Here are a number events to keep you in the Syracuse area this weekend. With school starting this week, it will be good to stick around town, enjoy the nice weather and begin to accept winding down as winter draws near.
It’s also a weekend to reflect on the events of 9/11. Cazenovia and other places will be holding vigils, so keep your eyes and ears open.
Although the monthly City Market is coming to a close, 9 to 5 is kicking off at The Central New York Playhouse. Symphoria will also hold its first performance of the 2015-16 season. There will be an acoustic music showcase at Barnes & Noble, and the entire city of Utica will be dancing this Music and Arts Festival weekend.
Be sure to stop by the Irish Festival too and raise a glass. Here’s to another fun-filled weekend in upstate New York!
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Weather Forecast
THURSDAY
Temperature: 73 degrees / 53 degrees
Conditions: Overcast, rainy. Womp womp woooomp.
FRIDAY
Temperature: 80 degrees / 57 degrees
Conditions: There shall be sun.
SATURDAY
Temperature: 73 degrees / 57 degrees
Conditions: Aaaaaand there will be some rain.
SUNDAY
Temperature: 71 degrees / 56 degrees
Conditions: Even. More. Dreariness.
This Weekend…
Teen nonprofit organization Project Cafe will be holding a candlelight vigil in Cazenovia the evening of Sept. 11. There will be a silent reflection, and local emergency and veterans groups will be in attendance.
Where: Memorial Park, Albany St. Cazenovia
When: Friday, Sept. 11: 7 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
The musical based on the ’70s-based ’80s farce is hitting the stage at The Central New York Playhouse for 10 performances — not to throw a lot of numbers at you. Shows from Thursdays to Saturdays begin at 8 p.m., while Sunday afternoon shows run at 2 p.m. A special dinner and show will take place Saturday, Sept. 19.
Where: The Central New York Playhouse, 3649 Erie Blvd., East Syracuse
When: Friday, Sept. 11 – Saturday, Sat. 26
Cost: $22 (Thursdays and Sundays) | $25 (Fridays and Saturdays) | $39.95 (dinner and show)
The second Sunday of the month is coming up, and that means it’s time for the Sunday City Market. Not a bad reason for you to make your way down to Armory Square this weekend for brunch and some shopping.
Where: Armory Square, Downtown Syracuse
When: Sunday, Sept. 13: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: Free Admission
The Folkus Project: Book & Music Fair
To celebrate BookFair Week (Sept. 12-18) Barnes & Noble on Erie Blvd. is hosting a day-long celebration of literature and music. There will be live performances from a variety of local acts, and be sure to use the book fair ID: 11612884 — part of the proceeds from store-wide sales will go to Folkus.
Where: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3454 Erie Blvd., East Syracuse
When: Saturday, Sept. 12: 12-8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Lowell Smith Syracuse Walk to Defeat ALS
The short walk goes the distance to raise awareness about the research towards and the fight against ALS. Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the walk will begin at 11 p.m., following opening ceremonies. There will be food, games, and activities for all.
Where: Long Branch Park, 3813 Long Branch Road, Liverpool
When: Sunday, Sept. 13: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cost: Donations are appreciated and accepted.
Save the Rain Clean Water Fair
Come find out how you can be a part of the environmental conservation initiative and learn what efforts Onondaga County has done and will continue to do in regard to improve water quality. There will be plenty of family-friendly activities, tours, and rain barrel workshops.
Where: Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant, 650 Haiwatha Blvd., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Sept. 12: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
The 2015-16 Symphoria season begins this Saturday with pianist twins Christina and Michelle Naughton. They’ll be performing Saint-Saëns Bacchanale from Samson et Dalila, Poulenc Concerto for 2 Pianos in D minor, and Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14.
Ticket prices and packages vary. For more information, click here.
Where: Crouse Hinds Theater, 421 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Sept. 12: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 – $80 | Free (18 and under) | $5 (with college ID)
Syracuse Improv Collective’s 4th Birthday & Bank Show
What a great way to celebrate the preschool years … or 30 in improv collective years? Come celebrate with Syracuse and house teams: Hazmat Love, Quick 2 Blush, Satan’s Closet, and Heavy Metal Heatwave. Bring a chair (in case the space fills up).
Where: The Warren Street Bank, 451 S. Warren St., Syracuse
When: Friday, Sept. 11: 8 p.m.
Cost: $5
Tyler Perry’s ‘Madea on the Run’
Tyler Perry will be portraying his titular character on the local stage, and he’ll be joined by Cassi Davis, who will be playing Aunt Bam. Tickets for the comedic musical are available online, at the theatre’s box office, or by phone at (315) 475-7979.
Where: Landmark Theatre, 362 S. Salina St., Syracuse
When: Sunday, Sept. 13: 4 p.m.
Cost: $59 – $89
Vineyard Church will be holding the 4th annual race to benefit the nonprofit Feed My Starving Children. There will be a 5K race and a 1-mile walk. According the the website, since 2007, 2 million meals have been provided by CNY contributors to Feed My Starving Children.
Where: Vineyard Church, 312 Lakeside Road, Syracuse
When: Friday, Sept. 11: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $25 (early registration) | $30 (race day registration)
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The Festivals Continue…
Whether you emphasize the “a” or the “ah” in tomato, there is plenty of things to enjoy about the 30th Annual CNY TomatoFest. There will be live music on three stages, Max Man Reptile Rescue and Mrs. Whimsey’s Wee Bunny and Horse will be offering family fun demonstrations, and there will be plenty of area-wide vendors: non-profits, arts and crafts, farmers markets, and more. For those parking at Auburn High School, a free shuttle is provided. Proceeds from the event are donated to participating area food pantries.
Where: Emerson Park, 6914 E. Lake Road, Auburn
When: Saturday, Sept. 12 – Sunday, Sept. 13: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Cost: $3 per person | $1 (12 and under) | Donate canned food: Children get in free
The annual Critz Farms autumn celebration runs until the end of October, and offers plenty of daily activities. There is an animal care area, pick your own pumpkins and apples, a cow train ride for kids, and plenty more. This year, the local grower has collaborated with Rosamond Gifford Zoo to raise awareness for the efforts of the organization. The eight-acre corn maze this year is “The Giant Zoo-Tastic Octopus’s Garden Corn Maze,” is featured on Critz’s website.
For full details, please click the link above.
Where: Critz Farms, 3232 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia
When: Saturday, Sept. 12 – Sunday, Oct. 25
Cost: $30 (per car — more if non-family members are in the car) | 7.50 (adults, weekends) | $5 (seniors)
The 38th annual traditional country festival will have plenty to offer at this family-friendly event. There will be plenty of live music, contests, and food available. There will be plenty of activities, and some have a small fee: at the midway, to play all the games is $1; hayrides are $2; but canoeing and scavenger hunt are free.
For a full schedule of events and music, click the link above.
Where: Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 East Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville
When: Saturday, Sept. 12: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Sunday, Sept. 13: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: $5 (adults) | $1 (6-17 year-olds) | Free (5 and under)
The horror-favored festival will feature celebrities, meet-and-greets and a slew of films for macabre fanatics. The showcase of celebrities are definitely a highlight, and their notoriety ranges and spans from film, documentaries, and literature:
John Schnieder (The Dukes of Hazard and most recently Smothered)
Adrienne Barbeau (Swamp Thing and The Fog to name a couple)
Anthony Michael Hall (Weird Science, The Dead Zone, and The Breakfast Club) Doug Bradley (Hellraiser franchise’s Pinhead, himself)
Barry Bostwick (Rocky Horror Picture Show and Spin City)
Sean Whalen (The People Under The Stairs, Never Been Kissed, and the very first “Got Milk?” commercial … Hint: Aaron Burr).
Where: Turning Stone Resort & Casino, 5218 Patrick Road, Verona
When: Friday, Sept. 11 – 13
Cost: $175 (Celebrity VIP Experience) | $50 (3-day passes) | $30 (daily)
The home stretch of local festivals is upon us, and the Irish Festival will be a lively party with plenty of food, music, dancing, and Guinness. On Friday evening there will be a 9/11 tribute and remembrance, and a mass will be held Saturday morning at 11 a.m.
Headlining Friday are the Glengarry Bhoys, and Searson will end the evening the second night. Be sure to check out other performances: The Moxie Strings, The Causeway Giants, Attractive Nuisance, Quigsy and the Bird, Traonach, and much more.
Click here for the full schedule of events.
Where: Clinton Square, Downtown Syracuse
When: Friday, Sept. 11 – Saturday, Sept. 12: 12-11 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
The music festival at Skytop Field is boasting Big Sean, Oliver Heldens, Matt and Kim, ILoveMakonnen, BØRNS, and SNBRN. Not a bad way to kick off the early part of the school year with an eclectic show. This show has been sold out, but someone you know has to have an extra ticket or suddenly cannot make it. Right?
Where: The Warren Street Bank, 451 S. Warren St., Syracuse
When: Sunday, Sept. 13: noon (doors)
Cost: Sold out, but maybe you can find a decent scalper
Two days. Six venues: 315 BBQ & Brew, Lukin’s Brick Oven Pizza, O’Donnell’s Pub & Grill, Nail Creek Pub & Brewery, Harlee’s Pub & Grille, Tiny’s, and The Dev. Hours-upon-hours of music from statewide and even nationally-recognized bands, including: The Bomb, Golden Novak Duo, Papership, Professional Victims, Conehead Buddha, Linguistic Civilians, Sirsy and more.
The streets of Utica will be shaking this weekend.
Where: Various venues in Utica
When: Friday, Sept 11 – Saturday, Sept. 12
Cost: $10 (all-access weekend passes — limited)
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This weekend at the Fairgrounds
Off-season events will return Sept. 16. Click the link above to find out the full schedule.