As we inch closer to spring, the unique events just keep coming our way, and leave us yearning for warmer days when there will even more outdoor events to keep us busy.

For now, enjoy these 6 cool things to do this weekend, including a fabulous show at Kleinhan's Music Hall featuring Violinist Extraordinaire Benjamin Beilman. 

Iron Works Blues w/ The Speedy Parker Blues Band
Buffalo Iron Works
Fri Feb 21
A great time in the Cobblestone district! Speedy Parker Blues Band was introduced to the Buffalo area in July of 1999 employing some of the area’s finest unknown musicians. They quickly established themselves as major players and have gained the respect of fellow musicians and blues enthusiast in the musical community. Recently enjoying a great deal of success entertaining throughout Western New York - they have had the honor of performing at the NYS R&B Festival (Empire Brewery) in Syracuse, Artparks Bikers & Blues Festival, Botanical Gardens Hotluck Festival and also with the Shemekia Copeland Blues Band at the Tralf on Dec. 16, 1999. Click here for more details.

Bear Hands
Waiting Room
Fri Feb 21
You may have them pegged as the high-end of lo-fi, but with their sophomore album Distraction, Bear Hands have shrugged off the notion of second album jitters to create an expansive sound that grew over three long years and thousands of miles on the road. More info here.

Self-produced and mixed by James Brown (NIN, Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters), Distraction is a violently self-assured record which sees the quartet of Dylan Rau, TJ Orscher, Val Loper and Ted Feldman distilling their anxieties and pleasures alike into perfectly twisted pop nuggets.

Jive Talkin
The Avalon Ballroom @ Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
Fri Feb 21 – Thu Feb 27
Inspired by the Broadway sensation Saturday Night Fever, Jive Talkin' is the ultimate celebration of the Bee Gees featuring four extraordinary singers, eight musicians and ten funky dancers performing smash hits including "Stayin' Alive", "More Than A Woman", "How Deep Is Your Love?", "Islands In The Stream" and "Night Fever". Official site.

Mendelssohn's Violin
Kleinhans Music Hall
Sat Feb 22 – Sun Feb 23
Be transported by the most iconic violin concerto in the repertoire, performed by brilliant young violinist Benjamin Beilman, and by Bruckner's final symphony, sometimes nicknamed "The Apocalyptic." Eminent conductor Gunther Herbig leads the orchestra in this performance of classical masterworks. More details here.

Winter Horse-Drawn Tours
Hidden Valley Animal Adventures
Sat Feb 21 – Sun Feb 23
See the magic of Hidden Valley this winter with one of our horse-drawn sleigh or wagon tours. Tours are 40 minutes, $20 per person (age 2 and under are free). Vehicles are determined by weather. Tours will be offered Saturdays & Sundays at 1pm & 2pm on Nov. 30, Dec. 1, Dec, 21, 22, 28 & 29; and every weekend in January and February 2014. Reservations required (by credit card). $60 dinner packages for two also available (includes tour and $25 dining card for use at HVAA restaurants). Private group tours (up to 16 people): $320, and 2-person carriage rides: $240 available as well. For details and reservations call 585.535.4100. See site for reservation info.

Watercolor #101
Burchfield Penney Art Center
Sun Feb 23
Painting with watercolors is a refreshing artistic medium. A sampling of techniques will be demonstrated and applications of the watercolor medium will be introduced. Participants will see artist demonstrations, get their hands wet, and have conversations about the process. This is a watercolor workshop for beginners, supplies are included.

Jeff Watkins is a distinguished watercolor artist. He is published in Splash 3 by Rachel Wolf, The Simple Secret to Better Painting by Greg Albert and Watercolors in a Weekend by Hazel Harrison. He currently lives in Lockport where he paints primarily from the local landscape. During the past 40 years Jeff taught public and private watercolor lessons, featured his work in many galleries, and developed a unique style. Click here for more.