September is here, but summer isn’t done yet — plenty of events and warm days are still ahead. What’s on your list before the season shifts?

Thanks to everyone who voted on our next Finger Lakes Effect meetup!

Frozen custard at Spotted Duck followed by a walk on the Keuka Outlet Trail won by a landslide. Date and time will be finalized soon, and I can’t wait to see folks there.

On the trail front, we just passed the halfway mark for funding the Finger Lakes Trail 100-mile run coming up October 4–5. Half of every donation goes straight to the nonprofit (FLTC) that maintains this incredible trail for all of us. I shared a short update video here if you’d like to follow along and find out more about the event.

The Bulletin

Want to spread the word about your business, a project, a volunteer opportunity, or give a shout-out to over 6,631 friends in the Finger Lakes? Get in touch.

Ventosa Vineyards - Wine, dining, special events, live music, and happy hours? Check! Swing by or plan a trip to Ventosa Vineyards in Geneva.

Odyssey Bookstore - A great selection with thoughtful staff picks, mystery book packages, and more. Swing by and browse the shelves!

📅 EVENTS

Top Weekend Picks

1. Celebrate 50 Years of the Ithaca Commons @ Ithaca Commons

2. Tomatofest @ Auburn

3. The Annual Ithaca 5 & 10 @ Fall Creek, Ithaca

Wednesday

• Because You’re Mine – Celebrating the Great Loves in Country Music @ Cortland Repertory Theatre (Preble) – Country’s greatest love stories and duets come alive in a heartfelt celebration of timeless romance.

• Ventosa’s Live Music Wednesdays @ Ventosa Vineyards (Geneva) – Midweek evenings flow with wine, music, and vineyard views in this year-round lakeside tradition.

• Pizza in the Parking Lot @ Southeast Steuben County Library (Corning) – Pizza, games, and music bring neighbors together for a lighthearted community celebration.

• Garlic Band Trio @ Lucky Hare Brewing (Hector) – Midweek vibes with craft beer, lake views, and live jams from the Garlic Band Trio.

Thursday

• Celebrate 50 Years of the Ithaca Commons @ Ithaca Commons (Ithaca) – Taiko drums, brass grooves, mayor’s remarks, and free Purity scoops fuel the Commons’ 50th birthday bash.

• Pizza Night @ Tabora Farm and Winery (Dundee) – Wood-fired pizzas, live tunes, and vineyard vibes make this cozy night out a feast for all the senses.

• Kajuneju @ South Hill Cider – Community Concert Series (Ithaca) – Global grooves, funk rhythms, and soulful bilingual vocals ignite a night of music, flavor, and connection.

• EPIC Concert Series: My Buddy’s Band @ Emerson Park, Deauville Island (Owasco) – Lakeside music, local eats, and community vibes create a festive night of sound and summer spirit.

• Mrs. Doubtfire @ Clemens Center (Elmira) – Heartfelt laughs and Broadway sparkle bring a beloved story to life in this feel-good musical comedy.

Friday

• Blind Owl Band w/ The Mustard Tigers @ Lincoln Hill Farms (Canandaigua) – Freight-train string music thunders with raw acoustic power in a rare summer show under open skies.

• Busking for Justice @ Café Dewitt (Ithaca) – Live music meets community solidarity in this uplifting kickoff fundraiser supporting immigrant legal aid.

• Li’l Anne & Hot Cayenne @ Finger Lakes Cider House (Interlaken) – Accordion-driven zydeco grooves turn the cider barn into a dance party, cider in hand and spirits high.

• Claudia Hoyser with Ryan Hurley Live @ Laurentide Beer Company (Penn Yan) – Country soul, storytelling charm, and brewery vibes create a lively night of music and community.

• The Rollin’ Rust – Album Release Show @ Center for the Arts of Homer (Homer) – Fresh tracks, raw energy, and Americana soul power in this special album release celebration.

• LUMA Projection Arts Festival @ Downtown Binghamton (Binghamton) – Downtown transforms into a glowing canvas of light, art, and imagination at this world-class festival.

• Fall Flower & Cupcake Crawl @ Historic Owego Marketplace (Owego) – Collect blooms, sip, and savor sweets on a whimsical fall flower and cupcake crawl through downtown shops.

• Black Robin Band @ Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Oasis (Hector) – Rock, blues, and pop with Black Robin Band, plus tacos, wine, and slushies in a lakeside vineyard oasis.

• Ragged Sole @ Grist Iron Brewing Company (Burdett) – Craft beer, lake views, and live tunes from Ragged Sole set the tone for a relaxed Friday night.

Saturday

• KALEO – Mixed Emotions Tour @ State Theatre of Ithaca (Ithaca) – Global rock powerhouse KALEO storms Ithaca with bluesy anthems, fiery vocals, and arena-worthy energy.

• Drumstock Music & Arts Festival @ Downtown Geneva & Lake Drum Brewing (Geneva) – Two stages, nonstop music, art, and community energy turn downtown Geneva into a daylong festival celebration.

• Psychic Fair Weekend @ Phelps Mansion Museum (Binghamton) – Tarot, readings, and mystical vibes fill the halls of a historic mansion all weekend long.

• Harmonic Dirt @ Art on the Porches (Syracuse) – Art, music, and food spill onto the porches of Strathmore for a vibrant neighborhood festival.

• Tomatofest @ Auburn (Auburn) – Celebrate 40 years of Tomatofest with food, music, vendors, and family fun, all for a great cause.

• Free Concert with Nan Hoffman & Friends @ Saint Mark’s (Penn Yan) – Toe-tapping folk tunes and heartfelt harmonies bring a joyful afternoon of music for all ages.

• Tunes and Tastings (Geneva) – Raise a glass to history with an evening of music, tastings, and community spirit.

• Live Music: Joe Pautz (Penn Yan) – Craft beer, live tunes, and good vibes—Joe Pautz brings it all together.

• John Mulaney: Mister Whatever @ CMAC (Canandaigua) – John Mulaney brings his sharp wit and new show to CMAC, a night of big laughs under the summer sky.

• 360 Chasm Comedy Nook Show! @ 360 Pronoia (Elmira Heights) – Stand-up night with Mo Mussa, Sadie Hale, and more, laughs and good vibes in a cozy Elmira Heights venue.

• Stevie Tombstone with Amanda Rogers @ Carriage House Theater (Auburn) – Stevie Tombstone returns with folk-blues grit, joined by Amanda Rogers for an intimate Auburn show.

• Legends & Legacies: Fleetwood Mac Tribute Concert @ Notre Dame High School (Elmira) – Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hits by The Seven Wonders, anniversary celebration capped with fireworks.

Sunday

• Lighted Bike Ride – Scout September @ Bike Walk Tompkins (Ithaca) – Glow wheels, costumes, and sunset vibes make this community ride a rolling light show through downtown.

• Taughannock Full Moon Tour @ Paddle-N-More, Taughannock Falls State Park (Trumansburg) – Glide under moonlit skies, where still waters and a rising full moon create pure nighttime magic.

• The Annual Ithaca 5 & 10 / NYS 10K Championship @ Fall Creek (Ithaca) – Scenic streets, community spirit, and fast strides as runners take on Ithaca’s 50th running of the classic 5 & 10 race.

• Goat Yoga! @ Hidden Horseshoe Farm & Sanctuary (Auburn) – Playful goats, fresh air, and farmyard fun meet yoga in this quirky, feel-good outdoor experience.

• Sunday Afternoon Music @ Outlet 111 (Penn Yan) – Live music, craft cocktails, and canal views make for a perfect laid-back Sunday at Penn Yan’s Outlet 111.

• States Apart + Finger Lakes Hots @ Apple Barrel Orchards (Penn Yan) – Kick off harvest season with cider, food truck eats, and upbeat live music among the orchard rows.

• Payton Clark LIVE @ LBC (Penn Yan) – Unwind with soulful originals and laid-back vibes as Payton Clark brings his songs to the Sunday stage.

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!

See You Out There

Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect!

Adam Moody

Finger Lakes Effect

P.S. The Finger Lakes Effect is always evolving—if you have an idea for the style, look, or topics, hit reply and let me know.