Maddy Walsh and the Blind Spots, the Big Soul Family Band, and Driftwood are just some of the many bands that can help you to ring in 2020 with some live music. Check out these shows happening in Ithaca, Cortland and beyond on Tuesday night.
All That Glitters
Maddy Walsh and the Blind Spots have put together a “Silver and Gold Spectacular” at the Range. They invite fans to show up in their finest glittering silver and/or gold outfits. The band just premiered its new single “New Year’s” on WITH’s “Open Tunings”; it’s now available online. They’ll be joined by the Fall Creek Brass Band, who will open the night and then occasionally return throughout the evening.
When: 9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: The Range, Ithaca
Cost: $20 in advance on eventbrite.com
Two for the Price of One
The Argos Inn will be hosting two bands in two separate venues from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Bar Argos will feature the Djangoners playing vintage hot swing and jazz, while the Argos Warehouse will welcome The Combdown performing its funk instrumentals with DJs Cappel and Tuggle spinning tunes before and after.
When: Doors open at 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Argos Inn, Ithaca
Cost: Advance tickets are $35, and are good for both venues and the outdoor patio and fire pit. At the door, admission is $40.
Two-Night Stand
Regional roots favorites Driftwood will return to the Haunt for the fifth consecutive year for a two-night stand that will culminate in a big New Year’s Eve bash. Each show begins at 9 p.m. and will feature a different opener: Uncle Ben’s Remedy will open on Monday, and Milkweed will open Tuesday’s show.
When: 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday
Where: The Haunt, Ithaca
Cost: Tickets for Monday are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, while tickets for Tuesday night are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Two-day passes are available as well.
All in the Family
The Big Soul Family Band will bring its mix of classic soul, rock, pop and funk to Agava Restaurant for a 10 p.m. show. The band includes members of Kitestring, Noon Fifteen and Thru Spectrums, including vocalists Mandy Goldman and Amanda Massa.
When: 10 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Agava Restaurant, Ithaca
Cost: $20 for just the music, available in advance at nyebash.bpt.me/.
Two Floors of Fun
The newly reopened Lot 10 will host the Swamp Kids – the soul-rock-folk quartet of Angelo Peters, Tenzin Chopak, Emmett Miller and Chris English -- and Club Rub-A-Dub – the vocal dub project from Jay Spaker of Double Tiger -- in its extensively renovated upstairs lounge, while DJ ha-MEEN will spin dance tunes in the much bigger downstairs space.
When: 9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
Belle of the Ball
Opera Ithaca returns for its fourth annual New Year's Eve Gala, a family-friendly event featuring Pauline Viardot’s charming operetta, “Cendrillon” (“Cinderella”), along with a reception catered by Serendipity, a silent auction, and music by Pauline Viardot and her friends performed by the Opera Ithaca Apprentice Artists.
When: 9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Hangar Theatre, Ithaca
Cost: $100
(Note: Opera Ithaca also will present “Cendrillon” Monday night at the Smith Opera House in Geneva; visit thesmith.org for more information.)
A Very Cherry Pop'd Party
Pop’d at the Cherry will host “Post-a-POP'd-a-Lipstick” celebration, with a theme of consent and a “Mad Max” meets “Great Gatsby” aesthetic for those who want to dress up for the occasion. Hosted by the Mighty Mickie Quinn, the event will feature music from Spirit Posse's The Dutchess DJs and performances by Erin the Axe, Kitschy Scofflaw, Octavia Solá, Salix Morrison, and Thomas, along with go-go dancing by Athena Merlot, Scorpiana Von Lilith, Coraline Chardonnay, Tilia Cordata and Dizzy DeScretion.
When: 9:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: The Cherry Artspace, Ithaca
Cost: $30; $100 for VIP. Purchase tickets in advance here to guarantee entry. Open to ages 18 and up, 21 and up to drink
Imagining 2020
Sacred Kava Bar and Tea Lounge will host “IMAGINATION,” a “fully immersive, multidimensional sensory experience as a visual landscape for you to explore, experience, and enjoy!” Running from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., the event will feature a vision board workshop, ecstatic dance sets from DJs SolarLion and Nataraj, and more.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Sacred Root Kava Bar and Tea Lounge, Ithaca
Cost: $10
Seeking Resonance
The Foundation of Light will host “Resonate 2020,” an “Ecstatic New Year’s Eve Gathering” that includes “ceremony, live music, elixirs, ecstatic dance, sound healing gong batch, art, and song circle” beginning at 7 p.m. childcare will be available on site. Go to nekothreesixty.com for details.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Foundation of Light, Ithaca
Cost: Advance tickets are $30 for adults, $12 for kids; $40 and $15 at the door.
Hard Rock Happening
Throw Down Cold – the trio of Toby Becraft (guitar), Dave Kimbrough (bass) and Brian Clapper (drums) – will return to the Plantation Bar and Grille with its hard-rock and heavy metal classics.
When: 9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: The Plantation Bar and Grille, Ithaca
Cost: donations
Century Celebration
The Hotel Ithaca will host a “The Roaring 20s,” a celebration featuring Buffalo’s New York Rockin’ Revue playing classic rock, pop, soul and more in the ballroom. A variety of packages that include music, dining, drinks and lodging are available.
When: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Hotel Ithaca, Ithaca
Cost: varies according to package
Feelin’ Silky
DJ DoughBoy will mark the arrival of 2020 with his trademark brand of classic dance tunes – Top 40, Hip Hop/R&B, Trap, & Reggae – to keep the dance floor filled throughout the night.
When: 10 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Silky Jones, Ithaca
Cost: $20
Happy Blue Year
City Limits returns to Stella’s Barn, as Andy Lockwood, Dan Paolangeli and the rest of the crew will showcase their high-powered brand of blues-rock classics.
When: 9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Stella’s Barn, Newfield
Cost: TBA
Tunes in T-burg
DJ Raf will spin tunes at Atlas Bowl. Come early to eat and bowl, and stay late to dance until 1 a.m. There will be a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Doors open at 4 p.m. for dinner.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Atlas Bowl, Trumansburg
Cost: free
Swing into a New Decade
The Lansing Community Center will host a dance party with the Blue Flames providing the music for swing, Latin and ballroom dancers. Festive attire encouraged but not required; please bring a dish or hors d'oeuvre to share.
When: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Lansing Community Center, Lansing
Cost: Advance tickets for the 8:30 p.m. show are $15 via eventbrite.com; admission is $20 at the door. Call 279-7555 for tickets or information.
Groovin’ in Groton
The Union Jacks will play classic rock tunes from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., joined by special musical guests Doug Houck, Dave Richman and others.
When: 9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Union Tavern, Groton (formerly Farrell’s Bar)
Cost: donations
This Masquerade
Treleaven Winery will host a “Midnight Masquerade New Year's Eve Party”; cocktail attire and masks are encouraged, but not required. The Delta Mike Shaw Band will be performing classic rock, soul and R&B. The venue’s Simply Cookie restaurant will serve a special dinner at 5-8 p.m. for additional cost; reservations are suggested.
When: 9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Treleaven Winery, King Ferry
Cost: $5; more for dinner
Sea Cruise
The Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel’s “Under the Sea” celebration will feature The Destination, one of the region’s most popular bands, playing classic soul, R&B, funk, and rock. The hotel also is offering room packages if you want to stay overnight.
When: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, Watkins Glen
Cost: varies according to packages
A Roaring Gala
Homer’s Center for the Arts will host a “Roaring 2020 New Year’s Eve Gala,” a benefit for the Center Players to help fund its spring stage season. The event will feature live music from JazzHappens Band, silent movies in the theater, popular games from the 1920s (with Monopoly money), a silent auction, raffle, and much more.
When: 9 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Center for the Arts, Homer
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door
Decades of Fun
Cortland Repertory Theatre Downtown will host its fifth annual “Dancin’ Thru The Decades” New Year’s Eve Dance, with DJs offering a mix of popular songs from the 1960s to today.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Cortland Repertory Theatre Downtown, Cortland
Cost: Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door
Something’s BRU-ing for NYE
BRU 64 in Cortland will host “BRU Year’s Eve,” with Syracuse’s In Too Deep playing funk, rock and blues from 8:30 p.m. to 11:55 p.m., when you can watch the ball drop down Main Street.
When: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: BRU 64, Cortland
Cost: free; donations welcome
Note: Also in Cortland on Tuesday night: Dimitri Cosimo will be at the St. Charles Hotel, Doc Weismore and Real Country will be at the Cortland Country Music Park, and the Red Jug Pub and Greek Peak Mountain Resort will host their annual New Year’s Eve parties.