Some summer 2010 Jills appearances-revisited

Over the summer of 2010, I took the opportunity to photograph the Jills at 3 separate smaller appearances all over Western NY.
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in June, the alumni of West Valley and Ellicottville Central Schools got together for a football game to raise funds for the youth football programs in both communities. To help with that effort, they called in Lindsay and Jessica of the Buffalo Jills. I got there soon after Lindsay did and it wasn't long before Jessica joined us. After we met up with the girls' contact, we walked around the area selling programs and raffle tickets. Several fans also got autographs and photos.

Lindsay and Jessica

Lindsay and Jessica with the players and some of the fans

See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/pictures/2218
The following Friday, it was off to Buffalo's Cobblestone District where the Gateway-Longview family service organization put together their 2nd Annual BBQ and Blues Bash as a fundraiser for their non-profit organization. When I got there, the event was already in full swing and the street was packed with people lined up to get food and enjoy the beautiful afternoon. Rookies Meghan and Morgan were already there and veterans Alyssa and Lindsay showed up at about the same time I did. The Jills quickly went to work selling Chinese Auction tickets for prizes donated by the Bills and the Sabres while greeting fans and signing autographs. The Jills weren't the only ones signing autographs though as Keith Ellison, Lydell Sargeant, and Cary Harris of the Buffalo Bills were also on hand for the event. I talked to them for a little while as the girls circulated around the tents that were set up to protect everyone from the bright sun and the time seemed to fly by. Before long, it was time to go and the girls' contact thanked us all, myself included, for all our help. Learn more about Gateway-Longview at www.gateway-longview.org

Meghan and Morgan with Lydell Sargeant and Cary Harris of the Bills

Alyssa and Lindsay with the Bills' Keith Ellison

See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/pictures/2227

The final appearance we're visiting in this post wasn't one I expected. One of the great things about Buffalo in the summer, other than the relatively mild heat (as opposed to other regions of the country...it still gets pretty hot here) is the large number of festivals that go on seemingly every weekend in the region. When I made plans to attend the Italian Heritage Festival, I had no idea that I'd be running into current members of the Jills. My reason for going actually revolved around a Jills alum, though. 2005 Jills alum Ashlee A is a gifted singer I became good friends with several years before and she was lending her angelic voice to the patio of Class Act, a bar on the edge of the Festival, a few nights during the event.

I showed up a little earlier than planned and Ashlee was scheduled to sing a little later and shortly before she arrived, Jills rookies Taryn and Jaclyn came by. They were headed to another part of the festival so I joined them, telling Ashlee and her mother I'd return in a little while. As it turned out, Taryn and Jaclyn weren't the only current Jills there as we ran into Courteney and her husband on our way to the Festival's Main Stage. We took a few photos on the way as we were assaulted by all the smells of the foods being cooked before making it to the main stage. With all the foods being cooked, Jaclyn was thankful she ate beforehand and Taryn decided she'd be coming back after she switched into street clothes. Once we made it to the main stage, they posed for photos with fans and the just-crowned Miss Italian Festival while they set about collecting donations to support the Festival.

I only stuck with Jaclyn and Taryn a little while longer so I could head back to see Ashlee and her family and listen to her angelic voice.

Taryn and Jaclyn with Courteney

Ashlee on the mic

See all the pics at https://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/pictures/2235
From the Bandettes comes a photo from the Bandits Home Finale against the New England Blackwolves. Shown posing for a photo are McKenzie and Janelle, both of whom are back for the 2016 Bandits season, 2 of the 6 returning vets who are welcoming in 9 fresh-faced rookies.

McKenzie and Janelle

The Teasers, Disco Duck, and a new show for Theresa Joy

Living in the Southern Tier of Western NY, it isn't always feasible to catch a lot of the local bands out of Buffalo with most of their performances over an hour and a half away so when a band I know makes it closer, I'm sure to make it out to see them if I can. Last night, Jills alumnus Aimee L (2003) and her band The Teasers trekked down from Lockport to Dunkirk to put on a show at Walleye Willie's and the bar that held about 20 people when I arrived, was getting pretty full during the show which had the band putting a great performance together with a wide variety of hits. See all the pics at http://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/pictures/25609 and find out more about The Teasers and where they're playing at https://www.facebook.com/theteasers

At this time last week, The Teasers show was the only one I planned to see but a few days ago, I found out that another singing Jills alumnus, Ashlee A from the 2005 Ambassador Squad, had just joined up with Disco Duck, the very same group that Aimee sang with for a few years herself. As luck would have it, they were playing just a few miles away so after a couple sets with the Teasers, I trekked north for about 20 minutes until I came to Sunset Bay, one of Western New York's most popular beach clubs where Ashlee and Disco Duck had the whole club jumping already only moments into their 2nd set of the evening. They even brought a group of women on stage for a rendition of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" and one of them came back on stage to play drums for some good old rock 'n'roll. See all the pics at http://buffaloprocheerbuffalojills.shutterfly.com/pictures/25648 and find out where they're playing at http://www.thediscoduckband.com/ They're still working on updating their site with Ashlee only joining up recently.

Last year at this time, we told you about 1998-2002 Jills Alumnus Theresa Joy, who's been working in her acting career since leaving the Jills. She starred in CTV's The Bridge, which aired for a season in Canada before CBS kind of short-changed it by giving it only 2 showings on Saturday nights in the summer. Now she's working on a an already-established comedy series on CBC called The Republic of Doyle, which has been renewed for a third season. Watch http://www.cbc.ca/republicofdoyle/ to find out more about the show as they are starting to film their third season.

As for the current squad, there are still a few tickets available for the 9th Annual Buffalo Jills Golf Tournament being held on August 1st at Williamsville's Westwood Country Club. As in past years, the $125 fee covers lunch, dinner, 18 holes of golf with cart, and entertainment by the Buffalo Jills dancers. They are also auctioning off Jills as caddies for the day and offering various games, including a dunk booth, on the course this year. Get all the details and register at http://buffalojills.net/Article.asp?id=2217842&spid=34534

There is also one extra bonus to this year's Golf Tourney. As everyone knows, the Buffalo Bills changed uniforms for the 2011 season and, while the Jills uniforms have made some upgrades the past few years, they won't exactly match with the Bills uniforms. The Jills are expecting their 2011 uniforms to be in just in time for the Tournament to unveil them to their biggest fans.

Lots more to share

First up are some more photos from Saturday night's Jills Comedy Show. As many fans know, FCI Photography was the official photographers of the Buffalo Jills for several years. Well, after a 1-year hiatus, they're back on the job with the Jills and were also on-hand Saturday night and took a lot of photos as well. Check them all out at http://fciphotography.smugmug.com/Buffalo-Jills/Jills-2011-events/Jills-Comedy-night/15672593_myn2g#1174700932_8XTPi-A-LB

After the Comedy Show, I myself went downtown to visit with the Studio 54 dance band who, as many of you already know, used to have a Buffalo Jill as the lead singer. Well, the current lead singer is also into acting as well and occasionally, Ashlee fills in for her with the band. This past weekend, Ashley Kate was playing the role of Cheryl in "The Taffetas" and is also slated to play the role of Lucy in a production of "Jekyll & Hyde" in late March. So Ashlee was ready, willing, and able to fill in for her both in Lockport Friday night and at the Shadow Lounge Saturday night. Check out all the pics at http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/buffalojills2005/2010/Ashlee%20with%20Studio%2054-2/

Also, make sure to visit http://www.studio54band.com/home to learn more about the band, see showdates, and even get a little extra info on when Ashley Kate is on stage as Lucy in March.

Finally, the spring of 2008 was the beginning of one of the biggest non-sporting event to hit the area since Wingfest was founded...the Buffalo Men's Show! Sponsored in part by Jills primary sponsor 97Rock, the Jills will once again be in attendance at the March 27th event to be held at Seneca Niagara Events Center in Niagara Falls, NY. In addition to the Jills, who will be there putting on a big dance performance, there's always plenty of celebrities, models, and all sorts of neat gadgets and toys to check out like big electronics items, ATVs, snowmobiles and the like. Last year's event included Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, Ruben Brown, and Mark Steenhuis as well as local model Jessica Daniels who landed the cover of the current Bikini USA calendar. Tickets go on sale on February 7th and more celebrities are joining the current line-up that can be found at http://www.97rock.com/Article.asp?id=2092619&spid=

Stay tuned to 97Rock and the Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog for more info on the 3rd Annual Buffalo Men's Show!

Ashlee singing with her old band

Most long-time followers of the Jills are well-aware of 2005 Ambassador Squad member Ashlee A, who auditioned for American Idol several years ago and, since her days on the Jills, has been singing as well as working with her fiancé at his Pride Martial Arts Academy in Amherst. Ashlee spent a couple of years as the female lead singer for Buffalo's Studio 54 Dance Band before moving on to work with the About Face Band which performs mostly at weddings as opposed to the club circuit around Western NY. Even after Ashlee's departure, she maintains her friendships with Studio 54 so when the current female lead, Ashley Kate, had a wedding to attend the same evening as a gig, Ashlee was ready, willing, and able to fill in at the World's Smallest Disco as it was billed. With the World's Largest Disco happening downtown at the same time featuring members of the Bandettes, it was probably a fitting name. Check out the pics from Mooney's in Kenmore at http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/buffalojills2005/2010/Ashlee%20Studio%2054/

and let's not forget the video. Since Ashlee left the band 3 1/2 years ago, "Wild Night" by John Mellencamp hasn't been a staple of the group. Ashlee and guitarist Joey D decided to treat the crowd to a special treat, though.

Learn more about Studio 54 at http://www.studio54band.com/ , About Face at http://www.aboutfaceband.com/ and Pride Martial Arts at http://www.buffalokickbox.com/

Dates to circle

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

Buffalo's Italian Festival

One of the great things about Buffalo in the summer, other than the relatively mild heat (as opposed to other regions of the country...it still gets pretty hot here) is the large number of festivals that go on seemingly every weekend in the region. In addition to the Taste of Buffalo last weekend, the Italian Festival kicked off on Thursday and Hamburg, NY is holding its Burgerfest today as well.

Unfortunately, a scheduling conflict was an issue for the Taste of Buffalo and the Jills last weekend but they're making up for it with appearances at the Sorrento Cheese Italian Heritage Festival on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo this weekend. Considering that the Italian Festival seemed busier than the Taste, it worked out pretty well. Friday evening, Jills rookies Taryn and Jaclyn were on hand to collect donations to support the festival as well as meet and pose with fans as well as the reigning Miss Italian Festival. Appearances like these are definitely not a chore for the girls as Courteney and her husband were there as well and Taryn planned on returning to the festival in street clothes herself to check it all out. Jaclyn made sure to eat before the appearance to avoid temptation however...lol.

However, this post isn't just about current Jills...it wasn't even an advertised appearance for them. It was, however, an advertised appearance for Jills alumnus Ashlee A(2005), who spent a few years singing with Studio 54 and now sings with the About Face Band and was singing at Class Act, a bar on the edge of the Italian Festival, Thursday and Friday nights. In addition to her singing, she helps her fiancé with his Martial Arts Academy in Williamsville.

Check out the photos at http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/buffalojills2005/2010/Italian%20Festival/

The next major Jills appearance is August 2 at Williamsville's Westwood Country Club when the Jills hold their 8th Annual Golf Tournament. Go to http://buffalojills.net/Article.asp?id=1833570&spid=34534 for details on this event.

That's not the only time they'll be on the golf course that week as some of them will be appearing on August 4th at the Turning Stone Resort Championship, partnered with the Buffalo Bills, in Verona, NY.

Also, don't forget, Buffalo Bills Training Camp starts up July 29 in Pittsford, NY and there will be occasional appearances by the Buffalo Jills for many of the practices.

Finally, since this post was about 1 Jills alumnus, it's a good time to remind you about another Jills alumnus, Theresa Joy (1998-2002), whose TV series "The Bridge" is airing tonight on CBS at 8pm. Make sure you tune in or at the very least set your DVRs.

Some more from the world of Ashlee

Longtime followers are well aware of 2005 Jills alumnus Ashlee A, an accomplished singer as well as a look-alike for Penelope Cruz. After a few years with Studio 54, she's been singing with the About Face Band, which mostly performs at weddings along with the occasional appearance at Verbena Grille in Williamsville. Saturday night was one of those appearances and Ashlee and the band put in a great performance for a packed house.

However, that's not all Ashlee is into these days. While the private lives of Jills and Jills alumni are basically kept private, on occasion they do like the public to know about a few things.
In addition to her singing, Ashlee is also involved in another business. She and her fiance own and run the Pride Martial Arts Academy in Williamsville and they're having an Open House on Saturday, May 22 from 10am-2pm with free food, prizes, and other giveaways. Find out more at http://www.amherstpridemma.com/

A woman of many talents

2005 Buffalo Jill Ashlee Amoia has more than beauty going for her. She's also an accomplished singer, having appeared on American Idol, winning the 2004 Italian Idol in Buffalo, and singing in not 1, but 2 groups in the Buffalo area. She's been singing with Studio 54 for going on 2 years and started singing with About Face a few months ago.

Add acting to her repertoire. She's acted in a few plays already but is about to be seen on MTV's mobile channel in the new drama "I Remember Chloe." There are expected to be previews of the micro-series during the MTV Movie Awards to be broadcast Sunday, June 3rd. The series was filmed in Pittsburgh back in December and features Ashlee appearing as Donna Hess, a friend of the title character.

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0892501/