thursday february 15th 2007
American Idol Champ Performs in Buffalo!
Gabrielle Bouliane
Can't get enough of American Idol? I've got some great news for you. Ruben Studdard, the first male and first African-American champion, is coming to town this Friday as a part of WLBK's "Cupidfest". Since his narrow victory on the second season of the show over Clay Aiken (by 134,000 votes out of over 2.4 million cast), Ruben has released three albums: Soulful in 2003, which reached platinum certification, the instant gospel classic I Need an Angel in 2004, which reached Gold), and most recently The Return last October, currently at #8 in US Sales. Obviously the judges were correct. With a personality as large and charming as his award-winning voice, Ruben is sure to bring sweet, gentle soul back into your life.
The "Velvet Teddy Bear" will be performing with local jazz saxophonist Will Holton, one of the growing number of outstanding young horn players in town.…
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Elena Cala Buscarino
Valentine's day: An occasion to proclaim true love for a special someone. But don't have anyone's name drawn on yourself permanently. It's a deal breaker according to Cooper, resident tattoo artist at Cowpok.
Cooper (pictured at right) said that the act of having another's name tattooed on is "jumping the shark" in a relationship, meaning it signals the end. “It’s something people seem to do when something is already rotten in Denmark, if you know what I mean”, he says. “Like, here…I love you so much I’m gonna’ have your name tattooed. But it just makes the other person uncomfortable.”
Cooper is one of those people who is full of knowledge about all sorts of things. A self-admitted pop culture wonk, he has an enormous base of facts and interesting philosophies, making even the longest tattoo session worthwhile.
Keith Krollman (left), the owner of Cowp…
wednesday february 14th 2007
Robert Pomerhn Publishes New Book
Gabrielle Bouliane
Robert Pomerhn is a local poet, educator and artist working to create a new type of literature and poetics, testing himself to blur the boundaries of form using the Whitman tradition. If you have managed to get through life so far without an English degree, please allow me to explain.
The Whitman Tradition is based on American poet Walt Whitman, an artist whose work changed the face of American poetics. Poets in the Whitman tradition generally use free verse and rhyme to achieve a rhythm that reflects dialect and common language. Whitman broke from the academic tradition to write poetry that he felt would have wide appeal and would be an inspiration and a tool for democracy. Such work tends to have a social consciousness, and a belief in participation and performance. Pomerhn’s work falls squarely in this camp.
A populist poet and spoken word artist, Robert studied with the …
Gabrielle Bouliane
Just Buffalo Literary Center is presenting a reading tomorrow night at Rust Belt books, featuring two distinguished poets including Michael Gizzi, the author of more than 10 books of poetry including My Terza Rima; Cured in the Going Bebop; and No Both.
Michael Gizzi worked for more than a decade as a licensed arborist in Southern New England. He is presently a visiting lecturer at Brown University and the curator of the Downcity Poetry Series in Providence, Rhode Island. Throughout the 1990's he edited lingo magazine and Hard Press. He has collaborated on a number of projects with Clark Coolidge, including a recording, in its entirety, of Jack Kerouac's Old Angel Midnight.
It's also a chance to see Michael Basinski, the Curator of The Poetry Collection of the State Unive…
Gabrielle Bouliane
Buffalo’s own Michael Civisca will be swinging Rockwell Hall in a rescheduled performance for Buffalo State College’s Great Performers Series. Born in Western New York, Civisca is one of the new voices devoted to reinventing and recreating the jazz standards in the Great American Songbook. Using his smooth baritone voice with finesse, he brings a contemporary sensibility and traditional flair to the music of such composers as Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hart. Civisca’s talents have gone so far as to adding to the Songbook by writing and arranging brand new songs that reflect the same values and essence of this musical genre.
A Western New Yorker by birth, Michael Civisca began working as a professional singer in 1995. As a young musician, he was interested in the big band singers and studied what made their voices unique and interesting. Michael also learned the importanc…
Christa Glennie Seychew
Is your romance in its first flush, where the annoying habits of your new partner are oddly endearing? Or is it in its autumn years, where Netflix, flannel pj’s and microwave popcorn constitute a night out? No matter where your relationship measures on the Richter scale of love, from funky luxury to elegant opulence, there’s sure to be something here for you.
February’s issue of BRM features V-day gifts that are both “Good” and “Gooder”. For those of you with only 36 shopping hours left, a few ideas may make the decision process easier. A select few of our suggestions appear below.
THE WRITTEN WORD (pictured above)
In today’s world, Valentines Day belongs to Hallmark. 100 years ago, a card fashioned from scraps and declarations of love was what made this dreary February day special. A homemade card need not be perfectly executed; in …
tuesday february 13th 2007
True Romance: Alvin Ailey Dance @ Shea's
Gabrielle Bouliane
I'm sorry, but for true "wow" power, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is almost impossible to beat. The company is nothing less than one of America's greatest contributions to dance. Founded in 1958, it continues to blend classical formalism and precision with modern technique and music in absolutely original compositions that leave the viewer in awe. Fortunately for the romantics in town, Ailey comes to town just in time, presenting just two shows at Shea's Performing Arts Center, tonight and tomorrow night. The current tour is presenting "thrilling world premieres, sparkling new productions and beloved Ailey classics." Considering they have performed for an estimated 21 million people in 48 states and in 71 countries on six continents, it's no surprise that they have earned an impeccable international reputation for promoting the uniqueness of the African-American cultura…
Gabrielle Bouliane
The Buffalo music scene has several "institutions", such as the Colored Musician's Club and the Lance Diamond Show, but only one of them has helped to foster the careers of many of Buffalo's favorite acts. Michael Meldrum has been a performer and educator for over thirty years, hosting Buffalo's longest running open mic, Mondays at Nietzsches', founding the Buffalo Song Project and working in the Buffalo Public Schools. His devotion (and feedback) to new talent is unparalleled, and has repaid itself in the release of his first album in his career, Open Ended Question. The album is a collaboration with Meldrum's arguably most successful apprentice, Ani DiFranco, but also includes much of Buffalo's best-loved instrumentalists, such as Rob Lynch, Jim Whitford, Allison Pipitone, John Brady, Joe Rozler and Joelle Labert.
Meldrum performs selections from the album, with song…
Mary of the Lofti
So it's Monday night and where is the place to be? Oh, babe, it's Q at 44 Allen Street in Buffalo. HAKEOKE NIGHT!!
Michael Hake comes in and sets up about 10:00 p.m., and the singers from Musicalfare, like Bobby Cooke, Lou Coliachiavo, Chris Kelly, Lisa Ludwig (not always) and Loraine O'Donnell start showing up. Bethany Moore of the glorious voice, Leah Russo, Ms. Maher (yes, Gerry's daughter); Matt Bova (he of the South Park repertoire); and numerous others, Tim Finnegan and Mark Sacco, Kevin Kennedy, among them, show up to add their voices to the tumult. You will hear songs from RENT, CITY OF ANGELS; lot of other shows. Mike Hake brings in all his fake books and you are able to pick out a song that you like, take it to Mike, and sing your heart out to an appreciative audience.
I cannot tell you enough what a great, free, musical show there is to be had here. Q is a gay …
monday february 12th 2007
Alternative to Valentine's Day
Gabrielle Bouliane
For many, many, people, including myself for far more years than I care to tell you, Valentine's Day is the cruelest holiday. The one leaving you thinking that there's something terribly, terribly wrong with you for not braving the traumatic waters of modern dating. The one that says going out by yourself for dinner or a show is wrong. That life has no meaning if you're not half of something else.
Well, screw that. And to really do it properly, let me offer you an option to all the googly-eyes and their candlelit dinners. Nietzsche's is presenting their Valentine’s Day Show with local freak-rockers Anal Pudding, joined by Detroit's Downtown Brown and San Fransico's Karate High School (pictured). I'm pretty sure nothing about …
