A few years ago, a conversation between friends Joe Driscoll and Michael John Heagerty brought up nostalgic memories of Driscoll’s Thursday night performances at Bull and Bear Roadhouse.
Driscoll wanted to recreate that feeling again.
“There used to be these really lively Thursday nights. And that’s when I really fell in love with Thursday nights because you’re not competing with all the stuff that’s happening on Fridays and Saturdays,” Driscoll said. “It’s kind of an off night, but it also makes the week a little more liveable if you have something to look forward to on a Thursday as well as on a Friday.”
That sparked the idea for the popular Hanover Thursdays. For the last two years, on each Thursday in August, Hanover Square has hosted live music. Driscoll is the host and DJ for the events. Driscoll and Heagerty are the co-founders. Each event lasts from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The pair chose Hanover Square because, while it’s smaller and less open that Clinton Square, it provides better shading and seating options for guests, they said.
Since 2022, the concert series has grown. In 2022, there were four shows. Last year, there were five. This year, the event will run through September with additional concerts at Rise N Shine Diner in the Westcott neighborhood.
Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current 
Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current 
Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current 
Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current 
Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current 
Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current 
Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current 
Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current 
Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current 
Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current 
Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current 
Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current 
Credit: Michelle Gabel | Central Current
“Hanover Square every decade gets its turn again. Historically, it’s the first original square of the city because the water went through Clinton Square back in the day in the Erie Canal. It’s just got some muscle memory to it,” said Heagerty said.
Driscoll and Heagerty said the buy-in from the neighboring bars and restaurants has been key to the event’s success.
On Thursday night, local bars and restaurants like Eden, Maxwells, Orbis Lounge,Evergreen, and others offer seating for the concertgoers.
People can walk around the square with their drinks from the bars or the food they’ve ordered from the restaurants.
“Everybody’s taken ownership of it in the neighborhood,” Driscoll said. “Everybody’s kind of bought in.”
Families with young children and pets, couples, and friend groups gather, dance, and take photos. Some walk along the square to stop at vendor stands or local eateries.
One week’s vendors included ReAwakened Jewelry, Flower Skate Shop, Imogen’s Antlers, and Jasmine Rae Floral Design.
Driscoll and Heagerty have seen groups form around the music: Those dancing near the stage, some bringing chairs to sit in the grass, and then more sitting on some of the square’s architecture.
In past shows, regionally known and international musicians have played for Hanover Thursdays. Some of the performers have included Driftwood, Honey for the Bees, Fondu, Brownskin Band, Sophistafunk, The Ripcords, and Easy Star All-Stars.
“I think we all love our staple local artists, but I think it would be nice to mix it up and come for something new while getting your local dose too,” Driscoll said.
To sustain Hanover Thursdays, Driscoll and Heagerty assembled a team to handle marketing, booking, and hospitality. Team members include Bea Talplacido, Chris Merkley, Hope Earley, Charley Orlando, Eliza Hewitt, and Maggie Hartnett.
In September, Hanover Thursdays will move to the Westcott neighborhood, and the event will be called Westcott Thursdays.
“It’s a big deal to bring it to the neighborhood and to bring it to the Nation,” Heagerty said. “ So I think a lot of people are going to see the block party version of it and respond well, too.”
The expansion, which was always a goal for the team, was made possible by grants from New York State and secured by New York State Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter.
Hanover Thursdays has relied on several grants, sponsorships, and donations to sustain the costs of the event. Local organizations like Visit Syracuse, and Downtown Committee have supported them with funding, Driscoll and Heagerty said.
Beyond the Westcott Thursdays expansion, the team has set a future goal to venture into Armory Square.
The plan is to maintain the simple, outdoorsy feeling for residents, Heagerty said.
“It is like church to us. I think we’re addicted to seeing the whole of Syracuse come out and smile and dance, and have a good time,” Driscoll said.
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