The first time I did it, I was 11 years old. The local SPCA
shelter was low on money and was forced to euthanize the overflow of puppies
and kitties. It just about broke my heart. Something had to be done. So, we put
on a show.
I envisioned a vaudeville extravaganza with corny skits, music, and written-out
parts for the available cast – my two sisters and a couple of our best friends.
Even our flea-ridden, mangy collie Kingboy would have a walk-on role.
We canvassed the neighborhood, selling flimsy paper tickets
for 75 cents each that Dad had photocopied at work, baked cookies and made
lemonade. We hung up a clothesline and pinned an old brocade curtain on it. Any
available fold-up chairs were wrangled from the neighbors and lined up hopefully
in our garage.
After one whole week of rehearsal – largely consisting of me
telling everyone what to do and pitching fits when they WOULD NOT follow my
directions – we were ready for the hoards of Harvey Road theatergoers.
And you know what? They came: mothers, fathers, squalling toddlers – even that
new black family down the street (exotic for Grand Island) we’d welcomed with a
cake. Everyone came with money in their pockets expecting fun, but knowing they
were supporting something larger than themselves.
They clapped and listened appreciatively to our overwrought dramas in that hot,
fly filled garage. They bought the overpriced brownies and Kool-Aid because
five raggedy kids and a reluctant dog wanted to do something big and help something
worthy.
I’m doing it again. I’ve put together a crack team of musicians and we’ve
recorded a wonderful CD. We’re going to release it at a big party for a really
great cause – The Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP). And boy, are they
audacious too. They believe that with education and service they can grow and bring
healthy food to the West Side of Buffalo.
The tickets aren’t cheap ($20 presale), but all of the proceeds and a
percentage of the CD sales will go to MAP. We’d like to buy them a walk in cooler
for their fresh, locally-grown produce.
Please join us on Friday, March 28 at 7:00pm at Trinity Episcopal Church in
downtown Buffalo. We’ve upgraded the cookies and lemonade to wine, desserts and
appetizers. Instead of five awkward kids you’ll see some of Buffalo’s best jazz
musicians. Kingboy the collie won’t be there, but if you’ll come, we promise
you one hell of a show.
