Community Calendar

Acclaimed Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter, composer, and MacArthur Fellow recipient of the prestigious “Genius Grant”, Chris Thile is a multifaceted musical talent, described by The Guardian as “that rare being: an all-round musician,” and hailed by NPR as a “genre-defying musical genius.” Thile is a founding member of the highly influential string bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, and has collaborated with countless luminaries from Yo-Yo Ma to Fiona Apple to Brad Mehldau. For four years, Thile hosted public radio favorite Live from Here with Chris Thile (formerly known as A Prairie Home Companion). With his broad outlook, Thile creates a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike, giving the listener “one joyous arc, with the linear melody and vertical harmony blurring into a single web of gossamer beauty” (New York Times).

Over the last year, Thile has been touring with Nickel Creek in support of the critically acclaimed 2023 release Celebrants, and captivating audiences with a playfully ambitious biographical composition entitled ATTENTION! (a narrative song cycle for extroverted mandolinist and orchestra).

The wide-ranging program of Thile’s 2025-2026 solo performances will feature selections from his acclaimed solo recordings of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas – including the upcoming second volume out this autumn – alongside his signature mix of classical, folk and improvisational brilliance.

Organists at seven churches in Cortland County will demonstrate their instruments and play appropriate seasonal ("spooky") music. Listeners are invited to participate in as much of the tour as they wish, from 10 a.m. at McGrawville Baptist Church to 3 p.m. at the United Presbyterian Church of Cortland.

“Symphony Spectaculars” by the Auburn Chamber Orchestra (ACO) will be presented on Sunday, October 26 at 2:00 p.m. at The Rev Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, 6877 East Lake Road, Auburn, NY 13021.

This concert, conducted by Dr. Victor Vallo, Jr., will feature movements of famous symphonies such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in G-minor, Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, Johan De Meij’s Symphony No. 1 (Lord of the Rings Symphony), Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (New World Symphony), Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 1, Franz Josef Haydn’s Symphony No. 94 (Surprise Symphony), and Ludwig von Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral Symphony) and Symphony No. 9 (Choral Symphony).

Auburn Chamber Orchestra is in its 39th concert season. The orchestra musicians come from a wide range of age groups, communities and professions.

This family-friendly event, which is open to the general public, is free, although donations are greatly appreciated. For further information about Auburn Chamber Orchestra, go to www.auburnchamberorchestra.com or visit us on Facebook.

You won’t want to miss this!

The Paza Experience cultural performance, performed by Delwin Fiddler Jr., Founder and Executive Director, and Dr. Samora Smith, Arts and Culture, includes Native American flute, drums, and traditional/modern songs with a full historical explanation and demonstration of the men’s and women’s traditional dances.

Paza, Tree of Life is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing the truth and wisdom of Native American culture through the arts, education and raising awareness about the original people of these lands. The aim is to bring people from all walks of life together by reclaiming the knowledge that brought peace and harmony to Mother Earth.

This project was made possible with support from the Richard S. Shineman Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to be a catalyst for change to enhance the quality of life in Oswego County.

Experience the golden era of Bollywood with timeless hits by legendary music composers — performed live by a full orchestra and sensational singers

There is no better way to celebrate this festive season than with the magic of music, nostalgia and joy.
See details below.

Kickoff to our End-of-Year Giving Campaign on November 14, after-hours show
featuring Matt Venuti’s AmeriCosmos Show Fundraiser

Experience something truly amazing at the Sterling Nature Center! Join us for an extraordinary evening as Matt Venuti takes the stage with his critically acclaimed AmeriCosmos performance: a live, multi-instrumental musical journey that accompanies breathtaking nature footage captured by Matt throughout the US…with the addition of awe-inspiring views of Earth from above and a fantastic voyage through Deep Space…. courtesy of NASA and the Webb Telescope! Matt recently completed a four-month tour, circumnavigating the country and performing in 55 venues. Check out Matt’s website at www.mattvenuti.com and learn more about the man and his performances.

Savor the evening with a relaxed cocktail hour and cash bar serving wine, beer, and cider along with light refreshments, then settle in for an immersive show that inspires awe, connection, and wonder.

Your ticket supports the Center’s End-of-Year Giving Campaign, helping us protect wildlife, care for the trails, and keep the Nature Center a place where our community can learn, explore, and feel at home in nature.

You can use the QR code on the flyer or go to https://www.thefriendsofthesterlingnaturecenter.com/ to buy tickets

DakhaBrakha is a music quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine. Their “ethno chaos” sound spans years of performances prior to Russia’s 2022 invasion, but war is in everything now. They masterfully blend Ukrainian traditional music with influences from around the world, resulting in an unexpected new music.

They are troubadours, activists and educators. Though their name means Give/Take in the old language, DakhaBrakha is new Ukraine, both pre-colonial and post-Soviet, working within a global network of art and music. They aim to help audiences see Ukraine not as a monolith, but as a cosmopolitan culture that takes in other cultures and gives in return.

Direct from its Off-Broadway season, A Taste of Ireland – The Irish Music & Dance Sensation, presents its holiday spectacular, "A Celtic Christmas." Prepare to be enchanted with some of the world’s finest Irish dancers and musicians bringing the spirit of Christmas to life, in a show that will make you laugh, cry, and sing into the night.

After captivating audiences across the globe, "A Celtic Christmas" by A Taste of Ireland returns to the USA this festive season following a highly successful 2024 touring season. Experience the magic as world-class performers blend melodic folk mash-ups, acapella tap battles, and heartwarming storytelling in one truly unforgettable performance.

Featuring former World Irish dance champions and stars from Lord of the Dance and Riverdance, "A Celtic Christmas" delivers a holiday spectacular packed with Irish wit, traditional tunes and heartfelt ballads, alongside all your favorite carols. The show’s exciting mix of electrifying rhythms and extraordinary talent promises an evening brimming with Irish charm and enthralling entertainment, all in one powerhouse event.

Immerse yourself in a traditional Celtic landscape and let the magic of an Irish Christmas transport you to a world filled with excitement and wonder, where vibrant music and dance embody the heartbeat of the festive season.

With over 150 5-star Facebook reviews and more than 150,000 followers, "A Celtic Christmas" by A Taste of Ireland promises 100% live singing and dancing as it bridges the gap between energetic folk music, Irish dance, and modern tap styles.

Don’t miss your chance to see this magical show as it tours the USA for a strictly limited season. Get your tickets now before they sell out.

**Musical instruments are subject to change from performance to performance.

Singer, songwriter, music producer, visual artist, and writer Neko Case is the consummate career artist — fearless and versatile, with a fierce work ethic and a constant drive to search deeper within herself for creative growth. “One of America’s best and most ambitious singer-songwriters” (Rolling Stone) and “essentially peerless” (NPR), Case has long been revered as one of music’s most influential artists, whose authenticity, lyrical storytelling, and sly wit have endeared her to a legion of critics, musicians, and lifelong fans.

In addition to numerous acclaimed and GRAMMY-nominated solo records, Case is a founding member of Canadian supergroup The New Pornographers. She is the author of The New York Times bestselling memoir ‘The Harder I Fight the More I Love You’ and the weekly Substack newsletter ‘Entering The Lung,’ and is currently composing the musical theater adaptation of the Academy Award-winning motion picture ‘Thelma & Louise.’

$1 from every ticket will go to Peer Solutions and support their positive youth leadership and development program designed to prevent harm before it begins and engage lifetime ambassadors of positive change (www.peersolutions.org).