Second Line Cities Weekend featuring Rebrith Brass Band

Saturday, September 12th

Seven years strong, Robby Takac’s (of the Goo Goo Dolls) labor of love is growing from the little festival that could to one of the city’s biggest events. There was speculation of MiA’s demise when it was cast out of Allentown a few years back, but now in the second year of its divine relocation to the Albright Knox, the event is bigger than ever. The one day festival is boasting a roster of 30 bands, 40 exhibiting artists and photographers, DJs, dance troops, a projection tent, a kid’s village, a beer and wine garden (the adult version of a kid’s village), live art, and—to appeal to everyone—a giant robot (A giant robot, people!!). And all of this delightful insanity beneath the legendary steps of the Albright Knox. For the live performances, there will be three stages, with many of the bands being champions of various battle of the bands contests, including the Big Easy in Buffalo winners Infinity Blues Project, Niagara University battle winners Brass Monkeez, 2009 MiA winners Abominable Killer Snowmen, and various winners from previous MiA battles—so expect some of the area’s best talent. Also expect a lot of diversity in the performances and displays, not just from of the sheer number of artists, but from the painstaking effort made by the MiA committee to make sure a wide range of musical and artistic styles are covered. Seeing Buffalo is often ranked the top U.S. mid-sized city for the arts, it’s bound to be a good spread. Oh yeah, and admission to the festival is completely free—so what excuse could you possibly have to not rock out with a giant robot? —geoff anstey

10am-10pm. Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave. (882-8700 / www.albrightknox.org). Visit www.musicisart.org for more info & full schedule of events. FREE

Thursday, October 10th

Free Energy

With a roster that includes Hercules and Love Affair, Hot Chip and Yacht, DFA Records pretty much owns the hipster dance genre it created in the early 2000s with seminal releases by the likes of the Rapture and label founder James Murphy’s group, LCD Soundystem. Trending toward a sound reminiscent of late ‘70s and early ‘80s punk-funk, DFA tends to release rock music you can dance to, and dance music you can rock to. In the case of their newest act—Minneapolis rockers Free Energy—the emphasis is clearly not on dancing, which is surprising considering LCD Soundsystem’s Murphy and Pat Mahoney not only produced the record but filled in on bass and drums respectively. Making summery power-pop evocative of ‘70s rockers like Cheap Trick or Steve Miller, Free Energy will likely confuse those looking for a party—unless it’s of a more laid back sort. As Pitchfork put it, Free Energy makes “Perfect mood music for a night that looses itself in the afterglow of the inevitable busting of the moontower kegger, leaving everyone a little high, a little bored, and completely enraptured with the endless possibility of youth.” Opening for them next Thursday (Sept. 10) is the new Buffalo group Worrywort, featuring ex members of Besnyo.

—greg gannon

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

Saturday, September 12th

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe

As a former saxophonist for rocker Lenny Kravitz and co-founder of the pioneering west coast soul/jazz outfit the Greyboy Allstars, Karl Denson’s universe would seem anything but tiny. On his latest release, Brother’s Keeper, Denson’s realm includes such bright guest stars as Meshell Ndegeocello. former Black Crowes’ guitarist Marc Ford, musicians from Lenny Kravitz’s band, the Dap Kings, the Greyboy Allstars, Switchfoot, and more. The yet-to-be-released CD (comes out on Sept. 15) is a continuation of Denson’s musical vision, which fuses elements of Motown, rock, funk, and blues and practically compels people to dance. Denson brings his Tiny Universe to Buffalo on Saturday (Sept. 12). Just added to the bill—the ever expanding universe—is opening band Rhubarb, complete with a horn section.

—alan victor

8pm. Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St. (852-2860 / www.tralfmusichall.com). $20 presale/$22 day of show at Ticketmaster (800-745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com)

Saturday, September 12th

Dave Schulz CD Release & C.O. Jones Reunion

Goo Goo Dolls’ touring keyboardist and Buffalo native Dave Schulz returns to Buffalo this Saturday (Sept. 12) to re-”connect” with all his hometown fans at a CD release party for his solo debut recording, Connect. After playing a set at the Music is Art Festival earlier that afternoon, Dave will head to the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery with his current band (based out of L.A.), with special guests and siblings Gretchen and Robert Schulz. (Gretchen will play with her band the Morvells.) Then to top it off, Dave is reuniting with his legendary funk-party band C.O. Jones for an after show at the Brewery. For the past ten years Dave has toured and recorded on vocals and keys with not only the Goos but Bo Diddley, General Public, English Beat, Fuel, Berlin, and the Rembrandts. Connect is aptly titled, as it showcases well connected players and collaborators with a line up of backing musicians from acts such as U2, King Crimson, the Rollling Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, David Bowie, and Seal. The ten track recording is said to be full of ”instantly infectious grooves”—no doubt Saturday’s party will be, too..

—alan victor

10pm. Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, 76 Pearl St. (856-2337 / www.pearlstreetgrill.com). $5

Saturday, September 12th

Secrets of Allentown

This Saturday’s (Sept. 12) Secrets of Allentown Tour features the historic 20th Century Club (pictured below), included on its map for the first time in the event’s 15 year history. The tour will also offer 12 other properties—both residential and commercial—on Delaware, Elmwood, Franklin, North, Irving, Wadsworth, and Park. Another feature unique to this year is the tour’s starting point—at the reconstructed carriage house at the Theodore Roosevelt National Inaugural Site (located on Delaware near North). The tour is self-guided, so once attendees pick up their maps at the Roosevelt site, they are free to view the properties in whatever order they like. And after wandering this historic neighborhood to their hearts’ content, guests are invited to the annual free wine tasting at the Troop I Post/Hamlin House, at 432 Franklin St. (so be sure to save your ticket). For more information visit www.allentown.org/SecretsOfAllentown.html

—k. o’day

10am-4pm. Theodore Roosevelt National Historic Site, 641 Delaware Ave. $15/advance at Tickets.com, Tops Markets, Quaker Bonnet Eatery (175 Allen St.) , Positively Main Street (773 Elmwood Ave.), and Allentown Athletix (538 Delaware Ave) or $20/day of tour at the starting site.

Thursday, September 17th

Akron/Family

Music critic Griel Marcus once famously claimed that in the late 60s, artists like Bob Dylan and the Band were attempting to invoke “that old weird America.” Brooklyn’s Akron/Family is the modern embodiment of such a ritual. They utilize eccentric instrumentation, random improvisation, and three part harmonies that could easily make a listener nostalgic for such a time. Discovered by Michael Gira (Swans/Angels Of Light), Akron/Family signed to his fledging Young God Records where they recorded three acclaimed releases. However, it is in a live setting where the group truly excels. On stage, Akron/Family can often stretch to 15 members, all adding something both bizarre and elemental. If anything, the band recalls the pioneering spirit of the Grateful Dead without the “jam band” trappings. Recently signed to Dead Oceans Records, Akron/Family are currently touring behind their recently released Set ‘Em Wild, Set “em Free. They’ll play next Thursday (Sept. 17), with special guests TBA.

—eric boucher

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (855-3931). $12