SUNDAE RUN/WALK – 8 a.m. Support local community center and get outside for 5k, 10k run, or a 2 mile walk followed by opportunity to make your own ice cream sundae, 50/50 raffle, more. Cost, $25/person. Register the day of from 7 – 8 a.m. Richfield Springs Veterans Club, 13 Lake St., Richfield Springs. 315-858-3200 or visit runsignup.com/Race/NY/RichfieldSprings/RSCCRunWalk
VIRTUAL CONCERT – 4 p.m. Tune in for virtual performance of sacred songs from 1574 to 1655 performed by Oneonta Tenor Fred Chrislip, accompanying himself on the Lute. Performance for the Boston Early Music Festival which promotes historical musical performance. Visit BEMF Fringe Concerts channel on Youtube to view.
VIRTUAL CONCERT – 4 p.m. Tune in for virtual performance of sacred songs from 1574 to 1655 performed by Oneonta Tenor Fred Chrislip, accompanying himself on the Lute. Performance for the Boston Early Music Festival which promotes historical musical performance. Visit BEMF Fringe Concerts channel on Youtube to view.
JUNETEENTH – 3 – 8 p.m. Celebrate the 2nd annual Juneteenth, the celebration of the emancipation of the last enslaved people in the US, with food, live music, and art from a variety of local artists and authors. Neahwa Park, Oneonta. www.juneteenthoneonta.com
FIRE PIT FRIDAYS – 7 – 10 p.m. Get out and enjoy a fun night around the fire with friends, drinks and music. This week features The Beadle Brothers, performing today’s country music. Brewery Ommegang, 656 Co.Hwy. 33, Cooperstown. 607-280-2900 or visit www.ommegang.com/event/fire-pit-fridays-2021-2/
By MICHAEL FORSTER ROTHBART • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
ONEONTA — It has been a dark time for theater in Otsego County.
In 2020, the Glimmerglass Festival and Fenimore Art Museum each canceled its summer performance seasons because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In Oneonta, Foothills Performing Arts Center went 14 months without a live show, according to Operations Manager Geoff Doyle.
High schools and both Oneonta colleges experimented with streaming virtual theater, performed live without an audience. Local troupes such as the Catskill Puppet Theater and Orpheus Theatre cancelled shows, while Stuff of Dreams Productions pre-recorded performances for later broadcast.
This summer, stage by stage, the lights are back on and theaters are reopening — albeit with some modifications for COVID safety. Theaters have been operating at 33% capacity, with mask requirements in place, but that will change going forward, with an easing of most pandemic requirements from the state.
CHILDRENS CABARET – 7 p.m. ‘Sing Into Spring’ Childrens Cabaret free streaming event features current and past youth performers from Orpheus Theater. 607-432-1800 or visit www.facebook.com/OrpheusTheatre/
YULE BALL – 8 – 10 p.m. Dress up with your friends for Harry Potter themed ball featuring mocktails, food, games, some vendors. Admission, $5 with proceeds to support charity Reading is Fundamental. Ballroom, Hunt Union, SUNY Oneonta.
CELEBRATION – 2 – 4 p.m. Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with NAACP featuring songs from the Civil Rights movement, speech from Gary Herzig, NY Attorney General Letitia James, the ‘I Have A Dream’ speech, more. First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., Oneonta. Visit www.facebook.com/Oneonta-Area-NAACP-183152115619038/
BOWLING LEAGUE – 1 – 3 p.m. Bring the kids to have fund & learn to bowl with instructor Gus Lampo, professional bowler, Art Rigas, long-time high school bowling coach. Cost, $10/child for shoes & 3 games. Thru 3/28. Holiday Lanes, 5198 St. Hwy. 23, Oneonta. 607-287-2540 or visit www.facebook.com/OneontaBowling/
PRESENTATION – 7:30 p.m. Join Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society to hear from Kathryn Davino about the amazing birds on Heron Island & Lamington National Park on her 2018 trip to Australia. Free, open to public. Refreshments will be served. Elm Park United Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut St., Oneonta. 607-397-3815 or visit www.facebook.com/DelawareOtsegoAudubonSociety/
HOLIDAY WORKSHOP – 1 – 3 p.m. Children are invited to decorate their own Christmas bulb, sing along to Christmas carols on player piano. Oneonta History Center, 183 Main St., Oneonta. 607-432-0960 or visit www.oneontahistory.org/index.htm
HOLIDAY RUN – 10 a.m. Race through Cooperstown in your ugliest holiday sweater. Runners receive free coffee/hot chocolate upon completion. Registration 8:30 – 9:30. Cost, $25/individual. Start at Santa’s house, Pioneer Park, Main St., Cooperstown. 607-547-2800 or visit www.clarksportscenter.com/events/2019-rockin-around-cooperstown-ugly-sweater-runwalk/
CHRISTMAS CEILI – 7 – 9 p.m. Celebrate the season with full Irish Dance, traditional ceili dance. Audience participation encouraged. Cost, $10/adult. Cooperstown Art Association. 607-547-9777 or visit www.cooperstownart.com
ANGEL TREE PROGRAM – Give the Gift of Christmas this holiday season. Adopt a family in need. Visit www.allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ to learn how.
AWARDS – 4 p.m. Hartwick college holds 2019 Quinquennial Awards Celebration recognizing milestones faculty & staff service to the college. Celebration Room, Shineman Chapel House, Hartwick College, Oneonta. 607-431-4315 or visit www.hartwick.edu/news/quinquennial-awards-to-recognize-service-to-hartwick-5/