BfloGirlGeek: Nickel City Con announced

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/IceHawk33

I’ve heard all about and seen photos from all these different comic cons around the county, and Buffalo is getting in on the action with a second comic con (the Buffalo Comicon Spring Garage Sale Show is this Saturday, April 3) coming this summer.

The Nickel City Con is taking place Saturday and Sunday, August 13-14 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center on Franklin St. in downtown Buffalo and is presented by Dave & Adam’s Card World. The line up so far (there are “more coming soon” according to the website) is already pretty impressive: Ric Flair (WOOOOO!), “Sam-Wise” himself Sean Astin, Ray Park – that’s Darth Maul to you, Brett Dalton from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Esme Bianco, who played Ros on Game of Thrones, are just a few of the folks on the list.

I may have to immerse myself in this idea… #letmyinnergeekout!

BfloGirlSports: Buffalo teams in April 2016

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/IceHawk33

Buffalo Sabres

• Saturday, April 2 – on the road against the New York Rangers (7 p.m.)
• Tuesday, April 5 – on the road against the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m.)
• Friday, April 8 – at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, April 9 –on the road against the New York Islanders (7:30 p.m.)

Buffalo Bandits

• Saturday, April 2 – on the road against the Georgia Swarm (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, April 9 – at home against the Rochester Knighthawks (7:30 p.m.)
• Friday, April 15 – on the road against the Toronto Rock (8 p.m.)
• Saturday, April 16 – at home against the Rock (7:30 p.m.)
• Saturday, April 23 – on the road against the Knighthawks (7:30 p.m.)
• Saturday, April 30 – at home against the New England Black Wolves (7:30 p.m.)

Buffalo Bisons

• Thursday through Sunday, April 7-10 – on the road against the Pawtucket Red Sox (Thursday – 7:05 p.m., Friday – 6:15 p.m., Saturday and Sunday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Monday through Wednesday, April 11-13 – on the road against the Syracuse Chiefs (all games 1:05 p.m.)
• Thursday through Sunday, April 14-17 – at home against the Rochester Red Wings (Thursday – 2:05 p.m., Friday – 6:05 p.m., Saturday – 4:05 p.m., Sunday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Monday through Thursday, April 18-21 – on the road against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders (all games 6:35 p.m.)
• Friday through Sunday, April 22-24 – on the road against the Red Wings (Friday – 6:35 p.m., Saturday and Sunday – 1:35 p.m.)
• Tuesday through Thursday, April 26-28 – at home against the Red Wings (Tuesday – 6:05 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Friday through Sunday, April 29-May 1 – on the road against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Friday – 7:05 p.m., Saturday – 6:35 p.m., Sunday – 1:35 p.m.)

Five Things to do in April 2016

You'll get plenty of ideas for the backyard
at Plantasia
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Plantasia Rocks! –Thursday through Sunday, March 31-April 3 at the Hamburg Fairgrounds Event Center and Artisan Hall. All four days will feature unique seminars, special events including the Children’s Garden from the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, live music and entertainment and a live radio broadcast featuring Domenic Cortese. Hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $9 for adults (coupon for $1 off here), $7 for seniors (60+ - no additional discount) and free for kids 12 and under. Find out more about Plantasia at www.plantasiany.com.

Maple Weekend – Saturday and Sunday, April 2-3 at maple producers across New York State. Among the participating area venues: the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village (3755 Tonawanda Creek Rd. in Amherst), Schumacher Farm (10217 Mill Rd. in Medina), Maple Glen Sugar House (2266 Gowanda Zoar Rd. in Gowanda), and the Genesee Country Village and Museum (1410 Flint Rd. in Mumford). Find more venues and more information here.

Biennial Quilt Show – Friday through Sunday, April 22-24 at Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village, 3755 Tonawanda Creek Rd. in Amherst. The Quilters Gild presents this show during even-numbered years in April, featuring quilts, wall hangings, wearables and more – categories are adjudicated and awards are presented. Hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-4:30 p.m. Sunday – cost is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and BNHV members and $2 for kids under 12.

Sips, Suds and Sweets – Thursday, April 28 from 6-9 p.m. at Fox Run at Orchard Park, One Fox Run in Orchard Park. This is a beer, wine and dessert tasting with more than two dozen vendors plus live music, silent auctions, basket raffles and more – event supports the Senior Wishes organization.

Knox Farm Spring Art Fest – Friday through Sunday, April 29-May 1 in the Main House at the Knox Farm, 437 Buffalo Rd. in East Aurora. The event will feature 70 artists from Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Ithaca, set up throughout the mansion. Friday is Preview Night from 6-9 p.m. ($10 admission), while hours on Saturday and Sunday are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. ($5 admission).

M&T First Friday: April 1, 2016

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Dave Pape

On the first Friday of each month, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, located at 1285 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo, opens the doors to the 1962 Knox Building to the public free of charge from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., thanks to sponsorship from M&T Bank.

• Homeschooler Art Class – 10 a.m. to noon for ages 11-17 – registration required.
• Homeschooler Art Class – 10:30 a.m. to noon for ages 5-10 – registration required.
• Toddler Art Class – 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for ages 3-4 – free for members, $10 for non-members – registration required.
• Studio Art Classes for Adults – 1 to 3 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. – free for members, $10 for non-members – registration required.
• Public Tour – a free tour of the 1962 Knox Building at 1:30 p.m.
• What’s Your Vision tour – free one-hour tour at 4 p.m.
• Drop-in Art Activity for Families –5 to 7 p.m., free in the Education Classrooms.
• Jazz and Happy Hour – live music by Doug Yeomans and Sue Kincaid in the AK Café from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Gallery Talk – For the Love of Things: Still Life – 6 and 7 p.m. in the 1905 Building, North Galleries.
• Performance: Amor and Heritage: “Legends of Hispanic and World Heritage” – 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium – free for members, $5 for non-members.
• Special Event – The Art of Food and Drink: Sparkling Wine and the Art of Plating – 8:30 p.m. in the AK Café – event is full – call to be placed on wait list.

Registration is required for many classes and events – call 716-270-8292 to register. For more information, visit www.albrightknox.org.

Shrewfest! and the 2016 Shakespeare in Delaware Park season

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/IceHawk33

The 2016 season of Shakespeare in Delaware Park kicks off June 23 with “The Winter’s Tale,” which runs through July 17. The second production of the season is “The Taming of the Shrew,” which runs July 28-August 21.

On Saturday, April 9 from 6-10 p.m., support Shakespeare in Delaware Park at Shrewfest!, the 2016 version of its annual Fabulous Feast. The fundraiser takes place at the Connecticut Street Armory, 184 Connecticut St. in Buffalo, and features a five-course Elizabethan-style meal with cheeses, breads, soup and salad, filet of sirloin, potatoes, dessert and more. Tickets are available through March 28 and cost $100 per person or $180 per couple for non-members and $80 per person and $150 per couple for Shakespeare members – find more information here.

Celebrate the Buffalo Way: Dyngus Day 2016

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Kpalion

Buffalo is considered the “official” home of Dyngus Day in the U.S., and with good reason – not just because of the number of Polish-Americans in the area, but also the fact that week can take a one-day holiday and make it last a week (see St. Patrick’s Day!).

Dyngus Day celebrates the end of the Lenten season, and takes place on Monday after Easter Sunday – this year, it’s on Monday, March 28. I’ve seen it compared to Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) at the other end of the Lenten calendar – instead of beads, get out your pussy willow branches and squirt guns.

Among the activities for this year’s celebration:

• The 10^th annual Dyngus Day Parade through the historic Polonia District at 5 p.m., featuring more than 130 floats and participants.
• Throughout the day, a number of venues – church halls, restaurants and bars among them – will be hosting parties complete with food and beverages, music and dancing.
• The Broadway Market, located at 999 Broadway, will host a kielbasa-eating contest starting at noon.
• The Pussywillow Park Party Tent on Memorial Dr. opens at 3 p.m. and features Food Truck Alley, live music and homemade pierogi.

Find a complete schedule of events at www.dyngusday.com. 

BfloGirlSports: Goin’ dancin’

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/Salvatore Vuono

Congratulations to the UB Bulls Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams and the St. Bonaventure Bonnies Women’s Basketball team on their upcoming appearances in “the Big Dance” – the NCAA Basketball Tournament, more affectionately known as “March Madness.”

The 14^th-seeded men of UB will play the 3-seed Miami Hurricanes on Thursday, March 17 at 6:50 p.m., while the 14^th-seeded women will play third-seeded Ohio State on Friday, March 18 at 2:30 p.m.  The 10^th-seed Bonnies women will play 7-seed Oklahoma State on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

St. Bonaventure’s Men’s Basketball team were inexplicably left out of the NCAA brackets, but kicked off their NIT Tournament bid at 7 p.m. Wednesday, hosting Wagner at the Reilly Center.

Good luck to all our WNY teams! And to my alma mater UB - #HornsUp!

2016 Easter brunch and dinner ideas in Buffalo-Niagara

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/potowizard

The Easter holiday is coming up on Sunday, March 27, and many families will head straight from church services to brunches and dinners. Here are a few of the restaurants serving traditional Easter brunches and dinners.

• Salvatore’s Italian Gardens – located at 6461 Transit Rd. in Depew, Salvatore’s will offer Easter brunch on March 20 and March 27, with reservations starting at 10:30 a.m. Brunch will feature omelet and carving stations, salads, numerous hot selections, a children’s buffet and assorted sweets. Cost for brunch is $31 for adults and $19 for children ages 5 to 12, $11 for children ages 3 and 4, and free for children under 3; reservations can be made at 716-683-7990.
• La Galleria – located on Southwestern Ave. near Abbott in Orchard Park, La Galleria will offer its 40^th annual Easter buffet from 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. (last seating at 5:30 p.m.), featuring baked ham, chicken breast Supreme, fresh vegetable medley, baked pasta and meatballs and more, plus a large assortment of desserts. Cost is $25.95 for adults, $11.95 for children 5 to 11, and free for children 4 and under. Call 716-648-4880 for reservations.
• Glen Iris Inn – located in Letchworth State Park in Castile, the Glen Iris Inn will offer Breakfast with the Easter Bunny featuring a breakfast buffet. Seatings are available from 8 to 10:30 a.m.; cost is $13.95 for adults and $6.95 for children – make reservations at 585-493-2622. Dinner reservations are also being accepted at the same number – dinner is available from noon-8 p.m.
• Italian Village – located at 6354 Transit Rd. in Depew, the Italian Village offers an Easter buffet from noon to 8 p.m. featuring a carving station, hot items including roast chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffed shells and more, soup and salad and a dessert station. Cost is $22.95 for adults, $13.95 for children ages 6 to 13, and free for children 5 and under – make reservations at 716-634-1804.
• Ramada and Embers Restaurant – located at 2402 N. Forest Rd. in Getzville, the Ramada will offer an Easter brunch with two seatings available – 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; cost is $22.95 for adults, $10.95 for children 4 to 12 and free for children under 4; call 716-636-7500 for reservations. Embers Restaurant at the Ramada will offer a special Easter dinner menu from 2-8 p.m. as well.
• Gate House Grill – the Gate House Grill, located at 8220 Main St. in Williamsville, is offering a special Easter dinner menu from 2-7 p.m., featuring roast turkey, chicken marsala, slow-roasted prime rib and more; all dinners include potato and fresh vegetable. Call 716-565-0338 for reservations.
• Adam’s Mark – Adam’s Mark Hotel and Event Center, located at 120 Church St. in downtown Buffalo, is offering a champagne brunch buffet featuring an omlette station, French toast, carving stations, ricotta-stuffed ravioli, mussels and more, plus a dessert station and kids’ station. Cost is $29.95 for adults, $16.95 for kids 5-10 and free for kids 4 and under – call 716-845-5100 for reservations.
• The 31 Club – located at 31 N. Johnson Park in Buffalo, The 31 Club is offering a grand buffet from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. featuring eggs benedict, Belgian waffles, chicken piccata, carved leg of lamb and more, plus a deluxe dessert table. Cost is $31.95 for adults, $16.95 for kids 12 and under – call 716-332-3131 for reservations.
• Pane’s – located at 984 Payne Ave. in North Tonawanda, Pane’s is offering Easter dinner from 2-8 p.m. featuring carved roast beef, ham and turkey, a pasta station, salads, seafood stir fry, desserts and much more. They will also be serving a brunch buffet from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Reservations are recommended – call 716-692-7076.
• Statler City – Statler City, 107 Delaware Ave. in Buffalo, offers brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. featuring Belgium waffle station, boneless leg of lamb, orange marmalade ham, mimosas (21 and over after noon) and much more. Cost is $35.95 for adults, $16.95 for kids 3-11 and free for kids under 3. – call 716-853-3300 for reservations.
• Tavern at Windsor Park – the Tavern, located at 8444 Transit Rd. in Williamsville, is offering Easter brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. featuring traditional breakfast fare, breakfast pizza, rice pilaf, carved turkey and ham, pasta and chef salads, fresh fruits and vegetables and more. Cost is $21.95 for adults, $18.95 for seniors (60+), and $17.95 for kids 4-11 – call 716-689-6600 for reservations.

St. Patrick’s celebrations in Buffalo – March 2016

credit: freedigitalphotos.net

Did you know that Buffalo was recently named the second-best large city in the U.S. to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in? (Darn, we got beat by Boston AGAIN!) Here are a few of the reasons why.

• St. Patrick’s Week at the Irishman – now through Sunday, March 20 at the Irishman Pub & Eatery, 5601 Main St. in the Village of Williamsville. On Wednesday, March 16, check out the Clann Na Cara Irish Dancers at 6:30 p.m. On St. Patrick’s Day, the Rince Na Tiarna Dancers perform at 1 p.m., with music from Step in Time from 1-5 p.m. and Stone Row from 6-10 p.m. On Friday, March 18, the Clann Na Cara Dancers return at 5:30 p.m., and Celtic Cross performs at 9 p.m. On Saturday, March 19, Rochez-LAchey School of Irish Dancers performs at 6 p.m., with music from Poor ‘Oulde Goat at 9 p.m. On Sunday, March 20, Joe Head performs from 4:30-7:30 p.m., with a set by the Rince Na Tiarna Dancers at 5 p.m. Other St. Patrick’s Week events are taking place at restaurants throughout the Village, including The Glen Park Tavern, Creekview, Eagle House, Sweet Jenny’s and Break’n Eggs Creperie.
• D’Arcy McGee’s – check out D’Arcy McGee’s at 257 Franklin St. in Buffalo on St. Patrick’s Day for Jeremy Hoyle at 6 p.m., then join them after the parade on Sunday, March 20 for live music on two stages and a party in their huge heated tent.
• Live at O’Larkin – on Friday, March 18, continue the celebration at Larkin Square in downtown Buffalo for its fourth annual St. Patrick’s event. Taking place from 4:3-8 p.m., the event features four performances – music from McCarthyizm and Poor ‘Oulde Goat, salutes from the Greater Buffalo Firefighters Pipe and Drums, and dance from the Clann Na Cara Irish Dancers. There will also be food trucks, seasonal offerings from Flying Bison and Buffalo Distilling and an Irish marketplace.
• Old Neighborhood St. Patrick’s Parade – Saturday, March 19 at noon, beginning at the Valley Community Center, located at 93 Leddy St. in Buffalo, and winding through South Park Ave., Smith St., Elk St., Hamburg St., South St. and Louisiana St. Following the parade, a traditional Irish “hooley” will take place at the Center, with music from The Leftovers. Find out more at thevalleycenter.com.
• Buffalo St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Sunday, March 20 on Delaware Ave. in Buffalo at 2 p.m. The annual mass will be celebrated by Bishop Richard J. Malone at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral at 10:30 a.m. before the line-up for the parade. Get more information at www.buffalostpatricksdayparade.com.

BfloGirlSports: Bisons hosting annual open house March 19

credit: Buffalo Bisons

The Buffalo Bisons will host their annual Family Day Open House on Saturday, March 19 from noon to 3 p.m. Admission is free and the day will be filled with fun activities, food and beverage offers and ticket offers. Fans should enter the ballpark through the Washington St. gate.

The Bisons will offer Sahlen’s Hot Dogs and Coca Cola products for $1 each, and all revenue will be donated to the Buffalo Bisons Charitable Foundation. Fans can also purchase an opening day ticket (Thursday, April 14) for a $5 donation to the Foundation.

The Coca Cola Field Box Office will open at 10 a.m. so fans can purchase tickets for the Bisons’ 71 home games this season. Highlighting the 2016 schedule are the Independence Eve Celebration on July 3, Star Wars Night on July 23 and Superhero Night on August 27.

Find out more about the Open House here.

BfloGirlSports: John Tavares Night with the Bandits – March 11, 2016

It's a sea of 11s at the First Niagara Center

21 years ago, a much-younger BfloGirl – recently graduated from college and thinking she wanted to be a writer and photographer – had the chance to interview a much-younger John Tavares, just going into his fourth season with the Buffalo Bandits. Little did I know that 21 years later, I’d still be writing and taking pictures (and actually making a few bucks doing so), and that then-young Johnny T. would be the G.O.A.T. of the National Lacrosse League – and would have played 24 seasons for those same Bandits.

Last night, 18,500 or so rabid Bandits fans (myself included) watched as the No. 11 he made famous in the lacrosse world joined Buffalo’s original No. 11, Gilbert Perreault, a few other Sabres and a couple of Bandits in the rafters of the First Niagara Center – and the Bandits won the game 13-10 over the Rochester Knighthawks.

Throughout the night, there were video tributes to the new Bandits’ assistant coach, including one from Gilbert himself…

…and some other guy named John Tavares (who should be playing in Buffalo – yes, I’m greedy!).

Many years ago, the first Sabres game I attended was the retirement of Perreault’s No. 11 – now the retirement bucket list is complete. Congrats to Johnny T! 

all photos: paulathompsonfreelance.com

TR Inaugural Site now open for Tuesday Night @ the Site

credit: Wikimedia Commons/National
Park Service

Thanks to a grant from the M&T Charitable Foundation, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, located at 641 Delaware Ave. in Buffalo, will now host Tuesday Nights @ the Site until 8 p.m. each and every Tuesday.

Three Tuesday nights will have separate themes, including “Art @ the Site” on the first Tuesdays of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., where visitors are invited to sketch objects and elements of the museum. On third Tuesdays, it’s TRivia Night at 6:30 p.m., where participants can test their knowledge of the Roosevelts, the National Park Service, presidential history and more. On Fourth Tuesdays, it’s Speaker Night, featuring a number of speakers relating to TR’s inauguration in Buffalo, his presidency and issues in his lifetime – find the upcoming schedule here.

Learn more about the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site at www.trsite.org.