This was Parousia’s third and final performance for the graduating class of Calasanctius. The grand event was held at Davio’s on Niagara Falls Blvd. Davio’s, an Italian restaurant and banquet hall, had two or three large rooms that I can remember. Highly considered as one of “the places” to hold a wedding reception, reunion, or other wallet-busting event.
Parousia at Davio’s. Patt Connolly and Barry Cannizzaro.
– Photo courtesy of “Crissy” (Mike Carol’s little sister).
Parousia didn’t care about the ‘swank’. Lord knows we rocked some danky-holes. Parousia was here to entertain the student body of Calisanctius. They hired us when they were sophomores, juniors and now graduating seniors.
Each time, we looked forward to playing our songs for this school of super intelligent-beings. Besides that, there was a full-bar just outside the ball room and all of us were 21 years of age!
Parousia at Davo’s. Robert Lowden and Barry Cannizzaro
The band was hanging outside in the Davio’s parking lot before the show. Patt was ‘feeling good’ and so was Robert. I’m not sure how it started but the question was raised as to who was faster, Patt or Bob. Bob was bragging that he was a fast runner and could not be caught and Patt challenged him.
They looked directly at each other for a moment and before I knew what was happening they both took off like a bolt of lightning, speeding around the Davio’s parking lot! Man, I never saw them move so fast!
At Davio’s: Gerry North Cannizzaro and his sonic monster, the North Drum Kit
Events that made this show memorable: This was our first year anniversary with the fabulous “Mike and Shirley light show” and Gerry’s first or second gig with his new seven piece North drum kit.
PAROUSIA Financial Statement – Davio’s, June 5, 1981
Parouisa was paid a whopping $500.00 to play for Calisanctius and I don’t say that sarcastically. That was big bucks to the band. We were guaranteed to make expenses and have some left over for… PIZZA, and as you can see by the statement we do buy pizza for the entire crew and entourage. You can’t beat the goodwill pizza buys at a measly $33.00.
Besides food, we paid Dave Styn to run sound for $40.00. Mike Carroll was paid $40.00 to set up and run lights. Road crew, Steve Styn and Keith Huels paid $10.00 each for loading, unloading and set-up. The truck rental was split between tonight’s show at Davio’s and tomorrow’s show at Graffiti’s on Elmwood Ave. That was a good thing. We could leave the truck loaded tonight as long as it was safely parked at Garth’s House.
PAROUSIA on stage at Buff State Social Hall. September 1981
St. Joseph Calasanctius…He quietly replaced the eye in its socket
Calisantius text appears courtesy of Artvoice “Intellectuals and Community” Jan. 2013 by Bruce Fisher.
Gerry Cannizzaro March 8, 2015 at 6:50 pm
Here is my funny story about Ted Reindhardt… back on June 5, 1981 my band Parousia performed at a party for Calasanctius high school at Davio’s Restaurant on Niagara Falls Blvd. I remember that before our show, I went to the bar to get a drink and there was a tall man sitting on a bar stool in front of me. He was watching my band set up and in particular he was eye-balling my North drum kit.
His back was to the window and there was a lot of glare, so I couldn’t see his face too well. He said hi, and asked me about my drum kit, where I got it, how much it cost… and then he asked me, “Hey who’s your favorite drummer in Buffalo.” Without hesitation I said, “Ted Reinhardt”.
He looked at me with a quizzical expression and said, “I’m Ted Reinhardt”. I was mortified that I didn’t recognize him, but we had a good laugh over it. Ted was a drumming inspiration to me and to many others. He was an awesome visage behind the drums. He lurched over his drum kit like a buzzard and played with bare feet.
I never got to see the band Rodan, but I wished I had. I did see him many times in Spyro Gyra and Gamalon and was always blown away by his playing. Hat’s off to a great guy and an amazing drummer. We’ll all miss you Ted! 03/04/2015
Read More at https://parousiabuff.com/shows/gifted-students-calasanctius-school-appreciate-parousia, Written by GerryNorth, Copyright © Parousia Buff
Here is my funny story about Ted Reindhardt… back on June 5, 1981 my band Parousia performed at a party for Calasanctius high school at Davio’s Restaurant on Niagara Falls Blvd. I remember that before our show, I went to the bar to get a drink and there was a tall man sitting on a bar stool in front of me. He was watching my band set up and in particular he was eye-balling my North drum kit. His back was to the window and there was a lot of glare, so I couldn’t see his face to well. He said hi, and asked me about my drum kit, where I got it, how much it cost… and then he asked me, “Hey who’s your favorite drummer in Buffalo.” Without hesitation I said, “Ted Reinhardt”. He looked at me with a quizzical expression and said, “I’m Ted Reinhardt”. I was mortified that I didn’t recognize him, but we had a good laugh over it. Ted was a drumming inspiration to me and to many others. He was an awesome visage behind the drums. He lurched over his drum kit like a buzzard and played with bare feet. I never got to see the band Rodan, but I wished I had. I did see him many times in Spyro Gyra and Gamalon and was always blown away by his playing. Hat’s off to a great guy and an amazing drummer. We’ll all miss you Ted! 03/04/2015
I know Eric was happy since it was so close to his house, and he helped us buy the pizzas at Bocce’s (at a discount because he worked there). I liked playing for Calasanctius because they were “gifted” students and understood the satire we tried to bring to the show, in contrast to the rural places we usually played.
We were drinking beer outside once everything was set up, which had become customary with the road crew at that time. I don’t remember exactly what was said about Robert being the fastest runner, but a challenge was laid down, and it was “Go!” and we both took off. We ran for about 100 yards and both called it quits. Between the adrenaline and the alcohol, I don’t think I ever ran that fast in my life. So I guess we declared that a tie.