Special Events

Here are upcoming events at the Dryden Center for Community (see below for events that have already happened to get an idea of what is happening at the DCC):

Upcoming events:

Ariana Kim in Concert

  • November 8 (Sunday) at 3pm - Violinist Ariana Kim will be bringing us a "tasting menu" of solo music from J.S. Bach to Chen Yi, New York to India, and looper pedal improvisation. This is a pay-what-you-wish performance to support local art and community here in Dryden!

Community Dinners

  • November 11 (Wednesday) at 5:30pm - The beloved community dinners have returned! Join your friends and neighbors for a special meal cooked with love by our volunteer chefs. No charge for the meal, although donations will be accepted. The next dinner will be on December 9.

Events in 2026:

  • March 28 (Saturday) 2pm-4pm - Steeple Social and Open Doors Day, here at the DCC

  • April 11 (Saturday) 10am-5pm - Knit for Food, in collaboration with Connected Stitches, Community Room at the DCC

  • April 18 (Saturday) 10am-1pm - Dryden Repair Cafe, Community Room at the DCC

  • April 19 (Sunday) 1pm-3pm - The Dryden Recreation & Youth Commission and Tompkins County Youth Services Department are holding a community conversation about recreation, youth development programs, and well-being in Dryden.

  • April 21 (Tuesday) 6pm-7:30pm - Unpacking Abuse Myths: An event hosted by Protagonist Books & Coffee, Performance Space at the DCC

  • April 25 (Saturday) 11am-1pm - Community Connections, an opportunity for community members in Dryden and surrounding areas to connect with local nonprofits, service organizations, town groups, and sports teams, as participants or as volunteers. This event is organized by Kiwanis Club of Dryden and Rotary Club of Dryden.

  • May 16 (Saturday) 6-9pm - Sing-along for Sanity Musician and activist Shira Evergreen will be bringing her guitar and her voice to lead a community sing-a-long in the Community Room with the theme of "Collective Power". There will be an eclectic mix of songs from Tracy Chapman to Chappell Roan, Cat Stevens to Cat Power, there’s something for everyone! All ages welcome! Doors open at 5:30pm.

  • May 17 (Sunday) 12-4pm - FLAIR Open Sew is an opportunity to create in community. Bring knitting, bring mending, bring a shirt you want to try to sew. Organizer Heather Scott will provide the peanut M &M's and the joie de vivre.

  • May 22 (Friday) 5-10pm, in the Performance Space - Choose-your-own-donation (suggested donation is $10-20) for our first showcase of local bands. Stop on in for everything from acoustic sets to electronica. Refreshments will be available. The showcase will include Wise Bones, Second Spring, Space Duzzt, Worm Collective, Sarah Noell, Spud Bugs, Bobby DuVet, and Marine Park!

  • May 23 (Saturday) 7-8:30pm, doors open at 6:30, in the Performance Space - Jan Nigro in Concert! Everything from Beatles, Everly Brothers, Carol King , Motown and various other artists and genres. Jan will also talk about and do a couple of tunes of his sister, the late great singer songwriter Laura Nyro. He'll also take requests from the audience! Suggested donation of $20 per person.

  • June 5 (Friday) 6-9pm, in the Community Room - Start off Pride Month with this adults-only trivia night. Test your knowledge, win prizes and learn a few things. This is an event hosted by Protagonist Books & Coffee here at the DCC. Planned Parenthood will have an information table, there will be books for sale, as well as drinks and snacks.

  • June 7 (Sunday) 12-4pm - Queermunity Pride Potluck - Bring a dish to share and your ideas! Let's get together, celebrate and set the stage for a year of inclusive, fun events. We will be meeting in the Community Room. This is a family-friendly event open to those identifying as LGBTQ+ and allies.

Fridays @ The Center

  • June 12 (Friday) - Four bands will be featured at our new monthly concert series: Wise Bones, Nancy Babich, How's the Soup, and Tochi Ezidiegwu. Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7pm. Suggested donation is $10. There will be snacks available for purchase, including ice cream novelties from You Scream Ice Cream.

  • June 13 (Saturday) - Stop in at the DCC before the Dairy Day parade to get a tour of our building, learn about programs, and find out how you can get involved! Our doors will be open from 8 - 9:30am.

  • June 20 (Saturday) 1-2:30pm - Ithaca Suzuki Music Education Studio Recital - Come hear the violin and viola students of Drake, one of the co-directors of Ithaca Suzuki Music Education. From the beginning Twinklers to advanced students, this is a great opportunity to learn about the Suzuki Method for string instrument instruction and be inspired by the young musicians. In the Performance Space.

  • June 28 (Sunday) 3-5pm, in the Performance Space and Community Room - Join authors Jennifer Dugan and Becky Albertalli as they visit the Finger Lakes area and sit down for a discussion about their books and writing, in particular the recent release of Jennifer Dugan's new novel, Girls Like Us, the highly anticipated sequel to Some Girls Do. The authors will take questions and follow the event with a signing so be sure to drop in!

  • July 25 (Saturday) 10am-1pm - Dryden Repair Cafe, Community Room at the DCC

  • August 29 (Saturday) 9-10:30am - Jump Start Twinkle. This introduction to the Suzuki Method for string instruction with faculty from Ithaca Suzuki Music Education. This morning workshop is intended for both the student and their adult caregiver together. ISME will be offering instruction in violin, viola, and cello at the Dryden Center for Community starting in September.

Growing Our Networks for Human Dignity, with Jamila Walida Simon, PhD and Mike Bishop, PhD

  • September 15 (Tuesday) 6-7:30pm - This will be a time to reflect on: showing up for each other, taking risks to challenge oppression, and creating a sense of belonging for all.

Join us to connect with other aspiring allies, create an action plan, and participate in this 3-part series in Dryden July-October. The first meeting was held at Protagonist Books in July, but you do not have to attend all meetings! All are welcome! The third meeting will be held at the Southworth Library in October.

Do you have any questions? Contact Mike at mxbishop@gmail.com

Womens Opportunity Center Boutique Pop-Up Shop

  • September 18 (Friday) 11am-2pm - Gently used women's clothing, hygiene items, and baby items will be part of this "shop" organized by the Women's Opportunity Center, happening at the DCC during our new monthly Open Hours. If there is something you are in need of or would like to request, please contact us at info@drydencenter.org and we will pass the word on to WOC!

Fridays @ The Center

  • September 18 (Friday) 7-10pm - Join us for the next edition of Fridays @ The Center. Doors open at 6:30. Snacks and drinks available for purchase. Suggested donation is $10. This month we will hear from Friends2Lovers, Vaguely Familiar, Loveday & The Soirée, and Shira & The Evergreens.

Repair Cafe

DCC Storytelling Festival 2026

  • October 1-3 - The new DCC Storytelling Festival will be an opportunity to listen to master storytellers and to learn how to tell your own story. All events are free and open to the public! This program is made possible in part with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the office of the Governor and NYS Legislature, administered by the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County.

Spooky Music

  • October 24 (Saturday) at 7pm - Celebrate the season with spooky music at the Center! Featuring the 1934 Wicks organ as well as teacher and student performers. This free event is sure to become a beloved tradition here in Dryden!

Events in 2025:

  • September 6 (Saturday) 10am-2pm - Freeville Harvest Festival, Freeville Elementary School front lawn, 43 Main St, Freeville

  • September 6 (Saturday) 12am-2pm - Community Connections Event, Hopshire Farm & Brewery, 1771 Dryden Rd, Freeville

  • September 12 and 13 (Friday and Saturday) 1-9pm - Fundraiser at the Dryden Creamery, 62 W. Main St, Dryden

  • September 20 (Saturday) 10-3pm - Join us at the Homestead Heritage Fair, 14 North St, Dryden. Someone from the Dryden Center for Community will be at a table at the Southworth Homestead to answer questions from 10am-3pm.

  • Starting Septmber 27 - Giggly Gourds are available at Bigsby Market. Show your support for the Dryden Center for Community by purchasing an adorable, whimsical gourd pal with 100% of proceeds going to the DCC.

  • October 4 (Saturday) 10am-2pm - Repair Cafe, Dryden Fire Hall. Look for our table at this community event sponsored by the Dryden Climate Action Committee. This is the sort of event that could happen on a regular basis at the new Dryden Center for Community.

  • October 15 (Wednesday) 12pm - Lunchtime Learning at the Southworth Library, 24 W. Main St, Dryden. We will be having a panel discussion with plenty of opportunities for questions at this free event at the library.