Andrea Miceli and Moss will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 9, at Sitrus on the Hill, at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel. An amazingly versatile quintet, Moss can play tunes from the 1940s through the 1990s; andreamiceliandmoss.com.
CNY Jazz Central hosts the Friday-evening series called Jazz @ Sitrus which will present Mark Hoffmann and Swing This on March 23. Jazz @ Sitrus continues April 13, April 27, May 11, May 25, June 1 and June 15.
The Sheraton University Hotel is located at 801 University Ave., on the SU Hill; admission is free; 475-3000.
Symphony swings
When more than 60 musicians swing collectively, the overall effect can take your breath away.
So take a deep breath and hold onto your hat when the Symphony Syracuse performs “Hometown Big Band” in collaboration with the Stan Colella Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at the Crouse Hinds Concert Theater at the Mulroy Civic Center, 411 Montgomery St. in downtown Syracuse. Ticket prices range from $10 to $50; 476-7372.
Among the treasured tunes will be “Back Beat Boogie,” “Embraceable You” and “Take the A Train,” all arranged by the late Calvin Custer.
Crookston gets quirky
Joe Crookston knows he’s an anomaly. “I’m performing quirky folk music in an ‘American Idol’ world,” he said.
The Ithaca-based singer-songwriter known for his meticulous musicianship and charismatic stage presence will appear at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at the Westcott Community Center, 826 Euclid Ave., at the corner of Westcott Street, on Syracuse’s East Side. Saturday’s concert is hosted by The Folkus Project. Admission costs $15, or $12 for WCC members. For reservations, call 440-7444; folkus.org.
Crookston – who plays guitar, clawhammer banjo, fiddle, mandolin and accordion – will showcase tunes from his new CD, “Darkling & The Bluebird Jubilee.” The title tune is pure Crookston, a mesmerizing blend of cynicism, struggle and transcendence. Other tracks include “Caitlin at the Window,” “Good Luck John” and “The Nazarene.”
Ceili rains
Syracuse songwriter Bob Halligan fronts his ambitious Celtic combo, Ceili Rain, at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at Robinson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 126 S. Terry Road, in Syracuse; Tickets cost $14 at the door, or $12 in advance; 468-2509. An Irish supper will be served after the show; robinsonmem.org
Besides Halligan, Ceili Rain features fiddler Diamond Joe Davoli, guitarist Raymond Arias, piper Burt Mitchell, bassist Kevin De Souza and drummer Bill Bleistine. The groups’ newest disc is 2011’s “Manuka Honey.”
Rhythm-Airs
Led by trumpeter Maureen Clum, the Rhythm-Airs big band performs swing standards from 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday, at McNamara’s Pub, 5600 Newport Road, in Camillus; $5/per person, $7/per couple; food and drinks available; 672-8872.
Rohde blows
The John Rohde Trio featuring keyboardist Rick Montalbano, vibist Jimmy Johns and the saxophonist-leader performs at 7 p.m. every Wednesday at Pastabilities, 311 S. Franklin St., in downtown Syracuse’s Armory Square; free admission; 474-1153.
One of the great things about Rohde’s sessions is that you never know who may show up to jam. Keep an eye out for the likes of Joe Carello, Tom Bronzetti and Jane Monheit.
Stage: ‘The Drunkard’ sings!
Bro Herrod and Barry Manilow take audiences back to a simpler time in “The Drunkard,” a whimsical musical about the good, the bad and the besotted.
Based on the world-famous melodrama by W.H.S. Smith, “The Drunkard” will be performed by the Baldwinsville Theatre Guild at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10, at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at 8 p.m. March 16, and closes at 7:30 p.m. March 17, at the Presbyterian Education Center, 64 Oswego St., Baldwinsville.
Directed by Jon Barden and Deborah Taylor, the musical stars Ceara Windhausen, Mary Tall, Jon Wright, Patrick Bridenbaker and Denise Ballou as Carrie Nation.
Complimentary desserts and hot beverages will be served at intermission. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $17 for students; seniors can see the show for $17 at the Sunday, March 11, matinee only; 877-4183; baldwinsvilletheatreguild.org.
‘Mermaid’ swims
Love blooms between a woman of the sea and a handsome prince as the Magic Circle Children’s Theatre ensemble performs “The Little Mermaid” at 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, through April 28, at the Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 N. Clinton St., near the Inner Harbor. The stage show is based on the fairy tale written in 1836 by Danish poet Hans Christian Anderson. Tickets cost $5; 449-3823.
