It's a beautiful thing when bands get back together. I had the pleasure of attending a Blink-182 show at Darien Lake in 2009 shortly after the trio reunited. It was a great concert; I was especially pleased because I didn't think I'd ever see the band live.
Now, Western New Yorkers have the chance to see another recently patched-up band: Van Halen. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will play at First Niagara Center with Kool & The Gang on Friday, March 9. Tickets start at $29.50 at tickets.com or by calling 888-223-6000.
The band scheduled the tour in support of its first album with singer David Lee Roth since "1984." "A Different Kind of Truth," led by lead single "Tattoo," will drop Feb. 7. The music video for "Tattoo" is posted on www.van-halen.com for those interested in watching.
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Highlights and Happenings with Scott Shelters
It's no "Unchained," "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" or "Everybody Wants Some," but it's not bad. Who knows how the whole record will sound, but diehard Van Halen fans will probably prefer it over albums from the Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone eras.
Casual fans likely won't bother giving the whole album a listen. After all, the band waited nearly three decades to make a new recording with Roth, and I doubt any of the original members have the musical talents they possessed in 1984.
Whether they are or not, diehard Van Halen fans should be upset that bassist Michael Anthony no longer plays in the band. Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang replaced the founding bassist, joining his uncle Alex Van Halen, his father and Roth. Reportedly, the Van Halen brothers kicked out Anthony, who now plays in the rock band Chickenfoot with Hagar.
Judging by the Van Halens' tendency to not play well with others - which is evident by the band's rotating cast of singers - I doubt we'll ever see Anthony in the band again, particularly since Eddie's son now fills his role.
Those who hope to see the original Van Halen lineup should plan on settling for three out of four and catch them on this tour. Who knows if or when the band will come back. If it does, Anthony probably won't be a part of it.
Here's what's coming up:
'GLASS MENAGERIE' AUDITIONS ANNOUNCED
Auditions for the Jamestown Community College Uncommoners' spring drama, "The Glass Menagerie," will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 30 and 31 in JCC's Scharmann Theatre.
A copy of the script is available at the front desk of JCC's Hultquist Library. For additional information, call theater director Bob Schlick at 338-1153.
"The Glass Menagerie," one of the most famous plays in modern theatre, premiered in 1944. Written by Tennessee Williams, the play examines the relationships of Amanda Wingfield and her children Tom and Laura. The family dynamics are tested by poverty, insecurity and unrealistic expectations.
Performances will be held March 16-18 and 22-24.
"The Glass Menagerie" replaces the previously announced "Doubt" as JCC's spring production.
CHAUTAUQUA'S GOT TALENT AUDITIONS TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY
The Spire of Jamestown will host auditions for the third annual Chautauqua's Got Talent competition on Wednesday.
The private audition will begin at 5:30 p.m. Pre-registration is not required. However, those who email jamestownspire@gmail.com requesting pre-registration won't have to wait to perform on audition night.
For the first time, the production team will accept video auditions, which can be sent to jamestownspire@gmail.com with a present or past performance video link or attachment. Those who submit a video do not have to attend Wednesday's audition.
Big Time Productions, in conjunction with The Post-Journal, will present Chautauqua's Got Talent, which will begin Monday, Feb. 27.
Email jamestownspire@gmail.com or "like" facebook.com/chautauquatalent for more information.
MORE ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS
As always, venues are listed chronologically by first event.
CELORON LEGION - The Blue Grass Jam will take place tonight, running from 7-10. All area bluegrass musicians are welcome to sit in and play. Total Chaos will play from 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturday. Herman Kent American Legion Post 777 is located at 26 Jackson Ave. in Celoron.
THE Q - "Throwback Thursday," featuring music from DJ Xcite, will be held every week from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m., including tonight. There will not be a cover charge, and there will be free games of pool and drink and food specials. Rock will meet hip-hop Friday night from 9 until 2. DJ Jimmy Whispas will spin hip-hop favorites on the club side of The Q, and Pressure Sensitive will play five decades of rock music on the sports bar side. There will be a $5 cover. The Q is located at 104 W. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 483-6256.
LAKEVIEW - Derek Davis will play from 6-9 p.m. Friday, and The Allergic Reaction Band will play rock music at 10 p.m. Saturday. The Lakeview is at 13 Water St. in Mayville. For more, call 753-2813.
THE DOCKS - There will be live piano music from 6-9 Friday night. The Docks is located at 7 Water St. in Mayville. For more, call 753-2525.
SENECA ALLEGANY CASINO - Variety band Pocket Change will play from 6-10 p.m. Friday, while Pappy Johns Band will play blues from 10:30-2:30. On Saturday, contemporary rockers Mystic Traversion will perform from 1:30-5:30, and Tommy Z Band will bring a variety of music to the stage from 6-10. Country band Coyote will play from 10:30-2:30 Saturday night. For more information on the Casino Bar, visit www.senecaalleganycasino.com.
INFINITY CAFE - This week's Friday cafe night will feature Milestones and Richie Leeper and Soul Revival, beginning at 7. As always, cafe nights are free and open to the public. The Infinity Cafe is located at 115 E. Third St. in Jamestown. For more, call 664-0991 or visit www.infinityperformingarts.org.
DUNKIRK MOOSE CLUB - Ken Hardley will play solo from 8-11 p.m. Friday. The show is open to the public. Visit www.kenhardley.com for more information on the area rocker.
REG LENNA CIVIC CENTER - The Movies at The Reg series will feature "Martha Marcy May Marlene" Friday and Saturday nights at 8. Elizabeth Olsen stars in the R-rated psychological thriller. Reg Lenna Civic Center is located at 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown. Call 484-7070 for more information.
WADDINGTON'S TAVERN - Big Leg Emma's Steve Johnson and Charity Nuse will perform from 9:30-1:30 Friday night. Admission to the 21-and-over show will be free. Waddington's Tavern is located at 344 W. Main St. (Route 394) in Falconer. For more, call 665-6341.
COLDSPRING FIRE HALL - Ken Hardley and The Henways will bring rock music to The Coldspring Fire Hall from 9-1 Saturday night. The hall is located at 2603 Route 394 in Steamburg.
MURDOCK'S - Rob Vance will play a solo show Saturday night, beginning at 9. Murdock's is located at 104 E. Main St. in Sherman. For more, call 761-2049.
PEEK'N PEAK - Cindy Haight will play in The Regency Pub on Saturday night from 9:30-1:30. There will not be a cover charge. Peek'n Peak is located at 1405 Olde Road in Findley Lake. For more, call 355-4141.
SHAWBUCKS - 1980s tribute band New Wave Nation will perform Saturday night. Shawbucks is at 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 487-2201.
TOWNLINE TAVERN - Derek Davis will play an acoustic set from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday. The Townline Tavern is at 9235 W. Main Road (Route 20) in North East, Pa.; call 814-725-1677 for more.
LABYRINTH PRESS COMPANY - Grunge band Buoyant Sea will play Wednesday night, beginning at 7:30. The Labyrinth is located at 12 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown. For more, call 708-2471.
The Weekend Entertainment Events Preview highlights concerts, festivals and other happenings in the region in each Thursday's paper. Suggestions for submission can be sent to Scott Shelters by emailing sshelters@post-journal.com or by calling 487-1111, ext. 253.