The O-town Scene

An optimistic First Night Oneonta was full of energy and performances New Year’s Eve. As melting snow dripped off the warm rooftops of storefronts, droves of Oneontans traveled Main Street from restaurant to boutique to shoe shop seeking entertainment. And entertainment they got; in the spirit of the new year, dozens of Oneonta shops and churches transformed themselves into venues hosting musicians, magicians, danc- ers, jugglers, drum circles and more. And the weather couldn’t have been better, warming frozen fingers while festivities worked to improve tem- peraments. The Oneonta First Night crew saw a need for some carefree revelry. “In this day in age, when you can’t turn on the TV, you can’t pick up the paper without being hit with bad news ... it gets harder and harder to be optimistic,” First Night chairman Mark Drnek said. Dubbed “Imagine! Oneonta,” this new year’s celebration was a call for optimism in the wake of dark times. Proclaimed the biggest party One- onta has seen this century, the First Night crew really outdid themselves, transforming more than two dozen local shops, churches and theaters into venues that proudly hosted more than 40 acts and close to 100 indi- vidual performances. The First Night Button was revel- ers’ all-access pass. Merriment rang through the streets as the First Night Parade kicked off the celebration with puppets, danc- ers, a hot-air-balloon gondola and many more kid-oriented spectacles. Then the real fun began. Main Street was alive and teeming with people. Glowing under holiday lights and garlands was a great stage where two DJs spun a wide variety of up- beat tunes. People were dancing in the street. There were clowns showing off balloon tricks, fire spinners, bag- pipers and even a man distributing cotton candy. One could peer into Mclaughlin’s and witness magic, walk into Leilani’s and learn how to play an Indonesian Angklung, and head to Saint James’ Hall for some jazz. After all the acts were done, there was a firework spectacular, which was a sight on Water Street. Hundreds of celebrators poured out of bars and shops, gathering around niches and corners about the parking garage to get a good look. Cheers and “Happy New Year!” cries com- peted with the boom of explosives. Then, one last show on Main Street before a New Year’s toast with Mayor Dick Miller and the ringing of church bells throughout town. _ Michelle Pietrafitta 20 O-Town Scene Jan. 6, 2011 With karaoke, drum circles, klezmer music, world music, brass bands, jazz bands, magi- cians, storytellers and more, the schedule for O-town’s New Year’s celebration, “Imagine! Oneonta,” was incredible, even intimidating. There was something for everyone, young and old, adventurous and conservative. Here are some highlights from my adventure through it all. _ Michelle Pietrafitta Stop 1: The Clarion Hotel In a cozy little library at the back of the hotel, Mike Herman strummed his acoustic guitar and filled the closely-settled room with his warm country voice. I sat by the fire. Then a waitress handed me a cup of hot cocoa with a plate of fried dough. (Yes, it was topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.) Against the wall was a pot with hot apple cider. Oh yeah, this is going to be a good night. Stop 2: Karma Boutique Salsa Libre, a seven-piece salsa band, rocked the house. These guys were legit: congas, maracas, full horn section, bass, guitar, drums and two singers harmonizing lyrics in Spanish. Couples were gettin’ down. I cut a rug with some of Oneonta’s finest ladies. Mambo! Stop 3: (Formerly) Java Island Java Island is closed down, but the First Night crew utilized the space to host acoustic and electric acts. I arrived at the desolate-looking room in time to catch Oneonta State’s four- piece-indie-rock-band Really Old Airplanes. “It’s a Musical Time Machine; that’s what we’re doing tonight,” said lead singer Kory Mathis as the band went straight from ‘50s surf to an ‘80s cover of one of The Smiths’ songs. Stop 4: The Unitarian Universalist Church Canadian singer/songwriter Dana LaCroix and and Danish jazz pianist Soren Moller filled the Unitarian chapel with their blend of ragtime keys and blues guitar. Dana addressed the crowd with thoughts and antics sometimes silly, sometimes sin- cere. “One of my New Year’s resolutions,” Dana revealed, “is to spend more time looking in the mirror and less time pointing fingers.” She slid into a moving song titled “They’re All Cryin’ for Mercy.” Then, in a sudden change of pace, she joked about streakers and asked the kids in the audience whether they prefer cats or dogs. (To which they replied “dogs!,’ to which she yelled, “Wrong Answer!” before launching into a hokey, hilari- ous song from the point of view of a cat.) Well played. Stop 5: The Yellow Deli “Closed for business, but open for hospitality,” said Andrew of the Merry Makers, who entertained visitors with folk music while they enjoyed complimentary tea and cookies in a beauti- fully crafted, firelit setting.

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