Syracuse Chiefs opening day, Salt City Horror Fest: 15 things to do this weekend in CNY

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- What a weekend. Saturday alone brings Wanda Sykes to Syracuse, plus several horror filmmakers for the Salt City Horror Fest. Better yet, weekend weather reports look grand. Temperatures will hover in the low to mid 60s, so grab a light jacket and enjoy Central New York's events.

Tony Palmer of Syracuse towed in a huge smoker to prepare food for everyone while tail gating before the Syracuse Chiefs 2014 home opener at NBT Bank Stadium. Last year's game, sadly, was rained out.

1. Syracuse Chiefs Home Opener

Not only is today the

Syracuse Chiefs

Home Opener, but it's Dollar Thursday. Head out to the ball game for $1

Hofmann hot dogs

, $1 Coca-Colas, $2 1911 hard ciders, Saranac, Labatt, and Budweiser beverages. The Chiefs will face off with Scranton/Wilkes Barre on Thursday, but home games continue all weekend.

See the schedule.

Where:

NBT Bank Stadium at 1 Tex Simone Dr.

When:

Thursday, April 16 at 2:05 p.m.

How much:

Tickets range from $10-12.

2. Bird Houses for Fair Housing auction and reception

CNY Fair Housing, a local non-profit aiming to eliminate housing discrimination and promoting open communities, will host its 4th annual Bird Houses for Fair Housing auction and reception tonight. The event features a live and silent auction of birdhouses created by local craftsmen, artists and backyard enthusiasts of all ages.

Where:

Community Folk Art Center at 805 E. Genesee St.

When:

Thursday, April 16 from 5:30-8 p.m. The auction preview and reception begins at 5:30 p.m., while the live auction begins at 6:15 p.m.

How much:

Tickets are $20 in advance (or $25 at the door) by visiting birdhousesauction.eventbrite.com or by calling (315) 471-0420. All proceeds benefit CNY Fair Housing.

3. 'The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui'

Bertolt Brecht's whimsical and disorienting parable about the rise of fascism blends 1930s gangster films with bloody Shakespearean histories.

Where:

Le Moyne College's W. Carroll Coyne Center for the Performing Arts.

When:

Thursday, April 16; Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m. There will also be a matinee on Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m.

How much:

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, and $5 for students. Buy tickets

online

or by calling 315-445-4200.

4. 'God of Carnage' by Yasmina Reza

"God of Carnage" won the 2009 Tony Award winner for Best Play focuses on the acerbic meeting of two couples over a fight their sons have had on the playground. Polite decorum and hospitality give way to petty arguments and marital discord. Critically acclaimed during its extended Broadway run, "Carnage" was made into a movie by Roman Polanski in 2011. The Covey production stars Moe Harrington, Aubry Luddington Panek, Mark Cole, and Robb Sharpe.

Where:

The Oncenter Civic Center's Bevard Studio. Access to the theater lobby can found between the Civic Center and the Court House.

When:

Friday, April 17 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m.

How much:

Tickets are available through

PayPal

or by calling 315-420-3729. No tickets will be mailed. All tickets will be held at the box office.

5. Rockin' the Redhouse

Rockin' the Redhouse

is a battle of corporate bands. This fundraiser (with raffles and food) supports the Red House Arts Center where bands compete for awards. Competing this year are bands from Anheuser-Busch, Young & Franklin/Tactair, Carrier Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Raymond Corporation, Bank of New York Mellon and CXtec.

Where:

The Landmark Theatre at 362 S. Salina Street

When:

Friday, April 17 from 7-10 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

How much:

Tickets are $10 in

advance

, $15 at the door.

6. Syracuse Opera presents Barber of Seville'

"Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!" Rossini's razor-sharp musical wit shines through each scene of this fast-paced comedy. With the help of a wily barber, a strong-willed young woman outwits a lecherous old man in this comic masterpiece.

Where:

The Oncenter Civic Center Theaters at 421 Montgomery St.

When:

Friday, April 17 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m.

How much:

Tickets start at $20. Buy them at

syracuseopera.com

.

7. Country Folk Art Show at Fairgounds

This indoor

Country Folk Art Show

will feature handmade items by exhibitor vendors from across the country. Browse a sprawling array of creative decorating accents (framed art, iron work, wood carvings, garden art, seasonal decor, florals, handcrafted furniture, textiles and candles), as well as jewelry, wearable art and food.

Where:

Horticulture Building at the NYS Fairgrounds.

When:

Friday, April 17 from 5-9 p.m., Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 19 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

How much:

Tickets are $6 for adults (handstamp admits you all weekend) and free for children 12 and younger.

Emmy Award-winning actress and comedian Wanda Sykes will perform live in Syracuse on Saturday, April 18, 2015.

8. Wanda Sykes performs live

This weekend,

Wanda Sykes

heads to Syracuse to perform stand-up at The Oncenter Crouse-Hinds Theater on April 18. Sykes is best known for her film and TV roles, including "New Adventures of Old Christine" and "The Wanda Sykes Show." Perhaps you caught her as Larry David's angry neighbor on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" or voicing characters in "Ice Age." In 2004, Entertainment Weekly named her one of the 25 funniest people in America.

Where:

The Oncenter Crouse-Hinds Theater at 800 S. State St.

When:

Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m.

How much:

Tickets range from $18-83, plus service fees. They're available at the Solvay Bank Box Office at The Oncenter (760 S. State Street), on Ticketmaster or by phone at 315-435-2121.

9. Syracuse Crunch

The Syracuse Crunch men's hockey team will take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on April 18 and the Adirondack Flames on April 17.

Where:

The Oncenter War Memorial Arena.

When:

All games start at 7 p.m. Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18

How much:

Tickets are $16-20 depending on your seating. Buy them through

Ticketmaster

.

10. Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation spring fundraiser

Support the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation for a special preview performance of the musical Ragtime. Enjoy cocktails and a light supper while Emma Goldman, Evelyn Nesbit and other members of the Ragtime cast perform sections from the upcoming musical. After the performance stay for a discussion with the cast and a local historian about the experiences of women in the early 20th century. The Broadway musical Ragtime takes viewers back to the 20th century when women fought for the vote and a public voice.

Where:

407 Tulip Street, Liverpool.

When:

Saturday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m.

How much:

$50. RSVPs are requested. Buy tickets with a check or cash at the door, or call 315-637-9511 to buy tickets in advance.

11. Crouse Spirit of Women Day of Dance

Enjoy free dance lessons, refreshments, door prizes and information from Crouse Spirit of Women. The first 250 kids will get a free teddy bear. Otto the Orange will attend. Adults can get a free blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar tests with results in 15 minutes. 93Q's Amy Robbins will emcee the dance lessons. Learn zumba, salsa, line dancing, karate and more.

Where:

Destiny USA at 9090 Destiny USA Dr.

When:

Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

How much:

Free.

Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder star in "Beetlejuice," a horror comedy fantasy film directed by Tim Burton. It will be screened at the 2015 Salt City Horror Festival.

12. Salt City Horror Fest 2015

The Palace Theater will host the fifth annual

Salt City Horror Fest

on April 18, organized by the Brew & View 35mm Film Series. The Salt City Horror Fest is the longest-running 35mm film horror festival in CNY. This year, audiences can expect eight film action/horror/sci-fi movie screenings, vendors, trivia and special guests All eight films in this year's festival will be screened on 35mm film prints. An additional digital screening of Rochester's "The Chunkblow" will serve as the annual local horror screening. Popcorn, beer and wine will be available in the lobby.

Where:

The Palace Theater at 2384 James St.

When:

Saturday, April 18. Doors open at 11 a.m. Screenings go on all day long.

See the full s

chedule.

How much:

$25 at the door and $20 in advance. $10 for WhoClass students. Tickets will be available in class and online via the WhoClass website.

13. Magical John Family Matinee

Magical John brings magic and comedy back to the Funny Bone for an afternoon show for the whole family. Have fun before and after the show with Magical John's Magic Shop and face painting with Mrs. Magical. Everyone receives an autographed souvenir with admission.

Where:

Funny Bone Comedy Club at 10301 Destiny USA Dr.

When:

Saturday, April 18 from 4-5 p.m.

How much:

$7 for pre-sale tickets, $8 at the door.

14. TAP into the MOST

The 11th annual TAP into the MOST fundraiser supports the downtown museum and offers plenty of beers and other alcoholic beverages to try as well as live music and food samples from local restaurants.

Where:

Museum of Science & Technology at 500 S. Franklin St.

When:

Saturday, April 18 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

How much:

Tickets cost $55 in advance and $60 at the door. VIP tickets, which get you special tastings and an extra half-hour, cost $80 in advance and $85 at the door.

15. Earthfest 2015

Celebrate Earth Day (April 22) on Sunday at Earthfest in Westcott Nation. The festival features live music, art installations, crafting, games, local food, speakers and sustainable projects.

Where:

Thornden Park amphitheater.

When:

Sunday, April 19 in 12-6 p.m.

How much:

Free and open to the public.

Find even more to do at syracuse.com/events.

Contact Katrina Tulloch anytime: Email | Twitter | Google+

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