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4/10/2008 - If the weather wasn't proof enough, the dozen bar shows and festival events happening this weekend are evidence that spring has sprung in Chautauqua County. Crack open the car windows and take the top down if you can, there are events worth traveling to this weekend — so leave the spring cleaning until later this summer.
¯ SPOTLIGHT ON A TRIO OF BILL WARD SHOWS — Bill Ward will continue his ''Bill Ward Presents'' concert series tonight at the Lakeview Hotel and Restaurant in Mayville with special guest performer Jacinta Whitcome.
A member of the Chautauqua County Hall of Fame, it has been said that Ward works tirelessly for compassionate causes and continues to use his talent to help others.
''It seems there is a small core of people who have helped build up the current burst of creativity we are enjoying in this area, and Bill Ward stands as a charter member of that core,'' said area musician Ken Hardley.
On Friday, Ward will join Hardley for a performance at Carol's Silver Dollar on East Second Street in Jamestown. Ward will guest as part of the monthly ''Ken Hardley Features...'' concert series. In recent months, Hardley has brought out-of-town artists into Jamestown, but for April will focus on a homegrown talent.
''I'm grateful Bill agreed to be part of this series at Carol's Silver Dollar,'' Hardley said about the show. ''When I brought it up to Carol, I thought she was going to jump over the bar with happiness at me. Bill and I played together in his series at the Lakeview and I can't wait to get back on stage with him again. Anytime I can play bluegrass is great, but Bill brings true gravitas to the whole endeavor.
Tonight's Lakeview gig runs from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday's show at Carol's Silver Dollar begins at 10 p.m. On Saturday, Ward will play Pine Junction in Findley Lake. The show is set to run from 8 to 11 p.m. Pine Junction is located at 9757 Bailey Hill Road in Findley Lake and can be reached by calling 769-7854.
¯ COMEDY CONTEST BEGINS TONIGHT — The Fox's Last Comic Standing contest begins tonight at Shawbucks. The first of two preliminary rounds, tonight's event is open to anyone interested in taking the stage to make people laugh. A second preliminary competition will be held next Thursday, April 17. A finals night, with three individuals selected from the two preliminary rounds, will be held April 24.
In addition to opening for the Nobodies of Comedy performance at the Reg Lenna Civic Center, the top winner will will also receive a $500 cash prize.
Each week a panel of three judges will grade the would-be comedians on several criteria, including originality, comedic timing, and audience response. And just like the television show of the same name, the audience will hear from each judge after each performance, but the scores will be kept secret. During the two preliminary rounds, each contestant will have 3 to 5 minutes to make the audience and the judges laugh. If voted to the finals, they will need to perform 7 to 10 minutes of material on April 24.
Each week's event begins at 8:30 p.m. Registration to compete begins at 7 p.m. Admission and participation is open to anyone over the age of 21. It is suggested that comedy be kept ''light blue.'' For more information on rules and pre-registration, call WQFX at 487-1151 or visit www.fox103.com. Information about the Nobodies of Comedy event at the Reg Lenna can be found online at www.reglenna.com.
¯ THE PLACE TO BE THIS WEEKEND — The Celoron American Legion will hold its annual Spring Wing-Ding Dance Party this Saturday.
Beginning at 9 p.m. and running through 1 a.m., the event will feature prizes, give-aways and more. All area veterans and their guests are invited to eat, drink and dance. Music will be provided by DJ's Unlimited. The Legion is also planning a special guest appearance by DJ Mareee ''Z'', who Legion officials describe as ''Erie's hottest master-mixer.'' Expect dance beats from the 70s, disco and all sorts of retro, non-stop music.
The Celoron American Legion Herman Kent Post No. 777 is located at 26 Jackson Ave. in West Ellicott.
¯ TEN MORE SHOWS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND — In need of more entertainment ideas for this weekend? Dig the following ten event recommendations:
10. Brian Chase and Jay Monoca will play Carol's Silver Dollar tonight. 9. The Erie Saxophone Quartet will play the Infinity Cafe this Friday night. The quartet was formed in 2006 at Fredonia State University. 8. Barefoot Sarah will play the Frewsburg Legion on Friday night. 7. The Shadyside Blues Band has a Friday night gig at the Trillium Lodge in Cherry Creek. 6. DJ Felony is hosting a Tequila Party at the Lakeview Hotel and Restaurant in Mayville this Friday night, complete with beer pong and an evening of enjoyable tunes.
5. Jazzam and the Secret Stash will play Mojo's on Friday night. 4. Larry ''LZ'' Dillon will play the Docks in Mayville from 6 to 9 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. 3. Two For Flinching will play Shawbucks on Saturday. 2. Carol's Silver Dollar has a Saturday night show with Pressure Sensitive. 1. Christian pop artist Rebecca St. James will play a Saturday night show at the Reg Lenna Civic Center. The event is presented by Family Church of Jamestown.
¯ MOVIE OF THE WEEK — The Reg Lenna Civic Center will continue its spring movie series Friday with an 8 p.m. screening of ''No Country For Old Men.'' Directed by the Coen brothers, ''No Country For Old Men'' is the most-recent Oscar winner for Best Picture. An adaption of Cormac McCarthy's novel, the film is a story of good and evil that stars Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin. Other films to be screened at the Reg this spring include ''Juno'' and ''There Will Be Blood.'' For more information, call 484-7070 or visit www.reglenna.com.
¯ DELICIOUS DRINK(S) OF THE WEEK — Brewers from throughout Western New York and as far away as Vermont will share samples of their best beers at the first-ever Fredonia Brew Festival this Saturday.
Running from 2 to 5 p.m., the tasting event is a benefit for the Dunkirk-Fredonia Relay For Life and is being held at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
''I wouldn't go so far as to say the Brew Festival will cure what ails ya, but, we're hoping the ale will provide us with a nice donation to help cure cancer,'' said event organizer Kate Hinds Morrison.
The Fredonia Brew Festival will be held inside the Ag and Expo Building at the fairgrounds. Brewers will include Flying Bison Brewery, Long Trail Brewing Co., Southern Tier Brewing, Landmark Brewer, Buffalo Brewpub and others.
Pre-sale tickets are available for $20 each at Copy Boy in Fredonia, Dunkirk Home Brew on Rte 20 in Sheridan and from members of the Brew Festival Committee. The $20 donation will include tickets for tasting the various brews and a commemorative glass for sampling. Food and other items will also be available at the event. For more information or to order tickets, email fredoniabrewfest@gmail.com
¯ COMING NEXT WEEK — Carol's Silver Dollar will present a ''full-on electro-fiddle-trip-funk experience'' this coming Tuesday, when the New York City-based band Stratopheerius returns to Jamestown.
Members describe their sound as a mix of Dave Matthews, Frank Zappa, Bela Fleck and Blues Traveler. Listeners can also hear a little bayou flavor in some songs — as well as some jazz, funk and world beat music. The band has showcased its ''psycho-jazz trip funk'' at colleges, clubs and festivals throughout the U.S. and has opened for Tim Reynolds, the Slip and John Scofield. Look for a full interview with front man Joe Denizon in Monday's edition of The Post-Journal.
¯ QUESTION OF THE WEEK — What American action movie actor, producer, writer, director, martial artist, singer-songwriter, spiritualist and activist was born April 10, 1951? The former aikido instructor played Navy SEALs counter-terrorist expert Casey Ryback in the 1990s. In total, his movies have earned more than $730 million worldwide. Or name the member of 10,000 Maniacs celebrating a birthday today. Also celebrating a birthday today is emo music star Chris Carrabba. Born April 10, 1975, name the band Carrabba rose to fame fronting. In answer to last week's questions, Jesse James was the ''American Old West Outlaw'' who was killed on April 3, 1882 for a $5,000 reward. Australian-born rock 'n' roller Nick Cave scored the 2007 film about James' assassination.
Nick Dean is a staff reporter at The Post-Journal. Comments on this column can be sent to ndean@post-journal.com. Suggestions and items for submission can be sent via e-mail or by calling the newsroom at 487-1111, ext. 251.
