Whether it’s the work of Dr. Seuss or Shakespeare, a dance passed down through generations, or a George Lucas movie, there’s something about a great story that pulls you in while the “real world” melts away. In a word, it’s magical. Syracuse Stories: An All Arts Festival is bringing this magic to ArtsWeek.

Providing a more healthful twist on the perfect summertime food—ice cream—is the once-humble smoothie, now the subject of enough colorful varieties to make a parade of Syracuse Nationals cars jealous. When made properly, smoothies are healthy and natural.

But what Kermit doesn’t know about is the Blue Rain ECOfest, a three-day event designed by the folks at Jazz Central to bring attainable sustainability to Central New York. “The Blue Rain ECOfest is a familyoriented sustainability fest, the first one for Central New York,” says Martin Walls, communications director of Jazz Central.

Although Wilder hails from Rochester, and has shown her block print art around the country, this is her first show in the Syracuse area. The artist will be at Dalton’s for a meet-and-greet event on Friday, July 8, 5 to 8 p.m. “We’re asking for a phone call RSVP by the end of the day on Wednesday, July 6,” Rudd says with a laugh.

CNY Arts Covenant, an initiative designed to encourage people to support the arts and arts organizations in the area, is awarding four grants of $1,000 each to artists who can best answer that question and convey what a covenant to support the arts might mean.

The warm and somewhat pleasant weather has finally made its presence known in Syracuse. And what better way to celebrate this blessing, not to mention the city, than an art float parade down Onondaga Creek? Art isn’t usually the first item thought of as floating on the creek, but with this new public art initiative, it eventually could be.

“The film event is made up of filmmakers from the Syracuse community, many of whom have never made a film before,” explained Jason Kohlbrenner, one of the event organizers. The gist of the event, and its name, is that each filmmaker—there are 25 of them this year—shoots one reel on Super 8 film, a short loop of 3 minutes and 20 seconds.

In this modern day, we should probably broaden that phrase. Pet is “human’s best friend.” Through the best and worst of times, your pet—whether it be dog, cat, rabbit, flying squirrel—is there, being cute and cuddly, and not minding that you’re curled up under a mound of blankets on the couch, watching When Harry Met Sally.

With spring comes a second helping of Salt City Dishes, and Dishes bringing the spring brightness our city needs. For those readers who didn’t have the chance to attend the first Dishes event on Jan. 23—a sold-out dinner at St. Clare Theater—here’s the lowdown.

Act quick; before you know it maple syrup season will dry up