Buffalo’s Strange Standard comes to Deep Dive, Rochester’s Bad Bloom returns to Sacred Root Kava Bar, and Margaret Glaspy and Rickie Lee Jones come to the Center for the Arts of Homer.
Plus, the Spring Writes Literary Fest returns with a couple of music-related events and Hair•Color•Art celebrates its new location with a big bash featuring the 86ers, Teencat, and more!
Note: This week’s shows are listed in chronological order in two sections below.
Also, it’s our Spring Membership Drive week at The Route, so please consider making a gift at TheRoute.org to support our mission (we're a nonprofit organization).
We’ve added more local and regional music to our playlists in recent months and hired a stellar new DJ, Jann Nyffeler, to host a Wednesday night show, “Ain’t That The Way.” We’ve also expanded our broadcast range, so you’ll now be able to hear The Route continuously from Ithaca to Rochester between WITH (90.1 FM in Ithaca) and WRUR (88.5 in Rochester).
Tune into The Route's "Open Tunings with Scott Regan" and "Afternoons With Yarms" through Friday to hear about ticket giveaways, membership benefits, and more. And please consider becoming a Monthly Sustainer at TheRoute.org — it is an easy and affordable way to provide ongoing support for the programs you rely on.
Four on the Floor
The Jesse Collins Quartet comes to downtown Ithaca, with saxophonist Collins joined by Alex Horath, Tom Contino, and Richard Bureau for night of jazz and more
jessecollinssaxophone.com
When: 7-10 p.m. Thursday
Where: Bike Bar Ithaca
Cost: free; donations welcome
It’s a Celebration!
“Three of Cups is a celebration of borderlessness, a vast expanse, a bigger dream of what can be literary and what can be possible. Expect poems read, sung, music played, burlesquing, visual art, projection, imperfection, ending in a large group collaboration— all performed by femmes & thems only. You’re invited to a sister showcase to last year’s Two of Cups, both born of the anti-academic, chaos-blessed poet, visual artist, event producer nicole v basta’s refusal to accept creative constraints. Performers include: Winniebell Xinyu Zong, Jamaica Baldwin, Silver Rein, Erin the Axe, Lily Codera, nicole v basta, and Annie Sumi. Three of Cups is a part of The Spring Writes Literary Festival.”
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free
In Honor
“Join us May 3, as we honor Florence Nightingale—the founder of modern nursing. Celebrate the Guthrie Cortland Medical Center Nurses and help us kick off National Nurses’ Week.The welcome reception starts at 6 p.m., featuring hors d’oeuvres from M & D Deli, and a cash bar, followed by Live Music in the Concert Hall with the Fall Creek Brass Band. Purchase a cork and try your luck in the Wine Pull for added fun. A night to celebrate nurses. Proceeds will benefit Guthrie Cortland Medical Center.”
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Cost: Tickets available at the door
Art of Jazz
“Zingology Combo plays gypsy swing at the North Star Fine Art Gallery on the Commons in downtown Ithaca, NY. This will be in conjunction with First Friday Gallery Night. The North Star is currently featuring the paintings of Ireland, Scotland and New England by Brian Keeler. Zingology includes Joanna Green on violin and vocals, Wayne Gottlieb on guitar and vocals, Greg Ezra on drums, Brian Keeler on guitar, Ted Caldwell on bass and Brian Earle on clarinet.”
When: 6-8:30 p.m. Friday
Spin the Bottle
"Seven Minutes in Heaven: A spin-the-bottle of the arts" returns to Ithaca as part of the Spring Writes Literary Festival!
“Ithaca-area people, c'mon along to Lot 10 this coming Friday, May 3. From 7-9 PM, twenty-one compatriots will be doing some spontaneous collaborating, in the manner of 13-year-olds in a basement. Spring fever!
7 writers+7 musicians+7 readers = 7 one-time-things
Featuring: Rhian Ellis, Karlee Weaver, Jaime Warburton, Park Doing, Bob Proehl, Ubaldo Dante Valli, Jacob White, Felix Teitelbaum, Jennie Stearns, Pat Dutt, Sera Smolen, Matt Gordon, Melanie Bush, Jon Frankel, Aria Dawn, Carmi Orenstein, Mary Lorson, Erica Steinhagen, Jon Miller, Lesley Greene, Scott Whitham.”
When: 7-9 p.m.
Where: Lot 10
Cost: $5
The Big Comeback
“After four years touring the galaxy entertaining crown heads and intergalactic luminaries, La Cerise Noire is returning to The Cherry Artspace for two nights with its signature variety of delectable neo-vaudeville performances.
“The Cherry will transform into a decadent cabaret where you will be enchanted by aerial arts, comedy, music, burlesque, drag, and more! The Mighty Mickie Quinn hosts as the sensational Cherry Bombe and is accompanied by the multi-talented Nate the Great Marshall. Featuring dazzling performances by Dizzy DeScretion, Gina Tomorrow, Goddess, izac charp, Robin Guiver, The Amazing Stanley ...and a few surprises.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: The Cherry Arts
Cost: $10-$35 ($50 for VIP) available online here. “Equitable ticket pricing is available whether you're feeling the squeeze of inflation or you're lounging atop your piles of gold.”
Good Vibrations
“The Analogue Sons, firing up original uplifting sound, deep groove, triumphant melodies and harmonies to make you feel exactly as you need....Nice Nice Vibes.
“A veteran lineup of musicians who’ve collectively toured all across the globe. The band performs predominantly original material while sprinkling in a few choice covers blurring any boundaries among reggae, jazz, dub, soul, rock, surf & eastern European music.”
The band includes Mike Stark (organ/synth/bass), Lee Hamilton (sax), Lars Burggren (drums), Aaron Speiser (dubs, melodica), Alicia Aubin (trombone), and Jason Shegogue (guitar).”
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10 or pay what you can
Sparrows in Spring
Sacred Root hosts a cool show with Second Spring, Oran Delphi, Luisa Mei, and SadSad Sparrows.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Bar & Tea Lounge
Cost: $5
Dancing Queens
Gimme Gimme Disco returns to Deep Dive with another dance event. “If you can’t get enough of ABBA, boy do we have THE dance party for you! We are a DJ based dance party playing all your favorite ABBA tracks, plus plenty of other disco hits from the 70s & 80's like The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Cher, & so much more. So honey honey, take-a-chance and you’ll be dancing all night long. Grab tickets, put on your best disco attire, bring your friends, and have the best night of your life!”
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $21 in advance, available online here; $20 day of show
Rochester Rockers
“Flying Object is a song-based, lyric-driven, psychedelic, rock n' roll band featuring brothers Matt and Chris O'Brian and a rotating cast of players. For this performance, Flying Object is a Bad Weapon featuring Overhand Sam Snyder and guest drummer Dennis Mariano.”
When: 10:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: $10, $5 with student ID
Bird is the Word
The Cast Iron Cowboys play at “Birding Man,” a bird-theme-inspired event at Ramble On Farm in Trumansburg. They’ll kick off at 6:30 p.m. followed by DJ Dijon at 8:15 p.m.
When: 2-9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ramble On Farm, 3383 Colegrove Road, Trumansburg
Cost: $10
Grand Reopening!
Hair•Color•Art has moved to the South Hill Business Park, and they’re celebrating!
“Join the HCA team while we celebrate our new space and first party at our new location! We have performances by The 86ers, TeenCat, Milk Cousin, and Skeleton Hands; Drink Slingin’ with Open Spaces Cider, and food from Beautifully Charcuterie. Our neighbors at Artist Alley will be hosting demonstrations in their private studios from 3-7 p.m. Each studio will provide refreshments. So come a little early to explore The Alley! Put a little cash in your pockets to support the bands and to buy drinks! Alcoholic and nonalcoholic options. Bring a friend! Enjoy the murals! May the 4th be with you!”
When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Where: South Hill Business Campus, 950 Danby Road, Ithaca
Cost: free to attend
A Good Cause
Cascadilla Creek Women's Ensemble will present a Benefit Concert for Open Doors English, an organization that “empowers adult English language learners in Ithaca, Tompkins, and surrounding counties to live fuller lives through affordable, comprehensive English (ESL) classes.” Find out more here!
When: 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca, corner of Court and Cayuga Streets
Underground Sounds
Practice at Presents returns to Sacred Root Kava Bar with a stacked show that includes the return of Rochester’s Bad Bloom and Saratoga Springs’ Black Tongued Reverend along with locals B.C.M.E. and Dead Letters.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sacred Root
Cost: $10
Event Info
Read a 2023 interview with Bad Bloom here!
Z Men
Plan Z returns to the Downstairs, offering “a collaborative musical journey featuring some of the great musicians in the area. You will hear jazz, blues, soul, and funk-filled originals as the group pushes their own boundaries to create something new.” The band includes Michael Stark (keys), Marc Devokaitis (saxophone) Andrew Battles (electric bass), Ryan Zawel (trombone and sousaphone), Paul Merrill (trumpets), Zaun Marshburn (drums), London McDaniel (guitar,) and Benjamin Barson (baritone sax).
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Downstairs
Cost: $10
Regional Rock
“Strange Standard brings their Steely Dan-inspired jams and Red Hot vibes to Deep Dive. Buffalo’s 8-piece Rock Fusion experience is joined by Metasequioa and Rye Makepeace for an exciting night of music! With food by Babes Burgers from 5-10 pm!”
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $8 in advance, $10 day of show
Hot Jazz
The Original Cornell Syncopators will be performing for a swing dance alongside New York City trumpeter Mike Davis for an afternoon of upbeat music from the 1910s-1930s. There is a crash-course dance class at 3 p.m., followed by the dance at 3:30 p.m.
When: 3-5:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Big Red Barn, Cornell
Cost: $3; open to all, free for graduate/professional students with valid ID.
Going Solo
Acclaimed singer-songwriter-guitarist Margaret Glaspy returns to CNY for a solo show to promote her new EP, “The Sun Doesn’t Think.”
“For the first time, Margaret Glaspy is presenting a solo acoustic show filled with songs from her past and present.”
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Cost: $34, available online here
Tuesday Tunes
Deep Dive will host a rare early Tuesday show, with local band Scratched Vinyl performing at 7 p.m.
The band includes: Russell Posegate (keyboards, backing vocals, occasional trumpet, percussion), Curtis Kretz (drums), Erik Herman (lead vocals), Lesley Greene (trumpet, flute, backing vocals), Christine Evans (lead vocals), Louie Dickinson (guitar), Chris Bell (guitar, backing vocals, occasional trumpet) and Andy Adelewitz (bass, backing vocals).
“Scratched Vinyl is a band. We can say that much objectively. Probably a rock band? Or indie rock, if you value that distinction. We're definitely independent. We like to rock.
Scratched Vinyl is a big band, sort of. There are eight of us. Two lead singers, two guitars, keyboard, bass, drums, and Lesley. Lesley plays trumpet and sometimes flute. (Chris and Russ play trumpet sometimes too. Nobody else plays trumpet, that we can recall.) Pretty much everyone sings, sometimes all at the same time. We like harmonies. Have there been larger bands? Certainly. But most are smaller, so.
“Scratched Vinyl plays a mix of original songs and covers. The covers range from songs by The Beatles, The Who and Led Zeppelin to The Killers, Rihanna and Adele. The originals are all by us, though you probably knew that. Describing them is the province of others, we just write 'em and play 'em, but it's fair to say they sound more like the Beatles and less like Rihanna, generally speaking.
“Scratched Vinyl is a band of Ithaca doers. Erik runs the Physics Bus. Lesley and Andy run Porchfest. Russ is an IC music prof who occasionally dons tights for community theater purposes (and maybe other purposes, but those are none of our business). When Chris isn't running the band with his usual megalomaniacal fervor (don't tell him we said that) he's a teacher at Fall Creek Elementary. Louie teaches at the high school and holds some public office in Dryden that we're not entirely clear on (but we're very proud of him). Christine sings in the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers, and teaches Spanish and ESL at TC3. Curtis plays the drums, with us and with others, and sometimes just alone in a field somewhere; drummers are inscrutable like that. When not out in a field somewhere, he’s a lab tech at Cornell’s vet school.
Audiences tend to find us quite pleasant. Our assorted spouses and children find us mostly tolerable. You'll have to make up your own mind, but one thing is pretty much certain: Scratched Vinyl... is a band.”
When: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $5
Stories and Songs
Rickie Lee Jones returns to Central New York for an intimate show in Homer.
“Rickie Lee Jones is an American musician, storyteller, and two-time Grammy winner who has been inspiring pop culture for decades, beginning with her star-making self-titled debut, followed by the seminal “Pirates.”
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Center for the Arts of Homer
Cost: $55, available online here
Read a 2022 Q&A with Rickie Lee Jones here!
Just Jazz
Deep Dive will host the IC Jazz Fest, featuring The IC Jazz Ensemble, Cobra Ensemble, IC Jazz Vocal Ensemble, Out at Third, Crease, and The Bomb Co.
When: 9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: free
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.
“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.”
The kitchen is open from 6-10 p.m. featuring Yxi's Arepas
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Deep Dive
Cost: $10
More Shows
Tenzin Chopak returns to South Hill Cider at 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday
Driftwood’s Dan Forsyth hosts Songwriter’s Night at Hopshire Farms and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Aiken is at Cortland Beer Company at 6-9 p.m. Thursday
Oliver Burdo is at Atwater Winery at 6-9 p.m. Thursday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to The Ridge in Lansing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Marc Ryan is at the Cortland DAV at 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Atlas Bowl in Trumansburg hosts Vinyl Night at 7-10 p.m. Thursday
DJ Awesome Sauce (aka Eliot Rich of Gunpoets) DJs at the Downtown Ithaca Summer Concert Series lineup announcement at 12-2 p.m. Friday at Monk’s on the Commons
Melanie and the Boys are at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m. Friday
GoGone returns to Deep Dive for a happy hour show at 5:30 p.m. Friday
Liam Lawson is at Aurora Brewing Company at 5-8 p.m. Friday
The Kitestring Duo is at Homer Hops at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Motherwort is at Hopshire Farms and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. Friday
David Graybeard Band is at BRU64 at 6-8 p.m. Friday
Saint Vith are at Two Goats Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Scott Tremolo is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Tony Serdula is at Scale House Brewery at 6-9 p.m. Friday
The Butternut Creek Trio is at Heuga’s Alpine in Tully at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Past My Bedtime is at McGraw Box Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Alice Saltonstall and Tracy Robertson busk jazz vocal standards at Café Dewitt in the Dewitt Mall at 6-7:30 p.m. Friday; proceeds benefit World Central Kitchen
Cielle on Solid Ground is at Stone Bend Farm at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
The Shylocks are at ONCO Fermentations at 7-9 p.m. Friday
Richman and the Poorboys are at Cedarwood Event Venue at 7-10 p.m. Friday
Immortal Jellyfish are at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Friday
Marc and Monica are at Hairy Tony’s in downtown Cortland at 8 p.m. Friday
The JLC Country Duo is at the Dryden Hotel at 8-10 p.m. Friday
DJ ha-MEEN is at Lot 10 at 10 p.m. Friday
NY Record Fairs hosts a Vinyl Records and CD Fair at Cayuga Blu Hotel from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Jess Novak is at Treleaven Winery at 1-4 p.m. Saturday
Levi Dusseau is at Owasco Lake Brewing in Moravia at 5-8 p.m. Saturday
Marc Ryan is at Fat Pattie’s in Binghamton at 5:30 p.m. Saturday
Bryan Jacobson is at Brewer’s Café and Taproom at 6-8 p.m. Saturday
Jess Novak and Ben Wayne are at Homer Hops at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
The Tailor Made Duo is at McGraw Box Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Terrapin Station is at Two Goats Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Saturday
Doc Possum is at Grist Iron Brewing at 6-9 p.m. Friday
Roger Decker is at the Syracuse Crawfish Festival at 6-7 p.m. Saturday (lots of other CNY bands are there, too, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Madd Daddy is at the Antlers Restaurant at 7 p.m. Saturday (SOLD OUT!)
The Sim Redmond Band and The Town Pants join forces at the Essex in Rochester at 7 p.m. Saturday
Sweet Degenerates are at Cedarwood Event Venue at 7 p.m. Saturday
Transient Kicks are at ONCO Fermentations’ Cinco de Mayo party at 3-5 p.m. Sunday
Yayle Hues and Jon Rogalia are at Cortland Beer Company at 8 p.m. Saturday
DJ Split Image is at the Range at 9:30 p.m. Saturday ($5)
DJ Juno is at O’Malley’s Lakeside Tavern at 10 p.m. Saturday
Wayne Gottlieb and Harry Aceto are at the Stonecat Café for Jazz Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Benny T brings his Open Mic Posse to Summerhill Brewing from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday
Ana Florencia plays originals at the Ithaca Farmers Market from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Grist Iron Brewing hosts the annual Notorious G.I.B. Cheese Fest at 12-5 p.m. Sunday
Tom Chamberlain is at Summerhill Brewing at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Still Kickin’ is at Cedarwood Event Venue at 2-5 p.m. Sunday
Six Mile Craic is at Brookton’s Market at 3-5 p.m. Sunday
Sean Farley is at Two Goats Brewing at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
Mike Lucey is at Hopnotch Brewing in Montour Falls at 4-7 p.m. Sunday
DeWayne Perry’s Jazz Jam returns to the Downstairs at 6-9 p.m. Sunday
Clint Bush opens for Margaret Glaspy at the Center for the Arts of Homer at 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday
Brett Beardslee brings the blues to Rasta Ranch Vineyards at 5-9 p.m. Mondays
MAQ kicks off South Hill Cider’s 2024 Jazz Mondays series at 5:30 p.m. Monday
Poetry & Prose Open Mic Night returns to the Downstairs at 7-9 p.m. Monday
Open Mic Standup Comedy Night returns to the Downstairs at 7-9 p.m. Tuesday
The Notorious Stringbusters are at the Trumansburg Farmers Market at 5-7 p.m. Wednesday
The Argos Grove Trio plays jazz at the Argos Inn at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Green Street Jazz plays at Brookton’s Market at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
Bobby Rowe is at Scale House Brewing at 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
Hannah Toombs 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
