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For The Moment I Feel Free

What are some of the things you can do, activity-wise or otherwise, to bring you peace?

For me, and this is probably the understatement of this column’s existence, it’s always been playing music; and I’ve always known this. But earlier this week I rediscovered it in a way that I haven’t experienced for a while: I brought out my six-string.

For so long now I’ve immersed myself in bass playing; steadily improving my chops through constant gigging and rehearsing with various different groups. But on Monday night I attended the Phoenix Rising Wellness Studio’s monthly Singer-Songwriter Open Mic night, and was inspired by what I saw from those who performed.

I headed back to my apartment later in the evening, rescued the acoustic guitar that once belonged to my father from the corner in which it had been collecting dust for the past several months and started strumming away.

Despite the fact that my calluses aren’t what they used to be, I still managed to surprise even myself that I was able to pick up right where I’d left off. I’ve retained the ability to perform many of the songs that I so frequently enjoyed playing years ago as well as I ever had, and then I was able to put together four new songs just for the fun of it.

I even resurrected an old original I’d written for my dad last year, adapting it to a six-string acoustic though it had previously been written on a 12-string. For me, there’s always a special feeling that stems from playing a song that I created from my own thoughts and feelings — even if there’s no one else around to hear it.

Throughout that session I found peace despite the fact that mere hours before I was feeling rather restless. I was content to arrange and sing these songs that I enjoy so much to my heart’s content, with myself being the only audience member.

There are certainly moments in which such a display is necessary to the healing of the mind, soul and spirit. I’m just grateful that this knowledge was revealed to me through a spontaneous decision to make a downtown visit on an otherwise lonely and uneventful Monday night.

And now, here’s some of what you can expect to find in the area this week.

HIGHLIGHTS

Infinity To Hold Student Recital Tonight: Private lesson students from Infinity Visual and Performing Arts will present a recital at the Infinity Arts Cafe today beginning at 6 p.m. This event is free, family friendly and open to the public. Audience members of all ages are welcome.

For more information, email info@infinityperformingarts.org or visit infinityperformingarts.org.

‘Rolling Hills Radio’ To Feature Banjo Innovator Tony Trischka Tonight: WRFA-LP 107.9 FM’s “Rolling Hills Radio” will host roots musician Tony Trischka at the Robert H. Jackson Center’s Carl Kappa Theater tonight. Doors to the show will open at 5:30 p.m., when a pre-show reception known as “Rolling Happy Hour” will commence. The program’s live taping will begin at 7 p.m., and a meet-and-greet with Trischka will immediately follow.

Trischka is considered to be the consummate banjo artist, and perhaps the most influential banjo player in the roots music world. For more than 45 years, his stylings have inspired a whole generation of bluegrass and acoustic musicians with the many voices he has brought to the instrument. A native of Syracuse, his interest in banjo was sparked by the Kingston Trio’s “Charlie and the MTA” in 1963. Over the years he has toured and recorded with Peter Rowan, Richard Greene, Bela Fleck, Earl Scruggs and Steve Martin. He has performed on Prairie Home Companion and Mountain Stage. He is also notable for his production career, which has been highlighted by his work on Steve Martin’s Grammy-nominated album “Rare Bird Alert” — featuring performances by Paul McCartney, the Dixie Chicks and the Steep Canyon Rangers.

There are still tickets remaining to the show at a reduced price of $10 each, which can be purchased by calling 484-7070 or visiting reglenna.com. The Robert H. Jackson Center is located at 305 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown.

Kris Kristofferson To Perform In Salamanca Saturday: The legendary Kris Kristofferson will take center stage at the Seneca Allegany Events Center on Saturday for a 7 p.m. concert. Kristofferson is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, a three-time Grammy winner and has received a Golden Globe for Best Actor. During Saturday’s concert, he will perform classics like “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Help Me Make It through the Night” and more. Tickets start at $25.

The Seneca Allegany Events Center is located at 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd. in Salamanca. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 1-877-873-6322 or visit senecaalleganycasino.com/events-center/.

Raymour And Flanigan To Host TRC Art Exhibit Next Week: Works by artists with disabilities from The Resource Center will be on display at Raymour and Flanigan from Monday through Friday, Feb. 3.  The weeklong art exhibit is titled “Warm Your Heart with a Little Art.” Paintings, sculptures, pottery and jewelry will be on display throughout the Raymour and Flanigan showroom at 1001 Fairmount Ave in Jamestown. People can come to the store anytime during normal business hours — 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday — to view the works.

The week will culminate with a gala finale on Friday, Feb. 3, from 6-8 p.m. The free event will feature music by area pianist Elizabeth Smith, and refreshments will be on-hand. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to meet some of the artists and buy some of the works being displayed.The artwork was created by people with developmental disabilities in The Resource Center’s Creations art program. Works by artists from Jamestown and Dunkirk will be featured.

HAPPENINGS

To include an upcoming show or event in this column, email gpaterniti@post-journal.com or call 487-1111, ext. 243 by Monday.

Tonight

The Karl Marks Show (it’s revolutionary!): 7 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Karaoke with DJ Xcite: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 10 p.m., Forte, 114 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Friday

Adam McKillip: 5:30 p.m., Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge, 10 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown

Jamie Smith: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Jules-R-Us Karaoke: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

No Limit: 9 p.m., Peek’n Peak Resort, 1405 Olde Road in Clymer

Charlie Wheeler Band: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Cody Willett and Tim Reed: 9 p.m., Yesterday’s, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 9 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

DredNeks with Mala Sangre and Storms Within: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Two For Flinching: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Saturday

“The Arrival” screening: 8 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Crossfire: 8:30 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Jules-R-Us Karaoke featuring Tami T: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Tyler Smilo: 9:30 p.m., Peek’n Peak Resort, 1405 Olde Road in Clymer

We Speak Canadian: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Marshmellow Overcoat: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Danger Bird: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Sunday

Open Jam: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Monday

Open Jam: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Wednesday

Bluegrass Jam: 7 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

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