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From the first crack of the snare, the mass of kids were jumping
and dancing around with innocent abandon. My friend Shadneh
said it would be nice to see the adults be so free. I agreed.
I'm actually one of the first to admit to not being as
free as a child. It's something I'm working on.
Tonight the large crowd of young and old gathered on the shore
of the Hudson in Hoboken's Sinatra Park to celebrate
the tenth anniversary of the band Skanatra. Yes they are exactly
as the name implies; Ska versions of Sinatra songs. Sadly this
was also their final show ever. Or so they say. Some of us
suspect they'll be back before long.
Are they just a novelty act meant to make you laugh? Are they
a group of talented musicians whose tight vibe gets folks moving?
Well, both actually. For the past ten years this band of Hoboken
hipsters has been keeping the sounds of Old Blue Eyes alive
in their own unique way and keeping folks dancing at the same
time.
More than this, the group is a part of Hoboken lore. Lead
singer Fran Azzarto in particular was honored tonight as a
model business owner thanks to the Goldhawk lounge and his
recording studios. He was given a proclamation by Mayor David
Roberts who sounded off with a moving, albeit ironic speech.
He thanked all of the artists and musicians that have made
this town the cultural capital it is today. This despite the
fact that Hoboken's cultural identity has been shrinking at
an alarming rate for the last ten years.
In fact, Roberts and his thirst for homogenous commercial
development played a major role in forcing independent
artists and musicians to leave town. It nearly
caused tonight's honoree Fran's recording studios to shut down.
Apparently the historic building was in the way of some new,
ugly condo development. Luckily that fight was won by the musicians.
Still Hoboken, whose music scene once thrived, is left
now with only a handful of venues that feature live music regularly.
To make matters worse, Senator Robert Menendez—an occasional
Hoboken resident himself—got up to say a few words. He
confused me by saying how great the diversity in Hoboken is
thanks to the United Nations in NYC. Funny, I thought the diversity
in Hoboken came from ... oh I don't know ... the diversity
of those actually living in Hoboken. Then again, I'm not a
Senator. He went on to say how fitting it was that we were
in Sinatra Park to be a part of the final Skanakra
show.
Wait ... what? Did he say Skanakra? Ok so he got
it wrong. No biggie. Everyone makes mistakes. But then he went
on to say how Hoboken can be proud to be the birthplace of
Baseball, Frank Sinatra and Skanakra! He did it again.
Proudly, loudly. OK I know he's
outta touch but come on! Could he seriously not make the connection
between Sinatra and Skanatra? I guess not because he said it
again.
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