MUSIC: Joywave is a study in limitless atmosphere and pop beauty. The Rochester band cranks out epic salvos that skate the razor between electronica and indie rock. It’s positively euphoric in headphones or blasting out of the dashboard with the car pointed everywhere in particular. The band’s latest, “Koda Vista,” is a snappy pleasure platter in Kodak yellow, and one of the best-sounding releases to come out of this dirty little city along the mighty Genesee. Catch Joywave’s joy waves before it heads to Austin for SXSW 2013. But that’s not all; Soviet Dolls and New Archery play as well. Joywave performs Thursday, February 7, 8:30 p.m. at the Bug Jar, 219 Monroe Ave. $8-$10. bugjar.com.
Lecture: Learn about Rochester’s part in the history of a crucial way this nation changed today when you attend “Follow the Drinking Gourd: The Underground Railroad in Rochester” at St. John’s Lutheran Church (800 East Ridge Rd.). The event takes place at 7:30 p.m., and will be presented by Margaret Joint and The Irondequoit Historical Society. Admission is $1, and free to IHS members. For more info, call 336-7269 or visit ggw.org/~ihsociety.
MUSIC: Cirque Du Rage will be coming to town tonight at Pearl Nightclub (349 East Ave., 757-752-8370). DSK and Prophet will peform. Music starts at 10 p.m., tickets run $12-$20.
Spesh: Go see the 1925 silent adventure film, “The Lost World,” with live music by the Andrew Alden Ensemble tonight at 7 p.m. at the Little Theatre (240 East Ave.). Admission is $10. For more information, call 258-0400 or visit thelittle.org.
Music: Get that sweet tooth ready! The live poetry-guitar duo Arbitration Sweets will be performing tonight at Abilene (153 Liberty Pole Way, abilenebarandlounge.com ) for the first time at 9 p.m. Show is free.
Literature: Attend a reading and reception for “The Crows of Copper John: a History of Auburn Prison in Poems” by Patricia Roth Schwartz and “Hairy Lollipop” by David White tonight at Writers and Books (740 University Ave.). The event takes place at 7 p.m. and is $4 or $3 for members. For more information, call 273-2590 or visit wab.org.
Music: Have the winter or pre-Valentine’s Day blues? Chase them away with the RPO performing “Rhapsody in Blue” tonight (repeat performance on Saturday) at 7:30 p.m. Ward Stare will guest conduct, and Terrence Wilson will be featured on piano, while the University of Rochester’s Paul Burgett will narrate. Tickets run $15-$79.
Spesh: The weekend has almost arrived! Celebrate at Polish Happy Hour tonight, 6:30 p.m., at Back Nine Grill (3500 East Ave. Pittsford). Bring some spending money and enjoy Polka, pierogi, and piwo. Music will be provided by Melody Lane. For more information, call 267-7031 or visit thebackninegrill.com.
This article appears in Feb 6-12, 2013.
