6-16 to 6-21 events and a whole lot of notes

Buffalo.com photo by Tom Kuenzi.

Here is your weekly events list...you will notice that it's a lot shorter than usual. We're going to be focusing on fewer but bigger events in our weekly lists from now on...the old style was getting really unwieldy. HOWEVER you are, as always, welcome to suggest events that may interest you - this list is not the be-all, end-all of activity in WNY - just a starting point, and stuff we'd like to see covered.

Some notes after a wild first week at MyBuffalo.com:

1.) Thanks to everyone for hanging in there through this transition - it's been tricky for all of us, but I feel like the new site is starting to take shape. In the long run, I guarantee you will like MyBuffalo better than the old products - but there is going to be a learning curve. Your comments, suggestions, questions, and ideas are always welcome - help us make a better site for you!

2.) Photographers - the bulk uploader is coming, I swear to you. I don't want it released until it is just right, so we are holding off for another couple days. If the bulk uploader doesn't ultimately make uploading and organizing your photos easier, then what is the point, right? So please be patient while we get the bulk uploader finished...it really is coming soon.

3.) Also - the photos from 2007 and 2008 do, in fact, still exist - they just have not been added to the site yet. More news on this is coming soon...but your pics aren't gone.

4.) Keep checking this blog. I have been updating it a lot lately, and I'd rather have you check stuff out at that blog rather than host one at MyBuffalo.com where everyone can see it...this one is a little more removed from the hustle and bustle. But remember, take a look at it daily!

5.) We had new cards to hand out...and now they're gone. What can I say, we had a great weekend. More are on the way - a lot more. I will do a mass mailing when they get in...which will hopefully be within a few days.

I really welcome everyone to be active at the site! MyBuffalo.com is more than just a passive site where you look at stuff and leave. Get involved - friend your fellow users, send messages, make snarky comments, post your pics, etc. it's somewhat addictive once you get rolling. We have some neat personalities on the MyBuffalo.com site, and this is a great chance to connect with a lot of different people in the program, people who work on Buffalo.com, and other people, as well.

I believe that is it for now...but if you ever have questions for me, just let me know.


Wednesday


· Concerts on the Canal Series: The Strangers and The Diva Show. Check out a total of four – that’s right, four – sets from two of Western New York’s favorite party bands. The Strangers play at 6 PM and 8 PM, while The Diva Show hits the stage at 7 PM and 9 PM. Lots of people love these bands – it would be great to get some coverage – photo, video, story, or otherwise. Let me know! The shows are at Gateway Harbor Park on Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda.



· Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. The underground icon from Washington, D.C. has an extremely loyal following in Buffalo, and it would be great to capture some scenes from what is sure to be an upbeat, positive, and rollicking indie rock show. Doors open at 7 PM, Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St., Buffalo.


Thursday


· Thursday at the Square: Better Than Ezra. Another big week at the Square – opportunities for photo, video, and giveaways. We have lots of concert tickets and concession tickets to giveaway – and you are welcome to some of those goodies for helping out, as well. We even have our own home base at the merchandise tent. Whoever wants to help out is welcome! 5 PM to 9 PM (try to get there between 5 PM and 7 PM), Lafayette Square, Buffalo.



· Sir Paul McCartney Birthday Bass Ball Gathering. Celebrate the former Beatle’s birthday with a bunch of Buffalo best bassists! The low-end sound will be rattling the windows of Lancaster as bass players from around Western New York gather for a bone-rattling jam session. Starts at 7 PM at the Ellicott Manor, 16 Ellicott Place, Lancaster.



· Shakespeare in Delaware Park: The Tempest opening night. The first performance of the summer for the always-popular outdoor theatrical production in beautiful Delaware Park. Mingle with the laid-back crowd before and after the show, and enjoy a quality production of one of The Bard’s greatest works. Showtime is 7:30 PM near the Rose Garden/Casino in Delaware Park, Buffalo.



Friday


· The 9th Annual Buffalo River Fest. Opening night of the Valley Community Center’s annual party in the heart of South Buffalo’s Old First Ward. In addition to all of the other fun stuff that comes with a Buffalo festival, Friday night will feature a performance by WNY’s #1 party band, Hit-n-Run, from 8 PM to midnight. The River Fest begins at 6 PM. The event will be held in Father Conway Park, which is located between Louisiana and Ohio Streets in Downtown Buffalo, just one mile south of HSBC Arena.



· Buffalo Beatdown Boxing. Want to be ringside? Want a chance to see what happens behind the scenes at a prizefight? This is your chance. X-Cell Worldwide presents the Buffalo Beatdown at the Buffalo Convention Center. Featured boxers will be “Hands of Gold” Nick Casal, Meacher “Major Pain” Major and Buffalo's Lionel Thompson and Excell Holmes. The event begins at 6:30 PM at the Convention Center, located on Franklin Street in the heart of downtown Buffalo.



· Nylon Magazine Summer Music Tour. Want to see some of the hottest cutting-edge bands in the country? Check out Patrick Wolf, Living Things, The Plasticines, and Jaguar Love live in the heart of downtown Buffalo. You may be asking yourself, “Who the heck are these bands?” – but these are the musicians that you’ll be hearing about next year, and the years after, and the year after…a great opportunity to see some edgy and interesting indie music. Doors open at 8 PM at The Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St., Buffalo.


Saturday


· The 9th Annual Buffalo River Fest. Day Two of the Valley Community Center’s annual party in the heart of South Buffalo’s Old First Ward.

Tons of interesting stuff happens today – the Rigidized Metals River Regatta with canoes, kayaks, and homemade boats begins at 11 AM (head over to the DEC Canoe Launch on Ohio St. to catch the end); live bands will be playing from noon to midnight; there will be a neighborhood reunion at 6 PM; and an 8-team slo-pitch softball tournament will be on the diamonds all day long.

Head over any time from 11 AM to midnight, and you’ll get a good story or great photos. The event will be held in Father Conway Park, which is located between Louisiana and Ohio Streets in Downtown Buffalo, just one mile south of HSBC Arena.


· Creative Black Tie Gala. A huge party featuring cool costumes and swanky outfits to benefit Camp Good Days. The theme this year – “A New Hope,” taking a page out of Star Wars. A very photo-friendly event – and they like having our people out at this event. Begins at 5 PM and goes until midnight at the Hyatt Regency, 2 Fountain Plaza, Buffalo.


Sunday

· Go to the Beach! There’s no specific event scheduled, but Sunday is a popular beach day at Sunset Bay and Angola on the Lake. Go to the beach…bring your camera…I guarantee you’ll end up with a wildly popular gallery. Or writers – head down to the seaside and report back on what music, fashion, and fun is in vogue on the sunny shores of Lake Erie this summer. Let me know if you’re interested!

Who claimed what when?

Buffalo.com photo by Darleen Stry.

I like to promote my image as the omnipotent guru of all things Buffalo.com, but I have to sheepishly admit that I made a bit of a mistake recently...I (ahem) erased the "claimed events" list and replaced it with a slightly older copy. In my defense, my computer crashed and I was slightly confused by the "Recover" options in Word. Blame Microsoft!

Anyhow, I know that stuff is missing off the list...I am just not sure what.

Please check out the list below and let me know if there is anything missing for the month of June...

Thanks!

Marc Wierzbowski Tragically Hip June 2

Gabrielle Farah Kiss the Summer Hello June 3

Darleen Stry Olympia Dukakis June 3

Tom Kuenzi Kenny Chesney June 4

Darleen Stry Tragically Hip June 5

Darleen Stry Music of Queen (BPO) June 6

Marc Wierzbowski Tour de Cure June 6

Jeff Poole Bisons June 11

Darleen Stry/Matt Brown Biggest 80s Bash June 13

Jeff Poole Bisons June 18

Darleen Stry Taste of Country June 19

Tom Kuenzi No Doubt June 19

Darleen Stry Starry Night in the Garden June 24

Galina Tolmacheva Stiletto Run June 24

Tom Kuenzi Def Leppard June 26

Sean Rudyk Gus Macker June 27-28

Jeff Poole Bisons June 27

Erica Morano Ruben’s Run June 28

Darleen Stry Blue Rodeo June 30

Events List: 3-10 to 3-15

Buffalo.com photo by Sean Rudyk.

Tuesday

• Buffalo State women’s lacrosse: v. Niagara University. 4:30 PM, Coyer Field, Buffalo State College, Buffalo.
• O’Connell and Company present “The Altos.” Live dinner theater at The Hard Rock Café. It's Tony Alto’s funeral (Or is it?). The Alto Family welcomes you to the “Family Only” memorial service. Check your weapons at the door, join in a dice game, get shrunk by Tony’s shrink, eat Italian food, dodge bullets, and see if you can't figure out who put a contract on Tony. 5:30 PM, Hard Rock Café, 333 Prospect St., Niagara Falls.

Wednesday

• Green Building Forum: A Blueprint for Change. Heart of the City Neighborhoods,
Inc., in conjunction with the Partnership for Public Good and the UB School of Law presents Green Building Forum - A Blueprint for Change: The focus of the forum will be to inform contactors, housing agencies and public officials about the benefits of producing energy efficient and environmentally responsible housing and a one-hour cocktail reception will immediately follow. 4:30 PM to 6 PM, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 220 North St., Buffalo.
• Native American Heritage: Lacrosse presentation. The Niagara Hawks and Iroquois Nationals of Onondaga will perform a traditional lacrosse demonstration as part of the 19th annual Native American Heritage Celebration Month. 7 PM, Houston Gym, Buffalo State College, Buffalo.
• Natalie MacMaster. Cape Breton fiddler Natalie MacMaster is one of the most versatile and exciting young musicians on both the Folk music and Celtic music scenes. MacMaster's many projects have seen her collaborate and perform with Alison Krauss, the Chieftains, Paul Simon, and Pavarotti. 8 PM, Center for the Arts, UB North Campus, Amherst.

Thursday

• Niagara Women’s Lacrosse: St. Francis (Penn.). 4 PM, Niagara University, Lewiston.
• Seussical: The Musical. West Seneca East High School presents the well-known Broadway musical featuring beloved characters from the legendary children’s books. 7:30 PM, West Seneca East High School, 4760 Seneca St., West Seneca.
• “Behind the Swoosh.” Former professional soccer player and former college coach, Jim Keady, director of Educating for Justice (EFJ), discusses his experience while living on sweatshop wages in a developing country. A question and answer session will follow. 7:30 PM, Montante Cultural Center, Canisius College, Buffalo.
• Live at The Hard Rock Café: The Innocent Bystanders, Standard of Living, and The Stone Hearts. Live and local music at one of the coolest venues in Western New York. 8 PM, Hard Rock Café, 333 Prospect St., Niagara Falls.
• The Grapes of Wrath. Theatrical presentation based on the famous novel by John Steinbeck. 8 PM, Warren Enters Theatre, Upton Hall, Buffalo State College, Buffalo.

Friday

• NCAA Zone A Diving Championships. Some of the top college divers in the Northeast compete for a trip to the nationals. 1 PM, Alumni Arena Natatorium, Alumni Arena, UB North Campus, Amherst.
• Canisius Women’s Lacrosse: v. Navy. 3 PM, Domske Sports Complex, Canisius College, Buffalo.
• Lafferty’s Wake. An audience participation comedy/dinner theater show with traditional Irish music and jokes, jigs, stories, games, sing-alongs, and possibly a beer or two. 7:15 PM, Pearl Street Grill and Brewery, 76 Pearl St., Buffalo
• Seussical: The Musical. West Seneca East High School presents the well-known Broadway musical featuring beloved characters from the legendary children’s books. 7:30 PM, West Seneca East High School, 4760 Seneca St., West Seneca.
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. St. Joseph Collegiate Institute presents their annual student musical. This year features the Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice smash Broadway hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. 7:30 PM, Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall, Buffalo State College, Buffalo.
• National Acrobats of China. From plate-spinning to cycling stunts to bench-juggling with their feet, the National Acrobats of China never cease to amaze audiences around the globe. 8 PM, Center for the Arts, UB North Campus, Amherst.
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Famous Shakespeare play presented by the Lockport City Ballet. 8 PM, UB Center for the Arts, UB North Campus, Amherst.
• The Grapes of Wrath. Theatrical presentation based on the famous novel by John Steinbeck. 8 PM, Warren Enters Theatre, Upton Hall, Buffalo State College, Buffalo.

Saturday

• 12th Annual Bengal 5K Run. Proceeds benefit the Buffalo State Alumni Association’s Legacy Scholarship Fund, a scholarship awarded annually to a deserving student who is the child or grandchild of a Buffalo State graduate. 9:30 AM, Buckham Campus School Lobby, Buffalo State College, Buffalo.
• The 1st Annual “Creating a Culture of Character” Character Carnival. Family-friendly, character-centered fun with story-telling, crafts, puzzles and games as well as character songs by the Union Pleasant School Music Staff and live musical entertainment featuring Glen Colton. 10 AM to 3 PM, The Hub, 4999 McKinley Parkway, Hamburg.
• WNY Baby Expo. A showcase for everything a new mother is looking for. 10 AM to 5 PM, WNY Event Centre, 11163 Main St., Clarence.
• WNY Sports and Travel Expo. Produced by sportsmen for sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts alike, this event offers a large variety of exhibits with outfitters from all over the world. Experts, special guests and seminars for all ages on hunting, fishing or just enjoying the outdoors. 10 AM to 8 PM, Agri-Center, Hamburg Fairgrounds, Hamburg.
• 15th Annual “Old Neighborhood” St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Over 60 marching units participate including marching bands, clowns, classic cars, Irish dancers, family clans, fire and police departments, and much more. Noon, begins at the Valley Community Center, 93 Leddy St., Buffalo.
• St. Patrick’s Day special event. Scavenger hunt to find the Pot of Gold, kissing the Blarney Stone, crafts, entertainment and costumed characters. Noon, Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, 180 Thompson St., North Tonawanda.
• NCAA Zone A Diving Championships. Some of the top college divers in the Northeast compete for a trip to the nationals. 1 PM, Alumni Arena Natatorium, Alumni Arena, UB North Campus, Amherst.
• Buffalo Irish Center St. Patrick’s Celebration. 3 PM Kevin McCarthy; 7 PM Dustmen; 8 PM Penny Whiskey; 9 PM Rince na Tiarna Dancers. Buffalo Irish Center, 245 Abbott Road, Buffalo.
• St. Patrick’s Day Party. Biggest and best St. Patrick's Day Party in the Southtowns! Lively Irish music featuring "Almost Seamus", talented Irish dance show, and more. 5 PM to 10 PM, St. Aloysius Parish Hall, 190 Franklin St., Springville.
• Ellicottville Mardi Gras Parade. Get your costumes and beads ready for one of the
zaniest parades ever. 6:30 PM, Washington Street, Ellicottville.
• Seussical: The Musical. West Seneca East High School presents the well-known Broadway musical featuring beloved characters from the legendary children’s books. 7:30 PM, West Seneca East High School, 4760 Seneca St., West Seneca.
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. St. Joseph Collegiate Institute presents their annual student musical. This year features the Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice smash Broadway hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. 7:30 PM, Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall, Buffalo State College, Buffalo.
• Artie Lange. As a regular on The Howard Stern Show, Artie Lange is a talent who continues to rise in the industry. His comic ability has landed him gigs on Mad TV, in feature films starring opposite some of Hollywood's biggest stars. Need to submit a request by Tuesday, so decide fast on this one! 8 PM, Seneca Niagara Casino, Niagara Falls.
• Niagara University Senior Showcase. Niagara University Theatre's graduating seniors will present their Senior Showcase, an evening of short performance pieces. The evening will include song, dance, scenes and monologues as well as visual displays by the theater's design technology students. 8 PM, Leary Theater, Clet Hall, Niagara University, Lewiston.
• Joseph “Hands of Soul” Wooten. A Special Evening With National Recording Artist JOSEPH WOOTEN (Keyboardist / Vocalist for The Steve Miller Band & The Wooten Bros.) Featuring Guests: Ron LoCurto, Eric Crittenden, Rodney Appleby & Dejuaine Motley. 9:30 PM, Lafayette Tap Room, 391 Washington St., Buffalo.

Sunday

• 5th Annual Beerfest. Free beer tasting event features the finest beers from Western New York and beyond and live Irish music from The Dustmen. Noon to 4 PM, Hamburg Fairgrounds Gaming Clubhouse, Hamburg Fairgrounds, Hamburg.
• NCAA Zone A Diving Championships. Some of the top college divers in the Northeast compete for a trip to the nationals. 1 PM, Alumni Arena Natatorium, Alumni Arena, UB North Campus, Amherst.
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Begins at Niagara Square and heads up Delaware Avenue – maybe the biggest parade of the year in upstate New York. 2 PM, Niagara Square, Buffalo.
• NPR’s “From The Top.” Performances by some of the area’s top youth musicians, recorded for national broadcast. 2:30 PM, Kleinhans, 71 Symphony Circle, Buffalo.
• Buffalo Irish Center St. Patrick’s Celebration. 3 PM Poor Ould Goat & The Leftovers; 5 PM Woodgate Shamrock Dancers; 7 PM Rince na Tiarna Dancers. Buffalo Irish Center, 245 Abbott Road, Buffalo.