Toubab Krewe and Langhorne Slim make welcome returns to Ithaca, while Americana band Freight marks the release of its debut album. And while Sunday’s David Sedaris show is sold out, the Center for the Arts in Homer hosts two other cool shows: Kittel & Co. and Cha Wa! Plus, comedians Kathleen Madigan and Joe Pera perform at the State Theatre!
For a more extensive roundup of upcoming shows around the Finger Lakes and beyond, check out this extensive, curated list right here!
(Note: the events are listed below in chronological order, in two separate sections)
Let’s Dance!
“Join us for the exciting opening of The Shorty Gorge - Ithaca's own weekly Lindy Hop dance! No partner or experience needed!” There’s a crash course instructional session at 7 p.m., followed by the social dance at 7:30-10 p.m. “Join us on this new adventure! We have dreams of classes, live music, and other fun events in the future.”
When: 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Oct. 5
Where: Hamblin Hall in the Community School of Music and Arts (CMSA)
Cost: $5-10 sliding scale (Pay as much as you can; cash or Venmo)
Going Big
The Deep Dive Big Band makes its debut under the direction of local jazz professor Greg Evans, who teaches at Ithaca College and Cornell University and plays drums with Rose and the Bros and other area bands. The DDBB will feature players from Cornell University, Ithaca College and the greater Ithaca Community every other Wednesday for the coming month.
When: 8-10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, Oct. 19 and Nov. 2
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free; ages 18 and up
Going for Baroque
Cornell’s Midday Music series presents “NYS Baroque Young Artists,” with Hannah De Priest, soprano, and Michael Pecak, fortepiano. “This recital for fortepiano and soprano presents two concert-arias premiered by (and written for) soprano Josepha Duschek: Beethoven's “Ah! Perfido!” and Mozart's “Bella mia fiamma.” Rounding out the program are songs that reflect Duschek’s complementary engagement with the salon.”
When 12:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Lincoln B20, Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all
Songs to Share
Dan Forsyth of Driftwood hosts Songwriter’s Night at Hopshire, a series taking place every first Thursday of the month at Hopshire Farms and Brewery: “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 Farms and Brewery, Dryden
Cost: free
Making a Zine
The Downstairs kicks off its new Zine Night series, held on the first Thursday of each month. “Learn from skilled zine-makers, illustrators, writers, and crafters. Come to make a zine, share and peruse zines, get feedback and work on related projects, or just to hang out!” This month’s Zine Night will be led by Laura Rowley of Illuminated Press, an independent publisher that crafts books by hand. Zine Night is inspired by The Downstairs Zine Fest, the all-May-long celebration of zines. The Zines featured in The Downstairs Zine Fest can still be found and in our Zine Library.”
When: 7 p.m. Thursday (repeats first Thursday of each month)
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $5-$10 sliding scale; no one turned away for lack of funds
In Residence
Cornell’s Department of Music has announced loadbang as the ensemble to hold the Steven Stucky Memorial Residency for New Music in the 2022-23 year. Founded in 2008 and based in New York City, loadbang features a unique instrumentation of trumpet, trombone, bass clarinet, and baritone voice. Dedicated to education and the cultivation of an enthusiasm for new music, loadbang has premiered more than 450 works written by members of the ensemble, emerging artists, and today’s leading composers, including Pulitzer Prize winners David Lang and Charles Wuorinen; Rome Prize winners Andy Akiho and Paula Matthusen; and Guggenheim Fellows Chaya Czernowin, George Lewis, and Alex Mincek. Recent performance highlights include the Miller Theater, Symphony Space, MATA, the Look and Listen Festival, Da Camera of Houston, and Rothko Chapel.
At Cornell, loadbang will collaborate with graduate composers on new works and engage with students in a variety of ways, including open rehearsals, master classes, chamber music coaching, and discussions about musicianship and innovation. They will perform two concerts as part of their visit this fall: at 8 p.m. Thursday in the Hans Bethe House Common Room, they will perform with students from the chamber music program; and at 7 p.m. Friday in Barnes Hall, the ensemble performs a concert featuring their diverse repertoire, including selections by Max Vinetz, Chaya Czernowin, and Cornell’s own Daniel Sabzghabaei.
When: Thursday-Friday
Where: Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all
Start Chipping
Shane Cook and the Woodchippers come to Ithaca to promote their new album “Be Here for A While.” Canadian fiddle champ Shane Cook will be joined by guitarist and Canadian step-dance champion Kyle Waymouth and the Woodchipper band for an evening of high-energy fiddle music. The Contradictions – featuring Tom Hodgson, Tim Ball, Dave Davies, and Rick Manning – will open the show with a short set of their spirited dance music. Learn more here.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: La Tourelle
Cost: $10-$40; student, couple, and family passes are available online here
Blurring Boundaries
Toubab Krewe makes a welcome return to Ithaca, coming up from Asheville, N.C., to showcase their high-energy brand of African-inspired instrumental music. “Toubab carries echoes of African greats like Ali Farka Toure, Orchestra Baobab and Salif Keita, no doubt picked up during the group's travels to study and live in Guinea, Ivory Coast and Mali. But what truly differentiates Toubab Krewe from other Statesiders inspired by African music is how they innovate on what they've learned instead of simply recreating tradition. Toubab Krewe carves out a new trail honoring the African originators they admire by making something alive and contemporary.”
Electrolyte will open the show; they’re a new trio featuring Paul Merrill, quarter-tone brass instruments, keyboards, and effects; Peter Chwazik, nine-string electric bass; and Simon Bjarning, percussion.
When: 9 p.m. Thursday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $20, available online here
Let’s Get Liquified
The new weekly “Liquid Thursdays” continues at Liquid State Brewing Company, with host Cooper Casterline (Double Tiger and New Planets) joined by a series of rotating musicians and DJs for “an evening of live music, dance, and a full multi-media funky experience.”
When: 9 p.m. to midnight Thursday
Where: Liquid State Brewing Company
Cost: $5
Double Header
In the midst of Cider Week FLX, South Hill Cider hosts the return of the Sim Redmond Band, the long-running local folk-rock-pop-Afro-Caribbean band that has become a summer staple. “They have toured extensively in the U.S and Japan, bringing together sounds and people from all walks of life. Their uplifting, optimistic music is infectious. It will brighten your day, open your heart, and strengthen your resolve to make a positive impact on this crazy world we share.” Local singer-songwriter Rena Guinn, who’s working on a new album to follow up her 2021 debut EP “Shine,” will open the show.
When: 6-9 p.m. Friday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: $15, available online here
Comedy Cool
The State Theatre of Ithaca hosts two big comedy shows this weekend. Friday, Kathleen Madigan will return with her “Do You Have Any Ranch?” tour. Saturday, Buffalo native and Ithaca College grad Joe Pera will bring his “Spring in the Midwest and Rustbelt Tour Pt. III: Fall Everywhere Else” tour to the State; he’s best known as the creator and star of Adult Swim's “Joe Pera Talks with You.”
When: 8 p.m. Friday & 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $35-$60 for Madigan, available online here
$35 for Pera, available online here
Legacy Act
“’BEATLEGACY - Beatlemania and Beyond/The Ultimate Tribute’ is a stunning audio/visual recreation of the greatest music ever made. ‘Beatlegacy’ and its members have toured all over the world; including the world famous Cavern Club during International Beatle Week in Liverpool, England....the birthplace of the Beatles! While some tribute bands only provide a simple stage show, these talented musicians celebrate the music with a stunning visual and audio re-creation of all era of Beatles music; from the energetic pre-fame days to Beatlemania, the Psychedelic year, Abbey Road and beyond!”
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: The L, 116 Breesport Road, Horseheads
Cost: $20-$30, available online here
Dynamic Duo
Langhorne Slim makes his long-awaited return to Ithaca, performing with a full band to promote his seventh album, “Strawberry Mansion,” a collection of songs written in March-May 2020. Since his 2004 debut album, “Electric Love Letter,” he has developed a wide following with his raucous live shows and sincere songwriting. Charlotte Rose Benjamin, whose debut album “Dreamtina” came out in April, will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Hangar Theatre
Cost: $30-$35, available online here
String Fever
“Led by acclaimed violinist Jeremy Kittel (formerly of the Grammy-winning Turtle Island Quartet), Kittel & Co. (“Kid-dle and Koh”) inhabits the space between classical and acoustic roots, Celtic and bluegrass aesthetics, and folk and jazz sensibilities. Some of the greatest musicians in the incredible acoustic scene, the members of Kittel & Co. have collaborated with Béla Fleck, Sarah Jarosz, Chris Thile, and Yo-Yo Ma. Together, Jeremy Kittel and mandolin phenom Josh Pinkham, transcendent guitarist Quinn Bachand, bassist Jacob Warren, and hammer-dulcimer wizard Simon Chrisman coalesce into a singular voice that’s thrilled audiences from the Telluride Bluegrass Festival to A Prairie Home Companion.”
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $25, available online here
Hit Man
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright returns to upstate New York with his “Unfollow the Rules” solo tour. Praised by the New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation. The New York-born, Montreal-raised singer-songwriter has released seven studio albums, three DVDs, and three live albums, including the Grammy-nominated “Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall.” Singer-songwriter-harpist Mikaela Davis will open with a solo set.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Point of the Bluff Vineyards, Hammondsport
Cost: $50-$90, available online here
Farms Race
The Friends of the Ithaca Farmers Market (IFM) will host its first fundraising event, “The Battle of the (Farm) Bands,” featuring competition among farmers-market-affiliated bands. “The event will highlight IFM food and drink vendors as well as a raffle and silent auction featuring products straight from local farmers and artists. Families are encouraged to attend together.
“The bands, battling for bragging rights and a special performance at Hopshire Brewing, are listed below with their farm affiliation. Vote for a band during their performance by placing a tip in their tip jar!
Carbon 66 (Little Tree Orchards, IFM Vendor)
Estelle Waterman (The Farm at Hopshire, IFM Vendor)
Motherwort (Three Stone Farm, featuring former IFM Vendors)
Taylor Buhler (Head + Heal, IFM Vendor)
The Local Farmers Union (Main Street Farms, IFM Vendor)
djMateo (40 Weight, IFM Vendor)
Learn more about Friends of IFM here!
When: 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Ithaca Farmers Market
Cost: “Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10/person or $20/family. AND, guests will receive one free raffle ticket for every $5 donated.”
Ready for Release
Ithaca Americana band Freight will host a release show for its debut album, “Hard Worker,” chock-full of songs that blend country, funk, rock, and psychedelic influences to create a blue-collar backdrop for Payton’s warm baritone vocals and deeply personal lyrics. Nick Dittmeier and the Sawdusters, from Louisville, Kentucky, will open the show; they’re touring to promote their new album, “Heavy Denim.”
Where: The Downstairs, Ithaca
When: 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9
Cost: $15 at the door, includes copy of the new CD and digital download
In Honor
The Auburn Public Theatre hosts a concert and memorial event to honor the legacy of Joanne Shenandoah, the late Native American singer-songwriter and citizen of the Oneida Nation who passed away in Nov. 2021. The all-ages concert features Pura Fé, Joanelle Romero, and Irv Lyons Jr. and The Light, with proceeds going to benefit the Shenandoah Family.
When: 5 p.m. Monday
Where: Auburn Public Theatre
Cost: $50-$75, available online here
Get Rhythm
Dave Davies RhythmMakers return for Jazz Mondays, as Dave Davies, Doug Robinson, Brian Earle, and Chad Lieberman will play classic jazz, blues, originals, and more.
When: 5-8 p.m., second and fourth Mondays of each month
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
NOLA Grooves
New Orleans-based band Cha Wa returns to central New York to promote its new album, “My People,” which draws inspiration from “the sounds of the city's Sunday brass band parades and centuries-old masking culture; particularly the Mardi Gras Indian community of which the band's vocalist Joseph Boudreaux Jr. is a fourth- generation member.” The Times-Picayune praised them for building on "old-school New Orleans funk in the vein of the Meters" while "finding their own identity," and the local alt-weekly Gambit lauded them for "showing the world what they can really do" with a dynamic fusion of New Orleans sounds.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $20, available online here
London Calling
Cornell’s Midday Music for Organ series continues with Anna Steppler’s “London: a musical portrait,” an “ode to the organist's home city, with music on the delicate Italian Organ by some of London's earlier denizens, and romantic evocations of the cityscape on the Aeolian Skinner.”
When: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12
Where: Sage Chapel, Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all
Crucial Vibes
Reggae Night concludes its long-awaited return at the new Ithaca club Deep Dive, which is on the site that formerly housed The Dock, Castaways, and Key West. The night features the longtime host band The Crucials, which includes members of area groups such as Jimkata, Mosaic Foundation, New Planets, and other bands paying “homage to the classics and new frontiers of reggae music.” This will be the third of three scheduled Reggae Night shows.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12
Where: Deep Dive, 415 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca
Cost: $5
More Shows
The Zydeco Trail Riders play the Trumansburg Farmers Market at 4-7 p.m. Wednesday
Joey Arcuri, Andrew Carroll, and Greg Evans play jazz at the Argos Inn at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Mark Maynard and Kenny Christianson play at Lucky Hare Brewing in Hector at 5-8 p.m.
Rachel Beverly is at Salt Point Brewing at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
The Range hosts its weekly Salsa Night Latin Dance Party, featuring DJs and dance lessons, from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday
Jeremy Bussman hosts the weekly Open Mic Night at the Upstairs at 8-10 p.m. Wednesday
Cobra Cadaver plays a just-announced show at the Upstairs at 10 p.m. Wednesday
Sunny Weather plays South Hill Cider at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday
Atwater Winery hosts Bring-Your-Own-Vinyl Night at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Delta Mike Shaw and Carol Xtine are at the Scale House Brewery at 6-8 p.m.
The Oasis at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday
Aiken is at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
Marc Ryan is at the Cortland DAV at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to Crossroads in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Nate Marshall plays at Deep Dive at 5-7 p.m. Friday
Shaka plays Brookton’s Market at 5-7 p.m. Friday
Wingnut is at Liquid State North Shore at 5-8 p.m. Friday
The Small Kings Duo is at Two Goats Brewing at 5 p.m. Friday
Adam Parker plays McGraw Box Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Cass and the Bailout Crew play the Oasis at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
Clint Bush is at the Dryden Hotel at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Off The Rails is at Hopshire Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Kid Bess, Mike Amadeo, and Joe Alston are at Revelry Yards at 6-8 p.m Friday
Rocco Rich is at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Mark Nanni is at ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 6-8 p.m. Friday
The Dart Brothers are at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Major Keys plays the Finger Lakes Cider House at 6:30 p.m. Friday ($5)
Mike Passarelli is at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 7-10 p.m. Friday
Marc and Monica (of M3) are at The Glen Haven at 7:30 p.m. Friday
Triple 5 Spout kicks off its October residency at the Downstairs at 8 p.m. Friday; they’ll be joined by special guests every week.
Steve Daniels and Friends are at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Double Tiger spins a brunch DJ set at Deep Dive at 12-4 p.m. Saturday
Dave Matthews tribute band Big Eyed Phish plays Greek Peak’s Hops & Swaps Brewfest, which runs 12:30-8 p.m. Saturday
The Delta Mike Shaw Band plays the annual Harvest Festival at Treleaven Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Hot Dogs and Gin are at Buttonwood Grove Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Tom Gath is at Hosmer Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Rocco Rich is at Chateau Dusseau in Locke at 3 p.m. Saturday
The Dropouts play McGraw Box Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Crystal Visions are at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Ariel Arbisser is at Two Goats Brewing at 5 p.m. Saturday
Astro Hawk spins at Atwater Winery’s After House SunSET series at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Chickenwire Parachute plays Brookton’s Market at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Molly and the Ringwalds play Hobo’s 281 in Homer at 8 p.m. Saturday
Mystic Twangers are at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Ben Wayne is at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
The Two Jacks host Deep Dive’s first ever Open Mic Jam + Slam on Saturday night—signups begin at 8 p.m.
Levi and the Wranglers return to Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
MAQ plays the Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Stonecat Café from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Tilia Cordata hosts a drag brunch at Deep Dive at 12-4 p.m. Sunday
Sean Fried + Payton Bird play Treleaven Winery at 1-4 p.m. Sunday
Rita Venuti and John Blume are at Buttonwood Grove Winery at 1-4 p.m. Sunday
The Tribal Revival Duo returns to Hosmer Winery at 1-4 p.m. Sunday
Richman and the Poorboys play Americana Vineyards Winery at 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday
Jess Novak and Ben Wayne are at ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 3-5 p.m. Sunday
The new weekly series Beer Wax Sundays returns to Liquid State at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
Singing Notes and Slinging Jokes is at Two Goats Brewing at 4 p.m. Sunday
Brett Beardslee brings his weekly Monday Night Blues back to Rasta Ranch Vineyards at 5-8 p.m. Monday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7-9 p.m. Tuesday
The Better Weather String Band plays the Trumansburg Farmers Market at 4-7 p.m. Wednesday
Joey Arcuri and Friends play jazz at the Argos Inn at 5-7 p.m. Wednesday
The Stonecat Café hosts its final Pub Night DJ Dance Party with Obvious Objects at from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
The Range hosts its weekly Salsa Night Latin Dance Party, featuring DJs and dance lessons, from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday
Jeremy Bussman hosts the weekly Open Mic Night at f Upstairs at 8-11 p.m. Wednesday
