Dyngus zing: Fritz’s Polka Band, featuring Fritz Scherz on accordion, visits the Buffalo region during Easter.
On Monday, April 25, the Jagermeistersponsored Fritz’s Polka Band will be celebrating Dyngus Day with two performances in the Western New York region. Verona’s very own FPB, headed by Fritz Scherz, will be playing at the The Broadway Market, 999 Broadway, in Buffalo at 12:30 p.m., then travel for a 6 p.m. gig at the Hard Rock Cafe, Old Falls Street on the American side of Niagara Falls. The Polish-American holiday celebrates the end of the Lenten season and the joy of Easter and FPB has been a part of the celebration several times. FPB has won numerous awards around Central New York, released 17 recordings and been performing for more than 32 years.
Redhouse Rambles
• Everyone loves to air guitar, right? On Friday, April 22, 7:30 p.m., contestants will have the chance to channel their inner Jimi as Syracuse hosts its first Air Guitar Competition at The Redhouse, 201 S. West St. The winner will be invited to compete in the U.S. Air Guitar Regional Competition in Boston on June 7.
To register, email Sydney Hutchinson at salsasydney@gmail.com. Competitors must bring a one-minute song on a CD for their routine.
• When the dust from the invisible axe battle clears out, the Redhouse’s next tenant will be local recording artist Andrew Greacen, who checks in on Saturday, April 23, 8 p.m. Greacen is currently pushing his debut album Soul Searching (independent). With soft vocals and an underlying mix of acoustic, soul, rhythm’n’blues and pop, Greacen explores themes of life and love in his smooth tracks. Tickets are $5. More details on Greacen can be found at www.andrewgreacen.com.
• Looking ahead, the Redhouse will introduce a new kind of summer camp in July and August. Redhouse Rock Camp is a threeweek intensive program where students ages 10 to 18 will learn the ropes of rock. Private lessons, recording sessions, performances and band marketing instruction will all be provided at the camp. Students will also have access to use professional equipment in both rehearsals and performances thanks to Subcat Studios, the Redhouse’s next-door neighbor. Two sessions will be offered, July 11 to 29 and Aug. 1 to 19. Nationally known guitaristcomposer Emmett Van Slyke will also help with the camp, giving students a look into the real life of a rockstar. Tuition is $1,000. For more information, call 425-0405 or visit www.theredhouse.org.
Hot Doggin’ with Hoffmann
Legendary Central New York guitarist Mark Hoffmann hosts another one of his popular music jams on Saturday, April 23, 8 p.m. to midnight, at the Inn Complete on Skytop Road on the Syracuse University Hill. All musicians are invited to play and all fans are invited to groove. The jams have been happening for 11 years, as many of the area’s best musicians gather to join Hoffmann, whose career dates back to his days with Jam Factory in the 1960s. Hoffmann currently plays with MOJO, a band that blends rock, classic r’n’b, soul and funk. He also performs in The Nasty Truth with his three adult children and with Joanne Perry and the Unstoppables. Admission to the Skytop jam is $5. For information, call 443-1102.
—Compiled by Jessica Novak
Here We Grow!
Thanks for helping us reach 3,000 likes on Facebook! Now we’re trying to reach further and plan bigger: How would you like to celebrate the next milestone with us? Food, music, drinks? Become a friend on Facebook if you haven’t already and share your ideas with us.
While you’re online, check out our new music Twitter page and music blog, The Upbeat! www.syracusenewtimes.com/newyork/blogs-1-1-1-3.html and twitter.com/#!/NewTimesMusic.
