Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.

2024 was a year to remember. Syracuse University students demonstrated their talent and style, and many big ticket artists brought their shows to town.

The Daily Orange’s culture staff coverages ranged from historic events — like the solar eclipse and first-ever Banana Bar Crawl — to local eateries and oddities. An array of stories let readers learn more about Syracuse traditions new and old.

Check out this list below for some of culture’s best stories of the year:

Cassie Roshu | Senior Staff Photographer

Otto Tunes’ first ICCA semifinals is the result of a close knit brotherhood

Otto Tunes, one of SU’s a cappella groups, made it to the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Central Semifinal for the first time in the organization’s history on March 9.

Though they didn’t proceed in the competition, their internal culture reveals a tight-knit brotherhood. Otto Tunes is dedicated to their singing, but equally dedicated to caring for one another as they ride the highs and lows of college a cappella.

There’s no better way to describe how important Otto Tunes is to its members than President Lukas Fives’ own words.

“I do it because I love each and every one of them like they’re my own brothers, more than they can ever probably realize,” Fives said. “It’s not only been a highlight of my college experience, it’s been the highlight of my life. And I truly mean that.”

Joe Zhao | Design Editor

Toaster the ‘dorm dog’ is Lawrinson’s local celebrity

College dorms tend to have human students, human resident advisors and human staff living in them. Except SU’s Lawrinson Hall. Lawrinson’s most beloved resident isn’t a person, but a weiner dog named Toaster.

Lawrinson RA Ellen Clark’s emotional support dog is the talk of every resident in the dorm. He trots around campus alongside students, with frequent visits to the Schine Student Center for a Dunkin’ Donuts treat and to the Shaw Quadrangle for walks.

The residents of Clark’s floor make a point to stop by her room, but not for the typical freshman year drama or concerns.

“I feel like sometimes, as an RA, you’re like, ‘Oh my God, like, what’s wrong?’” Clark said. “But for me the first reaction is, ‘They want to see the ween.’”

Lars Jendruschewitz | Senior Staff Photographer

The Brooklyn Pickle experience feels like ‘coming home for Thanksgiving’

Just off of Interstate 690 East lies one of Syracuse’s food staples. Brooklyn Pickle’s sandwiches and hot specials have been a core aspect of life in the Salt City since 1975.

As the restaurant expands, adding locations across central New York and in North Carolina, their brand is becoming national. But owner Craig Kowadla maintains the values of Brooklyn Pickle, demanding excellence from his employees — some of whom can make a sandwich in 15 seconds flat.

For all its outward change, not much has changed with the Pickle experience. Everything stays where you leave it.

“It’s like a time capsule,” Mariah Root, manager of the Burnet Avenue location, said. “You get sucked into the Brooklyn Pickle life.”

Calysta Lee | Staff Photographer

SU is Jamison Brown’s personal runway, strutting standout style

The chances of seeing Balenciaga faux fur boots and other eclectic pieces on SU’s campus is pretty high, if you run into junior Jamison Brown. His style, anything but subtle, shows unbounded self-expression.

Brown started getting into fashion and streetwear when he was a kid. He quickly became a “sneakerhead.”

On campus, Brown is involved with styling for Fashion and Design Society shows. It makes sense that he started styling for models on runways — the promenade serves as his own personal runway to display his style.

“I (style clothes) with a bit of comedy in my mind,” Brown said. “I want to be that guy that’s every time you see him walking to class, you just got to think to yourself, ‘Woah, woah, what’s going on in his head?’”

Meghan Hendricks | Senior Staff Photographer

Syracuse Mets host only minor league baseball game with an eclipse

Usually the most memorable part of a baseball game is a home run. Every once in a while, you might get those grand slams, or a mound rush. Astronomical events and America’s classic game don’t always match up.

But the Syracuse Mets started planning for the 2024 eclipse in June 2023, and played a game against the Worcester Red Sox that April day — the only minor league game of the day. Themed merchandise and ballpark food enhanced the experience.

As Syracuse reached totality 23 minutes past the hour, Mother Nature made way for the viewing experience. The ballpark turned dark, with the only lights being cellular devices and the concourse. And for a few seconds, the moon shadowed the sun.

“It’s a big deal and you want to see this and be with people and say where you were for an eclipse,” Syracuse Mets General Manager Jason Smorol said.

Cassie Roshu | Senior Staff Photographer

Banana Bar Crawl gives SU its 1st dose of potassium

SU is known for oranges, but on Nov. 9, bananas came to town.

The Syracuse Banana Bar Crawl, organized by marketing agency MOSEA, was the fifth stop of its American tour. A ticket to the event covered free entry to participating bars, a deal on Happy Dad hard seltzers and, yes, a banana costume.

The event might seem absurd. Naturally, SU students loved it.

“I feel like everyone can just be themselves and not worry about looking good because we’re all really weird in these banana costumes,” SU senior Jordan Avinoam said.

Cassie Roshu | Senior Staff Photographer

Bruce Springsteen rocks SU with 6th trip to Dome

Rock legend Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band came to Syracuse for the sixth time in his storied career. The April concert came after Springsteen canceled his originally-planned fall 2023 show.

It isn’t every day a legend comes to town. The JMA Wireless Dome sold over 30,000 tickets for the show, so it’s fair to say Springsteen got his flowers. The four-hour show rocked the Loud House.

“If you’re someone who’s serious about music, he’s someone who has endured the test of time. My stepbrothers and now my nephews and nieces still follow The Beatles and The Doors, and a lot of musicians who I grew up with,” Ithaca resident David Levine said. “Springsteen to me is someone who’s going to be around in 50 or 100 years.”

Joe Zhao | Design Editor

On the Fly diner brings Cajun food to Syracuse with ‘labor of love’

As of late July, Syracuse’s Lyncourt neighborhood boasts a new Cajun-inspired diner. On the Fly, opened by the Wessel family, makes food from scratch, with locally sourced ingredients and a unique culinary style.

It’s a comfort food spot with elevated style informed by chef Gray Wessel’s culinary school education. Dissatisfied with exclusionary fine dining, he chose to prioritize comfort and nostalgia at On the Fly — though excellence and consistency are still priorities at the eatery.

“It’s important to me, to us, to feed people who are hungry. It’s not a status thing,” Gray said. “You can come in here, and you can get a good bite to eat in a cool place, where we’re going to treat you right without breaking the bank.”

Courtesy of Pat Martin

NYT-featured author George Saunders inspires SU’s creative writing MFA

Before he became a New York Times-featured author, George Saunders worked as a knuckle puller at a slaughterhouse and a groundsman at an apartment complex. With an unglamorous past, “less than no money” and a 1966 pickup truck to sleep in, Saunders was selected for the Syracuse University MFA in creative writing and graduated in 1988.

Now, Saunders is a highly-acclaimed author, with three of his books appearing on the New York Times’ list of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. He returned to SU to teach students in the same program that educated him.

Saunders remains generous to current members of the MFA program. The program changed his life, and he’s there to give students advice whenever they ask.

“They literally lifted me out of that (life), put me among people who were wiser and better read than I was,” Saunders said. “Suddenly, you feel those changes start to work in your mind and your body. You get this whole life that you literally couldn’t have had. It’s a miracle, really.”

Cassie Roshu | Senior Staff Photographer

Before the demolition of Kimmel, Marion Halls, alumni walk down memory lane

On Feb. 26, SU announced plans to demolish Kimmel and Marion Halls to make way for new undergraduate housing.

Current students praised the planned demolition of the buildings, as their outdated amenities hadn’t been renovated since 1988. Alums reminisced about fond memories of Kimmel, especially the fast food and late night dining options, like Taco Bell.

“It would just be those late-night meetups with friends or just even alone,” David Yontz, class of 2002, said. “It was just one of those social hubs.”

Published on December 31, 2024 at 1:08 pm