After last weekend’s Jazz Fest, it’s undeniably difficult to resist live music in CNY. With New York State Blues Fest in the pile of events this weekend, there are plenty of other opportunities to catch local and national acts.
Of course there are plenty of other things to do: Middle Eastern Cultural Festival’s four-day stint, the Lavender Festival, roller derby and comedy. No matter what you do, promise to have a good time.
New York State Blues Fest
Local and national acts emit soulful, danceable melodies in Clinton Square. It kicks off with John Nemeth performing at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on Thursday night. Check out the full schedule.
Where: Clinton Square
When: Thursday, July 7 (Dino Pre-Party), Friday, July 8 – Saturday, July 9
Cost: Free admission, $75/VIP day, $130/VIP festival | Buy Online
Middle Eastern Cultural Festival
The annual festival with delicious food, live music, dancing and entertainment returns.
Thursday & Friday | 4 – 10 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday | noon – 10 p.m.
Where: St. Elias Orthodox Christian Church, 4988 Onondaga Road, Syracuse
When: Thursday, July 7 – Sunday, July 10
Cost: Free admission | More Info | 488-0388
The Avett Brothers
North Carolina American band strolls and stomps its way into Downtown Syracuse.
Where: The Landmark Theatre, 362 S. Salina St., Syracuse
When: Thursday, July 7 | 8 p.m.
Cost: $53, $62, $73 | Buy Online | 475-7979
Skaneateles Antique & Artisan Show
Where: Austin Park Pavilion, 1 E. Austin St., Skaneateles 
When: Friday, July 8 – Saturday, July 9 | 10 a.m.
Cost: $6/day pass with coupon, $7/day pass, $8/two-day pass | More Info | 685-5963
Finger Lakes Lavender Festival
The annual arts, crafts and eats festival returns to Skaneateles. Pick your own lavender, and indulge in a variety of live demonstrations.
Where: Lockwood Lavender Farm, 1682 W. Lake Road, Skaneateles
When: Saturday, July 9 – Sunday, July 10 | 9 a.m.
Cost: Free admission | 685-5369
Assault City Roller Derby
It’s time to roll! Assault City hosts Kinsington at home.
Where: SRC Arena, Onondaga Community College, 4585 W. Seneca Tpke., Syracuse
When: Saturday, July 9 | 4 p.m.
Cost: $8/advance, $10/day-of, Free/ages 12 & under | Buy Online
Ronnie Leigh & Todd Hobin
The Candlelight Series returns, and the longtime lo
cal performers kick off the weekly July outdoor series. Hobin takes the stage at 7 p.m., Leigh at 8 p.m.
Where: Armory Square in front of The M.O.S.T., 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse
When: Saturday, July 9 | 7 p.m.
Cost: Free admission | More Info
Cuse Comedy Showcase
Host Will Phillips introduces headliner Travis Blunt along with comics John “Bellionaire” Bellavia, Maryanne Donnelly, Charlie Fruschi, John Gaali, Jim Klaisle, RJ Purpura and Jen Stephenson competing for a cash prize.
Where: Central New York Playhouse, Shoppingtown Mall, 3649 Erie Blvd E., Syracuse
When: Saturday, July 9 | 8 p.m.
Cost: $10/advance, $12/door | Buy Online | 885-8960
Cliff Eberhardt & Louise Mosrie
The folky duo takes the stage in Nelson for the last show for the summer.
Where: Nelson Odeon, 4035 Nelson Road, Nelson
When: Saturday, July 9 | 8 p.m.
Cost: $20/advance, $22/day-of | Buy Online | 655-9193
Loren Barrigar & Mark Mazengarb
The names speak for themselves, and so does their music.
Where: Earlville Opera House, 18 E. Main St., Earlville
When: Saturday, July 9 | 9 p.m.
Cost: $10, $15, $20, $25, $30 | Buy Online | 691-3550
Editor’s Pick: Lewington Downie
Kitty Hoynes features two of the members of Enter the Haggis for two nights of music.
Where: Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub, 301 W. Fayette St., Syracuse
When: Friday, July 8 – Saturday, July 9 | 9 p.m.
Cost: Free | 424-1974
Other Music (Why Not?):
Van’s Warped Tour. Thursday, July 8, 11 a.m. at Lakeview Amphitheater. $41.50.
New Riders of the Purple Sage. Thursday, July 8, 7 p.m. at East Side Park, Norwhich. Free.
10 Years. Friday, July 9, 6 p.m. at The Lost Horizon. $16/advance, $20/door.
String Cheese Incident, Twiddle. Friday, July 9, 6:30 at Brewery Ommegang. $50.
The Temptations. Friday, July 9, 8 p.m. at Turning Stone. $19-$29.
Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin, Alter Bridge, Saint Asonia. Saturday, July 9, 6:30 p.m. at Lakeview Amphitheater. $30-$80.
Ben Harper & Innocent Criminals, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Saturday, July 9, 7 p.m. at Brewery Ommegang. $50.
Del Rey. Saturday, July 9, 8 p.m. at Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts. $12.
Michelle Shocked. Sunday, July 10, 7 p.m. at Funk N Waffles Downtown. $20/advance, $25/door.
Steely Dan & Steve Winwood. Sunday, July 10, 7 p.m. at SPAC. $20-$79.50.
Phish. Sunday, July 10, 7:30 p.m. at Lakeview Amphitheater. $45/lawn, $65/seat.
Take me out to the Chiefs Game…
All baseball games are played at NBT Stadium, 1 Tex Simone Dr, Syracuse. Box office phone: 474-7833.
No games this weekend.
Weekend at the Fairgrounds
The Fairgrounds is located at 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse.
Empire State Paint Horse “Summer Sizzler” Show
Where: Toyota Coliseum
When: Saturday, July 9 – Sunday, July 10 | 8 a.m.
Cost: Free | More Info
Weather Forecast
(Subject to change, of course.)
THURSDAY
Temperature: 90 degrees / 96 degrees
Conditions: Rainy and humid.
FRIDAY
Temperature: 88 degrees / 69 degrees
Conditions: Humid and rainy.
SATURDAY
Temperature: 86 degrees / 62 degrees
Conditions: The sky is (still) cryin’…
SUNDAY
Temperature: 75 degrees / 58 degrees
Conditions: OK. We get it: Rain.
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