May 30, 2016 – Urban CNY

Summer in the City: Syracuse Comes to Life with Summer Festivals and Events

by Urban CNY News
May 30, 2016

Addition of Lakeview Amphitheater has increased number of area concerts It’s Festival time in Syracuse and Central New York. From Onondaga hill to Onondaga Lake, the area is gearing up for a busy season. The addition of the Lakeview Amphitheater is bringing over 20 big name acts to the new facility. As it’s become cleaner, Onondaga Lake is revisiting its historic past as a center for recreational activity, water skies and pleasure boats are seen in the water daily. Additional improvements call for a trail around the entire lake along with additional marina’s for boats to dock. Soon the lake will be cleared for recreational use. That doesn’t include the transformative changes being made to the inner harbor. After decades of ownership by Congel, the New York State’s Canal Corporation took control and re-bid the project and now we’ll have major construction in the city’s long forgotten Inner harbor. Downtown Syracuse is experiencing continued growth in the Armory Square area and beyond as additional retail and dining have infused the space with new energy. In addition, several thousand people have moved into the downtown area delivering additional residents and customers to the center city. All summer the Central New York area is full of events, festivals and concerts. The Lakeview Amphitheater has proven itself as an attraction, scheduling over 20 major acts at a venue that didn’t exist last year. And there’s always the Turning Stone Resort & Casino, offering a variety of big name entertainment year-round. From June 3rd past Labor Day, the area is bustling with activity. Just to name a few; Taste of Syracuse 2016, 2016 Syracuse Polish Festival, Syracuse Juneteenth, St. Sophia’s Greek Cultural Festival, Jamesville Balloonfest, 34th Annual Syracuse M&T Jazz Fest, NYS Blues Fest 2016, AmeriCU Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival, Oswego Harborfest 2016, “Best In Show” at the New York State Fair. Capping off the summer season is the neighborhood -based, Westcott Street Cultural Fair. Taste of Syracuse 2016 Friday, June 3, 2016 – Saturday, June 4, 2016 Clinton Square West Genesee and South Clinton Streets Syracuse, NY 13202 11:00AM – 11:00PM Admission Info: Free admission Official Website » Loosen’ up your belts & get those tastebuds ready! The biggest food & music festival in Central New York – the Taste of Syracuse – will be kicking off the summer festival season! Enjoy two days of fabulous food & outstanding music. All food vendors will have $1 Sample items as well as regular delights. More details to follow! The headliner for Saturday evening will be Cheap Trick! 2016 Syracuse Polish Festival Friday, June 10, 2016 – Sunday, June 12, 2016 Clinton Square West Genesee and South Clinton Streets Syracuse, NY 13202 Official Website » Admission Info: Free admission see website for schedule This long-time annual event celebrates Polish culture bringing food, music, dance, customs, etc. to downtown Syracuse. There will be crafters and imported goods for sale as well! Syracuse Polish festival was created to continue cultivating Polish culture and supporting talented young minds, who continue to fulfill their career aspirations. All proceeds from this event will support the Polish-American Scholarship fund. St. Sophia’s Greek Cultural Festival St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church 325 Waring Rd. Syracuse, NY 13224 Thursday, June 9, 2016 – Sunday, June 12, 2016 June 9: 5pm-9pm June 10: 5pm-10pm June 11: 12pm-10pm June 12: 12pm-4pm Admission Info: Free admission Official Website » 43rd Annual Greek Cultural Festival, 325 Waring Rd. 13224. Join in the fun! Live music and folk dancing. Delicious gyros, spinach or cheese pita, signature Greek specialties, honey puffs, baklava, custard filled pastries, wide selection of home made pastries, and baklava sundaes. Marketplace, church tours, and on the weekend icon writing demo, Holy Site lecture, Greek wine and cheese tasting tour through Greece. Free parking, and shuttle service from CBA, J-D Middle School and Tecumseh Elementary School. For information call 315-446-5222 Rain or shine, we have you covered. OPA! Syracuse Juneteenth 2016: The 151st Anniversary Celebration of Freedom, Realized June 18th, Clinton Square in Syracuse Clinton Square 1 Clinton Square Syracuse, NY 13202 As Syracuse’s 151st Anniversary Celebration of Juneteenth approaches on June 18th, we stand on the shoulders of our ancestors, reaching for new heights of freedom – and equality. The entire community is invited to Juneteenth in Clinton Square on Saturday, June 18th as we commemorate, celebrate, and innovate. It’s a free, family friendly day of reflection and inspiration. You’ll enjoy a kids zone, an educational area, food court, panel discussions, live entertainment. Each year, the Syracuse community comes together in celebration of Juneteenth in Clinton Square. The entire community is invited to join in this FREE celebration featuring live entertainment, an educational area, a culturally diverse food court, the Dr. Henry A. Washington Healthy Pavilion, exhibits, and more. Admission Info: Free admission Official Website » Art on the Porches 2016 Saturday, June 18, 2016 10:00AM – 4:00PM Art On The Porches 100 Ruskin Avenue Syracuse, NY 13207 Official Website » Admission Info: Free admission Get Tickets » Art on the Porches is Saturday, JUNE 18, 2016 on Ruskin Ave in Syracuse’s historic Strathmore neighborhood. ART * MUSIC * FOOD * COMMUNITY Talented Local Artists – Artists will show and sell their work in the heart of the city’s historic Strathmore neighborhood. Entertainment – Some of the most talented musicians in Central New York, dance, poetry, and more… Gourmet Refreshments – A variety of delicious local and international cuisine will be available throughout the day. Play at the Hands-on Art Center! Come and create! Make your own art for free. A truly family-friendly event!! For details, please see the facebook page! Presented by the Greater Strathmore Neighborhood Association Arts on Genesee Fine Arts & Craft Show Saturday, June 18, 2016 – Sunday, June 19, 2016 10:00AM – 5:00PM May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society 3800 East Genesee Street Syracuse, NY 13214 Official Website » Admission Info: Free admission This fine arts and crafts outdoor juried show will feature Central New York artists. The offerings include exceptional jewelry, ceramics, fiber arts,

Education Neighborhoods News Outer Comstock (southeast)

University Place Promenade Project to Begin Construction Soon

by Urban CNY News
May 30, 2016

Syracuse University announced “The University Place Promenade Project”, which will transform University Place into a dynamic pedestrian promenade connecting Bird Library, Schine Student Center and the Newhouse School complex, will get underway in the coming weeks. Once complete, the project will transform the area from a congested thoroughfare into a pedestrian-friendly promenade featuring activated plazas, improved landscaping, increased ADA-accessibility and a greater sense of physical connectedness for all members of the campus community. As a result of recent feedback from some members of the Syracuse University campus community, the project, which was originally scheduled to begin May 16, was rescheduled to begin in the coming weeks. As a result of feedback, the university’s Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction has made a number of revisions to the project, including: scaling back the size of the construction footprint area as much as possible; working closely with building coordinators to reduce impact on surrounding buildings during construction; providing a detailed project timeline to allow buildings near the work site to adequately prepare for construction; increasing University staff on the site to further mitigate impact on students, faculty, staff and visitors; and postponing construction of outdoor seating along the Promenade to provide the campus community alternative seating choices. The project, part of the University’s Campus Framework, is an initiative that will dramatically enhance the campus landscape and improve the student experience. The Promenade will create a greater sense of physical connectedness for all members of the campus community and calls for converting University Place, from Newhouse all the way to the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center, into a primarily pedestrian space, which will be fully accessible. “I appreciate all the feedback students, faculty and staff have provided on this project for the past year, including during the past several weeks,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “All of this interaction will make this project better, and our outreach and communication moving forward stronger.” “We’ve taken the last several weeks to do additional outreach to building coordinators about the project and will increase staff presence on site to assist faculty, staff and visitors with questions. We’ve reduced the footprint of the construction project and will continue to share our progress on these exciting improvements,” says Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer. During construction a significant portion of University Place—from College Place to South Crouse Avenue—will be closed to all vehicular traffic, with the exception of police, fire, emergency and maintenance vehicles. Traffic will be rerouted as a result, and comprehensive signage communicating detours will be prominently displayed. In addition, accessible routes will be created to ensure all community members and visitors have access to campus. Accessibility, Parking, and Transportation Beginning Friday, June 3, the existing bus routes that utilize University Place will be rerouted to Comstock Avenue and Waverly Avenue. Prior to the closure of University Place, curbside signage will be installed at both the new and existing bus stop locations. Further information and schedule updates are available on the Centro website. During construction, only the Quad 2 Lot will be closed for a portion of this project. A new drive lane to the Quad 2 Lot from College Place will be immediately constructed, and open in mid-June. Each individual who parks in Quad 2 has already been personally notified of this change. Access to all other parking lots will remain the same. For questions about parking, please contact Parking and Transit Services at parkmail@syr.edu or call 315-443-4652. Ensuring accessible routes during construction is very important. Therefore, during the Quad 2 Lot construction, accessible entry to Link Hall will be available through Slocum Hall. Also, a temporary sidewalk will be installed at the accessible entry to Lyman Hall during construction to allow for the installation of a permanent accessible walkway. Signage will be prominently displayed. If you have any questions regarding accessibility, please contact Aaron Hodukavich, director and ADA Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services at 315-443-2377 or ajhoduka@syr.edu. For the latest information on this project and construction please visit the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction website or follow @SUCampus on Twitter.

Education Events

Red House Arts Center offers Theatrical Institute and Rock Camp this summer for kids ages 6-18

by Urban CNY News
May 30, 2016

The Red House Arts Center in Syracuse, NY is now accepting registrations for its Summer programs for children ages 6-18. Whether your child is an aspiring actor or a budding rock star, Redhouse has something to keep your child active and challenged this summer. Redhouse summer programs offer a variety of levels from beginner, to intermediate to more advanced offerings that will meet your child’s creative needs. Redhouse’s Theatrical Institute will take place from June 27th – July 29th. Level 1 campers (Ages 9-12, beginner campers), will bring to life The Wizard of Oz in a uniquely designed production. Campers will learn firsthand how Redhouse’s cast and creative team develops a production, learning directly from Redhouse’s professional staff of choreographers, directors, actors, and designers. Level 2 Theatrical Institute also runs June 27th – July 29th and this program is designed for experienced theater student looking for a comprehensive summer theatrical experience. Level 2 campers will be featured in both The Wizard of Oz and Bring it On the Musical which will be run in rep on alternating nights, with performances July 28th – August 13th. The Red House Arts Center offer Little Actors camp for our younger performers ages 6-10. This camp is perfect for little ones that can’t stay out of the spot light, taking masterclasses in musical theatre, dance, improv, drama and design with a final showcase to show off all they have learned! Rock Camp 101 For all the budding musicians, singers, and songwriters out there Redhouse also offers Rock Camp. Rock Camp 101: Making the Band is for beginner to intermediate young rockers ages 10 and up running August 8th – 26th. Participants work together to form bands, write songs, and develop promotional materials, culminating in a fully produced Rock Concert on the Redhouse Stage! For more advance rockers we offer Rock Camp: On Tour. This summer camp is for intermediate and more advanced musicians and runs August 1st – August 19th. Camp participants will work with Redhouse’s professional staff writing their own music, creating promotional materials and much more. Then they will go out on a 5 gig tour at local music venues! And once again, we don’t forget our youngest rockers. Little Rockers Rock Camp is for children 6-10 years old. Our Junior rockers learn the basics of songwriting and performance on all instruments, in preparation for their final concert at the end of the camp week. “One of the great things about our programs is we have seen many of our campers continue on in both Music and Theater” stated Peggy Mitchell, Redhouse Curriculum and Learning Coordinator. Mitchell continues,” One such person is Miles Chandler who attended Rock Camp as a young teen. “Rock Camp has been an irreplaceable program for me both as a student of music, and now as a teacher. As a student, I found empowerment in the skills that I developed, namely songwriting and the expansion of my instrumental musical capabilities. Additionally, I was put in close daily contact with some of Syracuse’s finest rock musicians as I learned from them. As an educator for the camp, I’ve found joy and challenge in coaxing musical expression from kids of all sorts of backgrounds. My Rock Camp experiences have certainly shaped my decision to pursue ethnomusicology in college next year.” For more information or to register for Summer Camps at the Redhouse call the Redhouse box office at 315-362-2785, email education@theredhouse.org or visit theredhouse.org

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Red House Arts Center offers Theatrical Institute and Rock Camp this summer for kids ages 6-18

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