REVIEW by Jeff Wilber:Before I proceed, I must make an admission – Due to my past I have an automatic affinity for this work. As a kid I was an intern for Shakespeare in Delaware Park. As an undergrad in U.B.’s theater department, I nearly blew up the stage as prop master one summer. Needless to say, the fond memories abound. That being said, I really enjoyed the first six chapters of re-pat Buffalonian Shaun McLaughlin’s new graphic novel, “Cheapjack Shakespeare”. In the world of graphic novels I find it refreshing to read one that is not all shoot-em’-up, demonic…
Author: al labruna
In Buffalo, New York, most of the February days fall below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Weather like that may cut down on outdoor activity that doesn’t involve sport, but in the Queen City, there’s always something to do. In the chilly days of the month, Buffalo Tours offers their Queen City Downtown Walking Tours, with a sliding fee based on the temperature. For each degree above 25 the cost goes up $1 to a maximum of $10 per adult ($5 for students). The price is determined through the Weather Channel Website using the 14203 zip code, fifteen minutes prior to the tour.…
As new urban gardens and farms bring new life to abandoned lots throughout the city, many people do not realize how common urban agriculture once was. At the turn on the 20th century, many farms were within the city limits, and most homes utilized kitchen gardens to help feed the family.These many years later, old ideas have gotten a fresh footing as food prices and concerns about food safety and security rise. Many homes (including my own) have a small garden, and farming within the city has begun anew with small community gardens and the Queen City and Wilson Street…
Are you looking for something indoors to do on a wintry Saturday with the kids? Look no farther than the Buffalo Fire Museum. Run by the Buffalo Fire Historical Society, this nonprofit group has amassed a large and unique collection of fire fighting memorabilia. Located at 1860 William Street at North Ogden in Buffalo’s Lovejoy neighborhood this attraction offers an amazing free experience for the young and old alike. The museum is open on Saturday’s between 10AM and 4PM, year round and by appointment. The museum, which was spawned just after the department’s 100th anniversary in 1980, was originally housed…
Meet the First Family, as artist Peter Fowler envisions them, at KEPA3 Gallery. As told in this earlier BR post, Fowler was inspired to paint the first family the day after Obama won the presidential election. “I wouldn’t normally paint politics, but this event was inspiring,” Fowler said. Perhaps it was the coincidence that Fowler and Obama were in the same freshman class in Pasadena, and are the same age. Perhaps because they are both parents of young children. Perhaps because of energy that transcended politics. The Painting, “Globetrotter,” shows Barak Obama delicately balancing, what appears to be a…
How would you like it if Buffalo’s chief administrator had no favors to pay back – or even any possibility of owed favors? Or what if that person had been educated and trained in municipal governance? What if he or she never had to worry about re-election and could maintain their focus on city services instead of campaigning? What if department heads were appointed because of their abilities, and not their connections? What if the City’s chief executive was completely non-partisan, with a strict professional code of ethics?Finally, what if the City’s chief administrator could be terminated at any point…