The Buffalo News : Entertainment

It was one of those lovely fall days that begs for a leisurely ride along foliage-covered roads. My friend, Faith, and I heeded this autumnal call and set off for Lewiston, planning to spend a few hours walking the village’s charming Center Street. Our growling stomachs made a food stop our first priority. We passed on some Lewiston mainstays for a lighter meal in Ashker’s Juice Bar and Cafe (there is another family-run location in Youngstown). What Ashker’s lacks in space and menu offerings, it more than makes up for in service and food quality. The small shop has a zen-like atmosphere with sage green walls and dark wooden booths and tables. There’s not a lot of room, but a party of six comfortably fit in the booths; there’s also a front patio. (Updated: 11/06/09 8:51 AM )

“I am actress Milla Jovovich,” says the gorgeous actress at the beginning of the alien abduction film “The Fourth Kind.” “Well, of course you are,” say veteran filmgoers. We’d recognize her anywhere — beautiful woman, pretty fair actress, too, as this film underscores. (Updated: 11/06/09 8:44 AM )

Israeli pianist Roman Rabinovich, 23, is the winner of the 2008 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition, and he has placed in a long list of other piano competitions. Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, he began his piano studies at the age of 6 with his mother, and later went on to the Curtis Institute, where he studied with Seymour Lipkin. At the moment, Rabinovich is pursuing his master’s degree at Juilliard, but he is taking time out for a visit to Buffalo. Rabinovich will be joining the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra next Friday and Nov. 14 to perform Mozart’s effervescent Piano Concerto No. 23. First, he will give a free solo recital at 3 p. m. Sunday in the Mary Seaton Room of Kleinhans Music Hall as part of the Buffalo Chamber Music Society’s Gift to the Community series. Rabinovich has planned an ambitious program. The main piece he will play is Moussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” a tour de force popular in the mid-20th century that is now coming back into fashion. He also will be playing four sonatas by Scarlatti, six preludes by Debussy and a piece by the contemporary composer Benjamin Yusupov, titled “Crossroads No. 2.” Tickets are not needed for Sunday’s recital. For information, call 462-4939. —Mary Kunz Goldman (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

A. J. Fries’ moment has arrived. Though he’s been a major figure on the local painting scene for the past decade, interest in Fries’ recent work—a series of meticulously rendered photo-realistic oil paintings tied to a deeply reflective conceptual approach—has been on the rise. That’s thanks to his inclusion in the 2007 version of “Beyond/In Western New York,” the inaugural exhibition at the Burchfield Penney Art Center and several other group shows and auctions. Fries’ new body of work consists of monochromatic canvases, depicting such apparently banal things as water being sucked down a drain or collecting on bathroom tiles, clouds on the horizon and cars in the distance. Hallwalls visual curator John Massier called the photo-realism of Fries’ paintings “a complete ruse, a means to get to somewhere else.” Thanks to an exhibition of his work opening today in Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center (341 Delaware Ave.), Fries growing fan base will be able to get a good sense of his destination. Also opening today at Hallwalls is an exhibition of risque work by Tempe, Ariz.-based artist John Haddock, whose recent series “Vintage Mouse Porn” portrays black-and-white cartoon mice engaged in explicit sexual acts. “These works do not aspire to address the more idiosyncratic tastes of the contemporary porn consumer, but direct one toward blunter questions about sex and desire,” Massier wrote of Haddock’s work. Both artists will give talks in the Hallwalls Cinema at 7 tonight. The shows run through Dec. 18. For more information, call 854-1694 or visit www.hallwalls.org . —Colin Dabkowski (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

After mounting a series of plays direct from New York stages, the Kavinoky Theatre (320 Porter Ave.) has once again cast its line toward Broadway and snagged a fresh show. “The 39 Steps,” an adaptation of the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock thriller of the same name, opens tonight and runs through Dec. 6. The show has been a hit on Broadway, where it is still running, and has all the trappings of a classic spy thriller: a mysterious shooting; a shadowy plot; an innocent man in way over his head; double agents and femmes fatale. Unlike Hitchcock’s film, however, the show employs just four actors in more than 150 roles, aiming for maximum theatrical impact from minimum resources. The Kavinoky’s production stars Chris Corporandy, David Lundy, Robert Rutland and Jenn Stafford. It’s directed by Kavinoky Artistic Director David Lamb, no stranger to shows, like his recent production of “The Farnsworth Invention,” which require actors to juggle multiple roles. Playwright Patrick Barlow, who adapted the play from Hitchcock’s film, which was in turn adapted from a 1915 novel by John Buchan, casts the show as a comic homage to the film. “I love the material, I’m not trying to make fun of it,” Barlow told The Boston Globe in 2007. “It’s a pastiche, a kind of loving making-fun-of. But it’s equally an actual thriller that the actors have to take very seriously.” For more information, call 829-7668 or visit www.kavinokytheatre.com . —Colin Dabkowski (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

Joan Osborne has played some truly uplifting shows in Buffalo over the past several years, including her summer appearance at the Erie Basin Marina and last year’s Thursday at the Square gig. Prior to those memorable appearances, Osborne was in town as a member of the Dead, and that ensemble’s Darien Lake co-headline gig with Bob Dylan was one of the finest shows it has played in our region since the passing of Jerry Garcia. Part of the reason for that was Osborne, whose soulful, sultry singing meshed perfectly with the Dead’s exploratory blend of roots music forms. Oh, yeah, and Osborne also blew the Dixie Chicks off the stage with a 45-minute opening set inside HSBC Arena, back in the thick of the “shut up and sing” wars. So, we know what to expect from Osborne. She has never let us down, whether taking the stage for a low-key club show at Nietzsche’s or commanding an arena audience’s rapt attention. Odds are, she will add another beautiful show to her stellar Buffalo run when she comes to Shea’s Performing Arts Center at 7 p. m. Tuesday. Never one to sit still for too long, stylistically speaking, Osborne is teaming this time around with soul-R&B-blues-pop outfit the Holmes Brothers, for whom she is producing a new record, and roots-rock singer/songwriter Paul Thorn for what is likely to be a tour through American rhythm ’n’ blues history, from the days of early gospel to the present. Tickets are $25 to $50 (box office, Ticketmaster). —Jeff Miers (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

“Christmas in the Country” started 25 years ago as a corner craft show and eventually grew into the top artisan show in the country, as ranked by Artisan magazine. More than 400 booths of artisans from 24 states, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as Western New York, are spread out through five buildings on the Hamburg Fairgrounds this weekend. Holiday shoppers can find items ranging from pottery, florals and holiday decorations to clothing, art and specialty foods. Patty Cancilla of Grand Island, who makes handmade jewelry, has been participating in “Christmas in the Country” for about 10 years. She says that this is by far the largest show that she takes part in throughout the year. “Women look for jewelry that no other woman has,” says Cancilla, who creates wire-wrapped pendants, earrings and bracelets, as well has Victorian-style and hand-painted pieces. “Christmas in the Country” continues from 10 a. m. to 9 p. m. today and runs from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. Saturday and 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. Sunday. Admission is $7 at the door, and children under age 12 are free. For more information on the event and discount tickets, visit www.xmasinthecountry.com . —Evonne Austin (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

It’s a tall order, re-creating the sounds of Motown. That classic Detroit sound requires showmanship and synchronicity, not to mention vocal gymnastics and a fine-tuned harmonic balance. Hats off to Spectrum, then, for garnering such rave reviews. Spectrum began with six years in Las Vegas, stepping into the shoes of the Four Tops. Since then, it has branched out to cover the sounds of the Platters, the Temptations, Boyz 2 Men, you name it. In demand on Royal Caribbean cruise line and American tours, Spectrum is joining forces with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, as part of the BPO Pops series. They promise all the great vocal hits, as well as a taste of that some-kind-of-wonderful Motown experience. Admission is $34.50 to $76.50. For info, visit www.bpo.org or call 885-5000. —Mary Kunz Goldman (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

Next Friday at UB, a unique program will take us back to a time and a place important to 20th century music. That would be 1910s to 1950s Paris, where ambitious composers flocked to study with the great teacher Nadia Boulanger. Boulanger’s students included Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copland and tango master Astor Piazzolla. She brought people together and created a community of music and experimentation. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

Pack up the plantation (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

Rock (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

Village Inn ★★★ (Oct. 30) 1488 Ferry Road, Grand Island (773-5030, www.villageinngrandisland.com). It’s the kind of place where they have loganberry loaded in the bar serving guns, liver and onions on the menu and homemade desserts. This homey little country restaurant is quintessential Western New York. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

Wine dinner (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

Configuration Dance Theatre will hold its “Past, Present, Future” fundraiser at 7 p. m. Saturday in St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, Cullen Center, 845 Kenmore Ave. The event includes guest speaker Virginia Johnson, an auction and a performance at 8 p. m. Tickets are $30, available by calling 883-4510 or visiting Configuration Dance Theatre studio at 230 Lexington Ave. For more information, visit www.configurationdancetheatre.org. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

“Ridiculous.” “Defies plausibility.” “Blissfully divorced by logic.” (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: TRUTH OR SQUARE: This new double-length episode featuring our favorite residents of Bikini Bottom has karaoke music videos, a behind-the-scenes featurette plus an additional four new-to-DVD episodes. ($16.99, Paramount/ Nickelodeon. Available Tuesday.) (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

THE BOX. Cameron Diaz, James Marsden and Frank Langella star in the thriller about an unhappily married couple who receive a box that can bring them instant wealth, but also kills someone. Based on a short story by Richard Matheson. 115 minutes. (Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some violence and disturbing images.) Opens today in area theaters. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

Although the Halloween candy is still fresh, the holiday movie season is just around the corner. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

LOS ANGELES — Technology finally has caught up with Charles Dickens’ imagination. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

TODAY, NOV. 6 • Green Jelly with Muddfoot, Low Road Revival, Sixpin and Wolf Tickets. 8 p. m. today and Saturday. Club Diablo, 517 Washington St. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

Driven by a debt of gratitude, the seventh annual Female Musicians Fighting Breast Cancer benefit is set for 1:30 p. m. Sunday in Macaroon’s (576 Dick Road, Depew). The all-day music event will feature Mystic Traversion, Whatsie, East of Eden and Passionworks, as well as a silent auction and raffles. All proceeds support the Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s Breast Care Center and Resource Center, two places close to the heart of the event’s founder and organizer, local bassist and survivor (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

New concerts (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

Not 21? No problem. (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

Go single– or bring a friend (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

The no-cost way to go (Updated: 11/06/09 6:59 AM )

Calm, peaceful and serene, the Healing Waters Center for Health and Mindful Living in East Aurora isn’t quite the setting that comes to mind for Halloween activities. (Updated: 10/31/09 11:13 AM )

The great Yiddish word for it is “tsurus.” Some people spell it “tsoris.” However you spell it, it means trouble and Larry Gopnik’s got it by the ton. (Updated: 10/31/09 11:14 AM )

A movie about one of the most celebrated and controversial masterminds of the world’s most popular sport is bound to be studied six ways from Sunday for inconsistencies and adherence to fact. (Updated: 10/31/09 11:15 AM )

Peter K’s is an old-fashioned bar with an airy, bright dining room that has made its reputation on one simple but wonderful dish, the stuffed potato pancake. A plain potato pancake, with crispy edges and a warm, soft interior, is simply wonderful. The stuffed versions served at Peter K’s are sublime. Of course, there are other selections on the menu, including a Polish Reuben, with Polish sausage instead of corned beef, for $5.50, and a Polish platter of Polish sausage, two cheese pierogi, golumbki and kraut for $9.95. (Updated: 10/31/09 11:27 AM )

Stewart Copeland has been involved in a love-hate relationship with Sting for, what, something like 40 years now. As two-thirds of the Police, Copeland and Sting climbed the peaks of pop stardom, and at the same time, made music that demanded to be accepted as genuine art. You’d think it would have been worth it. But somehow, even after all this time, there’s a part of the former Gordon Sumner that remains unknowable — or perhaps more to the point, unreachable — to Copeland. (Updated: 10/30/09 8:30 AM )