Summer 2016: Things to do Memorial Day weekend in Buffalo-Niagara

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Staben

The unofficial start of summer in the Buffalo-Niagara region is Memorial Day weekend, and there’s plenty going on in the area to kick off the season. Here are a few of the happenings this weekend.

Take a tour – Check out a Buffalo Bites food tour of the Elmwood Village (Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) or East Aurora (Friday and Saturday), or one of Explore Buffalo’s numerous tours (click here for the schedule).

Ransomville Speedway – double the fun at Ransomville Speedway Memorial Day weekend, with a full card of racing on schedule for Friday, May 27 and a special Super DIRTcar 358 Modified Series 75-lapper plus Sportsman, 4-Bangers and fireworks on Monday, May 30. Grandstands open at 6 p.m. and racing starts at 7:15 p.m. both nights.

Holland Speedway – Holland Speedway kicks off its 2016 season on Saturday, May 28 with the first race in the Sunoco Pro Modified Triple Crown, plus a full card of racing in its other divisions. Grandstands open at 5:45 p.m., with racing underway at 6 p.m.

Parades – there are Memorial Day parades happening on Monday in Kenmore-Tonawanda (11 a.m. – beginning at Sheridan Dr. and Delaware Ave.), Clarence (11 a.m. – from High School to Main St. Town Park), Collins (11 a.m. – begins at Main St. and Collins Center Zoar Rd.), Lancaster (9 a.m. – service and parade beginning at Lake Ave. Veteran’s Park), Orchard Park (9 a.m. – beginning at the Orchard Park Library, 4570 S. Buffalo St.), West Seneca (10:30 a.m. – from Southgate Plaza to Town Hall) and Williamsville (2 p.m. – beginning at Williamsville South High School on Main St.).

Find more ideas for Memorial Day weekend in my Parachute piece.

Lake Erie Wine Country Wine & Art Saturday – May 21, 2016

credit: Wikimedia Commons/
Al Silonov

Lake Erie Wine Country, an association of 24 wineries between Silver Creek, NY and Harborcreek, PA, will host its annual Wine & Art Saturday on May 21. Guests will enjoy wine tasting while exploring various works of art from regional artists, including painters, sculptors, jewelry makers, glass and metal artisans and photographers. 29 artists will be on hand at 18 participating wineries to display, sell, and demonstrate their art.

This is a free event – no tickets or reservations are required, but tasting fees may apply at some wineries; event hours are noon -5 p.m. Guests are invited to stop at any of the participating wineries in any order to enjoy wine and art. Winery and artist pairings for the event include:

• 6 MILE CELLARS:  Evan Everhart (metal sculpture)
• 21 BRIX WINERY:  Carrie Tredo (mixed media, sculpture, mosaic, origami jewelry); James Hoggard (photography); Susan Mackay (painting)
• ARUNDEL CELLARS:  Toni Kelly (painting – birds, landscape), Annyssa Conti (charcoal drawing, painting)
• BURCH FARMS WINERY:  Jack Paluh (painting)
• COURTYARD WINERY:  Hosting 3 art classes (11, 1:30 & 4) - create a chalkboard plaque! We teamed up with Art Erie Barn and artist Colleen Welca. Classes are 2 hours long, supplies provided. Cost: $25. RSVP at 814-725-0236.
• HERITAGE WINE CELLARS:  Julie Weatherley (painting, acrylics, mixed-media)
• JOHNSON ESTATE WINERY:  Amanda Bracy (photography)
• LAKEVIEW WINE CELLARS:  Patti Larson (photography); Christine French (jewelry, mixed media)
• LIBERTY VINEYARDS & WINERY:  Rebecca Eckstrom (hand painted glassware)
• MAZZA CHAUTAUQUA CELLARS/ FIVE & 20:  Andrew Newton (metal sculpture)
• MAZZA VINEYARDS:  Cara Webster (graphic signs)
• MERRITT WINERY:  Cindy Flattery (painting); T. J. Glendinning (photography)
• NOBLE WINERY:  Lila Mansell (jewelry); Cecilia Price (oil painting)
• PENN SHORE VINEYARDS:  Randy Roberts (wildlife painting)
• SENSORY WINERY:  Barbara Yerace (Yerace Glass Studio of Erie demonstrating lampworking, glass bead making, hand-blown items)
• SOUTH SHORE WINE COMPANY:  Vanessa Mazza (painting, mixed media); John Ballard (driftwood art)
• SPARKLING PONDS WINERY:  Fred Cole (ceramics, painting, calligraphy)
• WILLOW CREEK WINERY:  Deborah Metzger (beach glass working - demos & classes); Julie Manning (hand-painted wine glasses); Mike Briggs (painting); Cindy Shields (painting); Patti Kramer (polymer clay jewelry)

Find out more at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org.  

Summer 2016: May car shows and cruise nights

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Whether you own a classic car or bike or just enjoy looking at them, car shows and cruise nights are great places to hang out during the summer in the Buffalo-Niagara area. Here are a few that are coming up in May.

Cruise nights kicking off in May (events run weekly):

• Wednesday, May 4– Lancaster National Speedway and Dragway (Gunnville Rd. in Lancaster) Cruise Night from 6 to 11 p.m. – free admission; grudge racing $5 per run.
• Monday, May 9 – Lockport Monday Cruise Night at Ida Fritz Park (Main and Transit Sts. In Lockport) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 10 – Dug-Out Entertainment Complex (6856 S. Transit Rd. in Lockport) from 5 to 8 p.m. – also on Friday nights starting May 13 from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, May 12 – Polish Falcons Car Club Cruise Night (445 Columbia Ave. in Depew) from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 17 – Pautler’s Cruise Night (6343 Transit Rd. in Clarence) – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, May 26 – Akron Cruise Night (Main St. in Akron) – 6 to 8 p.m.

Car shows in May:

• Saturday, May 28 – The Caz 22^nd annual Car Show – benefits South Buffalo Football – Cazenovia Park Casino in Buffalo – registration 10 a.m.-1 p.m., show noon-5 p.m.
• Sunday, May 29 – Olcott Super Sunday Car Cruise – Main St. in Olcott – 1-4 p.m.

M&T First Friday: May 6, 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.-noon for ages 11-17 – registration required.
• Homeschooler Art Class – 10:30 a.m.-noon for ages 5-10 – registration required.
• Toddler Art Class – 12:30-1:30 p.m. for ages 3-4 – free for members, $10 for non-members – registration required.
• Studio Art Classes for Adults – 1-3 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 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: Public Sewing Event with Amanda Browder, Spectral Locus in Buffalo – 4-7 p.m., free in the Education Classrooms.
• Jazz and Happy Hour – live music by Bill Bates and Bob White in the AK Café from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Gallery Talk – Torey Thornton: Sir Veil – 6 and 7 p.m. in the 1905 Building, North Galleries.
• Artist Talk: Amanda Browder, Spectral Locus in Buffalo – 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Auditorium – free for members, $5 for non-members.
• Special Event – The Art of Food and Drink: Black Squirrel Distillery – 8:30 p.m. in the AK Café - $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

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

BfloGirlSports: Buffalo teams in May 2016

credit: Buffalo Bisons

Buffalo Bisons

• 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.)
• Monday through Wednesday, May 2-4 – at home against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders (Monday and Tuesday – 6:05 p.m., Wednesday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Thursday through Sunday, May 5-8 – at home against the Syracuse Chiefs (Thursday and Friday – 6:05 p.m., Saturday and Sunday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Monday through Thursday, May 9-12 – on the road against the Durham Bulls (Monday through Wednesday – 7:05 p.m., Thursday – 11:05 a.m.)
• Friday through Sunday, May 13-15 – on the road against the Norfolk Tides (Friday and Saturday – 7:05 p.m., Sunday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Monday through Wednesday, May 16-18 – at home against the Toledo Mud Hens (Monday and Tuesday – 6:05 p.m., Wednesday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Thursday through Sunday, May 19-22 – at home against the Pawtucket Red Sox (Thursday and Friday – 6:05 p.m., Saturday and Sunday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Tuesday through Thursday, May 24-26 – on the road against the Columbus Clippers (Tuesday and Wednesday – 6:35 p.m., Thursday – 10:35 a.m.)
• Friday through Sunday, May 27-29 – on the road against the Toledo Mud Hens (Friday and Saturday – 7:05 p.m., Sunday – 6:05 p.m.)
• Monday through Wednesday, May 30-June 1 – at home against the Columbus Clippers (Monday – 4:05 p.m., Tuesday – 6:05 p.m., Wednesday – 10:35 a.m.)

Buffalo Bandits

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• The Bandits are heading to the NLL playoffs! Stay tuned for more information on the Bandits’ playoff schedule as it becomes available – GO BANDITS!!

Five Things to do in May 2016

Canalside hosts its Boardwalk Carnival Memorial Day weekend
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

SEAsonings – Thursday, May 12 from 6-9 p.m. at the Aquarium of Niagara, 701 Whirlpool St. in Niagara Falls. Support the Aquarium at their annual fundraiser featuring food and wine from some of the area’s best restaurants and wineries, plus music, a 50/50 raffle, auctions and more. Tickets are $55 per person or $100 per couple (discount for Aquarium members) – price will increase at the door. Find out more or reserve tickets at 716-285-3575 x203.

Day Out with Thomas – Saturday and Sunday, May 14-15 and May 21-22 at the Medina Railroad Museum, 530 West Ave. in Medina. This family-friendly event features Thomas the Tank Engine and Sir Topham Hatt, with the train leaving every 45 minutes beginning at 9:15 a.m. Tickets are $21 and are available at railroadmuseum.net.

echo Art Fair – Saturday and Sunday, May 14-15, with special preview events on Friday, May 13, at OSC Manufacturing and Equipment Services, 1001 E. Delevan in Buffalo. The two-day event brings together, artists, collectors and dealers as well as food and beverage vendors and other local vendors; there are also a number of site-specific installations for viewing throughout the weekend. Hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday – admission is $5 for adults and free for kids under 10. Find a complete schedule of events at www.echoartfair.com.

BuffaLove Fest – Friday, May 27 from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Buffalo Zoo, 300 Parkside Ave. in Buffalo. The 21-and-over event will feature live music, Buffalo-area food trucks, Buffalo-area artisans and vendors and more. Tickets are $20 in advance; admission includes two drink tickets. Find out more at www.buffalozoo.org.

Boardwalk Carnival at Canalside – Saturday through Monday, May 28-30 at Canalside Buffalo. Rides and games from Hammerl Amusements will help kick off summer, along with food, a beer tent, live entertainment and much more. Hours are Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. and Monday 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. – get more information at www.canalsidebuffalo.com.