Forgotten Buffalo always promises food and music on their tours, but never has it been so steeped in Polish tradition. With less than a week before Christmas, Marty Biniasz will guide participants on a special tour that not only goes towards a good cause, but features Polish Christmas Carols with the Grammy nominated polka band Jerry Darlak & the Touch. With taverns galore on the trip as well as a traditional Polish meal, you’ll be having a blast as you sing along to the Polish music while you learn about the Polish heritage of Buffalo.
Jerry Darlak & the Touch have joined Biniasz to help support a local food pantry. The proceeds from the tour go to benefit the St. Adalbert’s Response to Love Center at 130 Kosciuszko Street. The center is run by Sister Johnice who with her fellow Felician sisters and volunteers manages to operate one of the largest food pantries in the area. Darlak and fellow Polka Hall of Fame member Mike Nowakowski along with Ken Machelski, Ray Barsukiewic, Ricky Pijanowski, and Tadj have received three Grammy nominations and hope to come back to WNY in February 2009 with a Grammy high above their heads.
Taverns in Cheektowaga, Black Rock, and in the Historic Polonia District near the Broadway Public Market will be stops on the tour as Polish carols called “kolendy” and American classics are sung along the way. People on the tour get to learn about Polish Christmas traditions like the “Wigilia” dinner on Christmas Eve and the breaking of the “oplatek,” which is a Polish Christmas wafer. There will be a home-cooked Polish meal, prize giveaways and bus transportation. Tickets are just $30 for a fabulous night of food, drink, and song. The event takes place on December 19th at 5:30 PM and you can get tickets up until Thursday, December 18th – unless of course, they sell out – by calling 833-5211 or sending an e-mail to ForgottenBuffalo@aol.com. To learn more about this event and other events hosted by Forgotten Buffalo, please visit their website.
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