Shemekia Copeland and Sophistafunk will perform makeup concerts this weekend in Cortland County, while downtown Ithaca features a couple of cool events showcasing Americana and EDM acts.
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!
Also, it's almost time for 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 from Feb. 8 through March 14. Find out all the details here.
February Funk
The Cortland Main Street Music Series at Rose Hall concludes with its fourth and final show, postponed from its original date in December. This round features Syracuse hiphop/funk/rock trio Sophistafunk, who will be performing in the large upstairs concert space. They’ll be joined by regional acts Gary Carpentier and People People, who will perform in the intimate first-floor lounge.
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Rose Hall, 19 Church St., Cortland
Cost: free, donations are welcome to support the series.
Trio Grande
Three area roots-rock bands will join forces in downtown Ithaca for Americana Night at the Range. On the bill are Freight, led by singer-songwriters JP Payton, Liam Lawson, and Colleen Countryman; Mortal Combine, the long-running Caywood-based band fronted by Michael Callahan; and The Dart Brothers, who released their latest album in 2020.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5
Beat Collision
Rochester-based EDM rock band Roots Collider returns to Ithaca to showcase its propulsive style that blends live riffing with electronic beats and samples. “Think of if Rage Against the Machine & The Beastie Boys went to an illicit warehouse rave and collaborated with all of the DJ's from EDM's golden era of the 1990s.” Local DJ Proper Philth will round out the night with a DNB set.
When: 10 p.m. Friday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: $5
Honk & Stonk
Upstate quartet Honker will bring its high-energy blend of funk, rock, and jam influences to Ithaca, showcasing its original tunes and covers from Frank Zappa, Talking Heads, and others. The band includes Nate Calzetoni (guitar), Jeff Howard (drums), Jim Lomonaco (bass), and Mike Paffie (keys); their latest album is “Street Lights.” Find out more here.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: small cover charge
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. Find out more here.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday (postponed from Dec. 2021)
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $28; tickets available online here.
Local Civilian
The Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts will host a livestream event showcasing local singer-songwriter Lou DiPietro, aka Louiston. He’ll be playing songs from his new record, "Civilian," and raising funds to support TCFA. With influences ranging from 90s-era “alternative” to the golden, vintage sounds of classic country, Louiston mixes them all up into something fresh and uniquely his own – up-tempo, acoustic folk n’ roll, sometimes tender, sometimes caustic, but always human. Learn more about him here.
When: 7-8:15 p.m. Tuesday
Where: online, streaming here.
Cost: free, but donations will welcome via an online link during the performance
More shows
Aiken is at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to Crossroads Bar and Grille in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Isaac French is at Homer Hops at 6 p.m. Friday
Frank Raponi and Friends are at Hopshire Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Sam Swanson is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Steve Daniels and Friends are at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Rob Ervin is at Treleaven Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Brian Francis is at Chateau Dusseau at 3 p.m. Saturday
Josh Ross and Phil Shay of Kitestring are at Brewer’s Café and Taproom at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Jeremy and Evan are at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Clint Bush at Homer Hops at 6 p.m. Saturday
Amber Martin is at Summerhill Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
The Longwood Jazz Project is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Tuesday
Sandra Esparza 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
