Five days of hands-on STEAM fun, interactive demonstrations, and winter break adventures for families in Central New York

SYRACUSE, New York – (February 11, 2026) – Fun is in full swing at WonderWorks Destiny as the team gears up for their annual Science Week event, from February 16-20, 2026. Winter break is right around the corner for CNY schools, making it a great time for families and locals to check out WonderWorks and all it has to offer. The upside-down house helps keep the fun and learning going all throughout winter break and beyond. From interactive science demonstrations to a 50% off ropes course ticket deal on select days, WonderWorks has everything you need to make the most out of a Syracuse stay-cation.

“Take your family’s February break to the next level with a visit to WonderWorks!” said Jon Cascella, general manager at WonderWorks Destiny. “Our entire team looks forward to this special week every year, and we’re ready to have a blast with guests at both our regular attractions and our exciting science sessions throughout the week.”

Guests will not want to miss all the fun offered during Science Week. Young explorers can unleash their inner scientist with five exciting days of interactive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) sessions, demonstrations and activities. This annual event offers students and families the opportunity to engage their mind and spark creativity during the school break, in a fun affordable way.

The schedule of events for the week includes:

• Meteorology Monday on February 16, 2026 – Get blown away on Meteorology Monday from 1 pm to 3 pm to kick off Science Week. This day will be dedicated to learning more about wintery weather facts, trying DIY weather experiments, exploring natural phenomena and more.
• Egg Drop on February 17, 2026 – Watch out below! Take part in WonderWorks’ annual Egg Drop Contest from noon until 2 pm to see if you’ve got what it takes. Participants will put their engineering skills to the test and attempt to prevent their egg from breaking as it hits the ground. Supplies will be provided and participation is free.
• Destiny USA’s Winter Break Bash on February 18, 2026 – Swing by the WonderWorks table at Destiny USA’s Winter Break Bash, taking place from noon until 2 pm in the Canyon area of the mall (right below the Canyon Climb Ropes Course). The WonderWorks team will be helping attendees create dancing art through an electrifying science experiment, handing out Professor Wonder activity sheets, giving away special coupon offers, and more. This is a free event hosted by the mall and will feature lots more fun activities from other stores.
• Color Me Curious on February 19, 2026 – The Science Week fun heads back inside WonderWorks on Thursday from 1 pm to 3 pm. With a stroke of genius, put the “A” back in STEAM! Guests can try their hand at creating pop art, watch a mesmerizing, colorful elephant toothpaste explosion, and more on this creative, hands-on day.
• Animal Wonders with Rosamond Gifford Zoo on Feb 20, 2026 – Science Week will conclude with a special guest session from 1 pm to 3 pm that participants will not want to miss! Guaranteed to get guests up close and personal with animal biofacts, this event will examine animal tracks, pelts, skulls, teeth, and more. This session is held in partnership with Rosamond Gifford Zoo.

Monday, Thursday, and Friday’s Science Week sessions begin at 1 pm and cost only $5 to participate in, while Tuesday and Wednesday’s sessions begin at 12 pm and are free for all. WonderWorks Destiny Annual Passholders can experience all five sessions for free as a perk of their pass. Guests can pre-register to reserve their spot online: https://www.wonderworksonline.com/destiny/science-week/.

“It may be cold outside, but it’s always warm in the mall! Winter is one of the best times to experience WonderWorks, with special events like Science Week, great ways to save on tickets, and more,” said Jon Cascella, general manager at WonderWorks Destiny.

Mark the family calendars now for your next WonderWorks visit! With winter being one of the best times to visit the upside-down house, locals and visitors alike will want to check out the best indoor amusement park in Central New York. The indoor attraction provides a place to stay warm, stay active, and explore.

Be sure to take full advantage of the exclusive Wonder Wednesdays deal, running through the end of February 2026. Wonder Wednesdays provides guests with the opportunity to score 50% off tickets to the Canyon Climb Ropes Course at the door, every Wednesday through February 25, 2026. Guests will not want to miss this chance to check out the Canyon Climb at a great rate The Canyon Climb ropes course is the world’s largest suspended indoor ropes course, standing 70 feet tall. Climbers will get to explore three levels of ropes as they take on over 81 different obstacles. Closed-toed shoes and proper dress is required to go on the ropes course, and there are height and weight restrictions in place. To get more information, visit the site online: https://www.wonderworksonline.com/destiny/the-experience/canyon-climb/.

WonderWorks Destiny offers a variety of educational programs and promotions throughout the year for local students and families to enjoy. They provide group rates, birthday parties, homeschool days, corporate event packages, and an annual pass. They have over 100 interactive exhibits covering topics such as extreme weather, space exploration, light and sound, and more. The upside-down laboratory is also home to a thrilling laser tag arena, an imagination lab, a youth art gallery, and a physical challenge zone, including the 4D XD Motion Theater, the Astronaut Training Challenge, and more. For more information and current hours of operation, visit the site at: https://www.wonderworksonline.com/destiny.

About WonderWorks

WonderWorks, a science-focused indoor amusement park, combines education and entertainment into one venue. With over 100 hands-on exhibits, there is something unique and challenging for all ages. Feel the power of 71 mph hurricane-force winds in the Hurricane Shack. Make life-sized bubbles in the Bubble Lab. Get the NASA treatment and experience zero gravity in the Astronaut Training Gyro. Nail it by lying on the death-defying Bed of Nails. WonderWorks is in Orlando, Pigeon Forge, Panama City Beach, Myrtle Beach, Syracuse, and Branson. For more information, visit WonderWorksDestiny.com, and follow @WonderWorksDestiny on Facebook, @WonderWorksDUSA on X (Twitter), @WonderWorks_dusa on Instagram, and @WonderWorksOfficial on TikTok.

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However, golf also comes with several considerable investments players should indulge in. If you have just started feeling the golf club and plan to enjoy this game for a long time, you might want to check out some of the incredible gadgets that would accompany you through this new sports journey.

Rangefinder

This device is an easy and effective way to locate distant objects on the comprehensive golf course. This portable gadget that you can effortlessly carry around the fairway is accurate and precise in its measurements.

Using this will cut off a significant amount of time and save your energy by looking through yardage books and additional math games. A rangefinder also utilizes laser technology to determine distances and magnifiers for clearer sight on far reaches.

Golf Simulator

This equipment is a very innovative and helpful way to experience golf. Anyone can easily set it up inside the house. You can conveniently play golf using simulators with your family and friends without thinking about the condition of the weather outside.

The better choice for a golf simulator is the one by SkyTrak. This device comes with many features such as performance metrics, thousands of golf courses, video support, and many other helpful tasks. It has a pro-feel to it as it accurately gives your swing speed, launch angle, ball speed, among others. Its simulation is also at high-definition graphics for more immersive virtual gaming.

GPS Watch

GPS tracking watches are easy and interactive tools that will help you navigate golf courses. Many GPS watches specifically made for golfers have thousands of golf courses preloaded in the device’s operating system. This way, the maps are stress-free and convenient to use. As a handy device, some also have features that can record scores, so you don’t need to memorize them.

Swing Trainer

Having a proper swing is vital as it makes a good hit and prevents any accidents that can affect you and other people. Swing trainers mainly help in the improvement of your swing performance. This trainer will improve your grip and wrist positions, making handling easier to enhance the hit itself. It can also develop a constant swing speed to learn your swing tempo.

Fitness Watch

A fitness watch is not inherently only for golf players, but this is a very helpful gadget to have while playing.

These wearables serve as your monitor to keep your health in check. It comes with important measurements such as blood pressure, pulse rate, and oxygen level. The wristband, however, should be strong enough for harsh environments.

Final Words

Golf was once a hobby for the rich, with all the fancy fairways established in many high-end places. However, one can now enjoy this sport and even make a career out of it by investing in one-time equipment. So if you’re dead serious about breaking through the golfing realm’s A-list, the above are some of the tools to consider greatly.

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The Viennese Opera Ball hosted their Swing Dinner Dance Gala, “The Golden Age” at a private club in Manhattan. Due to the events of the past year, the gala was scaled down from previous years with limited capacity but was a great return of the extravagant affair. The Viennese Opera Ball is a nonprofit association under Section 501(c)(3) and celebrated under the auspices of the US Austrian Chamber of Commerce. The Gala Chair for the evening was philanthropist Jean Shafiroff. Each year, it supports charitable projects that are connected to communities in New York or Vienna. The proceeds of the Swing Dinner Dance benefited the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research.

The Gala took place with the support of City of Vienna and the Honorary Gala Chair, Governor & Mayor of Vienna The Honorable Michael Ludwig, Consul General of Austria in New York The Honorable Helene Steinhaeusl, and the Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum New York Michael Haider.

Notable attendees included: President of the Viennese Opera Ball Silvia Frieser, event chair and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, Consul General of Austria in New York The Honorable Helene Steinhaeusl, Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum New York Michael Haider, Hubert Heiss, Yoko Nakamura-Haider, Martin Shafiroff, Malan Breton, Scott Stone, Ana Stone, Eve Brookville, Sabine Riglos, Victoria Whipple, Paula Mahoney, Nelli Hantman, Imke Gerdes, Barbara Wennerholm, David Hochberg, Pamela O’Connor, Michele Herbert, Emily Mohr, Cole Rumbough, Sessa Von Richthofen, Richard Johnson.

The black-tie event was a change up to their traditional Opera Ball with the swing dance party theme. The music for the evening was provided by the Misha Piatigorsky Trio, with Misha Piatigorsky on piano, Benny Benack III singing and playing trumpet, Sergei Avanesov on Saxophone, and Singer Kennedy.

There was a silent auction during gala with proceeds also benefiting Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research. While some items closed for the night so winners can take home their prize, others are still available to bid on until Monday, November 1, 2021. Visit vob2021.givesmart.com to make a bid and for more information.

For hi-res images, visit: https://bit.ly/3Fr0yYS
Photo credit Patrick McMullan; and Rob Rich Society Allure. See individual photos for credit

Full albums:
www.patrickmcmullan.com/events/61723da5a2ea4b34b4000001/

www.societyallure.com/Charity-Benefit/Manhattan/Viennese-Opera-Ball-Dinner-Dance-Gala-NYC/

About Viennese Opera Ball
The Viennese Opera Ball, an annual white-tie charity gala celebrates the cultural and economic relationships between Austria and America, connecting two continents, two cities and two centuries in one glamorous night. It was founded by Austrians immigrating to the United States 66 years ago and is a tribute to both their former hometown Vienna and their host city, New York.

Considered the most prestigious and oldest Viennese ball outside of Vienna, the gala draws an international audience that includes diplomats and dignitaries, international corporations, and professionals. Performances by Metropolitan opera singers, the Viennese Opera Ball orchestra, ballet performances, the West Point color guard, midnight Quadrille and many more surprises contribute to a glamorous and delightful night.

Each year, the Viennese Opera Ball supports charitable projects connected to the communities in New York and Vienna.

For more information, please visit: vienneseoperaball.com.
Facebook: @vienneseoperaball
Instagram: @vienneseoperaball
#vienneseoperaball #vobny

PRESS CONTACT (Viennese Opera Ball, Jean Shafiroff):
Norah Lawlor | Lawlor Media Group | www.lawlormediagroup.com
Norah@lawlormediagroup.com | Tel: (212) 967-6900

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In Honor of the Apollo’s 85th Anniversary

Wednesday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Featuring a Special Performance by Raheem DeVaughn

Harlem, NY, January 28, 2019 – Amateur Night at the Apollo returns on February 2o at 7:30 p.m. In honor of the Apollo’s 85th Anniversary, 850 tickets for Opening Night will be $8.50, made possible with support from sponsor Coca-Cola. The exciting program will feature a special performance by R&B artist Raheem DeVaughn.

Apollo Theater’s signature original, large-scale talent show and one of the longest-running continuous events in New York City is hosted by comedian Capone and features staples like C.P. Lacey in the role of the “Executioner” (in charge of ushering off “booed” contestants), Joe Gray the “Set It Off Man,” and the Apollo’s Amateur Night house band led by music director, Michael Mitchell.

Since introducing the first Amateur contests in 1934, Amateur Night has been the launching pad for some of the biggest artists in the world including Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and Ella Fitzgerald who won the very first year. Now, 85 years later Amateur Night continues to be a primary source for discovering and nurturing new talent and spotlighting up-and-coming artists including Sung Lee, NUMBERS, Christian Guardino, Machine Gun Kelly, Moses Harper, Matthew Whitaker, and Wé McDonald.

Apollo Theater Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes said, “Amateur Night was created with the idea that anyone could have a chance at stardom and the Apollo Theater has been a place for opportunity and growth for thousands of performers for 85 years.”

This season, contestants will once again “Be Good or Be Gone” to compete for the chance to win a grand prize of $20,000. Amateur Night has played a major role in the cultivation of artists and in the emergence of innovative musical genres including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Select performances including opening night will be live streamed via the Apollo Theater’s Facebook page, also sponsored by Coca-Cola, a sponsor of Amateur Night for more than 30 years.

Tickets and Information:

Tickets for the Amateur Night 2019 season opener on Feb. 20 begin at $8.50 and are available at the Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, https://www.ticketmaster.com/amateur-night-at-the-apollo-tickets/artist/839690. Tickets purchased online or over the phone are subject to additional fees. Amateur Night’s 2019 Season runs every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m., February 20, 2019 through November 27, 2019.

ABOUT RAHEEM DEVAUGHN

Three-time Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn, son of renowned jazz musician Abdul Wadud, grew up in Maryland and cut his teeth performing in clubs throughout the Washington, D.C. area. His debut album, The Love Experience (2005), reached No. 46 on the US Billboard 200 album chart. It featured the singles “Guess Who Loves You More” and “You”. His second album Love Behind the Melody (2008) featured the popular single “Woman”, which was nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 2008 Grammy Awards. His sixth studio album Decade of a Love King (2018) takes listeners to new heights and celebrate the sound that the last 10 years have brought him to, creatively and sonically.

ABOUT APOLLO THEATER

The legendary Apollo Theater—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends. Since its founding, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world.

With music at its core, the Apollo’s programming extends to dance, theater, spoken word, and more. This includes special programs such as the blockbuster concert Bruno Mars Live at the Apollo, the world premiere theatrical reading of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s National Book Award-winning Between the World and Me, 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella, the annual Africa Now! Festival, and the New York premiere of the opera We Shall Not Be Moved. The Apollo is a performing arts presenting organization that also produces festivals and large-scale dance and music works organized around a set of core initiatives that celebrate and extend the Apollo’s legacy through a contemporary lens; global festivals including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival and Breakin’ Convention; international and U.S.-based artist presentations focused on a specific theme; and Special Projects, multidisciplinary collaborations with partner organizations.

Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop; and the Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy. For more information visit https://www.apollotheater.org/.

Amateur Night at the Apollo is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company.

Get social! For exclusive photos, updates and more use the hashtags #AmateurNight

Follow the Apollo Theater:

Facebook.com/apollotheater

Twitter.com/apollotheater

YouTube.com/apollotheater

Instagram.com/apollotheater

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The Apollo Theater Education Program extends the Apollo’s commitment to enhancing the life of the community. The Education Program focuses on four distinct areas of learning and engagement: residencies, workshops and tours for schools; curriculum materials aligned to state and national learning standards and study guides derived from the Theater’s history; career development for teens and adults through the Apollo Theater Academy; and discussions and lectures for the public that highlight the history of the Apollo and its impact on American art, culture and entertainment. For more information on Apollo Theater Education, visit www.apollotheater.org/education/; follow on Twitter @ApolloEd or stay connected through Apollo Theater Education’s Facebook page.
About The Apollo Theater
The legendary Apollo Theater—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging talents and launching legends. Since its founding, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world. With music at its core, the Apollo’s programming extends to dance, theater, performance art, spoken word initiatives, and more.
This includes the October 2014 premiere and 2015 international tour of the dance celebration project – James Brown: Get on the Good Foot, the annual Africa Now! Festival, Apollo Club Harlem and the upcoming New York premiere of the opera Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD. The Apollo is a presenting organization that also produces festivals, large-scale dance and music works organized around a set of core initiatives: Apollo Music Signature Programs—Amateur Night, Salon Series, Apollo Music Café; Legacy Series – work that celebrates and extends the Apollo’s legacy through a contemporary lens; Global Festivals including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival and Breakin’ Convention, international and U.S.-based artist presentations focused on a specific theme; and Special Projects, multidisciplinary work with partner organizations.
Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms, and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at the Apollo are D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, Miri Ben Ari, D’Angelo, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, and Stevie Wonder; and the Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy.
The Apollo Theater is a not-for-profit organization and currently in the midst of fundraising for its 21st Century Apollo Campaign, created to extend the institution’s role in fostering artistic innovation and in building appreciation of American culture around the world. Visit www.apollotheater.org.
Leadership support for Apollo Education programs from Ronald O. Perelman Family Foundation. Additional support from the Mitsubishi UFJ Foundation, Coca-Cola Foundation, Con Edison, Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, General Motors Foundation, Insperity, The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, Pinkerton Foundation, the QBE Foundation and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
The Apollo’s 2015-2016 season is made possible by generous support from American Airlines, BNY Mellon, Citi, Coca-Cola, Troy and Keisha Dixon, EmblemHealth, Frederick Wildman, The Howard Gilman Foundation, Carla A. Harris, Robert K. Kraft, The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, The Parsons Family Foundation, the Ronald O. Perelman Family Foundation, JoAnn Price, Earl W. and Amanda Stafford, Time Warner Inc., the Reginald Van Lee New Works Fund, the Apollo Board of Directors and many other generous donors.
Lead annual support is also provided by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Stafford, Time Warner Inc., the Reginald Van Lee New Works Fund, the Apollo Board of Directors and many other generous donors.

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