Is everyone still buzzing from the bold moves the Bills made at the NFL Draft?
Keep the good times going with lots to do this week in WNY including the popular Food Truck Rally at Larking Square on Tuesday.
Here are 15 Editor's Picks of cool and interesting events going on in the area for the week of May 12 - May 18, 2014. Be sure to check out our events calendar for much more of what's going on in the area, and check back every Friday for a "Best Bets" for the weekend.
Boz Scaggs
UB Center for the Arts
Mon May 12
Grammy Award-winning Boz Scaggs returns to the Center for the Arts after his incendiary performance last year! Born in Texas, Boz was raised with an abiding respect for a wide spectrum of American roots music. He has become a genre-defying master, combining rock, jazz, R&B, and blues to create a trademark sound that cannot be pigeonholed. His extensive and distinctive career has spanned over three decades, and Scaggs continues to prove himself as one of music's most creative and original artists. Boz and his band will perform favorites from throughout his career as well as material from his acclaimed new album "Memphis." Official site.
MASTODON
Town Ballroom
Mon May 12
Mastodon is an American progressive sludge metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in early 2000 and is composed of bassist Troy Sanders, guitarist Brent Hinds, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor. Official site.
Stuart Little
Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Tue May 13
Stuart Little tells the surprising story of a most unusual mouse who happens to be born into an ordinary New York family. In no time at all, his life becomes a series of adventures and misadventures with a variety of colorful characters, including his best friend Margalo the bird and the not-so-friendly Snowbell the malevolent family cat.
After several escapades at home, Stuart must leave his family behind to go on his most thrilling adventure of all - to see the country and help find Margalo. Along the way, he encounters a variety of exciting situations that test his spirit. All the charm, wisdom, and joy of E.B. White's classic novel are brought to life as the mild-mannered Stuart learns to survive in his super-sized world of humans and discovers the true meaning of family, loyalty, and friendship. Official site.
Food Truck Tuesdays
Larkin Square
Tue May 13
Every Tuesday, Featuring a Variety of Buffalo and Rochester based Food Trucks Live Music, Heathy Choice Options offered at all the Food Trucks. Beer, wine and other Beverages at The Grill and the Beer Cart, Hula Hoops and More! Official site.
Matt Pryor
Waiting Room
Tue May 13
Pryor began playing music with the punk/ska band Secret Decoder Ring in 1994, and through playing shows in the Kansas City area, met the members of his future band, indie rock group The Get Up Kids, which was formed in 1995. After getting the attention of major labels with their first album, they found widespread success and acclaim with the release of Something to Write Home About in 1999. It was around this time that he began releasing solo acoustic material under the moniker The New Amsterdams. While touring to support the band's fourth album Guilt Show, Pryor had a breakdown in Australia brought on from the stresses from being away from his newborn first child. After quitting the band temporarily, the group decided to disband after one final tour the following year. It was during this time that he wrote Story Like a Scar, inspired by the band's troubles. Official site.
Drag The River
Waiting Room
Wed May 14
Drag the River is an alt-country band hailing from Fort Collins, Colorado, United States. The band formed in 1996 when members Chad Price and Jon Snodgrass recorded 20 or so songs which were released as demos in 2000. Official site.
Frank Sinatra Memorial Concert
The Forvm
Wed May 14
Frank Sinatra Memorial Concert featuring: Richard Chase, Gary Quatrini, Nick Battistella, & Jack Civiletto! Wednesday, May 14th $10.00 pre-sale, $15.00 day of show. $20.00 VIP Tickets available (includes reserved seat & complete spaghetti & meatball dinner w/ garlic bread, salad, & desert!) Official site.
Bob Marley
Helium Comedy Club
Thu May 15 – Sat May 17
Bob Marley is one of the hottest comedians in the country. He has been featured in his own special on Comedy Central, and is one of the few comics to do the complete late-night TV circuit. Official site.
Wine, Food & Beer Festival
Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Thu May 15
Join us for the 19th Annual Wine, Food & Beer Festival to support Shea's Performing Arts Center! Savor enough sips and samples to delight your palate all night long. This year's event showcases the very best wine, beer and culinary tastings from around the area. All proceeds benefit Shea's restoration and education programs. Official site.
Explore Buffalo 2014 Season Kickoff Party
Mid-Day Club, Liberty Building
Thu May 15
Join us for a special evening at the Mid-Day Club at the top of the Liberty Building for panoramic sunset views of the city, plus beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres. To celebrate the launch of the summer walking tour season, all $10 and $15 tours will be two for the price of one on May 16, 17, and 18! Bring a friend!
Cost: $20 presale, $25 after May 8. Official site.
Buffalo Gal
New Phoenix Theatre On The Park
Thu May 15 – Sat May 24
Buffalo's beautiful Barbara Link LaRou stars as a major Buffalo-born film star who returns to her hometown only to find the city, like her own life, has changed in unimaginable ways. This witty and incisive drama, by Buffalo's own Gurney, also stars Gary Earl Ross,Willy Judson and Mary Moebius as ‘Jackie'. (Gurney will be the guest of honor at this year's Curtain Up! celebrations. Lambert approached the playwright for rights in 2011, after he and LaRou worked together on Gurney's THE GRAND MANNER at the Kavinoky Theatre. The production was originally slated for last season but was deferred.) Official site.
Funktional Flow
Buffalo Iron Works
Thu May 15
Funktional Flow is a quartet based out of Buffalo New York formed in early 2010. The band consists of Ben Whelan (bass), Jeff Kuebler (guitar, vocals) Jim Edgar (drums) Mike Szczepanik (guitar, vocals). Heavily rooted in funk, rock, and reggae Funktional Flow still draws upon a melting pot of different influences, guaranteeing a different show experience with each performance.
Funktional Flow has shared the stage with the likes of The New Riders of The Purple Sage, JGB and Melvin Seals, Tony Levin Band, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Floodwood, The Heavy Pets, Manhattan Project, Dopapod and The Werks to name a few. As well as a multiple night run at the legendary BB Kings in NYC and an appearance at this year’s Night Lights Fall Music Festival.
The band continues to grow both musically and personally, strengthening the bond and creativity by consistently taking it to a new level. With a new studio album in the works, slated for a mid 2014 release, Funktional Flow is primed to make some noise and fill those dancing shoes. Official site.
Pellias
Babeville
Thu May 15
Local contemporary folk and new-grass artist Pellias takes the stage with a rare performance! Official site.
Friday Night Laughs
Tralf
Fri May 16
Hosted by ROB STAPLETON Featuring KEVIN HART'S PLATIC CUP BOYZ Na'im Lynn & Will "Spank" Horton. EARLY SHOW: 7pm Doors | 8pm Show $20 Advance | $25 Day of Show | LATE SHOW: 10pm Doors | 10:30pm Show $25 Advance | $30 Day of Show. Official site.
Public Day at Southern Tier Brewing Company
Southern Tier Brewery, Lakewood, NY
Sun May 18
Southern Tier Brewing Company's 3rd annual PUBLIC DAY is a free to the public celebration of American Craft Beer Week. Featuring live music from Brent & Co. House-smoked BBQ, vegetarian options. Purchase tickets for $1 samples and get a 5oz souvenir tasting glass. Official site.