We hit January’s midpoint with a bunch of fun shows in Ithaca and Cortland that range from funk and jazz to blues and experimental.
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West End Blend will make a welcome return to Ithaca; the Connecticut-based funk-soul band has impressed on its previous visits -- especially singer Erica T. Bryan, drummer Sam Horan and former Big Mean Sound Machine keyboardist Paulie Philippone -- with its stellar musicianship and high energy shows. North Carolina’s Travers Brothership, which is led by twins Eric and Kyle Travers, will open the night.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Haunt
Cost: $12
American Made
Chickenwire Parachute will perform at Maxie’s. Led by Dustin Stuhr (ex-Urban Horse Thieves, Stone Cold Miracle), the band – which also includes Dan Lashkoff, Nick Johnston and David McKinley – plays original Americana music.
When: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Maxie’s Supper Club
Cost: free; donations welcome
Happy Blue Year
The Blue Rangers return for their first show of the year, with Andy Lockwood, Mike Allinger and company joined by some special guests for an evening of swinging, rocking blues.
When: 6 p.m.
Where: The Range
Cost: free
Celtic Sounds
Members of Traonach host this weekly Irish jam session, which features traditional tunes and plenty of special guests.
When: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Argos Inn
Cost: free; donations welcome
Three of a Kind
Jazz trio Argos Grove – Ithaca College faculty members Nicholas Walker (bass), Greg Evans (drums), and Andrew Carroll (piano) – continue the celebrated Wednesday happy hour community music tradition initiated by i3° at Bar Argos. The trio’s repertoire ranges from Duke Ellington and Stevie Wonder to the Beatles, Disney, swing, funk and bossa nova.
When: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Argos Inn
Cost: free; donations welcome
Family Matters
Cortland’s own Von Barnes Band will showcase its updated lineup with a mix of familiar favorites and new tunes.
When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: BRU 64, Cortland
Cost: free; donations welcome
Going Solo
Singer-songwriter-guitarist-harmonica wizard Chris Merkley will take a break from his many bands -- The Speculators, Digger Jones, the Unknown Jones, Merkley and Morgan, etc. -- to perform a solo show in downtown Cortland.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Red Jug Pub, Cortland
Cost: free; donations welcome
Singing Strings
Winter Village Music will kick off its Falling Waters Music Camp with an intimate unplugged concert featuring Emily Schaad (fiddle), Debra Clifford (guitar, singing) and Jake Blount (banjo, fiddle), along with Ithaca’s own String Theory (Tom Hodgson, Ariana Kim, Rick Manning and Tim Ball).
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: La Tourelle
Cost: $15 in advance, available here; $20 at the door
Sonic Explorations
Ithaca Underground will present its first show of 2020. “IU Evening of Improv” will include a headlining set by the quartet of Chris Corsano (drums), Sarah Hennies (vibraphone), Annie Lewandowski (electronics), and Brian Wilson (drums). Elmira’s Tara and Bobby and Ithaca’s Ailís Clyne and Jenae Lowe will open the all-ages show.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge
Cost: $7
Funky Town
The biweekly Funk Night returns for its first show of 2020, with resident band Dean’s Kids – Dan Keller, Max Shuhan, Owen Erickson, Hayden Frank and Archer Cowen – putting their spin on familiar favorites from the 1960s through the present day.
When: 9:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Range
Cost: $5