[ELECTRONIC/DANCE] Though, as a New Englander, DJ/dance music producer Pierce Fulton is probably used to piles of snow, Buffalo’s snow storm a few weeks ago kept him from making his debut at Lift Night Club. He’s making up the date, though, this Friday, December 19. If his latest single, “Kuaga,” a multi-ingual electro house banger, is any indication of the amount of energy the young bass music producer puts into his live show, then Buffalo is in for a treat.
The Irish Center and Tim Joyce are presenting a holiday-themed comedy night in the fabulously-appointed Irish Center where studies have shown it is literally impossible to not have a good time. Also headlining the bill, Tim Joyce is so proud to be from South Buffalo that during the last month’s snowfall he hitchhiked a snowplow from downtown along Seneca Street and didn’t leave the Blackthorn until the streets were cleared. “We all have to do our part,” a very inebriated Joyce commented from a phone booth on day two of the storm.
This Friday, December 19, Broccoli Samurai, SkyPilot and Haewa will take the stage at Nietzsche’s. Haewa hails from Rochester and fuses various genres into their own unique blend. SkyPilot, while new in name, is a mix of musicians who have been around the block in various bands and put a solid spin on jam music. Cleveland’s Broccoli Samurai—who have been coming to the area here and there—have a very unique sound that mixes jam with electronic music.
[BLUES] There are a lot of blues fans in Buffalo as it has a deep tradition in the city with homegrown acts and a dedicated following that doesn’t pick favorites. If you’ve never heard or seen Randle and the Late Night Scandals though, you are truly missing out, blues fan or not. The group has only been around for a few years, yet churns out raw and emotional music that is charged with passion and power. This Saturday, December 20 the group will be hitting Nietzsche’s for a show with Primate Fiasco.
[ROCK] Toronto has always been rife with talent in many different areas of music. The city has spawned acts that span from Drake to Protest the Hero and everything in between. When you come out of that city, one thing is for certain; you’ve earned the right and have paid your dues. If punk is your go-to and you’re in need of something new to check out, Studio at Waiting Room has you covered. This Friday, December 19, Toronto’s PUP will be cranking out a sonic blast of energy.
[COUNTRY ROCK] Three-time Grammy award winner, and a legend amongst Texas roots music aficionados, Delbert McClinton, will perform at the Tralf Music Hall on Friday, December 19. The 74-year old singer/songwriter has been writing music and performing for almost 50 years, and has yet to tire.
[ROCK] Classic rock outfit, Knight Patrol, has already shaken Rochester all night long, and on Friday, December 20, they’re bringing their soaring vocals and classic guitar punch to Buffalo Iron Works for a free show following the Sabres game. The trio—who are all freshly 21-years old—formed in 2011, agreeing that they must preserve true classic rock music. Their age has zero impact on their keen ability to pump out classic hits from rock staples like Van Halen, Boston, Aerosmith, and more.
[JAZZ] On Saturday, December 20, head to the Tralf Music Hall to catch Brian Freeman & Friends Part III: Holiday Edition. Freeman is best known for his trumpet work in local jazz outfit, Taylor Made Jazz – Buffalo’s most esteemed jazz group from the late 1980s through the early 2000s. Beginning earlier this year with two great shows, Freeman’s concert series promises a night of delectable jazz, played by some funky local musicians, and of course Brian Freeman on trumpet.
[ALT ROCK] Ozzy Osbourne bites off the head of a bat; Marilyn Manson simulates fellatio; and Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS) blends a banana-raspberry smoothie on stage to share with the audience. When attending a USS show, after about 20 minutes you may be inclined to check and make sure you’re in the right arena because their live show is their studio album’s certifiably insane twin. In fact, when turntabilist Human Kebab starts scratching records with his head, you may question whether or not they were even spawned from the same parents.
[PARTY] Once you’ve correctly answered questions like “what country does George call to cure his baldness?” (China) and “who gave Kramer the balm to heal his coffee burns?” (The Maestro) then stick around for the Festivus After Party at Hydraulic Hearth. If you haven’t secured tickets for Seinfeld Trivia earlier in the night, you’re out of luck because it is sold out, but you can still prepare for the feats of strength and admire the secular aluminum pole at the after party.
[ROCK] An Xmas show at Mohawk Place is always something like the final scene in Christmas Vacation: Someone passes out, a SWAT team breaks down the front door, and Beverly D’Angelo’s hand is frozen on someone’s crotch.
Burgeoning Buffalo based photographer, Christopher Pierce McCleary will be unveiling the fruits of his long running project this Saturday, December 20 evening at Dreamland. “I’ve Been Everywhere With You,” a sprawling collection of portraiture featuring toll-both workers McCleary has shot across the nation. The event will further feature food, drinks, and a live DJ set by Chauncey Tails.
[COMEDY] Pause the music, the shopping, and the cookie decorating for a second and head down to the Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center to check in for an evening of hilarious, improvisational routines hosted by the Queens Cit Art Guild. $5 will secure your entrance.
[HOLIDAY] Gatherings curated by buffaBLOG—the city’s most extensive online music blog—are exactly what you would expect: live, streaming Google chats in which staff members share their favorite local youtube videos from the year. Just kidding, of course. They’re venue packing festivities that showcase a lineup of the region’s most promising up-and-coming musical acts.
[ROCK] Pop and punk rock come together with Carousel Kings, a Lancaster, PA band who got their start in 2008. The band, described as a neo-pop punk quintet—known for being pizza lovers—have made fans all across the globe and have been making international visits as well. In November, the band even toured China and Japan. Fans will be happy to know that Carousel Kings will finally be making a stop in Buffalo to perform at Broadway Joe’s Bar & Grille on Sunday, December 21
[POP] Local Buffalo trio Igna Yanoski, Brian Walnicki and Michael Yanoski—or as they are better known, The Bards—are a unique group of musicians who specialize in playing an assortment of popular music, movie tunes, and folk music from European countries like Ireland, Scandinavia and Latvia. Often described as a “dynamic trio,” the three musicians are classically trained and all have degrees in music performance. The Bards will perform at Pausa Art House on Friday, December 19.
Next door to Hostel Buffalo-Niagara on Main Street is a small, fascinating gallery that works like this: Local artists exhibit there in exchange for providing a work or a mural to grace the walls of the hostel, which is an entry point for a remarkable number of visitors to the region.
Tonight, December 12, 7-10pm, there is an opening reception for a exhibit of work by well regarded Buffalo painter Peter Fowler. Should be fun.