Weekend Holiday events in Armory Square start this month

‘Holiday Happenings’ weekends in downtown’s Armory Square kick-off on Friday night, November 29 starting at 6:00 pm with festivities planned especially for families coming here before and after the annual tree lighting in Clinton Square just a few short blocks away.

On that Friday night, “Musical Windows on the Square” beckons visitors first to the corner of West Fayette and South Franklin Streets where the season’s favorite music resounds in the area, played by Signature Music’s talented student musicians featured live in the windows at the
Mr. Shop. Outside, children may touch and learn to blow a note on regular sized instruments, and   also receive a toy one from jolly ole, red-suited Santa who magically appears in their midst. Adding to the music scene, the noted ‘Five To life’ a cappella singers entertain in the Square along with the familiar Mr. Abe Walton, Armory Square’s first visionary entrepreneur who returns each year at this time to welcome everyone and do some storytelling.

The next day on Saturday and throughout the following next four Saturday afternoons, ‘Holiday Happenings’ are scheduled outdoors and at various indoor locations for the purpose of making  the season’s harried time a more enjoyable and relaxing experience for visitors. Outdoors, Abe Walton and Santa are going to hand out candy canes while strolling the Square with each Saturday’s choral groups — the Chittenango H. S. Choir, Chevelle Moore with Sounds of Eternity, Salvation Army Syracuse Citadel Choir, Syracuse Brigadiers, Theophoncs a cappella singers and the Cathedral Church Choir. Inside at Empire Brewing Co., different bands perform at the restaurant’s Jingle Bell Rock Brunches, while at The Blue Tusk, director of Signature Music, Dick Ford plays piano during lunch hours. On three of the Saturdays afternoons at Kitty Hoynes, Kitty’s musical Irish Sessions are not to be missed. On Thursday evening, December 12, shops are open extended hours for people to ‘shop and dine at the same time.’ And, for total relaxation, visitors are invited each Saturday afternoon to the Jefferson Clinton Hotel for free afternoon teas and the soothing music of harp, flute, cello, guitar and keyboard.

Performing at the hotel on November 30 is Duo L’Adour, featuring flautist Martha Grener and harpist Lacey Lee. Formed a year ago, the ensemble is recognized as one of the area’s most promising new groups, having already received a SAMMY nomination and recording two albums with a third in the works. Indicative of Duo L’Adour’s range of music, the pair can be heard on multiple radio stations including WCNY, Y94 and FM99.

On the following three Saturdays at the hotel, Cellist Melissa Davies, The Great Lakes Guitar Quartet, and Todd Hobin Solo playing piano and guitar are booked to entertain.

The Armory Square Association sponsors and produces the holiday program and is grateful for the additional support from other entities that help make it happen. 2013 donors are: City of Syracuse, Save The Rain, Downtown Committee, Eric Mower & Associates, Eureka Crafts, Empire Brewing Co., Frankie & Faye, Benjamin’s on Franklin, Pastabilities, Kitty Hoynes, Sugarman Law Firm, Blue Tusk, Mr. Shop, Jet Black, Bounce, Mullys, Showoffs, Eva’s Boutique, Ken Kushner Designs, Oleander, Elsbeth Rose and Designer Warehouse.

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‘HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS’ WEEKENDS IN ARMORY SQUARE

Friday night, November 29
Musical Windows on the Square performed by Signature Music student musicians
Outdoors – Abe Walton, Santa and “Five to Life” 

 November 30
Outdoors –  Abe Walton, Santa and Chittenango H. S. Choir
Blue Tusk – Dick Ford, pianist
Empire Brewing Co.– Jingle Bell Rock Brunch
Jefferson Clinton Hotel – Duo L’Adour: Marther Grener, flute and Lacy Lee, harp   

December 7
Outdoors – Abe Walton, Santa, Chevelle Moore with Sounds of Eternity and
Salvation Army Syracuse Citadel Choir
Blue Tusk – Dick Ford
Empire Brewing Co. – Jingle Bell Rock Brunch
Kitty Hoynes – Kitty’s Irish Musical Session
Jefferson Clinton Hotel – Melissa Davies, cellist

Thursday night, December 12
Jingle Mingle (Shop & Dine at the Same Time) 

December 14
Outdoors – Abe Walton, Santa and Syracuse Brigadiers
Blue Tusk – Dick Ford
Empire Brewing Co. – Jingle Bell Rock Brunch
Kitty Hoynes – Tom Dooley Choraliers
Jefferson Clinton Hotel – Great Lakes Guitar Quartet

December 21
Outdoors – Abe Walton, Santa, Cathedral Church Choir and ‘Theophonics’
Blue Tusk – Dick Ford, pianist
Empire Brewing Co. – Jingle Bell Rock Brunch
Kitty Hoyne – Kitty’s Musical Irish Session
Jefferson Clinton Hotel – Todd Hobin Solo, piano/guitar