45 Things to Do This Week, Plus Sal's and Public Art News!
July 9-15, 2025: Ideas for fun and frivolity in and around Oneonta, NY. Plus local news!
Editor’s Note
After traveling to visit and celebrate friends and family in June, I’m looking forward to enjoying summer in Oneonta and publishing Townie weekly again. This week’s roundup includes my top 45 picks for events in and around Oneonta today through Tuesday, as well as a couple of local news items—public art! Sal’s pizza! Read on for ways to enjoy our community.
I hope to see you around!
Warmly,
Cassandra
Cassandra Miller is the editor of Townie, a publication of Culture Rally Communications. Connect with her at: 💌 townieny@gmail.com
James McIlroy Mural on South Main Street Hits Funding Goal
Oneonta’s unofficial city artist, James McIlroy—known for the vibrant wildlife murals that brighten downtown buildings—just secured funding for his next public art piece. After getting city and historical board approvals, and receiving Oneonta Community Initiative grants with the help of the building owner, McIlroy hit his $8,000 GoFundMe goal on Tuesday, July 8, to complete the project, which will be on South Main Street across from City Hall.
The new mural will feature a stylized blue heron, which McIlroy says holds local significance:
“Herons are a big part of the Susquehanna River, and this mural will pay homage to this beautiful river that is such an integral part of our community. I've been spreading the good word of street art for a few years now, and I'd like to keep the momentum going–Paving the way for younger artists and giving the community some more beautiful images to admire.”
I love seeing the community rally behind public art like this. This is our town, and we are lucky to have local artists see it more clearly and beautifully.
Sal’s Pizzeria Under New Old Ownership
Oneonta is a pizza town. And for the last few months, we’ve been missing a favorite: Sal’s New Classic Pizza. For the last few years, pizzaiolo Bobby Angiletta—whose dad and uncle ran and run Pizzaland—served up pies with warmth and enthusiasm. But the doors at Sal’s have been closed since spring, with only a handwritten “on vacation” sign for updates.
The big news is–Sal’s is coming back! A new Facebook page, “Sal’s Pizzeria of Oneonta,” shared an announcement on July 7 that the spot would reopen under the management of its original owners, Joe and John Grigoli.
“Sal’s is coming back!! The ORIGINAL owners are getting ready to open the doors! Get ready to welcome Joe and John Grigoli back to the pizza scene of Oneonta!”
The page’s first post, dated July 3, shows John Grigoli proudly holding a pizza while wearing an original-logo Sal’s t-shirt.
A post on July 8 said the Grigolis are “aiming for August 8” for the reopening of Sal’s.
Wednesday, July 9
10th Bi-Annual Sculpture Trail Opening – 5-7 p.m., Cherry Valley Artworks, Cherry Valley, Free.
John Houshmand – 7-9:30 p.m., B Side Ballroom, Oneonta, Free.
Thursday, July 10
Amber Rubarth sponsored by WSKG – 6 p.m., Origins Cafe, Cooperstown, Free. Info
Midweek Beat with Steel Rail – 6 p.m., Northway Brewing Hop House, Cooperstown, Free.
Vinyl Night – 6-9 p.m., Muddy River Taproom, Oneonta, Free.
Neahwa Park Summer Concert Series with Chris Wolf-Gould Ensemble – 7 p.m., Neahwa Park, Oneonta, Free.
A Taste of France – 7 p.m., Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, $50. Info
Friday, July 11
Yoga with Alyx Braunius – 9–10 a.m., The Gatehouse, Morris. Suggested donation of $15. Info
Preview Party: 90th Annual National Juried Exhibition – 5-7 p.m., Cooperstown Art Association, Cooperstown
Al Gallodoro Summer Concert Series with Rich Mollin Group – 5:30-7 p.m., Al Gallodoro Memorial Stage, Oneonta, Free.
Fire Pit Friday with FNTR – 6-10 p.m., Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, Free.
Average Joey – 6:30 p.m., Muddy River Taproom, Oneonta, Free.
Community Contra Dance – 7-10 p.m., Beaver Valley Cabins and Campsites, Milford, $10
Randy Miritello and the Hop City Hellcats – 8 p.m., B Side Ballroom, Oneonta, $15.
Photo: Last year’s Unadilla Carnival of Sales included these creeptastic doll heads! I didn’t buy these, but I did get a bike.
Saturday, July 12
Unadilla Carnival of Sales – 9 a.m., throughout the village of Unadilla
8th Annual Susquehanna River Clean-Up – 9 a.m., Compton Bridge, Cooperstown
Oneonta Public Market – 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Huntington Park at Dietz Street, Oneonta.
Cooperstown Farmer’s Market – 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Main Street, Cooperstown.
U Pick Lavender Days – 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Slate Hill Lavender Farm, Sharon Springs, $10/bunch.
Pinhole Photography Workshop with Jenny Riffle – 1–3 p.m., The Gatehouse, Morris, $35. Info
Mixed Media Assemblage Workshop with Jamie Banes – 1–4 p.m., Headwaters Arts Center, Stamford, $15-35. Info
Duopoly – 2 p.m., Red Shed Ale House, Cherry Valley. Free.
The Power of Photography: Artist Talk and Book Signing – 2 p.m., Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, $15. Info
Becca Frame and Brian Schafer – 3-5 p.m., Cooperstown Brewing Company, Cooperstown, Free.
Al Gallodoro Summer Concert Series with Mad Heed – 4-5:30 p.m., Al Gallodoro Memorial Stage, Oneonta, Free.
Barn Dance and BBQ – 4-8 p.m., Northfield Farm, Otego, $10-25. Info
Exhibition opening “Schools of Rock” – 5-6:30 p.m., Greater Oneonta Historical Society, Oneonta, Free.
Big Andes Square Dance – 5:30-8 p.m., Andes Fire Station Pavilion, Andes, $10-20.
The Belvedere Prom “Saved by the Bell” – 6 p.m., The Belvedere Inn, Stamford, $10.
QI AWAKENING: Ecstatic Dance Oneonta Meets Qigong – 6–8 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta. $15-25. RSVP here
Global Grooves DJ Night – 6-10 p.m., Muddy River Taproom, Oneonta, Free.
King’s Dinner Party and Music – 6:30 p.m., King’s, Franklin, $55. Info
Jerry Dee and the Dovetones – 7 p.m., Red Shed Ale House, Cherry Valley. Free.
Saxophonist Thomas Giles – 7:30 p.m., Old School Baptist Church, Roxbury, $12-28. Info
Mark’s 50th with Kathook, Uncleshake, and Mad Heed – 8 p.m., Black Oak Tavern, Oneonta, Free.
Full Moon Party – 8:30 p.m., Origins Cafe, Cooperstown, Free. Info
Sunday, July 13
Bingo Brunch! – 10:15 a.m.–1:15 p.m., Ommegang Tap House, Cooperstown. Free.
Sunday Sessions with Josh Houshmand – 1-3 p.m., The Gatehouse, Morris
Red, White, and Bruised: Hill City Rollers Home Bout – 2 p.m., Interskate 88, Oneonta
Music with Mike Herman in the Coffeehouse – 2-4 p.m., The Elm Inn, Milford
Fly Creek Historic Preservation Walking Tour – 3 p.m., Otsego 2000, Fly Creek. $10 Register
Cardigan Dad Story House – 4 p.m., The Lost Bookshop, Delhi
Monday, July 14
Iyengar Yoga with Carolyn Christie – 9-10:30 a.m., Bushel Collective, Delhi, $20
Oneonta Outlaws Home Game vs. Boonville Lumberjacks – 5 and 7 p.m., Damaschke Field at Neahwa Park, Oneonta, $2-5. Info
Stagetime Trivia with Khalil Jade – 6-8 p.m., Muddy River Taproom, Oneonta
Tuesday, July 15
Live at Chez Pawkett with The Whistles – 6-8 p.m., Pawkett House, 53 Miller St., Oneonta, $10 suggested donation.
Cooperstown Lakefront Concert Series with The Red Wagon – 6:30 p.m., Lakefront Park, Cooperstown. Free.
Oneonta Outlaws Home Game vs. Utica Blue Sox – 7 p.m., Damaschke Field at Neahwa Park, Oneonta, $2-5. Info
Send your event to Townie
Know about something great happening in the area? Share the tip! Email me a press release to townieny@gmail.com
If you see any inaccuracies, email me the correction and I’ll update the website version of the post, even though the week’s newsletter is not emailed more than once.
Follow Townie on Facebook and Instagram (@townieny on both) for more content, including videos and photos from top events!
How is Townie supported?
Townie is a publication of Culture Rally Communications. It keeps going thanks to paid subscribers and sponsors.