Tonight in cultural cross-pollination: art and music over at the Gypsy Parlor. Organized by The Roasty Art Collective, we've got a showcase of local artists starting at 7 pm, with music from Aircraft, Overhand Sam and Armageddon Party kicking off at 10 pm.

Aircraft, if you've never caught them, describe themselves on their website as "psychedelic surf pop," but there's a lot more going on here. Check out any track on their last LP and you'll see what I mean. The "surf" takes a backseat to the "psychedelic," which takes a backseat to the "pop." Great, hooky tunes that probably owe more to Alex Chilton and Arcade Fire than they do to Dick Dale. 

Rochester's Overhand Sam, on the other hand, sounds like the bastard child of Iron & Wine and Leonard Cohen. I say that with a great deal of affection in my heart. If you've ever thought that Sam Beam sounded a little too sentimental and sweet (I have) or you ever wanted your Cohen with more blues and less "old-man-talking-about-getting head" (Christ, I have), then OHS will hit you right in the solar plexus. OHS is Sam Snyder, part of Maybird, whose new music video we covered not too long along.

And if you're in this to shake your hips, stay up for Armageddon Party. Combining live instrumentation with some dope electronic sounds, they'll have you dancing like it's the end of the world. Or at least like the woman in this video (no clue who she is, but she is killing it).

We're a music blog, so I focused on the music, but just as important is the local art show that kicks off the night at 7 pm. The Roasty Art Collective (with which Aircraft drummer Ian Belknap is involved) is showcasing the work of seven local artists, starting at 7 pm. If you're at all interested in the local art scene, or you're just trying to make a good impression on your next OkCupid date, grab dinner and check out the gallery. Music starts at 10 pm. Facebook event here. Sorry underage folks, this event is 21 and up.

Late last year, we filled you in on Fredonia folk outfit Doc Baker's Traveling Musicological Extravaganza following the release of the American soaked album, Alleluia Maybe. Tonight, the act, which dabbles in alt-country, garage, and traditional folk, makes its way back through Buffalo with a stop at the Gypsy Parlor's open mic as part of the band's still growing east coast tour. The very vague facebook event page only notes that the start time is at 8pm, so make sure to have $5 or so on you to cover the touring band when you arrive. 

Baby-fresh bar Gypsy Parlor, hosting its first show this past Saturday (featuring much-loved bands Aircraft, Space Wolves, and Merchants), could not contain its crowd. The turnout was as impressive as the decor and general vibe. A huge bar (offering somewhat over-priced drinks--boo) spans the entire front room and old-timey portraits of seductive gyps litter the whole place, reminding you at all times where you are if you're ever to smashed to recall.

The Parlor is still in the midst of its soft opening with its grand opening scheduled for October 17th. Until then, you can count on a sweet hangout spot every weekday after 5PM and on Sunday for Bills games after 4PM. And if you're looking for your hometown Mystery Science Theater fix, every Monday, fabulously shitty movies will play on the projector placed over the stage for your drunken ridicule.

Alas, The Gypsy Parlor is another addition to sketchy-free businesses like Westside Stories, Sweetness_7, Black Dots, good ole' Guercio's, and the various shops spreading their way up Grant Street. Westsiders rejoice! A reformation is in effect as we live and breathe. Best of luck to the new Parlor; visit often and drink freely.

Well I haven't been to The Gypsy Parlor yet, but if their Facebook page is any indication at all, it seems like a pretty god damn awesome time. Hipster, for sure. Make no mistake. But it seems like fun. Now, look at the above picture, cock your head about 30 degrees to the left and check out tonight's lineup - it's gonna be a good one. 

There is a very descriptive, eagerly-written profile about Aircraft that can be found on their Facebook band page. In it, their sound is described as "ambient orphic rock." It is an apt, well-researched description, if a little vague. It's upbeat dance music, perfect for one of The Gypsy Parlor's dance parties. Space Wolves boast a collection of quirky, surf-rock songs that get going and wrap-up rather quickly; their newest EP, Space Wolves IV, has approximately the same run time as a live version of "Stairway to Heaven." And Merchants, well, they'll be bringing the heavy shit. They'll be the night's muscle. 

Tickets are only $3, and the show starts at 10.

With last night's successful soft opening out of the way, the newest West Side treasure, the Gypsy Parlor, is ready for its kick-off weekend. Located 376 Grant St. at Potomac, the bar/venue is the latest addition to the shallow West Side neighborhood that is part of a city-wide revitalization. The Gypsy Parlor has some familiar faces pulling the strings. Owner Gabrielle Mattina was a longtime bartender over at DBGB's/Duke's, and former Duke's promoter Rick Vallone will be booking a couple shows a month. Even some of the now-defunct Queen City Cartel crew members will be holding up resident DJ nights at the bar.

For a city that has lost its fair share of music venues over the last calendar year, it's refreshing to see a place opening doors rather than closing them. The bar itself sports an Eastern European vibe - appropriate, given the name - with vibrant colors offsetting the natural brick. As you can see in the above photo, the stage is nuzzled in the back right corner, big enough for a three- or four-piece act, along with a small, elevated corner across from the stage for sound board/DJs.

You can find a short list of upcoming events at the Gyspy Parlor here. Two upcoming shows of note are the QCC Reunion show on September 28th and a great local bill of Aircraft, Merchants, and Space Wolves on Sat, October 5th.