e054 - The 315NY Weekly

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Happy Friday, 315. Spring is in full bloom and the region is answering with a stacked week of events. The performing arts scene alone could fill your calendar: La Traviata opens Saturday at Clinton Square in Syracuse, CNY Ballet presents Depth and Desire at the Everson Museum, and the Syracuse Orchestra celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with Let Freedom Ring. In the Finger Lakes, the Smith Center for the Arts screens Napoleon Dynamite on Saturday night, and over in Oswego County, SUNY Oswego's All Shook Up, the Elvis-catalogue musical, continues its run.

Mystery dinners are everywhere this week. The Dinner Detective brings its award-winning true crime murder mystery to Mohegan Manor in Baldwinsville on Saturday. Oswego County gets a Murder Mystery at the Disco at AOH Hibernians to benefit Friends of Hospice. And in the North Country, the Grasse River Players present a murder mystery dinner at the County Seat in Canton to benefit the Canton Yoga Loft. If you'd rather watch someone else solve the case, Prison City Pub in Auburn has mentalist Dustin Dean reading minds on Saturday.

Earth Day lands on Wednesday this week, and the 315 is marking it. Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville hosts a Trash to Treasure upcycling workshop where you'll turn thrifted teacups into rain chains and bird feeders. Canal Clean Sweep volunteers are needed at both Bellamy Harbor Park in Rome and the Old Erie Canal Heritage Park in Port Byron. And if your version of Earth Day is more about being outdoors than cleaning up, Beaver Lake's BioBlitz runs all weekend with naturalists documenting as many species as possible.

The music and food scene keeps it interesting. Grammy and Emmy-nominated jazz artist Marko Marcinko plays The Other Side in Utica on Friday. Seattle Sons Unplugged bring acoustic rock to Copper City Brewing in Rome on Saturday. Colloca Estate Winery in Sterling runs a free-admission Blues and BBQ concert from 2 to 10pm. And Sugarbeets in Rome hosts a five-course Whiskey Pairing Dinner on Monday, with each course paired with New York whiskeys. SUNY Oswego rounds out the week with Hot Pepper Shakespeare on Thursday, where participants recite Shakespeare monologues immediately after eating a hot pepper. This week's Foodie Corner heads east to Wampsville for Madison Bistro, a farm-to-table spot featured on America's Best Restaurants. More on that below.

The 16th annual Pinwheel Ball takes place at the Oncenter in Syracuse. An evening of entertainment and delicious food in support of the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, featuring a complimentary cocktail reception, dinner, and live entertainment by the band Atlas.

Discover the art of storytelling and history through the lens of filmmakers at Reel Stories Film Festival 2026 at the Community Folk Art Center in Syracuse.

One of the most moving portrayals of doomed love in the operatic canon, both for its emotional resonance and its searing social commentary. Catch this performance at Clinton Square in Syracuse.

North America's largest award-winning interactive true crime murder mystery dinner show. Enjoy a full dinner while a hilarious crime unfolds around you at Mohegan Manor in Baldwinsville.

Join us at Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse for an unforgettable performance that dives deep into passion and romance.

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Syracuse Orchestra performs music from around the world that celebrates freedom and our richly diverse local community.

Step into a high-energy, welcoming space where movement meets freedom, culture, and self-expression. This class blends Caribbean movement (Soca, Reggae, Kompa), Afrobeats, and R&B-influenced movement with touches of hip-hop and freestyle. All levels welcome at the Community Folk Art Center in Syracuse.

The Golden Bee Bookshop's cozy book club focuses on books with warm inviting vibes, charming towns, quirky capers, and often a sprinkling of romance. Covers cozy books from many genres including mystery, fantasy, and general fiction.

Celebrate Earth Day by giving new life to old treasures. Transform thrifted teacups and saucers into a rain chain and a bird feeder at Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville.

Come get some barbecue and baked goods at St. James Episcopal Church in Pulaski.

Join us in the Lounge at Colloca Estate Winery for Giggle Night, a comedy dinner show. You'll start with a complimentary glass of Mindy's Giggle Juice, then enjoy a 3-course meal and a great comedian.

Murder Mystery at the Disco, an interactive murder mystery, benefits the Friends of Hospice in Oswego County. Join the fun at AOH Hibernians in Oswego.

Join us at Cerklewich Farms in Oswego to shop individual beef and pork cuts of farm-fresh meat raised right on the farm, plus tallow products, farm fresh eggs, and more.

Join us at 114 Reserve in Fulton for an afternoon celebrating the mystery of Bigfoot. Browse unique vendors, hear talks from Bigfoot researchers, and enjoy original stage plays inspired by the world's most elusive creature.

Free admission concert at Colloca Estate Winery with live music, a concert menu, BBQ features, and views. Enjoy the vibes, music, food, and drinks.

Calling all iNatters, naturalists, and nature lovers. Beaver Lake Nature Center is having a BioBlitz! Participants have two days to come together and document as many species as possible.

Enjoy some delicious brunch and delightful tunes as Whiskey Spirits plays during brunch at the Eis House in Mexico. Classic country, timeless pop, and more.

Experience a rejuvenating 30-minute Elysian Facial paired with a soothing Foot Treatment, complemented by Elysian Spa Bites. Registration required.

In honor of Shakespeare's birthday, Penfield Library at SUNY Oswego is hosting Hot Pepper Shakespeare. The challenge: recite a Shakespeare monologue or sonnet immediately after eating a hot pepper. For the audience, the challenge is simpler: watch the chaos unfold.

Come enjoy this night of jazz at The Other Side in Utica. Marcinko is an Emmy-nominated and Grammy-nominated artist, founder and artistic director of the PA Jazz Alliance Inc., the Scranton Jazz Festival, and the Montgomery County Jazz Festival.

The grand finale! Giveaways, cheers, and one final thank you to the best fans in hockey before the playoff push begins.

Ever wondered how those beautiful, swirling patterns inside antique books were made? Join us at Oneida County History Center for a hands-on paper marbling workshop.

Enjoy some live music at Copper City Brewing in Rome.

Come volunteer with us at Bellamy Harbor Park!

Join us at Sugarbeets in Rome for five thoughtfully curated courses, each paired with distinctive New York whiskeys designed to elevate every bite.

For one night only, Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse in Utica is donating 50% of all proceeds to Upstate Caring Partners. The evening features a magician, caricatures, and giveaways.

MVCC's 3rd Annual Community Convening is centered on Rethinking Problem Solving in a Time of Complexity, featuring National Geographic photographer and storytelling expert Steve Uzzell.

Join the MVCC Hospitality Program for a culinary experience showcasing the vibrant flavors of Caribbean and African cuisines. Hospitality students will present each dish, highlighting its cultural roots and significance.

The First Congregational Church of Morristown hosts its Third Friday event, a Backyard Hotdog Cookout at the parsonage.

The Grasse River Players present a murder mystery dinner at the County Seat Restaurant in the Best Western University Inn to benefit the Canton Yoga Loft.

A full day of family fun at the Black Lake Fish & Game Association in Ogdensburg. Browse new and used hunting and fishing gear, discover one-of-a-kind items from local crafters and vendors, enjoy great food, and grab a raffle ticket.

Join artist Kris Rozelle at Massena Public Library for a workshop where you'll create a beautiful 7-inch mosaic butterfly using nippers, vibrant glass, and grout. Adults and kids aged 8 and up.

Join the Community Performance Series for an evening with acclaimed composer, conductor, and vocalist Raquel Acevedo Klein in the Proscenium Theater at the SUNY Potsdam Performing Arts Center.

The annual Maple Run Half Marathon and 5K at Bend in the River Park in Canton. Established in 2017, the run celebrates the end of winter, contributes to the community, and benefits local running programs.

An adult craft program at Nicandri Nature Center in Massena.

Enjoy some live music at AMVETS Post 1997 in Heuvelton.

Free community supper at Trinity Church in Potsdam. The menu is chicken and biscuits, vegetables, and dessert.

Enjoy some live music at Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing in Weedsport.

Volunteers are needed to help prepare the Old Erie Canal Heritage Park in Port Byron for the upcoming season.

Come to downtown Auburn this Saturday to celebrate and support the lively music scene, in honor of Art Wenzel.

Come watch this classic at the Smith Center for the Arts in Geneva.

Come watch Dustin Dean read people's minds at Prison City Pub in Auburn.

Come see the beautiful Cracker Factory in Geneva and support local makers.

Do you have what it takes? The first ever Chicken Wing Eating Contest takes place at Parker's 129 in Auburn.

Bring up to 5 books you love in good condition to Simple Roast in Auburn. For every book you bring, you'll receive a ticket to exchange for another book, plus a free bookmark to take home.

Thank you for reading, sharing,
and being part of this.

Jono Chowdhury
Founder, 315NY