Kootsie Ball | Buffalo, NY
  • Videos
  • History/Photos
    • Kootsie History
    • The Seventies
    • The Eighties
    • The Nineties
    • Two Thousands
    • Through The Years
  • Schedule
  • Mailing List
  • Videos
  • History/Photos
    • Kootsie History
    • The Seventies
    • The Eighties
    • The Nineties
    • Two Thousands
    • Through The Years
  • Schedule
  • Mailing List

Kootsie Ball History

2016 marks the 40th anniversary of Buffalo's longest running gala, and it's great to be back where it all started in 1976—in the gorgeously restored Hotel Lafayette! The first Kootsie was one of the last events held in the Crystal Ballroom before closing down.  Taking over both the  ballrooms, with two stages, four bands, a floor show, hors d'oeuvres and an open bar.  The night begins at 8pm. As always, the dress is Creative Black Tie. Capacity is limited. Check out the links below to see past parties . . .

Picture
Picture
Beatlemania Live 1994
Picture
Picture
Michael Civisca 1997
Picture
Pontani Sisters 2002
Picture
Future Dance 2012
Picture
Kootsie Faerie
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Sheas Theater 1980

The Kootsie Over The Years:

1976:   December 30 : Crystal Ballroom of Hotel Lafayette

Johnny LoVecchio Big Band
Rob Allen (Magician)
Glennie Brothers (Portrait artists)
1978:   December 30 : Shea's Buffalo Theater
Dick Mertle Big Band
Wurlitzer Band Organ
1980:   December 27 : Shea's Buffalo Theater
Flexadisc Recorded Invitations
Jack Lis Big Band
Amherst Saxophone Quartet
1982: December 31 : Erie Community College Downtown
Jay Mann Big Band
The Viceroys
1984:  December 29 :  Erie Community College Downtown
Gus Broncato Orchestra
Flash in the Pan strolling entertainers
1986:  December 27 : Erie Community College Downtown
Gus Broncato Orchestra
Flash in the Pan strolling entertainers
Gordon Highlanders Pipe & Drum Band
1990: December 29 : Connecticut Street Armory
Motorcade to start party
Gus Broncato Orchestra
Flash in the Pan strolling entertainers
Queen City Stompers
Outer Circle Orchestra
1992:  December 26 : Connecticut Street Armory
Variety Telethon Orchestra
Gordon Highlanders Pipe & Drum Band
M.C.: "Shane, Brother Shane"
"The Earl of Bud"
12/8 Path Band
Them Jazzbeards
 The Scofflaws
1994:  December 31 : Connecticut Street Armory
Variety Telethon Orchestra
M.C.: Jesse Galante
African-American Cultural Center Dancers
Michelle Costa puppeteer
Them Jazzbeards
Dave Schulz's "Shaft"
Lance Diamond

Beatlemania Live
1996: June 15 :
Connecticut Street Armory
The Sattalites
Outer Circle Orchestra
Them Jazzbeards
Black River Blues Band
LeeRon Zydeco
CO Jones
1997:  December 27 : Connecticut Street Armory
Michael Civisca
CO Jones
Gordon Highlanders Pipe & Drum Band
Billy McEwen & Soul Invaders
The Jump Kings
Outer Circle Orchestra
The Caverners
12/8 Path Band

1999: December 31 : Connecticut Street Armory
Swing Dance Lessons
The Buffalo Jills
The Jump Kings
LeeRon Zydeco
Billy McEwen & Soul Invaders
Them Jazzbeards
The Steam Donkeys
Grupo Fiesta

The Project, featuring Tommy Z
Outer Circle Orchestra
Skin Tight Funk Band
The Sattalites
Question Mark & the Mysterians
2002:  March 23 :  Buffalo Hyatt Regency
City Side Polka Band

The Pyramid Big Band
JJ Swing Band
The Legendary Dukes
Orengue Latin Band
Universal Grille
The Pontani Sisters
Dita Von Teese
2004: December 31 :  The Statler Towers Ballrooms
LeeRon Zydeco
Buffalo Swing Band

All-Star Motown Revue
Strictly Riddim'
Orengue
2012:  December 8 : Hotel Lafayette Ballrooms
Buffalo Swing Big Band
JJ Swing
Future Dance Center
Flueron Rouge belly dancers
The Rockaz
Unity Band Funk Show
Extravaganza

2014:  December 6 : Hotel Lafayette Ballrooms
The Informers
Fredtown Stompers
Buffalo Dolls
Future Dance
Slyboots Drum Ensemble
Foxy Diamondz
The Unity Band
The Outer Circle Orchestra

2016: December 10 : Hotel Lafayette Ballrooms
Gordon Highlanders
Future Dance
Slyboots Ensemble

Fredtown Stompers
The Informers
The Rockaz
Nerds Gone Wild
CO Jones

2018: December 8 : Hotel Lafayette Ballrooms
Fredtown Stompers
Scotia Society Pipes & Drums
JJ Swing
Fusion Dance
Buffalo Brass Machine
Nerds Gone Wild
CO Jones
The Abruptors

Picture
Picture
Millennium Countdown 1999
Picture
Dita Von Teese 2002
Picture
Picture
Unity Band 2012
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
© The Kootsie Ball. All rights reserved.