Sun Parade returns to Ithaca, the L hosts the three-day Winterfest 2023 in Horseheads, jazz greats Frank Vignola and Gary Mazzaroppi come to Trumansburg, and Tab Benoit and JD Simo team up for a sold-out blues guitar bash at the Hangar Theatre.
Note: the events are listed below in chronological order, in two separate sections.
See an updated list of dozens of shows across upstate New York happening in February and beyond!
Cupid via Cuba
The Venissa Santí 4 Tet will play a Valentine’s Day show in downtown Ithaca
“A Cuban-American vocalist and composer, trained in jazz in Philly and schooled in sacred and secular Afro Cuban rhythms in Havana And Matanzas Cuba, Venissa Santí has traveled a long road to develop her signature style.” The 4 Tet features Michael Stark on piano, Walt Lorenzut on bass, and Olive Mitra on percussion. Area favorite Whistin’ Dyl will open the show with his western-inflected original songs.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10
Before Bach
Cornell’s Midday Music for Organ series continues as DMA student Nathan Mondry presents German and French music from the generation before J. S. Bach, including contrapuntal works from Bach’s presumed teacher, the Lüneburg organist Georg Böhm (1661-1733) and a suite by Jacques Boyvin (c. 1649-1706), organist at Rouen Cathedral.
When: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Anabel Taylor Chapel, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Trio Grande
Firefly Trio – Keith Evan Green (drums), Kevin Jones (guitar), and Stu Zimny (acoustic bass) – will play “a swinging mix of jazz standards and original tunes” in downtown Ithaca.
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: pay what you can
Going Galactic
The Galactic Escort Service returns, this time every other Wednesday at Deep Dive, promising “another epic journey through sonic cosmology.” Core players include Tenzin Chopak, Emmett Scott, Michael Schuler, and Ashley Ickes, who create improvisations on a variety of instruments.
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $5
Lounge Life
“Chez Lounge” will feature an evening of eclectic lounge songs with local favorites Nina Widger, Dave Davies, Brian Earle, and Jim Sherpa.
When: 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10; pay what you can
Ready for Release
Check out the video livestream of DFLT's latest album release, "Random Alchemy," live on Facebook.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Online at Facebook
Cost: free
Winter Wonderland
The L will host “Winterfest 2023,” a three-day event that will feature more than 20 local and regional acts spanning a variety of styles. “Friday is Old-school Rock and Metal, Saturday is Classic Rock and Country, Sunday is Jam Bands and Karaoke, we’ll be utilizing 2 stages all weekend long as we dance out the winter blues. Show your love for your favorite local and regional bands by coming out to support this event. During each band we will also be running a 50/50, the 50/50 will be split between the winning ticket holder and the band that just played. This is a great way to win some extra cash and support local music in the process.”
Here are the bands by day:
Friday (doors at 5 p.m.) – Main Stage: The X’Plozionz, Goodnight Human, Glenmary's Ghost; Side Stage: Audio Active, 7 Mile Drive, A Part Of Pluto
Saturday (doors at 11 a.m.) – Main Stage: Major BigTime, Rooster & The Roadhouse Horns, City Limits, Planet Jr, Unkle Uku & The Guise, Rotten Johnny, Stone Eater; Side Stage: Double Barrel, Devon Lawton & The Inlaws, Joey Lee Band, The Spare Parts Band, Southern Exit Band
Sunday (doors at 1 p.m.) – Main Stage: Destony Band, Air 11, Chasing Rabbits, Mortal Combine, Mike Davis; Side Stage: Karaoke by Biggie Entertainment
When: Friday-Sunday
Where: The L, 116 Breesport Road, Horseheads.
Cost: Advance tickets are $15 for one day, $30 for the whole weekend, and are available online here. At the door, one-day tickets are $20 and weekend passes are $35.
Five Alive
Practice At Presents returns to downtown Ithaca with another multi-band bill, this one featuring FIVE bands: Little Slicer, Birdweek, Moosecreek Park, It’s, and Akaburnzyy.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
Cost: $10-$15 sliding scale
Psychedelic Pop
Hailing from Northampton, Massachusetts, Sun Parade is a “psychedelic pop-fusing rock and roll band with deep grooves and sizzling harmonies.” Fronted by Chris Marlon Jennings and Jeff Lewis, the band also includes Karl Helander (drums), Niko Lapinski (bass), and Eli Salus-Kleiner (keyboards). Their latest release is 2021’s “Treats for Terry”; they’re currently producing a new record with Ian Hersey which is set to be released in 2023. "A hook line and sinker winner of ragged mischief and melody. Like Dr. Dog, Delta Spirit and Islands, Sun Parade offers a candid approach to music that makes them endearing." - Glide Magazine.
Opening the show is LongStory, an “Acoustic Soul Anti-Pop Jazz Songwriter/Performer since the age of 12.” Originally from southern Ohio, he now lives in Ithaca, where he writes “songs about love, self reflection, challenges with addiction, society and lots of fun stuff too.”
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $6 in advance, available online here; $10 day of show
Local Jazz Legend
In “Spiegle Willcox: Early Career & Influences,” Ralph Dudgeon, SUNY Cortland professor emeritus and principal trumpet for the Catskill Symphony Orchestra, presents Cortland’s famous jazz trombonist. “View Spiegle Willcox performances and experience his illustrious career. View the Homeville Museum’s new Cortland County Musicians display.”
When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Central New York Living History Center, 4386 US Route 11, Cortland
Cost: $10 for adults; $9 for seniors & AAA members; $5 for ages 6-18; Free for members, AD military, and children 5 & under. Admission includes tours of the CNY Living History Center museums: Homeville, Brockway, Tractors of Yesteryear.
(Note: on March 18, Homeville will present “Ronnie James Dio: Roundtable & Slideshow with Bandmates & Lifelong Friends”
New Music
The Cornell Department of Music presents the annual Festival Chamber Orchestra sinfonietta performance. “Conducted by James Spinazzola, the ensemble premieres new works by Cornell graduate composers Maria Bulla and Michele Cheng. Bulla is a music maker interested in the creation of flexible performance situations that allow individuals to experience art in a personal way. From the construction of miniature objects to oversized scores, instrumental pieces, and field recordings, she attempts to create experiences in which music becomes part of everyday situations. Cheng is an interdisciplinary composer who intertwines diverse media such as music, experimental theatre, and puppetry to engage with social issues and cultural identities.”
When: 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Lincoln Hall, room B20, Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all
Saturday Night Jazz
The Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts hosts guitarist Frank Vignola and bassist Gary Mazzaroppi as they present “Jazz Stories.” Tommy Emmanuel called Vignola “one of greatest musicians I’ve ever heard.” Also known as a gifted educator, “Frank Vignola’s stunning virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world's top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Wynton Marsalis, Tommy Emmanuel, Mark O'Connor, Boston Pops, New York Pops, and guitar legend Les Paul, who named Vignola to his ‘Five Most Admired Guitarists List for the Wall Street Journal. Vignola has performed at some of the most prestigious concert halls and festivals in the world including the Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center, Liverpool Philharmonic, Quebec Music Festival and Italy's Teatro Olimpico.”
When: 7-9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts
Cost: $18 in advance, available online here; at the door, $22
Western Stars
The Cast Iron Cowboys continue their weekly February residency in downtown Ithaca. The band includes bassist Josh Chamberlain (aka Rev Ezra), Max Moses, and slide guitarist Rob Beck, who play a mix of covers and originals they characterize as “Real American Music.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturdays in February
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $7
Techno Time
Microtones returns with a cool show at Forest City Lodge 180. “Join us for another round of collective techno healing with Buffalo-based duo UVB77 and Microtones resident DJ Midwife, with installations and lighting by Microtones crew.”
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Forest City Lodge 180, 536 W. Green St., Ithaca
Cost: $10 in advance (tickets available at Angry Mom Records); $20 at the door
Taste of the Tropics
The Meltdown Getdown Tropic Dance Party will help you melt away those winter blues with the help of DJs Obvi Objx, Dijon, Mateo, and Rain and live house band 10 Square Miles. “Not your average dance party, expect surprises...Winter is about to heat up!”
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Community School of Music and Arts
Cost: $10
Ready to Rock
Local bands Viva Mayhem and Stranded With A Kiss join forces for a show in downtown Ithaca, promising “super sexy swingin’ sounds.”
When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5
Sunday Jazz
The Cornell Jazz Faculty unite for a Sunday afternoon concert. The performers, including Paul Merrill, trumpet; Joe Salzano and Seth Carper, saxophones; Melissa Gardiner, trombone; Dave Solazzo, piano; Peter Chwazik, bass and guitar; and Greg Evans, drums, boast extensive performance resumes in addition to their educational work.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Klarman Hall Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Ithaca Loves Teachers
Attention, area school district employees: “ITHACA LOVES YOU! Call it a revamped Opening Party. You’ve worked hard and deserve to kick back and relax. You and a guest are invited to join us at the State Theatre of Ithaca to listen and dance to the tunes of the Bob Roberts Calamity Band. Best described as ‘Nostalgia-laden alternative rock that will bring you back to the era of double wide JNCO jeans and Motorola beepers green. BRC, is all that and a bag of chips….be there or you can talk to the hand, maaaannnn!'
"We’ll treat you to one complimentary drink and light hors d'oeuvres. Come relax and renew during your mid-winter break. Be sure to have your downloaded Ithaca Loves Teachers digital pass to check out Ithaca Loves Teachers lodging deals and make a night of it! You'll need your pass to get into the Opening Party too! Open to all school district employees.” See the link below to RSVP.
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: free; RSVP for tickets here!
String Thing
Blues guitar blasters Tab Benoit and JD Simo return to Ithaca to team up for a sold-out show. Hailing from Louisiana, Benoit is known for his swampy delta blues grooves, while the Chicago-born, Nashville-based Simo has rapidly gained a following for his fiery style.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Hangar Theatre
Cost: $40; SOLD OUT; put your name on the waiting list here!
Event Info
Read a 2019 interview with JD Simo 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, Feb. 22
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free; ages 18 and up
More Shows
Jasperoo returns to Brookton’s Market at 5-7 p.m. Tuesday
Jesse Collins hosts the Sandwich Sessions at Brookton’s Market at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday
The Argos Grove trio plays jazz at Bar Argos at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
The Salsa Night Dance Party returns to the Range at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Richie Stearns and Friends are at South Hill Cider at 5-8 p.m. Thursday
Oliver Burdo is at Atwater Vineyards at 5-8 p.m. Thursday
Scott B Adams hosts Open Mic Night at the Scale House Brewery at 6-9 p.m. Thursday
Pat and Don are at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
Marc Ryan returns to Mangia Stattizitto in Cortland at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to CrossRoads Bar & Grille in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Dubber Rucky returns to Deep Dive for another experimental dance party at 9:30 p.m. Thursday
Ryan Sutherland is at Two Goats Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Friday
Common Railers are at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Colleen Prossner and Friends (Loren Barrigar, John Dancks, Kevin Roe, and Jason Jeffers) play at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Rocco Rich and Aaron Craig are at Trax at Greek Peak in Virgil at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Caleb Liber is at McGraw Box Brewing at 6 p.m. Friday
Bradford Allen is at Homer Hops at 6 p.m. Friday
Band by the River plays BRU64 at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Anthropologist spins jazz vinyl at Seven Of at 6-10 p.m. Friday
The Notorious Stringbusters are at Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Second Spring brings indie-rock originals and covers to the Downstairs at 7 p.m. Friday
Andrew Alling plays Originals in Owego at 7 p.m. Friday
Marc Ryan and Monica return to Hairy Tony's in Cortland at 7 p.m. Friday
Roger Decker plays Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
DJ ha-MEEN spins at the Range at 10 p.m. Friday
Telephone Party is at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Roadhouse Prophets are at Treleaven Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Rachel Beverly returns to Chateau Dusseau in Locke at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Insolent Cur is at Brookton’s Market at 3-5 p.m. Saturday
Cisco and the Soul Benders are at Two Goats Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Doc Possum Project is at Grist Iron Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
The Local Farmers Union is at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
The Vectors are at ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
M3 is at McGraw Box Brewing at 6 p.m. Saturday
Ben Wayne is at Homer Hops at 6 p.m. Saturday
Jimi Marley plays Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
Strange Heavy and the Ilium Works (solo) play Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge at 8 p.m. Saturday
Salsa Ithaca hosts its monthly Latin Dance at the Upstairs at 9 p.m. Saturday
StratCat Willie and the Strays bring the blues to Jake’s Saloon in Horseheads at 9 p.m. Saturday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to Homer Hops at 1 p.m. Sunday
Travis Rocco is at Trax at Greek Peak in Virgil at 1-3 p.m. Sunday
Immortal Jellyfish are at Six Mile Creek Vineyard at 1-3 p.m. Sunday
Just Joe hosts a release party for his “Vulgar Displays of Piano” album at ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Adam Guinn is at Two Goats Brewing at 4 p.m. Sunday
The Janet Batch Trio is at The Downstairs at 7 p.m. Sunday ($10)
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Tuesday
Auburn Public Theatre hosts Open Mic Night at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays
The Westy hosts its new Open Mic Night at 9 p.m. Tuesdays
Jesse Collins hosts the Sandwich Sessions at Brookton’s Market at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday
The Argos Grove trio plays jazz at Bar Argos at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Rachel Beverly returns to Salt Point Brewing at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
The Salsa Night Dance Party returns to the Range at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Regional Shows
Feb. 15, Natalie McMaster, UB Center for the Arts, Buffalo
Feb. 15, Alan Doyle, Town Ballroom, Buffalo
Feb. 16, The Mountain Goats and Lilly Hiatt, Water Street Music Hall, Rochester
Feb. 16, Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience, Westcott Theater, Syracuse
Feb. 16, RockSalt, Corning Museum of Glass, Corning
Feb. 16, Our Lady Peace, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo
Feb. 17, Flogging Molly, Main Street Armory, Rochester
Feb. 17, The Honey Dew Drops, May Memorial UU Society
Feb. 17, Matt Nakoa, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
Feb. 17, Dokken and Lynch Mob Reunion Tour, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo
Feb. 17, Brule County Bad Boys and Dangerbyrd, Lux Bar, Rochester
Feb. 18, Mike Powell, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
Feb. 18, Studio89, Lost Horizon, Syracuse
Feb. 18, Sophistafunk and Friends, Stanley Theatre, Utica
Feb. 23, That 1 Guy, Westcott Theater, Syracuse
Feb. 23, Soulfly, Lost Horizon, Syracuse
Feb. 23, The Dip and Stephen Day, Lark Hall, Albany
Feb. 23, Erin Harkes, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
Feb. 24, Loren Barrigar, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
Feb. 24, Sponge, The L, Horseheads
Feb. 24, Gin Blossoms, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo
Feb. 24, The Bad Plus, Center for the Arts, Homer
Feb. 24, Borgore, Westcott Theater, Syracuse
Feb. 24, The Hi-Risers, Lux Bar, Rochester
Feb. 24, moe., Palace Theatre, Albany
Feb. 24, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Deep Dive, Ithaca
Feb. 25, Raul Midon, Corning Museum of Glass
See an updated list of dozens of shows across upstate New York happening in February and beyond!
