What’s up 315? I hope you’re all as excited for a couple of 40-degree days coming up as I am. With warmer weather comes more events. We want to know what’s going on in your neck of the Mohawk Valley. Make sure to send your events in and share the newsletter so we can help spread the word and share the love for the area.
This week, we have a lot going on, including a couple of major shows at the Stanley. Check out the local business section for a special anniversary you won’t want to miss. Finally, take a ride south for the Hamilton Winter Jazz Festival in a couple of weeks. Details below.
Art Mucitelli—Publisher
In today’s newsletter:
Star Power at The Stanley: Legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld takes the stage this Thursday, followed by the high-flying spectacles of Cirque International on Friday.
Festivals & Fresh Brews: From the Utica Anime-Fest and Hamilton Winter Jazz Fest to a 5-year anniversary celebration at Lafa and new "Cabin Fever" train rides, there is no shortage of local flavor this weekend.
Community & Growth: Get the scoop on the massive "Runway" sports complex development at Griffiss and find out how you can make a direct impact volunteering with the Utica Food Pantry.
A Weekend of Excitement at the Stanley Theatre
The Stanley Theatre is packed with exciting entertainment this weekend. Make it a date night or special friends night out with a national show and exploring Downtown Utica’s establishments. From the Lotus Garden to Ocean Blue, the perfect night out is a few minutes away.
On Thursday, February 27, at 7 PM, nationally acclaimed comedian and writer Jerry Seinfeld takes the stage. Get ready for a night full of laughs while reminiscing about your favorite 90’s sitcom and the classic opening credits.
Next, on Friday, February 28, at 7 PM, Cirque International will perform, allowing you to immerse yourself in a fast-paced, modern rendition of the classic circus. The show is suitable for all ages and is ready to keep you entertained all night.
To sponsor a newsletter, email us at [email protected]
📰 The 315 Community Chronicles
County Executive Picente announced a request for interest to develop building 101 at Griffiss International into a new indoor multi-sport and tourism complex called “The Runway.” Citing the success of amateur nd youth sports at the Nexus Center and Murnane Field, the complex will be the second largest in the state and should help boost the local economy. Read more at the Oneida County site here.
The Mohawk Valley received funding from the NYS Regional Economic Development Council to develop and revitalize parts of Utica.
Hotel Street Ventures, LLC will use $2M to develop the area along Bagg’s Square West for mixed-use properties to go at market rate and further revitalize the area by the Nexus Center.
PathStone Housing Action Corp. will use $1M to develop Deerfield Apartments, a mixed-use, affordable-housing complex for individuals with special needs. The complex includes plans for a new child care facility.
Mohawk Gardens will use $800K to revitalize the former NYS Canals 1933 building into an event space. The building is located at the newly opened Harbor Point in North Utica.
You can read more from the NYS agency here.
📈 315 Business and Restaurant News
Lafa Mediterranean by Ziena’s in New Hartford is celebrating 5 years on March 2nd, and they want you to join in on the party. Lafa is open from 11 AM to 8 PM on March 2nd, and has some great things in store, including 25% off all meals, a prize wheel, and free Turkish coffee. Make it a lunch date and support one of the area’s best.
On Thursday, February 26, Athenix Books & Brews is ready to serve your favorite caffeinated beverages while browsing a selection of books with the opening of their new cafe. The Cafe is located at 524 E. Main St., in Little Falls. Athenix is answering the call for locally owned bookstores, so make the drive and check them out.
🗓️ Events happening this week in the 315!
Tuesday 2/24
Small Business Council | Greater Utica Chamber | 8:30 AM
Music Heals | The Institute for the Study of Integrative Healthcare, Utica | 4 PM
Wednesday 2/25
Walk-In Wednesday - Hiring Event | Turning Stone Casino | 10 AM
Historic Happy Hour | Gerber’s 1933 Tavern, Utica | 5 PM
Paint & Sip | Johnny B’s Tavern, Rome | 5 PM
Permanent Jewelry Pop-Up | Franca’s Roma | 5 PM
Smart Cookie | The Portal - Utica | 5:30 PM
Repair Cafe | Utica Creative Reuse | 6 PM
Thursday 2/26
Wellness Fair | Herkimer County Community College | 12 PM
Catalyst Meet Up | Silk Utica | 5:30 PM
Milkyway Paint & Sip | Rock Valley Brewery, Little Falls | 6 PM
Utica Poets Society | Tramontane Cafe, Utica | 6 PM
Sauquoit Pop Warner Paint & Sip | Orchard Hall Restaurant, Sauquoit | 6:30 PM
Friday 2/27
Success Circle Coffee Connection | The ARC, Oneida-Lewis, Utica | 8:30 AM
Sip with Sash | Calabria Coffee, New Hartford | 9 AM
Straight Arrow Invitational | 54 Kellogg Rd, New Hartford | 2/27 - 2/28
Saturday 2/28
Eat for the Arts | Wild Bunch Cafe, Earlville | 6 AM
Intro to Wood & Brass Restoration | Eats n Tiques, Thendara | 9 AM
One-Day Residency | The Portal - Utica | 9:30 AM
Utica Anime-Fest Winter 2026 | Delta Hotels by Marriott Utica | 10 AM
Sensory Jar Making for Kids | MVCC WH225, Utica | 10 AM
Intro to Stained Glass | Kirkland Arts Center | 10 AM
Destiny Reader Psychic Fair | Burrstone Inn, New Hartford | 11 AM
Spring Youth Turkey Event | Bass Pro Shop, Utica | 11 AM
Sensory Play Group | Utica Creative Reuse | 11 AM
Cabin Fever Limited | Adirondack Railroad | 12 PM
Books & Brews Pop-Up | 7 Hamlets Brewing, Westmoreland | 12 PM
Cocktails & Tarot | Blue, The Bar, Oneida | 1 PM
The Curious Cases of Moody Peabody | Oneida County History Center, Utica | 2 PM
Link & Ink | Copper City Hair, Rome | 5 PM
K-Pop Demon Hunter Glow Dance | 2051 N. Madison St., Rome | 5:30 PM
It’s a Date Night Dinner Train | Adirondack Railroad, Utica | 6 PM
Stern Army IFPA Knockout | Two Cousins Pinball, Marcy | 6 PM
Murder Mystery Fundraiser | Club Monarch, Yorkville | 6 PM
Cirque International | The Stanley Theatre, Utica | 7 PM
Sunday 3/1
PowHER Hour | Making Moves Fitness, New Hartford | 10 AM
Micro-Green Class | Vienna Seventh-Day Adventist Church | 11 AM
Bridgerton-Inspired Cookie Decorating & Tea Time | In Bloom Yoga, New Hartford | 1 PM
Utica Pride Cafe 2026 | Emerson Ave Coffee, Utica | 3 PM
Monday 3/2
Pancake Breakfast | White’s Farm Supply, Canastota | 10 AM
Gouache Plants & Succulents | Retro Sorrento, Frankfort | 6 PM
Check the event link. Some events have a fee. We only post beginning times.
To have your event added, contact us at [email protected]
Submit your event to be added to the list. 🥳
The deadline for inclusion is the Monday before your event for our Tuesday newsletter.
🌮 It’s Good to be a Foodie in the 315
Thursday 2/26
Portal to Italy: Dessert Pairing | Portofino Utica | 7:00 PM
Saturday 2/28
Cousins Maine Lobster | Lowes New Hartford | 11:30 AM
Copper City Brewing/TokaBocca Collab | Copper City Brewing, Rome | 5 PM
To have your foodie event added, contact us at [email protected]
Courtesy of This is Hamilton Facebook
2026 Hamilton Winter Jazz Fest: Explore Jazz’s Vibrant History and More
Hamilton is an amazing little town with a huge community and some amazing events. This includes a few of the best arts, music, and entertainment events in the area. So if you’re looking for something to do next weekend, the Hamilton Winter Jazz Festival might be the perfect weekend getaway close to home.
From Thursday, March 5, to Sunday, March 8, explore the four-day festival and the local area. You’ll immerse yourself in national jazz acts, film, art, and more, each showcasing the history and current state of jazz.
Learn more through the link and see a schedule of events and performers.
To sponsor a newsletter, email us at [email protected]
🎸 Live Music & Entertainment in the 315 this week
Tuesday 2/24
Trivia Night | Utica Elks Lodge #33, Yorkville | 6:30 PM
Wednesday 2/25
Creaser’s Bluff | Pizza Boys, New York Mills | 6 PM
Trivia Night | 7 Hamlets Brewery, Westmoreland | 6 PM
Music Bingo | 12 North Sports Bar, Marcy | 6:30 PM
Stage Time Trivia | Beeches Manor, Rome | 6:30 PM
Stage Time Trivia | Grow Brewing, New Hartford | 7 PM
Wednesday Trivia | Mulligans, Waterville | 7 PM
Frank Diskin | Old School Bar & Grill, Utica | See Venue
Thursday 2/26
Shawn Smith | Beeches Manor, Rome | 5 PM
Spencer Morgan | 7 Hamlets Brewing, Westmoreland | 5:30 PM
Last Minute Bluegrass Band | Woods ValleySki Area | 6 PM
Max Scialdone | Franca’s Roma | 6 PM
Phil Arcuri | Villa Verona Vineyard & Bistro, Oneida | 6 PM
JVD | Kratzys, Alder Creek | 6 PM
Trivia Night | View Arts Center, Old Forge | 6 PM
Bingo Night | Heelpath Brewing, Frankfort | 6 PM
Thursday Trivia | Woodland Farm Brewery, Utica | 6:30 PM
Cosmic Rat Duo | Handsome Johnny’s, Hamilton | 7:30 PM
Isaac French | Dick Smith’s Tavern, Utica | 9:30 PM
Friday 2/27
Jes Sheldon & Mark Westers | Grow Brewing, New Hartford | 6 PM
Elephant Back | Woods Valley | 6 PM
90’s Karaoke Night | 16 Stone Brewpub, Holland Patent | 6:30 PM
Jerry Seinfeld | The Stanley Theatre, Utica | 7 PM
Line Dancing | Tin Rooster, Exit 33 | 7 PM
Shawn Smith | One Genny, New Hartford | 8 PM
Scars & Stripes | Vernon Downs Casino | 8 PM
Kevin Alexander | Tow Bar, Old Forge | 8 PM
Almost Queen | Rome Capitol Theatre, Rome | 8 PM
Showtime | The Gig, Exit 33 | 10 PM
Saturday 2/28
Dovetones | Woods Valley | 1 PM
Showtime Trio @ ARC Gala | Irish Cultural Center of Mohawk Valley, Utica | 6 PM
Bring Your Own Vinyl | Copper City Brewing, Rome | 6 PM
Em & Sean | Grow Brewing, New Hartford | 6 PM
Next Stop Comedy | Scenic View Campground, West Winfield | 7 PM
VINYLOGIC | Station 233, Westmoreland | 7 PM
Mod’rn Rewind | Blue, the Bar, Oneida | 7 PM
Big Poppa’s Throwback Party | The Beer Garden, New Hartford | 8 PM
Isaac French | Motif, Turning Stone | 8 PM
Paega | Ray Brothers BBQ, Bouckville | 9 PM
ZZ & Her Gentleman | Turquoise Tige, Exit 33 | 9 PM
Last Left | The Gig, Exit 33 | 10 PM
Marc Macri | Old School Bar & Grill, Utica | See Venue
Sunday 3/1
Spencer Morgan | Woodland Farm Brewery, Utica | 2 PM
Our Common Roots | Woods Valley | 2 PM
Shawn Smith | Old School Bar & Grill, Utica | 7 PM
Monday 3/2
Asley DeCarr & Moore | 7 Hamlets Brewery, Westmoreland | 2 PM
The Mighty Craic | Rome Arts & Community Center | 6:30 PM
To get your gig on the list, email us at [email protected]
🤝 Get Involved with Your Community
There is so much turmoil in the world; maybe it’s time to start changing it one opportunity at a time. This week, I’m highlighting the Utica Food Pantry. If you want to help make a difference, they are looking for volunteers with a wide range of skills, from fundraising to office skills to operations, and serving. It takes one good act to help change someone’s perspective of the world.
To get your community event in the newsletter, email us at [email protected]
