From our four annual festivals to monthly art gallery nights, to free live music & public performances, there’s always something going on Downtown!
Performer Inquiry Form
Interested in performing at a downtown event? Artist selection is determined by a jury process. If you have been booked in the past, you will still need to submit a sound bite or link to your website along with your application. Music submitted must directly reflect the performance and style you would perform.
Event Equipment Rental Requests or Event Technical Assistance
Are you planning an event yourself and looking for local resources from speaking with expert event planners in Ithaca to borrowing equipment from the Tompkins Festivals Equipment lending program? Downtown Ithaca can help advise and program support to help make your event a success. Click on the link to submit your request.
Have an event coming up that you want featured on our site? Simply click the button below and follow the steps for submitting. Once you have submitted your event, it will then be listed on our calendar below (pending review).
In July, three artists are featured at the State of the Art Gallery. New member Catharine O’Neill is showing paintings in the Salon. The main gallery celebrates the works and lives of two long time, former members: Stan Bowman and Janet Byer Sherman. In summer, O’Neill paints green things by the water. In winter, she paints whatever has found its ... Read More
Ithaca Farmers Market returns to DeWitt Park on Tuesday afternoons this summer! Come to the shady oasis of DeWitt Park (corners of Cayuga and Buffalo St) on Tuesdays from 11 AM to 2P PM to grab lunch and shop for your weekly groceries including seasonal produce, locally raised meat, dairy, cheese, and other fresh or prepared grocery items. We welcome ... Read More
Every day at the Durland Alternatives Library, we see poetry’s power to bridge divides and foster radical hope, and we want to share that with you! Prisoner Express – a project of the library – provides opportunities for incarcerated people of all genders to express themselves creatively and receive meaningful feedback. Over 400 incarcerated people participate in our poetry program ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery Ithaca will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024. Last year’s event included nine galleries, each gallery exhibiting art on the broad theme “Seeing Ithaca”. This year we are expanding the scope to include galleries, artists with studios, and businesses ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Join professors Mark Ferrara and Roger Hecht for a conversation on the stories of the ordinary people who lived, worked, and died along the banks of the Erie Canal, emphasizing the forgotten role of the poor and working class in this epochal transformation. About the Book The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 was a monumental achievement. Linking the ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Gallery Night Ithaca is a walkable tour of art openings and other special cultural events in and around downtown Ithaca, New York from 5:00-8:00 PM on the first Friday of every month.
Enjoy light refreshments and artist talks at CSMA's opening reception of Resonance! This unique exhibit redefines the traditional visual-centric approach to art by focusing on sensory elements that enable individuals to explore and appreciate art in innovative ways. The exhibit features a carefully curated collection of tactile artworks, sculptures, and installations, inviting visitors to engage with the pieces through senses ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
About the Book On December 28, 2017 I was having a holiday drink with my partner and her friend. Around 6pm, I got up, went into the bathroom, and when I came out I told them “something’s not right” pointing to my upper chest. Shortly thereafter, I fell back in my chair. My eyes were rolling and I lost consciousness. ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Poet and science educator Lee Cotman will guide participants in creating their own “blackout” poem from a formal scientiDisfic abstract. In a blackout poem, the writer chooses an existing document and obscures all but a few selected words; the remaining words create the poem. This process puts the writer in direct conversation, not only with the words on the page, ... Read More
Ithaca Farmers Market returns to DeWitt Park on Tuesday afternoons this summer! Come to the shady oasis of DeWitt Park (corners of Cayuga and Buffalo St) on Tuesdays from 11 AM to 2P PM to grab lunch and shop for your weekly groceries including seasonal produce, locally raised meat, dairy, cheese, and other fresh or prepared grocery items. We welcome ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Join us for the 32nd annual Ithaca Artist Market, a juried show and sale of fine and functional art. This highly anticipated event features local and regional artists, community arts groups, and an array of food, wine, craft beer, and cider vendors. Enjoy live jazz throughout the day from the East Hill Jazz Band, with 10-minute performances by local musicians ... Read More
Join us for the 32nd annual Ithaca Artist Market, a juried show and sale of fine and functional art. This highly anticipated event features local and regional artists, community arts groups, and an array of food, wine, craft beer, and cider vendors. Enjoy live jazz throughout the day from the East Hill Jazz Band, with 10-minute performances by local musicians ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Flex your creative muscles at this generative writing workshop as you try out a whole bunch of story prompts to spark your imagination! Prompts are invaluable when you feel stuck or you just want to write something fresh. There will be opportunity to share your writing with the group if you so choose. About the instructor: Naomi Daniluk received her ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Ithaca Farmers Market returns to DeWitt Park on Tuesday afternoons this summer! Come to the shady oasis of DeWitt Park (corners of Cayuga and Buffalo St) on Tuesdays from 11 AM to 2P PM to grab lunch and shop for your weekly groceries including seasonal produce, locally raised meat, dairy, cheese, and other fresh or prepared grocery items. We welcome ... Read More
Don't miss out on Handwork Co-op's Summer Seconds Sale! Save on handmade art and decor with discounts ranging from 10% to 75% off. Sale includes artist's seconds and overstock: Locally made pottery, fiber arts, jewelry, woodwork, glass, wall art, and so much more. What's on Sale: ☀️ Artist's Seconds that are slightly imperfect, still full of charm, and totally unique, ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Join us for our monthly book club led by community members and local literati. This month we'll be reading Quicksand, by Nella Larsen. Nella Larsen (1891-1964) is one of the most well-known names in the Harlem Renaissance canon, though much of her personal history remains elusive. The author of two novels, Quicksand and Passing, and several short stories, she received ... Read More
Learn to make a zine with local artist Yen Ospina! You will have the opportunity to dive into artsy collage or drawing while learning how a simple zine is created. You do not have to have knowledge on how to create art to learn this simple expression of self! Paper, glue, scissors, magazines, markets and crayons will be available for ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Join us for the 32nd annual Ithaca Artist Market, a juried show and sale of fine and functional art. This highly anticipated event features local and regional artists, community arts groups, and an array of food, wine, craft beer, and cider vendors. Enjoy live jazz throughout the day from the East Hill Jazz Band, with 10-minute performances by local musicians ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Discover the art of painting with gouache, a versatile medium cherished by illustrators and fine artists alike! In this workshop, participants will explore fundamental painting techniques tailored to gouache, beginning with a focused exploration of creating a value study. From there, participants will advance to crafting a larger painting based on a provided reference photo, employing a carefully selected limited ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Ithaca Farmers Market returns to DeWitt Park on Tuesday afternoons this summer! Come to the shady oasis of DeWitt Park (corners of Cayuga and Buffalo St) on Tuesdays from 11 AM to 2P PM to grab lunch and shop for your weekly groceries including seasonal produce, locally raised meat, dairy, cheese, and other fresh or prepared grocery items. We welcome ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Recovering Your Creative Spirit with Brenna Fitzgerald. Are you feeling stuck, uninspired, or unfulfilled? Is something within you longing to be expressed? In this workshop we will explore the feeling of being creatively stuck and how it affects (and is affected by) our inner and outer worlds. Through written reflection, group discussion, mind-body practices, and intuitive collage I will guide ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Come on down to BSB to chat with this award-winning author and get a signed copy of her books! Carol Van Den Hende is the of the Goodbye, Orchid series which won 20+ literary awards including the American Fiction Award, Pinnacle Achievement Award, IAN for Best First Novel, two Royal Dragonfly’s, and Kops-Fetherling Award. When she’s not penning stories of ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Ithaca Farmers Market returns to DeWitt Park on Tuesday afternoons this summer! Come to the shady oasis of DeWitt Park (corners of Cayuga and Buffalo St) on Tuesdays from 11 AM to 2P PM to grab lunch and shop for your weekly groceries including seasonal produce, locally raised meat, dairy, cheese, and other fresh or prepared grocery items. We welcome ... Read More
In this talk, Philip V. McHarris invites us to critically examine the role of policing within society and explore transformative alternatives. Drawing from his book, "Beyond Policing," McHarris delves into community-based safety models that challenge traditional policing methods and offer sustainable, inclusive approaches to public safety. Through a combination of rigorous research and compelling narratives, the talk will explore how ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
Jamaica Baldwin and Nancy Miller Gomez will read poems from their newest collections followed by a conversation and a Q&A. About the Authors Jamaica (she/her) is a poet and educator originally from Santa Cruz, CA. Her first book, Bone Language, was published by YesYes Books in June 2023. Her work has appeared in Guernica, World Literature Today, The Adroit Journal, ... Read More
The Hupstate Circus Festival returns to Ithaca this Labor Day Weekend! With over 25 events over 4 days, there’s something for everyone – free and ticketed shows, indoor and outdoor performances, family-friendly and late-night offerings, and even chances to try out circus yourself!
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More
This year State of the Art Gallery will again be sponsoring Seeing Ithaca Through the Eyes of Artists. It will take place during the month of August 2024, with gallery members and invited guests exhibiting work on the theme "Seeing Ithaca". In addition, exhibits will be hosted at various galleries and other venues that show art around town. All exhibits ... Read More