Just Buffalo Literary Center has announced its July events. Here's a look at what's happening in the upcoming month. 
On Wednesday, July 1st, the JBLC and The Center for Inquiry Literary Cafe will present "Open Reading: Hot Summer Nights" at 7:30 PM at the Center for Inquiry, located at 1310 Sweet Home Road in Amherst, to celebrate summer. Guests are welcome to read two or three pages of writing during the 15 open slots for approximately five minutes with time for socializing afterwards. As an added attraction, readers will be able to display and sell books,

It's summertime in the Elmwood Village tonight marks the start of the annual Summer Concerts at Bidwell Parkway.  Each Tuesday from June 30th to August 11th the Elmwood Village Association will stage a free concert.

 

Summer

By Kait Munro
The Sorrento Cheese Italian Heritage Festival committee named restauranteur and philanthropist Michael Militello as this year's Gran Ceremoniere. He will be the ceremonial head of the Festival, and will oversee all ceremonial events at Buffalo's Italian Fest this year. 
Militello is President and CEO of the MRM Hospitality Group, which includes the Bijou Grille in Buffalo and the Sonoma Grille in Amherst. Also, he is well known throughout Western New York for his contributions to various local charities. 
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Been paying attention to sports at all lately?  The United States defeated top-ranked Spain last week, and narrowly lost to Brazil on Sunday.  American soccer is on the rise! 

Keep that in mind as Buffalo City Football Club continues to defeat teams in the NPSL.  On June 28th they faced National Champions Pennsylvania Stoners with fantastic results.  By winning the game 4-1, their goal differential is up to an impressive +11, and they're only one point behind

Most of us are already familiar with Frida Kahlo's self portraits, her long elegant neck, striking eyebrows and wise, watching eyes. However, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, in collaboration with the Nickolas Muray Archives, is giving us a different look at Kahlo, through the lens of Muray's camera. 
Kahlo and Muray met in 1931 in Mexico.  The exhibition contains 50 photographs from the Nickolas Muray Archives taken by the portrait photographer of the exotic Mexican painter during their ten-year love affair

This morning I took my car to Delta Sonic on Main Street for a wash and inside detail, a 45-minute event.  I often think Delta Sonic is a microcosm of the world where you can observe the most mundane errands like grocery shopping, picking up the paper and filling up on gas to the most extreme heartaches like poverty, addiction and despair.  I walked over to the plaza, looking for the most mundane--a breakfast

I've never been a musically oriented person.  Don't get me wrong - I love music just as much as the next person; I've got almost 15,000 songs on my external hard drive (none of them were illegally downloaded, I swear).  It's just that I've never picked up the hobby of playing any instruments or singing, except when I'm alone in my car and imagining the driver next to me isn't looking.  The truth is I'm just a fan, but part of being a real music fan is having respect for the people who do make music, and giving them their dues.  So, I'm writing to tell you about a local band

Do you love Buffalo? This Sunday is your chance to proclaim that sentiment for all to hear with the "We Are Buffalo" parade. Hosted as part of the city's homecoming "Citybration" weekend, the parade will kick off at approximately 11:20AM at Delware Park's Meadow Ring Road near the corner of Parkside Avenue and the Scajaquada Expressway. The parade will then make its way down to the Buffalo Zoo, arriving at about noon for the Buffalonians Making a Difference Awards Luncheon, which will honor several notable Buffalonians.

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And now for some homemade Buffalo art. This weekend marks the opening of the Locust Street Neighborhood Art's 49th annual art show! Come down to 138 Locust Street from 2-5 PM this Sunday, June 28th to see some great art and mingle over refreshments.
Drawing students from various Buffalo schools, including such institutions as Futures Academy and the Martin Luther King School, Locust Street Art is an independent, not-for-profit organization with a highly diverse student body. And talk about an activity for all ages - this past year, Locust Street boasts having students ranging

Tomorrow's monthly Party on the Portico at The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society features Babik, performing upbeat gypsy jazz in the vein of Django Reinhardt.

This fourth-annual summer happy hour series features live music, Flying Bison

Nickel City Chef, Western New York's premier live cooking competition, will host several chef challenges at Artisan Kitchens & Baths, located at 200 Amherst Street. 
Nickel City Chefs will go head-to-head with qualified challengers, creating dishes that feature many ingredients grown and raised in the region. Similar to Iron Chef and other culinary competitions you have seen on TV,  each event will feature two chefs, battling to create innovative dishes with a special secret ingredient. A panels of judges will rate each dish based on skill, flavor and

On Friday, June 26th, Buffalo Tails will host a dog walk and historical tour of downtown Buffalo from 6 PM until 8 PM. This fido-friendly, family event is co-sponsored by the Companion Animal Network and Buffalo Tours. 
Walkers and their canine companions will be guided through beautiful landmarks and informed about each spot's unique history. Some building will be open for the tour, and dog sitters will be provided for your dog while you visit some of these fabulous buildings. Also, water and dog treats will be provided. 
The

For the past seven years the not-for-profit organization Music is Art, founded by Goo Goo Dolls bassist Robb Takac, has showcased local talent at their annual Music is Art Festival.  This year the festival will take place on September 12th.  The all day event is free admission, with plenty of food, beer, and wine on sale, and for the second year in a row will be held outside

By Kait Munro
Zumba, a new dance-exercise craze, is coming to Delaware Park this summer. Instructors Joyce and Devin Burgess are looking to teach individuals of any age how to dance to Latin-inspired international music while getting fit. 
Summer sessions will take place Saturdays from June 27th until July 25th at Delaware Park Marcy Casino, located at 199 Lincoln Parkway, from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM. The cost is $24 for a four-week session, or $7 per class. 
To reserve your spot, please contact Joyce Burgess

By Tom Tarapacki

Even if you're not playing in the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in Buffalo this weekend, be sure to stop downtown to check out the games and all of the related activities. All types of players--big and little, men and women, young and old, good and bad--turn out in huge numbers to play some half-court hoops and try to take home a trophy.

Kaliedoscope Theater Productions - a small Buffalo theater company known for putting on smart comedies - is currently producing a show about a man deeply conflicted over his Polish roots. Throughout the play, the man learns to confront the stereotypes he's grown up with, eventually coming to the realization that he should not be ashamed of his rich heritage. 
"The message is to be proud of yourself no matter who you are. Whatever your heritage is, you should stand up and be proud of it," said Alison

Community Music School, believes "music is for everyone," and to prove it, they have announced their listing of summer classes and lessons for people of all ages. 
Classes include Music, My Grownup and Me for children 6 month to 3 years. Kids can develop their music skills with an adult and instructor Chris Boyd during weekly, 45-minute classes. 
Artist Ani Hoover joins CMS instructors for Triple

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The Taste of Buffalo is quickly approaching, and festival sponsors and organizers have gathered to unveil the menu items and selected poster. A rundown of what people can expect at the 26th annual festival, including the entertainment, cooking stage schedules and new restaurants, was given during the "Cooking with the Stars" themed press conference.

 

Just like last year, costumed teams of four will be roaming around Buffalo this August 8th (but sign up now) as part of the annual Buffalo Scavenger Hunt. Exploring Buffalo with a list of items to collect and specific photos to take - there's really nothing quite like it.
And believe it or not, while participants will be running through the streets, beseeching strangers to perform for their cameras, there is yet a noble purpose to this hectic day. Proceeds from the Scavenger Hunt will go to Camp Good Days of WNY, a not-for-profit organization