THE HOT 5
An opinionated to-do list for lions and lambs alike
By Ron Ehmke
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The world’s largest celebration of this unique Polish holiday just keeps getting … larger. If you’re a true Buffalonian, you know the basic premise, which I shall paraphrase with these classic lines from a decidedly non-Polish rock anthem: “Come on, feel the noize / Girls, rock your boys.” Yes, this is the one with the pussy willows and the squirt guns. And the dancing and feasting and citywide carrying-on from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. to mark the end of Lent. And, for the second year in a row, the big parade through the heart of Polonia at 5 p.m. (Mon., Mar. 24; 833-5211; massive details at www.dyngusdaybuffalo.com.)
2. The Drowsy Chaperone
Billed as “a musical within a comedy,” this all-singing, all-dancing, all-postmodern parody has got to be one of the most successful in-jokes of our time. What started out as a skit during a stag party in 1999 took Toronto’s alternative theater scene by storm, then became the biggest thing on Broadway and won a bushel basket of Tony Awards. Lord knows the Great White Way could do with a few more smart, funny, sophisticated, and original musicals—which is to say, just about anything not based on a movie from or about the 1980s. (Tues.–Sun., Mar. 4–9 at Shea’s, 646 Main St.; 852-5000 or www.sheas.org.)
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Every year when compiling the March calendar I grow all a-tingle the minute I see an e-mail from the organizers of this statewide event (now in its thirteenth season), and I think that’s because it affords me the all-too-rare opportunity to use the term sugarhouse. As I shall when I quote the following line from the press release: “Approximately 110 maple producers from across New York State (more than forty in Western New York) will open their sugarhouses to allow visitors to see how maple syrup and other maple products are made.” It’s true: I’m just that shallow. (Sat.–Sun., Mar. 29–30; see www.mapleweekend.com for a county-by-county list of locations, cake and cookie recipes, and other sweet info.)
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Clearly, the cultural organizations of Buffalo have perfected the phenomenon of the site-specific art installation/megaparty fundraiser. Buffalo Arts Studio’s version, now in its third incarnation (appropriately enough), is a multifloor extravaganza sure to draw a crowd of thousands—but the building is big enough, and the event so thoughtfully planned, that you can actually carry on a conversation if that’s your goal. Some come for the music (this year’s acts include the acclaimed DJ Rekha (shown below), David Kane, Rob Lynch, the Stay Lows, John and Mary, and the newly reinvigorated Pine Dogs), some for the chance to tour artist studios, and some just come to make the scene in their new spring threads. (Sat., Mar. 29, in the TriMain Building, 2495 Main St.; tickets and info: 833-4450 or www.trimania.com.)
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Saint Paddy parades come in two shapes around here, as Buffalo puts the Eire in Lake Erie. (That doesn’t quite make sense, which is too bad, because it would make a great bumpersticker.) There’s the supersized one up Delaware Avenue that is justly famous for its length, precision, and party atmosphere. You shouldn’t need us to tell you much about that one, except that it runs from Niagara Square to North Street starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 16. But never forget your other option: the slightly less formal (but no less spectacular) affair the day before, tracing the route of Buffalo’s original parade back in 1913. This one has the folksy feel of a good, old-fashioned small town celebration, the kind you either grew up with or at least grew up watching in MGM musicals and stock footage. With more than sixty contingents, it’s not that much smaller than the “big” one, but the crowds are a lot more manageable, and it wraps up with a grand Irish hooley. (Sunday’s postparade party, on the other hand, features free skating on green ice at the Rotary Rink.) Either way, have yourself a heckuva day. (The Old First Ward parade kicks off at noon on Sat., Mar. 15, from the Valley Community Center, located near the junction of South Park Avenue and Elk Street, which is also the location of the hooley from 1–6 p.m.Info: 823-4707 ext. 4 or www.saintpatricksdayparade.com/buffalo.)
Ron Ehmke is wary of green beer.
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