29 years later, Ian Quail may be the only remaining major area band of the 1970’s that has never re-united. Given the popularity of recent reunions by some of their peer bands, Ian Quail never felt the urge or good reason to reunite. That changed when one of the founding IQ members, James Flynn received news from his friend and fellow musician, Mark Dux, that Mark’s son, Brian, had been in a terrible accident in England last November. Flynn reached out to the members of the old band to see if they would reunite for a one-night, one-time-only benefit concert…
Author: Doug Sitler
This story started out as just another “look at this great building” story. My recent one-day journey through the East Side had brought me past many magnificent structures, many of them possibly facing sad futures as the Catholic Church embarks on a massive consolidation. The Sunday I was there, this church, St. Luke’s was locked up with no one around. I assumed at the time that this was simply another grand Catholic church facing closure (if it had not already been shuttered). As I researched this piece I quickly realized that the story I needed to write was much bigger…
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller can not only stop 100 mph slap shots, but as he proved last February, the netminder can throw a good party too. Last year’s inaugural “Catwalk for Charity” event, held at Babeville, was a celebrity-filled, fashion show meets rock n’ roll shindig that had the town talking for days. Exemplifying Buffalo’s charitable spirit, the event raised loads of cash for Miller’s Steadfast Foundation. Early Thursday afternoon at the HSBC Arena, Miller and teammate Andrew Peters, announced details for the 2nd Annual Catwalk for Charity event, which will be held on Saturday, February 2nd at the…
Always full of wisdom and unequivocal taste, YUM Editor Christa Seychew gave me a gift giving tip that I felt needed to be passed on to the public. Turns out that there is a great studio located about one block from my former apartment, that has remained tucked away from my line of sight since 2005. Where To Roam carries a line of tees, hoodies and scarves with hip Buffalo designs created in-studio by designers, Mark and Jill Wisz. What makes these designs unique is that this couple has a long standing background in the graphic design field through their…
One may ask, what is the connection between shopping at Tops Markets and eating at ethnic restaurants? The short answer is diversity. But here is the longer response. Since moving to Buffalo a few months ago from Toronto, I have become familiar with the choices I have as to where I can grocery shop. It’s basically Wegman’s or Tops. (The Co-op is certainly also an option, but for purposes of this story, I will focus on the big two). Since I live not far from the Wegman’s on Amherst Street, I began shopping there soon after my arrival. My first…
This Saturday marks the 3rd Annual Flash Party to be held at the Essex Arts Center. This event is a stimulation of the senses and will feature an extraordinary multimedia visual and musical experience. Go-go dancers, video lighting, film, live bands including The If’s, and multiple DJs will highlight the evening. There will also be an interactive special appearance from the Suicidal Sauces of the Queen City Roller Girls. The event will span throughout the multiple rooms and levels of the EAC. Tickets are available presale at New World Records’ new location on Delaware Avenue, at Terrapin Station on Hertel…
A year ago, Larry Mattison and Shelly Reed bought a restaurant and built a time machine. “We want to recreate the 1940’s Supper Club,” Larry says. The 1905 restaurant they are revitalizing is located on Tonawanda Street, just across from the historic Riverside Park. Supper clubs, I read on Wikipedia, are a special type of restaurant native to the U.S. The first supper clubs appeared in the 1930s and 1940s. As their name suggests, supper clubs are primarily open at “supper” time, between four and ten. Fortunato’s On the Park keeps evening hours Wednesday through Sunday and intends to cater…
The hospitality industry has a vast impact on Buffalo Niagara’s economy and community. In Erie County alone, the travel and tourism industry has annual impact of $1.1 billion. From a hotel owner to restaurant wait staff, many people play important roles in servicing our out-of-town visitors. For the past sixteen years, Denise Drews has worked in the tourism department of the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau. Serving as the manager of the Visitor Center in the beautiful Market Arcade Building, located at 617 Main Street in downtown Buffalo, Denise and her staff are on the front lines of the…