The Slackers bring the ska to Deep Dive, Yung Gravy plays SUNY Cortland, and the Indigo Girls play a sold-out show at the State Theatre. Plus, the All-American HellDrivers reunite for their first gig in 14 years!
Note: the events are listed below in chronological order, in two separate sections.
Melancholy, Baby
On the last Wednesday of each month, join Angela and Dave Yantorno of Not From Wisconsin, alongside bassist John Young, for an evening of Midweek Melancholy.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10/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, 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
Old Time Tunes
Richie Stearns returns to South Hill Cider, and this week he’ll be joined by Liz Pickard, Joe Hayward, and Sophie Wellington for a night of old-time tunes Wellington is a “Boston-based musician who draws inspiration from old time fiddling, percussive dance, and jazz improvisation. Her childhood in Staunton, Virginia, was steeped in community music and dance traditions. Contra dances, choirs, music festivals and camps shaped her curiosity and inspired her to pursue music professionally. Improvisation is at the heart of her relationship with sound and space, and she uses these different musical elements to engage the listener - and the music - in a conversation.”
When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: donations welcome
Raucous Reunion
The All American HellDrivers return for their first gig since 2009. “The last time this group played, they were joined by folk-hero Joan Baez who dumped Bob Dylan in order to prepare for the show at the Barangus in Trumansburg.
The All-American HellDrivers is a collection of accomplished musicians, including "long-time exiled Rich Hallet, joined by Richie Stearns, Rosie Newton, Steve Selin, Tom Gilbert and Eric Aceto. The brainchild of bassist Ben Gould, the HellDrivers played their honky-tonk bar music in some of the county’s infamous watering holes, including the late Barangus in T-Burg and the Old Seventy-Six in Speedsville.”
Rena Guinn, who just released the single, “Say It Straight,” from her forthcoming album “Is This Now?,” will open the show at 5 p.m.
When: 5-8 p.m. Friday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: $10
Double Header
Rose Hall will present two of the area’s most talented singer-songwriters, Dana Twigg and Quona Hudson.
Influenced by such artists as Lucero and Townes Van Zandt, Twigg is currently playing shows in support of his debut album, “15 Hours in Manhattan, ” and his latest release, “Morning Light is a Friend of Mine.”
A member of The Cousins, Hudson “caught his first big break in the national songwriting scene in 2005 as a runner-up in VH1s Song of the Year contest. He has since toured clubs and festivals throughout the Northeast, leaving behind a trail of stories and songs along the way. Coming from a long line of musicians, with family roots in the mountains of Appalachia, Quona had a guitar in his hand by the age of 6 and quickly found inspiration in his affection for Bluegrass, Americana, and Celtic music.”
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Rose Hall, 19 Church St., Cortland
Cost: $10, available online here and at the door
Prime Premieres
Cornell pianist Thomas Feng will present “Revelations,” featuring four world premieres by Eve Beglarian, James Newton, Kurt Rohde, and Sam Wu.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Fruit Punch
Practice at Presents continues its recent streak of shows at Deep Dive, bringing in a couple of touring indie bands – Mega Mango from Philadelphia and Grape Juice from Saratoga – joining locals Microbes, Mostly and Little Slicer for a raucous night of rock ‘n’ roll.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $15 at the door
Closer to Fine
After postponing December’s date, the Indigo Girls make a welcome return to Ithaca for a sold-out show, with Amy Ray and Emily Saliers playing songs from their deep discography dating back to 1989.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, (postponed from Dec. 7, 2022)
Where: State Theatre
Cost: SOLD OUT!!
Swinging Party
The Original Cornell Syncopators present “A Night of Swing with The Hot Toddies.” The night kicks off with a swing dance lesson at 7 p.m., followed by the live music at 7:30-10:30 p.m.
When: 7-10:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Lincoln Hall B20, Cornell University Cost: free and open to all Event Info
Note: The Cornell Graduate Swing Dance Society also will present a weekend of Lindy Hop workshops and live music; go here to learn more!
Strings of Satan
The Pentagram String Band brings its satanic bluegrass sound from Kansas City to Ithaca. “They are suspicious of traditional bluegrass and play a style of gothic folk, punk and thrash metal. Often involving cannibalism and murder, their lyrics focus on themes of Satan, misery and the joys of death.” Their latest release is “Ten Godawful Ballads from the Hopeless, Strange and Ill-fated,” available for $6.66 on bandcamp.com. Local favorites Mill Bastards, Ilium Works, and Drew Kiddoo and the Blackouts round out the show.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Forest City Lodge 180, 536 W. Green St., Ithaca
Cost: cover charge
Blurring Boundaries
Longtime local favorite Thousands of One returns to showcase their blend of soul, hip-hop, funk, reggae, jazz and more. They have been regular performers at the GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance and have played locally and toured nationally for several years.
They’ll be joined by The Makers, the recently formed duo of Nate Silas Richardson and Lydia Garrison. “A shared admiration for the music of Mali brought them together, and a potent creative chemistry emerged between them. The result is an intricate weave of melody and rhythm that escapes classification, and goes straight for your heart. Their eclectic songs explore the triumphs and tragedies along life’s beautiful and bumpy road.”
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $9 in advance, available online here; $15 day of show
Into the Woods
Rochester-based White Woods comes to downtown Ithaca to promote their latest release, the two-song EP “Go Out Dancing,” which features “Early Morning Shift” and “Over and Over Again.”
Brock Saltsman will open with a solo set.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5
Radiation Vibe
Anna Steppler gives an organ recital titled “Radiance,” featuring music of light and hope, including works by Judith Bingham and Florence Price. In a recital to mark the end of her years of doctoral study at Cornell before returning to the UK, Dr. Anna Steppler will perform music inspired by the ringing of bells in heaven, the sweet light at the dawn of a new day, and the beauty of the natural world.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Sage Chapel, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Honky Tonk Happy Hour
Deep Dive will host the Honky Tonk Happy Hour, featuring local favorites Freight (Rural rock, psychedelic folk, alt-country funk) and Cast Iron Cowboys (Country bluegrass, classic western, and blues.) “Running the gambit of Americana music - A cheap, disreputable, and debaucherous knees-up for all you space cowboys, cow punks, and prairie pirates!”
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $5
Four on the Floor
Sacred Root will host “An intimate evening with Garlic.band and a few others.” On the bill are Rose Alaimo (5-6 p.m.), Truth Decay (6:30-7:30 p.m.), Technicolor Trailer Park (8-9 p.m.) and Garlic.band at 9:30-10:45 p.m.
When: 5-11 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
Cost: small cover charge
It’s All Gravy
Yung Gravy will headline SUNY Cortland’s Spring Fling. The platinum-certified rapper “blends modern rap with vintage themes from music of the 1950s through the 1980s to create energetic and amusing songs.” He first gained recognition in 2016 with “Mr. Clean,” which went platinum. In 2022, he released his first Billboard Hot 100-charting hit, "Betty (Get Money). His song “Gravy Train” became the locker room victory anthem of the Tampa Bay Lightning as they moved toward their eventual 2022 Stanley Cup title and was inscribed inside the teams official Stanley Cup rings.
Also performing will be D.J. Lady Verse and country singer Kristen Merlin.
When: 7-11 p.m. Saturday; doors at 6 p.m.
Where: Park Center Alumni Arena, 1 Folmer Dr. Cortland
Cost: $50 at the door—CASH ONLY!
Dynamic Duo
Buffalo-based singer-songwriter Davey O comes to downtown Ithaca. “His work has been recognized by his selection as a New Folk Songwriting Finalist at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in 2013, as a 2015 Finalist in the 32nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, and as a 2016 & 2017 nominee for the Sportsmen's Americana Music Foundation Jim Lauderdale Songwriter of the Year Award. His most recent CD release, 2017’s ‘A Bright Horizon Line’ has been well received by radio and by music publications around the globe.”
He'll share the bill with local Cap Cooke, who “performs timeless folk songs, country songs, blues songs, novelty songs, and rousing banjo numbers in his own honest and unpretentious style.” He has played in many regional bands, including The Mount Pleasant String Band, The Finger Lakes Bluegrass All-Stars, The Flywheels, The Hilltoppers, Chad Darou and Stealing Time, The Rosebud Ramblers, and as half of a duo with Sam Schmidt.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10
A Major Collaboration
The Cornell Department of Music’s Chorus, Glee Club, and Symphony Orchestra collaborate for this year’s Major Works concert. Conducted by CSO conductor Guillaume Pirard and Priscilla E. Browning Director of Choral Music Joe Lerangis, the performance will include Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony D.759, Mozart’s Requiem, and Arvo Pärt’s Da Pacem Domine. Featured guest soloists are Awet Andemicael, Veena Akama-Makia, Gregorio Taniguchi, and Marc Webster.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bailey Hall, Cornell
Cost: free; advance tickets are available at cornelltickets.com
Ready to Rock
Local favorites Stranded with a Kiss and Secret Service Men team up for “hard, loud, fast, and fun rock n’ roll shenanigans on a Saturday night” in downtown Ithaca.
When: $9 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5
Let’s Dance!
Liquid State will host a free dance party featuring DJs Tuggle and Matthew Law. Tuggle is an Ithaca native who has DJ’d around the world, while Philadelphia’s Matthew Law, formerly known as DJ PHSH, was from childhood “exposed to an array of musical styles–Classical to Avant Garde Jazz, Psych Rock to 70’s Funk–and now draws from his B-Boy background and vast musical knowledge to incorporate these elements into his unique, party rocking DJ sets.”
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Liquid State Brewing Company
Cost: no cover
Special Guest
The Cornell Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Paul Merrill, will welcome guest trumpeter Marcus Printup. They’ll perform a program featuring the music of Wayne Shorter, Thad Jones, Marcus Printup, Maria Schneider, Chick Corea, and Benny Golson. “While studying at the University of North Florida, Printup won the prestigious International Trumpet Guild Jazz Trumpet Competition. In 1991, Printup met his mentor, pianist Marcus Roberts, who introduced him to Wynton Marsalis. In time, this led to the invitation to join the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra in 1993. Since then, Marcus has held third chair in the trumpet section and contributes regularly to the orchestra as an arranger and composer. Among many others, Printup has performed/recorded with Betty Carter, Dianne Reeves, Eric Reed, Cyrus Chestnut, Wycliffe Gordon, and Marcus Roberts, and he is sought out internationally as an educator.”
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Bailey Hall, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
In Session
Traonach and Friends continue their Live Irish Music Session on alternating Sundays at the Watershed, carrying on in the fine tradition of their much-beloved sessions at the Argos, The Chapter House, and Micawbers.
When: 5-8 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Watershed
Cost: free; donations welcome
Bravura Variations
Cheryl Tan presents a keyboard DMA lecture-recital titled “Popular pianism of the 1830s: Clara Wieck & Henri Herz’s ‘Bravura Variations.’” In this lecture-recital, Tan explores the genre of concert variations – a cornerstone of popular pianism in the 1830s – and their significance in Clara Wieck’s repertory during this time. How did they grow to become a trademark vehicle of hers, and why did they virtually disappear from her concerts after her marriage to Robert Schumann in 1840? This lecture-recital will be centered on one case study: Henri Herz’s “Bravura Variations” on a Romance from Méhul’s Joseph (1825) – the work which Clara performed the greatest number of times in the 1830s.
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Ska’s the Limit!
The Slackers make their long-awaited return to Ithaca – the NYC-based band has been winning fans with their energetic blend of ska, reggae, and soul as showcased on their 15 albums, many singles, and thousands of live shows. Kudos include: “the best ska band in the world” (Rude International), “the pick of the US crop” (Metal Hammer), “the sound of New York’ (New York Times), “is about as close to perfect as it gets” (Ink 19), and “one of the best bands in the United States"(axs.com). The band’s latest release is “Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya,” their first album in seven years.
Opening the show are The Abruptors, the Buffalo-based ska band that recently released a new album, “Noticeably Cheerless,” on Asian Man Records. Together since 2015, the band includes Mike Geraci (lead vocals/guitar), Toni LaMantia (lead vocals, keys, saxophone), TJ Izzo (valve trombone), Alex Schultz (drums), and Kyle Gustafson (trumpet, trombone).
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $20 in advance, available online here; $25 day of show
String Thing
The Cornell Chamber Orchestra welcomes Ariana Kim, violin, Danny Kim, viola, and John Haines-Eitzen, cello for a concert featuring Vivaldi’s Concerto for Cello in D Minor, RV 405 and Concerto for Two Cellos in G Minor, RV 531, plus Mozart’s “Sinfonia Concertante.”
When: 7 p.m. Monday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Songs of Spring
Opus Ithaca School of Music will present the Odyssey Choir’s spring concert “In Bloom: Songs of Spring, Nature, and Growth.” The choir is led by artistic director Melissa Rooklidge and assistant director Maia Finkel, and will be accompanied by pianist Mary Ann Miller.
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday
Where: St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 402 N. Aurora St.
Cost: free and open to all
Denim Deluge
Promising “excessive denim,” Whistlin Dyl presents the “Canadian Tuxedo Party” to mark the release of his latest album, “Salt Sugar Whiskey.” He’ll be joined by his band Spice Rack, along with locals Motherwort and Immortal Peaches.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Argos Warehouse
Cost: $10
Russian Round
In “Russian Roulette: A round of Piano Music from Fin-de-Siècle Russia,” piano studio recital of students of Xak Bjerken will present a program featuring exiled Russian composers from the turn of the 20th century.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Composition Contest
The Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble performs the annual David P. ('60) and Susan W. Wohlhueter Jazz Ensemble Composition Contest. This year's guest artist is guitarist Peter Bernstein. Music to be performed includes: “Gardyn” composed by Jon Gardner; “The Mellow Fellow and the Fly,” composed by Ross Strauser; “PB Highway,” composed by Leo Steinriede; “Mr. Weird,” composed by Eunmi Lee; “Park Fanfare,” composed by Annie Booth; and “Ramshackle Ship,” composed by Jared Decker.
When: 8:15 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Ford Hall, Ithaca College
Cost: free and open to all
Spring Thing
The Trumansburg Farmers Market kicks off its 2023 season, offering food, drink, crafts, live music, and more for the next six months. This week’s band is the Notorious Stringbusters, featuring the Broadwell brothers playing raucous string-band tunes.
When: 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, May 3 through October 25
Where: Trumansburg Farmers Market
Cost: free
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, May 3
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free; ages 18 and up
More Shows
Jesse Collins and Friends host the Sandwich Sessions at Brookton’s Market at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays; this week features vocalist Alex VanTassel performing the music of Duke Ellington in celebration of his birthday this week
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 Partyreturns 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
The Brewhouse Blues Jam returns to Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Pat and Don are at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
Lora Pendleton is at Atwater Vineyards 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 CrossRoads in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
DJ ha-MEEN spins at a Latin Jazz Dinner at Seven Of Jazz Lounge at 7-10 p.m. Thursday
Whistlin’ Dyl is at Two Goats Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Friday
Jesse Bloodgood is at Seneca Cheese Company at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
Scratched Vinyl is at Hopshire Farms and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Justin Goodband is at BRU64 at 6 p.m. Friday
The Bigness play Stone Bend Farm at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Jess Novak and Ben Wayne are at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Friday
The Tony Serdula Band is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Homebrewed Comedy is at McGraw Box Brewing at 7-9 p.m. Friday
Citi Cat is at the Dryden Hotel at 7-9 p.m. Friday
Greg McQuade is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Common Railers play the Downstairs at 8 p.m. Friday ($5)
Big J Blues is at Lucky Hare Brewing in Hector at 1-3 p.m. Saturday
Rebecca and the Soul Shakers are at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Payton Bird and Sean Fried are at Treleaven Winery at 2-5 p.m. Saturday
McGraw Cabaret is at BRU64 at 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Wild Bill Yonder is at Chateau Dusseau at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Rocco Rich and Aaron Craig are at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
TN’T Dynamite DJs are at McGraw Box Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
The Sweats are at Grist Iron Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
StratCat Willie and the Strays are at Two Goats Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Cozmic Theo is at Brookton’s Market at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Dave Turner is at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
The Vectors are at ONCO Fermentations at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
The Modafferi Band is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
Dennis Winge plays solo jazz and blues guitar at Antlers Restaurant from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
M.A.Q. plays the Live Jazz Brunch series at Stonecat Café from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Chad Bradshaw plays the “Spring Bizaar” at ONCO Fermentations at 1-4 p.m. Sunday
Randy Hulse is at the Cortland Country Music Park at 3 p.m. Sunday ($8)
Barrel Aged is at Two Goats Brewing at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
DeWayne Perry hosts the monthlyJazz Jamat 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
Brett Beardslee is back with the blues at Rasta Ranch Vineyards at 5-8 p.m. Mondays
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
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
The Salsa Night Dance Partyreturns 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 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, Upstate, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
April 27, The SteelDrivers, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy
April 28, Upstate, Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo
April 28, Eli Young Band with Chasing Neon, The L, Horseheads
April 28, Marlon Wayans, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo
April 29, The Burns Sisters Band, Oswego Music Hall, Oswego
April 28, Phoneboy, Mohawk Place, Buffalo
April 29, Jimkata, Westcott Theatre, Syracuse
April 29, Robinson Treacher, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
April 29, Martin Sexton and KT Tunstall, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy
April 29, David Graham and the Eskimo Brothers, Abilene Bar and Lounge, Rochester
April 29, Annie in the Water, Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
April 29, Upstate, Flour City Station, Rochester
April 30, The Rollin’ Rust’s “Rock the Block,” Wesley Street, Manlius
April 30, Professor Louie and Crowmatix, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
April 30, Home Free, Turning Stone Showroom, Verona
April 30, The Bacon Brothers, Center for the Arts, Homer SOLD OUT!!
May 2, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls with Kayleigh Goldsworthy, The Montage, Rochester
May 3, Elder, Mohawk Place, Buffalo
May 3, Tempest, Lovin’ Cup, Rochester
May 4, Morgan Wade, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy
May 5, Belle and Sebastian, State Theatre, Ithaca CANCELED!
May 5, Big Eyed Phish and Hello City, Westcott Theater, Syracuse
May 5, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Zakir Hussein, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy
May 5, Seeing Double, Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
May 5, Brass Transit, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo
May 6, Chris Destefano, State Theatre, Ithaca
May 6, Gary Gulman, Hangar Theatre
May 6, Augustana, Center for the Arts, Homer
May 6, The Color Fred, Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
May 6, The American Idiots, Westcott Theater, Syracuse