On Saturday August 16, 2014 Buffalo Rising co-sponsored the second Cirque du Square at Niagara Square (photos below).
The day-long event is a practice in place-making. We’re going to be turning the square (in front of City Hall) into a social setting from 11am to 5pm, where people can listen to live music, play lawn games, sit out at café-style seating with market umbrellas, while enjoying pressed juices and rice bowls (Ashker’s), coffee and espresso (Public Espresso), and treats by Sweet Melody’s (gelato).
Buffalo’s Kubb players will be setting up (see here), along with j-WAY Games for the kids (see here), and BlueCross BlueShield will be on-hand with their Health Zone Cruiser (more cool kids activities).
There will be demonstrations by a number of special guests that intend to add interesting aspects to our central square at the heart of the city. This is not an event per se. Rather it is an attempt to activate a setting in Downtown Buffalo, so that people can come down and enjoy the city as it was intended to be – a social gathering place.
This is the second time that we are running this free outdoor affair. We intend to show visitors what is possible – the sights and sounds and flavors of a true urban square. Grab a magazine, picnic blanket or lawn chair. Sit in the shade under a tree or out on the terrace by the monument and the fountain. Ride your bike to the event, or walk, or run, or take the Metro Rail.
The event was partially inspired by a recent trip to Niagara Falls in Canada. I wrote about it on Buffalo Rising (see here).
Event Coordinator Jessica Marinelli is co-handling the production, and Buffalo Place will be helping out as well. Cirque du Square Presenting Sponsor is BlueCross BlueShield. Collaborators, sponsors and partners include Baird Foundation, Hyde Foundation, Mindful Market, Buffalo Wellness Center (organizing vendors) and Osteria 166.
Here’s the band line-up for the day:
11:00am Slyboots African Drums
12:00pm Verse
1:00pm Knight Patrol
1:40pm Fleuron Rouge bellydance
2:00pm Tapered Creek
3:00pm Vinnie DeRosa and Vitamin D
3:40pm Tigrena Tango
4:00pm The Nursery
Live music presented by Reflex Productions
If you have a group that would like to get involved with this healthy, fun, social adventure in Downtown Buffalo, please reach out to me via email – Newell@BuffaloRising.com.
See Facebook group | See Facebook event