By Dick Shaner

Singer/songwriter Ron Hawkins is best known to Western New York music fans from his days - and high-energy Buffalo area shows - with Toronto's beloved Lowest of the Low, as front man for the

Now playing: World premiere musical production examines the Great Depression, FDR, New Deal

Tom Naples takes history very seriously. "The Great Depression was America's finest hour," says Naples, a WNY musician and historian whose work has often revolved around the 1930s. "While the world labored through a Depression that

Welcome to November. 

Thursday, November 5

-The documentary Fire Under The Snow, which tells the story of Tibeten monk Palden Gyatso who spent 33-years in a Chinese prison for peaceful demonstrations, will be shown at the Market Arcade Theatre.  The films director Makoto Sasa will be present to provide commentary.  7:30 PM.  $10.

-The 4th Annual Polish Film Festival hosted by the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius

The Elmwood Village Association (EVA) is proud to announce the participation of several talented local designers in Mass Appeal, a fashion event presented by Sorrento Cheese.  "Including local designers adds a level of excitement to the event," says Mass Appeal producer Erin Habes.  "Preparing for a professional show gets their (local designers) creative juices flowing and the audience is sure to appreciate their one-of-a-kind collections."

/lifestyle/index.html

The Bills have a bye this Sunday, but two other Buffalo teams will suit up and do battle for your entertainment.

Unlike the Bills, these athletes will be competing within the city limits, you won't feel bad laughing at them, and you can bring your kid without worry.

These competitors, the Red Hot Wingz, and the Blue Cheesez, will battle for your laughs.  Creating scenes and jokes on the spot, Buffalo Comedysportz, will be playing this Sunday at Lafayette Ave. Presbyterian Church, at 7PM.  In this fast-paced competition, the teams score points by entertaining the

The Ice Ball started last year when Steve Poland wanted to do something fun with friends.

"I thought 'Buffalo doesn't have anything like this,'" he said.

The original plan was for 20 friends to ring in 2009 at Delaware Park's Marcy Casino.  That number turned into 50, and that number exploded to 500. 

"I was completely sold out three weeks before New Year's, and people were calling, begging for tickets.  I couldn't just create more room

By Susan Marie

"Sometimes, everybody's getting in my mind / Oh Lord, I can't break through this time / sometimes, there can be no reason or rhyme / for the things I cannot rewind." 

"Smoke,"

Buffalo's favorite Idiots, and youngest polka band, are nominated in multiple categories for this year's Buffalo Music Awards. /lifestyle/index.html

Joan Osborne, who became famous for the 1996 hit "One Of Us," will perform at Shea's November 10th, 7 PM, with The Holmes Brothers and Paul Thorn. 

Due to her big hit, Osborne's album, Relish, went triple-platinum by July of 1996, and was nominated for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, and Best New Artist at the 38th Grammy Awards.

The Holmes Brothers have recorded with Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Willie Nelson,

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Staff Review

By Amy Christman

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters is a gripping combination of spooky ghost story, psychological drama, and social observation.

To celebrate Halloween, you need to buy some Buffalo Rising shirts.  And we want to help you do that so we're having a blowout sale where you save $5 on every Buffalo Rising shirt from now until Sunday @midnight.  Simply use the promo code BOO and you'll get the savings.  Now go buy a Queen City shirt. Or a Lake Erie Yacht Club shirt. Or a Buffalo

Greg Gerke is a writer living in Buffalo.  The native of Wisconsin, who grew up in the City of Milwaukee, will have a reading of his novel, There's Something Wrong with Sven, a collection of short stories and flash fiction, at Talking Leaves Books! 3158 Main Street location, on November 4th at 7PM. 

In the spring of 2003, three young filmmakers traveled to Africa in search of a story. What started out as a filmmaking adventure transformed into much more when these boys from Southern California discovered a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them, a tragedy where children are both the weapons and the victims.

After returning to the States, they created the documentary "Invisible Children: Rough Cut," a film that exposes the

In a decision that drew a sigh of relief from Sabres fans, Darcy Regier announced today that 19-year-old really good hockey player, Tyler Myers, will stay in the NHL.  What's even better, is that it will be with the Sabres! 

Myers is +8 through 9 games with the Sabres, adding two goals and three assists, and seeing plenty of ice time.  He's been a staple on the blue line for the Sabres.

Playing 10 games in the NHL means losing Junior hockey eligibility, and at 19, Myers would have to play

By Kelly Lovering

El Buen Amigo will host its second annual Día de los Muertos celebration Sunday, November 1st, from 4 - 8PM, at 114 Elmwood Avenue. Día de Los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday that brings together family, friends and loved ones to honor those who have passed.

/lifestyle/index.html

Celebrate Buffalo, the company behind the insanely popular I Love Buffalo shirts, has introduced a new line of shirts inspired by the all-too-popular Zubaz.  Zubaz, as every Buffalonian knows, is the company that created the animal print style pants and shirts that sports fans wore obsessively during the late 1980's and early 1990's. And, if you're lucky, you'll still spot the occassional 'fan' wearing them

Lots of things are cooking at Sugar City these days, from a screening of Barbarella last week, a performance by the folk duo Paleface, new exhibitions by Jay Miller and Tambyln Gawley, and a swap o rama rama night of free stuff-trading. 

/lifestyle/index.html

Fresh off a victory in the Meadowlands over the NY Jets, the Bills head to where all-too-many Buffalonians have gone over the past decade - Charlotte, North Carolina - to face the the 2-3 Panthers.      

Trent Edwards will be sidelined with a concussion giving Ryan Fitzpatrick the start.  The Panthers are 7 point favorites over the Bills and the game is yet another 4pm start.    

As usual, the person who accurately predicts

BECPL Staff Review by Britt White

Che: A Graphic Biography by Spain Rodriguez is a lovingly written work of graphic non-fiction about the life

The most requested play at the Irish Classical Theatre Company will open on Friday, October 30th. Someone Who'll Watch Over Me by Frank McGuinness, was last presented by ICTC at The Calumet in 1994 to great audience and critical acclaim. 

It's the story of three strangers - an Irishman,