A lot of familiar faces return to the area in the coming week: Get The Led Out and Lindsey Buckingham are back at the State Theatre of Ithaca; Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad comes to the Range; and George Winston, John Jorgenson, and Hot Tuna return to the Center for the Arts in Homer. Plus, Metasequoia releases its new album!
Please be sure to check 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!
String Thing
Richie Stearns and Friends return to South Hill Cider for a night of old-time tunes. Richie, best known for his work with the Horse Flies, Richie & Rosie, and the Evil City String Band, will be joined by a special guest or two (or more) for this week’s event. Update: Willie Watson will preview his upcoming national touring lineup!
When: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
Improvisation Sensations
Neighbors Gallery will present a concert featuring three of improvised music's legendary figures: Nate Wooley (trumpet), Ken Vandermark (reeds), and Laul Pytton (drums/percussion), with an opening set by Ithaca musicians Sarah Hennies (vibraphone) and Keir Neuringer (saxophone). This event is BYOB, though some beer and wine may be available while supplies last. All ages; masks required.
When: 8-10 p.m. Thursday
Where: Neighbors Gallery, 526 Elm St., Ithaca
Cost: $7 suggested donation
Rock ‘n’ Roll
Get the Led Out returns to Ithaca, offering one of the country’s top Led Zeppelin tribute shows. Drawing from classic tracks and deep album cuts, GTLO uses its six (and sometimes more)-person lineup to re-create the studio sound that Led Zep itself never achieved on tour. “No wigs or fake English accents, GTLO brings what the audience wants…a high energy Zeppelin concert with an honest, heart-thumping intensity.” Find out more here.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: State Theatre
Cost: $25-$45; advance tickets are available online here
Dynamic Duo
Local singer-songwriter Tenzin Chopak (Rockwood Ferry, Swamp Kids) returns for an intimate duo show with pianist Emmett Scott.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10; advance tickets are available here
Downtown Dub
Rochester’s Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad returns to downtown Ithaca on its “Keep It Nice” tour, bringing its powerful blend of reggae, dub, rock and roots influences. DUBBEST, the Boston reggae-rockers that just released a new album titled “Don’t Leave Me Out,” will open the show. Proof of vax required When: 9 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Range
Cost: $15, available online here
Blues Blaster
The Gabe Stillman Band returns to Central New York. Based in Williamsport, Pa., the trio draws from the blues as well as other branches of Americana. Stillman’s first two albums, “The Grind” and “Flyin’ High,” the latter on which he’s backed by the Nighthawks, have been followed by his latest album, “Just Say the Word,” which features the Texas Horns and guest appearances by Anson Funderburgh (who produced the album), Sue Foley, and Greg Izor. Find out more here.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Garrett’s Brewing Company, Trumansburg
Cost: small cover
Eclectic Organ
Organist James Kealey will present a recital featuring an eclectic program including Bossi, Laurin, and Whitlock, as well as a couple of less frequently-heard French Romantic works and Vierne's first symphony finale to conclude. This recital will be live-streamed on the Music at St. Luke Ithaca Youtube page.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: St. Luke Lutheran Church, 109 Oak Ave., Collegetown, Ithaca
Cost: free and open to all
Percussion Power
The Cornell Concert Series presents The Percussion Collective, an ensemble of young artists assembled by legendary performer and pedagogue Robert van Sice. Using marimbas, vibraphones, and an assortment of drums and other struck instruments, The Percussion Collective will perform Emmy Award-winning composer Garth Neustadter’s “Seaborne,” a musical and visual work at the nexus of the percussive art soundscape. Neustadter’s mastery of cinematic composition and Kjell van Sice’s poetic aquatic images produce a powerful collaboration, paving the way for Steve Reich’s iconic “Sextet” to end the program.
When: 8 p.m. Friday Where: Bailey Hall
Tickets: $19-39, available here
Road Warrior
A frequent visitor to Central New York, George Winston returns to once again showcase his talent on piano, guitar, and harmonica. He’s best known for his solo acoustic piano albums, including the season favorites “Autumn” and “December” and his latest, 2019’s “Restless Wind”; he’s already released two singles from his forthcoming record, “Night.” Learn more here.
When: 8 p.m. Friday Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $17.50-$35, available here
Riding with the ‘King’
Florida-based guitarist Reggie “King” Sears makes his Ithaca debut, ready to showcase the talents that have earned him plaudits from many of his peers. Roland Orzabal of Tears For Fears called Sears a “great talent”; Quinn Sullivan said “Reggie Sears is a great player who is absolutely killing it right now”; Christone “Kingfish” Ingram called Sears “amazing”; Son Little called him “Maybe the best and most soulful guitar player in the world.” A former child prodigy, Sears is touring to promote his fifth album. Learn more here.
When: 10 p.m. Friday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: small cover
Record Store Day returns
Vinyl lovers rejoice: it’s time for Record Store Day 2022! Once again, Angry Mom Records will open its doors early so customers can check out this year’s trove of limited-edition releases. (See the full list here.) “We will be back in the basement as we used to do pre-Covid and will be opening at 10 a.m. No holds, no multiple purchases of the same title, first come first serve, and line up on the Commons as early as you would like.”
When: 10 a.m. to close Saturday
Where: Angry Mom Records, downtown Ithaca
Cost: free
Oboe Solo
Cornell’s Timothy Eng will present a senior honors project, conducting and performing as oboe soloist with an orchestra. Works on the program include Marcello’s “Oboe Concerto,” Wagner’s “Siegfried Idyll,” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 8.”
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell
Cost: free
Be My Guest
The Cornell Jazz Ensemble, directed by Paul Merrill, welcomes guest vocalist and tenor saxophonist Camille Thurman for a concert. As a composer, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and unique interpreter of the jazz tradition, Thurman has shared stages with luminaries including George Coleman, Dianne Reeves, Kenny Barron, Jack DeJohnette, Jon Batiste, Patti LaBelle, Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, and many more. Thurman toured internationally for two seasons as a saxophonist with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, becoming the first woman in 30 years to tour and perform full time with the group (2018-2020). Thurman also tours with and leads her band, The Camille Thurman Quartet, and she is a featured artist with the Darrell Green Trio, with whom she has performed at the Kennedy Center, Alice Tully Hall, and numerous other respected international jazz festivals and venues. The program at Cornell will include works by Toshiko Akiyoshi, Maria Schneider, Lester Young, Florence Price, and Horace Silver, along with arrangements by John Clayton, Joe Henderson, Billy May, Rob McConnell, and Merrill.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bailey Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all
Cartoon Hallucinations
Strong Maybe continues its April residency in downtown Ithaca, performing on Saturday nights for the entire month. The Ithaca-based band includes Matthew Saccuccimorano (drums), Mark Wienand Karlsen (saxes and flute) and Chad Lieberman (keyboards), who have created a sound they describe as “mostly improvised psychotic cartoon animal dream soundtrack music.” Their latest release is “Rona,” created via file sharing during the lockdown. Hear for yourself here!
When: 8-11 p.m. Saturdays in April
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $5
Bluegrass and Beyond
The John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band will return to upstate New York, showcasing its impeccable musicianship, incomparable songwriting, and tight harmony vocals. The band includes John Jorgenson on acoustic guitar, mandolin, and vocals; Herb Pedersen on banjo, acoustic guitar, and vocals; Mark Fain on bass; and Patrick Sauber on acoustic guitar and vocals. Known for his work with the Desert Rose Band, Elton John, the Hellecasters, and his own hot jazz quintet, Jorgenson has long been one of the most in-demand musicians in Nashville and southern California, while Pedersen was a member of the Dillards, Old and in the Way, and the Desert Rose Band. Fain toured and recorded as bass player for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for 13 years, while Sauber toured with Peter Rowan and Laurie Lewis. J2B2’s debut album, “From The Crow’s Nest,” was recorded in Sheryl Crow’s home barn studio in Nashville, and was recently released as part of a John Jorgenson limited edition, 3-CD box set called “Divertuoso .”
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $25
Ready for Release
Local band Metasequoia will host a release show for its latest album, “In The Redwoods.” The quartet will perform the album in its entirety “with a couple of surprises along the way!” Feed The Fire, another Ithaca band, will open the show.
When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: small cover
Hear a Symphony
The Cornell Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michelle Di Russo, performs a concert including Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5,” Chausson’s “Poème, Op. 25” with Cornell Concerto Competition winner violinist Nanor Seraydarian, and a world premiere by composer Daniel Sabzghabaei.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday Where: Bailey Hall
Cost: free and open to all
Triple Threat
Three of the region’s top vocalists will join forces in “CNY Songbirds - The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.” Donna Colton, Maureen Sheridan Henesey, and Joanna Nix Jewett will re-create the intricate harmonies and songs that the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are so well known for under the guise of "Ruby Throated Sparrow."
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $25-$30, available online here
Going His Own Way
Lindsey Buckingham returns to Ithaca for the first time since 2012, touring to promote his new self-titled solo album – his first solo release since 2011’s “Seeds We Sow.” While he’s best known for his work with Fleetwood Mac since the 1970s – writing hits such as “Go Your Own Way” and “Big Love” – his solo work has been equally compelling, as demonstrated on his 2019 release “Solo Anthology: The Best of Lindsey Buckingham.” On the new record, he plays all the instruments himself, once again demonstrating he’s one of the most inventive and unique guitarists of the past 50 years. On this tour, he'll be joined by guitarist Neale Heywood, keyboardist Michael Kianka, and drummer Michael Urbano. Find out more here.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: from $49.50, available online here
Jazz and Beyond
Dave Davies' RhythmMakers kick off their 2022 residency at South Hill Cider, performing classic jazz, blues, and originals on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.
When: 5-8 p.m. Monday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
Tuna Time!
Hot Tuna – the duo of Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady – returns to upstate New York for an acoustic show. Longtime friends dating back to their teen years in Washington, D.C., through their time in Jefferson Airplane, Kaukonen and Casady have been mining blues and folk influences in both electric and acoustic settings for more than 50 years in Hot Tuna. "Hot Tuna is a Psychedelic-Blues Institution” – Rolling Stone Magazine. At the 2016 Grammys, they were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Area singer-songwriter Tim Burns will open the night with a 7 p.m. set in the Community Room
When: 8 p.m. Monday
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $23.50-$47, available online here.
Start Chopin
Pianist Mike Lee will present “Chopin: The Four Scherzi”: With spoken commentary and accompanying visuals, Lee offers four tableaux of Chopin’s life anchored by the composer’s four Scherzi, a form which Chopin personalized into epic narratives and which span the length of his compositional career. The event will feature the newly restored 1843 Pleyel piano.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Brahms on Board
Pianist Theodora Serbanescu-Martin will present “An Evening of Brahms.” The program includes the “Violin Sonata Op. 100” with Karan Mehta, selections from Klavierstücke, and Brahms’ “Quintet Op. 34b” (arranged for two pianos) with Roger Moseley.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
More Events
Taylor Cromer is at Homer Hops at 6 p.m. Wednesday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse back to Crossroads Bar and Grill at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Aiken is at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
The Scale House Brewery hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 6-9 p.m. Thursday
The Vinyl Lounge continues its weekly residency with DJ Rocket Morton at Trumansburg’s Atlas Bowl at 7-10 p.m. Thursday
Good Dog and Jessie Gray team up for a country-folk double bill at Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge at 7:30 p.m. Thursday
The Fun Bunch is at Seneca Cheese Company at 5:30 p.m. Friday
Whistlin’ Dyl is at Two Goats Brewing at 6 p.m. Friday
The Zydeco Trail Riders are at Hopshire Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Rocco Rich and Aaron Craig (of Small Town Shade) are at Homer Hops at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Cass and the Bail Out Crew Duo is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Roger Decker is at BRU64 at 7-9 p.m. Friday
The 86ers and Emma Vulnerability play Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge at 7 p.m. Friday
Wingnut is at the Downstairs at 8 p.m. Friday
The Steve Daniele Jazz Trio is at Hairy Tony’s in downtown Cortland at 8-10 p.m. Friday
Exit 11 is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Kitestring and Alex Cano team up for a show at 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Range
City Limits is at Hazlitt Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Shawn Halloran is at Treleaven Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
J9 is at Chateau Dusseau at 3 p.m. Saturday
Tenzin Chopak is at Stone Bend Farm at 4-7 p.m. Saturday
The Kitestring Duo is at Homer Hops at 6 p.m. Saturday
Mark Nanni is at Summerhill Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Larry Childs and Night Train are at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Aiken Allen is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
Bad Alibi returns to the Elmira Heights Legion Post 154 at 8 p.m. Saturday
Dave Davies, Brian Earle, and Harry Aceto play acoustic jazz at a New Orleans-themed brunch at Agava from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m Sunday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse back to Homer Hops at 1 p.m. Sunday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Tuesday
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
WonderMonday will play a solo show at the Bike Bar at 7 p.m. Wednesday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse back to The Ridge in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28
