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See You There!

Artvoice's weekly round-up of featured events, including our editor's picks for the week: Being B.I.G. — A Benefit for the Fight Against Leukemia & Lymphoma, this Friday the 9th at Duke's Bohemian Grove Bar.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out our full events calendar on-line for complete event listings, a location guide to find your way about the city, restaurant reviews, and more.

Being B.I.G. — A Benefit for the Fight Against Leukemia & Lymphoma

Friday, March 9

The Notorious B.I.G may have left us in 1997, but his legacy as a hip-hop pioneer lives on in nightclubs, in the music industry and in the minds of young rappers. On Friday (March 9), the 15th anniversary of his death, After Dark Entertainment and DTR45, will throw a tribute show to the deceased rapper called Being B.I.G. at DBGBs to honor the man that changed it all in the world of hip-hop. Local artists will take turns taking the stage all night delivering their choice Biggie songs—from memorable hits like “Big Poppa” and “One More Chance” to underground favorites “Kick in the Door,” and “Everyday Struggle.” Damon Bodine, concert promoter, talent buyer and Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor will be hosting the show, and 100% of the proceeds will fund his latest project—completing the New York City Half Marathon in March with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. Since his battle with cancer last year, Bodine has turned his obstacles into a reason to grow. Currently living in Biggie’s old hood in Brooklyn, he trains with Team in Training five days a week, running miles through the city, even making the epic haul over all three NYC bridges. “It’s made me raise the bar on everything I do,” he said. “If you dedicate yourself to that type of workout, it gives you the energy to do everything in your life that much better.” Damon, who continues to have a presence in the Buffalo music scene, can’t wait to come back and get down with Biggie, and will be performing a TBA number of his own. “I definitely have a few tricks up my sleeve for the night,” he said. —emilie hagen

10pm. Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar, 253 Allen St. (240-9359 / dukesbohemiangrovebar.com). $5.

Thursday, March 8

Me Without You

Bob Dorough, who is now 89 years old, has been a jazz-cabaret singer and songwriter since the 1950’s. He penned classics such as “I’m Hip,” “Devil May Care,” and he wrote many of the songs for “Schoolhouse Rock!,” the educational series that was a Saturday morning staple in the 1970’s. Dorough’s catchy lyrics, toe-tapping melodies, and playful energy can be heard in all his songs, be it “Conjunction Junction” or “Blue Xmas” with the legendary Miles Davis. Back in Buffalo this Thursday (tonight!) for the first time since 1997, Dorough is bringing a lecture, discussion, and demonstration about his career—spent writing jazz classics, recording with jazz musicians, and creating songs that have educated and entertained generations of children—to the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Following his lecture, Dorough will perform a collection of classics in his concert, “From Bebop to Schoolhouse Rock.” Dorough’s appearance is the last in the three-part concert and lecture series, High Standards: The Legacy of the Great American Songbook curated by Ari Silverstein (the event emcee) and Professor Chuck Mancuso. Attendees should come prepared to be entertained.—jill greenberg

12pm Lecture. Burchfield Penney Art Center, 1300 Elmwood Ave. Free; 7pm Performance. Burchfield Penney Art Center, 1300 Elmwood Ave. (878-6011 / burchfieldpenney.org) $10 general, $5 members, free for students.

Friday, March 9

Mewithoutyou

This week, Philadelphia based rock band Mewithoutyou began slowly unveiling the cover of their upcoming album, Ten Stories, via small, digital puzzle pieces posted on their Facebook page one at a time. It’s an unusual way for the band to introduce the world to their fifth studio album, but MewithoutYou aren’t exactly your usual rock band. Matching their experimental rock recordings with intense live performances, MewithoutYou have intrigued audiences for over a decade now. Frontman Aaron Weiss is usually the focal point of their live performances, with his meandering demeanor, passionate spoken word vocals, and occasional use of an accordian or trumpet, but don’t let him distract you from the magic also being conjured by the other members of the band. Drummer Rickie Mazzotta and bassist Greg Jehanian lock together in rhythmic unison on songs like “The Dryness & The Rain,” from their 2006 Tooth & Nail album Brother, Sister, as if they’re guiding the listener through a middle eastern market place in biblical times. Guitarist and keyboardist Michael Weiss provides a mix of sound ranging from walls of atmospheric strumming to melodic, rhythmic riffing that further helps to transport the crowd to the far off land where the sounds of MewithoutYou exist. Don’t miss this creative four piece when they make a stop at the Tralf this Friday (March 9) with support from Sainthood Reps and Cold Fronts. —cory perla

7pm. Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St. (852-2860 / tralfmusichall.com). $15 advanced, $17 day of show.

Saturday, March 10

Elliott Brood with Pack Ad

In the last few years, I’ve been solidly in the mindset that whatever is or was “alt.country” is now most certainly gone. Uncle Tupelo broke up. Wilco became an experimentalist rock group. Ryan Adams married Mandy Moore. So, yeah: DEAD! Then I hear a record like Days Into Years by Toronto trio Elliott Brood and maybe I have to rethink it. OK, so the term “alt.country” seems about as righteous as AOL dial-up or a Friendster account, but that perfect mix of a twangy Telecaster, a 4/4 beat, a bouncey banjo, a pedal steel here and there, that folk-imbued storytelling with some lonesome pining and just enough rock and roll serration? Yes, this kind of music is still here and in the hands of the Brood it’s better than ever. For Days Into Years drummer Stephen Pitkin, Mark Sasso (lead vocals/guitar), and Casey Laforet (bass/guitar/banjo), kept their detailed, out-on-the-range sound and recorded an album that delves into historic tableaus of WWI and European landscapes. The Elliott Brood makes a long overdue return to Mohawk Place this Saturday (March 10) with support perfectly provided by Pack AD, the very killer Vancouver, BC girl/girl garage punk duo destined for greatness. —donny kutzbach

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (465-2368 / themohawkplace.com). $10 advanced, $13 day of show.

Saturday, March 10

The Funeral for Club Diablo

For the seven years since Club Diablo opened downtown on Washington Street (ironically and humorously right next door to the Catholic Charities building) the club has been known as the alternative bar, the goth bar, and the metal bar. But it’s been much more. Appropriately off the beaten path, it’s a place where people of a certain mindset could meet and not be judged by their appearance or style, a place where you could hear the music you wouldn’t hear anywhere else. Where else could you find a drunken punk-metal show? Or a rockabilly and burlesque show? Or a hip-hop massacre? Not many places in Buffalo provide the kind of entertainment that Club Diablo does, and now there will be one less because this Saturday (March 10) will be The Funeral for Club Diablo. After almost a decade under the ownership of the long-haired and tattooed, Jesse Zuefle, Club Diablo will be shut down permanently. Take this opportunity to hang out with some good friends, listen to the music of DJ Oldskool, and say goodbye to a club that has made its mark in Buffalo. If you need just a little bit more Club Diablo, the night before, on Friday (March 9) will be the last ever band showcase featuring local metal bands Skinbound, As Summer Dies, and Canto V. “My life has been forever changed for the better thanks to all who I have met and spent time with because of the bar,” said Zuefle. “Finally I’d like to invite everyone one to come out and celebrate the life and now the death of Club Diablo one last time.” —cory perla

9pm. Club Diablo, 517 Washington St. (842-0666 / clubdiablo.com). Free.

Saturday, March 10

Conspirator with Eliot Lipp

Conspirator isn’t just a Disco Biscuits side project anymore. The group has taken on a life of its own. The band, consisting of Biscuits’ bassist Marc Brownstein and keyboardist Aron Magner, and guitarist Chris Michetti of progressive rock group RAQ, have added drummer KJ Sawka—a man known to be able to play complex jungle beats without the aid of a sequencer or sampler, just his hands and feet—to their Blizzard of Beats tour. Conspirator is fast-paced electronica music. Though the Disco Biscuits combine electronic sounds with their jam band style, the tone of these two groups differs greatly. With songs like “Liquid Handcuffs,” a flowing and dripping electronic dance track, from their latest release, Key CD, the band will definitely get the crowd moving when they hit the Town Ballroom on Saturday (March 10). Joining Conspirator is electronic producer Eliot Lipp. Lipp is known for his strong funk influence, which he combines with an endless array of hip hop beats and subtle jazz and techno flourishes to create analogue based sampledelic rhythms. Lipp will also perform a DJ set at the Queen City Cartel’s monthly Friction dance party at DBGBs after the show along with DJs Perceptor, Mario Bee, and Bear Skin Rug. —cory perla

8pm. Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900 / townballroom.com). $20 advanced, $24 day of show.

Sunday, March 11

Speakeasy Sundays

Speakeasy Sundays have resumed at the Brawler’s Back Alley Deli in the Pearl Street Brewery. Presented by The Good Neighborhood, these events will display the old era, updating the meaning of the speakeasy sound as well as supporting our local arts and cultural organizations through the Give for Greatness campaign. Give For Greatness is a non-profit organization with a mission to raise funds to assist in the operational support of arts and cultural organizations in Western New York. Musical guests are scheduled for every Sunday from now until April 29th (except for Easter). This week’s musical act is Rad and the Jellyroll Roosters, with future performers Megan Callahan & Friends, Universe Shark, Rusty Steele & the Ramblers, the Canal Street String Band, and Gruvology scheduled for subsequent Sundays. Also, each Sunday will feature a raffle for the Give for Greatness and information about the 57 organizations served by their primary mission. This series also furthers G4G’s secondary mission, which is to advocate on behalf of programs that promote the arts and encourage collaboration among the region’s arts and cultural organizations, businesses, and community leaders. Come out and enjoy what Buffalo has to offer. Each event runs from 6pm to 10pm and there is no cover! —dan whitney

6pm. Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, 76 Pearl St. (856-2337 / pearlstreetgrill.com). Free.

Wednesday, March 14

Iced Earth with Warbringer

Despite a constantly changing lineup, Florida-based heavy metal band Iced Earth has enjoyed a highly productive career that has lasted over 20 years, under the steadfast leadership and perseverance of rhythm guitarist and original founding member Jon Shaffer. Since their beginnings under the name Purgatory in 1985, Iced Earth has released 10 studio albums and has toured the globe extensively—and their work continues. Driven largely by Shaffer’s love for pioneering heavy metal and hard rock bands like Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, and King Diamond, Iced Earth carries on the heavy, melodic and dark musical tradition of their predecessors. Their most recent release is titled Dystopia and is the first Iced Earth album to feature vocalist Stu Block (also from Into Eternity). On October 31st, 2011, Iced Earth kicked off the currently ongoing Dystopia World Tour, in support of their newest production. The tour was named “the most extensive world tour Iced Earth as ever undertaken” and the band will be stopping in Buffalo to perform at the Town Ballroom on Wednesday (March 14) with thrash metal band Warbringer. —max soeun kim

7pm. Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900 / townballroom.com). $19 advanced, $23 day of show.