Buffalo NY Best of WNY Band, Music and Entertainment Event News

Please join the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame on Thursday, October 9, 2008, 7 PM at the Tralf Music Hall located at 622 Main Street in Buffalo's Downtown Theatre District for an evening of live music. Everyone is encouraged to attend to welcome the forthcoming 2008 Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Inductees who will also be performing.

The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame was founded in 1983 to recognize groups and individuals who have had a significant impact on the WNY music scene and/or achieved success in the music industry on a national and often an international scale. The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame annually recognizes and inducts outstanding Western New Yorkers who have made major contributions to the music industry at their annual induction gala. Members of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame from previous classes will be in attendance to honor the Class of 2008 and in some cases to induct the new members.

Food and refreshments are available through the Tralf facilities. Tickets are $20, at all Ticketmaster locations, charge by phone 852-5000, or through the Tralf Box office.

The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame announces its Class of 2008:
ED BENTLEY: Rockabilly music performer, Inductee/National Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
BOB JAMES: Songwriter guitarist/singer, local music producer and educator. RICHARD KERMODE: 1970's keyboardist for Janis Joplin (posthumous award). JERRY LIVINGSTON: National Recording Artist with: Miki Howard Atlantic records, Stephanie Mills – MCA Records, Liberty Silvers RCA Records/BMG and Billy Phillips/MCA Records and he recorded (5) albums 2 of them Gold with Rick James on Motown Records. Jerry is also a local Jazz Bassist.
TOM REINHARDT: Local rock and blues bassist.
JOE ROZLER: Internationally sought after keyboardist.
SCHULZ FAMILY: Generations of great musicians represented in one of Buffalo's premier musical families.
JOANIE SOMMERS: 1960's radio star & "Pepsi Girl."

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT INDUCTEE
JIMMY SACCA: Lead Singer of the world famous Hilltoppers – national vocal group from the 1950's and 1960's.

NON-PERFORMING INDUCTEES
MACK LUCHEY: Buffalo music store owner and promoter of Buffalo music.
ANTHONY MARCHESE: Synthesizer pioneer.
RICHARD SARGENT: Local record producer.

Co-chairs of the event include: Patricia Kirisits, Susan Banks, and Richie Derwald. For more information on the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame – please access the website at http://www.buffalomusic.org/.

For press related matters, contact: Sue Marie at susan.marie.1971@gmail.com or Rick Mathews, President of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame at 716-400-8934 or rickmathews@buffalo.com

The Board of Directors of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame consistently seeks new members. Parties interested in sponsorship opportunities, supporting membership or board membership should contact Rick Mathews 716- 400-8934 or email us at: info@bmhog.org.

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For calendar listings under Jazz:

Djambossa live at Solé
5110 Main Street, Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) > 362-0356.

Friday, August 29th, 7:30-11pm

Friday, September 5th, 7:30-11pm

Sunday, September 7th, 11:30-2pm

Friday, September 12th, 7:30-11pm

DjamBossa (jam-boss-a) -Djambossa is inspired by the late great gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. We start our name, like he did. Djambossa is highly improvisational, we love to "jam". Djambossa infuses latin styles like bossanova into our set. A sometimes soft and sometimes scathing acoustic mélange. An eclectic mix of ethnic folk - gypsy jazz, bossanova, flamenco and even blues. Coming soon to a bar stool near you.

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MATT'S MUSIC FOR KIDS - with Matt Surowiec
September 6 - 10:30AM & 11:30AM
EASTERN HILLS MALL
4545 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY 14221
Call (716) 633-1600 for info

MATT'S MUSIC FOR KIDS - with Matt Surowiec
September 13 - 2:00PM
BORDERS BOOKS
3480 Amelia Drive
Orchard Park, NY 14127
Call (716) 541-5869 for info

Matt will perform songs from your favorite children's books including Junie B. Jones, Dr. Seuss, Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, and more!

Children are encouraged to dress as their favorite storybook character - prizes will be awarded!

Bring your camera - special appearances by Clifford the Big Red Dog and other characters

MATT'S MUSIC FOR KIDS - with Matt Surowiec
September 20 - 2:00PM
Polish Harvest Festival - Dozynki
Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral Parish Grounds
6298 Broadway
Lancaster, NY 14086
Call (716) 685-5766 for more info

MATT'S MUSIC FOR KIDS - with Matt Surowiec
Monthly performance schedule at the Audubon Library (Amherst, NY)
September 17 - 6:30PM
October 15 - 6:30PM
November 19 - 6:30PM

FEED THE CITY: BENEFIT FOR BUFFALO CITY MISSION

BRUCE HORNSBY & The Noise Makers
www.brucehornsby.com
with THE PILLAGERS

THIS SATURDAY, August 9, 2008
7:00 pm doors / all ages
TOWN BALLROOM - 681 Main Street, Buffalo, NY / (716) 852-3900 www.townballroom.com

Tickets on sale WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2008 at Noon ($20.00 advance / $25.00 day of show ) available at all TICKETS.COM locations at Tops Markets and Town Ballroom box office. Town Ballroom box office open Monday-Friday 12-5pm. Call to charge by phone 888-223-6000 or go online at Tickets.com.

TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO BENEFIT THE BUFFALO CITY MISSION.

In regards to The Gateway Park Concert series:
Due to recent complications with the Gateway Park concert series the event's producers were forced to move this Saturday's show to another venue. The producers are still working with the State Liquor Authority, the City of North Tonawanda and the series sponsors to find a solution to keep the remaining and upcoming shows at the original Gateway Park venue. More details on the upcoming concerts will be released by the series producers as they come.

Bruce Hornsby bio Since he emerged in 1986 with his triple-platinum debut album "The Way it Is'' -- which earned him a Grammy Award for Best New Artist -- Hornsby had delighted in stretching his own creative boundaries and challenging the parameters of the mainstream music world. During the course of his career the Williamsburg, Va., native has turned jagged, Keith Jarrett-style piano solos into Top 10 hits and has pursued everything from polished, swinging pop to rootsy Southern paeans and gritty juke joint soul. In an industry that often values the safe, Hornsby has made it safe to be a little dangerous."Big Swing Face'' is a whole different matter, however, and is Hornsby's farthest step afield. There's less piano -- far less piano - this time out, and more guitar. There are loops, samples and other technological "chicanery'' (in Bruce's words) to create an assortment of moods and textures. And there's a spirited lightness of tone and irreverence with the language that forms a nice complement to the detailed narratives and character studies that have been the stock in trade of Hornsby's previous efforts.Some of his hits include "Every Little Kiss," "On the Western Skyline," "The Way It Is," "Mandolin Rain," "Look Out Any Window," "The Valley Road," "Across the River," "A Night on the Town," "Set Me in Motion," "Fields of Grey," "Harbor Lights," "Walk in the Sun," "Great Divide" and "Gonna Be Some Changes Made."FEED THE CITY/THE PILLAGERS info The Pillagers singer Gary Zoldos organized Feed The City to benefit Buffalo City Mission and is excited to have Bruce Hornsby sharing the stage at Town Ballroom this Saturday. "It's great to have Bruce Hornsby joining us to help raise money and awareness for Buffalo City Mission," Zoldos says.

This Sunday Aug 10th Barbara St. Clair and Billy Mcewen will have a free concert on Main St. in Tonawanda,N.Y. at 5:00 for two shows. They will be backed up with music by The Shadows. This is a very exciting show and packs the house wherever they perform! This is the concert event of the Summer! Please don't miss your chance to see these two Buffalo hall of fame singers perform together!!

Town Ballroom - August 9th, 2008 - 8:00PM

Did you know that 1 in 3 people go hungry and/or without a place to sleep every night in Buffalo? Did you know that Buffalo ranks as the second poorest city in America with populations above 250,000 people? Did you know that according to the 2007 US Census Poll 29% of the population of Buffalo lives at or below the poverty line? Did you know you can do something about it and have a good time? Buffalo’s newest super group, The Pillagers, are hosting their full set premiere as a benefit for The Buffalo City Mission (www.buffalocitymission.org) at The Town Ballroom on August 9th 2008 at 8PM.

The Pillagers (Gary Zoldos/vox, Pat Kane/guitar, David Bowling/guitar, Mike Morrissey/bass and Dave Privitera/drums) come from a multitude of bands including The 7th Sons, The Whiskey Daredevils, The Elements, The Stains, The Method and more. I talked to Gary Zoldos about the event and what the band is hoping to accomplish. He said that it is “unforgivable that so many go hungry every night and with the price of fuel, the weak economy, rising unemployment and the price of food and everything else going up this is only going to increase the number of people seeking help.” They picked the Buffalo City Mission as the beneficiary of the event because according to Zoldos “We want to raise money and awareness. The City Mission has been providing food and shelter in Buffalo since 1917 and in addition to feeding a large group of people everyday they also offer shelter, battered women services and drug and alcohol programs.” Instead of the usual can good donation for admission the Town Ballroom event will be a whatever you can afford money donation to get in this all ages show. “When you ask for food donations you wind up with a lot of stuff you can’t really make a meal with like cream corn or cream of mushroom soup. By asking for cash donations the City Mission can use the money as they see fit” said Zoldos. He promises the show will start promptly around 8PM with local rockers Middleman opening the festivities followed by The Pillagers. The show will run till 11PM when Zoldos and the band will come out and personally thank everyone. Zoldos also wants everyone to know that “even though this is an election year, this isn’t about Democrat or Republican but about your community and caring for that community. After all this is the City of Good Neighbors and I just want to be a good neighbor.” You can too. For more information go to www.myspace.com/garyzoldos

August 2, 2008 - Taylor Made Jazz Quartet
http://www.taylormadejazz.com/
Zion Dominion Church Soiree 4pm North Forest Rd Williamsville NY
Tickets 250-7040 or www.ziondominion.org/home.html

August 8, 2008 - Melissa Kate David Comtois
www.myspace.com/melissakate
Harry's Harbour Place 6:30pm 2192 Niagara Street Buffalo NY 14207
www.harrysharbour.com/contactus.htm

August 9, 2008 - JWN Band (Joyce Wilson Nixon Band)
www.myspace.com/joycenixonBatavia Downs Casino 8315 Park Road Batavia NY 14020
http://www.bataviadownsgaming.com/
7pm to 11pm

August 17, 2008 - Taylor Made Jazz In Concert
http://www.taylormadejazz.com/
United Way Niagara Falls Presents at The Biggest Tomato Fest
www.biggatomatafest.ca/about.htm
www.biggatomatafest.ca/directions.htm
Queens Height Park Ontario Canada 4pm proceeds to benefit the United Way Canada
www.unitedway.ca/splash/index.htm

August 22 2008 - Taylor Made Jazz in Concert
http://www.taylormadejazz.com/
M&T Noon Plaza Series 1 M&T Plaza Buffalo NY FREE 12Noon
www.mandtbank.com/community/Concert_Series.pdf

August 23 2008 - JWN Band Funk Fest
www.myspace.com/joycenixon
Lasalle Park Buffalo NY Time TBA
http://home.eznet.net/~kfox/wny/sites/lasalle.htm

August 30 2008 - JWN Band Unity Day
www.myspace.com/joycenixon
MLK Park Time TBA
www.buffaloolmstedparks.org/default.asp

August 31 2008 - Melissa Kate
www.myspace.com/melissakate
Seneca Allegany Casino 12 pm
777 Seneca Allegany Boulevard Salamanca, NY 14779
www.senecaalleganycasino.com/contact.cfm

September 24 2008 - Melissa Kate
www.myspace.com/melissakate
Seneca Allegany Casino 12pm
777 Seneca Allegany Boulevard Salamanca, NY 14779
www.senecaalleganycasino.com/contact.cfm

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Free Event on August 11 to Feature Children's Classic The Sandlot!

(Lewiston, NY) With August just around the corner, some people may be under the assumption that Artpark's considerable schedule of 2008 family-oriented events will begin winding down. Artpark's response is quite to the contrary: Want S'more?

Artpark's first-ever edition of "Family Movie Night" will take place under the stars at 8:30pm on August 11 in one of the venue's giant Lower Park picnic shelters and will feature the enduring children's classic The Sandlot. Moviegoers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets and snacks for this free, ticketless event. Snacks, soda and water will also be made available to purchase at Artpark.

"Family Movie Night" is the latest of several Artpark programs designed to entice families from around the region to visit the inspirational Lewiston venue. Artpark's 2008 Season kicked off with two presentations of the children's stage show Arthur LIVE (May 14), and was followed up by a pair of afternoons of Picnic Table Painting (June 28-29), the results of which now adorn the park landscape. Beginning July 8 (and continuing thru August 22), Artpark has presented working, professional artists-in-the-park for demonstrations at no cost to park visitors. The venue's always-popular free "Family Weekends" (July 12-August 3) program resumed for four consecutive Saturdays and Sundays of interactive art workshops, while four sessions of Art and Theater Camps were enrolled to capacity. This year's major musical production, "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" (August 14-24), clearly appeals to all ages, and Artpark also offers several hands-on art activities during each of its free concert events on Tuesday (June 3 & August 26) and Wednesday (July 9 & August 27) nights.

Artpark's family and children's programming is made possible in part by the generous support of the Modern Corporation, the Town of Lewiston and the Niagara County Legislature.
For a full schedule of 2008 events, call the Artpark Box Office at (716) 754-4375 or visit artpark.net.

"THE SANDLOT" SYNOPSIS
The movie, which has spawned popular quips such as "You're killing me Smalls," "You Wanna S'More," "For-ev-ver" and "Heroes get remembered but legends never die," takes place in 1962, and young Scotty Smalls has just moved to town with his mom, his stepfather, and his desire to make friends in his new home. But when he heads to the local sandlot he's laughed off the field in his awkwardness until the leader of the gang, Benny Rodriguez, takes him under his wing. Soon the boys become the best of friends, and "Smalls," as he is dubbed, is introduced to a cast of funny and unique characters; their summer adventures include treehouse sleepovers (and S'Mores), encounters with a beautiful lifeguard, and of course, baseball. But when Smalls hits his first home run it is a bittersweet victory, as his stepfather's ball, autographed by Babe Ruth, lands in the adjoining lot which is guarded by "The Beast," a dog rumored to have once eaten a kid. The kids have some hilarious adventures and unexpected results in their efforts to regain the ball before Smalls' stepfather finds out it's missing, making this a film the whole family will enjoy.

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.
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Festival to Feature Special Mass, Polish Food, Music

Buffalo, New York – The 29th annual Dozynki Harvest Festival at Corpus Christi Church in Buffalo will take place on August 23 and 24. This joyful celebration, which dates to the middle ages, is the Polish equivalent of America’s Thanksgiving holiday. In Poland, this event marks the end of the wheat harvest. At Corpus Christi, Dozynki is an opportunity to give thanks for all manner of blessings.

The heart of the Polish Harvest Festival is to bring people together in a spirit of gratitude and appreciation to God for all we have been given. The uniqueness of this celebration is expressed during the offertory procession during Sunday's Dozynki Mass when a specially baked bread is presented along with a wreath made of grains and wildflowers along with other fruits of the land. Special liturgical music for the occasion will be performed by Fr. Anzelm Chalupka, organist Bruce Woody and the Corpus Christi Choir.

This year’s Dozynki Festival will offer a chance to enjoy homemade Polish food and drink, polka, classical and pop music, an opportunity to purchase handmade religious and folk items, participate in historic church tours, and take part in many other activities. The Dozynki Mass of Thanksgiving will be offered on Sunday, August 24 at 11:30a.m. The festival opens on Saturday, August 23 at 11:30 a.m. with a Farmers' Market and a Flea Market. Pork and beef rollup dinners will be available on Saturday from 2:00-7:00p.m. A “Best Homemade Pierogi Contest” will take place at 5:30p.m. The sounds of “Al Kania’s Polka Band” will fill the air on Saturday afternoon, while “Those Idiots” will entertain the crowd on Saturday evening under the big tent.

On Sunday afternoon, the big tent will feature music by Joe Macielag's Pic-A-Polka Band and a performance by the Krakowiacy Dancers of Eugenia's Dance Studio. Chicken dinners will be available on Sunday from 12:30-6:00p.m. At 4:30p.m. pianist Ivan Docenko will perform Chopin and Paderewski in the church, followed by “Diva by Diva” star Mary Kate O'Connell singing sacred and secular songs. Buffalo’s Biggest Polish Sing-Along and Jam will begin at 6:30p.m. All are invited to bring their voices and instruments to join in. Song sheets will be available.

This year a raffle will be held for two round-trip airfares to Poland, courtesy of the owners of JABCO General Store at the Broadway Market. Theme baskets and chances to win other prizes will also be available. Admission is free and all proceeds support the church’s historic restoration. Raffle tickets are available at JABCO and through the church at 716/896-1050 or Vicki at 716/812-2524.

Corpus Christi Church was recently designated a New York State Landmark and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Phase I of the church’s restoration will begin shortly with repair of the magnificent Rose Window above the choir loft. Fundraising is currently underway to match a grant in the amount of $450,000 from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund for restoration of the church roof and bell/clock tower.

Corpus Christi Church is located at 199 Clark St. in Buffalo, one block east of the Broadway Market.

For more information about the Dozynki Festival and other events at Corpus Christi Church, visit www.corpuschristibuffalo.org.