EVENT: Ignite Syracuse at Opus, comedy at Ohm
Last week I took The Jess, my younger sister, out for a night of bar hopping around Armory Square in downtown Syracuse. It was a way to see what’s going on in Syracuse and to spend some time better getting to know my only sibling.
Our night out found us at three bars with three very different scenes; Opus, Empire Brewing Co., and Ohm Lounge.
Opus hosted the first Ignite Syracuse event. The events motto was “fun-loving banter, intelligent arts, and creative eye candy.” Like anything that is new, it’s a work in progress. There were eight, 5-minute, presentations of creative groups around Syracuse determined to make a “creative scene” in Syracuse.
I was curious about it so The Jess and I made our way down to see Donny (the owner), have a couple drinks and have an appetizer while the Ignite Syracuse event went on. Of all the presenters, Urban Art Rangers, seems to have the most momentum.
The Urban Art Ranger’s mission: To inform people about art activities taking place in Syracuse, generate to ideas with residents for public art, and to foster creative participation in the City.
Aside from that…one presentation came from a guy that calls himself “Tots,” and raps about potatoes. Another presenter were a few girls that were pushing for an arts market like your’d see in Pike Place (Seattle), Camdentown (London). Why not set up shop at the CNY Regional Market like all the other vendors? Their intentions are good and I wish them well.
Another group were musicians looking for a place to play jazz music around downtown. I say show up anywhere and see what happens. I applaud their efforts.
Next stop, was the underground eatery and brewery of the Empire Brewing Company. Empire has become one of my favorite bars in downtown where the ambiance is relaxed, the bar staff is always cool, and the food is consistently an 8 out of 10.
After a couple drinks and another appetizer, it was onto Ohm Lounge for a drink on the patio. Walking in we didn’t realize that there was a comedy show being put on by Last Laff.
Kris Shaw (website) went on first and was really entertaining in a subdued kinda way. I’d recommend keeping an eye on him. Watch a YouTube video of him here.
The headliner, Ken Evans, was struggling from the very beginning. He didn’t really have a sketch, and the fact the small crowd found everything in the room more entertaining then him (looking blankly at the drink menu, texting on their phone, etc.) didn’t help.
