Two big outdoor summer concert series kick off this weekend, and there’s a bunch of other cool shows in and around Ithaca to help you beat the heat.
Trio Grande
The Cortland Main Street Music Series kicks off its 2019 season in downtown Cortland. This week’s edition will feature longtime local favorites Lonnie Park and John West opening the show, followed by Ithaca’s own Fall Creek Brass Band and The Alternate Routes from Connecticut.
When: 5:30-9 p.m.
Where: The parking lot next to 64 Main St.
Cost: free; donations welcome
Info: MainStreetMusicSeries.com; https://www.facebook.com/events/303214777291097/
Celebrating ‘Interdependence’
“Interdependence Day” will feature Vee Da Bee, Alex Cano and Cozmic Theo along with a lot of other fun activities to “celebrate unicorns, and diversity, and rainbows, and glitter.”
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $10
Info: thehaunt.com; https://www.facebook.com/events/651765068582630/
Playing Nice
Sandbox will play a release show for its new CD, “Play Nice.” The Ithaca band includes guitarists Rich Triant and Phil Emerson, drummer Jimmy Sprague and bassist Ron Woodard.
When: 6-8 p.m. Friday
Where: Hopshire Brewery, Dryden
Cost: free
Info: band-sandbox.com; http://hopshire.com/event/friday-night-music-sandbox-6/
Nighttime in July
Cornell University’s summer concert series continues with Maddy Walsh and the Blind Spots. The high-energy Ithaca-based band recently revamped its lineup, and has been reworking some of its older material while coming up with new material as well.
When: 7-9 p.m. Friday
Where: Arts Quad, Cornell University (rain location is nearby Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium in Klarman Hall)
Cost: free
Info: sce.cornell.edu
In the Round
Andrew Alling will host his bimonthly songwriters’ series; this round features Elmira’s Andy Knapp, Ithaca’s Josh Dolan and New Paltz’s Ami Madeleine and Ciara Fragale.
Where: Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Cost: small cover charge
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2135645240060014/
Familiar Faces
Kang Party – a band that includes Big Mean Sound Machine’s Lucas Ashby, Ray McNamara and Andrew Klein – will bring their “global rhythms and party vibes” to Ithaca. McNamara will open with a solo set.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: $10
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1740097239465566/
BBQ Bash
Americana Vineyards Winery will host its annual 4th of July Birthday BBQ Bash. Kicking off at noon, the event will feature (in order, every two hours) The Uncommons, Backtalk Band, NEO Project, City Limits, and Iron Horse, with fireworks closing out the night at 10 p.m.
When: noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Americana Vineyards Winery, 4367 E. Covert Road, Interlaken
Cost: $5 for ages 13 and up
Info: americanavineyards.com; https://www.facebook.com/events/985175268356494/
Red, White & Blue Bash
Barnstormer Winery in Rock Stream will host the fifth annual Reds, Whites & Blues Festival. The show will feature the Davenport Duo (Scott B. Adams and Brett Beardslee) at 2-4 p.m., Rebecca Colleen at 4:30-6:30 p.m. and the Notorious Stringbusters at 7-9 p.m.
When: 2-9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Barnstormer Winery, Rock Stream (near Watkins Glen)
Cost: Admission is $10 per vehicle.
Info: barnstormerwinery.com; https://www.facebook.com/events/355962021723388/
Goin’ Underground
Ithaca Underground will host a show with four local acts. On the bill are Tender Cruncher, bit rot, and gina, with Mike(A)! – the solo project of Mike Amadeo (Water Bears, Lady D & the Shadow Spirits) – making a welcome return.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge
Cost: $7
Info: ithacaunderground.org; https://www.facebook.com/events/332498934061033/
Lakeside Vibes
The Taughannock Falls State Park Summer Concert series kicks off its 2019 season with the Purple Valley, who will be playing its danceable blend of blues, swing, R&B and rock ‘n’ roll on the western shore of Cayuga Lake.
When; 7-9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Taughannock Falls State Park
Cost: $5 per car
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2344151028965419/
Perfect Pair
The Range will host a pair of shows on Saturday. At 6 p.m., Florida’s Free Range Strange will bring its raucous old-time tunes to downtown Ithaca. At 10 p.m., Afro-Latina Singer Songwriter Moyenei Valdés will make her Ithaca debut; a four-time Grammy Award nominee, she has won many music awards and nominations. DJ ha-MEEN will be opening and spinning between sets.
Where: The Range
Cost: cover charge
Info: therangeithaca.com; Free Range Strange, https://www.facebook.com/events/2351202271818501/;
Moyenei, https://www.facebook.com/events/735000800266946/
DJ Cookout returns
The 11th annual DJ Cookout will feature more than 30 DJ sets on two stages.
Coordinated by DJ Rob Haze, the event will feature sets from DJs Gundz, Big Sister, ha-MEEN, E-Rich, Proper Philth, CDZNUTZ, Washburn, Evo Evolution, Double A, and many, many more.
When: 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: free; open to kids with supervision up to 8 p.m.
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/332788587434157/
Sunday Swing
The Diana Leigh Trio, featuring Jesse Collins on saxophone, and Frits Marohn on keys, will be playing jazz, R&B, and blues on the deck overlooking verdant Six Mile Creek landscape of the Six Mile Creek.
When: 2-4 p.m.
Where: Six Mile Creek Winery
Cost: Free; donations welcome
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/365092280790141/
Sunday Night Sounds
Keyboardist Michael Stark continues his Sunday Night Sessions, as he’s joined by Whistlin’ Dyl (original hillbilly soul, alt-rock, Tennessee waltzes and heartfelt ballads) and Venissa Santi (Cuban Jazz dreamscapes) for night of roots music and more. Bassist Gabe Plaine will round out the proceedings.
When: 6:30-10 p.m. Sunday
Where: Argos Warehouse
Cost: There’s no cover, but donations are welcome.
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/429383861122382/
Thrown for a Loop
The multi-talented Harry Nichols (Noon Fifteen, Julia Felice and the Whiskey Crisis) will return for a solo acoustic show, in which he’ll showcase his vocal and looping skills on a variety of new originals and covers. Aaron Arm will join him for the show.
When: 7-9 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Westy
Cost: free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/411898999664554/
Indiana Indies
Bound for Glory continues its summer season with Ross Hollow, an Indianapolis-based band that blends “Americana, folk, blues and modern indie music” into its sound.
When: 8-11 p.m. Sunday
Where: Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University
Cost: Free, open to all ages
Info: boundforglory.org; rosshollow.com