Notes & Events for July 28 - Aug. 2

Buffalo.com photo by Ray Milkowski.

How's it going this week? Good, I hope. Everything is OK here in Buffalo.com Land. We continue to negotiate our way through the new MyBuffalo site and some of the pitfalls - this past week it's been passwords and registration confirmation emails. Good times. We keeping trying to squash these bugs as they pop up...be sure to let me or Deanna know any time you have an issue.

A couple notes:

• Bulk uploader is coming ("whatever," I can hear you saying). Our vendor, KickApps, is supposed to release the code that will let us put the Sets tool right in there shortly. Then - quick uploads...automatic set-making...easy to find galleries...it will be like the old days. The Old Days!
  
  
• We're getting some bang-up photo work from a lot of people lately - nice work, gang. Also, we've seen a bit of a renaissance in the article department - let's keep those stories coming! I know summer is a busy time for everyone, but if you see events that look good to you...let me know. We'll get you booked.
  

Lots of good stuff on the list this week! Music, football, stuff at the Central Terminal and the Zoo...even modern dance. Great photo and story opportunities. We'd love to get you out there! I'll be picking up a couple myself...maybe I'll see some of you out there "in the field," so to speak.

I haven't heard from some folks in a while, by the way - let me know you're still alive! Even if you are busy, we consider you part of the team, and want to make sure you're doing OK out there.

Anyhow, if you ever have any questions, please let me know.

Events:

· UB on the Green: Neville Francis & The Riddim Posse. Buffalo’s favorite reggae artist takes the stage at UB’s South Campus for a relaxed concert on the lawn. 6 PM, UB South Campus (front of Hayes Hall), Main Street, Buffalo.

Wednesday

· 34th Kensington Lions All-Star Football Classic. Some of the top high school football players in Western New York take the field in this traditional preseason football showdown between North and South. 7 PM, North Tonawanda High School Stadium, 405 Meadow Drive, North Tonawanda.

· Wines in the Wild. A great night at the Zoo – this event is already sold out! Live music and visits from some of your favorite animal ambassadors will highlight the event. Enjoy a balmy summer evening in one of the most unique environments around. 6 PM to 9 PM, Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo.

· Wednesdays at the Gorge: The Trews. The Trews' reputation is built on buffed and visceral rock songs. And the group's musical breakthrough has certainly been noticed by others, including shock rock legend Alice Cooper, who christened The Trews "A great young band with a Zeppelin feel." 6:30 PM, Artpark, 450 South 4th St., Lewiston.

Thursday

· Thursday at the Square: Avett Brothers. The last TATS show of the summer! The Avett Brothers are a folk-rock band from North Carolina, who blend bluegrass, old-time country, punk, pop, folk, rock n’ roll and ragtime to create a sound that is all their own. And while only two musicians in the trio are actually brothers – you wouldn’t notice after attending one of their intense and passionate shows. 6 PM, Lafayette Square, Buffalo.

· Rise Against & Rancid. A punk rock extravaganza! One of the hottest young bands in the land (Rise Against) teams up with one of the most popular punk groups of the 1990s (Rancid) as part of this colorful and LOUD tour. 7 PM, The Agri-Center at the Fairgrounds, Erie County Fairgrounds, 5820 South Park Ave., Hamburg.

· Patty Silver Sings! Variety Show. How fun is this? A variety show with talented local entertainers like Patty Silver, Quincy G., Cori, and Johnny. Apparently there is a free pizza and chicken wing buffet, too…not a shabby perk. 7 PM, Desi’s South, 3036 Seneca St., West Seneca.


Friday

· Molson Canal Concert Series: Queensryche. The award-winning progressive metalheads from the 1980s and 1990s are back! Queensryche provided some of the top heavy hits of the era, and now the band is back on the road – and paying a visit to the Lock City. 6 PM, Ulrich City Centre, 2 Main St., Lockport.

· Buffalo Bisons Baseball: v. Pawtucket. A fridaynightbash! celebration with live music and fireworks, and a visit from the powerful affiliate of the Boston Red Sox make this a special night at the ballpark. 7:30 PM, Coca-Cola Field, Buffalo.

· Cursive. The popular and influential indie rockers from Omaha, Neb. rock out in the heart of downtown Buffalo. Rolling Stone writes, ‘“Where other indie-rock lover boys are content to play cute, he asks questions, makes demands, promises impossibilities, exploring the ugly places in the heart. But that’s why he’s an original, testifying about love with the conviction of a young indie Springsteen.” 8 PM, The Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St., Buffalo.

· BPO SummerFest: Video Games Live! Video Games Live is a complete celebration and multimedia concert experience featuring music from the most popular video games of all time. Video Games Live features a pre and post show festival celebrating the exciting world of video games! 8 PM, Artpark, 450 South 4th St., Lewiston.


Saturday

· The Little Italy Niagara Italian Festival 2009. Good ingredients and good neighbors make good meals, and good times. Tradition trumps adversity, yes the Pine Avenue Little Italy Niagara Italian Festival festival is in full swing despite a rocky start. Many people have gotten on board to bring this wonderful Niagara Falls tradition back for another year. 10 AM to 11 PM, Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls.

· Blues Brews and BBQ @ The Central Terminal. The name says it all – live blues by local favorites like Jony James and 12-Pack Jack, beer from local microbrewer Flying Bison, and BBQ from 4 Aces and Gran Gran’s at one of the most interesting venues in the city. 3:30 PM to 11 PM

· Buffalo Place Rocks the Harbor: Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers with Martin Sexton and Samantha Stollenwerck. The far-out pianist who has recorded big Billboard hits – think “Watertown” and “That’s Just The Way It Is” – and jammed with bands as diverse as The Grateful Dead brings his stunning live show to the waterfront. Gates open at 5 PM, Erie Canal Harbor, Buffalo.

· Buffalo Dance Festival. The inaugural festival will feature LehrerDance and Configuration Dance Theatre. These two professional, Buffalo based dance companies will join forces to create an exciting and dynamic performance. 8 PM, UB center for the Arts, UB North Campus, Amherst.

Sunday

· The Little Italy Niagara Italian Festival 2009. Good ingredients and good neighbors make good meals, and good times. Tradition trumps adversity, yes the Pine Avenue Little Italy Niagara Italian Festival festival is in full swing despite a rocky start. Many people have gotten on board to bring this wonderful Niagara Falls tradition back for another year. 10 AM to 9 PM, Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls.

· Draizefest Benefit Concert. Over a dozen local bands perform, including well-know up-and-comers like Cry The Union Forever, Standard of Living, Kindergarten Crush, and many more, in support of a sick local youth. Show begins in the early afternoon and runs all day long. 2 PM, Stephen Sikora Post, 950 Payne Ave., North Tonawanda.

· Pine Grill Jazz Reunion. One of Buffalo’s most popular annual jazz celebrations, the Pine Grill Jazz Reunion draws together hundreds of fans and the best local jazz artists in WNY. 4 Pm to 10 PM, African-American Cultural Center, Martin Luther King Park, Humboldt Parkway, Buffalo.

· Buffalo Place Rocks the Harbor: Govt. Mule and Ben Kweller. A Buffalo favorite! The Allman Brothers are big in Western New York, and Allman guitarist Warren Haynes’ side project, Govt. Mule, always draws a big crowd in the Queen City, Check it out! Gates open at 5 PM, Erie Canal Harbor, Buffalo.