Kick off November with this big batch of shows, including a few that extend Halloween into the weekend!
Going Solo
Rufus Wainwright returns to Ithaca with his “Oh Solo Wainwright” tour. Known for his impressive vocal, musical and lyrical skills, Wainwright is at home in a variety of settings, including folk, pop, jazz and rock. He has worked with Elton John, David Byrne, Mark Ronson, Joni Mitchell and Burt Bacharach, recorded a live tribute album to Judy Garland, and wrote the acclaimed opera “Prima Donna.” His latest album, 2016’s “Take All My Loves, “ marked the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Singer-songwriter Matracia will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: State Theatre
Cost: $33-$55
It’s Happy Hour Again
Kick off the weekend with some live music at various venues around Ithaca and Cortland. Wayne Gottlieb and Dennis Winge are at Ithaca Bakery at 6-8 p.m., The Austin MacRae Band is at Hopshire Farm and Brewery in Dryden at 6-8 p.m., Janet Batch and her band return to the Westy at 7-9 p.m., the Purple Valley is at Americana Vineyards at 6-8 p.m., Mihail Martinez and Joe Hayward are Bike Bar Ithaca at 7 p.m., the Glacial Erotics are at Garrett’s Brewing in Trumansburg at 6 p.m. for a costume party, Roger Decker is at BRU 64 at 7 p.m., and Clint Bush is at Cortland Beer Company at 7 p.m.
When: Friday
Where: Various locations
Cost: free
Heavy Metal Thunder
The Metallic Onslaught will host a big show, with local favorites Ire Clad joined by One Step From Falling, DramaScream, DredNeks, Traverse the Abyss, and Invictra for a night of headbanging hard rock and heavy metal.
When: 7 p.m. Friday (ends by midnght)
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $10
Hotel Happening
The Hotel Groton will host “Haunted Hotel” to mark All Saints Day. Curated by SensE, the event will feature sets from Junkyard Theory, Cozmic Theo, Proper Philth, Selina Carerra, DJ Jesse Hill, Hollings and Whiskey Tango Sideshow’s Sizzlin’ Liz and Danielle Saint Velvet, plus palmistry, fire spinning and other intriguing activities. Shuttles will be available from downtown Ithaca to Groton for $5.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Hotel Groton, 101 Main St., Groton
Cost: $25; ticket must be purchased in advance to attend; they’re $25 each via Eventbrite.com.
Piano Power
A salsero at heart, two-time Grammy-winning pianist-composer-producer Marlow Rosado has also worked with most renowned artists in Latin music across genres – from salsa to rock, from merengue to hip-hop, from bachata to reggaeton. After moving north from Puerto Rico, he has been sought out by Latin artists such as salsa legend Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Jr., Tito Nieves, Selena, Larry Harlow, Tommy Olivencia, Marc Anthony, Ricardo Montaner, Olga Tañón, Ricky Martin, and others.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Bailey Hall, Cornell University
Cost: $19-$36
Let’s Dance
Trevor MacDonald and The Sunny Weather return with their energetic blend of Americana, roots-rock and Zydeco that’s ready-made for dancing the night away.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Bar & Tea Lounge
Cost: small cover
Ready to Rock
A cool triple bill features local garage-rockers New Motor Club and Cobra Cadaver teaming with Chicago’s These Beasts.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Chantiloft
Cost: $5
Brass Bash
The Fall Creek Brass Band returns to downtown Ithaca for a “Halloween Brass Bash,” featuring selections from “Stranger Things,” “Ghostbusters,” “The Munsters,” and more, plus its usual fun array of high-energy street music.
When: 9:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5
Falling Backwards
Toivo – possibly the country’s only Finnish-TexMex band – will play a “Fall (Back)” dance party fundraiser at the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts. Proceeds will go to the conservatory, which now sports the biggest newly refinished wooden dance floor in the Finger Lakes.
When: 7-9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts
Cost: $10
Solo Debut
Singer-songwriter Jessie Gray (Arthur B and the Planetary Mix, Honey Cave) steps out on her own with the unveiling of her solo debut album, “Through The Woods.” Lora Pendleton, who also recently put out her own album, “Waiting for Light,” will open the show, accompanied by Pat Burke
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Casita del Polaris
Cost: small cover charge
A Spooky Spectacular
Maddy Walsh and the Blind Spots will return for a Halloween Spectacular. Given the band’s history of all going all-out for special occasions, expect to see lots of costumes, props and other finery onstage along with some timely cover songs. They’ll be joined by Dirty Mae, winner of this summer’s GrassRoots band contest, and Kurt Riley, the local rocker who released a new song, “FTR SHK,” this week on New Vine Records.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $12 in advance, $15 at the door
Radin and Weep
Joshua Radin & The Weepies will come to Central New York. After the first song he ever wrote, “Winter,” appeared in an episode of “Scrubs,” Radin has seen his songs featured in more than 150 films, TV shows and commercials. His latest album is “Here, Right Now.” The Weepies – Deb Talan and Steve Tannen – have released five records that have racked up more than 50 million online streams. Lily Kershaw will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Homer Center for the Arts
Cost: $37-$40
How Suite It Is
Noon Fifteen marks the release of its second album, “At The Festival,” a prog-rock suite created by singer-guitarist Harry Nichols. The eight-song album “tells the story of a man in mourning whose trip to a music festival takes a dark turn toward the supernatural.” Check it out at noonfifteen.bandcamp.com.
When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Range
Cost: small cover charge
Duo Dudes
Tenzin Chopak returns for an intimate afternoon show with pianist Emmett Scott. He’ll be playing originals from his Rockwood Ferry and solo albums as well as from upcoming projects
When: 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Red Newt Bistro, Hector
Cost: free
Rolling On
Andrew Alling returns to Ithaca’s West End with his one-man show featuring guitar, vocals, harmonica and bass pedals – but no looping.
When: 7-9 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Westy
Cost: free
Event Info
Vintage Vibes
Djug Django will emerge from hibernation, with Eric Aceto, Doug Robinson, Dave Davies and company once again joining forces for a funi night vintage hot jazz.
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Argos Warehouse
Cost: free; $5 donation suggested
Farm Folk
Gregory Alan Isakov will return to Ithaca after selling out the Haunt a few years ago. The Colorado-based Isakov is also a full-time farmer, and recorded his latest album, 2018’s “Evening Machines,” in a barn on his farm. His quietly powerful, often sparse indie-folk songs should sound great in the State. British singer-songwriter Luke Sital-Singh will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: State Theatre
Cost: $26-$46
American Music
Bound for Glory continues its 53rd season with Naomi Summers, an Ithaca-based singer-songwriter whose latest album, “Gentle As The Sun,” was recorded in Nashville and produced by Jim Rooney (Iris DeMent, John Prine, Nanci Griffith). (Note: Bill Staines was previously announced as the performer for this date.)
When: 8-11 p.m. Sunday
Where: Alternatives Library, Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free and open to all