032--Great Blue Heron Music Festival

Spent last weekend camping with about thirty old friends, family, friends of friends, new friends and assorted other folks in Sherman, NY, at the Great Blue Heron Music Festival. (Our friends Rick and Jamie brought their four kids, including Trinity, who is seen here with Ron's accordion.)

The camping was great--the same nice, shady, parklike area where we have camped the past couple of years. We set up two canopies in the center of the "community" and put up our many tents all around the perimeter.

Saw some amazing bands (Avett Brothers, Donna the Buffalo, etc.) and really enjoyed watching all of the kids running around and having a great time.

030--The World's Finest Purveyor of Juke Joint Swing

On Monday night (May 19), we went to the Sportsmens tavern to check out Wayne "The Train" Hancock--one of our favorites. The shows was incredible; Wayne's the real deal and his band was top notch (the bass player was particularly awe-inspiring). Naturally, Ron took the opportunity to chat up Wayne and give him a tour of the SKRRAM club (six doors down). Those of you who know Ron's proclivities will appreciate the fact that he also managed to steal Wayne's lighter. Carey came along with us to the show, and Lisa Forrest made an appearance--as did the guys from 40 Rod Lightning (a band from Rochester the Skiffle Minstrels have played with a few times).

030--Hanging Out with Brian and Cody

Brian (Michelle's brother) came up with Cody (our nephew) came up for Brian to install our new flat screen television--which is reallllly cool. Cody got bored with the whole process, though, so Michelle ended up taking him to the park for a while. They also did a couple of cool paintings and decorated his new T-ball helmet with flames, so he can terrify the competition.

029--Dos de Mayo Party

Had a bunch of friends and family over for our second annual Cinco de Mayo party--a few days early, thus "Dos de Mayo." Lots of good food and Ron's incredible margaritas were enjoyed by all (especially when he made them while wearing a sombrero). Rain hit early in the evening, but we were able to keep a bonfire going to enjoy later in the evening. The night concluded with espresso and a little live music by Ron, Ben, Joe, Patsy, and Michelle. In attendance: Tom and Maggie, Carey, Joe and Patsy, Rick and Diana, Kathy, Brian and Margaret, Mary and Mark, Cousin Art, Roberta (who brought flan--yum!), Barbara, Randy and Shira, Chuck and Beth (with new baby Alexander), Dan, Drummer Joe, Nicole, Ben, Stevo, and probably and bunch more folks that I'm forgetting off the top of my head. (Mr. Columbo also dressed to impress his guests, as seen above.)

028--Chow Chocolat--GO THERE NOW!

If you frequent the Elmwood/Bidwell Farmers' market, you've probably run into Jaclyn Wisz selling her incredible baked goods and chocolates. She and husband Scott have now opened a chic new cafe, bakery, and coffee shop called Chow Chocolat on the 700 block of Main Street--one of Buffalo's quickly up-and-coming neighborhoods. The store is beautiful and comfortable--and if you have any kind of sweet tooth, you'll be in heaven. Her chocolates are delicious, inventive (try the passion-fruit truffles), and gorgeous--many hand airbrushed for a detailed look. Everything is also made by hand using real ingredients (no scary chemicals or additives). I had the pleasure of visiting today, opening day, and was amazed at the variety of incredible treats. Definitely a spot to check out! (Oh, and in case you're wondering, the "Chow" in the name is for their pup Pumba, seen above.)

731 Main St
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 843-4388

027-Passover at the Klaimans'

This Friday (April 25) we had the pleasure of joining Randy and Shira Klaiman for their annual Passover celebration. Many in the group, including Ron, had experienced the event in the past, but it was my first time--extremely moving and inspiring. As we all took turns reading from the Haggadah, it was a wonderful chance to think about what the people who came before us (regardless of our faiths) sacrificed and endured to make possible the lives we lead. Not to mention that many people do not enjoy the freedoms and "luxuries" (clean water, food, education) we take for granted. While this is something we should all take a role in eliminating, it's also a good reminder that the upcoming elections should be about more than the price of gasoline and which candidate would be more fun to have a beer with.

026-Humpty Dumpty

On Thursday (April 24) we went down to the Market Arcade Theater to see our friend Phil Knoerzer in "Humpty Dumpty"--a play by Eric Bogosian (who you might recognize from "Law & Order: Criminal Intent"). The play was wonderful, dark and funny. Phil was also terrific, of course. Here's a review from the Buffalo News:

Engrossing... frightening... constantly amusing, owing to Bogosian's rapid-fire script, full of all the quirky humor and undisguised cutting satire that has infused his other work, from Talk Radio and subUrbia to his frenetic solo shows. The writing is addictive and the action moves swiftly ahead under the brisk, effective direction Artistic Director Scott Behrend. LaChuisa is a joy to watch. Phil Knoerzer is wonderfully affable, with perfect comic timing.Lisa Vitrano gives a worthy performance as the alternately annoying and freaked-out Nicole, as do Klein as Max and Bonnie Jean Taylor in the quirky role of Spoon. Three Star Review - Colin Dabkowski - The Buffalo News