It’s another busy week on the Ithaca music scene, with a lucky 13 shows worthy of your consideration.
A Good Cause
The State Theatre of Ithaca will host its 9th annual “Benefit My State” concert, featuring “Almost Queen: The Ultimate Queen Experience,” at 8 p.m. Saturday. All proceeds will benefit the 501(c3) not-for-profit State Theatre of Ithaca. The most authentic Queen live show since the days of Queen themselves, Almost Queen delivers a live performance showcasing signature four-part harmonies and intricate musical interludes
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: State Theatre
Cost: $$19.50-$39.50; tickets are available through the State Theatre Box Office at 105 West State/MLK Jr. St., by calling 277-8283
Info: stateofithaca.com, almostqueen.com
Metal Health
Bendher returns for a happy hour show, bringing metal and hard-rock favorites from past decades, along with some cool originals that stand along those classic covers.
When: 6-9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: Free
Info: theHaunt.com
Pop ’Til You Drop
Domino Saints will make their Ithaca debut, as the Puerto Rican urban pop duo of Gigi and David is on its way to Albany to open for Jay Sean. DJ ha-MEEN will spin tunes throughout the night.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Maxie’s Supper Club
Cost: $10
Info: therangeithaca.com
Entranced by Dance
The Electrozone will host “Dancetrance2: So You Think You Can Trance?!?” with sets from Zalatan, PHUNgEYE, Stepwriterun, Thrash Brian, and DJ Demo. Weird attire is “strongly encouraged.”
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
Cost: $5
Info: www.facebook.com/ithacaelectrozone/
Jazz on the Edge
Power jazz trio Birth will return to Ithaca for an afternoon. The trio of Joshua Smith (sax) Jeremy Bleich (bass) and Joe Tomino (drums) has drawn praise for its high-energy shows. (Some may know Tomino from his work with Matisyahu and Dub Trio).
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Maxie’s Supper Club
Cost: free; donations welcome
Info: maxies.com
Dancing in the Street
Local group Mostly Motown will present its spring show in downtown Ithaca. The program will feature iconic songs by Smokey Robinson, The Marvellettes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Jelly Beans, Olivia Newton-John, Linda Ronstadt, Donna Summer, and much more.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: First Unitarian Society of Ithaca
Cost: $12 at the door
Rock ‘N’ Bowl
The monthly Gutterpunk series returns with a lineup that leans in the roots-rock and country direction. On the bill are the 86ers, Drew Kiddoo and the Blackouts, Bad Hand and New Motor Club, with DJ Rocket Morton spinning tunes from the underbelly of American music between sets.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bowl-O-Drome
Cost: free, but donations are welcome in the hollowed-out bowling ball.
Info: www.facebook.com/lowprofileevents/
Jamming for the Twins
The Blind Spots say farewell to two of their longtime members with “Diaper Jam,” a concert to raise funds and collect donations for bassist Khris Oursler’s soon-to-arrive twin boys, as well as bid adios to Oursler and keyboardist Zach Rohrer.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $10 in advance, plus diapers at the door (or a gift from the registry); $20 at the door without diapers; or $15 plus diapers (or a gift from the registry).
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2358998124134226/
Trio Grande
Three rootsy local acts – Strange Heavy, the Whistlin' Dyl Electric Prayer Ensemble, and Juge Greenspun – team for a show in this intimate venue.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Casita del Polaris
Cost: $5
Info:
Remembering Dan Gaibel
Last month, Dan Gaibel – guitarist for bands such as Spacetrain, Tryin' Joe and the Mad Scientist, Monk Meat, and Din – passed away at 45 after being diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma in May 2018. This Sunday, several of his friends and bandmates are teaming to present “Gaibelball” at the Range. The all-ages show will feature sets from Noon Fifteen, Hollow Choir, Monkmeat (reunion), Thru Spectrums and Spacetrain.
When: 5-8 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Range
Cost: $10 suggested donation; funds will offset medical expenses and benefit Gaibel’s wife Taiya Luce and four-year-old son Kai.
Info: www.facebook.com/events/2018824408244818/
Deep Grooves
“Stark Nights Sunday Sessions” continues its weekly residency, with host Michael Stark joined this week by the Analogue Sons, the dub-rock-jazz-soul-ska group that also includes Jason Shegogue, Lars Burggren, Aaron Speiser, Lee Hamilton and Alicia Aubin.
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Argos Warehouse
Cost: No cover charge, but donations are welcome at the door.
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/378449279669637/
Scotland meets Appalachia
Bound for Glory continues its 52nd season with Jane Rothfield and Allan Carr, who blend Scottish and Appalachian influences on fiddle, banjo and guitar.
When: 8-11 p.m. Sunday
Where: Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free
Info: boundforglory.org
Going Solo
Road Man – the project of ex-John Brown’s Body keyboardist Jon Petronzio – returns with his one-man show, which blends guitar and vocal loops to create a complex sound that draws on soul, rock, reggae, funk and folk influences.
When: 6-9 p.m. Sunday
Where: Maxie’s Supper Club
Cost: free
Info: Maxies.com