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See You There!

Artvoice's weekly round-up of featured events, including our editor's picks for the week: Nat Baldwin, performing at Babeville's Ninth Ward on Thursday the 21st.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out our new and improved events calendar on-line for complete event listings, a location guide to find your way about the city, restaurant reviews, and more.

Nat Baldwin

Thursday, July 21

Nat Baldwin is a busy man. Outside of writing groundbreaking experimental rock with the Dirty Projectors, he has also made time to tour on his own solo, free jazz material. Standing behind a double upright bass, bow in hand; Baldwin frets at the instrument until it speaks in tongues you’ve likely never heard before. With the combination of these warm strings and his own surreal vocal utterances, the native of glacially carved Kittery, Maine, creates sound somewhere between folk, pop, and experimental jazz; peculiarly intimidating at first, but quickly welcoming once absorbed. The creation of these unique sounds—as demonstrated on his four solo albums, including his most recent, 2011’s People Changes—is not entirely surprising though, considering he is a former protégé of jazz great Anthony Braxton. Baldwin will make his way to Babeville’s Ninth Ward this Thursday (July 21) with local electronic trio Reading Raindrop. Debuting their cerebral forms of electronic soundscaping, multi-instrumentalist and writer Art Lakewood describes the group’s sound as “both an account of and a way of dealing with the pains and frustrations of living in a state of near constant social self-awareness,” in the band’s mission statement. Don’t miss this chance to check out these two unique acts at this intimate venue. —cory perla

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

Friday, July 15

Get Sauced

The Queen City Roller Girls, Buffalo’s official all-women flat track roller derby, demonstrates the combination of independent women, spandex and fishnets, and an in-your-face attitude on wheels. Even more interesting than those compelling attributes is the sense of camaraderie and teamwork that the QCRG represents. In order to portray this, Gordon Kemp has created a short, independent documentary that focuses on a few close friends who met playing roller derby on the Suicidal Saucies, one of the teams of the QCRG. This documentary captures roller derby’s growing popularity, explains the sport, and showcases some great homegrown music. Buffalo rock groups the Rabies, Lower Town Trio, and the Staylows contributed original music to the film. The documentary, titled Get Sauced premieres this Friday (July 15) at Sidebar. Kemp created Get Sauced to showcase the roller derby skater’s backgrounds; a lot of the QCRG skaters are doctors, lawyers, and all around professionals. “I’m glad I was able to contribute to this fantastic sport and these awesomely tough ladies,” said Kemp. After the screening, those in attendance can enjoy drink specials, raffles, and a meet the Suicidal Saucies. $10 gets you admission and two bar drinks. Learn more about the QCRG at qcrg.net. —jill greenberg

7pm. Sidebar, 1459 Hertel Ave. (835-1995). $10. 21+.

Friday & Saturday, July 15 & 16

Rock the Barn

You’ve probably passed this unremarkable yellow barn before with nothing more than a fleeting glance while on a ride down Main Street toward the suburbs. Once every summer though, this average barn in Clarence becomes very remarkable when it becomes the site of a raucous music festival called Rock the Barn. This weekend (July 15 and 16) the suburban rock fest returns for its seventh year with headlining roots rock band Big Leg Emma (pictured) on Friday night. Also on Friday’s bill; more rock from Not Quite Right, Simple Circus, Jim Crean’s Hair Nation, and Dosa Reality. The party continues on Saturday with blues guitarist Clarence Spady, the “Prince of Blues” Chris Beard, the Bravuras, Flyin’ Blind Blues Band All Star Jam, and Speedy Parker. If all of this rock n’ roll, barbecue, and blues aren’t enough for you; it all goes to support a great cause in Meals on Wheels. Rock The Barn kicks off at 4pm this Friday. See you at the Big Yellow Barn! —cory perla

4:30pm to 11pm. the Big Yellow Barn at 9015 Main Street in Clarence. $10 advance, $15 at the door.

Saturday, July 16

Cobra Krames

The dark corners of Allentown’s DBGB, lit only by the shine of disco ball-reflected light, might seem uninspiring to most, but to guys like Cobra Krames, those deep club crevices are paradise. Cobra, real name Sean Krames grew up in the dark corners of similar Brooklyn clubs, putting his stamp on a wide variety of genres, from house to dubstep and hip-hop. As a DJ he started from scratch, putting together bedroom mixes while attending college at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Now he covers everything from cutting edge new releases to party favorites, releasing mixes on Top Billin records and Gold Whistle. As producer he has released singles like the dark and galloping “Firewalker” and “Nightstalker” on Subdrive records (you can check out dubstep, hip-hop, and club mixes, as well as his original tracks at soundcloud.com/cobrakrames). Armed with his 303 and an arsenal of your favorite parking lot anthems, Krames will bring the party, presented by the Queen City Cartel, to DBGB on Saturday (July 16) with local support from DJs D.Cal, Snax, and Bones. —cory perla

10pm. Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar, 253 Allen St. (240-9359). $3. 21+.

Saturday, July 16

Bases Merlot-ed

Buffalo wine lovers won’t have to travel far to catch a wine trail, as the 2nd Annual Bases Merlot-ed event at Coca-Cola Field is soon approaching. On Saturday (July 16), wine and chocolate dipped treats will be served at Coca-Cola Field to benefit Buffalo’s free outdoor festival, Shakespeare in Delaware Park. Local vineyards from the Niagara and Finger Lakes will be serving all kinds of wine for attendees to sample on the field, including reds and whites from from Pettibones Grille Resturant, Bully Hill Party Deck, and more. All in attendance will receive a complimentary wine glass upon entrance and access to the chocolate fountain, wine tasting trail, and silent and chance actions. Live performances from Tom “the Wild One” Makar and the award-winning Shakespeare in Delaware Park will be seen on the field, stirring up everyone’s Shakespearean spirit. The highly-attended SDP has been one of the country’s largest and most successful outdoor Shakespeare festivals in terms of audience since 1976. On July 25th fans can join founder and Artistic Director Saul Elkin, production directors, and actors as they discuss the past, present and future of the organization. Come join the summer celebration on Saturday and help SDP make yet another successful run. Call the Bisons at 846-2032 and give the code word “FORSOOTH” to get $5 off your ticket to Bases Merlot-ed and two free tickets to a Buffalo Bisons game. —emilie hagen

6pm to 10pm. One James D. Griffin Plaza. (bisons.com / 846-2032 / shakespeareindelawarepark.org). $25.

Saturday, July 16

Tyler Bryant

Guitarist Tyler Bryant knows how to nail first impressions. On three separate occasions, the 20-year-old musical prodigy from Honey Grove, Texas, wowed the right people in the audience of his shows with his smashing guitar solos—immediately landing him a contract with the prestigious Creative Artists Agency, a 1960 Fender Strat to call his own, and a slot for his own song “Who I Am” to be played by thousands on Guitar Hero 5. Saturday night (July 16), Bryant and his three touring bandmates will be in town to make yet another great impression, as they play the hell out of their instruments at the Mohawk Place. Bryant’s long list of notable experiences (playing alongside Paul Simon, B.B. King, REO Speedwagon, and recently opening up for Jeff Beck) is well matched to those of his other three band members, Belmont School of Music musicians, drummer Caleb Crosby and bassist Calvin Webster, and guitarist Graham Whitford (son of Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford). Their new EP, My Radio, showcases their raw talent and infectious head-banging sound that so many young bands wish to harvest today. They’re earning respect from some of their own legendary influences, and are proving to the music scene that classic rock didn’t dissolve in the 1980s. Don’t miss out on this ripe performance Saturday night. Local roots rockers the Todd Eberwine Band open the show. —emilie hagen

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (465-2368 / themohawkplace.com). $10 advance, $12 day of show. 16+.

Saturday, July 16

I <3 Central Terminal

Proud Buffalonians will gather on Saturday (July 16) at Central Terminal to celebrate I Heart Central Terminal—the kick-off event for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Buffalo Unscripted project. Buffalo Unscripted is a documentary designed to capture participants confessing thoughts about their hometown—for example, questions like “Is Buffalo misunderstood?” and “Is saving the past part of Buffalo’s future?” will be raised. Attendees will be able to say their piece about Buffalo and their interview could make it into the Buffalo Unscripted documentary. In addition to the interviews, Painting for Preservation will host its sixth “art-in” at the event in an effort to raise awareness of Central Terminal’s aesthetic worth and preservation potential. Painting for Preservation is the initiative of a diverse community of artists to draw attention to distressed historic locations through on-site art making. Local polka-cover band Those Idiots will perform in the Main Concourse from 12:30 to 1:30pm. Lloyd’s Taco Truck, winner of Artvoice’s Best of Buffalo “Best Street Food” award will be parked outside serving lunch. Buffalo Unscripted will debut in October at the National Preservation Conference. —rachelle toarmino

9:30am to 3:30pm. Buffalo Central Terminal, 495 Paderewski Drive. Free.

Wednesday, July 20

"Carolina Chocolate Drops

“Tradition is a guide, not a jailer,” said former Carolina Chocolate Drops member Justin Robinson on the band’s website. Although Robinson left the band in February of this year, his sentiments still ring true. As an old-time string band, Carolina Chocolate Drops pull their inspiration from some forgotten corners, specifically from the music of the Tennessee Chocolate Drops, three black brothers Howard, Martin, and Bogan Armstrong, who lit up the music scene in the 1930s. They take these early 20th century influences of black string bands to craft folk albums like their fourth full length release, 2010’s, Genuine Negro Jig, which won a Grammy Award for “Best Traditional Folk Album” that year. Recently the band added a twist to their sound with the addition of Adam Matta, known in New York circles for his beatbox style, expanding the sounds of the Carolina Chocolate Drops into the modern era. The Carolina Chocolate Drops will perform live at Babeville’s Ninth Ward on Wednesday (July 20). —h. timpson

7pm. Babeville’s Ninth Ward, 341 Delaware Ave. (852-3835 / babevillebuffalo.com) $16 advance, $18 day of show.

Wednesday, July 20

moe.

It was at the University at Buffalo that moe. first converged, playing together whenever and wherever they could, as young, excited musicians often do when they realize they have something special. “The best place to play,” says guitarist Chuck Garvey, “was in the common bathrooms. It sounded great, because of the tiled surfaces.” And so moe. was born in the bathrooms, attics and basements where they shared those formative early years. Their musical style touches everything from reggae, jazz, Americana, progressive and psychedelic rock, and is always anchored by extended improvisations and jams that complete their multifaceted sound. As a fixture of the American jam band movement along with counterparts Phish, moe. thrives in the live setting and continues to tour extensively at festivals across the country, in addition to hosting their own annual festivals, moe.down and snoe.down. Newcomers will find that their live performances have that festival atmosphere at its core as the band floats from song to song, sometimes without ever stopping, while a jubilant audience dances, claps and sings every step of the way. The chemistry the band shares after 20 years of playing together is never more apparent than when they’re on stage, complimenting each other with additional motifs and layers, all with a sense of movement and fluidity that makes it hard for anyone to stand still. Their concert this Wednesday (July 20th) at Artpark is free, and there’s sure to be a lot of Buffalove going around as moe. returns to the city where it all started. —jon wheelock

6:30pm. Artpark, 450 South 4th St., Lewiston (754-4375 / artpark.net). Free.