Even before Memorial Day, The Makepeace Brothers, a quintessentially Ithacan band, already have a good chunk of their summer booked. They'll return to GrassRoots this year, and will appear alongside Michael Franti, Girl Talk and the Wailers at Wanderlust in Lake Tahoe the last weekend of July. In addition to the festival appearances, the Brothers are booked at venues on both coasts, as well as at a series of private parties. But Ithacans can catch the band in an intimate setting Thursday, June 2 at Castaways, where they'll kick off the Ithaca Festival in style with a show that will stretch from sundown to midnight.

The Makepeace Brothers will welcome family, friends and other musicians to the venue for an event that will be both family-friendly and offer something for an older crowd. Doors will open at 7 p.m., and until 10 p.m. will be an all-ages show. A first set will be followed by a showcase around 9:30 p.m. that will feature other artists and musicians. At around 11 p.m., the Makepeace Brothers will continue with a second set, followed by a DJ-ed dance party.

"The Showcase will feature different artists all performing one song by themselves with us accompanying them," Aidan Makepeace said over tea at The Shop last weekend. "There are so many awesome local people, we want to pay tribute to musicians and people we were inspired by growing up, and people in our peer group as well."

Though The Makepeace Brothers had not yet confirmed the names of the showcase's participants by press time, when asked to speak generally about important influences, Aidan noted that "definitely Richie Stearns is the first person that comes to mind." He also cited Jeff Claus and Judy Hyman from the Horseflies, Donna the Buffalo and Jeb Puryear, Elliot Martin and Kevin Kinsella as well as Samite. Aidan went on to mention Jhakeem Haltom, Jake Roberts and Juge Greenspun, as well as Uniit Carruyo's project Five2.

"Slow Down Feel Love" has been out since January 2011, but since the Makepeace Brothers haven't been able to do an official CD release party locally, the showcase is a great time to get reacquainted with the charming group.

Four siblings raised locally, the Makepeace Brothers have found popular success outside of Ithaca, opening for Jason Mraz two years in a row, in front of audiences numbering tens of thousands. Older siblings Aidan and Liam have remained in Ithaca to raise families, and Finian and Ciaran have been touring relentlessly, living, according to Aidan "the nomadic lifestyle." It is always cause for celebration when the band regroups at home, and the first week in June will find the Brothers first at Castaways Thurday, June 2, and then on the Ballpark State in Stewart Park, where they'll perform 5 p.m. Sunday, June 5.

For several years now, two of The Makepeace Brothers, Ciaran and Finian, have been based out of California. Previously, known locally for musical acts such as Oculus, and dance performance groups such as Minnie's Moochers, the West Coast has been treating the Makepeace Brothers well, as they continue to create music that lifts spirits with world rhythms and uplifting messages.

The Makepeace Brothers feel both typically Ithacan and tapped into a global music scene. Savvy networkers both online and in real life, the group forges connections that are based in music but in a way that is consistent with the message of community. "Follow Me" and "Breathe," highlights of "Slow Down Feel Love" communicate an empathy with ease and grace. The Makepeace Brothers forge relationships with fans that result in house parties or garden concerts: though the group has graduated to playing festivals, the group has maintained a modesty uncommon to rising stars. It's worth checking out both their live clips as well as the making of "Slow Down Feel Love" (youtube.com/watch?v=4JDOQ5-9FZY).

The Makepeace Brothers are now focused on two types of gigs: benefit concerts and private shows. The former have seen the group raise money for survivors of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, among other worthy causes; the latter remains a treat for a smaller crowd. On Thursday, June 2, the group will do something a little different and a little in between: welcome its Ithaca family to a show that pays tribute to other Ithaca musicians while letting listeners into the party. Visit www.makepeacebrothers.com to learn more.