Weekend Jacktivities: Gus Macker, Hellenic Festival, and Country Music

There's always something fun to do during the summer in Buffalo, but this weekend there seems to be an overload of events . You have a choice to make tonight with the Taste of Country and the Bash both happening on the same night, while the Hellenic Festival opens too. The weekend finishes off with the Gus Macker tournament.

The Bash is always a good time, it's a military themed event where party-goers dress up in military gear and help to raise money for the Red Cross. Fun party, and great food.

I'm a pretty well-rounded listener even though you can't find a single country song in my iTunes, but you'll still find me at WYRK's Taste of Country on Friday. It's a night of partying to the tune of country music. And the acts this year are supposed to be one of the best in years. Do you want proof of that? The show sold out. You'll see Eric Young, Eli Young Band,  Joe Nichols, Casey James and Justin Lynch. It's no surprise I haven't heard of any of these names but I'm  hoping after this weekend I'll have a reason to enter into this foreign world of country music.

Now here's something I know a lot more about, the Gus Macker runs June 2 and 3 in downtown Buffalo. As a basketball fan, I'll be watching some of these 3-on-3 games as break from the NBA Playoff intensity. There's something about watching basketball teams that I have no emotional attachment to that draws me to the Gus Macker. Besides watching the games, there's food and activities for families. I especially want to see if these teams listed on the rooster, AWHOLE BUNCHA BACON, HOOISER DADDY, and MACKERONI AND CHEESES, put in as much work into their game as their name.

Want some great food or just want to scream out "oopa!", then the Hellenic Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church on West Utica is a great choice and probably a cheaper alternative. It's not just Pita's and Gyro's, it's everything Greek and you'll see some dance and food demonstrations too.

*contributed by Marissa Bruno