The farther removed I get from my childhood the more I view my relatives’ homes as somewhat of a time capsule.

This past Easter Sunday I spent a good portion of my day visiting my grandmother’s home here in town and my mom’s house out in the Ellington area. It was definitely a change of pace from my usual downtown schedule but, as it turns out, a much needed one.

I’ve made no secret that much of my daily routine is spent on the go. When I’m not working I’m either playing music at rehearsal or a gig, or hanging out downtown. There’s something about sitting alone at my apartment that feels like a drain on my soul, and over the last couple years I’ve been craving and thriving on social interaction with my ever-widening circle of friends.

All this change has been fairly easy to take in stride, and I’m finding that it is helping to offset the changes that the passage of time has forced upon my family.

My family gatherings, which typically occur only on select major holidays throughout the year, are definitely not what they used to be. They are still fun and generally light-hearted, but lately they tend to double as a reminder of the people we’ve lost — and I do sense a lingering sadness over the festivities, as the number of empty seats at the dinner table is starting to overtake the number of occupied ones.

I can’t stay in that place of sadness for too long, though, because on the other end of the spectrum is love and gratitude for the fact that I was granted an opportunity to know the people who were in our lives and brought us laughter and joy both before and for years after I came around. And that has translated to a kind of emotional maturity, bringing forth the realization that you should always be appreciative for your people and the impact they have in your life — because you never truly know if or when that connection may be irreversibly severed.

I’ve always been a pretty sensitive person, but I’ve definitely improved on my ability to form emotional bonds with people. Sometimes I put a little more into someone than the relationship might call for, but I always try to take that as a sign of growth in that I know I’m capable of love and compassion, even in situations when logic and human nature might call for a more acrimonious view on certain proceedings.

All this to say is that I have a great love for the people in my life who bring me joy and give me a sense of purpose or meaning. It could be through a kind word, or a pleasant exchange of ideas, perspectives or musical proclivities. In each instance, I know that I wouldn’t be the person I am without the personal and spiritual growth that I’ve developed through these meetings and subsequent interactions.

The times are always a-changin’, and people always come and go. But when you have the foresight to harbor an appreciation for those who value, and sometimes even assist you, in your walk through life, the demands of life become much more bearable.

Peace and love, from the heart of one who desires little more out of life.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

Infinity To Host Pulse Poetry Slam Event Today: The Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Center will host “Pulse Poetry Slam Open Mic Night” today at the Infinity Arts Cafe at 5 p.m. Performance poetry is an excellent way to express creativity while practicing performance and public speaking. Pulse Poetry Slam events are free, family friendly and open to the public. Poets and audience-members are welcome.

The Infinity Arts Cafe entrance is at 301 E. Third St. in Jamestown. For more information call 664-0991 or visit infinityperformingarts.org.

Reg Lenna To Host Banff Mountain Film Festival Wednesday: The Reg Lenna Center for The Arts will host the local visit of the Banff Mountain Film Festival, sponsored by the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, on Wednesday with screenings to be held from 7-10 p.m.

This is Jamestown’s 14th year as a stop on the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, a program of the Banff Centre. The Banff Mountain Film Festival is the largest and one of the most prestigious mountain festivals in the world. Following the festival held every fall in Banff, Alberta, Canada, the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour begins a year-long tour of North America and the world. Jamestown has the exclusive rights to the local showing in the greater southwestern New York and northwestern Pennsylvania region. The 2018 tour features a collection of the most inspiring action, environmental and adventure films from the festival. The Jamestown films are handpicked by Johnson, who works closely with a Banff tour host, making it an entirely unique experience for Jamestown attendees. The evening is filled with door prizes, food and drinks and films.

See HIGHLIGHTS, Page B7

Highlights

From Page B6

New this year is premium seating for $35 that admits the ticketholder to the pre-event gathering at Brazil on Fourth Street and includes free passes to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute’s upcoming exhibit, “Roger Tory Peterson: The Life, The Work, The Legacy,” opening on Saturday, April 28. Other ticket levels are $20 for adults and $14 for students and children under 14. Tickets are available from the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts box office by calling 484-7070, visiting reglenna.com, or from the Reg Lenna box office on the day of the event. Interested attendees are encouraged to purchase their tickets before the day of the event.

All proceeds from the event support both the Banff Centre and the mission and programming of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, which is centered on art, conservation and education. For information on the event, visit RTPI’s website at rtpi.org or call 665-2473. Information is also available on RTPI’s Facebook page. The Roger Tory Peterson Institute is located at 311 Curtis St., Jamestown.

JCC Uncommoners To Present ‘Speech And Debate’ Next Week: Jamestown Community College Uncommoners will present “Speech and Debate” at 8 p.m. Friday, April 13, and Saturday, April 14; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 15, at the Jamestown campus’ Scharmann Theatre. The play and will feature a small cast of five young, but experienced students in an intimate show designed to get its audience members thinking critically about the society in which we live.

The Uncommoners will be performing a revised and slightly updated version of the original 2007 Stephen Karam play, in which three high school students in Salem, Oregon, are brought together when they all uncover secrets about each other. The cast includes LeighAnn Schaffer as Diwata; Skyler Dunlap as Howie; Andrew Delcamp as Solomon; Ashley Farnham as Solomon’s teacher; and Anjelica Yudakova as a local reporter.

Admission to the play is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $5 JCC Faculty Student Association members and high school students. Tickets can be obtained by calling JCC’s box office at 338-1187.

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

Comedy open mic: 8 p.m., Labyrinth Press Co., 14 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown

Karaoke with DJ Xcite: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Friday

Juli Bessey: 5 p.m., Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge, 10 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown

Brian Hanna: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Ryan Buzzetto: 7:30 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Kyle Gustafson: 7:30 p.m., Fresco, 2 E. Second St. in Jamestown

American Pie: 8 p.m., Frewsburg Legion, 9 Meadow Lane in Frewsburg

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

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

Pressure Sensitive: 9 p.m., Big Shots, 674 Route 394 in Kennedy

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

Screamin’ Lou: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Saturday

The Scroggins: 7:30 p.m., Busti Tap House, Busti-Sugar Grove Road in Busti

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

Kates Brothers Band: 9 p.m., Big Shots, 674 Route 394 in Kennedy

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

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

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

Tuesday

Karaoke with DJ Xcite: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Wednesday

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