The summer of 2024 in Ithaca is set to be an unforgettable season for music enthusiasts, offering a diverse array of events from reggae and rock to jazz and folk.
Ithaca Reggae Festival
The 6th Annual Ithaca Reggae Fest will return to Stewart Park, on Saturday, June 22, with a free Welcome Party on Friday, June 21. The festival started in 2017 and is dedicated to protecting Cayuga Lake through conscious celebration and raising funds for environmental organizations addressing water resource issues.
On June 21, the Welcome Party at the Large Pavilion will feature performances by Pachyman and his live dub band, DJ ha-MEEN, Ononkwa Medicine, and GIAC Jumpers, running from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Attendees can enjoy food and beverages available for purchase.
The main event on June 22 will kick off with a Yoga session led by Yoga Farm from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., featuring 108 Sun Salutations. This will be followed by music performances starting after 12 p.m., including acts such as John Brown’s Body, Peachyman, Sister Nancy, EarthKry, Mosaic Foundation, Root Shock, The Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ, Otha Day, and DJ Ha-meen.
The day will also include the Lake Discovery Village, an educational space with interactive activities focused on Cayuga Lake’s health, a Skateboarding Event, and an Art Village.
Tickets for the event are priced at $40 from April 23 to June 21, and $50 at the gate on June 22. Children under 16 can attend for free when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
CFCU Summer Concert Series
The CFCU Summer Concert Series, organized by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, celebrates its 24th year of free live music performances every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bernie Milton Pavilion on the Commons, except on July 4 and July 18.
The series features a variety of local and regional artists, starting with Front & Main and Alex Cano on June 13, and continuing with acts such as Thousands of One and New Planets on June 20, Ariel Arbisser and Destiny Lavibe on June 27, Neo Project on July 11, Freight and Mike Powell & Echosound on July 25, Firely Trio with Donna Leigh and Li'l Anne and Hot Cayenne on August 1, Singtrece & Stone Cole Miracle on August 8, Small Kings and Terrapin Station on August 15, Gunpoets on August 22, Fall Creek Grass Band on August 29, Kitestring and Noon Fifteen on September 5, and Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots on September 12.
This series offers a vibrant and entertaining experience for attendees of all ages.
South Hill Cider Community Concert Series & Golden Hour Music Series
The Community Concert Series will take place every Thursday from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, featuring local and regional musicians. Attendees can enjoy cider by the glass, co*cktails, local beer, and farm-to-table food. The series starts on June 20 with Claire Byrne's Stringband, followed by the Ithaca Concert Band on June 27. The lineup continues with Heavy Bone Zydeco on July 4, Jackson Cavalier on July 11, and Trevor MacDonald on July 18. Other performers include Rena Guinn, Freight, Annie Sumi, Peggy Haine with Dave Davies RhythmMakers, and the Sim Redmond Band.
The Golden Hour Music Series will be held every Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, featuring a mix of local favorites and regional acts. This series begins on June 21 with The Comb Down, followed by Scuba Jerry on June 28. Subsequent performances include Gunpoets on July 5, Jorge T. Cuevas and the Caribe Jazz Allstars on July 12, and the Sim Redmond Band on July 19. The series will feature Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots, Thousands of One, Rose & the Bros, The Bigness, and Double Tiger.
For more information on the events and the full schedule, visit South Hill Cider’s official website: South Hill Cider
Cornell Friday Concert Series
Cornell University's School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions will host its annual Friday Concert Series from June through August 2024. The series, held on the Arts Quad, offers free outdoor concerts open to the public and begins at 7 p.m. each Friday.
The lineup features a variety of musical genres. On June 28, Ghanaian drummer and composer Paa Kow will kick off the series with his Afro-fusion sound, blending rhythms from his homeland with jazz and African roots. On July 5, SingTrece & Stone Cold Miracle will deliver a mix of soulful energy and rock edge. Renowned saxophonist Bill Easley will perform with the I-bop Jazz Septet on July 12, presenting a night of extraordinary jazz. The series continues on July 19 with Jorge T. Cuevas and the Caribe Jazz Allstars, who will bring a Latin dance party featuring salsa, cha-cha, bolero, samba, and merengue. Concluding the July lineup, the Ithaca-based live hip-hop band Gunpoets will perform on July 26, spreading messages of peace, love, and justice through their music.
Free parking is available on campus after 5 p.m. For more details, visit the Cornell SCE events page.
Grassroots Music Festival
The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance is gearing up for another exciting year, scheduled to take place from July 18-21, 2024, at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds. This four-day festival, known for its eclectic mix of music and dance, has announced a diverse lineup that promises to appeal to a wide range of musical tastes.
Headlining the festival are iconic acts such as Donna the Buffalo, Old Crow Medicine Show, and the legendary Mavis Staples. Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Willie Watson, and Bombino are joining them, among many others. The lineup also includes a rich selection of genres, featuring artists like The Rumble ft. Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr., Keith Frank & The Soileau Zydeco Band, Driftwood, and Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad.
The festival will feature over 70 bands performing across multiple stages. Attendees can expect a variety of music styles, including folk, reggae, bluegrass, rock, and world music. Additionally, the festival will host dance workshops, art installations, local food vendors, and craft stalls, creating a vibrant and immersive cultural experience.
A particular highlight of this year's festival is the GrassRoots Culture Camp, which will run from July 14 to 17, just before the main event. This camp offers immersive music, dance, and crafts workshops, providing a hands-on learning experience from skilled artists and performers.
Tickets for the GrassRoots Festival are available now, with prices for a weekend pass set at $150 in advance and $170 at the gate, and day passes available for $50 per day. Youth passes for ages 13-15 are priced at $75 for the weekend, and children under 12 can attend for free with an accompanying adult.
For a complete list of performers and to purchase tickets, visit the official GrassRoots Festival website.
