Following the successful B.O.O.M. series and yearly Mardi Gras parties, Artvoice is venturing into a new night time event. Titled Night Shift, the local arts publication appears to be starting a monthly showcase series, touching on various genres, artists, and musicians. For the inaugural Night Shift, Artvoice is sticking to DJs, which after a few years of curating showcases myself for the blog, is certainly a nice and easy way to get your feet wet. On tonight's bill is a handful of Allentown staples, DJ Cutler, Rick Jameson (Spooky Business' Sean Heidinger), and Josh Yourmoms, all sure to keep the party going late into the night

What I like about Night Shift is that Artvoice didn't pigeonhole itself into one type of party. On any given occasion, Night Shift could host a collection of bands, DJs, artists, whatever. Maybe a mix of all of those. Tonight's festivities kicks off at Hardware at 11pm for $3 before midnight, $5 after.

I have been watching someone's cat now for almost a month now. He is a nice cat and all. Very loveable. But I think these last few weeks have reminded me that I am more of a dog guy. Its just a little strange when I wake up in the middle of the night and the cat is staring right at me from about 4 feet away. Give me a dog any day. Sorry cat lovers.

Anyways, if you are a fellow dog lover, then you may want to stop over at Hardware tonight. The "Dogs of Elmwood" 2014 calendar will be making its on-sale debut. I am not sure how dogs were selected for this honor, outside of belonging to Elmwood Village residents, but its for a great cause. All proceeds go towards local animal shelters.

As for the music angle, the Pieroni family seems to be taking over this event. First, the Ellen Pieroni Quartet will be holding things down up front from 8pm - 10pm with a couple jazz sets, only to be followed up by cousins Alison (Second Chic) and Stephen(Spooky Business) in the back room spinning in the back room at 11pm.

Event kicks off at 8pm. Entrance is free, but bring some cash for a calendar. It could make a nice holiday gift after all.

After wallowing in a post-Thanksgiving slumber, make your way down to Hardware tonight as Buffalo hip hop duo, Kinda Like Dreamin, make their triumphant return to the Queen City. This time of year is always about catching up with those you haven't seen in a while after all. Since relocating to Washington D.C. and NYC respectively, former EVC members Sammy Booms and Dr. Ooo have worked on their own solo projects, while remembering their Buffalo beginnings.

The hip hop tag team will be playing the back room of Hardware tonight, beginning at 12am, along with the party DJ duo of Spooky Business. Get there early to catch turntablist extraordinaire Camacian Sensation (and to save a couple bucks) in the front room all night long. Cover is $3 before midnight, $5 after.

Continuing their blistering run since snagging Best DJ Crew at this past spring's Artvoice Best of Buffalo Awards, the local duo of Sean Heidinger and Stephen Pieroni brings Spooky Business back to their home base. Tonight at Hardware, the party crew will once again take over the Allen St. bar's back room all evening. Joining them this time around is Jonesy, out of NYC, keeping the front room busy with throwback and current hits, and buzz-worthy party pop act Forealists, whose video for the uber-catchy single "Livin' It Up" has been getting some serious burn on Youtube. 

Forealists kick things off tonight beginning at 10 p.m., $3 before midnight, $5 after. 

After lengthy planning and a week of previews of participating musicians, the day of the Summer Party has arrived. Our blog parties have always been my favorite part of running buffaBLOG. They are opportunities to introduce someone to their new favorite local act, catch up with old friends, and for our writers to enjoy something other than my pestering text messages. I don't expect tonight at Duke's to be any different. Whether you have been following all week or are new to this and missed any of our party artist spotlights, take a minute to look over tonight's bill and read up on the acts below:

Go Exploring
Jack Topht
The Demos
The Malones
I Can See Mountains
Spooky Business

Music begins tonight at 10pm SHARP and runs til close so there is no need to go anywhere else to get your music fix this evening. We have you covered. $5 at the door and you are good to go.

From their early days at the Pink to tomorrow night's buffaBLOG Summer Party, DJs Stephen Pieroni and Sean Heidinger, aka Spooky Business, have come a long way. After winning Artvoice's "Buffalo's Best DJ Crew," the pair have increased their street-cred around the Queen City, including a memorable set at 2013 Taste of Buffalo. With roots planted all down Allen, the two started by playing the Pink on Tuesdays, collecting a mixed audience. From there, they went on to numerous showcases and openings at Hardware becoming, in my opinion, the unofficial DJs of the bar's Back Room.

Myself, I first encountered Spooky Business playing in a hot-as-balls living room at the birD day's house. The crowd was pressed in and dancing on each other as Stephen and Sean laid down a healthy beating of rap songs.

Spooky Business is all about crowd pleasing. They play to the mood and atmosphere of the room, seemingly always bringing  the energy UP! They're style reaches all ends of the spectrum, from Hip-Hop to House and everything in between. Check out their fresh flavor at the party tomorrow night beginning at 10pm and running all night long. While not a video of Spooky Business exclusively, the clip below is from that party I had originally seen them:

As the city of Buffalo continues to melt into a puddle of sweat, beer, and chicken wing grease, the good news is that the weekend has arrived. The guys at Spooky Business, who will be our house DJs for a little summer party we are throwing next month, are hoping to take your mind of heat this evening as they welcome Khari Mateen to Hardware. Mateen, a famed producer known for his studio work with the Roots, Lauryn Hill, and others, returns to Allen St after appearing just over a year ago to play cuts from his own solo releases of R&B and laid back funk. Long time Buffalo DJ Cutler, Rick Jameson, and Seabass himself will provide support. Music kicks off tonight at 10pm. If you are going to sweat tonight, might as well be to some good music.

So who really needs a beach to have a good summer party anyways? On Saturday, August 10th, we will be returning to the friendly confines of Duke's (253 Allen Street) for our 2nd annual Summer Party with stacked bill of the best acts that Buffalo (and Rochester too) has to offer. Taking the stage this August will be Go Exploring, Jack Toft, Sports (Rochester), The Malones, and I Can See Mountains, along with Spooky Business, our house DJs for the evening, who were recently named Best DJ Crew in Artvoice's Best of Buffalo. As always, music kicks off at 10pm sharp and $5 is all it will take to be a part of the fun.