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See You There!

Artvoice's weekly round-up of featured events, including our editor's picks for the week: Artvoice presents Rocket to Allentown, a tribute to the music of '70s and '80s punk at Nietzsche's on Saturday, September 10.

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.

Artvoice presents: Rocket to Allentown

Saturday, September 10

The Ramones, the Clash, the Buzzcocks, the Sex Pistols, and the Damned; virtually every band with “the” in their name from the late 1970s to the early 1980s are fair game for Artvoice’s first ever Rocket To Allentown punk show. “Another night out on the street/stopping for my usual seat/oh, bartender, please/tanqueray and tonic’s my favorite drink,” sang Dee Dee Ramone on the Ramones 1986 song “Somebody Put Something In My Drink.” Grab yourself a nice, well protected gin and tonic and a good spot to stand because with a line up of local bands including the Pillagers, the Sleepy Sparrows, Cowboys of Scotland, Brutal Llama, the Heavenly Chillbillies, the Slip, Wolf Tickets & the Chosen Ones, Dick Whiskey, and many more, the punk rock will be blaring all night. Expect to hear hits from punk’s aforementioned founding fathers as well as songs by Blondie, Patti Smith, Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, and the New York Dolls from our lineup of nearly 20 local bands. Rocket To Allentown will be the perfect fall follow-up to Exile on Allen, our annual summer tribute to everyone’s favorite pre-punk band the Rolling Stones. It all happens this Saturday (Sept 10), so get reacquainted with A Different Kind of Tension and Combat Rock before you jump into the pit at Nietzsche’s. —cory perla

9pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / nietzsches.com). $5.

Friday, September 9

Team Radio presents Chae Hawk

“Focus on a million, have some kids and put my feet up.” This is the goal of local rapper Chae Hawk, and also a line from his latest single “We Will (She Will),” a dark and gritty hood anthem. There is no lack of ambition in this young rapper, but in order to make that million he’s going to have to put in some work with his audience. That is why on Friday (Sept 9) Hawk will bring his lake-effect flow to Soundlab along with Saratoga, Springs indie-pop band Secret Secret Dino Club, Buffalo old school rappers Koolie High, and the scariest DJs in town, Spooky Business. Still hard at work on his next full length LP Dance Party For The Heavy Hearted, his follow-up to this year’s Blues of a Journeyman, Hawk strives to stay well-rounded as a hip-hop artist, bouncing from the gritty street rap on “We Will (She Will)” to pop-oriented tracks like “Ambition” and the yet to be released “Superhero.” Don’t miss him when he brings it live at Soundlab this weekend. —cory perla

9pm. Soundlab, 110 Pearl St. (440-5907 / bigorbitgallery.org/soundlab). $6.

Friday, September 9

Chris Tucker

From his loquacious dialogue with kidnappers in Rush Hour (man, who do you think you kidnapped? Chelsea Clinton?), to his insolent jabs at Charlie Sheen in Money Talks, Chris Tucker has made a living off his ability to talk his way into and out of whatever life rolls up and passes his way. The 39-year-old actor—praised for his role as Ice Cube’s indo-toking sidekick Smokey in Friday, and as detective James Carter in the aforementioned Rush Hour flicks—hails stand-up as his true calling, stating in a quote on IMDB: “I will always do stand-up, even if my acting career takes off. Stand up is my life.” Since his start on Def Comedy Jam in 1992, through his high-grossing movie career, to a brief choreography stint in Michael Jackson’s “Rock My World” video, and now back to the stage, where he seeks to bust guts with his fast-mouthed wit, Tucker’s career has seemingly come full circle. You can catch his zealous performance when he hits Shea’s Performing Art Center this Friday (Sept 9). —brett perla

7:30pm. Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (847-1410 / sheas.com). $45.50-$55.50.

Saturday, September 10

The Mumlers with The Evil Things

You know that moment when you’re walking down the street between bars on a Saturday night, and it hits you just how drunk you really are? That is the feeling that rock n’ rollers the Mumlers like to evoke. It’s that warm, woozy feeling of a night well played. Take their rootsy folk song “99 Years Ago,” a low-key, swaggered tune full of wailing horns and slurring lyrics from bandleader Will Sprott. Hailing from San Jose, California, the Mumlers were born in a basement with the help of a Ouija board that the band claims channeled the soul of the 19th century medium William Mumler. This is not surprising because the sound of this five-piece rock band’s music certainly calls to mind ghostly folk artists like Billy Childish and Korla Pandit—two musicians that Sprott draws inspiration from. As far as supporting bands go, the Mumlers couldn’t have hoped for a more fitting group than the Evil Things. Led by equally boozy guitarist and singer Levi Van Cleve, the Evil Things channel similar turn-of-the-century folk to 1960s rock like Link Wray, the Stooges, and some darker influences like prison recordings done by American musicologist John Lomax. The Mumlers, the Evil Things, and folk musician Nick Gordon bring their retro-roots-rock to Mohawk Place on Saturday (Sept 10). —h. timpson

9pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (465-2368 / themohawkplace.com). $8.

Saturday, September 10

Boombox with Eliot Lipp

With a name like Zion “Rock” Godchaux, you know you’re bound for success in music. The son of Keith and Donna Godchaux of the Grateful Dead, Zion was born with music in his blood. Combined with drummer and long time collaborator Russ Randolph the duo makes up electronic rock band BoomBox. Formed in musically rich Muscle Shoals, Alabama the pair combines rock and roll guitar riffs, hip hop beats, and freak-folk vocals to create funky and danceable songs along the lines of Beck or Lotus. Inspired by New York’s 1970s funk, soul, and disco scenes, Boombox draw from many sources to create their slow grooving tunes. Joining the duo at the Town Ballroom on Saturday (Sept 10) is solo electro artist Eliot Lipp. Lipp emerged from the L.A. electronic scene in 2004 with his debut self-titled instrumental hip-hop album. Discovered by glitch-hop producer Prefuse 73, Lipp uses vintage gear to create a unique sound somewhere between 1990s hip-hop, 1970s funk, and modern house music. Although Lipp has performed in Buffalo before, tearing down the walls at Soundlab in 2008, this will be BoomBox’s first appearance in the Queen City, so let’s show these guys our dance moves. —cory perla

8pm. Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900 / townballroom.com). $15 advance, $18 day of show.

Saturday, September 10

The Skiffle Minstrels

The waltz and two-step get a hillbilly makeover from Buffalo’s original honky-tonkers, as the Skiffle Minstrels celebrate the release of their second album, All God’s Children Gotta Dance, this Saturday (Sept 10) at the Sportsmens Tavern. Known for their back roads homage to Americana music, the Skiffle Minstrels bring an infectious blend of rockabilly, honky-tonk, country, Cajun, swing and blues that is capable of getting any audience up and moving. Covering classics from luminaries such as Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Buck Owens, and Bill Monroe, the six-person lineup also sports some original tunes that have been crowd-pleasers for years. The band has a cache of old-time instruments at their disposal, and whether it’s the accordion, fiddle, banjo, Hawaiian steel guitar, or harmonica, each musician plays their heart out, and has a hell of a time doing it. The group teamed up with Buffalo native and Grammy-nominated producer Dwane Hall for their latest album, which boasts more dance-worthy tracks than ever before, along with previously unreleased favorites. The five-time Artvoice “Best of Buffalo” winners have gained radio play across the country, and rightfully so, because it’s the kind of spirited, homespun music that deserves to be showcased. Cajun singer/songwriter Drew Landry takes the stage between sets with tunes inspired by the sounds of Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, and Steve Earl. Come out for a little southern twang, Buffalo style. —jon wheelock

3pm. Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St. (874-7734 / sportsmenstavern.com).

Saturday, September 10

11th Annual South Buffalo Irish Feis and Expo

If you’re feeling Irish this Saturday (Sept 10), or if perhaps you are Irish, you’ll want to head out to Cazenovia Park for the 11th Annual South Buffalo Irish Feis and Expo. This family friendly event features live music from the Town Pants, the Prodigals, Needfire, and more, Irish Dancing (of course) and a rugby match between the South Buffalo Rugby Football Club and the Lockport Gang Green. In addition to all this there will be plenty of fun activities for kids, including a Buffalo Fenians youth exhibition, and a Finn McCool Four Mile Odyssey to be held at 10am. For all who are of age and Irish, the beer tent will be serving Guinness, Harp, and Smithwick’s along with the regulars. Restaurants serving up dishes include Imperial Pizza, Abbott Pizza, the Blackthorn, Conlons, Big Tim’s Fries, the Hop-Inn, Potter’s Field, Caz Coffee Café and KupKates, Francesca’s Italian Cuisine, the Country Popper, and Brother’s Backyard BBQ. The event is free, so make sure you grab a bite to eat or a beer in support. To register for the Expo and Odyssey, visit eclipsemultisport.com. Check out southbuffaloirishfestival.com more for details. —ariel peters

12pm. Cazenovia Park. (southbuffaloirishfestival.com). Free.

Tuesday, September 13

Colbie Caillat

Wrap up your summer with a poppy and upbeat burst of energy by catching singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat in concert at the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts on Tuesday (Sept 13). The multi-platinum selling artist has been nominated for and won Grammy Awards for her collaborations with Taylor Swift and Jason Mraz. Caillat’s third album, All of You, was released this summer. Singles from the album further demonstrate Caillat’s optimistic disposition and California vibe such as “Brighter Than The Sun,” which pairs Caillat’s catchy lyrics with a galloping beat and “I Do,” a sunny love song that features Caillat’s soulful voice and breezy acoustic-folk guitar style. Opening for Caillat is singer-songwriter Andy Grammer, with a sound that blends R&B, reggae, and pop. Visit ubcfa.org to stay updated on future concerts at the Center for the Arts. —jill greenberg

7:30pm. University at Buffalo Center for the Arts, 103 Center for the Arts. (645-6259 / ubcfa.org) $29.