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[PRESENTATION] In September, Ashley Powell, a graduate student of art at UB made national headlines when she placed “White Only” and “Black Only” signs around campus. “This project, specifically, was a piece created to expose white privilege,” she says in a statement about the project. “Our society still actively maintains racist structures that benefit one group of people, and oppress another.

[PUNK] Survivors of both the New York City hardcore scene and a major label contract, H20 carries on with a new disc, Use Your Voice, out last month on Bridge Nine Records. Having lost founding member, guitarist and key musical writer Todd Morse, earlier this year, mush of the music on Voice was penned by bassist Adam Blake. It’s enough of a change to breathe new spirit into the disc’s tone, but not enough to disturb the blend of melody and punk abrasiveness that’s kept these guys in business for 20 years.

[TRIBUTE] It may not be quite the same thing, but if you weren’t able to make it to Chicago this summer or get tickets to the current run of Dead and Co. shows with John Mayer, Dark Star Orchestra can offer some solace. After all, that band hasn’t stayed busy all these years by doing a lousy job recreating Grateful Dead sets. More than just recreating the tunes, the able 7-piece ensemble projects something akin to the Dead’s communal spirit, something that’s made them a recurring festival favorite.

[ART] As a graduate of UB’s MFA program, Liz Lessner, a multi-displinary artist and sculptor uses figurative and abstract installations to explore the mechanisms of human desire and performance—works which are fully brought to life with the viewer’s engagement.

[FOLK] The music of Simon & Garfunkel is ubiquitous for its haunting beauty, warm melodies and tuneful harmonies. Though they haven’t toured together in years, you can quench your thirst with the Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel. AJ Swearington and Jonathon Beedle recreate Simon & Garfunkel’s euphonic hits backed by a full orchestra, creating a lush sound that’s nostalgic, yet quite original.

[COMEDY] Lavell Crawford is a big teddy bear, which is ironic considering his previous role in “Breaking Bad” as Saul Goodman’s muscle. Past (fictional) criminal activity aside, Crawford is loved by audiences across the nation, and has built up a solid fan base performing in comedy clubs, theaters and colleges. The Last Comic Standing runner-up, Crawford’s comedy is breezy and gut-busting. He has a childlike demeanor that makes “yo’ mama” jokes and talks of stupid people so hilarious.

[COMEDY] Bianca Del Rio isn’t particularly interested in what you think of her. And that’s probably just as well. It allows her to dish out the vitriol that’s made her current show, Rolodex of Hate, such a success. It’s also what earned her a mighty flattering comparison to the late Joan Rivers in a 2014 New York Times profile.

[ROCK] Most fans know Jonathan Richman as former frontman of American new wave band, the Modern Lovers. The band, which featured members that later went on to join the Talking Heads and the Cars, released only a few albums but quickly became highly influential, inspiring bands as various as the Sex Pistols, Sonic Youth, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and LCD Soundsystem.