14 things to do in the Canandaigua area this week

You may need to hire a scheduler in order to take in all the area has to offer this week. Or better yet, take the week off!

All sorts of activities and events are planned, from learning breastfeeding skills to finding a job to enjoying music and art. And it's time for the Naples Grape Festival, too!

Here’s a sampling of what’s happening this week.

1. A program for expecting parents in Canandaigua

An introduction to breastfeeding classes will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, and Thursday, Sept. 21, at Wood Library, 134 N. Main St., Canandaigua. This class is intended for expecting parents who are looking for the basic skills to get their breastfeeding journey started off with confidence. For details and to register for this or other Wood Library programs, visit woodlibrary.org or call 585-394-1381.

2. What’s happening locally for the 2024 total solar eclipse?

A community eclipse meeting is planned for 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, at Wood Library. For Canandaigua and other Ontario County organizations, this is a chance to discuss the total solar eclipse before it happens, April 8, 2024. For details and to register for this or other Wood Library programs, visit woodlibrary.org or call 585-394-1381.

3. The buzz about pollinators in Canandaigua

Alaina Robarge, conservation district educator of the Ontario County Soil & Water Conservation District, will discuss the importance of wildlife and pollinator species, native trees and shrubs that promote wild birds, and pollinators during a program from 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Wood Library. Robarge will also share healthy lawn tips to protect pollinators and water quality. For details and to register for this or other Wood Library programs, visit woodlibrary.org or call 585-394-1381.

4. Looking for work in Ontario County?

A job fair is planned for 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at Wood Library, 134 N. Main St., Canandaigua. Ontario County businesses will be present to provide job opportunities for patrons looking for full-time and part-time employment in manufacturing, healthcare, and other fields.

5. Closing art reception at FLCC's ArtSpace36

A closing reception for the exhibit, "Circulations: Invisible Rhythms - Cayetano Valenzuela," will be held 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 21 at Finger Lakes Community College’s ArtSpace36, 36 S. Main St., Canandaigua. Valenzuela is a Chicano multimedia artist who runs Black Rabbit Studio in Syracuse. More information about this and other FLCC events is available at events.flcc.edu.

6. Meet CA’s Graduates of Distinction

An induction ceremony for Canandaigua Academy’s Graduates of Distinction − Joseph Delforte, Mandy Friend Gigliotti, Richard L. Hermann, Clifford P. Kubiak, and the Hon. Jacqueline Sisson − starts at 6 p.m. with a reception followed by the actual ceremony at 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, 20 Fort Hill Ave., Canandaigua. The cost is $25 per person. Those interested in attending should contact District Clerk Deb Sundlov at 585-396-3710 or sundlovd@canandaiguaschools.org. The inductees will also be honored at the homecoming football game against East High/World of Inquiry at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at Canandaigua Academy Stadium.

7. Let’s make apple snacks in Canandaigua

Wood Library’s food programming continues with Project Eats for Kids: Let's Make a Snack from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at Wood Library, 134 N. Main St., Canandaigua. Because it's apple season, apples are the main ingredients. For details and to register for this or other Wood Library programs, visit woodlibrary.org or call 585-394-1381.

8. Sip & Sway in Clifton Springs

The Clifton Springs Chamber of Commerce’s Sip & Sway event will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 22 in the village of Clifton Springs. Sample wine, beer, cider and spirits as well as food while enjoying music by The Dean's List. For details, contact the Clifton Springs Chamber of Commerce at info@cliftonspringschamber.com or 315-462-8200.

9. Geneva Concerts series opens

Ceilidh: An Evening of Irish Music and Dance will be 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Smith Opera House, 82 Seneca St., Geneva. The Bessie Award-nominated company Darrah Carr Dance, featuring cast member Trent Kowalik, the original star of “Billy Eliott,” and performing with live fiddle, accordion, bodhrán, and spoons, helps kick off the 2023-24 Geneva Concerts season. For more information, and to buy tickets or a season subscription, visit www.genevaconcerts.org or contact Geneva Concerts at 315-789-7716, info@genevaconcerts.org , or P.O. Box 709, Geneva, NY 14456. Tickets are available at the door.

10. Chicken barbecue to help resettle refugees in Finger Lakes

Called to Care, Canandaigua will hold a chicken barbecue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 23 at King’s Catering, 4031 state Routes 5 and 20 East, next to Hilltop Diner. The cost for half chicken, salt potatoes, macaroni salad and roll is $15 per person. Proceeds benefit the group’s efforts of resettling refugee families in the area.

11. Chicken and Beer fundraiser helps East Bloomfield Historical Society

The East Bloomfield Historical Society's annual “Chicken and Beer” chicken barbecue starts at 11 a.m. Sept. 23 at Duvall Farms at the corner of Routes 5 and 20 and Route 64 South in East Bloomfield. Presale tickets for the fifth annual event are $12 and are available at Duvall Farms, Canandaigua National Bank in Bloomfield, and at the East Bloomfield Historical Society. This year’s event will include the annual East Bloomfield Historical Society pie and bake sale.

12. Canandaigua vocalist to perform at Fringe Festival

Connie Fredericks-Malone is scheduled to perform at the Rochester Fringe Festival at 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at the JCC Dawn Lipson Canalside Stage. Tickets are on sale for $15 at https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/connie-fredericks-malone-alone-with-my-music and at https://rochesterfringe.com.

13. It's that Naples Grape Festival time of year

The annual celebration of grapes will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 on the grounds of the Memorial Town Hall and Naples High School. Arts and crafts, Brahm-Moore Beverage Garden, Food Court, Music Tent and of course, the grape pie contest (Saturday) are planned. For details, visit naplesgrapefest.org.

14. Militia expert to give talk in Canandaigua

The George M. Ewing Canandaigua Forum Series opens at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, 20 Fort Hill Ave., Canandaigua. Carolyn Gallaher will discuss today’s militia movement, a nuanced and sophisticated group of self-described “patriots” or “constitutionalists” using these historically positive labels to help mainstream their sometimes violent actions across the United States. Gallaher is senior associate dean at the School of International Service at American University in Washington, D.C. Tickets are $25 and $80 for a package of four events (use code: EwingSeries23). To purchase tickets, visit gmeforum.org or call the FHPAC box office at 585-412-6043. For more information, visit gmeforum.org or call the Ewing Forum at 585-313-8443.

If you have an event you'd like to see listed in the "Things to Do" column, email Mike Murphy at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com.  

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: 14 things to do in the Finger Lakes this week