Ryan Howze may be known to many as Arehouse. The first time meeting him I was grooving on the floor of Soundlab (R.I.P.) during the late, but beloved, Communist Parties. But when he is not mixing tracks for a dancing crowd, Howze has been participating in open mic nights. In and out of bands for 10 years or so, he said that while attending open mics there was always one or two things that did not vibe with him.

So he took it into his own hands.

Since September, Howze has been holding open mic events on Tuesdays at the west side coveted, clairvoyant inspired Gypsy Parlor. He wanted to establish an environment for musicians to not only feel comfortable on stage, but to also be heard by an attentive audience.

Taking it a step further, tonight, he will present the first of a monthly acoustic showcase series.

"I felt like acoustic acts get really slept on in Buffalo … If you're not a full band, people kind of disregard you, and lead you to just open mics," Howze said. "I wanted to make a monthly event that would showcase four or five different acoustic acts."

The folks showcased during tonight's event have been regulars at the open mic sessions.


Ben Uytiepo, of Darling Harbor, will perform. Reminiscent of a more upbeat version of Iron & Wine, according to Howze, Uytiepo's vocals are sweet sounding, and listeners should expect classic acoustic indie sound, circa early-2000s.


Soulful croons will come from singer/songwriter Ryan Bzibziak. "Ryan is the white Keith Sweat," Howze said without hesitation. Along with original pieces, covers of bands such as The Kooks, Death Cab for Cutie and The Avett Brothers can be heard on Bzibziak's YouTube account.


Guitarist and vocalist for local band the Sleepy Hahas, Pat Butler, with the accompaniment of a pianist, will perform acoustic versions of the group's songs, in addition to some unreleased tunes.


Cat People, comprised by Nathan Wolcott and Tommy McCraith, mysteriously cannot be found anywhere in the Internet realm. Their sound is "if you smashed '90s kind of grunge that meets acoustic folk," Howze said.


Howze will also perform.

The Gypsy Parlor has become well established as a colorful venue in it's few months with the Buffalo music scene, so perhaps now would be a good time to take a rest from the wonderfully garish decor with a "Black & White" party. Of course that isn't the point at all, given that the outrageous music line-up is rash with colorful rascals, madmen and vagabonds.

All of whom will party harder than you, but hey, who doesn't like a challenge?

The rules are simple; Dress in white, or dress in black,  (Or cow-print, in the case of Well Worn Boot.) Honestly, that's probably the only rule outside of 'drink, dance, and tip your bartenders.' Keep with the theme folks.

Your delightful entertainment for the evening will be provided by:

Mr. Boneless is a band full of right gentlemen and play what occasionally sounds like Americana/Rockabilly on speed. They can cool their jets and serenade you with a ditty, or bring out the bigger guns and shake the place up like an Etch a Sketch.  If you miss them this time around (why would you do that?) or feel like collecting Boneless tickets, they will also be performing during the mayhem that will be buffaBLOG's Fourth Birthday Party. You'll currently find them earnestly waiting to rock your face off, passing the time with a game of 'Go Fish.'

Aside from being a staple in any good Buffalonian's liquid diet, Bourbon and Coffee is also a jazzy, improvisational spoken word group. Allow their words to free you from your mortal pain and human limitations. I once heard them cover the X-Files theme and things got downright bizarre.

Well Worn Boot will rile things up by siphoning your women and courting your booze. There's some fine musicianship behind their bawdy outlandish attitude, and it's a treat to watch a band comprised of characters from a farmer's peyote nightmare. Prepare to drop your jaw and probably a lot of other things.

Right out of Rochester (or perhaps outer space) Routine Involvements is a duo that plays fuzzy, chugging, garage rock. Equal parts sensitive and snarky, they bring passion to the music and infuse it with rhythm that could only be powered by alien technology.

The curtain is pulled back at 9PM, and they'll be patting you down for five bucks at the door, so make sure you can pay the man or you may never see your friends again.