A master blues guitarist returns to Central New York, downtown Ithaca plays host to some cool shows, and a lot of area bands are in action around the region in the coming week.
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!
Blues Blaster
Albert Cummings returns to Central New York, ready to showcase the powerhouse guitar and vocal skills that have earned him comparisons to Albert King, Freddie King, Jimi Hendrix and even his own musical inspiration, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Cummings’ latest album, “Believe,” was released by Provogue Records, also home to Walter Trout and Eric Gales. Learn more about him here. He’ll be joined by bassist Scot Sutherland and drummer Warren Grant for the show.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $25, available in advance here.
Night of Ecstasy
Cozmic Theo will present an evening of family-friendly, alcohol-free entertainment, featuring a live electronic set by Hollings followed by a Cacao Ceremony and two-plus of non-stop dance music by Groove-Trek before winding down with a Sound Healing and Guided Meditation by Ashera Lavu. “Our events are Choose Your Own Adventure FYI, which means we will not be enforcing mandates on attendees.”
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Friday
Where: Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Road
Cost: $20 in advance $30 at the door; venmo@cozmictheo
‘Tunes in the Immune Cocoon’
Papa Muse will perform its first show of 2022, ready to showcase its cross of danceable world rhythms and indie rock fueled by horns and percussion. Find out more about the band here. Ryla, the Ithaca-based neo-psychedelic indie duo of Tyler Marlette and Ryan Newton that blends elements of hiphop, funk, and reggae, will open the show. The Range requires proof of vaccination and valid ID (21+ only) to enter; masks are required.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: $10 sliding scale
Trio Scampi
Long Island-based funk trio Baked Shrimp returns to Ithaca – the band is marking its five-year anniversary as well as the recent release of its third studio album, “Pork Etiquette.” The band – guitarist Jared Cowen, drummer Jager Soss, and bassist Scott Reill – was voted as a finalist in NYSMusic's March Madness up-and-coming bands competition last year. Learn more about them here.
When: 10 p.m. Friday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: cover charge
World Music
SOUK will perform "Alf Leila wi Leila", a famous Egyptian song composed for the great Um Kalthoum in 1969 by Baligh Hamdi, with poetry by Mursi Jamal Aziz. The title translates to "One Thousand Nights and a Night,” and speaks of love and longing. SOUK will be joined by Mark Karlsen on saxophone as well as student and faculty members of the Cornell Arabic Music Club, including Syrian qanoun player Majd Aldaye, vocalist Dana Slayton, and percussionist Grez Ezra. SOUK will be rounding out the set with a number of other pieces from their repertoire of Arabic and Turkish music, as well as some original compositions by Dara Anissi. Masks are required for all attendees at this event; seating is limited.
When: 7-9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Trumansburg Conservatory of the Arts
Cost: $12 in advance, available here; $15 at the door.
Dead Ahead
Gratefully Yours returns to downtown Ithaca. The band features an all-star lineup of Grateful Dead-inspired musicians performing your dream Grateful Dead setlists. They’ll be celebrating the birthday of Alex Mazur, the band’s keyboardist and vocalist. Learn more about the band here.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: cover charge
More shows
Benny Bleu 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
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to The Ridge in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Aiken is at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
Levi and the Wranglers are at Homer Hops at 6 p.m. Friday
The Inner Crazy is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Off the Rails is at Hopshire Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
The Rollin’ Rust is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Tru Bleu returns to Treleaven Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Sandra Esparza returns to Chateau Dusseau at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Phish tribute band Character Zero is at Salt Point Brewing at 4-7 p.m. Saturday
Rocco Rich and Aaron Craig are at Homer Hops at 6 p.m. Saturday
The Rollin’ Rust is at Summerhill Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Gerard Burke is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to Homer Hops at 1 p.m. Sunday
Sam-I-Am returns to Chateau Dusseau at 3-6 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, Feb. 2
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
