The Buzz is Back

by Mary Kunz Goldman, formerly The Buffalo News' Buzz Columnist

Quote of the Week

“Please Do Not Climb On Debris Pile.”

— Sign in The Buffalo Zoo’s Rainforest Exhibit

A Shot of Jack, a Shot of Brandi

At the Sportsmen’s Tavern on a recent Tuesday, Buzz got swept into a tale involving the great blues guitarist Jack Civiletto, his gal April Mazzone (entertaining together on stage), and country star Brandi Carlile (entertaining too, just not here). They told the tale from the bandstand, and we ate up the details. On a cruise a few years back, Brandi tripped over Jack’s cane in the hallway. Later, the phone rang in their cabin. “Who’s calling us in the middle of the Atlantic?” he wondered. It was Brandi—inviting him and April to share the stage with her. The gig was smooth sailing. Brandi gave her band shots of whiskey. (What, not brandy?) “I didn’t make a mistake!” Jack said, still riding the wave.

Cold Front, Warm Buzz

This is a cold spring! “Like December!” a guy called out to us as we ran shivering down Hertel. However. At the Richardson Hotel, we spotted an antidote: the Traveling Tipsy Trailer! Voila, the vivacious vehicle:

Slightly at odds with the hotel’s patrician vibe, but then so is the Psychiatric Center next door. On the other hand, who cares? We peeked inside and saw champagne.

“The Traveling Tipsy Trailer Co. is WNY’s Mobile Beverage Experience!” bubbles the website. We wonder how many beers led to this idea. Whatever the number: cheers, baby. We’re sold.

On Broadway

Buying a butter lamb is complicated! Our friend Ryan Lysarz remembers his grandma saying at the Broadway Market: “Don’t get that one. You can get that one at the supermarket. Get this one.” Do you want smooth (molded) or woolly (hand-formed)? Straight-faced or head-turned? Red ribbon or orchid ribbon? “I chose orchid,” Ryan said. “Because the ones at the supermarket always have red.” Even when you make all the right calls, things can still go sideways. Home from the market, he found the lamb’s peppercorn eyes had fallen off. One was on the animal’s back. The other was rolling free. Good thing the Broadway Market will be staying open through Dyngus Day. We get one last chance to get this right!

A Word From Our Sponsor

Buzz is proud to be sponsored by Lounge Academy, Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency downtown. That’s when Howard, the guy we married, plays and sings, usually the entire time without a break, just as Jackie Jocko did in that very spot. We never forget how emotional it was to see that grand piano wheeled back into place — right where it was when Jocko held court. His old notes are still there, papering the keys. Howard was Jocko’s protégé …

… and we wonder if Jocko is coaching him still, from the Great Beyond. Techie that he is, Howard livestreams the show — shout-out to listeners in Paris and Saudi Arabia. The equipment is intense. Quoth a listener from Australia: “Howard, I'm blown away by the amount of STUFF!” Learn more at HowardGoldman.com

The buzz

Hats off to Jack Civiletto and April Mazzone for including the word “lounge” unabashedly in their publicity. They play “at renowned restaurants, nightclubs, and lounges throughout Western New York,” we read. Jack and April play the Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St., the second Tuesday of every month. View their packed schedule here. … Happy to see Preservation Buffalo Niagara seeking landmark status for the Schlitz Brewery Tied House, an old brick relic at 840 William Street. Let’s celebrate what made this city great! … Be in touch with Buzz! Comments are welcome — and if you recognized this column as the great literature that it is, please share it around to help keep it rolling. It’s been a blast bringing the Buzz column back to life after all those years in The Buffalo News. More next week! Same Buzz time, same Buzz channel.