Friday, July 31, 2009

Powers Park on Saturday Night:

If you enjoy good 'power rock,' check out Mike & the Monsters on the Neil Kelleher Stage at Powers Park on Saturday. This group is the real deal. The Monsters played both the 2008 River St. Arts Festival & Uncle Sam Jam, to very vocal and enthusiastic crowds last season. They promise to offer up more of the same this year for Troy citizens.
Powers Park is located at 110th -111th St. & Second Ave. Showtime is at 6 p.m. Please Bring your own lawn chairs. For a full schedule of upcoming shows visit, www.troyny.gov

I Had a Great Time in Troy Tonight:

If you haven't been to a Troy Night Out Yet, you're really missing a good time. This incredibly successful event, the brainchild of the Downtown Business Collaborative, has really brought Troy back to life on the last Friday of every month. All the shops are open and running specials, there's bands, and street entertainers. Large crowds of people wading through the streets, with smiles coming from every direction. The smell of the restaurants cooking for the large crowds visiting their establishments, permeates the streets. It is sometimes overwhelming for a lifelong resident like myself, to see the city so alive again. Kudos to the organizers of Troy Night Out!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Marcie Haskell:

Marcie Haskell passed away yesterday. If you were involved, or are active with a neighborhood group,this woman should be praised, as her group, Trojans For Troy, really started it all. Marcie's activism was sincere and true, with sometimes a comical element added to get her point across.
One thing that she did about around the turn of this century always sticks out in my mind. You may remember when 'term limits' were a hotbed issue around 8 years ago. Politicians were attempting to overturn this law, which was put in place by the voters a decade before. Marcie, Marcia Pascarella, Fran Pomiber, and Janet Roberts, all members of the Trojan group, wore 'pig noses, and clown wigs to a public hearing on the issue. I still have that page from The Record in a scrapbook. Marcie never cared what party you were in, her concern was what was best for the citizens of Troy. She lit into both Democrats and Republicans, both publicly, and privately.
Marci and I had our differences over the years, but I'm happy that our last few conversations were positive ones. Being she attended probably more city council meeting, and public hearings then anyone in the history of this city, I hope in the new city hall, they dedicate one seat up front at the new council chambers to her memory. Opportunist politicians who are reading this, feel free to steal my idea!

Now I don't know how Marcie is going to handle Heaven with no slum lords, vacant buildings, or political shenanigans to yell about. And if Marcie is reading The Record online up there in the clouds, my message to her is, relax Marcie - you've earned it!

Tonight at Powers Park:

The Neil Kelleher Stage at Powers Park will be 'Movin Out' tonight with a performance by the incredible Billy Joel tribute band, Stormfront. Returning to Lansingburgh for the first time in three years, crooner Mike O' Brien stated, "I'm looking forward to returning to Troy as the crowds there are always large, and enthusiastic to say the least." The group packed Powers Park three seasons ago and put on an amazing show, much to the delight of everyone who attended.
Pastor Richard Scheau, who lives across the street from the park, even came out on his front step for this show! Stormfront has been touring the US in recent months, covering the Eastern Seaport to the southern states. 'O Brien added, It's good to be coming home, and Troy's a great place to start things off in New York. We've also added some new material to our song list, which I'll be trying out tonight"
The weather actually looks like it's going to cooperate with us tonight, so come on out and, "Enjoy Troy!" Stormfront promises to make the evening a memorable one.

Powers Park is located at 110th - 111th St. & Second Ave. Food & beverages are available at the park. No alcohol or dogs are allowed. Showtime is at 6:00 p.m.

********** Concert Advisory ***************
IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR IN TROY - PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE POLITICIANS AT THE SHOWS.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Elvis Coming to Powers Park:

Make me a up a big ol batch of peanut butter and nana sandwich's Pricilla, cause Elvis is coming to the Neil Kelleher Stage at Powers Park on Saturday evening.
Paul Hunt, a.k.a. Little Elvis comes to town to perform a two hour tribute of the real King of Pop, Rock, and Blues. Paul Hunt as Little Elvis, has been amazing crowds across the nation for 4 decades now, and even had a meeting with Presley back in 1971. The King gave the young performer some words of encouragement that day, along with a silk scarf as a memento.
Paul recently performed for a fund raising benefit, held at the 'Burgh Boat Club, and literally brought the house down with his dead on rendition of The King.
The show begins at 6 p.m. A 50/50 raffle will be held, benefiting the upcoming (Sept 13) Uncle Sam Parade. Food, beverages, and ice cream are available at this free show. Additional information on this and other Powers Park shows is available at, www.troyny.gov
Blues Wax, & Folk Wax magazine editor, Don Wilcock will be Co-hosting the show.

Follow this blog every Saturday afternoon for show status updates, due to the recent unstable weekend weather we've been experiencing. Catholics reading this, please put out the rosary beads in the back yard.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Positively Wonderful at Positively 4th:

I ran into my pal Artie Fredette today and he was all excited over his musical lineup for the weekend at Positively 4th St. Friday night features a performance by local rock legend, Chris Busone. If you enjoy great guitar playing, check out this guy. He's been a large part of the local music scene for three decades, and is a phenomenal guitarist. Chris put on a sterling performance recently at Troy's Riverfest last month, that still has people talking about it. Saturday show features the Troy based duo, Simple Theory, featuring Maurizio and the dynamic, Brittany Robichaud. playing both covers of popular tunes, and original material, the duo aims to please -- and always succeeds! They will also be performing at the Troy Pig Out this coming Sunday afternoon.
Just one more way to "Enjoy Troy" this weekend.

It's Roller Derby Time Again:

Troy's going to be a very busy city this weekend. Troy Pig Out, Powers Park Concerts, and the Hellions of Troy playing a home bout at the Frear Park Thunderdome.
The Hellions of Troy professional roller derby team takes on Slaughter City, looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking defeat last month against Long Island. The girls have vowed to take out their frustrations on their next opponent, promising all who attend to expect the unexpected on Saturday.
Door at the Thunderdome open at 6 p.m., with the bout beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased either at brownpapertickets.com, or in Troy City Hall at the Parks and Recreation Department office. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, $3.00 for children, and $10 for adults.

Gooooooooooo Hellions!


Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Rockin on the River Tonight:

Tonight at Rockin on the River, Blues for Breakfast comes to town for a Grateful Dead tribute. Rockin on the River is a free show held each Wednesday, featuring national acts performing right behind Ryan's Wake on River St. River view dining and seating are available on the outside decks of both Browns Brew Pub & Ryan's Wake. Food and drink are available at either of these establishments, and Jose Malone's.Or just bring a lawn chair and sit outside, adjacent to the Hudson River, with food, drink, ice cream and fried dough available stage side.
It's a beautiful day, so join us tonight and Enjoy Troy!

Free Rabies Clinic in Lansingburgh:

The Rensselaer County Department of Health will be hosting a rabies clinic, free for Rensselaer County residents on Thursday, July 16, at the 115th St. Firehouse.
Time: Cats / Ferrets -- 5 - 6pm & Dogs from 6-7 p.m.
Cats/Ferrets must be in a carrier, and dogs must be on a leash. The Heath Department also asks that you bring your animals last vaccination record with you.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Powers Park Concerts Begin:

The Powers Park Concert Series kicks off on Saturday, July 11, beginning at 6 p.m. Now in it's sixth season, the popular series comes in with possibly its strongest lineup to date.
Blue Hand Luke starts things off with a bang, being they are one of the premier, party/dance bands in the Capital Region. Comprised of some of the most veteran musicians in the area, Blue Hand Luke always leaves a crowd asking for more.
Led by master saxophonist, Luke McNamee, the band covers an impressive selection of artist with dead on accuracy. Dueling guitarist, Joe (Monster) Mele, and Charlie (Fast Fingers) Morris are like watching a guitar clinic with their precision solo's and showmanship. Lead singer Tommy Love, prowls the stage with panther like moves reminiscent of Mick Jagger. The groups Italian rhythm section of Jimmy Capella and Peter Vumbaco keep things rolling along with one of the finest keyboardest ever to grace the area stages, Tony (Magic Man) Perino.
So bring your dancing shoes and join us for all the fun at historic Powers Park.

Powers Park is presented by the City of Troy. It is supported in part by, Beverage Barn, Northeast Shuttle, Snowman Ice Cream, Badass Buritto, Troy Uniformed Firefighters, Meissner Travel, and the Tri City Valley Cats. Media sponsors include the Record, Our Towne Magazine, B95.5fm & Magic 100.9fm.
Powers Park is located at 110th-111th St. & Second Ave. in Troy. Additional Information can be found at, www.troyny.gov
Come and Enjoy Troy!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Upcoming Memorial Golf Tournament:

On Saturday, July 25 2009, the Cunningham Family will host the David Cunningham Memorial Golf Tournament, at the Frear Park Municipal Golf Course in Troy. Organizers are seeking $50 'hole sponsors', with 18 holes available for sponsorship.Proceeds from the event will benefit St. Joseph's food pantry. Organizers are also soliciting donations for prizes and awards. Cost is $90 per golfer, and $20 per non-golfer, which includes dinner with beer.
The tournament begins at 11 a.m. with a lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers and salads - with a 12:30 shotgun start on the links. At 5 p.m. there will be a Pig Roast, prepared by the Park Pub.

Contact Amy Smith at, 518 330-2944 for information. Or e-mail Amy at, Harley02girl@gmail.com

Money Saving Tip:

Driving through Troy today, I was paying close attention to the gas prices at local stations. The cheapest I found was at Gendrons' Pit Stop on 5th Ave, at 125th St. Consider this posting as a stimulus to your wallet!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Wednesday Fun In Troy:

Rockin on the River is back on Wednesday evening to help you get over that mid-week hump. Held behind Troy's mini stretch of bars and restaurants on River St., just north of the Green Island Bridge, the event has grown in popularity, attracting patrons from all over the Capital Region along with concert goers from Vermont and Massachusetts.
The show kicks off at 5:00 p.m. with a performance by Albany based Lynch. Playing a blend of hip hop, and funk, they've gained a reputation as a crowd pleasing jam band, fronted by former members of Albany favorite Conehead Buddha, Terry & Shannon Lynch.
Boston Massachusetts favorite, Hi8us takes to the stage at 6:30 p.m., introducing Troy to its funk-rock-indie sounds.
You can enjoy a variety of food, ice cream, and drink stage side. Grab a table on the deck of Ryan's Wake or Browns Brew Pub and enjoy the music, set on the historic Hudson River. Or if you choose, dine inside at either of these restaurants, along with Jose' Malone's who offer up mucho blends of Tequila, as well as Mexican food.

Come join us for the fun on Wednesday, and take a Troycation!