MiA - A Real Buffalo Festival
A lot of people have been talking about the latest venue for Music is Art (MiA). How would so many bands be able to play at one event when the area wasn’t designed for large concert series? Would there be a clash of sounds or people with the three stages and the DJ podium? What happens if it rains? All of those questions were answered yesterday when music supporters gathered on the back steps of the Albright-Knox to partake in an all day concert. Actually, I imagine that we can now call Music is Art a full-fledged festival.
Music is Art has all of the ingredients to become a premiere festival. As we walked around the grounds we found ourselves intermingling with so many different types of people and groups. I spent a good deal of time talking to the representatives from Buffalo State College’s WBNY (91.3) radio station. I also wandered into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame tent - that was when I learned that the organization lost its home at the Market Arcade when the new administration came into power (more on that later). From there we found ourselves scoping out the DJs, eating knish at the Steel Crazy Café, drinking Blues in the beer tent and of course checking out the non-stop lineup of bands that appeared in rotation on all three stages. Did I mention that it drizzled rain the entire time? Yet even the rain couldn't stop the fire dancers from doing their thing next to the main stage.
Despite the rain, Music is Art organizers were blessed for two reasons. First, for the most part, there was no wind so everyone standing under a tent or canopy was kept dry. Then, the warm temperatures made the rain very bearable. Most of the younger people were not even phased by the rain at all. Others walked around holding umbrellas over their heads, while many people found that wearing a simple rain slicker was sufficient. All in all, I’m sure that the rain prevented a good number of people from attending – had there been blue skies I bet that the venue would have been jam-packed.
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wingking
Wow - 43 comments on Panos (so far) - and not one on MIA?
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d_a_n
that's because there's nothing to complain about (except for the rain)! i will admit to not being into the majority of the bands who played (outside of, a hotel nourishing, who were great), but this festival is great for the community...i preferred it in allentown, but since it was too loud for people buying signs pointing them to margaritaville, this was the next best thing...
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jamesbflo
my fav buffalo festival, most entertaining by far. really thought the location was perfect. Now that the venue issue is out of the way i look forward to it being held earlier next summer.
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LittleSis
Loved it- best local festival this year. Despite the rain, it seemed to be a great success. I loved the location, the mix of various art forms, stage locations were good, DJ area was a nice touch, interesting artists & vendors, kids area was great. Loved the diversity of the crowd- wide range of ages & backgrounds, people from all walks of life, with a welcome LACK (unlike some other local festivals) of people who seem to just be looking for lawn decorations ;)
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d_a_n
MORE OI!
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bellavt731
I was kicked out so I really didn't get to check out MIA aside from one row of photography displays. Basically, I walked three miles with my sister's little dog, wandered the event for 10 minutes and then a woman approached me and told me, "Excuse me, you need to leave." She went on the say that dogs were not welcome because they couldn't trust people to clean up after them. If she hadn't been such an asshole, I probably would have walked the three miles home, locked up the pooch and returned but I was so annoyed, by her rudeness and the generally unwelcome attitude of the woman and the bouncer-like staff guy that approached to back her up like I was some sort of criminal, that I spent the rest of the day trying not to be pissed.
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mybuffalo
can you get a band anyone has ever heard of? then maybe i would go
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LightoftheMoon
GREAT new location, diverse crowd & good music--I loved it. What a difference being in a park-like setting made, so much nicer than on asphalt in the street. I was there for a few hours in the morning and wished I could've stayed longer. Can't wait for next year... I really hope they recognize the value of having it at the Knox and make it a tradition from now on. Good job Robbie & Miyoko! Thanks for bringing this back to the city.
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