The Old Pink

When that bar is mentioned you either quiver with the thought of being there or you're aroused by the mere thought of going there on a late, very late, weekend night. It's never just an okay type of bar, you either love it or hate it. Now, I cannot say that I have never had a good time there but I can say that it's overrated. If you ever go there sober which is a hard feat to accomplish considering you're completely drunk before someone shouts in a convincing tone like it's the best idea they could think of, "Hey! Let's go to the Pink!", everyone has heard it before and you accept the friends proposal. And it does sound like a good idea, for some reason you're thinking "Yeah, The Pink, now that's not a bad idea". But you know it is. Going that extra mile for the night thinking how the night is just going to blossom once you cross that rotted out threshold of the bar. Then all you witness is people stumbling around talking about whatever enters in thought, clinging to the lips and hips of whoever will realize they're alive and crossing their finger that they'll be held for the night.

Now I may sound like I'm judging the Pink a little too harshly. There are some pros to this bar. Though it's a little though to scavenge for them. Everyone knows everyone there, everyone seems to be friends, if you haven't seen somebody for a while and you know they are a drinker chances are you'll be surprised as you bump into them as you try to navigate through the crowd to the original group you arrived with. Pro, on Halloween the DJ always dresses up as Tony Clifton which is the best impersonation ever. I've been told it has the longest bar in Buffalo, that doesn't seem like much but an interesting tidbit if you like facts of Buffalo. And that's all I got right now. Other than that I feel like it's a waste of time going down there and it drags a good night down because chances are you're having a better time at the bar you were at before it. And as the clock strokes four in the morning lights go on as the bar closes everyone sees what they really look like all hammered out of there minds, flee the area hoping that no one was sober enough to see them at there lowest point and next week will be another day fishing for a mate.

The Pink has now reached somewhat of a cult status in Buffalo and has toned down the rambunctious behavior over the years. I remember going there when I was nineteen not even getting check for proof of age, drinking and even smoking indoors well after New York State passed the Smoke Free New York Law. Still, I don't get my ID checked as I pass through the doors though I do see others getting proofed and you don't leave the bar with a thin film of cigarette stench on you skin and clothing. The Pink is definitely not going anywhere though and I feel that it will always have the same essence and following for years to come. I mean where else is everyone going to go at three thirty in the morning, home?

Taste of Culture

Buffalonians normally don't get a chance to experience new culture in their city aside from the usual Polish, German and Italian heritage festivals put on every summer. After tonight at Ani DiFranco's Babeville those who came were definitely transcended into the culture of the New Orleans jazz heritage.

The event took place over the whole weekend extending from September 5th to the 7th, screenings took place of the highly acclaimed documentary "Trouble The Water" at Market Arcade Film and Arts Centre and ending at Nietzsches Sunday night. The ticket for this event was a little pricey being 40 dollars for the whole weekend or 25 dollars for the Labor Day Party at Babeville, which may have scared some away. However, the cause for this event was for the youth of the city. The proceeds went to charity for The South Buffalo Education Center and Second Line Cities Education Project. Providing education for the out of school youths in the city. A very important cause which should get all the support that it can. And I'll say it while sounding trite, the education of our youth in the city is important. Though I did not get the privilege to see the film (though now netflix queued) this weekend I was glad to have made it to the festival that took place tonight.

On the bill were, Grits Juke Joint, 12/8 Path Band, Brownman Electric Trio and headliners Rebirth Brass Band. Arriving fashionably late I was instantly impressed with the atmosphere of a new culture being experienced. And what a better way to experience it in the heart of downtown Buffalo. The musicians where an excellent pick, either from right here in Buffalo or coming from Toronto and New Orleans they were a talented bunch, full of passion while playing their style. I was most impressed with the 12/8 Path Band as they played in the crowd completely taking everyone to a different place quite figuratively and literally as they marched through Babeville's parking lot leading everyone into Asbury Hall for a memorable music routine in the center of the church's hall. I, as well as others, felt as if I was a part of the band contributing dance routines to express the mood that couldn't be expressed through language.

Although I could go on and on about how great the bands were the point of the night was to experience something new that not many get to experience at all. A taste of culture from a city miles away from here. Not only with the music but also local restaurant, Lagniappe's, provided a fine Cajun style crawfish dish a traditional cuisine of New Orleans. And if you missed it, you missed learning something new about others or maybe even yourself, you missed an experience and missed helping a cause for the future of your community. Now you may need to travel one thousand miles, spend more than 25 dollars and not help your community to experience what you could have experienced right in your own backyard.