Quail finally releases their debut album, the Beatscene Hub residency kicks off at the Upstairs, and the Silent Disco continues this weekend on the Commons. Plus, Opera Ithaca premieres its latest work!
Unfortunately, the Center for the Arts in Homer has canceled or postponed the rest of its shows for the month due to covid considerations. And the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra also has canceled its "Home for the Holidays" concert scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Please be sure to check with each venue for its covid protocols, as well as potential postponement or cancellations. Stay safe, and enjoy as much live music as you can in the coming days!
Ready to Fly
After two long years, Quail’s debut album "Waste My Time" is ready for release. Founded at Ithaca College four years ago, the band blends funk, rock, soul, and more into a distinctive sound that has earned them fans of all ages around the region. Learn more about the band here. Library of Egress, another Ithaca band, will open the show. Proof of vaccination is required for admission.
When: 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5
Disco Fever
Downtown Ithaca’s Winter Lights Festival returns, with a variety of activities planned for the Commons this weekend. That includes the legendary Silent Disco, which allows participants to dial in one of three local DJs on their wireless headsets to dance the night away. Friday’s tunes will be provided by DJDray, DJ GOURD, and DJ Jona, while Saturday’s spinners include DJ Devan, DJ Double A, and DJ Dale. Update: Saturday's Silent Disco is canceled due to rain forecast.
When: 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Bernie Milton Pavilion, The Commons
Cost: free
Prime Premiere
Join Opera Ithaca for the world premiere of its original film production of “Hansel and Gretel” at Cinemapolis. This opening night celebration will include live music and a reception with holiday treats. This adaptation of the Humperdinck classic sets the action in a dream world where a celebrity pastry chef captures two children who get lost in the woods and features them on her zany cooking show as the guest stars... and main ingredients. See the trailer here.
When: 7-9 p.m. Friday
Where: Cinemapolis
Cost: $35; for tickets and more information, visit www.operaithaca.org
Note: There will be subsequent screenings at Cinemapolis at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. After the cinematic release, “Hansel and Gretel” will be able to be streamed on demand from home.
Keyboard Celebration
The Cornell Department of Music and Cornell Center for Historical Keyboards will present an end-of-year gala celebration. Xak Bjerken, Roger Moseley, Malcolm Bilson, and Mike Lee will share the Barnes Hall stage alongside guest artist Martha Guth and students on multiple instruments from the center’s collection. This keyboard extravaganza will highlight the Center’s world-class collection of historical instruments as vehicles for the exploration of repertoires, performance traditions, and sound worlds. More details about the instruments and the Center are available at historicalkeyboards.org.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
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.
Franken Speaking
Al Franken brings his “The Only Former U.S. Senator Currently on Tour Tour” to Ithaca. The former senator from Minnesota is a five-time Emmy winner for his work on Saturday Night Live, the author of four New York Times best sellers, and currently the host of “The Al Franken Podcast,” one of the nation’s top-ten politics and public affairs podcasts.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: State Theatre
Cost: $39.50-$100
Stranger Than Fiction
Ithaca College-based saxophonist Alice DeRagon's quartet is a modern jazz combo with R&B influences that will be performing tunes from their latest release "Computer Science Fiction."
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge
Cost: small cover
Brotherly Love
Billy Prine and the Prine Time Band will present “The Songs of John Prine,” in tribute to his late brother. “During this concert celebrating John’s life in song, Billy will tell stories about or surrounding some of John’s most beloved songs before leading his band through his version of John’s timeless masterpieces.”
When: 8 p.m. Friday postponed to Feb. 18, 2022!
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $35
They’ve Got The Beat
The first installment of the new Beatscene Hub residency kicks off, hosted by Big Sister and Sine Caster. “Beatscene Hub is a 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.”
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: small cover
Three of a Kind
Jennie Lowe, Venissa Santi, and Michael Stark will join forces to showcase their original songs separately and together. Their collective influences range from Cuban and jazz to folk and rock, but when they work together, they create something else entirely distinctive and memorable.
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Stone Bend Farm
Cost: free; donations welcome
Four Score
The bimonthly invitational songwriters return, featuring Ithacans John North (Spazzare), JP Payton (Freight, the 86ers), Loveday, and host Andrew Alling performing their original compositions in the round.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge
Cost: free; donations welcome
Ready to Dance
NEO Project returns to the stage, showcasing its deep repertoire. New vocalist Elly Holiday joins longtime members Jimbo Scott, Franklin Henry Jr., John White, Dwight Carroll, and Mike McCoy for a night of classic funk, R&B, Motown, and much more.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Dock
Cost: $5
Raising the House
Deep Audio Groove presents “Electronic Soul,” a techno and house event featuring DJs Rob Haze, Priest, Ro3, and Freeze, with “intelligent lighting” by Journeyman Productions. “P.L.U.R. – Peace, Love , Unity , and Respect – in full effect.” Facemasks encouraged, temperatures taken at the door, proof of vaccination not needed.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: 536 W. Green St.
Cost: $10; $5 for college students with ID
Christmas Classic
The State Theatre’s M&T Bank Classic Movie Series will present a free screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the iconic holiday film starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed in which an angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. Proof of vaccination required to attend; masks be worn unless drinking or eating.
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: The State Theatre
Cost: free
Blues and Beyond
Powerhouse blues vocalist Shemekia Copeland returns to Central New York to promote her latest album, “Uncivil War,” which was produced by Will Kimbrough and includes guests like Jason Isbell, Steve Cropper, Christone”Kingfish” Ingram, Webb Wilder, and others. The new album tackles the problems of contemporary American life, and like its predecessor, “America’s Child,” it adds dashes of country, rock, and soul to Copeland’s deep blues roots. Learn more here.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday postponed to Feb. 6, 2022!
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $28
More Shows
The Immortal Jellyfish are at Hopshire Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Tink Bennett and Derek Gasque of Tailor Made are at Homer Hops at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Tribal Revival is at BRU64 in downtown Cortland at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Sam Swanson is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Exit 11 is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Country Justice rolls into The Dock in Ithaca with its “rockin’ modern country party machine” at 8 p.m. Friday
Tom Chick is at Treleaven Wines at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Josh Ross of Kitestring goes solo at Summerhill Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Tru Bleu is Brewer’s Café and Tap Room at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Steve MacLean is at Homer Hops at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
13 Curves are at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
Bad Alibi is at the Elmira Heights America Legion at 8 p.m. Saturday
Steve Romer and Bradford Allen are at Drifters on Owasco at 2 -5 p.m. Sunday
DJ Gourd is at Brookton’s Market at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
