Pizza King? That Isn’t Half Of It

MSO President Tamaino and coordinator David Hayes plan to “splash art up and down Main Street” this summer.

Did you know there are more than 100 arts groups in Oneonta?
You’ll have a chance to experience a lot of them – music, dance, theater, art – in the next few months.
“We want to splash arts up and down Main Street through the summer months,” MSO (Main Street Oneonta) Downtown Coordinator David Hayes declared the other day, reviewing the tentative schedule.
“We” is the MSO programming committee, chaired by Armand Nardi.  Alderman Liz Shannon, a member, and Hayes have been collaborating on the schedule, including some special events.
For instance, the Pizza King of Oneonta Contest is tentatively set for Saturday, July 2, a citywide competition to judge the best pizza in town, culminating in a coronation.
On Saturday, May 7, Main Street will be closed 3-7 p.m. for CNY Radio’s “Dancing in the Streets” block party.
Weekly, Tuesday Lunchtime Performances are planned in Muller Plaza, in connection with The Farmers’ Market.
And Fabulous First Fridays, beginning in May, will be further energized:  Among other offerings, the Badra Bahija belly dancers are expected to stage performances.
The Artisans Guild is planning craftspeople’s demonstrations, the Green Toad Bookstore is planning literary readings, and Leilani’s and Capresso will be showing works by local artists.
There will be music on Muller Plaza, and chalk drawing and other activities for youngsters there.
Hayes said he is collaborating with Kellie Place, chairman of the new Arts Task Force, in “identifying talent” to perform downtown.
“There are a ton of things to do right now,” said Jim Tamaino, MSO’s new president.  The goal is to plan “things for families, and things for people to do downtown.”
Stay tuned.

Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Singer, a retired interior designer, shows her concept for the walkway’s Main Street entrance.