wednesday august 27th 2008
Subversive Theatre Collective Has A New Home
Eli George
Alt Theatre now has some company in the Great Arrow Building at 255 Elmwood Avenue – The Manny Fried Playhouse. The Subversive Theatre Collective has been bounced from venue to venue to produce plays and our proud to present this newly opened theatre as their permanent home. They will be celebrating with a Theatre Warming party on Friday, September 5th.
The Playhouse will be named after Manny Fried, the man in the photograph with this post. Fried is a Buffalo native who since the 1930s has been a force in the area. He was a union organizer and a writer, dedicated to social justice. He has written novels and essays, short stories and dramas, many of which encompass the way everybody is a human being, no different from anyone else. For his union activities and writings, he was blacklisted in the 50s and 60s and has spent his life knowing what it is like to live around political turmoil.
He retired as Professor Emeritus from Buffalo State College where he taught creative writing and now…
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tuesday august 26th 2008
A Fortunate Faux Pas
Sandra Williams Gordon
In the March issue of BR, an image was used for the article of the Buffalo Club that led to the introduction to Dr. V. Roger Lalli, and his photo-realistic watercolors of Buffalo.
At 86 years of age, Dr. Lalli is a dynamic and passionate supporter of Buffalo as both the great city it once was, and the new one he sees dawning. He seems particularly well situated to tell his Buffalo story through his artwork, his role as an educator, historian and impassioned supporter of the city he loves.
Lalli's life story could be written as a novel. Growing up in a family of musicians and inventors, he learned the exacting craft of making fine accordions from the age of 12. Lalli also worked as an auto mechanic, bricklayer, carpenter and instrument builder, as well as being a prominent semi-professional cyclist.
Lalli was recognized early in his life as having unique and special gifts a…
thursday august 21st 2008
From Tusk to Tail: Animals and Art
Eli George
Image: Antelope Headpiece with Basketry Cap, 18th Century (Bambara, Malli, Tji'Wara Society) Wood, plant, fiber - Collection Buffalo Museum of Science
The latest exhibit at the Albright-Knox will be one that takes viewers on a journey across the globe. It’s called “From Tusk to Tail: Animals and Art” and explores how different artists across the world have represented different animals. This is the second exhibit at the Knox that has been organized in partnership with the Buffalo Museum of Science, using sculptures from their extensive collection of ethnographic works as well as a number of examples from the Gallery’s Permanent Collection.
The exhibit was organized by Curator of Education Mariann Smith and is accompanied by an audio tour. Some of the interesting things at the exhibit will be animals from ancient Chinese tombs, magical d…
monday august 18th 2008
Artpark At Shea's
buffalorising
For one night only, Artpark leaves Lewiston, NY, and brings this year’s cast to Shea’s Smith Theatre. Artpark has just completed their first weekend of shows and this upcoming weekend will be their last. This year, they are producing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast with tickets ranging from $25 to $45. Your opportunity to see the cast and hear some of the songs comes this Wednesday, August 20 for just $15.
The show is a benefit cabaret called “Behind the Castle.” Cast members Loraine O’Donnell and Lisa Ludwig will host a night of song and dance while director Randall Kramer plays along on the piano. All proceeds from this event go to Benedict House, whose mission is to provide non-discriminatory residential housing opportunities and supportive services for persons living with AIDS.
If you weren’t sure if you wanted to go see the show, this is a good way to discover …
Eli George
How many of you made it to last year’s Opening Night Gala at the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra? How many missed out? With the show being a sell out, it might be prudent to buy your tickets as soon as possible. You can do that starting August 25th at 9 AM as well as purchase any tickets for the 2008/2009 Season.
Their Opening Night Gala features Itzhak Perlman on September 27th at 8 PM. JoAnn Falletta will be conducting with Perlman playing the violin. The evening begins with Roman Carnival Overture by Berlioz, a masterwork that provides a zesty snapshot of the Renaissance. It will be followed by Roman Festivals by Respighi, a tribute to the Age of Caesar. Lastly, Perlman will tune up his treasured Stradivarius to play Violin Concerto No. 1 by Bruch, a work of poetic reverie and f…
Eli George
The Performing Arts Center at Rockwell at Buffalo State College just announced their 2008-2009 Great Performers Series. The series, presented by M&T Bank and WBFO, brings world-class artists to the college. This year the series brings everything from Louisiana blues to a flamenco guitarist, Celtic Christmas carols to bluegrass.
Rockwell hall only has a capacity of 856. This intimate setting provides a great way to listen to these talented artists, but unfortunately, it means that not everyone who wants to go gets to go. The tickets for all of the performers in the series go on sale August 25 at 9 AM. Tickets for every show range between $30 and $37 – making it a very affordable outing the whole family can enjoy together.
If the price is a little out of your range, there are ways to make the tickets more affordable. With the Flex Pack, you can purchase three or more tickets to…
sunday august 17th 2008
Buffalo Society of Artists
Sandra Williams Gordon
Formed in April of 1891, the Buffalo Society of Artists is one of the oldest arts organizations in Western New York. The other being The Buffalo Fine Arts Academy, predecessor and parent organization of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, founded in 1862.
The history of these two organizations is tightly intertwined and reads as a continuing loop of discussions and controversy over issues such as the appreciation of local artists and traditional vs. modern and progressive art. The role of a publicly funded local art gallery and the decisions it makes in promoting and showcasing art of a particular region or genre has been an ongoing debate between the two factions.
Although they enjoyed a close relationship in the early years, the Society's formation may have come about in direct relationship to a comment by Ralph H. Plumb, then president of The Buffalo Fine Arts Academy that "T…
saturday august 16th 2008
Music Saves Lives
Allie Friedman
Buffalo is rounding out the 2008 summer season with some rocking musicians on August 20th at the Town Ballroom, 681 Main Street. Popular pop-rock band Jack's Mannequin will be headlining, accompanied by Phantom Planet, the group known for their hit single, "California," appointed as the theme song for the fox television series, The OC.
Other bands on the bill include Treaty of Paris and Paper Route. Doors are open to all ages, and the show begins at 6 PM. Tickets are $22 in advance and can be purchased at all Tickets.com locations; otherwise they are $25 on the day of the show.
This summer, Buffalo is getting a treat of phenomonal talent and inspiration, with singer and songwriter Stacy Clark, formerly of Grand Island, opening for Jack's Mannequin. Clark recently allowed Jack's Mannequin to use her voice in two of their hit tracks, "Crashing" and "Spinning," whic…
friday august 15th 2008
La Cacahouette’s “French For Peanut” on Vinyl
Joseph DiDomizio
Just over a year ago, local band La Cacahouette released their first CD French For Peanut on All Things Ordinary records. Next Wednesday, August 20th, they will be releasing French For Peanut on vinyl. Olga Grinberg wrote up a lovely piece on the trio, made up by wife and husband Pepper Ochsner Thomas (Vocals, Bass, Keys, Guitar, Theremin, Sampler) and Gerald Thomas (Guitar, Vocals, Keys), and rounded out by Blake Ellman (Drums, Percussion).
Taking their influences from a range of music types, including “60's psychedelia, 70's progressive, 90's shoegazer and a plethora of Independant music from every time period” according to their website, La Cacahouette’s appeals to as broad a fan base as their influences. “Ther…
Eli George
Are you an artist in need of a grant? If you are, you might want to take note of the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). Since it was founded in 1985, they have awarded more than $22 million to over 3,500 New York artists. They will be giving $7,000 cash grants to up to 150 artists this year and you could be one of them.
On August 22 from 4:30 PM till 6 PM, there will be an informational seminar to address questions concerning the NYFA’s online application process. It’s taking place at the Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center at 341 Delaware Avenue and is entirely free. No reservations are required and artists will be filled in about funding opportunities and other areas of career development.
Awards are given by a peer panel review and the categories being reviewed in 2008-2009 are: crafts, digital/electronic arts, film, interdisciplinary work, poetry, printmaking/drawi…
