Acoustic guitar virtuoso Christie Lenée comes to Trumansburg, Ithaca Underground hosts a big daylong show in Hector, and “Silent Movie Under the Stars” returns to Taughannock Falls State Park. Plus, there’s a plethora of Americana shows around Ithaca this weekend!
Three of a Kind
Deep Dive will present “An Evening of Rock, Americana, and Folk,” featuring three local acts: Blackbird, Hannah Law, and Sarah Noell.
“Blackbird is a rock and roll group making song-based original music that will give you chills. Liam Makepeace (on bass) and Tom Gilbert (on drums) are the band's rock solid rhythm section. Angelo Peters plays keyboard and makes the grooves undeniable. Crow Greenspun fronts the band, delivering songs that are lyrical and moving.”
“Singer/songwriter Hannah Law’s ethereal voice narrates the emotional landscapes of longing, aging, nostalgia, death, and the experience of separation. Her folk album "Pleasure Of The Eyes" is a compilation of songs examining her youth in Central New York. Through sincere and delicate use of voice and acoustic guitar, Hannah explores the intricacies of adolescence and the heartbreak and contemplative experiences that inevitably go along with growing up. She recently released two covers, "Blues Run The Game" and "Reason To Believe." Her rendition of the songs blur the lines between folk and soul, with the addition of bass, piano, electric guitar and backup harmonies.
“Sarah Noell is a musician based in Ithaca, New York. Inspired by early folk songs, rocks in the river, empty fields, eros and country music, her songs can be categorized as calm, current, and nostalgic. She has been a part of various local music projects, ranging from indie-rock to classic country. She currently plays in the duo Good Dog with Joe Hayward who contributes pedal steel guitar and vocals to the calm country-folk project.”
When: 5 p.m. Friday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $5-$15 suggested donation
Frolicking Fun
Stone Bend Farm will host the Friday Night Frolic square dance, with music provided by The June Bugs (Cap, Valerie, Joe, and Jerone) with special guest Justine Cefalu and calling by Marc Faris. “All are welcome — no experience necessary! Pizza, beer, community, fun!”
Promenade around that ring
'Til the roosters crow and the birdies sing
Rights and lefts all 'round that room
While the fiddle goes high and the bass goes boom
When: 7-9 p.m. Friday
Where: Stone Bend Farm
Cost: $5-$10 suggested admission (no one turned away for lack of funds)
Southern Tier Sounds
“Pop out on Friday night for live music straight out of Binghamton! Winnie is an Alternative Pop artist with sound ranging from upbeat, fun songs to softer yet powerful songs about our more intense emotions. Come check out some never before played tracks straight from Winnie's new EP, ‘Act I,’ as well as music from talented singer-songwriters Party Cat and Sad Matt.”
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $5
Downtown Doings
Local rockers Metasequoia continues its residency at the Range, this time with a special theme. “Welcome back college students! We're Metasequoia, and we're here to rock that cute little face right off that skull of yours. Join us for a wild night to kick off your school year! BARBIE PARTY NIGHT! Dress the part; win something maybe?” Check out the band’s latest three singles here!
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: cover charge
All About the Bass (and Drum)
Deep Dive will host a nighttime drum and bass party its our waterfront deck featuring Proper Philth, DJ Juno, and Sinecaster.
When: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $5-$15 sliding-scale suggested donation
Summer Jam
Ithaca Underground is partnering with Lucky Hare Brewingto produce this first iteration of the FLX Underground Summer Jam, “an eclectic day festival for music lovers, featuring 11 bands, performers, and DJs performing on two stages all day in “the best DIY summer music event you've been waiting for.”
“We’re going from farm-grrl punk, to jazz, dark gothy pop, future bass, house techno, and so much more.
“Sit in the shade with a nice beverage on the patio to hear works from some fantastic bands including Motherwort, Strange Heavy, The Ilium Works, and Delaques. Or enter a new dimension in the Electric Barn to find a diverse array of electronic artists including Ithaca Underground House-techno legend Whoisbriantech with a live vocal house-techno performance from Zaylan, Dark Pop from Moxie Grim and Tungsten Lungs, Future Bass from S00P, and DJ sets from Playhouse90 and Fisticuffs.”
Food will be provided by Babe's Burgers, and a unique Ithaca Underground Brew will be available for purchase specifically at this event only.
When: 2-10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Lucky Hare Brewing, Hector
Cost: $10 in advance, available online here; $20 at the door
Keeping it Country
Whiskey West comes to downtown Ithaca, “combining the sounds of outlaw country, blues and bluegrass to create an edgy, toe tapping, good time acoustic honky-tonk sound. Kinda like if Johnny Cash & June Carter adopted a freight train, gave it some acoustic instruments and a drum kit asked Tom Waits to conduct the combo and said ‘play something that swings.’” The band includes Eric Winders, Elizabeth Smith, Devon Pearse, and Steve Tatowicz; their debut album is “Freight Train Mama.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $5
Flying Fingers
The Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts continues its long-running record of presenting stellar guitarists this weekend with Christie Lenée, named in 2020 as one of the “Best Acoustic Guitarists in the World Right Now” by Guitar World Magazine.
“Acoustic Guitarist of the Year 2019 Christie Lenée is more than a musician – she’s an experience. Symphonic compositions flow from her fingertips effortlessly, with sound ranging from transcendental folk-pop to virtuosic instrumentals. Christie is often described as ‘Michael Hedges meets Joni Mitchell and Dave Matthews,’ an integration of melodic pop lyricism with catchy hooks and percussive, harmonic textures. Her first-place victory in the acclaimed 2017 International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship has earned her featured coverage in Guitar Player Magazine, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, and Premier Guitar. An Official Showcase Artist at Folk Alliance International and a number of major festivals, events, opera houses and theaters nationwide, Christie Lenée performs with radiant joy that awes crowds and inspires fellow musicians.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Trumansburg Conservatory of the Arts
Cost: $18 in advance, available online here; $22 at the door
Cosmic Explorers
Deep Dive hosts “Cosmic Country Saturday,” featuring Florida’s Shira Lee & the Space Cowboys and Ithaca’s own Freight Duo.
“Inspired by Folk, Country, Jazz, Blues, World, Alternative, Indie and Americana, Shira Lee & The Space Cowboys are fighting for expansion through sound, to cross the great divide between the mundane and extraordinary. Playing guitar, dulcimer, ukelele, & banjo, Shira Lee uses songwriting and storytelling to traverse life's experiences & connect with the great spirit, in hopes that this ‘on the road’ sound resonates with others & their life journeys.”
The Freight Duo features JP Payton and Loveday, of the band Freight, who released their debut album “Hard Worker” in 2022. “Groove-centric and playfully syncopated, the band's primary sound is a danceable variety of folk-rock, replete with electric organ fuzz, telecaster twang, and no-nonsense steel-string chug. Payton's confessional songwriting draws from the country music tradition; his lyrics explore the interior dynamics of close relationships, the connections between people and the places they live, and the pains of growing up and old. As the name suggests, Freight is a balance between momentum and substance, funk and storytelling, with its spiritual home waiting somewhere just a little farther down the highway.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10
Read a 2022 interview with Freight here!
Cinema al Fresco
Wharton Studio Museum will present the 13th annual “Silent Movie Under the Stars” at Taughannock Falls State Park. The event will feature “Beverly of Graustark” (1926), a silent comedy starring Marion Davies, an American actress, screenwriter and producer, considered one of the great comedic actresses of the silent era, with live musical accompaniment by Cloud Chamber Orchestra.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Taughannock Falls State Park
Cost: free
Neighborhood Sounds
PorchFest Cortland returns with myriad local performers return to the porches of the neighborhood surrounding Van Hoesen and Chestnut Streets. The event kicks off with bagpipes and a kids’ parade, followed by hours of music. Food and drink will be offered by Holy Smoked, CoffeeMania, and The Frosty Caboose, and there also will be kids’ activity booths along the streets.
When: 12-5 p.m. Sunday
Where: VanHoesen and Chestnut Streets, Cortland
Cost: free
Sunday Club
The Buena Vista Sunday Club with Fabi and Friends and the Sabores de Oaxaca Food Truck returns to Damiani Vineyards for the summer season. “Join us every Sunday in summer for the eclectic and amazing music from Fabi World Music Summer Duo featuring Martini. We have wines by the glass, by the bottle, and special wine cocktails available for you to enjoy as you take in the views and wonderful vibes.”
When: 1-4 p.m. Sundays
Where: Damiani Wine Cellars, 4704 NY Route 414, Burdett
Cost: free; donations welcome
A Sunday Kind of Love
Siren Styling presents a different kind of night at Deep Dive: “Sunday Loveday Wellness Event,” which features unique wellness workshops, live music, bodywork, and vendors. “This event is a deep breath to honor late Summer, notice our efforts and what’s emerged, and decide how to enjoy the rest of the heat.” The music kicks off at 7 p.m., with sets from acoustic duo Alex Fals & Hayley Dayis of Rochester’s Woven Home, cello electronic healing by Locator (DC), and ambient/house dance party with Westphunk. There also will be yoga on the deck with Lara Green (bring your own mats), somatic dance therapy by Blood Bone & Honey (Sarah Buckner), and bodywork and massage therapy.
When: 3:30 doors, music at 7 p.m.; runs to 1 a.m.
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10-$35 in advance, available online here; at the door, $10 for music (after 7 p.m.), $40 for the full event, $25 for the workshops.
Welcome Return
Syracuse-based singer-guitarist and Ithaca College alum Chris LeFever returns to Ithaca for the first time in nearly five years to perform eclectic originals and deep-cut favorites.
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $5 or pay what you can
MAQ Attack
South Hill Cider’s Monday Night Jazz series continues 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 plays the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month.
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free
Pressure Drop
Angelo Paradiso (New Planets, Living Myths, Big Mean Sound Machine, Swamp Kids) continues his weekly residency at Deep Dive, joined by special guest drummer Sam Fishman (Driftwood, Maddy Walsh’s AllStar Band).
“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
The East-West Blues Band plays its penultimate show at Liquid State North Shore at 5-7:30 p.m. Friday
Jacob Shipley plays Bagley’s Winery at 5-8 p.m. Friday
Donna the Buffalo and the UFOhs play Inspire Moore Winery in Naples at 5-11 p.m. Friday
The Destony Band 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
Ariel Arbisser is at Hopshire Farms and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Papa Muse (acoustic) is at Summerhill Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Justin Goodband is at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Tink Bennett and Tailor Made is at Treleaven Winery at 6-9 p.m. Friday
The Small Kings are at Two Goats Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Forty Theeves are at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Feed the Fire is at Scale House Brewery at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Rob Ervin is at McGraw Box Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Jon Rogalia & the Swamp Boys are at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Doug and Eamonn from Hot Dogs & Gin are at Buttonwood Grove Winery at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Doc Weisman & Real Country and Greg McQuade play “Magic on Main” in Homer at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Common Railers are at Finger Lakes Cider House at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Major Bigtime Band is at the BoatYard Grill at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Freeway is at the Groton American Legion at 6:30 p.m. Friday
The Soul Benders are at Cayuga Shoreline at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Whiskey Business play Wagner Vineyards at 6:30 p.m. Friday
M3 is at Fat Pattie’s in Binghamton at 7 p.m. Friday
Clint Bush is at the Dryden Hotel at 7-9 p.m. Friday
The Infrared Radiation Orchestra is at Moondog’s in Auburn at 7-10 p.m. Friday
The Barefoot Sunshine Band is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Rachel Beverly is at Nickels Pit BBQ in Watkins Glen at 8 p.m. Friday
Andrew Alling is at Sacred Root Kava Bar at 8 p.m. Friday
Spuds and Taggart are at Knapp Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Rita Venuti and John Blume are at Buttonwood Grove Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Bradford Allen is at Chateau Dusseau at 3-6 p.m. Saturday
Mystic Twangers are at Scale House Brewery at 4-7 p.m. Saturday
FlashBamPow brings “remarkably satisfying and intense acid jazz” to Liquid State North Shore at 4:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday
Darwin plays Bagley’s Winery at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
The Steve Daniels Jazz Duo is at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Pat Young is at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
TNT Dynamite DJs are at McGraw Box Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Big D and the Dawgs are at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Dewayne Perry and Friends play jazz at Brookton’s Market at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Chickenwire Parachute is at Two Goats Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
The F.A.R. Trio is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Unoriginal Gravity is at Seneca Lake Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
The Kitestring Duo is at Brewers Café and Taproom at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Cast Iron Cowboys and LongStory are at Sacred Root Kava Bar at 7:00 p.m. Saturday
M3 is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
The Dave Richman Trio plays the Live Jazz Brunch series at Stonecat Café from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Tim Herron is at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday
The Inner Crazy is at Wagner Vineyards at 1-4 p.m. Sunday
JD and Sam of Petty Thieves are at Summerhill Brewing at 2-4 p.m. Sunday
Rachel Beverly is at Treleaven Winery at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Bob and Dee are at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Zach Willdee is at Grist Iron Brewing at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
The Liuzzo Band is at ONCO Fermentations at 3-5 p.m. Sunday
The F.A.R. Trio is at Two Goats Brewing at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
Denali & TR Acoustic Duo is at Scale House Brewery at 4-7 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
Aug. 18-19, The Comb Down, Upstate, and many more, The Big ‘G’ Jam, Hannibal; tickets are available here
Aug. 18-19, Chenango Blues Festival, Chenango County Fairgrounds, Norwich
Aug. 18, Warren Zeiders, Kegs Canalside, Jordan
Aug. 18, Ghost, St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview, Syracuse
Aug. 18, Collective Soul, Saranac Brewery, Utica
Aug. 19, Umphrey’s McGee, Saranac Brewery, Utica
Aug. 19, In The Moment and Motionless in White, MVP Arena, Albany
Aug. 19, Dan + Shay, CMAC, Canandaigua
Aug. 19-20, Catbird Music Festival with Tyler Childers, The Lumineers, The War of Drugs, Trey Anastasio Band, Band of Horse, Dispatch, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel
Aug. 19, Parker McCollum, St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview, Syracuse
Aug. 20, The Offspring, Sum 41, and Simple Plan, Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien Center
Aug. 20, Whiskey Myers, Artpark, Lewiston
Aug. 22, Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore with the Guilty Ones, Center for the Arts, Homer
Aug. 22, The Lumineers, Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien Center
Aug. 23, Pentatonix and Lauren Alaina, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs
Aug. 23, Chubby Checker, Chevy Court, New York State Fair, Syracuse
Aug. 23, Lori McKenna, Center for the Arts, Homer
Aug. 24, Quiet Riot, Chevy Court, New York State Fair, Syracuse
Aug. 24, Theory of a Deadman, Suburban Park, New York State Fair, Syracuse
Aug. 24, Eric Church and Laney Wilson, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs
Aug. 24, Sam Hunt, St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview, Syracuse
Aug. 24-27, Pickin’ in the Pasture Bluegrass Festival, Alexander Farm, Lodi
Aug. 25, Pixies, Modest Mouse, and Cat Power, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown
Aug. 25, Pentatonix and Lauren Alaina, St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview, Syracuse
Aug. 26, Julio Iglesias Jr., Chevy Court, New York State Fair, Syracuse
Aug. 26, George Thorogood, Suburban Park, New York State Fair, Syracuse
Aug. 26, Steve Earle, Point of the Bluff Vineyards, Hammondsport
Aug. 27, Old Crow Medicine Show, Point of the Bluff Vineyards, Hammondsport
