Catch a fast-rising guitar phenom, several electronic shows and an album release show from one of Central New York’s favorite singer-songwriter-activists at some of the many shows on tap for the weekend.
Dazzling Debut
Quinn Sullivan, the 20-year-old guitar phenom who has been gaining an ardent following around the country, will make his Ithaca debut. Sullivan has shared the stage with several legendary guitarists, including Buddy Guy, Carlos Santana, BB King, Billy Gibbons and Joe Bonamassa. He’s currently working on the follow-up to his 2017 debut album, “Midnight Highway,” which added modern rock and Americana influences to his blues roots. Opening the show are local favorites Erin and the Backwood Blues Band, who just released their debut album “Shake Some Sugar
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $18-$20
It’s Happy Hour Again
Friday, catch some happy-hour shows around the area: Delta Mike Shaw is at the Hector Wine Company at 5-8 p.m., the Cantina Ramblers are at South Hill Cider at 5:30-8 p.m., The Tarps return to Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m., Mario II Basso is at Ithaca Bakery at 6-8 p.m., Steve Romer is at Summerhill Brewing at 6-8 p.m., DC Transit is at the Westy at 7-9 p.m. In downtown Cortland, Ted Walsh is at the Finger Lakes Tasting Room at 6-8 p.m., Jim Scala is at Cortland Beer Company at 7-9 p.m., Chris Merkley and Frank Fruehan are at BRU 64 at 7-9 p.m., and Johnny and Lonnie return to the St. Charles Hotel at 8 p.m.
When: Friday
Where: Various locations
Cost: free
Ready to Rock
The Metallic Onslaught will present a multi-band metal show will feature local favorite Ire Clad along with regional bands Fox 45, The Burned Out Suns, Break of Aggression, and Spit Nickels.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $10
Electrifying Opera
The Ithaca College Theatre production of the Purcell opera “Dido and Aeneas” continues at IC’s Hoerner Theatre. Directed by Norm Johnson and conducted by Christopher Zemliauskas, the opera tells the tale of Dido, fierce Queen of Carthage, who falls in love with a Trojan Price, Aeneas. Forced apart by trickery, evil and sorcery, the lovers are faced with a brewing storm and potential disaster. Based on Book IV of Virgil’s “Aeneid,” “Dido and Aeneas” is Henry Purcell’s one true opera and his only all-sung dramatic work.
When: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Ithaca College
Cost: $10-$20, available here
Philly's Finest
Philadelphia-based shredders Assemble will headline a punk-rock show in downtown Cortland; they’ll be joined by locals Sans Jeff (featuring members of Genitor) and Sanjuro Fields.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Brix Pubaria, downtown Cortland
Cost: donations welcome
Take Me to the Other Side
Prog legends Nektar will play at the Auburn Public Theatre. The British band released a bunch of albums in the 1970s that garnered success in Germany (where they were first based) and in the United States (where they later relocated). Since reuniting in 2002, founding bassist Derek “Mo” Moore and the rest of Nektar has continued to tour and just released a new album, “The Other Side.” Find out more at nektarmusic.com.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Auburn Public Theater
Cost: $40
IU + EZ = ‘Zap!’
Ithaca Underground will team with the ElectroZone to present “Zap!” The eclectic, electric lineup includes Corsano, Zuidema, Crumrine – a new improve trio with Chris Corsano (drums), Amy Zuidema (bass clarinet), and Bubba Crumrine (synth/voice) – along with harpist Chelsea Smarr, Cornell PhD student and composer Piyawat Louilarpprasert and local duo ‘m??d?(?)fog, with visuals provided by Jeremy Ververka.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge and Tea Bar
Cost: $5-$10 sliding scale
EYEZ SPYZ
“Hybrid EYEZ” is a cool electronic show featuring several local acts: Hollings, who released her debut album “Necromancer” in 2018 and will be joined by Zach Rohrer on synth and drummer Ashley Ickes in a new trio; one-man live looping wizard Cozmic Theo; Glitter Skulls, who plays “Black-owned & operated techno inspired by our ancestors”; and r?, who’s known for house and techno dance grooves.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Lot 10
Cost: $5
Saturday Songs
Catch some free music around the area: Ed Clute is at Red Newt Cellars at 1-2:30 p.m., The David Graybeard Band is at Chateau Dusseau in Locke at 3-5 p.m., the Local Farmers Union is at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m., Jimmy Lawler returns to Brewer’s Café and Taproom at 6-8 p.m., Phil Muka plays BRU 64 at 7 p.m., and the Frank Raponi Experience returns to the Ithaca Ale House at 10 p.m.
When: Saturday
Where: Various locations
Cost: free
Love Songs
The Savage Club of Ithaca will present its 11th annual Mid-Winter Concert, “Songs in the Key of Love,” a family-friendly program that a wide variety of acts including jazz, rock, Broadway, comedy and advice to the lovelorn. Guest artists include Lisa Frank, Marne O’Shea, Patricia Baxter, Dorothy Preston, Siu-ling Chaloemtiarana, Marion Hanson, Alice Churchill, Michelle Stanley and a special appearance by Mark Twain.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: First Unitarian Church of Ithaca
Cost: $10; proceeds support local youth performing groups
'Kisses' from Kattau
Cortland’s Colleen Kattau will head to Auburn to mark the release of her latest album, “Besos Kisses.” A bilingual singer-songwriter who has long focused on blending Latin American and folk influences to address social justice issues, Kattau was once called by Pete Seeger as a “she’s a great singer and organizer at the same time.” Kattau’s Dos XX will join her for the show, which features Exchange Street Records (the APT youth music education program’s band) as the opener.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Auburn Public Theatre
Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door
Goin’ Goth
Goth Night returns to downtown Ithaca, with DJs Rob Haze and Joe Tragedy spinning EBM, Industrial, Synthpop, Goth Rock, Synthwave, Post-Punk, and Darkwave throughout the evening.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Chanticleer Loft
Cost: free
Ready to Rhumba!
Damn Yanquis return to downtown Ithaca for a night of Latin jazz, including Salsa, Cha-cha-cha, Danzón, Son, Boleros, Rumba, Descarga, and other Latin/Afro-Cuban music. There’s a $7 cover for the 10 p.m. show
When: 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Range
Cost: $7
Dangerous Duo
Rockmon and Proper Philth wll join forces to create “Rock’n’Proper,” a DJ duo that combines the soulful sounds of House, Disco, Funk and Soul. They promise a “wild night of neck-snapping, body movin’ grooves.”
When: 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Lot 10
Cost: free
Sunday Songs
Catch some free music around the area on Sunday: Robert Keefe, John White and Hannah Martin will be at Red Newt Cellars in Hector at 1-2:30 p.m., Karl Knutson is at Ithaca Bakery at 4:30-6:30 p.m., and Ground Up is at the Westy at 7-9 p.m.
When: Sunday
Where: Various locations
Cost: free
Chicken and Pickin’
Aaron Lipp returns to South Hill Cider for another Fried Chicken Sunday, which features his rootsy tunes along with a special menu created by Piggery co-founder Brad Marshall.
When: 3:30-6 p.m. Sunday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: free for the music, fee for the food
Songs & Stories
Liam Lawson will host the second of his “Liam Lawson presents…” songwriter showcase, with Mijail Martinez of the Cantina Ramblers and Commons busking fame along with Trumansburg’s Rena Guinn, whose originals blend country and folk influences.
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Bickering Twins Restaurant, 114 N. Cayuga St.
Cost: donations