The Foundry is the real deal. If we had an initiative of this sort in every part of the city, it would be incredible. As it stands, just to have one such production in a city is worth its weight in gold. After all, The Foundry is a grassroots initiative that is also a catalyst for other grassroots initiatives to flourish. The Foundry offers the resources to gather the building blocks of a neighborhood in order to create synergy among often times disparate groups. It brings artists, growers, builders, musicians and thinkers together in order to introduce them to a community that yearns for stimulating and interactive activities.
This Saturday The Foundry is showcasing Sol Y Sombra - Latin Jazz and More, along with cooking demonstrations by Chef Stefan of The Larkin Filling Station. Chef Stefan will be cooking with produce grown right in the neighborhood. Plus there will be a farm stand and local artisans peddling their wares. Jolene Snowden, an artisan who sells her hand-knitted hats, fingerless gloves, and earmuffs at the sale stated, "The Saturday Sales have really helped me launch my business. More people are getting to see my items and it's a really fun event for the public and all of the vendors." In addition there will be beer brewing demonstrations as well as coffee roasting! Don't miss a local woodworker who will be milling wood harvested from deconstructed structures in the city - the ultimate reuse of materials.
Second Saturday @ The Foundry | November 10, 2012 | Noon to 5pm | Facebook
Here's more info from The Foundry, so that you can get involved... by either stopping by and supporting these inspirational efforts, or by learning a craft and showcasing your talents:
Growing the Green Economy: Second Saturdays at The Foundry.
The Foundry complex at 298 Northampton Street, Buffalo NY 14208, provides affordable workspaces for artisans and artists, especially those who incorporate reclaimed or alternative materials in their creations. Shared tools, equipment and expertise are available to tenants and the community at large. The Foundry also serves as a community space for meetings, theatrical productions, celebrations and other group events. For more information visit The Foundry's website at www.thefoundrybuffalo.org or email info@thefoundrybuffalo.org.
Second Saturdays at the Foundry will be held for the remainder of this year, on the Second Saturday of each month, at 298 Northampton Street in Buffalo. The events are hosted by Net+Positive, a new not for profit organization serving communities on the East Side of Buffalo. Further information is available at Net Positive's website - www.netpositivefoundation.org.
Attempting to be constructive here....
I've been to this on a prior Saturday. I went there with the intention of spending money. It was about 2:00, but the food hadn't started yet.
My take away from it was the vendors have some interesting things, but they need to be a bit more...well...receptive to people walking up to them. It has a 'hipster' kind of feel, where they seem to be more interested in the other vendors.
I get that if they were more 'commercially inclined', they'd be at the Galleria. May sound straight from Wall Mart, but I'd put a person at the front greeting people, and explaining what's where (vendors there, food there, band will be there in ten minutes).