Sun of Memphis Reunion
Elvis's 75th Birthday

Friday, January 8

Seventy-five years ago this Friday (Jan. 8), twins were born to poor parents in a two-room shotgun shack in Mississippi. One, named Jesse, didn’t survive. The other was so full of life that he would go on to change American music, and our world, forever. They named him Elvis. President Jimmy Carter remarked on his death in August 1977, “He was unique and irreplaceable...His following was immense, and he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness, and good humor of his country.” But in a lot of ways, Elvis Presley never died. From tabloid sightings, to impersonators who act sort of like priests at services invoking the spirit of rock-n-roll, to the millions who make pilgrimages Memphis annually, he remains the King. Buffalo’s Sun of Memphis—Joe Mattimore, John Weber, Brian Daddis, and Jack Freeze—will be reuniting to present selections from Presley’s entire career starting at 10pm, followed by Shaky Stage into the wee hours. Birthday cake will be served. Arrive early and enjoy the 7pm happy hour set by the Outlyers.

Pictured is Elvis at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, April 1, 1957, with local radio DJ George “Hound Dog” Lorenz.

Thank you very much.

—buck quigley

Nietzsche's, 248 Allen St. / 10pm / $5 / 866-8539 / nietzsches.com

Friday, January 8

The Found

Local quintet the Found makes no bones about being exactly what they seem—a straightforward classic rock band. Formed seven years ago at North Collins High School, the Found—Ben Hayes (drums), Harold “H-Po” Pollinger (organ, vocals), Bryan Mecozzi (guitar, vocals),Tommy “the Kid” Stanford (bass, vocals), and Nate Quiter (percussion)—churns out what Mecozzi calls “kick-in-the-teeth rock and roll,” drawing comparisons to the Stones, AC/DC, Sabbath, and the Stooges. This is a tight-knit, democratic group, with all five contributing to writing music, and if there’s a seven year itch, these guys don’t seem to be feeling it. Their gig on Friday (Jan. 8) at Mohawk Place is the first local appearance they’ve made in some time, and may be the last one here for a while. Also playing are Rochester duo Hotel Reverie (John and Jen Graney) and Spirit Chief.

—alan victor

Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. / 10pm / $5 / 855-3931 / mohawkplace.com

Saturday, January 9

Steve Johnson Band

From the ashes of regional faves Big Leg Emma comes another Southern Tier band mixing elements of bluegrass and funk into an infectious stew that’s heating up dancefloors all over the Northeast. Lead singer/guitarist Steve Johnson is joined by fiddler Amanda Barton, keyboardist Steve Davis, and drummer Daniel Witherspoon for a special show this Saturday (Jan. 9) at the Sportsmen’s Tavern. This Jamestown band, beloved by fans at the Great Blue Heron Festival, recently secured a sponsorship from that neo-hippie staple Magic Hat beer. That, in and of itself, speaks volumes for their ability to promote a good time—which is just what the doctor ordered in the midst of this cold and wintry January. Drop in for a little taste of summer. —buck quigley

Sportsmen's Tavern, 326 Amherst St. / 8:30pm / $10 / 874-7734 / sportsmenstavern.com

Tuesday, January 12

Buffalo Film Seminar XX

Santa wasn’t terribly good to moviegoers this holiday season (and how ironic that the Oscar people chose to double their pool of nominees to ten in a year when it’s hard to think of five candidates for Best Picture!) Thank god the Buffalo Film Seminar will be resuming to boost our weekly selection of movies made by adults for adults. As usual, the series begins with a silent classic, in this case Buster Keaton’s 1926 comedy The General. Don’t believe anything so old can be funny? Well, it’s rated #18 on the American Film Institute’s list of the top 100 comedies, ahead of His Girl Friday, A Fish Called Wanda and When Harry Met Sally. Other highlights in the weeks to come include Night of the Hunter (1955), the only film directed by Charles Laughton (Feb. 9); Peter Yates’ long-neglected The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973), starring Robert Mitchum (March 16); and on March 23, John Cassavetes’ alternately maddening and fascinating A Woman Under the Influence (1974). And if you’re surprised to see the likes of Stanley Kubrick’s Steven King adaptation The Shining or Michael Mann’s Collateral in this company, you can be sure seminar presenters Bruce Jackson and Diane English will make a compelling case for them. Vsit buffalofilmseminars.com for full screening schedule

—m. faust

Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre, 639 Main St. / Tuesdays at 7pm, Jan. 12 - Apr. 20 / $8.50 adults, $6.50 students (with ID), $6 seniors, discount series tickets available / 855-3022 / buffalofilmseminars.com

Tuesday, January 12

Zydeco/Cajun Dance Partees

Starting this Tuesday (Jan. 12) a new music and dance scene will be introduced to WNY. The Lafayette Tap Room has collaborated with LeeRon Zydeco and will be hosting Zydeco/Cajun Dance Partees monthly on Tuesday nights. They will bring traditional Louisiana style dancing and food, imitating an authentic dance hall party. For $5 you can enjoy free gumbo from the Tap Room, live music by LeeRon Zydeco & the Hot Tamales, and a free one hour dance lesson taught by Esther Brill, a master dance instructor at the Rochester Cajun Zydeco Network. New Orleans beer specials will be offered, along with some other surprises. After the dance lesson you will be able to practice your new steps with the Hot Tamales playing traditional two-steps, waltzes, and shuffles. The event runs from 7:30 to 11pm, with two more “partees” planned for February 2 and March 2. LeeRon Zydeco & the Hot Tamales will also make appearances at the Lafayette Tap Room on Friday, Jan. 22 and on Fat Tuesday (Feb. 16) from 6 to 9pm.

—rachel good

Lafayette Tap Room, 391 Washington St. / Tuesdays at 7:30pm / $5 / 854-2466 / lafayettetaproombbq.com

Wednesday, January 13

Micah Schnabel

Two Cow Garage frontman Micah Schnabel comes through town on Wednesday (Jan. 13) on a solo-acoustic tour, which may come as a surprise to fans of Two Cow’s kick-ass rock and roll. When solo, however, Schnabel’s vocal agility gets to shine all the more, as does his songwriting, which is evidenced on 2009’s solo release When the Stage Lights Go Dim. Seeing Schnabel on stage minus Two Cow, it’s much easier to see the resemblance to his father, folk artist John Schnabel, with whom he has released two CDs. As frontman for the hard-touring Two Car, one half of a father-son duo, and now a solo artist who just released a wrenching, heart-on-sleeve CD, this is a guy who knows how to spread his talent around. Schnabel plays at Mohawk Place, with special geusts TBA.

—alan victor

Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. / 8pm / $5 / 855-3931 / mohawkplace.com