Community News

     The Oswego Music Hall's gala finale show at the end of its annual season has become a much-anticipated music and food fest.

     This year's finale, from 4:30-9:30 p.m., Saturday, June 1, celebrates another successful year showcasing fresh, acoustic music in Oswego's intimate Music Hall setting.
     The year-end show features a great performer, singer/songwriter Jacob Johnson, who is developing a loyal following for what he describes as "neo-acoustic folk/funk" music. This five-hour extravaganza includes two sets from headliner, Jacob Johnson, an Emerging Artists Showcase, highlighting area musicians, and a complimentary sunset reception on the deck featuring gourmet desserts. Dinner is available for purchase ($8 advance; $10 on site while supplies last) – a summertime feast of pork or vegetarian BBQ, salt potatoes, coleslaw and baked beans. Non-alcoholic drinks (coffee, soda, water) will also be available for sale, and BYO (bring your own alcoholic beverage) is permitted.

     With five hours of great music and good food, the finale is a party not to be missed. Tickets are required for the dinner, but all performances and the sunset reception are free for Music Hall members. Non-member admission tickets are $15 (bought in advance or on site); these, as well as advance dinner tickets, are available online or at river's end bookstore. Music Hall memberships start at $10, and there is still time to sign up athttp://oswegomusichall.org/membership/.

     The evening will be alive and "thrumming" with music. The Music Hall is excited to bring the passionate guitarist Jacob Johnson to its stage. He is coming to Oswego between gigs in Portland, Maine, and Ocracoke, N.C. at the Ocrafolk Festival. Johnson has shared stages with songwriting masters from Edwin McCain to David Wilcox, and hangs out with guitar heroes like Tommy Emmanuel and Tim Reynolds (right-hand man to Dave Matthews). While it is his flashy guitar pyrotechnics that might grab your attention, his songwriting, personality and performance style are what set him apart from the rest of the pack of other young guitar-slingers. In short, to quote Tommy Emmanuel, "Jacob rocks!"

     Here is how other music critics around the country have praised Johnson's songs, techniques and blends of styles, (but check out Johnson yourself at http://www.reverbnation.com/jacobjohnson) :

     "He's all over the place. Influenced by technical masters like Pat Metheny and fellow southerner Kaki King, he has developed an approach that requires tight coordination of both hands as he slaps and taps the neck of his instrument." Jordan Edwards – The Gazette (Rockville, MD)

     "He surrenders to the passion that drives his guitar playing... Very entertaining and inspiring." Bob McKillop – The Maine Music Blog

     The Emerging Artists session at this finale is always of special interest. It is a great way to see and hear the range of homegrown, aspiring, young singer/songwriters. Cameron Caruso, Christopher Battles, Christine Tupe (and friends), Gary Carpentier and Kholton Pascal are slated to perform, and possibly others. These talented singers all hail from Oswego except Kholton, who is from Syracuse/ Auburn. Christopher Battles and Kholton Pascal have shared some of their material on Facebook and/or Reverbnation accounts.

     This season finale is a family-friendly party, from 4:30 p.m. until after sunset at the usual Music Hall venue, 41 Lake St., Oswego. For more information call 315-342-1733 or access the Music Hall website.
     The next season for the Oswego Music Hall – its 38th – will start Sept. 21 with Nashville-based troubadour Kevin So. Save the date and access the Music Hall website: http://oswegomusichall.org/ to see the new schedule as it gets firmed up over the summer.

     Music Hall concerts are made possible in part with funding by the NYS Council on the Arts.