20+ shows to see this weekend: June 23-26
It’s déjà vu all over again, as Ithaca Reggae Fest returns to Stewart Park, Togethernessfest is back at Fools Hill, and Lou Barlow of Dinosaur Jr. comes back to Six Mile Creek Vineyard. Plus, Front & Main and Drew Kiddoo & The Blackouts release new CDs!
Summer is officially here, so get out and enjoy some live music this weekend!
Funky Friday
Funky Lunch Fridays returns to downtown Ithaca for its second year. “Join us every Friday at noon as we bring the finest selection of funk, disco, house, and classic hop hop to the Commons. Funky Lunch Fridays is a place for young and old alike...a place to meet with friends and get your weekend started right!” Local favorite DJ ha-MEEN will spin at this week’s edition.
When: 12-1:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Bernie Milton Pavilion on the Commons
Cost: free
Let’s Get Together!
Togethernessfest returns to Fools Hill in Spencer, offering three days of music from a variety of regional bands. “Our 7th Togethernessfest! Its gonna be another great weekend with some of your old favorites and some that will become favorites.” On the bill are Native Howl, Motherwort, Garlic.band, Dapper Dan, Technicolor Trailer Park, Uncle Shake, and many more – see the complete schedule here!
When: Friday-Sunday
Where: Fools Hill, 657 Dawson Hill Road, Spencer
Cost: $80 for weekend pass, $40-$50 for daily pass, available online here
Flocking Together
South Hill Cider’s Golden Hour Music Series continues with Four and Twenty Blackbirds, a group composed of a number of Ithaca’s musical talents and songwriters.
Crow Greenspun is the inspiration behind the project and the featured songwriter for this show. He’ll be joined by Liam and Kieran Makepeace of The Makepeace Brothers; Tom Gilbert, formerly of Donna the Buffalo, on drums; and his brother, Juge Greenspun. The group is in the process of recording a record at Black Bear Studios with Angelo Paradiso to be released this summer.
Local singer-songwriter-artist Hannah Law will open the show, joined by London McDaniel on bass.
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: $10
Welcoming Vibes
The 5th annual Ithaca Reggae Fest and HeadCount, which “promotes voter registration and participation in democracy through the power of music and culture,” team up to kick off festival weekend with a free welcome Party & Voter Registration Drive at the Large Pavilion in Stewart Park. The event will feature legendary Jamaican producer Scientist with General Jah Mikey and special guests DJ Hill, Ononkwa-Medicine, and the GIAC Jumpers. “Come on down for a FREE beautiful evening full of community, music, art, dance, food & drink, and to Register to VOTE!”
When: 6-9 p.m. Friday
Where: Stewart Park, Ithaca
Cost: free
Back to the Garden
The Dart Brothers will perform at ReJuvenate, a benefit for the Ithaca Children’s Garden. “Help us celebrate an incredible community asset at the Ithaca Children’s Garden in Ithaca! Friday is the annual ReJunevate event, a special night of fun and gathering at the beautiful outdoor garden space. Includes delicious local morsels and libations.”
When: 6-9 p.m. Friday
Where: Ithaca Children’s Garden
Cost: $50
Triple Threat
Cape Cod-based duo Orange Peel Mystic will visit Ithaca to showcase its unique sounds. “OrangePeelMystic is an extraterrestrial avant-garde psych pop artist that performs driving electronic planet Earth anthems.” The show also features area acts Victoria Anine and Silver Rein.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
Cost: $5-$10, pay what you can
Dynamic Duo
Local singer-songwriter Whistlin’ Dyl continues his “Trilogy” residency at the Downstairs for which he’ll be joined by guitarist Kyle Madrigal.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10/pay what you can
Ready for Release
Ithaca honky-tonkers Drew Kiddoo and The Blackouts will host a release party for their new record, “Blacktop Empire.” Local favorites Freight and Strange Heavy will open the night, which is another Practice at Presents show.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10
Conscious Vibes
The fifth annual Ithaca Reggae Fest returns to Stewart Park, offering a full day of music, education, food, drink, yoga, and much more on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake. On the bill are Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad mixed by Scientist, Double Tiger, the Analogue Sons, Sun Dub, and New Planets along with DJs Cappel, Proper Philth, and EvoEvolution. See the complete schedule here!
“Dedicated to the protection of Cayuga Lake through a conscious celebration of Ithaca’s legendary reggae community and its history since its inaugural event in 2017, Ithaca Reggae Fest raises funds for, and awareness of, environmental organizations confronting issues facing our vital water resources through the celebration of all aspects of our community featuring international and local reggae artists, our Water Protector Education Village, Yoga, Skate Village and Art Village all to bring us all together in unity of that which we have in common - clean water.”
When: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with music starting at 2 p.m.
Where: Stewart Park, Ithaca
Cost: $25, available at the gate and online here
Event Info
Hardcore Matinee
Practice at Presents continues its streak of Punk Rock Happy Hour shows, with another cool bill featuring The Fatalitees from Albany, along with locals Calabungus Flats and Nancy Babich. Open to ages 16 and up.
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $5
Crossing Borders
Big Sky Music Studio’s 2023 Concert Series continues with Mama's Broke, the Canadian duo of Lisa Maria and Amy Lou Keeler.
“Mama's Broke have spent the past nine years in a near-constant state of transience, pounding the transatlantic tour trail. They've brought their dark, fiery folk-without-borders sound to major festivals and DIY punk houses alike, absorbing traditions from their maritime home in Eastern Canada all the way to Ireland and Indonesia. Nowhere is the duo's art-in-motion approach more apparent than on their long-awaited JUNO nominated sophomore record ‘Narrow Line ‘(released May 2022 on Free Dirt Records) It's the sound of nowhere in particular, yet woven with a rich synthesis of influences that knows no borders.”
“The driving force behind this band is – and has always been – the commitment to challenge borders between people, places, and traditions; while encouraging freedom of expression and community through music.”
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sweet Land Farm CSA, 9732 Route 96, Trumansburg
Cost: $18
Ready for Release
Recently formed regional all-star band Front & Main will play a release show in Binghamton for its debut album, “Look Both Ways.” Formed by Michael Wu and Paul Shotwell, the soul rock band also includes Samuel B. Lupowitz, Mary Tewksbury, Jacob Kurtz, and Jeff Tripoli. Kid Bess and the Magic Ring, who released an album themselves a few months ago, will open the show.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Atomic Tom’s, 196 State St., Binghamton
Cost: $10
Blues Blaster
Eric Gales returns to Central New York, ready to showcase his high-powered stage show, blazing guitar licks, and passionate vocals. “Over 30 years and 18 albums, his passion for the music and his boundless desire to keep it vital has never waned…” His latest release is “Crown,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category. Local favorites Hot Dogs & Gin will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Cost: $30,available online here
A Good Cause
“Back for the first time since 2019, this year's family-friendly Ostomy A-WEAR-ness event will happen again at the Westy. That's right, The Westy will be allowing kids of all ages for this event. The $20 ticket price at the door includes: Live music from The Notorious Stringbusters; Catered munchies from Kiely's Cooking; and the Infamous Silent Auction.”
“Once again, all proceeds will benefit the 2023 Youth Rally - a week-long summer camp for youth ages 11-17 living with congenital birth defects, chronic illness, and others who have been victims of physical trauma, many of whom WEAR ostomies or other surgical openings as a result of life-saving/sustaining surgery.”
When: 1-4 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Westy
Cost: $20; kids 12 and under, $10; kids 4 and under, free
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
Welcome Return
Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh) returns to Ithaca for an intimate show. He says: “Hi everyone, I’m hitting the road this summer for solo shows. My wife Adelle and our daughter Izzy will be with so you could call this a Barlow Family General Tour! If you haven’t seen me play before it’s always pretty fun and loose. I take requests, play songs from my entire career, and chat. I play for about 2 1/2 hours, the shows are early and easy. We will be available on selected dates for early dinners (or breakfasts!). Join us!”
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Six Mile Creek Vineyard
Cost: $30-$45, available online here
Rock and More
“Emmy-nominated artist, author, musician, activist Laura Jane Grace is a major figure in today's rock scene as both a solo artist and the frontwoman of Against Me!” Her latest release is the EP “War Against the Silverfish.” Weakened Friends will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Cost: $30, available online here
Event Info
Swing Time
South Hill Cider’s Monday Night Jazz series continues this week with the Diana Leigh Quartet filling in for Dave Davies Rhythmakers. Leigh will be joined by Kevin Jones, Ted Caldwell, and Keith Evan Green for the show. “Diana has been singing jazz and blues regionally for many years. She has a purity of tone, a swinging sense of phrasing, and a sparkling stage presence. She and her band will bring the swing, and their joyous jazz will lift your spirits. Come prepared to dance!”
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
Songs to Sing
The Downstairs will host “Heavy Cream: an evening of songs by Penelope Voss,” along with special guest Colleen Countryman.
“Penelope Voss is an Ithaca-based singer, songwriter & gal-about-town. ‘Heavy Cream’ is a sort-of-song-cycle composed mostly in 2023. These songs represent a time of change & period of grieving, they are a balm that brought joy to a sad woman through dark wintry evenings and brisk spring mornings. They are driven by piano and feature wide ranging treble melodies, and lyrics that cut to the quick. This will be the public premiere of Heavy Cream in its current form, a one-woman performance poured from one heart to all of its friends (old & newly discovered).”
“Colleen Countryman is an Ithaca-based pianist, vocalist, professor of physics, and general badass. She will be performing original songs and covers in a rare solo set. She can be found around town this summer performing with other local musicians such as Ariel Arbisser and Louiston.”
When: 7-9:30 p.m. Monday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10/pay what you can
Under Pressure
Angelo Paradiso (New Planets, Living Myths, Big Mean Sound Machine, Swamp Kids) continues his weekly residency at Deep Dive, with drummer Matthew Saccuccimorano (Black Castle, Mofos, Bronwen Exter, etc.) joining him for this edition of Sound Pressure Monday.
“Angelo Paradiso (multi - instrumentalist / mad scientist) brings you a VS battle that will make that tush pop and jaw drop. Man VS machine : Angelo invites a rotating cast of characters that range in instruments, names and forms to battle machine sequences, modular synths and all things sample-able. All styles from all places. All things funky. No computers, just humans. Bring your dancing shoes, your party hat, and dial 1-800-NOREQUESTS.”
When: 8:30 p.m. Monday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10
More Shows
Joe Lule and Rena Guinn are at Airy Acres Vineyard in Interlaken at 2-6 p.m. Friday
The Bob Keefe Trio is at Aurora Brewing Company at 5-8 p.m. Friday
Evan Dillon plays Bagley’s Winery at 5-8 p.m. Friday
Adam Guinn is at Liquid State North Shore at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday
The Brothers Grateful are at Seneca Cheese Company at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
SingTrece and Stone Cold Miracle are at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
The Notorious Stringbusters are at Hopshire Farms and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
New Planets play a summer solstice party at Hector Wine Company at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Smoking Loons are at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Off The Rails are at the Scale House Brewery at 6-9 p.m. Friday
The Calya Lea Trio is at Revelry Yards at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Raised on Radio is at Treleaven Winery at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Rocco Rich and Aaron Craig are at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Dana Twigg is at Summerhill Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Causeway Giants are at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
The Destony Band plays the BoatYard Grill at 6 p.m. Friday
Tru Bleu is at Wolffy’s Grill and Marina at 6 p.m. Friday
Richie and Rosie are at the Finger Lakes Cider House at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Madd Daddy is at Bright Leaf Vineyard at 6:15-8:15 p.m. Friday
StratCat Willie and the Strays play Wagner Vineyards at 6:30 p.m. Friday
Marc Ryan and Monica play the Glen Haven at 6:30 p.m. Friday
The Ende Brothers play the McGraw Box Brewing Company at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
The Jess Novak Band is at ONCO Fermentations at 7-9 p.m. Friday
Clint Bush is at the Dryden Hotel at 7-9 p.m. Friday
Merkley & Morgan and Jenna Noelle play Rose Hall in Cortland at 7 p.m. Friday
Mike Lucey is at Nickels Pit BBQ in Watkins Glen at 8 p.m. Friday
Feed the Fire is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Three Stone Fire (1-3 p.m.) and NEO Project (4-6 p.m.) play Hopshire’s 10thanniversary party on Saturday
The Diana Leigh Trio is at Buttonwood Grove Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
The Diana Jacobs Band is at Anyela’s Vineyards in Skaneateles at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to Chateau Dusseau in Locke at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Mystic Twangers are at the Scale House Brewery at 4-7 p.m. Saturday
The Tony Serdula Duo plays Bagley’s Winery at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Billy Golicki and the Therapists are at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Prow is at Liquid State North Shore at 5-7:30 p.m. Friday
Inside Job brings the funk to Aurora Brewing at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday
The Unknown Woodsmen are at Homer Hops at 6 p.m. Saturday
Clint Bush is at the Brewer’s Kitchen and Taproom at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Paul Davie is at McGraw Box Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Stereopticon is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Mystic STEW are at Two Goats Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Pete’s Porch Pickers, with callers Megan Veley and Marc Faris, will play a square dance party at the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts at 7 p.m. Saturday
City Limits is at the Showboat at 7:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday
Wingnut is at the Downstairs at 8 p.m. Saturday
The F.A.R. Trio plays Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
The Ron Spencer Band brings the blues to Moondog’s in Auburn at 8 p.m. Saturday
Sweats return to El Rancho in Watkins Glen at 9 p.m. Saturday
Flying Object plays an Ithaca Reggae Fest after-party at Deep Dive at 9 p.m. Saturday
Metasequoia continues its residency at the Range at 9 p.m. Saturday
Paul Davie is at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday
Sweats bring Toast and Jamz to the Live Jazz Brunch series at Stonecat Café from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Six Mile Craic (1-2 p.m.) and London McDaniel (4-5 p.m.) play GreenStar’s 50thAnniversary Celebration on Sunday afternoon
Band by the River are at McGraw Box Brewing at 2-4 p.m. Sunday
Shawn Halloran is at Treleaven Winery at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Delta Mike Shaw plays Rasta Ranch Vineyards at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
40Theeves are at Grist Iron Brewing at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Jes Sheldon and the Stewards of Sol are at ONCO Fermentations at 3 p.m. Sunday
Six Mile Craic plays Brookton’s Market at 3-5 p.m. Sunday
T. Gath is at the Glen Haven at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
Terrapin Station is at Two Goats Brewing at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
Miller and the Other Sinners are at Scale House Brewery at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
Tom Bloodgood is at Hop Notch Brewing in Montour Falls at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
The monthly Jazz Jam hosted by DeWayne Perry returns to the Downstairs at 5-8 p.m. Sunday
DJ Rob Haze and DJ Law bring “Goth Night: Dark Alternative Monthly” to 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
Mark Maynard hosts Open Mic Night at Lucky Hare Brewing in Hector at 6-8 p.m. Mondays
Regional Shows
June 21-25, Syracuse Jazz Festival, downtown Syracuse
June 23-25, Estival Festival, Sugar Mountain, Canadea
June 23, Pat Metheny Side-Eye, Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Rochester
June 23, Collie Budz, Center for the Arts, Homer
June 23, Maddie and Tae, Point of the Bluff Vineyards, Hammondsport
June 24, Darius Rucker, CMAC, Canandaigua
June 24, Colt Ford, The L, Horseheads
June 24, Marie Osmond, Del Lago Resort, Waterloo
June 24, Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew, “Remain in Light” tour, Saranac Brewery, Utica
June 24, The Murder Junkies, Bug Jar, Rochester
June 24, Chase Rice, Kegs Canalside, Jordan
June 24-25, Friehofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs
June 25, Josh Turner, Point of the Bluff Vineyards, Hammondsport
June 26, My Morning Jacket, Artpark, Lewiston
June 27, Bonnie Raitt, Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Rochester
June 27, Tears for Fears and Cold War Kids, CMAC, Canandaigua
June 27, Vieux Farka Toure, Center for the Arts, Homer
June 27, Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters, The L, Horseheads
June 28, Peter Mulvey, 443 Social Club, Syracuse
June 28, Jimmie Vaughan, Center for the Arts, Homer (SOLD OUT!)
June 28, Australian Pink Floyd, Artpark, Lewiston
