T-H-E S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G B-E-E
      Contestants of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" will be competing at Shea's Performing Arts Center from Tuesday, Jan. 15 through Sunday, Jan. 20 in this first national tour of the Broadway Tony Award-winning musical comedy.
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Theater
      thurs. 10 . Waiting for Lefty - Clifford Odets' modern classic of the U.S. labor movement stars Richard Lambert under the direction of Kurt Schneiderman. Opens at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 and continues at 8 p.m.
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The axeman cometh
      From 1917 to 1919, a series of bizarre axe murders shocked New Orleans. Then in March of 1919, a letter was sent to "The Times Picayune," informing the citizens and police that if the city played jazz all night, they would be spared from the axe.
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Southern belles
      O'Connell & Company is presenting Southern belles who are flowery on the outside, but strong enough inside to survive any challenge with nerves of steel, grace, and, of course, well-kept fabulous hair, in "Steel Magnolias," on stage Thursday, Jan. 10 through Sunday, Feb. 3.
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Announcements
      • SINGERS SOUGHT - The Buffalo Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is seeking male singers to sing a cappella in the male chorus and/or quartets. The group meets at 7:30 p.m. Mondays at the Maryvale Community Center, 777 Maryvale Drive, Cheektowaga. For more information, call 835-8822...
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Performance
      fri. 11 Comedy's loveable "Queen of Mean" . Kate Davis - Appearing with special guests Bryan Hatt and Dana Alexander, 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, Casino Niagara, 5705 Falls Ave., Niagara Falls; $.
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Live Local in WNY
      thurs. 10 . Paul Brushini, Pete Howard and Joe Coats, 9 p.m., Nietzsche's, 248 Allen St., Buffalo; $. 886-8539, www.nietzsches.com . The Thirds, 8 p.m., Sportsmen's Tavern, 326 Amherst St., Buffalo; $. 874-7734, www.sportsmenstavern.
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Symphonic/Classical
      sun. 13 The Unknown Beethoven sun. 13 . The Buffalo Youth Chorus - 20th annual Winter Concert, featuring their four choirs, 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, St. Joseph's University Church, 3725 Main St., Buffalo; $. 662-3649, www.buffaloniagarayouthchorus.
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Concerts
      fri. 11 .Roots rocker Eric Lindell's "Tried and True" sound means he won't be "Low on Cash" for long. Lindell is presented as part of the Big Easy in Buffalo, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St., Second Floor, Buffalo; $. 852-2860, www.tralfmusichall.
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Art
      fri. 11 . Gusto at the Gallery - Family Night: "Hockey Night," with artifacts from the Hockey Hall of Fame, including the Stanley Cup (timed ticket must be picked up starting at 2:30 p.m.
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Family Activities
      fri. 11 . Family Fridays! - Open play Family Day, 7-10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, Kidzplay Hero's Facility, 9300 County Road, Building C, Clarence Center; $. .
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Film/Video
      fri. 11 . 'Red' - Krzysztof Kieslowski's 1994 film that examines the French Revolutionary ideals and is the final of his "Three Colors" trilogy (was preceded by "Blue" and "White"), 7 p.m. Friday, Jan.
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Literature
      fri. 11 . The Poetik High - 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, Gallery 51, 567-569 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo; free. 332-6821, www.galler y51byek.com sun. 13 .
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Auditions
      • PLAYHOUSE OF AMERICAN CLASSICS - Nine boys and one girl are sought for children's roles. Children will be asked to read scenes from scripts. Auditions by appointment only by calling 862-9531. Auditions to be held at Buffalo & Erie County Historical Museum, 25 Nottingham Court, Buffalo.
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Special Events
      thurs. 10 . Wine Making Group - Meeting, open to the public, 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, Brighton Place, 999 Brighton Road, Tonawanda. 332-4375 fri. 11-sun. 13 . Nickel City Cluster Dog Shows - The Kennel Club of Buffalo presents over 3,600 entries representing up to 160 breeds and varietie...
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Announcements
      • ARTWORK SELECTED - Local teenager, Laura Schmitz of Tonawanda, is among 30 students worldwide whose work was selected for display as part of the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) Studio Art exhibit at the Savannah College of Art and Design's Atlanta gallery.
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Tours
      sat. 12 . First Churches of Buffalo Tour - Tours and history of St. Louis' RC Church, St. Paul's Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church, 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, St. Paul's Cathedral, 128 Pearl St., Buffalo; free.
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