Welcome in the fall with some live music – there are lots of options in and around Ithaca and beyond to help you celebrate the season. And that’s not even counting Porchfest, which will offer more than 170 bands on Sunday afternoon!
Raising Awareness
“Recovery Rocks” is “a brand new annual event in our community to benefit the Alcohol and Drug Council of Tompkins County and raise awareness of their services during the month of September which is National Recovery Month.” Kitestring and Mama Rabwa will provide live music, and Silo Food Truck will be on site as well.
When: 5-7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Ithaca Farmers Market
Cost: Suggested donation is $5
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/782120412202838/
Songs in the Alley
Local singer-songwriter Scott B. Adams will perform songs from his many Orchard Beat albums, along with other material.
When: 5-8 p.m. Friday
Where: Press Bay Alley
Cost: free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2740349482661985/
Foursome of Fun
Party of Four – Wayne Gottlieb, Dave Davies, Doug Robinson and Cookie Cookie – returns with its tight vocal jazz harmonies. “We don't scrimp on the extensions, 6ths, minor 7ths, half diminished chords, the whole deal and at no extra charge.”
Plus, they’ll be debuting the new “Party of Four Theme Song.”
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Ithaca Bakery
Cost: free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/362483841360304/
The Cat is Back
Richman and the Poorboys, led by guitarist Dave Richman, will back Citi Cat (Cathie Coiro) for a night of rockin’ blues and more.
When: 6-8 p.m. Friday
Where: Hopshire Farm and Brewery, Dryden
Cost: free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1149831522071786/
Political Follies
Putting the “mock” in democracy, the Capitol Steps will return to Ithaca. Since they began in 1981, they have recorded more than 35 albums, including their latest, “The Lyin' Kings.” They also can be heard twice a year on National Public Radio stations nationwide during their “Politics Takes a Holiday” radio specials.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $38.50-$48.50
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2227270850923537/
Metal and More
Throw Down Cold – singer-guitarist Toby Becraft, bassist Dave Kimbrough and drummer Brian Clapper – will mark the end of the summer with a variety of hard rock and heavy metal classics
When: 8-11 p.m. Friday
Where: The Plantation Bar & Grill, 1285 Dryden Road
Cost: free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/459174714812295/
Twang Titans
The “Masters of the Telecaster” tour comes to Syracuse, with guitar legends Jim Weider, G.E. Smith, and Duke Levine demonstrating the enduring appeal of that iconic instrument. They’ll be joined by bassist Lincoln Scheifer and drummer Tony Leone. Regional favorites Los Blancos and the Nate Gross Band will open the show.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Palace Theatre, Syracuse
Cost: Tickets are $35 at telecaster.eventbrite.com and at the door
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/369924113882591/
Read more about the show here:
Rhythm’s Gonna Get You
De Tierra Caliente will bring their mix of South American and Caribbean rhythms to downtown Ithaca. The Philadelphia-based quartet plays Latin fusion music in Spanish, English and Portuguese to get everyone on their feet and moving, so bring your dancing shoes.
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/815575832177224/
Lucky Seven
Myer Farm Distillers in Ovid will host its seventh anniversary party, with live music from The Darts at 1-4 p.m., food trucks and more
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Myer Farm Distillers, 7350 State Route 89, Ovid
Cost: free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/680853552426211/
Crushing the Season
Mark the arrival of fall with the annual Harvest Festival, which will feature live music from Cielle and Madd Daddy, food from 10-10 BBQ and a foot crush of red grapes.
When: 2-7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Chateau Dusseau Winery, 5292 Erron Hill Road, Locke
Cost: free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/916294005398370/
Feeling the Fall
Three weeks after drawing 2,000 people to Treleaven, the Destination will return for the Sweet Corn Fall Fest, for which they’ll play their high-energy mix of soul, funk, pop and R&B at 6 p.m. They’ll be preceded at 3 p.m. by the Diana Jacobs Band, a funk band from Auburn.
When: 2-9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Treleaven Winery, King Ferry
Cost: $5; kids under 12 get in free.
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/3103166676390649/
Ready to Rock
Send off the summer with a hard rock bill that includes 1980s favorites Ratt, Warrant, Kix and FireHouse. Aquanet and spandex are optional.
When: Gates open at 4 p.m.
Where: Tag’s Summer Stage, Big Flats
Cost: Tickets start at $29.50 at tagstickets.com
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/359849848018158/
Feting a Polymath
Organ master David Yearsley performs a program titled “Transalpine,” which follows the musical path of the polymath musician, diplomat, and churchman Agostino Steffani across Europe on either side of 1700, with works by him and his colleagues and admirers, J. C. Kerll, N. A. Strungk, J. H. d’Anglebert, Georg Böhm, and G. F. Handel.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Anabel Taylor Hall Chapel, Cornell University
Cost: free
Info: music.cornell.edu
American Music
Keyboardist Stan Stewart will play and sing “lots of familiar covers and originals for your listening enjoyment: everything from lounge, to Broadway, to post-pop.”
When: 6-8:30 p.m. Saturdays
Where: Brews and Brats at Autumn View
Cost: free, open to all ages
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/262309774652465/
In Harmony
Upstate, which features Lansing native Mary Kenney as one of three lead singers, will return to Ithaca; the band played show here on Valentine’s Day to mark the release of their latest album, “Healing,” which was produced by Jano Rix of the Wood Brothers. Binghamton singer-songwriter Joseph Allston (Milkweed, Kid Bess and the Magic Ring) will open.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $15
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2297297630360861/
Returning from Rochester
Seth Faergolzia and Multibird return to downtown Ithaca with their high-energy blend of folk, rock, and more that “makes a delightful mess of musical boundaries.” The band includes Faergolzia on acoustic guitar and vocal loops, Shaun Jones on electric and foot percussion, Luke Cornwell on bass and percussion, and Emily DiPaola on trumpet and percussion, all with soaring group vocals.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2464790060420421
Music for the Masses
The 13th annual Porchfest will return, bringing more than 170 musical acts to porches, driveways, yards and decks. The event features of familiar faces – Gunpoets, Thru Spectrums, Mosaic Foundation, Noon Fifteen and many more – along with a variety of lesser-known or newer bands, including a lot of youth acts. Download a map and schedule from https://www.porchfest.org.
When: noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Fall Creek and Northside neighborhoods
Cost: free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1062601583942069/
Saluting Sousa
The annual Founders Day Concert in the Park will feature the Ithaca College Wind Ensemble in a program that includes a salute to John Philip Sousa along with such works as “Shenandoah,” “An American in Paris” and “America the Beautiful.”
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: DeWitt Park (rain location: First Baptist Church).
Cost: free
Info: Ithaca.edu
Shift of the Season
An Equinox Celebration will feature music from farm-friendly bands Motherwort, Whistlin’ Dyl, and the Amalgamators. The afternoon will kick off with a talk from Brad Marshall of the Piggery, followed by grilled burgers and salad, a bar with local cider, a campfire, and music.
When: 3-9 p.m. Sunday
Where: Interbrook Farm, 3971 County Road 141B, Interlaken
Cost: admission fee charged
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2471114959775285/
A Taste of Vinegar
Trumansburg singer-songwriter Vinegar Williams will showcase his songs from recent and forthcoming recording projects.
When: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Ithaca Bakery
Cost: free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/492539454635844/
Jazz Jam
Acclaimed trombonist Ryan Keberle – recognized in the Downbeat International Critics Poll as #1 Rising Star – will bring his band Catharsis to perform in Ithaca. Also featuring Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Scott Robinson, Matt Clohesy and Eric Doob, the band is touring to promote its new album, “The Hope I Hold.”
When: 7-9 p.m. Sunday
Where: McCormick's at Moakley House (at the Cornell Golf Course on Warren Road).
Cost: small cover charge
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/655217714883917/
Crossing the Border
Bound for Glory continues its fall season with Canadian singer-songwriter Scott Cook. Hailing from Alberta, Cook has been traveling around the world for years and recently released his sixth album, “Further Down The Line.” If you can’t make it to the show, tune in to WVBR (93.5 FM, wvbr.com) to hear the live broadcast, which is open to all ages.
When: 8-11 p.m. Sunday
Where: Durland Alternatives Library, Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free