Al Gritzmacher's Blogosphere

Friday, was a georgeous day, cool – in the 70′s – and low humidity. It was sunny with nice, fluffy clouds in the sky, so I took off on my trike for a longer ride. I didn’t know where to go, so I just headed out the canal towpath to the East.

I ended up riding to Middleport and stopped for lunch at a diner there next to the canal. I’d been there before, on one of the bike club centuries I rode a few years ago. It’s always a convenient place to stop. Continue Reading…

Let’s hear it for the Summer of 2010, it’s not gone yet, but it’s getting close. School is just around the corner for those young enough and things are winding down. Labor Day is only a couple weeks away. Thursday at the Square and the Molson Canal Concerts are done, but a few good shows are left and a couple festivals to finish things off with a bang.

From Big Sugar

Last week’s Canal Concert with Big Sugar was, in my opinion, the best of the season. I was happy with the opening acts, but Big Sugar stole the show with a outstanding set. As I warned you, they were LOUD! but gave a great performance with songs representing all of their catalog. They really fed off the audience’s energy and fed it back in a long show going to at least 10:30pm.

The attendance was somewhat lower than the previous week. I don’t know why, maybe weather uncertainties, or other events, but a very respectable sized crowd nonetheless. It was a fitting turnout for the band without being excessively crowded and I got some good photos. I put my earplugs in and moved up as people were moving back because of the loudness!

Here’s next week’s lineup:

Monday: Artpark - Sara Evans, Amanda Nagurney
Tuesday: Artpark - The Trews, Aqueos
Tuesday: Gateway Harbor - No Excuses, Hit N Run
Friday: Artpark Main Stage ($) - Bachman-Turner
Friday: Pine Ave. Pavillion - Amanda Nagurney, Mason-Dixon Band
        (7-9pm Niagara Falls)
Friday-Saturday-Sunday: Hamburg Fairgrounds - Buffalo Irish Festival
Saturday: Ulrich City Center (Lockport) - NYS Rock & Blues Fest -
       Savoy Brown, Square Circle Triangle, Terranova Band, Wanted By The FBI,
       Flyin' Blind Blues Band, more
Saturday-Sunday: Elmwood Ave. Festival of the Arts - 3 stages, over 20 bands
       each day! Plus the festival!

Continue Reading…

From Amherst Scottish Festival

Mike introduces Penny Whiskey.

[Click any photo to go to album]

Well, after two days of riding 40+ miles, topped off with the Big Sugar concert Friday night, you’d think I’d take a day to rest. No, not when the Amherst Scottish Festival is the next day! Continue Reading…

Boy, I’m late getting started on this, even by Al time, so here’s the schedule, you pick your own best show. (I know, that’s what you do anyway, I just try to give you a little more info to do that each week.)

[Left: Jeremy Hoyle Band/Strictly Hip at Finnans in 2006]

Tuesday: Artpark: Foreginer, Free Henry!
Wednesday: Artpark: Sloan, David Nolf
Wednesday: Gateway Harbor: Dreamland and That ’80s Hair Band
Friday: Gateway Harbor: Bleeding Hearts
Friday: Canal Concerts Lockport: Big Sugar,  Johnny Nobody,
                          Beggar's Best, Jeremy Hoyle Band 
Saturday: Amherst Scottish Festival (Amherst Museum):
     ($10 admission to festival)
     Penny Whiskey, Celtic Circle Ceilidh Band, Stone Row,
     Harpbeat, Hobson's Choice,  Step in Time, more

Continue Reading…

An absolutely stellar week for local bands and homecomings for some Buffalo ex-pats.

Buffalo native Willie Nile plays at Artpark, plus a homecoming show for Peter Case (Wikipedia bio) at the Sportsmen’s Tavern on Friday, Aug. 13 makes it a week for reunions. The Sportsmen’s show is neither an outdoor festival or free, but should be on any local music fan’s wish list. Read the bios on these two guys and look at the names they’ve worked with and you’ll see if they’re not musical royalty, they’re at least in the King’s Court!

Top that off with some local bands playing with histories going back into the ’70s and you’ve got a local music week that’s hard to top.

Tues: Artpark: Doobie Brothers, Mick Hayes Band
Wed: Artpark: Willie Nile (Wikipedia bio), Alison Pipitone
Wed: Gateway Harbor: Fat Brat, Weekend Party of Nine
Thurs: Lafayette Square: The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Hit and Run
Fri: Lockport Canal Concert: Tears For Fears, Missing Star,
                The Pillagers
Fri: Gateway Harbor: Naughty Dawg

Continue Reading…

The Joys – Outta My Head

The Joys | MySpace Music Videos

Tuesday: Artpark - Litle Feat, Jamie Holka Trio
Wednesday: Artpark - The Sadies, The Joys
Wednesday: Gateway Harbor - Mick Hayes & the Reinhardts and Joyryde 
Thursday: Lafayette Square - Los Lobos, JJ Grey & Mofro
Friday: Lockport Canal - Kansas, Reign of Kindo
Friday: Gateway Harbor - Urban Renewal
Saturday: Hard Rock Cafe NF - Tonic, Ryan Star, More Than Me,
Ten Cent Howl, Thriving Ivory

Okay, I’m really late in writing this, so I’m going to cut the commentary really short. I can add some later, but right now want to get the schedule up. Continue Reading…

Please Don't Feed the Animals

I complained about the geese along the canal before. When I rode through there today, I noticed some new signs had been placed on the canal banks warning against feed the birds.

The birds must have left in protest, because I didn’t see one goose today and the path was clean and free of bird poop. In reality, I believe the hot weather has driven them further north in search of cooler conditions. Canada, you’re welcome to your geese!

It’s a great time, with the geese gone to walk the canal paths. With Old Home Week going on, there is supposed to be some activities going on in the Market Street area, although I saw no signs of them this morning/early afternoon, that doesn’t mean the won’t be there later. Continue Reading…