LM:  When did you guys find out? How much warning did you get? When do you have to move out?

PK:  Well, we just found out within the week or two that the new owner wants us to leave ASAP, but our landlord has had the building on the market for some time, so this isn't a complete shock --- we always knew in the back of our minds that there was a possibility it could be sold to someone who didn't want to keep us as tenants. With that in mind, even before this new owner asked us to leave we had been thinking about plans to move to a more permanent space that we could have a bit more control over. Plans have been afoot recently to make that happen, and things are still in the early stages so I'm not sure how much I should say, but I think it's safe to say that 19 Wadsworth St will not the last address that Sugar City will have.

Our last day of official operation in our current space at 19 Wadsworth is going to be Friday April 13th when we host the legendary Calvin Johnson and his new band the Hivedwellers for our big going away bash, which will be a fitting sendoff since he's always been heavily involved in the DIY movement and supported all-ages spaces like ours. And in the 30 days leading up to that last show we're going to have a final month of celebration by hosting a different event every night, which should be a wild and fun time.

LM:  What will you miss most about the current space?

PK:  Oh, so many things. The artist Dylan England just recently completed a new mural on the back wall of the performance space that is a really amazing piece of work, and I really hope we can figure out some way to preserve that. I know I'm not alone in saying that I'll miss the space just because of all the great sentimental memories I have associated with it, all of the fantastic shows and art and other events that have happened there, all of the wonderful people who have passed through the doors and friends that I've made and experiences I've had there. Since I've gotten involved with Sugar City, a lot of the best times that I've had in the last few years have been inside those walls, and that will definitely be something that I'll think about and miss -- it's definitely become a special place in my life. But then again I have to remember that that's all thanks to the art and the people and not the physical space itself, so I know wherever Sugar City finds itself in the future will be just as special.

It's definitely been a blast being there in Allentown and being a part of the fabric of that neighborhood, but at the same time, Allentown is always going to be there, and there are other neighborhoods that need Sugar City and what Sugar City does more than Allentown does, so there's that to look forward to. Moving to a new location is going to be a really interesting opportunity to grow what Sugar City does and who it serves and that sort of thing. By being in a new neighborhood, building new relationships with community groups, and meeting new people, it's going to be really good to see what the space will evolve into, see fresh faces that might not otherwise have been involved, and see the space getting used for things it might not otherwise have been used for, so I think we’re all looking forward to that.

LM:  Tell us about your final month of celebration!

PK:  I'm really excited for this. Basically the plan is, in the 30 days leading up to our big moving-out bash with Calvin Johnson & the Hivedwellers on April 13, we're going to open up Sugar City to have a different event every single night for 30 days straight in order to say goodbye to the space in style. There's going to be shows, workshops, art openings, film screenings, and whatever else anyone can think of. We have some plans running, but also want to invite everyone to a public meeting on Wednesday March 7th at 7pm at Sugar City to discuss event ideas and out goals for the future. So if you've ever had an idea for an all-ages event that you've always wanted to do or want to get involved in any way, this could be your chance! I'm really looking forward to see what happens and the ideas that everyone comes up with. Let the fun begin!

Daughty will be at the Main Street store starting at 5pm (he's playing a show in Rochester later). You an pick up a copy of the book while you're there.

Big Fat Bike Ride: If you’re not into overindulging, or if you want to earn your overindulgence, head to the Albright Knox early for the Big Fat Big Ride, presented by Green Options Buffalo. Trick out your bike, paint your face, and show up at 4… you’ll be leading the parade along its route!
Buffalo’s Fattest Tuesday at DBGBs: Though I wish they’d called it the “Phattest” Tuesday, Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar will host a sweet Mardi Gras celebration. Sip your sizzurp from a hurricane glass and munch on some free Cajun food while LeeRon Zydeco and the Hot Tamales serenade you with Creole crooning! The show starts at 5:30, and you'll be in the right spot when the parade ends nearby.

You can hear LeeRon's tune "Mardi Gras Ma Mambo" here

Party Gras at Noir Ultra Lounge: If Mardi Gras to you means booze, beads, and boobs then you’ll definitely want to check out the massive celebration going on at Noir. The Chip Strip club will offer lots of SoCo and hurricane drinks, a huge complimentary Cajun buffet, and music from the Blues Hounds from 5-8pm. They promise beads galore, so get ready to lose your inhibitions (and your bra)!


Hear the Blues Hounds

Mardi Gras at Nietzsche's: Perhaps you'd rather oogle somebody else's goods than flash your own? Nietzsche's has you covered with both a burlesque act and a drag show! The Stripteasers and Chevon Davis & Friends are sure to make your Mardi Gras one to remember. Bring extra beads, the fun starts at 6 and also includes music from the Albrights, the Zygotes, Ramforinkus, and the Steam Donkeys.

1.) T. Rex - Mambo Sun: This song is jam-packed with cheesy one-liners that would totally work on a Valentine's Day card with the right Gary Larson drawing. I've been waiting years for someone to tell me they've got stars in their beard and feel real weird for me. Just not bums.

6.) "Abducted" - Cults: This one's for you, Valentine's naysayers. A pop song about the bitterness of failed love, about knowing you were doomed from the start. The good news is V-Day chocolates will go on sale tomorrow! The better news is that Cults will be in Buffalo on April 23rd! Hooray!






7.) "Tongue Tied" - Grouplove: A song that captures all the hopes, dreams, and awkwardness of falling in love for the first time. Valentine's Day is the perfect time to get a little crushy on somebody (and maybe a little makey-outey, too)!