I’ve never been able to fully rationalize why, but I’ve often felt that I was born in the wrong generation.

Maybe it has something to do with growing up in a globalized society of more than seven billion individuals who have been forcibly interconnected by the invisible tendrils of social media and wireless devices, but in many ways I feel like mankind is slowly being drained of its humanity.

Every day, my Facebook feed is inundated with news articles, rants and diatribes posted by keyboard activists who feel entitled and confident in sharing their beliefs and opinions for all the world to see while hiding behind their computer monitors in the comfort of their own homes. And yet, as I ironically do the exact same thing in today’s column, the one thing I’ve been able to glean from it all is that very few people have anything of substance to contribute anymore.

It makes me feel like a stranger among my peers, like a voyager who has unwittingly traversed through time and space only to witness the de-evolution of human morality and consciousness. I recall the lyrics from the Queen song “’39,” in which the main character travels through space over the course of a year in search of a new home for mankind and, upon returning to Earth, finds that 100 years have passed for the loved ones he left behind.

The line “Your mother’s eyes, through your eyes, cry to me,” sums up the way I feel toward some of the people I interact with; as if they are mere reflections or imitations of the lives that came before them. And I can’t help but wonder, oftentimes, who these people are and why I don’t fit in with them.

All this to say that much of what I see in the mainstream market and entertainment industries seem farcical in comparison with the products of their predecessors. There was a time when the arts meant something, and were utilized by brilliant minds as vehicles by which to convey new, innovative and sometimes revolutionary ideas. I must clarify that, in some instances, though fewer and farther between now, this is still the case; but to me, this seems a far cry from the notions that are being force-fed to our nation’s youth, which has become so dependent upon technology it makes me fear for the future of creative and independent thought.

Maybe this is all doom and gloom, especially in comparison with my usual submissions to this column. It’s probably not as bad as I’m making it out to be, but that has never stopped me from feeling that within my 28-year-old body resides a soul that has lived far longer and yearns for something more than what this world has to offer.

I suppose all that is left for me to do now is put my money where my mouth is. Here’s to the future, limitless possibilities and making most of the short time we have here on the floating space rock we call home.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

‘Rolling Hills Radio’ To Feature Burns Sisters, Tom Whitmore Tonight: WRFA-LP 107.9 FM’s “Rolling Hills Radio” is set to feature a pair of Western and Upstate New York acts – the Burns Sisters and Tom Whitmore – in the taping of its 48th episode to be held at 6:30 tonight in the Reg Lenna Studio Theater. The Burns Sisters originated as a quintet in Ithaca, where they sang with the David Kent Band. Hardley said they would go on to experience success in the 1980s in the realm of pop music. Having been originally signed to the Columbia record label, and later the Rounder label, the group was dropped from its major recording contract and reacquainted itself in the ’90s with the folk and Celtic influences that defined the sisters’ musical upbringing. Following their Columbia years, the group has released eight studio albums since 1992. Performing in a number of permutations, the duo of Annie and Marie Burns will perform on “Rolling Hills Radio.” The duo will perform material largely drawn from the Burns Sisters’ album “Looking Back, Our American Irish Souls,” which was released earlier this year. Whitmore has performed on “Rolling Hills Radio” as recently as last year, when Watkins and the Rapiers appeared on the 33rd episode in May 2014. A Geneseo native, he has been performing on stage since the age of 4 when he sang the “Davy Crockett Theme Song,” at the 1958 General Electric Christmas party in Syracuse. A former member of Robot City Ramblers, Moondogs and Cool Cats, and Jim Tobey and the Rock Trio, Hardley said the singer-songwriter has been performing bass, guitar, mandolin and vocals with Watkins and the Rapiers for the past 20 years. The program’s live taping will begin at 6:30 p.m., but it will be preceded by a pre-taping reception, complete with drinks and mingling, known as “Rolling Happy Hour.” Doors for the reception open at 5:30 p.m. A meet-and-greet with the artists will be held following the taping. Tickets for the show are $10, and those interested in attending are encouraged to purchase tickets as far in advance as possible.

The Reg Lenna Studio Theater is located at 108 E. Third St. in Jamestown. For more information, call the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts box office at 484-7070 or visit reglenna.com.

Infinity To Celebrate 17th Birthday Friday: Infinity Visual and Performing Arts will hold its 17th birthday party celebration at the Infinity Arts Cafe on Friday at 7 p.m. This event is free, family friendly and open to the public. Audience members and supporters of all ages are welcome.

Infinity Visual and Performing Arts is located a 301 E. Second St. in Jamestown. The Infinity Arts Cafe is located at 300 E. Third St., and can be accessed by entering through the doors to the old Post Office.

Annual ‘Girls Rock’ Concert At Mojo’s Is Saturday: The eighth annual Girls Rock concert will be Saturday at Mojo’s Music Bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. This year’s event will showcase the prowess of seven local and regional musicians including: Cindy “Love” Haight, Faith Graham, Marla Harris and Sara Rafaloski, all of Jamestown; Jess Royer of Erie, Pa.; Kathryn Koch of Buffalo; and Rose Segel of Warren, Pa. Haight is a local singer-songwriter who performs regionally as a solo artist and also sings with popular local band No Limit. Graham is a local vocalist, violinist and sometimes guest vocalist with local favorite band Smackdab. Harris has established herself as one of the area’s finest vocalists, having won the 2005 Chautauqua Idol contest and performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at the Canal Side concert tribute to Stevie Wonder in Buffalo. Harris currently performs with the Buffalo-based fusion band Preach Freedom and Connect. Rafaloski, affectionately known as “Sarah the Greatest,” is a multi-instrumentalist – lending her performing talents to guitar, cello, mandolin and bass – who currently performs with her band the Tongue Cluckers. Royer is an up-and-coming artist in the Erie, Pa., area who will be performing in her first Girls Rock concert. According to Haight, her songwriting is full of passion and evokes an “old school soul vibe.” Also new to Girls Rock is Koch, a Buffalo-based multi-instrumentalist best known for her powerhouse vocals with acclaimed indie folk band Redheaded Stepchild. After spending many years in Nashville, Tenn., she recently returned to Buffalo where, in addition to playing sax and singing with BRZ, she continues to showcase her songwriting and re-interpretation of traditional folk music as a solo act. Koch also sings and plays harmonica with Alan “ADub” Whitney and the Healing Committee. Segel is the lead singer of the original Warren band Gasoline Genes, and will also be making her first appearance in a Girls Rock concert.

Mojo’s Music Bar is located at 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown. There will be a $5 cover charge to attend.

CRYS To Kick Off 2015-16 Season Sunday: The Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony (CRYS) is opening its 2015-16 season with the Holiday Chamber Concert on Sunday evening. The string players of the Youth Symphony will perform at 7 p.m. in the Ss. Peter and Paul Church, 508 Cherry St. in downtown Jamestown, across from the Prendergast Library. Bryan Eckenrode, acclaimed CRYS music director and conductor, will conduct the concert, and a freewill offering will be taken. Classical compositions in the diverse program will include Vivaldi’s “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” and “Concerto (Sinfonia) Alla Rustica,” and the first movement of Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No .5.” On a more contemporary note will be “An Irish Party in Third Class” from one of the most memorable moments in the movie “Titanic,” “Viva la Vida” by the British alternative rock band Coldplay, and “Promise” from the video game “Silent Hill 2,” arranged by former Youth Symphony member Kenneth Hultin. In the holiday spirit, John Caponegro’s arrangement of “Christmas Carols for Strings” pulls together eight favorite songs of the season, and “Santa at the Symphony” blends classical music themes with seasonal melodies.

To learn more about CRYS and its programs for young musicians, visit the website at cryouthsymphony.com or the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony’s Facebook page.

Spire Theater To Present Beatles-Themed Events This Weekend: The Spire Theater and Big Time Productions’ “The British Invasion” series of performances continues Saturday with “A Salute to the Beatles” – featuring a performance by Not Norman, an Olean-based classic rock band that also plays the music of Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young and Steely Dan when they are not playing The Beatles tribute shows. Band members include: Barry Gan on vocals and guitar; Mark Hubert on vocals, guitar, harmonica and keyboards; Gary Pancio on bass and guitar; Paul Psathas on vocals, guitar, sax and harmonica; Glenn Wahl on drums and percussion; and Andrew Moot, sound technician. Although the band does not dress up in mop top wigs and Beatles costumes, the audience is encouraged to do so and a door prize will be awarded to the best Beatle costume in attendance. Presale tickets are $12 online at in-spire.us and from Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge, or tickets can be purchased for $15 at the door on Saturday.

Additionally, a Beatles-inspired “paint with wine” event will also be held at 8 p.m. Friday in the Spire’s Odyssey Hall. All painting materials will be provided, and all are welcome to participate regardless of painting experience. Seating is limited and a reservation is required to attend. Tickets are $30 for the “paint with wine” event, and can be purchased online at in-spire.us. You may purchase tickets at in-spire.us. Reservations to attend both the “paint with wine” event and the Not Norman concert can be purchased in advance for $35. Those who have purchased tickets to Saturday’s concert and would like to attend Friday’s painting event can bundle their tickets by calling the Spire at 450-7537.

The Spire Theater is located at 317 E. Third St. in Jamestown.

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 Diamonds’ “Silver Bells and Diamonds”: 3 p.m., Seneca Allegany Events Center, 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd. in Salamanca

Jamestown Young Professionals Mixer: 5 p.m., Gialy’s, 210 Pine St. in Jamestown

New student orientation session: 5:45 p.m., Infinity Visual and Performing Arts, 301 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Bluegrass Jam: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. 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

Ten Minutes and Counting: 6 p.m., The Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

Bad Gramma: 6 p.m., Ten Point Tavern, 5523 Route 62 in Conewango Valley

Ken Larsen: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Indigenous: 7 p.m., Seneca Allegany Events Center, 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd. in Salamanca

Big Tone: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Charity Nuse: 9 p.m., Yesterdays, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Last Chance Trio: 9 p.m., Murdocks, 100 W. Main St. in Sherman

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

Widow Maker: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Smokin’ 45: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Saturday

Rhema Poetry: 6 p.m., Ryders Cup, 28 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

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

Steve Strickland Duo: 9 p.m., Steener’s Pub, 3022 Route 430 in Greenhurst

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

The Duke-James Band: 10 p.m., Spirits, 108 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Headbanger’s Ball: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Jake’s Blues: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Sunday

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

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 10 p.m., Spirits, 108 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Monday

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

Tuesday

Open Mic Night: 9 p.m., The Q, 104 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Wednesday

Thanksgiving Eve party with DJ Eternalyght Productions: 5-9 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Thanksgiving Eve party with Last Chance Trio: 7-11 p.m., The Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

Trivia night: 8 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Thanksgiving Eve party with Steve Strickland Duo: 9 p.m., Yesterdays, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Jamestown

Open Mic Night: 10 p.m., Spirits, 108 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown