Taste of Syracuse kicked off in downtown in the Clinton Square area with an energetic bang! I arrived just after noon on Friday and I cannot remember that many people, that early on the first day. For me it was a simple matter of available time. I didn't want to leave with the positive vibe seemingly flowing through everyone in attendance.

As I drove into Syracuse I noticed the crowds from a few blocks away. Easily landing a prime parking spot on Erie Blvd. near Wild Will's Saloon, I was greeted with the smells that define this event. Fresh food cooking and all types of flavors. Then I noticed the traffic, it was as busy as rush hour and the foot traffic was already somewhat crowded and growing steadily. I peaked into a few doors as I made my way to the cordoned off area marking the boundaries and no one was busy. Surveying the scene as I crossed Salina Street into Clinton Square I was greeted with Just Joe  on the Verizon Stage next to the fountain. Joe has a storied history in the area and with good reason; he is talented. At this time of day he was solo with a keyboard belting out all types of pop hits by various artists. Across the fountain, Water St. was lined with vendors and business was brisk as the lunch time crowd mixed in with people there to be there. A small but growing crowd stopped and listened as Joe Altier did his thing with an obvious love of what he does.

From here I wandered along the fountain and browsed along past the Federal Building doing a little people watching and taking in all of the smells and offerings available. I'm quite sure that I walked past Pat Steer, our local Food Examiner along the way but I had a destination to get to; the main stage. I passed by local classic rock King, Dave Frisina doing his legendary music spinning at the TK99 booth along the way. Dave is the one guy that pushed local music on the air long before anyone else ever thought to do it. At least as far back as I can remember. Kudos, David!

Hitting the main stage area at last I was greeted by what I had come to hear; Kim Monroe. She is everything that has been advertised by countless fans and musicians. I also wanted to meet her Mom, Liz Nowak once and for all. Liz is a huge supporter of the Syracuse music scene among many things. She was instrumental in the MIC series for example. She also happens to be one of the nicest human beings that I have had the pleasure to meet in ages. She also has the best smile in town.

Kim Monroe and Chris Eves were putting on a show that had everyone stopping and most dancing. The duo-acoustic set had energy, rhythm, and her voice is a range of angelic winds. These two seemed to feed off each other and no doubt should be put in a later time slot. The people not there yet missed something special. Look up Kim Monroe on Facebook; she wants to be everyone's 'friend'.

Next came Silent Fury. These guys seem to just nail it where ever I see them. Up on a big stage with a lot of people or playing a small bar at happy hour, they bring it. They had people again stopping to watch and listen as they rolled along as the day's second act.

Having to head out and do my life duties, I passed by Dave Frisina, this time he was out of the raised platform that serves as DJ booth, but he was talking away. I'll catch you next time, Dave, maybe tomorrow. Joe Altier continued his one-man show and people of every walk in life seemed in good spirits and were having a good time. I look forward to more.