It's suddenly July. There is a whole lot going on this Independence Day weekend and I don't have the time or space to pontificate further on this. Let's just get into it.
Pimps from the 'burbs
Tonight, the Nickel City Pimp Choir will bring the sounds of the '60s and '70s to the Dunkirk Pier as part of the weekly summertime series, Music on the Pier (every Thursday at 6:30 p.m.) Word around City Hall is that the Nickel City Pimp Choir is back at the behest of Mayor Richard Frey. When looking over the 2010 schedule, the phrase "Pimp Choir" just leapt off the page I had to know more, so I got in touch with Nickel City Pimp Chris Hart (drummer and singer). Hart told me there are eight such Pimps, together now for about seven years, all hailing from the suburbs of Buffalo (Cheektowaga, Amherst, Williamsville, etc. each from a different Buffalo 'burb). Many of the members are music teachers not exactly the streetwise thugs I had imagined. Here's some of what Hart had to say:
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The Nickel City Pimp Choir returns to the Dunkirk Pier tonight.
Where did this name come from?
Buffalo is, of course, the Nickel City and we're all proud to be from Buffalo. "Pimp Choir," well, we play soul music, R&B music and, kind of slang, we call it "pimp music" or "pimp tunes." We thought that "Pimp Choir" might be appropriate because we play all these soul, R&B tunes that are pretty pimp.
What are some of your influences?
James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Otis Redding.
What are your favorite songs to perform?
I love doing all of the James Brown stuff. Shorty, our one trumpet player, does a lot of the singing and he does a phenomenal job doing his James Brown routine. I love it when he gets to do his thing up there.
I read on your website, "Survivin' the mean streets of B-Lo has taught these fellas how to keep it real." Tell me more about this.
(Laughs). Well, I think our band certainly has a lot of attitude onstage. We're very entertaining and kind of in your face. Those terms are on our site just to verbally represent what our stage show is like.
Anything else you want the good people of Dunkirk to know about the Nickel City Pimp Choir?
I think we really have a very high energy show that's a lot of dancing and moving, and it's really hard to stand still when you're watching us.
OTHER
HAPPENINGS
WATCH THIS
WHAT REALLY GRINDS MY GEARS
The numerous amateurs setting off fireworks on Fourth of July weekend. Equally dangerous and obnoxious; just don't. When I think of amateur fireworks, a cartoon with his arm blown off accompanied by the helpful slogan "Don't play with fireworks" comes to mind sensationalist, yes; effective, most definitely.
DELICIOUS DRINK
OF THE WEEK
I just sort of grabbed this one in a "Fourth of July drink" Google search but it sounds good anyway. From a site called "Real Simple," this drink is entitled "Watermelon Mint Cooler." Ingredients include 4 cups seedless watermelon chunks (about 1 lb.), 1 1/2 cups lemonade, 1/2 cup fresh mint and blackberries for garnish (optional); vodka or tequila. In a blender, puree the watermelon and lemonade in a blender (strain if desired); stir in the mint; add booze to taste, mix; and serve over ice. Garnish with a blackberries.
April Diodato is the OBSERVER Lifestyles editor. Give her the dish on what's happening at aprildiodato@gmail.com.
