ELLICOTTVILLE ENTERTAINMENT
(05/08/2009)
Checking Out the Tunes and Other Stuff In Ellicottville
By Robby & Sherm Wilkens

As announced previously the Ellicottville music scene will have a new addition on July 19th at Holiday Valley. The Rotary Foundation for Youth will be hosting the Americana Folk Art & Music Fair. Part of the weekend includes an outdoor concert on the slopes at Tannenbaum Lodge on Sunday July 19th from noon to 7:00 PM. This family event will feature some great acts National recording artists The Doerfels and Canadian Juno award winner Tom Wilson with Lee Osmond. The hills will be buzzing so bring your lawn chairs, picnic gear and the entire family for this interactive music fair. Special stay packages are available at the Inn at Holiday Valley. Call the Inn at 699-2345 and ask for the Americana Folk Art and Music Fair Package. Camping is also available for the weekend. Stayed tuned to this column for more information on this event which is part of the evolution of the Antique Farm Fair that will take place on Saturday July 18th in front of the town hall. click here for more info

Second week of May and the springtime feels like summer. The Golf at both Holiday Valley and Elkdale continues to be in mid-summer form. With Holiday Valley’s spring rates in effect until the eighteenth of May, that alone is an excellent reason to get out and enjoy their Double Black Diamond Course. The course is challenging, yes, however the beauty of the countryside the course winds through is also worth the visit.

Elkdale Country Club, a member owned course, that encourages public play has been open since late March. They are making some subtle changes that will make the golf experience there even more fun. Give them a call for a tee time and get out and enjoy our wonderful spring.

Now on to the music, starting today May 8,2009, we will have eight bands, two DJs and one Bartenders Choice, which includes requests, playing in and around Ellicottville.

We get started at 9:00 PM tonight in Balloons with “Personable DJ John Barry” showing off his personality and tune spinning LIVE from Balloons Sound Booth. Like always, John’s tune selection is dictated by the wishes of the audience. Whether it be dancing, casual listening or just party enjoyment, “Personable DJ John Barry” will provide the music. All you have to do is enjoy the fun, music and wonderful eats created by Tom and his Balloons Kitchen Crew.

Another 9:00 PM Friday gig will be commencing in Madigans. “The Party Squad” Buffalo’s Premier Party Rock Band will be doing their annual Chance and Ken’s Mothers Day Show in the Upstairs Bar and Outside Deck of Madigans. This will be the final Ellicottville performance of this wonderful band until they open for “Three Dog Night” the feature act of The Summer Festival of The Arts this Fourth of July Weekend. With Chance and Ken sponsoring this event, there will be no cover charge so you may enjoy “The Party Squad” and Madigans party atmosphere tonight free of charge. Thanks Ken and Chance, we appreciate what you do.

Saturday will be a three-band, one DJ and one bar tenders choice night. It all begins 5:00 PM in Balloons with “The Ozone Rangers”. This is one of the finest Southern to Classic Rock Bands we get to see here on a regular basis. They opened for “The Little River Band” at last years Summer Festival of The Arts. The first set is made up of tunes from several Bands. It’s the second set that usually is devoted to “ZZ Top” and boy is that a good one. Following “The Ozone Rangers” “The Party Monster” Chatty Frank Watson will take over the fun & games from Balloons Sound Booth. Like always Chatty Frank, with his all ages’ sense of humor will continue the party in a manner that is consistent with the family friendly theme of Balloons.

Back on Washington Street about 8:00 PM Saturday, Madigans will have their “Bartenders Choice”, which honors requests, music running through their wonderful sound system. The way this works, you ask The Madigans Bartender on duty for a particular tune or artist. If they have it, they will play it. This goes on till close.

An hour later, 9:00 PM Saturday, The Gin Mill will have “White Lightnin” performing in their front window. This is a Classic Rock to Country band that features our own Freddie Joseph on drums. Their music is very up-beat, crowd involved and fun. Again they are a perfect fit for The Gin Mill because they encourage crowd involvement. With Tracie, Jeff and the rest of The Gin Mill Good Guys on duty you may enjoy The Gin Mills excellent food till midnight and cold beverages till close at 2:00AM.

Also at 9:00 PM Saturday The Double Diamond will have a new local band “The Barley Tones” doing their Semi Acoustic and Totally Eclectic tunes. What I don’t know if that means original or cover. The only thing for sure is it will be different and it will be fun because that is what The Double Diamond is all about. As usual Tammy and Nick will be on bar duty, so the service will be excellent in spite of Nick. Just Kidding Nick, The Double Diamond wouldn’t be the same without you.

After another quiet Sunday “The Blue Mule Band” starts the music week 7:00 PM Monday in The Gin Mill with “Pasta and Blue Grass. What this is, as most of you know, All the Spaghetti and Garlic Toast U Can Eat for $5.95 accompanied by Blue Grass with Heart preformed by “The Blue Mule Band”. When I say Blue Grass With Heart, I’m referring to their original tunes. Just listen to the lyrics; you will see what I mean. The Gin Mill is where this happens this Monday night.
MONDO MONDAY is next 10:00 PM Monday night in The Double Diamond. Mr. Darvaset feels this article always says the same thing about this music event. Yes the previews are similar, however, so is the fun, Yes, the music preformed by Mr. DarVaSett and his cast of characters, including “Basser Brandon”, The DuWop Brothers”, “Lil Joey” and “Frankie” “The Tip Jar Percussionist” and who know else is All Original. Just like The Double Diamond. Every time one enters they have a fun and new experience.

The last two gigs of the week take place on Wednesday and Thursday in The Gin Mill. First we have Wednesday, Wings, Wagner and Winston 9:00 PM Wednesday night. This, as all know is an acoustic Folk to Southern Rock gig featuring Joe Wagner and John Winston, enhanced by The Gin Mills wonderful thirty-five cent wings. Good eats and wonderful music, there is no better way to spend a Wednesday night.

Thursday rounds out the music week with “Kuk & Freddie”, again rockin The Gin Mill beginning at 7:00 PM. Their music is acoustic, however they can really get going. It all depends on the crowd. Like I say every week, my favorites are the old “Grateful Dead” tunes that they do so well. The Gin Mill is home to this kind of stuff usually four nights a week.