Until last year, Thanksgiving week had traditionally been one of the busiest times of the year for live shows. Luckily, we’re in a much better spot this year, and there are a bunch of shows around the region in the coming days.
Please be sure to check with each show’s event page for various venue protocols, as well as potential postponement or cancellation information due to the weather. Stay safe, and enjoy as much live music as you can in the coming days!
Tale of Two Cities
Get your Thanksgiving holiday off to a stellar start with this double bill featuring Ithaca’s own Sim Redmond Band along with Rochester reggae-rockers The Medicinals. A longtime favorite of the Ithaca scene, SRB has been honing its blend of melodic Afro-folk-rock for nearly 20 years. Led by Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad’s Dylan Savage, the Medicinals also include members of RootsCollider, Mosaic Foundation, The Buddhahood, Personal Blend, Hybrid Beats, The Level 7 Experience, and the Able Bodies. SRB plays at 9:30 p.m.; the Medicinals at 11:30 p.m. Proof of vaccination is required
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Range
Cost: $15
Monday Jazz
The Monday Night Jazz series continues at South Hill Cider, with a quartet of some of Ithaca’s finest players – Doug Robinson, Brian Earle, Eric Aceto, and Harry Aceto – teaming up for an evening of jazz, blues, and more. Note: Masks will be required when you are not seated. Bring your proof of vaccine for indoor service. Dancing will be allowed with masks on.
When: 4-7 p.m. Monday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free
Blues for Tuesday
The Tuesday Bluesday Open Jam returns to the Dock, with Dan Paolangeli, Andy Lockwood, Lisa Bloom, and a host of other local musicians teaming up for a night of blues, rock, and more.
When: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: The Dock
Cost: free
Reelin’ in the Years
Steely Dan returns to Central New York on “The Absolutely Normal Tour,” with co-founder Donald Becker carrying on the band’s legacy after the 2017 passing of co-founder Walter Becker. Expect to hear many of the hits: “Dirty Work,” “My Old School,” “FM,” and more, along with deep cuts from the group’s vast discography and songs from the recent “Northeast Corridor Live,” the band’s first live album in 25 years.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Landmark Theatre, Syracuse
Cost: $55-$121, available online here.
Keeping It Country
CNY modern country favorites Chasing Neon will bring the party to downtown Cortland, on what is one of the busiest nights of the year.
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Brix Pubaria, Cortland
Cost: free
Happy Punksgiving
Three local punk favorites – Mill Bastards, Secret Service Men, and No Complyance – team up for a mosh-filled night on the Inlet.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Dock
Cost: small cover
Buffalo Shuffle
Buffalo-based southern-soul band Miller and the Other Sinners return to Ithaca. Led by guitarist-singer David Michael Miller, the band can be described as “imagining Chris Stapleton blended with ZZ Top and Tower of Power, the structure of solid songs and freedom for moving jams.” Their latest release is the EP titled “Rise.” Learn more here.
When: 10 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: small cover
Guitar Great
Guitar master Joe Bonamassa returns to his native upstate New York, emerging from his pandemic-induced touring hiatus to reclaim his crown as one of blues-rock’s hardest working performers. A native of Yorkville, just outside Utica, Bonamassa has scored 24 No. 1 albums on the Billboard blues charts – more than any other artist. His latest release is “Time Clocks.”
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Rochester Auditorium Theatre
Cost: $82 and up
More Events
Travis Knapp and Endres Kincaid play at the Press Bay November Holiday Market at 2-6 p.m. Tuesday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts its Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Tuesday
Two-Horse Johnson is at Grist Iron Brewing at 5 p.m. Wednesday
The Steve Brad Band is at Homer Hops at 6 p.m. Wednesday
Greg McQuade plays at Salt Point Brewing in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse back to the Ridge in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Billy Golicki returns to Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Wednesday