Johnny Cash Birthday Bash
10pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen Street (nietzsches.com/886-8539)
Hunter S. Thompson once defined an outlaw as someone who lives outside the law, beyond the law, and not necessarily against it, and few artists embodied the outlaw spirit like Johnny Cash. The legendary singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, author, and activist is widely considered Country music’s greatest icon as well as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. With his deep, calm baritone voice and the distinctive sound of his Tennessee Three backing band, the genre-spanning sound of Cash embraced rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel, reflected in such classic standards as “Folsom Prison Blues”, “I Walk the Line”, and “Ring of Fire”. Cash’s rebellious attitude, his increasingly somber and humble demeanor, his raucous live performances, and his trademark look earned him the title “The Man in Black”. Even in his twilight, Cash continued to grow as an artist, writing new music and covering various modern rock artists (most notably giving us the definitive version of Nine Inch Nails “Hurt”) This Friday, Nietzsche’s is proud to host the fifth annual Johnny Cash Birthday Bash, featuring performances from Buffalo’s best country artists including Artvoice 2015 B.O.O.M. winners Uncle Ben’s Remedy.
> AV STAFF
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The Harlem Globetrotters
7pm. First Niagara Center, 1 Seymour H. Knox III Plaza (centerbuffalo.com) various ticket prices
Currently on a world tour in celebration of their 90th year, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their timelessly entertaining brand of family entertainment to the First Niagara Center on Friday, February 5. Known globally as the Ambassadors of Goodwill, the current lineup features Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard and Cheese Chisholm—plus female stars TNT Maddox and Sweet J Ekworomadu. Over the many years, the Globetrotters have become synonymous with spectacular ball handling, spellbinding dunks, head-scratching trick shots, hilarious comedy and fan interaction that has been drawing young and old into the great fun that can be had on a basketball court for nearly a century. Fans are encouraged to visit GreatAssist.com, where they can nominate a worthwhile cause or a deserving family in need of a smile, and the team will help out as many of them as possible as they roll through town. Take the kids to see an outfit that has earned its place as a true American treasure.
> AV Staff
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Kulig Winter Festival 2016
12pm-5pm, Chestnut Ridge Park, Orchard Park, (www.erie.gov/parks/chestnut.asp), $15-25
Despite the fact that the weather is unusually warm as of late, it IS still Winter, so come out and enjoy yourself this Sunday afternoon as the Polish American Congress, Western New York Division (PACWNY) holds their second annual Polish Winter Festival, known as a “Kulig” (“koo-league”), at the Chestnut Ridge Casino Meeting Room. Kulig means sleigh ride in Polish. Taking part in a kulig is an old Polish winter tradition dating back to the days of the Polish nobility, the Szlachta (“shh-lock-ta”). Horse-drawn carriage and sleigh rides were organized to carry reveling members of the aristocracy from manor house to manor house where they enjoyed hearty meals, music and dancing. PACWNY’s event will feature sleigh rides (of course), tobogganing, folk music performed in traditional costume by a live Goralska Kapela (Polish Folk Singers), Polish foods and drinks, face painting and crafts for kids, raffles, and a toasty roaring fire. “We want to continue to provide individuals and families a chance to experience this nostalgic Polish tradition. The Kulig will feature activities, sights, and sounds that will be like visiting the Polish mountain town, Zakopane, during the winter. Last year’s event was a tremendous success. We hope to provide an enjoyable event for all ages,” said PACWNY Director, Jim Lawicki. Adult tickets with a sleigh ride are $25, $15 without. Children 10 and older are $10 and under the age of 10 are free. Discount tickets for groups and families are available. For more information call (716) 864-6110 or email JLawicki@Verizon.net.
> Jean Grey
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Carnage
8pm. Town Ballroom 681 Main St. (townballroom.com/852-3900) $30-$34
DJ Carnage says making music is about having an impact, and it’s easy to feel the impact on every track the Los Angeles-based artist produces or remixes. With a versatile mindset and deft approach he siphons electro, hip-hop, pop, and trap into an intoxicating brew that’s dirty, defiant, and diverse. Having grown up in South America before moving to the suburbs of Maryland with his mom, the young Carnage has always been aware of both international and popular music, making his own beats and mix tapes which eventually gained exposure in the club scene. After a partnership with The Cataracs led to Carnage signing with the Indie Pop label, the DJ would go on to become a big favorite at various festivals while dropping one hugely popular remix after another, finally releasing a proper debut album in “Bang”. The incendiary record combines the best instrumental hip-hop beats with massive dubstep drops to rattle any dance floor. Carnage’s live shows offer the definitive platform for fans to rage. Feel the impact of Carnage for yourself when he plays the Town Ballroom this Tuesday night.
> AV STAFF
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Fat Tuesday Parties
5:30pm. Hot Mama’s Canteen, 12 Military Road (hotmamascanteen.com/783-8222) AND Polish Cadets of Buffalo, 927 Grant Street (polishcadetsofbuffalo.com/875-3211) AND Fat Bob’s Smokehouse (fatbobs.com/887-2971)
Before or after you’ve visited Nietzsche’s and Duke’s on Mardi Gras, you should make a few more stops on your Fat Tuesday bar crawl. Hot Mama’s Canteen, the cool joint at the corner of Amherst Street and Military Road in Black Rock will be rolling out a NOLA menu along with beads, masks, and live entertainment by pianoman Joe Bellanti knocking out ragtime tunes from 6-8pm, followed by the Ellen Pieroni & Donny Frauenhofer Duo playing New Orleans jazz from 8-10pm. Down the road at the Polish Cadets at the corner of Amherst Street and Grant Street, the Skiffle Minstrels will be rocking the house from 8:30-11pm with a Lindy Hop workshop from 7-7:45pm followed by a beginner’s lesson from 7:45-8:30pm. Back in Allentown, Fat Bob’s Smokehouse at 41 Virginia Place with live music starting at 5:30pm and a menu featuring jambalaya, Cajun shrimp, red beans and rice—with Hurricane and Magic Hat drink specials to wash it all down. Laissez les bon temps rouler!
> AV Staff
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Sultans of String
7pm. Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst Street (sportsmenstavern.com/874-7734) $8/$10 day of show
Canada’s Sultans of String will be bringing their unique mashup of world beat sounds ranging from Celtic reels, flamenco, Gypsy-jazz, Arabic, Cuban, and south Asian rhythms to the Sportsmen’s Tavern on Wednesday. For the past eight years they have been building up a big following and racking up awards in their homeland including two JUNO nominations and two Canadian Folk Music Awards. Bandleader and violinist Chris McKhool grew up in a Lebanese-Egyptian household and has been awarded a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his work in creating community through music. Their current release, Subcontinental Drift is a blend of ragas, reels and rumbas featuring sitar master Anwar Khurshid, and it further expands on their east-meets-west sound.
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