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16+ shows to see this weekend: Feb. 21-23

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

Event Info

Delta Mike Shaw
Credit Jim Catalano
Delta Mike Shaw plays a happy-hour show at Hector Wine Company on Friday.

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

Ire Clad
Credit Provided
Ire Clad returns to the Haunt Friday night.

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

Event Info

Dido+Aeneas
Actors rehearse for "Dido and Aeneas" at Ithaca College.

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

Event Info

Assemble
Assemble plays Brix on Friday night.

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

Event Info

Nektar
Nektar plays the Auburn Public Theatre Friday night.

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

Event Info

Chelsea Smarr
Chelsea Smarr plays at Sacred Root Kava Lounge Friday night.

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

Event Info

Hollings
Hollings will perform at Lot 10 Friday night.

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

Event Info

Phil Muka
Phil Muka of the Unknown Woodsmen will play a solo show at BRU 64 Saturday night.

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

Savage Club
The Savage Club will present a show Saturday night. Tony Pesco and Dom Versage are show performing “That's Amore."

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

Event Info

Colleen Kattau
Colleen Kattau

'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

Event Info

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

Event Info

Damn Yanquis
Damn Yanquis plays the Range Saturday night.

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

Event Info

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

Event Info

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

Aaron Lipp
Aaron Lipp returns to South Hill Cider on Sunday afternoon.

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

Event Info

Rena Guinn and Mijial Martinez will be the guest of the second "Liam Lawson presents... " Sunday at Bickering Twins Restaurant.

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

Event Info