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).
Experience the vibrant world of Hispanic and Latiné art at our exciting group exhibition running from October 2 to November 26! Curated by Yen Ospina and Loreto Molina, this showcase promises a captivating array of artwork. Join us for the opening receptions on October 4 and November 1, from 5 to 8 PM, where you can meet the artists, explore ... Read More
Don’t miss a magical experience as the Latino Civic Association presents "Pedro y la Odisea del Paraná," a captivating puppet show by acclaimed Argentinian puppeteer Leonor Lipszyc. Hosted in collaboration with The Kitchen Theatre Company, this enchanting performance will take place on October 26 at 2:30 PM and October 27 at 10:30 AM. The show, performed in Spanish, is a ... Read More
Join staff from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Wild Birds Unlimited to discover how to attract birds to your outdoor space. Learn practical tips on bird feeding, including the best foods, feeders, and native plants to support local bird populations. Receive guidance on how to create a safe environment for your feathered visitors. Wild Birds Unlimited will showcase a ... Read More
SOAG’s October exhibit features photographs by Harry Littell and mixed media work by Jane Dennis. Littell’s series, “Parts and Service,” depicts the stillness and mystery of urban landscapes at twilight, including scenes in Ithaca, Cortland, and Binghamton. Dennis’s sculpture and paintings explore “A Cold War Childhood.” Space race, rockets, and duck and cover drills; what effect did it have on ... Read More
About the Workshop Series: Yield Everything, Force Nothing is the title of a Jean Valentine poem and hopefully a blessing over this workshop series. In these three classes, we will yield to our intuition, write expansively, and try to forgo the everyday pressures of linear thinking. I will gently guide you through fun, multi-step interactive prompts and we'll engage in ... 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
Job seekers are invited to join us for the 28th annual World of Skills job fair on October 30th at 9am to noon. The event will take place at the Hotel Ithaca, where over 30 employers will be available to discuss job and career opportunities. The first 20 job seekers will receive door prizes, and there will also be a ... Read More
A Halloween themed live Middle Eastern music and belly dance show like you've never seen before! Taksim Ithaca with amazing dancers Pixie, Anya Hamer, Alicia Free, (and hopefully Ellen George!). No cover. Tips welcome.
Celebrate the Halloween season as ten actors bring Bram Stoker's thrilling narrative of the world's greatest vampire to life in a one-night only presentation of DRACULA or The Un-Dead! A spoken word event with sound effects, drawn from the novel.
The Northeast & Mid-Atlantic regions of Puppeteers of America, proudly present “Puppet Homecoming 2024” our next biannual regional puppetry festival to be held for the first time in the commons section of Ithaca, NY. Are you a fan of the art of puppetry, or maybe you’re not sure yet. Our festival will have something for all puppet interest, from the ... 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.
Join us for the opening of Present Conversations II, a dynamic group exhibition showcasing the works of BIPOC artists, curated by Yen Ospina through Orozco Gallery Ithaca. The exhibition opens on Friday, November 1st, from 5-8 PM at CAP ArtSpace, located in The History Center at 110 N Tioga St, right in the heart of the Ithaca Commons. This exhibit ... Read More
Join Buffalo Street Books for a conversation with Jennifer Kabat and Chris Holmes. They will be discussing Kabat's debut memoir for a special live recording of the Burned By Books podcast.
Fall fits for all! 12 vintage vendors and local product creators bringing Ithaca the very best mens and womens clothing, accessories, footwear and handbags. Plus chicken and beer made on site!
Artisan pieces, crafts, collectibles and baked goods with plenty of vendors, all in the lovely Library Place Community Room space! Come shop for something special for yourself, or get a jump on your holiday gifting. Free to attend!
Drop in for figure drawing sessions 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.
Ben Folds, the acclaimed singer-songwriter and pianist, will be bringing his signature blend of indie rock, pop, and classical influences to Ithaca on November 8, 2024. Known for his witty lyrics, powerful piano melodies, and engaging stage presence, Folds has captured the hearts of fans worldwide with hits like "Brick," "Rockin' the Suburbs," and "The Luckiest." Over the years, he ... Read More
Celebrate James Baldwin with us and take home a free copy of a Baldwin book, donated by Beacon Press! Funds raised support Buffalo Street Books as it transitions to a nonprofit model. Our conversation will be led by: Mwalimu Kofi Acree, Director for the John Henrik Clarke Africana Library and Curator of Africana Collections for the Division of Rare and ... Read More
Do you know the story of No Face Doll? Join us, Saturday, November 9th, at 2 p.m., to learn a piece of Haudenosaunee culture from Penny Miner. From the Allegany Territory and the Seneca Nation, Penelope is a traditional Seneca Artist who has been practicing her art since her youth. Her art forms include black ash basketry, corn husk dolls ... Read More
In this fiction writing workshop learn how to develop a character using a ‘character tree,’ psychology, personality typing, and putting them in situations of stress and novelty. Led by local speculative fiction author, Naomi Daniluk. Registration required through Community School of Music and Arts.
Join Buffalo Street Books in exploring exceptional works of climate fiction! We'll use a different book each month as a jumping-off point for talking about our collective climate future. If you can't read each month's book cover-to-cover, that's okay--but the more you read, the more meaningful the conversation. Led by aspiring climate writer Wendy Skinner, with guest poets and writers. ... Read More
Join us for the opening of Present Conversations II, a dynamic group exhibition showcasing the works of BIPOC artists, curated by Yen Ospina through Orozco Gallery Ithaca. The exhibition is up November 1st - November 27th, at CAP ArtSpace, located in The History Center at 110 N Tioga St, right in the heart of the Ithaca Commons. Throughout the month ... Read More
Join us for the opening of Present Conversations II, a dynamic group exhibition showcasing the works of BIPOC artists, curated by Yen Ospina through Orozco Gallery Ithaca. The exhibition is up November 1st - November 27th, at CAP ArtSpace, located in The History Center at 110 N Tioga St, right in the heart of the Ithaca Commons. Throughout the month ... Read More
Join us for a unique figure drawing session at CSMA featuring two models! This non-instructional event is perfect for intermediate and advanced-level artist who want to explore form, light, and composition in an inspiring setting. Bring your own materials and enjoy an afternoon dedicated to creativity, where you can connect with fellow artists and deepen your skills in a relaxed, ... Read More
Join us for the opening of Present Conversations II, a dynamic group exhibition showcasing the works of BIPOC artists, curated by Yen Ospina through Orozco Gallery Ithaca. The exhibition is up November 1st - November 27th, at CAP ArtSpace, located in The History Center at 110 N Tioga St, right in the heart of the Ithaca Commons. Throughout the month ... Read More
Join us for an insightful conversation on November 20th, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm, where Dr. Joseph Strayhorn, M.D., will delve into the holistic approach to mental health care. This session will cover essential topics such as the roles of pharmacology, psychotherapy, and psychoeducation in fostering mental well-being. Dr. Strayhorn, a board-certified psychiatrist with decades of experience, will provide ... Read More
Join local author David B. Schwartz to celebrate the his new release Waiting for the Steamboat at Lamoreaux Landing. He will be reading from the book and accompanied by local musician, Richie Stearns.
Join author and biographer Gordon Sander and artist JJ Manford for a conversation at Buffalo Street Books. About the Book: When Gordon Sander ’72, BA ’73, began an artist residency at Risley Residential College in 2002, he was returning to familiar ground. The author, photographer, and journalist had come back to the Hill twice before to work on books and had a history of hiring ... Read More
Drop in for figure drawing sessions 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.
An incredible line up of faculty members from Opus Ithaca School of Music join together to play a concert of jazz and classical music, in support of Opus Ithaca's Scholarship Fund. Join us for this free concert, open to the public! We'll be accepting donations in cash and electronically. Performers include: Sarah Chandler, Ryan Reilly, Andi Merrill, Liz Shuhan, Ali ... Read More
Join us at CSMA for an autumnal watercolor workshop! We will learn some watercolor painting basics through various exercises, then dive into a fall still life scene. In this workshop, participants will explore fundamental painting techniques while painting autumn pumpkin scenes. All necessary materials will be provided, ensuring participants have everything they need to explore and create with watercolor. Participants ... Read More
Grab your instrument and come jam with us! CSMA is hosting Beginner Jazz Jam sessions on Saturdays running bi-weekly from 2:30 - 4:30pm. These sessions are available to anyone regardless of their experience level, though some experience is recommended. Whether you have a little experience playing jazz, or have been playing live jazz for years, this is a chance to ... Read More
Join our writer's group at CSMA! Open to fiction writers of all levels. Bring a piece of writing to read out loud for constructive feedback, or just come to hear other writer's share and offer your support.
About the Workshop Series: Yield Everything, Force Nothing is the title of a Jean Valentine poem and hopefully a blessing over this workshop series. In these three classes, we will yield to our intuition, write expansively, and try to forgo the everyday pressures of linear thinking. I will gently guide you through fun, multi-step interactive prompts and we'll engage in ... Read More
About the Workshop Series: Yield Everything, Force Nothing is the title of a Jean Valentine poem and hopefully a blessing over this workshop series. In these three classes, we will yield to our intuition, write expansively, and try to forgo the everyday pressures of linear thinking. I will gently guide you through fun, multi-step interactive prompts and we'll engage in ... Read More