Hello! Welcome to another edition of your weekend events guide.
This weekend will be a very music-filled weekend, which isn’t surprising, but there is a lot of great and fun things going on. Each of the events have some form of musical element incorporated into schedules:
Tattoo expo: Screaming.
Comedy: Harmonious laughing.
Craft Cocktail Battle: Pumping Beats.
Freeze Out 5K: Beat of stomping feet.
Improv: You never know.
Polar Bear Plunge: Ghoulish moaning, chanting.
Of course, we have the rest of the music-heavy acts, and there is quite the variety.
Weather Forecast
Perfect weekend to get the friends together.
(Subject to change, of course.)
THURSDAY
Temperature: 35 degrees / 27 degrees
Conditions: If it’s above freezing, it’s certainly not freezing.
FRIDAY
Temperature: 33 degrees / 20 degrees
Conditions: Ice cold flirting.
SATURDAY
Temperature: 38 degrees / 32 degrees
Conditions: It’s a perfect day for a swim.
SUNDAY
Temperature: 48 degrees / 39 degrees
Conditions: Heatwaaaaave!
“Alice in Wonderland”
The Magic Circle Children’s Theatre takes patrons on a magical and interactive adventure through Wonderland, joining Alice and the unforgettable cast of characters.
Where: Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 N. Clinton St., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Jan. 30 | 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $6 | 449-3823
AM-JAM Tattoo Expo
The annual tattoo expo has returned, and the infamous Lizardman is master of ceremonies. Come by, get information, visit vendors and get inked.
Where: Best Western , 6555 Collamer Road, East Syracuse
When: Friday, Jan. 29 – Sunday, Jan. 31
Cost: $10/day, $25/three-day package, Free/16 and younger (must be with parent) | (518) 893-2273
Brad Paisley
The country star is coming to CNY. It’s part of his “Crushin’ It” tour, and so you should expect him to wear a paisley Brad Paisley shirt and cowboy hat with a paisley pattern, and he’ll be playing his paisley guitar with a paisley guitar strap. Now, that’s what I call crushin’ it (#fashion).
Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Jan. 30 | 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $$45.25, $55.25, $65.25, $65.25, $75.25 | 435-8000
Burns Sisters / Homer Winterfest
The familial CNY-based folk singer-songwriters are set to perform in Homer, and will be part of the Winterfest Weekend in the Village of Homer.
Winterfest does not have an admission fee and will be taking place Friday and Saturday. For a list of events, click here.
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer, 72 S. Main St., Homer
When: Saturday, Jan. 30 | 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $20/adults; $18/seniors; $16/students; Free/military, vets, 18 and younger | Buy Online | (607) 749-4900
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)
Where: 1254 Highland Park Road, Fabius
When: Open daily
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
When: Open daily
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
Craft Cocktail Battle
The first ever Syracuse cocktail making tournament is finally coming to a close. Get your tickets in advance for $15. Four CNY bartenders will compete and one will triumph, but they all have bragging rights: They all represent and boast our area restaurants and unique nightlife scene. Price of admission includes a free beverage, food samples and concocted cocktail samples. Hopefully, this won’t be the first and last. (In my opinion, they should make it a monthly nightlife installment.)
Where: The York, 247 W. Fayette St., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Jan. 30 | 9 p.m.
Cost: $15/advance (Thursday), $20 | Buy Online
Cuse Comedy Showcase
Comics compete courageously for audience approval. Corey Smithson, 2015 Cuse Comedy Championship winner, headlines the night of hysterics with Sarah Benson, James Fedkiw, Justin Jackson, Michael LaMantia, Jim Klaisle, RJ McCarthy, Larry O’Grady and RJ Purpura.
Where: Central New York Playhouse, Shoppingtown Mall, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Jan. 30 | 8 p.m.
Cost: $10/advance, $12/door | Buy Online | 885-8960
Djug Django
The Ithaca-based gypsy swing band pays homage to Django Reinhardt and other jazz, big band performers.
Where: Pensebene’s Casa Grande, 135 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
When: Sunday, Jan. 31 | 4 p.m.
Cost: $15 | 652-0547 (JASS), 466-0312 (Pensebene’s)
Freeze-Out 5K
It’s important to be active during the winter and a proactive community member. The nighttime outdoor race will take place Friday evening. Online registration has closed, but day-of registration will take place at 6 p.m. at the SRC Arena. Proceeds benefit the Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse.
Where: Onondgaga Community College, 4585 W. Seneca Tpke., Syracuse
When: Friday, Jan. 29 | 7 p.m.
Cost: $15/with commitment to raise $100, $35/one-time fee | 701-3891
“Into the Woods”
The Stephen Sondheim adaptation of James Lapine’s book is performed in repertory with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Thursday, Jan. 28 | 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 30 | 8 p.m.
Where: The Redhouse Arts Center, 201 S. West St., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Jan. 28 – Saturday, Feb. 13
Cost: $30 | Buy Online | 362-2785
January Jazz Fest
CNY Jazz presents a “Sunday Funday” in Baldwinsville. The winter jazz festival will be kicking off with an 11 a.m. brunch, and the sets will stretch out for 10 hours. There will be blues, big band, soul, bebop and more.
Performances include Joe Ferlo, Scott Dennis, Edgar Pagan’s Grupo Pagan Lite, Longwood Jazz, Rick Holland Big Little Band and more. Check out the full schedule.
Where: Mohegan Manor, 58 Oswego St., Baldwinsville
When: Sunday, Jan. 31 | 11 a.m.
Cost: $25/advance, $15/student, $30/general | Buy Online | 362-2785
“Midsummer Night’s Dream”
William Shakespeare’s comedic fairy tale is presented in repertory with “Into the Woods.”
Friday, Jan. 29 | 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 30 | 2 p.m.
Where: The Redhouse Arts Center, 201 S. West St., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Jan. 29 – Saturday, Feb. 13
Cost: $30 | Buy Online | 362-2785
“Stupid F***ing Bird”
What happens when you take a classic Russian play and put a modern spin on it? This production. It’s as entertaining as it is to say aloud, and it tackles the issues of love and growing up. How does a seagull fit in? Well, it has to do with something most of us have possibly considered once or twice while living in CNY…
Thursday, Jan. 28 | 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 29 | 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 30 | 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 31 | 2 p.m.
Where: Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Jan. 28 – Sunday, Feb. 7
Cost: $18 – $50 | Buy Online | 443-3275
Salt City Improv
House troupe Money Maker Monday takes the stage for an evening of short-form improv, which is similar to “Whose Line is it Anyway?”
Where: Salt City Improv Theatre, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse
When: Friday, Jan. 29 | 8 p.m.
Cost: $10 | 410-1962
Shen Yun
The Chinese dance and music company returns to Syracuse for two aesthetically wonderful shows.
Where: Crouse Hinds Theater, 411 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Friday, Jan. 29: 8 p.m. | Saturday, Jan. 30: 2 p.m.
Cost: $60, $70, $80, $100, $110, $120 | Buy Online | 435-8000
Skaneateles Winterfest
Are you brave/stupid enough to bear the frigid waters peeling away at your skin? No? Well, there is plenty of other things to do. On Friday evening, the annual opening ceremonies — the lighting of the ice tower fire — will be taking place at 7 p.m.
Want to take the plunge? Sign up here.
Friday January 29th:
- Ice Tower Fire at 7 p.m. in Clift Park, by the gazebo
- Artisan performances
Saturday January 30th:
- Taste of Skaneateles 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Polar Bear Plunge 12:30 p.m.
- View over 25 Professional Ice Sculptures around downtown
- Scavenger Hunt at local merchants -“super prizes”
- Ice Carving Demo early afternoon at Clift park
- Nature Center children activity 1-3 p.m. at Clift park
Where: Village of Skaneateles
When: Friday, Jan. 29 – Sunday, Jan. 31
Cost: Free admission, Activities may have a fee. Plunge is $40.
“Sweeney Todd”
The “demon barber of fleet street” is making another appearance, just like a deranged Santa Claus, serving meat pies rather than pleasant gifts or coal. Get a taste of the Baldwinsville Theatre Guild’s production of the bloody good musical.
Friday, Jan. 29 | 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 30 | 8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 31 | 3 p.m.
Where: Baldwinsville Presbyterian Church, 64 Oswego St., Baldwinsville
When: Friday, Jan. 29 – Saturday, Feb. 6
Cost: $25/general, $23/seniors (Sunday matinee only) | Buy Online | 877-8765
Syracuse Crunch
Hershey Bears head up the highway to Syracuse to take on the Crunch.
Where: Oncenter War Memorial, 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse
When: Friday, Jan. 29 | 7 p.m.
Cost: $16, $20 | Buy Online | 473-4444
Syracuse University Men’s Basketball
Two games are taking place in three days. Tonight: Syracuse hosts the Fighting Irish…
Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse University, 900 Irving Ave., Syracuse
When: Thursday, Jan. 28 |7 p.m.
Cost: $45 | Buy Online | 1-888-DOME-TIX
…and then Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets visit Saturday afternoon.
Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse University, 900 Irving Ave., Syracuse
When: Saturday, Jan. 30 | Noon
Cost: $40 | Buy Online | 1-888-DOME-TIX
Tawanna Shaunte
The community center kicks off Black History Month with its program, Journey Through Music of the African Diaspora (JMAD), and soulful Mississippi singer-songwriter Tawanna Shaunte.
Where: Salt City Improv Theatre, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse
When: Friday, Jan. 29 | 7 p.m.
Cost: Free admission. Donations to benefit the center and future programming is appreciated.
Way Down Wanderers
The Chicago-based folk rockers will fit in perfectly at The Nelson Odeon. They may be folk-based, but they’ve infused a variety of genres and performance styles in to their sets.
Where: The Nelson Odeon, 4035 Nelson Road, Nelson
When: Saturday, Jan. 23 | 8 p.m.
Cost: $22/advance, $24/door | Buy Online | 435-2121
