Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue bring their “Shorty Gras” tour to the State Theatre, blues guitar blaster Eric Gales returns to the Center for the Arts of Homer, and legendary Irish singer Karan Casey is back for a benefit at the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca. Plus, Hank Roberts joins the Galactic Escort Service at Deep Dive, and Jonathan Richman returns to Central New York!
Also, check out this Tiny Desk concert with Irreversible Entanglements, which features Ithaca-based Keir Neuringer on saxophone!
Note: This week’s shows are listed in chronological order in two sections below.
Show Your Stuff
SingTrece’s Open Mic for Singers, Rappers, Songwriters, Poets and Spoken Word makes its monthly appearance at the Downstairs. “Perform at Ithaca's most intimate and supportive open mic. Come see Ithaca's favorite artists as well as discover someone new. Sing with tracks, sing acapella, play acoustically or read poetry! Come out and see Ithaca's favorite artists as well as discover someone new. The Downstairs on the 4th Tuesday of each month is the place you want to be.”
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: The Downstairs
Blues Power
Powerhouse blues guitarist Eric Gales returns to the Center for the Arts of Homer to promote his latest album, “Crown.”
“Eric Gales is a blues firebrand. Over 30 years and 18 albums, his passion for the music and his boundless desire to keep it vital has never waned, even when his own light dimmed due to his substance struggles. Throughout it all, he continued to reinvigorate the art form with personal revelation in his lyrics and bold stylistic twists in his guitar playing and songwriting.”
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Cost: $35-$50, available online here
Back to Bach
Cornell’s Midday Music for Organ continues with Annette Richards, who will perform “C. P. E. Bach among the Organists” with works by J. S. Bach, C. P. E. Bach, Krebs, Homilius, and Princess Anna Amalia of Prussia. “Like his brothers, C. P. E. Bach learned from his father to be a virtuoso organist. His career took him in other directions, however, and towards the end of his life he had, he claimed, “lost the use of his feet” at the instrument. But there were many other musicians in his generation, most of them students of his father’s, who continued the traditions of the Bach family at the organ. This program places C. P. E. Bach in dialogue with his father and his fellow students, creating a picture of the now relatively little-known sonic landscape of the mid 18th-century German organ.”
When: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Anabel Taylor Chapel, Cornell
Cost: free and open to all
Rongo Remembrances
“Come and share your stories and toast to our beloved Rongovian Griff! Our friends Toivo will be there playing music, too!
When: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Garrett's Brewing Company
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
Good Times Roll
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue bring their Shorty Gras Tour to the State Theatre, joined by special guests, The Soul Rebels.
“Shorty Gras has become a beloved New Orleans tradition since its inaugural year in 2020, a featured event as part of the Krewe de Freret Parade in the lead up to Mardi Gras. Trombone Shorty leads the parade on his own signature float, and concludes with the Shorty Gras ball at Mardi Gras World, featuring a who’s who of musical guests. Previous performers include Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, Flo Rida, Big Freedia, Tank and the Bangas, Rebirth Brass Band and others. This year, Shorty will bring this distinctly New Orleans Mardi Gras party on the road for the first time.”
“In 2022 Shorty released “Lifted,” his most recent album, and has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Good Morning America, Today Show and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in the past two years. He also won a GRAMMY for his work on Jon Batiste’s Album of the Year-winning “We Are.” Since 2010, he has released four chart-topping studio albums and collaborated across genres with Pharrell, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, Foo Fighters, ZHU, Zac Brown, Normani, Ringo Starr, and countless others.”
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $29.50, available online here and at the State box office
Melancholy, Baby!
“On the last Wednesday of every month, join Not From Wisconsin’s Angela and Dave Yantorno for an evening of Midweek Melancholy.”
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10 or pay what you can
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 atmospheric grooves. This week’s special guest is cello master Hank Roberts!
“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, Feb. 28
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10
Chicken Pickin’
“Join us for a Fried Chicken and Catfish Dinner along with live music! Very special guests are joining Richie Stearns for the Simply Red Pop-up this Thursday. Niels Bonefas from Denmark, Shona Carr from Philadelphia are astounding musicians and are not to be missed. This is a rare opportunity to see them in Ithaca with one of our finest, Richie Stearns.”
When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday; food starts at 4 p.m.
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free; donations welcome; food available a la carte
A Good Cause
The Karan Casey Trio returns to Ithaca for a benefit show “to raise funds to support the ongoing struggle for Palestinian Liberation, including the work locally of Ceasefire Now CNY and internationally through the Middle East Children's Alliance.”
“Legendary Irish musician Karan Casey is joined by Niamh Dunne on fiddle and vocals, and on guitar and accordion, Seán Óg Graham (both of the Irish folk band Beoga). The evocative trio have toured together for several years and this show premieres new material as well as favorites from Karan’s back repertoire. Together they bring us songs charged with a sense of social responsibility, from the personal to the historical and political, touching on themes of family, loss, love, the empowerment of women, and Irish revolutionary struggle.”
When: 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29
Where: First Unitarian Society of Ithaca (FUSIT)
Cost: $25-$35 sliding scale, available online here as well as at the two Mama Said Hand Pies locations: Press Bay Alley on Green Street and the Cafe on 1710 Trumansburg Road (Route 96).
Read a 2023 interview with Karan Casey here!
Ready for Takeoff
“Come celebrate Everyone’s Extra Day with the deft and spontaneous Mighty Jet, as well as Ithaca’s own “Downtown” blues singer Julie Brown. Perhaps a surprise trombone solo by Ben Bassett? It’s not a surprise anymore Ben get ready. Maybe even a mother-daughter duet if time allows. Special Thanks to Sacred Root Kava for hosting this event. There is no cover for this event but please plan to support the venue and tip the musicians as you are able. In the spirit of Sadie Hawkins, Meghan Raboin will be bringing some light snacks and a cake to celebrate! All are welcome but anyone celebrating a Leap Day birthday should let Meghan know in advance that you are coming!”
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29
Where: Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge
Cost: no cover; tips welcome
Ready to Rock
Cassette performs in downtown Ithaca. “Cassette is a blues-rock band formed by four Cornell students in 2023. Come listen to original songs and covers of your favorite artists for a night of rock n’ roll!” The band includes Spencer Nachman (guitar/vocals), Ethan Glezer (drums/vocals), Andres Aradillas (keys), and Lucas Mitchell (bass).
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10 or pay what you can
The Door to Bohemia
Jonathan Richman returns to Central New York, joined by his longtime drummer sidekick Tommy Larkins.
While Richman first gained acclaim as a member of the Modern Lovers, he’s spent the past few decades pursuing his own singular musical vision. He says: “The music we’re doing now works well in quiet places like theaters and performing art centers. We still don’t use a program or a set list so we don’t know what we’ll do until we do it. Please do not expect old songs. Many singers my age do a retrospective; this show is not like that. It’s mostly stuff made up in the last 3 and 4 years. Some of the songs presented might be in different languages; this is not to be esoteric or clever, it’s because the different languages help me express different feelings sometimes. One last thing, my idea of a good show has nothing to do with applause. It’s about if all the songs I sang that night were ones that I felt.”
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Cost: $31-$35, available online here
More Shows
The Argos Grove Trio plays jazz at the Argos Inn at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Mike Lucey comes to Scale House Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
Sandra Esparza 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
Yayle Hues is at Cortland Beer at 6-9 p.m. Thursday
Scale House Brewery hosts Open Mic Night at 6-9 p.m. Thursdays
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to The Ridge in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Atlas Bowl in Trumansburg hosts Vinyl Night at 7-10 p.m. Thursday
