Live music in Ithaca, NY

Coco Montoya showcases soul-steeped electric blues with inventive, high-impact guitar work and a rough-edged, deeply felt vocal style. Praised by AllMusic, Blues Music Magazine, and Living Blues for show-stopping performances, fiery playing with an icy bite, and music that gets the blood moving, he is regarded as one of the standout blues artists of his generation.

Ruby makes a New York debut at Liquid State Brewing Company in Ithaca and brings Mountain Soul music to the Finger Lakes. Advance tickets are $5.

Hailing from Upstate New York, this dynamic country quartet shines a spotlight on the voices and storytelling of women in country music with an energetic set. Led by Jessie Kay, whose rich country vocals and easy rapport anchor the show, the band performs well-known hits that span the last forty years, from enduring classics to current anthems.

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night meets the pulse of the Roaring Twenties in an adaptation directed by David Feldshuh for Cornell’s Department of Performing and Media Arts, presented in the Kiplinger Theatre at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts. A company of twenty-three brings the story to life, with fourteen actors alongside a singing chorus and dancers, and live jazz from professional musician Mike Carbone on saxophone and flute. The journey begins with a shipwreck that leads to Illyria, here imagined as a dreamscape inspired by René Magritte, where identities shift and love takes unpredictable turns. Comedy and music fill this world, yet a surrounding sense of conflict lingers, and pranks can harden into cruelty, creating a vivid blend of brightness and shadow. Built through collaboration between dedicated Cornell students and professional theatre artists, the production engages with a play that has captivated audiences for more than four centuries.

A debut appearance takes place at Fall Creek House, a well known local spot in Ithaca.

This solo performance at the State Theatre of Ithaca features Jeff Tweedy with special guest Case Oats, presented by DSP Shows and the State Theatre of Ithaca. Tweedy, Wilco’s founder and lead singer, is a widely respected contemporary songwriter and performer. The set highlights music from across his catalog along with pieces from his five solo albums, most recently the 30 track Twilight Override, which received praise from the New York Times. Case Oats is a Chicago project led by Casey Gomez Walker and Spencer Tweedy. The pair began collaborating seven years ago and developed a lived in sound that complements Gomez Walker’s lyrics, which are wry, candid, and full of depth. Spencer Tweedy is a seasoned drummer whose work includes performances with Jeff Tweedy, Waxahatchee, Mavis Staples, and Norah Jones.

Build foundational drumming skills in a beginner-friendly Afro-Cuban percussion class with Adolfo. The curriculum covers technique and a range of rhythms rooted in West African traditions carried to Cuba and the Caribbean, tracing how some patterns remain close to their sources while others evolved into distinctly Cuban, Haitian, and broader Caribbean forms shaped by African diasporic communities, Indigenous islanders, and Europeans. The class is open to everyone, and bringing your own instrument is not required. Pre-registration is required. Each session costs $15, with a sliding scale available for anyone who needs it, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. After registering, participants receive additional details, including location information and answers to any questions.

At Barnes Hall in Ithaca, pianist Jack Yarbrough marks Morton Feldman’s centennial with a performance of Triadic Memories, composed in 1981. Spanning more than an hour and a half, this expansive piece has significantly influenced American music and the piano repertoire, and Feldman once compared it to capturing the largest butterfly in captivity. Late seating will not be permitted for this performance.

Experience a weekly Afro-Cuban dance class with live drumming at TreeHouse Studio & Lounge in downtown Ithaca. Sessions focus on traditional and folkloric movement set to live percussion, emphasizing the bond between rhythm and storytelling. Instruction is led by Adolfo Castillo and Lisbet Lopez, professional dancers and cultural bearers from Guantánamo, Cuba. Expect to explore vibrant pieces that convey cultural narratives, rotate into new styles each month while revisiting earlier material during warm-ups, and strengthen technique useful across many movement arts. The environment supports both physical and mental well-being and fosters a welcoming sense of community. All ages, backgrounds, and experience levels are welcome, and no prior dance experience is required. Bringing water, and a towel if needed, is recommended. Registration is required each week, with a six-participant minimum, and attendees are added to a WhatsApp group for class updates. Pricing is $15 per class when paying monthly or $20 for drop-ins, with sliding scale, pay-what-you-can, and punch card options available. No one is turned away for lack of funds. First-time students are asked to register and prepay via Venmo (@Salsa-Ithaca) or CashApp ($SalsaIthaca). Those who prefer cash, check, or other methods can indicate that during registration to arrange alternatives. Registration signifies an expectation of payment. For questions or arrangements, contact 607-375-7090 or salsaithaca@gmail.com.