Ithaca Night Life ( NightLife ) , NY

The City of Ithaca, New York has quite more than its share of theater, dance and musical programs, especially in summer. The State Theater, 111 W. State St. (tel. 607/277-6633), located in one of the last remaining National Historical Theatres-which is representational " Golden Era " architecture built during Hollywood's Great Era of the Entertaining Musicals - is the city's theatrical center. In a pleasant addition, the Kitchen Theater - with that extra personal physical closeness with Ithaca's avant garde audience - is at 116 N. Cayuga St. (tel. 607/273-4497), in the historic Greek Revival Clinton House. Both have top year-round classic and contemporary theater, ballet and concerts. Recent attraction to " The State " was Whoopie Goldberg during the month of February. Additional " Internationally known Top Liners " are now, also, being booked.

In the beautiful Ithacan lay-back Summers The Hangar Theatre starts its season and is located in beautiful Cass Park, off Route 89 in Ithaca, NY Taughannock Boulevard/Route 89 (tel. 607/273-8588 fax;607/273-45160), offers professional, children's, and experimental theater.

See Ithaca Theater / Theatre / Concerts / Ensembles: for performance schedules and press releases.

Summer outdoor concerts by the Ithaca Downtown Business Partnership, and Dancing in the Streets, by Tri Falcon and Dove Productions series are held at The Commons. Additional events are likewise presented at The Taughannock Falls State Park, and the Cornell University quad. For additional events on music and performing arts, see www.ithacaevents.com.

New this year is the Proud to Serve 4th of July Celebration The annual 4-day Ithaca Festival, Ithaca's and Tompkin's county leading event, held the first weekend after Memorial Day, features several stages and performances by musicians, painters, dance groups, and more. Visit www.ithacafestival.org for more information or call tel. 607/273-4646.

Ithaca Downtown Partnership (tel.607/277-8679 ) sponsored event; February is Chili Cook-Off month in which the local restaurants, and private citizens alike try to out cook America's central cultural dish, Chili.

There is also a downtown boom going on. Based upon the best nightlife traditions established by: Chanticleer, 101 W. State St. (tel. 607/272-9678) -- famous for its neon rooster sign on the corner -- is a low-key watering hole with a bit of a gritty feel to go with its pool tables and jukebox. Micawber's Tavern, 118 N. Aurora (tel. 607/273-9243), a lively bar with live pop and rock music every Friday.

In Collegetown up on the hill in Collegetown near Cornell, Stella's Martini Bar, 403 College Ave. (tel. 607/277-1490), is one of the coolest spots, with live music on weekends. The other is Rulloff's with its calendar of weekly events, and excellent menue (tel. 607/272-6067).

Ten miles north (on Rte. 96) of Ithaca, in Trumansburg ("T-Burg"), is a handful of bars, including the curiously named live-music pub Rongovian Embassy to the U.S. (known to local barflies as the Rongo). Find its stage featuring local rock bands and a good selection of beers at 1 Main St. (tel. 607/387-3334). It's open until 1am Tuesday to Sunday. More importantly, the community shines around the Christmas and Chanukah season with the Winter Festival (info@tburgwinterfest.com ). Even more important, The Grass Roots Festival of Music and Dance (tel.607/387-5098) (fax.607/387-5630 ) during the Summer season which has entertainment within a natural outdoorish Woodstock ( which it was a spin - off from ) atmosphere of youth and wisdom of the ages integrated with seasoned rocks musics entertainment, and country dancing.

An impressive array of activities which draws attention world - wide. RMC P.S. I making this so too - just browse the web these days and you see Ithaca poping all over the world now! RMC / 607 - 279 - 9945