Donna the Buffalo rides into Horseheads, Ani DiFranco and Trampled by Turtles play at the State Theatre of Ithaca, The Machine and Jim Messina visit the Center for the Arts of Homer, and Hiroya Tsukamoto and Mary Fahl return to the Auburn Public Theatre. Also, Opera Ithaca hosts its first-ever festival, and it’s your last chance to catch the new David Bowie doc at Cinemapolis!
(Note: the events are listed below in chronological order, in two separate sections)
Bowie on Screen
Cinemapolis is screening “Moonage Daydream,” a “cinematic odyssey exploring David Bowie’s creative and musical journey.” Directed by Brett Morgen, the film features never-before-seen footage and performances. See the trailer here!
When: playing through Nov. 3
Where: Cinemapolis Cost: $7-$11
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
Global Sounds
The Cornell Department of Music in conjunction with the Cornell Council for the Arts Biennial welcomes Tacet(i) Ensemble for “Extended instruments and global sounds.” The project offers a series of performances and workshops concerning the ideas of sonic identities and instrumental connotation in global cultures and will also serve to hybridize Southeast Asian musical tradition and transgress boundaries of sounds and instruments. Tacet(i) was founded in 2014 by a group of Thai contemporary musicians to create new ideas of music and arts in Thailand. Currently, the ensemble focuses on collaborative projects involving living composers, musicians, artists, and performers. Their visit to Cornell is curated by visiting lecturer and composer Piyawat Louilarpprasert and features collaborations with Cornell composers and artists.
For the first event, Tacet(i) performs “Global Sound,” a music curation of diverse composers: Daniel Sabzghabaei (Iran/U.S.), Thanakarn Schofield (Thailand), Jia Yi Lee (Singapore), Miles Jefferson Friday (U.S.), Travis Christopher Johns (U.S.), Laura Cetilia (U.S.), and John Eagle (U.S.). Featuring Ariana Kim on violin.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all
Then for Midday Music on Thursday, Tacet(i) performs works by Marianthi Papalexandri-Alexandri in a program titled “Human and Machine.”
When: 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3
Where: Lincoln Hall B20, Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all
Finally, on Saturday, the ensemble presents “Transcending Tradition,” an improvisatory performance in collaboration with Christopher J. Miller and the Cornell Gamelan Ensemble.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Lincoln Hall B20, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
It’s a Festival
Opera Ithaca presents its first-ever Opera Ithaca Festival 2022, which will include performances of Verdi’s “Nabucco” and “Proving Up and Highway 1, USA,” by Missy Mazzoli and William Grant Still (7:30 p.m. Friday), and Giuseppe Verdi’s “Nabucco” (7:30 p.m. Thursday and 2 p.m. Sunday) at the Hangar Theatre along with “Voices Represented,” the Opera Ithaca Apprentice Artist Recital, at the CRS Barn Studio (4 p.m. Saturday)
When: Thursday-Sunday
Where: Hangar Theatre and CRS Barn Studio
Cost: $80 for festival pass, available online here; tickets for individual concerts are available here
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 Farm 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
Four on the Floor
The Rest Gallery (next to the State Theatre) hosts a cool bill featuring local indie-rockers Chimes of Bayonets, Yaktus, Material Objects, and Microbes, Mostly.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Rest Gallery
Cost: $5
Grand Opening
Belly dancers Alicia Free and Anya Hamer will host the grand opening of the Wanah Dance Café, featuring a variety of dancers performing West Asian, North Africa, and Hellenic dances throughout the evening. The $10 cover charge goes toward paying the performers, and includes VIP access to the barrel room and an “amazing dance show.”
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Liquid State Brewing Company
Cost: $10; tickets are available online here
Going B.I.G.
The Frank White Experience comes down from Syracuse with its Live Tribute to Notorious B.I.G. “The Frank White Experience brings things to a new level with live instrumentation, bringing the sounds of Notorious B.I.G. to your ears in a way never heard before! The Frank White Experience is the genre leader in live Hip-Hop tribute bands. Best described as the Dark Star Orchestra of Hip-Hop, The Frank White Experience delivers a quality of sound and homage akin to acts like Pink Talking Phish, Lizards, Bad Fish and Start Making Sense. The first of its kind, The Frank White Experience not only covers the music of Biggie Smalls but takes their listeners on a journey back through the beloved soundscape of 1990’s Hip-Hip, making them a guaranteed crowd pleaser sure to rock any audience in any venue, large or small.”
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10, available online here
Positive Vibrations
Ithaca’s own Kevin Kinsella returns for an intimate show at the Argos Warehouse, drawing on a catalog that includes songs from John Brown’s Body, Tribulations, several solo albums, and his forthcoming new record. His latest release is the single, “Take a Look.” Learn more here. He’ll be joined by “Sweet Pete” DeBoer on guitar for the show.
When: 8:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Argos Warehouse
Cost: cover charge
A Haunting Experience
As part of First Friday Gallery Night, the Gallery – located in Press Bay Court on West Green Street – will host “The HAUNTed Gallery” exhibition. “Between 1969 to 1997, our shop was the founding location of The Haunt nightclub. ‘The HAUNTed Gallery’ exhibit features posters, photos, and memorabilia from that era, with contributions by DSP Shows and Jim Catalano.
"Enjoy fresh-baked donuts - including two flavors inspired by the show - and sample finger lakes ciders from Redbyrd Cider, Open Spaces Cider, and Eve's Cidery. We will be playing a live concert recording of a Skatalites show performed at The Haunt in 1997 from The History Center SoundCloud playlist "Historic Music Performances in Tompkins County.”
When: 4-8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Gallery
Cost: free
Buffalo Stance
Donna the Buffalo rides into Horseheads for their first appearance at The L. For more than 30 years, the band has crisscrossed the country, winning fans with its infectious blend of rock, country, Cajun and other rootsy influences backing the vocals and songs of cofounders Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear. The band’s latest album is 2018’s “Dance in the Street.” Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton will open the show.
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: The L, 116 Breesport Road, Horseheads
Cost: $25, available online here
German Organ Journey
Guest organist William Porter presents a program of music from across Germany in the late-seventeenth and eighteenth centuries “to transport the Anabel Taylor organ back to its historical roots. The music spans from the grandest praeludia of the Northern style to the virtuosic toccatas of the South, with music by Dieterich Buxtehude, Georg Muffat, and Johann Ernst Eberlin.”
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Anabel Taylor Chapel, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Guitar Great
Acclaimed guitarist Hiroya Tsukamoto will return to Auburn for a concert that will showcase his fusion of folk, jazz, and world music influences and virtuosic technique. In 2019, the Japanese-born, Berklee College of Music-educated guitarist released his latest album, “Window to the World.” Find out more here!
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Auburn Public Theatre
Cost: $23, available online here
Feelin’ Groovy
Aaron Lipp and Ric Robertson team up with Chris English for a “night of funky grooves and original music.” Lipp just released a new four-song EP, “No Time Too Soon,” a follow-up to 2021’s “Nothing To Lose.” Find out more here! Former Ithacan Gregor Sayet-Bone kicks off the night at 9 p.m.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: $10
Paying Tribute
Mary Fahl, the former lead singer of October Project, returns to Auburn Public Theater to promote her new album, “Can’t Get It Out Of My Head,” on which she looks back to some of the essential music that has brought her sustenance and clarity by reinterpreting songs from her greatest inspirations: Pink Floyd, George Harrison, Moody Blues, ELO, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young and others. “For Mary, this is a tribute to the music that defined her as an artist.” With “a voice for the gods that can transport listeners to other realms” (Boston Globe), Fahl is an expressive, emotional singer/songwriter who first achieved fame as lead singer and co-founder of the mid-1990s NYC-based chamber-pop group October Project, a band known for their lush harmonies, sweeping melodies and Fahl’s unique and powerful vocals.” Find out more here! Her band includes Auburn native Mark Doyle on guitar; he’s also the music director and album producer.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Auburn Public Theatre
Cost: $39.70, available online here
Welcome to The Machine
The Machine performs Pink Floyd returns to Central New York, this time for a rare acoustic show. For more than 30 years, the band has carried on the musical legacy of Pink Floyd, performing a diverse mix of The Floyd's extensive 16-album repertoire, complete with faithful renditions of popular hits as well as obscure gems. The band features founding member Tahrah Cohen (drums), longtime bandmates Scott Chasolen (keys, vocals) and Ryan Ball (guitar, vocals), and newest member Chris DeAngelis (bass, lead vocals). The band continues on to celebrate the music of Pink Floyd and to honor the life of Joe Pascarell, who co-founded the band with Tahrah in 1988. Find out more here.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $5-$32.50, available online here
Dancing in the Dark
The Electrozone returns with “Club Horror: A Dark Dance,” featuring DJ Doktorvox, Spectrakill, Black, MA, and Faradayribcage. “Come now and plumb the depths of their mysteries and dream of the night they will fashion.”
“DJ Doktorvox literally wrote the book on industrial music. Equal parts gothic and crunch, his deep custom mixes blend vintage clatter and modern lushness, all backed with astonishing visuals.
“Spectrakill: First appearing in 2012, The 1980 Underground is an underground cabaret showcasing little known postpunk, new wave, punk, and minimal wave music from the late cold war period. Over time, its oeuvre has expanded to include modern music in same vein, as well as new genres such as witchhouse.
“Black, MA ("Black, Massachusetts") is the techno, jungle, and avant-garde DJ project of noise musician Lexi Turner aka Prayer Rope. Hypnotic, head banging and dark, her sets pay homage to the UK techno scene where the project started, mixing harsh industrial tones with classics and curveballs alike.
“Faradayribcage a queer digital hardcore artist from Rochester, NY. We are very excited to welcome Faradayribcage to Ithaca!”
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Forest City Lodge 180, 536 W. Green St., Ithaca
Cost: $10-$15
Food for Thought
Deep Dive will host “Locavore,” an all-day music festival to benefit Loaves and Fishes, which provides “a place for free meals, hospitality, companionship and advocacy for those in need regardless of their faith, beliefs or circumstances.” The lineup will include Galactic Escort Service, Delaques, DJ Dijon, Maggie Lane, Autonomous Body, Annatto VS Tounei, Microbes, Mostly, Jack Clausen, Secret Service Men, Cast Iron Cowboys, Motherwort, Timothy, Strange Heavy, and Yoshi Aerson.
“The name 'Locavore' is inspired by people that strive to eat as much local food as they can. We wanted a festival showcasing local talent - both for the new and up and coming, and the seasoned and established. We have pulled from a 50-mile radius – a mix of genres and styles, ranging from singer-songwriters to full bands and electronic performers! We at Deep Dive think this is going to be an awesome semi-regular event for the creative community at large – helping to build connections, increase exposure, and generally inspire us all to build for the better and make more music and art.”
When: 11:30 to 11:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $15 at the door
Let’s Dance!
TOiVO will play the “Fall Back” Dance and Fundraiser” at the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts to celebrate the end of Daylight Savings Time. “Join us in the music on the biggest, best wooden dance floor in the Finger Lakes. All ages are welcome to enjoy music that is good for dancing and good for listening! Refreshments will be available. Bring a partner or come alone! Wallflowers are welcome, too! TOiVO will play an eclectic mix of Scandinavian, Tex-Mex, Cajun, honky-tonk, European, South American and many original dance tunes. You’ll enjoy waltzes, tangos, two-steps, polkas, schottisches, foxtrots, cheek-to-cheek, hambos, and huapangos.” The players are Richard Koski, button accordion; Jason Koski, mandolin; Stefan Senders, banjo and triangle; Jim Reidy, guitar; Paul Martin, guitar; Harley Campbell, upright bass; and Annie Campbell, snare drum. Find out more about TOiVO here.
When: 3-5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts
Cost: Entry by donation; all proceeds from the event will be donated to the Conservatory.
Latin Rhythms
The Venissa Santí 4tet and Go Go Troubadour team up for an intimate double bill at the Argos Warehouse. Born and raised in Ithaca and schooled in jazz in Philadelphia, Venissa Santí “pulls threads from her cultural roots of Cuba to create her signature style of originals and obscure covers and woven folkloric rhythms.” She’ll be by Michael Stark on keys Walt Lorenzut on bass, and Olive Mitra on drums. The duo of Mitra on guitar and Florinda Larkin on vocals, Go Go Troubadour will play Brazilian and jazz music at 7 p.m., followed by the 4tet at 8:15 p.m.
When: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Argos Warehouse
Cost: $10
Putting on the Hits
Jim Messina comes to Central New York, ready to showcase his decades of music-making experience with Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Loggins & Messina, and as a solo artist. “After a series of celebrated solo acoustic tours, Jim formed a band made of acclaimed musicians who have played with him at various points in his career. His latest release, In the Groove, includes selected hits from all three of Jim’s previous bands, as well as several of his solo works.” Find out more here!
Cortland singer-pianist Rick Starmer will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Cost: $29.55-$56.06, available online here
Crossing Centuries
Ensemble X performs music from the ‘20s (of both the 20th and 21st centuries) and celebrates the 100th anniversary of Xenakis’ birth. The program includes Ravel’s Chansons “madécasses,” Schulhoff’s “Hot Sonate” with soloist Steven Banks, Elizabeth Ogonek’s “Microludes,” Stravinsky’s “Octet,” and Xenakis’ “Rebonds A.”
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all
MAQ Attack
South Hill Cider’s Monday Night Jazz series continues this week with MAQ, a quartet that performs everything from classic and modern jazz to Brazilian bossa and folk music. The lineup includes Eric Aceto (violin), Harry Aceto (bass), Doug Robinson (guitar, vocals), Chad Lieberman (accordion), and Steve Pond (percussion). Learn more here.
When: 5-8 p.m. Monday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free
‘The Little Folksinger’
Ani DiFranco will make her long-awaited return to the State Theatre. “Widely considered a feminist icon, Grammy winner Ani DiFranco is the mother of the DIY movement, being one of the first artists to create her own record label in 1990. While she has been known as the ‘Little Folksinger,’ her music has embraced punk, funk, hip hop, jazz, soul, electronica and even more distant sounds. Her collaborators have included everyone from Utah Phillips to legendary R&B saxophonist Maceo Parker to Prince. She has shared stages with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Kris Kristofferson, Bon Iver, Brand Carlile, Billy Bragg, Michael Franti, Chuck D., and many more.” Her most recent albums include 2021’s “Revolutionary Love” and the July 2022 25th Anniversary Edition reissue of her iconic live album “Living In Clip,” both on her own label Righteous Babe Records. Her 2019 memoir “No Walls and the Recurring Dream” was a New York Times Top 10 best seller. On this tour, DiFranco will be joined by the Righteous Babe Revue, which features labelmates Gracie and Rachel, Pieta Brown, and Jocelyn McKenzie. Find out more here!
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $35 and up, available online here
The Session Must Commence
Harking back to the late 1990s, Jay Spaker’s Soul Session Tuesdays will reunite members of Sugarmoan, one of the best Ithaca bands of its era, as the Real Live Sextet. Spaker is joined by Mike Stark, Lee Hamilton, Thom Sayers, Zaun Marshburn, and Brian “Willie B” Wilson for a “weekly get down featuring classic soul, funk & boom bap” with “deejays & live players cookin’ up the abstract.”
When: 9 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Oct. 18
Where: Argos Warehouse Lounge & Event Space
Cost: $10 at the door (cash or Venmo)
That German Sound
Cornell’s Midday Music for Organ continues with Nathan Mondry, who will present “The English-German Pipeline.” “The British Isles, invaded by Anglo-Saxons well before William the Conqueror, have been variously influenced and re-influenced not only by German rulers, but musicians; George I brought Handel with him upon ascension of the British crown, and 100 years later Queen Victoria encouraged musical visits from Felix Mendelssohn. The program features organ works by these composers as well as a new chorale partita.”
When: 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 9
Where: Anabel Taylor Chapel, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Turtles All the Way Down
Hailing from Minnesota, Trampled by Turtles will make their Ithaca debut at the State Theatre. The sextet is touring to promote its just-released album, “Alpenglow, which was produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and includes 11 new songs that showcase the group’s signature blend of rock, folk, punk, country, and progressive bluegrass. Find out more here!
Amigo the Devil, the project of Austin-based songwriter Danny Kiranos, will open the show; he “has somehow managed to meld the worlds (and fanbases) of traditional folk, country music, rock, and metal into one.”
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $42-$54, available online here
More Shows
Cortland Beer Company hosts Open Mic Night at 6 p.m. Wednesdays
Josh Ross and Samuel B. Lupowitz will be 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 8-11 p.m. Wednesday
Richie Stearns and Aaron Lipp return to South Hill Cider at 5-8 p.m. Thursday
Atwater Winery hosts Bring Your Own Vinyl Night at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Aiken is at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
Roger Decker plays the Mangia Stattizitto in Cortland at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to CrossRoads in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Swamp Rats and Tail Light Rebellion team up for a folk-punk show at the Downstairs at 9 p.m. Thursday; this follows the monthly Zine Night event, which starts at 7 p.m.
DJ ha-MEEN will spin at the Upstairs at 10 p.m. Thursday
Gerard Burke is at Two Goats Brewing at 5 p.m. Friday
Nate Marshall is at Deep Dive at 5-7 p.m. Friday
The 86ers are at Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Roger Decker plays the Dryden Hotel at 6-8 p.m. Friday
The Local Farmers Union is at BRU64 in Cortland at 6-8 p.m. Friday
The John Liuzzo Duo is at ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 6-8 p.m. Friday
M3 is at McGraw Box Brewing Company at 6-8 p.m. Friday
The Ende Brothers are at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Friday
The Unknown Woodsmen play at Garrett’s Brewing in Trumansburg at 7-10 p.m. Friday
Andrew Alling returns to Sacred Root Kava Bar & Tea Lounge at 7:30 p.m. Friday
Wingnut is at the Downstairs at 8 p.m. Friday
Papa Muse is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
DJ ha-MEEN will spin at Deep Dive at 10 p.m. Friday
NY Record Fairs returns with its fall show at the Triphammer Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (early-bird admission at 8 a.m. is $5)
Sweats are Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
The Immortal Jellyfish return to Americana Vineyards Winery at 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday
Brian Francis is at Chateau Dusseau in Locke at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Trio de TAS (aka the Analogue Sons Trio) are at Two Goats Brewing at 5 p.m. Saturday
The Small Kings with Peter Glanville are at Grist Iron Brewing at 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday
The Payton Brothers (JP from Freight and RP from Indiana) play Stone Bend Farm at 5-7 p.m. Saturday
Ryan Sutherland is at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Jess Novak and Ben Wayne are at McGraw Box Brewing Company at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Rocco Rich is at Homer Hops at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
The Ripcords are at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 7-10 p.m. Saturday
Jon Rogalia returns to the Glen Haven at 8-11 p.m. Saturday
Jimi Marley is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
Showtime: The Band returns to Ithaca Ale House at 9 p.m. Saturday
Los Finsteros plays the Sunday Brunch at the Stonecat Café from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7-9 p.m. Tuesday
Cortland Beer Company hosts Open Mic Night at 6 p.m. Wednesdays
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 8-11 p.m. Wednesday
