Prospect Park Jazz Begins:

Prospect Park Jazz kicks off on July 20, at the historic Troy park, located on Congress St. We're fashioning this, similar to the popular, Powers Park Concerts, beginning with 2 shows in it's first season. Depending on the success of the short season of shows, we plan to expand the series next season to a full, 6 week schedule. Our first show will feature keyboardist Jim Wilson, and his quartet. Food & beverages will be available, with RBC Jazz Club serving beer & wine, as an extra added attraction. Beautiful weather, historic park, and America's truest musical artform, all add up to a peaceful, relaxing evening. So join us for all the fun. Enjoy Troy!

Big Day In Troy:

   Thousands of people will be visiting Troy on Saturday & Sunday to eat some of the best BBQ, this side of the Mississippi. They'll also be coming to hear some pretty good music, at two separate events. 

   The 5th Annual Troy Pig Out kicks off at 10am, on July 14, with the music starting at 11am. Over the course of the 2 day event, you'll be treated to a diverse array of musical styles, ranging from Blue Grass, Blues, and some pretty darn good rock n roll. Headlining on Saturday will be Blues master guitarist, Albert Cummings. 

   Also appearing will be Troy favorites, Super 400, and swing kings, The Jump Daddies. The Sunday lineup, also beginning  at 11am, features the immortal local legend, Charlie Smith, as well as Blues Sanctuary, and the electric newcomers to the local blues scene, Collette & the Mudcats.

   Bring your appetites, cause like I said earlier, the food is Large & in Charge. Pulled Pork, Ribs, Brisket, & Chicken, as far as the eye can see. BBQ teams from across the USA will compete for cash prizes, as well as the honor of displaying, the 'Golden Pig', which is awarded to the overall winner, to display at their business for the next year. There is also numerous festival food vendors available is you so choose. Just Google, Troy Pig Out for the full schedule of events. 

   Also happening on Saturday night, is the return of the legendary, Refrigerators, to the Neil Kelleher Stage at Historic, Powers Park. Showtime is at 6pm. Long recognized as the Kings of local horn bands, the group just keeps getting better & better every year. Their legions of fans, flock to their shows, which resulted in the band drawing the largest crowd ever in the history of the popular concert series -- as well as it being one of my own personal favorite shows I've ever heard performed over the past eight seasons -- and I've been to every single one. 

   Troy is giving you options this weekend. So DVR the Yankee games, and join us for all the fun, food, and great music. ENJOY TROY!

The Refrigerators

Albert Cummings

Powers Park Concerts Return Tonight:

   Season 9 of the Powers Park Concert Series begins tonight at the historic Lansingburgh venue. Over the years the popular FREE concert series, has become a destination spot for many, each & every Saturday evening. Not only having a strong local following, the concerts attract music lovers from neighboring states such as Vermont, Massachusetts, &   Connecticut.

   Opening the series tonight with a bang, Funk Evolution, voted the area's #1 party band in 2012 in the recent, Metroland Readers Poll, this high energy,big horn, powerhouse, has been captivating local audiences for the past several years. Comprised of some of the top musical talents in the area, their chemistry together provides their audiences with some of the best, funk n soul you'll ever experience at a live show.

   Powers Park Concerts are presented by Mayor Lou Rosamelia & the City of Troy, along with health care provider WELLCARE. It is supported in part by Whitney Young Health/Troy, Snowman, Northeast Shuttle, Beverage Barn, Lansing Laundry/ Gamer's LLC., Barrett Blacktopping, Tri City Valley Cats, and The Friends of 112th St. Media advertising is  provided by The Record & WVCR, 88.3fm, The Saint.

   Food & beverages are available at each show, as is face painting for the kids. No pets are allowed please. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Showtime is at 6pm. 

THE SHOW WILL GO ON TONIGHT. I WILL UPDATE THIS BLOG LATER TODAY IF ANYTHING CHANGES.

   

499 Second Ave Lives Another Day:

   I decided to check out the 1760 Manor Inn this weekend, and let me tell you -- the food was just GREAT. Located at 499 2nd Ave. , the most recent reincarnation of this Historic Lansingburgh eatery, is a homerun in anyone's book. As it was as the Olde Daley Inn, 499 House, Mahoney's, MJ's on the Avenue, and Rennihans, this 17th century structure, still has all the charm, & class that I remember from years gone by.
   Having a hankering for a big slab of beef, I made my way down for a meal --and what a great meal it was. I ordered the 20oz cut of Prime Rib, and it came out cooked to perfection, as well as being a good quality cut of meat. The sides were fresh, with the presentation screaming, 'quality meal here Vito'! The bill for two (2 prime rib dinners, sides, and a couple of beers, came to $49. Wow!
   My waitress, Nicole, was first rate also. I hate when you're trying to eat and the waitress comes over every 30 seconds to see if your meal is acceptable, and expects an answer when your trying to chew. None of that at the 1760. She stayed on top of things while waiting on all the downstairs tables, and I never wanted for nothing. My compliments to the owners for hiring this first rate server.
   1760 still has that classic charm, and class I remember from my first visit there, more than 40 years ago (Olde Daley Inn back then). I would highly recommend this eatery for celebrating any type of occasion you may have. Or, just for an inexpensive night out. Other reviewers give stars to rate restuarants. But me, I'll give the 1760 Manor Inn, a 5 meatball rating! Try it, you won't be dissappointed.

River St. Arts Fest 2012:

Join us on Saturday, June 16th for Troy's signature event, the River St. Arts Festival. Headlining the event will be 90's rockers, Stroke 9.
There will be three stages of music for all to enjoy.
Main Stage / Broadway & 2nd St.:
11am -- Rich Ortiz
12:30 --Acoustic Trauma
1:45 -- Graham Tichey Band
3:30 -- Stroke 9

Local Stage // State & River St.
11:00am -- Chelsea Cavanaugh
12:15pm -- Mike McMann & the Doornails
1:30 pm --  Shut Up Tim
2:15 pm -- Maurizio
3:15 pm -- The Mysteios

Kids Stage // On the side of the Arts Center building
4 acts, all geared to children.

More than 100 food & craft vendors will also be on hand. So join us for all the fun, from 10am to 5pm, right here in the home of Uncle Sam.
ENJOY TROY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Powers Park Concerts Return - Season 9

Need I say more? Watch for my upcoming, Troy Treasures column. I'll have plenty more to say at that particular time. I will however say thank you to WELLCARE, for the HUGE financial support they provide us with every year, to help us put together this type of quality schedule of family entertainment. Whitney Young Health, Snowman, Beverage Barn, Northeast Shuttle, Gamer's LLC, Barrett Blacktopping, and the Friends of 112th St, all provide further financial support, and I send them another, HUGE THANK YOU!
Mayor Rosamelia, & Dept Mayor Ryan deserve thanks for understanding the value of the shows to the residents, and keeping this tradition on going. Our vendor lineup has changed a bit over the years, but we will be offering some of the finest quality event food around , as usual! 50/50 raffles will benefit the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club, Uncle Sam Parade, 9/11 Memorial Committee, Lansingburgh High Baseball Booster Club, and the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. The shows are, 'lawn-chair concerts,  and we ask that if attending, please be respectful of the people around you. There is a strict, no dog policy in effect. Visit this Blog throughout the summer season for up to date event info.

Abandon Ship -- I Don't Think So:

The Troy Motor Boat & Canoe Club has been having quite a time dealing with the damage done last year by Hurricane Irene. They suffered more than $165,000 worth of damage, and now are looking for your help. Being they are a private club, the group was not eligible for any federal funding for repairs to their docks, or property. The group will be hosting a series of fundraising events over the next two months to help raise some much needed cash. Being they are our neighbor here in the 'Burgh, I encourage everyone to support their upcoming efforts. Here's a look at what they have planned to assist their effort.

Saturday, May 26th // 8am to 3pm: Garage Sale, Bake Sale & Chicken BBQ:

Look around your home and take this chance to donate items that are in decent condition and worth selling. They will sell those items in the garage sale and use the profits for continued dock re-construction, and general maintenance around the boat club. They could also usae your assistance to help sort, lable, and selling the items. You can also donate baked goods, so that they can incorporate a bake sale with the garage sale into the mix. By the way, the leftover items that do not sell, will be donated to Joseph House in the 'Burgh. They will also be offering a chicken BBQ, starting immedietly after the rummage/bake sale, at 4:30 pm. Tickets are $10.00 per dinner. Cash only please. The rain date for this event on 5/27. The group also has raffle tickets to win an Ocean Kayak Cabo Tandem for $10.00. Some of you may say, "well, it's a private club, why should we help them out? We should help them out because they are a big part of our community. They've never said no to me whenever I was looking for a contribution for whatever fund-raising effort I've been involved in. Plus, they've donated the use of their facilities anytime I was involved with. My belief is that we should assist our neighbors in their time of need. The Boat Club has been a good neighbor, let's all pitch in and help out. For more info, call the boat club directly at, 235-9697.