“First Friday” events at the Castellani Art Museum usually feature culturally-charged performances and activities for adults and kids alike, and this week’s installment is no different. The art museum has recruited the band Endymion to share its blend of fiddle tunes, jigs, ballads, dance tunes, and Celtic and English music with patrons while they browse the art opening for Milton Rogovin’s Native American series, enjoy art activities for kids and refreshments from the cash bar. The band members are Robbie Krizan, guitar; Karen Koch, flutes and whistles; Maureen Bluett, percussion; Joy Batkin, fiddle; and Stephanie Leguori, harp. This “First Friday” will be held on March 2nd from 5-8pm, so get there in plenty of time to see this carefully coordinated evening

The Ryan Montbleau Band comes to Nietszche’s on Friday (March 2) as part of a CD Release Tour for the self-released album One Fine Color. Bridging Americana, blues, folk and ragtime, Montbleau may be on the verge of a national breakthrough with his music. Playing around 200 or more gigs each year, the band is making its name through hard work and the drive to succeed. While Montbleu is obviously the frontman of this quintet, the band is fortified by the talents af all its players, including Matt Giannaros (upright bass, electric bass, vocals), Laurence Scudder (viola), Jason Cohen (piano, organ, clavinet, Rhodes, Moog), James Cohen (drums) and of course Ryan Montbleau’s unmistakable guitar picking, vocals and songwriting talents. Special guests Doja open the show at 9pm

Club Infinity is hosting a double CD Release Party this Saturday (March 3) for local bands The Common Kings and The Airview. The Common Kings (pictured) are releasing their debut EP Possibilities, and The Airview is in support of their EP The Boy and Girl. Both relatively new bands get a special boost from an appearance by Jeff Martin (formerly of This Day and Age), who’s coming out to host the show along with a special mystery guest. Support for The Common Kings and The Airview comes from Umberland and Solusperro, and the evening also features raffles, giveaways and performances by the original members of The Testament. Doors open at 6pm

The WNY Theatre community and the owners of Q Bar are holding a benefit for actor Eric Rawski, who recently had to undergo emergency surgery and will be out of work for some time. The benefit will be on Monday (March 5) at 9pm at Q Bar. There will be items to be auctioned off, drink specials and a variety of performances by some of Buffalo’s theater elite, such as Michael Hake, Lorraine O’Donnell-Gray, Bobby Cooke, Marc Sacco and many others. A rare appearance by the Sweeney Sisters (played by Jimmy Janowski and Chris Kelly) is also scheduled as a special tribute to Mr. Rawski, an Artie nominated actor and member of Buffalo United Artists (BUA) who has performed in various theatres throughout WNY such as the Irish Classical Theatre Company, Musicalfare Theatre and Kavinoky Theatre. Suggested donation is $5 and all proceeds will go to Eric for help with his medical expenses

When faced with the departure of their lead singer right before they were set to record a new album, From Autumn To Ashes could have easily thrown their hands up in the air and said “we’re done.” Instead, with a simple changing of the lines they brought drummer Francis Mark out from behind his set to take over lead vocals for their soon-to-be-released Holding A Wolf By The Ears (Vagrant Records). This album is a bit darker than their previous three, and they’re looking at these changes as a new beginning. Autumn to Ashes is co-headlining a full US tour with Haste The Day, kicking off right here in Buffalo at the Icon on Tuesday (March 6). Doors open at 6pm and support comes from Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster, The Sleeping and Alesana