It’s officially fall, so get the season off to an appropriate start with this batch of shows!
Double Wide Fun
Southern Culture on the Skids will make a welcome return to Ithaca; the North Carolina-based trio features frontman Rick Miller unleashing a barrage of humorous lyrics and twangy licks over the propulsive rhythm section of drummer Dave Hartman and Mary Huff. The Split Squad will open the show – its lineup includes Blondie’s Clem Burke on drums, the Fleshtones' Keith Streng and the Plimsouls' Eddie Munoz on guitars, the Baseball Project’s Josh Kantor on keyboards (also the organist at Fenway Park), and Parallax Project’s Michael Giblin on bass.
When: 8 p.m. Monday
Where: The Haunt
Cost $20
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/416659642400365/
Planet Rockers
The weekly Galactic Monday residency continues, with the host band Galactic Escort Service returning for the usual set of sonic improvisations.
When: 9:30 p.m. Monday
Where: Casita del Polaris
Cost: $5
Info: https://www.facebook.com/casitapolaris/
Party of Four
Indian Creek Farm will host a cool “Queers-Punx-Psychedelia” show featuring local rockers Spazzare, along with Rochester’s Jan the Actress, Woodstock’s Bitter Peach, and Heckdang from Charlotte, N.C.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Indian Creek Farm
Cost: sliding-scale cover
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/460481877871228/
String Songs
The Ulysses Historical Society will host its annual fall meeting, with play traditional and American folk music from Uncle Joe and the Rosebud Ramblers.
Open to both members and non-members alike.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Ulysses Historical Society, 39 South St., Trumansburg
Cost: free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/220630402191004/
Herding Cats
Rainbow Kitten Surprise will make their Ithaca debut; the North Carolina-based quintet has built a huge following with its eclectic blend of influences ranging from indie rock to hiphop, and its stellar debut album “How to: Friend, Love, Freefall,” which was produced by Jay Joyce (Cage The Elephant, Sleeper Agent). Brooklyn rock duo Illiterate Light will open.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $29.50-$99.
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/388239782025548/
By The Fire
The weekly Firelight Live series continues with host Ted Walsh joined by singer-songwriter-winemaker Levi Dusseau, of the Locke Dusseaus, for evening Equinox show that will also feature autumnal produce from the Youth Farm Project's mobile market.
When: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Firelight Camps, La Tourelle
Cost: free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/725030184592363/
Good Vibrations
The Crucials continue their weekly Reggae Night residency in downtown Ithaca, with some of Ithaca’s top musicians joining forces for an evening of classic and obscure reggae and dub classics. DJ Jesse Hill will start off the night by spinning on the decks.
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5
Info: therangeithaca.com
Vocal Exchange
The monthly Cypher Night continues, once again hosted by Ithaca’s Ben “DJ ha-MEEN” Ortiz. In hiphop parlance, a cypher is an exchange of ideas, especially when it comes to the voice. To that end, the night will feature three hourly segments: 7-8 p.m., open-mic format, just show up and sign up; 8-9 p.m., invited poets and singers will perform; 9-10 p.m., DJ ha-MEEN will play a continuous selection of beats for the emcee cyphers to rhyme over, either pre-written or freestyle. There’s no cover for the event, which is open to all ages.
When: 7-10 p.m. Thursday
Where: Maxie’s Supper Club
Cost: free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2785947211432502/
Songs from Sammy
Ithaca College’s Bureau of Concerts presents Sammy Rae and the Friends. The NYC-based singer-songwriter-pianist draws on jazz, rock, blues and R&B influences for her inimitable sound.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Ithaca College's IC Square
Doors open at 6:30, Show at 7:30.
Cost: $5 for IC students and $10 for the public.
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1386263724845689/; https://www.sammyrae.com
Words of Wisdom
DSP Shows & Ithaca Underground join forces to present Olivia Gatwood’s “Life of the Party” tour to promote her latest book of poetry, the follow-up to her acclaimed “New American Best Friend.” Originally from Albuquerque and now living in Santa Cruz, Gatwood has received national recognition for her poetry, writing workshops, and work as a Title IX Compliance educator in sexual assault prevention and recovery. She’ll be joined by Ari Chi and Cailin Nolte.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $15 in advance, $17 at the door
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/643896206023007/
https://www.oliviagatwood.com/
Sonic Explorations
The ElectroZone kicks off its fall season with “Portable Necrotonics,” a multi-act electronica bill featuring Finite Element, zachuoso, ?m??d?(?)fo?, Fainting Lessons, and Billy Jackass.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
Cost: $10
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/704801896655769/
Practice at Pete’s
Hardcore vets Secret Service Men continue their monthly residency with another old-school show featuring The Moon Landing and Joyous Shrub666.
When: 9 p.m. Thursday
Where: Pete’s Cayuga Bar
Cost: free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2384571918295092/
Feelin’ Funky
Funk Night returns to downtown Ithaca, as Dean’s Kids – Hayden Frank, Max Shuhan, Owen Erickson, Archer Cowen, Dan Keller – lay down their versions of funk, soul and R&B classics from the past five decades.
When: 9:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/389160255097528/
Voice of a Generation
The new documentary “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice” continues to screen in downtown Ithaca. The film chronicles the career of the versatile vocalist whose mastery of several styles – country rock, pop, rock, new wave, Mexican, and more – kept her at the forefront of popular music for decades.
When: all week
Where: Cinemapolis
Cost: $10.50
Info: https://cinemapolis.org/film/linda-ronstadt-the-sound-of-my-voice/