There's a lot going on locally this weekend, but looking ahead to next month, the city will host a couple of performers you may have heard of.
On Thursday, Feb. 23, Brian McKnight will perform at Jamestown Savings Bank Arena. The following night, "American Idol" finalist Mandisa will perform at Reg Lenna Civic Center. Both artists have received multiple Grammy nominations.
Born in Buffalo, McKnight's hit singles include "Back at One," "Anytime," "Let Me Love You" and "My Kind of Girl," which he recorded with Justin Timberlake. He has collaborated with Diddy, Mariah Carey, Rascal Flatts, Willie Nelson, Kenny G, Vanessa Williams, Nelly and Christina Aguilera.
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Mandisa has released three pop-gospel albums since her "American Idol" run, including her most recent collection "What If We Were Real."
Tickets for the McKnight show start at $30. Visit jamestownarena.com or call the arena box office at 484-2624 for more information.
General admission tickets for Mandisa's concert start at $18. Order tickets online at fln.org/tickets or by phone at 800-927-9083.
With those two shows, the final weekend in February is shaping up to be a good one for local entertainment. This weekend doesn't look too bad either with performances from Mary Ramsey; Three Dog Night; Oh, Sleeper; and plenty of others. Here's what's coming up:
MARY RAMSEY AND THE HEALERS TO PLAY WOODSONGS TONIGHT
The January edition of the "Woodsongs Coffeehouse Radio Hour" will be recorded live tonight. The show will feature interviews and performances featuring singer-songwriter Mary Ramsey and her band The Healers.
Ramsey's lead vocals, violin, viola and songwriting skills are featured on 10,000 Maniacs albums "Love Among The Ruins" and "The Earth Pressed Flat." With Ramsey in the fold, the band's cover of "More Than This" became a Top-40 hit. She has toured internationally with 10,000 Maniacs and played a couple of 30th anniversary shows with the band at JCC last fall.
One of Ramsey's musical projects, her band The Healers, dates back to 2005.
"It's very exciting to have someone with Ms. Ramsey's talent on the Woodsongs stage," said the show's host Ken Hardley. "We decided to dedicate the entire night to her and her band so that she can show us the full range of her very eclectic musicianship. I'm eager to experience her music in this intimate setting and get to know her on stage."
The recording will begin at 7, but attendees should arrive early to get seats. The show will air multiple times in February on WRFA-LP, 107.9 FM. The December show with Cindy Haight, Blue Magoo and Bess Raynor is now up on www.wrfalp.com.
MUSICAL COMEDY AT THE SPIRE
A musical comedy special will be held Saturday at 8 at The Spire of Jamestown in celebration of Angelo Giuffre's 30th birthday. The event will feature an evening of music and laughs featuring Angelo and Ylsa Giuffre and appearances by other performers whom Angelo has worked with over the years. Angelo and the others will sing familiar songs, new numbers and rarely heard acoustic pieces. Throughout the evening, musical genres will span from jazz to folk and rock 'n' roll. Jamie Lee, Karen Buck, Shannon Nixon, Steve Davis and others will perform.
To commemorate his 30th birthday, Angelo will have his ponytail cut off on stage during the show by Sam Paladino. Tickets will be available at The Labyrinth Press Company for $10 pre-sale or $12 the day of the show.
The Spire is at 317 E. Third St. For more, visit www.spiretheater.org or call 450-7357.
THREE DOG NIGHT TO PLAY CASINO SUNDAY
Tickets remain for Sunday's Three Dog Night performance in the Seneca Allegany Casino Events Center. The band claimed 21 straight Top-40 hits and 12 consecutive gold albums. Known for rock hits "Mama Told Me Not to Come," "Black and White" and "Joy to the World," Three Dog Night will take the stage at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $20. Those under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
MONDAY NIGHT METAL SHOW AT ARENA
Texas metal band Oh, Sleeper returns to Jamestown Savings Bank Arena on Monday with several other acts. Hardcore band Onward To Olympas, from North Carolina, and Texas metal band Fit For A King will perform. Also performing will be Maryland melodic deathcore band In Dying Arms, Chicago metal band For All I Am, Erie's Edge Of Ruin and Jamestown's Born for Betrayal.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 pre-sale and can be purchased on createevolveproductions.bigcartel.com. Tickets will be $13 on the day of the show.
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. Erie band Money Shot will play Saturday night following a benefit for Chautauqua County's Veterans' Van. 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. The Q is located at 104 W. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 483-6256.
THE SPIRE - The Forgotten Classics movie series will continue tonight with "The Flying Deuces." On Tuesday, the series will feature "The Little Shop of Horrors." The price of admission for either night will be $2, and each film will follow a 30-minute short. The Spire is at 317 E. Third St. For more, visit spiretheater.org or call 450-7357.
MOJO'S - Notixx and DJ Quake will provide music Thursday. Funknut returns to Jamestown for its first show of 2012 with a new single "Don't Say Goodnight." The band will play from 10-1 Friday night. Bill Burke Trio and No Good Do Gooders will play Saturday night. Mojo's is located at 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 720-4621.
INFINITY CAFE - The cafe will host a recital night Friday for Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Inc. students, beginning at 6 p.m. The Infinity Cafe is located at 115 E. Third St. in Jamestown. For more, call 664-0991 or visit www.infinityperformingarts.org.
LAKEVIEW - Brian Hanna will play from 6-9 p.m. Friday, and Derek Davis and the Tasty Groove will follow, playing at 10. 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.
WADDINGTON'S TAVERN - Ken Hardley and The Henways will play rock music from 9-1 Friday night. Waddington's Tavern is located at 344 W. Main St. (Route 394) in Falconer. For more, call 665-6341.
SENECA ALLEGANY CASINO - Blues band Red Rhythm will play from 6-10 p.m. Friday, and rock band Giant Steps will play from 10:30-2:30. Robert "Freightrain" Parker will play blues from 1:30-5:30 Saturday, while Tommy Z Band will perform a variety of music from 6-10. Rock band ZOAR will play from 10:30-2:30 Saturday night. For more information on the Casino Bar, visit www.senecaalleganycasino.com.
WARREN LEGION - Willow Creek Band will play country music from 8-11:30 p.m. Friday. American Legion Post 135 is located at 412 Pennsylvania Ave. W. in Warren. For more, call 814-723-8380.
REG LENNA CIVIC CENTER - The Movies at the Reg series will continue Friday and Saturday nights at 8 with "J. Edgar," starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Reg Lenna Civic Center is located at 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown. Call 484-7070 for more information.
BEMUS POINT GOLF CLUB - Big Leg Emma's Steve Johnson, Charity Nuse and Amanda Barton will play from 8-11 p.m. Saturday. The Bemus Point Golf Club is located at 72 Main St. in Bemus Point and can be reached at 386-2893 for more information.
FOUNTAIN BOWL - Willow Creek Band will play country music from 9-1 Saturday. Fountain Bowl is at 3316 Fluvanna Ave. Ext. in Jamestown. For more, call 664-7404.
MURDOCK'S - Derek Davis and The Tasty Groove will play from 9-1 Saturday night. Murdock's is located at 104 E. Main St. in Sherman. For more, call 761-2049.
WARREN MOOSE - 1980s tribute band Two For Flinching will play Saturday night from 9-1. Warren Moose Lodge 109 is at 422 Pennsylvania Ave. W. in Warren. For more, call 814-723-4320.
ROAD-HOUSE - Pressure Sensitive will play rock music on Saturday night and Sunday. The Saturday show will run from 10-2. Sunday's performance will benefit the family of former Pressure Sensitive bassist Tim Welch, who died in a car accident last year. The benefit will run from noon until 9, and Morning Wood, Smokin' 45, Total Chaos and Synergy will also perform. The Road-House Bar & Grill is at 1023 E. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 708-6119.
SHAWBUCKS - Jack Rabbit Slim will play Saturday night. Shawbucks is at 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 487-2201.
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.