THE HOT 5
An opinionated to-do list
By Christopher Schobert
Is a July/August Hot 5 pointless? Aren’t there oodles of events, concerts, benefits, and shows, not to mention garish blockbuster films, hard-and-flabby-body-filled beaches, and farmers markets galore every weekend from now through Labor Day? Maybe. But maybe you still need your Hot 5. How else are you to navigate the choppy summer waters? Because for every killer event, there are others that just need to be killed. (I’m not naming any names.) So let’s get to it, shall we? A Beach Boy, drums, the Statler, golf, and wings—yeah, summer’s on.
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It’s probably a cliché to even mention the National Buffalo Wing Festival here, but that alone should be a good indicator of how huge it’s become. I mean, sheesh, it’s only been about seven years, and it’s considered part of our local lexicon already. That must mean Drew Cerza and company are doing something right. This will also be evident on August 30 and 31 at Dunn Tire Park, when scores of locals and a great many out-of-towners will come for the wings, the eating contest, and even the occasional wedding. (Yes, someone was married at the Wing Fest.) The fest website, www.buffalowing.com, includes that funny fact, along with some truly scary/interesting others: from 2001–2007, there have been 1.9 million wings consumed, a total weight of 110 tons; happily, 329,000 folks have attended, and more than 100 grand has been donated to charity. Cerza’s baby has entered the national spotlight, and is certainly a must-attend. Bravo Drew, and bravo wings.
Sat., Aug. 30–Sun., Aug. 31 at Dunn Tire Park, Buffalo;
visit www.buffalowing.com for info.
2. Brian Wilson
A few months ago, I made a crucial decision: It was time to really, really get into the Beach Boys. But not so much the Beach Boys—Brian Wilson. I did the sensible thing. Approaching Spree’s doctor of all-things-music, Ron Ehmke, I uttered the words he had long anticipated: “The Beach Boys … Teach me.” My -Kill Bill: Volume 2-style tutelage took me to strange places, like the small town of Hawthorne, California, and a health food shop in Hollywood. We saw strange people, like a wacky fellow named Charlie Manson and a loony therapist named Dr. Landy. There was even a happy ending—our Brian emerged happy and victorious, and put the finishing touches on the mighty Smile. In a lovely bit of serendipity, as my path to Wilson-ian enlightenment came to an end, it was announced that Brian is visiting the WNY area for the first time since his Darien Lake gig with Paul Simon several years ago. Wilson takes the stage at the Fallsview Casino’s Theatre on July 8 for what could be the concert event of the summer. Murry, LSD, and Mike Love be damned, this is Brian’s party, and we’ll be true to his cool.
Tues., July 8, at Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, Ontario;
tickets available on www.ticketmaster.ca.
3. Porter Cup
I don’t know you, yet, but whoever you are, I’m pretty sure that, at best, you’re only a so-so golfer. Oh sure, there are likely a couple golf pros reading this, but odds are most of the linksmen/women/people reading these words are as bad at golf as I am at base-jumping. To see truly great young golfers, head to the Porter Cup in Lewiston, running from July 22 to 26. Celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in 2008, the Porter is considered one of the best medal play amateur tournaments in the sport, and offers a rare local opportunity to see some of tomorrow’s greats. The names of Porter Cup winners past are astounding: Phil Mickelson, David Duval, Ben Crenshaw. And the list of participants is just as strong: some dude name Tiger Woods (how did he not win?), Mark O’Meara, Craig Stadler (he is the Walrus), Curtis Strange, Jim Furyk. So there’s a good chance that one of this year’s players will someday be considered a great. Get an autograph now, while the getting’s easy.
Tues., July 22–Sat., July 26, Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston;
for info, visit www.portercup.com.
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Do you remember the movie Drumline? In it, a pre-Mr.-Mariah-Carey Nick Cannon starred as a drummer trying to make it in the big-time world of college drum corps. It wasn’t a particularly memorable film, but its commercial success showed that there is a whole world of drum and bugle corps fanatics out there, and these peeps are every bit as into it as any activity in shoulder pads or on ice skates. Case in point: Drums Along the Waterfront at Ralph Wilson Stadium. This is the twelfth annual event, scheduled for August 3, and quite simply, the thing is Fuccillo-huge. It’s sanctioned by Drum Corps International and features six of the world’s top corps, all eager to battle for the title. It’s a day when pomp and circumstance is to be applauded, even if “Pomp and Circumstance” isn’t played—that one’s a bit laid back. The tunes at Drums Along the Waterfront are high-energy blasts, and the competition should be ... tight as a drum (cue snare drum effect).
Sun., Aug. 3, at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park;
visit www.drumsalongthewaterfront.org for info.
5. Summer Heat
Okay, so the first cool thing about Summer Heat—August 15 at the Statler Towers—is that it benefits Carly’s Club, the magnificent charity for kids battling cancer. In addition to helping a great cause, you’ll enjoy what’s being called a “premier South Beach experience.” Now, how many times have you been able to do that at the Statler? (Gotta be less than five.) Details, you ask? Signature dishes from local favs like Fiamma, Lebros, Sole, Dessert Deli, and Black and Blue. Silent, basket-raffle, and live auctions. Entertainment from Jeremy Hoyle and Strictly Hip, and Caribbean Extravaganza. A VIP cabana area. It’s like Miami, minus the jerks. The night is presented by Georgetown Capital and the Aquamarine Group, made up of local women intent on keeping Carly Collard Cottone’s spirit and story alive. (The name represents Cottone’s favorite color and birthstone.) It will be hard to find a fundraiser as fun or important as Summer Heat this year. So this August 15—feel the heat. (Imagine that line done with an authoritative voice—not mine, clearly.)
Fri., Aug. 15, at the Statler Towers in Buffalo;
tickets and info at www.carlysclub.org or by calling 845-4100.
The worst summer movie Christopher Schobert ever spent his hard-earned money on was Batman and Robin. Hey, we all have our skeletons in the closet …
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