This week's events list and other swell news

Buffalo.com photo by Jeff Noto.

Here is this week's events list. You may notice that it is short - being a holiday week, there is not a ton of organized activity in WNY - but each event is a potential goldmine in terms of popularity. Check the list closely! Also, you are always welcome to suggest your own stuff...in fact, I recommend it.

• I just wanted to take a quick second to thank everyone for the outstanding transition you're making to the new site. I know everything doesn't always work perfectly, and that the learning curve can be a pain in the neck, but by and large you are all getting a hang of everything and powering through. Fantastic work, everyone. And if you haven't been active...get active! There's a few of you I haven't heard from in a while. It would be great to get everyone back into the flow.

• I want to organize some kind of social event so the Buffalo.com team can hang out once again - anyone have any suggestions? The Bisons seem like an idea, but people weren't exactly swiping tickets out of my hand last year to sign up. Want to go to a bar? The beach? The Square? Let me know you suggestions and I will see if we can get something planned.

• I have been a bit of a slacker lately, but I do try to update the blog - http://buffalospotted.blogspot.com/ - make sure you're checking it every day or couple days, new stuff does float in there from time to time...

• Deanna is on vacation this week, so I am your man if you have any questions.

Alright, that's all for now - please let me know about this week's event, some volunteers would be great - and have a terrific week.



Tuesday


· Bisons Baseball: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Erie County’s 6th Annual Night at the Ballpark. A great event – support our hometown ball club and the hard work of the BB/BS team all at one event. A fun and fulfilling night of professional baseball with one of the hardest-working agencies in town. Plus, you get the experience of roaming the ballpark as an accredited media member. The BB/BS party begins at 6:30 PM, first pitch is 7 PM at Coca-Cola Field, Buffalo.

· Elmwood Village Free Summer Concert Series: Neville Francis & the Riddim Posse. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Neville Francis and his outstanding reggae band perform live in one of the funkiest, coolest parts of the city. Expect a fun, eclectic crowd and some genuinely groovy music from Francis and company. The show is slated to begin at 7 PM in Bidwell Park, which intersects Elmwood Avenue, in Buffalo.

· Summer in the Parks 2009: Maestro Paul Ferington and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Catch a performance by the acclaimed Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra out of doors at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. The concert begins at 7 PM.


Wednesday

· Shakespeare in Delaware Park: The Tempest. One of William Shakespeare’s most beloved plays comes to life in the heart of Delaware Park for a mellow crowd of pleasant outdoor theatre-goers. Expecting a stuffy theater crowd? Think again – Shakespeare in the Park is all about lawn chairs, blankets, and a couple bottles of wine under the warm evening sun. Check it out for Buffalo.com – shows begin at 7:30 PM, and the best way into the area is heading into the park by the Rose Garden behind the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.

· Gateway Harbor Park Concert Series: Scott Celani and The Boys of Summer. Two of the area’s favorite local musical acts take the stage in North Tonawanda – singer/songwriter Scott Celani starts off the show at 6 PM, while The Boys of Summer take over at 8 PM. The shows will be at Gateway Harbor Park, Sweeney and Webster Sts., North Tonawanda.


Thursday

· Thursday at the Square: Zappa Playing Zappa. Dweezil Zappa’s project performs the work of his father, Frank, in this high-energy concert that is sure to be packed with thousands of Zappa fans and the usual assortment of party people. Let’s hope it doesn’t rain this week! Deanna is on vacation and I would welcome some help with this show – I’ll be shooting video and will do photo if needed, but it would be great to have a couple photogs and a writer on hand, too. Free concession tickets can be yours! Let me know if you can make it. Meet at Lafayette Square, Buffalo, at 6 PM.

Friday

· Lockport Molson Concert Series: Our Lady Peace. One of the most popular Canadian acts to crossover into the American market in the past 20 years, we here in Western New York were some of the first fans to latch onto OLP – and now they’re coming back with a free concert at the always-popular Molson series in Lockport. Great event for photos, should also be an interesting story opportunity. Gates open at 5 PM, Ulrich City Centre Courtyard, Lockport.


Saturday


· Buffalo’s 4th of July Celebration. Live music, vendors, fireworks, and thousands of people getting together to celebrate this wild place we call America. The city of Buffalo will begin its celebration at 5:15 PM at the Erie Canal Harbor site, but feel free to get there anytime before dark.

Also – if you are attending 4th of July festivities in your own hometown, but don’t necessarily want to write a comprehensive story or take dozens and dozens of photos – please feel free to a.) compose a blog on your own thoughts of the events and your feelings about the USA as we enter its 233rd year, or b.) bring along your camera and shoot some photos of the event, or even c.) break out the video camera and take a half-minute of fireworks or something along those lines. Relax and enjoy – it’s a holiday – but feel free to share some of your Independence Day with us at MyBuffalo, too.


Sunday


· Kiss 98.5 Beach Party/Beauty & The Beach Bikini Contest. And so begins the hardcore beach season in Western New York – the annual bikini contest and WKSE parties are staples at the Sunset Bay Beach Club. Feel free to head on down for the sun, the sand, and to represent Buffalo.com at what is always a wildly entertaining event. The bikini contest usually begins around 4 PM at Sunset Bay Beach Club in Irving. Oh, and the Malibu Rum Mod Squad and Sue O’Neil from 102.5-FM will be at Cabana Sam’s (right next door) from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Miscellaneous

I don’t specifically endorse this event – I’ve heard mixed reviews – but if you are interested, the Friendship Festival takes place throughout the week. Let me know if you’d like to go…