More than 40 business and cultural organizations to offer special promotions

The Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY has teamed up with the Syracuse International Film Festival, Syracuse University, SUNY Upstate Medical University, National Grid, MetroMail Advertising and local cultural organizations and businesses along the Connective Corridor for the first ever Baldwin Corridor Cultural Crawl, April 25 and 26. Planned in conjunction with the opening weekend of the Syracuse International Film Festival and the cultural venues of Th3: A City-Wide Art Open, this two-day event will celebrate the cultural richness and business diversity Syracuse has to offer.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund.

More than 40 business and cultural organizations inside and on the perimeters of the Connective Corridor will offer free samples, discounts, giveaways and other activities throughout the two-day event. Event-goers will purchase passports that will be sold at the Landmark Theatre, Erie Canal Museum, Syracuse University’s Schine Center Box Office, the Syracuse International Film Festival office at the Hotel Syracuse, Syracuse Stage and the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST). The passports will offer unique access to an array of cultural, dining and shopping opportunities. Patrons who have their passports stamped at five participating venues or business locations during the event can turn in their passport at the Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison St., during museum hours through 5 p.m. on May 6 to be eligible for a drawing held on or before May 10. The grand prize is currently worth more than $2,300.

“Each year, the Syracuse International Film Festival attracts thousands of visitors into Syracuse to experience world-class cinema and culture. The Connective Corridor and the arts organizations of Th3 are making arts and culture a year-round celebration in the heart of Central New York,” says Elizabeth Baldwin, director of the Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund. “We felt it made sense to team up with these successful initiatives. The event will allow cultural venues to showcase their artistic energy and bring awareness to the city’s cultural diversity and history, while raising money for breast cancer research.”

The Connective Corridor is a community-wide effort to link the vast array of arts and cultural happenings, businesses and neighborhoods in the City of Syracuse. The Corridor includes the areas of downtown Syracuse and the University Hill, home to three major universities and more than 20 arts and cultural venues within one mile of each other.

“As Central New York’s energy utility, National Grid is proud to support one current powerhouse of community spirit, the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund, and a powerhouse-in-the-making, the Connective Corridor,” says Susan M. Crossett, National Grid vice president of energy solutions services for Upstate New York. “We look forward to the success of the Cultural Crawl in linking these two extremely worthy initiatives.”

“Collaborations like the Corridor strengthen relationships among local cultural institutions, businesses and community members, expanding opportunities for artists, students, residents and visitors to Syracuse,” says SU Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor. “We are pleased to be a partner in this effort to not only bring awareness to the businesses and venues along the Connective Corridor, but raise money for breast cancer research.”

Wanda M. Thompson, associate senior vice president of operations at SUNY Upstate Medical University agrees. “We’re pleased to be a supporter of the Baldwin Cultural Crawl,” she says. “It promises to be not only an interesting event but an enlightening and educational one as well.”

The Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund Inc., established in 1996, provides grants to researchers. These grants are made possible through the events hosted by individuals and local merchants, corporate sponsorships of events hosted by the Carol M. Baldwin Research Fund and through individual donations.

For more information go to http://www.syrfilm.com or call the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY Inc. at 672-5288.