I caught the Chris Taylor & CTB show at the Taste of Syracuse last weekend. This was my first time seeing the band and had no idea that Leonard Stephens played with them back in the day.
Kenny Dollinger mingles with fans during the Chris Taylor Custom Band show at the Taste of Syracuse.
Stroke, featuring Isreal Hagan, played the Clinton Square stage during Saturday’s Taste of Syracuse Celebration. The multiple-SAMMY Award-winning group is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Norm Swanson speaks at the rededication of Forman Park
Forman Park, originally conceived as Forman Square nearly two centuries ago, was re-dedicated today in a ceremony featuring civic leaders and business leaders from the Midtown neighborhood. Above developer Norm Swanson talks about purchasing the Parkview Hotel, which faces the Park. The Parkview was re-developed a few years ago.
Forman Park
SU Chancellor Nancy Cantor and Architecture Dean Mark Robbins
Mayor Miner activates the Forman Park Fountain
Bj Adigun, environmental advocate for Onondaga County, speaks at the dedication about the environmental benefits of green infrastructure in cities
Pick-up basketball is part of a universal language that was well-chronicled by Alex Wielgus and Chuck Wolf in the early 80s. The game is always the game, whether you are in Syracuse, DC, Kansas or Seattle. But there are some places where the game borders on religion. One of those places is New York
Later tonight hoops afficianado and writer Bob Garcia (aka D.J. Bobbito + Cool Bob Love) and Kevin Couliau will screen their film Doin’ It In the Park: Pickup-Basketball, NYC. This self-funded project is an hour plus documentary on vim, vigor and vitality of NYC hoops. In many ways the city and the courts and bball culture are the main character of the film, but there are some great interviews with Pee Wee Kirkland, Kenny Smith, Kenny Anderson, Smush Parker and also some great vintage footage of the Doctor (Julius Erving) operating on a NYC blacktop as a youngster.
Dave Cain, the Director: He’s got game
Syracuse’s David Cain, who grew up in Harlem and played at St. John’s, is excited about seeing the film. He says that there is a unique energy to basketball in New York. He talked about the allure of playing at Rucker Park, near where he grew up during a recent phone interview (listen below).