Special Events Calendar for the greater Syracuse area

 

 

Flake Out!

Special Events Calendar for the greater Syracuse area

By Michele Vanderhoff

 

 

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTOS 

Winter wonderland: Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride at Highland Forest.

 

January

 

Jan. 6

 

May Memorial Chess Club. Bring a chess set and some snacks to a new, ongoing chess coterie, which runs on the first Sunday of every month. May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society, 3800 E. Genesee St. Admission is free. 446-8920.

Howie Mandel. If you’re a fan of Deal or No Deal, you’ll enjoy hearing the edgy yuckster’s stand-up act. The show starts at 8 p.m. Turning Stone Resort and Casino Showroom, Thruway Exit 33, Verona. $65-$80. 361-SHOW.

 

Jan. 12

 

Winter Living Celebration. There are plenty of things to do this winter, why not sample them all? Indoor and outdoor activities including sleigh rides, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, storytelling and live music, food & fun. Some events are weather-dependent. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rogers Environmental Education Center, Route 80, Sherburne. Free. (607) 674-4017.

 

Bridesworld 2008. Tap into your inner Bride-zilla with ongoing fashion shows over two days and visit nearly 100 exhibitors to meet all of your nuptial needs. Friday, 5:30 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oncenter Convention Center, 800 S. State St. $3. 435-8000.

 

Jan. 12-13

 

Folksmarch. Organized, non-competitive walking and wellness program for the whole family. Saturday, 8 to 11 a.m.; Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m. Arrowhead Lodge, Onieda Shores County Park. Ladd Road, Exit 31, Interstate 81, Brewerton. $3.50/adults; $1/age 16 and younger; free for first-time walkers. 475-6741.

 

Jan. 18-20

 

AMJAM Tattoo Expo. The 21st annual exhibit features live music and the return of the lizard man, performing daily. Meet internationally known tattoo artists and get inked; you may even win a “Tattoo of the Day” award. Friday, 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, noon to midnight; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Holiday Inn Convention Center, 441 Electronics Parkway, Liverpool. $10/ per day, $25/ for 3 days. (518) 893-2273.

Jan. 18-20

 

Salt City Winter Antique Show. More than 275 dealers offer wares from the 18th to 20th centuries, all spread out over thousands of square feet of floor space. Showgoers can bring an item for evaluation by professional appraiser Tim Conroy. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Center of Progress Building, State Fairgrounds. $6/adults; $7/weekend pass; free/under 12. 824-2462.

 

Jan. 19

Black Beans and Pink Popcorn: A Night of Bossa Nova. Local jazz singer Maria DeAngelis and the Westminster Express will perform a night filled with tunes from Joao and Astrud Gilberto, Stan Getz, Antonio Carlos Jobim and many other spicy, Latin music hipsters. Tickets are $17.50 at the door, and $12.50 in advance. Jazz Central, 441 E. Washington St. 424-8192.

 

Jan. 21

 

Build a Snow Cave. Being snowed-in was never so much fun as it is in this winter group activity. Pile soft snow and carve out a cave—a great emergency shelter or simple source of backyard fun. Bring a plastic snow shovel. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Free; $2 to park. Call to check conditions in the morning. 638-2519.

 

Jan. 25-27

 

Northeastern Sports Show. Some 200 exhibitors show hunting and fishing supplies, boats, game calls, wildlife art, and lots of other items for outdoor enthusiasts. Seminars cover deer hunting, turkey calling, dog training and fishing. Animal features include Brody the Bear, a trout pond, and Talons, a live birds of prey show. Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Center of Progress Building, State Fairgrounds. $9/adults; $3/ages 6-12; free/age 5 and younger. 824-3227.

 

Jan. 26

 

Winter Carnivale. Be sure to bring your kids to a festival that will feature performances from the Open Hand Puppet Theater, as well as music, dancing and more. Festivities will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Levy Middle School, 111 Fellows Ave. Admission is free. For more information, call 218-0218.

 

 

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO

Look out below! The sledding hill at Long Branch Park is the only free, legal venue for this perennial wintertime favorite.

 

February

 

Feb.1-3

 

New York State Golf Expo. In its 15th year, this show caters to both the beginner and experienced golfer who want to tee-off on the latest products, from equipment to apparel and even travel destinations. Friday, 2 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Center of Progress Building, New York State Fairgrounds. $8. 426-8741.

 

Country Folk Art Craft Show. Featuring more than 150 of the nation’s best crafters and offering quilts, florals, furniture, fine arts, jewelry, gourmet delights and much more. Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cargill Exhibit Center, State Fairgrounds. $6/adults; free/children. One paid admission is good all weekend. (248) 634-4151.

 

Feb. 2

 

Central New York Brewfest. The 11th annual beer tasting event features tasty brews from throughout the Northeastern United States and Canada, live music and food for purchase. Tasting offered in two sections: 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Over 21 only with proper ID. Horticulture Building, State Fairgrounds. $20/advance sale; $25/at door. 471-9989.

 

Mid-Winter Blues Run. Outrun those cold-weather blues with the third annual 5K run over country roads near Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Runners will begin and end at the Visitor Center. 9:45 a.m. Preregistration required: $20. 638-2519.

 

Warm Up Oswego. Participate in a hot dog scavenger hunt, a 2K fun run and walk and wacky sled races in our neighbouring, windy city. Events will start at noon and run through midnight at various locations throughout the city. Admission to events and locations vary. For a complete listing, visit www.warmuposwego.com or call 343-1981.

 

Ani DiFranco. The folk-meets-hippy singer will please the Lilith Fair crowd to promote her newest album, canon (Righteous Babe). Tickets are $37. State Theatre, 107 W. State St., Ithaca. (607) 27-STATE.

 

Feb. 9

 

Great Eastern Whiteout Vintage & Antique Snowmobile Show. Watch vintage snowmobiles race or register your own at this seventh annual event. Registration starts at 8 a.m., racing begins at 11 a.m. Rolling Wheels Raceway, Route 5, Elbridge. $8/adults, reduced rate for children. 252-4097.

 

Swing Sweet Cabaret. The Mario DeSantis Orchestra will perform a nighttime gala, featuring pasta dishes and swing dancing, to benefit Father Joseph Champlin’s Guardian Angel Society. Tickets are $75 per person, and $125 per couple. Oncenter, 800 S. State St. 422-7218.

 

Feb. 9-24

 

Syracuse Winterfest. Join in the holiday fun, featuring two weeks of winter events. All varieties of winter sports, crafting events and of course the annual Wing Walk will delight your children and keep you warm through the season. Admission prices and locations to events vary; go to www.syracusewinterfest.com for a complete listing of all events, or call 466-9468.

Feb. 10

 

Thornden Park Chili Bowl Festival. Starting at noon to 4 p.m., warm yourself through the winter cold with a big bowl of the good stuff. Enter the park from Ostrom Avenue. Free. 474-3813.

 

Feb. 14-16

 

Moonlight Skiing and Snowshoeing. Take part in some lunar outdoor fun along 10 miles of outdoor trails, then stop into the Visitor’s Center for hot chocolate. Bring a flashlight to help you negotiate darker sections of the trail. Open until 9 p.m. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $2/parking. 638-2519.

 

Feb. 24

 

Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt. The goofy-looking rocker and singer-songwriter will perform with the popular American guitarist. Tickets are $38-$38. State Theatre, 107 W. State St., Ithaca. (607) 27-STATE.

 

 

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO 

 

Red hot chili pepper: The chili cookoff is one of the highlights of Syracuse Winterfest.

 

 

Ongoing Winter Events

 

City of Syracuse Ice Skating. Through March 1. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth programs offers skating at these neighborhood locations. Clinton Square: Mon. through Thurs. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults, $1.50 for children 12 and younger and seniors; $3 for skate rental. Meachem Rink, West Seneca Turnpike: Mon. through Fri. 12:15 to 3:15 p.m., Sat. 7-10 p.m., Sun. 7:15-10 p.m.; call for other times. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for seniors; $3 for skate rental. Sunnycrest Rink, 699 Robinson St.: Mon. through Tues., Thurs. noon to 4:30 p.m., Wed. and Fri. noon to 5:30 p.m., 7:15 to 10 p.m.; call for weekend and other times. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. For more information, call 473-4330, Ext. 3000.

 

Learn to Cross-Country Ski. Every Sat. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sun. 1 p.m. through February. Get a one-hour lesson to pick up the basics of this fun sport. Highland Forest, Route 80, Fabius. $20/lesson & equipment rental; $2/parking. Preregister. 683-5550.

 

Hayrides and Sleigh Rides. Every Sat. and Sun., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thirty-minute horse-drawn rides include a warm beverage at the end of the ride. Highland Forest, Route 80, four miles east of Fabius. $5/adult; free/under 5; $2/parking. 683-5550.

 

Weekend Afternoon Guided Walks. Every Sat. and Sun. 2 p.m. through Jan. 29. Use snowshoes and explore the outdoors. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $3/snowshoe rental; $2/parking. Preregister. 638-2519.

 

Cross-Country Ski Basics. Jan. 12, 19 and Feb. 9, Every Wed. Jan. 9 through Feb. 13. 1:30-3:30 p.m. First-time skiers can pick up simple skills and new skiers can receive helpful hints from instructors. Thurs., 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and Sat., 9 to 11 a.m. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $10 per person; $8 for members. You must bring your own skis and preregister. 638-2519.

 

Try Snowshoeing. Every Sat. and Sun., 12:30 p.m.; through Feb. 24. In a one-hour intro, get instructions and go on a short hike. Call the day of the hike to check on snow conditions and preregister. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $3/snowshoe rental; $2/parking. 638-2519. Depends on snow.

 

Moonlight Skiing and Snowshoeing. Jan. 18, 19 and 20, Feb. 14, 15 and 16 until 9 p.m. Take part in some lunar outdoor fun along 10 miles of outdoor trails. Bring a flashlight, just in case of deep darkness on certain sections of trail. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $3/snoeshow rental; $2/parking. 638-2519.

 

Trail Tales. Jan. 10 and 24, Feb. 7 and 28. Nature stories and short walks in the woods geared toward children. 1 p.m. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $2/parking. 638-2519.

 

Weekday Snowshoe Jaunt. Thursday, Jan. 3 through Feb. 14. Take a refreshing hike through wintry wonderlands. 1:30 p.m. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Preregistration required. $3/snowshoe rental, $2/parking. 638-2519.