By Jacob Pucci | jpucci@syracuse.com

If the scorching hot start to July kept you inside with the AC, then you'll want to get out of the house this weekend and check out an impressive live music lineup and lots of other fun things to do around Central New York.

St. Elias Middle Eastern Festival

Now in its 89th year, this four-day festival combines Arabic culture, music, dance and homemade food--including 20,000 hand-rolled stuffed grape leaves. New this year is a collaboration with Gannon's Ice Cream for a special pistachio, rose water and orange blossom ice cream and served over a pistachio cookie or honey balls as a sundae.

Where: St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church, 4988 Onondaga Road, Onondaga.

When: Thursday, July 12 and Friday, July 13, from 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, July 14, from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, July 15, from noon to 6 p.m.

How much: Free admission and parking.

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Barry Manilow

Legendary pop star Barry Manilow is bringing "Mandy," "Copacabana" and the countless other hits he's sung over his career, which has spanned more than half a century, to Central New York this weekend. The show marks the second year in a row he's performed at Turning Stone.

Where: Turning Stone Resort & Casino, 5218 Patrick Road, Verona.

When: Thursday, July 12, at 8 p.m.

How much: Tickets start at $54.

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Katrina Tulloch

Frightmare Farms Containment

Central New York horror junkies who don't want to wait until October for Halloween can get their scares in early at this Friday the 13th preview of "Containment." Billed as Syracuse's first live zombie experience, it's a collaboration between Frightmare Farms and The Museum of Intrigue, located inside Destiny USA.

The event will be held inside the former Fun Junction at Shoppingtown Mall.

Where: Shoppingtown Mall, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt.

When: Friday, July 13, from 7 to 10 p.m.

How much: Advance tickets are $15.

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The Struts

This British glam rock band has a sound and style that draws comparisons to The Rolling Stones and The Who, two bands that they've opened for in the past. Currently, The Struts is on tour with Foo Fighters, but luckily for us, they're making a quick pit stop in Syracuse this weekend.

Where: Westcott Theater, 524 Westcott St., Syracuse.

When: Friday, July 13, at 8 p.m.

How much: Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

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Scott Schild | sschild@nyup.com

Onondaga Cup & Lakefest

Whether you're competing in the regatta, watching the water ski stunt show, checking out the world's largest traveling mermaid tank, or just sitting back to enjoy the live music, food, glass blowing demonstrations and cooking competitions, there will be lots to do in and around Onondaga Lake this Saturday.

For more information, visit onondagalakefest.com.

Where: Willow Bay at Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool.

When: Saturday, July 14, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

How much: Free admission. Parking is $5.

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Eric Charbonneau

Bryan Callen

Comedian Bryan Callen was an original cast member of MAD TV and has appeared in numerous well-known movies and TV shows, such as "Old School," "The Hangover," " King of Queens," "NYPD Blue" and "Sex and the City."

Where: Syracuse Funny Bone, 10301 Destiny USA Drive, Syracuse.

When: Friday, July 13, at 7:30 and 10 p.m. and Saturday, July 14, at 7 and 9:45 p.m.

How much: Tickets are $25.



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Kate Collins | kcollins@syracuse.com

New York Lavender Festival

Few, if any festivals, will smell as good as Ol'Factory Lavender Farm's 11th annual NY Lavender Festival. Pick lavender from the fields, wander though the 60-foot labyrinth, browse the museum, soap shoppe and tea barn, shop from the more than 60 crafters and artisans and enjoy live music, food and homemade lavender ice cream.

Where: Ol'Factory Lavender Farm, 12973 Upton Road, Red Creek.

When: Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How much: Admission is $4. Children 12 and under are free.

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Gem World

For more than a half-century, Gem World has showcased the best in fossils, gems, jewelry and enough minerals to make Hank Schrader happy.

Where: SRC Arena, Onondaga Community College, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike, Onondaga.

When: Saturday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

How much: Admission is $7 for adults and free for children under 12.

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Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com

Empire Brewfest

Sample more than 75 different craft beers, ciders and liquors, including many from New York, at the annual Empire Brewfest, held at the New York State Fairgrounds. Along with all the beverages, there will be food, live music, giant Jenga, volleyball, giant yard Scrabble, painting, outdoor drinking games and much more.

Not a beer drinker? Get a ticket for Empire Winefest instead! It runs concurrently with the Empire Brewfest and features all the same games, music and activities.

The festivals will be held outdoors at Chevy Court. In case of inclement weather, the festival will move inside the Center of Progress Building.

RV camping is available.

Where: Chevy Court, New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Geddes.

When: Saturday, July 14, at 2 p.m.

How much: Advance tickets are $36 for Empire Brewfestand $25 for Empire Winefest.

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Miranda Sings

Colleen Ballinger and her parody alter-ego Miranda Sings are YouTube sensations, with more than 13.5 million subscribers between Ballinger and her character. That led to the Netflix comedy "Haters Back Off," which ran for two seasons, about Miranda and her family.

Now they're "both" coming to Syracuse.

Where: Landmark Theatre, 362 S. Salina St., Syracuse.

When: Saturday, July 14, at 7:30 p.m.

How much: Tickets start at $39.50.

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Street Scene

Hundreds of customized vehicles will be on display at the sixth annual Street Scene car show. Along with the tricked-out cars, there will be vendors, food trucks, a graffiti jam, car limbo, music and much more.

Where: Long Branch Park, 3813 Long Branch Road, Geddes.

When: Sunday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How much: Admission for spectators is $10. Children 12 and under are free.

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Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syracuse.com

Sylvan Beach Blues Picnic

Bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon of live blues along the lake. The Chris O'Leary Band (pictured above) headlines the picnic. The Fabulous Ripcords and Steve Grills and The Roadmasters are also slated to perform.

Where: Sylvan Beach.

When: Sunday, July 15, from 2 to 7 p.m.

How much: Free, but donations are accepted.

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Weezer and Pixies

Alternative rockers Weezer and Pixies will take the stage at the St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview along Onondaga Lake. It's the only scheduled Upstate New York show of the year for either band.

British indie rock duo The Wombats will open the show.

Where: St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview, 490 Restoration Way, Geddes.

When: Sunday, July 15, at 7:30 p.m.

How much: Tickets start at $25.

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Dispatch

Indie rockers Dispatch, known for songs like "The General" and "Bang Bang," will be making its only scheduled Upstate New York tour stop this weekend at the Saranac Brewery in Utica. Singer/songwriter Raye Zaragoza will open the show.

Where: F.X. Matt (Saranac) Brewery, 830 Varick St., Utica.

When: Sunday, July 15, at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.

How much: Tickets are $40 in advance.

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Jacob Pucci finds the best in food, entertainment and culture across Upstate New York. Contact him at (315) 282-8611, or by

Email.

Follow @JacobPucci