House of Alchemy is a Buffalo-based CD-R label specializing in limited edition releases of psych-noise, outsider drone and free-folk weirdness. At Soundlab this Friday (Nov. 9) the label exhibits its breadth with a “bi-coastal” showcase featuring groups from LA and around NY state, including Sleepwalkers Local 242, a solo artist looping guitar and keyboards; Antique Brothers, whose mix of electric and acoustic elements embodies “gritty industrial folk music;” Century Plants, a guitar-based drone and feedback outfit; and Stone Baby, who creates “haunting ambient chamber noise” through tape manipulation and fractured guitar playing. There is no cover charge, which makes for a perfect opportunity to check out what this intriguing local label has been up to. The show starts at 9pm

The Essex Street Arts Center is putting on a “can’t miss” event on Saturday (Nov. 10), from 7pm to midnight. The Center has long fostered the arts movement in Buffalo, and now it’s time to give back to this creative scene. Multi-media light and film shows, go-go dancers, live music by the Ifs and multiple DJs spinning throughout the night will be just part of the evening’s entertainment. Attendees will also have the opportunity to design a personalized steel sculpture and watch it cut to form by professional plasma cutters. $35 advance tickets are available at New World Record, Terrapin Station and Urban Surf & Snowboard, and include beer and wine. This is a 21+ event and tickets will be $40 at the door.

The Academy Is… comes to Buffalo on Saturday (Nov. 10), on the “Sleeping With Giants Tour” with Armor For Sleep, the Rocket Summer, Sherwood and Cobra Starship. The Academy is… has risen to pop fame through relentless touring with the likes of Fall Out Boy, Matchbook Romance, Motion City Soundtrack and Panic! at the Disco. The indie rock band is based out of the Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates and signed to the label Fueled by Ramen. Lead singer William Beckett has collaborated with Fall Out Boy and Cobra Starship, lending his voice to Cobra’s “Bring It (Snakes on a Plane)” for the soundtrack for that movie. Originally scheduled at Evolution Night Club, the show has been moved to Club Infinity, where tickets for Evolution will be honored at the door. Doors open at 6pm.

A special event called the “R&B Rock-n-Roll Review” is being held at the Lafayette Tap Room this Sunday (Nov. 11), starting at 1pm. Featured musical guests are the Morvells (pictured) with Billy McEwen, Cruisin’ Deuces, Mr. Conrad, John Culliton Mahoney, Denzel Ward, Barbara St. Clair, Mark Winsick, Patty Parks, Billy B. & the Honeydrippers and Big Wheelie & the Hubcats—a veritable ‘Who’s Who” of local blues talent. Tickets are $20 and the proceeds benefit the family of Charles Vicario III, the son of Chuck “Big Wheelie” Vicario, who tagically passed away last August leaving behind two young children. The benefit includes raffles, a Chinese auction, food, surprise guests and more. All proceeds will go to the Vicario family.

L.A. rapper Busdriver rose from the fertile ground centered around the Goodlife Cafe, a scene that helped spawn the careers of Pharcyde, Jurassic 5, the Freestyle Fellowship and many more. Once memorably described by The Independent as sounding “like some street crazy,” Busdriver’s freewheeling rants contain poetic turns that have this maverick rhymer running ‘round the country giving lyrical lessons and dispensing wisdom—like “innocent girls who look like they used to star in amateur porn—one financial disaster, an exotic dancer is born.” In a genre-defying move this year, Busdriver toured with Deerhoof and gave a performance that was said to be a highlight of Coachella’s Music Festival. Making a similarly odd combo are current tourmates Daedalus and Antimc, two experimental artists also from La-La Land. This show should be quite the melting pot of jazz, psychedelia and hip-hop, at Soundlab on Wednesday (Nov. 14), 9pm.