Author: Carolyn Batt

Buffalo has been chosen as home to a major video preservation initiative called Migrating Media: Upstate Preservation Network. The initiative will serve to rescue thousands of fragile videotapes that are at risk of decaying completely by transforming them into digital format. After completion, the tapes will not only be restored, but also accessible to audiences for the first time in years. Through the new partnership of Squeaky Wheel, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, and the Experimental Television Center (Owego, NY), these videos will be saved, but not without a little help from technology. The technology of the SAMMA Solo System, donated…

Attention all wine-lovers: Here’s the perfect opportunity for a late summer family weekend away from it all, complete with loads of delicious, world-class wine, and activities to keep the kids occupied. The Finger Lakes Riesling Festival will be held August 15th and 16th along Lakeshore Drive and the City Pier in Canandaigua, NY. Founded by three entrepreneurs local to the Finger Lakes region, the festival provides a chance for area wineries, restaurants, artists, musicians, and farmers to show off their goods and celebrate the bounty the region possesses. “Our region is making a name for itself with its world-class Rieslings,”…

Do you know of a local unsung hero who deserves to be recognized for their contribution to our community? Now is your chance to get them the props they deserve. It’s time to nominate individuals for the 2009 WNY Heroes Awards. The awards will honor those community members who have gone beyond the everyday to innovate, inspire or live selflessly.  Specifically the sponsors, the United Way and Time Warner, are looking for people in these award areas: Active Artist: furthering and enriching the arts or artists Community Fixer: creating innovative solutions for problems/concerns in our area Education Leader: fostering change and…

The third annual Enviro-Fair will be taking place on Arbor Day, which is on Friday, April 24th. The fair will run from 11AM-2PM at Niagara Square, right in front of City Hall. There will be loads of Green giveaways of reusable items, like CFL light bulbs, tree seedlings and reusable shopping bags. Booths will be set-up with knowledgeable individuals running them, educating the general public on ecology, recycling, alternative energy, and greening their own environment. The event is put on by Re-Tree WNY, who will be planting new trees near the event area, WNY AmeriCorps, and the City of Buffalo.…

Fashion students at Buffalo State College will finally be able to show off a semester’s worth of hard work on garments they’ve designed to fall in line with the exhibit at the Burchfield Penney’s East Gallery. The event, Runway 2.0, is slotted for Saturday, April 25th. The designers have been creating men’s and women’s pieces that connect with the notion of the “Romance of Urban Decay,” which is the current exhibition at the gallery. One student, Tiffany, took herself on a self-guided tour of Buffalo to check out the architecture. She spotted lots of gargoyles and griffins sitting atop buildings,…

Buffalo My City, a photo-realistic watercolor series by Dr. V. Roger Lalli will be on display from March 20 to May 31 at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society’s museum.  The set of paintings take the viewer on a tour of 42 of Buffalo’s most beloved landmarks. A native of South Buffalo, Dr. Lalli began painting his Buffalo My City series in 1989 at the age of 67. He committed the next ten years of his life to the project, viewing hundreds of photographs and sketches as references for his paintings.  During this time, he perfected the “pristine” watercolor…

For one week only, The Refinery (Ryan Miller’s Clothing store in Michigan) will be in Buffalo.  Running through Sunday, March 15th, The Refinery will market select men’s and women’s fashions at 798 Elmwood (corner of Elmwood and Auburn).  Clothing is featured from such designer brands as Seven for all Mankind, True Religion, Citizen’s of Humanity, Ella Moss, Nicole Miller, and Hugo Boss.  Visitors to the store will have a chance at autographed Ryan Miller items, such as hats, a goalie stick and photos.  Dean Miller, Ryan’s father, and manager of the Michigan store will be at the store every day. …

The Third Annual Sweet Charity gala that is the major fundraiser of the year for the Food Bank of Western New York played to a packed house just recently. It was held in gorgeous Asbury Hall at Babeville – the house that Ani DiFranco built – on the corner of Delaware and Tupper. There were folks in “the rafters,” the pews in the 2nd level of this reincarnation of a church, where they were able to overlook the festivities. For their efforts to fight hunger, those present at this charity event were treated to delicious desserts and libations. Michael Billoni, Marketing and Public…

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership, one time known as the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce, hosts events from time to time that create tremendous networking opportunities for those doing business in Buffalo and the rest of the world. Although the internet has made it easier to research expert’s points of view, and many say that linkedin.com is the preferred method for business people networking online, this past Thursday’s gathering at the Pearl Street Grill was a wonderful opportunity to network with many of the top business people in Buffalo and Western New York. The CEO Silent Auction gave attending winners the opportunity for a one-on-one…

30 years ago, Lorna Hill opened a theatre in downtown Buffalo. The first play performed was a piece written by her called “Anansi the Spider and the Children’s Bill of Rights”.  Since then Ujima has put on countless plays, musicals and performances, allowing countless actors, crewmembers and the like to experience firsthand what goes into a performance. Ujima is known for its diverse, thoughtful and often provocative shows. Nestled in Elmwood Village Ujima’s theatre is intimate and comfortable. It is a non-profit theatre, and shows are produced by the company. Every company member, every volunteer, every actor participates in all aspects…