Syracuse’s role as a hub of the Underground Railroad on which thousands of slaves rode to freedom in the 19th century will be recalled here Friday.
The East Side Holiday Tree-Lighting Ceremony will help rename Loguen Park, formerly Columbus Park, at 6 p.m. Friday Dec. 5. The park is located on East Genesee Street between Columbus and Cherry streets. This year’s tree-lighting is being organized by the Loguen Park Association created by concerned community members to re-establish the park as a safe, vibrant gathering place for Syracuse’s East Side community...

CATEGORY: General Society

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Scandal at Jazz Central
Scandal erupts at the North Pole when one of Santa’s eight reindeer accuses the big man of sexual harassment in “The Eight: Reindeer Monologues,” a dark comedy opening at 8 p.m. on Friday Dec. 5, at Jazz Central, 441 E. Washington St., downtown.
“The Eight” runs Fridays through Dec. 19, while another Santa scandal unfolds in “Seven Santas,” which opens at 8 p.m. Saturday Dec. 6, and runs Saturdaysthrough Dec. 20.
The Rarely Done Productions plays directed by Dan Tursi are intended for mature audiences. They feature actors J. Brazill, Alan Stillman, Gennaro Parlato, David Minikheim, Christopher James, Jodi Bova, Jordan Glaski and Aubrey Panek. Tickets cost $20; 546-3224...

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Music in movies make for memorable moments.

Think of Gene Kelly and “Singin’ in the Rain,” Kate Winslet and Leo DiCaprio dancing to the reels of Gaelic Storm in “The Titanic,” Ed Norton shooting himself in the face in “Fight Club” while The Pixies ask “Where Was My Mind?”

Four feature films released to cash in on big holiday audiences spotlight good ol’ rock’n’roll.
Top among the four films is “Cadillac Records” reviewed in City Eagle last week by Nancy Keefe Rhodes. Our film critic praised the way director Darnell Martin depicted the rise of blues pioneers such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Etta James and showed how R&B; morphed into rock’n’roll in the person of Chuck Berry...

CATEGORY: General Entertainment

TAGS: Dukes,Mama Mia,Senior Year,Cadillac Records,City Eagle,Nancy Keefe Rhodes,Christmas at the Palace,Westcott Nation,Westcott Cinema,Keith Condon,Mark Copani

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Two of Central New York’s most politically savvy and musically passionate performers have recently released CDs well worth hearing...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: Colleen Kattau,Jamie Notarthomas,DeSantis,Matt Vacanti

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Creative people in Syracuse find their inspiration in the unlikeliest places. A short story by George Saunders, who teaches creative writing at Syracuse University, is among those chosen by editor Salman Rushdie for “The Best American Short Stories 2008.” Saunders’ nine-page story, “Puppy,” was prompted by the sight of a local child harnessed to a backyard leash...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: syracuse suds factory,Salt City Jazz Collective,The Best American Short Stories 2008,Puppy,Tobias Wolff ,George Saunders,CivilWarLand in Bad Decline,Pastoralia,Sea Oak

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