It’s a busy week leading up to Thanksgiving, as SunDub visits Deep Dive, Josh Ritter plays the Hangar Theatre, Habib Koité comes to the Center for the Arts in Homer, and Daryl Hall visits Syracuse. Plus, former Ithacans Walter Strauss and Tom Knight return to town! And dozens of other bands are playing shows around the area in the coming days.
Note: the events are listed below in chronological order, in two separate sections. And see the list of regional concerts at the end of the post!
Cinematic Collaboration
The Cornell Contemporary Chamber Players in conjunction with Cornell Cinema welcome Brooklyn-based percussion duo NOMON (Shayna and Nava Dunkelman), which will present an audiovisual event with original music in collaboration with Cornell DMA composers Seare Farhat, Matias de Roux, María Bulla, Michele Cheng, Laura Cetilia, Josh Biggs, Han Xu, and Miles Friday. “NOMON’s music combines drum machines, vocal samples, synth melodies, and modular synthesizers that intersect with carefully chosen percussion sounds, emphasizing the dance-like choreography of playing percussion.”
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16
Where: Willard Straight Theatre, Cornell Cinema
Cost: Free tickets to this event are available online
Going Big
The Deep Dive House Big Band continues its every-other-Wednesday residency 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, Nov. 16
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free; ages 18 and up
Laughing Matters
Comedian Nate Bargatze will bring “The Raincheck Tour” to Ithaca. The native of Tennessee is known for his podcast “Nateland,” which tackles “the meaningless issues that we face day to day to give listeners a much-needed mental break from fighting the good fight.” He also has appeared on most late-night talk shows, and in 2015 released his debut special “Full Time Magic” and debut album “Yelled at By a Clown,” followed more specials on Netflix. Find out more here!
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $40-$135, available online here
Guitar Troubadour
Habib Koité & Bamada will return to Central New York. A native of Mali who’s been compared to Eric Clapton and JJ Cale, the guitarist has drawn raves from Bonnie Raitt, who proclaimed, “first there was Hendrix, then Stevie Ray, and now Habib.” His latest release, “Kharifa,” was recorded entirely in Bamako. “The sound of Mali, its rich and diversified musical traditions, and its instruments permeate the music of this superb project. It can be said that the Malian guitarist has matured, evolved, while once again successfully keeping one foot firmly anchored in the past. The original compositions and covers that form the backbone of this new album reflect the griot’s open spirit, his willingness to travel through the rich Malian heritage while building the foundations of a resolutely modern music, also influenced by Western rock and folk.” Find out more here!
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $25, available online here
Will it go ‘round in circles?
Cornell’s “Midday Music in Lincoln” series will host Miles Friday and Joshua Biggs, who will present “Concentric Circles: Acousmatic and Ambisonic Works.” This concert comprises fixed media works arranged for multiple loudspeakers by Miles Jefferson Friday and Joshua Biggs. “The works explore sampling, audio synthesis, digital processing, and, centrally, spatialization.”
When: 12:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Lincoln B20, Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all
Stories and Songs
The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra will present Family Concert and Storytime at the Tompkins County Public Library, featuring Lloyd Moss’s “Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin”, with narration by Margaret Wakely. “Bring your children and enjoy a story set to live music. Afterwards the children have the opportunity to try instruments with our CCO musicians.”
When: 4 p.m. Thursday
Where: Tompkins County Public Library
Cost: free
For the Record
Local jazz trio Wingnut – Mike Stark, Walt Lorenzut, Zaun Marshburn – will host a live performance and recording session at Sunwood Recording. “If you've never been to Sunwood, it's a beautiful cozy living room style recording studio in an old renovated barn, there will be some seating for an audience and we hope you will come join us for this performance and recording! The plan is a bunch of the music recorded at this performance will be released and integrated with other studio sessions taking place this winter. Please do join us!”
When: 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday
Where: Sunwood Recording, 8255 Rte 227, Trumansburg
Cost: cash/venmo/paypal donation at the door
Lounge Life
The Downstairs presents “Chez Lounge,” featuring local favorites Nina Widger, Dave Davies, Brian Earle and Jim Sherpa.
When: 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10 or pay what you can
Swing Thing
The Shorty Gorge presents its weekly swing dance event, featuring live music by Diana Leigh and the Shorty Georges. There’s a crash course lesson at 7 p.m., followed by the dance at 7:30 p.m. Masks are required.
When: 7-10 p.m. Thursday
Where: Community School of Music and Arts
Cost; $15 at the door (cash or Venmo)
Downstate Grooves
Deep Dive hosts a dynamic double bill featuring Long Island-based funk power trio Baked Shrimp and Brooklyn-based SunDub, who blend reggae, funk, and soul into a unique sound. Update: SunDub had to cancel; they'll be replaced by Amongst the Monks
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10 in advance, available online here; $15 at the door
Mozart Mediums
The Cornell Center for Historical Keyboards Salon presents Roger Moseley and Nathan Mondry, who will perform “Conjuring with Mozart: How to Make Something out of Nothing” on harpsichord and fortepiano.
When: 5 p.m. Friday
Where: A.D. White House, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all Event Info
Canadian Cool
The Cornell Department of Music will welcome guest composer and saxophonist Christine Jensen in performance with the Cornell Jazz Ensemble. Directed by Paul Merrill, the concert selections include Jensen's “Blue Yonder,” “Wink,” and “Arbutus”; “Velho Samba Novo” by Joe Salzano; and an arrangement of Charles Mingus' “Dry Cleaner from Des Moines” as performed by Joni Mitchell and Jaco Pastorius. Vocalist Caitlin Mathes also will perform.
Currently assistant professor of jazz studies and contemporary media at the Eastman School of Music, Jensen has received numerous commissions and conducting opportunities in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. She has performed with Jeremy Pelt, Phil Dwyer, Ben Monder, Gary Smuylan, Geoffrey Keezer, Lenny Pickett, and Donny McCaslin, as well as directing Terrence Blanchard with the Orchestre National Jazz de Montreal. She is founding artistic director and conductor of the Canadian National Jazz Orchestra, as well as the past artistic director of Orchestre National Jazz de Montreal. Her jazz orchestra recordings have gone on to win Juno awards, including “Habitat” (2014) and “Treelines” (2011).
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Bailey Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all
Cinematic Sounds
Cornell Cinema will screen Dziga Vertov’s “Man with a Movie Camera” (1929) with live accompaniment by Austin, Texas-based band Montopolis. “Featuring members of Okkervil River and The Polyphonic Spree, this special event will feature a joyful original score that incorporates traditional Ukrainian folk melodies. Filmed in Moscow and Odessa, ‘Man with A Movie Camera’ is a city symphony composed of a continually shifting kaleidoscope of imagery that captures the spirit of Soviet life at that time. Revered as a visual masterpiece and one of the greatest documentaries ever made, the film also gives historical context to the current Russian invasion of Ukraine and lays bare the costs of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Willard Straight Theatre
Cost: $10-$12, available online here
Thieves in the Night
Practice Presents returns to Deep Dive with another cool show, this one featuring Brooklyn-based Art Thief, who offer an “impressive mastery of prog, fusion, and other genres aplenty” (Chronogram) and is a “musical force to be reckoned with” (Bass Player). Their latest album is “Tough Crowd,” which Bass Player said: “Combined with lyrics that are part Claypool, part science fiction, harmonies layered with color, and a James Brown enthusiasm, ‘Tough Crowd’ is an instant earworm.” Find out more here! Locals Yaktus, Leo & the Maydays, and Second Spring round out the bill.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10
Going Underground
Local guitarist-composer Ryan Vanderhoof concludes his residency at the Downstairs. Last week, he reunited The Long Now, an instrumental trio in which he’s joined by bassist Brian Dozoretz and drummer Matt Saccuccimorano. This week will feature Broken Down Barns, his songwriting vehicle in which he’s joined by Chris Ploss, Justin Roeland, and Eric Harvey.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10
Ritter Returns
Idaho singer-songwriter Josh Ritter returns to Ithaca for a solo acoustic show at the Hangar Theatre. He recently released “Truth is a Dimenson (Both Invisible and Blinding),” a new solo EP available only on bandcamp and the merch table at his shows. He also recently published a new book, “The Great Glorious Goddamn of It All,” a “lyrical, sweeping novel about a young boy’s coming-of-age during the last days of the lumberjacks.” Find out more here!
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Hangar Theatre
Cost: $40-$50, available online here
Downtown Debut
The Joey Harkum Band makes its Ithaca debut at The Range in Ithaca on Friday, “For his entire life Joey Harkum has been strumming a guitar and after a decade of touring as the lead singer and songwriter of Baltimore-based band Pasadena, he released his debut solo album, ‘Love and Labor,’ to critical acclaim in 2016. Known for his deep and poignant lyrics telling stories of joy, love, loss and sadness, Joey brings the human experience to life through his relentless tour schedule that culminated in the release of ‘Live at Buffalo Iron Works’ in 2018. 2022 brought the release of his newest full-length album ‘Salt and Tar’ in April of 2022. “
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: cover charge
Master of Puppets
Puppeteer-songwriter-musician Tom Knight is beloved in Ithaca. He moved away a few years ago and is returning for one day only to share songs and puppets from his new album “Look Both Ways,” which interweaves brand-new material (“Wiggly Tooth,” “Five Snow People”) with songs Knight has written since the release of his last album in 2003 (“Look Both Ways,” “Museum Mambo,” “Hot Air Balloon”) and new renditions of favorite tunes from Tom’s early recordings (“The Garbage Monster,” “Alligator Jump,” “Stone Soup”). Find out more here!
When: 11 a.m. Saturday
Where: First Unitarian Society of Ithaca (FUSIT), 306 N. Aurora St, Ithaca
Cost: $8, available online here. “Everyone who comes can buy Tom's new album for 50% off retail ($5).:
Three of a Kind
The CSMA hosts a cool triple bill, with local favorites Vicious Fishes and Luke G & the Candyhearts joined by Binghamton’s Pleasure Dome. Plus, the show will feature comedic interludes by Arlo Chapple! Open to all ages.
Community School of Music and Arts
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Community School of Music and Arts
Cost: $10-$20 sliding scale Event Info
Voices Carry
The Cornell Glee Club Fall Concert, "Kanpe La!", features works from five centuries of choral music in six different languages. The concert explores different composers speaking out against injustice, culminating with Haitian-American composer Sydney Guillaume's "Kanpe La," a musical polemic surrounding the humanitarian crisis in Haiti. Other composers featured are Rosephanye Powell, Marques L. A. Garrett, Pablo Casals, Cristobal Morales, Modesta Bor, Johannes Ockeghem, and more.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sage Chapel, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all Event Info
Welcome Return
Former Ithacan Walter Strauss returns from California to reunite with Rich DePaolo for solo, collaborative, and ensemble musical performances in Liquid State’s intimate new Barrel Room. “Since their musical kinship began in the 90's in Ithaca, the two have gone on to produce many projects together despite anchoring themselves on opposite coasts. In addition to their collaborative work, both Walter and Rich individually have deep credits in their respective careers.” They’ll be joined by bassist John Young and drummer Bill King for the show.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Liquid State Brewing
Cost:
Ready for Release
Local fiddler Tim Ball will play a house concert to mark the release of his new solo album “Upstate Crossroads,” which “sheds new light on nearly forgotten fiddle tunes and folk songs from all corners of New York State and the surrounding traditions.” He’ll be joined by Max Newman on guitar, piano,
and mandolin for the show.
When: 7-10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Canaan Institute, Brooktondale
Cost: $20 donation at the door; please RSVP cinst.org/rsvp for directions and to reserve your seat at this private venue.
Guitar Great
Virtuoso guitarist/composer/improviser Juanito Pascual brings his flamenco trio featuring two highly versatile and dynamic musicians, drummer Jose Moreno and bassist Brad Barrett, back to TCFA. “Their sound is a truly organic blend of traditional and contemporary flamenco plus influences ranging from Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead to Miles Davis and J.S. Bach.”
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts
Cost: $15, available online here
Go Solo
Daryl Hall brings his solo tour to promote his recently anthology, “BeforeAfter,” which contains 24 songs from his five solo albums and six never-released songs from his popular “Live at Daryl’s House” series. He’ll be joined by longtime friend and fellow Philadelphia native Todd Rundgren; both will be backed by the Daryl’s House Band for individual sets, and they’ll collaborate on a few songs, too!
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19
Where: The OnCenter Crouse Hinds Theater, 411 Montgomery St., Syracuse
Cost: $49-$149, available online here
Read an exclusive interview with Daryl Hall here!
Carnival Cool
The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra will present “Carnival of the Animals.” The program will feature Rameau’s “Overture from Zaïs,” Sally Lamb McCune’s “Spiral” (a CCO world premiere!), and Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals” (with verses by conductor Grant Cooper, and featuring pianists Muse Ye and Harris Anderson), and “Symphony No. 2.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with a pre-concert chat at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Ford Hall, Ithaca College
Cost: $10-$35, available online here (a streaming link is available here)
Four on the Floor
The Downstairs will host “A night of indie music, original songs & tacos!” with singer-songwriters Georgie (Rochester), Roselove (NYC/Philly), Sarah Noell (Ithaca), and Hannah Law (Ithaca). She Messy Tacos will be available beginning at 7 p.m., followed by the music at 8 p.m.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $5
String Thing
The Cornell Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Kirsten Marshall, performs Felix Mendelssohn’s “String Symphony No. 3 in E Minor,” Robert Paterson’s “Suite for String Orchestra,” and Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade.”
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
In Concert
The Arts at Grace series hosts Ithaca cellist Zachary Sweet and pianist Kerry Mizrahi, who will present an afternoon of music by Perkinson, Shaw, Coleridge-Taylor,
and Bridge.
3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Grace & Holy Spirit Church, 13 Court St., Cortland
Cost: free; donations welcome
Trio Grande
Local singer-songwriters Jennie Lowe, Bronwen Exter, and Mary Brett Lorson will each play their own set and join forces at the end of the evening.
When: 7-9 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: cover charge
Sax Attack
NYC-based trio Moon Hooch returns to Ithaca, bringing its fiery sax-driven sound honed on the subway platforms of the city. The group currently comprises Michael Wilbur, Wenzl Mcgowen, and Cyzon Griffin. Find out more here! Dom Martyr – the recently formed electronic project of Angelo Peters and Alicia Aubin – will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $20 in advance, available online here; $25 day of show
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
Going Galactic
The Galactic Escort Service returns for its monthly visit to the Argos Warehouse, promising “another epic journey through sonic cosmology.” Core players Tenzin Chopak, Emmett Scott, Angelo Peters, and Ashley Ickes will be joined by special guest Mark Wienand Karlsen on saxophone and quark effects.
When: 9 p.m. Monday
Where: Argos Warehouse
Cost: $10
Positive Vibrations
Mosaic Foundation and The Crucials will join forces for a pre-Thanksgiving Reggae Night along the Cayuga Inlet.
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10 in advance, available online here; $15 at the door
More Shows
The Argos Grove Trio plays jazz at the Argos Inn at 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays
Jesse Collins hosts “Jazz at the Market” at Brookton’s Market at 6-9 p.m. Wednesday
Cortland Beer Company hosts Open Mic Night at 6 p.m. Wednesdays
Rev Ezra plays 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 Friends return to South Hill Cider at 5-8 p.m. Thursday
Oliver Burdo plays Atwater Winery at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Aiken is at Cortland Beer at 6 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to Crossroads in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Cortland’s new Ake Gallery hosts “The Art of Music” open-mic series at 7 p.m. Thursdays; sign-ups start at 6:30 p.m.
Leo and the Maydays are at The Upstairs at 10 p.m. Thursday
Not From Brooklyn plays Two Goats Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Friday
Common Railers play Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
The Pelotones play Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Roger Decker is at BRU64 at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Greg McQuade plays Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Friday
The Vectors are at ONCO Fermentations at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Caleb Lieber plays the Dryden Hotel at 7-9 p.m. Friday
The Delta Mike Shaw Band is at the Scale House Brewery at 7-9 p.m. Friday
Seneca Jam is at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
The CRS Barn Studio will host “Potatoes and Jazz - a Triphammer Arts Open House,” a free evet with Steven Stull, Jeanne Goddard and John White, at 2-4 p.m. Saturday
Logan Wannall is at Chateau Dusseau at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Pat Tato plays Two Goats Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Celebrate “The Plant” with DJKDawg at Hopshire Brewing at 5-9 p.m. Saturday
Roger Decker is at McGraw Box Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Tom Chamberlain plays Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Clint Bush is at Brewer’s Kitchen and Taproom at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Billy Golicki and the Therapists play Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
The Mudflats plays Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Mark Douglas is at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 7-10 p.m. Saturday
Marc Ryan and Monica play Hairy Tony’s at 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Tink Bennett and Tailor Made return to Goody’s Lake Como Inn at 9 p.m. Saturday ($5)
The 1980 Underground returns for a new wave/postpunk/no wave/etc. dance event at Sacred Root Kava Bar at 10 p.m. Saturday
Clint Bush is at Solera Tap House at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Raedwald Howland-Bolton plays Two Goats Brewing at 4 p.m. Sunday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7-9 p.m. Tuesday
SingTrece will host her monthly “Open Mic for Singers, Rappers & Poets” at the Downstairs at 7-9 p.m. Tuesday
Scuba Jerry plays Bike Bar Ithaca at 7-10 p.m. Tuesday
The Argos Grove Trio plays jazz at the Argos Inn at 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays
The Levi Dusseau Duo plays Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Wednesday
Steve Romer and Brad Allen play Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Wednesday
Cortland Beer Company hosts Open Mic Night at 6 p.m. Wednesdays
Tru Bleu is at Salt Point Brewing at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday
The Shylocks are at ONCO Fermentations at 7-9 p.m. Wednesday
Logan Wannall (7-8:30 p.m.) and Roger Decker (9-11 p.m.) are at The St. Charles in Cortland on Wednesday
Rocco Rich plays the Dryden Hotel at 7-9 p.m. Wednesday
Chasing Neon plays Stonehedges Golf Course in Groton at 7 p.m. Wednesday
Gabe Stillman returns to Garrett’s Brewing Company in Trumansburg at 7 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
Merkley & Morgan join the Rollin’ Rust for the annual pre-Thanksgiving Bash at the Red Jug Pub in Cortland at 8 p.m. Wednesday
DJ Tuggle spins at the Rook at 9 p.m. Wednesday
Regional Shows
Nov. 16, Dan Novarro, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
Nov. 17, Cooper Alan, Kegs Canalside, Jordan
Nov. 17, The Rough and Tumble with Annie Sumi, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
Nov. 17, Breland, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo
Nov. 18, “Sad and Boujee Emo Night” with Aaron Gillespie of Underoath, The L, Horseheads
Nov. 18, Syracuse Acoustic Guitar Project, May Memorial Society, Syracuse
Nov. 18, Trey Anastasio Band with Goose, Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial, Syracuse
Nov. 18, Little Texas, Turning Stone Showroom, Verona
Nov. 18, Schizophonics with The Low Spirits and The Dirty Pennies, The Bug Jar, Rochester
Nov. 18, Black Veil Brides with Ice Nine Kills and Motionless In White, MVP Arena, Albany
Nov. 19, Miss Tess, Abilene Bar & Lounge, Rochester
Nov. 19, Felix Cavaliere's Rascals (with Gene Cornish), Kodak Center, Rochester
Nov. 19, Litz, Funk ‘n Waffles, Syracuse
Nov. 19, Amy Helm, JCC Hart Theater, Rochester
Nov. 20, Soweto Gospel Choir, Anderson Center for the Performing Arts, Binghamton
Nov. 20, Firehouse, The L, Horseheads
