Music is Art Finds A Home In The City!!!!
After years of searching for a home within the City of Buffalo, Robby Takac of GooGoo Dolls fame has finally found a welcoming home for his Music is Art festival (MiA). It was not long ago that the festival was ousted from its home in Allentown. Then, in a last-ditch effort, Music is Art found a temporary location (last year) at the Hamburg Fairgrounds. There were many of us who thought that the move could have signaled the end of the inspirational event. Fortunately for Buffalo, Robby's dedication to the city proved to win out in the end. (See a cool interview with Robby regarding MiA here)
Yesterday, Music is Art announced that the back steps of world renowned Albright-Knox Art Gallery will be home to the all-day music affair. I've seen the three-stage layout and can honestly say that, in the end, this is the ultimate combination between venue and event. On Saturday, September 13th, the free event will kick-off (rain or shine) with live music, dance and theatre performances. And it wouldn't be Music is Art without "live art creation, displayed art and photography, a kids village, a not for profit row, and a DJ performance area. The Music is Art Student Battle of the Bands winners will play on the main stage, and this year the other finalists and winner of The Big Easy in Buffalo Battle will also perform." (Find out why this is so much more than just a festival here)
Just wait until you see where the DJ is set up... right where the blue coral reaches towards the sky. The layout is so unique and the viewing areas have been carefully selected. Just as one band wraps up a set, the next band will be raring to go. Thanks to Louis Grachos (AK) for extending a hand to Music is Art - it's about time that this event found a permanent home.
MiA poster by Karl Kotas - featured "live art" performer in 2007.
Music is Art Festival ’08
PERFORMER LIST
BANDS (links added by Jennifer Lawandus)
Performers at MIA are as follows:
Family FUNKtion & The Sitar Jams
Inlite (student Battle of the Bands winner)
Wisp
ALSO AT MiA ’08. . . . . . . gEt FrAcTaLs beat gallery
11 DJs including Jubei, Marc V, Tweak Nasty, dharmalab, DJ Brandon Chase and amungus... w/ special guest MCs and Vocalists throughout the day...
w/ Dance Exhibitions featuring:
Amy Lynn's Dance Studio
Bella Dea Bellydancing
Center for Dance Motivation
Future Dance Center
Hamburg Performing Arts
Ilya's Bellydancing
Janet Dunstan's School of Dance
Rince Na Tiarna School of Irish Dance
Stacy Zawadski's ECNAD Dance
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
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Comment Options
DanielSack
From the Buffalo News on 5/2/07:
“A fine art festival does not have music,” Mary M. Myskiewicz, president of the Allentown Village Society, complained after Music Is Art was granted a city permit in 2003. “We’re trying to protect an art festival that has a national reputation.”
It's a good thing the Albright Knox doesn't know that music and art don't work well together!
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rydog71
Actually what Mary meant to say was a craft show does not have music.
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LightoftheMoon
Fantastic news! MIA is a great Buffalo event and I was so sorry to see it move last year--although happy it didn't disappear altogether.
Shame on the Allentown Art Festival organizers for being so closed-minded, elitist and unwelcoming. As a visual artist I'm ashamed for them--as if "The Arts" can only encompass that which is on a canvas (...or stuck in the front lawn). I've been disenchanted with the art festival for the past few years and have no desire to support such an organization that actively puts down a wonderful community-based & well-rounded event like Music is Art.
Kudos to Robby.
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BuffaloSoldier
Way to go Robby!!! Thank you for persevering despite the adversity of selfish, tasteless people such as city government and the Allentown Association. Buffalo is better because of people like Robby and events such as MIA.
This festival is amazing! And it looks like its only going to be even better this year. A brilliant display of artistic talent and expression through various mediums. If Buffalo is to compete for talent on a global stage then it needs this festival and others like it.
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DanielSack
I think what Mary was thinking was, "I don't like THAT kind of music and no one else should."
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Charger
The Allentown Association does not have anything to do with the Art Festival - that's the Allentown Village Society. They're not the same entity.
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NewBuffalo
old people....YUK! Turn down that noise you young wipper snapper! WELCOME BACK TO THE BUFF...
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allentwnguy1
I haven't gone to the Allentown Arts Fest in 2 years and it's almost on my doorstep. When the music was "kicked" out of the festival area it lost its flavor. I'm glad the Music is Art fest found a new home. But it is a shame that the Allentown Art Festival seems to be loosing its local attendees. I can't wait to go to the Elmwood festival of the arts, which encompasses a lot more of the arts. It is my understanding that the Allentown fest did at one time too. It seems like it is getting, as my grandfather would say, " to big for its britches." And one question that has been haunting me for a while is...Do the members of the Allentown Village Society ALL live in Allentown. If not it should be a requirement for a society that represents Allentowners. I for one didn't want to see the Music leave.
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