This week, Monday, May 8, from 5 to 10pm, it’s the Blossom Cohan party at Studio Arena Theatre. The legendary Studio Arena publicist/special events planner/archivist/historian/actress and all-round great gal died in March, and in her will she provided for one last party! All friends and fans of “The Bloss” are invited, as are members of the theater community. Blossom’s son, Dean Cohan, will be there, as will her daughter-in-law Leslie, her former intern Tom Fontana and the new Studio Arena artistic director Kathleen Gaffney. Expect press people, audience members, printers, travel agents, bartenders, musicians, advertising executives, designers, technicians, bankers, actors—in short, the Brechtian parade of Buffalo humanity whose lives have been touched by the legendary Blossom Cohan. It’s a celebration of Blossom’s life, her example for living it to the fullest and her eternally positive attitude.

It’s a busy night in Buffalo, with the Artvoice Best of Buffalo awards happening right across the street. Theater nominees for the Best of Buffalo awards are advised that the theater awards will be given during the first block of Best of Buffalo prizes, beginning at 6:30pm. After that, at about 7:30pm, the Best of Buffalo theater nominees and winners will be introduced at the Blossom Cohan party. Timely tabulations allowing, the Artie Award nominations will be announced at the Blossom Cohan party at about 9pm. Artie co-host Lisa Ludwig will be on hand for the festivities—as will all the theater folk in town.

Guide to drinking with Blossom:

• Have a “martini” or “rye with a splash of soda.”

• Do not specify the brands.

• A martini is, by definition, made with gin. The martini, the vodka martini and the Cosmopolitan are three distinctly different beverages. When ordering a martini, a bartender who asks, “Gin or vodka?” thinks you are an amateur. Take it as a compliment.

• At home, enjoy a “Dickens martini”—that’s with an Olive and a Twist. When out at a bar or restaurant, however, have as little “vegetation” as possible, for “olives displace too much gin.”

It was important to Blossom that she be remembered not with tears but with laughter and good times. It was also important to her that her beloved Studio Arena should endure on into the future. So do come on down to toast the legendary Blossom Cohan, late Grande Dame of Buffalo Theatre!