Sweet summer

There were so many days during this past winter wherein I desperately wondered if we had become trapped inside some kind of Rankin/Bass stop motion animation sick joke, and we would remain in North Pole limbo with Rudolph, the Abominable Snowman and Burl Ives for all eternity. Does this sound a little preposterous? Perhaps, but I don’t think I was the only one slowly unraveling with the fall of every snowflake. Now, the first days of summer are here.
One of the things I have always enjoyed about Chautauqua County and Western New York in general is how much we truly revel in the fleeting summertime – we are like flowers photosynthesizing the bejesus out of each and every ray of sunshine. If there is an outdoor deck we can dine on, we’re there; if there is a sidewalk to peddle our bicycles on or walk with our dogs, we’re all over it. No lake or creek is too cold to swim in; no situation deemed too inappropriate for flip flops. We appreciate the warmth and sweet Vitamin D like no other population I’m aware of.
Squeeze every last drop out of this summer. And don’t waste another minute!

WHAT’S HAPPENING

- Get down with your bad self at tonight’s Music on the Pier with “Boogie Fever” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

- The Fredonia Beaver Club will feature live music by Ion Sky on Friday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., open to members and eligible guests.

- Walleye Willie’s will have performances each night this weekend: Three Amigos on Thursday, The Porcelain Bus Drivers on Friday and Ion Sky with Tara Graves on Saturday. Also, every Tuesday, Walleye’s will be featuring Brain Storm Trivia along with “Don't Forget That Lyric” hosted by DJ Doc from Felony Entertainment.

- Going to see “Bridesmaids” will probably be more fun than one of the many weddings you’re obligated to go to this summer – and undoubtedly less expensive. The 1891 Fredonia Opera House will be screening this year’s funniest film so far (trust me, I’ve seen virtually everything) on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

- The 11th annual Willow Fest will be held at Willow Creek Winery Thursday through Saturday, with fireworks, food, booze, music, amusement rides and more. Visit www.willowcreekwines.net for complete details.

- Just in case you’d like to sign up early, registration forms are available via e-mail for the Lakeshore Humane Society’s seventh annual Pat McGee Memorial Dog Walk-a-thon on Saturday, July 9, at Point Gratiot in Dunkirk. This event is named in honor of the late New York State Senator Pat McGee who worked to fight animal cruelty and supported Buster's Law, also known as the Felony Animal Cruelty Law. The walk starts at 10:15 a.m. which practically sounds like dawn to me for a Saturday (ridiculousness of that statement acknowledged), but if your furry friends are anything like my Lola, they will be amped and ready to go before the sun rises.

To get a registration form, email LHS at information@lakeshorehumanesociety.org and put "Registration Form" in the subject line. The fee is $15 and helps support the Lakeshore Humane Society. - Have you ever been to a Surprise Party? There’s plenty of dancing and excellent tunes, and it’s your second-to-last chance to get in on the action. Surprise Party will be held at Forte in Jamestown on Saturday at 10 p.m. with Brother Curry, Fluvanna Beachcomber and special guest DJ Sean Jones. The final event will be held in July and the theme will be Prom: The Final Frontier.

GET OUT OF TOWN

- Elvis Costello returns to the area this Saturday to play the Erie Canal Harbor in Buffalo. He was an important figure in the emerging punk and New Wave scenes in the 1970s and since has branched out into other musical genres such as folk, pop, Americana and even classical. He has released a number of critically acclaimed albums over the years, including early classics such as “My Aim Is True,” “This Year's Model" and “Armed Forces.” Costello played the Chautauqua Institution in 2009. He will be backed by his band the Imposters. The show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.com. The Erie Canal Harbor is located at One Navel Park Cove in Buffalo.

- Grace Potter and the Nocturnals will play Thursday at The Square tonight, with Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds as the after party. The Birds will play a free show at The Tralf Music Hall in Buffalo at 8 p.m.

REEL TALK: 'Super 8'

I had the best birthday ever, you guys. Last Friday as I passed the quarter-century mark, I was given this incredible portable Corona typewriter made in 1913 (born right in Buffalo, on the corner of Franklin and Swan streets), went to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, perused some shops and had a delicious dinner. One of the best parts of my day, however, was seeing one of the most excellent movies I’ve seen in years that captures exactly what celluloid storytelling should be all about: “Super 8.” Don’t miss this one.
At first glance, “Super 8” appears to be yet another overhyped creature feature with spectacular special effects and not much else. Not so. What sets this film apart is the narrative at its core: a family’s struggle to overcome a devastating loss, first love, friendship, and an experience with the unknown so terrifying that the only appropriate response is projectile vomit. The movie manages to be simultaneously heartfelt and incredibly exciting. My pulse was racing and my heart was in my throat during the big initial action scene that starts it all: as a group of pals is filming a zombie movie for a student film contest, they witness an inexplicable phenomenon that puts them all in danger. There are some very strong performances by the child actors in this film – especially newcomer Joel Courtney, scene-stealer Riley Griffiths and Elle Fanning (there’s definitely something in that Fanning family gene pool).
“Super 8” is for the fans of those great ‘80s classics like “E.T.” and “The Goonies,” – it’s amusing, sweet and a little scary all at once, combined with edge-of-your-seat suspense and action found in modern big-budget blockbusters. I would recommend it as a family film but many scenes would be too frightening for young ones – I blame Steven Spielberg, whom I hold responsible for the fact that I still sometimes sleep with a light on as a direct result of seeing “E.T.” as a child.
Be sure to stay for the credits.
“Super 8” is now playing at the Dunkirk Movieplex.

WATCH THIS

“True Blood” returns for season four on Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO. Check out the trailer for the new season online – it looks like more of the show’s trademark sexy violence than any mere mortal can handle. If the new season is anything like the last one, I’m guessing we’re in for even more outlandish characters in every incarnation imaginable. The sheer volume and variety of supernatural creatures in “True Blood” is bordering on insane. Scratch that – it already is insane. What else could they possibly throw into the mix? Unicorns? Leprechauns? Sasquatches?
Perhaps this isn’t a time to complain – I just read that season five may be the show’s last. Creator Alan Ball would rather go out on a high note. While I love the show, I may have to agree. In the meantime, however, let’s raise a bottle of Tru Blood and toast to the beginning of a long-awaited new season. Oh, the cliffhanger!

April Diodato is the OBSERVER Lifestyles editor. Send hot dish her way at adiodato@observertoday.com.