This past weekend, I was blessed with the opportunity to undergo a broad range of emotions and learn a bit about myself as I tried my best to cope with them in the most healthy way possible.

Over the course of a single day, I went from feeling a pervading sense of sadness at the 10th anniversary of my father’s passing to feeling exultation at the healing power of live music.

On this day, I felt the loss of my father more strongly than previous anniversaries of the day of his death. This was strange because I’m normally not given to feelings of lingering despondency in this matter. I certainly remember and grieve in my own way every March 5 that there is a piece of me I often feel was taken far too soon, but my grief does not, in general, permeate my daily dealings on that particular date.

It was different this time.

I felt it as soon as I woke, and it followed me as I went about my day. I received an overwhelming amount of condolence and support from my online community; but the tears really started flowing when my aunt made an extremely heartfelt post about the loss of her own father — my grandfather, Roger — whom I previously wrote about last summer regarding the 10th anniversary of his passing. Roger was as big a role model in my life as a father should be, and I will always feel my loss of him as profoundly as I do that of my own father. I’m proud to carry his name with me as my own middle name.

What followed as the day progressed was an opportunity to make a drive to Buffalo with my new best friend, Marc, who also lends his drumming services to Cold Lazarus, to see a concert by Buffalo-based band Aqueous — who are big up-and-comers in the country’s indie jam band scene — perform in their hometown.

I’ve been wanting to see Aqueous for years now, and every time an opportunity arose to rectify the situation it would somehow invariably fall through. Not this time, though, I promised myself.

We made the trip and had our collective minds blown by these amazingly talented musicians who are currently living the dream that I’ve had for myself from the time I first picked up a guitar. At this point in time, Aqueous is what myself and my fellow Cold Lazarus bandmates aspire to be, and so it was a great opportunity to just enjoy life, music and reside in a general state of bliss for a brief amount of time.

Music has always been a great healer for me, sometimes more so than others. This weekend, however, it was more than that. It was the air I desperately needed to refill my lungs after I broke down crying while standing on Second Street only hours before.

I’ll forever be grateful for everything I felt all on this particular Sunday.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

‘Back Room Radio Hour’ To Feature Brian Hanna, Jk.A Tonight: Trinity Guitars’ upcoming episode of its “Back Room Radio Hour” program — presented by WRFA-LP 107.9 FM — will be taped live at Trinity Guitars’ 800 W. Third St. location tonight, beginning at 7 p.m. It will include performances by area singer-songwriter Brian Hanna, and up-and-coming Christian rap artist Jk.A.

Hanna is a singer-songwriter-guitarist who has been playing in the area for over 20 years. He began as an original artist before transitioning into primarily performing cover songs; however, program host Bill Ward said Hanna does maintain a collection of originals in his repertoire, some of which will make a rare live appearance in this week’s program. Jk.A, who’s given name is Joshua Atkins, is an 11-year-old rapper who writes his own lyrics and beats, and specializes in freestyling. He has performed in multiple venues and is almost always asked back for a second time, as he brings a youthful interpretation of God’s glory in his songs and is able to reach the young crowds at church.

There is no cost to attend a taping session of “Back Room Radio Hour,” but it is preferable that those interested in attending reserve their seats by contacting Trinity Guitars at 665-4490 or trinityguitarsbill@gmail.com. Reservations may also be made by visiting trinityguitars.com or via the event’s Facebook page. It is recommended that attendees arrive at 6:30 p.m. to ensure the program begins on time.

Infinity To Host Third Annual Local Artist Showcase Saturday: Infinity will host its third annual Local Artist Showcase on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Infinity Arts Cafe, located at 300 E. Third St. inside the Lynn Building. An art-based counterpart to Infinity’s largest annual fundraiser, the Local Music Showcase held every September, the Local Artist Showcase aims to feature and auction the work of a number of talented local artists as well as provide fun, family-friendly activities with the intention of raising money for the organization’s instructor-oriented and operating expenses.

See HIGHLIGHTS,

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Rather than do a live auction, as has been held in the past, this year’s event will feature a silent auction. The items up for auction can be viewed on the “Infinity’s Local Artist Showcase” Facebook page. Participating artists donated auction items, and all proceeds from the auction event will support arts education experiences for area youth at the Infinity Center.Online pre-bids will be accepted through Friday. Artists to have works featured in this year’s event include Anthony Flint, Ashley Ordines, Brendan Halbom, Carrie Tredo, Catherine Walsh, Daniel Marchini, Debra Eck, Faith Gibbons, Josh Keach (Yoshi), Laurie McGrath, Leslie Calimeri, Lisa Offhaus, Nicole Willsey and Ryan Hawkins.

Tickets for Local Artist Showcase are $5 per person, and will be available to purchase at the door on the day of the event. Children 18 and under will be admitted free of charge. For more information, call 664-0991, visit infinityperformingarts.org or find “3rd Annual Local Artist Showcase” on Facebook.

‘Paragon Springs’ To Continue Production At JCC This Weekend: The Jamestown Community College Uncommoners will conclude its adaptation of Steven Dietz’ “Paragon Springs” this weekend, with Friday and Saturday performances to begin at 8 p.m.. The plot of the play centers around the town of Paragon Springs, home to mineral baths which act as a big tourist attraction for the town. In the play, it is discovered that the springs’ “healing waters” are contaminated with bacteria shortly before the coming tourist season, and the town’s foremost citizen crusader, Dr. Thomas Stockman, is determined to know the truth behind the tragedy.

The production will feature JCC students: Alexa Anderson, Gordon Brooks, Will Gilroy, Courtney Nielsen, Whitney Poindexter, Alex Simmons and Johnathan Young, all of Jamestown; and Chloe Kilmartin of Mayville. Skip Anderson and JCC alumnus Kipp Reynolds are also in the cast.

Admission prices are: $10 for premium seating, which constitutes the middle section of the theater; $7 for general seating; and $5 restricted view seating, which is positioned along the theatre walls. Senior citizens and Faculty Student Association cardholders will receive a $2 discount on tickets purchased in person.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call the Scharmann Theatre box office at 338-1187 or visit campusstore.sunyjcc.edu.

Warren Philharmonic To Present ‘Celebration’ Sunday: Bryan Eckenrode, musical director and conductor of the Warren Philharmonic, will lead the orchestra in a concert entitled “Celebration” to begin Sunday at 4 p.m.

Brian Walnicki, who has served as the principal violist for the Western New York Chamber Orchestra since 2004, will serve as viola and mandolin soloist for the concert. Walnicki plays with the Erie Philharmonic and the Erie Chamber Orchestra, and substitutes with the Buffalo Philharmonic and Chautauqua Symphony. He has participated in festivals including the “Schlossfestpiele” in Germany and the Norfolk Contemporary Chamber Music Festival, where he worked with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. He holds a bachelor’s degree in performance from the Eastman School of Music, and a Master’s degree in performance from SUNY Fredonia, where he served as adjunct professor of viola from 2002-07.

Tickets are $10 for general admission, and $5 for students 18 and under and for seniors 65 and older. Children 12 and under are free. The concert will be held at the Holy Redeemer Church on the corner of South Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

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

Jake Johnson: 5 p.m., The Q, 104 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Open Jukebox: 6:30 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Comedy open mic: 7:30 p.m., The Q, 104 W. Second St. in Jamestown

The Karl-Marks Show (Karl’s Revolutionary Birthday Bash): 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

Bill Ward and John Cross: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Ryan Buzzetto: 9 p.m., Yesterday’s, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Heron: 9 p.m., Labyrinth Press Company, 12 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown

DTO Lite: 9 p.m., Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, 433 E. Terrace Ave. in Lakewood

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

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 9 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Uncle Ben’s Remedy: 9:30 p.m., Tap Room, 43 E. Main St. in Westfield

Pine Diary and The New Morning Sunrise: 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

Dave Golando and Karl Lydell: 7 p.m., Labyrinth Press Company, 12 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown

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

We Speak Canadian: 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

JB Martin and Smoking Dog: 9 p.m., Frewsburg Legion, 9 Meadow Lane in Frewsburg

Jim Donovan and the Sun King Warriors with Smackdab: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

PleasureTown: 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

Sunday

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

Monday

Bryan Moore: 5 p.m., The Q, 104 W. Second St. in Jamestown

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

Wednesday

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