The Beat

$1.2 Million Project Will Improve 2.5 Miles of the Erie Canalway Trail in the Mohawk Valley

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is rehabilitating a 2.5-mile section of the Empire State Trail from the City of Little Falls to Herkimer Home State Historic Site, in Herkimer County. The trail segment is also part of the Erie Canalway Trail.

"The Empire State Trail is the ideal destination to enjoy our state's scenic beauty and extraordinary history, and we are continuing to invest in making the trail even more inviting for healthy outdoor activities," Governor Hochul said. "Outdoor recreation is a big economic engine for our state, and for countless vendors along the trail's path who rely on the tourism year-round, and projects like this help to ensure the long-term vitality of our regional economies."…

Wednesday, September 8, at 6:30 PM

Utica, N.Y. - The Mohawk Valley and Central New York were once the premier cheesemaking region of the United States. It was here that Jesse Williams set up the first cheese factory in the United States just north of Rome. Here too professor Xerxes A. Willard, a graduate of Hamilton College, championed the cause of higher standards in cheesemaking and promotion of the industry. Join Dr. Milton Sernett to discuss the origins of cheese making in New York and his book “Say Cheese.”…

Cooperstown, N.Y. (August 13, 2021) - The recent uptick of COVID-19 cases has forced the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival to postpone their August and September concerts to an unknown later date. Ticketholders for all concerts will be given the option of receiving a refund or donating the cost of their tickets to fund future initiatives.

Utica, N.Y. - This year marks the 9th anniversary of the award-winning Tuesdays on the Towpath recreational bike ride series. Where riders experience sites on or around the Erie Canal at an easy pace. The rides are guided and typically include a speaker who will illuminate history, ecology, and other topics along the route. 

On August 24, 2021, the Oneida County History Center will host a ride in the Utica area. The ride will start at Lock 20 in Marcy and ride east to travel along the 1919 Barge Canal.  Riders will stop along the way to learn about the canal including the location of “The Cut.” dug on the Mohawk River in 1730. This was the first artificial channel for navigation created in what would become New York State and it symbolizes the beginning of the Canal Age.  This six-mile journey is flat and will ride out to the Utica Marsh and back.

Oneonta, NY (August 3, 2021) — The Catskill Symphony Orchestra (CSO) announces its 2021-2022 Season after a nearly two-year hiatus. The CSO, a full-scale professional orchestra based in Central New York that was founded in 1953, will offer two fall concerts and two spring concerts at various venues in Oneonta.

Cooperstown, N.Y. -- The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival will open its 23rd season with a free outdoor community concert featuring the Caroga Arts Ensemble, led by cellist Kyle Price, at the Fenimore Art Museum Lawn on Tuesday, August 10 at 7pm.

The concert, entitled CSMF Musical Kaleidoscope and sponsored by NBT Bank, will feature an eclectic program of repertoire ranging from bluegrass and classical to jazz and pop in a musical variety show that is intended as a gift to the Cooperstown community.

An outdoor evening of entertainment for all 

Open Air Fundraiser that Includes Live Music, Food and Craft Ale

Howes Cave, NY -- The Iroquois Museum announces its 2021 fundraiser at the Museum’s amphitheater and surrounding outside area.  Please join us for the second “Roots, Rhythm and Ale”.  Along with great music the event will feature local artisans, tasty food, and a raffle packed with gift certificates, arts and crafts.  This outdoor event will be held August 6, 2021 between 5 pm and 9 pm.  Admission only tickets will be $10.00 or $20.00 for admissions, commemorative cup and one free beer.  Tickets are available for pre-sale on www.eventbrite.com or at the door on the evening of the event.  The Museum will be open and event admission includes Museum fee.

Utica, N.Y. - It’s “all aboard” the Adirondack Railroad as train operations are set to begin again this Friday, July 2nd, after almost nineteen months of suspension due to Covid-19.

Excursion trains from Thendara to Otter Lake will start on July 2nd, with trains from Utica to Thendara starting July 10th. On July 23rd, the railroad will start the much-anticipated Beer & Wine Train series featuring live music. The beer and wine trains will run thru mid-October. One of their most popular trains, the Polar Express, will be opening additional seats for all trips this holiday season.

Virtual Lecture Scheduled for July 8 at 5:00 PM

The Third Mrs. Galway debut novel by Deirdre Sinnott Deirdre Sinnott’s new novel, The Third Mrs. Galway, is set in Utica in 1835. Antislavery agitation is rocking Utica, when a young bride discovers an enslaved family hiding in her shed, setting in motion the exhumation of long-buried family secrets. Join the author as she discusses her new book in a virtual lecture with the Oneida County History Center, July 8 at 5 PM. 

Howes Cave cultural museum to present social dancers, artist demos, workshop, concert, and festival in July, August, and September

Howes Cave, NY -- The Iroquois Museum announces a slate of events for the summer, including weekend Iroquois social dancers and artist demonstrations, a workshop, a community concert, and its annual Iroquois Arts Festival.

Every Saturday and select Sundays in July and August, the Museum will present its Echoes of Tradition series, which brings dancers and artists from across Iroquois Country to the Schoharie County museum to share aspects of the culture with visitors.