Wenzel still rocks to past

By Jessica Soule / The Citizen

Monday, August 6, 2007 11:05 AM EDT

WEEDSPORT - The owners of the Burritt's Cafe say timing is everything. For them, this summer was all about going back in time.
Local music promoter Art Wenzel shared his collection of memorabilia and stories behind each concert Sunday for his Retro Rock display.

A dozen colorful concert posters dangled from the walls, from a sunny Beach Boys design to a desert scene for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. All were from performances in Weedsport's Cayuga County Fairground's infield stage.

Cafe owners Darryl Wolford and his wife, Sherry Sabin-Wolford, just joined a steering committee with town and village officials to respark the music scene in Weedsport. Burritt's welcomes about 30 performers to entertain customers on the weekends, and Thursday evenings. They would like to see other venues welcome regional musicians.

The Wolfords want to see Weedsport become a niche town with music as the driving force. They want to have different venues look into it and even spark spin off businesses, such as music retailers and a guitar shop.

Looking to the past to see how it used to be is one way to start.

“It's amazing when you look and see who played here 20 years ago,” Wolford said pointing to the posters.

Wenzel's collection includes international stars such as the Beach Boys, John Fogerty, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Stevie Nicks, Peter Frampton, Bryan Adams, Heart, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Huey Lewis and the News, .38 Special and Honeymoon Suite, Loverboy, Santana and more. All concerts were held from 1985 to 1987.

“People look around and say 'Oh my God, I can't believe this, I remember this from 20 years ago,'” Wolford said.

Wenzel sent the posters to Toronto to have them attached to plaques with selected matching edging. He's always collected a lot of items from his career promoting and working with musicians, from the posters to his boxes of tickets and backstage passes, he said. His home is a museum.

“I have barren walls right now,” he said, wearing a blazer over his BB King Blues T-shirt.

His friend Jamie Maassen brought event more posters for Wenzel that he found in a box marked for trash while moving.

Wenzel's collection will remain on the Weedsport eatery's walls until the end of August.

People can pop by Burritt's Cafe, 8914 N. Seneca St., 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net

The Citizens' Say

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There are 2 comment(s)

melinda@neal.us wrote on Aug 7, 2007 9:33 AM:

" From Texas: On our yearly visit "HOME" this year we will definately stop by Burritt's! Strong communities NEED a nice draw. I can't think of a better one than music entertainment.You go for it!! "

quiveringthigh wrote on Aug 6, 2007 10:02 PM:

" I think Art Wenzel is a very positive person. He has and still keeps music happening. It's a shame that people are too stuffy to treat him poorly. Entertainment is a good thing. Art is entertainment! I wish more people were more like him. He works hard at promoting music. Art- You are valuable to the central New York community. Keep up the good work! Peace! Paul in CALIFORNIA "

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