Buffalo’s prolific wunderkind Ani DiFranco is claiming her rightful place on stage at The Church, also home to her company Righteous Babe Records, in a two-evening concert event taking place this week. A special treat for fans will be introduced at the concert(s), where the poet and songwriter will release her first book, Verses, a collection of paintings and poetry that was co-published by Righteous Babe and Seven Stories Press. Themes of love and politics, individuality and society and personal responsibility and compassion collide just as they do in her lyrics, showing a poetic precision that has made a feminist and human rights icon—and a shining example of a musician’s potential for social influence—out of this hometown girl. Now with a girl of her own (DiFranco’s first baby was born this year), fans might imagine that such a powerful personal experience as childbirth has fueled some equally powerful new writing. Her last album, 2006’s Reprieve, is her 18th full-length release in as many years and was penned before the announcement of her pregnancy, which she made during the National Organization for Women’s 40th Annual Convention where she was honored with the Woman of Courage award. The four-time Grammy nominee is surely no stranger to awards and accolades, but no display of Ani appreciation could be better than what’s expected at this week’s upcoming events. September 11th will mark the first public concert by Ani at the venue she helped to build—a venue that most recently welcomed Bill Clinton to its stage—and that alone makes this an unprecedented kind of event. Also slated for release at the shows is Canon, a 35-song retrospective featuring material from throughout DiFranco’s career. Support comes from Righteous Babe recording artist Hammell on Trial on September 11 and activist/singer/songwriter Melissa Ferrick on September 12.

Tuesday, September 11 & Wednesday, September 12 at 7pm (doors). Asbury Hall at the Church, 341 Delaware Ave.

(www.thechurchbuffalo.com/www.righteousbabe.com).

$38.50 at Ticketmaster (852-5000/www.ticketmaster.com)