By: Sandy Starks
Now that Forest Lawn’s Sunday in the Cemetery walking and coach tours are coming to an end, it’s time to think about what you are going to do on Sunday afternoons this fall and winter.
The Forest Lawn Cemetery Heritage Foundation is proud to announce the return of last year’s successful Sunday in the Cemetery Concert and Lecture Series, which features a musical event weaved into a topic that educates, enlightens and entertains guests about the people, places and things that make Buffalo’s past so interesting.
On the second Sunday of each month, from October through April, the Sunday in the Cemetery Concert and Lecture Series will be held at our historic 1882 chapel, located in the heart of the cemetery. The exterior of the chapel is currently undergoing a renovation and restoration, thanks to a generous contribution by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Flickinger.
The concert and lecture series kicks off THIS Sunday, October 10, at 4:00 p.m.
At 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, the newly-restored statue of Red Jacket, which has welcomed guests through the cemetery’s Delaware Avenue gate since 1891, will be unveiled and rededicated. The statue’s first full restoration was made possible by a grant secured by Assemblymember Sam Hoyt. The event will include speakers, the unveiling and a special Native tribute by Al Parker, dressed as Red Jacket. This event is free and open to the public.
Here is the list of the other events in Forest Lawn’s Sunday In The Cemetery concert and lecture series. All programs begin at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel:
November 14 – The Unforgettable Retailers of Buffalo
Presenter – Steve Cichon – WBEN NewsRadio journalist and historian
December 5 and 12 – “It Was a Wonderful Life” Holiday Performance
Featuring the Festival Chorus with appearances by some of Forest Lawn’s more popular permanent residents
January 9 – Buffalo’s Millionaires’ Row – Delaware Avenue and Forest Lawn
Presenter – Marla Bujnacki – Author of many tours for Buffalo Tours, a division of Preservation Buffalo Niagara,
Music provided by the Colored Musician Club will feature songs of many of the great musicians who visited the club.
February 13 – Dr. Roswell Park: the Man and his Music
Presenter – Douglas De Croix – Editor of WNY Heritage Magazine
Music provided by Bob Hull, organist, who will play relevant selections on Forest Lawn’s award-winning historic Wurlitzer organ.
March 13 – Buffalo’s Magic Man: Why Buffalonian Isaiah H. Hughes became the flashy Fakir of Ava — and how he ushered in American magic’s modern era.
Presenter – Charity Vogel, columnist for The Buffalo News and freelance writer on many local subjects
Music provided by The Ladies First Jazz Trio – celebrating Women’s History Month
April 10 – Forest Lawn and The War of 1812
Presenter – Patrick Kavanagh, Forest Lawn Historian and Buffalo History Scholar
Music provided by Raya Lee, Local Music Historian
Admission is $15 per person per event. Tickets may be purchased at Forest Lawn’s administration office, 1411 Delaware Avenue, or by calling 885-1600. Seating is limited and last year’s programs sold out very quickly! Ask about the seven-event discount!!
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Image by Joe Cascio