SPREE INSIDER A Bash, the Beatles, and Allen West By Meg Walker, photos by kc kratt The official beginning of summer solstice doesn’t arrive until June 21, but at Spree, we just can’t wait any longer. That’s why we’re officially involved as either sponsors or supporters of a trio of June events, all longtime local favorites. First up is the American Red Cross’s Tenth Annual BASH on June 6 from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Red Cross’s Greater Buffalo Chapter headquarters, located at 786 Delaware Avenue. The BASH is loosely inspired by the seventies television show M*A*S*H, and was created in hopes that attendees would dress comfortably, donning army fatigues, leaving the usual stiff suits and gowns of a typical charity gala at home. Close to 5,000 folks come out each year to support the Red Cross, and no one goes home unhappy. Attendees binge on food from some of Buffalo’s top restaurants, and also enjoy unlimited wine and beer. Legendary entertainer Lance Diamond performs with his 24-Karat Band, providing music for guests to dance the night away. And every cent from the BASH stays right in Western New York to benefit disaster preparedness and response to all of WNY’s communities. A silent auction will also be held, boasting over 500 items up for grabs, from vacation packages to concert tickets, to lunch with Mayor Brown and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Buffalo Zoo. Tickets are $50 each; $100 admits two, and includes a raffle ticket that could win cash prizes of up to $10,000. Only 1,000 of these tickets will be sold, upping your chance of taking home the green. Nothing follows a military-themed event quite like a classic black-tie affair, especially one with a twist. Spree is sponsoring the 7th Annual Camp Good Days Creative Black Tie Gala, and “All you need is love” is the theme of this year’s Beatles-centric event, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency on June 14 from 5:30 p.m. to midnight. The evening’s jam-packed agenda includes a cocktail reception, hors d’oeuvres, and an open bar. Chinese and silent auctions will also take place before dinner is served. The evening continues with awards and video presentations. Next, the live auction gets underway, followed by the real party. The band BeatleMagic and 97 Rock’s Rob Lederman, the event’s MC, are handling the live entertainment. Lederman is also the gala’s Spirit of Teddi Humanitarian Honoree, along with Buffalo Sabre Paul Gaustad, the event’s honorary chair. And this just in—the gala is already sold out. For more details on what’s sure to be a really wonderful night, visit www.campgooddays.org. If you still have any energy left—and it’s summer, so you will—check out the always memorable Allen West Festival. Held across Elmwood Avenue from the larger Allentown Art Festival, it’s a wonderfully eclectic experience. Street performers, musicians, and local artists offer festivalgoers an artistic experience in Allentown. Allen West Festival takes place on Allen Street from Elmwood to Days Park at Wadsworth from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 14–15. Meg Walker is an editorial intern at Buffalo Spree and a senior at Canisius College. SUBSCRIBE NOW Back to the Table of Contents Back to Top