Front & Main makes its stage debut in Owego, Amy Ray brings her solo band to Homer, and the State Theatre of Ithaca hosts the “Benefit My State Variety Show” fundraiser! Plus, catch dozens of local bands on stage throughout the region in the coming week!
Spring Thing
The Trumansburg Farmers Market continues its 2023 season, offering food, drink, crafts, live music, and more for the next six months. This week’s band is Taksim, which performs a mix of dance and music
When: 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays through October 25
Where: Trumansburg Farmers Market
Cost: free
Going Galactic
The Galactic Escort Service returns every other Wednesday to 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, May 9
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $5
Happy Homecoming
South Hill Cider’s Community Concert Series continues with Michael "Mijail" Martinez & the Cantina Ramblers. “After traveling through Texas and Louisiana in search of his roots, songwriter and frontman Michael ‘Mijail’ Martinez returns home to reunite with his band, the Latin-tinged honky-tonk outfit The Cantina Ramblers. English, Spanish and French folk songs with soul of the bayou, the spice of the border, all brought right back home to the natural beauty and magic of the Finger Lakes. Do not miss this ‘Nostos’ Ithaca Homecoming performance at South Hill Cider.”
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: donations welcome
A Night for Nurses
Cortland Memorial Foundation presents “The Nightingale Concert,” featuring jazz from Steve Daniels and Danny D’Imperio and special guests Jeff Stockham, Tom Killian, Chris Persad, Barry Blumenthal, Peter Mack, and Samantha Daniels
“Join us on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, as we celebrate nurses from Guthrie Cortland Medical Center; in the beautiful space at the Center for the Arts of Homer. Guests will enjoy an evening of live jazz with Steve Daniels in the concert hall, hors d’oeuvres from Hairy Tony’s, a cash bar, and more music while mingling with friends in the Karen L. Sager Community Room. Participate in the Wine Pull Raffle for some added fun!” A special nurse from Guthrie Cortland Medical Center will be honored with the Nightingale Award.
When: 6-10 p.m. Friday
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: Tickets are available online here
Voices Carry
The Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers return to Ithaca College for their Spring Concert Tour Kickoff Performance of “Walk Together Children!" They say: “We are so excited to present a concert full of some of our standard repertoire, as well as some additional spirituals and gospel favorites, and some fantastic new pieces.”
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Ford Hall, Ithaca College
Cost: donations
Into the Zone
The Electrozone returns with “another ripper” for its first show at Angry Mom Records. On the bill are STCLVR (WNY bedroom industrial. pro-queer/pro-poc/anti-fascist/anti-bro), 8 Hour Animal (Post-industrial metal from Poughkeepsie on its “Kill Your Boss” album release tour), Phantom Project (an Ithaca-based cottage industry of Satanic misinformation and hysteria-induced tinnitus), Deceiver (more harsh noise from Rochester), Scab Addict (Ithaca noise core), and Milk Cousin (LPRB (Local Punks Resisting Boredom) playing its first show).
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Angry Mom Records
Cost: $10
Key Player
Glob Studio hosts local keyboardist Jon Petronzio, with openers **nimeiko** and Greg Kops. “You know Jon Petronzio playing fire on the keys for John Brown’s Body and The Comb Down, and also from his own project and band Roadman. He’s a truly masterful and prolific musician, and here’s your chance to hear him up close and personal, performing solo with a mic, guitar, and looper. Hang out in sweet, comfortable Glob Studio, where s the sound experience is top priority and where audience and performer get to engage one another in an intimate musical relationship! It’s a special opportunity to be up close with this hometown hero!”
If you can’t make it in person, check out the livestream on YouTube!
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: 123 S. Cayuga St.
Cost: “Glob Studio is a small space, and seating will be VERY limited. All Glob Studio events are by donation at the door for available space, but we will have to end admission if we fill up! You can reserve a space with a $10 (or more!) contribution via Venmo to @globstudio. Your contribution helps me to pay the artist fairly and to provide a beautiful and sweet-sounding space!”
A Good Cause
Deep Dive will host “80's Prom: Fundraiser for REACH Medical and Harm Reduction,” featuring local favorite Dubber Rucky, the electro-DJ project of Ben Ortiz and Kenny Christianson. “REACH stands for Respectful, Equitable, Accessible, Compassionate Healthcare for all… Through your ticket or gift, we will continue to provide critical healthcare services to populations that face stigma in traditional healthcare settings. Healthcare with dignity is a human right.”
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $15 donation
Join Together
The Downstairs will host “Skelaques,” the joint project of musical group Delaques and visual artist duo Skeleton Hands, They're joining forces for the next three Fridays in May: May 12, May 19, and May 26.
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $5-$10 sliding scale
Strength in Numbers
“Better Together for Mental Health” will feature “activities for all ages to assist in *prioritizing your mental health* on a daily basis including guided nature walks, yoga, live music (featuring NEO Project), writing workshops, street performers (including Nate the Great), food (Luna & Purity) and MORE! We'd love to stay connected with you - let us know you're coming by reserving your free ticket online. Need a ride? Just show a Better Together event flyer for a FREE ride on TCAT (Route 13 from Seneca St)!”
"Mark Maynard, frontman of the Jerry Garcia-inspired band Scuba Jerry, will perform from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the R&B dance band NEO Project will take over the stage from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Evo Evolution will DJ music for kids, and acoustic musicians will play their instruments around the park."
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Stewart Park
Cost: free
Let’s Dance
Deep Audio Groove and Journeymen Productions host the “Saturday Sessions Ithaca 2023 Dance Party,” a “multi-genre Dance party on the Ithaca Commons!” The event will feature DJs Apactor (deep techno and electronica), Freeze (deep house and disco house), and Priest (tech house and techno)
When: 3-8 p.m. Saturday
Where: the Ithaca Commons
Cost: “If you would like to follow us or make a donation you can through the ticket link. Any support would be very much appreciated. We are a non-profit organization.”
Local Talent
Opus Ithaca School of Music will present its Chamber Music Showcase. “Join us for an hour of Chamber Music with Faculty and Students from Opus Ithaca. With delicious treats and tea!” Performers include: Andi Merrill, piano; Gabriel Meza, violin; Deborah Montgomery, voice; Juliana Pepinsky, flute; Elizabeth Shuhan, flute; Jake Gunnar Walsh, composition; Asher Wulfman, violin; and Opus Ithaca students. “Enjoy works by Bach, Ian Clarke, Saint - Saens, Telemann, Walsh and more!”
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Opus Ithaca School of Music, 402 N. Aurora St., Ithaca
Cost: free; donations welcome
Too Hot to Stop
After playing their first show of 2023 in Cortland last weekend, The Rods return to the stage for their debut appearance at The L. Featuring David "Rock" Feinstein (guitar, lead vocals, Freddy Villano (bass, vocals) and Carl Canedy (drums, vocals), The Rods are “a classic heavy metal band that rocked their way through the 80's with a powerful, raw energy that led them on tours with some of today's greatest metal bands—Judas Priest, Ozzy, Motorhead, and Metallica, to name just a few.” Fright and Adam & the Metal Hawks will open the show.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: The L, 116 Breesport Road, Horseheads
Cost: $23-$40, available online here
Jazz Poetry
As part of the annual Spring Writes Literary Fest, Seven Of Jazz Lounge will host “Jazz Poetry,” featuring “spoken word and art set to live or recorded jazz music, centering on equity and anti-racism. Performers include Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Rahmel Mack aka Ave Mack, Jay Stooks, Amir Ali, Valerie Sykes, and J.R. Clairborne.
When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Seven Of Jazz Lounge
Cost: free; please register here if attending
Closing the Season
The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra will present its 2022-2023 season finale, with interim CCO music director Grant Cooper, the CCO musicians, and CCO principal bassoon Cornelia Sommer presenting a “vibrant program! From the Brazilian folk-influenced Villa-Lobos, to the comedic Haydn and Anna Clyne’s contemporary musical answer, to the jazzy Milhaud, it’s an evening you will remember.” Pieces include Villa-Lobos’ “Ciranda das Sete Notas,” with Cornelia Sommer, bassoon; Haydn’s Symphony No. 60, “Il Distratto”; Anna Clyne’s “Sound and Fury”; and Milhaud’s, “Le Boeuf sur le Toit.”
The 2022 Lee Strebel Memorial Youth Concerto Winners also will be honored.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; pre-concert chat at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Ford Hall, Ithaca
Cost: $10-$35, available online here
Residing Underground
Local prog trio Strong Maybe returns for its second residency in downtown Ithaca, performing its “mostly improvised psychotic cartoon animal music” on Saturdays through May. The trio of Matt Saccuccimorano, Chad Lieberman, and Mark Wienand Karlsen will be joined by special guests each week, with the Long Now Trio (Ryan Vanderhoof, Brian Dozoretz, and Saccuccimorano) sharing the stage with their earthy instrumentals. “What happens can never happen again,” the band promises.
When: Saturdays in May; doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m.
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10
Crossing Borders
Practice at Presents returns with another cool bill, this one featuring its first Canadian band – Ace of Wands, a dream-rock group from Toronto – along with Rochester shoegaze foursome Bad Bloom, Rhode Island grungesters Sun Urchins, and local garage rockers Microbes, Mostly.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
Cost: $10
Read an interview with Bad Bloom here!
Dashing Debut
After releasing its first two singles online, Front & Main will play its debut show in Owego. Founded by Paul Shotwell and Michael Wu, the original soul-rock band also includes Jeff Tripoli, Samuel B. Lupowitz, Jacob Kurtz, and Mary Tewksbury.
When: 8:30 p.m.
Where: John Barleycorn Tavern, Owego
Cost: $5
Orchestral Maneuvers
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra featuring cellist Zlatomir Fung closes out the Cornell Concert Series season with a program that includes including Chabrier’s “España,” Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances from West Side Story,” and more.
“Since its founding by George Eastman in 1922, the RPO has been dedicated to artistic excellence and deeply committed to education and community engagement. Today, the RPO presents up to 150 concerts and broadcasts per year, serving nearly 170,000 people through performances, education, and community activities.”
“The first American in four decades and youngest musician ever to win First Prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition Cello Division, Zlatomir Fung is poised to become one of the preeminent cellists of our time. Astounding audiences with his boundless virtuosity and exquisite sensitivity, the 23-year-old has already proven himself to be a star among the next generation of world-class musicians. A recipient of the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship 2022 and a 2020 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Fung's impeccable technique demonstrates mastery of the canon and exceptional insight into the depths of contemporary repertoire.”
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Bailey Hall, Cornell University
Tickets: $19 for students, $29-$39 for adults, available online here
Songs to Share
Local singer-songwriter Jennie Lowe Stearns returns to the Downstairs. “I look forward to sharing original songs with you, with backing vocal support by Venissa Santi.” Her latest album is 2019’s “Ghost Tracks,” produced by Craig Street.
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10 suggested donation
Going South
The Amy Ray Band returns to Central New York to promote Ray’s latest album, “If It All Goes South,” a “powerful, timely collection that includes a dazzling lineup of guest musicians: Brandi Carlile, Allison Russell, The Highwomen’s Natalie Hemby, Phil Cook, and I’m With Her, to name a few.” Apart from her work with Indigo Girls, Ray has built a distinctive solo catalog that encompasses “everything from gospel to punkabilly to folk, each handled with equal parts unruly ingenuity and extraordinary precision.”
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Cost: $25 and up, available online here
MAQ Attack
South Hill Cider’s Monday Night Jazz series is back this week with MAQ, a quartet that performs everything from classic and modern jazz to Brazilian bossa and folk music. The lineup includes Eric Aceto (violin), Harry Aceto (bass), Doug Robinson (guitar, vocals), Chad Lieberman (accordion), and Steve Pond (percussion). MAQ will play the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month.
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free
Variety Show
The State Theatre of Ithaca presents the “Benefit My State Variety Show,” featuring “a sampling of what The State Theatre offers and the stories behind why this building truly matters.” The event will feature performances by Sam Nelson of XAMBASSADORS, Richie Stearns and Friends, The Ithaca Ballet, Running To Places, Galumpha, Southside Community Center's CUMEP, and more.
“For over 90 years, The Not-for-Profit State Theatre has been an iconic part of Downtown Ithaca’s vibrant arts scene. From our family & movie series to world-class touring musicians, comedians, and entertainers, The State Theatre has been enriching our community since 1928. The reality is… The cost of running and maintaining this beautiful theatre greatly exceeds income from ticket sales, sponsorships and rental income.
“Join us for the inaugural ‘Benefit My State Variety Hour’ and enjoy a small taste of the many flavors your State Theatre of Ithaca has to offer. *ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT YOUR 501-C-3 Not-For-Profit State Theatre of Ithaca*”
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 17
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $25 ($75 for VIP Package), available online here and at the State Box Office
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 17
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
Logan Route is at the Scale House Brewery at 6-8 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
The Upstairs has resumed its weekly Open Mic Night, now at 8:30 p.m. to midnight Wednesdays
Hannah Toombs is at Brookton’s Market at 6 p.m. Thursday
The Brewhouse Blues Jam returns to Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Aiken and Nadge are at Cortland Beer Company at 6 p.m. Thursday
Rachel Beverly 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
Paul Merrill directs the Cornell Jazz Repertory Ensemble in Klarman Hall at 7 p.m. Thursday
Brian Fitz hosts Open Mic Night at Cortland’s Ake Gallery (165 Main St.) at 7 p.m. Thursday
DJ Heather Sandford spins 80s tunes at Atlas Bowl's Vinyl Showcase at 7-10 p.m. Thursday
Special Guest is at Liquid State Brewing North in Romulus at 5-7:30 p.m. Friday
Off The Rails is at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
The Fun Bunch is at Seneca Cheese Company at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
The Local Farmers Union and special guest Hannah T are at McGraw Box Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Phil Muka is at BRU64 at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Cielle on Solid Ground is at Hopshire Farms and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Rena Guinn will be joined by Joe Lule and Doug Henrie at Stone Bend Farm at 6-8 p.m. Friday ($7)
Scott Tremolo is at Summerhill Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Joe Kollar and Pete Ruttle are at Revelry Yards at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Sandra Esparza is at Homer Hops at 6-8 p.m. Friday
The Ampersand Project is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
The Dennis Winge Trio is cat Two Goats Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Trevor Stribling and Friends are at the Scale House Brewery at 6-9 p.m. Friday
The Shylocks are at ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 7-9 p.m. Friday
Marc Ryan and Monica are at the Dryden Hotel at 7-9 p.m. Friday
The Holz/McQuade/Aiken Trio is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
The Roadhouse Prophets are at Treleaven Winery at 2-5 p.m. Saturday
Brian Francis is at Chateau Dusseau at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Rose Alaimo is at the Greenhouse Café at 5-7 p.m. Saturday
The Vectors are at McGraw Box Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Grassanova is at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
TruBleu is at Aurora Brewing at 5:30 p.m. Saturday
McArdell & Westers are at ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Butternut Creek Revival returns to Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 6 p.m. Saturday
The Tarps Duo is at Brookton’s Market at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Austin MacRae is at Brewer’s Café and Taproom at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Pat Young is at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Organ Fairchild is at Two Goats Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Five-Man Trio is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Yayle Hues and Billy Golicki & the Therapists share the bill at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
Mr. McBean, Felix Free, and Free Creatures team up for a hiphop show at Deep Dive at 8 p.m. Saturday
Second Saturday Salsa Night returns to the Upstairs at 9 p.m. Saturday
The Yardvarks play a Mother’s Day lunch at Cedarwood Event Venue from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
The Maplewood Jazz Team plays the Live Jazz Brunch series at Stonecat Café from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Luke Hart and Dave Solazzo play Mother’s Day Brunch at Heuga’s Alpine from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Dom Baragiano and Friends are at Brookton’s Market at 12-3 p.m. Sunday
Sandra Esparza is at Summerhill Brewing at 12-3 p.m. Sunday
Davey O is at Grist Iron Brewing at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Sydney Irving is at Treleaven Winery at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Bradshaw Blues is at ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 2-5 Sunday
Travis Knapp and Annie Sumi play the Groundswell Center’s Mother’s Day Soirèe at Stone Bend Farm at 3-7 p.m. Sunday
Hannah T featuring Somer White is at Two Goats Brewing at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
Brett Beardslee is back with the blues at Rasta Ranch Vineyards at 5-8 p.m. Mondays
Wonder Monday returns to the Downstairs at 7 p.m. Monday
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
Strange Heavy is at the Argos Warehouse at 8 p.m. Tuesday ($5)
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
The Steve Daniels Acoustic Duo is at the Scale House Brewery at 6-8 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
May 10, Graham Nash, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel
May 10, Jeremy Garrett and Shadowgrass, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
May 11, The Wild Honey Collective, Abilene Bar and Lounge, Rochester
May 11, Mikaela Davis, Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
May 12, The Gilmour Project Plays Floyd, Turning Stone Showroom, Verona
May 12, The Gibson Brothers, Earlville Opera House, Earlville
May 12, Ominous Seapods with Al Schneir of moe., Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
May 13, Lotus Land: A Tribute to Rush, Turning Stone Showroom, Verona
May 13, Brooks & Dunn, KeyBank Center, Buffalo
May 13, Gabba Gabba Hey! Ramones book release party, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
May 13, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse
May 13, Travis Knapp and Annie Sumi, Oswego Music Hall, Oswego
May 14, Sepultura and Kreator, Rapids Theatre, Niagara Falls
May 14, Kevin Hart, Turning Stone Event Center, Verona
May 16, Richard Thompson, Center for the Arts, Homer (SOLD OUT!)
May 16, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Empire Live, Albany
May 17, Hammell On Trial, 443 Social Club, Syracuse (SOLD OUT!)
May 18, Cody Johnson, Upstate Medical Arena at OnCenter, Syracuse
May 18, Crash Test Dummies and Heather Maloney, Center for the Arts, Homer
May 18, DiTrani Brothers, Abilene Bar and Lounge, Rochester
May 18, Mikaela Davis, Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
May 19, Dar Williams, May Memorial Society, Syracuse
May 19, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo
May 19, The Acacia Strain, Lost Horizon, Syracuse
May 19-20, The Avett Brothers, Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, LaFayette
May 20, RootStock, Bernie Milton Pavilion, Ithaca
May 20, Leah Marlene, Funk N Waffles, Syracuse
May 20, The Revelers, Harmony House, Rochester
May 20, Rod Abernathy, Six on the Square, Oxford
May 20, The Acacia Strain and Escuela Grind, Empire Live, Albany
