Some events have been postponed since the publication of this article.
It’s cold out there, but it’s probably still more fun to hang out outside than to prepare for tax season. And there’s lots to do in the woods this weekend, per usual. Take advantage of the full moon with a moonlit snowshoe or ski at the Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville, or grab some binoculars and head to the Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus to learn about how birds stay cozy and fed in the winter. For an urban adventure, sign up for a guided walk around town with the Erie Canal Museum. There are performances in and around the city, too, from rapper T.I; soul duo Michael Houston & Sam Wynn, comedian Jeff Dunham and more.
Know of an event you would like to see on this list? Email us at features@syracuse.com.
Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham poses with his puppet character Walter after receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Comedian Jeff Dunham
UPDATE: Jeff Dunham’s show has been postponed until Friday, March 18.
Comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham is heading to the Oncenter on Friday as part of his U.S. tour, “SERIOUSLY!?” Dunham has performed across the country for over thirteen years with his cast of puppets, which now includes a new member: Url, the internet troll. The comedian will perform on Friday at the Oncenter War Memorial in Syracuse, then swing back around to New York in July to perform at the Turning Stone Event Center in Verona. Tickets can be purchased through ticketmaster.com and go for $58 to $70 after fees. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test required.
Where: 800 S. State St; Syracuse
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
How much: $58 to $70
Rapper T.I.
Rapper and record executive T.I. will perform in the Vine Showroom at del Lago Resort & Casino on Friday. The performer is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, and is behind hits like “U Don’t Know Me,” “Ride Wit Me” and “Live Your Life.” His latest album, “The L.I.B.R.A;” for which the rapper collaborated with artists like Young Thug, Rapsody, Ernestine Johnson Morrison and John Legend, was released in 2020. The show is open to those 21 and over. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 10 p.m. For more information, go to dellagoresort.showare.com.
Where: 1133 Route 414, Waterloo
When: Friday at 8 p.m.
How much: $55 to $125
Photo courtesy of Ethan Jewell
Ethan Jewell at Funk n’ Waffles
Dallas-based musician Ethan Jewell is rolling into Funk n’ Waffles on Friday as part of his first national tour, “Lonely Together.” Jewell released his first album in 2019, and his latest, “loneliness in the presence of company,” just a few months ago. The young Texas musician has about 160,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and names bands like Hobo Johnson, atlas, and Flatsound as some of his major influences. New York City artist Mae Krell will open the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts an hour later. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased through ticketweb.com. More information about the show and the artists can be found at bandsintown.com.
Where: 307-313 S. Clinton St; Syracuse
When: Friday at 8 p.m.
How much: $15
Murder mystery dinner at Spaghetti Warehouse
Spaghetti Warehouse will host an interactive murder mystery dinner every Thursday starting this week until March 10. The Acme Mystery Company will present “Sound of Murder,” (a deadlier version of “Sound of Music”) complete with cast members like Mother Abbess, Captain Von Trapp and sweet Maria, who might just be the budding serial killer you’ll have to help identify. Tickets for dinner and the show go for $40 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations can be scheduled through 315-475-1807 or at info@syracusespaghetti.com. More information and a menu can be found at syracusespaghetti.com. Seating starts at 6:45 p.m.
Where: 689 N. Clinton St; Syracuse
When: Thursday from 7 to 9:45 p.m.
How much: $40
Photo courtesy of Michael Houston and Sam Wynn.
Michael Houston & Sam Wynn at Liverpool Library
Michael Houston and Sam Wynn of The J Project, The Critics and the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Band will perform on Sunday as part of the Liverpool Public Library’s “Syracuse Soul” music series. From 1 to 3 p.m; the duo will play classics like Marvin Gaye, The Spinners, Commodores and The Temptations in the library’s Carman Community Room. The soul music series will continue at the library with performances by Menage a Soul on Feb. 20; TrumpTight315 on March 20; and Ava Andrews, Dave Hanlon and Friends on April 24. Pre-registration through lpl.org is required to attend Sunday’s free event. Registration closes on Saturday at 1 p.m. Call the library at (315) 457-0310 for more information. Masks are required.
Where: 310 Tulip St., Liverpool
When: Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
How much: Free
Erie on Ice Walking and Skating Tour
The Erie Canal Museum and Parks & Recreation Department are partnering this year to host walking tours of historic downtown Syracuse, with a stop at Clinton Square for some ice skating on the rink. Meet a museum guide at the Erie Canal Museum on Thursday to learn about the city’s canal history, then meander with them towards downtown for an entertaining tour by ice skate of Clinton Square. Additional dates for this event are Jan. 27, Feb. 10 and Feb. 24. Tickets are $10 for the general public or $5 for museum members. Go to eriecanalmuseum.org for tickets. Contact outreach@eriecanalmuseum.org for more information.
Where: 318 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse
When: Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
How much: $5 to $10
Donna the Buffalo's music has its base in traditional mountain music and is infused with elements of zydeco, rock, folk, reggae and country. The group’s core are vocalists Tara Nevins, who plays fiddle, guitar, accordion and scrubboard, and guitarist Jeb Puryear. Keyboardist Dave McCracken, bassist Kyle Spark and drummer Vic Stafford complete the ensemble. Photo courtesy of Donna the Buffalo.
Donna the Buffalo
Roots rockers Donna the Buffalo will perform on Friday night at the Westcott Theatre in Syracuse. The band has performed since 1989 at festivals like Bonnaroo, Telluride, Austin City Limits Festival and more, and draw influences from zydeco, rock, folk, reggae and country. The band also started the four-day Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival in Trumansburg, which has become an annual event drawing over 15,000 people each year. Doors open on Friday at 7 p.m. and the music starts at 8 p.m. For tickets, go to thewestcotttheater.com. Proof of vaccination is not required for this event.
Where: 524 Westcott St; Syracuse
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
How much: $22 to $30
Moonlight skiing and snowshoeing
The Beaver Lake Nature Center will stay open until 9 p.m. this weekend, weather allowing, for moonlight skiing and snowshoeing. The ten miles of trails will be illuminated by bright moonlight for adventurers to ramble through the woods at night. Make sure to sign in and out at the visitor center so the rangers can keep tabs on you. Also, bring a buddy and a flashlight in case parts of the trail are especially dark. You can also sign up for a guided walk on Friday or Saturday. Those walks start at 7 p.m; and pre-registration is required by 8 a.m. the day of the hike. For more information about the moonlight walks, go to events.onondagacountyparks.com. To register for the guided walks, call the nature center at (315) 638-2519.
Where: 8477 E. Mud Lake Rd; Baldwinsville
When: Trails will remain open until 9 p.m. from Friday through Monday
How much: Free
Utica Union Station is on the National register of Historic Railroad Landmarks. It was opened by the New York Central on May 24, 1914. David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com
Utica Train Show
The Toy Train Collectors Society Ltd. will hold their annual Toy Train Show on Sunday. Over 40 vendors from New York and elsewhere will steam into Utica’s Union Station with over 120 tables of trains, photographs, memorabilia videos and more, as well as door prizes, drawings for which are included with cost of admission. The event will also host a “sick train clinic” where you can bring broken or damaged model trains to be assessed and repaired. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for children 5 to 12 and free for children under 4. The event is wheelchair accessible. Go to the TTCS Utica Train Show Facebook page for more information.
Where: Boehlert Transportation Center, 321 Main St; Utica
When: Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
How much: $5 for adults, $2 for children 5 to 12 and free for children under 4
Fearless Fluffy Flocks: How Birds Survive in the Winter
The Baltimore Woods Nature Center will host a stroll in the woods on Friday to identify the area’s “fearless, fluffy flocks” of birds. A nature center guide will discuss how birds adapted to live in the cold and how they work together to find food, avoid predators and stay warm. Bring binoculars if you have them and dress warmly! Pre-registration through baltimorewoods.doubleknot.com by Thursday at 3 p.m. is required for this event. Call the center at (315) 673-1350 for more information.
Where: 4007 Bishop Hill Rd; Marcellus
When: Friday from 10 a.m. to noon
How much: $6 for members, $9 for the general public