The Red Band hit the road in a chartered bus once again – this time it’s “Westward Ho” to Syracuse to play for the Festa Italiana.
The bus directed into the back-stage parking lot where the stagehands were right there waiting for us. The crew helped unload our equipment and setup the chairs. Once they were done – it was up the ramp or the side stairs and onto the big stage.
The stage was next to the State Office Building looking out onto City Hall Plaza which was filled with chairs for our audience and a city of large white tents selling pastas, meats, pastries, beer, wine, and souvenirs. Even the Villa Pizza Frite booth from the State Fair was there.
We were in full force with a large group of 33 musicians and back with us after a long absence were Rocky Reed and Peg Carrier (welcome back).
Our Interlocutor, Pat Santacroce, helped introduce us to Syracuse and kept the audience entertained with stories about the background of the musical numbers we performed.
All the chairs filled as our concert progressed and the music was greeted with strong applause and shouts of “Bravo”.
There was a large crowd milling about in the tent area (it was dinner time), and lots of people were playing Bocce Ball in a court setup on the grass in front of City Hall.
It was a very good turnout for a brisk fall evening.
We played from 6:00-7:30 – took our bows – saluted the audience with Marcia Reale and a “VIVA SYRACUSE”. Then it was back on the bus for the ride home.
The bus directed into the back-stage parking lot where the stagehands were right there waiting for us. The crew helped unload our equipment and setup the chairs. Once they were done – it was up the ramp or the side stairs and onto the big stage.
The stage was next to the State Office Building looking out onto City Hall Plaza which was filled with chairs for our audience and a city of large white tents selling pastas, meats, pastries, beer, wine, and souvenirs. Even the Villa Pizza Frite booth from the State Fair was there.
We were in full force with a large group of 33 musicians and back with us after a long absence were Rocky Reed and Peg Carrier (welcome back).
Our Interlocutor, Pat Santacroce, helped introduce us to Syracuse and kept the audience entertained with stories about the background of the musical numbers we performed.
All the chairs filled as our concert progressed and the music was greeted with strong applause and shouts of “Bravo”.
There was a large crowd milling about in the tent area (it was dinner time), and lots of people were playing Bocce Ball in a court setup on the grass in front of City Hall.
It was a very good turnout for a brisk fall evening.
We played from 6:00-7:30 – took our bows – saluted the audience with Marcia Reale and a “VIVA SYRACUSE”. Then it was back on the bus for the ride home.
Ah! Show Business! We’re getting just like the pros.
VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!
Please click on link below for photos
Syracuse Festa Italiana
Syracuse Festa Italiana
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