Downtown Ithaca

Silver Rein Album Release Show
2026-01-16 19:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | The Nocturnal Café, 103 S. Geneva St., Ithaca, 14850
Join us Friday, January 16th to celebrate Ithaca’s operatic enchantress Silver Rein’s second full-length studio album release. An epic performance of the entire album with guest instrumentalists, performers, and choir, featuring Nick Scollard, Alejandra Diemecke, Chris Ploss, Sue Green, Jen Cork, Mandy Goldman, Hayden Eager, Annie Sumi, Erin Griffeth, and Heidi Oros.
Opening acts: Victoria Anine and La Llorona.
Come out to The Nocturnal Café, fill your cup with a nourishing beverage, and immerse yourself in this unique music experience.
CDs and digital downloads of the new album will be available during the show.

"Great Opera Choruses" concert
2026-01-17 19:30 - 21:00 | St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 402 N Aurora St., Ithaca, 14850
The Ithaca Community Chorus & Chamber Singers will present “Great Opera Choruses” by Monteverdi, Purcell, Verdi, Puccini, Mascagni, Mussorgsky, Beethoven, and more at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 402 North Aurora Street, Ithaca. Tickets are $20 (students & children free) and are available in advance online at https://acithaca.org/groups/icccs/tickets/ and at the door.

Gayogohó:nǫˀ Learning Project Book Club
2026-01-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join the Gayogohó:nǫˀ Learning Project Book Club for a discussion on The Girl Who Sang to the Buffalo by Kent Nerburn @ Buffalo Street Books!

LET’S READ + TALK ABOUT CLIMATE - CLIMATE LIT DISCUSSION GROUP
2026-01-21 16:00 - 18:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Community-led conversations about climate change, as we discuss ‘The Deluge’.
Climate Literature Book Discussions meets the third Wednesday of the month @ Buffalo Street Books.
Shop with us for 10% off these titles!

Bennie and the Rest: A Tribute to Elton John
2026-01-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, 14850
A joyous musical journey through the hits of Sir Elton John begins at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca.
Piano player, singer and Broadway and TV actor Jason Ostrowski and a band of skilled musicians will capture the essence of the legendary artist who brought us “Tiny Dancer”, “Rocket Man” and many other hits. “Bennie and the Rest: A Tribute to Elton John” is part of the Hangar’s In Flight Entertainment Series. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online or at the door.
“People should come ready to sing along, get up and dance if they want to, and be transported back to the first time they heard some of these songs. I hope people come wearing big glasses, feather boas, lots of sparkle,” Ostrowski said. “The audience is just as much part of the show as all of the band members and me up on stage. It’s a group experience.”
Ostrowski will be joined on stage by a roster of experienced Ithaca-area musicians, including Robert Keefe (guitar), John White (bass) and Mark Joyce (drums).

Cafe Do What?
2026-01-28 17:00 - 19:00 | Cafe DeWitt, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, N, 14850, United States
Come for an art jam, stay for the creative juices!
Join So What? Studio + Creative Reuse of Ithaca at Cafe Dewitt for an art social! Come by yourself or with a friend to imagine, play, tap into that inner child, and see what happens when you give yourself permission to just have fun being creative in the presence of others. All materials will be provided. Zero experience encouraged!
So What? Studio is a new social arts club dedicated to the transformative power of the creative arts to connect community and heal from the inside out. To learn more, visit @sowhatartclub on Instagram

Book Launch: The Oak and the Larch
2026-01-29 17:30 - 19:30 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join us to celebrate the book launch of The Oak and the Larch: A Forest History of Russia and its Empires by Sophie Pinkham with conversation and Q&A.
From the Baltic to the Pacific, from the Arctic to the steppes of Central Asia, Russia’s forests account for nearly one-fifth of the world’s wooded lands. Sophie Pinkham’s new book “The Oak and the Larch” is the first-ever English-language exploration of this vast expanse—a dazzling environmental history of Russia that offers an urgent new understanding of the nature of Russian power, and of Russia’s ideas of itself.

Narrative Poetry & Crafting
2026-01-31 14:00 - 16:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join R.C Lloyd as she discusses narrative poetry in conversation with BSB Staff, Gabriela Medina + Candle Painting* at Buffalo Street Books!
*tickets needed for candle painting

Book Bedazzling
2026-02-05 08:00 - 17:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Come bedazzle books with us! $5 if you purchase a book or $10 if you bring your own book!

Returning Light.
2026-02-05 12:00 - 2026-03-01 17:00 | State of the Art Gallery, 120 W State St #2, Ithaca, 14850, United Kingdom
Please join us this month as fifteen of our artist members celebrate the returning light. The show will feature paintings, photos, prints, and drawings representing a broad spectrum of styles.
The show will run from February 5th through March 1st, 2026. Opening reception Friday, February 6th, 5–8pm
Regular hours Thursday-Sunday 12-5 pm. 120 W State St. Curbside parking and ADA accessibility. 607-277-1626. Made possible in part with funds from the NYS Council on the Arts, administered by the Community Arts Partnership.

POETRY, PAINT & SIP
2026-02-06 15:00 - 18:00 | NY
Join filmmaker, poet, and songwriter Desoni Cooper for a creative and inspiring Poetry + Paint & Sip workshop. This class blends writing and visual art to help you express yourself in a fun, supportive space.
• You’ll spend the first 15 minutes writing a poem, then paint a visual interpretation of your words. If you prefer, you can paint first and write after
-this is your space to explore creativity your way.
All painting materials will be provided. Non-alcoholic wine, wine, canvasses, and paint brushes will be supplied. Come ready to sip, imagine, and create from the heart.
• Class Details
• • Sliding Scale: $15-$25
• Scholarships available – email to request
• Payment Options: Website, Venmo, or cash
• RSVP: Through the website, email, or Venmo
*Address is provided at registration
ithacawritingstudio.com

"Ethica Eterna" Opening Reception
2026-02-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Community School of Music and Arts, 330 East State Street, Ithaca
Join us for the opening reception of Ethica Eterna, our newest exhibition at CSMA! Visit us between 5-8pm in our upstairs gallery for light refreshments and art.
“This is a depiction of light abstractions and subtle energy phenomena. It is a study of how luminous color and shadow create dimension giving us a way to perceive the world. Reflective of patterns in nature and the cosmos, these are meant to be a probe to expand our view. My intent is to capture the magical essence of the radiant energy felt by a sunset and the wonder felt when looking up, beyond the clouds. In this visual journey, I paint for power giving myself a boost that prompts exploration of the known into possibilities of the unknown.”
—FúLàng, artist

Art Opening at MIX Art Gallery on the Ithaca Commons - Ithaca Gallery Night
2026-02-06 17:00 - 20:00 | MIX Art Gallery, 156 E. State Street, Ithaca, 14850
February at MIX Art Gallery on the Ithaca Commons is all about turning up the rhythm, the color, and the connection. Known for its vibrant exhibitions and intimate live events, MIX is serving a full month of art and music that makes winter in downtown Ithaca feel anything but quiet.
The month kicks off with “Jazz It Up!”, a curator’s-choice exhibition opening Friday, February 6, from 5-8 PM. This lively group show celebrates movement, improvisation, and visual rhythm, pairing perfectly with MIX’s signature blend of contemporary art and community energy. Expect bold works, great conversation, and the kind of opening night buzz that reminds you why downtown Ithaca thrives. This exhibit will be up all month long to view and purchase.
Located at 156 E. State St. (2nd Floor) on the Ithaca Commons. Gallery Hours Th & F 3-7, Sat. 12-6. Private bookings available. www.mixartgallery.com

Art Opening at MIX Art Gallery - Gallery Night on the Ithaca Commons
2026-02-06 17:00 - 20:00 | MIX Art Gallery, 156 E. State Street, Ithaca, 14850

Busking for Justice
2026-02-06 17:30 - 19:00 | Cafe DeWitt, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, N, 14850, United States
Busking for Justice Returns to Café Dewitt with First Friday Concert Series, February–June
ITHACA, NY — Busking for Justice, a community-driven fundraising concert series featuring local musicians, returns to Café Dewitt in downtown Ithaca’s Dewitt Mall on the first Friday of each month from February through June. The series runs from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., with free admission and donations encouraged. All funds raised will support immigrants and their families facing the impacts of detention and deportation.
Rooted in the belief that music can unite, inspire, and mobilize, Busking for Justice brings artists and audiences together in a spirit of generosity, shared humanity, and solidarity. The series creates a space where live music serves both as cultural expression and as a call to collective care.
The February 6 concert will feature original music by singer-songwriter Tom Mank and cellist Sera Smolen, with Mank (vocals and guitar) and Smolen (cello) joined by Laura Branca (vocals) and Rich DePaolo (vocals and guitar). Mank and Smolen have collaborated since 1994, blending Americana songwriting with classical cello into an eclectic sound, and have toured extensively throughout Europe—often with DePaolo on guitar. DePaolo is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer-engineer who has recorded and toured widely across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Branca, a co-founder of Rising Sign—a local Latin band that performed original music and danceable covers for two decades—and a longtime social justice advocate, brings deep community roots and a strong commitment to human rights and collective action.
Busking for Justice – Spring 2026 Schedule
• February 6 – Tom Mank (vocals & guitar) and Sera Smolen (cello), with Laura Branca (vocals) and Rich DePaolo (vocals & guitar)
• March 6 – Joe Crookston (vocals & guitar)
• April 3 – 14Strings! (Filipino style Rondalla)
• May 1 – Lavine and the Flying Machine (Klezmer group) – Jennie Lavine (clarinet & vocals), Dave Davies (guitar), Sam Swartz (tenor horn & vocals), Greg Ezra (percussion)
• June 5 – TBA
Event Details
First Fridays, February–June
5:30–7:00 p.m.
Café Dewitt, Dewitt Mall, 215 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca
Free admission; donations encouraged, food available for purchase
Press Contact
Saoirse McClory
saoirsemcclory@gmail.com
607-272-9088
Additional information
Café Dewitt
cafedewitt.com
Tom Mank & Sera Smolen
tommank.net
14Strings!
14strings.com
Joe Crookston
joecrookston.com

De-escalation Training with QuAC
2026-02-07 13:00 - 14:30 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join QuAC (Queer Anarchy Collective) for a de-escalation training session.
When and how to de-escalate with people, interpersonal conflict, and police interactions!

Book Launch Party: Social Change
2026-02-07 15:00 - 17:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join us in celebrating the launch of a new book by local educator Alicia Swords, professor of sociology at Ithaca College. Social Change: Movements, Politics, and Technology (SAGE, 2025) explores social transformation in historical and contemporary episodes, centering the lives and struggles of the poor and dispossessed as agents of their own liberation and offering powerful lessons for today’s social movements. Alicia will share brief excerpts from the text and will be joined in conversation by local engaged scholar Richard Kiely.

Ithaca Trans Center Book Club
2026-02-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join us to discuss ‘So Many Stars’ by Caro De Robertis!
A book club hosted by the Ithaca Trans Center
All book club books have a 10% discount

Galentines Craft Night at SewGreen
2026-02-10 08:00 - 17:00 | SewGreen, 112 W Green St, Ithaca
Dust off your butterfly clips and find your favorite baby tee, because we’re throwing the ultimate Y2K-coded Galentines Craft Party! Join us on Friday, February 13th, at The Art Room @SewGreen for a night dedicated to femmes, thems, and the besties who make life sweet. We’re channeling pure 2003 sleepover energy and queer joy to bring you a craft night that is—quite literally—so cute it hurts. Whether you’re looking to create the perfect aesthetic accessory like custom stretch bracelets or bag charms, or just want to vibe in a space full of pink and sparkles, we’ve got you covered. Projects start at $2. To keep the party flowing, Open Spaces Cider will be on-site serving up a curated selection of both alcoholic and sober beverages. (Teens are welcome, but children must be closely supervised at all times)

A Brainy Benefit: The Hangar Theatre`s Trivia Night
2026-02-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, 14850
A Brainy Benefit: The Hangar Theatre`s Trivia Night
Hosted by DJ Dave Ashton from Lite Rock 97.3!
7-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12
Join us for a fun and friendly Trivia Night to raise funds for the Hangar Theatre`s KIDDSTUFF Series! Gather your friends (or come on your own!), test your knowledge, and compete for Hangar-themed prizes–all while supporting the Hangar`s mission to bring outstanding Theatre for Young Audiences to our community. Whether you`re a trivia buff or just in it for a good time, this is a night you won`t want to miss.
This is a family friendly event that will include both general knowledge (pop culture, sports, history, music) and some theater-related trivia. We`ll have a cash bar with wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages as well as sweet and snacky items to keep you sharp and on the ball.
Select ticket type “team” at checkout to register a team of up to 6. Select ticket type “individual” at checkout to register as an individual – we will match you with a team!

Ithaca Loves Teachers
2026-02-13 - 2026-02-28 | Downtown Ithaca, United States
For over 20 years, Ithaca area attractions, shops, and restaurants unite to host a community-wide celebration honoring PreK-12 educators and school staff. The celebration includes events throughout Tompkins County. It’s our way of saying thanks to educators & school staff everywhere for all of your hard work and dedication! The digital pass with the deals will be viewable February 1st. See the website https://www.visitithaca.com/ithaca-loves-teachers/ to get more details or contact info@visitithaca.com

Build-A-Blind-Date with a Book
2026-02-13 16:00 - 19:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
People will have the chance to bring a book and take a book. We will have stations with sustainable materials for people to make their own blind date.

Cafe Do What?
2026-02-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Cafe DeWitt, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, N, 14850, United States
Join So What? Studio + Creative Reuse of Ithaca at Cafe Dewitt for an art social! Come by yourself or with a friend to imagine, play, tap into that inner child, and see what happens when you give yourself permission to just have fun being creative in the presence of others. All materials will be provided. Zero experience encouraged!

Figure Drawing Friday at CSMA
2026-02-13 18:00 - 20:30 | Community School of Music and Arts, 330 East State Street, Ithaca
Drop in for a figure drawing session at CSMA, generally held on the 2nd and 4th Friday evenings of each month! If you’re an intermediate or advanced-level artist interested in drawing from the nude model, come join our non-instructed, open sketch sessions. Just grab your own supplies and enjoy an evening of creativity in the company of other artists.

K-HOUSE Surprise Pre-Opening Show: Bang Bang Experience
2026-02-13 20:00 - 23:00 | K-House Karaoke & Arts Hub, 121 W Martin Luther King Jr St, Ithaca, 14850
⚡ SURPRISE PRE-OPENING SHOW ⚡
Before we officially open K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub to the world, we’re doing something SPECIAL.
THE VERY FIRST SHOWS IN ROOM K ⚡
We’re christening our brand new space with Portland’s powerhouse 7-piece brass band @bangbangexperience for an exclusive pre-opening weekend nobody saw coming.
🎺 What you’re about to witness:
A full brass orchestra meets international funk. Trumpet melodies riding waves of West African & Latin American rhythms. Drum set, Cajon, Timbales, Congas, Surdo creating intricate polyrhythmic grooves. Lower brass taking on bass lines while the rhythm section swaps roles mid-performance. Fiery solos from EVERY band member. 3-part horn compositions that’ll give you chills. The kind of energy that turns a room into a movement.
This isn’t just any band—it’s an EXPERIENCE. And they’re stopping in Ithaca for ONE weekend on their East Coast tour to break in our space.
💀 FRIDAY THE 13TH at 8PM
The inaugural Room K performance. Make history with us on the unluckiest night of the year.
💕 VALENTINE’S DAY at 8PM
Show #2. The most romantic debut imaginable.
This is IT. The moment Room K comes alive for the first time before the grand opening. Before the crowds. Before anyone else.
You’ll be able to say you were there for the FIRST show ever in Room K!
History doesn’t repeat itself. Be part of ours!
Get your tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/k-house-surprise-pre-opening-show-w-bang-bang-experience-tickets-1982531425863?aff=oddtdtcreator

Do You Feel the Love?
2026-02-14 14:00 - 20:00 | Circus Culture, 116 W Green St, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
Whether single or dated, come celebrate love at the circus this Valentine’s Day! Bring your kids, your grandparents, and your neighbors to ‘Do You Feel the Love?’ and see Circus Culture staff and friends perform tight wire, unicycle, aerials, juggling, and more. This is a fundraising event and all proceeds will go towards our scholarship fund.
St Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2:00pm & 7:00pm at Circus Culture (116 W. Green St, Ithaca, NY)
General admission tickets are $10. For those who have the means and would like to support us a little extra, there is a $25 ticket option! If you need access to subsidized tickets, please email production@circusculture.org.
Buying tickets in advance is highly recommended – however, we will fit in as many people as possible and there will be standing room if needed!
Doors open 15 minutes before showtime and the performance will run between 45 minutes to an hour. Venue is wheelchair accessible.
For any event, accessibility, or ticketing questions, email production@circusculture.org.

MIX Art Gallery presents: The Jesse Collins Quartet, bringing jazz at its finest to the Ithaca Commons
2026-02-14 19:00 - 21:00 | MIX Art Gallery, 156 E. State Street, Ithaca, 14850
February at MIX Art Gallery on the Ithaca Commons is all about turning up the rhythm, the color, and the connection. Known for its vibrant exhibitions and intimate live events, MIX is serving a full month of art and music that makes winter in downtown Ithaca feel anything but quiet.
Music lovers should mark their calendars for Thursday, February 13, and Friday, February 14, when the Jesse Collins Quartet brings jazz at its finest to MIX Art Gallery. These intimate live jazz evenings run after-dinner hours, with 2 sets at 7 PM & 8 PM, and offer the perfect post-meal destination for a cozy, soulful night out. With a $10 cover charge and BYOB vibes, MIX transforms into one of the warmest, most welcoming listening rooms in town – ideal for date night, friends night, or simply soaking in exceptional live music.
Located at 156 E. State St. (2nd Floor) on the Ithaca Commons. Gallery Hours Th & F 3-7, Sat. 12-6. Private bookings available. www.mixartgallery.com

Drag Story Hour
2026-02-15 11:00 - 12:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join us for Drag Story Hour with our lovely hosts: Tilia and Coraline ₊✩‧₊˚౨ৎ˚₊✩‧₊ at Buffalo Street Books

Meet & Greet with Author Marisa Loretta
2026-02-15 12:00 - 14:30 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Get your books signed and meet author and artist from Upstate NY, Marisa Loretta.
“Ethereal Ember, sinister, starry-eyed, and sorcerous, is her third book release, following Midnight Love Potion and Scarlet Nightfall. As an avid reader, her unending love of all things fantasy and romance, from Practical Magic to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has only grown over the years. Marisa is thrilled to have translated that infatuation into penning her own tales and extends her true gratitude toward everyone who has chosen to pick up her poetic works. You can further connect with her on Instagram or TikTok: @marisaloretta ☆”

Forensics for Writers
2026-02-18 16:00 - 17:30 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join Mary Jumbelic, M.D. at Ithaca’s Buffalo Street Books for workshop “Forensics For Writers” focused on the techniques she utilized with writing her most recent work Speak Her Name (2025). Mary will offer insight into authentic language, characters, descriptions, and suspense, to help your true crime or mystery writing come alive! Learn the processes used by an award-winning author with structured exercises to help frame your story.
Published memoirist of two award-winning books “Here, Where Death Delights” (2023) and “Speak Her Name” (2025) based on her 25-year career as forensic pathologist and former Chief Medical Examiner of Onondaga County, Mary’s latest work “Speak Her Name” focuses on her investigations into violent crimes against women, with such high-profile cases as Leslie Neulander, Carol Ryan, and April Gregory highlighting the reality of our society and its treatment of women—and the enduring power of our voices to effect change.
Registration required for this free event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/forensics-for-writers-workshop-tickets-1976359618822.
