The further removed I am from my college days, the less I care about the night before Thanksgiving. Billed as THE party night of the year, the night is used as an excuse for college kids to see their fellow co-ed friends back in town after a tough semester and proceed to go absolutely HAM. While I have been known to partake in the debauchery in my younger years, these days I worry how I will function getting up at 8am to run the Turkey Trot. Oh well... BUT, if you do feel the need to go hard tonight, you could do worse than what the Hotel Lafayette is offering. An ambitious, multi-level/room party, titled The Night B4 Thanksgiving, will take over the recently renovated downtown gem of a building.

In the Pan American Room, you can catch long time post-rockers Lazlo Hollyfeld, a living, breathing New Orleans inspired party in 12/8 Path Band, and a handful of DJs. Head upstairs to the Only Comrades curated 3rd floor where the street goth kings, who just came off a successful trip down the runway at Mass Appeal, will be hosting the likes of visual display artist Projex, interstellar duo UVB-76, and others.

Other rooms will include a collection of Igloo house DJs (Paul Kuenzi, Rufus Gibson, etc.) in the very clearly titled Igloo Music Room. Full schedule and lineup can be found right here.

If you don't already have a ticket, price of admission is $20 at the door. Doors open at 9pm.

Let's face it, the American story has totally fallen out of focus over the course of the last decade; our history either forgotten or dubiously revised, while the shared consensus that formed the "center" of our politics has entirely fragmented. For my money, I think that's why our politics and our society seem to have gone wacky barely 220+ years into the American experiment. Tonight however, it'll be all good because Nietzche's has a lineup that will be a balm for the American soul: Vox Humana, American Stories, and Lazlo Holyfield. No don't get me wrong, none of these bands are specifically political, but between the indie folk/rock of Vox Humana, the acoustic folk of American Stories, and the always pleasing indie rock of Lazlo Holyfield... how could you not come away feeling good about being an American?* Come on now, don't be haters. The show starts at 10 PM at Nietzche's, and the cover as always will be reasonable.







* To our Canadian, sorry, but let's face it.... And to our immigrant and visiting readers, I say "welcome" and "enjoy the show."

The Botanical Gardens might seem like a weird place to see a show, but it is anything but.  After last year's hugely successful Night Lights, a nightly series of music, lightshows, soundscapes, and illuminations, the Gardens decided to bring it back again in 2012.  Right from the horses mouth (i.e. the website) "The interior of the Gardens will be illuminated with theatrical and interactive lighting.  As visitors walk through the Gardens, they will encounter creative lighting displays and soundscapes that will inspire imaginations and delight the senses".  Tonight Buffalo's favorite all instrumental group, Lazlo Hollyfeld, will bring their unique brand of percussive, electronic based rock to the Gardens.  Tickets for this event (and subsequent Garden gigs) are as follows.
$10 Adults
$8 Garden Members, Seniors & Students
$5 Kids 3-12
Kids under 3 are FREE
Get there at 8pm sharp so you don't miss Lazlo.

It's New Year's Eve, and there are endless things to do tonight, especially if you're a music lover. But you'd be hard-pressed to find a better bet than Cole's on Elmwood tonight - a bar not normally known for hosting live music. On the super-secret third floor private room, funk-jammers Rhubarb will headline a bill that also includes scene-mainstays Lazlo Hollyfeld and sax-man Eric Crittenden and his friends. Rhubarb's silky smooth grooves should be enough to beckon the new year in with style. According to its website, the Primus-inspired RhubarbSucks.com, tickets are no longer available online, but you might be able to pick one up at Terrapin Station or Headin' to Hertel, or, if they're still left, at the door tonight.

Wherever you choose to bring in the New Year, have fun, and be safe, kids. See you in 2012.

One of the most interesting acts to come out of Buffalo in recent years, Lazlo Hollyfeld has built quite the reputation. Describing themselves as "experimental instrumental rock", the boy's in Lazlo combine jazz, rock and electronic soundscapes to create a truly engaging listening as well as visual experience. The band has a new lineup now and will be showcasing their skills tonight at Soundlab (9pm, $7). Joining them are Portlands own, The Milkman's Union, fresh off the release of a brand new album and the Etchings, Artvoices B.O.O.M. contest winners. This shows going to be hot so buy the ticket, and take the ride.



Crankshaft by LAZLO HOLLYFELD

This might just be the funkiest Sunday to happen in Buffalo in a long time.... Toronto based electro funk band King Sunshine is making its return at Nietzsche's tonight. King Sunshine is rooted in deep funk and disco with a full horn section and killer lead singer. They are dedicated to making the live music experience exactly what it should be. I promise you will dance from the minute you step foot in the bar tonight.  Especially because Lazlo Hollyfield is supporting, as well as Trip-hop DJ Perceptor. The show starts at 9 pm with a $10 cover... trust me its worth it. See you there!