A number of opportunities are available to enjoy the music of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra:
Tonight at 8 p.m., hear the orchestra perform a concert in memory of their former concertmaster Harry Taub. On the program will be an original composition of Taub's: ''Psalm.'' The program will continue with music by Ravel, Dohnanyi, and Bartok.
Music Director JoAnn Falletta will conduct. Pianist Eldar Nebolsin is featured.
Tomorrow, resident conductor Robert Franz will take the podium to conduct ''The Little Dragon,'' from the famous children's book by Jay O'Callahan. It will begin at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 and $18, and may be purchased at the box office, before the concert begins.
Both concerts will take place at Kleinhans Music Hall, in downtown Buffalo. Phone 885-5000 for more information about either concert, or about the one below. Web information is available at www.BPO. org.
Thursday evening, you can enjoy totally different music, for the orchestra's benefit. The Hard Rock Cafe in Niagara Falls, NY, will present an evening of music by Black Widow, featuring the music of Queen. Ticket holders will be allowed to view an authentic piece of personal memorabilia belonging to the late Freddie Mercury.
Tickets are $10 each, and may be purchased through the orchestra or from the Hard Rock Cafe. The cafe is located at 333 Prospect St., directly across the street from Niagara Falls State Park.
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If you're looking for just some plain musical fun, the professional touring company of the Broadway show ''Mamma Mia'' will be presenting 10 performances at Shea's Performing Arts Center, beginning Tuesday and lasting through next Sunday.
The plot is cobbled together so that they can perform a long list of popular hits by the Swedish performing group ABBA. There are many gorgeous women and handsome men in bathing suits, singing and dancing well. It isn't art, but it certainly is fun.
Tickets range in price from $27.50 to $62.50 and can be purchased in person at the theater, if not sold out, or by phoning 852-5000 or by computer at www.ticketmaster.com. Shea's is located on Main St., near the intersection of Chippewa St., in the downtown Buffalo Theater District.
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If you can be free on Wednesday at lunch time, and you love the music of the great ladies of jazz, the Lancaster Opera House will present a program by Joyce Carolyn and her band, featuring the music of Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Carter, and Billie Holiday.
It begins Wednesday at noon. Admission is $24, which includes lunch. It will take place at Hearthstone Manor, 333 Dick Road, Depew. It's near the Galleria Mall. Phone them at 683-1776.
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Fredonia's 1891 Opera House is joining the State University of New York at Fredonia, the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System, and the Robert H. Jackson Center, in celebrating The Big Read. This year's book is ''To Kill a Mockingbird,'' by Harper Lee.
Wednesday at 7 p.m., see a showing of the award-winning film of the book, which starred Gregory Peck. Thursday at 7 p.m., hear Charles J. Shields, who has written a recently-published biography of Ms. Lee, talk about her and her book.
Both events are free of charge. Tickets will be distributed at the door on the evening of the performance. No advance tickets will be distributed.
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Through Apr. 29, the State University of New York at Fredonia will present a series of concerts called Art of the Guitar. This year's theme is Composers Alive, meaning all music performed will be the work of living composers.
The series is presented by the Ethos New Music Society. All performances will be in Rosch Recital Hall, which is located in Mason Hall, on the Fredonia campus.
Six concerts remain in the series. They will be announced individually, as they approach.
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Buffalo's O'Connell and Company offers an opportunity for charitable organizations to provide an evening of entertainment while having a fundraiser event.
On Feb. 11, the company will perform their celebrated production ''Diva by Diva,'' a celebration of women in the arts. The performance will take place in Buffalo's historic Riviera Theatre. Any Western New York Charity can by a block of $25 tickets to the performance, from which they may keep $20.
In addition to the performance, there will be raffles, prizes, and a collection of gourmet desserts. For details, phone 692-2413.
