Something new for the 2007 season was a pizza-and-beer blast fundraiser held at SoHo to help raise money for the following season's calendar trip. That first fundraiser was put together rather quickly, with most of the packed house getting their tickets at the door instead of through one of the girls on the squad. To help out, sponsors and Bills players put up prizes for a Chinese auction and Sabres goalie Ryan Miller donated an autographed hockey stick for a silent auction to help out the Jills in their endeavor. Judging by the turnout, the event was a huge success as SoHo was packed for the entire evening including a pair of former Jills showing up to assist their former squadmates in Kelly Ann (2003-2004) and Danielle M (2005-2006). In future seasons, the fundraisers were held during the season at some point while this one was held the first Saturday night in March, 4 weeks before the Open Workshop at the start of 2008 tryouts. The big negative about the date was that it coincided with a Bandits home game so I had a decision to make. After debating it for a few days, and considering no one was going to the Bandits game with me, I decided to do both, catching the last part of the Bandits game after the Fundraiser.
As it turned out, I had only just gotten a new camera a few days before this event so I was still learning the settings on it and a few photos early in the evening didn't turn out as well as they should have.
Amanda P and Amanda F
With it being so close to tryout time for the 2008 squad, the girls who weren't returning to the squad didn't need to attend. As a matter of fact, the only one who did was Amanda P, which had led me to believe she'd be coming back in 2008. Instead, the next time we saw Amanda after this was on the If I Can Dream Web series put together by Simon Fuller. It's always disappointing when girls you've gotten to know over the years don't return but the one I was perhaps most disappointed about not being there was Aimee, who retired after 6 seasons on the sidelines. The reason for this was something her line did in the Miami game the previous fall. In the 2nd quarter, they lined up in front of my section and blew kisses to the camera so I was curious as to where that came from. As it turned out, Jill D told me it was all Aimee's idea.
Jamie, Val, and Katie K
There were other tales to be told that evening. Late in the season, DJ Jickster took Lisa and Valerie to Cleveland for an appearance at the Bills game there vs the Browns. The weather was pretty rough there before, during, and after the game. They couldn't even make it home after the game as they had to find a hotel room to stay in for the night to wait out the blizzard.
Lisa, Jickster, and Val
Three of my favorite 2007 rookies...Jess, Vincenza, and Kaitlin
Angelina and Kelly
Jills alum Danielle M (2005-06) with Katie K and her bf
See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/pictures/9981
From the Bandettes comes a photo from halftime of the 1st game against the Rochester Knighthawks. Just before heading out to perform, a few of the girls posed for photos. Shown grabbing a photo are Chrissy and Chelsea.
With the struggles of the Bills and Sabres in Buffalo in regards to winning consistently, it's nice for the city to have one team they can count on to not only deliver consistent playoff appearances, but the occasional championship as well. The Buffalo Bandits, in their 21st year of existence, held their annual Open Practice on Saturday at the First Niagara Center and introduced the fans to the 2012 Buffalo Bandettes! This year's squad comes with a lot of changes. Gone are long-time vets Melissa and Beth, currently with the Jills, and Jessica H, Justina, and Lauren S, all retired. 4th year vet Kirsten is now the longest-tenured vet on the squad and is now a full-fledged captain along with 3rd year vet Lauren B. They've also added a small promotional squad this year. 3rd year vet Ashley is joined by rookies Ria and Amanda to fill out that squad which will be onhand at pregame parties and in suite appearances during the games.
Ria and Amanda
Lauren B's line
While the Bandits went through the 1st portion of their practice, Ria and Amanda circulated through the stands selling tickets to their Meet and Greet to be held that evening. When the team took a short break, the dancers came out and put on 2 performances for the fans, including their tryout performance.
Afterwards they joined Ria, Amanda, and Ashley in greeting fans and posing for photos in the stands and in the concourses of the arena. See all the pics at http://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/4189
In the evening, the Bandettes invaded Cobblestone, the home of the Bandits post-game parties for a Meet and Greet fundraiser to help with uniform costs. Joining them were several players from the Bandits, including fan favorites like Johnny Tavares and Mark Steenhuis, and several Bandettes alumni. Showing up to support their younger sisters were former coach Erin J, Jenni (2001), Leeanne (2004), Erin H (2004-08), Kimberly (2004-08), Korinne (2003,08), Lauren S, (2009-11), and Meghan (2006-10).
Alumni together
Several members of the current squad
The 2012 Buffalo Bandettes (minus Ria, Amanda, Kirsten and Danielle)
The Bandettes sold tickets for a 50-50 raffle, Chinese Auction items, and a TV set to help support the cause. They even had a special Bandette-ini drink that was available for purchase on this special night. See all the pics at http://buffaloprocheerbuffalobandettes.shutterfly.com/pictures/4203
Next up for the Bandettes, they'll be in action for game action the first time in 2012 when the Bandits open the season on January 14th against the Toronto Rock!
Reena and Jaclyn with the pizza Each year, the Jills hold a Fundraiser in downtown Buffalo to help offset their costs like uniforms and calendar shoots. Once again, SoHo on Chippewa was the setting as the Jills brought in friends, family, and fans for a pizza and beer blast that also included wine-tasting with wines provided by Passport Wine and Spirits. This year's event was more of a festive feel with the holiday season and many of the Jills were dressed in their Christmas outfits that they'll be wearing at the Bills home finale. Brianne, Nicole, and Alyssa Sara, Michelle, and Gina Check out all the pics at http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/buffalojills2005/2010/Fundraiser/
Coming up next for the Jills, they're back at the Ralph on December 12 to cheer on the Bills against their Lake Erie rivals, the Cleveland Browns. Be sure to stop by Lot C at around 11:30 to see some of the Jills dancers perform before the game. Also, with Christmas coming up people are still trying to come up with gifts and if you stop by the 97Rock Tailgate as well as the Shredd and Ragan Tailgate in Lot C, you can get the guys on your list the perfect gift...a 2010-2011 Buffalo Jills Calendar. The best thing is...you can even get it autographed for him!
There's a whole lot of stuff going on the next few weeks to make it to.
First up is something that's going on right now...DJ Jickster is in the middle of his Rock Out Hunger campaign and has been living in a truck in the parking lot of Quaker Steak and Lube on Transit since Wednesday accepting food and money donations for the Food Bank of Western NY and he won't be doing it on his own as he's been getting visits by other local celebrities, Jim Kelly, and members of the Buffalo Jills. See the info at http://www.97rock.com/Article.asp?id=2017868&spid=21992
Next up is a pair of things to do Saturday night. The Buffalo Convention Center plays host to the annual World's Largest Disco, a big benefit for Camp Good Days and Special Times. Besides the 70s dance music and appearances by celebrities from the 70s, this event also features an appearance and dance performance by members of the Buffalo Bandettes!
If you wanna dance that night but can't find tickets to the Disco (the event is sold out but there are always scalpers), you can head to Mooney's on Military Road in Kenmore to see Studio 54 band play with a special guest singer...former lead singer Ashlee A from the 2005 Buffalo Jills. Show starts at 10pm.
Next Sunday, the Bills are at home at Ralph Wilson Stadium and that means you can see the Jills in action. Before the game, meet some of the ambassadors in the Fieldhouse and at the 97Rock and Shredd and Ragan Tailgate parties. But the best time to hit up the Shredd and Ragan tailgate party in Lot C is 11:30 as besides the Jills ambassadors who will be there selling and signing calendars, many of the Jills dancers will be there following their field practice to perform for the fans.
Saturday the 4th, the only place to start off your evening will be at SoHo on Chippewa as the Jills will be holding their 4th Annual Fundraiser to help offset the costs of their next calendar shoot. The event goes from 7-9:30 and features pizza, beer, and wine-tasting for a cost of $20. Also included are plenty of raffle prizes to be won and entertainment by the Buffalo Jills. When you consider that other events this year didn't take place due to timing constraints and what not, this is your best chance to meet most of the 2010 Buffalo Jills squad outside of gamedays. There will be a few girls unable to attend however, as 8 Buffalo Jills dancers will be in Iraq lending their support to the troops and what better way to thank these girls for their dedication than by supporting the squad as a whole?
In Toronto, we saw the 2011 Buffalo Bandettes perform alongside the Jills, Jills alumni, and Fusion dancers in the biggest NFL halftime show outside of the playoffs but we've yet to see them perform as a unit. December 5th is when that wait ends as the Bandits host their annual Open Practice at HSBC Arena. The event goes from 10-2pm and besides seeing the 2011 Buffalo Bandits practice, the new Buffalo Bandettes squad will be performing and signing autographs as well.
On December 12th, obviously the Bills are hosting the Browns, but if you're looking for something for your daughters to do before the game, the Bandettes are hosting a dance clinic at HSBC Arena from 10-noon for girls ages 16 and up. Bandettes alumnus Danielle will be choreographing the routine which you'll see performed by the Bandettes at a 2011 game...cost is $20. The clinic is closed to the public and if you have any questions, email beabandette@yahoo.com
Last March, the Buffalo Jills held a fundraiser for their Calendar Shoot to help cut costs on the trip they held this past May. It was a big success with 25 of the 2007 squad in attendance. For the 2009 trip, the fundraiser was bumped up in an effort to cut travel costs even more and 42 of the 45 girls on the squad helped the few hundred guests fill SoHo even more than we filled it in March. They even had to open up the 2nd floor patio bar this time around to handle the crowd. In addition to the larger squad, there was another addition to the event this time around. Anyone who's been to a large Jills event the past several years knows that there's usually a big dance performance involved and with the extra planning time for this event, they put together 2 dance routines performed in the 2nd floor patio bar.
Next up for the Jills are the away game parties with 103.3 The Edge at Rhino's in Orchard Park. The Jills next return to the Ralph on October 19th as the Bills play host to the Chargers but then, the following weekend, October 25th is the date and Club Paradise is the place to be as the Jills put on their annual Swimsuit Calendar Release Party.
Set aside the evenings of September 27th and October 25th for a pair of upcoming Buffalo Jills events!
First up is the Swimsuit Calendar Shoot Fundraiser on September 27th at SoHo, same place we held the last one back in March. It goes from 6pm to 9pm and the $20 ticket includes beer, wine, pizza, and wings. Tickets will be available soon and there are also raffle prizes to be won as well. All proceeds will go to help fund the May 2009 Swimsuit Calendar Shoot Trip.
On October 25th, Club Paradise is the place to be as the Jills hold their annual calendar release party from 9pm-? In addition to getting to meet all 48 members of the 2008-09 Buffalo Jills squad, you'll get to see them put on a bit of a fashion show as they model the swimwear from the soon-to-be-released calendar. And of course, what Jills event would be complete without a dance performance and a big production is being put together for that.
In past years, when the Jills have gone on the road to shoot their swimsuit calendars, the girls themselves have had to put up some of their own money up front to help cover the costs of the trip. This year, in an attempt to reduce those costs, the Jills put on a party at SoHo as a fundraiser. To help out, sponsors and Bills players put up prizes for a Chinese auction and Sabres goalie Ryan Miller donated an autographed hockey stick for a silent auction to help out the Jills in their endeavor.Judging by the turnout, the event was a huge success as SoHo was packed for the entire evening including a pair of former Jills showing up to assist their former squadmates in Kelly Ann (2003-2004) and Danielle M (2005-2006).Next up for the Jills is the Open Workshop on March 30th, the first step in tryouts for the 2008-2009 squad, a squad that will feature Pro Bowler Nicole P taking over as captain for the departing Aimee while Christina and Danielle S step up as co-captains.
This Saturday, March 1st, the 2007 Buffalo Jills will invade SoHo's on Chippewa in downtown Buffalo for a fundraiser to help fund the 2008-09 Buffalo Jills Swimsuit Calendar trip. Cost is $20 and you can get tix through any Buffalo Jill, at the door, or by calling the Jills director Stephanie M at 716-888-9798. The tickets cover all you can eat and drink from 6-9 on wings, pizza, beer, and wine.
This Saturday, March 1st, the 2007 Buffalo Jills will invade SoHo's on Chippewa in downtown Buffalo for a fundraiser to help fund the 2008-09 Buffalo Jills Swimsuit Calendar trip. Cost is $20 and you can get tix through any Buffalo Jill, at the door, or by calling the Jills director Stephanie M at 716-888-9798. The tickets cover all you can eat and drink from 6-9 on wings, pizza, beer, and wine.