You nominated. Now it’s time to vote. Last week's burger entries are in, and it's time to crown a contender.
Scroll down and make your voice heard.
The cold is coming back this weekend. The rest of the week is tame by comparison, so maybe some weekday outings are in order. Those of us with a 5k snowshoe race on Saturday are beginning to think long and hard about layers, and our sanity.
For now, plenty to do. The events list and bulletin are full and ready for you to peruse.
Let’s go!
🍔 VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BURGER 🍔
We’ve gathered all of the entries, 67 submissions with 33 unique burger-featuring spots!
Vote by clicking the button below - I’ll take the top 10 into the final round of voting that will kick off with some fun ways to score extra points next week.
🍽️ SPEAKING OF FOOD…A LITTLE EXPERIMENT! 🍽️
One of my goals this year is getting us out from behind the screen more and around a table together. I've got something in the works that I think you're going to like.
Stay tuned.
But first, a quick gut check about this idea...
Are you the type who loves a good dinner with new people?
👋 Contribute To The Effect 👋
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Your contributions go toward keeping the Finger Lakes Effect going so we can have more fun, build more connections, and not have each edition filled with ads. I appreciate any and all support from this great group! - Adam
The Bulletin
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Got a community event or shout-out? We want to hear about that too.
Skaneateles Patisserie - The Patisserie is a tucked-away local gem serving standout breads, fine pastries, seasonal treats, and custom wedding cakes. Grab a focaccia or lemon poppy seed muffin and linger over coffee by the lake.
Phelps Frozen Fest - The Phelps Frozen Fest is this weekend, Feb 6-7, and they’ve got several great events in the works. There’s something for everyone: family friendly (and free) activities, food & drink, and some really cool igloo experiences.
📅 EVENTS
Top Picks
POUND® and Pour @ Other Half Brewing Canandaigua (Saturday - Canandaigua)
Dine with the Winemaker: Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyards @ Taverna Banfi (Friday - Ithaca)
Speed Dating (Ages 40s–50s) @ Bet the Farm Winery (Friday - Trumansburg)
Wednesday
The Louis K. Thaler Concert Violinist Series: Rachel Lee Priday @ Ithaca College Center for Music (Ithaca) – A visually immersive solo violin performance blending music, science, and nature, innovative and atmospheric.
Music Bingo with DJ Millz @ Brick (Corning) – Music bingo with song titles, prizes every round, great tunes, cold drinks, and an easygoing midweek crowd.
Thursday
Sky Stories: Round Time @ The Cherry Arts (Ithaca) – A breathtaking aerial performance exploring cycles, connection, and movement, visually stunning and deeply expressive.
Thursday Social Self-Care: Creative Writing @ Golden Bee Bookshop (Liverpool) – A cozy, low-pressure writing night with prompts, focus time, and creative community energy.
GOOD WITCH / BAD WITCH @ Clemens Center (Elmira) – Broadway powerhouse vocals, iconic showstoppers, and playful rivalry in a theatrical night of fan favorites.
Compline (Nightsong) @ First Baptist Church (Ithaca) – A candlelit half hour of choral music and chant, calm, reflective, and deeply grounding.
After Hours: BYOV (Bring Your Own Vinyl) @ Atwater Wine (Burdett) – Bring a favorite record or just listen, sip wine, and ease into the night with laid-back vinyl vibes.
Friday
Dine with the Winemaker: Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyards @ Taverna Banfi (Ithaca) – A refined winemaker dinner with thoughtful pairings, climate-forward wines, and an intimate Finger Lakes experience.
Highway After Dark: Salamander Road Crossings @ Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Ithaca) – A fascinating look at local salamander migrations, conservation research, and how volunteers protect wildlife.
Gallery Night: “Jazz It Up!” Opening @ MIX Art Gallery & Event Space (Ithaca) – Bold art, rhythmic energy, and opening-night buzz on the Commons—Gallery Night done right.
First Friday: Opera Workshop Preview @ Phelps Mansion Museum (Binghamton) – Free First Friday opera preview—poetic, intimate music in a historic mansion with a quietly surreal edge.
Murder Mystery Masquerade: Death at the Vault @ The Vault (Cortland) – A masquerade murder mystery with bites, drinks, and a live whodunit—dramatic, immersive, and delightfully fun.
Speed Dating (Ages 40s–50s) @ Bet the Farm Winery (Trumansburg) – Wine-country speed dating for singles in their 40s–50s, relaxed conversations and real connections without the apps.
SoulShine – An Allman Brothers Experience @ Auburn Public Theater (Auburn) – Allman Brothers classics, soaring guitars, and Southern rock grooves in an intimate theater setting.
The Elmira Film Festival 2026 @ The Park Church (Elmira) – A free weekend film festival celebrating Elmira stories, local history, community voices, and independent documentary cinema.
Geneva Concerts Presents Boston Dance Theater @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – A world-class contemporary dance performance featuring bold international choreography and an intimate pre-show talk.
Concert: The Henhouse Prowlers @ Center for the Arts of Homer (Homer) – High-energy bluegrass and roots music with tight harmonies, world influences, and serious foot-stomping vibes.
Saturday
Cornell Glee Club presents New York Lower Voices Sing @ Cornell University – Department of Music (Ithaca) – A moving choral concert uniting Cornell and regional singers, rich harmonies, and an uplifting community spirit.
Festival of Fire & Ice @ Ithaca Children’s Garden (Ithaca) – A magical winter festival with firelight, ice, storytelling, and hands-on fun, a joyful outdoor celebration for all ages.
Jenny Stockdale and the Wax Matches — Birthday Show @ Hopshire Farm & Brewery (Freeville) – A cozy brewery concert with live local music, celebratory energy, and great beer, a feel-good Saturday night plan.
Solo Acoustic Music Act, Jeremiah Craig Live @ Airy Acres Vineyard (Interlaken) – Cozy vineyard vibes, acoustic tunes, winter wine sipping, and an easygoing afternoon that feels like a mini getaway.
TREES Crew @ Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Marcellus) – A hands-on morning of conservation, community, and caring for the land through restoration and stewardship work.
POUND® and Pour @ Other Half Brewing Canandaigua (Canandaigua) – A high-energy cardio jam session followed by a well-earned drink, blending fitness, rhythm, and weekend vibes.
Acoustic Saturdays featuring The Shylocks Duo @ Treleaven Wines (King Ferry) – A laid-back winery afternoon with acoustic tunes, cozy vibes, and easygoing winter wine sipping.
Galentine Paint Party @ Crystalline Concepts By Michele (Binghamton) – A fun, hands-on paint party made for friends, creativity, laughter, and colorful Galentine vibes.
Family Fun Night: GLOW Edition @ The Bridge Wesleyan Church (Big Flats) – A glow-filled family night with games, dancing, raffles, dinner, and high-energy winter fun for all ages.
Glen Coco at the Punk Rock Prom @ Penn Yan (Penn Yan) – A punk rock reunion set packed with raw energy, nostalgia, and a welcome-back-to-the-stage celebration.
Kappa Alpha Psi Sweetheart Ball 2026 @ Corning Museum of Glass (Corning) – An elegant evening of music, community, and giving back, supporting scholarships in a stunning museum setting.
Nate Gross Band @ Studio 56 (Binghamton) – A high-energy late-night band show with big grooves, strong chemistry, and a packed Saturday crowd.
Scriptless in Seattle: Live Improv Comedy Night @ Mynderse Academy High School Auditorium (Seneca Falls) – A high-energy, audience-driven improv comedy show packed with laughs, surprises, and family-friendly fun.
The Byrne Brothers @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – A high-energy Irish trad and folk show packed with driving rhythms, joyful dance, and unstoppable feel-good vibes.
Sunday
Super Couch Potato 5K @ Onondaga Lake Park (Liverpool) – A festive Super Bowl Sunday 5K with costumes, raffle prizes, lake views, and post-race soup—run, walk, or cheer.
Sean Dagher with Sea Shanties and Quebecois Tunes @ Valley Folk (Corning) – A lively folk concert of sea shanties and Québécois tunes with sing-along moments and warm acoustic vibes.
Valentine’s Day Wine Glasses @ Quarry Ridge Winery (Union Springs) – A Valentine’s wine glass painting workshop with sipping, laughs, and hands-on creativity in wine country.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – A silent film classic brought to life with live music in an immersive, haunting cinematic experience.
Recurring Events
Limited Duration - click here
Trivia - click here
Kid Friendly - click here
Got an event we should feature in the Finger Lakes Effect? Click the button below and add your event details!
Finger Lakes Insider - The Finger Lakes Insider is here! This isn’t just a longer event list. It’s a well-curated, month-ahead game plan so you can lock in the fun stuff early, discover gems you’d miss otherwise, and stop last-minute scrambling (and annoying calendar overlaps).
Thanks for supporting the Finger Lakes Effect!
See You Out There
Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect!
Adam Moody
