It may have been last century, but it wasn’t that many years ago when the Christmas season started on Thanksgiving. Then Santa Claus began appearing immediately after Halloween. And before long the malls all decked their halls the day after Labor Day…
Now the same thing is happening to other — how shall we say it? — less-portentous holidays such as St. Patrick’s Day.
This year the actual saint’s day falls on a perfectly good weekend day, Sunday, March 17. But the Syracuse St, Patrick’s Day Parade will roll down South Salina Street eight days before that, on Saturday, March 9.
As a result, festivities which should’ve been relegated to the third weekend in March will stretch out over two consecutive weekends. Must be the luck o’ the Irish!
Anyhow, right here in the village they’re celebrating Patrick’s success against snakes on Saturday, March 9, at The Retreat. Not only will Liverpool’s best restaurant serve up specialties such as Irish stew and corned-beef-and-cabbage, the busy bistro has also booked a live band, Prime Time, set to play at 10 p.m.; Retreatrestaurant.com; 457-6358.
Prime Time live!
Vocalist and drummer Paul Valentino founded Prime Time 17 years ago. The rollickin’ rock octet – performing from 10 p.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at The Retreat – currently features keyboardist Bob Caraher, guitarist Tom Hillenbrand, saxophonist Brian Bird, trumpeter Tom Machuga, drummer Lenny Milano, bassist Ric Brush. And if we’re lucky, part-time Prime Time singer Jennifer Covert will grace us with her gorgeous voice.
Whether it’s Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Rascal Flatts or Maroon 5, Valentino and the band put plenty of energy and passion into their performances.
Even though Prime Time will celebrate St. Patty’s Day eight days early, the band’s mid-March appearance at The Retreat may bode well for future entertainments. The restaurant already hosts lots of live music during the summer months on its outdoor patio. It would be so great if the place switched off the digital jukebox one night a week year-round in favor of flesh-and-blood musicians kickin’ out the jams!
Hobin rocks on
Rock’n’roll will forever be identified with passions of youth, but that doesn’t stop aging rockers from strummin’ and shakin.’
The Todd Hobin Band – led by one of Central New York’s most durable rock artists – is one of five regional combos nominated for a Syracuse Area Music Award in the category of best rock recording of 2012.
In fact, the title of the band’s disc boldly proclaims, “It’s Not Over.”
It’s certainly not over for Hobin who started the band in Potsdam in 1974, disbanded it in the 1980s and reunited it in the 21st century. Over the years the THB took the stage more than 3,000 times at nightclubs and concert halls across the Northeast while issuing four albums.
The Sammy-nominated combo includes Hobin, guitarist-keyboardist Doug Moncrief, guitarist Bruce Fowler, bassist Brett Hobin and drummer Shawn Hobin.
Although Todd Hobin’s now in his sixth decade, he recently took a job as an adjunct instructor of music and audio engineer at Le Moyne College. Meanwhile, he continues to write and produce TV and radio commercials and audio books at Todd Hobin Studios, 8417 Oswego Road, Baldwinsville, just northwest of Liverpool.
Most of the 10 tracks on “It’s Not Over” were waxed at the B’ville studio. The songs are all original compositions including “Please Peace,” “Let It All Go” and “Who Still Loves You?”
The Hobin Band will find out if they’ll take home a trophy at the 2013 Sammy Awards show, at 7 p.m. Friday, March 8, at the Palace Theater, 2384 James St., in Eastwood. Tickets cost $20.
