Toni Ruberto
While annual summer festivals continue this weekend, including the debut of the Buffalo Bills Alumni Music Festival, there are interesting indoor events coming up including premieres of a locally made film and music video.
Think of the Buffalo Bills Alumni Music Festival as a marriage of music and sports. Instead of putting on its annual VIP Gala to raise money for local charities, the Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation decided to host this musical event that will feature performances by former players, veteran musicians and members of two local music hall of fames: Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
The concert is headlined by blues singer and songwriter Mick Hayes who is returning home from Nashville, Tenn., to perform songs off his latest album, "Lies and Letdowns" produced by Joe Bonamassa. The debut of the Buffalo Bills Blues Band features Jeff Nixon on rhythm guitar, Butch Rolle on lead guitar, Lou Piccone on vocals and Doug Flutie on drums. Music is also performed by Doug Yeomans, Will Holton, Damone Jackson’s Outcome, Jessie Galante, Patti Parks, Michael Hund and Jamie Holka. Look for former Buffalo Jills to dance to the “Shout” song.
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The event is from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 25 at Wings Meeting Place, 3964 California Road, Orchard Park. Tickets are $35 for general admission, $55 for VIP. Drink packages are $30. Visit bbafevents.com.
Cami Clune video release. 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 23 at Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St.
In an event called a “celebration of creativity, friendship and community support,” local singer-songwriter Cami Clune (“The Voice”) is hosting the release of her first official music video for her original song “Summer Fantasy.” The all-ages event features a concert by Clune and her band The Fringe plus the screening. “This project became something so much bigger than I imagined,” Clune said. “It’s personal, it’s cinematic, and I’m so proud of what we created.” The video features the acting debut of local musician Will Leach. That's special to Clune who will donate a portion of the proceeds toward a medical fund for her friend Leach, who is battling astrocytoma, a terminal form of brain cancer. Doors open at 6 p.m., with music at 7 p.m. and the video screening at 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $10-$15.
“I Never Forget That I Can Feel,” movie premiere. 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 26 at the North Park Theatre, 1428 Hertel Ave.
Local actor and filmmaker Brandon Bundschuh will premiere his new film “I Never Forget That I Can Feel” that will also act as a fundraiser for Oishei Children’s Hospital. The 27-year-old Depew native calls the 50-minute film that he wrote, directed and stars in "a story of love, loss and the struggle in between.” His film, he said, came from “the anxiety of waiting around for someone else to put me in front of a camera. This industry is full of what ifs and I got tired of waiting. This isn't my Oscar nomination, but it is something to say ‘hey, maybe we should take a shot on this Bundschuh kid.’ ” Bundschuh plays Jack, a young man who looks after his little sister after their parents died in a house fire. He becomes head groundskeeper for the town mayor in exchange for a place for them to live. But he's fired after forming a bond with the mayor’s daughter who uses songwriting to deal with her mother’s cruelty. Homeless in the winter, he hits rock bottom as he struggles to provide for his sister.
Doors open at 11 a.m., with the movie at 11:30 a.m., followed by a Q&A with Bundschuh and actors Jayne Vendetti and Brenna McCarthy. Fifty percent of the ticket sales will benefit Oishei Children’s Hospital. (There is also a GoFundMe set up for those who can’t make the screening.) Bundschuh, who always wanted to be a soccer player, was inspired by seeing athletes give back to their community and wanted to do the same. “This became my first opportunity to do so and I ran with it. Those kids deserve to be movie stars, too,” said.
Twilight at the Museum. 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 25 at the Buffalo Museum of Science.
This popular summer series is a great chance to look at the night sky from the museum’s rooftop deck and Kellogg Observatory. It’s open to all ages and each event will be different because of changes in the night sky. On July 25, you'll see the sunset over the Buffalo skyline and you can safely observe the sun through filtered telescopes. Later, view the crescent moon and the Summer Triangle, a prominent asterism (group of stars) made up of the bright stars Vega, Deneb and Altair. All four floors of the museum will be open during the event. Future dates are Aug. 29 and Sept. 26. Registration is $20 a person or $5 with museum admission. Advance registration is strongly encouraged via sciencebuff.org.
HillTAP Festival. Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 26 at Holiday Valley, 6787 Holiday Valley Road, Ellicottville.
This fifth annual event is a chance to spend a summer day outdoors at the bottom and top of the hill at Holiday Valley. There will be activities (attendees are encouraged to bring their “adventure gear”) plus two stages of music. Start off with a chairlift ride up to Spruce Lake to hear the music of Leroy Townes Band on the mountain starting at 1 p.m. Later, festivities move down the mountain with music by Kody & Herren and Uncle Ben’s Remedy. There will be vendors, exhibits and demonstrations. Food can be purchased from Fat Bob’s Smokehouse and Dina’s. Advance tickets include lift tickets are $40 general, VIP is $65. Ages 10 and younger are admitted free. Twilight ticket (admission after 4 p.m.) is $25 (no lift ticket). Visit hilltapfestival.com.
Quick calendar
The Machine performs July 18 at Batavia Downs; doors open at 4 p.m.
Dark Star Orchestra performs at 7 p.m. July 18 at Terminal B at the Outer Harbor.
Grace Potter and Johnnyswim are in concert at 7 p.m. July 19 in the Artpark Amphitheater.
Country singer Shania Twain plays at 7:30 p.m. July 19 at Darien Lake Amphitheater.
The Orchard Park Jazz Festival is from 4 to 9 p.m. July 19 at the Quaker Arts Pavilion, 60 S. Lincoln St., Orchard Park.
Canal Fest continues through July 20 in Tonawanda and North Tonawanda.
Art of Jazz is with George Caldwell, Bill Easley and Sylvester Sample at 2 p.m. July 20 outside the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.
Taste of Orchard Park is 5 to 9 p.m. July 23, at the Four Corners, West Quaker and North Buffalo streets, Orchard Park.
Jazz at the Central Terminal continues with the Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble and RNSM from 6 to 8 p.m. July 24.
Barenaked Ladies, Sugar Ray and Fastball are in concert at 7 p.m. July 26 at Terminal B at the Outer Harbor.
"Richard the III" opens its run as part of Shakespeare in Delaware Park at 7 p.m. July 24 and continues on Tuesdays through Sundays through Aug. 17.
Shakespeare in Delaware Park’s free community production of “Romeo and Juliet” continues in Galanti Park, Lackawanna on July 21; Knox Farm State Park, East Aurora on July 22; and at the Kenan Center in Lockport on July 23 (an ASL show).
The Galbani Italian Heritage Festival returns to Hertel Avenue from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 25 and 26, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 27.
Just announced
Jennifer Holliday. 8 p.m. Nov. 14-15 in the Bear’s Den, Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. Tickets start at $55 and go on sale at 10 a.m. July 18 (senecaniagaracasino.com).
The Cult. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. July 18 (ticketmaster.ca).
Matthew Good and his band, with I Mother Earth. 8 p.m. Nov. 21 at OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. July 18 (ticketmaster.ca).
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