Editor's Pick: Configuration Dance w/ABT’s Susan Jaffe & Misty Copeland

Friday, January 30

American Ballet Theater principal dancer Misty Copeland (pictured) made dance history a few years ago as the first black female the company ever elevated to the level of soloist. At the time, Copeland was the only African-American—male or female—that ABT had, a situation that singled her out as a role model and had some calling her the “Jackie Robinson of classical ballet.” Copeland’s talent had made her an impactful figure in the ballet world since her rather late introduction to dance at the age of 13. Her skill was such that her ballet instructor launched a custody dipute with the young dancer’s family, a saga that played out in national headlines. Copeland comes to Buffalo along with famed former ABT principal ballerina Susan Jaffe to join Configuration Dance Theatre (CDT) in a performance during this week’s Gusto at the Gallery. Jaffe will present her own new choreography (starring Copeland); CDT resident choreographer Michael Shannon, former principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet, will present his work; and there will be will be an excerpt from CDT’s new full length ballet Arthur of Wales, NY— Quest for the American Dream. Configuration Dance is known for showcasing a blend of local, national, and international artists, and artistic directorJoe Cipolla will be on hand to talk about thecompany’s most recent successes and what’s in store for our 2009/2010 season.

—k’ o’day

8pm, Albright Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave. (882-8700 / www.albrightknox.org). FREE

Friday, January 30

Ann Arbor Film Festival

The second-longest running film festival in North America, and by far the oldest devoted to independent and experimental film in North America, the Ann Arbor Film Festival is also notable for being one of the first to travel outside its home turf (in this case Michigan) with a traveling program that takes some of its highlights to different cities. Squeaky Wheel will present highlights from the 47th edition, mostly on digital with one 16-millimeter print. The evening includes Daniel Robin’s “My Olympic Summer” (winner jury prize for best short at Sundance ’08), Catherine Chalmers’s “Safari” (winner best experimental short SXSW ’08); Leighton Pierce’s “Number One” (first prize, Black Maria Film Festival ’08); Josh Raskin’s “I Met the Walrus” (nominated for Academy Award best animated short ’08); and Robert Todd’s “Office Suite” (winner best experimental short film AAFF ’08). For the complete program go to http://www.aafilmfest.org.

—m. faust

8pm, Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main Street (884-7172). $6/general admission; $4/Squeaky Wheel members.

Friday, January 30

Laura Hubert

On Friday (Jan. 30), the Allen Street Hardware Café will present Canadian singer/songwriter Laura Hubert. Café owner Mark Goldman discovered Laura in a bar in downtown Toronto and, recognizing a certain “je ne sais quoi” as he puts it, he promptly booked her for a show. Sounding at times like Billy Holiday, Edith Piaf, Janis Joplin, and other disparate musical influences, Hubert is an engaging and versatile artist. This is her first performance in Buffalo, and she’ll be presenting material from her upcoming CD Half Bridled, due out at the end of March. Keep in mind, the always crowded venue (they just can’t seem to expand enough, can they?) is expecting quite a turn out, so try getting there by 9pm.

9:30pm. Allen Street Hardware, 245 Allen St. (882-8843 / www.allenstreethardware.com)

Saturday, January 31

Miami’s Nuts

Saturday (Jan. 31) Broadway Joe’s will host a night of comedy as Miami based comedy duo “A Pair of Nuts” takes the stage. This pair has been touring for a few years, gaining recognition along the way. They have appeared on such broadcasting networks as FOX, NBC, and MegaTV. The “Nuts,” Yamil Piedra and Johnny Trabanco, are both of Cuban decent, but ethnicity rarely informs their act. “We purposely steer away from Hispanic humor because we want the show to have a universal appeal,” says Piedra. Thy use a variety of comic devices to keep the crowd laughing including choreographed sketches and video mockeries such as their faux law firm, “The Law offices of Facmee & Diaz.”In regards to their upcoming show at Broadway Joe’s Trabanco said, “it’s a venue that is known for music, so we’ll be the first comedy act to set foot on their stage. Man are they in for a treat.” There will be two shows, one at 6pm and another at 9pm.

—justin sondel

6pm & 9pm. Broadway Joe’s Bar & Grill (3051 Main St.). $5-$10. Contact 837-3650 or bjoes.com for reservations and visit nutscomedy.com for more info

Saturday, January 31

Swati w/Tony Brown & The Faithful

This Saturday (Jan. 31), Babeville will host an evening dedicated to two rising singer-songwriters with international flare. Swati, a NYC native who began her musical career in the classical world, plays a twelve-string guitar that has been fitted with eight. She sings and plays in a style that is gripping, percussive, honest, and contains hints of her Indian heritage. Tony Brown, a former member of upstate NY’s infamous Ozone, now tours with his band the Faithful, a gathering of experienced, eclectic musicians hailing from around the globe. Brown’s soulful, powerful voice, along with the acoustic world vibe that his band mates bring, creates a sound that mixes blues, folk, and alternative rock. Together, these two acts should produce a night packed with originality and talent.

—lindsay berman

8:30 pm. The Ninth Ward at Babeville, 341 Delaware Ave. (888-223-6000 / www.babevillebuffalo.com). $8 advance at box office, Tickets.com/$10 at door

Saturday, January 31

Grüvology

Grüvology, a rising Buffalo jazz and R&B group, will perform a live recording session for their upcoming album this Saturday night (Jan. 31). Grüvology combines a traditional gathering of drums, sax, guitar, keys, and brass into a style that is all their own, with influences including funk, gospel, and Latin music. Their drive to keep the spirit of jazz alive and fresh has translated into high-energy shows with members who are not afraid of a little improvisation. A recent opening act for Alex Bugnon at the Tralf, this Buffalo-based group has appeared on WBFO Jazz radio and played local cafes, clubs, and festivals for years—including their current monthly gig at Cafe Allegro. Grüvology’s solid musicianship, based in extensive musical backgrounds and their intent to push the boundaries of music, form a band whose passion and ingenuity keep audiences on their toes.

—lindsay berman

8 pm. Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, 341 Delaware Ave. (854-1694 / www.hallwalls.org). $10/$8 HW members/$6 Students

Sunday, February 1

Dr. Lonnie Smith

This Sunday (Feb. 1) Dr. Lonnie Smith, who was born and raised in Lackawanna, will perform at Albright-Knox as part of the Hunt Real Estate Art of Jazz series. Smith is arguably the most recognized jazz organist in the world, and has played with some of the jazz world’s most revered names including Dizzy Gillespie, David “Fat Head” Newman, and fellow Buffalonian Grover Washington Jr. Born into a musical family, Smith was exposed to gospel, classical, and jazz music at a very early age. He was given a Hammond B-3 organ by a local music storeowner and love affair was born, to the extent that Smith’s name has become synonymous with the instrument. Over his five-decade career he has produced a massive catalog, involved in the production of over 70 albums. At Sunday’s show a pre-concert conversation, “The Pine Grill Union: Buffalo and the B-3,”with special guests Macy Favor and Sid Ehrenreich, begins at 2 pm. Smith will also appear at Barnes & Noble (4401 Transit Rd.) on Saturday (Jan. 31) from 4-6pm to celebrate the release of his latest album, Rise Up. Call 634.1011 for more info.

—justin sondel

3pm. Albright Knox Art Gallery. (270-8223 / www.albrightknox.org). $12/adults; $8/seniors and students

Thursday, February 5

3 x 3 @ AKAG

If there’s a drawback to the Buffalo Film Seminars, the popular series in which Bruce Jackson and Diane Christian opened up their UB film class to the general public, it’s that the survey nature of the course prevents it from really digging its teeth into any of the great filmmakers. That lack will be addressed this spring in a new series, “3 x 3,” featuring three films by each of three major figures in the history of world film. The series begins next week with La Grande Illusion (1937), Jean Renoir’s classic set in a prison camp during World War I, where German and French aristocrats react to the end of their way of life. Renoir’s oeuvre will be further explored with screenings of La Bête Humaine on February 12 and Rules of the Game on February 19. The March series is devoted to Federico Fellini (I Vitelloni, 8 1/2, Juliet of the Spirits), while in April discussion turns to the Japanese master Yasujiro Ozu (Late Spring, Tokyo Story, Floating Weeds). Jackson and Christian will offer an introduction to each film and conduct an audience discussion afterward

—m.faust

7:30pm. Albright Knox Art Gallery. (270-8223 / www.albrightknox.org)