Some of Ithaca’s top bands are in action Thursday night around the Commons, while Cornell Music continues to present intriguing and innovative concerts on campus. Plus, showcase your talents at one of the several open-mic nights around the area this week!
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!
Combing It Down
Ithaca funk favorites the Comb Down will return to downtown Ithaca, bringing with them their incessant grooves and boundless energy. The band features some of Ithaca’s top talents – keyboardist Jon Petronzio, bassist Andrew Battles, trombonist TJ Schaper, guitarist Brian Mlodzinski, drummer Ashley Ickes, percussionist Bryan Davis, and trumpeter Jack Storer. They’ll be joined by a special guest for this show: Pato, a multi-instrumentalist who plays bass for Nahko and Medicine for the People.
When: 10:30 p.m. Thursday (and Friday!)
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: $10 in advance; tickets are available here. $15 at the door. Two-night tickets are available for $20!
Triple Threat
Catch three of Ithaca’s leading bands in one night, as Ithaca Underground will host an evening of three round-robin sets from Strong Maybe, BRIAN!, and Spazzare. Strong Maybe features Matt Saccuccimorano, Mark Wienand Karlsend, and Chad Lieberman playing what they describe as “mostly improvised psychotic cartoon music. BRIAN! features Bubba Crumrine, Brian Wilson, and David Resig unleashing bassoon-fueled avant-rock with challenging lyrics and propulsive rhythms. Spazzare includes John North, Jeff Asbrand, and Emma Underwood playing psychedelic heavy rock. Here’s the scoop: Set 1: Strong Maybe, BRIAN!, Spazzare (brief intermission); Set 2: Strong Maybe, BRIAN!, Spazzare (brief intermission); Set 3: Strong Maybe, Spazzare. All ages; masks and proof of vaccination required.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Community School of Music and Arts
Cost: $8, available online and at the door.
Monday Jazz
The Monday Night Jazz series continues at South Hill Cider, with a trio of some of Ithaca’s finest players – Dave Davies, Eric Aceto, and Harry Aceto – teaming up for an evening of jazz, blues, and more inside the bottle shop. 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
Transcribed Voices
Pianist Theodora Serbanescu-Martin will perform nineteenth-century transcriptions by composers such as Liszt, including Totentanz and Reminiscences de Norma, and Beethoven's Sonata Op. 101.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free
Note: Campus visitors and members of the public must adhere to Cornell’s public health requirements for events, which include wearing masks while indoors and providing proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test.
Holiday Sounds
Cornell Music’s Midday Music for Organ continues, with Annette Richards and friends performing music for Advent and Christmas.
When: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Anabel Taylor Chapel
Cost: free
Note: Campus visitors and members of the public must adhere to Cornell’s public health requirements for events, which include wearing masks while indoors and providing proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test.
Blooming Talent
Ithaca-based singer-songwriter Sandra Esparza will showcase tunes from her recently released solo album “Seasons of You & How to Say Goodbye,” an intimate, self-produced collection of deeply personal songs featuring just her voice and acoustic guitar. Find out more about Esparza here.
When: 4 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Salt Point Brewing, Lansing
Cost: free
Songs to Share
Dan Forsyth of Driftwood will host Singer/Songwriter Night, a new series taking place every first Thursday of the month at Hopshire: “This is an opportunity for songwriters to share their craft with each other. Bring a song you are working on, it doesn’t have to be complete, to get input from your peers. All are welcome to come listen respectfully.”
When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Hopshire Farm and Brewing, Dryden
Cost: free
Byrne, Baby, Byrne
Cornell Cinema will screen "American Utopia," Spike Lee’s groundbreaking filmed version of the former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne's brilliant, timely Broadway musical sensation that ran from October 2019 to February 2020 (and reopened on Broadway in September ’21).
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday & 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Willard Straight Theatre, Cornell University
Cost: $5.50-$9.50, available online here.
Exploring Influences
Organist Nathan Mondry will present a different look at the French and Italian influences on German Baroque music; works by Bach, Buxtehude, and Mondry, including the world premiere of a Livre d’Orgue.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Anabel Taylor Chapel
Cost: free
Note: Campus visitors and members of the public must adhere to Cornell’s public health requirements for events, which include wearing masks while indoors and providing proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test.
More Events
Jeremy Bussman hosts Open Mic Night at the Dock at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts its Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Tuesday
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to Salt Point Brewing in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Jeremy Bussman hosts Open Mic Night at the Upstairs at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Virgil Cain is at the Ithaca Ale House at 8 p.m. Thursday