Downtown Ithaca

A Single Excellent Night: Conversation with Lee Carlson
2026-02-27 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join us for an in-depth conversation with journalist, author and Zen practitioner Lee Carlson and his new book A Single Excellent Night at Buffalo Street Books!

Figure Drawing Friday at CSMA
2026-02-27 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.

Fibers Reimagined Reopening Event
2026-02-28 11:00 - 17:00 | Fibers, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY
Fibers Ithaca is celebrating its Reimagined Reopening with a special event at Dewitt Mall.
Stop by on Saturday, February 28 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM to explore the refreshed shop and discover a curated collection of local artisan designs. Fibers Ithaca is reopening with a slightly smaller footprint while continuing to offer the thoughtfully selected goods the community knows and loves.
Featured items include Marimekko jackets, bags, home goods, jewelry, kids clothing, stuffed animals, silk scarves, pillows, fun socks, and versatile pashminas.
Join us in welcoming Fibers back to Dewitt Mall and experience the reimagined space.

3rd Annual Ithaca Experimental Film Festival
2026-02-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Cinemapolis, 120 W Green St, Ithaca, 14850
Join us for the 3rd Annual Ithaca Experimental Film Festival (ITHEX). ITHEX provides a platform for bold, unconventional films. From documentaries and animation to non-traditional narratives, we showcase work that pushes creative boundaries. Our mission is to create a space where filmmakers can screen their films, share ideas, and connect with a community that values diversity, experimentation, and DIY filmmaking.
Ithaca Experimental Film Festival presents, Block #2: A Spiritual Awakening [72 minutes]. Exploring the spaces between life, death, and belief, and the transformative experiences that unfold along the way.
Artists / Films:
• Casino — Izzy Leung
• Blue Spruce — Zacry Spears
• A Telephone for God — Nicky Tavares
• A Weak & Panicked Animal — Jake Starr
• Aftertide — Kaiwen Ren
• Summon a Seer — Alan Medina
• The Phalanx — Ben Balcom
AND
Block #3: A Desire to Remember [77 minutes]. Through the filmmaker’s lens, memories, families, and fleeting moments are captured.
Artists / Films:
• Hold My Hand — Sophie Sherman
• a film with sound (take three) — Josh Weissbach
• N/A (Not Available) — Rob Orlowski, Martha Orlowski
• Shotgun Baby — Lorraine Sovern
• imPERMANENCE — Grace DeGeorge
• Dance Film — Kelly Gallagher
• Google Search History — Victoria Guillem
• untld_myselfastheoldercalculator — Leonardo Severino
• Suave Mar — Sara N. Santos

The Circle of Friendship: a Concert for the Community
2026-03-01 16:00 - 17:15 | St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 402 N Aurora St., Ithaca, 14850
Opus Ithaca School of Music is presenting their 8th Annual Concert for the Community, “The Circle of Friendship,” on Sunday, March 1 at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.
An incredible ensemble of professional musicians will perform Grieg’s Holberg Suite, Schubert’s Trout Quintet, Charlie Parker’s Bird With Strings, and more. The concert will feature the Opus Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Guillaume Pirard; Odyssey Choir, directed by Melissa Rooklidge; Opus Jazz Quintet, featuring Colin Gordon on saxophone; and Ithaca High School Chorale, directed by Kristin Zaryski.
This family-friendly concert is a gift to the community—it is free for all, no reservations or tickets required.

Gratitude in Detail: Paintings Inspired by Nature. Darcy Binns and Cindy Kaufman
2026-03-05 12:00 - 2026-03-29 17:00 | State of the Art Gallery, 120 W State St #2, Ithaca, 14850, United Kingdom
Inspired by her daily walks, Darcy Binns’s paintings on up-cycled cardboard strive to find a balance between abstraction and realism.
Painting in an abstract, illustrative style, Cindy Kaufman’s paintings capture the colors, light, and movement seen in nature.
The show will run from March 5th through March 29th, 2026. Opening reception Friday, March 6th, 5–8pm.

Marion Nestle: What To Eat Now
2026-03-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Autumn Leaves Books, 115 East State Street, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
Autumn Leaves is excited to welcome Marion Nestle, nutrition expert and author of the new book What To Eat Now.
Published in 2006, Marion Nestle’s What To Eat has become the definitive guide to making healthy and informed choices about food. Twenty years later, What To Eat Now revises the classic. It is a practical supermarket guide and a call to action—urging readers to understand the forces that shape their diets and to make choices that promote health, equity, and sustainability.
“A deeply researched look into the food that we eat—and why we need to do better … Essential reading for anyone who cares about how we fuel ourselves.” —Kirkus Reviews
This event is free. Join us upstairs on the mezzanine. Keep in mind, seating is limited.
About the author:
Marion Nestle is a Visiting Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell and the Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Emerita, at New York University. She is the author of several prize-winning books, including Food Politics, Safe Food, and What To Eat. From 2008 to 2013, she wrote a monthly Food Matters column for the San Francisco Chronicle food section. She has received the Edinburgh Medal and the James Beard Leadership Award, among other honors. She blogs regularly at foodpolitics.com.

Busking for Justice: Joe Crookston
2026-03-06 17:30 - 19:00 | Cafe DeWitt, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, N, 14850, United States
The Busking for Justice March concert features acclaimed local folk artist Joe Crookston, an internationally touring songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for his powerful storytelling, humor, and musical range. Joe was personally invited by Gordon Lightfoot to open his final U.S. tour and has headlined major festivals across North America. His performances are warm, engaging, and deeply human — a perfect fit for the spirit of this first Friday benefit series! Admission is free; donations support immigrants and their families facing the impacts of detention and deportation.

Ithaca Pride Alliance: All Y'all Clothing Swap
2026-03-07 11:00 - 15:00 | Community School of Music and Arts, 330 East State Street, Ithaca
Access Hour (Masked) 11am – Noon
Main Event: Noon – 3pm
Community School of Music and Arts
330 E State St, Ithaca, NY
3rd Floor, Martha Hamblin Hall
Come visit our annual all-gender and all-age clothing swap! Find some fashionable items for your closet. And bring along some items to swap (optional). Items available include clothing, jackets, bags & backpacks, shoes, accessories, and more!
This event is 100% run by volunteers – if you have time to support the event, consider signing up for a shift! Volunteer sign up at www.ithacapridealliance.org

The Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off
2026-03-07 12:00 - 16:00 | Downtown Ithaca, United States
Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 12:00 to 4:00 PM
DOWNTOWN ITHACA COMMONS
Winter doesn’t stand a chance. The Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook Off returns to the Commons for a one-day tasting experience filled with bold chili, lively crowds, and friendly competition. Sample a wide range of chili styles, explore Downtown Ithaca shops and restaurants, and vote for your favorites as the district comes alive.
This annual event is also a fundraiser. Proceeds go toward making events free in Downtown Ithaca all year, helping support accessible, community-driven programming that brings people downtown in every season.
Local participants compete for top honors including Best Meat Chili, Best Vegetarian or Vegan Chili, Best Chili-Inspired Item, and the fan-favorite People’s Choice Award.

Chasing Neon Live in Room K @ K-House Karaoke & Arts Hub
2026-03-07 19:00 - 21:00 | K-House Karaoke & Arts Hub, 121 W Martin Luther King Jr St, Ithaca, 14850
⚡️ CHASING NEON is taking over ROOM K ⚡️
Saturday, March 7th • 7–9PM
📍 K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub
121 W MLK Jr St, Ithaca
$10 in advance or at the door
Venmo: Nicholas-stark-4
Cashapp: $yonickstark
*Room K
Get ready for a party band with the genre range of a DJ — pop, rock, hip hop, country, throwbacks, sing-alongs and everything in between.
If you love the energy of a DJ but want the electricity of a live band… this is your night. 🔥
Start downstairs in Room K with Chasing Neon
Then head upstairs for karaoke after and keep the party going all night 🎤✨

Ithaca Trans Center Book Club
2026-03-08 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

Abolition of White Democracy Reading Group
2026-03-09 19:00 - 21:00 | ithaca writing studio, 1729 Slaterville rd, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
Description written by host, Ashley Cake: I’ve been threatening to do a community read of Abolition of White Democracy for some years now, and the time is finally nigh. Georgia at Ithaca Writing Studio is gonna host, and I’m asking $30 for six meetups, $20 for the Writing Studio and $10 for me. I’m capping it at 10 participants for space and “let’s take it easy” reasons and I’m asking for folks who are local, can commit to reading the book and coming to all 6 Monday evening meetings, and ideally are living that white democracy life. What do i mean? You check a majority of these boxes:
– you are a person of pallor (and not defensive or penitential about it)
– You have a liberal arts education with at least a BA
– You have a vehicle (maybe two, lease ok)
– You own your home (maybe two, with mortgage ok)
– you have investment accounts (IRA, 401k, mutual funds, CDs, etc)
– you have life insurance
– you are registered to vote as either a Democrat or a Republican
– You serve(d) on boards and/or commissions (foundations, PTAs, not for profits, city/county/state appointments, etc. mutual aid doesn’t count)
– Relatively high earning (80k – 200k/year)
– Manager or C-suite for most of your career
– Broadly familiar with North Atlantic political and social histories and thinkers of race & class (especially W.E.B. Dubois, Karl Marx, Michel Foucault, James Baldwin, Thomas Jefferson, Alexis de Tocqueville, Malcolm X, et. al.)
I won’t turn away anyone who wants to commit to the reading group (up to ten participants), but you will get the most out of this conversation if you’re navigating racial capitalism without too much trouble. I can make a PDF of the book available for free and everyone should read it, and participants should be able to order copies through our independent bookstores and pay full price.
I believe white democracy is white people’s problem because we built it with our ambitions and maintain it with our participation. I believe it’s possible for white folks to unravel these genocidal structures, and there’s no better time than now.
Bio: Ashley Cake was born and raised in Ithaca, NY and has been a lifelong service worker in the hospitality industry, most recently owning and operating The Watershed & The Downstairs. She is an award-winning labor and public safety advocate, serving on the boards of organizations from Ithaca Underground to Alternatives Federal Credit Union. In her academic career, Ashley has written and taught extensively on Enwhitenment European philosophy — particularly Soren Kierkegaard and Lacanian psychoanalysis — as well as comparative religion — particularly American social justice and liberationist histories. Her current praxis seeks to work the critical junctures of abolition, emergent strategies of care and transformative justice, which is to say: Land Back & Reparations.

Women's Adventure Film Tour
2026-03-10 08:00 - 17:00 | Cinemapolis, 120 W Green St, Ithaca, 14850
The Women’s Adventure Film Tour will present a thrilling selection of films that span extreme sports, personal journeys, and boundary-pushing storytelling from across the globe. This year’s program highlights the resilience and creativity of individuals navigating the challenges of both the outer world and their own inner landscapes. Each night will feature a different selection of films, storytellers, and/or panelists.

Protecting Local Communities from AI Data Center Impacts
2026-03-11 12:00 - 13:30
March 11, 2026
12:00-1:15 PM Eastern Time
Zoom (Register: bit.ly/sflxwebinar1)
Across the country, local communities are organizing to protest plans for massive AI data centers in their neighborhoods that drive up electricity prices for everyone, while threatening water supplies and disrupting lives. New York needs to get ahead of the problem by imposing a temporary moratorium on data center development while we figure out how, and if, their negative impacts can be eliminated.
Join us on March 11 to hear from Eric Weltman, Senior Organizer for Food & Water Watch, who helped push for a moratorium in NYS, Assemblywoman Anna Kelles, sponsor of the moratorium bill in the Assembly, and Aimee Caffrey, member of the FLX Strong citizen group protesting the creation of a 400 MW hyperscale AI data center on the shores of Cayuga Lake.

MIX Art Gallery presents: Jazz with Jesse Collins Quartet
2026-03-13 19:00 - 21:00 | MIX Art Gallery, 156 E. State Street, Ithaca, 14850
Experience a special evening of live jazz with the Jesse Collins Quartet at MIX Art Gallery. Blending improvisation, soulful rhythms, and contemporary jazz influences, this dynamic ensemble transforms the gallery into an intimate, vibrant listening space. Join us for an unforgettable night where art, music, and community come together in downtown Ithaca right on the Commons.
Limited seating – get there early!
$10 at the door, March 13, 7-9 pm
156 E. State St. (2nd Floor) on the Ithaca Commons!

Gelli Plate Printmaking
2026-03-14 13:00 - 16:00 | SewGreen, 112 W Green St, Ithaca
Gelli plate printing is a form of monoprinting that uses a flexible printing plate to create textures and layers. It is a very spontaneous way of creating one-of-a-kind prints on paper or fabric. We will explore several different ways of using the gelli plate, including using stencils, found objects, and mark-making tools.

Exquisite Corpse Cut-up Poetry Workshop
2026-03-14 16:00 - 18:00 | ithaca writing studio, 1729 Slaterville rd, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
ithaca writing studio presents
Exquisite Corpse Cut-Up Poetry Workshop
with Mack Rovenolt
March 14, 4-6pm
-Join journalist, poet, and artist Mack Rovenolt for a creative and inspiring Exquisite Corpse and collage workshop. This class blends collaborative writing and visual art to help you express yourself and draw inspiration in community with others.
-In this workshop, the group will create a poem together using the Exquisite Corpse method. Then the poem will be cut up line by line and placed into a hat where participants will have to pick new lines to go towards generating a new piece of writing.
The writers will have time to share the work at the end. All supplies provided. Some snacks and drinks provided. Come ready to create in community with others.
NOTE: Please use venmo if you need to pay on a sliding scale and be sure to provide your email in the caption of the payment. The studio has a venmo handle: ithacawritingstudio
BIO:
Mack Rovenolt is a local journalist, poet, and artist with a focus on printmaking and collage, though they enjoy learning new art forms and techniques. Both their art and poetry center on nature motifs and they draw inspiration from the physical and spiritual world around them. Their pets also make frequent appearances in their work. Mack has previously been featured in two galleries: print art featured in the Generating Joy Show at the Cherry with Ithaca Generator, and collage work featured in Queer Visions Queer Voices June 2025 at the CAP Artspace. Their work can be found at MRoven Prints on Instagram.

Open House and 9th Grade Info Session!
2026-03-15 13:00 - 14:30 | New Roots Charter School, 116 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca
New Roots curious? We’d love to see you at our March 15th Open House! 1- 2:30 PM
💚 Tour our historic building
Meet Teachers & staff, and dive into our real-world curriculum
🌟 Special 9th grade info session – learn about our award-winning high school program
Details and optional RSVP at newrootsschool.org/open-houses

LET’S READ + TALK ABOUT CLIMATE - CLIMATE LIT DISCUSSION GROUP
2026-03-18 16:00 - 17:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Community-led conversations about climate change, as we discuss The Unworthy.
Climate Literature Book Discussions meets the third Wednesday of the month.
Shop with us for 10% off these titles!

LET’S READ + TALK ABOUT CLIMATE – CLIMATE LIT DISCUSSION GROUP
2026-03-18 16:00 - 17:30 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Community-led conversations about climate change, as we discuss The Unworthy.
Climate Literature Book Discussions meets the third Wednesday of the month. See 2026 titles here.
Shop with us for 10% off these titles!

Brookdale Continuing Education Series
2026-03-19 12:00 - 13:00
We’re excited to share that we are relaunching our March CE program for our professional referral partners, and we would love for you to join us for our second CE of the year!
Date: Thursday, March 19th, 2026
Time: 12:00–1:00 PM
Location: Zoom
Credit: 1 CE credit
Cost: Free
Our March CE Course is titled: Proactive End-of-Life Care Planning: Starting the Conversation Early.
This session will be informative, engaging, and designed to support you in your work with older adults and their families—while making it easy to earn your CE credit over lunch.
Please RSVP over email to junobr@brookdale.com by Wednesday March 11th, 2026 to reserve your spot.
Thank you for your partnership and we hope you can join us!

Fairy Fest
2026-03-21 10:00 - 18:00 | Downtown Ithaca, United States
Step into a day of enchantment during Fairy Fest in Downtown Ithaca, where magic and creativity fill the streets and shops of the Commons. Visitors of all ages are invited to dress as their favorite fairy, elf, woodland creature, or magical character and explore a whimsical celebration throughout Downtown Ithaca.
Throughout the day, participating businesses host hands-on activities, crafts, story times, themed treats, and magical experiences for families and visitors. From the Dewitt Mall to Press Bay Alley and shops across Downtown Ithaca, each location offers its own fairy-inspired activity.
Fairy Fest celebrates the creativity and community spirit of Downtown Ithaca while encouraging visitors to explore local shops and discover the magic inside each storefront. Activities are primarily hosted inside participating businesses, making this a perfect event to wander, discover, and enjoy the imaginative atmosphere of the district.
✨ Costumes are encouraged! Come dressed as a fairy, elf, imp, or magical creature and join the fun.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Fairy-themed crafts and hands-on activities
Storytime and creative workshops
Costume contest and magical characters
Fairy-inspired treats and special menus
Activities hosted inside participating Downtown Ithaca businesses

Faerie Market
2026-03-21 11:00 - 17:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
For lovers of the fae, unicorns and all things magical!
Flutter on over to Buffalo Street Books for Down Ithaca’s Fairy Fest for all things magical and knowledgeable. 🍄🧚‍♀️🧚‍♂️🦄🌷

One Night With You: Elvis Dinner Show Comes to K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub
2026-03-23 19:00 - 21:00 | K-House Karaoke & Arts Hub, 121 W Martin Luther King Jr St, Ithaca, 14850
K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub invites oldies lovers to spend an evening with Elvis. One Night With You is a dinner show featuring the comedy and vocal stylings of The King himself, a three-course meal and guest performances, all in the intimate setting of Room K (formerly The Downstairs).
Elvis, who has been touring small-town venues since his supposed death in 1977, tells hilarious stories about his life, interspersed with classic songs, underrated tracks and beloved covers, during the 90-minute show. Duets throughout the evening will feature stars from the rock & roll era, including Neil Diamond and guest interaction and accompaniment are encouraged. Blending live performance with dinner theatre and the dietary restrictions of the aging The King, guests will enjoy a healthy meal with gluten-free and vegetarian options, as well as some of Elvis’ favorite treats.
“If you’ve got a suspicious mind and want the full story, you’ll just have to come hear it from The King himself.” -Sylvie Froncek, producer of One Night With You
The show takes place on the fourth Monday of each month at K-HOUSE this spring. Tickets include dinner and the show. Beverages will be available to purchase from the bar.
Upcoming performances include:
• Monday, March 23 — 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Monday, April 27 — 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM and 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM (during Old Greeny Fringe Fest)
• Monday, May 25 — 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Tickets are $35 per person or $120 for a table of four, and reservations are required.
Guests can expect an evening of classic songs, theatrical storytelling, and opportunities to interact with Elvis and sing-along.
Reservations:
https://www.viecycle.com/elvis-dinner-show.html

Launch Event: Tompkins County Minimum Wage Discussion
2026-03-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Tompkins County Whole Health, 55 Brown Road, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
Join us in Tompkins County to chat about the minimum wage and what it means for you!
Launch Event: Tompkins County Minimum Wage Discussion
The Tompkins County Legislature is exploring the possibility of establishing a countywide minimum wage. To help inform this decision, Cornell ILR School’s Ithaca Co-Lab has been commissioned to organize a series of community convenings that bring together voices from across the county.
Over the coming months, ten convenings will focus on key issues affecting local stakeholders, including business, labor, the care economy, and the public sector. Insights gathered from these discussions will be compiled into a report for the County Legislature.
We will officially launch this series of convenings with a launch event on March 24, bringing together stakeholders from across Tompkins County.
Join us for the first convening:
📅 March 24
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Tompkins County Whole Health
At this first session, you will:
• Meet the research team, local legislators, and fellow community members
• Share your perspective and lived experiences
• Ask questions and raise key concerns
• Help shape the issues that will guide future convenings
Your voice is an important part of this process.
For questions, contact Ian Greer at icg2@cornell.edu.

BIPOC Voices In Romance & Fantasy: "Cinderella is Dead" by Kalynn Bayron
2026-03-25 08:00 - 17:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join us to discuss Cinderella is Dead joined by local author Kalynn Bayron ˚˖𓍢ִ໋❀
Whether you are a romance or fantasy reader, BIPOC VOICES in Romance and Fantasy is a staff run bookclub that provides a safe space to discuss books about the experience of marginalized groups through these genres, uplifts BIPOC authors and challenges the community to read diversely!
We will meet the last Wednesday of every month ✨⚔️📖

Yappy Hour at The Strand Cafe
2026-03-25 08:00 - 17:00 | the strand cafe, 324 E. State St., Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
Welcome back to YAPPY HOUR at The Strand Cafe!
Join us every 4th Wednesday from March–October | 4–7PM for drinks, dog-friendly vibes, and pup social time!
Bring your furry friends to mix, mingle, and make new besties 🐕
Even better? 50% of proceeds benefit Stay Wild Rescue — every sip supports animals in need.
Drinks for you. Social hour for them. A great cause for all. 🐶

Yappy Hour
2026-03-25 16:00 - 19:00 | Canopy By Hilton, 324 E. State St., Ithaca
Sip, socialize, get to know some adoptable pets from Stay Wild Resue. We will have drink specials, pet games, treats and more. All well-behaved pets are welcome to join. Help us support Stay Wild Resue with 50% of all Strands proceeds go to Stay Wild Rescue.

Cafe Do What?
2026-03-25 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 or www.sowhatsocialclub.com
