Bruce Springsteen, ‘Hadestown,’ ‘Brick Fest Live’: 17 things to do this week in Central NY
After a wait of over six months, fans of Bruce Springsteen finally get to see “The Boss” and the E Street Band return to Syracuse and the JMA Wireless Dome. There are still many seats available for the rearranged concert.
Springsteen’s concert is the biggest, and most eagerly awaited, event this week on the local calendar but not the only thing going on.
It will be a busy weekend at New York State Fairgrounds with the Syracuse Spring Gun Show, Toyfest, and “Brick Fest Live” for you LEGO enthusiasts.
Earth Day is being celebrated this weekend. Get outside with a nature hike at Clark Reservation on Sunday.
At the Landmark Theatre, the Tony and Grammy award winning musical “Hadestown” is set for a week’s worth of shows starting on Tuesday.
Know of an event you would like to see on this list? Email us at least two weeks in advance at features@syracuse.com.
Tuesday
“Hadestown”
Winner of eight Tony Awards in 2019 and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, “Hadestown” comes to Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre for a week of shows starting on Tuesday. This acclaimed show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin intertwines two mythical tales, those of Orpheus and Eurydice and King Hades and his wife Persephone, as it takes you on a “hell-raising journey to the underworld and back.” Recommended for ages eight and up. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.
Where: 362 South Salina Street, Syracuse
When: Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30.
How much: Tickets start at $43.30, plus fees.
The Classic Rock Show – World Tour 2024
Fans of all ages can celebrate “three decades of the world’s greatest classic rock music” at this show Tuesday night at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater. Hits by Queen, Pink Floyd, Van Halen, Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and many more will be featured, culminating with a show-stopping guitar duel. Enjoy the classic sounds with a multi-million-dollar sound system and a light show. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.
Where: 411 Montgomery Street, Syracuse
When: Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
How much: Tickets start at $49.25, plus fees.
Wednesday
“Chromatic Expressions”
The Community Folk Art Center has opened a captivating new art exhibition by Baltimore-born artist Megan Lewis. Her “artistic journey has been marked by a commitment to celebrating the beauty, resilience, and complexity of the Black experience.” Lewis’s work as a figurative painter is characterized by her use of the palette knife which infuses work with bold colors, geometric patterns, and intricate textiles. She will be having an artist talk on Wednesday at 6 p.m. where she will discuss her creative process, inspirations and themes explored in her “Chromatic Expressions” exhibit. The talk is free. The exhibit continues to May 4.
Where: 805 East Genesee Street, Syracuse
When: Wednesday at 6 p.m. Exhibit continues now through May 4.
How much: Free
Thursday
Bruce Springsteen
The wait is almost over for fans of music superstar Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band. His concert at the JMA Wireless Dome was originally scheduled for last September but was postponed due to illness. “The Boss” will take stage on Thursday at 7:30. The 75-year-old Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer has released 21 studio albums, won 20 Grammy Awards, an Oscar, a Special Tony Award, and been inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.
Where: 900 Irving Avenue, Syracuse
When: Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
How much: Tickets start at $74.40, plus fees.
Peace activist speaks
Rev. John Dear, a prolific spiritual writer and peace activist, will speak at St. Lucy’s Church on Thursday starting at 7 p.m. Dear, a Catholic priest, was nominated in 2008 for the Nobel Peace Prize by Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, who called him “the embodiment of a peacemaker.” In his latest book, “The Gospel of Peace,” Rev. Dear does a close reading of the gospels of Matthew, Luke, and Mark “through the lens of active nonviolence.” His talk is free and open to the public. For more details about the event contact Corinne Driscoll at cdriscoll61@icloud.com.
Where: 432 Gifford Street, Syracuse
When: Thursday at 7 p.m.
How much: Free and open to the public
“The LEGO Movie” at the MOST
Watch this family favorite movie at the MOST’s National Grid ExploraDome on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. A full concession stand will be selling popcorn, candy, and drinks. Tickets are $6 or you can explore the museum before the movie for $12 for youth and seniors and $14 for adults. Click here to purchase your tickets.
Where: 500 South Franklin Street, Syracuse
When: Thursday at 6 p.m.
How much: $6 for the movie. $12 for youths and seniors, $14 for adults to explore the museum. Free for members.
“A Grain of Salt”
The Onondaga Historical Association explores the history of Syracuse from the Great Law of Peace to the Erie Canal to the foundation of Syracuse University and the rise of the city’s industrial might in the 20th century as one of the 30 largest cities in America. The lecture, titled “A Grain of Salt” also looks at the city’s rich history of social justice activities, from its role as the Grand Central Depot on the Underground Railroad to the Civil Rights movement in the ’60s and ’70s. The event is free with museum admission and starts at noon.
Where: 321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse
When: Thursday at noon
How much: Free with museum admission.
Oneida Ltd. Collection
Rarely seen objects from the Oneida Ltd. collection will be shared on Thursday at the Oneida Community Mansion House on Thursday. Starting at 6 p.m., see silverware patterns, wartime products from World War I and II, and some of the quirkiest objects saved from their administrative offices. Get up close with one-of-a-kind collection while learning about this iconic company and caring for historic artifacts. Tour is $20 for the public and $10 for members and students. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early here.
Where: 170 Kenwood Avenue, Oneida
When: Thursday at 6 p.m.
How much: $20, $10 for members and students
Friday
Annie and the Hedonists
The Folkus Project presents Annie and the Hedonists on Friday night. Comprised of Annie Rosen (lead vocals), Jonny Rosen (guitar and vocals), Peter Davis (clarinet, tenor guitar, piano, and vocals) and Don Young (upright bass and vocals), the group interpret the songs of the great female blues artists of the 1920s through the ‘40s, including Bessie Smith, Sippie Wallace, Memphis Minnie, Billie Holiday, Rosetta Tharpe, Blue Lu Barker, Ella Fitzgerald and more. Other styles include western swing, bluesy country, and roots Americana. For tickets and more information go to folkus.org.
Where: 3800 East Genesee Street, Syracuse
When: Friday at 8 p.m.
How much: General Admission is $20. Free for Folkus members.
Help the People of Haiti
The Church of St. Michael and St. Peter of Syracuse is hosting a pair of events this weekend to raise funds for their twin parish in Haiti. On Friday, the Doug’s to Go Food Truck will be at their parking lot on the corner of Velasko Road and West Seneca Turnpike from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., or until they sell out. Call ahead at (607) 753-9184 ext. 2 to place an order. There will be indoor seating with drinks and items from a bake sale inside. The bake sale, a book sale and a bottle drive continue all weekend.
Where: 4791 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse
When: Food Truck is Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or they sell out. Book and bake sale and bottle drive are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 1.
How much: Prices vary.
Saturday
Syracuse Spring Gun Show
New York State’s largest gun show returns to the State Fair’s Center of Progress building this weekend. There will be more than 800 exhibits and displays from collectors and dealers from all over the U.S. Featured inside at the show will be displays and sales tables of U.S. Military arms, Colt Revolvers, high grade double barrel shotguns, Native American items, Frontier and Western paraphernalia, swords, Springfield, Winchesters, vintage firearms, bowie knives, hunting and fishing items, books, western art, civilian and military weapons from all nations, custom-made and factory-made knives, and military relics and equipment from before the Revolutionary War to the present.
Where: 581 State Fair Boulevard, Syracuse
When: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 to 3.
How much: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and free for children under 12 with an adult.
“Brick Fest Live”
The entire family will “have a blast building memories together” at this weekend’s Brick Fest Live at the New York State Fairground’s Expo Center. There will be hands-on activities, life-size “brick” models, celebrities, and hard-to-find LEGO merchandise. Purchase your tickets here.
Where: 581 State Fair Boulevard, Syracuse
When: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 to 4.
How much: Tickets start at $19.99, plus fees. There are VIP packages.
Toyfest
While at the Fairgrounds, you can sneak over to the Toyfest at the Science and Industry Building which have 120 tables of vintage and modern toys, comic books, die cast cars, action figures, Pokémon, and more. A one-hour early bird session begins at 8:30 a.m.
Where: 581 State Fair Boulevard, Syracuse
When: Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Early bird show starts at 8:30.
How much: $5 for adults, cash only. Children 12 and under are free. Early bird costs $20.
Sunday
Celebrate Earth Day at Clark Reservation
There will be an Earth Day hike and educational program on Sunday at Clark Reservation from 1 to 4 p.m. An intermediate level hike will be led by Mike Bonvell starting at 2 and community groups will be highlighting topics like native seeds, birding and home composting. The Nature Center will be open. Bring a picnic and make it a day. The event is free but you need to register at https://www.friendsofclarkreservation.com.
Where: 6105 East Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville
When: Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.
How much: Free
Walk MS: Syracuse
Walk MS: Syracuse takes place at Long Branch Park on Sunday. The program begins at 9 a.m. and the walk at 10. There are one-mile and three-mile routes. Everyone is welcome at Walk MS – with no registration fee or fundraising minimum. Click here to register and donate.
Where: 3813 Long Branch Road, Liverpool
When: Program starts at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Walk at 10.
How much: Free but donations are encouraged.
“Brahms and Gliere”
The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra holds its third Chamber Series Concert of the season on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Ithaca’s Unitarian Church. The program, “Brahms and Gliere” will feature a “rich array of musical offerings performed by CCO musicians and friends” and include selections by Gliere, Julio Medaglia, Grant Cooper, and Brahms. Visit CCOithaca.org for ticket information.
Where: 306 North Aurora Street, Ithaca
When: Sunday at 3 p.m.
How much: $40 for adults, $13 for undergraduate students and anyone under 18, $20 for graduate students.
The Sanctuary Experience Presents: A Beautiful Spring, Spa Brunch
Indulge yourself a little on Sunday with spa and brunch event in Syracuse. All are welcome for a relaxing day, starting with a catered brunch and bar and then choose your time slots for various discounted spa treatments including hairstyling, hair braiding, facials, eyebrow, eyelashes, and waxing services. There will be discounted massage and makeup services and a VIP lounge and yoga sessions. Participating vendors include The Brow Finesse, Kay Kay Hair, Tresor Esthetics, The Barbie Factory, Cosmic Beautician Lash Co, and more. Tickets are available at Eventbrite. The event starts at 11 a.m.
Where: 500 West Onondaga Street, Syracuse
When: Sunday at 11 a.m.
How much: $25, $40 for VIP package with yoga class, bonus drink ticket, and lounge.