Malian music
Cornell University hosts Malian music legends Amadou & Mariam, the Downstairs continues its weeklong Birthday Bash, and Deep Dive presents Bella’s Bartok, Spafford, Melt, and several other stellar bands in the coming week. Plus, Underground Springhouse returns to the Range, and Sunken Cages returns to Sacred Root Kava Bar with a new collaborative project!
Note: the events are listed below in chronological order, in two separate sections.
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 months.
When: 8-10 p.m. Wednesday, March 22
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free; ages 18 and up
Dynamic Duo
Practice at Presents returns to The Downstairs to continue the venue’s Celebration Week, with a strong local double bill of Secret Service Men and Microbes, Mostly. Proceeds go to the Downstairs programming fund.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10/pay what you can
Piano Pursuits
Cornell’s Midday Music presents pianist Miri Yampolsky, who will perform Mozart’s “Piano Concerto in A Major, K. 414,” accompanied by Xak Bjerken. Joshua Rosenheim will also give a performance of Bach’s “Partita No. 2 in C Minor.”
When: 12:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Lincoln Hall B20, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Dynamic Duo
With Richie Stearns away, South Hill Cider will host Tim Ball and Marie De Mott Grady, who play traditional Irish music on fiddle and flute. “Nuanced, lyrical, and steeped in years of sessions, from the Chapter House in Ithaca to the Corner House in Cork, their music is as authentic as it comes. You’ll know it when you hear it.
“Tim Ball has spent 20 years performing in Celtic and contra dance bands and a lifetime playing traditional fiddle music. His new solo release ‘Upstate Crossroads’ sheds new light on nearly-forgotten tunes and old favorites from all corners of New York State, drawing repertoire and inspiration from the surrounding Irish-American, New England, Canadian, and Bluegrass traditions.
“Marie De Mott Grady has performed extensively with her sisters and cousins as The Grady Girls. Marie has a Diploma in Irish Traditional Music from University College Cork, and a BA in Irish Music from the University of Limerick. The breadth and breath, the complexity and depth to her flute playing is tangible from the very first note.”
When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
World Beats
The Cornell Concert Series continues its 2022-2023 season with the acclaimed duo of Amadou & Mariam. “For the past forty years, Amadou & Mariam have managed to joyfully combine their love story with a musical career while becoming famous ambassadors for Malian music, and African music, all around the world. They’ve played the world’s biggest festivals, from Coachella to Glastonbury, and opened for bands such as Coldplay and the Scissor Sisters. By enriching their Afro-pop with new pigments, and by introducing to the world the richness and subtleties of African music, the duo has brought African music to the charts and to the dance floor.” Their latest album is "Eclipse."
Their latest album is When: 8 p.m. Thursday, March 23
Where: Bailey Hall, Cornell University
Cost: $19-39; available online here
Double Trouble
Bella's Bartok and Dr. Bacon will join forces for a high-energy double bill at Deep Dive. Based in Western Massachusetts, Bella's Bartok blends a variety of influences, ranging from punk and folk to pop, Americana, and Eastern European, as amply displayed on their latest release “Sticks and Stones.” Hailing from North Carolina, Dr. Bacon bills itself as an “Appalachian Rock, Funk, Grass and Soul band” that also incorporates influences such as psychedelia, improv, and world beat. Their latest single is 2022’s “Behave.”
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $14 in advance, available online here and at Press Bay Café; $20 day of show
Swing into Spring
Put on your dancing shoes and come to a free performance by the Original Cornell Syncopators, a student-run group specializing in Hot and Classic Jazz from the 1910s-1930s.
When: 5 p.m. Friday
Where: Willard Straight Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free
Cool Collaboration
After performing in Ithaca last fall, Sunken Cages – the project of Ravish Momin, an Indian-born drummer, NYC-based electronic music producer and educator – returns to collaborate with dragonchild. “Conceived by Ethio-American saxophonist D.A. Mekonnen – co-founder/leader of the widely celebrated Debo Band and Silkroad performing artist – the solo project dragonchild is a culmination of decades of musical experimentation, embodied spiritual practice, and critical thinking.”
Also on the bill are locals Glitter Skulls, the live techno project of Ithaca-based filmmaker and sound engineer Chris Knight, and Desert Rose: “Disco-inspired queer, born of House music, and lover of Funk, they are influenced by the tongues they speak and love.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
Cost: $10
Organ Explorer
A “concert organist, teacher, improviser, and professor of music at the University of Notre Dame, guest artist Kola Owolabi brings virtuosity, sensitivity, and imagination to the Aeolian-Skinner organ in Sage Chapel for a program designed to bring the most out of the recently refurbished instrument. Opening with ‘Fanfares’ by Calvin Hampton sand closing with the ‘Finale’ of Vierne’s third symphony, the program also introduces contemporary voices including those of jazz pianist Joe Utterback and Canadian composer Rachel Laurin.”
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Sage Chapel, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
College Practice
Practice at Presents hosts another show this week, this one at the Rest Gallery (next to the State Theatre). On the bill are college bands Little Slicer, Small Bandit, Calabungus Flats, and New Jersey’s Screenager.
When: 8:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Rest Gallery
Cost: $8
Getting Jerry Wit’ It
Johnny Lit’s Jerry Duty comes to Ithaca. The band has “quickly risen to become one of the premier Jerry Garcia tribute acts today with their high-energy, intuitive approach to performances. Shows include all-star lineups, female harmony singers, and authentic instrumentation that is easily recognized and will ‘take you there.’ Their mission is not only to pay tribute to the music performed by Jerry throughout his career but most importantly deliver the ‘Experience’ which is heavily based on collective improvisation of the artists and audience, very rarely seen today.”
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $8 in advance, available online here and at Press Bay Cafe; $12 day of show
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 2022 single “I’ll Be Fine” finds the band incorporating southern rock and blues influences, and they just released a new EP, “I Recall.”
When: 9:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: $10
Let’s Dance
Microtones returns with another cool show, this one featuring Otodojo, Enzo, Geo Blake b2b, and Peter Fonda. Otodojo currently hails from Detroit, while Enzo visits from Washington, DC; the other three acts are from New York City.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Forest City Lodge 180
Cost: $10 presale tickets are at @angrymomrecords (limited to 2 per person); $20 day of show
Organic Organs
Cornell's organists—and bellows treaders—perform an electricity-free concert to mark Earth Hour. With the Anabel Taylor organ operated entirely by human power, with its wind pumped by foot, Annette Richards, David Yearsley, Anna Steppler and Nathan Mondry will perform Baroque favorites by Buxtehude, J. S. Bach, C. P. E. Bach, and more for a festive and atmospheric musical evening.
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Anabel Taylor Chapel, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Sonic Explorers
Arizona-based jam band Spafford returns to Ithaca. The group is known for its extended improvisation flights that draw on electronic, R&B, reggae, rock, jazz, and funk influences. “Each Spafford show is a sonic pilgrimage, the journey of a team of musicians so in tune with each other that a single note communicates intent and purpose. Spafford is amongst the most creative and hard-traveling bands on the contemporary jam scene, performing countless sold-out headline dates along with high-profile festival sets at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Firefly Music Festival, and many others.” Their latest album is 2022’s “Simple Mysteries.”
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $17 in advance, available online here and at Press Bay Café; $25 day of show
New York Rock
Deep Dive hosts a stellar double bill featuring NYC-based Melt and Oneonta’s Seeing Double.
Formed in 2017, Melt blends a variety of influences. The band released the EP “West Side Highway” in 2021, followed by the single “Fade Into You” last year. “With a sound that continuously pulls from new realms, at Melt’s core is a shared love of soul and psychedelia, existential pop songs and ethereal jam sections, and a deep love for each other.”
Seeing Double is known for its high-energy shows.” The band sees playing live as an opportunity to make a connection with the audience through their eccentric stage presence and upbeat original music. Combining their signature twin harmonies, feel-good grooves, and punchy instrumentals, ‘The Doub’ creates a unique sound reminiscent of 70’s pop-rock and modern indie rock with their growing catalog of songs.”
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $15 in advance, available online here; $20 day of show
‘The Lady Organist’
Cornell’s Midday Music for Organ series continues: “The concert organist and church musician Elizabeth Stirling (1819-1895) was one of the most celebrated organists in London, who pursued her career in the face of extensive criticism of women on the organ bench. Annette Richards performs music from Stirling’s signature volume of organ music, the ‘Six Pedal Fugues and Eight other Movements for the Organ’ (1857), juxtaposing the music with readings from press reports and contemporary criticism arguing the case for – and against – the Lady Organist.”
When: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 29
Where: Sage Chapel, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Midweek Melancholy
On the last Wednesday of the month, join Not From Wisconsin’s Angela and Dave Yantorno for an evening of “Midweek Melancholy.” “On March 29th we will be featuring Chad Lieberman on accordion and keyboards. Chad will join us alongside bassist John Young.”
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 29
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10/pay what you can
Read a recent story about Not From Wisconsin here!
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, Josh Oxford, and Ashley Ickes, who create improvisations on a variety of instruments.
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 29
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $5
More Shows
The Argos Grove trio plays jazz at Bar Argos at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Jesse Collins and Friends host the Sandwich Sessions at Brookton’s Market at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
3’s a Crowd is at Scale House Brewing at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
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 Salsa Night Dance Party returns to the Range at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Atwater Vineyards hosts “Bring Your Own Vinyl Night” 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
The Brewhouse Blues Jam returns to Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to The Ridge in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Delaques returns to the Downstairs for the venue’s Birthday Week celebration at 8 p.m. Thursday
Rena Guinn and Joe Lule are at Barnstormer Winery at 5-8 p.m. Friday
Mighty Jet Band is at Two Goats Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Friday
UnParallel is at Seneca Cheese Company at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
Ric Robertson, Aaron Lipp, and Richie Stearns are at Steuben Brewing Company at 5:30-8 p.m. Friday
David Michael Anthony is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Tim Herron plays at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Just Joe is at ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 6-9 p.m. Friday
John West and Ted Romer are at McGraw Box Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Friday
Tink Bennett is at Homer Hops at 6-8 p.m. Friday
¡Viva Mayhem! is at Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Tom Chamberlain is at Scale House Brewing at 6:30 p.m. Friday
Roger Decker is at the Dryden Hotel at 7-9 p.m. Friday
Rick Huyge and the Ithaca Trio are at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Michael Stark and McKenzie Jones continue the weeklong Downstairs Birthday Bash at 8 p.m. Friday
DJ Doughboy is at The Upstairs at 10 p.m. Friday
The Ampersand Project is at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
The Petty Thieves Duo is at Treleaven Winery at 2-5 p.m. Saturday
Rocco Rich plays Chateau Dusseau at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Terrapin Station is at Two Goats Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Thompson-Hall is at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Clint Bush is at Brewer’s Kitchen and Taproom at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
TN’T Dynamite DJ is at McGraw Box Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Jess Novak and Ben Wayne are at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Friends with Bennys are at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Lil Anne & Hot Cayenne return to Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6:30-8 p.m. Saturday ($5 suggested donation)
People People are at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
Strong Maybe concludes the weeklong Downstairs Birthday Bash at 8 p.m. Saturday
Bob Roberts Calamity returns to the Range at 9 p.m. Saturday
Kosmic Trio returns to Brookton’s Market from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
DJ Tuggle spins at Seven Of Jazz Lounge from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to Homer Hops at 1 p.m. Sunday
Michael Lucey is at Two Goats Brewing at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
DeWayne Perry hosts the monthly Jazz Jam at the Downstairs at 5-8 p.m. Sunday
DJ Rob Haze and DJ Law host “Goth Night: Dark Alternative Monthly” at Modern Alchemy Game Bar at 9 p.m. Sunday
Silver Rein and Lora Pendleton return to the Downstairs at 7 p.m. Monday
Wild Minds are at Brookton’s Market at 6-8 p.m. Tuesday
SingTrece's Open Mic for Singers, Rappers & Poets returns to The Downstairs at 7-9 p.m. Tuesday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts Open Mic Night at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Auburn Public Theatre hosts Open Mic Night at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Whistlin’ Dyl and Spice Rack return to the Argos Warehouse at 7 p.m. Tuesday ($10)
The Westy hosts its new Open Mic Night at 9 p.m. Tuesdays
Michael Lucey is at Scale House Brewing at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
The Argos Grove trio plays jazz at Bar Argos at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Jesse Collins and Friends host the Sandwich Sessions at Brookton’s Market 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
Regional Shows
March 22, Blue October, The L, Horseheads
March 22, Baked Shrimp, Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo
March 22, The Kid LAROI, Upstate Medical Arena at OnCenter, Syracuse
March 22, Jesse Malin and Tommy Stinson, Empire Underground, Albany
March 23, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, KeyBank Center, Buffalo
March 23, Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen, Landmark Theatre, Syracuse
March 23, Flashing Astonishers, Sound Discard, and Auk, Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
March 23, Bruce Hornsby, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy
March 23, Elise Trouw, Empire Underground, Albany
March 23, Hawthorne Heights, Town Ballroom, Buffalo
March 24, Picture Us Tiny, Lost Horizon, Syracuse
March 24, Baked Shrimp and Roots Collider, Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
March 23-28, 1st Annual Scott Lafaro Geneva Jazz Fest, various locations, Geneva
March 25, Reggie Harris and Greg Greenway, Oswego Music Hall, Oswego
March 25, Blake Shelton, KeyBank Center, Buffalo
March 25, Otherworldly Entity, Lost Horizon, Syracuse
March 25, Pop Evil, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo
March 26, Furious Bongos, Westcott Theater, Syracuse
March 26, Yarn, 443 Social Club, Syracuse (SOLD OUT!)
March 28, Christian McBride’s New Jawn, The Smith Opera House, Geneva
March 28, Young Nudy, Westcott Theater, Syracuse
March 28, Third Eye Blind, Palace Theater, Albany
March 29, Scott Bradlee’s Post-Modern Jukebox, Anderson Center, Binghamton
March 29, Drug Church and Prince Daddy & the Hyena, Lost Horizon, Syracuse
March 30, The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo
March 30, Blaque Dynamite, Deep Dive, Ithaca
March 30, Air Supply, OnCenter Crouse-Hinds Theater, Syracuse
March 31, Scott Bradlee’s Post-Modern Jukebox, Turning Stone Showroom, Verona
March 31, Dan Pugach Nonet, Deep Dive, Ithaca
March 31, Joshua Hyslop, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
March 31, Almost Queen, Forum Theatre, Binghamton
March 31, Florence Dore Band, Mohawk Place, Buffalo
March 31, 1DRFL and Friends Part II, Westcott Theater, Syracuse
March 31, Snakes and Stars, Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
