Stars and stripes

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will be celebrating America when "Stars and Stripes Forever!" is presented at 8 p.m. Friday, May 25 and Saturday, May 26 at Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo.

Resident Conductor Robert Franz presents a program that celebrates and honors the commitment and sacrifice of America's sons and daughters who have served to protect the nation since its inception.

The program includes traditional and contemporary patriotic favorites, including a salute to George M. Cohan, Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," and Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever."

Joining the orchestra will be the U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty, under the direction of Lt. Col. Larry H. Lang, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, under the direction of L. Brett Scott.

Kleinhans Music Hall is located at 71 Symphony Circle, Buffalo. Tickets are available by calling 885-5000 or by visiting www.bpo.org. ¦Thursday, May 24

CRUISE NIGHT, 3 p.m.-dusk every Thursday through September, Polish Falcons Club, 445 Columbia Ave., Depew. 681-0278

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, presented by the Kavinoky Theatre, through May 27, D'Youville College, 320 Porter Ave., Buffalo; $ 829-7668, www. kavinoky. com

NOODLES, presented by Starry Night Theatre, through May 27, the Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda; $ 743-1614, www. starrynighttheatre. org

PRESERVATION SERIES, Martin Kennedy of Buffalo's Tax and Assessment Department discusses city, state and federal tax exemptions for Buffalo historic properties, 6:30 p.m., Karpeles Hall, 453 Porter Ave., Buffalo; free. 881-1024

THE WOMAN BEFORE, through May 28, New Phoenix Theatre on the Park, 95 Johnson Park, Buffalo;

$ 853-1334

www. newphoenixtheatre. com

¦Friday, May 25

BLUE ROADHOUSE, 8 p.m., the Comfort Zone Cafe, 17 Main St., Hamburg. 648-5779

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, presented by The Aurora Players, through June 2, Historic Roycroft Pavilion, Hamlin Park, South Grove St., East Aurora; $ 687-6727, www. auroraplayers. com

COFFEE FOR CARLY'S CLUB, fundraiser for Coffee for Carly's Club, Roswell Park Cancer Institute's division for pediatric cancer, 7-10 p.m., Nativity School gym, 8550 Main St., Clarence; $ 634-3130 FRIDAY NIGHT CAFE AND OPEN MIC, 8 p.m., Buffalo Church of Scientology, 836 Main St., Buffalo; $ 856-3910

HURLYBURLY, through May 26, TornSpace at the Adam Mickiewicz Dramatic Circle, 612 Fillmore Ave., Buffalo; $ 553-0073

JANICE MITCHELL AND THE BREAKTHRU BAND, 9:30 p.m., Shadow Lounge and Restaurant, 1504 Hertel Ave., Buffalo. 835-3975, www. ShadowLoungebuffalo. com

RELEVANT WORSHIP, 7-9 p.m., Bender's Parable Christian Store, 8550 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville; free. www.buffalochristian.com

STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER, with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, 8 p.m. May 25 and 26, Kleinhans Music Hall, 71 Symphony Circle, Buffalo; $ 885-5000, www. bpo. org

A BODY OF WATER, presented by Ujima Theatre, through June 3, Theaterloft, 545 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo; $ 883-0380 www. ujimatheatre. org

THE PETE BENNETT SHOW Presents The New Rascals, 8 p.m. May 25 and 26, the Riviera Theatre, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda; $ 692-2413, www.rivieratheatre.org

THE SOUL PROVIDERS, 10:30 p.m., Macaroon's, 576 Dick Road,

Cheektowaga. 681-7197,

www. macaroonsniteclub. com

¦Saturday, May 26

ART EXPRESS: Story: "Vincent's Colors" by Vincent van Gogh. Artwork: "Black Sun" by Catherine Howe. Activity: thick and gooey paintings, 2-4 p.m., Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University, Lewiston. 286-8286, www. niagara. edu/ cam

CHARLOTTE'S WEB, presented by the Theatre of Youth, through June 3

no performances Memorial Day weekend), Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St., Buffalo; $ (box office, 884-4400)

JOE ELLS, country/gospel, 8 p.m., the Comfort Zone Cafe, 17 Main St., Hamburg. 648-5779

NIKKI HICKS AND THE SOUL MUSIC SOULJAHS, 10 p.m., Shadow Lounge and Restaurant, 1504 Hertel Ave., Buffalo. 835-3975, www. ShadowLoungebuffalo. com

SOLDIERS THROUGH THE AGES, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 26 and 27, Old Fort Niagara, Youngstown; $ 745-7611, www.oldfortniagara.org

WHITE CHOCOLATE BAND, 11 p.m., Mickey Rats on the Beach, off Route 5, Angola; $ 549-5782, www. whitechocolateband. com

STUDIO 54, 11 p.m., Macaroon's, 576 Dick Road, Cheektowaga.

681-7197,

www. macaroonsniteclub. com

¦Sunday, May 27

SPRING GARDEN PARK, opening day, noon-9 p.m., Two Rod Road, East Aurora, food, music by Schnickelfritzers, 2-4 p.m., and

Genesee Valley Band, 5-9 p.m.; $

674-1539

¦Monday, May 28

MONDAY NIGHT SONGWRITER SHOWCASE, 8:30-10:30 p.m., followed by open mic with Josh

Gage, Nietzsche's, 248 Allen St.,

Buffalo. 886-8539

¦Tuesday, May 29

ETHICAL WILLS, with Morton Merowitz, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays through May 29, JCC Benderson Family Building, 2640 N.

Forest Road, Getzville; $. To register,

call 688-4114, Ext. 366.

¦Wednesday, May 30

LECTURE: "What Keeps A Person From Thinking Clearly?," 7 p.m.,

Church of Scientology Buffalo, 836

Main St. 856-3910

¦Thursday, May 31

DOSBERG NOTABLE SPEAKER SERIES, Union College professor Stephen Berk on "Israel at the Crossroads: A Discussion of the Contemporary Middle East," 7:30 p.m., Benderson Building, 2640 N. Forest Road, Getzville; $ 886-7750 www. jfedbflo. com