"Binghamton Rising" to Bring Music and Celebration to Downtown Binghamton Saturday
From 11 am to 10 pm Saturday, music and vendors will celebrate Downtown Binghamton and Strange Brew's 10th anniversary on Washington Street
🎠Binghamtonian is a reader-supported, writer-owned publication aimed at connecting residents of the Greater Binghamton Area with their community.
❗If you appreciate this publication, please consider subscribing to the newsletter for free or becoming a paid supporter for $6/mo!
Want to see something explored in this newsletter? Want to write for us? Please contact info@binghamtonian.news
BINGHAMTON – A party celebrating Downtown Binghamton is taking over Washington Street this weekend, with businesses and local musicians showcasing the area’s resilience and its renewal.
Called “Binghamton Rising,” the event is put on by the nonprofit New Vine Records and Strange Brew Cafe, and will feature performances by Driftwood, Cast Iron Cowboys, Kis Bess and the Magic Ring, and The Sundogs, and tabling by many local businesses and organizations.
It will be an all-day affair, kicking off at 11 am on Saturday, May 16, and featuring performances until 10 pm, centered on 137 Washington Street. A DJ will be present from 11 am to 3 pm, with bands starting at 3 pm.
“I had deep roots in the community, and I remember what it was like when Binghamton wasn't the greatest place to be, and it does. It's just gotten so much better. Downtown is a pleasure to be in,” said John Carter, founder of New Vine Records.
He said that he is very happy to partner with many businesses old and new in the City of Binghamton for this event. Throughout the day it will feature a wide variety of activities from different vendors like the Broome County Humane Society, a local barber, a tattoo artist, custom jewelry and piercings, and music lessons.
“I'm proud to say I'm from Binghamton – Driftwood is a good reason for that, and also just the recovery we've seen over the years,” Carter said, who moved back to Binghamton after living in Ithaca for 15 years.
“The innovation of a business mindset has brought advancing success, and business people love music. I mean, anytime there's been great culture, it's been supported by great business people.”
And there is reason to take an optimistic look. New local spots like the Crowbar Arcade, Stellar Human, Blazin’ Saddles, The Upper Crust, and Vault 168 have made downtown home since the pandemic, bringing new food, music, and other events along with them. At the same time, significant additions to area institutions like Binghamton University, BAE, and UHS have promised increased jobs and opportunities, and an increasing number of crowd-pleasing chains have finally made the area home, like Crumbl Cookies, Chick-fil-A, and Wing Stop.
The block party doubles as a 10-year anniversary party for Strange Brew Cafe, which has become a breakfast and lunch staple for many in the city since it opened in April 2016 and is an organizing partner for the event.
“We just wanted to celebrate downtown and the businesses that have been here for like decades, and the new businesses that are coming up, and with it being graduation weekend as well, you're getting the parents to the BU students, showcasing all of the great things that happen,” said Kay Van Dee, Office Administrator/Catering Coordinator for Strange Brew.
“It's been really nice to continue to flourish as a company, and obviously that support comes from the businesses that are around us as well, and kind of working as a team downtown. And hopefully the growth keeps going, which is the point of the events to keep people in downtown and keep things booming.”
This is the third outdoor block party-style music festival to grace downtown Binghamton over the last year, and follows the first New Vine Music and Art Festival in September and the Endless Summer Festival in July.
“The title of the event has so much energy and paints such a beautiful picture of community and resilience,” said Claire Byrne, fiddle player and songwriter for the Binghamton-based folk rock band Driftwood, which headlines the event at 8 pm.
“We are proud to be from Binghamton. It’s exciting to see events like Binghamton Rising popping up downtown. The event has a killer lineup and will be an opportunity for us to celebrate our town and community.”
The block party will raise funds for New Vine Records’ charity efforts to fund instruments and lessons for children who cannot normally afford them.
A brunch party by Strange Brew and the Black Sheep Tavern will be available from 11 am - 3 pm, and will feature a live DJ set alongside food, drinks, and party games. Passes can be purchased on the Strange Brew website for $40.
Parking is available nearby at the Washington Street Parking Garage and a short walk away at the new Water Street Parking Garage and MetroCenter lot.
🎠🙏Thank you for reading!
❗Have an idea for the newsletter? Something you want to see? Want to partner? 🎫Have an event you want listed? Please reach out!
If you like this post, please share Binghamtonian with your friends & consider becoming a paid supporter or giving a donation today to keep this publication alive & independent!
Also! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
❓Was this sent to you? Sign up here
