We made it through yet another week of slush; road swimming pools; and winter muck and mire. As this message is being typed, the sun is shining — we’ll take it, because no one has ever complained about a dose of vitamin D.
This weekend, Winterfest is coming to a close. It flew by way too quickly. There are plenty of fest-related activities: The wing walk, Bloody Mary and chili competitions; the latter, after an unfortunate shutting down of the beloved segment, has been tweaked and resurrected with a fresh new look, err, aroma.
The showshoeing and cross-country ski events have made a valiant return, because there is actually snow on the ground and it’s not bitter, bitter cold. Beaver Lake and Green Lakes especially have moonlight activities planned this weekend.
What to do with the rest of your weekend? Let the bubbles fly, enjoy the melodies with the Hammond B-3 accompaniment, dance at a bluegrass festival, see a play, enjoy some sports or sing along to some Elvis Costello.
Enjoy your weekend, and see you next week!
Weather Forecast
(Subject to change, of course.)
THURSDAY
Temperature: 22 degrees / 3 degrees
Conditions: “Here comes the sun…”
FRIDAY
Temperature: 38 degrees / 31 degrees
Conditions: “The answer my friend, is blowin’ in the wind…”
SATURDAY
Temperature: 45 degrees / 34 degrees
Conditions: “Sometimes the snow comes down in June…”
SUNDAY
Temperature: 40 degrees / 31 degrees
Conditions: “Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?”
ArtRage Events
ArtRage is holding several events throughout this month, taking a look at African American identity, stereotypes, and culture throughout history.
Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company will be performing The Colored Museum, a satirical play on Friday (Feb. 19) and Saturday (Feb. 20), and both performances take place at 7 p.m. Admission is $10.
The exhibit “Blackout: Through the Veiled Eyes of Others” will continue through mid-March.
This Tuesday, Feb. 23, late local artist Thea St. Omer’s “Nigger” will be shown from 7 to 9 p.m., and the event is free. Visit the website for more events.
Where: ArtRage Gallery, 505 Hawley Ave., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Feb. 18 – Saturday, March 19
Cost: See above.
Blowout Fantasy Hair Show
This year, the fantasy hair competition will shine in the Landmark Theatre. The year’s theme “Once Upon a Time” will be highlighted by six awards at the end of the night. Proceeds will benefit ACR Health.
Where: Landmark Theatre, 362 S. Salina St., Syracuse
When: Sunday, Feb. 21 | 3 p.m.
Cost: $25/general, $50/VIP | Buy Online | 475-2430 x 706
Bloody Mary Brunch & Winter Bash
If you’re not an outdoors person, stay inside. SKY is not only taking part in the Bloody Mary competition, but they’re holding a delicious brunch as well.
Where: Landmark Theatre, 362 S. Salina St., Syracuse
When: Sunday, Feb. 21 | noon – 5 p.m.
Cost: Free, but food and drink purchased a la carte
Bluegrass Festival
Cozy up this Saturday for an evening of homegrown tunes featuring GRAMMY winning headliner John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band. The lineup includes Molly & The Badly Bent Bluegrass Boys, The Cadleys and Bug Tussle.
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S. Main St., Homer
When: Saturday, Feb. 20 | 7 p.m.
Cost: $28/adults; $25/seniors; $20/students; Free/military, vets, 18 and younger | Buy Online | (607) 749-4900
Bubblemania
Part of the Playhouse’s “One Night” series, this afternoon special performance features Bubbleman Doug Rougeoux, celebrating his 25th year as a bubble specialist.
Where: Central New York Playhouse, Shoppingtown Mall, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Feb. 20 | 2 p.m.
Cost: $2.50/general| Buy Online | 885-8960
Cross-Country and Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing only. Bring your own snowshoes, but rentals are available.
Snowshoes: $5
Where: 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus
When: Open daily
Cost: Free admission | 673-1350
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Bring your own snowshoes or skis. Snowshoe rentals available.
Snowshoes: $5/hour
Weekend guided snowshoeing (Saturday and Sunday) | 2 p.m.
Moonlight snowshoeing Thursdays – Sundays | 9 p.m.
Where: 8477 East Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville
When: Open daily | Weekend Guided Tours (preregistration required)
Cost: $4/admission | 683-2519
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Bring your own snowshoes or skis. Snowshoe and ski rentals available.
Snowshoes: $10/adults, $5/children (15 and under)
Ski Day Pass: $10/adults. $5/children (15 and under) | Individual items (poles, skis, boots): $7
Ski Season Pass: $25/adults. $15/children (15 and under)
Weekend moonlight skiing, snowshoeing and hiking.
Where: 1254 Highland Park Road, Fabius
Cost: $3/day, $20/annual vehicle admission | 683-5550
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. No rentals, bring your own skis.
Where: 9400 Bartell Road, Brewerton
Cost: Free admission | 676-7366
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing: Shoreline Walking Trail, the Long Branch Park loop or on the West Shore Trail. No rentals, bring your own skis.
Where: 106 Lake Drive, Liverpool
Cost: Free admission | 453-6712
Festival of the Fantastical Facial Follicle
The 3rd annual beards, mustaches, sideburns, eyebrows and eyelashes party by Syracuse Beard Council will be held at the historic Landmark Theatre. The evening will be filled with contests for the different facial-focused aspects. Music from Boots n’ Shorts, Zadoc’s Eternal Circus, Kissa the Spritz, Sleep Storm and a parade will be led by Second Line Syracuse. Part of the proceeds goes to St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
Where: Landmark Theatre, 362 S. Salina St., Syracuse
When: Friday, Feb. 19 | 6-11 p.m.
Cost: $10/entrance (donation), $5/register your face and follicles
First Date
The dating world is tough as it is, but what if your inner demons, past experiences, family, friends
and confidants appeared around you, interrupting and potentially sabotaging an evening out? Find out if the protagonists decide on another date in this musical comedy.
Thursday, Feb. 18| 8 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 19 | 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 20 | 8 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 21 | 2 p.m.
Where: Central New York Playhouse, Shoppingtown Mall, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse
When: Friday, Feb. 20 – Saturday, Feb. 27
Cost: $22/Thurs. & Sun., $25/Fri. & Sat. | Buy Online | 885-8960
Guttermouth
Veteran sarcastic California punk band plows their way to Syracuse with The Cryptics, Lucky 33, Lemon Law and Caverns in tow for this local rock venue stop.
Where: The Lost Horizon, 5863 Thompson Road, Syracuse
When: Friday, Feb. 12 – Saturday, Feb. 27
Cost: $13/advance, $15/general | Buy Online | 446-1934
Hammond Jammin’
While enjoying the wing walk, spice up your Sunday Funday with the annual Hammond B-3 concert taking place in the upstairs space at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.
Gerry Testa and Rhythm Method (noon)
Rick Jewitt and the Lawless Brothers (12:45 p.m.)
Shane Storto and Timeline (1:30 p.m.)
Kimo Cortini with Dr. Boogie (2:15 p.m.)
Bill Barry and Monkey Fever (3 p.m.)
Michael Davis Plus with The Coachmen and Skip Murphy (3:45 p.m.)
The Jimmy Cox Family Band (4:30 p.m.)
Dave Solazzo and the Hip Replacements with Tim Herron (5:15 p.m.)
Where: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (Upstairs), 246 W. Willow St., Syracuse
When: Sunday, Feb. 12 – Saturday, Feb. 27
Cost: Free admission
Karen Oberlin: “His Aim is True”
To celebrate Elvis Costello’s 30-plus year contribution to music, Karen Oberlin’s intimate cabaret will be featured two evenings this weekend only.
Where: Red House Arts Center, 201 S. West St., Syracuse
When: Friday, Feb. 19 – Saturday, Feb. 20 | 8 p.m.
Cost: $15/members, $25/non-member | Buy Online: FRI, SAT | 362-2785
The Lion in Winter
The James Goldman play about Henry II of England and his family, their personal and political conflicts is presented by the Syracuse Shakespeare Festival. This weekend are the final three showings.
Friday, Feb. 19| 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 20| 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 21| 2 p.m.
Where: Empire Theater, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse
When: Friday, Feb. 19 – Sunday, Feb. 21
Cost: $8, $12, $13, $15 | Buy Online | 476-1835
Snowball Pub Crawl
The winter won’t bother you if you can’t feel the cold, right? K-ROCK is hosting a Winterfest pub crawl, starting out at J Ryan’s and venturing to The Evergreen, Wild Will’s Saloon, Wolff’s Biergarten, Maxwells and ending at Clark’s Ale House.
Where: Hanover Square (and surrounding area), Syracuse
When: Saturday, Feb. 20 | 4 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend
Syracuse Crunch
The Crunch welcome the Utica Comets into town this Friday…
Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Friday, Feb. 19 | 7 p.m.
Cost: $16, $20 | Buy Online | 473-4444
…and they’ll be sure to clean up before hosting the Rochester Americans on Saturday.
Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Feb. 20 | 7 p.m.
Cost: $16, $20 | Buy Online | 473-4444
Syracuse Silver Knights
The Silver Knights host the Harrisburg Heat this Thursday evening…
Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Feb. 18 | 7 p.m.
Cost: $17.50 (adult), $14.50 (youth) | 303-7261
… and then the Missouri Comets on Sunday.
Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Sunday, Feb. 21 | 4 p.m.
Cost: $17.50 (adult), $14.50 (youth) | 303-7261
Syracuse University Men’s Basketball
The Orange hosts the Panthers. They’re going to scratch some bellies, make them purr.
Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse University, 900 Irving Ave., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Feb. 20 | 2 p.m.
Cost: $45 | Buy Online | 1-888-DOME-TIX
Syracuse University Women’s Basketball
Make a date to see the women take on Florida State.
Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse University, 900 Irving Ave., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Feb. 18 | 7 p.m.
Cost: $20/courtside; $10/general admission; $5/seniors, 12 and younger | Buy Online | 1-888-DOME-TIX
Winterfest 2016
Syracuse Winterfest is coming to a close. (Boy, did these days blow by.) Be sure to enjoy
Downtown Dining specials, the medallion hunt, beverage and food competitions, walks and crawls and more. The wing walk, chili cook-off and Bloody Mary walks are this weekend. Click above for full details.
Where: Hanover Square, Armory Square, Everywhere
When: Thursday, Feb. 18 – Sunday, Feb. 21
Cost: Some events have fees, some are free
Weekend at the Fairgrounds
The Fairgrounds is located at 581 State Fair Blvd. in Syracuse.
Thursday, Feb. 18 | 1-9 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 19 | 1-9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 20 | 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 21 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Center of Progress, Horticulture Building, and the Tractor Supply Co. Exhibit Center Building
When: Thursday, Feb. 18 – Sunday, Feb. 21
Cost: $10/general, Free/13 and younger | Website