A panel exhibit curated by the Onondaga Historical Association hangs in Coyne Lobby during Syracuse Stage’s production of “Caroline or Change,” which runs through Feb. 26, at Syracuse Stage, 820 East Genesee St. The musical by Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori is set in Lake Charles, La., in 1963.
“The exhibit covers local reactions and events relative to that pivotal year in our country’s history,” said OHA Executive Director Gregg Tripoli.
Photos and other artifacts recall the civil rights movement, urban renewal and JFK’s assassination. “It makes note of the fact that President Kennedy was buried in a locally manufactured Marsellus casket,” Tripoli said.
The display – sponsored by Green & Seifter Attorneys – strengthens the connection between the audience and the production of “Caroline, or Change.” After the musical’s run here, the exhibit will move to OHA, 321 Montgomery St., downtown, where it will be displayed for several months before touring Onondaga County Public Libraries. For OHA info, call 428-1864; cnyhistory.org.
“Caroline, or Change” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23; 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25; and closes at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. Ticket prices range from $18 to $50; 443-3275; SyracuseStage.org.
Music: Jazzuits with Nancy Kelly
Scat singer supreme Nancy Kelly vocalizes along with the Le Moyne College Jazzuits at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at James Commons, at Le Moyne College, off Salt Springs Road. Admission is free; 445-4523.
Bop vocalist Mark Murphy calls Nancy Kelly, “The Anita O’Day of today.” Kelly’s most recent disc is “Well, Alright” featuring saxophonist Houston Pearson.
‘Future roots music’
John Brown’s Body, the rockin’ reggae band from Ithaca, performs at 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Westcott Theater, 524 Westcott St., on Syracuse’s East Side.
The eclectic nine-piece band blends styles ranging from funk to dub, from soul to ska. Having recovered from vocal cord surgery in 2008, bandleader Elliot Martin has infused the band with an exciting edge of electronica.
JBB’s new direction has been aided by the efforts of their live-sound engineer, Jocko Randall, who recorded the band’s recent efforts at his More Sound studio here in Syracuse. The octet’s most recent discs include “Pressure Points,” “Amplify” and Re-Amplify.”
Admission to Saturday’s show costs $15 in advance or $18 at the door; 424-4973; thewestcotttheater.com.
Hammond jammin’
The incomparable sound of the Hammond B3 organ will be celebrated at the 8th annual Hammond Jammin,’ concert starting at 12:30 p.m., Upstairs at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, 246 S. Willow St., at the corner of South Franklin, downtown. Admission is fee;
Sponsored by Atlantic Vintage Hammond and Leslie Rental & Repairs as part of the 27th annual Syracuse Winterfest, Hammond Jammin’ will feature local keyboardists such as Bill Barry and Michael Davis.
Good times roll March 2
Mardi Gras may be over, but the party continues at the Palace Theater when Louisiana accordionist Buckwheat Zydeco lets the good times roll at 8 p.m. Friday, March 2, at the Palace Theater, 2384 James St., in Eastwood. Professor Louie & The Cromatix will open the show, and a cash bar is available.
Tickets are available at Sound Garden in Armory Square for $25, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit West & Southside PEACE, Inc.; brownpapertickets.com/event/225904; 263-2254.
Best Bets Stage
Kramer play opens March 2
Jeff Kramer’s new full-length comedy “Reaching for Marsby” opens at 8 p.m. Friday, March 2, at the BeVard Studio at the Mulroy Civic Center, 411 Montgomery St., downtown. Shows are also scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday, March 3, 4 p.m. Sunday, March 4, and March 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18. Tickets cost $22; 435-2121.
The play, directed by Len Fonte, focuses on a brash, bumbling American actor, played by Mark Eischen, who ventures to England for the proverbial “one last shot.” His misadventures at a financially strapped, provincial theater pay off in hilarious and surprising ways. Eischen starred in Kramer’s first play and is known throughout the region as “Just Married Mark” (formerly “The Single Guy”) on WNTQ-FM 93Q. The cast also features Moe Harrington, Kris Rusho, Michael O’Neill, Karis Wiggins, Brendon Cole and Peter Moller.
Ice Hockey: Crunch welcome Devils
The Syracuse Crunch continues its 2011-12 American Hockey League season with a home games at 7:30 p.m. Friday against the Albany Devils at downtown’s Onondaga County War Memorial, State and Harrison streets.
The Syracuse skaters are presently in fourth place in the AHL’s East Division.
The Crunch is affiliated with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, while the Albany squad is the AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. Ticket prices for home games range from $14 to $21; 473-4444.
