OSWEGO COUNTY—Oswego Music Hall continues its Open Mic Friday series on March 10. Shows begin at 7:00 p.m.; sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.
Guest Host Mark Zane leads off Open Mic Friday and will be followed by performers who sign up that night. Performers have the option to enter the juried songwriter’s competition held every open mic. Winners will perform at the Music Hall’s Season Finale Emerging Artist Showcase to be held in May. Admission is by a cash or check donation.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with sign-ups taking place then and throughout the evening, as space allows. Musicians typically play three songs each.
All ages and experience levels are welcome. Budding performers, singer-songwriters and musicians of all genre are given an opportunity to perform in a supportive environment using cutting edge professional sound and lighting equipment.
Mark Zane was born and raised in the small rust belt city of Utica and now calls its larger neighbor to the west, Syracuse, home. The struggle of life in old industrial cities can be heard in some of the songs that appear on Mark’s debut 2008 CD titled, American Hunger, which features a blend of folk, rock, and even a little country thrown into these 12 original songs. American Hunger was nominated for a 2009 SAMMY (Syracuse-Area Music Award) award in the Americana category. The second CD, Walk it Off, a collection of twelve songs, was released in March 2012. His third CD, Upstate Uprising, a collection of ten original songs, was released in January 2019. The latest CD, Acoustic Truths & Electric Lies, contains 11 original songs and was released on November 19, 2021.
Mark has written 133 songs and performs at least 45 of these live (along with performing cover songs). Along with writing and performing music, Mark is also a Professor of Sociology at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse whose songs often incorporate sociological themes and concepts. In the tradition of Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Warren Zevon, Steve Earle and others, Mark’s original songs analyze American life through a sympathetic, yet sometimes, critical eye. He also writes and performs autobiographically inspired songs about love and aspirations, and everyday occurrences, as well as throws in periodic cover songs from some of his favorite artists.
Along with performing original songs, Mark also performs cover songs from artists such as Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Bob Marley, Jethro Tull, Old Crow Medicine Show, Fleetwood Mac, and many more.
Mark has performed in many Central New York venues, including six years at the New York State Fair (2012 – 2017), Yellow Brick Road Casino, TS Steakhouse and Motif Lounge at Turning Stone Casino, Point Place Casino, 110 Grill, Petit, Soule, DeWitt, and Onondaga Free Libraries, Bull & Bear Roadhouse, Shaughnessy’s Irish Pub and Eleven Waters at the Downtown Syracuse Marriott, Local 315 Brewing Co., Suds Factory River Grill, Oz-Stravaganza! (the past eight years), Liverpool is the Place Concert Series, Westcott Street Cultural Fair, plus many additional venues. Additional information can be found at: www.reverbnation.com/markzane and www.facebook.com/MarkZaneMusic.
Scheduling guest hosts for Open Mic Fridays is Coordinator Bryan Dickenson. Open Mics are held on the Friday night prior to Saturday’s National Stage concert.
The spring season continues with Larry Kyle opening for Open Mic on March 24. Joe Henson leads off April 14 and Steve Watson leads off the 28th.
The Oswego Music Hall venue is located in the McCrobie Civic Center, on 41 Lake Street in Oswego, and is wheelchair accessible. It is adjacent to Breitbeck Park and overlooks Lake Ontario and the Oswego Harbor. The atmosphere is intimate with candle-lit tables surrounding a small stage. Light refreshments will be available.
Oswego Music Hall is a family-friendly, non-profit organization that has been run entirely by volunteers from its inception over 40 years ago. Volunteers can earn admission to shows through various tasks. Students can also earn credit for community service. To volunteer, email Volunteer Coordinator Michael Moss at [email protected].
COVID precautions: The Music Hall pays close attention to CDC, State, and local guidelines and is trying to do what’s best for performers and patrons; mindful of everyone’s safety and their enjoyment of the show. Masks are recommended. Should conditions warrant, we may revert back to stricter requirements without notice. Please check https://www.oswegomusichall.org/ for updated information. Masks will be available at the door.
Find more information via the Oswego Music Hall website at https://www.oswegomusichall.org/, Facebook page, or email [email protected].
Concerts are made possible in part with funding by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the governor and New York Legislature. Other major supporters are the City of Oswego and Shineman Foundation.
2023 Music Hall Calendar 45th Season
Winter/Spring 2023
Open Mic Guest Host
March 10 Mark Zane
24 Larry Kyle
April 14 Joe Henson
28 Steve Watson
National Stage
Mar. 11 Guy Davis w/ Larry Kyle Opening
25 Deeper Than Skin w/ Greg Greenway & Reggie Harris
April 15 Jonathan Byrd
29 Burns Sisters Band
May 13 Season Finale featuring Annie Sumi & Travis Knapp
The Hook Songwriter Series
April 21 Cam Caruso, Gary Carpentier, & Tim Forbes
PSA/Calendar:
On Friday, March 10 7 p.m. at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall continues its Open Mic Friday series with Mark Zane opening. Doors open at 6:30. Admission: cash/check donation. Info.:https://www.oswegomusichall.org/
On Friday, March 24 7 p.m. at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall continues its Open Mic Friday series with Larry Kyle opening. Doors open at 6:30. Admission: cash/check donation. Info.: https://www.oswegomusichall.org/
On Friday, April 14 7 p.m. at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall continues its Open Mic Friday series with Joe Henson opening. Doors open at 6:30. Admission: cash/check donation. Info.: https://www.oswegomusichall.org/
On Friday, April 28 7 p.m. at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall continues its Open Mic Friday series with Steve Watson opening. Doors open at 6:30. Admission: cash/check donation. Info.: https://www.oswegomusichall.org/
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