Oneonta is a town trying to forge a new identity in Upstate New York. Recently, I was made aware of the not for profit Foothills Production Company, who are trying to help bring more of "the arts" to Oneonta. The plan: to build a state of the art performing arts facility in downtown Oneonta, that will maybe rival the likes of Saratoga (and more recently Woodstock). The multiple phase project includes plans for a twelve-hundred seat theater, along with other "support" buildings, designed to entice the finest of performers to the upstate community.

For years, Oneonta's reputation has been that of a college town. Despite the best efforts of members within the community, well planned events in the town have been overshadowed at times by college related occurrences (sometimes better described as incidents). Not to say all things associated with the college are of a bad nature...because they aren't. As a graduate of Oneonta State, I am well aware of both colleges being very active in charitable activities, as well as greatly contributing to a local economy short on manufacturing jobs. Unfortunately, a lot of the things you seem to hear about are the bad things. Sadly, I think I tend to associate Oneonta with it's booming bar scene more than two fine educational institutions, National Soccer Hall of Fame, multiple radio stations, minor-league baseball team, First-Night celebration, charity road race, fine shopping, and other well planned events within the city limits.

But "the times they are a changin?!!!" Members of the community are banding together to hopefully help create a brand new identity for the city of Oneonta. State funding (in combination with private donations) are paving the way for the Foothills Performing Arts Center. Oneonta has the unique opportunity to gain notoriety in the region as the area's "cultural hub" (which seems to have been monopolized forever by its nearby neighbor Cooperstown).

Not only does this project have the potential to bring top-notch performers to the area, it also serves as a starting point to improve the local economy. It has the potential to greatly increase the flow of people through downtown Oneonta. Shops, boutiques, restaurants, hotels, and many of the other establishments all stand to gain from this building project. Concerts, dance, art exhibitions, and theatrical events could very well establish the area as a must see tourist attraction in combination with other sights. Cooperstown has enjoyed immense success in recent years with concert events at Doubleday Field with the likes of the Grateful Dead, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, and Willie Nelson. Why not borrow inspiration from Cooperstown's success? Now that a permanent facility is in the works, events such as last summer's Blues Traveler concert in Neawah Park could become a more common happening in the area. This could be a badly needed shot in the arm for the "City of the Hills!!!"

Fetish Lane is an American Roots Music Band. Members include Ken Held, Israel Lorimer, Ed Gliha, John Edick, Darrin Trass and Brian O'Connell.

Photography featured on this website was done in large part by friends, fans and family of the band including, but not limited to the following folks: Nikki Bisaha, Sarah Lewis, Aliscia Gaucher, Stacie Edick, Noelle Dasilva, and Johann Cash.

Website design and construction by: Thirsty Fish Graphic Design and Fetish Lane.