It should likely come as no surprise to any of you that even the best laid plans can easily come unraveled when Mother Nature is involved.

Such was the case for me last week, when copious amounts of snowfall wreaked havoc on the surrounding area over the course of Thursday and Friday, and subsequently derailed the objective of myself and fellow bandmates in The Elektra Kings to give a performance over in Erie, Pa.

It wasn’t the first time we were unable to play a show, but it was the first time we had ever had to pull out of one due to treacherous traveling conditions. At the end of the day, however, I was relieved that all of us were on the same page in regard to not taking an unnecessary risk for what would have been little reward in the long term. Don’t get me wrong: I love playing music, but within reason.

As I write this it looks like we’re in for more nasty weather, particularly over the course of today, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t dampening my spirits a bit. Playing aside, I’ve never been a fan of winter to begin with — especially ever since I began driving a motor vehicle. It’s difficult enough getting into the spirit of the season when the sun makes only the briefest of appearances every week. Constantly overcast skies and dropping temperatures are enough to affect anyone’s mood when sustained over long periods of time.

I suppose it all ties back into the reprioritization that I spoke of two weeks ago. There’s no doubt in my mind that being involved in music and the community that supports it is crucial to my mental and emotional well-being. When that becomes compromised by external factors, suffice to say that it takes some of the wind out my sails.

But, be that as it may, the utmost thing I’ve been trying to keep in mind over these past few weeks is that the contentment that we all seek must come from within. Whether the source of that contentment comes from having to invent a silver lining in the circumstances that we’ve been dealt, or simply trying to make the best of a not-so-ideal situation, it’s up to us to weather the storm and come through it as best we can.

When it comes down to it, life is what we make of it; why make something mournful? After all, the world keeps turning every day.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

Infinity To Present Annual Holiday, Alumni Show Friday: Infinity Visual and Performing Arts will present its annual holiday and alumni show in the Infinity Arts Cafe on Friday at 7 p.m. The program will feature live musical performances by current Infinity students and instructors, as well as performances by Infinity alumni.

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

Audubon To Open ‘Winter Lights’ With ‘Adults Only’ Night Friday: The Audubon Community Nature Center will kick off this year’s “Winter Lights” events with an “adults only” opening Friday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. This special opening night is for adults over 21 only; and will feature live music by Smackdab, locally brewed beer and the trail of lights. Over 10,000 lights along the trail inform and entertain all ages. Visitors an walk the trails lit by luminaries while stopping throughout at interactive stations, warm up at the fire and visually absorb the finale at the Blue Heron Overlook. The night costs $25 per person, or $20 for Friends of the Nature Center. A ticket will include the lights, two drinks, food and live music.

The Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road in Jamestown. For more information, visit jamestownaudubon2.wordpress.com/ or find the event on Facebook.

Reg Lenna To Present ‘Home For The Holidays’ Saturday: The Reg Lenna Center for The Arts will cap a festive season with its “Home for the Holidays: Christmas at the Reg” concert scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. Hosted by Dennis Drew, WRFA general manager and founding member of 10,000 Maniacs, the concert will feature familiar holiday and seasonal songs across music genres. Performing will be: high school choirs the Maple Grove Voices and Westfield High School Westwinds; Celtic music from Sue Tillotson and Jim Cunningham; rhythm and blues from Steve Davis and Marla Harris; classic barbershop vocals from The Jamestown Harmony Express; bluegrass from Matt Gronquist, Bumpy Peterson and Ken Hardley; rock from The Porcelain Bus Driver; and a special performance from Broadway’s Ron Orbach.

Tickets start at $5 for children and $10 for adults. Limited “pay what you can” seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis the night of the performance at the box office. To purchase tickets call 484-7070 or visit reglenna.com.

‘Wits ‘N Giggles’ Returns To Northwest Arena Saturday: The “Wits ‘n Giggles” stand-up comedy series will return to the Northwest Arena on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The night features headliner, Charlie Wiener; feature, Patrick Bagdon; and host Robb Will. Hailing from Chicago, Bagdon has brought his high energy act to a variety of venues, ranging from comedy clubs to prisons. His conversational style appeals to a variety of audiences as he discusses everyday life, relationships, and the most obscure things one can think of. Wiener has been in the music and comedy industry for over 40 years. He has headlined clubs across the United States and Canada for well over a quarter of a century, and has performed everywhere from Atlantic City to Las Vegas. The father of two adult daughters and three very odd dogs, Wiener has lived a full life, but isn’t ready to cash in his chips just yet. He has shared the stage with Ellen Degeneres, Bobcat Goldthwait, George Lopez, Meatloaf and Randy Newman; and has appeared on A&E, Comedy Central, CBC, NBC, ABC, and CBS.

Tickets for the event are $10 presale, $12 day of show, and $5 for students. Must be 18 years of age and up to attend. To purchase tickets, call 484-2624 or visit northwestarena.com.

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

Jules-R-Us Karaoke: 8 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

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

Rustic Ramblers: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Bill Ward and John Cross: 8 p.m., Murdocks, 100 E. Main St. in Sherman

Adam McKillip: 9 p.m., Yesterday’s, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Smokehouse: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Porcelain Busdrivers: 10 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

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

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

Saturday

Sammy Slicker Band: 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

Ryan Melquist: 9 p.m., Steener’s Pub, 3022 Route 430 in Greenhurst

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

Open Jukebox: 10 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Moon Rite with Surprise Guise: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

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

Sunday

Open Jam: 10 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