In this newsletter, you'll find:
Downtown News
Live Like a Local Spotlight
Downtown Farmers Market Newsletter
Events & Activities
Plan Your Week in Downtown Syracuse
Deal Alert and Yum Alert!
Social Media Spotlight
Please note, if the newsletter cuts out in your inbox, there is a button on the lower-left corner, with a prompt to "Click for more information." This takes you to the complete version of the newsletter. Visit Linktr.ee/DowntownSyracuse to view our social media links and our website.
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50th Anniversary of the Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival Celebration
Congratulations to our own Laurie and Chuck! As the Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival celebrated its 50th Anniversary this weekend, much of the festival's success is owed to Laurie Reed, Festival Director and Director of Marketing for the Downtown Committee, and Chuck McFadden, Director of Operations. Each has worked for the Downtown Committee for more than 40 years. The duo - along with our Executive Director Merike Treier - were presented with two proclamations commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the festival. Thank you to Senator Rachel May, and the City of Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and the city's Director of Communications Ruthnie Angrand for officially designating this past weekend as Arts & Crafts Festival Weekend in Syracuse. Our team is also honored to have been recognized by CenterStateCEO's Ambassadors.
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Downtown Funding Opportunities: Cooperative Marketing Program
Attention Downtown Syracuse businesses - There's still time to partner with another business to host an event or promotion! There are two funding opportunities available, made possible through a grant from the Syracuse Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO). Businesses located in Downtown Syracuse are invited to partner with other businesses located in the City of Syracuse to host an event or a promotion designed to drive visitors into Downtown Syracuse. Each business collaboration is eligible to win $500 in paid marketing services, provided by the Downtown Syracuse Foundation. Businesses may also apply to hold programming and promotional activities envisioned to take place on Walton Street during the City of Syracuse's Weekends on Walton events (held Fridays and Saturdays).
Applications are open on a rolling basis and must be submitted to Laurie Reed, Director of Marketing for the Downtown Committee at LReed@DowntownSyracuse.com. Please allow up to two weeks for application processing and decisions.
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Heritage Park: How to Share Your Ideas
To help inform the content and design of the Heritage Park site, a committee wants to hear your feedback on the following items:
- What are the contributions of your community to the Greater Syracuse community?
- What are obstacles of oppression experienced by your community in Syracuse?
Heritage Park is a working name for a project to reimagine the park known as Columbus Circle and the area across Onondaga Street known as the Powelson Site. An advisory committee has been established to recommend the design and educational content for Heritage Park, and a new website has been introduced to help the community learn more about the committee's work. The goal is to celebrate the many different peoples from many different cultures who have contributed to our community's identity and recognize their resiliency in oppression.
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Returning to Events: Last Call to Take CNY Arts' Audience Survey
As arts, culture and entertainment venues continue to reopen and events resume across the state, CNY Arts wants to hear how you feel about returning to in-person activities to help arts agencies, producers and venues in our region improve the overall event experience. There's just a few days left to take and share a brief survey. After you digitally submit the survey, you're eligible to win show tickets, gift cards and other prizes. The survey closes, Saturday, July 31.
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171 Years of the Weightlock Building
The Weightlock Building at the Erie Canal Museum is the last remaining Weightlock Building along what was once the Erie Canal. The Onondaga Historical Association marked the 171st anniversary of the construction of the building by taking readers down "Memory Lane" last week in a Syracuse.com article. The Weightlock Building is significant because it was used to weigh the boats as they traversed the canal in order to charge a toll price, similar to today's New York State Thruway's toll system. It was also a place where boats and barges were inspected. The boat would enter the building, then the water would be drained through a culvert to Onondaga Creek. Then, the boat was lowered onto a large cradle that was connected to a massive set of scales to calculate the proper toll fee.
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LIVE LIKE A LOCAL SPOTLIGHT |
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Looking for ideas on where to go, what to eat, and what to do in downtown Syracuse this summer? Consider taking advice and recommendations from the people who know downtown best: The residents! Keep an eye out for the new "Live Like a Local" posters displayed in kiosks throughout Downtown Syracuse, featuring downtown residents sharing insider tips about their favorite things to do, see, explore and eat in Downtown Syracuse.
This week, we are featuring Andy! Andy is a local graphic designer and partner at The Lab Creative. When not in the office, you can find him skateboarding around Downtown Syracuse, or on a leisurely run taking in the public art.
The #LiveLikeALocal poster campaign was funded through a grant from Tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Today.
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Every Tuesday the Downtown Farmers Market is the place to find fresh, locally-grown fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers, fresh bread and baked goods.
What We're Looking Forward To:
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Spinach: This week, our featured produce Item of the Week is incorporated into the Food Bank of Central New York's "Just Say Yes to Fruits & Vegetables" cooking demonstrations. PS: Learn about the connection to Popeye the Sailor Man!
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Meet the Vendors: If you've been to the Downtown Farmers Market, you've probably seen a few new faces this season! This week, we are spotlighting The Bag Lady of CNY, Amy Williams!
- House Calls for the Homeless will return to The Market tomorrow from 10:00 am to 11:00 am to administer free COVID-19 vaccinations (Johnson & Johnson).
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Sunrise Yoga with Metro Fitness
Wednesday, July 28
6:30 am - 7:30 am
There is just one more opportunity to jumpstart your day with a FREE hour-long yoga session led by Metro Fitness at Clinton Square. Enjoy a beautiful view of the fountain and monuments as you exercise! A consent form (linked here and below) is required to participate. Please bring your own mat and a water bottle.
#DealAlert: The first 25 people to arrive to class will get a free smoothie card, redeemable at Original Grain.
Follow Metro Fitness on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with its future programs.
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Salt City Summerfest
At Various Locations Throughout Downtown
Wednesday, July 28
During Lunchtime
Friday, July 30 & Saturday, July 31
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
The Salt City Summerfest, led by CNY Jazz Central, continues to bring pop-up entertainment in the form of musicians, dancers, and actors throughout Downtown Syracuse.
The lunchtime component of the festival kicks off this Wednesday at Perseverance Park. During Friday and Saturday evenings from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, Downtown visitors can look forward to performances at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown Patio, Armory Square, Hanover Square, the Salt City Market and more. Perseverance Park Wednesday from X to Y, and during the popular dining hours over the weekend evenings on Friday and Saturday. Schedules will be posted each week at SaltCitySummerfest.org.
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Application Workshop: NYS Pandemic Small Business Recovery Program (Virtual)
Wednesday, July 28, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
New York State has launched an $800 million grant program to help small businesses and microenterprises that have experienced hardship throughout the COVID-19 pandemic - and your business may be eligible to apply! The Upstate Minority Economic Alliance, CenterstateCEO and Matthew Kennedy, a representative from Empire State Development are here to help you break it all down this Wednesday. Learn about the eligibility and documentation requirements of the program, and answer questions about how to apply.
Cost: Free
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Party in the Square ft. The Bomb
Wednesday, July 28, 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Nave Law's Party in the Square continues to bring fun to Clinton Square with food, drinks and live music! The weekly summer celebration features $2 happy hour of 10-ounce drafts from 4:30 - 5:30 pm, plus food from food trucks and live music. Blujus Spandaro Duo will play during Happy Hour, followed by the headling act, The Bomb!
Party in the Square continues every Wednesday through September 29.
Cost: Food and drink price varies
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Taste of Justice For All
Wednesday, July 28, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Join Hiscock Legal Aid Society as it presents "Taste of Justice For All," a fundraiser featuring culinary delights from around the Syracuse area. Tickets cost $55 and include food from participating vendors and limited alcoholic beverages. Proceeds benefit the organization's mission to provide free legal help to neighbors living in Central New York. Vegan and vegetarian options are available. Hancock Legal Aid Society was founded on the principle that nobody should be denied justice because of a lack of means - the organization handles thousands of cases each year.
Cost: $55
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Tech & Culture Series: David Richardson (Virtual)
Wednesday, July 28, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Join Generation Next for the next installment of its Tech & Culture Series featuring David Richardson. Richardson is the System and Test Engineer at SRC, Inc. a not-for-profit research and development company that develops creative solutions for nationally significant challenges in defense. Richardson, a Syracuse University graduate, started his tech career at Saab Sensis in the Air Traffic Control division. The Tech and Culture Series promotes diversity, inclusion and belonging in tech-related fields through diverse speakers, who are leaders in the tech industry. The series invites speakers to share their personal stories to inspire, motivate and transform the mindsets of the audience.
Cost: Free
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Crispy Girls Bohemian Pilsner Release Party
at Talking Cursive Brewing Company (map)
Thursday, July 29, 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
A beer created and brewed by the women of Talking Cursive Brewing Company is ready to be released! Join the beertenders who brewed "Crispy Girls" beer this Thursday at Talking Cursive Brewing Company, located at 301 Erie Boulevard East (map). Crispy Girls was brewed using the finest Bohemian floor malted Pilsner malt, SugarPils and 100% New York State Saaz Hops. This brew is one of four other beers that will make its debut this Thursday, including the new "Connected by Craft" and "Tafel." "Connected by Craft" is a collaboration with the New York State Brewers Association, and described as a Session IPA with a grapefruit peel. "Tafel," a Pale Belgian drinking beer, features light additions of Banana Passionfruit and Simcoe Hops and is fermented with a classic Belgian Farmhouse yeast. All new and returning releases will be available in four-packs to go.
Cost: Free admission
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Amaus Vision Services: Open House
at The Parish Center (map)
Thursday, July 29, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Amaus Vision Services, a free eye clinic opening this fall in Downtown Syracuse, is hosting an open house ahead of its anticipated fall opening. You're invited to visit The Parish Center at 250 East Onondaga Street (located next to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception) next Thursday, July 29 to learn more about its services. Staffed by experienced volunteer optometrists and opticians who also run private practices, and volunteer staff members, the eye clinic will offer free quality eye care - including eye exams and eyeglasses - to neighbors in need. The program will be run through the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and is designed to help and support neighbors in need by providing world-class eye care, free of charge.
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Urban Video Project Summer Review 2021: Inflection Points
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, July 29, 30, 31:
Dusk - 11:00 pm
If you missed Light Work's Urban Video Project presentation of Signal 8 by Simon Liu, you have one more chance to watch the imagery this week. The New York Film Festival describes Liu's piece as eerie and entrancing, featuring "deceptively tranquil 16mm images of everyday life are accompanied by muffled musical cues, ominous radio transmissions imitations of an impending hazardous event that may never arrive." The Urban Video Project will continue to feature pieces from Inflection Points, which explored radical change, throughout the summer. Next up, Blue and Red by Zhou Tao will show starting August 5.
Cost: Free
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Yoga on The Rooftop
At State Tower (map)
Saturday, July 31
10:30 am - 11:45 am
Enjoy yoga on the rooftop from the highest perch in the city of Syracuse. Every Saturday morning through August 28, Hand in Health Massage Therapy hosts a yoga class. A limited number of mats are available, but bringing your own is encouraged.
Cost: $25 /Class
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Redhouse: Open Auditions and Open House
at Redhouse Arts Center (map)
Auditions: Saturday, July 31, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm / Open House Starts at 4:00 pm
The Redhouse Arts Center is hosting open auditions for its first two performances of the season, Sister Act and Fences! Before the audition, there will be a free workshop starting at 10:00 am, with Temar Underwood, Associate Director of Artistic Programming. Underwood will provide performance tips and answer questions about the audition process. If you are interested in auditioning, you will be given a monologue to read. For Sister Act, you can sing a minute from any song of your choice, American Idol-style. Later in the day, the public is invited to an Open House featuring backstage tours and catering by Miss Prissy's.
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STEM Olympics
at The Museum of Science & Technology (The MOST)
Saturday, July 31
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Museum of Science and Technology (The MOST) is celebrating the return of the Olympic games with its own version. Meet on the lawn for the first-ever STEM Olympics and compete for Gold, Silver and Bronze in outdoor events such as Water Balloon Catapults and the Drone Obstacle Course. Personalize a wind turbine to add to the Olympics lawn mural, and take home an activity packet to create more STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fun at home.
PS: While you're at The MOST, don't forget about the Summer of Slime, and opportunities to explore sticky substances, mucus-covered critters and other goopy experiments.
Cost: Free with museum admission
Adults: $12 | Children (Ages 2-11) and Senior Citizens (65+): $10
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PLAN YOUR WEEK IN DOWNTOWN SYRACUSE |
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Emotional Intelligence Breakfast Series
Via Zoom
Wednesday, August 4, 7:30 am - 8:30 am
There's still time to sign up for Michael Sgro Leadership Coaching's four-part online Emotional Intelligence Series. Learn how you can be more effective in life and work by learning key strategies for success. The sessions are free to attend, and the first session will focus on self-awareness. You must attend the first session to attend the next three in the series, focused on self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.
Cost: Free
Emotional Vampires at Work Online Workshop
Via Zoom
Thursday, August 5, 10:00 am - 11:30 am
An "Emotional Vampire" is someone who drains your emotional energy. They may feed upon your willingness to listen and care for them, leaving you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. In this online workshop, attendees will learn what to look out for to set up clear expectations for emotional vampires and also address what issues may lead to the behavior. By rooting out the behavior in the workplace, groundwork can be laid for more effective communication practices moving forward. The workshop is free to attend, but all attendees must have their cameras on.
Cost: Free
Open House at il Salotto
at Michael Sgro Leadership Coaching (map)
Friday, August 6, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Celebrate one year since il Salotto moved into its new digs! You're invited to attend an open house next week! Micahel Sgro Leadership Coaching moved into 351 South Warren Street (map) in August 2020 during the pandemic. il Salotto translates to "the parlor" in Italian. The space is dedicated to Michael Sgro's maternal grandparents.
Cost: Free
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Discover KidSpace and Learn About Animals
Thursday, August 5, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Every animal has a tale to tell - and not just their tail that you can see. Representatives from The MOST will bring live animal speciments to the KidSpace at the Onondaga County Public Libary Central branch to talk about the characteristics that scientists use to classify animals. Attendees will get an up-close look at specimens from real animals and explore what makes each one so unique. The in-person event will take place on the second floor of the Central Library's KidSpace. Designed for children up to 12-years-old (and their adults), the space blends a traditional library area featuring multimedia items (books, DVDs, audiobooks, etc) with a play area. The play area features a dedicated toddler corner (for babies and toddlers up to 2 years old), READytown, Gear Factory, Jane's House & Garden, the Corner Store, and Central Stage. Kids may also build whatever they desire with big blue blocks. Adults enjoy access to cozy chairs and public computers. Central Library is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Cost: Free
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3Es Lifestyle Online Professional Mix & Mingle
at Salt City Market (map)
Thursday, August 5, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Meet members of the business and professional community in Central New York! 3Es Lifestyle Online is hosting a Subscribers Mix & Mingle event next month. 3Es Lifestyle Online is an emerging online business lifestyle digital media platform for emerging entrepreneurs and professionals, primarily highlighting minority and women-owned businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals in Greater Syracuse. The firm creates and shares content, tips, inspiring stories and more to support, empower and encourage peers. The first 20 people to register for the event will receive $10 in Salt City Market Money.
Cost: Free
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Level Up - A Private Affair
Thursday, August 12, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Ecodessa is hosting a networking event to introduce small business owners to community resources. If you're looking for tips, tools and information to help you grow your small business or startup venture, this could be the event for you! You'll connect and network with other entrepreneurs in the area, and have opportunities to speak with leaders at various small business centers.
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Renew or buy a new membership to The MOST for your household before the end of the month, and enjoy the rest of the summer (the rest of July, August and September for free). MOST memberships include admission into the museum all year, plus discounts on events, camps and birthdays. Members also get free or discounted admission to more than 350 museums located throughout the world. To get the discount, type in SUM41 at the member link on The MOST's website.
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The Ice Cream Stand is still celebrating National Ice Cream Month - Are you? Celebrate with new fresh fruit flurries for $5.95 or Dole soft serve selections! Whether you like traditional ice cream or prefer plant-based, there is something for you!
Expanded Summer Hours:
Wed & Thurs: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Fri & Sat: 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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Thank you to @lindsayraychelwx (left), @lizaontheline (center) and @alyssammarley (right) for swinging by the 50th Anniversary Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival this past weekend! Lindsay saw a life-size sculpture that served as a fun selfie station. Liza shared a collage of the festival's sights and sounds including strolling performers, Trio Los Arpegios. Alyssa grabbed a selfie with the crowd in the back!
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