Stripteasers Present: “Midnight Mass”

Saturday, November 1

Known for their humor, satire, and sex appeal, the Stripteasers are performing a seductive, blasphemous “Midnight Mass” show on All Saints Day at Nietzsche’s. Expect to see the saucy sextet dressed as sacrilegious nuns, donned in black, white, and fishnets. The ladies have performed internationally and around the country, and are now bringing their talent back to Buffalo. There will be hymns conducted by Joe Donahue, Coquette Sisters, Fredtown Stompers, and Blue Rootz. In addition to the burlesque show, there will be a “Sunday Best” dress contest, and winners can take home many prizes, including an iPod tower and a new mountain bike. Buffalo’s longest running burlesque troupe is sure to thrill. Bring your Bibles and pentagrams and get ready to be converted.

- Joy Resor

9pm Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen Street (886-8539/nietzsches.com), $5 at the door, 21+

Thursday, October 30

Lou Rera: Reading and Book Signing

Lou Rera, Buffalo native and communications professor at SUNY Buffalo State, is promoting his first novel SIGN just in time for Halloween. The member of the JUST Buffalo Literary Center spins a terrifying tale in this supernatural thriller about a man who receives a call from a deceased acquaintance. The novel has received international acclaim and was published earlier this year in England. Now the book is available worldwide in both paperback and Kindle editions, and Rera is proud to highlight his creative work in his hometown. As a member of the Horror Writers Association, you know Rera’s novel will be filled with plot twists and hair-raising suspense. The free event will take place at Talking Leaves on Main Street and includes a book signing and discussion of SIGN. Come if you like a good scare.

-Joy Resor

7pm Talking Leaves, 3158 Main Street (884-9524/tleavesbooks.com), Free

Thursday, October 30

The Throw Down Trio

The intimate confines of Macky’s Essex Street Pub will be throbbing with the wild, improvisational sounds of the Throw Down Trio on Beggars’ Night. The group features some of the most talented and boldly experimental musicians around. Standup Bassist Arthur “Juini” Booth (pictured) cut his teeth working in Buffalo with Chuck Mangione before moving to New York City in the late 1960s—where he went on to play and tour with such jazz notables as Eddie Harris, Art Blakey, Larry Young, and Sun Ra, among many others. His skill at coaxing unexpected tones and rhythms out of his instrument is rivaled by his bandmates Steve Baczkowski on saxophones and Ravi Padmanabha on drums. Baczkowski and Padmanabha are well known in local avant-jazz circles for their collaborations as a duo exploring the limits of free form improvisation. Expect a packed house of rapt listeners delighting in the explosive interplay between these great players.

- Buck Quigley

9:30pm. Macky’s Essex Street Pub, 530 Rhode Island Street (essexstreetpub.com)

Friday, October 31

Robbie Fulks Band

For over 25 years Robbie Fulks has been making some of the smartest and most genuine alt.country/folk music around. His songwriting, which is often laced with humor, is widely varied and delivered with a rich, distinctive voice. On top of that, he’s a great guitar picker. Despite these strengths, SPIN magazine has called him “America’s most unjustly unsung singer-songwriter.” He’s recognized as a giant on the contemporary Chicago folk scene—the town he calls home—but his praises have also been sung in Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, the Washington Post and others. He’s also known for performing some of the most entertaining covers of unlikely pop songs. His take on Cher’s “Do You Believe in Love” has to be heard to be believed—at once touching and hilarious. Still, it’s his own tunes that are the highlight of his live shows. Standouts include the hillbilly bounce of “She Took a Lot of Pills and Died” and the country gospel weeper “God Isn’t Real.” At the Sportsmen’s gig he’ll be joined by frequent sidemen Robbie Gjersoe on guitar and two-time Grammy winning bassist Todd Phillips—a founding member of the David Grisman Quintet. It’s the final date of a tour supporting Fulks’s recent release Gone Away Backward [Bloodshot]. The show is a rare opportunity for a Buffalo audience to see the performer Tina Fey calls a “Chicago-area alt-country genius.” As far as Halloween gigs go, this one’s going to be scary good.

- Buck Quigley

8pm Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst Street (sportsmenstavern.net) $15

Friday, October 31

Vamp: The Witches Masquerade Ball

The Historic Hotel Lafayette will be hosting Vamp, the 3rd annual Witches Masquerade Ball this Friday, on Halloween Night. A Vamp is defined as a femme fatale whose charms lead men into compromising or dangerous situations. The Witches Ball committee will award a $1000 prize for this year’s best costume announced by Robby Takac of the GooGoo Dolls. Events will be scattered throughout the Hotel Lafayette with low lying dry ice machines, black lights, and video installations. This year’s Ball will feature music by DJ Mike Sunglasses with Eye Candy Burlesque and Kickstart Rumble in the Grand Ballroom. Bipoloroids, Zuri & her Freakshow will be performing in the Crystal Ballroom. There will be a live S&M photo shoot in the New Groom Service Beauty Bar along with DJ All Day Jon Lay and flash mob dance by Foxy Diamonds. Guests will have the opportunity to get their fortunes read with Mason Winfield’s psychic fair in the Greenhouse room along with many surprises throughout the night. The Witches Ball begins at 7pm. This event is for ages 21 & up, tickets are $30.

- Sarah Barry

7pm The Hotel Lafayette, 391 Washington Street (https://www.facebook.com/events/721139557977550/) $30 / 21+

Saturday, November 1

Buffalo Film Expo

Buffalo’s local film community has been steadily growing and there are a multitude of young filmmakers anxious to get in and continue that growth. With that in mind, filmmaker and author Gregory Lameberson is hosting the Buffalo Film Expo (BFX) Saturday (11/1) 10am-5:30pm for the edification of anyone interested in film. The one day event features workshops and panels of professional filmmakers covering production, screenwriting, business, cinematography etc. “This conference is aimed at people who want to learn more about the film making process,” said Lamberson, “and for people who want to participate in this growing industry in our region. Writers, producers, camera people and actors can all benefit from the information shared here. This is also a great networking opportunity: we encourage people to bring their business cards and head shots.” Programming is well targeted to specific subjects with an excellent roster of local experts like Buffalo Film Commissioner Tim Clark and veteran shooter Chris Santucci. Check https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloFilmExpo for the schedule and find what meets your needs.

- Artvoice Staff

10:30am—5:30pm Holiday Inn Buffalo Airport, 4600 Genesee Street, Cheektowaga. $10 for adults; $5 for children

Thursday, November 6

Bryan Johnson and Family

What can only be described as “fun, fun, fun,” Buffalo’s very own lake-pop group, Bryan Johnson and Family is set to hit it off at the Studio at the Waiting Room on November 6 to release their debut EP, Cool Your Jets (Admirable Traits Records). The band displays an array of catchy surf riffs with ambient vocal melodies that will leave you feeling like you’ve been teleported to the shores of Venice Beach. The album’s first single, “Dead Fox,” sets the tone for the EP as clever melodic lyrical content blends with the playful structure of a very well produced rhythm section. As the band gains momentum in the Queen City, it’s vividly clear that music lovers of all genres can jump on board with the diverse arrangements included within the track listing. Influenced by artists such as The Beach Boys, Ramones, Vampire Weekend, Jimmy Buffet and Neil Young, BJ & Family are sure to shine a light on Buffalo’s most darkest November nights. Joining the foursome the night of the show will be the punk/funk/rock six piece, Mallwalkers, and 90’s indie/emo revivalists, Del Paxton. A lineup this contrastive will undoubtedly grab the attention it deserves as this is one of the first wave of bands to christen the Studio at the Waiting Room. $10 cover assures admission and your very own copy of the debut EP.

- Jeff Czum

8pm Studio at the Waiting Room, 334 Delaware Ave (853-5483 / waitingroombuffalo.com) $10 cover includes a physical copy of Cool Your Jets