Wu-Tang Clan's literary emcee GZA, or the Genius, will return to town Saturday, February 12 for a performance at Ithaca College. Photo provided
IT’S BEEN THREE years since the release of his last album “Pro Tools,” and GZA shows no signs of working on a follow-up. One of the nine members of the Staten Island supergroup Wu-Tang Clan, the hip hop emcee has gone on to prove himself a talented solo artist, and an innovative collaborator. But after promising fans a follow-up to 1995’s seminal “Liquid Swords,” GZA disappointed droves by announcing on Twitter last week that the project was shelved.
But as he proved two years ago opening for Girl Talk at Barton Hall, the Genius has both the back catalogue and the bravado to hold his own. Saturday, February 12, he returns to town for a show at Ithaca College sponsored by the school’s Board of Concerts; the Vermont-based break-dance group Rhythm Riderz Crew open. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit dansmallspresents.com.
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For the seventh year in a row, Sim Redmond, Jen Middaugh and Nate Silas Richardson will also present a Valentine’s Day show at Delilah’s on Cayuga on Saturday, February 12; tickets for the 9:00 p.m. show are $7. Kevin Kinsella and the Aceto Brothers will open for the trio.
“I’ve written a lot of love songs for my wife (‘Wishing Well’ was for Cheyenne), some of which are a little too mellow even for the Sim Redmond Band shows. So this is an opportunity to play some of those songs, as well as the more upbeat love songs that do work in SRB’s set,” Redmond wrote by email.
The singer and songwriter went on to call the Valentine’s Day show one of his favorite annual traditions. “I feel a little young to give advice, but I have been together with my wife for over ten years! I guess if there’s anything I’ve learned it’s that if you want to keep something healthy you need to always nurture it.”
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Bound for Glory, North America’s longest running live-music folk broadcast, is in the midst of its 44th season. This Sunday will be a special occasion, as Bound for Glory founder Phil Shapiro will be marking his 65th birthday and will be the featured performer along with his duo partner, Carrie Shore. The show runs Sunday night from 8 to 11, with live sets at 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30 at the Cafe at Anabel Taylor Hall at Cornell. It’s also broadcast on WVBR-FM, 93.5 and 105.5, and streaming on line at wvbr.com.