Blackberry Smoke and the Indigo Girls return to the State Theatre, the Cosmic Joke Collective is back with another array of local luminaries, and Tri-Force gets ready for its debut! Plus, holiday-themed shows continue throughout the area!
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!
Also, it’s time for WITH’s winter membership drive! Tune into “Open Tunings” each morning, as host Scott Regan is joined by a variety of special guests. For more information, or to make a donation, go here!
Paying Tribute
Pianist Thomas Feng will present “Quo Vadis?: The Life and Music of Emahoy Tsege-Mariam Gebru,” a lecture-recital honoring the extraordinary life and music of Ethiopian composer and nun, Emahoy Tsege-Mariam Gebru. Biography, cultural history, original archival research, and performances of Emahoy's compositions interweave into the presentation, in commemoration of the composer's upcoming 99th birthday.
When: 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 7
Where: A.D. White House, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Closer to Fine
Indigo Girls make a welcome return to Ithaca, with Amy Ray and Emily Saliers playing songs from their deep discography dating back to 1989.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7
Where: State Theatre
Cost: $37-$68, available online here
Triple Threat
Practice Presents returns with another cool show, this one featuring local favorites Secret Service Men, New Motor Club, and Viva Mayhem playing punk, garage rock, ska, and more!
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: $10
Rongo Revival
Richie Stearns and Friends will reconstitute The Rongo Band that played old-time tunes and fiddle music at the now-defunct Rongovian Embassy in Trumansburg. Richie will be joined by longtime compatriots Rosie Newton, Steve Selin, and Ben Gould for a mix of old-time tunes, country classics, and original songs.
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
Tinsel Tunes
The Ithaca Concert Band will present its annual Holiday Concert. “This concert will feature modern and traditional Christmas arrangements through time and a lively Hanukkah-inspired piece. No time to catch a full Nutcracker ballet this season? You can catch the ‘Short But Sweet Nutcracker Suite’ with ICB.” Find out more about ICB here!
When: 7-8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Ford Hall, Ithaca College
Cost: free and open to all; donations welcome
Ready to Rock
After performing an all-acoustic show here in April 2019, southern rock favorites Blackberry Smoke return to Ithaca to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their breakout album, “The Whippoorwill.” Founded in 2000, the Georgia-based band includes vocalist-lead guitarist Charlie Starr, guitarist-vocalist Paul Jackson, bassist-vocalist Richard Turner, drummer Brit Turner, and keyboardist Brandon Still. Their latest release is “Stoned,” a collection of Rolling Stones covers. Find out more about them here!
Read Jeff Spevak's 2021 interview with Blackberry Smoke's Charlie Starr here!
Yesterday's Wine, the duo of Wyatt Durrette and Levi Lowrey, will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $27.50 and up, available online here
Going Underground
The Venissa Santí 4 Tet will perform in downtown Ithaca, with acclaimed Latin jazz vocalist Santí joined by keyboardist Michael Stark, bassist Walt Lorenzut, and Olive Mitra on drums and cajón.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $12
Eclectic and Electric
Tri-Force – the joint venture of Felix Free, Cosmic-T, and Mystik Fool, will perform in downtown Ithaca. "The foretold coming together of three highly celebrated diversely melanated eclectic bohemian funky fresh artists." Open to all ages.
When: 8 p.m. Friday Where: Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge
Cost: $15
Straight Outta Athens
Hailing from the music scene of Athens, Georgia, Underground Springhouse blends reggae, country, funk, and rock influences to create its distinctive sound. The band’s 2018 debut single, “Joyfell,” was followed by the 2019 EP “Tom Foolery” and 2021’s self-titled full-length album. Their most recent single “I’ll Be Fine,” (April 2022) finds the band incorporating southern rock and blues influences. The group includes Members Haas (guitar/vocals), Jackson Thompson (bass/vocals), Max Motley (keyboard/vocals), Mitch Davidson (guitar/vocals), and Jacob Sherwin (drums/percussion). Find out more about them here!
When: 9:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: $10
It’s a Crazy Feeling
Cortland Repertory Theatre will present three concerts with Todd Meredith and the Rave-Ons, who have performed multiple times at CRT to sold-out houses, with tribute concerts to Buddy Holly and the Crickets as well as other popular groups of the 1950s and early 60s. At 11 a.m. Saturday, CRT will host a Holiday Broadway Brunch fundraiser, with an hour-long performance by the band as well as a silent auction, catered sweet treats, and beer and wine cash bar featuring specialty holiday drinks created by the CRT bartenders. The band also will performs full two-act concerts on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Find out more about the band here!
When: 11 a.m. Saturday (brunch event); 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday (concerts)
Where: CRT Downtown, 24 Port Watson St., Cortland
Cost: $100 per table of four for brunch event; for the concerts, tickets are $35 for adults; $120 for a group of four; $25 for under age 21, available by calling (800) 427-6160 or online at CortlandRep.org.
Let’s Dance!
Hands Four Dancers of Ithaca will present its latest event. “Join us for a relaxed afternoon of contras, with the added fun of a few Finnish traditional dances. Calling by David Smukler, Finnish dances taught by Katrina Mackey, music by the joined forces of local contra favorite O’Shanigans and local Finnish favorite Metku.”
“Early registration to provide vaccination information by email at hfdi.webmaster@gmail.com is highly recommended. Everyone must provide proof of full vaccination either through early registration or at the door; N95, KN94, or surgical masks required and must be worn.”
When: 2-5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Fall Creek Elementary School=
Cost: $10 for members, $12 for non-members
Voices Carry
The Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers will present their Winter Concert. “Our selections will feature some holiday classics, standard Negro spirituals and gospel, and new pieces that we are excited to share! The livestream will take place on our brand-new YouTube channel for those who are unable to make the performance in person.” Find out more about the ensemble here!
When: 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ford Hall, Ithaca College
Cost: free and open to all; $20 suggested donation
History on Parade
Cheryl Tan will present a keyboard recital, “Late Styles: Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Brahms” that includes the use of two of Cornell’s historical keyboard instruments.
When: 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Dark as a Dungeon
The Electrozone returns with another cool “Dungeon Knights” event in downtown Ithaca. “Time's end is coming for 2022 and so too must Dungeon Knights make a final stand. In an effort to break the bounds of time itself 2022 has conjured an unholy horde of unimaginable proportions to see that no year will ever usurp it. Though vastly outnumbered, local heroes Avoidance have summoned a band of champions to meet this onslaught head on and ensure this year will not be the last year. The nocturnal warrior Notule and the dark wizard Moon Eyed Kitty join Avoidance's perilous quest. What's this? Hidden forces stir who may yet save our heroes or brutally slay them. Who will win on this night of champions, 2022 or Dungeon Synth?!? …. Join us if you dare!”
More about the musicians:
AVOIDANCE (Ithaca): “The combined might of Lexi Turner (Prayer Rope) and E (Phantom Project) manifests Avoidance. AVOIDANCE conjure a swirling mass of rumbling electronics and haunting refrains that speak of the night and the horrors just beyond it.”
NOTULE (Rochester) “Handcrafted Dungeon Synth, founded in Ithaca, inspired by esoterica of the past and future.”
MOON EYED KITTY (Ithaca) “Crawling out of the night, Moon Eyed Kitty passionately blends several styles of music, and some much more arcane, from his leathery tome of electronic music.”
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Rest Gallery, 113 W State St., Ithaca
Cost; $10-$15 sliding scale
Blurring Boundaries
SOUK returns to the stage, playing middle-eastern and Arabic, Turkish, Persian, and Greek music, ranging between hypnotic and danceable, instrumental and vocal pieces. SOUK was formed in 2010 by Nikolai Ruskin, Jesse Koennecke, and Dara Anissi, who have been performing together for over two decades. Performing on violin, oud, percussion, and several other traditional instruments, they will be joined by Middle Eastern dancers Anna Horn and Alicia Free. ”SOUK plays traditional Arabic and Turkish music, based on Maqam, a complex modal system with emphasis on improvisation, and Iqa, a wide variety of rhythms. Their repertoire ranges from Raqs Sharqi, the music played in cabarets for bellydance, to Muwashahat, 16th century songs that migrated from Andalusia to Aleppo, Golden Era classics by famous singers like Ohm Kalthoum and Abdel Halim Hafez, to folk music from Upper Egypt and the Black Sea region of Turkey.
When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts
Cost: $11 in advance, available online here; $15 at the door
Two for One
Deep Dive will host a double bill – two shows, one ticket – featuring the return of the Cosmic Joke Collective along with Portland, Maine-based “indie pranksters” SeepeopleS.
Hosted by the Mighty Mickie Quinn, this month’s CJC will feature “some of Ithaca's best shining their light on you with solo performances and new ensembles.” Performers include Angie Beeler; Billy Coté & Mary Lorson with Steve Gollnick and Brian Dozoretz; Joe Gibson; Sam Lupowitz; and Fusebox, a new trio comprising Josh Ross (Kitestring), Julia Felice (Whiskey Crisis), and Harry Nichols (Noon Fifteen).
Led by Will Bradford, SeepeopleS have released five full-length albums and 2 EPs on their own imprint, RascalZRecordZ, with one more due out this fall. “It would be an accurate statement to say that there isn't a single band on the planet that covers as much ground musically, or traverses through as many musical universes as SeepeopleS does.” Find out more about them here!
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10 in advance, available online here; $15 at the door
Songs to Sing
Lisa Ann Wright plays an afternoon show at Brookton’s Market. She has performed with several area bands including Annie Ol’ Thyme, Uncle Joe and the Rosebud Ramblers, and the Tomcats, as well as spending many years in the D.C. metro area, singing and playing with dance bands and the “Snarky Sisterz” duo. She most recently performed her original songs under the show title of “Love, Death, and Taxes” in Ontario as part of her artist residency on Halls Island. Her songs “tend to be topical but not strident, self-reflective at times but hopefully not too much so, and chill — but not elevator-ready.”
When: 1-3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Brookton’s Market
Cost: free; donations welcome
A Savage Holiday
The Savage Club of Ithaca is hosting a holiday music concert that will feature a variety of choral holiday music, ranging from old-English carols to modern sing-along favorites. Founded as an offshoot of the Cornell Glee, Banjo, and Mandolin Club, the Savage Club of Ithaca has been entertaining audiences and promoting the arts since 1895. The Savage Club provides grants to community arts organizations that specialize in youth performance, including the Community School of Music and Arts, Women’s Works, Vitamin L Chorus, Running to Places Theatre Company and Armstrong School of Dance.
When: 2-3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Savage Club Performing Arts Center, 1004 Auburn Road, Groton
13073 (15 minutes north of Triphammer Marketplace).
Cost: Admission is free, with freewill donations accepted. “All proceeds go to renovations for the performing arts center, which is made available as a rehearsal and performance space to local groups.”
Simply ‘The Best’
The Ithaca Community Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Aaron Burgess, will present a concert titled “The Best of the Best.” The orchestra will be performing Dvorak’s Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Opus 70, and Hayden’s Symphony No. 103 “The Drumroll.” The orchestra welcomes Reuben Foley as the new assistant conductor; he’ll lead the orchestra in Emilie Mayer’s “Faust - Ouverture.” The public is invited to attend a reception held directly after the concert.
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Lansing Middle School Auditorium
Cost: A recommended donation of $7 will be accepted at the door, and children are admitted free of charge.
‘Radiant Dawn’
Conducted by artistic music director Sean Linfors, the Cayuga Vocal Ensemble will present a concert titled “Radiant Dawn,” which will include the premiere of Christine Donkin’s piece, “Sorrow into Song.” Find out more about the CVE here!
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: St. Catherine of Siena, 309 Siena Dr., Ithaca
Cost: donations are welcome at the door
Sounds of the Solstice
The Scott B Adams Acoustic Ensemble will present its Annual Solstice Concert at Red Newt Cellars. A holiday tradition for more than 20 years, and back after a pandemic break, the event features original, acoustic, and holiday music performed by Scott B Adams, Eric Aceto, and Doug Robinson. Find out more here!
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Red Newt Cellars
Cost: Sold out! Send Adams a message via Facebook or the website to get on the waiting list.
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, Dec. 14
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free; ages 18 and up
More Shows
The Argos Grove Trio plays jazz at the Argos Inn at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
The Jesse Collins Trio hosts “Jazz at the Market” at Brookton’s Market at 6-9 p.m. Wednesday
Gone Acoustic plays Salt Point Brewing at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday
The Cornell Jazz program will give its Combo Showcase concert in the Klarman Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium at 7 p.m. Wednesday
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
Scott B. Adams hosts Open Mic Night at the Scale House Brewery at 6-9 p.m. Thursdays
The Brewhouse Blues Band returns to Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday
Ella Drotar is at BRU64 in Cortland at 6 p.m. Thursday
Pat and Dan are 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
The Dutchess of Spirit Posse hosts a DJ Dance Party at the Range at 9 p.m. Thursday ($5)
DJ Dale hosts a weekly Karaoke Night at the Upstairs at 10 p.m. Thursdays
Dubber Rucky (DJ ha-MEEN and Kenny Christianson) returns for an experimental dance party at Deep Dive at 10 p.m. Thursday (no cover!)
Louiston, joined by Chris Ploss and Joey Arcuri, is at Two Goats Brewing at 5 p.m. Friday
GoGone returns to Deep Dive for a happy hour show at 5-7 p.m. Friday
Paul Davie is at McGraw Box Brewing Company at 5:30 p.m. Friday
Harmonic Dirt is at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 6 p.m. Friday
Travis Rocco is at Homer Hops at 6 p.m. Friday
The BobCats Band plays Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Clint Bush is at the Dryden Hotel at 7-9 p.m. Friday
Organist Anna Steppler will perform “Winter Light,” a recital of seasonal music, at 7 p.m. Friday in Cornell’s Anabel Taylor Chapel
Band by the River is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Marc Ryan and Monica are at Hairy Tony's in Cortland at 8 p.m. Friday
Pat Comstock and Scott Muir are at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
The Double Standards are at Treleaven Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
The Percolators are at Brookton’s Market at 2-4 p.m. Saturday
Adam Parker is at Chateau Dusseau in Locke at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Jennie Lowe and Brian John McBrearty join forces at Stone Bend Farm at 5-7 p.m. Saturday
Past My Bedtime is at McGraw Box Brewing Company at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Levi and the Wranglers are at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Terrapin Station is at Two Goats Brewing at 5 p.m. Friday
The Midnight Mike Petroff Blues Harp Band plays ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
The Junkyard Heights Trio is at Homer Hops at 6 p.m. Saturday
Clint Bush plays Brewer's Kitchen and Taproom at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Jimi Marley is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
The Range hosts a Salsa Night Latin Dance Party, featuring DJs and dance lessons, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday
Delaques and ANNATTO return to the Downstairs at 9 p.m. Saturday ($5-$10 sliding scale)
Bradford Allen plays ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 12-3 p.m. Sunday
Tilia Cordata hosts “Serve! Drag Brunch” at Deep Dive at 12-4 p.m. Sunday
Payton Bird and Sean Fried are at McGraw Box Brewing Company at 2-4 p.m. Sunday
Immortal Jellyfish are at Americana Vineyards at 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday
The Horse Stories Trio is at Solera Tap Room at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Marc Ryan is at the Bluewater Grill in Skaneateles at 5 p.m. Sunday
Robin Burnett and Scott Muir are at Solera Tap Room at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7-9 p.m. Tuesday
The Argos Grove Trio plays jazz at the Argos Inn at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
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
The Analogue Sons return to the Argos Warehouse at 8 p.m. Wednesday
Regional shows
Dec. 7, The Beach Boys with John Stamos and the Holiday Vibrations Orchestra, OnCenter Crouse Hinds Theater, Syracuse
Dec. 7, Thievery Corporation, Town Ballroom, Buffalo
Dec. 7, Chris Duarte, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
Dec. 8, Celtic Women, Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo
Dec. 8, Nikki Glaser, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo
Dec. 8, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Landmark Theatre, Syracuse
Dec. 9, Grand Funk Railroad, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo
Dec. 9, Veronica Lewis, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
Dec. 9, Junexa, Lost Horizon, Syracuse
Dec. 9, David Bromberg, Center for the Arts, Homer (SOLD OUT!)
Dec. 10, Clockmen, Fuzzrod, and Massive Blowout, The Bug Jar, Rochester
Dec. 10, Saliva, The L, Horseheads
Dec. 10, Luminaire: Christmas! Turning Stone Showroom, Verona
Dec. 10, Lindsey Stirling, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo
Dec. 10, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Westcott Theater, Syracuse
Dec. 10, Veronica Lewis, Abilene Bar and Lounge, Rochester
Dec. 11, Irish Christmas in America, Earlville Opera House, Earlville
Dec. 12, Soweto Gospel Choir, Corning Museum of Glass
Dec. 15, Lita Ford, Touch of Texas, Binghamton
