Hello Sourcers!

We’ve got a lot on the list today, so let’s get into it!

🎨 Paint!

😂 Joy!

🤖 Robots!

First off, we’ve got PaintFest in Oneonta on Saturday. This is a family-friendly art and STEM event put on by the Oneonta World of Learning. This year the theme is…SPACE! (Fun fact about me is that every time I see the word “space” I’m hearing it in the voice of the Pigs in Space announcer from the Muppet Show.) Pre-registration is recommended, but snacks and art supplies are provided, including the opportunity to paint an entire car!

Also in Oneonta, the Red Dragon Reading Series at SUNY Oneonta is bringing in Pulitzer finalist poet Alan Shapiro for a reading on Wednesday April 1st, to celebrate the release of his latest collection, Diver. The reading is in the Fine Arts building on campus, but if you’re in Oneonta for a literary event, you really ought to stop by Green Toad Books. Pro tip: keep an eye on the visiting writers series at our universities; they’re often bringing in amazing folks.

The Binghamton Philharmonic will perform “Ode to Joy” (Beethoven’s 9th if you prefer) as a celebration of their 70th anniversary. The concert will take place at the Broome County Forum Theater on March 28th at 7:30, and free tickets are available for kids under 17 by calling the box office directly.

I can’t imagine how one turns a children's picture book like Click Clack Moo (a personal favorite) into a musical, but it has apparently been done. The Clemens Center in Elmira hosts two performances of Click Clack Moo this Friday at 10am and 12:30pm. 

Forget ChatGPT: the Corning Museum of Glass hosts the Finger Lakes Robotics Expo all weekend, with 14 high school robotics teams competing, plus other tech-themed exhibits and activities.

And finally, at the Rockwell Museum on Friday night, Rockwell members can check out the newest installation piece by this year’s Rockwell Artists in Residence. Neon artists Meryl Pataky and Kelsey Issel, founders of the neon workers collective, She Bends, debut their site-specific piece, True Gravity, with an opening reception for members. The piece will be on display in the Rockwell’s rotunda for the next year.

(If neon happens to be your jam, you should also check out our Making episode on local neon artist Jimmy Ronner.)

Lots to do across the region as we get ready to flip another calendar page. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, March.

Yours,

Bob Proehl

Locally Sourced editor

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I once again was in Ithaca, this time to meet with Juan Vazquez-Leddon, a board member at WSKG, because I owed him a pint, and I figured I could make this my first board member feature in Hops Along. So I decided to meet him at Liquid State Brewing, which is well known to WSKG. We hosted a Pints for Public Media event here last year, and our very own Bob Proehl hosts trivia here on Wednesdays, as well as being one of my favorites in the area.

I started with a Hi-Hat Pilsner, a super crisp and bright example of the style, they call out the use of Saaz hops which gives this beer a unique flavor that you don’t get in most pilsners. Bitter at the front, the flavor smooths into an almost creamy finish on the palate. Without seeing it I would have easily thought it was a darker beer. Juan started with the Oatmeal Stout, Naughty Bits, which came on nitro. At 4.9% he was quite surprised by how light it was in body, but full on flavor.

Liquid State does something that not a lot of places do anymore, they offer many sizes for their beers, I could get almost everything in a pint (16oz), half pint (8oz), or the rare and much loved 5oz pour. As someone that loves to try many different beers at a brewery, this 5oz pour is perfect for the three sip system. The first sip cleans the palate, the second allows the front flavors to be tasted (generally the hops) and the third shows the second lingering flavors, typically from the malts. Try it next time you have a new beer! 

Both Juan and I ended with the Red Raspberry and Black Currant Sour, a perfect balance of tart and sweet, clocking in at 4.8% ABV it was a perfect end to the night. A perfect color and light carbonation made it come across the tongue as crisp and bright. I was lucky I got a picture because it didn’t last long!

Liquid State does so many different and unique styles of beers, I could do a whole series of articles about them. All I can say is give it a shot whenever you are in Ithaca, you won’t be disappointed. For those out there paying attention to this piece, you may have noticed I missed a month. I’ve started to run out of breweries that are local enough to me to make a trip with the sporadic weather we have had lately. If there are any locations you are dying to have me try out, please shoot me an email and let me know, I’m ready for the nicer weather and some beer road trips!