One of Ithaca’s most creative artists releases her new album, and you’ll also be able to hear all kinds of music – everything from old-time, jazz and blues to punk, hiphop and funk – in local venues this week!
Ready for Release
Multi-disciplinary artist and performer Jen Kutler – artist in residence at Grayhaven Motel and the force behind the recently launched Eyevee Arts & Media – will mark the release of her new album, “Disembodied.” Visit her website to find out more.
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Grayhaven Motel, 657 Elmira Road, Ithaca
Cost: donation requested
Blue Christmas
The Blue Rangers will host Holiday Blues Night, featuring the house band led by singer Andy Lockwood and plenty of special guests to celebrate the season.
When: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: The Range
Cost: donations
Ways to Be Wicked
Wicked Children will bring old-time tunes to Ithaca’s West End, with Gus (fiddle) and Huck Tritsch (bongos and fiddle) from Milheim, Pa., joining Judy Hyman (fiddle), Jeff Claus (banjo uke), Steve Selin (guitar) and Sally Freund (bass). Huck and Gus placed 1st and 2nd in the youth fiddle contest at the 2019 Clifftop Appalachian Festival in West Virginia; Gus also won for best original fiddle tune.
When: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Franco’s Pizzeria, 508 W. State St.
Cost: donations
Celtic Sounds
Members of Traonach host this weekly Irish jam session, which features traditional tunes and plenty of special guests.
When: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Argos Inn
Cost: free; donations welcome
Three of a Kind
Jazz trio Argos Grove – Ithaca College faculty members Nicholas Walker (bass), Greg Evans (drums), and Andrew Carroll (piano) – continue the celebrated Wednesday happy hour community music tradition initiated by i3° at Bar Argos. The trio’s repertoire ranges from Duke Ellington and Stevie Wonder to the Beatles, Disney, swing, funk and bossa nova.
When: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Argos Inn
Cost: free; donations welcome
Hot Jazz
The Original Cornell Syncopators will return with their take on the classic hot jazz sounds of the early 20th century.
When: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Maxie’s Supper Club
Cost: donations welcome
Two of a Kind
Local guitarists Alex Specker and Bob Keefe will team for a night of jazz and pop standards.
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Collegetown Bagels East Hill Plaza
Cost: donations
Bread and Beyond
The Flywheels will bring their old-time tunes to Wide Awake Bakery’s annual open house event. Listen to music, and sample the bakery’s wares; Redbyrd Orchard Cider and the Hector Wine Company also will be on site.
When: Thursday; music at 6-8 p.m.; open house at 4-8 p.m.
Where: Wide Awake Bakery, 4361 Buck Hill Road South, Hector
Cost: donations welcome
Beer and Bikes
Bike Bar's own bar manager and beer aficionado Chris Beiswanger will showcase some fun improvisational acoustic guitar sounds and beer-drinking tunes while you enjoy his tap selections.
When: 7-9 p.m. Thursday
Where: Bike Bar Ithaca
Cost: donations welcome
Rotten Roll
Burlington, Vt.-based jam band Swimmer comes to Ithaca. The self-described “Rotten Roll” draws from funk, jazz, electronica and other influences to create its energetic sound. Opening the show is Scott Hannay Plays Video Games, a one-man musical interpretation of 8-bit madness and video game soundtracks.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $10
Practice Makes Perfect
Practice at Pete’s returns with a special mid-month bonus edition featuring the 86ers and Wildflwr joining Cobra Cadaver for a night of musical mayhem ranging from cowpunk to surf and indie rock.
When: 9 p.m. Thursday
Where: Pete’s Cayuga Bar
Cost: free, donations welcome
Swing Fling
The Cornell Jazz Ensembles will be joined by singers Miche Fambro, Clare Burhenne, Lior Kreindler, and Harmke Van Dijk for three sets of “holiday tunes, good vibes, great ensemble, and plenty of shenanigans,” including “ALL THE CLASSICS,” according to director Paul Merrill.
When: 8-11 p.m. Thursday; dance lesson at 7 p.m.
Where; Lincoln Hall, Room B20, Cornell University
Cost: $5
Paying Tribute
It has been more than two decades since the passing of legendary Brooklyn emcee, Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, whose flow to this day remains unsurpassed. “The Frank White Experience" -- with members of Sophistafunk, Skunk City and Level 7 -- takes that legacy to an all-new level with live instrumentation, “bringing the sounds of The Notorious B.I.G. to your ears in a way never heard before.”
When: 9 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Range
Cost: small cover