Join the Community Arts Partnership and Visit Ithaca in celebration of apples and the arts in Tompkins County! Kick off the month with Apple Harvest Fest and Cider Week; be sure to plan time for studio visits on the Greater Ithaca Art Trail. The arts and cider scene will be thriving this October.
Downtown Ithaca
Venture to Downtown Ithaca Friday, October 1st for a monthly Gallery Night These artistic attractions happen the first Friday of each month!
The Community Arts Partnership (CAP) ArtSpace Gallery exhibit features work from local artists on the 23rd Annual Greater Ithaca Art Trail. You can visit ArtSpace all month and visit individual artist studios on the art trail’s open studio days, October 9th, 10th, 16th, and 17th. Some open studios downtown include artists Dede Hatch (in the Hickey’s building) and Barbara Mink (Mink Gallery). Tune into zoom events October 7th-17th. Learn more at ArtTrail.com. Also, on-site is the Breaking Barriers: Women's Lives & Livelihoods exhibit at The History Center.
Nearby: After your visit, purchase cider to enjoy at home at The Cellar d'Or Wine & Cider.
Friday, October 1st-Sunday, October 3rd: Apple Harvest Festival, Downtown Ithaca. Enjoy farm stand fresh apples, seasonal baked goods, food trucks, live entertainment, a cider trail, and a craft fair with local artisans!
Downtown Ithaca: State Street
Saturday, October 2nd: Singing Notes And Slinging Jokes, a comedy show at Liquid State Brewing Company. Liquid State serves pours from local cideries South Hill Cider and Red Byrd Cider.
The State Theatre has re-opened with concerts and performances all month long and offers local ciders at concessions. See the world premiere of the folk-pop musical In Case You Forgot, presented by Clockmaker Arts, on October 10th.
Nearby: Across the street at the State of the Art Gallery, see “Close to Home ~ and Then Some”, an exhibit featuring oil paintings by Patty Porter and drawings/photographs by Diane Newton. Then visit Nowhere Special to try a “Sailor & Cider” rum-based cocktail or grab a mulled cider to spice up your weekend!
South Hill
The Gallery at South Hill is located in the South Hill Business Campus and features artwork by artists Jessica Warner (through October 17th), and Sidney Piburn (beginning October 23). Across the way, you’ll find The Handwerker Gallery at Ithaca College has re-opened to the public and showcases the work of two Ithaca College faculty members, Paloma Barhaugh-Bordas and Lali Khalid (through October 13th).
Nearby: Just 3 miles up the road, South Hill Cider offers delicious craft-brewed ciders, delectable snacks, and often has outdoor live music and wood-fired pizzas available. Pro tip: get a flight to try 4 of their best-selling ciders! October 7th is the FLX CiderFest & Market (as part of Cider Week NY). Purchase a ticket to attend and taste ciders from seven different regional cideries. Enjoy music and local food from Finger Lakes Flatbread and Silo Food Truck.
On the Art Trail, visit Torie Tiffany’s studio for unique digital artwork and Kari Zelson Robertson’s studio for artistic ceramic pieces.
Cornell
The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art has recently reopened, featuring the “Art and Environmental Struggle” exhibit, through December. Pro tip: visit floor #5 to see what some consider the very best view of Ithaca through their massive picture windows. Travel down the road to Cayuga Heights to find the Corners Gallery, which features the exhibit "Mundane Marvels/ Paintings by Jennifer Small" through November 6th
Trumansburg
Take a quick drive on Rt. 89 to Trumansburg and visit the Finger Lakes Cider House. They have an extensive menu of locally sourced foods and twenty different ciders, all created using ingredients from their orchards and farm. Join them for weekly Friday Night Farm Jams (the $5 cover supports the musicians).
Nearby: You can pick apples at Indian Creek Farm and then visit Garrett’s Brewing Company for a “Jaywalker" cider from Black Diamond Farm, located less than a mile away.
Stop by Luna Fiber Studio, a textile studio specializing in natural dyes and weaving, rooted in sustainability and social justice. On the Art Trail, see Leah Houghtaling’s woodworking studio and Hilary Gifford’s custom cloths!
Brooktondale
Brookton’s Market offers local ciders on draft and (outdoor) live music!
Nearby: Check out Under The Tree Orchard or catch them on the weekends at the Ithaca Farmer’s Market. On the Greater Ithaca Art Trail, visit Mary Beth Ihnken’s Brooktondale studio in a newly constructed 1810 barn during open studio hours October 9th-10th. Visit Brooktondale on, Saturday, October 23rd for the Brooktondale Apple Fest at the Brooktondale Community Center
Freeville
Hopshire Farm and Brewery recently introduced their first hard cider, Hoppenbeck Cider, in collaboration with Hollenbeck’s Cider Mill in Virgil, NY. Try this or one of their many craft beers (such as the “Near Varna” IPA) or take home a bottle of Grandpa James bourbon barrel-aged cider. Join the friendly folks at Hopshire for live music and food trucks on Friday nights, or Sunday brunch.
Nearby: Brewer’s Cafe and Taproom offers over a dozen different craft beers on draft, and many sought after bottles and cans. Check out their delicious food, live music, cozy atmosphere, and outdoor seating.
Just a few minutes away, stop by Carlton Manzano’s eclectic open studio on the Art Trail and experience his beautiful paintings.
Newfield
Little Tree Orchards is open Saturdays and Sundays in October. You can pick your own apples, take a wagon ride, or visit their “Apple Barn” to purchase seasonal goods, cider, and their delicious apple cider donuts. Fun for the whole family! On the Art Trail, visit Lainey Papageorge’s studio to see her unique jewelry.
Across New York State
October 2nd - 17th: Cider Week New York will include special flights, virtual tastings, local events, panels, and dinners where individuals can be kept safe and appropriately socially distanced. Local participating cideries include Cornell Orchards, Eve’s Cidery, Grisamore Cider Works, New York Cider Co., and more. See all Cider Week events. Visit these local cideries to taste why travel writer Jason Wilson refers to the Finger Lakes region as the “Napa Valley of cider”.
October Performing Arts Events
Cayuga Chamber Orchestra: Beethoven's Fifth at Ford Hall, Ithaca College October 23
Clockmaker Arts: In Case You Forgot, at the State Theatre October 10
Hangar Theatre: Night of the Living Musicals Cocktails & Costumes Benefit October 23 and concerts by DSP Shows
House of Ithaqua: Contradictions at the Cherry Artspace starting October 11
Ithaca Ballet: Peter and the Wolf & Carnival of the Animals at CSMA October 23 & 24
Kitchen Theatre: A Boy And His Soul through October 3
Lillypad Puppet Theatre: Sock Monkey Circus at The Cherry Artspace: October 2
Saltonstall: Open House- Readings + Art October 10
Please see each venue’s website for up-to-date COVID-19 safety guidelines