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.

Part of the monthly film series "exploring outsiders of culture through films that have bypassed the theaters and ended up at your local pub," Squeaky Wheel and Allen Street Hardware will be showing the documentary, In Search of Blind Joe Death: The Saga of John Fahey. 

The documentary examines the life of one of American music's foundational figures, John Fahey. Fahey's work as both a musician and musicologist has deeply impacted our understanding of Delta Blues, Appalachian Bluegrass and New Orleans Jazz and whose influence is felt in musicians across the spectrum including figures like Jim O'Rourke and Sonic Youth. Directed by James Cullingham, the documentary combines recorded performances and interviews, the documentary is billed as a musically charged tribute to a tremendously influential composer, guitarist, author and provocateur."

Tonight's program does not just include what looks to be a very interesting documentary but also includes an additional short film on Wilco's lead guitarist, Nels Cline, Approximately Nels Cline. And if that is not enough for you, there will also be a performance from one of Buffalo's own young jack of all trades/folk wizard, Nicky Gordon. The event is free for members of Squeaky Wheel and only $7 for non-members, so this is really a great deal for what promises to be a night of great music and information about music.

Squeaky Wheel and Allen St. Hardware present the SQUEAKEASY Film Series: In Search of Blind Joe Death: The Saga of John Fahey
Featuring a performance by Nicky Gordon
Allen Street Hardware Cafe, 245 Allen Street
Free for Squeaky Wheel Members/$7 for non-members
8pm

• Entry is free for Squeaky members and $7 for non-members.
• The screening starts at 8pm.
• After the screening, a dance party of large proportions shall ensue, with spinnings from the repertoire of Sugar City DJs.
• You better bloody well be in costume!