Buffalo Unscripted Filming Starts Saturday at Central Terminal, Surprises in Store

By Seamus Gallivan

               I spent some time at the Central Terminal last night getting ready for some of the fun in store for this Saturday’s “I Heart the Central Terminal” event, for which the Good Vibrations are already echoing as we’ve got some surprises in store that are sure to steal the show. Saturday’s event kicks off a wild week of filming for the documentary Buffalo Unscripted - see the full filming schedule – led by three bubbly young Turks currently in a car barreling from Washington, D.C., to Buffalo, on behalf of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which will screen the film at their national convention here in October. Fortunately for their road trip, it’s both wise and legal to drive drunk on Buffalove, which they’re loaded up on after their first visit to town back in May.

               We first met the NTHP’s Leigh Ivey, Julia Rocchi, and Jason Clement when they stopped by the Sportsmens Tavern for our May Friendraiser on a tip from Social Media Club Buffalo’s Nicole Schuman. We introduced them to some folks who could help mobilize, if you will, the City of Good Neighbors to get in on Buffalo Unscripted, from our resident FTBRW Megan Callahan to the musicians who will make up Buffalo Music Unscripted, the finale event we’re hosting next Saturday at Nietzsche’s featuring an ensemble jam and late-night set from Dali’s Ghost.

               As for this Saturday at the Central Terminal, the NTHP trio will have interview stations up and running beginning at 9:30am, at which they’ll ask attendees to say their piece about all things Buffalo, past, present, and future. Painting for Preservation will present their sixth Art-In at the Central Terminal, for which artists of all media and skill levels are invited to make on-site, individual art work of the iconic location. The Titans of the Terminal, Those Idiots, will bring the slapstick polkas and stage our sonorous surprise from 12:30-1:30.  Also, someone had the nerve to invite Lloyd’s Taco Truck, and neighborhood Polish specialties will be served by Pott’s Deli.

               And proving that they didn’t have to stay out until 4am to get absolutely hammered on the Buffalove, they keep saying this – “We’re asking you to exercise your creative spirits and show up decked out for the Central Terminal. This can mean signs, t-shirts, body paint – anything that best expresses your feelings for this special place.”

               Righto, kids, round up the Preservation Body Paint. As Leigh, Julia, and Jason, make their way to town to spend the next week asking questions of Buffalonians, it seems like fun to flip the script and find out what makes them tick. We let Leigh focus on the road and set our sights on Julia and Jason -

Where are you from originally, and what neighborhood do you call home now?

Julia: I grew up in a mile-square town outside of Philly, where nobody thinks twice when you say “wooder” (aka – water) and we could walk to the local pizza joint. I now live in Arlington, Virginia. Pros: tons of parks, mom-and-pop shops, and being in walking distance of everything I need. Cons: surrounded by yuppie-hood.

Jason: It’s a running joke at work that nobody really knows where I’m from. And for good reason – I claim a lot of places as home. I’d say I’m equal parts Cajun and Texan, so one foot in Austin being weird, the other at a crawfish boil in southern Louisiana. In the District, I call Brookland home, a sleepy little historic hood with tree-lined streets, crowded porches, hundred-year-old bungalows, and ladies who wear big hats to church.

If you could describe Buffalo in one word, what would it be?

Julia: Proud, but not in an “arms crossed, don’t come to our city” kind of a way. More in a “come on over and we’ll show you what we got” kind of a way. I am impressed that Buffalonians see beauty in every aspect of their city, and are eager to share it with others.

Jason: Determined. In Buffalo, it’s not if, but when. There’s drive here that’s palpable.

Do you think Buffalo is misunderstood. Why or why not?

Julia: I’m ashamed to admit that as a Syracuse University grad, I often used Buffalo as a punch line for a lot of jokes. But after I graduated and went to visit a friend living in Elmwood, I immediately regretted anything bad I had ever said about it. I found it to be artsy, active, and cozy.

Jason: Absolutely. This city takes a lot of punches – too many. People need to actually come here and see this city for what it is – a beautiful place brimming with pride, passion, and creativity. If people would stop joking about the snow for two seconds, they’d see that. And probably learn a thing or two about resilience and ingenuity.

What places matter to you in Buffalo? What about the city makes you tick?

Julia: It’s such a little thing, but I love seeing Mazurek’s Bakery. The minute we walked in the front door, I instantly understood what the neighborhood used to be like and glimpsed a bygone way of life. (Plus, having a cookie never hurts.)

Jason: The Central Terminal really captures my imagination, and not just because I’m a sucker for Art Deco. I think that building speaks volumes about power and promise. Plus, it’s just a beautiful place.

To the best of your ability, define Buffalove.

Julia: Buffalove is Sarah Bishop from Buffalo First giving me a hug after our first dinner like we were lifelong friends.

Jason: Buffalove is people not just accepting, but befriending three strangers from Washington who want to make a documentary.