It takes nearly a year to plan, the weather plays a major part in whether the event goes off without a hitch – or not! – but this year’s Starry Night in the Garden was another resounding success. Since 2000 we’ve raised well over $100,000 for the Buffalo Botanical Gardens, a wonderful architectural gem that provides Western New Yorkers with a bit of springtime even during the harshest winters. Certainly one of the coolest things about my job is being able to hear an artist’s music, and bring them in-person to do a show. It’s like making what we used to call a “mix tape” full of great songs, except “live” and in-person!

Ferras, Delta Goodrem, Anna Nalick, and Vanessa Carlton gave great performances, 2000 people enjoyed gourmet food and wine, and we all went home happy.

Here’s a video recap, in case you missed the event:

Listen to my interviews from the Gardens here:

• Me and Vanessa Carlton
• Anna Nalick
• Ferras

And if you did miss Starry Night this year, make sure you get tickets next year!

–Brian

This list means absolutely nothing. It’s just kind of fun to put together a list of celebrities you find appealing. Here’s my Top 10:

1		Reese Witherspoon – Her sunny personality appeals to me, but she’s also incredibly smart and talented. The whole package.
2		Heather Graham – I am a huge fan.
3		Rose McGowan – wow.
4		Kelly Ripa – I love her energy!
5		Liz Phair – there’s nothing cooler than a beautiful woman with a guitar.
6		Cate Blanchett - is there a better actress alive today? She is great in everything she does, but especially in Lord Of The Rings. She gives me goosebumps.
7		Vanessa Carlton – the only celebrity on this list that I’ve actually met. She is a big crush of mine!
8		Katie Holmes - ever since Dawson’s Creek I have been a fan, even now with the whole Tom Cruise thing.
9		January Jones – from my favorite show “Mad Men” on AMC. Don Draper’s perfect wife.
10		Helena Bonham-Carter – this is a weird choice, but there’s just something about her. Heather says “you love the crazies.” Maybe she’s right…
		Thank you for reading this pointless list of mine! And to my wife, Heather, thank you for your understanding that I even have this pointless list in the first place. You’re my true #1. –Brian

This is a true story!

Thursday - Record company calls wanting to know if recording artist Vanessa Carlton can come to Buffalo and perform songs from her new album. Unfortunately, the date conflicts with Curtain Up 2007, a downtown celebration of the Buffalo Theatre District. Offer is declined.