Jerry Seinfeld, ladies and gentlemen!

What better way to experience my first live stand-up comedy show than at our very own Jamestown Savings Bank Arena with the man who wrote for and starred in my favorite TV sitcom of all time?

Granted, I’m not very familiar with Seinfeld’s stand-up routine outside the little snippets that were included at the beginning of the early “Seinfeld” episodes, but it was nice to see some of that old material being recycled and retooled for the modern day; along with some brand new material regarding topics and particular subject matter that wouldn’t have been relevant during the height of his TV career. Having said that, it’s still difficult at times to conceive of the fact that I’ve witnessed half of the main “Seinfeld” cast perform their craft in a live setting without needing to leave Chautauqua County to do so.

I didn’t have the fortune to meet or speak with Seinfeld during his visit to Jamestown over the weekend, but I can claim that I’ve talked to, shaken hands with, been photographed with and received an autograph from Jason Alexander (aka “Seinfeld’s” George Costanza) when he performed in a one-man show at Chautauqua Institution back in 2009.

I was working stage crew at the amphitheater that summer, and Alexander was presenting “Donny Clay Will Show You the Way” – his faux motivational speaker routine as the title character of Donny Clay. Having seen the entertainment calendar before I even began working the summer job, I spent the first few weeks of the season eagerly awaiting the date of Alexander’s appearance at the Amp.

When the day finally came, it was all I could do to contain myself. I mean, I was talking backstage with the comedic genius who personified one of the most laughably neurotic characters in TV history. Regardless, I did have to blurt out to him that I was a big fan because I couldn’t help myself and, even though he wasn’t officially handing out autographs, he was amenable enough to sign something for me.

After his show, he took a group photo on the Amp’s back porch with the entire amphitheater crew – stage, sound and lights – and then retired to his dressing room to entertain some of his private guests.

Traditionally, a Friday show at the amphitheater is brutal on the crew because of extensive set up and tear down of the stage and tight performer deadlines; but since Alexander’s show required little more than the flying of some projection screens and a simple backmask, we were done and ready to go for the night long before he was. It was the only time in my two summers at the Amp in which the Amp crew was waiting for the talent to leave; but he was having a good time, and it’s not like we were going to kick him out.

This is all to say Chautauqua County has some pretty amazing things going on. It’s often easy to feel like we’ve been relegated to the dustbin of New York state, and you probably wouldn’t be incorrect in saying it’s not one of the easiest places to make a living.

But, with the right mindset you just might find it in yourself to appreciate some of the amazing things that have happened, and are continuing to happen, right outside your front door.

Jerry Seinfeld presented live entertainment in my hometown before a combined crowd of more than 5,000 people, and I’m OK with that.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

71st Annual Gerry Rodeo Is Happening Now: The four-day, 71st annual Gerry Rodeo is currently underway at the Gerry Rodeo Grounds. After beginning Wednesday, the event will continue today and run through Saturday, featuring a number of different events and activities. Today’s show will honor members of the military and firefighters with a $10 show. On Saturday, donations will be collected for the Roswell Park Breast Cancer Research Fund, and a kids’ rodeo will be held beginning at 4 p.m. An evening show will be held each evening at 8, and a Western Beef Barbecue dinner will be served each day from 5-8 p.m. Sponsored by the Gerry Fire Department, the Gerry Rodeo is the longest – running Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-affiliated rodeo located east of the Mississippi River. Ticket prices vary.

The Gerry Rodeo Grounds are located at 4351 Route 60 in Gerry. For a complete listing of activities and ticket prices, visit gerryrodeo.org.

Beach Boys To Perform At Chautauqua Institution Friday: The Beach Boys will once again perform at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater beginning at 8:15 p.m. Friday. With songs epitomizing the spirit of the California lifestyle of the 1960s, the group has become an American icon to a worldwide audience. The list of the Beach Boys’ chart-topping hits over the past five decades includes: “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “California Girls,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Barbara Ann,” “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Rock and Roll Music,” “Kokomo” and more. Tickets start at $50.

Chautauqua Institution is located at 1 Ames Ave. in Chautauqua. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call the box office at 357-6250 or visit chqtickets.com.

Motor Mayhem Returns To Downtown Jamestown Next Weekend: A celebration of all things motor – old classics, modern classics, Jeeps, trucks, motorcycles and more – will be held throughout downtown Jamestown on Friday, Aug. 14, from 5-11 p.m. Aside from the auto show, the event will also feature: live music on two stages featuring Smackdab, Blood Money, Two for Flinching and We Speak Canadian; outdoor beer areas at Shawbucks and the Wine Cellar; vendor and sponsor booths; kids activities; and food vending by several downtown restaurants. The event is sponsored by the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Shults Auto Group, LiteHouse Auto, the Gebbie Foundation, Signature Paving and Sealcoating and Line-X Protective Coatings. There is no cost to attend.

Motor Mayhem will be held along Third Street and its adjoining side streets. For more information, visit jamestownrenaissance.org/motormayhem/ or find “Motor Mayhem 2015” on Facebook.

JSBA To Present ‘Gala Of The Royal Horses’ Next Week: The Jamestown Savings Bank Arena will host “The Gala of The Royal Horses” inaugural North American world-renowned equestrian tour Thursday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. “The Gala of the Royal Horses” is a popular entertainment event combining the most beautiful horses in the world with live performers, which will entertain American audiences for the first time as it makes its U.S. debut. The show has only previously been seen at the famous riding schools in Vienna, Austria, and Spain. It features a number of performances involving the Andalusian, Friesian, Lipizzaner and Arabian breeds, and the event is dedicated to showing off the beauty and maneuvers these horses are capable of. Tickets start at $25. There are a limited number of VIP seats available.

The Jamestown Savings Bank Arena is located at 319 W. Third St. in Jamestown. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call the arena box office at 484-2624, visit jamestownarena.com or galaoftheroyalhorses.com.

Samantha Fish To Perform In ‘Belle Bash’ Concert Series Aug. 13: Samantha Fish, a Kansas City-based musician, will return to the Belle Bash summer concert series for a second time in an 8 p.m. performance on the Chautauqua Belle. It hasn’t been that long since a teenaged Fish first started showing up at her local Kansas City blues club, Knuckleheads Saloon, and began soaking up the sounds of visiting modern blues guitar masters like Mike Zito and Tab Benoit; then going back to ’80s heroes like Stevie Ray Vaughan, and following the lineage to the pre-war Delta masters. With those influences as her template, she incorporated the classic rock sounds of the The Rolling Stones and Tom Petty, alongside contemporary artists like Sheryl Crow and The Black Crowes, in putting together a sound that would become her own. Tickets are $50.

The Chautauqua Belle is located at 78 Water St. in Mayville. For more information, call 269-2355 or visit 269belle.com.

Infinity Calls For Local Music Showcase Volunteers: Infinity Visual and Performing Arts is looking for volunteers to assist with its 12th annual Local Music Showcase. Local Music Showcase is an annual event hosted to raise funding for music and arts instruction at the Infinity Center. The fundraiser, which is held throughout downtown Jamestown, will take place Saturday, Sept. 12. More than 50 local bands and musicians will perform at 13 local venues between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. to support the cause. Volunteers are needed to run sound and be on-hand at the venues to sell wristbands.

For more information about volunteering opportunities, call Infinity at 664-0991 or contact Sharon Roberts at sharon@infinityperformingarts.org.

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

Greatest Hits: 4 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Frank Marzano: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Kev Rowe: 6 p.m., Landmark Restaurant, 516 W. Fourth St. in Jamestown

Rhema Poetry Slam: 6 p.m., Infinity Visual and Performing Arts, 301 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Not Sold Separately: 6 p.m., Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman Circle in Lakewood

Generic Grass: 6:30 p.m., Lakeside Park gazebo in Mayville

Steve Strickland Duo: 7 p.m., Richard O. Hartley Park gazebo in Lakewood

Karaoke with DJ Eclips: 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

Davis and Eng: 5 p.m., The Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

The Home Remedy Band: 6 p.m., Authors Books and Music, 227 Liberty St. in Warren, Pa.

Brian Hanna: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Greg Ford: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Sean Patrick McGraw: 7 p.m., Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

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

Brian Chase: 9 p.m., Yesterday’s, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Hayley Restivo “Moonpuppy”: 9 p.m., Peek’n Peak Resort, 1405 Olde Road in Clymer

Black Widow: 10 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Trip the Deuce: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Sudden Urge: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

DJ Fish: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Saturday

“Babe” screening: 2 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Chris Vogt: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Stray Kat: 6 p.m., The Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

theCAUSE: 6 p.m., Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman ircle in Lakewood

Night Shift: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Claire Stuczynski: 7 p.m., Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

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

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

Chris Meekins: 9:30 p.m., Steener’s Pub, 3022 Route 430 in Greenhurst

DJ Griz: 10 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

DJ 8on3: 10 p.m., Spirits, 108 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

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

1980 Something: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Earthquakers: 10 p.m., Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point

DJ Fish: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Sunday

Bob Campbell: 2 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Shaky Ray Blues Band: 2 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

“Babe” screening: 2 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Jack Civiletto and the Pyramid Band: 4 p.m., Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point

Amanda Barton and Bill Ward: 4 p.m., Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

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

Dueling Pianos: 9:30 p.m., Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 10 p.m., Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point

Monday

Bill Ward: 6 p.m., Andriaccio’s, 4837 W. Lake Road in Mayville

Tuesday

Greg Ford: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Wednesday

“Sips for Safer Cycling” fundraiser: 5 p.m., Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge, 10 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown

Barbara Jean: 6 p.m., Lucille Ball Memorial Park in Celoron

Bob Campbell: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

“Airplane!” screening: 7 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown