This week is the perfect cure for those post-holiday blues.
There is plenty of live music all over the area.
And, this week also offers a chance to get outside and watch some exciting hockey action at Clinton Square, do some snowshoeing at Beaver Lake and get ready for the outdoor adventures for the rest of the year at the New York Sportsman’s Expo at the Fairgrounds.
Know of an event you would like to see on this list? Email us at least two weeks in advance at features@syracuse.com.
Monday
Scottish group Old Blind Dogs.Provided photoOld Blind Dogs
Scottish group Old Blind Dogs will be performing at North Lansing’s Night Eagle Café on Monday night. Their current lineup consists of original member Jonny Hardie (fiddle/vocals), Aaron Jones (cittern/guitar/vocals), and Donald Hay (percussion/vocals). The band is completed by the brilliant piper/whistle player Mike Katz (formerly with The Battlefield Band). The group was inducted into the BBC ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards “Hall of Fame” in 2020 and have been on the road for over 30 years. The group is working on their 14th studio album. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 7:30 performance. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.
Where: 1004 Auburn Road, North Lansing
When: Monday at 7:30 p.m.
How much: $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
‘Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round’
The documentary “Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round” tells the forgotten story of Blacks and Jews uniting to protest a segregated amusement park, Echo Park, outside of Washington D.C. in 1960. The Manlius Cinema will be showing the film on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday at 6:45 p.m. with a follow-up Q&A session with director Ilana Trachtman after the screening. Tickets are $10.
Where: 135 East Seneca Street, Manlius
When: Monday at 6:45 p.m.
How much: Tickets are $10.
TuesdaySyracuse Story Project
Listen to ten five-minute stories on Tuesday evening at Syracuse’s Pink Rock. This monthly open-mic storytelling event lets everyone share a short story. It is held each third Tuesday of the month. The event is free.
Where: 201 East Jefferson Street, Syracuse.
When: Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
How much: Free
ThursdayMapping Syracuse
Held in conjunction with the special Everson Museum exhibition, “Joyce Kozloff: Contested Territories, 1983-2023,“ Onondaga Historical Association Curator of History, Robert Searing, Curator of History at the Onondaga Historical Association (OHA), is giving a lecture on Thursday night which explores the complex histories of maps in Syracuse. Utilizing the vast map collection in the archives at the OHA, the lecture will trace the growth and evolution of the geographical region that is the ancestral lands of the Onondaga, which we call Syracuse. From hand-drawn 18th century surveys, to meticulously detailed 19th century maps and 20th century Sanborn Maps, an examination of these maps provides a fascinating lens to look at the rich history of the Salt City. The lecture starts at 6 p.m. inside the Hosmer Auditorium inside the museum. There is a “pay-what-you-wish” admission.
Where: 401 Harrison Street, Syracuse
When: Thursday at 6 p.m.
How much: Pay-what-you-wish admission.
FridayThe Great Sportsman’s Expo
Kids fish for trout in the indoor stock pond at the 2022 NY Sportsman’s Expo.Post-Standard File Photo
Chances are if you are an outdoors enthusiast, the Great Sportsman’s Expo at the New York State Fairgrounds’ Expo Center will have it this weekend. Running Friday through Sunday, the event showcases the latest in products, travel and entertainment for hunters, anglers and everyone who loves being outdoors. More than 200 vendors are expected. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at Eventbrite.
Where: 581 State Fair Boulevard, Syracuse
When: Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How much: Adults (ages 13 to 64) $15, Seniors, Military, Police & Children (ages 6-12) $13, Children (6 and under) free.
Livingston Taylor
Taylor Livingston takes the stage on Friday at Syracuse’s Folkus Project.Provided photo
For Livingston Taylor, music is what grounds him and creates a “pathway home after an adventurous thought.” This connection to music has allowed Taylor to bring a distinct warmth to many stages and audiences for the past 50 years. From coffeehouses to international tours, Taylor has created a name for himself within a family of accomplished musicians. His travels bring him to Syracuse’s Folkus Project on Friday for live show. It starts at 8 p.m. For tickets and information visit www.folkus.org
Where: May Memorial UU Society, 3800 East Genesee Street, Syracuse
When: Friday, at 8 p.m.
How much: General Admission $30 / Folkus Members $27
Saturday
The Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic in Clinton Square Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Syracuse, N.Y.
(Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com)
Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com Syracuse Pond Hockey Classic
Syracuse’s annual Pond Hockey Classic returns to the skating rink at Clinton Square on Saturday. Sixteen three-person teams will start competing at 10 a.m. on two-reduced size rinks. Final round competition begins at 6 p.m. with the championship slated for 7. Fans can watch the action for free, while enjoying food and drink throughout the day. The tournament is sponsored by Vinny Lobdell and Family. Click here for more information.
Where: Clinton Square, Syracuse
When: Saturday at 10 a.m. The title game is at 7.
How much: Free to attend.
“Bennie and the Rest: A Tribute to Elton John”
Experience many of the hits of Elton John at “Bennie and the Rest” at Ithaca’s Hangar Theater.Provided photo
Ithaca’s Hangar Theater offers a special evening of piano, stories and some of Elton John’s biggest hits as actor, singer, and piano player Jason Ostrowski takes you on a journey of the music legend’s catalog of songs, from “Rocket Man” to “Tiny Dancer.” The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.
Where: 801 Taughannock Boulevard, Ithaca
When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
How much: Tickets are $35.
Todd Hobin and Letizia
The Steeple Coffee House at the United Church of Fayetteville continues the Winter/Spring Season on Saturday with Todd Hobin and Letizia. Hobin, an American singer/songwriter and composer, teams up with powerhouse vocalist Letizia for a whole new pop, rock, soulful sound. They have worked together in the studio over the years and most recently recorded many of the songs on “The Artist and the Astronaut Soundtrack” album. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. A donation of $15-$20 is asked for. There is free parking behind the church.
Where: 310 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville
When: Saturday, at 7:30 PM and runs until 9:30. Doors open at 7.
How much: Suggested donation is $15-20 (cash) and includes refreshments.
Brahms & Debussy
The Syracuse Orchestra performs Debussy’s “Pagodes” Saturday night at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater. Later, Principal Trombone Ben Dettelback performs a video-game inspired trombone concerto followed by Brahms “Symphony No. 2,” which includes the famous melody, “Brahms Lullaby.” Music director candidate Stilian Kirov conducts. Kirov is currently Music Director of the Illinois Philharmonic in Chicago’s Southland and Music Director with the Bakersfield Symphony in California. Tickets can be purchased here.
Where: 421 Montgomery Street, Syracuse
When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
How much: Tickets start at $24.
SundayIntroduction to snowshoeing
A naturalist gives an introduction during a snowshoe clinic at Beaver Lake Nature Center Saturday.Li-Hua Lan
Curious about picking up the hobby of snowshoeing? Beaver Lake Nature Center will be hosting an opportunity to learn the basics on Sunday. Trail options will include the easy 1.3-mile Northern Exposure Trail and the 2.2-mile Southern Exposure Trail. Winter or hiking boots are required. Trekking or ski poles are useful for balance if you have them. It starts at noon. The event is open to members and nonmembers. Families and friends are encouraged to participate. Please RSVP Kathy Campbell, at Kathy.al.campbell@gmail.com, by 5 p.m. to register, ensure sufficient snow or ask any questions.
Where: 8477 East Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville
When: Sunday at noon.
How much: $5/car. Snowshoe rentals are $5/hour.