Babik With The BPO

Friday, February 19

There couldn’t be a more fitting collaboration to showcase Buffalo’s homegrown musical pride than two of the city’s most renowned groups: Babik and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. This Friday (Feb. 19), Babik and the BPO share the stage at the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall on the campus of Buffalo State. The concert marks the debut of Babik’s new full-length orchestral program, in collaboration with arranger Brent Havens, showcasing the “Gypsy swing” style that the band has popularized since their inception in 2005. And let’s face it, without Babik, Gypsy jazz might not ever see the light of day in a Buffalo music scene that is sometimes preoccupied with more mainstream genres. Manifesting from the sounds of virtuoso guitarist and Gypsy jazz deity Django Reinhardt during the 1930’s, Gypsy jazz or “jazz manouche,” is an accessible, earthy brand of jazz that weaves European folk song elements with the driving swing feeling we know from American big bands. Django used acoustic instrumentation, much like Babik does, to bridge the gap between the classical and jazz schools with an unprecedented energy and musical precision. Couple Babik’s engaging sounds with the internationally recognized BPO, and you have a concert that will leave you whistling melodies, tapping out rhythms, and knowing full well what Gypsy jazz truly is. After their Buffalo debut, Babik plans to take the program on the road to perform with other symphonic groups throughout the country. Somewhere, Django—who would turn 100 this year— is smiling.

A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Buffalo State Music Department.

—jon wheelock.

7:30pm. Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall, 1300 Elmwood Ave. $30, $35 (www.buffalostate.edu/pac, 878-3005) or at Rockwell Hall box office two hours prior to concert.

Friday, February 19

Outernational

Brooklyn-based quintet Outernational are doing their best to bring back the revolution rock. Taking cues from the Clash along with Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, and Rage Against the Machine—whose Tom Morello has taken special interest in the band and is producing their forth-coming debut—Outernational are bent on breaking down not only musical barriers but geographical, political, social, and mental ones as well. Sounds like grand plans for a rock band, right? Indeed, but again—Outernational’s template is the fabled “only band that matters.” As guitarist Leo Mintek told All Access Magazine in 2009, “What I love about the Clash so much is that they managed this attitude: On one hand they acted like they [didn’t care] what people thought, but at the same time they cared so much about their art, fans, and society... I think it really drove them to the write songs that needed to be written and that matter. We take a lot of inspiration from them to write powerful rock anthems.” It would be a mistake to peg Outernational simply as Clash copyists, though it’s easy to spot the same worldview musical mélange they embrace as they combine punk, reggae, bhangra, hip-hop, ska, dub, and blues with a fervent and driven charge. Local bands Do It With Malice and the Found open the show.

—donny kutzbach

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (myspace.com/mohawkplace / 855-3931)

Friday, February 19

Infringement Festival 2010 Fundraiser #1

With a little taste of what’s to come, a little teaser to boost both profile and momentum, the Buffalo Infringement Festival is starting to rear its head. The Festival brings together all art forms and is having a huge bash at Nietzsche’s on Friday. Included in the line up is Euphraxia & Red Moon, Super Computer, Baby Blue Bird, Shapes of States, Like a Panther, Hunger Anthem, andEvan”Karl” from PBS. Euphraxia & Red Moon are American Tribal Style bellydancers, sistered with San Fransisco’s FatChanceBellyDance who are the originators of American Tribal System dance (their certified teachers are currently teaching classes at The Vault.)

Visit www.infringebuffalo.org for festival updates, and news on upcoming fundraisers and planning meetings.

—frances boots

10:30pm. Nietzsche's, 248 Allen St. (nietzsches.com / 886-8539)

Saturday, February 20

WNY Black Film Festival

The eighth edition of the WNY Black Film Festival opens this weekend with a program of short films. “The Night We Died,” written by East Amherst’s John Gary Long, is about a couple facing life’s most compelling question. Winner of awards at several festivals, “Lifted” is the story of a woman facing emotional hurdles in her quest to become a dancer. “(Mis) Leading Man” looks at the destructive consequences of celebrity as a common man becomes caught inside a media fishbowl. The program will feature a reception and appearances by the films’ producers for a post screening discussion.

The festival concludes next Sunday with a program featuring more short films and announcement of the winners of the Film Festival’s Essay Contest for High School Students. For ticket information visit www.dipsontheatres.com or call 851-5145.

—m. faust

Sat., Feb. 26, 6pm; Sun., Feb. 28, 3pm. Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. $5

Saturday, February 20

Martini Gras

With AV’s Mardi Gras now behind us, it won’t be until next year when we get back into the drunken bead-throwing mood all over again. Unless you just happen to stop by Shea’s on Saturday (Feb. 20), that is. For those of you who couldn’t call in sick earlier this week, were busy , or simply feel like doing Mardi Gras all over again, Shea’s will be holding their 10th annual “Martini Gras”. The lobbies and stage at Shea’s Performing Arts Theater will be transformed into Bourbon Street as they bring you games and live entertainment. The Ifs, self-proclaimed “Secret Agents of the British Invasion” will be performing on the Shea’s stage, with Saxman Slim in the Intermission Lounge. Psychic readings, “riverboat gaming”, airbrush and caricature artists will also be present. Attendees can expect great food, beads, and, of course, an extensive selection of martinis. If you’re still craving some Cajun this weekend, don your most dashing mask and flaunt your brightest boa for some southern hospitality. All proceeds of this benefit will be going to Shea’s Performing Arts Center. Sorry kiddos, ages 21+.

—jeremy lee

8pm. Shea's Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (sheas.com / 847-1410). $20 advance, $25 at door. Ages 21+

Saturday, February 20

Eskmo

On Saturday (Feb. 20), ESKMO will provide the beats to a steamy dance party at Soundlab. ESKMO is the brainchild of San Francisco-based producer and performer Brendan Angelides, who turns his laptop into a snarling digital beast churning out only the heaviest of beats and hisses, influenced by such electronic giants as Aphex Twin, the Chemical Brothers and Moby. Songs like “Lands and Bones (feat. Swan)” quickly turn into an eerie graveyard stomp propelled by Angelides’ heavy use of bass and snare, like rattling bones. Angelides’ has been on the electronic music scene since 1999, releasing countless singles and EPs. He recently formed his own digital label called Ancestor, whose latest release Hypercolor jumped to the top ten on websites like Beatport, Addictech, and Digital Tunes. The album was also rated number one on Boomkat’s list of “14tracks” in May 2009. This growing exposure has led to earth-quaking performances throughout the U.S., Canada, and overseas. Be prepared to move. This is dance music for the apocalypse.

—peter vullo

9pm. Soundlab, 110 Pearl St. (bigorbitgallery.org/soundlab)

Sunday, February 21

Snoop Dogg

Ah, the many incarnations of Snoop (Dogg, Doggy Dogg). From gangsta-rap ringmaster to campy host of “Girls Gone Wild Doggy-Style” to a sort of lovable, if not creally cuddly, parody/pimp, Snoop Dogg never ceases to entertain. His blaxploits are legendary, he hosts reality and wrestling shows, he’s been a movie star, and he keeps the hits rolling out. Originally a Dr. Dre protégée, he initially exceeded his mentor’s fame after appearing on Dre’s 1992 debut The Chronic, helping that album to achieve greatness by lending his laid-back style. Making hard lyrics accessible through his easy, drawling delivery, Snoop became an icon of gangsta rap and the personification of its improbable popularity (“Gin and Juice,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”). But that was a pop star’s lifetime ago, so its good that Snoop’s maintained his position on rap radar. Last year’s Malice n Wonderland (Doggystyle/Priority) makes his tenth studio album, and he’s touring it around the US, landing at the Town Ballroom on Sunday (Feb. 21). Its nothing you haven’t heard him do before, but that’s fine. After all, it’s the shiznit.

—alan victor

7pm (doors). Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (townballroom.com / 852-3900). $40 advance (box office, Tickets.com, 888-223-6000)