The Machine once again brings its acclaimed Pink Floyd show to the State Theatre on Friday night, followed by the Ithaca debut of the Psychedelic Furs on Sunday. Plus, many of Ithaca’s top DJs will man the boards this weekend, and some of CNY’s top talents will showcase their cabaret chops in Homer!
Please be sure to check with each show’s event page for various venue protocols, as well as potential postponement or cancellation information. Stay safe, and enjoy as much live music as you can in the coming days!
And don’t forget – there’s still time to enter the 2022 NPR Tiny Desk Contest! It's open to area musicians of any style — you'll just have to upload a video of you or your band performing one original song. The contest is open through March 14. Find out all the details here.
Welcome to the Machine
The Machine, one of the leading Pink Floyd tribute bands for more than 30 years, returns to Ithaca to showcase material from across the vast, diverse Floyd repertoire. Though founding member and guitarist Joe Pascarell recently passed away, the band is carrying on with fellow founder and drummer Tahrah Cohen, who’s joined by keyboardist Scott Chasolen, bassist Ryan Ball and guitarist Adam Minkoff. Find out more here.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $25-$35, available online here.
See the State Theatre's latest covid policies here.
String Things
With Richie Stearns headed south for the Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival, Steve Selin, Rosie Newton, and Paul Martin of Rose and the Bros will perform at tonight’s string-music gathering. Expect lots of classic Cajun, country, and old-time tunes along with some originals from the band’s debut and forthcoming albums.
When: 4-7 p.m. Thursday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
Electric Avenue
The Electrozone and the Downstairs continue their new weekly series, “EZ Nights,” which they call “a vibrant and eclectic showcase of artists and entertainers.” This week’s artist is Black, MA (pronounced Black Massachusetts), the DJ moniker of Lexi C.M.K Turner of avant-garde, psychedelic, noise outfits Prayer Rope, And the Maiden, Avoidance, Homocidal, Tears of Morning. “Black, MA's output is largely focused around dark techno between 128 and 135 bpm but also regularly mixes noise, drone, field recordings, library music, giallo soundtracks and obscure hauntological soundscapes.”
When: 7-9 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Downstairs (below the Watershed)
Cost: small cover charge
Welcome Return
After a long hiatus, the Vinyl Showcase returns to Atlas Bowl in Trumansburg, offering a weekly showcase for DJs, collectors, and enthusiasts.
When: 7-10 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Atlas Bowl
Cost: free
Sonic Explorer
Cornell Music will host composer Katherine Balch, who will present her work at Composers’ Forum. Balch’s work has been commissioned and performed by leading ensembles in the United States and abroad. Called “some kind of musical Thomas Edison – you can just hear her tinkering around in her workshop, putting together new sounds and textural ideas” (San Francisco Chronicle), Balch is a composer interested in found sounds, playfulness, intimate spaces, and natural processes. A recipient of the 2020/21 Rome Prize, her music has been presented by leading ensembles and festivals including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Tokyo Symphony, IRCAM ManiFeste, and Tanglewood. Learn more about her here.
When: 1:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Lincoln Hall 316, Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all
Subterranean Dance
The Downstairs continues its new Friday night series for March: The Magenta Lounge, which features local DJs Proper Philth and ha-MEEN trading tracks on their turntables to create a unique experience with a laid-back vibe.
When: 7-11 p.m. Friday
Where: The Downstairs (below the Watershed)
Cost: $5
It’s Johnny Dowd Time
Local icon Johnny Dowd returns for his first performance in Ithaca’s newest venue. Dowd recently released his latest album, “Homemade Pie,” and continues to put out new content on his bandcamp page. He’ll be joined by Mike Edmondson and Jif Efmondson for the show. Find out more here.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday POSTPONED TO APRIL 1!
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: small cover
Mahler and More
Join the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra for a “Celebration of Song” as it is joined by soprano Lucy Fitz Gibbon and guest conductor Kirk Trevor. “Songs come in many forms, and this powerful program features three very different styles”: Augusta Read Thomas’s “Prayer and Celebration”; Canteloube’s “Chants D’Auvergne (Series 5),” folk songs from France’s rural Auvergne region; and Mahler’s “Symphony No. 4” (Chamber Version).
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; pre-concert talk with Kirk Trevor at 6:45 p.m.
Where: Ford Hall, Ithaca College
Cost: $30 for adults, $10 for students
Life is a Cabaret
Check out the “Feelin' Groovy Cabaret,” hosted by the Center for the Arts. Join a long list of talented theater performers from throughout Central New York as they explore Broadway Hits of the 60’s and 70’s in a cabaret-style event.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $10 suggested donation at the door.
Celtic Fire
The Town Pants, the Vancouver-based Celtic band that has made the Finger Lakes region its second home over the past two decades, will return to the area just in time to kick off St. Patrick’s week. Known for their raucous “West Coast Celtic” blend of traditional and contemporary influences, the group may be in its last year of touring, so don’t miss this chance to see them! Read an interview with the band here, and find out more about the group here.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Smith Opera House, 82 Seneca St., Geneva Cost: $20, available online here.
Third Time Out
The third installment of a new residency at The Upstairs will feature Beatscene Hub’s extended family of producers and DJs “showcasing the finest electronic and dance music in The Finger Lakes. Featuring all original sets and the region’s most forward-thinking selectors. Join us for high-energy dance music and deep grooves.” On board for this session are Peter Fonda, Proper Philth , VJ Girl_Debord, and hosts Big Sister and Sine Caster.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday Where: The Upstairs
Cost: $5
Expecting Rain
The Psychedelic Furs will make their Ithaca debut, finally hitting the road to promote their 2020 album “Made of Rain” – the band’s first release in 29 years. Still led by brothers Richard and Tim Butler, the group will perform new songs, deep cuts, and hits such as “Love My Way,” “Pretty in Pink,” and “Heartbreak Beat.” Royston Langdon, former frontman of Brit-rock band Spacehog, will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $25-$45, available online here.
German Classics
Cornell Music’s Midday Music for Organ series continues; this week’s program features the chamber organ in Barnes Hall, which is based on models from central Germany around 1700. Doctoral student Nathan Mondry will offer a selection of pieces by three of the most celebrated German organist-composers from that time, including Dietrich Buxtehude, Johann Pachelbel, and Johann Kuhnau, J. S. Bach’s predecessor at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig.
When: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all
More Events
Tommy Tornado is at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse back to Crossroads Bar and Lounge in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Jeremy Bussman hosts the weekly Open Mic Night at the Upstairs at 7-10 p.m. Thursday
Austin MacRae and Casey Widger, joined by guitarist John Sonntag, are at Hopshire Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Marc Ryan and Monica are at Hairy Tony’s in downtown Cortland at 8 p.m. Friday
Sam Swanson will be at Homer Hops at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Jonny Peris and the Formula are at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Andrew Alling is at Original’s Bar and Lounge in Owego at 7 p.m. Friday
Aiken is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Metasequoia’s Roo Earthling returns to Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge at 8 p.m. Friday
DJ Anthony is at the Upstairs at 10 p.m. Friday
DJ Double Tiger is at the Range at 10 p.m Friday
Up Jumps Trouble is at Stone Bend Farm at 4-7 p.m. Saturday
Dana Twigg is at Summerhill Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Doug Houck of Six String Shotgun is at Homer Hops at 6 p.m. Saturday
Harry Nichols (Noon Fifteen, Whiskey Crisis) is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
The Longwood Jazz Project is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
Dubber Rucky is at Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge at 9 p.m. Saturday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse back to Homer Hops at 1 p.m. Sunday
Endres & The Manurevers with special guest Mopes will return to Brookton’s Market at 1-5 p.m. Sunday
The Gilmuir Girls are at Solera Tap House at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Tuesday
Rachel Beverly is at Salt Point Brewing at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
