David Cassidy on the Web
'70s-centric dudes, divas bring down the brick house
November 26, 2011
Wildly popular World's Largest Disco boogies back to Buffalo for 18th year
By Dan Herbeck
News Staff Reporter
http://www.buffalonews.com
Standing next to his wife, bopping to the music in his outrageous black Afro wig, his silver swinger glasses and his shiny silver shirt, Kenneth M. DiGesare Jr. couldn't stop smiling.
For one night, he was light years away from his day job as a carpenter, and thoroughly enjoying life as a 1970s party boy at the annual World's Largest Disco event in Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.
"This is beautiful. I grew up listening to disco music, and always loved to dance," said DiGesare, of Kenmore, as the Commodores' "Brick House" blared on the sound system. "I always loved to dance. John Travolta is my idol."
"Our kids are with my parents tonight, and we're totally free to have a good time," chimed in his wife, Carrie, looking flashy in her flowered jumpsuit.
They were not alone in their glee. They were two of an estimated 7,000 people who showed up Saturday night at Buffalo's Boogie Wonderland.
And an iconic figure from the '70s -- pop music star and "Partridge Family" actor David Cassidy -- came to Buffalo to enjoy it with them.
"It's fantastic to see all these people having fun to support a great cause," said Cassidy, who made the girls swoon in the '70s and still looks pretty sharp at age 61. "Something like this would never fly in LA. You've got a real community here in Buffalo. People look out for each other."
Tickets cost $65 each, and sold out in six hours in early August. Organizer David Pietrowski said he runs the event to have fun and raise money for Camp Good Days and Special Times, for kids with cancer.
The event -- an immensely popular Saturday-after-Thanksgiving Buffalo tradition -- was first held in 1979. It went on a 15-year hiatus after that, but resumed in 1994 and has been held annually since.
It continues to be a great draw for folks who like to hit the dance floor in memory of the glory days of the disco music craze.
And man, there were some crazy-looking people there Saturday night.
One guy strutted around in a suit that featured flashing lights up and down his trouser legs. Another wore a long, flowing sequined cloak, tight black pants and a big gold belt buckle with an "R" on it.
"Rick James was my second cousin, and this is one of his stage outfits," said the man, who called himself "Booker -- just Booker."
Kevin Lipomi, 52, of Clarence, wore a red velour "pimp suit" with a wide-brimmed hat to match.
"This is the only night of the year you could wear something like this," he said.
There even was a guy in a hockey jersey, dressed up as Danny Gare, the famous Buffalo Sabres great. Wait a minute -- it was Danny Gare.
"I've never been to one of these before, but this is fantastic," Gare said. "This takes me back to my old days, to Mulligan's [Cafe.]"
Pietrowski said he was glad people were having a good time, but even more glad that the event has raised money for the kids' camp. "I've been running this for 18 years. After tonight, we'll have raised close to $3 million," Pietrowski said. "Good fun for a good cause."
