27+ shows to see this week: April 19-26
Lemonheads leader Evan Dando comes to Homer for a solo show, Record Store Day returns to Angry Mom, and Father John Misty makes his Ithaca debut at the State Theatre. Plus, NYChillharmonic comes to Deep Dive, and Transpose: Ithaca Queer Singers Alliance will present its inaugural concert!
Also, Jeff Spevak, senior arts writer for WXXI and CITY Magazine writes about Record Store Day in his latest “Across the Universe” column.
And the 31st annual Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance recently announced its lineup! Find out more here in our preview story.
Note: the events are listed below in chronological order, in two separate sections.
Dashing Debut
Father John Misty will make his Ithaca debut, touring to promote his latest album, 2022’s “Chloë and The Next 20th Century,” his fifth album and first new material since “God’s Favorite Customer” in 2018. The new album is “a showcase for singer-songwriter Josh Tillman to bring his beautifully cynical ideas and lyrics to life. Sonically, Tillman mined inspiration from big band and traditional music, with traces of an ‘Old Hollywood’ sound that suits his flair for the absurd.”
Omar Velasco, the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter who formerly led the band Amo Amo, will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 19
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $35-$75, available online 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 months.
When: 8-10 p.m. Wednesday, April 19
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free; ages 18 and up
Cool Beans
Magic Beans returns to downtown Ithaca. Hailing from Boulder, Colo., the funk-Americana-improv project has built up a national reputation and resume in its 10-year career. Last year, the band released its third studio album, “Slice of Life,” a “14-song documentation of a year spent away from the familiar confines of the road.”
Glass Pony, the Albany-based jam band that draws from psychedelic and jam-focused rock, to funk, post-punk, and modern indie and post-rock, will open the show. Their latest album is “Nowhere Daydream.”
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 19
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: $15 in advance, available online here; $20 at the door
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, April 26
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $5
Interpreting Ives
Pianist Gilbert Kalish performs Charles Ives’ rarely played First Sonata. “Written between 1901-1909, but not premiered until 1949, this will be a treat by a masterful interpreter of Ives' works.” (Kalish also will perform in a concert on Saturday at Barnes Hall; see below for more information.)
When: 12:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Lincoln Hall B20, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
‘Words in Motion’
The Kitchen Theatre Company will present “Words in Motion,” an evening of dance, text, music and conversation. “Rachel Lampert reads from her memoir MY DANCING DAZE. Aimee Rials and Madison Hertel's INHERITED BY WORD OF MOUTH explores audio archived recordings of LGBTQ interviewees from the Invisible Histories Project, Birmingham, Alabama.” Running time is 90 minutes with intermission; the show appropriate for ages 16 and up. Find out more about the show here!
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Kitchen Theatre Company
Cost: $10-$20, available online here
Pushing Boundaries
A few months after releasing its fifth album, “The Cataclysmic Engine,” local prog-rock trio BRIAN! will kick off its spring tour with a hometown show. They’ll be joined by Strong Maybe, another Ithaca trio who play “mostly improvised psychotic cartoon animal music,” and Moth Bucket, a free improv electroacoustic project from Central Pennsylvania.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: DM bands for location and directions
Read a recent interview with BRIAN! here!
Exploring Music Tech
Local electronic music maestro Josh Oxford (the OXtet, Galactic Escort Service) will teach an eight-week class, “Introduction to Music Technology.” In this class, students will have an introduction to hardware and software technologies like Soundtrap, Logic, GarageBand and more, with their specific applications to the music field. This class is a beginner level, appropriate for teens and adults.
When: 4-5 p.m. Fridays through June 9
Where: Community School of Music and Arts
Cost: $184.00 ($138.00 w/membership); register online here
Dynamic Duo
Cortland’s Rose Hall will kick off its Spring 2023 season with the double bill of Dan Forsyth, a co-founder of regional favorite Driftwood, and Colleen Kattau, the longtime local singer-songwriter-activist. “With a listening room format, Dan will be joined by Driftwood bandmate Sam Fishman (drums) and Ryan Cirbus (upright bass). Colleen will be joined by Rich DePaolo (guitar) and Jamie Yaman (sax).” Doors open at 6 p.m. and the music starts at 7 p.m.; a beer/wine cash bar and snack concessions will be available at the show.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Rose Hall, 19 Church St., Cortland
Cost: $10, available online here and at the door
Read a recent interview with Dan Forsyth about his debut solo album!
Global Village
Electrolyte is an eclectic trio from Central New York “that seeks to respectfully agitate evolving musical traditions from across the globe. Deeply rooted in jazz and prog rock, these three electro-acousticians are eager to do more, and sound vast with less. It consists of Ithacan Paul Merrill who plays a collection of quarter-tone brass instruments, keyboards, and effects; Rochesterian Peter Chwazik, master of the nine-string electric bass; and Denmark native and percussionist, Simon Bjarning. Together they perform, improvise, groove, distort and fuse Pan-American folk music and Euro art-rock with sensibilities from around the globe. Listeners are just as likely to hear imaginative renditions of Margret Bonds’ art songs and tunes by Ornette Coleman as they are to hear covers from British-Bahrainian composer Yazz Ahmed and folk music from Armenia or Denmark. This respect-all approach drives Electrolyte’s moxie and adds to their substantial body of original work.”
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10
Into the Void
Practice at Presents returns to Deep Dive, this time for a doom-laden show headlined by Syracuse’s Void Emperor. They’ll be joined by an eclectic local lineup that includes Water Bears (“heavy psychedelic rock), Night of The Iguana (“angular indie rock shot through with noise and atmosphere”), and Gravestone Glue (punk; “no silly stuff).
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10
Read a 2022 interview with Night of the Iguana’s Steve Gollnick about the band’s debut album!
Record Store Day Returns!
After a pandemic-induced hiatus, Angry Mom Records will once again host in-store performances for Record Store Day 23. On the bill are several local bands, including Flose & Eating Scabs for Protein (1 p.m.), Phantom Project (2 p.m.), the 86ers (3 pm p.m.), Alan Rose (4 p.m.), and Thurbs (5 p.m.), all performing in the store’s new upstairs location above Autumn Leaves Books.
As for buying the special RSD releases, here are the rules: “Numbers will be given out in the shop at 9 a.m. You will be able to peruse the shop until we open at 10 a.m. Line up as early as you like. No holds… Feel free to reach out to us directly with any questions.”
When: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Angry Mom Records
Cost: free
All Day Jam
Grist Iron Brewing will host the “4/20 Two Jam Fest,” featuring 11 hours of music and more. On the bill are Stereopticon (12-1:30 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m.), Planet Jr. (1:30-3 p.m. and 4:30-6 p.m.), and Baked Shrimp (6-9 p.m.), all followed by the Silent Disco at 9-11 p.m.
When: 12-11 p.m. Saturday
Where: Grist Iron Brewing
Cost: free; donations welcome
Barn Dance
Local Cajun-zydeco-Americana favorites Rose and the Bros will host a Spring Barn Dance at their home base of Sweet Land Farm in Trumansburg. “Please join us in celebrating spring! Bring your dance shoes. Sweet Land Farm Cellars will be selling wine and cider. No outside alcohol is allowed. Hope to see you there! Much love.”
When: 7-10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sweet Land Farm CSA
Cost: $15 at the door
Sonic Illusions
The ElectroZone presents “Sonic Illusions: An Evening of Musical Decadence,” featuring Bernhard Wöstheinrich, George Bley, Steve Flato, and Landscapes of Unease. “Ithaca is truly honored to receive artists of this caliber.”
• Bernhard Wöstheinrich (a.k.a., "The Redundant Rocker") is a sound artist, improviser and painter living in Berlin. Bernhard elicits meaning from abstraction in electronic music and painting. He has studied graphic design and has created an eclectic body of work in both graphics and music.
“In 1987, Bernhard started intensely experimenting with his own sounds and tunes after he discovered drawing and painting simply weren’t enough to adequately express himself. He went about to find something that might have a more “performing” approach. Inspired by the likes of Einstürzende Neubauten and other informal and experimental music, he finally began to work in a very personal way to compose and record some early tapes. The rest, as they say, is history.”
• George Bley is a multi-instrumental musician/composer from the Jersey Shore. “Influenced by a wide range of artists, such as The Beatles, King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, and Brian Eno to name just a few, his music is eclectic and hard to categorize; avant-garde, experimental, ambient, and melodic can all describe the diverse moods of his music. His performances may include spontaneous improvisation using generative music/live looping, completed compositions, and/or anything in-between, sometimes even ‘road testing’ unfinished compositions.”
• Steve Flato (Buffalo, NY) has been making and releasing boundary-pushing experimental music since 2004; his performances bring swirling microtonal guitar harmonics into contact with a mix of modular synth, textural cassette field recordings, and otherwise unpredictable sounds.”
• “jes of ithaca, new york began recording as landscapes of unease in February of 2020. a shimmery, 80s-influenced dark ambient project, landscapes of unease explores inner and outer space through themes of isolation, faith, love, grief and madness.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
Cost: $10-$15 sliding scale
Fine & Dando
Lemonheads frontman Evan Dando comes to Central New York for a solo show. He’ll be playing material from the band’s many albums released since its 1986 formation along with a few cool covers and some new songs he’s working on.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Cost: $25-$30, available online here
Ready for Release
“A Cast of Thousands are celebrating the release of their newest CD at Moondog's. The CD is a live recording of their recent gig in January 2023 at the Carriage House Theater in Auburn. It will mark Jim Andrews’s last gig with the band after 13 years. Please come by wish Jim well and to purchase the live CD that encapsulates the band at the top of their game.”
When: 8:15 p.m. Saturday
Where: Moondog’s Lounge, 24 State St., Auburn
Cost: cover charge
Triple Threat
Zach Nugent & Dead Set come down from Burlington, Vermont, to headline an eclectic three-band bill at Deep Dive.
“It usually only takes one show to understand why Zach Nugent is one of the most sought-after guitarists in the live music scene. Since touring as de-facto Garcia expert with Melvin Seals & JGB, he continues to build his dedicated following, putting together and leading multifaceted groups for special runs and festival appearances. Never one to shy away from new and challenging ideas, his performances promise intensity and beauty in the delivery of the music that he’s built a reputation with. Zach has put together an all-star band for this voyage. Expect magic to happen.”
Also on the bill is Whaley, “The Logan Whaley Band (LWB) will now be known as Whaley. Just, Whaley. Like Prince, but a Funk/Rock/Reggae based jam band from Long Island, NY.” The band’s debut album, “Funky Tonight,” was released in February.
Long Island-based funk-fusion band Dysfunktone is set to open the evening.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $14 in advance, available online here; $20 day of show
‘Light Like a Batwing’
DJ Annatto, “the beats and vinyl mastermind, is taking over the joint for the first four Saturdays of April, each with a unique and unforgettable theme that will blow your mind. Annatto and friends' ‘April Jewels’ offers electrifying music and immersive entertainment in an intimate listening room with a high-quality atmosphere and libations.”
This week’s event is “a special night of music as we pay tribute to the late local legend Jack Sousa. Sousa was known for his unique style of music, which he called Wild Hop – a blend of wilderness culture and musical influences that was a perfect fit for the vibrant community of Ithaca.
“To honor his memory, DJ Annatto will be releasing a special EP titled ‘Light Like a Batwing: A Tribute to Jack Sousa’ at the event. This EP features Annatto's sonic take on Sousa's Wild Hop style, a fitting tribute to the musician's unique legacy, with immersive visuals to enhance the elegiac atmosphere. Friends and collaborators, including RiBB3TZ, will offer performances and tributes.
"Doors open at 8:30, and the music will start at 9:00 and go until midnight. Join us for a night filled with amazing talent, heartfelt tributes, and an unforgettable celebration of Jack Sousa's life and music.”
When: 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: sliding scale $5-$10
Good Vibrations
Rochester-based Personal Blend returns to downtown Ithaca to showcase its original reggae-rock sound. Opening the show is Felix Free, who will bring his live hip-hop band to kick off the night.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5
Spanning Generations
“Generations (نسلها): Exploring the Iranian Diaspora” is a “concert of works curated by doctoral candidate Daniel Reza Sabzghabaei and the Bergamot Quartet exploring generations of Iranian creators of differing backgrounds, practices, and aesthetic bents. Connecting all of the creators is a thread of influence each share with those who have come before.”
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all Event Info
Dashing Debut
Transpose: Ithaca Queer Singers Alliance (formerly known as the Ithaca Gay Men's Chorus) will present its inaugural concert, “Lead with Love,” a program featuring songs of love from composers such as Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, Abbie Betinis, Melanie DeMore, Libby Roderick, and Pentatonix. “Accessible location, ASL interpretation, masks strongly encouraged.”
When: 4:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: First Baptist Church in Ithaca, 309 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Cost: pay what you can
Happy Homecoming
Ithaca College alum Chris LeFever returns to Ithaca for the first time in nearly five years to perform “eclectic originals and deep cut favorites!” Find out more about him here.
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $5; pay what you can
Cool Tunes
The NYChillharmonic will make its Ithaca debut. The band is a “female fronted, Brooklyn-based, 18-piece, progressive-rock orchestra. The music fuses multiple genres including rock, pop, and jazz, which ultimately creates an ensemble sound that acknowledges the tradition of jazz as much as it sonically embraces experimental textures, arrangements, and harmonies.”
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $14 in advance, available online here; $20 day of show ($15 with student ID)
Read an interview with The NYChillharmonic’s Sara McDonald here!
Songs to Share
Jennie Lowe Stearns will showcase her indie folk-rock original songs with her band: Chris Ploss, Michael Stark, and Venissa Santi. A longtime staple of the Ithaca music scene, she is a singer, songwriter, producer, and recording artist with a discography of five studio albums including 2020's internationally acclaimed "Ghost Tracks" that featured Tyler Ramsey (Band of Horses) and was produced by Ithaca's own Craig Street (Norah Jones). “At this show, Jennie will share new songs that will be created with her new exploration with loops and will also perform for the first time in months with her brilliant band! This is a rare event...please join us!”
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Argos Warehouse and Event Space
Cost: $10
School’s Out!
Cornell’s Midday Music for Organ series presents Annette Richards and David Yearsley performing an end-of-semester celebration with music by Franck, Vierne, Dupré, Messiaen, and Ives. “Focusing on the French virtuoso tradition, with American offshoots, this program performed by the Cornell University Organists celebrates the beauty and power of the Aeolian-Skinner organ. From the 3rd Chorale of César Franck to the perennial end-of-year favorite, Ives’s Variations on America, the program promises to move, inspire – and amuse – as the 2022-23 school year comes to a close.”
When: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26
Where: Sage Chapel, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
More Shows
Jesse Collins and Friends host the Sandwich Sessions at Brookton’s Market at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Levi Dusseau 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
Richie Stearns and Friends play South Hill Cider at 5-8 p.m Thursday
DJs Mateo and Dijon will spin old-school reggae at Aurora Brewing Company at 5-8 p.m. Thursday
Aiken and Nadge are at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
Atwater Vineyards hosts “Bring Your Own Vinyl Night” at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Scott B Adams hosts Open Mic Night at the Scale House Brewery at 6-9 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to the Ridge in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Louiston is at Two Goats Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Friday
Tink Bennett and Marc Ryan are at McGraw Box Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Friday
The Mighty Jet Band is at Brookton’s Market at 5:30 p.m. Friday
Doc Possum is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Flea Circus is at Hopshire Farms and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
The Small Kings are at BRU64 at 6 p.m. Friday
The TJ Sacco Band is at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Chickenwire Parachute is at Stone Bend Farm at 6-8 p.m. Friday
The Shylocks are at ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 7-9 p.m. Friday
Roger Decker is at the Dryden Hotel at 7-9 p.m. Friday
Bob Holz and A Vision Forward is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Charlie Young is at Brookton’s Market at 12-3 p.m. Saturday
Rachel Beverly is at Knapp Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
The Dart Brothers are at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Allie Torto is at Treleaven Winery at 2-5 p.m. Saturday
Joel Kane is at Chateau Dusseau at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Tru Bleu is at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
The Soul Benders are at Two Goats Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Clint Bush is at Homer Hops at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Harry Nichols will be at Brewers Kitchen and Taproom at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
DJ Dijon hosts a Retro Dance Party at Hopshire Farms and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Just Joe is at McGraw Box Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
M3 is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
djGOURD is at the Upstairs at 10 p.m. Saturday
The Mary Ott Band kicks off the 2023 Live Jazz Brunch series at Stonecat Café from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Dennis Winge plays solo jazz and blues guitar at Antlers Restaurant from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Howard Rothenberg is at Brookton’s Market at 1-3 p.m. Sunday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to Homer Hops at 1 p.m. Sunday
Fritz’s Polka Band plays German Beer Day at ONCO Fermentations at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Rena Guinn is at Two Goats Brewing at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
The Cornell Jazz Combo will play a showcase at the Seven Of Jazz Club at 7 p.m. Sunday
Brett Beardslee is back with the blues at Rasta Ranch Vineyards at 5-8 p.m. Mondays
SingTrece will host her monthly Open Mic for Singers, Rappers, Songwriters, Poets and Spoken Word at 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
The Westy hosts its new Open Mic Night at 9 p.m. Tuesdays
Jesse Collins and Friends host the Sandwich Sessions at Brookton’s Market at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Hannah Toombs 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
The Upstairs has resumed its weekly Open Mic Night, now at 8:30 p.m. to midnight Wednesdays
Regional Shows
April 19, Trevor Hall, Asbury Hall at Babeville, Buffalo
April 19, Brit Floyd, Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater, Syracuse
April 20, Chase Matthew, The L, Horseheads
April 20, Jeff Lorber, Kodak Center, Rochester
April 20, For King and Country, Blue Cross Arena, Rochester
April 20, Zach Nugent and Dead Set, Westcott Theater, Syracuse
April 20, Carolyn Wonderland, 443 Social Club, Syracuse (SOLD OUT!)
April 20, Sophistafunk’s 4/20 single release party, Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
April 21, Carly Pearce, Turning Stone Event Center, Verona
April 21, Ryan Montbleau Band, Westcott Theater, Syracuse
April 21, Dan Navarro and Just Joe, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
April 21, Carolyn Wonderland, Earlville Opera House, Earlville
April 21, Rhett Miller, Abilene Bar & Lounge, Rochester
April 21, Sloan, Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo
April 21, Easton Corbin, Touch of Texas, Binghamton
April 21, Joywave, Town Ballroom, Buffalo
April 21, For King & Country, MVP Arena, Albany
April 21, Farrow and Personal Blend, Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
April 21, Dan Navarro and Just Joe, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
April 22, Chicago, Turning Stone Event Center, Verona
April 22, House of Hamill, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
April 22, The Rollin’ Rust and Molly & Merkley, Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
April 22, Houndmouth, Empire Live, Albany
April 22, Zach Nugent and Dead Set, Deep Dive, Ithaca
April 22, Ryan Montbleau Band, Water Street Music Hall, Rochester
April 22, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Westcott Theater, Syracuse
April 23, NYChillharmonic, Deep Dive, Ithaca
April 23, Ryan Montbleau Band, Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo
April 26, Selwyn Birchwood, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
April 26, The Slackers, Mohawk Place, Buffalo
April 27, Hot Tuna, The Smith Opera House, Geneva
April 27, Indigo Girls, State Theatre, Ithaca (postponed from Dec. 7)
April 27, Upstate, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
April 27, The SteelDrivers, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy
