THE HOT 5 An opinionated to-do list By Christopher Schobert May might be my favorite month. It kicks off the summer movie season. Baseball is in full swing. It’s also a month of music, and May WNY visitors include everyone from Mogwai and Tortoise to the Dave Matthews Band and Joe Cocker. If those don’t excite, might Spree interest you in these five original, fascinating events? 1. Stravinsky’s A Soldier’s Tale In these post-Madoff times, any mention of the word economy tends to elicit groans, tears, or Jim Cramer-esque shouting. But the e-word’s role in Igor Stravinsky’s A Soldier’s Tale is integral, and the story itself could not be more timely—it’s about a soldier who trades his violin to the devil for a book predicting the economy. (Think of it as the Russian folk tale version of the Robert Johnson story, with a dash of futures trading.) In a unique twist, on May 27 the Buffalo Chamber Players collaborate with the Buffalo Soundpainting Ensemble to perform Tale at Buffalo Seminary. But the uniqueness doesn’t end there—the sets will be based on late Buffalo native Martha Visser’t Hooft’s designs, which accompanied a performance of Stravinsky’s work by the BPO in 1951. (She also designed the costumes for said show.) The concert will be preceded by an exhibition of Visser’t Hooft’s paintings, adding up to a truly remarkable event, all sponsored by Dean Brownrout’s 20th Century Finest. What a wonderful bridge between several decades of Buffalo art and sound. Wednesday, May 27, at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at Buffalo Seminary, 205 Bidwell Pkwy.; 462-5659 or www.buffalochamberplayers.org. 2. Shea’s Gala In the world of live theater, you’d be hard-pressed to find two more respected performers than Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin. And when working together, their output has been nothing short of extraordinary: Evita won them both Tony Awards in 1980. And in the years since, each has established stellar resumes on stage and screen. (This theater lightweight’s fav Lupone role? Spike Lee’s Summer of Sam. Patinkin? He played a mean piano in Dick Tracy.) The two have reunited for the rather obviously titled An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, which will be the featured performance of Shea’s Performing Arts Center’s annual gala on May 2, which also includes cocktails, a silent auction, a gourmet dinner, and even a post-show party. It promises to be a splendid show, and a chance to support a landmark venue. 8 p.m. at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St.; 829-1172 or www.sheas.org. 3. The Bright Side at Quaker Bonnet Quaker Bonnet Eatery is way more than just a restaurant. In addition to food, it hosts art exhibitions and special events, such as artist Kathy Schifano’s Around & About the Bright Side. This collection of the painter’s work runs from May 1 to 31, with a reception on May 8. Schifano specializes in oil paintings and pastels portraying WNY scenes and locations, such as homes and bridges. It is charming work, and more of Schifano’s art can be viewed on her website, www.kschifano.com. May 1 to 31 (reception on May 8) at Quaker Bonnet Eatery, 175 Allen St.; 884-0435 or www.quakerbonnet.com. 4. Amy Stewart’s Wicked book Amy Stewart’s Wicked Plants is wicked awesome, a book that is both funny and informative—it’s subtitled “A book of botanical atrocities,” and that both sums it up and shows the noted garden writer’s sense of humor. Examples of the dangers of nature are plentiful: “A shrub causes intolerable pain; a vine intoxicates; a leaf triggers a war.” There are also fascinating FYIs and helpful, even life-saving, bits of advice. Etchings by Briony Morrow-Cribbs and illustrations by Jonathon Ross add a humorous visual element. Stewart will talk about the book and sign copies at Urban Roots on May 27, but if you’re planning on bringing any of your own atrocities for feedback, may I suggest a photo? Wednesday, May 27, at 6 p.m. at Urban Roots, 428 Rhode Island St.; 362-8982 or www.urbanroots.org. 5. Trinity White Elephant Sale Trinity Episcopal Church’s annual White Elephant Sale began—get this—before the start of the twentieth century. It remains one of those perfect fundraisers, a fantastic opportunity to buy everything from pots and pans to clothes and jewelry, all for a good cause. Now more than ever, the ability to buy high quality used goods at well-below-normal prices is important, and something tells me that May 1 to 3 will see some big-time people traffic on Delaware, particularly during the bag sale in its waning hour Saturday. May 1 to 3 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 371 Delaware Ave.; 852-8314 or www.trinitybuffalo.org. Last May, Christopher Schobert got married. This May looks rather uneventful by comparison. SUBSCRIBE NOW Back to the Table of Contents Back to Top