There are a host of cool activities for your enjoyment going on this week in Western New York, highlighted by a one of a kind Memorial Day tribute by the BPO at Kleinhans, and the start of Pride Week on Sunday!
Deep Thinka Records also has their first installment of Sauced: A Beat Lounge in Buffalo, showcasing local and touring live production skills. Be sure to check it out at DBGB's Saturday night.
Here are 12 Editor's Picks of cool and interesting events going on in the area for the week of May 12 - May 18, 2014. Be sure to check out our events calendar for much more of what's going on in the area, and check back every Friday for a "Best Bets" for the weekend.
The Few, The Fallen & Years End
The Forvm
Mon May 19
Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, The Few, The Fallen defies the norm with melodic leads and bone crunching breakdowns. Starting in June of 2011, The Few, The Fallen set out to play the music they love. With a technical and melodic goal in mind, the band went through quite a few member try outs and changes before settling on their current lineup. Each member was specifically picked because of what they each could bring to the table. Playing their first show in January of 2012, The Few, The Fallen has set the bar high, and is working their tails off to get their music to as many people as possible. Their bone crunching breakdowns combined with their melodic leads and wall shaking vocals bring a unique sound to their local scene. The Few, The Fallen has released their first EP titled "From the Bottom We Rise" and has released new music and a music video. Be on the lookout for big things from this band.
MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA
Town Ballroom
Tue May 20
Afterdark Presents, Manchester Orchestra with Balance and Composure, Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band.
Food Truck Tuesdays
Larkin Square
Tue May 20
WNY's favorite Food Trucks will be parked at Larkin Square ready to serve all their delicious offerings. Beer, wine and soda available! More details here.
ANIMALS AS LEADERS
Town Ballroom
Wed May 21
Animals As Leaders is an American instrumental progressive metal band formed by guitarist Tosin Abasi in 2007. It currently features guitarist Javier Reyes and drummer Matt Garstka.
HONOUR CREST
Waiting Room
Thu May 22
A Metalcore/Electronica band tearing its way through the scene. With upcoming tours and a new album "Metrics" being released this Fall, expect huge things from this up and coming band. Formed in 2009, in the Virginia Beach and Norfolk areas of Virginia, Honour Crest seamlessly blends fast paced beats into an electronica-metalcore hybrid. Zach Fitzpatrick, Jimmy Dillon, and Cory Beaver perfectly compliment Luke Borza's aggressive vocals on guitar, bass, and drums respectively. Rounding out the five-piece and adding an extra dimension to their contemporaries lack is Chad Orange's electronics programming, fusing perfectly with the bands intense guitar work and vocals. Honour Crest's live shows are more like parties with something for every music fan to enjoy.
Dave Attell
Helium Comedy club
Thu May 22 – 24
Dave Attell was named one of the "25 Funniest People in America" by Entertainment Weekly Magazine. His caustic wit, rapid-fire delivery and his choice of material that can best be described as "very adult" has earned him the reputation as a "comic's comic."
Star Spangled Pops
Kleinhans Music Hall
Fri May 23 – 24
Join the BPO and the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus for a patriotic tradition as we honor the men and women who have served our country and pay tribute to the American spirit.
FIRST ANNUAL MUSIC QUARIUM
Tralf
Fri May 23
Featuring ROD BONNER III & KEVIN HALL
Celebrate 50th Birthday Party with Kim & Charles
Aesthetic Perfection
Broadway Joe’s
Sat May 24
Aesthetic Perfection’s Daniel Graves is not one to allow himself, or his music, to stagnate. On the new album, ‘Til Death, we find an artist who, despite an overwhelming outcry for a return an earlier sound, refuses to conform to anyone's expectations. The sound of the 10 tracks on 'Til Death runs from the IAMX-tinged swagger of "Showtime," to the eerie, almost Depeche Mode vocal patterns of "Lovesick", to the hook-laden dark pop of "Oh, Gloria!"; 'Til Death shows Graves at his diverse best.
Prior to the release of 'Til Death, Aesthetic Perfection ambitiously released three drastically different singles and videos: "Antibody," "The Dark Half," and "Big Bad Wolf". In true AP fashion, taken individually, none of the singles give the listener more than an inkling of what to expect from the full LP. But when taken as a whole, the three tracks encapsulate the essence of what to expect from ‘Til Death: beautiful, haunting and eclectic.
Dion
Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel
Sat May 24
Bursting onto the scene in 1958, Dion put doo-wop on the map. With hits like “Runaround Sue,” “The Wanderer” and “A Teenager in Love,” he quickly rose to fame as one of America’s most popular teen idols. Over 50 years later, Dion continues to evolve as an artist, incorporating different pop, rock, blues and R&B elements into his music throughout his illustrious career. In 1989, Dion was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest singer-songwriters of our era.
Sauced: A Beat Lounge in Buffalo
DBGB’s
Sat May 24
DTR presents SAUCED, the first in a series of producer beat showcase events; showcasing local and touring live production skills. For our first installment we have Buffalo legends, Tone At (Pseudo Slang/Intellectuals & Cinemaddicts) and ShutEyes, rocking their skills live on the MPC. Also please welcome on tour from the West Coast, Ben Durazzo and AF The Naysayer. It's gonna be a great night, so come thru and support local indie artists.
OUT IN THE BALLPARK WITH QCSL
Lasalle Park
Sun May 25
America's favorite pastime goes gay with a pep-rally party at Lasalle Park to celebrate the Queen City Softball League's (QCSL) 2014 season. The Queen City Softball League is one of the largest LGBTQ sports organizations in Western New York.
