Both the City Council and the Cayuga County Legislature committed at separate meetings to a partnership that would support plans for a 300-seat theater to be built in the center of Auburn’s “creative corridor” on State Street.

City councilors unanimously approved selling the vacant Kalet’s department store building, where the proposed theater site will be developed, to the county. In turn, county lawmakers agreed to negotiate buying the building from the city.

Once the sale goes through, plans call for the county to lease the space to Cayuga Community College, which in turn will level the building and construct the theater for the proposed summer festival. The event would run for 10 to 12 weeks in the summer, and is expected to start in 2011.

CCC’s board of trustees passed a resolution that approved the development of a downtown theater at their mid December meeting. The college also plans to use the facility to train students who want to be theater professionals. “To have a 21st century state-of-the-art theater is a tremendous asset,” college President Daniel Larson said.

Both the college and the group organizing the festival need to secure half the cost to move forward with the project. The estimated amount is approximately $4.8 million. No local tax dollars are to be expended, government officials said. CCC will try and secure their $2.4 million from SUNY, yet the funding is not yet guaranteed by the state. CCC President Daniel Larson said, “I have a positive outlook in terms of the musical theater festival being able to secure these funds.”

There is a process by which capital projects are moved into the state budget. The initial draft of the state budget was released in mid January, and the line item remained. The final target budget approval date is hoped for in April 2010.

Should CCC get the funding, after demolition, construction could start in the fall with the theater having a target completion date of summer 2011, said Larson.

Larson said the proposed theater would be utilized by CCC in the musical theater festival’s off-season, September through May. College classes, workshops, performances and technical training would take place there. The musical theater festival would utilize the space during June, through August. Further details on its use and management still need to be worked out, Larson said.

The Syracuse Irish Festival truly is a taste of Ireland featuring music, dance, song, genealogy, culture and children’s activities. If you’re looking for a weekend packed with great Irish bands, step dancers, lectures, exhibits, workshops, food and children’s activities, come to Syracuse’s Irish Cultural Festival at Clinton Square, September 11-12, 2009.

 Featuring: The Young Dubliners / Gaelic Storm / The Prodigals / The Kreellers / Seamus Kennedy / Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band / The Flying Column / The Causeway Giants / Creevy / Syracuse Irish Session / Freeborn Men / Tom Dooley Irish Choraliers / Syracuse Kilties Pipe Band / and much more!

Syracuse Irish Festival Announces Its Entertainment Lineup for the Main Stage. Musical Groups Include International Bands from Ireland and Canada

 National Recording Artists Gaelic Storm and The Young Dubliners are the headlining acts for the 2009 Syracuse Irish Festival. Also featured at this year’s Festival are Seamus Kennedy, from Northern Ireland, The Prodigals, from New York City, The Kreelers, from Detroit, and Creevy, from Chicago. There is also a strong local contingent of artists including The Causeway Giants, The Freeborn Men, the Flying Column, and the Syracuse Irish Session.

Contacts:
Entertainment/Booking Information: Marty Cahill
Stage Manager: Skip Murphy
Volunteer Information: David Lynch
Sponsorship & Vendors: Dave Thompson
 
Consultants:
 Syracuse Event Productions
Tom Tarry
Dave Thompson
(315) 426-2813

Empire Brewing & Music Festival

Voted one of the greatest brew fests in the northeast, this event features beers from micro-breweries and small brewers alike.  Not just your average beer festival – a true connoisseur’s event!  Music from various local & national bands.

Must be 21 years of age & older only.
Date(s):
07/10/2009

Location:
Clinton Square
W. Genesee and S. Clinton Street
Syracuse, NY 13202

Time:
5:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Cost:
$35 in advance, $40 at the door (may change)

Event Type:
Adults Only

Telephone:
800-234-4797

Email:
nysbrewfest@yahoo.com

Sales galore at Skaneateles’ Curbstone Festival,  July 16-18, 2009

What would you like to get a great deal on?

Jewelry? Handbags? Holiday cards? Decorative accessories? Cooking utensils? Men’s and women’s clothing? Krinkles by Patience Brewster?
 
They’ll all be available, along with much more, at Skaneateles’ Curbstone Festival, July 16-18. The sidewalk sales along Genesee, Jordan and Fennell streets run Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New this year will be stepped-up activity on Fennell Street: Creekside Books & Coffee, Skaneateles Artisans and Skaneateles Town Square will sport tents; Creekside will provide complimentary refreshments from the coffeehouse; and Skaneateles Town Square will host demonstrations and a hot-dog stand.

Additionally, restaurants—including the Bluewater Grill, Johnny Angel’s and Doug’s Fish Fry—will offer food specials, and Anyela’s Vineyards will get into the act (at their winery, on West Lake Road).

The family-friendly event offers entertainment, too. The Jackman Twins will roam the streets each day from noon to 4 p.m., creating balloon hats and animals, juggling, and performing magic tricks. On Friday, the Skaneateles Community Band will play at the Gazebo, starting at 7:30 p.m.

But the main draw, as always, will be the bargains under the big white tents.

For more than 30 years, they have attracted thousands of visitors to the lakeside village.

“We get visitors from all over. Families plan their summer vacations around this event,” says Candace Searing of the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. “Many see it as an opportunity to begin their Christmas shopping early.”

“It’s a big local event, too,” says Karen Foltz, owner of Pomodoro and Pomodoro, Too. “I have regular customers who never miss it.”

Visitors can park at metered spots along the street or in the municipal lot (accessed through Genesee or State streets), where two-hour parking is free and all-day parking is $2. Free parking is available at the old firehouse on Fennell Street and on various side streets.

For more information on the Curbstone Festival or other events taking place in Skaneateles this summer, go to http://www.skaneateles.com.