Ring in 2023 with some cool New Year’s Eve shows around Ithaca and Cortland! Plus, Trampled by Turtles makes their delayed debut at the State Theatre of Ithaca, and Kid Bess and Dan Forsyth celebrate their new CDs in Binghamton!
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!
Chips off the Block
It's a midweek happy hour with Sons of the Deep, featuring the offspring of some local jazz masters. The band features Daniel Zawel on keys, Silas Richardson on drums, Max Rubenstein on bass, Jacob Merrill on sax and Nate Silas Richardson on guitar. After, hang around for the Deep Dive Big Band, which plays at 8-10 p.m. (see below for more info on that).
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free
Turtles All the Way Down
Hailing from Minnesota, Trampled by Turtles will make their delayed Ithaca debut at the State Theatre. (Their originally scheduled date in November was postponed after frontman Dave Simonett got laryngitis.) The sextet is touring to promote its new 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!
Langhorne Slim, who performed at the Hangar Theatre in October, returns 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.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28 (postponed from Nov. 9)
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $42-$54, available online here
Read a recent Trampled by Turtles interview here!
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. 28
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free; ages 18 and up
Old-Time Tunes
South Hill Cider hosts a homecoming of sorts, with former Ithacan Oona Grady and James Gascoyne of Drank the Gold returning to play old-time tunes with Steve Selin, Leah Grady Sayvetz, and Jason Zorn.
When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
Ready for Release
Two area favorites will combine forces to celebrate the release of their new CDs: “Friday Night Nowhere” by Dan Forsyth and “Pearls” by KidBess. Known as a co-founder of Driftwood, Forsyth will be joined by drummer Sam Fishman and bassist Ryan Cirbus for this show. Kid Bess, the stage name of Bess Greenberg, will be joined by her band the Magic Ring, which includes Mike Amadeo on bass, Joe Alston on guitar, Jeff McAuley on cello, and Moses Valle on drums.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29 (postponed from Dec. 15)
Where: Atomic Toms, 196 State St., Binghamton
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door; $40 ticket pre-order includes both CDs. Go here to purchase tickets.
Read a recent interview with Dan Forsyth here!
On the Waterfront
Deep Dive will host a two-night stand featuring the one-two punch of local favorites Jimkata and the Comb Down. On Friday, Jimkata will play its “Die Digital” album in its entirety, while the Comb Down will play funkified versions of Beatles songs. Saturday will feature each band playing its regular set plus some new material to ring in 2023, followed by the debut of GemKata, a tag-team DJ/Live mash-up between the two bands!
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: A two-night pass is $85 in advance, if still available; each night is $45 in advance, $55 day of show. Go here for tickets!
Ready to Rock
Regional favorite Driftwood will return for its traditional NYE two-night stand, this time in downtown Ithaca. On Friday, they’ll be joined by longtime local folk favorite Joe Crookston, and Saturday, electro-pop duo Dom Martyr will open the show to help ring in 2023.
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: The Range
Cost: $45 for two-night pass, available online here; $20 for just Friday’s show, available here; $35 for just Saturday’s show, available here
Auld Lang Zone
The Electrozone wraps up a busy 2022 with a New Year’s Eve show at a secret location featuring three local acts: Black, MA, Stepwriterun, and Panther Smoothie. “We’ve got something special we’ve been keeping under our hat! A very special and very secret New Year’s Eve party! Our cover photo subtly teases at what you can expect! On top of that we have a bill filled with some of the hottest hitters in Ithaca and beyond! This is not the party to sleep on!”
Black, MA features hard techno and experimental noise mixes from Lexi C.M.K Turner of Prayer Rope / And the Maiden / Avoidance / Homocidal / Tears of Morning. Stepwriterun “is Jason Leifer, and his performances are all about improvisation. He uses a mix of modular synths, samplers, turntables, iPads, effects pedals, synthesizers, and sequencers to produce on the fly. His music is influenced by ambient, dub, techno, house, and triphop.” Panther Smoothie “is the weird beats project of E /EZ/Avoidance/Phantom Project/and many more. Expect strange sounds punctuated by slamming beats and other worldly sensations.”
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: DM for ticket and the address
Cost: $10; BYOB
Inn Between Nights
Bar Argos and the Argos Warehouse will host an extravaganza featuring two bands and one of Ithaca’s top DJs. MAQ – Eric Aceto, Harry Aceto, Doug Robinson, Chad Lieberman, and Steve Pond – will play Brazilian jazz in Bar Argos from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The Real Live Sextet – Jay Spaker, Mike Stark, Lee Hamilton, Thom Sayers, Zaun Marshburn, and Willie B. – will play classic soul, funk, and boom bap in the Argos Warehouse from 9 p.m. to midnight. And DJ Proper Philth will close out the night, spinning “Spaced Out Gangster Disco Funk” in the Warehouse from midnight to 2 a.m.
When: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday
Where: Argos Inn and Warehouse
Cost: $40 in advance, available online here; $45 at the door; hors d'oeuvres and desserts are included with your ticket, as well as access to the outdoor fire pit and patio between the inn and the warehouse.
10 Years of Smacked
To mark its first decade, Smacked Records will host “A Black Tie Occasion 2,” a New Year’s Eve event featuring DJ Jona along with live performances by hiphop artists Amir Ali, Anthony Kannon, and Mr. McBean. Learn more about the local label here!
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: Advance tickets are $20, available online here
Let’s Dance
Cortland Repertory Theatre will host its sixth annual “Dancin’ Thru The Decades” New Year’s Even Community Dance. “Patrons are invited to celebrate the new year by dancing to the greatest hits from the 1960s thru today while having a front-row look at the New Year’s events in downtown Cortland, including fireworks and the ball drop at the clocktower.” A beer and wine cash bar will be available. Open to all ages.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Cortland Repertory Theatre Downtown, 24 Port Watson St., Cortland
Cost: $10 in advance, available by calling (800) 427-6160 or online here; $15 at the door, kids under 12 get in free
More Shows
Scott Adams is at Solera Tap House at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday
The Argos Grove Trio plays jazz at the Argos Inn at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Flea Circus 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
Scott B. Adams hosts Open Mic Night at the Scale House Brewery at 6-9 p.m. Thursdays
Clancy and McCann is at Mangia Stattizitto in Cortland at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Pat and Dan are at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to The Ridge in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
The X'Plozionz are at McGraw Box Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Friday
McCardell and Westers are at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 6-9 p.m. Friday
The Smokin’ Loons are at BRU64 in Cortland at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Bad Alibi is at Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
John West and Ted Romer are at Night Owls at 7-10 p.m. Friday
Roger Decker is at the Dryden Hotel at 7-9 p.m. Friday
Northern Outlaws are at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
New Year’s Eve
Bill Kulze is at Chateau Dusseau at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Roger Decker is at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
K-HOUSE Karaoke Lounge & Suites will host a New Year's Eve Pajama Party beginning at 6 p.m. with free admission in the lounge and bar, and standard rates in the karaoke suites
The 607 Lounge and Event Space (1808 Hanshaw Road) will feature DJ Double A and DJ A Idol spinning at the “Night to Remember” party beginning at 9 p.m.
Past My Bedtime is at McGraw Box Brewing Company at 5 p.m. Saturday
The Dean Goble Band is at Cortland Country Music Park at 7 p.m. Saturday
The Hotel Ithaca will host its “Diamonds Are Forever” New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring live music from the New York Rockin’ Revue beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Chasing Neon is at Britches' Dance Bar in Auburn at 9 p.m. Saturday
Josh Dolan and Andrew Alling are at Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge at 9 p.m. Saturday
Bad Alibi is at Garrett’s Brewing in Trumansburg at 9 p.m. Saturday
Glenmary's Ghost and Laughing Buddha Episodes are at the John Barleycorn Tavern in Owego at 9 p.m. Saturday
Steve Daniels and Zack Knewstub play jazz at Hairy Tony's in Cortland at 10 p.m. Saturday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7-9 p.m. Tuesday
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
Regional Shows
Dec. 27, Sulaco, Inertia, and Babayaga, The Bug Jar, Rochester
Dec. 27, Tony Orlando, Turning Stone Showroom, Verona
Dec. 30, Mike Powell, 443 Social Club, Syracuse (SOLD OUT!)
Dec. 30, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, The Club at Water St., Rochester
Dec. 30, Zac Brown Tribute Band, Turning Stone Showroom, Verona
Dec. 31, Andy Frasco, Town Ballroom, Buffalo
Dec. 31, Goo Goo Dolls, Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino, Niagara Falls
Dec. 31, Stephen Phillips, Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
Dec. 31, Hairball, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo