How many avant-garde Canadian post-instrumentalists does it take to screw in a light bulb? I don’t know, but Godspeed You! Black Emperor hasn’t done anything lately, so maybe they can tell you. Okay, that was a cheap shot, but the once darlings of the True North’s orchestral rock scene have lapsed in their steady progression of records and, um, progressiveness, making room for bands like their thunder-stealing Montreal neighbours (yes, I added the “u”) the Arcade Fire and Toronto’s Do Make Say Think. While Arcade Fire has been getting most of the press, Do Make Say Think has been steadily growing and deserves some due. The collective’s 2007 release You, You’re a History in Rust (Constellation) breaks beyond the band’s usual instrumental experimentation. They keep the challenging but engaging exercises in beautiful noise but trade their uncompromisingly structured songs for more traditional fare—like verse-chorus-verse and some lyrics—and surprisingly play out a record that feels like a keenly plotted narrative. Guests include members of Akron/Family adding vocals. As if DMST dudes Ohad Benetrict and Charles Spearin haven’t been busy enough helming their own group of clever misfits, they were also drafted into Broken Social Scene for Kevin Drew’s solo vision Spirit If… which is just out on the Arts & Crafts imprint and certain to be among many of the year end “Best Of” lists. And You, You’re a History in Rust ought to make a few, too! Bare Flames opens the show.

Showcasing a purple, leather-clad ass on the cover of your new album is a good way to attract some to the artwork, but as far as opening up the package and listening to what’s inside—that’s another story. The Donnas are the Runaways, if you will, of modern rock and roll: Girl power is their message and they’ve got the look and the sound to stay on the scene. Like many other groups, these four got together when they were just kids, in 1993, and gave birth to their band out of someone’s garage in Northern California. Seven studio albums later, they’re still going strong and, thanks to the bonds of friendship and a deep trust in one another, they’ve managed to accomplish a feat most other groups cannot: simply staying together. Their latest album, Bitchin’, the first record off their new label Purple Feather Records, represents a departure from the world of the corporate record industry. They wanted to do it their way and they made it happen. Citing influences such as Aerosmith, Motley Crue and Def Leppard, the Donnas may have felt “sceneless” for a while, but now relate the most to the metal crowd. They even have their very own cult following (known as the Donnaholics) and have proven they have what it takes to be rock superstars. Support from Donita Sparks & the Stellar Moments and the Switches.

The Italian-American Federation of Western New York celebrates its 100th anniversary with a weekend of film, theater, parades and parties. The celebration begins on Friday at Sheas Buffalo with the world premiere of La Terra Promessa (The Promised Land), a documentary on the experiences of hundreds of Italian immigrants who made their homes in Western New York. Written and directed by actor Joey Giambra, La Terra Promessa features an original score composed and performed by Don Menza, whose 17-piece band will perform at a special VIP party following the film. Saturday’s events include an Italian Heritage Parade on Hertel Avenue starting at 1pm. At 8pm Buffalo State’s Rockwell Hall hosts the premiere of Neal Radice’s theatrical spectacular Italian Serenade, with arepeat performance Sunday at 3pm. After a special mass at St. Anthony’s C hurch behind Buffalo City Hall, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Columbus Monument near the Peace Bridge, the weekend concludes at 6pm Sunday with a 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens on Transit Road. Tickets are available for single events and for special combinations. For more information, got to www.fiaswny.com or call 668-9451.

Three weeks ago, the long-fabled Northwest Passage over Canada opened up for the first time in recorded history, proving that man’s influence on the world’s climate is, indeed, increasing. Unlike George W., this comes as no surprise to many WNYers, several of whom have actively taken up the fight against climate change in their own homes and work places. This weekend’s Tour of Solar Homes & Green Buildings features the work they’re doing, from installing solar panels on their rooftops (UB Green, pictured above) and super-insulating their walls (Walter Simpson) to digging wells for geothermal heating and cooling. That final improvement was also adopted at Ani DiFranco’s “Babeville” (the start of the 2006 tour), as well as at the Darwin Martin House, which is the starting point for this year’s tour. The idea of the tour, which visits 10 sites throughout Western New York, is not only to celebrate environmentally conscious building but to promote it to those who are on the tour. The tour lasts from 10am to 4pm, and can be self-guided. UB Green’s Walter Simpson will speak at the kickoff press conference, and Wind Action Group’s Bill Nowak will speak about Steel Winds at 2pm at the Small Boat Harbor. For more info on the buildings included, visit www.nesea.org.