It’s another busy weekend in Ithaca and beyond, with the return of a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, album release shows from two local bands, and the conclusion of the festival celebrating the legacy of an electronic music pioneer.
Just Some Songs Before He Goes
Saturday, Graham Nash will return to Ithaca for “An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories.” A two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee – for his work with the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash – the British-born singer-songwriter’s catalog includes hits such as “Stop Stop Stop,” “On A Carousel” and “Carrie Anne” from the mid-1960s to “Teach Your Children” and “Our House” all the way through recent work such as 2016’s “This Path Tonight.” Fifteen of Nash’s songs are anthologized in the 2018 release, “Over the Years…” a two-disc collection of some of his best-known works from the past 50 years.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: State Theatre of Ithaca
Cost: $35-$45
Welcome to the Machines
“When Machines Rock: A Celebration of Robert Moog and Electronic Music,” which will include three days of panels, concerts, workshops and the opening of a new exhibit at Cornell’s Kroch Library, runs through Saturday. See the complete list of “When Machines Rock” events here.
When: through Saturday
Where: Cornell University, The Haunt
Cost: free for Cornell events, fee for Haunt shows
It’s Happy Hour Again
Friday, catch some happy hour shows around the area: the 86ers bring their country-rock to South Hill Cider at 5:30-8 p.m.; the Brothers MacRae return to Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 6-8 p.m.; Vinegar Williams (releasing his new single “Open Windows”) is at Barry Family Cellars at 6-9 p.m.; Dimitri Cosimo returns to Flynn’s Roadhouse at 7-9 p.m.; Rose Alaimo is at Ithaca Bakery at 6-8 p.m.; and the Auroras will be joined by Western New York’s Jacinta Whitcome at the Westy at 7-9 p.m. In greater Cortland, Richman and the Poor Boys are at Summerhill Brewing at 6-8 p.m.; the Ridgeline Duo is at BRU 64 at 7-10 p.m.; Rachel Beverly is at Cortland Beer Company at 7 p.m.; Billy Golicki is at Woodman's Pub at 7 p.m.; and Adam Parker is at the St. Charles Hotel at 8-10 p.m.
When: Friday
Where: Various locations
Cost: free; donations always welcome
Tons of Talent
The Greater Ithaca Activities Centerwill present its annual Black History Month Talent Show, showcasing singing, rapping, dancing, drumming, spoken word and more. The lineup includes Mstr McBean, Yamatai (Cornell’s Taiko Drumming Group), the GIAC Jumpers, Phat Flow Factory, UNITED Dance Troupe and the Adanfo Ensemble (African drumming group and dancers), Rebekah Barrett, Torianna Payne, Lena Maiye, Paul Aaron Jackson, and other talented performers.
When: 6-8 p.m. Friday
Where: Ithaca High School’s Kulp Auditorium
Cost: free and open to all
International Underground
Ithaca Underground will present another show in downtown Ithaca, with France’s Vomir, Canada’s The Rita, and Pittsburgh’s Black Leather Jesus joining forces with locals Kjostad and Obscenity Law.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Chanticleer Loft
Cost: $8-$10
Blues Blaster
Acclaimed blues guitarist Eric Gales will visit Central New York. Dubbed “one of the best, if not the best guitar player in the world” by Joe Bonamassa, the Memphis-born Gales first gained attention as teen phenom in the 1980s. He has release nearly 20 albums, including his latest, 2019’s “The Bookends,” which features collaborations with B. Slade, Doyle Bramhall II and Beth Hart.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $25
Note: Macy Gray’s Saturday night show at the Center for the Arts is SOLD OUT!
Two Beating As One
ADULT., an electronic duo from Detroit, will visit Ithaca as part of “When Machines Rock: A Celebration of Robert Moog and Electronic Music. Local electronic artist Charmion will open the show
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $10-$15
Circle of Song
The monthly Sacred Root Songwriters Night returns to downtown Ithaca, with host Andrew Alling, joined by locals Alan Rose, Linda Stout, Evan Stewart, and Doyle Lodor and Corning’s Mitch Goldwater for a night of songs and stories.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Bar & Tea Lounge
Cost: donations
Saturday Songs
Saturday, catch some tunes around the area: Quona Hudson and the Cousins are at Woody’s Public House in Cortland at noon; Simmerin’ Stew will bring their raucous old-time to Chateau Dusseau in Locke at 3-6 p.m.; Dana Twigg is at Summerhill Brewing in Locke at 6-8 p.m.; Rachel Beverly is at Brewer's Cafe and Tap Room in Dryden at 6-8 p.m.; the Ridgeline Duo is at Trax at Greek Peak in Cortland at 7 p.m.; and The Rhiners with Lydia Garrison and Emma Morris return to Bike Bar Ithaca at 7-9 p.m.
When: Saturday
Where: Various locations
Cost: free; donations always welcome
Chamber Music at the Chapel
The Forest Home Baroque Chamber Players will perform Franc?ois Couperin, Dietrich Buxtehude and more in this afternoon concert. Ensemble members include: Beth Kelly, baroque flute; Aika Ito, baroque violin; Zoe Weiss, viola da gamba; Elizabeth Lyon, baroque cello; and Matthew Hall, harpsichord.
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Forest Home Chapel, 224 Forest Home Dr., Ithaca
Cost: donations welcome
Steppin’ Out
The new trio StepTune features a couple of familiar faces – fiddler Oona Grady of the Grady Girls and multi-instrumentalist James Gascoyne of Drank The Gold – along with pan-traditional percussive step dancer Danielle Enblom; they sing, play, and step tunes and folk songs from across the North Atlantic.
When: 7-9 p.m. Saturday
Where: South Hill Cider
Cost: $10
Note: Enblom also will offer a dance workshop at 2-3 p.m. Saturday at the Henry St. John Building at 301 S. Geneva St.; admission is $15. Find out more here.
Good Times Roll
Li’l Anne & the Hot Cayenne will host the “Happy Feet Zydeco Dance Party” at to mark the release of their new CD, “Live from Boudin to Cayenne,” which they recorded at various venues in New York and Pennsylvania. Fronted by Anne Stork on accordion and vocals, the band also includes guitarist Peter Glanville, drummer Bill King, saxophonist Gordon Rowland and bassist Paul Crowley.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Hopshire Farm and Brewery, Dryden
Cost: free
From the Heart
SingTrece will return with a special show, as the powerhouse vocalist will perform original soul music that’s “written from the heart about life, love, and shared human experiences.”
When: 7-9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Lot 10
Cost: $10
Horn o' Plenty
The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra will present “Pivotal Pieces”: principal horn Scott Leger will perform Strauss’s “Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 11,” one of the most popular concertos for horn. The program also will feature Mendelssohn”s “The Fair Melusine Overture” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92.” Note: the CCO’s annual benefit auction will take place before the concert at 6 p.m.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ford Hall, Ithaca College
Cost: $30 for adults, $10 for students
Analogue Day
As part of the “When Machines Rock” event at Cornell, Suzi Analogue will return to the Haunt to showcase her distinctive brand of electronic music. Glitter Skulls will open the show.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $10-$15
Prom Date
The eighth annual Post Apocalyptic Valentine's Prom Party will raise funds for children’s cancer research. On the bill are Sinister I, Dirty Hot Supper, and Sanjuro Fields.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Night Owl’s, 3840 US Route 11, Cortland
Cost: $5
Alley Cats
The Gutterpunk series will return for another night of eclectic, electric music. On the bill are Rochester’s Pomelo, who play noisy post-hardcore rock; locals Chimes of Bayonets and Material Objects, and Strong Maybe, the Ithaca trio of Matthew Saccuccimorano, Chad Lieberman and Mark Wienand Karlsen playing “mostly improvised psychotic cartoon animal music”; hear it on their just-released album, “Plinth.” DJs Dusty Visions and Angela will round out the night between sets.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bowl-O-Drome
Cost: free; donations welcome in the hollowed-out bowling ball at the door.
Sounds of Synths
The Synthetic Music Collective returns to host Synth Night, “a live electronic music event featuring local artists using predominantly hardware based instrumentation.”
When: 8-11:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Lounge and Tea Bar
Cost: free
All in the Family
Nate Marshall and the Family Band will celebrate the debut of their new album, “Love & Money.” Featuring 11 originals and a cover of Leon Payne’s “Lost Highway,” the album showcases Marshall on guitar, harmonica, piano and vocals backed by a core band of Joey Arcuri, Greg Evans, Travis Knapp and David Baird along with several other guests including Katie Marshall and Brian Vollmer. For the release show, Marshall will be joined by Knapp, Baird, Vollmer, Katie Marshall, and Zane Carnes; Knapp will open the night with a set of his own.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5
Rockin’ Steady
The Analogue Sons return to downtown Ithaca with their blend of reggae, dub, rock, jazz and more. The lineup of Lee Hamilton, Alicia Aubin, Michael Stark, Lars Burggren, Aaron Speiser and Jason Shegogue will be joined by special guest Emily Hoyt of Junkyard Theory and Viva Mayhem on vocals.
When: 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Lot 10
Cost:
Sunday Songs
Catch some free music around the area on Sunday: Doolin’ O’Dey will bring their Celtic tunes to Six Mile Creek Vineyard at 2-4 p.m.; local songwriters Janet Batch, Austin MacRae, Jen Cork and Andrew Alling will play at Two Goats Brewing in Hector 4-7 p.m.; Samuel Proia is at Ithaca Bakery at 4:30-6:30 p.m., the Zaun Marshburn Quintet returns to Maxie’s at 6-9 p.m., Vinegar Williams is at the Westy at 7-9 p.m., and the Radio London Quartet returns to the Argos Warehouse at 7-10 p.m.
When: Sunday
Where: Various locations
Cost: free
Feting Beethoven
The Cornell Chamber Orchestra joins the celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday: Katherine Kilburn conducts the program, which will feature Ariana Kim performing Beethoven's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major, Op. 61. In addition, the program includes Mozart’s Serenade No. 6, K. 239 “Serenata Notturna,” and Philadelphia-based composer TJ Cole's “Death of the Poet.”
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Barnes Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free
Family Fun
Rick Recht, one of most celebrated Jewish artists of our time, will perform a fun, interactive children’s concert featuring songs from his hit children’s albums “Look at Me!” and “Free to Be the Jew in Me”; he’ll also spotlight the upcoming holiday of Purim, which will occur on March 10. The concert is sponsored by Ithaca Area United Jewish Community, with participation by Congregation Tikkun v’Or and Temple Beth El. (iaujc.org)
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Community School of Music and Arts
Cost: $5 for folks ages twelve and over; children get in free
Springing Ahead
To celebrate the start of Daylight Savings Time, the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts will host the Spring Ahead Dance Party, with TOiVO performing a mix of instrumentals and vocals for dancing waltzes, tangos, Cajun two-steps, country honky-tonk, swing, polkas and more at 4-6 p.m., preceded by waltz and polka dance instruction by Rick Lightbody and Carol Johnson at 3-4 p.m.
When: 3-6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts
Cost: suggested donation is $10, with proceeds going to the conservatory.
Words of Wisdom
“Moetry + Fusic” promises “unique auditory experience” featuring some of Ithaca's writers presenting their work accompanied by live music. Hosted by Elbonee “SingTrece” and Kenneth McLaurin, the event will feature local authors Melanie Conroy-Goldman, Taili Mugambe and Jennifer Savran Kelly working with musicians to give their works an added dimension.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $10
Banjo, Bill and More
Bound for Glory continues its winter season with Bill Destler and Rebecca Johnson. One of the original Bound for Glory performers, from “way back when,” Destler performs both originals and traditional songs; Johnson is known for her stellar vocal harmonies. Find out more at billsbanjos.com.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University
Cost: free
Band of Brothers
The new documentary “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band” plays at Cinemapolis. Directed by Daniel Roher, the film tells the story of one of the most-influential groups of the past 50 years as seen through the eyes of Robertson, its guitarist and main songwriter.
When: continuing
Where: Cinemapolis
Cost: $10.50