Monday, June 30, 2008

Sock Hop at Historic Radio Studio to Commemorate 50 Years of Top 40

WKBW’s 1958 Format Switch Changed Popular Culture in Buffalo Forever

(Buffalo, New York) ForgottenBuffalo.com will host a 1950’s sock hop party to commemorate the 50th anniversary of WKBW Radio's format switch to Top 40. The event will take place on Thursday, July 3rd at 5p.m. at the original KB radio studios located at 1430 Main Street. The event will feature live music performed by members of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, appearances by WKBW alumni and a display of classic cars. The first 500 people to participate will receive a free commemorative poster that includes rare historical photos and a recreation of the original “top 40” song survey from the week of July 4, 1958.

“WKBW was not the first to play rock & roll in Buffalo, nor was it the first top 40 station in the city,” explained Forgotten Buffalo’s Marty Biniasz. “Yet when KB, with its 50,000 watt signal, changed formats on July 4, 1958 something historic happened. It signified a shift in popular culture that officially recognized the power of the post-war baby boomers. From sock hoppers to flower children, the station went on to provide the soundtrack of Buffalo for over 30 years.”

Independence Day 1958 heralded the arrival of "FutureSonic Radio," the catch-phrase given to WKBW to its brand new, fast-paced, top 40 format. Under the guidance of Program Director Dick Lawrence, KB made a drastic change in its format by virtually eliminating all previously carried programs that include the NBC network and substituting what Lawrence called, "ultra modern broadcasting techniques." The music played reflected the growing teenage middle class and featured Elvis Presley,Bobby Darin, Ricky Nelson and Frankie Avalon.

Four disc jockeys, brand new to the Buffalo audience were imported from major markets to form the base for the "even newer" WKBW. Perry Allen was hired to fill the early morning 6 to 9 AM slot. Russ Syracuse was next from 9 to 2 PM. Art Roberts handled the 2 to 6 PM slot. He was followed by Dick Biondi who became a legend at night across the East Coast on the wings of WKBW’s 50,000 watt signal. Weekend and overnight disc jockeys included Jack Kelly, Danny Neaverth and Tommy Shannon.

For more on WKBW’s switch to top 40, including a list of song played on July 4th, 1958, visit www.ForgottenBuffalo.com.

The 50th Anniversary Sock Hop is sponsored by www.ForgottenBuffalo.com. The website was founded in 2004 to provide an urban explorer's guide to the Buffalo-Niagara region. Forgotten Buffalo hopes to provide visitors with an uniquely Buffalo experience by highlighting sites that have been left behind, or perhaps clandestinely left in place, providing clues as to what was there before. More than just a nostalgic trip through time, Forgotten Buffalo allows visitors to better understand why Buffalo is one of the most unique urban communities in the world.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Fourth Annual Mediterranean Festival set for July 11th -13th

"Celebrating love and care for family and your heart"

St. George Antiochian Orthodox church is again celebrating heart healthy promotion of it's 4th Mediterranean Festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 11th-13th on the church’s spacious grounds at 1073 Saunders Settlement Road (Route 31), a half mile east of Military Road in the Town of Lewiston.

The three-day festival continues to grow, with the addition this year of new foods such as Greek gyros and even more local entertainment, including our own Saint George dance troupe. As always, this celebration of Mediterranean culture will feature a variety of ethnic foods, cultural entertainment, live music, a Kids Village, specialty coffees, religious icon displays and a basket auction with cash prizes to be drawn each day and a grand prize of $1,000 and new this year 50/50 split each day.

Our church will be donating portion of proceeds from the festival to the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and The Heart Center of Niagara as well as Mt. Saint Mary’s Hospital and Health Center to sustain the quality of service and awareness of heart disease. As we celebrate love and care for our family and your heart health, we can not forget the importance of family and friends in Western New York who have been stricken by the disease and most recently our beloved promoter of Western New York, Tim Russert.

Founded as a celebration of Greek and Middle Eastern culture and traditions, the Mediterranean Festival is fun for the entire family. Ethnic foods will include Peach Festival souvlaki, stuffed grape leaves, Greek and Lebanese pastries, gyros, homemade breads, falafel, hummus, tabouli, spinach pies and kibbe. Information about the festival and hearth healthy food is available on the website http://www.st-george.squarespace.com

Hours for the event will be 4 to 11 p.m. on Friday, July 11; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 12; and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 13. Opening ceremonies will be held on Friday July 11th at 5:00 PM and the closing ceremonies will be held on Sunday July 13th at 5:30 PM.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Business of Music Workshop

Arts Council of WNY
July 2, 2008
10am-12pm

The Business of Music: 101
The Basics to Starting a Rewarding Music Careerpresented by Mr. Van Taylor, an established musician, bandleader, publisher, promoter and founder of the international band Taylor Made Jazz.

This workshop is intended for those artists who are interested in everything from starting a band, to becoming a songwriter, expanding their opportunities as a cover artist and much more.

The workshop will be held at:
Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center
341 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY
$10 Arts Council Members
$15 Non-members

MUSIC NIAGARA

Truly Classical - music, wine, words and song: Celebrating 10th Anniversary Season
July 21 - August 16, 2008


Have lunch with Stephen Sondheim, share a glass of wine with Vivaldi, spend the night with Brahms and wake up with Mozart.

For Immediate Release - Niagara-on-the-Lake, June 20, 2008: MUSIC NIAGARA (presented by the Niagara International Chamber Music Festival) celebrates ten years of artistic excellence under the guidance of artistic director, Atis Bankas. This year the Festival offers fifty concerts in twelve venues, with a unique blend of chamber music, jazz, dance, spoken word and virtuoso heart-stopping talent. Performances of Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Brahms are offered side by side with the music of Stephen Sondheim, Argentine Tango and American spirituals. Where else can you hear the breathtaking strings of Schubert and Stravinsky in the majesty of one of Ontario's oldest Anglican churches? Or enjoy Canada's international sensation Quartetto Gelato whilst overlooking the Niagara River, plus savour the delights of world-class wines and gourmet cuisine?

Highlights of the 2008 season include: eminent pianist Anton Kuerti, master interpreter of the works of Beethoven performing his celebrated Diabelli Variations; Robert Silverman and Music Glenn Gould Avoided; an exclusive Canadian performance with Ryusuke Numajiri, pianist, composer and principal conductor of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra; the celebrated St. Petersburg String Quartet; the hugely popular JazzAfterPlay series, with jazz veterans John Sherwood, Peter Appleyard and Juno-award winner Brandi Disterheft among others; plus a perennial audience favourite, the Young Virtuoso series. A not-to-be-missed concert is Songs of Freedom featuring the charismatic tenor Vanya Abrahams (of Showboat and Ragtime fame). Songs of Freedom is a powerful re-telling of one man's journey on the Underground Railroad to reach Niagara-on-the-Lake and freedom from slavery. And of special interest to movie buffs this year the festival is presenting Music from the Movies, with Rudolph Valentino's classic 1925 The Eagle and Simcha Jacobovichi's award-winning docudrama Charging the Rhino.

MUSIC NIAGARA also enjoys a unique creative collaboration with its neighbour, The Shaw Festival. This year there are four concerts with Shaw Festival ensemble and alumnae: a concert presentation of Stephen Sondheim's rarely performed Marry Me A Little ; a musical adaptation of a 1929 fable based on Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion featuring artistic director emeritus Christopher Newton; Shaw on Mozart and Bax also presented by Christopher Newton, accompanied by the Gould String Quartet; and The Adventures of P.G. Woodlouse, a cosmopolitan fantasy world of music and storytelling for the entire family.

MUSIC NIAGARA is also proud to announce that the highlight of their closing gala on August 16 will be Canada's own superstar of the stage Brent Carver who will sing a selection of his favourite songs, from Kurt Weill to Leonard Cohen.

MUSIC NIAGARA: July 21 - August 16, 2008.
Regular concert prices range from $10 to $35, plus special dining options.
For tickets call Shaw Festival Box Office: 1 800-511 SHAW (7429)
For more information, please call: 1 877-MUSFEST (687-3378) or visit out web site: http://www.niagaramusicfest.com/
-30-
For interview requests, complete concert listings, performers bios and photos, please contact:
Barbara Worthy Tel.: 905 468 5566 email: concerts@niagaramusicfest.com

Friday, June 20, 2008

Artpark Announces Sculpture Competition Winner!

Buffalo Artist Lawrence Kinney Takes Top Prize
Eight Finalists Works on Public Display thru September 15


(Lewiston, NY) Artpark President George Osborne and contest juror Robert L. Wood selected Lawrence Kinney's Spalted Device as the $2,500 grand prize recipient of the venue's first annual outdoor sculpture competition titled Edges 08 at an onstage presentation earlier this month. Kinney's winning entry is currently stationed adjacent to Artpark’s Mainstage Theater in the lower park.

The works of all eight finalists "Spalted Device" by Kinney; "Sanctuary" by Jesse Walp; "Days of Venus" by William Cavanaugh; "All in One by Brett Coppins; "Shelter From Outside Influences" by Amos Scully and Stephanie Ashenfelder; "In the Realm of the Spirit" by Kenneth Payne; "Splitting Hair" by Rolf Hoeg; and "Submission" by Adam Nowicki will be on display at various park sites through September 15. Each is delineated with signage and viewable at no cost to all park visitors.

This is another exciting example of Artpark's continued emphasis on blending all forms of the arts with nature, said Artpark President George Osborne. "It is our full intention that this will become a yearly competition featuring some of the finest artists in North America, and it will serve as a great compliment to Artpark's current visual arts programming."

LAWRENCE KINNEY
Lawrence Kinney's career in sculpture extends over 20 years and encompasses the completion of professional degrees through Munson Williams Proctor Institute (Utica, NY), and the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has participated in exhibitions in Buffalo, NY, Erie, PA, and New York City and has captured several awards for his sculpture.

Kinney was awarded a fellowship to study the art and architecture of Spain as an undergraduate. Since completing his studies, Kinney has been a regular guest lecturer at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he instructs undergraduate courses in sculpture and three-dimensional design.

As co-owner and curator of the Low Profile Gallery of Fine Arts in Utica, Kinney has produced hundreds of commercial architectural sculptures for businesses throughout the United States. He is also the sole proprietor of Sculptures and Form, and has developed a fine selection of original artist's lamps.

EDGES 08 OUTDOOR SCULPTURE COMPETITION
Artpark placed a national call for entries for Edges 08, in January. Eight of the 33 resulting submissions were selected for a summer-long exhibition (May 29-September 15) on the grounds of Artpark. Artists are permitted to sell their work(s) during the project period, but the sculpture(s) must remain on site for the duration of the exhibition.

Serving as juror of the competition was Robert L. Wood, Professor of Design and Head of the Ceramics Program at Buffalo State College. Wood has participated in over 175 juried and invitational art exhibitions at the national and regional level, and his work has garnered 12 national awards. Works selected by Wood were also approved by a selection committee comprised of Artpark's visual arts staff and park manager. Once works were installed on-site in late May, the juror selected the grand prize winner.

ARTPARK
Since 1997, Artpark & Company, a not-for-profit organization, has operated The Earl W. Brydges Artpark under a license agreement with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Over the past decade, Artpark's attendance has virtually tripled thanks to a well-rounded schedule of summer programs including musical and dance productions, big band shows, jazz performances, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Tuesday and Wednesday night free concerts, working visual artists, and an abundance of children's camps and other interactive art activities. The park also features several sites of historical significance, such as the Hopewellian Indian Burial Mound, remnants of the Oak Hill Mansion and the original location of Joncaire's trading post.

For a full schedule of 2008 events, call the Artpark Box Office at (716) 754-4375 or visit artpark.net.

The Earl W. Brydges Artpark is being operated by Artpark & Company, Inc. for the New York State Office of Parks,
Recreation and Historic Preservation under a license agreement.
###


OPEN MIC @ THE COLORED MUSICIAN CLUB

THIS SAT. JUNE 21TH - STARTING AT 8PM

THE ROB PROJECT & Just Buffalo PRESENTS: OPEN MIC @ THE HISTORIC COLORED MUSICIAN CLUB- 145 BROADWAY ST @ MICHIGAN.

ALL POETS AND MUSICIANS WELCOME.

THIS ESTABLISHMENT HAS SO RICH IN HISTORY AND MEMORIES... COME DOWN AND EXPERIENCE THE VIBE! YOU'LL NEVER FORGET IT- PERFORM ON THE SAME STAGE AS DUKE ELLIINGTON, ELLA FITZGERALD, NAT KING COLE AND MORE!

THIS SPECIAL NIGHT THERE WILL BE NO COVER!!

BRING YOUR INSTRUMENTS - BRING YOUR POEMS - BRING YOUR FRIENDS

Monday, June 16, 2008

Lakeside Blues Band Upcoming Gigs

Lakeside Blues Band:
Tom Keefer: Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards
Stan Tryninewski: Vocals/Keyboards/Percussion
John Lynch: Vocals/Drums
Norman Bock: Bass Guitar

Lakeside Blues Duo:
Tom Keefer: Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards
Stan Tryninewski: Vocals/Keyboards/Percussion

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Band Upcoming Gigs
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June 16th - 22nd the band will be off, as Tom Keefer will be in Las Vegas at the InfoComm Show for Yorkville Sound. We'll be right back at it though as you can catch Lakeside Blues at TJ's 3 on Lockport Road in Niagara Falls, NY at 7:00 PM Saturday June 28th. But the fun doesn't stop there. Oh no. Sunday June 29th we'll be celebrating Canada Day Weekend with all of our friends at the Grand River Camp Resort (RR1, Cayuga, Ontario N0A 1E0 Canada Between Dunnville & Cayuga on River Rd. Phone: 905-774-4257) from 1-4 PM. ALWAYS a great time at this sold out event.

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Duo Upcoming Gigs
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Tom and Stan will be back to one of their favorite places, the Olde Angel Inn (224 Regent Street Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0 Canada 905-468-3411) as the Lakeside Blues Duo performs in historic Niagara on Friday June 27th at 8:30 PM. Raise a pint ! Come on out ! And Sunday July 6th we'll be in Watkins Glen at the Raceway....details to follow!

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Having a Party or Event?
==========================================
Keep the Lakeside Blues Band or Lakeside Blues Duo in mind for your upcoming event! Whether it's a backyard get-together or a company holiday party, whatever, make it memorable by having the Lakeside Blues Band or Lakeside Blues Duo a part of it. Concert Sound and Lighting rentals are also available.For booking information, call (716) 751-6980 (evening/weekend) or go to:http://www.lakesidebluesband.com/Book-the-Band.html

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Nominated For 2005-2007 Buffalo Music Awards
http://www.lakesidebluesband.com/http://www.lochsidecelticband.com/

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Upcoming Dates for The Forming and Mystic Traversion

Thursday, June 12, 2008
Mystic Traversion
Taste – 634 Main St., East Aurora - 655-0874
7:30-9:45pm
FREE
Adult contemporary/Original Music/Pop Cover
www.mystictraversion.com
www.myspace.com/mystictraversion

Saturday, June 14, 2008
The Forming
Seneca Niagara Casino – Club 101
1:30pm-5:30pm
FREE
www.theforming.com

Thursday, June 19th, 2008
Mystic Traversion
Taste – 634 Main St., East Aurora – 655-0874
7:30-9:45pm
FREE
Adult Contemporary/Original Music/Pop Cover
www.mystictraversion.com
www.myspace.com/mystictraversion

Friday, June 20th, 2008
Mystic Traversion
Comfort Zone Café – 17 Main St., Hamburg – 648-5779
8-11pm
FREE
Adult Contemporary/Original Music/Pop Cover
www.mystictraversion.com
www.myspace.com/mystictraversion

Friday, June 06, 2008

ED HERNANDEZ MEMORIAL PARTY!
Los Tacos Locos reunion, plus Ashford Junction

Friday, May 30, 2008, 6 – 10 p.m.
Nietzsche’s 248 Allen Street Buffalo, 886-8539

Los Tacos Locos: It was Ed’s band. We played party music. Rock with a Latin twist, performed by a couple of twisted Latins. This is the third annual event dedicated to our band leader and good friend Ed Hernandez, who died in 2006. Reuniting all the original members: Nick Brabson, Chelo Centeno and Jim Iarocci, plus everyone who ever did a gig with the band: Jim Palys, Eddie Candelario, Dave Wittman and Tom Fenton, who now also fills in for Ed on lead vocals.

Ashford Junction: Mike Schulz, and more of Ed’s friends.

What Else? THE FIBS ARE UNBELIEVABLE!
Saturday, May 31, 8 p.m. The Fibs, Blue Lantern, Elma, NY
Friday, June 6, 8 p.m. The Fibs, Wilson Boat House, Wilson, NY

Friday, June 6, 8 p.m.
Second Annual SALSA FEST Grupo Cieba (9 piece band - featuring Chelo & Eddie)
La Luna, 52 W. Chippewa FREE

Friday, June 6, 10 p.m.
The Maniacs (play dead) Central Park Grill, Buffalo, NY

OLD MAN RIVER, Tonawanda, NY (weather permitting)
Every Wednesday, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
The Dreadbeats (Tom, Jim & Jim)

Every Thursday, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
LeeRon Zydeco & the Hot Tamales

Benefit the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame and the Historic Colored Musicians Club.

On Saturday, June 14, 2008, three Buffalo based bands invite you to spend an evening at the Tralf located in Buffalo's Theatre District downtown at 622 Main Street Buffalo NY 14202 (716) 852-2860 to benefit the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame and the Historic Colored Musicians Club.

McCarthyizm (Best Original Rock Band Buffalo 2006 - 07), Scott Celani (national touring/recording artist/star of "Discs", TV pilot filmed in Buffalo 2007) and Lenny Revell (played Nationwide theatres Spiderman III release 2007) are donating proceeds from this concert to give back to the organizations that archive and promote music and media in all genres in Western New York and beyond.

Presented by Think Twice Radio: http://www.thinktwiceradio.com/ the mission of this event is to showcase all musicians joined with both organizations to preserve the historical organizations that recognize music and media in Western New York.

The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame was founded in 1983 and recognizes groups and individuals who have made a significant impact on the Western New York music industry. View the current inductees and learn more about the organization by visiting: http://www.buffalomusic.org/.

The Historic Colored Musicians Club was established in 1917 and officially chartered on July 31, 1935. During the 1930's and 40's, musicians such as: Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald checked in with the Colored Musicians Club while traveling. The Club promotes historical research and the preservation of Jazz in Buffalo. The newly designed website is: http://www.coloredmusiciansclub.org/.

The musicians can be contacted at: McCarthyizm: http://www.mccarthyizm.com/, Scott Celani: http://www.scottcelani.com/ and Lenny Revell: http://www.myspace.com/lennyrevellband.

Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations or charge by phone: 716- 825-5000 and online: http://www.tralfmusichall.com/, also by visiting the box office at the Tralf. Doors open at 6:30 pm/7:30 pm sh ow, 21 + $10 pre sale and $15 the day of the show at the Tralf.

Help Western New York keep music and media alive by supporting Musicians Giving to Music.

The city of Toronto will honor a Buffalo born musician next Monday night June 9th.

The Jazz community in Toronto will turn out Monday night June 9th at the famous Rex Hotel Jazz Club in Toronto for a special tribute to one of America's great names in Jazz. A group of Canada's best players have decided to honor Jazz Trumpeter Sammy Noto of Buffalo with a lifetime achievement Jazz Session at the Rex starting at 9pm Monday night. Many of Buffalo's best players and friends of Sammy Noto will accompany him to Toronto Monday to represent the Buffalo Jazz community.

For several years in the 80's and 90's Sammy Noto was a regular in Toronto with the Rob McConnell big band and build a large following of Canadian fans. Through his long jazz career which spans over 6 decades, before returning home to Buffalo he became a legend in Jazz circles while playing with The Stan Kenton Orchestra and the Count Basie Orchestra in several tours around the world. He has been featured on many CD recording in re-issue available today with Basie and Kenton along with several of his own combo's. In the mid 60's Sammy and Lou Marinaccio opened a popular Jazz club in downtown Buffalo called The Renaissance.

After this special tribute concert in Toronto Monday Sammy Noto can be heard Wednesday night June 11th back in Buffalo with his own combo at the Sportsman's Cafe on Amherst Street. His special guest Wednesday night, in town for one night only, will be nationally renowned tenor sax man Pat LaBarbra.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Alternative Brews June 2008 Calendar



Click on photo to enlarge.

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back! Please join us at this year’s Elma Relay For Life to benefit the American Cancer Society.

The Relay For Life of Elma will take place Friday June 20th from 6 pm to midnight at the Iroquois Central School Track (2111 Girdle Rd., Elma). The Relay For Life is an exciting family-friendly event that brings together members of the community to celebrate life and honor cancer survivors. This event includes entertainment, food, games, a huge basket raffle, a live auction, and much, much more! The Relay is the grand finale of our year-long efforts to raise money to help the American Cancer Society in its mission to save lives, to help those who have been touched by cancer, and to empower individuals to fight back. As you may know, cancer affects millions of people across the globe and many people right here in our community. We will be joining millions of others throughout the world to support the American Cancer Society and the lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a major health issue. Please bring your unused/old cell phones to contribute as one of the many fundraisers taking place during the event. For more information call Jane Dent 689-6982 ext 117, Alison 655-1242, or Nicole 887-2554.

This year, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Elma will offer the unique opportunity to participate first hand in a landmark new cancer research study, Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). This is an opportunity for those between 30-65 years of age who have never been diagnosed with cancer to actively get involved in research, to help prevent cancer for this and future generations. Enrollment will take place at the Elma Relay For Life, Iroquois Central School 2111 Girdle Rd., Elma on June 20th, 2008 from 6-10:30pm. Visit www.cancer.org/cps3 or call Lori 432-2681.

Donations needed: The American Cancer Society Elma Relay For Life is in need of Theme Basket and Live Auction donations for the fifth annual event to be held on June 20th at the Iroquois Central School Track, Girdle Rd., Elma. In 2007 more than 150 baskets and auction items were donated and are needed again this year. Please call Jane Dent 689-6982 ext 117, Alison 655-1242, or Nicole 887-2554 to donate or for more information.

Club Paradise presents "Country for a Cure"


Amanda Nagurney CD Release Party to Benefit "Jacquie for All"

Sunday, June 29th, 2008 - 2:00PM - 7:00PM
$10.00 advance sale - $15.00 at door

Featuring an all-day concert: Copperhead Road, Rip, Naughty Dawg

Plus a Car & Bike SuperCruise - Hourly 50/50 Drawings - Chinese Auction- Walter's Amazing Light Show - Apperances by WYRK Personalities

For more information and tickets go to http://www.countryforacure.net/
Or Call Jack: (716) 907-1559



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