Happy Hour with The Brian Lindsay Band
Jul
24
5:30 PM17:30

Happy Hour with The Brian Lindsay Band

Doors 4pm, Music 5:30pm

Brian Lindsay Band

Brian Lindsay delivers an inspired roots-rocking record that is filled with swagger and inspired performances.  Backed by his veteran band and some of New York’s finest musicians, they burn through 10 songs in his trademark conceptual format. With his lyrical craftsmanship, he transports the listener to places and times, bringing a renewed sense of hope and purpose to a world...that is long over-due for revival. 

Following the success of Lindsay’s first 3 LPs, The Crossing, Esperanza, The Monkey, The Tango and the Boogaloo, which all had songs that were added to over 150 Triple A format radio stations nationally, critics agree this LP, REVIVAL is his finest.

The Brian Lindsay band has shared the stage with The Smithereens, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Shooter Jennings, Donna the Buffalo, Willie Nile, Poppa Chubby, The Outlaws and The Little River Band, to name a few.  

https://brianlindsay.net/

https://www.facebook.com/blindsaymusic

Cover: $7


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 Rochester's own "Fox 45" with Cleveland's "Kid Tested"
Jul
24
9:15 PM21:15

Rochester's own "Fox 45" with Cleveland's "Kid Tested"

Doors 4pm, Music 9:15pm

Fox 45

They’re a heavy psych and stoner rock band executing riffs and destruction!

https://www.instagram.com/foxfortyfive/

https://www.facebook.com/foxfortyfive

Kid Tested

This three-piece machine from Cleveland, Ohio extrudes a sound which ranges from driving power ballads like, “Drawing in The Sand,” to crafted and orchestrated riff rock songs like, “Service Engine Soon” and experiments in melodic pop tunes such as, “Friend and Enemies.”

The songs are well crafted, with thoughtful lyrics containing genuine expression of the human condition. Known for their bass player’s goofy stage acrobatics and the singer’s predilection for a general higher strata weirdness, and the slick drumming of Dr. James Beil, this band undoubtedly puts on an exciting and sometimes chaotic live performance.  Kid Tested consists of singer and guitar player Shawn Mishak, Bassist Dominic Ricciardi, and drummer Jim Beil. Kid Tested has been playing since 2001. They have performed at Studio-A-Rama in Cleveland three times and have shared bills with acts such as: Land of Talk, Mission of Burma, Jad Fair, UME, and The Suzan. Mishak also wrote, directed, and helped produce a drama about a fictional Cleveland band called, “Long Way to Oblivion,” which premiered at the 35th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival and featured an all-Cleveland based band soundtrack. He is also currently in post-production on a documentary about two prominent Cleveland musicians.

Kid Tested is soon to release their long overdue fourth album, “How We Do” which is due out in the autumn of 2026 with tour dates in the works.

https://www.facebook.com/kidtestedband/https://www.facebook.com/kidtestedband/

Cover: $10 at the door

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A Full Night of Grateful Dead with Delilah Jones!
Jul
25
7:00 PM19:00

A Full Night of Grateful Dead with Delilah Jones!

Doors 6pm, Music 7pm

Delilah Jones

Delilah Jones brings their high-energy interpretations of Grateful Dead classics to life at Abilene Bar & Lounge on Saturday July 25.

Lineup consists of: Mike Bowers - drums Scott Calpin - mandolin/guitar Jack Moore - guitar/vocals Trevor Nilson - bass guitar Travis Prinzi - vocals Rick Ruhmel - keys/vocals

https://www.facebook.com/DelilahJonesBand/

Cover: $13

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"Glow in the Dark"--"Rissa The Righter" Birthday Bash with many special guests!
Jul
30
7:00 PM19:00

"Glow in the Dark"--"Rissa The Righter" Birthday Bash with many special guests!

Doors 4pm, Music 7pm

Rissa The Righter

Rissa the Righter is a boundary-breaking indie artist whose electrifying sound blends rap, soulful vocals, and dynamic performances on piano and guitar. Fueled by a lifelong passion for music, Rissa creates with authenticity and purpose, crafting dozens of original songs and collaborating on features that transcend genres. Rissa's music is designed to move people, turning emotion into energy in motion.

Inspired by legends like J. Cole, Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Freddie Mercury, and LaRussell, Rissa brings a fresh yet timeless energy to every stage. She has performed coast to coast, sharing stages with artists like LaRussell, AJ McQueen, and Jon B, with unforgettable shows in Los Angeles, NYC, and Philadelphia. Her journey includes playing in the Strings for Success orchestra, winning Day 26’s Headliner Showcase, and being personally booked on stage by LaRussell.

https://rissatherighter.com/

With Special Guests including..

Arron Lovejoy

Ethan Saves

Charli Unity

Moses The Prophet

God is Goddess

Free Thought Fitz

Wizardry

Ronnie 2XS

Tickets: $15 and on sale now Glowin In The Dark : Rissa The Righters Birthday Concert - Rissa The Righter and available at the door

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"Hey Dude After Hours" presents...The Fall Down Festival Preview & Cookout
Aug
2
1:00 PM13:00

"Hey Dude After Hours" presents...The Fall Down Festival Preview & Cookout

Hey Dude After Hours presents…

​The Fall Down Festival Preview & Cookout

Event 1pm till 7pm

The Dirt Turtles

The Dirt Turtles are your friendly neighborhood honky tonkin, rock-a-billy, blues band outta the WNY/Fingerlakes region.
https://dirtturtles.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61560822022487

Papa Muse

Described as "Indie World," Papa Muse blends rock and world music with catchy hooks and funky dance-able grooves. Papa Muse has been compared to the Talking Heads, Rusted Root, Paul Simon, Devo and Rush. It's danceable and intelligent music.  

The songs are polished and often move in different directions to make them unpredictable and fresh.  The lyrics are meaningful and often present an altruistic vision for humanity, deep yet relatable and easy to digest.

The live show is dynamic and interactive, so while the message behind the music can be deep and introspective, the live show is light, whimsical and fun. "I want to inspire a sense of community empowerment and affect positive change, but without sounding preachy, so I try to keep my live show light and fun while singing about what matters most to me."

https://papamuse.com/

https://www.facebook.com/PapaMuseMusic/

Rachel Kroft Collective (Rage+Chaz)

Chaz Santucci was born in Rochester NY, and grew up in Livonia NY. Living in a small town gave him all the time to teach himself guitar starting at the age of 11. His major influences in music are wide in genre. Dinosaur Jr, Tool, Talking Heads, The Grateful Dead, Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, Primus, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, The Breakfast, Pinback, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Lotus, and The Kinks are some of his favorite bands.

Rachel JanMarie Kroft (Ragechill Jamboree Kroftington) is a Rochester native of 31 years, who started singing before she could talk. And she hasn't stopped. Whether it's an italian aria or opera, easy listening dinner jazz, or festivals all over the country. Rachel found her chops as a vocalist in Manhattan during her college years, and she's still going strong. Her current collaboration with LSTN has brought a deliberate, powerful sound to this predominantly instrumental group. Rachel credits her sound to influencers such as Susan Tedeschi, Hayley Williams, Kanika Moore, Bonnie Raitt, Amy Winehouse, and more.

https://www.facebook.com/RagechillKroftington/

Tickets: $20 advance, $25 day of show, $20 with a dish to pass. Tickets on sale now at Abilene Bar and Lounge

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Igor & the Red Elvises! Live on the Patio!
Aug
3
7:30 PM19:30

Igor & the Red Elvises! Live on the Patio!

Doors 6pm, Music 7pm

Igor & The Red Elvises

Igor Yuzov was born in Germany, raised in Ukraine and studied in Russia. He grew up in the former Soviet Union, where folk music was the norm and rock'n'roll was illegal. A rebellious streak, however, led him to seek out the forbidden music. As soon as it became possible, Igor left Russia for America with his “Folk'n'Roll" band Limpopo and was personally greeted by Ronald Reagan. In 1993, Limpopo won Ed McMahon's Star Search and their popularity began to blossom. In 1995, Igor dreamed that Elvis Presley came to him and told him to start playing rock'n'roll. Igor and his Russian friends became Red Elvises and gave street performances on Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade. As their crowds grew larger, the City of Santa Monica ordered them to discontinue their street performances. Evolving over the years, Igor’s music has been labeled "Siberian Surf Rock” which contains humorous lyrics and grooves that forces his audience to dance. Over the past 20 years, Red Elvises have constantly toured all over the world with occasional breaks to record new music and to participate in film and television projects.

As an independent band, Red Elvises have produced 12 studio albums, two live albums, a live concert DVD, and a Greatest Hits compilation. Some of their most notable film contributions include music and or performances in “Six String Samurai”, “Mail Order Bride”, “Armageddon”, “Skippy”,  “Melrose Place”, “Fastlane", “Penn and Teller's Sin City Extravaganza”, “VH-1 Behind the Music”, and “MTV”. Red Elvises have performed for large festivals, private parties, and played on massive stages such as 2005's Live 8 Benefit Concert. No matter where they perform, Igor & Red Elvises always bring the party with them!

https://www.facebook.com/igorandredelvises/

Tickets: $18 advance, $22 day of show and on sale now online at https://abilene.showare.com and at the bar


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August Thursday Night Residency with Public Water Supply!
Aug
6
8:00 PM20:00

August Thursday Night Residency with Public Water Supply!

Doors 4pm, Music 8pm

Public Water Supply

Public Water Supply is a force of nature rising out of hills of upstate New York, an Alt-Rock/Indie Americana collective that turns music into magik. Powered by university-trained musicians, PWS blends fearless songwriting, spellbinding vocals, and virtuosic musicianship into a sound that feels both timeless and electrifyingly new. PWS has enchanted festival crowds and sold-out rooms alike all across the country including The Waterhole, Borderland Festival, GrassRoots and the Rochester International Jazz festival.

https://publicwatersupplymusic.com/

With Iggy’s Special Guest…

Zac Lijewski

Zac Lijewski is the fiddle player in A Girl Named Genny. He also plays in several groups in Rochester NY such as The Honey Smugglers and Big Jazz Small Band. Zac has arranged string parts for over five full length albums, and is currently working on an independent piece reimagining music for the Zelda series. Zac went to school at Nazareth College before he co-founded UUU Art Collective, an art gallery in Rochester that initiates cultural conversations through artists and art spaces.

https://www.facebook.com/zac.lijewski.3/

Cover: $10 at the door

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Ahren Henby, Stephen Babcock, Delaney West
Aug
7
7:00 PM19:00

Ahren Henby, Stephen Babcock, Delaney West

Doors 4pm, Music 7pm

Ahren Henby

Ahren Henby is an indie pop/rock singer-songwriter based in Rochester, NY. Born and raised in Western New York, Ahren picked up music young and never put it down, writing songs and building a sound that's stayed with him ever since. Ahren draws on his influences of artists like John Mayer, Billy Joel, Jackson Browne, and Noah Kahan.

After spending his early 20's in Rochester, Ahren spent time in New Jersey playing guitar with the band Fake Pockets before the pull of the Flower City brought him home. Since returning, he's continued to write and perform, most recently releasing his synth-soaked single “Fold Before The Turn". His next single, “Redemption” is set to be released on July 22nd and is a return to his singer/songwriter roots. Ahren's music draws on years of playing live and refining his craft, both on his own and alongside other musicians. 

https://ahrenhenby.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ahrenhenby

Stephen Babcock

Stephen Babcock is an indie pop singer-songwriter whose roots run deep in the Rust Belt, where the working-class spirit of Upstate New York continues to shape his music. Raised in a family of four, including a twin brother, Babcock discovered his love for music early on through the influence of his father. At the age of 13, he began writing songs, marking the beginning of a journey grounded in authenticity, resilience, and craft.

After nearly a decade of honing his sound, Babcock released his debut project Said & Done, a collection that reflected his blue-collar upbringing and set the stage for a national tour. From songwriter circles in Nashville to venues across the country, he quickly gained a reputation for his heartfelt lyricism and compelling live performances.

His 2018 EP Fiction earned critical acclaim for its genre-blending style, leading to opportunities to open for artists such as Ed Sheeran, William Hinson, and Brad Goodall. Babcock has since been featured in PASTE, Atwood Magazine, Variance Magazine, and other notable outlets. He has also brought his music to major stages, performing at prominent festivals including NXNE, Musikfest, Music Is Art, and more.

Following the success of Monroe (2021) and When We Were Kids Ourselves (2022), Babcock continued to evolve his sound while staying true to his storytelling roots. His 2024 full-length album A Break in the Conversation marked a significant step forward, earning praise from both fans and critics alike.

Now based in Buffalo, NY, Babcock continues to push creative boundaries. After releasing numerous singles this year, including partnering with the Buffalo Sabres to release his song, “Hockey Town”, Stephen’s latest single, “Bury You Alive” released in February 2026. It’s a glimpse into a new chapter that builds on a body of work defined by emotional clarity, melodic strength, and a deep connection to place.

Stephen Babcock's music is both personal and universal, a testament to finding beauty in struggle and meaning in the everyday.

https://www.stephenbabcockmusic.com/

https://www.instagram.com/stephenbmusic?igsh=MXBwZWw0ZHJ0bWN1&utm_source=qr

Delaney West

Delaney West is a singer-songwriter from Rochester, New York, making folk-inspired indie music rooted in honest storytelling and thoughtful songwriting. She’s been writing songs since her early teens, using music as a way to make sense of the world around her and the experiences that shape her. Influenced by artists like Billie Marten, Flyte, Angie McMahon, Leonard Cohen, and Laura Marling, Delaney’s music blends intimate lyrics with warm melodies and a quietly reflective sound. After spending time at Berklee College of Music, she continued developing her voice as an artist, leaning into a style that feels both personal and timeless.

https://www.facebook.com/delaney.west.50/

https://www.instagram.com/delaneywest/?hl=en

Cover: $10

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Abilene Faves...Kelley's Heroe's!
Aug
8
7:30 PM19:30

Abilene Faves...Kelley's Heroe's!

Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

Kelley’s Heroe’s

Kelley's Heroes Band returns to Abilene on August 8 to celebrate four years as a band — back on the stage where they played their second-ever gig in 2022. In the four years since, KHB has recorded two albums (with a third, American Mutation, on the way), written more than 30 original songs, and built a repertoire nearly 100 songs deep. Expect a fiery set that's almost entirely new since that 2022 night — featuring music from the upcoming album, the new single "Daisy," and at least one brand-new song making its live debut. Enjoy a great night of music and friends!
Kelley's Heroes Band is a Rochester, NY original rock outfit led by singer-songwriter and guitarist John Kelley, along with Jon Gary.
Formed in 2022, the band has recorded two albums and written more than 30 originals in four years, drawing on classic American rock and roots traditions while keeping the songwriting front and center — sharp narrators, vivid imagery, and songs that hold together as a body of work.
The band is currently at work on its third album, American Mutation, a 12-track set slated for late 2026, led by the new single "Daisy." Alongside Kelley, the lineup features Jon Gary (bass/vocals), Jim Conner (drums), Jason Titus (keys), and Dan Hoh (guitar).

https://www.facebook.com/KelleysHeroesBand/

Cover: $10

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August Thursday Night Residency with Public Water Supply!
Aug
13
8:00 PM20:00

August Thursday Night Residency with Public Water Supply!

Doors 4pm, Music 8pm

Yeah, it’s a “Singer-Songwriter Circle,” hosted by PWS

Public Water Supply

Public Water Supply is a force of nature rising out of hills of upstate New York, an Alt-Rock/Indie Americana collective that turns music into magik. Powered by university-trained musicians, PWS blends fearless songwriting, spellbinding vocals, and virtuosic musicianship into a sound that feels both timeless and electrifyingly new. PWS has enchanted festival crowds and sold-out rooms alike all across the country including The Waterhole, Borderland Festival, GrassRoots and the Rochester International Jazz festival.

https://publicwatersupplymusic.com/

and the band’s special guests….

Brock Saltsman

https://www.facebook.com/brock.saltsman

Rose Elliott

Rose Elliott (they/them) is a singer-songwriter from Rochester, New York, making heart-felt music about love, time, acceptance, politics, growing up, and the hard-to-name feelings that come with being human.

From the artist: “My sound is gentle, melancholy, and quietly up lifting. I aim to write lyrics that are personal to me, but easy to find yourself in. I’ve been told my voice feels old-timey, distinct, and all my own — which I truly appreciate. I love creating spaces where people can listen, feel, and connect. My music is for anyone trying to feel their way through the ache, beauty, and strangeness of being alive.”

https://www.facebook.com/rose.elliott.948

Kris Schramm

Kris Schramm is a luthier and owner of K-Robin Guitars. Kris performs his soulful and grounded-in-reality original tunes with the band, Senor Jefe, as well as playing with bands such as Stars Malign. Kris has also been a featured singer in tribute shows to Jimi Hendrix and The Last Waltz. Whether singing, playing bass or guitar, Kris brings a powerful sense of feel and melody to all he does.

https://www.krobinguitars.com/about

Cover: $10 at the door


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The Return of "Bear Bones!"
Aug
14
7:30 PM19:30

The Return of "Bear Bones!"

Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

Bear Bones

Bear Bones was started by Frank Boehm and Sonam Targee 25 years ago playing acoustic music. The present-day form is an eclectic mix of original dance music. Reggae, Rock, and World Beat are staples in a Bear Bones set. Frank Boehm, Peet Mugnolo, Jim Schwarz, Chris Distasio, and Kris Kimmel is the current lineup. An all-star cast including members of The Majestics, Buddhahood, and Subsoil. 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552335939349

Cover: $15


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Devin Tuel & Stephen Harms
Aug
19
7:00 PM19:00

Devin Tuel & Stephen Harms

Doors 4pm, Music 7pm

Devin Tuel & Stephen Harms

Devin Tuel & Stephen Harms (formerly Native Harrow) have mesmerized audiences across the US, Canada, UK, and Europe with a series of six self-produced albums and a decade of captivating live performances. Known for their individualistic blend of folk-rock, soul, RnB, and Americana/roots, they have created a discography of “rich, engrossing records” and “instant classics” while single-mindedly following their own artistic code. They’ve consistently toured throughout Europe and the North America and have shared stages with Eagles, Robert Plant & Alison Kraus, Beth Hart, Sierra Ferrell, Courtney Marie Andrews, The Heavy Heavy, The Cactus Blossoms, and more.Their original perspective and extraordinary songwriting, combined with a completely individual approach to crafting albums and steering their career, has dubbed the pair, “Twilight twang and vintage vibes” (ROLLING STONE), “Exquisite. Expect forays into desert funk, warm ‘70s groove, jazz and piano balladry” (UNCUT), and “Razor-sharp folk rock” (MOJO).

https://dtshofficial.com/

Cover: Special Low-Dough Show-Ten Bucks at the Door

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August Thursday Night Residency with Public Water Supply!
Aug
20
8:00 PM20:00

August Thursday Night Residency with Public Water Supply!

Doors 4pm, Music 8pm

“Old Friends,” A Tribute to Simon & Garfunkel

Public Water Supply

Public Water Supply is a force of nature rising out of hills of upstate New York, an Alt-Rock/Indie Americana collective that turns music into magik. Powered by university-trained musicians, PWS blends fearless songwriting, spellbinding vocals, and virtuosic musicianship into a sound that feels both timeless and electrifyingly new. PWS has enchanted festival crowds and sold-out rooms alike all across the country including The Waterhole, Borderland Festival, GrassRoots and the Rochester International Jazz festival.

https://publicwatersupplymusic.com/

https://simonandgarfunkel.com/

Cover: $10 at the door


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The Abilene Happy Hour Debut of "Deep Blue String Band"
Aug
21
5:30 PM17:30

The Abilene Happy Hour Debut of "Deep Blue String Band"

Doors 4pm, Music 5:30pm

The Deep Blue String Band is a five-piece string band from Rochester, New York, brought together through friendship and a shared musical home at the Submarine School of Music. Rooted in the traditions of bluegrass, old-time fiddle tunes, Americana, and folk, the band blends timeless classics with contemporary influences to create a sound that's both familiar and fresh.

Drawing inspiration from bluegrass legends like Flatt & Scruggs, the Osborne Brothers, and Bill Monroe, while embracing the modern songwriting and genre-bending styles of Watchhouse, the Grateful Dead, and Wilco, Deep Blue String Band delivers spirited performances filled with rich harmonies, driving rhythms, and plenty of improvisation.

The band features Teresa Gianni on fiddle, Jeff Hartman on banjo, Kyle Sinden on bass and guitar, Jim Erwin on guitar, and Audra Naujokas on mandolin.

Come out for a good pickin' time with the Deep Blue String Band!

Cover: $7

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CAROLYN WONDERLAND & SHELLEY KING!!!
Aug
25
7:30 PM19:30

CAROLYN WONDERLAND & SHELLEY KING!!!

Doors 6pm, Music 7:30pm

A Very Special Performance!

Featuring…CAROLYN WONDERLAND & SHELLEY KING!

A musical force equipped with the soulful vocals of Janis and the guitar slinging skills of Stevie Ray, Carolyn Wonderland reaches into the depths of the Texas blues tradition with the wit of a poet. She hits the stage with unmatched presence, a true legend in her time.

“She’d grown up the child of a singer in a band and began playing her mother’s vintage Martin guitar when other girls were dressing dolls. She’d gone from being the teenage toast of her hometown Houston to sleeping in her van in Austin amid heaps of critical acclaim for fine recordings Alcohol & Salvation, Bloodless Revolution, and most recently, Miss Understood, Peace Meal, and Moon Goes Missing.

Along with the guitar and the multitude of other instruments she learned to play – trumpet, accordion, piano, mandolin, lap steel – Wonderland’s ability to whistle remains most unusual. Whistling is a uniquely vocal art seldom invoked in modern music, yet it’s among the most spectacular talents the human voice possesses.

That vocal proficiency was well-established in the singer’s midteens, landing her gigs at Fitzgerald’s by age 15. She absorbed Houston influences like Little Screamin’ Kenny and soaked up the Mad Hatter of Texas music, Doug Sahm. The Lone Star State was as credible and fertile a proving ground for blues in the 1980s as existed, especially in Austin with Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Angela Strehli, Omar & the Howlers, and Lou Ann Barton all in their prime. By the following decade, Austin’s blues luster thinned, but Houston, always a bastion of soul and R&B, boasted the Imperial Monkeys with the effervescent Carolyn Wonderland as ruler of the jungle.

Today, Carolyn is one of the most recognized names in her genre across Austin and the state of Texas.

Shelley King is a musical ambassador of the Austin, Texas sound. For the past twenty years King has built a solid national career as a singer and songwriter who is both a successful solo artist and leader of a formidable band of Austin’s finest musicians. Her blend of original blues, rock, folk, country, soul and gospel led her to be the first woman appointed by the Texas Legislature to represent the state as it’s Official Texas State Artist – Musician; an honor similar to poet laureate. On stage she leads her band through tangents of electric Southern blues and acoustic folk, revved-up Cajun country and rock and roll with a charismatic ease that evidences the resilience of a lifelong performer. She has won Austin Music Awards for Song of the Year and Best Roots Rock Band and released seven albums of original music to rave reviews and radio chart success. Shelley tours relentlessly, performing over 180 dates a year at venues from coffee shops and house concerts to big theaters and major festivals across the world. Her songs have been recorded by numerous national and international artists and appeared in feature films.

https://carolynwonderland.com/

https://www.shelleyking.com/

Tickets: $30 advance, $35 day of show and on sale now online at https://abilene.showare.com and at the bar

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Outlaw Country Siren INDIA RAMEY!
Aug
26
7:30 PM19:30

Outlaw Country Siren INDIA RAMEY!

Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

INDIA RAMEY

After the success of her fiery 2024 LP, Baptized By The Blaze, Nashville outlaw siren India Ramey is back with Villain Era, set for release on May 8, 2026, via Copaco Records/Blue Élan. Baptized By The Blaze was the story of Ramey’s journey through the fire, a harrowing passage toward healing and empowerment. Villain Era is firmly rooted in her own reckoning; it doesn’t ask for permission, it kicks the door wide open.

“This album is the ‘healed’ me,” Ramey says. “I didn’t know how to have boundaries because I was such a people pleaser. When you live your life that way, you lose sight of who you really are. I’ve spent the last few years finding my authentic self, reclaiming my identity. The title track, ‘Welcome To My Villain Era,’ is me saying I’m not going to suffer fools anymore. I’m not compromising anymore. If my boundaries offend you, I’ll happily play the villain in that story.”

Armed with that conviction and a new batch of songs, Ramey left the South for the first time to record in Los Angeles with two-time Grammy-nominated producer Eric Corne. Together, they built a soundscape as cinematic as it is cathartic. Ramey, whose fans have taken to calling her “The Woman In Black” and “the Wednesday Addams of country music,” told Corne she wanted the album to sound like Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn had risen from the grave to score a Quentin Tarantino film. Corne assembled a powerhouse band to help her pull it off, including Ted Russell Kamp (Shooter Jennings) on bass, Eugene Edwards (Dwight Yoakam) and Chris Masterson (Steve Earle, The Mastersons, The Wallflowers) on guitar, Eleanor Whitmore (Steve Earle & The Dukes, The Mastersons) on fiddle, Kevin Brown on drums, Boo Bernstein (Emmylou Harris, Dwight Yoakam) on pedal steel, and Haley Spence Brown (The Doohickeys) on backing vocals.

“He didn’t just listen to me, he heard me,” Ramey says of Corne. “The musicians were equally respectful of what my vision was, and they went above and beyond. It was the most collaborative, emboldening recording experience I've ever had.”

The result is Villain Era: ten spaghetti western–meets–honky tonk vignettes, penned solely by Ramey, laced with grit, gallows humor, and emotional precision. 

With the first notes of opener “We Ride at Dawn,” Ramey puts her boots on the ground and reclaims her territory. A callback to “King of the Ashes” from her 2020 LP Shallow Graves, the song rises from the rubble with reverb, ghostly pedal steel, and the promise of revenge from the women who survived. On “Scattered and Smothered,” Ramey trades the battlefield for a Waffle House booth at 2 a.m., where heartbreak meets hangover in a haze of regret. “Well I’m a hot mess, I must confess / Ever since he brought up takin’ next steps / And my drunk ass needs some hash browns and scrambled eggs,” she sings, As patrons fight, chairs fly, and late-night shenanigans ensue in the background, our heroine is lost in thought, hoping the grease soaks up the memories of the night she’s attempting to put in her rearview. 

The tone turns bittersweet on “Crying in My Lingerie,” a deceptively upbeat breakup song that captures the loneliness of a woman who’s realizing her marriage is over. Doing her best to fan the flames of something long since gone, she drowns her sorrows in boxed wine. Dressed in the now-meaningless symbols of desire and devotion, she realizes she’s become a divorcee in waiting. 

Throughout Villain Era, Ramey explores what it means to step fully into oneself after years of just trying to survive. “There’s a lot of freedom in knowing yourself,” she says. “It makes you feral. But in these times, joy is resistance. We should be having some fun, too.” 

Saving Country Music once wrote, “Many of the women in country music these days love to sing about lighting stuff on fire to symbolically tease their empowerment. With India Ramey, you think she’ll actually haul off and do it.” It’s an apt description for an artist who doesn’t just tell stories of strength, she lives them out loud.

With five studio albums under her belt, Ramey continues to be one of country music’s fiercest truth-tellers. Her 2017 breakout Snake Handler landed her on Rolling Stone’s “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know.” Her 2020 “post-apocalyptic western” album, Shallow Graves, earned international recognition, debuting at #6 on the Euro Americana Chart. Then came 2024’s Baptized By The Blaze, a searing chronicle of her battle with a dependence on prescribed medication and PTSD stemming from childhood trauma. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, she sang on the title track, “Yesterday I set myself on fire / With my own hands I built that funeral pyre / I built it so high the flames touched the sky / And now I am alive because I died.”

Now, with Villain Era, India Ramey stands unapologetically in her power, delivering songs that cut deep and laugh loudly, songs that balance the weight of lived experience with the freedom of release.

https://www.indiaramey.com/

Cover: Special “Low-Dough Show” - Fifteen Bucks at the Door

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August Thursday Night Residency with Public Water Supply!
Aug
27
8:00 PM20:00

August Thursday Night Residency with Public Water Supply!

Doors 4pm, Music 8pm

with Special Guest, Cammy Enaharo

Public Water Supply

Public Water Supply is a force of nature rising out of hills of upstate New York, an Alt-Rock/Indie Americana collective that turns music into magik. Powered by university-trained musicians, PWS blends fearless songwriting, spellbinding vocals, and virtuosic musicianship into a sound that feels both timeless and electrifyingly new. PWS has enchanted festival crowds and sold-out rooms alike all across the country including The Waterhole, Borderland Festival, GrassRoots and the Rochester International Jazz festival.

https://publicwatersupplymusic.com/

Cammy Enaharo

Cammy Enaharo is a singer-songwriter from Rochester, NY whose songs move through self doubt and daily reflection to reveal her hopeful spirit. She records music in various styles including indie-folk and pop.

https://www.facebook.com/CammyEnaharoMusic/

Cover: $10 at the door

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Sarah Borges Band feat. Eric Ambel
Aug
28
7:30 PM19:30

Sarah Borges Band feat. Eric Ambel

Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

Sarah Borges Band

Featuring Eric Ambel

One way or another, Sarah Borges connects with casual mastery. Whether it’s with the comrades she’s collaborated with over nearly 20 sparkling years of music-making, or the vivid portraits of people’s lives – and occasionally her own – she’s sketched in scores of emotionally resonant songs. But most of all, Borges has built a loyal following by connecting, through her own charismatic, down-to-earth spirit, with her audience – whether they’re longtime fans from back when she broke through with her terrific “Silver City” debut in 2004, or newcomers just now joining the party with her brand new 2022 album, “Together Alone”, her eighth. “Sarah’s a fearless writer and performer,” says producer Eric ‘Roscoe’ Ambel, “and she’s a very good musician.” As anyone familiar with Sarah’s songs and performances knows, genuinely soulful music that connects with us -- and connects us to each other -- can simultaneously steal, and heal, hearts. This connection is what has kept Sarah touring and making music for many years, and what keeps us coming back to see her do it.

To call Eric Ambel “The Godfather of Americana” would be doing Ambel a disservice, as his career as a singer/guitarist/songwriter/producer stretches beyond the boundaries of even that seemingly all-encompassing genre. Before Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings were piling up Grammys behind the boards, Ambel was working with bands like the Backsliders, Bottle Rockets, and Blue Mountain, producing records that would form the foundation of what people now call Americana. 

This isn’t even taking to consideration Ambel’s debut solo album, Roscoe’s Gang (1988), which Rolling Stone called “the record Keith Richards should have made,” and which, along with his bona fide rock ‘n’ roll pedigree (a member of Joan Jett’s original Blackhearts lineup, The Del-Lords, collaborations with Syd Straw and Mojo Nixon) earned Ambel a reputation as the go-to producer and guitarist for anyone seeking that raw, loose, electric sound that Ambel made seem so effortless, but proved elusive for so many. Nils Lofgren enlisted Ambel to produce his landmark solo record Crooked Line and the aforementioned Backsliders, Bottle Rockets and Blue Mountain followed, leaning on Ambel to produce the albums that remain their most memorable and enduring works. 

https://sarahborges.com/

https://www.ericambel.com/gigs/

Tickets; $20 advance, $25 day of show and on sale right now at https://abilene.showare.com and at the bar

Special thanks to our good friends at Bop Shop Records!

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Special Show with Nashville Americana Artist, Chloe Kimes
Sep
10
7:30 PM19:30

Special Show with Nashville Americana Artist, Chloe Kimes

Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

Chloe Kimes

Chloe Kimes is a Michigan born singer, songwriter and bandleader currently based in Nashville, TN. She fronts a spirited alt-country outfit and has spent over a decade independently touring and releasing music. Kimes has become known for her powerhouse vocals, dynamic storytelling, and high energy band, traveling the country in her trusty van. She’s opened shows for the likes of Brent Cobb, Lola Kirke and Jelly Roll and put thousands of miles in the making of friends and fans alike with her music. Her early accolades include a spot on NPR Music’s Top Ten Nashville Artists on the Rise following the 2022 release of her well loved debut album. "It’s the early marks of a great Americana storyteller-in-the-making, cut from a cloth reminiscent of contemporary roots heroes like Lucinda Williams." (Johnathan Frahm, For Folk’s Sake). She’s additionally received multiple awards from her home state’s WYCE Radio Michigan Music Jammie Awards including Listener’s Choice Album of the Year (2023) and Artist of the Year (2026). Her new music points towards a courageous sophomore release due out Oct. 2026. Chloe can be found across the country throughout 2026 supporting her upcoming record, her band offering a striking live show with a timeless sound, her tireless voice leading the way while her lyrical sentiments forge their own space in the country Americana scene.

https://www.chloekimesmusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/chloekimesmusic/

https://www.instagram.com/chloekimes/

Cover: Special Low-Dough Show-Fifteen Bucks at the Door

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Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys - Fall 2026
Sep
16
7:30 PM19:30

Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys - Fall 2026

Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

Big Sandy and HIs Fly-Rite Boys

Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

Since forming in 1988 in Southern California, Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys have become one of the world’s most beloved Americana/Roots acts, drawing from the deep musical waters that flow just beneath the surface of Rock & Roll’s fertile soil. A childhood passion for Country, Doo-Wop, and Rhythm & Blues 45s led Sandy (born Robert Williams) to pursue a singing career as a teenager, beginning a life in music that continues decades later. And as his personal record collection continues to grow (75,000 and counting), so does the depth of the musical influences that stream through his songwriting and singing style A critically acclaimed tribute to Tex-Mex hero Freddy Fender, released at the beginning of the 2020 lockdown, points the way forward for Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys as they continue on a path of musical growth. After nearly 35 years on the road, and more than two dozen releases to their credit, they remain key figures on the ever-changing Americana circuit, both on record and in live appearances.

https://www.bigsandy.net/

https://www.bigsandy.net/

Tickets: $25 advance, $30 day of show and on sale now online at https://abilene.showare.com and at the bar

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A Celebration of the Music of Neil Young and CSNY!
Sep
18
8:00 PM20:00

A Celebration of the Music of Neil Young and CSNY!

Doors 4pm, Music 8pm

A Celebration of the Music of…

Neil Young and Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young

Neil Young…The prolific gadfly who frequently jumps from languid folk-inspired music to noisy, full-on rock & roll, while visiting any and all points in between.

Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young….The definitive folk-rock supergroup, led by David Crosby's surreal lyrics, Graham Nash's poetic nuance, Stephen Stills' muscular playing, and Neil Young’s inspirational songwriting and playing.

This wonderful night of joyful music will feature the following musicians…

Mike Bowers on drums, Jack Moore on guitar and vocals, Pete Robinson on vocals, Rick Ruhmel on keyboards and vocals, and Tom Sylvester on bass guitar

https://www.facebook.com/events/2145979076144636

Cover: $15


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"Abilene on the Road" presents "Bahama Mama 50th Anniversary Show!" Live at Photo City Music Hall
Sep
19
7:30 PM19:30

"Abilene on the Road" presents "Bahama Mama 50th Anniversary Show!" Live at Photo City Music Hall

Doors 6:30pm, Music 7:30pm

“Abilene on the Road” presents…..

Bahama Mama 50th Anniversary Show! One Night Only!

Live at Photo City Music Hall, 543 Atlantic Avenue, Rochester, NY 14609

Bahama Mama

Bahama Mama. widely recognized as one of the first white-reggae bands in America, performed up & down the East Coast between 1973 and 1979, blurring the line between Rock and Reggae, and laying the groundwork for future bands like John Brown’s Body, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Thunder Body, The Medicinals, Mosaic Foundation, and more. Bahama Mama truly are the “Godfathers” of that “Roots Rock Reggae”sound.

Bahama Mama released two killer singles, "Lonesome Cowboy / Upstate Skank,” and "Hurricane / Future Fear" and an album, "Bahama Mama Live,” now all highly collectible discs.
Do NOT miss this reunion of original members, Ron Stackman, Lou Lavilla, Jim Schwartz, Jim Kraut, and Charlie Freida….50 years in the making!

Tickets: $25 advance, $30 day of show and on sale now at https://abilene.showare.com, Abilene Bar and Lounge, and Don’s Original (4900 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 14622)

Special thanks to our great friends at Don’s Original!

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Intimate Early  Afternoon Show with Don Potter
Sep
20
1:30 PM13:30

Intimate Early Afternoon Show with Don Potter

Doors 1pm, Music 1:30pm

Don Potter

Long before Nashville knew his name, Don Potter was captivating audiences in upstate New York. A native of Glens Falls, he first made his mark on the Rochester music scene during the late 1960s as a member of the popular Show Stoppers before joining forces with fellow musician Bat McGrath. Their partnership led to collaborations with Chuck Mangione, including the landmark Friends and Love concert alongside Steve Gadd, Stanley Watson, Tony Levin, and Gap Mangione. Potter's distinctive voice would later be featured on additional Mangione recordings, including the acclaimed Children of Sanchez.

A gifted singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Potter released two solo albums before moving to Nashville, where his career took an extraordinary turn. As a producer, arranger, guitarist, and mentor, he helped shape the signature acoustic sound that launched The Judds to international stardom, earning the mother-daughter duo millions of fans around the world. He has also devoted decades to writing, recording, and performing inspirational and Christian music.

Throughout his remarkable career, Potter has contributed his talents as a guitarist, vocalist, and session musician on recordings by an impressive roster of artists, including Elton John, Reba McEntire, Kenny Chesney, Lyle Lovett, and Mark Knopfler. In recognition of his extraordinary musical achievements, he was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2013.

Today, Potter resides in North Carolina but has never lost his connection to western New York. He has returned over the years to perform with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra during its Holiday Pops concerts, and his annual appearances with bassist Wes Foy and keyboardist Bruce Dailey—both former members of Wynonna Judd's touring band—have become a cherished tradition for area music lovers. This special performances offers a rare opportunity to experience one of Rochester's most accomplished musical artists in an intimate setting.

https://www.facebook.com/therealdonpotter/

Ticket: $40 advance, $45 day of show and on sale now online at https://abilene.showare.com and at the bar

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Jake Manzi, Ali Lou & the Sugar Boys, and Alex Northrup
Sep
23
7:00 PM19:00

Jake Manzi, Ali Lou & the Sugar Boys, and Alex Northrup

Doors 4pm, Music 7pm

Jake Manzi

Jake Manzi has been on a journey, and he’s ready to tell you all about it.

Raised in western MA and residing in Los Angeles, Jake’s unique brand of folk rock has earned him significant acclaim, sold-out hometown shows, and opening slots for Dawes, NRBQ, Ron Sexsmith, M. Ward, Lori McKenna, and more.

After a decade of writing songs, making records, and touring across the country, Manzi presents his third full-length record, Getting Somewhere. Recorded mostly-live at Recorders in LA, it’s a confident, assured collection of no-frills Americana gems.

Getting Somewhere sees Manzi at his best, roadtipping through eleven songs that start in nostalgia and end up landing firmly in the present. “When you go, the trouble begins,” he sings, heartsick, in the first track. By the end of the record, accompanied by whirling organ and distant, roomy-sounding drums, things have changed: “I’m finally waking up.”

Co-produced with Gabriel Bernini, the album favors an invisible approach to production: complete takes captured live and minimally dressed up with overdubs. The songs breathe, and the performances speak for themselves. The result is vibrant and immediate, closer to what it sounds like when Manzi takes the stage.

With driving piano that nods to Jackson Browne, heartachey lap steel, and the shimmer of glockenspiel recalling Springsteen's most energetic moments, Getting Somewhere takes us through winding roads with plenty of detours, landing in a place of quiet confidence, truehearted and speckled with delightful imperfections.

Jake is no stranger to collaboration. As part of a close-knit Italian family, he grew up singing around the table after homemade dinners. During a two-month artist residency in France, Manzi wrote much of Getting Somewhere and also collaborated with guitarist (and Remi Wolf co-writer) Jack DeMeo. Together, under the name The Breadwinners, they released their first LP titled ‘Starter’ in February of 2026.

DeMeo’s guitar and vocals appear on Getting Somewhere, alongside keyboardist Eli Salus-Kleiner, Tim Heidecker band lap and pedal steel player Connor “Catfish” Gallagher, Mikaela Davis’ bassist Shane McCarthy, Charlie Faragher on drums, and many more. It’s a lineup featuring old and new: longtime Massachusetts pals who also made the westward migration, and new friends made in LA.

Written during a period of perpetual motion—bouncing from apartment to apartment, undergoing sweeping growth both artistically and personally—Getting Somewhere is an LA record in spirit and sound, with Manzi's New England heart beating at its center.

-Kimaya Diggs

https://www.jakemanzi.com/

Ali Lou & the Sugar Boys

Ali Lou & the Sugar Boys

Ali Lou and the Sugar Boys are a bluegrass band from Rochester, New York. The trio blends Americana nostalgia with a fresh, playful twist. Known for their lighthearted charm, they bring a little sparkle, a little grit, and a whole lot of heart to every performance.

https://www.instagram.com/ali.lou_music/

Alex Northrup

Alex Northrup is a musician/composer/songwriter/producer from and based in Rochester, NY. Lately he’s been playing his own tunes with his backing band the Darlingtones and making a racket onstage with Overhand Sam & Bad Weapon and occasionally with some other groups.

https://www.facebook.com/alexnorthrupmusic/

Cover: $15 at the door


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River Shook & Band with special guests
Sep
25
8:00 PM20:00

River Shook & Band with special guests

Doors 4pm, Music 8pm

River Shook & Band

River Shook is an artist in constant evolution. After a decade spent making their mark on country music, River Shook is closing the door on their first project (Sarah Shook & the Disarmers) and entering an exciting new era. River’s reputation for writing galvanizing, strikingly honest lyrics, and their penchant for tapping elements of Indie rock and pop have forever cemented them as a country artist who energetically pushes the boundaries of their genre into a new frontier. River has delivered fiery fusions of country music and rock n’ roll all over the USA. River Shook is hitting the road in 2026 with their unmistakable voice, a growing collection of brand new songs, smoking talent, and the promise of real, raw, unforgettable live shows. Onstage and off, River Shook isn’t just an artist – they’re a force of nature.

https://www.rivershook.com/

Tickets; $20 advance, $25 day of show and on sale now online at https://abilene.showare.com and at the bar

Huge thanks to Media Sponsor, The Route, WRUR FM, 88.5

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The Joe Beard Trio
Oct
1
7:30 PM19:30

The Joe Beard Trio

Doors 4pm, Music 7pm

An Intimate Evening with Blues Great and Rochester Music Hall of Fame Member...

JOE BEARD with Gian Carlo Cervone and Mike Patric

Born and raised in Ashland, MS, guitarist Joe Beard grew up with the Murphy brothers, one of whom later found an international following as Matt "Guitar" Murphy. Guitarist Nathan Beauregard lived with Beard's cousin, so he was surrounded by aspiring and veteran blues musicians while growing up, and he began singing at an early age. Beard became interested in playing guitar via the Murphy brothers, who sat in with a young B.B. King when he played at the Roosevelt Lake Club. Beard began to learn guitar at age 17 from Ernest Scruggs, a neighbor, before heading to Chicago. Beard moved to Rochester, NY, and from time to time would visit one of his brothers in Chicago. He quickly became enamored of the blues being played in clubs there by people like Jimmy Reed and Sonny Boy Williamson. Beard sat in with John Lee Hooker one night and received encouraging words from Hooker, and also later sat in with his idol, Muddy Waters.While in Rochester, he formed the Soul Brothers Six, playing bass and singing, but he didn't perform in public on guitar until 1965. Beard befriended classic blues guitarist Son House, who was a neighbor in Rochester, and played a concert for students at the University of Rochester in 1968. Beard worked as an electrician by day and would occasionally play out at night and on weekends for most of the '60s on through to the '80s. He has a reputation as one of the best local players around, and though he may not be a household name in other parts of the U.S., he toured Europe in 1983 and did studio and stage work with Buster Benton, Lafayette Leake, and Memphis Slim. At the famed BK Lounge, Beard and his backing bands opened for Bobby Bland, Albert King, and others.

https://www.facebook.com/joebeardblues

https://www.facebook.com/gian.c.cervone

https://www.facebook.com/mike.patric

Special thanks to our friends, Doug Camp and Cicero Ryland Jr..,true music fans.

Cover: $10


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Happy Hour with Mystic Stew
Oct
2
5:30 PM17:30

Happy Hour with Mystic Stew

Doors 4pm, Music 5:30pm

MYSTIC STEW

With roots firmly planted by acoustic instruments, the band brings irresistible energy, endearing themselves to audiences of all ages with electric enthusiasm. Formed in 2014 Mystic Stew is a 5 piece Independent Country Rockin' Americana Band.

In 2024 the band celebrated their 10th Anniversary by recording a widely anticipated second full-length studio album while continuing to tour the Wineries, Brew Pubs and Music Venues around the Finger Lakes Region.

Mystic Stew is Ross Brown, Chris Towner, Colin Hansford, Joe Distefano, and Greg Clark.

https://www.mysticstew.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MysticStew

Cover: $7 at the door

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Special Tuesday Night Show feat. "The Claudettes"
Oct
6
7:30 PM19:30

Special Tuesday Night Show feat. "The Claudettes"

Doors 6pm, Music 7:30pm

The Claudettes

Six albums into their lauded career, the Claudettes (of Chicago) continue to put a fascinating new spin on American roots music. Blues and R&B are laced with punk spirit and film-noir moods to create the band’s singular “garage cabaret” sound. The Claudettes have earned worldwide acclaim with their recordings and concerts that are equal parts heart, musicianship and theatrical flair. Force-of-nature vocalist Rachel Williams (who dominates the stage like a glam-rock rebirth of Annie Lennox and renowned pianist/songwriter Johnny Iguana join the positively heroic rhythm section of Zach Verdoorn (bass, guitar, vocals) and Michael Caskey (drums). Outside the Claudettes, Iguana has toured with Junior Wells and Otis Rush, played on many Grammy-nominated albums and recorded with Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Derek Trucks, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Johnny Winter and more. Johnny is also composer of the score for the Emmy-winning smash FX/Hulu series “The Bear.”

“Chicago’s original recipe band…The Claudettes’ sonic playing field is the blues and everything after, all tastefully and artfully blended together….Perhaps the band’s greatest super power: songwriting.”—NPR Music

“A skewed cabaret band of blues, jazz and rockabilly…a sensibility that feels equal parts James Dean and David Lynch.”—Minneapolis Star-Tribune

“Holy Mackerel…I hear so many levels of what I consider amazing creativity…I hear touches of Jerry Lee Lewis at his most manic…of cinema…of multiple genres wrapping around one another…These guys are the B-movies of the music world—maybe not understood now, but in the future, the kings and queens of the universe!”—Frank Gutch Jr., No Depression

The Claudettes Go Out! shows the band’s mastery of every era of American music, from the roots of the blues to today’s modern pop….the Claudettes pen standards for a new generation.”—J. Poet, Rock & Roll Globe

https://theclaudettes.com/

Cover: $15 at the door

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Sixth  Annual John Prine Birthday Tribute Weekend Night One feat. Boyd Parker Ambush
Oct
9
7:30 PM19:30

Sixth Annual John Prine Birthday Tribute Weekend Night One feat. Boyd Parker Ambush

Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

John Prine Birthday Tribute featuring the Boyd Parker Ambush

Boyd Parker Ambush

The Boyd Parker Ambush has its roots in Livingston County, much like the minor military engagement during the Revolutionary War which inspired its name. Led by two guitar-wielding lead vocalists Jeff Sherner (The Genesee Revelers) & Nick Cory Young (Burning Daylight), the lineup is rounded out by Jeff Simpson (The Genesee Revelers) on bass & Sean Sullivan on drums. The band’s sound draws heavily from legendary singer-songwriter John Prine so it's no surprise that the group is returning to Abilene for the fifth year in a row to honor and pay tribute to an artist often referred to as "the Mark Twain of songwriting". Expect to hear songs from throughout Prine's almost 50 year career and don't forget to bring your dancing shoes.

https://www.facebook.com/boydparkerambush

Tickets: $15 and on sale now at https://abilene.showare.com/ and at the bar


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Album Release Show  with Heart Throbs String Band
Oct
16
5:30 PM17:30

Album Release Show with Heart Throbs String Band

Doors 4pm, Music 5:30pm

Heart Throbs String Band

The Heart Throbs String Band blends folk, Eastern European swing jazz, and American roots music into something that feels both timeless and fresh. Rooted in American roots music and branching out in all directions the band pulls from Django jazz, Western NY traditionals, and their own songwriting to build something that swings hard and settles deep. Whether they're putting their spin on a classic standard or introducing an original tune, The Heart Throbs have a knack for making audiences feel like they've stumbled into their living room for an intimate house concert. Step into their world and you'll find Gabrielle Kosoy's lush vocals weaving through intricate, earthy arrangements. Hannah Garfield and Sean Peek bring ripping chops and fearless energy to every tune, while Dan Lynch and Micah Wiesner lay down driving rhythms and solos that keep your foot stomping and your heart wide open. Together, these five musicians don't just play songs — they build something in the room that's equal parts soulful and sophisticated.

https://www.facebook.com/heartthrobstringband/

Cover: $7


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An Intimate Evening with John Dady
Jul
23
7:00 PM19:00

An Intimate Evening with John Dady

Doors 4pm, Music 7pm

John Dady

John Dady has sung his way into the hearts of his audiences since the 1970’s when he and his brother Joe produced their first album as “The Dady Brothers”.  Captivating audiences young and old, they shared their delightful music throughout the eastern United States and across Ireland. In 2015, they were presented the Tommy Makem Festival of Song Award and in 2020 were inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame. 

Since Joe’s untimely death, John has carried on the tradition. Playing upside-down, left-handed guitar and ukulele, his vast repertoire of songs includes original compositions, Irish and American Folk songs and popular tunes from the Big Band Era to the Beatles and the Band. He tailors each performance to foster a personal connection with his audience. 

https://johndadymusic.com/

Cover: $10

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"Songwriter Showcase"
Jul
22
6:30 PM18:30

"Songwriter Showcase"

Doors 4pm, Music 6pm

“Songwriter Showcase”

Featuring Airin Fae, Kris Acklen, Sara Elizabeth, Jeremy Button, & Katie Alessandra

Come on down to Abilene on July 22 for a night you don’t wanna miss, full of original music with some awesome players.

https://www.instagram.com/airinfae_music/

https://www.krisacklen.com/

http://www.saraelizabethmusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.button.9/

https://www.facebook.com/KatieMangiameleMusic/

Cover: $10 at the door


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Harmonica Lewinski with Ali Lou & the Sugar boys
Jul
18
7:30 PM19:30

Harmonica Lewinski with Ali Lou & the Sugar boys

Doors 6:30pm, Music 7:30pm

Harmonica Lewinski
Out for kicks, Harmonica Lewinski plays music that has been called “tropical trash, greasy garage, dirty disco, and party punk.” In between touring the USA and releasing a slew of vinyl and cassette tapes, they have built a following with their original sound and dance-party live shows. Calling all freaks – get to the go-go.

https://www.facebook.com/harmonicalewinski666/

with Special Guests

Ali Lou & the Sugar Boys

Ali Lou and the Sugar Boys are a bluegrass band from Rochester, New York. The trio blends Americana nostalgia with a fresh, playful twist. Known for their lighthearted charm, they bring a little sparkle, a little grit, and a whole lot of heart to every performance.

https://www.instagram.com/ali.lou_music/

Tickets: $15 and on sale right now online at https://abilene.showare.com and tonight at the door

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The Teressa Wilcox Trio
Jul
17
12:00 PM12:00

The Teressa Wilcox Trio

Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

The Teressa Wilcox Trio

Teressa Wilcox is a Rochester, NY–born singer-songwriter who blends raw emotion with the unapologetic energy of rock and roll. Her sound hits that sweet spot between grit and grace—classic American songwriting drenched in attitude and heart. Over the years, she’s shared the stage with legends like Sam Andrew of Big Brother and the Holding Company, jazz powerhouses Chet Catallo (Spyro Gyra) and Al Chez (The World’s Most Dangerous Band), and opened for icons from Asia to Lucinda Williams. A creative force with global reach, Teressa took her craft overseas, co-writing two Top 40 U.K. hits and landing a publishing deal with the legendary Don Black. Her song “100 Degrees” burned up Time Warner’s Music On Demand campaign, proving what fans already know—Teressa Wilcox doesn’t just play music; she sets it on fire.

https://teressawilcoxmusic.com/

With Nate Coffey and Rob Huff

https://www.facebook.com/nate.coffey.3

https://www.facebook.com/scribedaddy/

Cover: $10 at the door

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"WAMMO" New Album Listening Party!
Jul
16
6:30 PM18:30

"WAMMO" New Album Listening Party!

Doors 4pm, Event 6:30pm

WAMMO LISTENING PARTY!

Roaming the country and throwing pop-up listening parties of his new album, poet, painter, songwriter, former Asylum Street Spankers front man, Wammo wears a lot of hats. His upcoming record, “Blackout Curtains” is a genre colliding, epic journey into music that combines elements of rock, blues, country, Cajun, electronica and punk into a style of music Wammo calls “Cyborg Blues.” The first single off of “Blackout Curtains,” “Vagabondage” is already available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWCdHYEXW8Y

Come enjoy the entire album before it is released and swap stories over a cold one with Wammo himself.

Drink Specials. Pizza. Tunes..and More!

https://www.instagram.com/wammster/

No Cover Charge

Many thanks to Bop Shop Records!

https://bopshop.com/

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Acoustic Sessions with Claudia James
Jul
15
7:30 PM19:30

Acoustic Sessions with Claudia James

Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

Claudia James

Claudia James is a singer-songwriter and classically trained clarinetist whose music blends folk, Latin, and acoustic influences. She recently completed a tour throughout Latin America with the romantic Anglo-Latin duo Nico y Claudia, performing for audiences across several countries. Claudia performs original songs in both English and Spanish, alongside a selection of beloved acoustic covers. Join her at Abilene on July 15th for an intimate evening of music featuring a unique combination of clarinet, guitar, and voice, brought to life through her engaging solo performance.

https://www.instagram.com/nico_y_claudia/

Cover: $8 at the door

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Special Show---The Patrick Sweany Band
Jul
11
7:30 PM19:30

Special Show---The Patrick Sweany Band

Doors 7pm, Music 7:30pm

Patrick Sweany

The title of Patrick Sweany’s new record is apt for more reasons than might be readily apparent.
For fans, it’s a nod to the massive amount of time between full-length albums (7 years if you are counting). For Sweany, it’s a theme that’s permeated his latest songs (running out of time, getting older). The time in between 2018’s Ancient Noise and Baby, It’s Late has been full of changes for Sweany. Difficult changes. These mile-markers and their aftermath made it challenging for Sweany to do what he’s done for over 20 years: write songs, record songs, get in a van and play those songs for you.
It wasn’t as though Sweany’s music-making simply stopped, however. As the world opened back up after the pandemic, Sweany resumed his Blue Monday residency at
The 5 Spot in E. Nashville playing 50’s and 60’s era Blues songs with The Tiger Beats: McKinley James, Jason Smay, and Ted Pecchio. He also started a new Soul, Funk
project called SUPER FELON with JD Simo, Adam Abrashoff, Pecchio and Robbie Crowell. Most importantly, he started writing and recording again.
For the first time, Sweany chose to do almost everything himself, recording tracks on his Tascam 388 tape machine in his Bongo Room home studio. While the end results were not quite good enough for public consumption, the kernels of some great new songs were started, and a less polished, more organic approach was established.
Sweany decided to call on the collaborators in The Tiger Beats and SUPER FELON to help him progress. Using JD Simo’s House Of Grease studio and McKinley James’
Red Lodge studio, Sweany brought in players from both of these projects.
“These guys are some of the most in-demand players in Nashville,” says Sweany about the sessions. “They know when it’s right and when it’s not. If they felt like these songs weren’t good enough, they’d tell me.”
“We tracked two days live, no headphones, band in the room, old school style. It felt good. It felt right. The songs sounded like songs. Back in the saddle.”
On top of the old-school style of recording, Sweany chose to produce the recordings himself - something he’d never done.
The results are a raw, more direct collection of songs that tap directly into the pain, tension, and catharsis of the past seven years. Stylistically they capture elements of
Sweany’s previous recordings: the raw Blues-Rock opener “My Time Ain’t Long” could be an outtake from 2008’s Every Hour Is A Dollar Gone, while the subtle ballads
“Christmas Parade” and “See Through” are reminiscent of 2015’s ruminative Daytime Turned To Nighttime. Elsewhere, however, Sweany embraces some new
influences such as the hooky rock anthem “Golden Fields” and the 70s organ funk groove of “Trouble With Love.”
After over 25 years writing, recording and touring, Sweany knows more than most that you can’t rush the process. You have to wait until the songs are ready. In that regard, Baby, It’s Never Too Late.

"This is the kind of music Robert Johnson sold his soul for way back when — and Sweany is pouring his into it." - Esquire

"(4/5) Patrick Sweany bleeds Americana, the sounds, sentiments and feel of the sultry South where soul, country, blues and rock 'n' roll rub along in the clubs, bars, and airwaves." - Q Magazine (Daytime Turned To Nighttime review)

"(8/10) (Sweany) paints his Southern Soul Masterpiece." - Uncut Magazine (Daytime Turned To Nighttime review)

http://www.patricksweany.com/

Tickets: $20 day of show and on sale right now online at https://abilene.showare.com and tonight at the door

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"Trashy Annie!"  HIgh-Energy Southern Punk Rock
Jul
10
9:15 PM21:15

"Trashy Annie!" HIgh-Energy Southern Punk Rock

Doors 4pm, Music 9:15pm

Trashy Annie

Trashy Annie: Grit, Guts, and Rock ‘n’ Roll

Born in the the dusty bars of Austin, Texas and raised in sweaty rock clubs from New York to L.A., Trashy Annie roars with a raw, genre-defying sound that’s equal parts country soul, hard rock edge, and punk defiance. Fronted by 2023 CMA of Texas Americana Artist of the Year Annie Davis, this band doesn’t just play music—they throw a damn party you'll never forget. “Grittier than Ashley McBryde or early Kacey Musgraves ever went, and I bloody love it” raves Rockin' Magpie, and they aren't wrong.

​Annie, a self-made entrepreneur and expert in the field of biomechanics , picked up her first guitar at 44, taught herself one chord, and wrote “Runnin” in 2020, fueled by whiskey and a middle finger to fear. She hit an open mic, caught the songwriting bug, and spent the pandemic mastering instruments, writing, and helping produce her own tracks with an unrelenting vision.

 When trolls trashed her online for wearing clothes that are “too young” for her, she didn’t flinch—she named the band Trashy Annie, turning hate into a badge of unapologetic authenticity.

​Following her second release, 2022 banger “Nuclear Meltdown,” Annie recorded with heavyweights from The Refreshments, The Wallflowers and Faith Hill to develop her own unique sound. Her debut album, Sticks and Stones (May 2023), is a 12-track gut-punch of catchy hooks and raw storytelling, with songs like “Bama” and “Born Pretty” celebrating outliers who live loud. Backed by a powerhouse crew—Miles Barker (bass), Blake Jurasin and Amir Neubach (guitars), Ryan Smith (drums) —she and her band began touring relentlessly, playing 100+ shows across the United States in their first year alone.

​Live, Trashy Annie’s a high-energy riot, channeling Janis Joplin’s fire and Joan Jett’s swagger. “You can’t leave their show in a bad mood—it’s physically impossible,” fans say.

 Yes, , Trashy Annie’s here to break rules and raise hell. Catch them before they burn the house down.

https://www.trashyannie.com/

Cover: $10 at the Door

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Spend Happy Hour with "Woody Dodge"
Jul
10
5:30 PM17:30

Spend Happy Hour with "Woody Dodge"

Doors 4pm, Music 5:30pm

Woody Dodge

Sometime in the early 90’s music journalists started to use the label “Americana” for rock bands that incorporated bluegrass and country music into their sound. Before Uncle Tupelo and Wilco became the standard bearers for the genre, Woody Dodge was writing and performing original songs that fuse rock, bluegrass, and American folk styles.

Woody Dodge has five studio recording of original music including Emma’s Dance, nature Is Strange, Humble Me, Better Angels, and 2020’s EP Volume 1.

After a long hiatus, Woody Dodge returns to the stage for this special appearance at their home base venue, Abilene Bar and Lounge.

Woody Dodge is Billy Lambert-guitar and vocals, Jon Gary-bass, Mark Wilcove-guitar, and Sean Sullivan-drums.

https://woodydodge.com

Cover: $8

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Singer-Songwriter Brody Schenk
Jul
9
7:00 PM19:00

Singer-Songwriter Brody Schenk

Doors 4pm, Music 7pm

Brody Schenk

Brody Schenk is a rising singer-songwriter whose music blends heartfelt storytelling with a variety of musical influences. Brody’s songs are deeply rooted in humanity, nature, the universe and the beauty found in honest moments.

Hailing from Rochester, New York, Brody picked up the guitar at a young age and quickly found his voice through songwriting and musicianship. After an adolescence spent performing locally, Brody moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Never afraid to take matters into his own hands, he has self booked three national tours and performed in over twenty five states at the age of twenty.

Whether he's performing solo or backed by a full band, Brody brings a soulful energy to the stage—connecting with listeners through powerful lyrics, irresistible rhythm, and a deep passion for the craft. His latest single, “Shitty Friends” showcases his dynamic range and authentic honest approach to songwriting, earning him praise from both fans and critics alike.

Brody has had the opportunity to share the stage with artists such as Donna the Buffalo, Melvin Seals & JGB, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Cory Branan, Sean Rowe, Ghost Light, Tim Reynold’s Trio, and more.

Brody is currently residing in East Nashville and focusing on writing, recording, and touring, with new music on the way.

We’re thrilled to once again be hosting Brody!

https://brodyschenk.com/

https://www.facebook.com/brodyschenkmusic/

instagram.com/brodyschenk

Cover: $10 at the Door

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A Different Thread with special guests, The Grievous Angels
Jul
8
7:00 PM19:00

A Different Thread with special guests, The Grievous Angels

Doors 4pm, Music 7pm

A Different Thread

Driving into the path of a solar eclipse, Alicia Best and Robert Jackson wrote a song called “Over Again.” It would become the title track of their third album, a record shaped by distance, resilience, and finally starting a new life together in the U.S. 

Best, from Durham, North Carolina, and Jackson, from the UK, met while busking on the cobbled streets of Ireland and discovered both a musical and personal harmony that was serendipitous. They formed as A Different Thread and over the next decade, toured across continents simply to stay together. Many of the songs on Over Again were written during the years when visas and closed borders kept them apart.

After receiving the paperwork to settle together in North Carolina, the duo faced a period of intense transition. “We had been in limbo for so long,” Robert recalls. “I had just quit drinking, packed my life into a suitcase, and moved across the ocean. We had all these songs we had been carrying and we knew we had to lay them down.” Then in the middle of recording, Alicia’s grandmother died, adding grief to the mix. "The songs became our way of holding onto hope through all that. When the eclipse came, we saw it as a symbol of our own transformation. Over Again is us letting go of the past, finally putting down roots and choosing a brighter future together,” the duo reflects.

The title track recently won the Folk/Americana category at the International Acoustic Music Awards, signaling the duo’s rising recognition. Over Again follows a breakout year that included a performance at MerleFest, placements on Apple Music editorial playlists, and growing attention on the international circuit.

Crowdfunded by a global fanbase, the album was recorded in the duo’s tiny-home studio and Betty’s in Chapel Hill, NC, (known for hosting artists such as Watchhouse, The Mountain Goats, and Tyler Childers). It was later completed at Alma Vale Studio in Bristol, UK.

Across it’s eleven tracks, Over Again evokes bittersweet nostalgia, balancing intimate storytelling and social commentary, with charming harmonies, memorable hooks, and an underlying feeling of hope. 

Pivotal track, "The Prophet," examines the intersection of religion, profit, and political power while calling for environmental responsibility. “Loving your neighbor is also about loving the soil they walk on and the environment their children play in,” Best says. “We have to stop pretending things are okay and take action to protect the world we live in.”

A Different Thread will support the album with an extensive international tour across North America, Spain, France, and England. 

https://www.adifferentthread.com/

The Grievous Angels

The Grievous Angels blend a unique mix of traditional and contemporary influences ranging from American Roots, Flamenco, and Jazz to Indie, Psychedelic, and Cosmic Country. Formed in 2025, the duo is composed of members from the Rochester bands Archimedes and Los Pajaritos.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579380244184#

Special Low-Dough Show-$15 at the Door

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July 4th Party feat. "Roberta Faceplant" and spec. guest, "Candy"
Jul
4
7:00 PM19:00

July 4th Party feat. "Roberta Faceplant" and spec. guest, "Candy"

Doors 6:30pm, Music 7pm

Roberta Faceplant

Roberta Faceplant is a honky tonk hurricane from Philadelphia. Safely in the middle of a Venn diagram where kitsch meets bitch, the five-piece Outlaw Americana band has been called “a cowpunk miracle” and been compared to “Southern Culture on the Skids fronted by Laura Bell Bundy.” It’s Country, but you can hear the city.

Raucous guitars, a driving rhythm section, and the raw, powerful, and soulful vocals of frontwoman Katie Feeney make Roberta Faceplant a five-fingered fist of Country grit. Lyrically, Feeney and the band pull no punches, tackling current events with tongue in cheek humor and rage. Peppered with Bob Seger-style working-man themes and a dose of Southern Rock, the band still holds tight to the true spirit of country music - three chords and the truth. 

Over the last year, Roberta Faceplant has performed at venues such as Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia), Ardmore Music Hall (Ardmore, PA), Skinny Dennis (Brooklyn, NY), and at events like Baby’s First Rodeo in Philadelphia, PA, while opening for artists like Low Cut Connie, Emily Nenni, Dylan Earl, Hannah Juanita, Olivia Ellen Lloyd, Rebecca Porter, and more. The band was named “Best Band” by Delaware Public Media in 2025 and their last two EPs received radio play on stations like KOOP 91.7 FM and KLKT 107.9 FM in Texas; NOLA County Radio in New Orleans; and WXPN 88.5 in Philadelphia.

Roberta Faceplant released their second six-song EP, Brisket & Cigarettes, on September 26, 2025, and is currently working on their first full length album.

https://www.robertafaceplant.com/

Candy

Candy is a high energy country band drawing influence from the golden age of country music. Led by Candy, her band brings the grit, twang, and honky-tonk rhythms that are integral to the genre. Candy’s storytelling, sharp humor, and unforgettable stage presence have quickly made her a staple in the western NY music community.

https://www.candy-country.com/

Tickets: $15 and on sale now at https://abilene.showare.com and tonight at the door

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Closed....as we get ready for tomorrow's July 4th Bash!
Jul
3
12:00 PM12:00

Closed....as we get ready for tomorrow's July 4th Bash!

Make plans now for tomorrow’s July 4th Party!

Doors will open at 6:30pm, Music at 7pm

Live Music featuring….

Roberta Faceplant

A Honky Tonk Hurricane from Philadelphia

https://www.robertafaceplant.com/

and Candy

Bringing Old-School Country Music to a Modern World

https://www.candy-country.com/

Tickets: $10 advance, $15 day of show and on sale now at https://abilene.showare.com and at the bar


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Closed....as we get ready for our July 4th Bash!
Jul
2
12:00 AM00:00

Closed....as we get ready for our July 4th Bash!

Make plans now for this Saturday’s July 4th Party

Doors will open at 6:30pm, Music at 7pm

Live Music featuring….

Roberta Faceplant

A Honky Tonk Hurricane from Philadelphia

https://www.robertafaceplant.com/

and Candy

Bringing Old-School Country Music to a Modern World

https://www.candy-country.com/

Tickets: $10 advance, $15 day of show and on sale now at https://abilene.showare.com and at the bar

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The Forest Dwellers with special guests, Heart Throbs String Band
Jul
1
7:00 PM19:00

The Forest Dwellers with special guests, Heart Throbs String Band

Doors 4pm, Music 7pm

The Forest Dwellers

The Forest Dwellers are a reggae-infused folk/ roots group based out of Rochester, NY that plays universal music. Stemming from different styles and genres The Forest Dwellers fuse them into a new take on a familiar sound all its own.

https://www.facebook.com/theforestdwellersmusic585/

Heart Throbs String Band

The Heart Throbs String Band blends folk, Eastern European swing jazz, and American roots music into something that feels both timeless and fresh. The bands own writing branches out in all directions to build something that swings hard and settles deep. Whether they're putting their spin on a classic standard or introducing an original, The Heart Throbs have a knack for making audiences feel like they've stumbled into their living room for an intimate house concert.

https://www.facebook.com/heartthrobstringband/

Cover: $10 at the door

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"Beatles Night," featuring Don Christiano and Walt O'Brien
Jun
30
7:00 PM19:00

"Beatles Night," featuring Don Christiano and Walt O'Brien

Doors 6pm, Music 7pm

With A Little Help from My Friends…

The Last Tuesday of Every Month

“Beatles Night!”

Featuring Don Christiano & Walt O’Brien

A couple of hours of great Beatles’ tunes, performed by two of Rochester’s best musicians.

See ya on Liberty Pole Way!

https://www.facebook.com/donchristiano

https://www.facebook.com/walt.obrien.5

Cover: A real deal at only five bucks!!!

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The Last Night of Jazz Fest Bash!!! Featuring "The Brass Machine!"
Jun
27
10:00 PM22:00

The Last Night of Jazz Fest Bash!!! Featuring "The Brass Machine!"

Doors 4pm, Music 10pm

Don’t miss this late night bash!!!

Yes, it’s the last night of the Rochester International Jazz Festival…and we’re gonna host one HUGE bash!!! Remember, during the Jazz Fest, “All Roads Lead to Abilene!”

The Brass Machine

The Brass Machine is feel-good brass-fueled funk at it’s finest”

The Brass Machine provides audiences with a bold, high-energy “brass gumbo,” that blends funk, jazz, R&B, and brass band into a unique sound steeped in the traditions of New Orleans and seasoned with some Rust Belt soul. Led by front man “Kidd” Kyle Yagielski, the band features a rotating collective of talented musicians sporting a wide variety of horns, guitars, keys, drums, and more; so you can be certain that no two performances are ever quite the same!

The Brass Machine has shared stages with an impressive mix of national acts, including Earth, Wind & Fire, Trey Anastasio Band, The Flaming Lips, The Soul Rebels, Rebirth Brass Band, Starship, Goose, Andy Frasco, and John “Papa” Gros. Festival appearances include multiple performances at Borderland Festival and Railrider Festival, along with sets at Rochester Int. Jazz Festival, Gore Mountain Music Festival, Night Lights, West Almond Stomp, The Family Hoedown, Lewiston Jazz Fest, Folkfaces Fest, and more. The band also keeps a busy touring schedule, performing throughout the North East United States and Southern Ontario. 

https://www.thebrassmachine.com/

Cover: $10 at the door

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Delilah Jones and Friends
Jun
26
10:00 PM22:00

Delilah Jones and Friends

Doors 4pm, Music 10pm

Delilah Jones and Friends

Delilah Jones is super excited tor this special “jazz fest” lineup!

The unique backgrounds of the players will allow them to explore the Dead’s songbook (as well as other rippin’ bands) from a unique perspective.

Get ready for this late night session featuring some of Upstate’s hottest players. Check out this crew.

Featuring…

Jack Moore-guitar/vocals. Founding member of Delilah Jones, Seven Silled Brewmasters

Scott Calpin-mandolin. Honey Smugglers, Sutoon String Band

Elliot Schwartzman-keyboards..Flying Object (and others)

Bucky Bossard-drums. Dirt Turtles

Trevor Nilson-bass guitar. Tin Lizard, Lucius and Friends.

https://www.facebook.com/DelilahJonesBand/

https://dirtturtles.com/home

https://www.instagram.com/flyingobjectisaband/

Cover: $10

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Rusty Fisher Trio with special guest, Pat Harrington
Jun
25
8:00 PM20:00

Rusty Fisher Trio with special guest, Pat Harrington

Doors 4pm, Music 8pm

Rusty Fisher Trio

with special guest, Pat Harrington

Rusty Fisher has been voted one of the top 50 unsigned guitarists in the country in the 1999 Jimi Hendrix electric guitar competition ( sponsored by Guitar World and Fender). Overall, Rusty fisher’s guitar style is a rootsy, heartfelt blend of blues, rock, and Americana. He’ll be bringing the blues and beyond, always with the touch of Hendrix. Rounding out the trio is Nate Coffey on bass and Jayson Wambolt on drums.

https://www.facebook.com/rusty.fisher.447508

Pat Harrington

Pat Harrington is the lead guitarist for the Grammy Nominated and Multi-Blues Music Award winning band, Victor Wainwright & The Train.

 Originally from Western NY, Harrington made his home in Memphis, TN for 5 years where he toured full-time nationally and internationally with The Train as well as several other of the Blues world’s most notable names.

 When not on the road, Harrington became a sought-after guitarist on the local scene playing countless gigs around town as he became a student of the soulful sounds that have long been synonymous with Memphis music. It was during those formative years that Harrington truly began crafting his own unique voice and style as a guitarist, bringing in his many different musical influences, from Jazz and Funk to Bluegrass and Country flavors. He has since become a part of the national conversation as one of the most inspiring, versatile and distinctive players in the American Roots music genre today.

https://pat-harrington.com/

Cover: $10 at the door

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Watch Your Step, with Special Guests, The Byways, and Ivy's Home
Jun
24
7:00 PM19:00

Watch Your Step, with Special Guests, The Byways, and Ivy's Home

Doors 4pm, Music 7pm

Watch Your Step

Watch Your Step is a country band from Buffalo, NY. They play both originals and covers, and they like to play a wide variety of country music from traditional bluegrass to a more modern sound. This is their Abilene Bar and Lounge debut.

https://watchyourstepband.com/

The Byways

The Byways are an Alt Rock band out of Rochester, NY. Fronted by singer and bassist Alex Goettel, their original songs convey real-life messages and stories, with the music carried out by advanced musical talents Cameron Seib (guitar/backing vocals), Graham Wolfe (keyboard/guitar), and Matt Goettel (drums/backing vocals).

https://www.instagram.com/bywaysroc?igsh=OTluNXFkemUyZGY1

Ivy’s Home

Ivy’s Home offers a unique blend of original music and covers that merges modern folk songwriting with the classic roots of Americana. They show their stylistic range in their original music with burnin’ hot bluegrass licks and emotional thought-provoking songwriting. Their debut album, “After All This Time,” has just been released and is available for streaming on all major platforms.

Each member of the band brings their own level of musicianship, making their live performances truly special. The band members include Noah Martella: Guitar/Vocals, Sophia Foti: Vocals, CJ Militello: Guita, Jessica Kromer: Fiddle, James Raspanti on the bass and Kyle Michaels on drums.

Ivy’s Home has been playing in the Upstate New York area since the summer of 2023. they plan to continue touring their new album while also recording and releasing more original music in 2026.

www.ivyshomeband.com

Cover: $10

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Jazz Fest Day 5....Start your day “The Abilene Way!”
Jun
23
4:00 PM16:00

Jazz Fest Day 5....Start your day “The Abilene Way!”

Doors open at 4:00pm…and we’ll be here until at least 8:00pm

Slingin’ drinks… Collin Camp

Stop in, grab a cocktail, beer, or THC drink, plan your Jazz evening….and grab your tix for some very cool upcoming Abilene Bar and Lounge and “Abilene on the Road” shows!

See ya tonight on Liberty Pole Way!

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Jazz Fest Day 4....Start your day “The Abilene Way!!”
Jun
22
4:00 PM16:00

Jazz Fest Day 4....Start your day “The Abilene Way!!”

Doors open at 4:00pm,,,,and we’ll be here until at least 8:00pm

Slingin’ drinks… Collin Camp

Stop in, grab a cocktail, beer, or THC drink, plan your Jazz evening….and grab your tix for some very cool upcoming Abilene Bar & Lounge and “Abilene on the Road” shows!

See ya tonight on Liberty Pole Way!

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"Dead in the Water"
Jun
20
8:00 PM20:00

"Dead in the Water"

Doors 4pm, Music 8pm

Live on the Patio!!!

“Dead in the Water”

One super evening of Grateful Dead

as performed by Public Water Supply

With many special guests…including Kyle Ingels of the Mustard Tigers, Briana Horton, and Tanner Kartes…along with surprise guests!

Public Water Supply

Public Water Supply is a force of nature rising out of hills of upstate New York, an Alt-Rock/Indie Americana collective that turns music into magic. Powered by university-trained musicians, PWS blends fearless songwriting, spellbinding vocals, and virtuosic musicianship into a sound that feels both timeless and electrifyingly new. PWS has enchanted festival crowds and sold-out rooms alike all across the country including The Waterhole, Borderland Festival, GrassRoots and the Rochester International Jazz festival.

https://publicwatersupplymusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/publicwatersupplymusic

Cover: $10 at the door

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Special Show! Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics
Jun
19
7:00 PM19:00

Special Show! Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics

Doors 4pm, Music 7pm

Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics

Don’t miss Deke Dickerson’s newest band venture , Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics.

Rounding out the Ecco-Fonics will be Trevor Lake (Texas Headphones) on bass and Chris Sprague (Los Straitjackets) on drums

Dickerson is a veteran of the Southern California roots music scene and has toured for years with various bands, including the Dave and Deke Combo and Deke Dickerson and The Whippersnapppers. His former band members have gone on to play with Social Distortion, X, Tiger Army, and Los Straitjackets.

Dickerson is the author of Sixteen Tons: The Merle Travis Story (BMG Books, 480 pages), the first-ever full-length biography devoted to Country Music Hall of Fame member Merle Travis, a brilliant, multitalented, and deeply troubled artist who is widely considered a genius. He has also had two books published by Voyageur Press, The Strat in the Attic and The Strat in the Attic 2. As a well-known historian of roots music, Dickerson has contributed liner notes to reissue projects for such labels as Capitol, RCA, Bear Family, and Sundazed, and has written for several guitar magazines.

In 2019 Dickerson won the Ameripolitan Music Award for Musician of the Year.

https://dekedickerson.com/

https://trevorlake.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/chris.sprague.50/

Tickets: $20 and on sale right now at https://abilene.showare.com and tonight at the door

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The Abilene Debut of "Foxrow," plus special guest, Jesse Elizabeth
Jun
18
7:30 PM19:30

The Abilene Debut of "Foxrow," plus special guest, Jesse Elizabeth

Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

Foxrow

“Foxrow is the folk/Americana project of Emma Jude and Seth Owen Becker, blending rich harmonies and seasoned songwriting.  Drawing from folk, indie, and Americana roots, the duo crafts songs that are intimate, cinematic, and deeply human.

Since September 2025, Foxrow has embraced a monthly release schedule, writing, recording, producing, and releasing a new song every month. The result is a growing catalog of authentic, heartfelt music that captures the spirit of two lifelong musicians dedicated to the craft of songwriting and storytelling.”

https://Foxrowmusic.com 

Jesse Elizabeth

As a free-spirited deep feeler, Jessie Elizabeth is creating Alternative Americana music for listeners to twirl around in the woods somewhere, shed a few tears, shake a fist, or all of the above. With a knack for genuine storytelling and imaginative yet poignant lyricism, the indie artist invites audiences into her world with her empowering debut album, To Go and Grow, released July 2025. 

Originally from the Buffalo area and now based in Syracuse, Jessie has been considered a rising voice in Central New York since stepping onto the scene in the fall of 2022. She had gathered the courage to do her first open mic just months earlier, and the rest was history. Her combined artistry and authenticity quickly began turning heads at the start of her career and has continued to open more doors for her to connect with a growing community. To date, she has shared the stage with numerous national or international acts including The Rainbow Girls, John Muirhead, Hayley Jane, Abby Posner, The Trouble Notes, and The Arcadian Wild, and has played venues across upstate New York and into Ontario, Canada. Jessie brought the story full circle in August 2025 by selling out her album release show at Funk ‘N Waffles  —the very same Syracuse venue where she did her first open mic just three years prior.

Jessie’s performances are vulnerably captivating —marked by intricate vocal quality, raw honesty, and a magnetic stage presence. Grounded in indie-folk lyricism, she sings about the highs and lows, pressures and privileges that come with the paradox of existing on a beautifully abundant earth within the often limiting confines of society. Add her compelling band to the mix, and the result is a dynamic live show that feels like catharsis for nature lovers, queer folks, sensitive souls, and freethinkers alike —where strong songwriting and quality musicianship complimentarily shine.

With songs that weave elements of folk, rock, pop, and country all in one album, it's hard to pin her music down to a single genre, but the throughline of To Go and Grow is Jessie’s strong artistic and conceptual voice. The record draws influence from Jessie’s love of Northeastern landscapes while chronicling her journey of self-discovery and questioning the status quo in the wake of heartbreak. Since its release, To Go and Grow has garnered over 25k streams on Spotify alone, with multiple singles from the project receiving air time on radio stations such as 95X Syracuse, WAER FM Syracuse, Tunes 92.5 Watertown, and WICB Ithaca. She sowed a solid ground to stand on with this debut effort, and her plan is to keep going and growing wherever the music leads.

https://jessieelizabeth.com/

Cover: Special Low-Dough Show-$10 at the Door

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The Abilene Debut of "Jaybird and the Jukebox Junkies"
Jun
17
7:00 PM19:00

The Abilene Debut of "Jaybird and the Jukebox Junkies"

Doors 4pm, Music 7pm

Jaybird and the Jukebox Junkies

Yeah, this is some straight, rockin’ Rockabilly!

This dynamic three piece will get you dancin’!

They play old 50’s Rockabilly and Juke Joint Swingl.

Jaybird and the Jukebox Junkies are Jay Bird Gorleski on “Dog House Upright Bass,” Tony Cajiga on vocals and guitar, and Jim Bassano on lead guitar.

This is one very experienced troupe….Jay Bird has played with Rocky Velvet, The Eldorados, The Lustre Kings, Slick Fitty, and Bootleg Hooch. Tony fronts The Starlite Combo. Jim plays with Bec and the Bopcats and Ruby Shooz….Quite the resume!

Cover: Super Low-Dough Show! A Mere $8 at the Door

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Benny Bleu with Special Guests, Einstein's Dreams
Jun
13
7:30 PM19:30

Benny Bleu with Special Guests, Einstein's Dreams

Doors 6:30pm, Music 7:30pm

Benny Bleu

Banjo troubadour Benny Bleu will release his much-anticipated album "When I Am A Fossil" with his incredible backing band:
Huck Tritsch: Drums
Eric Heveron-Smith: Bass
Gus Tritsch: Fiddle

“New York-native, Benny Bleu is a geologist by trade, banjo player and singer-songwriter who touches on our connections with the natural world and each other.” – Putumayo World Music

Benny Bleu Haravitch plays old time banjo in the Finger Lakes of upstate New York – a land defined by deep lake valleys and steep highlands.

https://bennybleu.com

Einstein’s Dreams

The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Eric Heveron-Smith, Einstein’s Dreams blends chamber folk textures with jazz-infused improvisation. Weaving Alan Watts references into stories about migratory birds, Heveron-Smith’s voice soars as he alternates between soulful bass lines and shimmery, fingerpicked chords on his six string bass. 

 In 2025, Einstein’s Dreams released their debut album Flight Manifest (funded in part by a grant from the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts). The album plays with themes of space travel, birds, and evolution, acting as a launch pad for flocks of woodwinds, stacks of brass, and entire landscapes full of stringed instruments. Eric’s own multi-instrumental tendencies are augmented by special guests including Benny Bleu on banjo, Tony Padilla (Mambo Kings) on congas, and hammered dulcimer player Max ZT (House of Waters). 

https://www.instagram.com/einsteinsdreamsmusic/

Cover: $20

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It's a Cajun Dance Party featuring Rendezvous Des Amis!...and Free Red Beans & Rice!!!
Jun
12
7:30 PM19:30

It's a Cajun Dance Party featuring Rendezvous Des Amis!...and Free Red Beans & Rice!!!

Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

Rendezvous Des Amis

Louisiana native Brandon Moreau has played Cajun and Creole music all over the country for over 25 years, including a ten-year residency on Bourbon Street. He has toured with many bands, including Ray Abshire, Acadien Cajun Band and the Dixie Club Ramblers. Brandon brings his passion for traditional Louisiana’s music to Rochester, forming the base of a band with true Louisiana love. 

Bobby Henrie is a talented and highly regarded musician: a multi-instrumentalist who is proficient in many genres. He has a deep love for the music and style of the Balfa Brothers, who introduced the music of Southwest Louisiana to the world. Together, Bobby and Brandon are a force on twin fiddles, reminiscent of the true old sounds of the Balfas.

Adding to the mix is Betsy Terr Fuller of the fabulous Terr family. Betsy is a powerhouse on rhythm guitar and has been an ambassador for Louisiana music and culture for many years. Our special guest tonight is C’est Bon front person Barbara Sanders, who will be locking in on rhythm with her solid t’fer skills. 

Joining the band on triangle will be Barbara Sanders. Oh yeah!

Rendezvous Des Amis is here to bring the sounds of Southwest Louisiana to your front door step…and the stage of Abilene Bar and Lounge.

Cover: $15 at the door

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"A Couple of Wanderers," Faith Kelly and Caswyn Moon wsg, Mike Brown
Jun
11
7:00 PM19:00

"A Couple of Wanderers," Faith Kelly and Caswyn Moon wsg, Mike Brown

Doors 4pm, Music 7pm

“A Couple of Wanderers” - Faith Kelly and Caswyn Moon
Faith Kelly and Caswyn Moon are two solo artists who travel together from the Catskills of New York to share their songs to everyone everywhere. Caswyn starts off with his punky yet melodic Americana with old country undertones while Faith accompanies him with her Moog synthesizer. Once he's done rockin' his set,  Faith Kelly takes over with her spacey folk rock'n'roll with Appalachian mountain roots.
A little about the show. They usually play two separate sets. Caswyn Moon begins with Faith Kelly accompanying his music with her Moog synthesizer.  Then Caswyn steps away and Faith begins her set. Just a couple of wanderers. Playing music to anyone, anywhere. For no apparent reason.

http://www.faithkelly.com/couple-of-wanderers.html

https://www.facebook.com/faith.xkelly

Mike Brown

In addition to a prolific career as a singer-songwriter, producer and multi- instrumentalist, Grammy-nominated artist Mike Brown is an incredibly dynamic and versatile collaborator. His debut record, American Hotel, was self-recorded in all 50 states over the course of eight years, and features a staggeringly diverse roster of 75 special guests, including members of: The Band, Los Lobos, The Jayhawks, Wilco, Television, Nine Inch Nails, Bare Naked Ladies, Guster, Goo Goo Dolls, The Wallflowers, Counting Crows, Sparklehorse, Gwar, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Matchbox Twenty, The Meat Puppets, Soul Asylum, Cracker, Superdrag, Whiskeytown, Morphine, Moxy Fruvous, Belle and Sebastian, 10,000 Maniacs, The Minus 5, Freedy Johnston, Letters To Cleo and Soul Coughing. 

Brown is also the founder of Temperamental Recordings, a recording studio and label based out of a former Methodist church built in 1828.  In 2011 the impressive space and collection was featured on The History Channel show American Pickers, with Brown appearing as an expert and appraiser of musical instruments and vintage recording equipment. 

In 2014 Brown released a CD with a childhood friend Zac DeCamp titled Automatic Music Can Be Fun and, with the help of Brian Grunert from White Bicycle Design Firm, was nominated for a GRAMMY in the Best Recording Package category against Jay-Z, David Bowie, Metallica, and Reckless Kelly. 

https://mikebrown.org/about

Cover: $10 at the door

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An Evening of Rockin' Soul with "Side Eye!"
Jun
10
7:30 PM19:30

An Evening of Rockin' Soul with "Side Eye!"

Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

Side Eye

Side Eye is a Rochester, New York based original soul rock and blues band that lays down a strong groove time and time again. Immersed in their mission of becoming one of the premier original bands in the region. Five members with different musical influences come together to write and arrange songs over a foundation of rock and blues.

Side Eye is Bryan Sanders on vocals, Dalton Zelasco on bass, Evan Tisby on guitar, Mike White on percussion, and Rob Mossotti on keyboards.

Blending gritty emotion with electrifying grooves, Side Eye delivers a fresh take on Soul Rock 'n' Roll.  Original songs that channel raw feeling and high-energy performances, the band weaves the heart of soul with the edge of rock to create a sound that's as powerful as it is honest. 

https://www.sideeyeband.com/

Cover: $10 at the door

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