Three days of music starts now

It's finally here. Three days of music and arts all in one place - Utica. It starts today at 5 p.m. in most of the venues. A kick-off party in Hotel Utica will start off the tunes. At 8:30 p.m. up-and- coming pop singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson will headline the festival at Mohawk Valley Community College. The concert is $5. Hop on the bus from Hotel Utica to get you there and back.

If you're not into "Rock 'n' Roll" with Hutchinson, by 7:30 p.m., the 20 other venues from Varick Street to downtown Utica will be pumping with music from artists hailing from Texas to Buffalo.

Here's a few ideas to get you started:

• First, head to Hotel Utica to get your ticket. A $30 wristband will give you access to every venue throughout the weekend.
• Utica Club House will feature rock, reggae and funk today, starting at 6:30 p.m. with Sloppy Joe-N-Da Juice.
• Or if you dig a more casual, coffeehouse vibe, check out Emma Weiss (pictured above) at 6:30 p.m. at the Tramontane Cafe, 1105 Lincoln Ave.
• Head down to Varick Street to the Stiefvater and check out young local Emilee Smith. I've written about her in this blog before and I can't say enough good things about this budding talent.
  
• Speaking of local talent, you definitely want to catch local guy Brian Premo at 8 p.m. at Nail Creek Pub and Brewery. His cover of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" never ever fails to send chills up my spine.
• Head immediately to Space 26 where some of the region's best DJs will spin all weekend long.
• Make sure you end your night rockin' your face off. Vesper, a four-piece band from Brooklyn, rocks so hard and well, they do it with cellos. Yup, cellos. Their sound is unique, haunting and riveting. They'll perform at 1 a.m. at The Electric Company.
  

Check back often for more music fest updates. I'll be out today and tomorrow checking out the scene.

Make sure you pick up a Fusion at any venue for everything you need to know about the fest including a schedule of performers. That schedule, by the way, is subject to change. Don't blame us, blame the bands. Sometimes they cancel. Sometimes they don't show. But, dont' worry, organizers say their slots will be filled with something just as good.