This is CNY

Jazz Fest returns to Syracuse Funk 'n Waffles hosts live music in the city of Syracuse's Armory Square neighborhood. (Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse) Syracuse, N.Y. — It turns out that a lot of people want to be Syracuse’s “night mayor.” Because of the heavy interest in the new nightlife coordinator position that Mayor Sharon Owens established in the first year of her administration, city officials have needed most of the summer to review the applications and interview candidates.

2026 NYS Fair prep It's 20 days before the opening of the 2026 New York State Fair. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) Geddes, N.Y. — The most closely guarded 800 pounds of butter in Central New York have arrived. No, it’s not for the baked potatoes.

The New York State Fair is looming. The summer’s biggest local event is just a bit over a week away. This week Central New York will take a breath. Our list this week is shorter, quieter and more eclectic, a brief respite from the busy summer festival and concert schedule and colossal state fair. Still, there are plenty of things to do if you want to get out of the house.

Syracuse Latino Festival 2026 Dancers from La Casita Cultural Center perform during the Latino Festival in Clinton Square in Syracuse, N.Y., on August 15, 2026. (Md Zobayer Hossain Joati | Contributing photographer) Syracuse Latino Festival 2026 Renzo Quesada and Ivette Pedrosa, both originally from Puerto Rico, dance together during the Latino Festival in Clinton Square in Syracuse, N.Y., on August 15, 2026.

Cass Northside Futures Northside Futures steering committee members Hassina Adams, Mark Cass and Fatna Mohamed stand outside a vacant Park Street apartment house that was being renovated for families served by Syracuse's Northside Learning Center in September 2024. Cass, the longtime executive director of the Northside Learning Center, died this week.

Boxing Hall of Fame induction, Parade of Champions Members of the Canastota Community Band perform in the International Boxing Hall of Fame's annual induction ceremony and Parade of Champions on Sunday, June 9, 2018. Across Syracuse and its suburbs, intergenerational community choirs, bands, orchestras and smaller ensembles are bringing people together through a mutual love of music.

Carousel Tia Karaplis as Carrie Pipperidge and members of the ensemble in The REV Theatre Company’s production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CAROUSEL. Auburn, N.Y — “Carousel,” now onstage in an incandescent production at The Rev, holds a special place in theater history. After changing American musical theater with “Oklahoma,” which seamlessly integrated dance and song into storytelling, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II took a leap into the unknown with their next project.

Dinner at Brick House Billiards, N. Syracuse, N.Y. Chicken Riggies at Brick House Billiards, N. Syracuse, N.Y. Dinner at Brick House Billiards, N. Syracuse, N.Y. The house cheeseburger at Brick House Billiards, N. Syracuse, N.Y. Dinner at Brick House Billiards, N. Syracuse, N.Y. Bank Shot Shrimp topped with sweet chili sauce at Brick House Billiards, N. Syracuse, N.Y. Dinner at Brick House Billiards, N. Syracuse, N.Y. Cocktails at Brick House Billiards, including the Miscue Mule and an Orange Crush.

apples Beak & Skiff cleared out 6 acres of apple trees to make room for its Apple Grove Adventure Park. Update: Beak & Skiff has moved its opening date from Aug. 22 to Aug. 29, according to the company. Lafayette, N.Y. -- The hardest part about running an apple orchard is not always growing apples. Sometimes, it is getting people to visit when there are no apples to pick.

Redhouse Executive Director Franklin Fry announces his retirement Redhouse executive director Franklin Fry stands in front of a mural by artist Bennie Guzman that was created for "Jagged Little Pill," which is based on the music of Alanis Morissette. Franklin Fry walks through the backstage hallways of the Redhouse as if he’s been there for decades. He knows every piece of community art, every electrical outlet and every staff member, each of whom he’s eager to introduce.