Celebrate the holiday season by catching a live show – there’s a bunch of good ones in the coming days in Ithaca and beyond!
Let the Good Times Roll
Rose and the Bros return for a holiday Zydeco dance. Led by Rosie Newton on accordion, fiddle and vocals, the band also features Angelo Peters on bass, Greg Evans on drums, Paul Martin on guitar, Sally Freund on washboard and Steve Selin on fiddle. The group released its debut CD earlier this year.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Carriage House Hayloft
Cost: $10
It’s Happy Hour Again
Kick off the weekend with some live music at various venues around Ithaca: The Flywheels bring their old-time tunes to the Dewitt Mall at 5-7 p.m.; bluesman Pat Burke plays South Hill Cider at 5:30-8 p.m.; southern-rock band Iron Horse returns to the Haunt at 6 p.m. to celebrate its 12th anniversary; the Canaan Jazz Trio – Ted Caldwell (bass), Wayne Gottlieb (guitar, vocals) and Michael Ludgate (mandolin) – will play jazz and swing from the 1920's-30's at Brookton’s Market at 6-8 p.m.; Grassanova will return to Ithaca Bakery at 6-8 p.m.; Joe Crookston will bring his old-time band Gravel Gerty (with Dee Specker Jeff Lang, Joe Damiano, Peter Granville, Jason Zorn) to the Westy at 7-9 p.m.; Rochester singer-songwriter Maria Gillard is at Agava Restaurant at 7-9 p.m., and Raedwald Howland-Bolton brings his blues to the Bike Bar at 7-9 p.m. At bit later, and more farflung from Ithaca, the Analogue Sons are at Two Goats Brewing in Hector at 7-10 p.m., and the Bob Roberts Calamity will host “Festivus for the Rest of Us” at Trumanburg’s Little Venice at 8-11 p.m. And over in Cortland, Matt Barnes returns to Cortland Beer Company at 7 p.m., Roger Decker is at Rex’s Pasta at 7 p.m., Uncle Charlie and the Meatballs are at BRU 64 at 7 p.m., and the Mudkickers are at One Cent Saloon at 9 p.m.
When: Friday
Where: Various locations
Cost: free
Family Ties
The fourth annual Walsh Family & Friends Christmas Show will feature Madd Daddy (Ted and Maddy Walsh), the Beauchesnes, Unreal City and various other members of the extended Walsh family coming together for some holiday musical merriment. There’s no cover for the 6-9 p.m. show.
When: 6-9 p.m. Friday
Where: Hopshire Farms and Brewery, Dryden
Cost: free
Dashing Debut
Local singer-songwriter Teddy K will return to Flynn’s Roadhouse in Lansing. Teddy Kilts will be joined by saxophonist Darrell Negley, who has 40 years of experience, and Marty Flynn; Cierra Rae also will make her vocal debut on some holiday songs as well as a new original co-written with Kilts titled “Sorry.”
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Flynn’s Roadhouse, Lansing
Cost: donations welcome
Circle of Song
Elisa Sciscioli Keeler will host a Winter Solstice Song Circle in which she’ll be joined by some of her musical friends for a night of songs from various cultures, toning practices and inspiring poems to nourish us through the dark season”; members of the Freeing Your Voice Class she teaches also will perform a few selections.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
Cost: Suggested donation is sliding scale of $5-$20
Merry Oxmas
Just back from his PhD program for winter break, Josh Oxford will host “Oxmas ’19,” with his group The OXtet convening for two sets of music. The local composer and synth wizard promises “New music, Christmas music, and OXified music!”; the last from his CD released earlier this year. Dan Yapp (Quail) will join the band for the first set, and Emily Hoyt (Junkyard Theory, Viva Mayhem) will guest during the second set. DJ Proper Philth will close out the night at 11:30 p.m.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Lot 10
Cost: $10
Holiday Tradition
After a one-year hiatus, the Burns Sisters are back with their holiday show, and have enlisted a top-notch band for this weekend’s performances: Dave Borisoff on pedal steel, London McDaniel on guitar, Doug Robinson on guitar, Tony Markellis on bass, with a couple of special surprise guests. Expected to hear seasonal selections from their 1996 album “Tradition: Holiday Songs Old and New,” as well as other songs from their other albums. Please bring winter coats, warm socks and canned food to donate to the Friendship Center/St. John’s Community Services of Ithaca.
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Kitchen Theatre
Cost: $25
Change of Seasons
The “Near Solstice Party” will feature local funk-rock favorites Thru Spectrums along with Ithaca College soul-rock band Quail. Both bands are in the process of recording new albums, so expect to hear plenty of new songs..
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5
A Revue to Remember
In a celebration of music from past, present and future Running to Places (R2P) shows, the R2P company – and alumni – present “The R2P Family Reunion Show,” a musical revue to brighten the winter season. “The show features skillful performances from fabulously talented people who are thrilled to be performing together,” says Joey Steinhagen, R2P artistic director. “It’s a taste of some of your favorite R2P shows, plus some new surprises, all rolled up into one.”
When: 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Community School of Music and Arts
Cost: $15 for general admission, $25 for Priority VIP
Ready to Rockabilly
“It's A Rockabilly X-Mas” will feature Ryan Vanderhoof and The Elves. Expect to hear holiday favorites done up rockabilly style, as well other classics of the genre, by the singer-guitarist and his merry sidekicks.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $8
Slay Bells are Ringing
Whiskey Tango Sideshow will bring “The 12 SLAYS of Christmas!” to downtown Ithaca for a night of burlesque, drag entertainment and more holiday fun. Hosted by the Mighty Mickie Quinn, the event includes local performers such as Susan The Burgundy Bullet, Sizzlin' Liz, Erin The Axe, Robin Rhinestone, Danielle Saint Velvet, Athena Merlot and Coraline Chardonnay as well as artists from Syracuse’s Eerie Rottica and Lulu La Femme and Rochester’s Evie Delilah.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Range
Cost: $10
Sonic Expeditions
Beatscene Hub will return to host “Dance Back The Sun.” The event will feature all original production from Fuzzy Bunny Slippers, Sine Caster and Tou Nei, along with DJ sets by Sine Caster and Rockmon and visuals by GIRLDEBORD.
When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Lot 10
Cost: RSVP on the Facebook event page for free entry
Rhythm Kings
Blues-rock trio Digger Jones –Chris Merkley, Stiv Morgan and Chad Dean – return for their final show of 2019.
When: 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Red Jug Pub, Cortland
Cost: donations
Ready to Rock
Tribal Revival returns with its vast catalog of classic rock tunes from the past five decades, with Marc Ryan leading the way on guitar and vocals.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Easy Street, Cortland
Cost: donations
Event Info
Strength in Numbers
Several top Central New York bands will join forces to raise funds for Charley Orlando, a musician – he’s in Pearly Baker’s Best – and promoter – he helps to book Funk ‘N Waffles and the annual Seed Stock festival – and all-around good guy who recently had to undergo emergency spinal surgery. On the bill, in order of performance, are Bea, The Old Main, Chris Merkley, Pearly Baker’s Best, Chris Eves, Joe Driscoll, Sophistafunk and Root Shock. Visit LittleRockMusicGroup.com for more information.
When: 12-9 p.m. Sunday
Where: Westcott Theatre, Syracuse
Cost: $20, with all proceeds going to Orlando.
Holiday Pickin’
The Delaney Brothers’ “Bluegrass Christmas” returns, as the long-running band will pluck its way through timeless classics, old favorites, and songs to put you in the mood for the season.
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Homer Center for the Arts
Cost: $5-$12
Sounds for the Solstice
Scott B Adams will host the second of this year’s annual solstice concerts – he’s been doing them for 22 years – with Brett Beardslee joining him for a set of holiday favorites. The show also will feature area songwriters Louiston and Erich with an H as special guests.
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Barry Family Cellars in Burdett
Cost: $15 in advance, limited to 30 seats
Combin’ It Down
The Comb Down will head to the Hector Wine Company for its annual holiday party. The all-star funk collective features singer-guitarist Brian (djGourd) Mlodzinski, drummer Ashley Ickes and keyboardist Jon Petronzio along with some other top players. There’s a $5 cover for the 6-9 p.m. show.
When: 6-9 p.m. Sunday
Where: Hector Wine Company
Cost: $5
Trio Grande
Ti-Ti Chickapea – the trio of Eric Aceto, Hank Roberts and Richie Stearns – will reunite for an intimate show featuring songs from their two albums as well as material from other projects. (This is a makeup show for the Dec. 1 cancelled by an ice storm.)
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Argos Warehouse
Cost: Suggested donation
Christmas Classic
Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis, the top-selling Christmas group, is celebrating 35 years of holiday shows, and will perform the album “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas” live in its entirety for the first time ever.
When: 7 p.m. Monday
Where: Clemens Center, Elmira
Cost: $35-$75