Never does it become more apparent to me just how large and loyal our local arts community is when it comes to supporting local talent than when I attend a Smackdab show.

For the past 15 years, Jamestown’s funk and soul heroes have amassed a faithful following that will come out of the woodwork to show their love and appreciation for true musicianship regardless of location.

Such was the case on Saturday night, when Smackdab, along with Jim Donovan and the Sun King Warriors, played to near capacity crowd in Shawbucks — which hosted hundreds of patrons for the duration of the evening. Having just attended a nearly sold-out performance by Aqueous and Twiddle at Buffalo’s Town Ballroom the weekend before, I took great heart in the observation that I was witnessing in Jamestown a microcosm of the energy and atmosphere I felt inside that larger venue earlier this month.

However, I have to admit that, from a musician’s standpoint, especially one who understands the value of the work and tenacity required in order to achieve this status, I often find myself wishing I could be up there on that stage rocking the night away with the Smackdab guys. Luckily, I’ve interacted, and developed personal connections with each individual member of that group enough to realize that the humility and unfettered kindness they endow upon their fandom have allowed them to ascend to these heights just as much as the longevity and countless hours they’ve put into honing their craft over the years.

As with anything good in this world, it’s going to take time, effort and a lot of care in order to become all that it can be. That is the goal I have established for myself and for my most recent musical undertaking.

Every day I ask myself what I can do to further the progress of this new group, however big or small. It’s definitely given a newfound purpose to my daily dealings, as well as my desire to see some tangible achievements being made along the way.

And yet, even as I feel my journey still beginning, I look to those who are currently living their dream; caught up in the rapture of performing music crafted by themselves before a crowd comprised of what could be described as no less than a family of friends and familiarity. All ensconced in a state of true admiration and pure bliss for a few brief hours at a time.

There really is nothing else like it here in Jamestown. All that can be found right here, if you know where and care enough to seek it out.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

‘Special Hockey Extravaganza’ Returns To Northwest Arena This Weekend: The American Special Hockey Association returns to Northwest Arena for their annual “Special Hockey Extravaganza” tournament. This three-day tournament will run from Friday through Sunday, and will feature over 40 games, a sled hockey exhibition game, socializing event, Chinese auction, 50/50 drawings, and more. Admission is free.

The Special Hockey Extravaganza was established to give players with physical and developmental disabilities the opportunity to participate in a competitive hockey tournament. These tournaments emphasize team work, social interaction, and most importantly, fun. Those in attendance can expect to see the very best players from all over the country, including teams from Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, the “Special Hockey Extravaganza” tournament and more, call 484-2624, visit northwestarena.com, or stop by the Northwest Arena’s Landmark Chevrolet Box Office.

JCA To Present Dana & Kyle In Friday Concert: After a three-month gap, the Jamestown Concert Association will continue its 2016-17 season programming with a special St. Patrick’s Day concert downtown. The concert association will present the fourth of six concerts scheduled across the season when the Celtic fiddle and guitar duo Dana and Kyle give an 8 p.m. performance to be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Dana Lyn and Kyle Sanna connect the dots between their experience as composers and improvisers in New York City’s rich musical community and their deep admiration for traditional Irish music. The two have collaborated with some of the greatest living interpreters of Irish music and have brought their inventive arrangements and nuanced interpretations of traditional music to clubs, festival stages and concert halls throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Following the performance, an after-party and meet-and-greet will be held across the street at Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge, 10 E. Fourth St. Tickets to the concert are $20 for general admission and $7.50 for college students. Attendees ages 18 and under will be admitted for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

See HIGHLIGHTS,

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Tickets can be purchased at the door, or presale at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, Chautauqua Music, Germaine and Pappalardo, Trinity Guitars and Wright’s Music Shed, or by calling 484-7070 or 487-1522.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is located at 410 N. Main St. in Jamestown. For more information on the Friday, March 17, concert call 487-1522 or visit jamestownconcertassociation.org/.

RTPI To Host Artist’s Workshop Saturday: The Roger Tory Peterson Institute will present a workshop with illustrator Robin Brickman on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. This talented artist will deliver a visual presentation sharing her process for illustrating the book “Leaflets Three, Let it Be!” — which features her work entitled “Baby Opossum and Insects in the Fall,” currently on view in “Focus on Nature XIV” in RTPI’s galleries. Following Brickman’s presentation, participants will enjoy creating a small, three-dimensional paper sculpture of their own using Brickman’s cut and sculpted paper techniques. This hands-on workshop is open to teens and adults who want to learn an accessible technique for creating their own three-dimensional art out of paper. All workshop materials will be provided. Brickman will also host a book signing, and several titles she has illustrated, including “Leaflets Three, Let it Be!”, will be available for purchase in RTPI’s museum store.

Registration is required for this event, and the registration fee is $20. To make a reservation or learn more about the event, call Amy Hudson at 665-2473, ext. 227, or visit rtpi.org.

Pulse Poetry To Host March Installment Of ‘Fire Nights’ Monday: Pulse Poetry will host another exciting evening of live music and poetry at Phoenix Rising Wellness Studio, located at 212 Pine St. in Jamestown, on Monday beginning at 7 p.m. “Fire Nights” at Phoenix Rising is an event that combines live music and performance poetry in a relaxing and comfortable environment. During the March installment of “Fire Nights,” local musician Sara Peterson, a 17-year-old acoustic singer, will perform along with Erie-based band The Sex Blossoms, a young duo that performs original music regularly at Basement Transmissions. “Fire Nights” is a catalyst for the only monthly poetry slam event in Jamestown. Six poets will compete in a competition of performance poetry, where the audience serves as a judge for the most impactful, entertaining, exciting performance.

There is a $5 cover for the event, which happens on a monthly basis, always on the third Monday of the month. To participate or learn more, send an email to pulsepoetryslam@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/pulsepoetryslam.

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

Sara Rafaloski and Jason Green: 5 p.m., The Q, 104 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Open Jukebox: 6:30 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., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Friday

Bill Ward’s Birthday Bash: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

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

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

Steve Strickland Duo: 9 p.m., Yesterday’s, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

The Untouchables: 9 p.m., Steener’s Pub, 3022 Route 430 in Greenhurst

No Limit: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

DJ Amber: 9 p.m., Murdocks, 100 E. Main St. in Sherman

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

Smackdab and Wild Adriatic: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

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

Saturday

Rhema Poetry open mic: 5:30 p.m., RydersCup Coffee, 28 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

The Scroggins: 7 p.m., Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 865, 41 Bigelow Ave. in Jamestown

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

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

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

Paolello and Gone: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

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

Hellraiser: 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

Tuesday

Ryan Buzzetto: 7 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Wednesday

Bluegrass Jam: 7 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

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