There are some very cool events in the works, starting with …
Beer & Chocolate!
Beer and chocolate … Two great things that go well together. Combine them with music and you’ve got the perfect event.
The SAM Foundation’s annual Beer & Chocolate event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Flying Bison Brewing Company, 840 Seneca Street, Buffalo.
Among the treats will be chocolate from Fowler’s and pizza from Buffalo’s Best.
Flying Bison will also be introducing a new “pink” beer for the occasion, Buffalust IPA with hibiscus, which lends it a pink hue.
The performers are still a surprise announcement as of press time, but rest assured there will be great music.
We aren’t selling chocolate this year, but we will be giving it to SAM Foundation members who attend the event. Bring a friend and they get the treat of beer and chocolate, too, when they become a member.
Alberta Hunter’s legacy is on display in “Cookin’ at the Cookery”/BOGO offer for SAM Foundation members
Alberta Hunter was one of the early stars of jazz, recording some of the earliest jazz records and writing songs such as “Downhearted Blues.”
The MusicalFare Theatre will bring her story back to life with “Cookin’ at the Cookery” this month. Taking its name from the Greenwich Village venue where she made at comeback at the end of her life, the show tells her story and features her standards such as “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “When the Saints Go Marching In,” and “My Handy Man Ain’t Handy Anymore.”
The musical features Ember Tate as the young Alberta and Zoe Scruggs as the later Alberta. Pianist George Caldwell is the music director and leads a quartet to provide the backing.

Zoe Scruggs

Ember Tate

George Caldwell
The presentation is the first for the show since its 2002 run at Studio Arena.
For more information on the show, go to https://musicalfare.com/shows/mainstage/event:cookin-at-the-cookery-2020
BOGO deal details:
SAM Foundation members can get one free ticket with the purchase of one ticket for performance Feb. 5-March 8.
Shows are Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday’s at 2 p.m.
The offer will expire on Saturday, Feb. 15 at the end of the day (midnight).
Members must enter the Discount Code SAMCOOK at checkout to receive the discount. Discount cannot be combined with other coupons/offers.
There are no refunds or exchanges. All sales are final.
Patrons purchasing one ticket at regular price ($47 + $3 facility fee) will receive one ticket free but will have to pay the $3 service charge. The total will be $53 for two tickets.
Szelestfest 6 on March 8
Keyboard legend Jimmy Calire will be joining the band when the SAM Foundation hosts the 6th annual Szelestfest on Sunday, March 8, at the Sportsmen’s Tavern.

Stan Szelest
Calire, the keyboard player and primary songwriter for the legendary Raven, will be returning from California for a rare Western New York performance.
Szelestfest honors the memory of Stan Szelest, the legendary Buffalo piano and organ player who was also a huge influence on The Band through his years with the Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks.
Also in the band will be pianist Jim Beishline, drummer Pete Holguin, bass player Steve Sadoff, sax player Matt Harris and music director/guitarist Doug Yeomans.
Watch for more details as the show approaches.