Editor's Picks: Weekly Best Bets in WNY | March 9 - 15

"Sister Act" is Broadway's feel-amazing musical comedy smash! The New York Post calls it "RIDICULOUSLY FUN", and audiences are jumping to their feet in total agreement! Featuring original music by 8-time Oscar winner ALAN MENKEN (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors). SISTER ACT tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look - a convent! Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship. SISTER ACT is reason to REJOICE! 

Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall's new studio albumWallflower (Verve Records)will be released on February 3, 2015.  Wallflower is a collection of songs from the late 60's to present day that inspired Krall in her early years.  Produced by 16-time Grammy® Award-winning producer David Foster, the album finds Krall breaking new ground with her interpretations of some of the greatest pop songs of all time.

No matter where you're from or where you've been, everyone is special - so join in! Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby, and their Sesame Street friends welcome Chamki, Grover's friend from India, to Sesame Street. Together, they explore the universal fun of friendship and celebrate cultural similarities, from singing and dancing, to sharing cookies!

Chamki is from far away and she's visiting Sesame Street for just one day! Grover has a long to-do list for his friend, from kayaking to hot yoga, but Chamki is busy enjoying cookies with Cookie Monster, singing with Abby Cadabby, and doing 'The Elmo Slide.' Will an appearance from Super Grover get Chamki's attention? Join the fun and make a memory with your friends and family!

Welcome to Zepparella, four women intent on bringing the passion, the beauty, the aggression, the musicality of Led Zeppelin alive.
Zepparella explores their own improvised magic within the framework of Zeppelin’s mighty songs. For five years, the Zeppelin love has washed in waves out of the doors of the venues. Initial skeptics have been quickly converted. Followers recount the number of shows they’ve seen, and the regulars notch 40, 50, over 100 shows on their belts, traveling between states to see the shows.

Two Western New York guitar heroes will be performing here in the 9th Ward at Babeville. The acclaimed singer-songwriter BRUCE WOJICK and the solo finger-style virtuoso JAMIE HOLKA are award-winning musicians from Niagara Falls, NY.

Come down to Larkin Square for the 3rd Annual Live at O’Larkin celebration on March 13th from 5pm-8pm!

The celebration will feature dozens of food trucks favorites, live music, and festive drinks including the much anticipated GREEN beer! Music by: McCarthyizm, Emerald Isle, Clann Na Cara School of Irish Dance, and Greater Buffalo Firefighters Pipe and Drum.

This family-friendly event will take place under the heated boardwalk. Festive attire encouraged. Plenty of free parking available. This event is free, family-friendly and open to the public!

Native New Yorker Andrew Schulz - known for his hilariously edgy, street-smart, and unapologetic comedy - was handpicked by MTV to take over the small screen with five new shows for their network - including "The Hook Up," "Guy Code," and "Hip Hop Squares."

The hunt uses SMART phone technology and leads you on a tour of Canalside and the Cobblestone District! You are challenged to answer riddles, find clues, and items, and of course discover pot's of gold along the way!

This is an opportunity to win cash prizes, fun giveaways, from our sponsors and more! Not to mention the after party features a cash bar and live entertainment all at the beer tent at Canalside!

For more information visit canalsidebuffalo.com

The Kavinoky Theatre, a professional theatre owned and sponsored by D’Youville College, is pleased to announce the Buffalo premiere of ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES by Alan Ayckbourn. Directed by Kavinoky’s artistic director David Lamb, this new play features a fabulous cast including Guy Balotine, Christian Brandjes, Kathleen Denecke, Eileen, Dugan, Genevieve Lerner, Joe Liolos, Lisa Ludwig, Gerry Maher, Aleks Malejs, Ben Michael Moran, Dan Urtz, and Ella & Karliegh Zack. The production will open on March 6 and run a limited four-week engagement through March 29, 2015.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES takes us to a London rail terminus where an elaborate trap is deployed to capture an elusive terrorist. The Strategic Simulated Distractional Operations Unit is ready to pounce. Civilian witness and garrulous traffic warden, Barry Hawkins and his minder, troubled young female soldier Ez Swain wait – strangers brought together at this crucial moment.

“Twice a year, Local Restaurant Week celebrates the unique independent restaurants that contribute to our great WNY culture. Profits from each dollar spent at our locally-owned, independent restaurants stay in WNY and help make our community stronger. Join us and show your support for the wide variety of locally-owned and operated restaurants that make our area one of the hotbeds in the country for “Mom and Pop” restaurants. There is a bit of WNY culture in every bite! And as always, remember to… Dine Local. Dine Often. Dine Well.”

See Marcus Miller, a true renaissance man and jazz innovator, live in the intimacy of the Bear’s Den. With a 30+ year career marked by style, soul and singular talent, the Grammy-winning composer, producer and musician takes the stage for a night of inspiration and exploration. Enjoy the magic of contemporary jazz as he performs iconic pieces from his canon, from classic compositions like “All I Need is You” to more recent artistic triumphs like “Redemption.”

A live band on hi-tech hyperdrive, EOTO has forged new territory in the electronic dance music movement. Locked and loaded with computers, loopers, midi controllers, routers, software, mixers, and the latest in music technology, multi-instrumentalist Michael Travis and percussionist/vocalist, Jason Hann have sent a speeding bullet through the electronic dance community due to their innovative 100% improvised approach and as a result, their exclusive sound. Not just a haphazard foray into experimental music, the duo starts their musical adventure from scratch (there are no pre-recorded loops, no backing tracks, and no pre-constructed songs in their live production) building each set, note-by-note, beat by beat, live before the audience as each show explodes into a full-scale dance party.

THE STORY: The scene is a small mission church in a remote part of New Mexico, where a middle-aged college professor and his lovely young wife detour unexpectedly after the highway is closed because of a possible "accident" at a nearby nuclear facility.

They are soon joined by Father Doherty, the benevolent but canny parish priest; a brilliant young Navajo doctor, Don Tabaha, who is about to leave his people (despite Father Doherty's opposition) to accept a prestigious research fellowship in California; Marion Clay, an art dealer and the widow of an important regional painter; and "Zappy" Zappala, her young paramour and a tournament class tennis player.