Beat the winter blues with this big batch of shows happening this weekend! From blues and jazz to folk and classical, there's something on tap for every music fan!
Blues Blaster
Singer-guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer returns to Ithaca, after impressing on his previous visits to the area, including last year at the Range. He’s drawn kudos from John Mayer, members of the Allman Brothers Band and others, and shared the stage with them in the past. Find out more at tazguitar.com. Ithaca College alum Aaron Rizzo, who’s now based in New York City, will open.
When: 8 p.m. Friday Postponed to March 14!
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $15-$18
It’s Happy Hour Again
Kick off the weekend with some live music at various venues around Ithaca and beyond: Janet Batch is at South Hill Cider at 5:30-8 p.m. (postponed!), Kitestring is at Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m. (postponed!), Feed the Fire is at the Westy at 7-9 p.m. (postponed!), Colleen Countryman of the Auroras is at Agava Restaurant at 8:30 p.m., Levi Dusseau is at Summerhill Brewing in Locke at 5-8 p.m., and in downtown Cortland, Ted Walsh is at the Finger Lakes Tasting and Tap Room at 6 p.m. (postponed to Feb. 21!), Off the Rails is at Cortland Beer Company at 7-9 p.m., the Ridgeline Duo will return to BRU 64 at 7-10 p.m., and the Tribal Revival Duo is at the St. Charles Hotel at 8-10 p.m.
When: Friday
Where: Various locations
Cost: free
Note: Given today’s snowy conditions, please check with the venues to confirm if their show is happening – and drive safely!
Song Circle
Andrew Alling will host his bimonthly Songwriter Night; this round will feature locals Rena Guinn, Emma Tyme, Jess Youngquest, and Jon Petronzio sharing songs and stories during the evening.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Bar
Cost: $10 suggested donation
A Good Cause
Thousands of One will headline a benefit show for efforts to preserve Cayuga Lake; they’ll joined by Saint Kid, which is the hiphop project of Kii Kinsella, and Bead ‘N’ Bone, the reggae-soul band led by London McDaniel and Rochelle Mathis. Some of the proceeds will go to the Youth Restoration Corps.
When: 9 p.m. Friday Postponed! Make-up TBA!
Where: The Range
Cost: $10
The Kids Are United
Swamp Kids return to Lot 10, with Chris English, Angelo Peters, Tenzin Chopak, Emmett Scott, Alicia Aubin, and Lee Hamilton joining forces in a band that blends folk, soul, gospel, funk and rock influences into a tasty whole.
When: 10 p.m. Friday
Where: Lot 10
Cost: $10
Saturday Songs
Catch some free music around the area: Rachel Beverly will return to Chateau Dusseau in Locke at 3-5 p.m., Cap Cooke and Sam Schmidt will play a post-Chile Fest gig at South Hill Cider at 4-6 p.m., Hot Dogs and Gin will be at Summerhill Brewing at 5-8 p.m., and the Tribal Revival Duo is at Treleaven Winery at 6-9 p.m.
When: Saturday
Where: Various locations
Cost: free
Organ Recital
The Cornell Department of Music will present renowned guest organist Dexter Kennedy for a recital in the Chapel of Anabel Taylor Hall. The program includes music by Weckmann, Buxtehude, and J. S. Bach. Kennedy, a faculty member at The College of Wooster, was the winner of the Grand Prix d’Interprétation at the 24th Concours International d’Orgue de Chartres, and is an active recitalist throughout North America and Europe.
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all
Let’s Dance
The Ithaca Swing Dance Network will host a dance at with Diana Leigh and the Shorty Georges playing music for west coast swing, jitterbug, Lindy and more. Come for an intro swing-dance class at 7 p.m., stay for the show at 8 p.m.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 402 N. Aurora St.,
Cost: $9 for students and seniors, $12 for everyone else.
Weather Forecast
The Sunny Weather – the current project of Ithaca singer-songwriter of Trevor MacDonald – returns with a sound that is “simple and direct with influences that liken LCD Sound System, Donna the Buffalo and Neil Young.” He’s planning to release two albums of new material this year: one is a follow-up to his 2005 alt-country release “Porchlight”; the other explores changing life in a small town. Trumansburg singer-songwriter Vinegar Williams, who’s pretty close to releasing a new album, will open.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge and Tea Bar
Cost: small cover
Trio Grande
Three local Americana bands will team for a show in Ithaca’s Fall Creek neighborhood Chickenwire Parachute, the latest project of Dustin Stuhr (Stone Cold Miracle, Urban Horse Thieves), will open the night, followed by alt-country favorite Janet Batch and then Mijail Martinez and the Cantina Ramblers to close out the show.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Casita del Polaris
Cost: $7
Joining Forces
Local groups Ithaca Underground and Microtones will combine forces to present a cool electronic dance show. On the bill are Ghost Slut (formerly of Ithaca, now based in Philadelphia), Whoisbriantech (formerly of the Bronx, now based in Ithaca), Xen Model (from Annandale, N.Y.), and r? (from Ithaca). Cover for the 9 p.m. show, which is for ages 21 and up, is $10. Proceeds from the show will go to funding upcoming I.U. projects, including Naked Noise, Big Day In, and other shows.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Forest City Lodge 180, 536 W. Green St.
Cost: $10
Sunday Songs
Catch some free music around town on Sunday: Wayne Gottlieb will be at Agava at 12-2 p.m., Blue Skies will be at Six Mile Creek Vineyard at 2-4 p.m., Grassanova will be at Ithaca Bakery at 4:30-6:30 p.m., Bob Keefe, Rick Eleck and John White, with guest Hannah Martin, will play jazz at Maxie’s at 6-9 p.m., and Roger Decker will be at the Westy at 7-9 p.m.
When: Sunday
Where: Various locations
Cost: free
The Physics of Music
Music’s Recreation will present “Timbre,” its second concert of the season. Concert tour guides John Greenly, clarinetist and senior research associate at Cornell's Lab of Plasma Studies, and Bill Hurley, violinist, teacher, and violinmaker, will present a captivating musical program merging music and physics, with works by Robert Dick, Rebecca Clarke, Frederic Chopin, Ludwig van Beethoven, and others.
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Community School of Music & Arts
Cost: $10 at the door; free for ages 18 and under
Different Drummers
The Cornell Concert Series will present Yamato – The Drummers of Japan. The ensemble is described as the “epitome of the Japanese spirit,” bringing new life to the traditional Japanese taiko and wadaiko drums by paying respect to its rich history, and exploring contemporary drumming styles. The modern and physically powerful troupe – comprising dozens of musician-athletes – train rigorously, yet imbue each performance with joy and a sense of fun, breaking from the stereotypical stoicism associated with this ancient art form.
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Bailey Hall, Cornell University
Cost: $19-$39
Just Jazz
The Paul Merrill Quartet will perform at the Carriage House Café, with trumpeter Merrill joined by bassist Joey Arcuri, drummer Tom Killian and guitarist Steve Brown for a night of familiar favorites and originals written by the quartet members.
When: 7-9 p.m. Sunday
Where: Carriage House Café Hayloft
Cost: $5 for students, $10 for everyone else
Famous Folkster
For more than 50 years, first with the Even Dozen Jug Band and the Lovin’ Spoonful in the 1960s and then as an solo artist, folk-rock legend John Sebastian has given voice to classic songs such as “Do You Believe in Magic?” “Daydream,” “Nashville Cats,” “Summer in the City,” “Welcome Back” and many more. He also performed at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, and has lent his music in support of social, environmental and animal rights causes throughout the years. He was inducted into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Hangar Theatre
Cost: $45
Perfect Pair
Bound for Glory continues its winter season at Cornell’s Anabel Taylor Hall, as the long-running folk program features the Rochester-based duo of Leslie Lee and Steve Gretz. Their sound blends traditional, country, Americana, and gospel influences with contemporary folk. Find out more at leslieandsteve.com.
When: 8-11 p.m. Sunday
Where: Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free