Downtown Ithaca

Queer Horror Book Club - Grey Dog
2026-04-29 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
A fan of queer horror? Looking to get into the genre? Join us for a discussion on Grey Dog, led by BSB staff member Anamarie.
Book club attendees get 10% one (1) purchase in-store!

Environmental History Presentation from Ithaca College Student Researchers
2026-04-29 19:00 - 20:30 | The History Center in Tompkins County, 110 N Tioga St, Ithaca, 14850
On Wednesday, April 29, The History Center is proud to present the work of Ithaca College environmental history students. With the recent disruptive environmental events in our country and around the world, the projects the students have been working on can provide insight into human-environment interactions over time in this place we call Tompkins County. Focusing on the history of Tompkins County residents’ relationship with water, the presentations offer an environmental history angle to the theme of this year’s exhibit on water in the gallery.
Michael Smith, Professor of History and Environmental Science at Ithaca College, developed a course in environmental history requiring students to use local historical resources to study an event in the greater Ithaca area. In doing so, it is his hope that students will develop a sense of “ecological citizenship” and an understanding that they are a part of the community they are studying.
Through a partnership with The History Center, students are recognizing the reciprocal impact of human behavior and ecological changes from events such as the major floods that have affected Tompkins County, the ways that our creeks and lake have changed from industrial to recreational uses, and the debate over hydrofracking.
Each of the groups will present a synopsis of their findings on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from 7-8:30 p.m. at The History Center. For more information please contact community@thehistorycenter.net

jones et al. - Jazz Quintet in Room K at K-House Karaoke & Arts Hub
2026-04-29 19:30 - 21:30 | K-House Karaoke & Arts Hub, 121 W Martin Luther King Jr St, Ithaca, 14850
You won’t want to miss “jones et al.” live this Wednesday at Room K (K-House Ithaca)! Come hang with this new quintet and groove to eclectic vibes from swing to bossa to R+B and more!
jazz quintet ft:
julia picker – vocals
spencer hadley – trumpet
chengoo michalis li – keys
carter knight – bass
michael millenhaft – drums
$10/PWYC

Black and White and…
2026-04-30 12:00 - 2026-05-24 17:00 | State of the Art Gallery, 120 W State St #2, Ithaca, 14850, United Kingdom
In their show, Black and White and…, painter Ileen Kaplan and Photographer David Watkins explore the use of black and white and touches of color to create abstract, graphic and representational pieces.
The show will run from April 30 through May 24, 2026. Opening reception Friday, May 1 from
5–8pm.

Book Launch: Why Our Moral Views Keep Changing with Audun Dahl
2026-04-30 17:30 - 19:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join Professor of Psychology, Audun Dahl in conversation with colleague David Pizarro, to celebrate the launch of his new book!

LATIN DANCE CLASS @ Orozco Gallery
2026-04-30 18:00 - 19:00 | orozco gallery, 115 s cayuga st, ithaca, 14850
GALLERY HOURS 2-6PM
🗓️ Thursday, April 30th | ⏰ 6–7 PM
📍 115 S Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY
🎟️ Sliding scale $10-$20 | 👤 14+ | Beginner Friendly
🎨 This April, Orozco Gallery opens its doors for a month-long pop-up filled with arts & culture in Downtown Ithaca. Featuring artist talks, live music, dance, storytelling, and hands-on workshops, this welcoming sober space invites all ages to gather and celebrate the transformative power of art.
Move and learn Latin dance during Orozco Gallery’s month-long arts & culture celebration.
💵 Sliding scale (cash or Venmo)
🥤 N/A drinks available
♿ Accessible
🌐 orozcogallery.com / @orozco_gallery – RSVP info: https://forms.gle/QbVYMMwfEcuVkXLMA
Now more than ever, art is an act of resistance and renewal — a way to reclaim joy, foster dialogue, and strengthen community bonds. This month-long series is organized and founded by community maker, curator, and activist Yen Ospina in collaboration with the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County, & Latina/o Studies Program at Cornell University.

Poetry Night: Mary Gilliland & Peter Fortunato
2026-04-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Autumn Leaves Books, 115 East State Street, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
Join Autumn Leaves Books for a night of poetry with celebrated local poets Mary Gilliland and Peter Fortunato. Both writers will read from their latest books. Mary Gilliland’s collection Within the Shop of the Divine (Arc Publication, 2025) includes poems about grief and recovery, poems “abundant in flora and fauna, rich in life and matter and earthed in the spaces and histories they emerge from.” Her chapbook Red Tide at Sandy Bend (Bodily Press, 2025) considers algal blooms, which reveal a world of toxins and creaturely interdependence both visceral and intimate.
Peter Fortunato’s books World Headquarters (Fomite, 2024) and Desert Wind: My Life in Qatar (Cayuga Lake Books, 2023) are inspired by life in Doha, nature, and the interconnectedness among the local and universal, as well as his years of teaching.
The free event will be followed by a book signing. It will be held downstairs on the groundfloor.
About the authors:
Peter Fortunato has published several poetry collections, as well as the novel Carnevale (Fomite Press, 2019) and a memoir Desert Wind: My Life in Qatar (Cayuga Lake Books, 2023). He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he was awarded the Randall Jarrell Fellowship, and from Cornell University a BA in English. Fortunato has taught writing and literature at Cornell and Ithaca College, as well as at Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar. Among his honors are the Emily Dickinson Prize of the Poetry Society of America, a Pablo Neruda Prize from the Oklahoma Arts Council, and a Yeats Poetry Prize from the WB Yeats Society of NY. Peter Fortunato has been a student of Zen and Tibetan Buddhism for more than 50 years, as well as an artist and practitioner of complementary alternative medicine. He lives in Ithaca, New York.
Mary Gilliland is the author of several acclaimed books of poetry including The Devil’s Fools (Codhill Press, 2022), winner of the Codhill Press Pauline Uchmanowicz Award. Her poems have been published widely and collected in anthologies including Rumors Secrets & Lies: Poems about Pregnancy, Abortion, & Choice (Anhinga Press, 2022).
Among her awards are the Stanley Kunitz Fellowship at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown and a Council for the Arts Faculty Grant from Cornell University. She has taught and performed at the Al Jazeera International Film Festival, the Chautauqua Institution, and the Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies.
Gilliland apprenticed to Gary Snyder in the Sierra foothills, where she studied Buddhism and helped to build a wood-framed public school. She retired early from teaching at Cornell in order to devote herself to poetry.

Brassquatch! The Fall Creek Brass Band Musical
2026-04-30 19:00 - 20:00 | The Cherry Arts, 102 Cherry st., Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
Get a sneak peak of Fall Creek Brass Band’s new original musical! We’ll share a selection of scenes and songs from Brassquatch! and round out the evening with some classic Fall Creek tunes.

Friday Pop-In Permanent Jewelry Happy Hour
2026-05-01 11:30 - 19:00 | Fall Creek Atelier, 118 West Green street, Bay 7, Ithaca, 14850
Friday Pop-In Permanent Jewelry Happy Hour ✨
Join us every Friday (all day!) at Fall Creek Atelier for a relaxed, drop-in experience. Get custom-fit, clasp-free permanent jewelry designed for effortless, everyday wear.
No appointment needed—just stop by whenever it works for you, bring a friend, and make it a moment. Perfect for:
• Friendship bracelets
• Couple bracelets
• Mother–daughter pieces
• Matching group sets
• A meaningful treat just for you
Friday Happy Hour Pricing:
• 1 bracelet — $60
• 2 bracelets — $110
• 3 bracelets — $150
Add charms or birthstones—buy one, get the other half off (mix & match). Leave with something you’ll never want to take off.

My Father and the Silver King Launch: Gail Holst-Warhaft
2026-05-01 17:00 - 18:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
My Father and the Silver King…………… Gail Holst-Warhaft
He ran away from home in the East End of London when he was seven years old. He lived on the streets, joining a gang of child pickpockets and at nine went to sea as a ‘ship’s boy.’ After a grueling trip around Cape Horn, he returned to London and found a job in a bicycle shop. When one of the first motor cars in London was brought in for repair, he fell in love with it. By the time he was a teenager, he had become a chauffeur and driving instructor for coachmen and butlers whose employers wanted to own a car, often driving customers to the Music Halls and theaters. A favorite melodrama of his day was The Silver King, a play in which the wronged hero is redeemed after he makes a fortune in a silver mine in South America. When he saw it, my father made up his mind to become ‘The Silver King.’
One of my father’s regular customers was a doctor who took him to Australia as his chauffeur. The doctor, who had relatives in Australia, traveled there to bet on the 1905 Melbourne Cup. My father saw there were only three cars at the race-course. He realized that if he could buy a car he could make money from it. He told the doctor that if he stayed in Australia he thought he could become “a gentleman.” His employer released him and he looked for a way to make money quickly. He was told that cutting sugar cane in Queensland was dangerous and dirty work, but paid well. After a season cutting cane my father returned to Melbourne and borrowed enough money to buy a car. A year later he had set up a successful hire-car business.
My father and his friends had learned to skate in London, tying iron blades on their shoes. In Melbourne he went skating at the brand-new ice rink where he soon became a champion figure-skater. It was there, at the ‘Glaciarium’, that he met his future wife, Gretchen. They soon married and had two children.
One day my father saw a sign on a small shed advertising a business for sale for fifty pounds. The owner, a Frenchwoman called Madame Gouge, told my father that her late husband had started something new in Australia called “dry cleaning.” My father bought the business and traveled to Europe to learn all he could about dry cleaning. He decided to keep the name of the owner and called his company Gouge Dry Cleaning. It became a great success, expanding throughout the state until there were over a hundred branches in Victorian towns. Over the next decades he realized his dream of being ‘The Silver King.’ He built a mansion in a fashionable suburb of Melbourne, and his children went to private schools. Later they became prominent members of Melbourne’s social scene. While my father was away on a business trip to Europe, my father’s first wife, Gretchen, died. Soon afterwards, he began courting his wife’s niece, Marion, seventeen years his junior, who would become my mother. They married in 1937 and had a son, Antony. When the Americans entered the Pacific Theatre in World War II, officers sent their uniforms to be cleaned there. I was born during the war.
When my father retired, he bought a poultry farm in Eltham. He made no money from it but we enjoyed living in the country and becoming part of an unusual community of artists. My father had dreamed of showing me the London he had told me so much about, and when I graduated from the university we traveled to Europe. He was disappointed in London and complained that there was nothing left of his colorful East End. Only at Billingsgate fish market did he catch a glimpse of the cockney world that had formed him and which he had raised his children on.
I was living in Greece when my father died. He had visited me there and impressed the Greeks by dancing in a taverna. I often wonder how much of my interest in the Greek music of the 1920s and 30s I owed to my father and to the Music Hall songs he sang to me as a child. His life was, of course, a rags-to-riches story not so uncommon in his day, but writing his story I came to see what an unusual and daring man he had been. One of the most intelligent things he did, perhaps, was to marry my studious, bookish mother, a marriage that turned out to be as successful as any of his other ventures.

Closing Reception @ Orozco Gallery
2026-05-01 17:00 - 20:00 | orozco gallery, 115 s cayuga st, ithaca, 14850
GALLERY HOURS | 2-6PM
🗓️ Friday, May 1st | ⏰ 5–8 PM
📍 Orozco Gallery, 115 S Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY
🎟️ Free | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages | 🥤 N/A drinks available
🎨 In times of uncertainty, art remains a powerful act of resilience.
This April, Orozco Gallery opens its doors for a month-long pop-up filled with arts & culture in Downtown Ithaca. Featuring artist talks, live music, dance, storytelling, and hands-on workshops, this welcoming sober space invites all ages to gather and celebrate the transformative power of art.
Celebrate the finale of Orozco Gallery’s month-long pop-up filled with arts & culture. Catering by Zocalo & Mocktails by Open Spaces.
♿ Handicap accessible
🌐 orozcogallery.com / @orozco_gallery – RSVP info: https://forms.gle/QbVYMMwfEcuVkXLMA
Now more than ever, art is an act of resistance and renewal — a way to reclaim joy, foster dialogue, and strengthen community bonds. This month-long series is organized and founded by community maker, curator, and activist Yen Ospina in collaboration with the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County, & Latina/o Studies Program at Cornell University.

Busking for Justice
2026-05-01 17:30 - 19:00 | Cafe DeWitt, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, N, 14850, United States
Busking for Justice Returns May 1 with Lavine and the Flying Machine at Café Dewitt
Immigrant Solidarity will host the next Busking for Justice event on Friday, May 1 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Café Dewitt (Dewitt Mall, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca).
The evening will feature live music by Lavine and the Flying Machine with a vibrant blend of klezmer and Yiddish swing—rich with storytelling and irresistible rhythms. Listen for wisps of New Orleans brass bands, the golden age of hazonnus (Jewish cantorial music), smoky French cafés and more.
The ensemble includes Jennie Lavine (clarinet and vocals), Dave Davies (guitar), Sam Swartz (tenor horn and vocals), Greg Ezra (percussion) and Ryan Zawel (tuba).
Admission is free, with donations encouraged. All proceeds will directly support immigrants and families dealing with the impacts of detention and deportation. Food will be available for purchase.
“This is our seventh Busking for Justice event, and we have been profoundly moved by the generosity and spirit of participating musicians, our hosts at Café Dewitt, and all who come to support our immigrant neighbors’ right to due process,” said Jayne Demakos, principal organizer.
Busking for Justice is an ongoing community initiative organized by Immigrant Solidarity, bringing people together through music in a shared commitment to collective care, dignity, and due process.

Mr. Chow's Night Market Book Launch
2026-05-02 11:00 - 11:30 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join us at Buffalo Street Books, to celebrate the launch of Mr. Chow’s Night Market written by Emily Sun Li and illustrated by Yu Ting Cheng!
There will be crafts, goodies, story time & the opportunity to meet the author!

Sip & Sparkle: Spring Bloom Edition 🌸✨🥂
2026-05-02 12:00 - 19:00 | Press Bay Alley, 118 West Green Street, Ithaca, NY, United States
Join us at Fall Creek Atelier for Sip & Sparkle: Spring bloom Edition ✨
Shop handmade jewelry, enjoy complimentary mimosas and desserts, take home a goody bag, and receive 15% off your purchase.
📍 Press Bay Alley, Ithaca
🗓 May 2 | 12–7 PM

Poetry Reading + Conversation with Susan Michele Coronel & Dawn Leas
2026-05-02 14:00 - 15:30 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join authors Susan Michele Coronel & Dawn Leas at Buffalo Street Books for a poetry reading, followed by a conversation about their writing process and the opportunity to participate in a Q&A.

DUTCHESS OF SPIRIT POSSE DANCE PARTY @ Orozco Gallery
2026-05-02 20:00 - 2026-05-03 00:00 | orozco gallery, 115 s cayuga st, ithaca, 14850
GALLERY HOURS 2-7PM
🗓️ Saturday, May 2nd | ⏰ 8 PM–12 AM
📍 115 S Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY
🎟️ Sliding scale | 👤 18+
🎨 This April, Orozco Gallery opens its doors for a month-long pop-up filled with arts & culture in Downtown Ithaca. Featuring artist talks, live music, dance, storytelling, and hands-on workshops, this welcoming sober space invites all ages to gather and celebrate the transformative power of art.
Close out Orozco Gallery’s month-long arts & culture pop-up with a high-energy dance party with Dutchess of Spirit Posse.
💵 Sliding scale $10-$20(cash or Venmo)
🥤 N/A drinks available
♿ Accessible
🌐 orozcogallery.com / @orozco_gallery – RSVP info: https://forms.gle/QbVYMMwfEcuVkXLMA
Now more than ever, art is an act of resistance and renewal — a way to reclaim joy, foster dialogue, and strengthen community bonds. This month-long series is organized and founded by community maker, curator, and activist Yen Ospina in collaboration with the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County, & Latina/o Studies Program at Cornell University.

"Turning the Pages" - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Book Club
2026-05-03 14:00 - 16:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join us for a discussion about Kin by Tayari Jones, a novel about two best friends from rural Louisiana, who take starkly different paths through life in the Jim Crow South, exploring themes of sisterhood, belonging, and the complexities of being a Black woman in the mid-20th century America.

Karaoke for Carnegie
2026-05-03 15:00 - 18:00 | Ithaca Beer Co, 122 Ithaca Beer Dr, Ithaca, 14850
Opus Ithaca School of Music invites you to an evening of community fun at the Ithaca Beer Co. May 3rd! This family-friendly fundraising event will include karaoke, games, light bites, and both silent and live auctions. All proceeds will go to support Odyssey Choir, specifically to support their journey to perform in a national festival choir at Carnegie Hall this spring! Grab your friends and family and help to bring Ithaca’s voices to a national stage!
$5-10 suggested contribution at the door. Space is limited, so please RSVP: https://forms.gle/QGu6ArjM2e3VTeRg8.

Into the Woods Drag Shadow Cast
2026-05-03 16:00 - 18:30 | K-House Karaoke & Arts Hub, 121 W Martin Luther King Jr St, Ithaca, 14850
Once upon a time, Cinderella pines to make a cameo at the ball, Jack (of beanstalk fame) tends to his pet cow, Little Red Riding Hood sets off toward grandmother’s house and a baker and his wife discover they are barren, thanks to a curse from the neighboring witch.
They all head into the woods and embark on remarkable journeys that include falling in love, slaying a giant, facing off with a wolf and more.
Just when all wishes appear to be granted, a stray magic bean sprouts a second stalk and the giant’s vengeful wife disrupts everyone’s happy ending. Featuring beloved music and classic fairy tale characters, this heartfelt musical explores what happens after “happily ever after.”
With musical numbers re-imagined and reinterpreted through the artistry of Drag, all while the movie plays in the background, this fantastical show features some of Ithaca’s brightest drag performers. Get your tickets today, to see this show like you never have before!
Directed by Tilia Cordata and Just Alex
4:00 pm showing will not have alcohol sales
8:00 pm showing will feature a full bar

Downtown Ithaca Study Crawl
2026-05-06 - 2026-05-15 | Downtown Ithaca, United States
Explore Downtown’s café scene and uncover your new favorite place to study. The more stops you make, the more chances to win a $25 Downtown gift card! And if you share a photo of your study setup, you can earn a bonus entry.
Please note a phone is required for participation, as you will need to scan QR codes at each cafe to check-in.

28th annual Spring Writes Literary Festival. May - Sept, Live and Zoom
2026-05-07 13:00 - 2026-06-14 20:00 | Downtown Ithaca, United States
The Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County (CAP) is proud to announce our 18th annual Spring Writes Literary Festival with over 40 literary events: reading s, panels, multi – genre performances, workshops, a Book & Zine Fair, and a Survivor style literary showdown.
There’s something for everyone! From seasoned authors, to the loving public. Check out the amazing slate of free events at SpringWrites.org and find event descriptions, registration links, and participating artist bios.
The Festival starts with an opening weekend of in-person events from Thursday evening, May 7th through Sunday, May 10th. Events continue on May 16th and May 31st. Locations are Buffalo Street Books, the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center (mostly), Tompkins County Public Library, Lot 10 Ithaca, Liquid State Brewing, and The Cherry Arts.
Zoom events follow from May 14th – May 28th , and June 14th-perfect for literary lovers tuning in from afar.
From July through September, there are eight additional in-person events at Buffalo Street Books.
Visit SpringWrites.org for schedules, event details, registration links, artist bios, and more.
Don’t miss this chance to connect, create, and celebrate the power of words together!
We thank our Sponsors For Their Support. Ithaca College, Beginnings Credit Union, M&T Bank, the Odyssey Bookstore, Wegmans, and the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center, along with media partners WSKG, WITH The Route, What’s Hot Magazine, and Cinemapolis.
Additional support is provided by Poets & Writers, a Fair Game Grant, and the Tompkins County Tourism Program

Trans Center Book Club
2026-05-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join us to discuss Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg! A book club hosted by the Ithaca Trans Center.
All book club attendees will receive a 10% coupon for one in-store purchase. Mention the Ithaca Trans Center gift card to get your copy for free!

Book Launch for "Red Pill Politics: Demystifying Today's Far Right, From Fascism to Right-Wing Populism"
2026-05-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Book launch for “Red Pill Politics: Demystifying Today’s Far Right, From Fascism to Right-Wing Populism.” By David Ost, to be published by The New Press in May 2026. The book offers an original way of thinking of arguably the biggest political issue of our times: the turn to right-wing authoritarianism. Instead of asking “is this fascism?”, the book argues that both classic fascism and today’s right-wing populism are versions of what it calls “Red Pill Politics.” It uses this alt-right manosphere term as an acronym to identify the political features that are common to both. The book focuses on the question of why workers and non-elites who traditionally support the Left have often turned to the Red Pill Right, and what can be done to turn this around. While of course dealing with Trumpism, the book also looks at the surprising appeal of fascism to dissatisfied workers in the 1930s, and also at the appeal of today’s right-wing populism in Poland, France, India, and Turkey. The book does not focus on current events, but provides the tools for which we can understand and intervene in those events. In short, how can we understand today’s far-right turn in order to reverse it?
BIO: I am a recently retired professor of at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York, and a resident of Ithaca since 1992. I have written widely on left and right politics, focusing particularly on eastern Europe and Poland. My previous books include Solidarity and the Politics of Anti-Politics, Workers After Workers’ States, and The Defeat of Solidarity: Anger and Politics in Postcommunist Europe.” My articles have appeared in a variety of popular and scholarly journals, such as The Nation, Jacobin, Dissent, In These Times, as well as Politics & Society, and the European Journal of Social Theory. My books have been translated into Polish, and my articles into several languages. In 2005 I was awarded the “25th Anniversary of Solidarity Medal” from the Polish government, personally delivered by former President Lech Wałęsa.
I will have a conversation partner, who will moderate and ask me questions. His name is René Rojas, an assistant professor of sociology at Binghamton University, whose research focuses on the social and political consequences of the neoliberal turn, particularly in Latin America. He is currently completing a book titled Left Shipwrecks, that addresses how changes in capitalist political economy have transformed 21st-century progressive movements in Latin America, comparing their trajectories to those of the Left in the postwar era. Rojas is on the editorial board of Catalyst: a Journal of Theory and Strategy.

The Probably Improbable Adventures of Robin Hood
2026-05-14 10:00 - 11:15 | Hangar Theatre, 801 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, 14850
Step into Sherwood Forest for the legend of Robin Hood like never before! In The Probably Improbable Adventures of Robin Hood, Robin and Marian form an unlikely partnership that shouldn’t work but somehow does, as clever ideas, daring antics, and an occasional sock puppet send the story careening through comic chaos. Expect quick wit, fast-paced fun, and a story that just barely stays on track—if the storytellers can keep up. Performances:
Thursday, May 14 at 10 am
Friday, May 15 at 10 am
Friday, May 15 at Noon
Saturday, May 16 at 10 am
Saturday, May 16 at Noon
Sunday, May 17 at 11 am

Feast at the Kitchen Theatre
2026-05-14 14:00 - 17:00 | Kitchen Theatre Company, 417 W State Street, Ithaca, 14850
You’ve never been to a dinner party like this. A reimagining of Beowulf from a female perspective, FEAST. serves up a visceral, tour-de-force solo performance that grapples with grief, power, and justice. Come curious and hungry for change; leave galvanized and satisfied. After the final bow, Lifelong will join the artistic crew for a private talkback session to discuss the creative process, characters, and themes.

Beginnings Summer Concert Series Kickoff Party
2026-05-14 16:00 - 18:00 | Revelry Yards, 111 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
We are kicking off the Beginnings Credit Union Summer Concert Series with a celebration in the heart of Downtown Ithaca. Join us for an afternoon of music, local flavor, and good vibes as we announce this season’s lineup.

eRide Ithaca Workshop
2026-05-16 11:00 - 13:00 | LACS Cafeteria, 111 Chestnut St., Ithaca, 14850
These free, hands-on workshops will help you get set up for the launch of eRide Ithaca. We’ll help you download the app and create your account so you’re ready to ride when the service launches.
Go Ithaca will be at every workshop so residents can sign up to receive discounts on eRide Ithaca rides.
Questions? Call or text the IETA staff at 607-374-0172 or email gmelice@tcatmail.com.

Rootstock - Finger Lakes Youth Music Festival
2026-05-16 12:00 - 17:00 | Bernie Milton Pavilion, 100 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY, 14845
Rootstock is the premier youth music festival in the Finger Lakes. It is sponsored and organized by New Roots Charter School and GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance. Rootstock features solo acts, bands, and dance troupes with styles ranging from hiphop to punk to jazz. The event will also feature young entrepreneurs offering their handmade products at the Youth Entrepreneurship Market.

Publishing: A Wild Ride—Book Signing and Chat with Shannon Delany, Bestselling and Award-winning Author, Ghostwriter and Book Coach
2026-05-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
In 2008 author Shannon Delany won the first-ever cell phone novel contest in the western world with her greatly abbreviated serial novel 13 to Life. Facing immediate interest from two Big Six publishers and a movie producer, Shannon signed a contract with St. Martin’s Press (Macmillan) for a trilogy that quickly expanded into five books, garnered more movie interest, and was published in six languages. A contract for the Weather Witch series soon followed, as well as invitations to multiple anthologies. Shannon and a friend saved a small publishing house from an untimely end, publishing books for other authors. Most recently Shannon’s agent won back her rights and she has begun reworking and republishing her books the way she wants to, allowing for the inclusion of certain artistic embellishments that further set her work apart. Shannon is also a ghostwriter and book coach for a highly respected international agency and loves answering questions about writing and publishing.
The 13 to Life series: Small town romance, love, loss, werewolves, ghosts, and teen drama of all sorts. After the sudden loss of her mother, all Jessie Gillmansen wants is to avoid any more change. But with the arrival of a strange new family in town, the mysterious wolf attacks, and deaths on the nearby train tracks, it seems that avoiding change is not an option.
The Weather Witch series by Shannon Delany: In an alternate 1840s America, stormpower and enslavement of the weather witches has taken the place of steampower. When Jordan Astraea is taken by the Wardens to serve out her life as the living battery of an airship, and she’s quickly swept up in rebellion as the system built on so many people’s backs begins to break.
Beastly Babes: Nine Classic Tales of Female Vampires by Shannon Delany: An anthology of classic works of well-known Victorian men revolving around female vampires, and annotated by award-winning author Shannon Delany. If you’re the sort who always said you were going to read classic literature, but didn’t, this is the spooky gateway you’ve been waiting for.
Prompted to Write Workbook: 500 writing prompts of multiple genres and the space to explore each one with your own interpretation. Perfect for the aspiring author who wants to get into a writing habit but doesn’t always know where to start.
A Wild Heart by Lore Blackwood: A spicy adult paranormal romance giving readers a glimpse at the first time characters in The Wolves of Greenbriar series meet, nearly a decade before the action of Omega Heat.
Omega Heat by Lore Blackwood: A spicy adult paranormal novel in which Sylva Waters’ eyes are first opened to a darker and stranger world when a one-night stand with the man who’s supposed to drive her to safety takes a strange turn, and everything about her previously comfortable life begins to turn upside down.
Not Boyfriend Material by Lore Blackwood: The spicy adult sequel to Omega Heat. Determined to make sure Sylva can protect herself, Boots decides to demonstrate magic by taking her into the woods on a brief detour from their road trip.

Destiny La Vibe Presents The Speakeasy Extravaganza
2026-05-16 18:30 - 21:30 | Community School of Music and Arts, 330 East State Street, Ithaca
Step into a night of glamour, rhythm, and unforgettable energy—right in the heart of Ithaca.
Destiny La Vibe Presents: The Speakeasy Extravaganza is not just an event—it’s an experience. Slip into your finest Gatsby-inspired attire and prepare to be transported to a dazzling era of style, soul, and celebration.
This immersive, cabaret-style evening will feature a full live band, a dynamic DJ, and special featured artists bringing powerful, unforgettable performances to the stage. Expect the very best of blues, R&B, soul, and funky grooves—a soundscape designed to move you from your seat straight to the dance floor.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be surrounded by vintage elegance, vibrant energy, and a crowd ready to celebrate in style.
What to expect:
Elegant table seating for a true speakeasy feel
High-energy live music and featured artist performances
A lively dance floor you won’t want to leave
Delicious dinners and cocktails available for purchase
A curated atmosphere designed for connection, fun, and flair
A soon-to-be-announced alcohol vendor to elevate the experience
Speakeasy Secret: Your exclusive password for entry will be revealed upon purchase of your ticket or table—because every great night starts with a little mystery.
But the magic goes beyond the music. This spectacular evening also gives you a chance to give back—supporting incredible local organizations including Community School of Music and Arts, Delta Sigma Theta Ithaca Alumnae Chapter, and Greater Ithaca Activities Center.
Whether you’re coming from Ithaca, Elmira, Cortland, or beyond, this is the night to gather your friends, dress to impress, and indulge in an evening of music, movement, and meaning.
