Hours, the local money, by Italian filmmakers
has been edited down to a digestible ten minutes on YouTube.
You can find the interview with Hours board president Stephen Burke (yes, the same) by searching on YouTube for Qui New York Libera Monete.
The interview is presented in English, with Italian subtitles. So you can learn a little lingo at the same time. Italian reads well, although of course spoken it is among the loveliest of languages. Maybe the next version will be dubbed.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Hours and Blog
has been edited down to a digestible ten minutes on YouTube.
You can find the interview with Hours board president Stephen Burke (yes, the same) by searching on YouTube for Qui New York Libera Monete.
The interview is presented in English, with Italian subtitles. So you can learn a little lingo at the same time. Italian reads well, although of course spoken it is among the loveliest of languages. Maybe the next version will be dubbed.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Hours and Blog
Protest in DC: As Often, With As Many, As It Takes
We don't know how many people are at the anti-war rally in DC right now, with no comprehensive coverage of it on line yet.
We were surprised to see no mention of the rally at all in the Washington Post.
There are at least 100 Ithacans there. We congratulate and thank Nevin Sabet and her colleagues who organized bus and van transportation there from Ithaca.
The message for President Obama is clear: stop the war. Today it is loud and clear, we hope.
Every three days, Americans numbering more than the population of Ithaca lose their jobs. In the same three day span, the U.S. spends $2.5 billion on this war, now in its seventh year.
Now - right now - is the time for Mr. Obama to use his considerable talents and authority to end the war. Nothing else is as important. Only two months into his tenure, he is receiving that message. Let's hope he is also getting it.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
We were surprised to see no mention of the rally at all in the Washington Post.
There are at least 100 Ithacans there. We congratulate and thank Nevin Sabet and her colleagues who organized bus and van transportation there from Ithaca.
The message for President Obama is clear: stop the war. Today it is loud and clear, we hope.
Every three days, Americans numbering more than the population of Ithaca lose their jobs. In the same three day span, the U.S. spends $2.5 billion on this war, now in its seventh year.
Now - right now - is the time for Mr. Obama to use his considerable talents and authority to end the war. Nothing else is as important. Only two months into his tenure, he is receiving that message. Let's hope he is also getting it.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A Few Seats Available on Van From Ithaca to DC Protest
The bus from Ithaca to DC for a march on the Pentagon this weekend has filled, but organizers have contracted for two vans more. At this writing, there are 10 seats left.
The trip starts at midnight Friday the 20th to arrive in DC early Saturday, and returns to Ithaca Saturday night.
Round-trip fare is approximately $50, with a sliding scale. You can call Small World Music for information and reservations: 256-0428.
Here is information about the event for the organizers' literature:
March on the Pentagon, Saturday March 21
From Iraq to Afghanistan to Palestine, Occupation Is A Crime
March 21 marks the 7th anniversary of the war in Iraq. As the war in Afghanistan escalates and the situation in Gaza worsens, it is crucial for those opposing war to speak. Join us in an historic protest telling President Obama that war and occupation under his direction are unacceptable.
#
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The trip starts at midnight Friday the 20th to arrive in DC early Saturday, and returns to Ithaca Saturday night.
Round-trip fare is approximately $50, with a sliding scale. You can call Small World Music for information and reservations: 256-0428.
Here is information about the event for the organizers' literature:
March on the Pentagon, Saturday March 21
From Iraq to Afghanistan to Palestine, Occupation Is A Crime
March 21 marks the 7th anniversary of the war in Iraq. As the war in Afghanistan escalates and the situation in Gaza worsens, it is crucial for those opposing war to speak. Join us in an historic protest telling President Obama that war and occupation under his direction are unacceptable.
#
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
In England, Maeve Binchy Discovered Her Irishness
We don't let St. Patrick's Day go so easily, around here.
We saved for today these excerpts from an essay the Irish writer Maeve Binchy wrote for the New York Times on her calling. Like James Joyce and others, she had to leave home to discover the treasure of her own voice.
I have extracted the excerpts rather freely - that is, cloddishly, for expediency. You can see the whole piece on the NY Times site simply by searching "Maeve Binchy." It was published on 4 November 2002.
The Irish don't really think about writing, it is just a natural extension of what we do all the time, which is talking. In Ireland talk was always great, any old kind of talk.
Why be anywhere unless you could say something? Why pause and wait for an important thought to arrive? Suppose it didn't arrive?
When I moved to England, I knew I presented a bit of a problem to them because of all this incessant talking. Particularly at bus stops. In Ireland it is discourteous not to greet your fellow travelers as you wait. In London it is something done only by the insane.
If you address people at a London bus stop, they think you are going to follow them home and live with them, and they begin to panic and move away. Similarly, if you wait in a line for theater tickets or to be served in a store, Irish manners would insist that you talk briefly to whoever is beside you. English manners demand that you stare ahead as if you were alone in the middle of a hundred-acre field.
Those amazing etiquette books that advise four talkers and four listeners at a dinner party have no place in this land. Where would you find the listeners? And why invite them anywhere?
#
We hope you had a good St. Patrick's Day with much laughter and talk. Any old kind of talk.
Stephen Patrick Burke
for Ithaca Blog
We saved for today these excerpts from an essay the Irish writer Maeve Binchy wrote for the New York Times on her calling. Like James Joyce and others, she had to leave home to discover the treasure of her own voice.
I have extracted the excerpts rather freely - that is, cloddishly, for expediency. You can see the whole piece on the NY Times site simply by searching "Maeve Binchy." It was published on 4 November 2002.
The Irish don't really think about writing, it is just a natural extension of what we do all the time, which is talking. In Ireland talk was always great, any old kind of talk.
Why be anywhere unless you could say something? Why pause and wait for an important thought to arrive? Suppose it didn't arrive?
When I moved to England, I knew I presented a bit of a problem to them because of all this incessant talking. Particularly at bus stops. In Ireland it is discourteous not to greet your fellow travelers as you wait. In London it is something done only by the insane.
If you address people at a London bus stop, they think you are going to follow them home and live with them, and they begin to panic and move away. Similarly, if you wait in a line for theater tickets or to be served in a store, Irish manners would insist that you talk briefly to whoever is beside you. English manners demand that you stare ahead as if you were alone in the middle of a hundred-acre field.
Those amazing etiquette books that advise four talkers and four listeners at a dinner party have no place in this land. Where would you find the listeners? And why invite them anywhere?
#
We hope you had a good St. Patrick's Day with much laughter and talk. Any old kind of talk.
Stephen Patrick Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Monday, March 16, 2009
"St. Patrick's Day Four" Film at Cinemapolis, March 17 & 18
Cinemapolis will screen "The Trial of the St. Patrick's Day Four," a documentary about the Ithaca peace activists Peter DeMott, Clare Grady, Teresa Grady, and Danny Burns, on St. Patrick's Day, Tuesday the 17th, at 7 pm.
With a large crowd expected following the untimely death of Pete Demott last month, a second screening was announced today, for the following night, also at 7 pm.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
With a large crowd expected following the untimely death of Pete Demott last month, a second screening was announced today, for the following night, also at 7 pm.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, March 13, 2009
Music in Ithaca, March 13 - 15 (and a bit beyond)
Friday 3/13: Andy Culpepper plays flamenco guitar at the Smart Monkey Cafe on Elmira Road. 6:30 pm.
Mu-Tron Warriors and Solstice play Afro-beat and funk staples and originals at Castaways, 9 pm.
* * *
Saturday 3/14: The return of alt-country rockers Hubcap, at the Chapter House, 9 pm.
* * *
Sunday 3/15: The George Reed Trio plays trad jazz at Maxies, 6 pm.
* * *
Heads-up for next week: a couple of non-Celtic bands try St. Patrick's Day music next Tuesday: the Hogwashers at Maxie's, 6 pm; and the Orbiting Art Ensemble at the Lost Dog Lounge, 9:30. For the tried-and-true, there is a Traditional Irish Session at the Chapter House, 7 pm.
Friday, 27 March, Tuvan throat-singers Alash come to the Lost Dog Lounge, with opening act (from considerably nearer) the Evil City String Band. Advance tickets are $15. Fewer than 100 are available for this intimate venue, so quick action is recommended. Tickets are available at Small World Music.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Mu-Tron Warriors and Solstice play Afro-beat and funk staples and originals at Castaways, 9 pm.
* * *
Saturday 3/14: The return of alt-country rockers Hubcap, at the Chapter House, 9 pm.
* * *
Sunday 3/15: The George Reed Trio plays trad jazz at Maxies, 6 pm.
* * *
Heads-up for next week: a couple of non-Celtic bands try St. Patrick's Day music next Tuesday: the Hogwashers at Maxie's, 6 pm; and the Orbiting Art Ensemble at the Lost Dog Lounge, 9:30. For the tried-and-true, there is a Traditional Irish Session at the Chapter House, 7 pm.
Friday, 27 March, Tuvan throat-singers Alash come to the Lost Dog Lounge, with opening act (from considerably nearer) the Evil City String Band. Advance tickets are $15. Fewer than 100 are available for this intimate venue, so quick action is recommended. Tickets are available at Small World Music.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Two Questions About the Bathroom
Cleaning the apartment the other day brought forth two questions about household plumbing.
1. Why does the bathroom sink have an outflow slot to prevent overflowing, but the kitchen sink doesn't?
2. Why is "cleaning" the toilet no more than putting cleanser in the toilet, swirling it around and scrubbing with a brush, and flushing? It's better than nothing, but essentially you are trying to get something clean using toilet bowl water.
Why not heat up some water in the tea kettle and pour it into the toilet for this scrubbing? We use hot water to clean everything else - why not for the germiest thing in the house?
I talked to my friend JD and told her about this brain attack. She didn't wait too long before saying, "Now I know you are really crazy."
I don't think so. I know it is an odd thing to think about, but there was the toilet, and there was I, and there was the cold toilet water. And then there was the bathroom light bulb over my head.
I wouldn't have thought of it at all had I been thinking about the tax forms in the kitchen I was supposed to be working on. But of course generally no one cleans the house except when they're supposed to be doing something else they want to do even less.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
1. Why does the bathroom sink have an outflow slot to prevent overflowing, but the kitchen sink doesn't?
2. Why is "cleaning" the toilet no more than putting cleanser in the toilet, swirling it around and scrubbing with a brush, and flushing? It's better than nothing, but essentially you are trying to get something clean using toilet bowl water.
Why not heat up some water in the tea kettle and pour it into the toilet for this scrubbing? We use hot water to clean everything else - why not for the germiest thing in the house?
I talked to my friend JD and told her about this brain attack. She didn't wait too long before saying, "Now I know you are really crazy."
I don't think so. I know it is an odd thing to think about, but there was the toilet, and there was I, and there was the cold toilet water. And then there was the bathroom light bulb over my head.
I wouldn't have thought of it at all had I been thinking about the tax forms in the kitchen I was supposed to be working on. But of course generally no one cleans the house except when they're supposed to be doing something else they want to do even less.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Small World Music Featured In "Tompkins Weekly"
We're grateful at Small World Music for the article in the new issue of Tompkins Weekly that features our business - a local, independent music store.
(The picture of us was not the daffiest-looking they took, probably. We look a little Cheshire-catty, but we could look worse.)
As the article notes, "Burke makes sure to have music by artists performing shows in town, such as Sharon Jones and Emmylou Harris." Right now, that also includes George Thorogood and Joan Baez.
"At the same time," reporter Stephen Kimball continues, "he offers the latest releases. That includes recent Grammy-winners Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, and Pete Seeger." Right now, it also includes U2, Neko Case, Fleet Foxes, Animal Collective, and Van Morrison's new re-working of "Astral Weeks."
The article concludes, very simply, "Shop there." Nice!
Thanks again, Mr. Kimball, and photographer Skip Thorne.
Steve Burke
for Small World Music and Ithaca Blog
(The picture of us was not the daffiest-looking they took, probably. We look a little Cheshire-catty, but we could look worse.)
As the article notes, "Burke makes sure to have music by artists performing shows in town, such as Sharon Jones and Emmylou Harris." Right now, that also includes George Thorogood and Joan Baez.
"At the same time," reporter Stephen Kimball continues, "he offers the latest releases. That includes recent Grammy-winners Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, and Pete Seeger." Right now, it also includes U2, Neko Case, Fleet Foxes, Animal Collective, and Van Morrison's new re-working of "Astral Weeks."
The article concludes, very simply, "Shop there." Nice!
Thanks again, Mr. Kimball, and photographer Skip Thorne.
Steve Burke
for Small World Music and Ithaca Blog
Modest George Thorogood at State Theater Tonight
As noted here on a recent post, there have been a lot of benefit concerts in town lately, even for our perennially cause-oriented populace.
So tonight could be a good change of pace as veteran guitar-slinger George Thorogood comes to town with his band, the Destroyers, with no agenda other than loud but light-hearted rock and roll.
Thorogood and band - nee the Delaware Destroyers, from greater Wilmington - emerged from that smallest of states with modest ambition, entertaining bar crowds with covers of Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and blues songs.
The landscape widened with a record contract and some hit songs, still heard on radio today. The first was an amalgam of two songs by John Lee Hooker. Another was a faithful version of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love."
Under pressure from his record label to write some material, Thorogood protested. "Why should I try to write songs when Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley already wrote them all?," he said.
When he tried, he had some success. The material sounds a lot like his mentors. But this is not unusual in art, nor commerce.
However modest his reach, he is good at what he does, and has been doing it a long time with essentially the same band he started with, 30 years ago.
The show comes to the State tonight at 8.
Small World Music is featuring GT & the DD's Greatest Hits CD, and CD/DVD, along with a number of the band's old LP's.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
So tonight could be a good change of pace as veteran guitar-slinger George Thorogood comes to town with his band, the Destroyers, with no agenda other than loud but light-hearted rock and roll.
Thorogood and band - nee the Delaware Destroyers, from greater Wilmington - emerged from that smallest of states with modest ambition, entertaining bar crowds with covers of Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and blues songs.
The landscape widened with a record contract and some hit songs, still heard on radio today. The first was an amalgam of two songs by John Lee Hooker. Another was a faithful version of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love."
Under pressure from his record label to write some material, Thorogood protested. "Why should I try to write songs when Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley already wrote them all?," he said.
When he tried, he had some success. The material sounds a lot like his mentors. But this is not unusual in art, nor commerce.
However modest his reach, he is good at what he does, and has been doing it a long time with essentially the same band he started with, 30 years ago.
The show comes to the State tonight at 8.
Small World Music is featuring GT & the DD's Greatest Hits CD, and CD/DVD, along with a number of the band's old LP's.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Weekend Music, March 6 - 8
Friday 3/6: Joan Baez is celebrating 50 years as a performer with a tour and a new CD. Her State Theater show is her only appearance in upstate New York. It will be crowded. 8 pm.
"Iraqi Oud Masters Together" is a great example of thinking globally and acting locally. The show is a benefit for a local effort to help Iraqi refugees - particularly, Iraqis who acted as tranlators and interpreters for American forces in Iraq, and now need help extracting themselves and their families from danger there.
Yair Dalal and Rahim Alhaj play the oud, the classic stringed instrument of Middle Eastern music. The music is transporting in an aesthetic way - the cause in a practical way.
Tickets are $24 and all proceeds go to the Iraqi Refugee Assistance Connection of Ithaca. The show is at 8 pm, at the Unitarian Church downtown. Tickets are available at Small World Music and the Ithaca Guitar Works.
* * *
Sat. 3/7: Canadian folk band Tanglefoot are on a farewell tour after 25 years. They play at 8 pm at Sage Chapel at Cornell in a Cornell Folk Song Society show. Tickets are available at Small World Music, $15, or at the show for $17.
The Gunpoets create an original blend of hip-hop and reggae that plays out as energetic dance music. At the Chapter House, 10 pm.
* * *
Sun. 3/8: Ithaca Underground presents a triple bill at No Radio Records on E. Seneca Street: Why The Wires and Quietime from Ithaca, and Microwaves, from Pittsburgh. 7 pm. $5 cover.
The Johnny Dowd show (his band, Black Elastic) scheduled for Felicia's tonight has been cancelled.
Babik plied their gypsy jazz at the State Theater, previously. Tonight, they play around the corner, at the Lost Dog Lounge. 9 pm.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
"Iraqi Oud Masters Together" is a great example of thinking globally and acting locally. The show is a benefit for a local effort to help Iraqi refugees - particularly, Iraqis who acted as tranlators and interpreters for American forces in Iraq, and now need help extracting themselves and their families from danger there.
Yair Dalal and Rahim Alhaj play the oud, the classic stringed instrument of Middle Eastern music. The music is transporting in an aesthetic way - the cause in a practical way.
Tickets are $24 and all proceeds go to the Iraqi Refugee Assistance Connection of Ithaca. The show is at 8 pm, at the Unitarian Church downtown. Tickets are available at Small World Music and the Ithaca Guitar Works.
* * *
Sat. 3/7: Canadian folk band Tanglefoot are on a farewell tour after 25 years. They play at 8 pm at Sage Chapel at Cornell in a Cornell Folk Song Society show. Tickets are available at Small World Music, $15, or at the show for $17.
The Gunpoets create an original blend of hip-hop and reggae that plays out as energetic dance music. At the Chapter House, 10 pm.
* * *
Sun. 3/8: Ithaca Underground presents a triple bill at No Radio Records on E. Seneca Street: Why The Wires and Quietime from Ithaca, and Microwaves, from Pittsburgh. 7 pm. $5 cover.
The Johnny Dowd show (his band, Black Elastic) scheduled for Felicia's tonight has been cancelled.
Babik plied their gypsy jazz at the State Theater, previously. Tonight, they play around the corner, at the Lost Dog Lounge. 9 pm.
have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
March 21 March On the Pentagon: Bus From Ithaca
A march on the Pentagon is planned for Saturday 21 March to oppose more war in the Middle East.
On the sixth anniversary of the disastrous invasion of Iraq, Americans are awake to the futility and costs of war as a response to trouble in the region. Fewer than half of Americans who give President Obama favorable ratings approve of his plan to send 17,000 troops to Afghanistan. 82% of Afghanis oppose it.
A bus will make a round-trip from Ithaca to DC for the protest, leaving Ithaca at 4 a.m. and returning at 10 p.m. The cost is $60, subject to sliding scale.
More information about the trip is available at the web site www.tompkinsagainstwar.org.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
On the sixth anniversary of the disastrous invasion of Iraq, Americans are awake to the futility and costs of war as a response to trouble in the region. Fewer than half of Americans who give President Obama favorable ratings approve of his plan to send 17,000 troops to Afghanistan. 82% of Afghanis oppose it.
A bus will make a round-trip from Ithaca to DC for the protest, leaving Ithaca at 4 a.m. and returning at 10 p.m. The cost is $60, subject to sliding scale.
More information about the trip is available at the web site www.tompkinsagainstwar.org.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
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