Area blues band heads to Memphis
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter
      If you haven’t heard of the Patti Parks Band yet, then you certainly will in the coming months. The band, whose members include residents of Amherst, Lancaster and North Tonawanda, are the winners of the Memphis Bound Competition 2006, sponsored by the Western New York Blues Society.
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MOVIE REVIEW
‘Rocky Balboa’ goes the distance again
by KEN BARTOLOTTA Reporter
      Let’s face it, if you’re going to see “Rocky Balboa,” the newest installment in the once thought lifeless boxing franchise, you already know what to expect. In truth, the movies following “Rocky” in 1976 have never been about quality acting or a well-written script, but instead about the legend of...
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Dropping the ball
      For the 19th year, 97 Rock’s Buffalo Ball Drop and Fireworks Display will countdown the new year starting at 11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, in downtown Buffalo. Join 40,000 of your closest friends at the Electric Building, Roosevelt Square (Washington Street between Genesee and East Huron streets).
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Families unite for First Night delight
      The motto for this year’s First Night Buffalo is “All Family, All Fun, All Under One Roof” — and the festivities will be sure to please area families and end the year on a high note. The drug and alcohol free event will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at the Buffalo Convention Center ...
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ART
      now- Dec. 30 Christmas Holiday Show — Impact Artists’ Gallery, Suite 54, Tri-Main Center, 2495 Main St., Buffalo. 835-6817, www. buffalo. com/ impact now- Dec. 31 Holiday Show — Partners in Art, 83 Webster St., North Tonawanda.
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CONCERTS
     fri. 29 .Buffalo’s own Goo Goo Dolls return home for an 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29 show at Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel’s Seneca Event Center, 310 Fourth SOLD OUT St., Niagara Falls. Hear all your favorites including “Name,” “Slide” and “Iris.” Hopefully Johnny and the boys will play “Livin’ in a Hut...
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THEATRE
      Special Presentations Diva by Diva: A Celebration of Wo m e n Presented by O’Connell & Company, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Cabaret in the Square Theatre, 4476 Main St., Snyder; $20. 839-3949, www.cabaretinthesquare.com Ongoing now-Dec.
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Announcements
      • Starry Night Theatre will hold auditions for “Marvin’s Room” by Scott McPherson from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 2 and 3, at the Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda. Five men, ages 14-70, and five women, ages 30-70 are needed. Candidates will be asked to give a cold r...
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Big band dances
      Get your feet moving and dance to the sounds of the Jim Tudini Band when the group hosts dances at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo. The dances will be held from 7:30 to 11 p.m. the first Thursdays of the month in the Mary Seaton Room of Kleinhans, Symphony Circle, Buffalo. Dates include Jan. 4,...
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