The president of the United States is coming to Buffalo today and a few of us from the OBSERVER are lucky enough to go. I know I should be focusing on important details such as what I'm going to wear, but duty calls! I would be lax if I didn't try my darndest to give my readers vital information about what's going on this weekend, when the season finales are, and the best way to make boozy gummi bears.
WATCH THIS
There are more season finales in the next few weeks than you can shake a stick at. Season finale round-up - just the facts:
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Jenny Jade Albert and Christopher Bell will bring their unique musical stylings to Wishberry on Sunday night, kicking off their tour.
Tonight: "The Vampire Diaries," 8 p.m., The CW; "Supernatural," 9 p.m., The CW; "Private Practice," 9 p.m., ABC
Friday: "Smallville," 8 p.m., The CW
Saturday: "Saturday Night Live" with host Alec Baldwin, 11:30 p.m., NBC
Sunday: All on ABC: "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" 8 p.m., "Desperate Housewives" 9 p.m., "Brothers & Sisters" 10 p.m.; HBO's miniseries "The Pacific" concludes at 9 p.m.; "American Dad," 9:30 p.m., Fox
Monday: "One Tree Hill," 8 p.m., The CW; "House," 8 p.m., Fox; "Gossip Girl," 9 p.m., The CW; "Castle," 10 p.m., ABC
Tuesday: "90210," 8 p.m., The CW; "V," 10 p.m., ABC
Wednesday: All on ABC: "The Middle" 8:30 p.m., "Modern Family" 9 p.m., "CougarTown" 9:30 p.m.; "Law & Order" SVU," 10 p.m., NBC.
DRINK OF THE WEEK
My "drink of the week" is not technically a drink but it does involve the consumption of alcohol in Gummi Bear form. I dub it "Boozy Gummi Bears" and, naturally, my little sis, Hilary, has graciously provided us with her tips and tricks for maximizing the booziness and deliciousness of your bears. Be forewarned: this is a week-long project but most worthwhile, perfect for parties and a fun alternative to Jello shots.
Get thee to the bulk section of your neighborhood grocer and purchase 1 lb. of Gummi Bears. (Hilary suggests "20- to 22-flavor Gummi Bears," but I personally don't know what the difference is). Put the bears in a bowl (not a metal one) and pour in 3/4 cup cheap vodka. Don't waste your money on the fancy stuff! Stir and cover it, and store it in the fridge. Each day, stir and add two shots of vodka.
"If they seem dry, add more," Hilary advises. "They really soak it up - they swell up to at least twice their size by the end of the week."
My sis insists they should be moist, not sticky or messy, but be a gracious host and give your guests napkins.
How many do you have to eat before you get sauced?
"My data was inconclusive," she replied. "I thought I had eaten like 20 and I was still OK."
If your results differ, please report back to us. Disclaimer: gorge on Gummi Bears responsibly.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Kim Rodgers is a 41-year-old single mom of two young boys who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. She has been unable to operate her small cleaning business while she is undergoing therapy which has created a huge financial burden in supporting her children. Several of Kim's friends are holding a benefit fundraiser to assist her on Sunday, May 16, from 1 to 7 p.m. at 41 West in downtown Fredonia.
Live music will be provided by Big Tone from 1 to 4:30 p.m., followed by K & K Karaoke. Tickets are $10 each or $15 for two. There will be happy hour drink prices and $1 drafts, food, 50/50 raffles, a Chinese auction at 6 p.m. with a bicycle raffle drawing to follow. The bike is a brand-new adult/youth felt Gnargyle Cruiser ($399 value).
A benefit fund has been established in the name of Kim Rodgers. Cash donations will be accepted by contacting any of the Lake Shore Savings & Loan branches.
Also at 41 West this weekend: live music by Us from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and 1/2 Heard of Buffalo with Randy and Mike on Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The Groove, with band members Keith Medley, Jack Pasquale, Steve Strickland and Dave Swart, will play at Rookies Sport Bar May 15 at 9 p.m.
Indie-folk musician Christopher Bell and Jenny Albert are riding their bikes all the way from Jamestown in the interest of sustainability. The duo has committed to two self-powered tours this summer and will kick off their first with a show at Wishberry in downtown Fredonia on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Beginning in Jamestown and ending in Beckett, Mass., this bike tour spans 430 miles in 10 days. When Bell and Albert arrive, they will join fellow musicians Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards for a month-long walking tour of Massachusetts.
Christopher Bell's sound is quirky, catchy, and complex. With viola, looping pedal, and mandolin, his music covers a broad spectrum of emotion. To this, Albert adds sweet and sassy vocal harmonies.
This will be Bell's third self-powered tour. In 2008, Bell completed his 550-mile canoe tour from Buffalo to New York City on the Erie Canal and Hudson River. This garnered publicity in the NY Times, NPR, and "CBS Evening News with Katie Couric." This was followed by a bike tour in 2009, where he pedaled 700 miles from Jamestown, to Chicago, Ill., in 18 days.
Albert, a Fredonia native, will receive her degree in English and Women's Studies from SUNY Fredonia on Saturday and is also a co-recipient of the Jeanette McVicker Women's Studies Scholarship. She will be selling copies of her feminist zine, "Make Me Pretty Proletariat," which includes an interesting take on Barbie and Ken and recipes for hair treatments and facials.
Bell and Albert hope to inspire others to ride their bikes to work, too, because the cost of gas is too great - both at the pump and on the planet. Bikes were provided by local not-for-profit Spoke Folk.
Thee Audience and Gonculator will play Mojo's in Jamestown on Saturday, starting at 10 p.m.
GET OUT OF TOWN
The final version of "Bflo Pnk 1.0" will premiere Saturday, May 15 at 7 p.m. at the Squeaky Wheel in Buffalo, with an additional screening on Sunday (also at the Squeaky Wheel). The documentary is "an oral and aural account, a living history, of the punk rock era equal parts homage and collage to the Buffalo scene, circa 1977-85."
In this film, SUNY Fredonia professor and journalist Elmer Ploetz weaves together a series of interviews, archival footage, photos, posters and recent reunion footage to recapture the excitement and power of the era a time whose influence echoes today throughout the local independent music scene.
In addition, footage and resources that don't make it into the film will also be included online at buffalowave.com, where the audience will be able to search for clips and put them onto a timeline to create their own videos.
Any profits from this project will be donated to the Foodbank of WNY and the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.
April Diodato is the OBSERVER Lifestyles editor. E-mail her at aprildiodato@gmail.com
