Things to Do: Hozier, Porchfest, Unicorn World and car shows (2024)

Here are highlights of some of the events happening this week.

Porchfest – Elmwood Avenue. 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 18 throughout the Elmwood Village. Just start walking and stop when you want, for as long as you want and be entertained. That’s the idea of the annual Porchfest events held throughout the city and beyond on various weekends. First up is the Elmwood Village Porchfest, perhaps the largest. It's spread along the main strip of Elmwood Avenue plus Ashland, Norwood and Richmond avenues, and meanders along Bidwell Parkway and Argyle Park, then down side streets like Bird, Livingston, Lancaster, Highland and Whitney Place to name a few. Neighbors and businesses will open their porches, driveways, sidewalks and patios to musicians who will perform for anyone who wants to listen. So take the afternoon to talk to neighbors and hear some new music. You can find a map at elmwoodvillage.org.

Unicorn World. 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 135 Franklin St.

Here’s something you don’t see every day and it comes with the bonus of bringing smiles to kids. Unicorn World is an immersive and interactive event featuring animatronic unicorns in a magical forest, plus arts and crafts, story time, balloon bubble houses and something being touted as the world’s largest unicorn vending machine. If that’s not enough, there’s a unicorn bounce house, rides and face painting. A special section is set aside for babies and toddlers younger than 2 years old (who are admitted free). Tickets are $30 for everyone else and sold only in advance (not at the event). Although it is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., tickets are sold in time slots that can be reserved via theunicornworld.com.

Full Circle Festival. 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at 42 North Brewing Company, 25 Pine St., East Aurora.

This free annual event celebrates American Craft Beer Week by showcasing more than 20 New York State food and beverage producers and farmers. Sample beer and other items and you can purchase more of what you like. Live music is by bluegrass band the Brothers Blue.

Live at the Fillmore: The Definitive Original Allman Brothers Band, 8 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at the Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St.

The Allman Brothers Band played so often in rock promoter Bill Graham’s famed Fillmore East Auditorium in New York City that they were referred to as “Bill Graham’s house band.” The band even recorded its first live album “At Fillmore East” in 1971, an album that is still revered today. Those early performances are part of the band’s legacy and left a mark on legions of fans including Lou Maresca, who saw one of those early concerts and would go on to form the nationally known tribute band Live at the Fillmore. “This is our attempt to bring back authentically the performances of the original Allman Brothers Band for those who were there to hear and still remember them, along with those who have a similar love of this music and wish they had been there with us,” Maresca says. Tickets are $25.

Beer and Chocolate Pairing. 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 at Fattey Beer Co.-Wurlitzer, 908 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda.

We love the perfect pairing of wine and chocolate. Now beer lovers will have their own chance to savor thick, creamy chocolate with their favorite beverage in this event celebrating the collaboration between Ellicottville Brewing Company and Platter’s Chocolate Factory. Sample EBC's new Black Raspberry Blonde Ale (6.5% ABV)– created to resemble Platter's black raspberry custard– with Platter's chocolate. There will be chances to win baskets of goodies from Fattey, EBC and Platter's.

Hozier with Allison Russell. 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 at Darien Lake Amphitheater, Darien Center.

With the arrival of the Irish-born Andrew John Hozier-Byrne – known simply as Hozier– to the Darien Lake Amphitheater, we can finally proclaim that the outdoor summer concert season has begun. Hozier, who is riding the wave of his No. 1 hit “Too Sweet,” opens the Darien Lake season with this show that was added when he extended his tour due to popular demand. The deep-voiced Hozier jumped to popularity on the strength of his 2014 song “Take Me to Church.” Opening the concert is Irish singer Allison Russell, who sings with Hozier on his song “Wildflower and Barley.” Don’t be surprised to see them duet during his set.

Car show season

Multiple car show events are returning for the season. Here are two to get you started.

Friday Car Show. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 17 at the Original Warehouse. 4360 S. Milestrip Road. Every Friday through the warm weather season, join other car enthusiasts at this weekly event that includes a live band performing on the patio, plus multiple trophy awards. It is a family-friendly event.

Buffalo Cars & Coffee, 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, May 19 at the Eastern Hills Mall. The first meet of 2024 will be in the mall parking lot in front of Chrusciki Bakery, Sto Lat and Duff’s. New this year: Buddy’s Second Chance Rescue will have an area with pups ready for adoption each week.