Hayley Jane and Annie in the Water join forces to perform Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ (and also collaborate on their original music) at the Range, five local bands team up at Deep Dive to pay tribute to Pink Floyd at a benefit concert for REACH, and Pile’s Rick McGuire comes to Angry Mom Records.
Plus, celebrate the season with holiday concerts featuring Doolin’ O’Dey, the Delaney Brothers, and the Diana Leigh Quartet!
Note: This week’s shows are listed in chronological order in two sections below.
Support The Route!
An important message: Membership Drive week continues at The Route – if you support what we do at WITH and WRUR, both on air and online – please consider showing your support by calling (800) 295-9994 or logging on to The Route’s website to make a gift or become a sustaining member.
We increased our musical programming in 2023, with even more to come in 2024! That includes more local and regional music, as you’ll hear when you tune into “Open Tunings with Scott Regan” at 9 a.m. to noon and Ryan Yarmel’s “Afternoons with Yarms” at 2-6 p.m.
Numerous staffers from The Route and WXXI have been appearing on the air this week to ask for your support. I was a guest on BOTH shows Wednesday, Dec. 13, and showcased a bunch of music from Ithaca and CNY-based bands!
Here’s what I played:
Open Tunings
“Eyes Like a River, Drew Kiddoo & The Blackouts
“Heaven Is Real,” Johnny Dowd
“Everywhere, All The Time,” Jennie Lowe Stearns & Sunk Coast
“I Never Needed a Good Reason to Go,” The Rollin’ Rust
“Mystery Date,” Madder Rose
“You’re Not a Genius,” The Horse Flies
“The Tides of Time,” Donna the Buffalo
“Choose Your Own Adventure,” Thru Spectrums
Afternoons with Yarms
“Meet Me Where I Am,” Rose Alaimo
“Medicine,” Muhammed Seven
“Francis the Vampire,” Bad Bloom
“Gut Feeling,” Sunk Coast
“Shadow of Love,” Low Indigos
“Easy,” Max Childs
“Bred for This,” Ariel Arbisser
“Emasque,” Metasequoia
Note: All of those songs will be added to the Route’s music library for potential airplay in the future!
Our membership drive week runs through Friday, Dec. 15, so again, please please consider showing your support by calling (800) 295-9994 or logging on to The Route’s website to make a gift or become a sustaining member. Thanks again for listening to (and reading) what we do here at The Route!
Let’s Dance!
The Shorty Gorge will host a swing dance in downtown Ithaca. “No dance experience or partner necessary just bring yourself! We will be teaching a Lindy Hop crash course from 7:30 – 8 p.m. which is perfect for beginners so bring your friends!”
“We are also now teaching classes. Register here.”
When: 7:30-10 p.m. Thursday
Where: Room 303 (3rd floor) Studio B, 119 S. Cayuga St.
Cost: $5-$10, sliding scale at the door (cash or Venmo)
Dancing in the Dark
Deep Dive will host the Dark Dance Gathering featuring several DJs serving up a variety of grooves, vibes, and more. On the bill are Apactor (8:30 p.m.), Tractus (9:30 p.m.), DoktorVox (10:15 p.m.), Law (11 p.m.), Rob Haze 11:45 p.m.) and The 1980 Underground 12:30 a.m.-1:15 a.m.).
When: 8:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $5, 18+
Keeping It Going
“AFTIES (A Team607 joint) at The Downstairs will feature music and ambience by local DJs and producers, so you can keep the drinks and conversation flowing, after the show. No cover, just presence. (21+)”
2nd & 3rd Thursdays
When: 9 p.m. 2nd & 3rd Thursdays of the month
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: none
Paying Tribute
Several local bands will come together for a Pink Floyd tribute show to benefit REACH Medical, “a nonprofit organization with the belief that all individuals deserve respectful, equitable, access to compassionate healthcare in a setting where they will not be stigmatized or judged based on drug use, homelessness, or any other issue that may cause less than adequate care in today's healthcare environment.”
“Get ready for a great night for an even greater cause! We have Maddy Walsh & some O.G. Blind Spots, Noon Fifteen, vacuoso and Friends, Darkwine, and Sad Sad Sparrows performing Pink Floyd! Don't miss out on a great night of music!”
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $25 in advance, available online here; $30 day of show
Underground Sounds
Local jazz trio Wingnut – drummer Zaun Marshburn, bassist Walt Lorenzut, and keyboardist Michael Stark – return to the Downstairs for a night of original music.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10 or pay what you can
Merry Skelequesmas
“Delaques and Skeleton Hands are at it again for our Christmas residency!! Come see local artist Dakota's gallery! Eat some of the downstairs new food! AND maybe you'll see some special guests too!”
When: 9 p.m. Fridays through Dec. 22
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10
Getting Ugly
The Fall Creek Brass Band returns to downtown Ithaca for a holiday Ugly Sweater Party, promising "MUSIC FOR YOUR TOE-TAPPING, BOOTY-SHAKING PLEASURE"
“In their inexhaustible effort to get the world up and shaking that groove thing, the Fall Creek Brass Band plays a wide variety of dance music from traditional New Orleans tunes to funk, hip-hop to rock and roll. Fall Creek can also be heard on their albums, Mad Fun and Fat Beats.
When: 10 p.m. Friday
Where: The Upstairs
Cost: $9 in advance, available online here; $15 ($10 with student ID) day of show)
Ready to Rock
A couple of psychedelic-inspired rock bands team up in downtown Ithaca. “Join us for an epic night of Rock 'n' Roll w/ Sun Parade (Brooklyn/Western Mass) + Overhand Sam & Bad Weapon (Rochester)!”
When: 10:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: $10; $5 with student ID
Sing Out Loud
The Ithaca Farmers Market will host its 26th Annual International Rutabaga Curl on Saturday. As part of the festivities, the Vociferous Cruciferous Chorus will return, drawing on community members to bolster its ranks.
“It's that time again! Come sing! Bring your own copy of the sheet music, practice ahead, and dress warmly. We'll rehearse at 11:30 and perform around 12:10.”
When: 11:30 a.m. Saturday
Where: Ithaca Farmers Market
Cost: free
Celtic Christmas
Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts will host a holiday concert featuring local favorite Doolin’ O’Dey. “Celebrate the holiday season with a festive evening of Celtic music and Christmas cheer with an unforgettable night of traditional and original Celtic-inspired music. Fiddles, Celtic whistles, Uilleann pipes, Hammer Dulcimer, Guitar, Octave Mandolin, and Piano combined into a fresh Celtic sound.”
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts
Cost: $10, available online here
Yule Tidings
“Join us in the Lounge for the First Ever Grayhaven Motel Christmas Pageant. Wooden Lung brings together Mike Cook, Johnny Dowd and Bobby Frisk as a merry bunch of experimental holiday outlaws. Support and festive vibes by Izabelle Labs and holiday record spinning by DJ Peace on Earth (DJ JT from WRFI's Dance the Mutation)! December 16th, 7 PM sharp in the fully decked out lounge. Not to be missed!
“Wooden Lung's first show was epic...opening for legend Eugene Chadbourne. Now they tackle the holidays!!
When: 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Grayhaven Motel
Cost: $5
¡Bailamos!
“Join the Latino Civic Association for our much-anticipated annual night of music, dancing, and community celebration, all in support of the LCA's scholarship program. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, tasty drinks, and Latin dance spun by DJ ha-MEEN! All are welcome -- todos están bienvenidos.”
“The LCA is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to serving the Latino community of Tompkins County by providing a platform for its social, cultural, education and civic expression. Our mission is to foster a united Latino community, strengthen Latino identity, and promote solidarity, cultural pride, and civic engagement.”
When: 6:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Hotel Ithaca
Cost: $25, available online here; children 12 and under get in free
Swing Thing
Village Swing is back for a December residency at the Downstairs, with the Village Swing Trio – Wayne Gottlieb, Brian Earle, and Harry Aceto – joined by special guest Catherine Gale on vocals for an evening jazz, swing, and pop tunes in an intimate setting.
When: 7-9 p.m. Saturdays thru Dec. 23
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10
Glad Tidings
“Join the Diana Leigh Quartet for our 8th annual Holiday Spectacular, featuring Kevin Jones, Keith Green, and Stu Z, along with multiple special guests! The gorgeous Argos Warehouse feels like a speakeasy inside! Full bar with fabulous cocktails, plus bar snacks available. Come celebrate the season in swinging style!”
When: 7-10 p.m. Saturday; doors at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Argos Warehouse Lounge & Event Space
Cost: $12 in advance, available online here; $15 day of show (cash or Venmo)
Flying to Ithaca
Rochester-based Seth Hebert-Faergolzia (Dufus, 23 Psaegz) returns to Ithaca with his band Multbird. “Come one, come all to the show at Sacred Root! Multibird has many times visited Ithaca, but this is our first time back since the pandemic started... we are excited to be joined by locals Twin Court, who mix western instruments with gamelan to make a very unique and intriguing sound. I highly suggest you come and stay for the whole show. My new box set, t-shirts and hoodies will be available on this night as well!”
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
Rumours Confirmed!
Hayley Jane and Annie in the Water are teaming up for a short tour. “Our four shows will feature three sets of music each night. We will be performing Fleetwood Mac’s legendary ‘Rumours’ album between two collaborative sets of original music.
When: 10:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Range
Cost: $10; $5 with student ID
Caroling with Brass
The First Congregational Church of Ithaca will host “Caroling with Brass,” brass quintet music led by trumpeter Frank Campos. “The brass will play in hymns and choir anthems during our service which occurs in church and is livestreamed at fccithaca.org. Afterward they will lead carol singing, with everyone joining the choir up front in the sanctuary.” Check out the livestream here.
When: 10 p.m. Sunday
Where: First Congregational Church of Ithaca UCC, 309 Highland Road, Ithaca
Cost: free
Sunday Swing
“Join us as Tom Mitchell journeys from Baltimore and Kevin Wimmer from Moravia team up with Harry Aceto and Dave Davies for a cozy Sunday afternoon of Hot Jazz, Django, Blues, Originals and many other dancing gems from these grizzled veterans! Not to be missed!”
When: 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome
Bluegrass Christmas
“One of CNY's oldest and best-loved bluegrass bands. Join the Delaney Brothers for a special matinee performance of holiday classics performed in the Delaney Brothers signature style!”
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Cost: $16-$20, available online here
Solstice Sounds
The Scott B Adams Acoustic Ensemble – Scott B Adams on acoustic guitars, vocals, banjo (and maybe even piano), Eric Aceto on violin and mandolin and Doug Robinson on bass – will host its 26th Annual Solstice Concert, “a winter-themed musical evening accentuated by fine wine and light dinner fare.”
When: 5:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Red Newt Cellars
Cost: SOLD OUT!
String Theory
The Northside String Band will host Deep Dive’s monthly “traditional Southern old-time fiddle music jam with a great groove. Join us on the deck to listen or join in! Every last Tuesday of the month!”
When: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free
Lotsa Laughs
Deep Dive continues its bi-weekly comedy night, "Dive Into Comedy,” produced by Comedy On The Commons. “Brace yourselves for waves of laughter every other Wednesday, as the stand-up scene in Ithaca takes a deep dive into humor! Your hosts for the night, Mike Stewart and Andre ‘Pnut’ Williams, promise to keep your spirits afloat with their unique styles. Mike, known for his sharp wit and original observations, has been making waves on the comedy scene with his relatable humor. And what can we say about Pnut? Though relatively new on the comedy scene, his rich life experiences and nique perspective guarantee plenty of laughs and food for thought. So mark your calendars, call your friends, and get ready to dive into a night filled with laughter, good vibes, and the most diverse comedy acts in town. Who knows? You might even discover your new favorite comedian!”
When: 6:30 p.m. every other Wednesday
Where: Deep Dive
Shipping Down from Boston
Rick Maguire, from the acclaimed Boston-based indie-rock band Pile, will visit Ithaca for a solo show. Check out some of Pile’s music here! Local bands Twin Court and Good Dog will open the show.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Angry Mom Records
Cost: Advance tickets are $12 and available at Angry Mom; $15, day of show
House Music
"House Party with Park Doing" returns to The Downstairs. Local singer-songwriter Park Doing says: “Every 3rd Wednesday I am hosting a ‘House Party with Park Doing’ at the Downstairs in Ithaca, NY. I bring my stereo system to the club and play records - Post Punk - Berlin School - Psych - LoFi - House - Psych - Glam - Trash Techno - Wave. Then I perform - and then play more records! Fun!”
When: 8-11:55 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: no cover!
Read a recent interview with Park Doing here!
Going Galactic
The Galactic Escort Service returns to Deep Dive for Galactic Wednesday, with Ashley Ickes, Tenzin Chopak, Josh Oxford, Emmett Scott, and Michael Schuler ready to whip up some festive grooves.
“Every other Wednesday, a core group of Ithaca-based musicians join forces to create live improvised music on the spot. The group projects both obscure and classic films to aid in enhancing the experience as both audience and performers embark into the unknown spaces and places of the sonic realm. Guaranteed no two shows are the same, come be a part of the excitement of musical creation in real time.”
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10
Queen Bey
Cinemapolis continues its run of “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” which “accentuates the journey of Renaissance World Tour, from its inception, to the opening in Stockholm, Sweden, to the finale in Kansas City, Missouri. It is about Beyoncé’s intention, hard work, involvement in every aspect of the production, her creative mind and purpose to create her legacy, and master her craft. Received with extraordinary acclaim, Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour created a sanctuary for freedom, and shared joy, for more than 2.7 million fans.”
The Daily Beast’s Kyndall Cunningham wrote: "The artful editing and dynamic camerawork creates the sort of compelling, cinematic experience of watching a soldier going into battle every time Beyoncé steps onstage."
When: runs Thursday-Sunday
Where: Cinemapolis
Cost: $22
More Shows
Richie Stearns and Friends are at South Hill Cider at 5-8 p.m. Thursday
The Brewhouse Blues Jam returns to Hopshire Farm and Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Scale House Brewery hosts Open Mic Night at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Mike Aiken and Pat Nadge are at Cortland Beer at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to Crossroads in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Prime Box is at Brookton’s Market for the “Sloop Takeover” at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday
Atlas Bowl in Trumansburg hosts the weekly Vinyl Showcase at 7-10 p.m. Thursdays; this week’s DJ is ArtV, host of WRFI’s “African Postman” show
DJ Dale hosts Karaoke Night at the Upstairs at 10 p.m. Thursday
The PA Line is at Two Goats Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Friday
The Freight Duo with special guest Rev. Ezra is at Scale House Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
StratCat Willie and the Strays are at Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Cielle on Solid Ground is at Brookton’s Market at 6-8 p.m. Friday
M3 is at ONCO Fermentations in Tully at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Mike Aiken and Pat Nadge are at Homer Hops Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Longstory is at Aurora Brewing Company at 6-8 p.m. Friday
The Julie Howard Trio is at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 6-9 p.m. Friday
The F.A.R. Trio is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Clint Bush is at McGraw Box Brewing at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
Roger Decker is at the Dryden Hotel at 7-9 p.m. Friday
People People is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Condor Coyote isat Sacred Root Kava Bar at 8 p.m. Friday
Charlie Young is at Brookton’s Market at 12-2 p.m. Saturday
Amber Martin is at Summerhill Brewing at 2-4 p.m. Saturday, followed by a visit from Santa Claus at 4-5 p.m. and Madd Daddy at 5:30-8 p.m.
The Small Kings are at Two Goats Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
The Shenanigan Brothers (Marc Ryan & Tink Bennett) are at McGraw Box Brewing at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday
Clint Bush is at Lucky Hare Brewing in Owego at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Rachel Beverly is at Brewer’s Kitchen and Taproom at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Travis Rocco is at Homer Hops Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Total Recall is at BRU64 in Cortland at 6-8 p.m. Friday
The David Graybeard Band is at Aurora Brewing Company at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
The Ampersand Project is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
A Cast of Thousands is at Moondog’s Lounge in Auburn at 7-10 p.m. Saturday
Crystal Vision is at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
Marc Ryan goes solo at the Bluewater Grill in Skaneateles at 11 a.m. Sunday
Bill Ali is at ONCO Fermentations at 3-5 p.m. Sunday
Brookton’s Market hosts Open Mic Night at 5-7 p.m. Monday
Open Mic Stand Up Comedy Night returns to the Downstairs at 7 p.m. Tuesday
The Center for the Arts in Homer hosts Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Tuesdays
Auburn Public Theatre hosts Open Mic Night at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays
The Westy hosts its Open Mic Night at 9 p.m. Tuesdays
The Argos Grove Trio plays jazz at the Argos Inn at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Bob Rowe is at Scale House Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
The What’s Cooking Jazz Band is at Brookton’s Market at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
Rachel Beverly is at Salt Point Brewing at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday
DJ Dale hosts Trivia Night at Revelry Yards at 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays
Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday
The Upstairs hosts its weekly Open Mic Night at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday
Salsa Ithaca presents the weekly “Salsa Wednesdays” dance event at the Range at 8 p.m. Wednesday
