Events to keep in mind

Buffalo.com photo by Bill Parker.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention these events again, because the organizers were very excited about getting some Buffalo.com coverage. Deanna is booking events this week, so please let her know if you are interested...and let her know relatively soon, as they are coming up quickly.

• Kindergarten Crush, will be performing at Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St., Buffalo, on Thursday, April 2 at 8 PM. Other bands on the bill will include The Breathing Tree, Awaken North Wind! and Cry of the Union Forever.
  
  You can follow all of the links to check out the bands on MySpace - they sound pretty good.
  
  
• Make-A-Wish REACH FOR THE STARS Creative Black Tie Gala: WNY's signature gala event. Saturday, April 4 at 5:30pm, Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel. These folks are really interested in a Spotted photographer. We shot it last year and it went over really well...so if you are free on Saturday, this would be a nice event to pick up.
  

Flash photography workshop

Buffalo.com photo by Matt and Angela Brown.

This note comes courtesy of Darleen Stry, who has been a font of useful information already this week in terms of event info, activities, and tips. If you look at photography as either a possible career option or a serious hobby, you may be interested in this On/Off-Camera Flash Photography Class with Joey Buczek on Saturday, April 11.

Possible weekend job opportunity for a photographer or videographer

From Craig's List.

Videographer & Photographer Needed April 4, 2009 (Niagara Falls, NY)

Reply to: job-2wvax-1095445576@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Date: 2009-03-27, 9:14PM EDT
We are looking for a videographer and a photographer to shoot a dance competition April 4, 2009 in Niagara Falls, NY. The event hours are 8AM-3PM.

VIDEOGRAPHER
The successful candidate will have:
1) A Panasonic DVX100B Camera (or comparable) – WITH A WORKING FIREWIRE PORT AND AC ADAPTER
2) Fluid head video tripod
3) A 20" (approx) TV/DVD player combo (or comparable components)

PHOTOGRAPHER
The successful candidate will have:
1) A Professional Digital SLR Camera (Nikon D70, D200, D300, D700, D3, Canon 40D, 50D, 5D, 1D or comparable)
2) 70-200 mm lens
3) Tripod or monopod
4) 2 x 1GB Compact Flash Cards (minimum)
5) An LCD computer monitor (15"-22" range)

This is the first of many upcoming events in the region so there will be additional work available beyond this weekend.

To apply please respond with:
A specific list of the equipment you have available
How far you are from the location (if you live in another city)
If you have a car
Resume optional

Facebook Bookmarklet - get your Buffalo.com posts onto Facebook

The Facebook Bookmarklet is a great way to make your friends on Facebook aware of your articles and photos at Buffalo.com.

It's an incredibly simple tool to use - simply go to the application page, drag the tool into the Bookmarks section of your Web browser, and voila - every time you want to share a page on Facebook, you simply go into your Bookmarks, click the Bookmarklet, and the page is saved to your Facebook profile.

I've been doing this with some of the articles I've posted on the Bills FanZone, and it's really helped improve the traffic...for example, I've had about 90 hits on a blog post that usually would have had 25 or 30 by now.

You can use this for anything that you want to share on Facebook...it's a great app and I highly recommend that you use it to help push your friends to the creative Buffalo.com content that you produce!

UPDATE: And while we're talking Facebook, please remember to join The Buffalo.com Experience at Facebook...it's a little group I created to get the word out about the stuff we do. I hope you sign up soon!

Events list 3/30/09

Tuesday

Erie County's newest Lottery millionaire gets check: 22-year-old bar manager won a $1,000,000 prize check for top prize on the new Triple Diamonds scratch off game, could be great story for YourHub. 10:30am, New York Lottery Customer Service Center, 165 Genesee Street, Buffalo.

What’s New at the Ballpark: Bisons’ annual media event in the Pettibone’s Grille Restaurant. At the event, the Bisons will showcase the new foods and merchandise that will be offered to fans in 2009. 3pm, Pettibone’s Grille at Coca-Cola Field, Washington Street, Buffalo.

Dan Aykroyd in Buffalo: Comedian comes to town to introduce WNY to his vodka,
12:30am-2:30pm: 800 Maple Road, and 3pm-Premier Group on Transit Rd.

Battle of the Bands: Area bands are invited to participate in Hilbert College's Battle of the Bands competition. Prizes will be awarded to top three winners. 7pm, 5200 South Park Avenue, Hamburg.

Art Alexakis: National artist (former lead singer of Everclear) 8pm, Hard Rock, Niagara Falls.

Buffalo State Women’s Softball vs. SUNY Geneseo: 3pm, Diamonds at Buffalo State College.

Buffalo State Women’s Lacrosse vs. SUNY Brockport: 4pm, Buffalo State College.

Wednesday

UB at Canisius Softball: 3pm, Demske Sports Complex, Canisius College

Working for Downtown Brown Bag Lunch Series “WNY's Underground Railroad”: The speaker for the session will be Kevin Cottrell, Station Master - Motherland Connextions, Inc., Noon-1:30pm., Saint Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, Walker Room, 128 Pearl Street, Buffalo

International Edible Book Festival: The Edible Book festival is a unique event that’s taken place around the world over the last several years, 6pm, WNY Book Arts Center.

Concert: Clara String Quartet: This all-woman quartet made of up of Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra musicians will perform. 8pm, Rockwell Hall, Buffalo State College Campus.

An Evening with Umphrey's McGee: Spend April Fool's Day with Umphrey's McGee. 7pm. The Town Ballroom, 681 Main Street, Buffalo.


Thursday:

Buffalo Boat Show & Sale: Get in the mood for summer fun in the sun with boats!
11am-9pm, Agri-Center, Hamburg Fairgrounds, South Park Avenue, Hamburg.

Julian Bond: A first-hand eyewitness to many watershed moments in the history of the Civil Rights Movement, Bond delivers a powerful speech on the centuries-long struggle of African-Americans for equality, diversity in the shaping of laws, and civil rights moving into the future. 12:15-1:30 pm, Rockwell Hall, Buffalo State College.

Godspell: Fun, modern day retelling of the New Testament parables from The Gospel According to Matthew, full of wonderful songs, including the hit “Day By Day.” 7:30pm, Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Avenue, Lancaster.

NU Theatre presents "The Underpants": The comic genius of comedian Steve Martin shines through in "The Underpants", a readers' theater production about an unforgettably embarrassing event. 7:00PM, The Castellani Art Museum.

Friday:

Buffalo Boat Show & Sale: Get in the mood for summer fun in the sun with boats!
11am-9pm, Agri-Center, Hamburg Fairgrounds, South Park Avenue, Hamburg

UB Baseball vs. Ball State: UB North Campus, Amherst Audobon Field, 3pm

The Artistry of Harmony: The Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus, 3pm, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo

Lafferty's Wake: Audience participation show performed by Actors Anonymous Theatre, celebrate Lafferty's life, with his family and friends, 7:15pm, Magruders Banquet Facility, Depew

Godspell: Fun, modern day retelling of the New Testament parables from The Gospel According to Matthew. Full of wonderful songs including the hit “Day By Day.” 7:30pm, Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Avenue, Lancaster

Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Directed by world-renowned pianist, arranger, and producer Oscar Hernández, the thirteen-member all-star ensemble has reintroduced the classic sounds of New York City Salsa to music lovers worldwide, 8pm, UB Center for the Arts, Buffalo

Lochside Celtic Band: 8:30pm, Shannon Pub, 2250 Niagara Falls Blvd.

Jackdaw in concert: 9pm, Buffalo Irish Center 245 Abbott Road, Buffalo

Hey You, Pink Floyd Tribute Band: 10pm, Club Paradise

NU Theatre presents "The Underpants": The comic genius of comedian Steve Martin shines through in "The Underpants", a readers' theater production about an unforgettably embarrassing event. 7pm, The Castellani Art Museum, Niagara University.

Saturday:

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at The Buffalo Zoo: Breakfast buffet, crafts, docents with bio-facts, 9am and 11am, Parkside Avenue, Buffalo

Buffalo Boat Show & Sale: Get in the mood for summer fun in the sun with boats!
10am-9pm, Agri-Center, Hamburg Fairgrounds, South Park Avenue, Hamburg

Spring Flea Market & Craft Show: New & used items, Grange Building, 9am-3pm, Hamburg Fairgrounds

Earth-Spirit Expo, practitioners, energy workers, health foods, psychics, reflexologists, aura photographers, animal communicator, tarot card readings, gemstones, artists, 10am-6pm, McKinley's Banquet & Conference Center, Blasdell

Easter Bazaar "Save for the Holidays": Theme baskets, homemade baked and cooked food, "trash and treasure," raffles, and vendors. 10am-2pm, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, 3275 Elmwood Ave, Kenmore, NY 14217.

Mickey Mouse's Movie Masterpieces - A Celebration of Walt Disney: Shea's Performing Arts Center and The Buffalo International Film Festival will present three separate and unique screenings celebrating Walt Disney and the 80th Birthday of Mickey Mouse. This is a benefit for the children of Western New York, BIFF, Shea's Restoration and other local charities. 10:30am, 2:30pm, 6:30pm at Shea's Performing Arts Center.

Canisius Lacrosse vs. Mount St. Mary’s: Noon, Demske Sports Complex, Canisius College

UB Baseball vs. Ball State: UB North Campus, Amherst, 1pm

Canisius Women’s Softball vs. Manhattan: 3pm, Demske Sports Complex, Canisius College

Canisius Women’s Softball vs. Manhattan: Second game in a double-header, 5pm, Demske Sports Complex, Canisius College

Make-A-Wish REACH FOR THE STARS Creative Black Tie Gala: WNY's signature gala event, 5:30pm, Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel

Damiera at Mohawk Place: Damiera returns home with special guests Mason Proper, Gracer and Man without Wax. 7pm, Mohawk Place 47 E. Mohawk Place, Buffalo

NU Theatre presents "The Underpants": The comic genius of comedian Steve Martin shines through in "The Underpants", a readers' theater production about an unforgettably embarrassing event. 7pm, The Castellani Art Museum

Lafferty's Wake: Audience participation show performed by Actors Anonymous Theatre, celebrate Lafferty's life, with his family and friends, 7:15pm, Magruders Banquet Facility, Depew

Godspell: Fun, modern day retelling of the New Testament parables from The Gospel According to Matthew. Full of wonderful songs including the hit “Day By Day.” 7:30pm, Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Avenue, Lancaster

Lochside Celtic Band: 8:30pm, Shannon Pub, 2250 Niagara Falls Blvd.

Stealin: 10pm, Club Paradise, McKinley Parkway, Hamburg

Sunday:

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at The Buffalo Zoo: Breakfast buffet, crafts, docents with bio-facts, 9am and 11am, Parkside Avenue, Buffalo

Buffalo Boat Show & Sale: Get in the mood for summer fun in the sun with boats!
11am-5pm, Agri-Center, Hamburg Fairgrounds, South Park Avenue, Hamburg

NU Theatre presents "The Underpants": The comic genius of comedian Steve Martin shines through in "The Underpants", a readers' theater production about an unforgettably embarrassing event. 2pm, The Castellani Art Museum, Niagara University.

Earth-Spirit Expo: Practitioners, energy workers, health foods, psychics, reflexologists, aura photographers, animal communicator, tarot card readings, gemstones, artists, 11am-6pm, McKinley's Banquet & Conference Center, Blasdell

Canisius Softball vs. St. Peter’s: 1pm, Demske Sports Complex, Canisius College

Canisius Softball vs. St. Peter’s: Second game of double-header, 4pm, Demske Sports Complex, Canisius College

Godspell: Fun, modern day retelling of the New Testament parables from The Gospel According to Matthew. Full of wonderful songs including the hit “Day By Day.” 2:30pm, Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Avenue, Lancaster

Dr. Dog: Philly's celebrated indie pop-rock savants with special guests The Cave Singers and Golden Boots. 8pm, Mohawk Place

UB Baseball vs. Ball State: UB North Campus, Amherst Audobon Fields, 1pm

Monday:

Fundraiser at Uno's: Amy Stewart was struck by a vehicle in a hit and run last month. Amy is currently in ICU at ECMC fighting to recover from her extensive injuries. 10% of total check on Monday will be donated to Amy's family. Maple Road, Amherst.

Congratulations are in order

Buffalo.com photo by Matt Brown.

Congratulations to Spotted photographer Erica Morano, who won second place in the Aquarium of Niagara's "Penguin Days Amateur Photography" photo contest.

Erica is actually the daughter of Spotted photographer Eric Malinowski. Good photography runs in the family! Erica and Eric have both done great things in the Spotted program.

Well done, Erica! We at Buffalo.com are very proud of your accomplishment and we are pleased to have you in the program.

Smile for the Camera!, Part II

Buffalo.com photo by Ray Milkowski.

Spotted photographers:

I just wanted to remind all of you that we need "smile for the camera" shots in your galleries.

"But why?" you ask.

"Here's why," I reply. "First, it is important that people at your event know that you are there. We want them to come back to the Spotted site to see their photos. Second, it helps get the Buffalo.com name out there, which also brings people back to the site. Third, when people don't go to an event, they love to see the photos of the people who were there - I can show you literally hundreds of examples of this at our Spotted site. Fourth, when some photographers start to skimp on their 'smile for the camera' shots, then almost invariably the other photographers start to skimp on theirs, too, whether it is consciously or unconsciously. And then we've got a real problem."

"I understand," you say. "All of those reasons make sense. But I don't always like to talk to strangers. Sometimes I feel like I get good photos without the 'smile for the camera' shots. And some of the events I've been too haven't had a ton of people."

"I get it," I tell you. "And everything you're saying is logical. Look, if you go to an event and there are 50 people there, it may be tough to get a lot of SFTC shots - I'm going to say 'SFTC' now, because I am sick of saying 'smile for the camera.' And even if you get shots of everyone in the room, that may only come out to 15 or 20 SFTC shots. And you may want to post a lot of photos, so the percentage doesn't work out to 60-40, which is what we're looking for. My advice in those situations, to be honest, is to post less photos in your gallery.

"I am not questioning the quality of your non-SFTC shots, by the way. Many of them are very interesting. But the bottom line is this - people are going to visit the site and stay at the site to see SFTC photos. They drive page views, site visits, and time spent at the site. Those are numbers that make Spotted money. And if Spotted doesn't make money, there will be no Spotted. So when we get away from our SFTC shots, it may not seem like a big deal now, but it will be a huge deal in the future. I hope this doesn't sound too crass, but at the end of the day, this is still a business venture.

"And finally," I say, gasping for air, "I know that it can be a little awkward asking strangers for photos sometimes. That, however, is part of the gig with Spotted. I can say, that after shooting over 200 Spotted events myself, that it gets easier as you go along. Some nights you go to an event and really don't feel like talking to people. I have felt this way, too. But I find that as I start talking, and get into the event, it gets easier and it starts to be a fun challenge, and I meet interesting people mand make good connections, and I end up with a much better gallery than I would have had otherwise."

"That's reasonable," you say. "I will try to get some more of those SFTC shots."

"I would appreciate that."

"No problem."

"Now," I say, loading my pistol. "Let's go take care of those bank robbers."