FASHION MANIAC TEAM:

Features Editor : Cassie Elsaesser  
All Photography & Managing Editor : Cheryl Gorski
Stylists : Cassie Elsaesser & Cameron Richard 
MakeUp :  Dani Weiser
Hair Stylist : Whitney Curry
Prop Stylist  : Todd Warfield, Lucy Mancuso, Michael Merisola
Executive Producer / Video Journalist : Richard Renda

Freeze Frame By Cassie Elsaesser:
   
This year's Olmsted Parks Flurrious!

Who ever said beer and science wouldn't make a great combination?

The 3rd annual Beerology event will be taking place on April 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Buffalo Museum of Science. The event is a fundraiser for educational programming at the BMS and the Tifft Nature Preserve.  This event has sold out every year, and tickets are going like hotcakes, so all you beer-lovers better hustle!
 
The event will feature home-brewing demonstrations, presentations by local beer experts, and plenty of beer sampling possibilities.  So far, there are 18 beer vendors registered

Gothic, evocative and highly stylized, this production almost lost me in the beginning as I watched actor Andrew Kottler ride a pantomime horse onto the stage with a "Clippity Clop" sound effect. When actors David Oliver and (the lovely and excellent) Ms. Cassie Gorniewicz initiated their very angular movements (a la Martha Graham) and then indulged a primal scream or two to set the mood, I thought, " Whoa, this is going to be a long evening."
 
However,  one quickly adapts to the very broad brushstrokes of melodrama which Director Vincent

Second Chance Sheltering Network, Inc. is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit animal rescue group serving the Western New York area.  Their goal is to help place homeless animals while simultaneously helping interested individuals find a new furry companion.  Every Sunday, we will be running a homeless pet spotlight to help these animals find families.

HOMELESS BUT HOPEFUL!: Sarah came to Second Chance Sheltering Network, Inc. from another shelter in the area when they became overcrowded.  Sarah is a 1.5 year old, black and white "bundle of love wrapped in fur"! 

This Sunday, Shea's Performing Arts Center will be hosting a free screening of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" as part of the Perry's Ice Cream Free Family Film Series.   The doors will open at 1 p.m. and the movie will begin at 2 p.m.
 
The Chronicles of Narnia tells the story of the four Pevensie children, who discover a magical wardrobe while playing hide and seek one day, and are then transported to the land of Narnia.  There, the children find many strange creatures and an evil White Witch who rules the land.  It becomes

By Sandy Starks:

Dr. Roswell Park was a pioneering surgeon and the man many thought could have saved the life of President McKinley when he was shot in Buffalo during the Pan American Exposition. Dr. Park's most important and enduring legacy was his vision for a comprehensive, government-supported approach to the study and treatment of cancer: Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

But did you know Dr. Park was also an accomplished musical composer?

Join us this Sunday, February 13 at 2:00 p.m. in the historic

By Dana Tillou:

As many people know, Buffalo, at the turn of the 19th century was one of the wealthiest and affluent cities in the country. Great homes were built and beautiful objects in the art and antique field were being purchased, adding to collections to fill these grand homes. As time passed, the great depression came and went, some houses were being broken up and collections and furnishings were being passed on to heirs or sold. In many cases the heirs weren't interested in the items they inherited - but it was certainly certainly nice stuff to have and use. They didn't

Inspired by the spectacular flameout of Congressman Chris Lee, who sent a shirtless photo to a woman he met on Craigslist, we've taken the time to assemble a list of the top 8 photos of shirtless Buffalonians.  Now, we've taken some liberty with the term Buffalonian.  For the purposes of the shirtless list, a Buffalonian is anyone with significant ties to Buffalo not just someone who was born and raised here. But you simply can't argue with a list that includes Vincent

Valentine's Day is steadily approaching and if you've got a sweetheart, chances are you've been trying to conjure up some sort of token of your affection. Flowers? Chocolate? They've all been done before...but what about learning to dance with her?
 
On Saturday, February 12, the Broadway Market will be hosting their "Learn to Waltz with your Sweetheart" event.  They are welcoming couples of all ages to come to the Market and learn some new steps together.  The event will run from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and is free to attend. All you need to bring are your date and your dancing

On February 17, the fifteenth annual International Women's Film Festival film screenings will begin rolling at the Market Arcade Film and Arts Center.  The festival is sponsored by the University at Buffalo's Institute for Research on Women and Gender and is comprised of nine different film screenings. The screenings will take place on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. from February 17 to March 31.  There will also be a screening on Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 20 at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center and one on Wednesday, March

Music is Art (MiA) will be hosting the 2011 High School Battle of the Bands contest, giving local students a chance to show their musical talent.
               
All bands have from now until February 11th, 2011 to submit one song by CD or link on MySpace or Youtube to Music is Art.
               
Music is Art will select six finalists to compete live in the spring on a date yet to be determined. The winner will earn a spot

Tonight, Monday February 7th, the Subsonic Tour is coming through Buffalo at the Town Ballroom.   MNM Presents is bringing Excision, Downlink, Antiserum, and Buffalo's very own Big Basha for what is being called the "biggest dubstep event in Buffalo to date."  Excision is Jeff Abel, a producer, dubstep DJ, and founder of Rottun Records from British Columbia, Canada, who has erupted on the international scene over the past two years, packing venues of all types and releasing top-notch tracks.  With the help of the aggressive sounds

If you can't make the trip to New Orleans this year for Mardi Gras, Shea's Performing Arts Center may have a good alternative celebration for you.
 
On Tuesday, March 8, Shea's will be hosting its 11th Annual Martini Gras, along with co-hosts Star 102.5 Radio and Artvoice.  The event is being held from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Those attending can enjoy food, live entertainment on the Shea's stage, psychic readings, basket raffles, and traditional Mardi Gras beads.  There will be a cash bar with a variety of specialty martinis and there will also be many same-night special offers

THE BASICS: This is the American version of Patrick Hamilton's Victorian era thriller, the basis for the film "Gaslight". It's part of the fourth season for the Playhouse of American Classics, which makes its home at the Buffalo Historical Society. This production runs through Sunday, February 13th. The play runs fully 2 ½ hours, a little longer actually, with its single intermission.

THUMBNAIL SKETCH: New York City, 1885. Jack and Bella Manningham, a five year married couple, have taken up residence in a beautiful

By: Annmarie Dean

When one thinks of the word "nirvana," the idea of complete happiness and bliss comes to mind. It's no question that this would be the theme for the celebration of 464 Gallery's second anniversary and newest art opening. Marcus L. Wise, gallery owner, is a man who has a lot to be happy about these days.

On February 11th, "Nirvana" will open at 464 Gallery, 464 Amherst Street in Buffalo. The Gallery will display works of art by local artists: Amanda Maciuba, Candace Keegan, Karen Brady, Salvatore Scrivo, Phil Durgan, Tamora Lee Beckman, Marcus L. Wise,

Second Chance Sheltering Network, Inc. is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit animal rescue group serving the Western New York area.  Their goal is to help place homeless animals while simultaneously helping interested individuals find a new furry companion.  Every Sunday, we will be running a homeless pet spotlight to help these animals find families.

Big Andy is a 10 lb. bundle of love wrapped in fur!  This handsome orange tabby came to us when his owner decided she did not want him any longer.  It seems that he was not getting along with her other cat and Andy

By this point, you've probably decided which team you'll be rooting for in the Super Bowl on Sunday.  Whether you're a die-hard fan, a bandwagon hopper, or someone who's just watching for the commercials, we know that many of you will be enjoying the festivities, for the Super Bowl only comes but once a year.  Rather than ask which team you'll be rooting for, Buffalo Rising wants to know where you'll be watching from.

We're looking for the top seven places to watch the Super Bowl in the Queen City.  No, this doesn't include your mom's house.  We're talking restaurants,

In honor of February being Black History Month, the Broadway Market will be hosting a performance on Saturday, February 5, which will feature some local African American musical talents.
 
Included on the program is the award-winning Muhammad's School of Music, who will be performing live from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  The Spy Guys Variety Show will follow from 1 to 3 p.m.
 
Muhammad's School of Music (MSOM) is a classical school of music that works with children to help

Numerous times, I've come across complete strangers in coffee shops who were toting the same book around with them that I was reading.  Or perhaps they had one that looked interesting that I had heard a lot about, but never bothered to pick up. We all have our favorite book genres, but have you ever wondered what other people in Western New York are reading?
 
The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library recently released a list of the most popular items circulated in 2010.  All of these titles are available at the 37 different library locations in their system or can be

All Photography & Managing Editor : Cheryl Gorski
Makeup : Dani Weiser
Hair: Andrew Brown
Prop Stylist  : Todd Warfield, Lucy Mancuso, Michael Merisola

Executive Producer / Video Journalist : Richard Renda

Morgen Love (lead photo) interview By Cassie Elsaesser:

Fashion Maniac: How long have you been designing?

Morgen Love: Since I was 14. I started sewing because my family didn't have much money. My designs then started to evolve over time, I sewed all through college