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 local 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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