With the 13th annual Local Music Showcase now in the books, and more than $9,000 raised for Infinity Visual and Performing Arts, the Jamestown community should be proud of itself.

Heavy rain and strong winds weren’t enough to deter hundreds of people flitting from one downtown establishment to another last Saturday in support of area musicians and the overarching cause to foster the instructional and educational development of young minds in the ways of music and other arts. Run-on sentence notwithstanding, this was a weekend to remember for all involved; and a perfect model for what we can come to expect from the yearly musical event.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned in last week’s column, I wasn’t able to partake in the festivities as much as I would have wished; but my evening turned out well, nonetheless.

As I reflect on a successful Saturday evening, and a full weekend of playing live music with all three of my bands over the course of two days, I now eagerly look forward to this evening’s performance at the Wintergarden Plaza for the final installment of this year’s Third Thursday concert series (see below for more information). Contained within the limits of the patio outside and adjacent to the Wine Cellar will be a microcosm of what we saw last weekend throughout a five-block radius in the downtown area: great live music being supported by a thriving arts community.

It’s one of those things that, as both an entertainment reporter and a musician, I can pinpoint as being one of my favorite things about being a Jamestown resident. I grew up out in the countryside and underwent a bit of readjustment when I moved back to the city in 2010. But what I’ve found in the past six years is that the longer you live in the city, the smaller that city becomes.

I’ve made acquaintances and connections in that time that have sustained me, as a community-minded individual, through periods of isolation and loneliness and feeling otherwise disconnected from the life that I’ve established for myself. Generally speaking, one night out on the town every once in a while is often enough to dispel that despondency and bring me back to the warm embrace of friendly smiles and a meaningful sense of belonging in the city that I call my home.

I carry with me now a strong belief in supporting all things local – be it business, art, sports, or otherwise – and that was a belief that was cultivated by the people I’ve met and the joy that I’ve experienced during countless downtown excursions.

Speaking of downtown offerings, our own NA3HL-affiliated junior hockey team the Southern Tier Xpress will kick off their third season at the Northwest Arena this weekend. I would highly recommend attending as many of their home games as you see fit and supporting another year of entertaining, competitive hockey in downtown Jamestown.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

‘Third Thursday’ To Feature The Audience, The Elektra Kings In Season Closer Tonight: The 2016 season of the “Third Thursday” downtown Jamestown concert series will conclude today at Wintergarden Plaza from 7-9 p.m. Performances of live, original music will be given by the The Audience and The Elektra Kings. Sponsored and hosted by the Active Artists Alliance, “Third Thursday” is a free, all-ages community arts event and concert series held every third Thursday from the months of May through September. A few local AAAlliance members will be bringing their easels and paints out to the plaza and working on their paintings and other creations. Any interested local artists or crafty folks should feel free to bring their materials down to the plaza, to work and network with the other artists, or just to show off what they have been doing lately.

Wintergarden Plaza is located at 313 N. Main St. in Jamestown. For more information, find the event on Facebook.

Seneca Allegany Events Center To Host Paul Rodriguez Tonight: The multi-talented, bilingual stand-up comedian Paul Rodriguez will perform at the Seneca Allegany Events Center on Friday beginning at 7 p.m. Rodriguez has been named one of Comedy Central’s “100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time,” and has appeared in over 45 films and countless television series and comedy specials including “Ali,” “King of the Hill.” Tickets to the performance start at $20.

The Seneca Allegany Events Center is located at 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd. in Salamanca. For additional information, or to purchase tickets, call 1-877-873-6322 or visit senecaalleganycasino.com/entertainment/events-center/.

2016 Fall Festival Of Bands Is Saturday: Jefferson Middle School’s Strider Field will play host to marching bands from throughout the state in the annual Fall Festival of Bands competition Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The yearly event brings high school marching bands from throughout downstate New York together in an evening of competition. As members of the New York State Field Band Conference, the bands will compete within their various divisions based on school district size.

Presale tickets can be purchased from any Jamestown High School Red Raiders marching band member for $5. They can also be purchased at the gate for $6 on the day of the event. For more information, find “2016 Fall Festival of Bands” on Facebook.

‘Oktobenefest’ Fundraiser To Be Held At STBC Sunday: Southern Tier Brewing Company will host its ninth annual “Oktobenefest” fundraising event to benefit St. Susan Center on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Plenty of food – including shish kabobs, pulled pork, brats and corn on the cob – will be available, and live music will be provided by the Greatest Hits band. Southern Tier Brewing Company beer will also be available, along with non-alcoholic beverages. Activities will include cornhole and the opportunity to win prizes and giveaways.

Southern Tier Brewing Company is located at 2072 Stoneman Circle in Lakewood. For more information, call 763-5479 or find “Oktobenefest” on Facebook.

Illusionist Jason Bishop Returns To Reg Lenna Sept. 24: Jason Bishop, regarded as the country’s best illusionist, will return to Jamestown on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. for a repeat performance at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts. In his shows, Bishop features stunning and original state-of-the-art magic that includes sleight of hand, exclusive grand illusions and close-up magic projected onto a huge movie screen. Additionally, the show is delivered with a totally modern energy and an upbeat pop-rock soundtrack.

Tickets range in price from $13 to $56. For additional information, or to purchase tickets, call the Reg Lenna box office at 484-7070 or visit reglenna.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

The Probables: 5 p.m., Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman Circle in Lakewood

Indian Outlaw DJ Services: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

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

Jamie Smith: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Southern Tier Xpress home opener: 7 p.m., Northwest Arena, 319 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Rustic Ramblers: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

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

Derek Davis Trio: 9 p.m., Yesterday’s, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Narwhal Bloodbath with The Lowered and Obelus: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

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

Saturday

Derek Davis Duo: 2 p.m., Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman Circle in Lakewood

Southern Tier Xpress home game: 5 p.m., Northwest Arena, 319 N. Main St. in Jamestown

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

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

Grease Creepers with Crazies and Elemantra: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

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

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

Sunday

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

Monday

Fire Nights music and poetry series: 7 p.m., Phoenix Rising Wellness Studio, 212 Pine St. in Jamestown

Open Jam: 9 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown