It’s one thing to talk to one of the nation’s top comedians because my job dictates it, but it’s quite another to speak with him as an acquaintance.

Yet that’s exactly what I experienced when Tom Cotter came to Jamestown.

As one of the main attractions of the Lucille Ball Festival of Comedy last week, Cotter arrived in Jamestown several hours in advance of his heavily publicized performance scheduled to take place at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts on Friday night. Though he had been to Jamestown several years before, this was his first time in the area after he earned a second-place finish in the seventh season of “America’s Got Talent” in 2012 – an unprecedented achievement for a stand-up comedian. Though I had come to learn all this while interviewing him three weeks prior to his performance, to be honest, I did not think it likely that I would be in attendance.

As it turns out, I didn’t need to buy a ticket in order to receive a genuine Tom Cotter experience.

On Friday afternoon, I found myself at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena for reasons entirely unrelated to the comedy festival or its ancillary activities – final tryouts for the Southern Tier Xpress. After about two hours of spectating and reigniting my passion for live-action hockey all over again, I left the building and made my way down Lafayette Street. And there was Cotter – garbed in an unassuming outfit consisting of a comedy festival T-shirt, shorts and a baseball cap – casually walking up the street to check out some of the offerings at the festival block party being held there, and occasionally pausing to talk or take a photo with passers-by such as myself.

Having already spoken with Cotter by phone once, I figured I would take the opportunity to introduce myself in person because, well, why not? Although I wasn’t really expecting much of a reaction from him, since he’s a pretty busy guy who makes a living traveling from place to place and meeting countless people, I was surprised to be greeted with a firm handshake and a warm acknowledgment that he did, indeed, remember me. Though I wouldn’t really consider myself a fan of Cotter’s due to my general lack of knowledge in the way of his material, it was still a meaningful encounter for me.

We talked for a few minutes, exchanging pleasantries as occasional friends might, and he then introduced me to his wife, Kerri Louise, a comedienne who also went on to perform at the Reg that evening. The best part of it all is that not one single joke was made during the entirety of our exchange. I got to meet Cotter and Louise without spending a dime, and I also got to have a regular conversation. I met the real Tom Cotter and Kerri Louise, not the people they portray onstage.

In fact, even though I never set foot in the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts that day, I would argue that I truly had the best seat in the house.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

Georgia Musician To Perform At Long Point Today: The “Acoustics on the Lake” concert series will welcome a nationally known musician at Long Point State Park today. At 6 p.m., Michael Hulett will serenade attendees of the concert with a set of solo saxophone music. A Georgia native, Hulett has made a name for himself both regionally and nationally, playing with entertainers such as: Cab Calloway, The Four Tops, The Savannah Jazz All-Stars and the Statesboro-Savannah Symphony Orchestra. Michael’s repertoire includes classic and modern jazz, the best in fusion and jazz-funk, and highlights of R&B, soul, rock and pop. There is no cost to attend.

“A Stir Of Artists” Returns To Bemus Point This Weekend: The fifth annual “A Stir of Artists” art show will kick off its second and final weekend of the year at Bemus Point Village Park on Saturday. The show will then carry over into Sunday as well, running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The show will take place rain or shine. Organizer Kristen Paduano McNitt said this year’s show will feature 30 fine artisans from Western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania with a wide variety of media, skills and talents. Artists are set up to demonstrate their medium with woodworking, face painting, plein air painting, sketching and more. Exhibitors will have artworks for sale.

“Motor Mayhem” Set For Friday In Downtown Jamestown: “Motor Mayhem” will break out in downtown Jamestown later this summer with the return of the “Downtown Cruisin'” classic car show and “Thunder in the Streets” motorcycle rally, presented by the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation. The event will run from 3-9 p.m. and will be held along Third Street, from Spring to Jefferson streets. The Anti Team will have three high-octane stunt performances at 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Cruisin’ Classic Car Show participants are encouraged to go to the intersection of Third and Spring streets after 1 p.m., make a $5 donation and park their car for public display. Live music at the main stage will include performances by Amanda Barton and Bill Ward along with Ruckus. Infinity Visual and Performing Arts will be providing musical entertainment at its cafe starting at 7 p.m.

For more information, search for “Downtown Jamestown’s Motor Mayhem” on Facebook, or visit www.jamestownrenaissance.org.

RTPI To Hold Plantlife Identification Workshop Saturday: The Roger Tory Peterson Institute will host its “Grasses, Hedges and Rushes” workshop on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at the Jamestown Audubon Center and Sanctuary multi-purpose room and on its grounds. The program will entail learning how to tell the differences between grasses, sedges and rushes and the importance of each as they provide critical habitat for a number of wildlife species. The workshop will be guided by Elyse Henshaw, conservation technician for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, whose primary expertise and interests are in amphibians, reptiles, animal behavior and botany. The cost to attend is $20, and $15 for friends of the Nature Center.

The Jamestown Audubon Center and Sanctuary is located at 1600 Riverside Road in Jamestown. For more information, call 665-2473, or visit www.rtpi.org.

“Chautauqua Lake Voices” To Conclude Monday: The sixth and final installment of the 2014 SE93 Chautauqua Lake Voices singing competition will be held Monday with a 6:30 p.m. performance at Bemus Point’s floating stage. The three remaining contestants will perform two songs apiece, one of their own choosing and one chosen for them by the judges. Following the performances, two will be eliminated and a winner will be chosen.

For more information, search for “SE93 Chautauqua Lake Voices” on Facebook, or visit www.chautauqualakevoices.com.

Lecture On Hammered Dulcimers Set For Tuesday In Sherman: The Stanley Hose Company fire hall is the site of a lecture and demonstration on hammered dulcimers Tuesday at 6 p.m. The lecture will be given by Mitzie Collins, a Rochester-based historian and musician, who will give a presentation of the history of the hammered dulcimer in Western New York. The demonstration is sponsored by the Chautauqua County Historical Society, and is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available.

The Stanley Hose Company fire hall is located at 122 Park St. in Sherman. For more information, call 761-6700.

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

Davis and Eng: 4 p.m., Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market, Cherry Street (between Second and Third streets) in Jamestown

The Lake Effect (a cappella): 6:30 p.m., Lakeside Park in Mayville

Wind River Band: 6:30 p.m., Ellery Town Park in Ellery

Bluegrass Jam with Old Dawg Bluegrass: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

The Kokomo Time Band: 7 p.m., Richard O. Hartley Park in Lakewood

DJ Eclips: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Friday

Doc and Bill: 21 Brix Winery, 6654 W. Main Road in Portland

Red Light Departure with Phantasm (reunion) and guests: 5 p.m., Gateway Center, 31 Water St. in Jamestown

Take Two: 6 p.m., The Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

Mark Mincarelli: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Rick Butler: 7 p.m., Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

Greg Ford: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Pressure Sensitive: 7:30 p.m., Vikings Lake Park Lodge, 4923 Route 430 in Maple Springs

“The Gumball Rally” Screening: 8 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Red Rhythm: 8 p.m., Seneca Allegany Casino Bar, 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd. in Salamanca

Steve Strickland: 9 p.m., Yesterdays, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

DJ Fish: 9 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

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

Ralph Chamberlain Jr. Band: 10 p.m., Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point

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

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

Saturday

“The Lego Movie” Screening: 10 a.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Bluze Inn: 4:30 p.m., Seneca Allegany Casino Bar, 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd. in Salamanca

Old Dawg Bluegrass: 5 p.m., Stockton Antique Equipment Show, 4578 Cemetery Road in Stockton

Larry the Cable Guy (sold out): 7 p.m., Seneca Allegany Events Center, 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd. in Salamanca

Harbour Knights: 7 p.m., Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

Wind River Bluegrass: 7 p.m., Busti Fire Department gazebo, 886 Mill Road in Busti

SYMBA: 7 p.m., Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Cafe, 115 E. Third St. in Jamestown

No Limit: 8 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Ghost Rider: 9 p.m., Seneca Allegany Casino Bar, 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd. in Salamanca

DJ Fish: 9 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Larry the Cable Guy (sold out): 10 p.m., Seneca Allegany Events Center, 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd. in Salamanca

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

2 Degrees From Perfect: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Sunday

“The Lego Movie” Screening: 2 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Bob Campbell: 2 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Steelhorse: 2 p.m., The Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

Pocket Change: 4 p.m., Seneca Allegany Casino Bar, 777 Seneca Allegany Blvd. in Salamanca

Amanda Barton and Bill Ward: 4:30 p.m., Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

Monday

Amanda Barton and Bill Ward: 6 p.m., Andriaccio’s, 4837 W. Lake Road in Chautauqua

Tuesday

Greg Ford: 2 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Wednesday

Cindy Haight: 8 p.m., Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point