6th Buffalo Small Press Book Fair

Saturday, March 24

It’s that time of year when authors and artists and bookmakers and poets from the Great Lakes Region and from lands beyond gather for one day to showcase their creations, discuss the zeitgeist, and further the ideas of presses. With about 100 vendors registered to attend and sell their wares this Saturday (March 24), the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair has been successful—for five consecutive years—in helping vendors ranging from hobbyists to indie presses, to the nationally recognized, impress an audience that have been nothing but enthusiastic and welcoming. There will be a number of free workshops that will be held simultaneously as the fair goes on, as well as an open reading that starts at 12:30pm featuring 29 authors and poets. A pre-book fair poetry reading has been scheduled the night before opening on Friday (March 23) at 8pm at the Western New York Book Art Collaborative on Mohawk Street for free. Three featured poets, Karen Randall, Kyle Schlesinger, and mIEKAL aND will be showcasing their works. Come out and help support local artists and writers, and of course, spread the word. —michael koh

12pm to 6pm. Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, Porter Hall, 453 Porter Avenue. (buffalosmallpress.org) Free.

Thursday, March 22

Eisley

The repercussions of divorce and heartbreak transformed the melodic indie-rock band Eisley, maturing their sound on their previous album, The Valley. The growth experienced by the Tyler, Texas natives continues on their latest EP, Deep Space, released this February. Replacing heartache with love and fanciful sci-fi influences originating from the band’s appreciation for author Ray Bradbury, proves Eisley’s substantial talent as songwriters and musicians. The five track collection of songs gives fans a release from their previous emotionally heavy tracks, and reveals the whimsical yet ripe peak that the band is headed toward. The title track, “Deep Space,” takes listeners on a dreamy ride to space while telling a soulful story of leaving home for love. Other tracks on the new release capture dimensional blues and folk with indications of love and better times for the relationships experienced by the song producing family. The track, “One Last Song,” hints at the direction the band has chosen to take, singing “I can see this happening for a reason, this new season is redemption”. The band will play cuts from Deep Space this Thursday (March 22) at the Hard Rock Cafe with support from Marksmen and Christie DuPree. —stacie duderwick

8pm. Hard Rock Cafe, 333 Prospect St. Niagara Falls (hardrock.com). $10.

Friday, March 23

Archnemisis

Listening to Archnemisis’ debut EP Diamonds and Glass you’ll immediately notice the heavy waving basslines and the oscillating synthesizers, but there are some subtle, yet major stylistic variations happening under the hood. Taking on hip hop, funk, dubstep, and even jazz, Archnemisis combine their original sounds with unique sampling to create a sound that is stylistically all their own. It might be hard to nail that style down by listening to Diamonds and Glass though, because as the band states in the liner notes of the record “when we decided that we wanted it to be an EP, the first question was ‘How do we get across the Archnemesis sound in 5 songs?’ After contemplating, we decided to give you an EP where each song was stylistically different, but with some common elements weaving their way through each one.” This is truly what the duo of Curt Heiny and Justin Aubuchon did with songs ranging from the future disco-funk of the title track to the wubbing bass of “Face to Face.” When the duo came together again to record their debut full length record People’s Radio, they had a more cohesive set of songs lined up— something that really tells their story—with the neon-electric guitar riffs of tracks like “People’s Radio” to the phased out lasers and reverberating vocal samples on “Spaceman.” Archnemisis will make a stop at Nietzsche’s with their friends Ultraviolet Hippoptamus on Friday (March 23). —cory perla

10pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / nietzsches.com). $10.

Saturday, March 24

Caveman

There‘s something very “future-primitive“ about Brooklyn indie quartet Caveman. The tribal percussiveness echoes the band’s namesake while the jangling tremolo of guitars bring to mind a subdued Grizzly Bear with shining vocal melodies and synths that would please any fans of Animal Collective. These comparisons might give the impression that Caveman are practitioners of the lush, wall of sound approach to song making. Not so. While there are moments of masterfully layered textures that seem like they could block out the sun, Caveman understand the all too often forgotten practice of leaving space and/or treating empty space like another instrument. This show of restraint is really what sets these guys apart from the pack. Having toured with the The War On Drugs and opened for the likes of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, it’s highly unlikely you’ll get another chance to see Caveman in such an intimate setting as Babeville’s Ninth Ward this Saturday (March 24). Don’t miss out. Opening the show will be the haunting dream-pop of Cemeteries and the anthemic psychedelic majesty that is Aircraft—who are quickly proving to be Buffalo’s answer to mediocrity with hooks that come shaded in technicolor. —eric kendall

7pm. Babeville’s Ninth Ward, 341 Delaware Ave. (852-3835 / babevillebuffalo.com) $8 advanced, $10 day of show.

Saturday, March 24

Zach Deputy

Birkenstocks? Check. XXL Phish t-shirt? Check. Pocket-chillum? Check. You’re ready for the Zach Deputy show this Saturday (March 24) at Nietzsche’s in Allentown (though you might want to leave the chillum in the car). On his latest album, Another Day, the festival-dwelling, self-proclaimed ‘ninja-soul’ songwriter temporarily hangs up his loop pedal in exchange for a full-band, creating a mid-tempo rhythm and blues collation. Produced by Grammy winner Scott Jacoby, Another Day cooks up a range of Deputy’s influences: a pinch of Al Green here, a touch of Taj Mahal there, all drizzled with some Stevie Wonder. Another Day is a noticeable foot forward from his previous album, Sunshine, and a deep nod to his maturation as an artist. Recorded over just a week’s span in a cramped Brooklyn studio, the album thrives on its authenticity, stripping away the finicky post-album perils of revision and reconsideration. Accordingly, Deputy’s live performance underwent a makeover as well, cosmeticized to fit the tracks on Another Day. In place of his boot-slapping one man dance party, Zach Deputy hits Nietsche’s stage armed with an ammo-clip of musicians perched behind their weapons of choice. Buffalo’s Steel Keys & Brass open the show. Ready, aim, fire-up. —brett perla

9:30pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / nietzsches.com). $12.

Saturday, March 24

Neglia Ballet Artists: Spring Suites

It seems like we may have skipped spring here in Buffalo and moved directly into summer, but we can still enjoy the sounds and sights of la primavera. On Saturday (March 24) Neglia Ballet Artists will present Spring Suites at the Rockwell Hall Performing Arts Center at Buffalo State College. The evening will feature an array of pieces, ranging from classical to contemporary ballet, including new works by Viktor Plotnikov, and Sergio Neglia in addition to works by George Balanchine, Heidi Halt, and James Graber with a roster of international and national guest dancers and choreographers. Argentinean dancer Erica Cornejo, a veteran principal dancer with the Boston Ballet will perform with her husband, Carlos Molina, former principal of the Boston Ballet. At age 14 Cornejo won a gold medal at the 2nd International Ballet Competition in Argentina, and was immeadiately invited to join Julio Boccas’ Ballet Argentino. She joined American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company in 1998 and, later that year, became a member of ABT’s corps de ballet. In 2009 Cornejo was featured on the cover of Pointe Magazine. Cornejo danced in tribute to Jose Neglia in 2011 with the younger Sergio Neglia performing as well. Of her appearance with the Neglia Ballet, Cornejo said “As an Argentinian Dancer I feel honored to have the opportunity to dance with Sergio’s company. I can’t wait to perform!” —a.v.

8pm. Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall, 1300 Elmwood Ave. $30, $35 (878-3005 / buffalostate.edu/pac). $25, $18 senoirs (60+), $18 students and children.

Sunday, March 25

Buffalo Powercon Comic Book and Pop Culture Con

John Amplas, who starred as a confused and homicidal young man who believes he is a vampire in George A. Romero’s 1976 cult classic Martin, will headline the Buffalo Powercon Comic Book and Pop Culture Con on Sunday (March 25) at the Buffalo Marriott Inn. Amplas also appeared in the cult film Midnight, directed by Night of the Living Dead co-writer John Russo, as well as Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, Knightriders, Creepshow, and Day of the Dead. He has been actively involved in theater, which he currently teaches as an Associate Professor at Park Point University in Pittsburgh. The actor will be signing autographs at Powercon. Additional guests at the event include local author and filmmaker Greg Lamberson, who has three (!!!) new books coming out, Carnage Road, The Frenzy War, and Tortured Spirits; special make-up effects artist Rod Durick, author of Filming the Undead, How to Make Your Own Zombie Movie; comic book artists John Totleben (Swamp Thing) and Graham Nolan (Batman); and comic book creator Steve Skeates (Hawk and Dove). Local film production outfits Buffalo Nickel Productions and Deftone Pictures Studios will also be on hand. Stellar Shows promoter Ted Haynes promises a busy dealers’ room for comics, toys, and movie memorabilia. He will also make a special announcement of interest to aspiring filmmakers.. —m. faust

10am to 5pm. Buffalo Marriott Inn, 1340 Millersport Highway in Amherst. $5 for adults, $3 for kids, children under six free.

Wednesday, March 28

Allan Holdsworth

In his nearly four decades of performing, Allan Holdsworth has earned a reputation as one of the best instrumental guitarists in the world. His innovative fusion of rock and jazz guitar have excited fans around the world and brought him loads of critical acclaim. During his illustrious career, Holdsworth has collaborated with numerous prog-rock and jazz fusion artists, with The Soft Machine, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Gong ranking among the most famous. Holdsworth has also had a prolific career as a solo artist releasing 11 albums since his 1982 debut I.O.U. Holdsworth. He has complete creative control over his music, and as a result, his albums are very uncompromising. Rather than courting commercial success, Holdsworth sticks to doing his own thing, and as a result, has made some well-respected albums, and has earned loads of respect from his contemporaries, with Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriana, and Alex Lifeson, and John Petrucci all citing him as an influence. This Wednesday (Mar 28), Holdsworth will be taking his considerable skills to the Tralf Music Hall, which is often a haven for skilled progressive guitarists like Holdsworth. Holdsworth has long been a well-loved live act, and has played at numerous rock and jazz festivals. Indeed, the uncompromising nature of Holdworth’s music has not hindered his ability to draw big crowds at his shows, and in fact, may have enhanced it. Serious music fans—jazz fans especially—tend to appreciate artists who shun what’s commercial and simply do what they love. Holdsworth fits that ideal perfectly, which is why this should be quite a show. —john hugar

7pm. Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St. (852-2860 / tralfmusichall.com). $20 advanced, $22 day of show.