sunday may 4th 2008
Bernice Marie
Anthony Swinnich
It's not often you hear about someone moving from California to Buffalo to pursue a career in music, but Bernice Marie has done just that. A Niagara Falls native, she moved to Palm Springs when she turned 18, but ultimately found herself drawn back to Buffalo's closer-knit community.
Bernice played shows for about a year in California, but felt like she was lost in the shuffle.
“LA and Palm Springs are very overrated as far as music. You're just a small fish in a huge pond there. It turns out that when you leave Buffalo, you come to realize that you really love Buffalo. I mean, I really have honest 'Buffalove,'” she said.
She feels that Buffalo provides a better opportunity for artists, among other things. It's not like Bernice didn't get a fair shake in LA, where she played large venues like the Airliner and the Wire. She simply prefers the Queen City.
“We have better architecture, a better art scene, a better music scene. It's cheaper to live and enjoy yourself. T…
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saturday may 3rd 2008
Melissa Kate ~ Blind Faith
Susan Marie
The next up-and-coming jazz and blues artist with a little bit of soul can be heard on “Blind Faith” by Melissa Kate. Van Taylor, Flick Williams and Melissa Kate through TMI International produced this 8 track solo debut. Recorded at Pharoah studios through Van Taylor Production, this compilation showcases various renowned artists.
Melissa studied Barbershop, Classical, Opera and Musical Theatre. She was trained classically by Mr. Robert Wells and studied with Mr. Amuso who provided her with the basics of Jazz. Melissa became engulfed in the NYC Jazz scene and has performed at the World Trade Center, Swing 46, Pops Is Tops, the American Lindy Hop Championships, and at Louie Armstrong’s house.
Melissa Kate is an international vocalist and began her artistic development with the award winning Taylor Made Jazz through Van Taylor Production. She is a pow…
friday may 2nd 2008
Look Into the Mirror
Doug Sitler
Big Orbit Gallery, located on Essex Street on Buffalo’s West Side, has long been a haven for emerging artistic talent and mind-bending art. Tucked away in the confines of the Essex Arts Center, one never knows what they’ll experience when walking through the doors of the intimate and celebrated art space. This Saturday night from 8 to 11PM, video artist Geoffrey Alan Rhodes continues that tradition with “Double Narcissism.”
Last night I stopped by Big Orbit to see what Mr. Rhodes has in store for the exhibition that will run through June. Geoffrey – who actually goes by the name Alan – took time out from installing the show to talk about “Double Narcissism.” As we sat on the gallery’s stairs talking, the engaging Seattle native, who now resides in Buffalo was clear about why he lives here.
“Buffalo is a great city for the arts,” said Rhodes, “I feel very…
Eli George
Back in 2002, Joy Rose was living in Westchester, NY looking for a venue to play her music. Rose wanted to create a venue for herself to play music but that would also feature people like her. That little thought turned into a concert, dubbed “Mamapalooza.” It featured a one night event on the lower East Side of NYC with just ten bands. It was a concert that spawned a global movement featuring women artists and artists who are mothers.
Annette Daniels Taylor had just moved to Buffalo with her husband. Her husband was originally from Buffalo, but Davis was born and raised in Staten Island. She had been in Buffalo for three years and was working on a music commission, when as Taylor says, “ I was trying to find a venue where we could play it again because it was called ‘Mama’s Song.’”
After some Internet browsing, Taylor stumbled across Mamapalooza. “I called and …
Susan Marie
At the end of July, Allentown becomes more alive than ever with over 250 events with local and visiting arts in all genres. The 2008 Buffalo Infringement Festival is under way and members of the Buffalo Arts Community are coming together to get this grassroots experimental, eclectic and improvisational event up and running.
The 2008 Buffalo Infringement Festival begins Thursday July 24th and ends on Sunday August 3rd. It is a non-profit driven, artistically controversial, pushing the limit affair that provides the community and artists in all subject matter the ability to express themselves in every conceivable manner for eleven days. Volunteers are essential and donations are much appreciated.
On May 9, 2008, Nietzsche’s at 248 Allen Street will host the Buffalo Infringement Fundraiser. Tickets are $5 and the event is at 10pm. Acts to appear at this fundraiser include: Jose…
wednesday april 30th 2008
Too Much Film Fun
buffalorising
Act fast!
Squeaky Wheel, the home of all things fun and artful, is hosting a Global Super-8 Day, calling it the celebration of the home movie format that just won't quit! This is the format that taught baby-boomers how to read lips.
Don't have a working super-8? Don't worry! For the mere sum of $35 for b&w film / $45 for color film, participants will get a one day rental on the camera, a roll of film and a follow-up private hand-processing session with Brian Milbrand in order to transfer of your film to digital video.
Already have a film ready to go? The Squeaky staff asks that you submit your film, preferably five-minutes long or less, and contact them if it's longer. They'll take "home movies", found movies, old movies, and new movies, or any combination thereof.
The final submission date is May 6th, followed by a collective screening of local and international artist…
Anthony Swinnich
While some bands sound like they're trying a little too hard to capture a feeling, Ladyhawk has a sound that seems to come as naturally as breathing. Their music sound effortless, even haunting at times -- rock with a country vibe in the vein of Neil Young.
Their new CD Shots came out in March, and the lead track is called “I don't always know what you're saying.” The guitar chugs along beneath the hearty vocals lending a hard-working sound to the song. “STHD” comes up next, and employs a poppier sounding vocal style, like a deeper voiced Hot Hot Heat. The chorus employs the use of group vocals, and while they're simply singing notes and not words, it sounds joyous.
“Fear” is a track that wears its southern blues influence out in the open. The opening has a hollow, empty sound to match the mood, but as the track fills in at the refrain the vocals become more po…
tuesday april 29th 2008
Avenue Q at Shea's
buffalorising
Sure, this musical has puppets, but let's start by allowing you to read what may be the most pertinent question asked about this play on Avenue Q's very own website.
Is Avenue Q appropriate for children?
Adults love AVENUE Q, but they seem a little, er, fuzzy on whether it's appropriate for kids. We'll try to clear that up. AVENUE Q is great for teenagers because it's about real life. It may not be appropriate for young children because AVENUE Q addresses issues like sex, drinking, and surfing the web for porn. It's hard to say what exact age is right to see AVENUE Q - parents should use their discretion based on the maturity level of their children. But we promise you this - if you DO bring your teenagers to AVENUE Q, they'll think you're really cool.
For those of you who may have chafed at the sweetn…
monday april 28th 2008
Irish Classical Theatre's Charley's Aunt
buffalorising
Charley's Aunt is in full swing at ICTC, much to the delight of audience members. This classical farce written by Brandon Thomas in 1892 is, according to ICTC's Producing Director Fortunato Pezzimenti, very physical and very funny.
"We've been busy, and the Buffalo Theatre Alliance, in a magnanimous gesture, has allowed for Studio Arena tickets to be honored here, so we've had a full house since we opened," Pezzimenti said. He added that the audience has been enjoying it, marveling at the fact that so many of the play's themes such as arranged marriage and chaperones are outmoded, while the basic premise of "college kids gone wild" is familiar and amusing to everyone.
"There are cases of mistaken identity and a whole series of events that mesh deeper and deeper, and then there is the major theme of love. Scenes alternate between romance and chaos as the play unfolds, and the…
sunday april 27th 2008
Student Playwright Competition In Its Tenth Year
Eli George
If you’re interested in seeing the future of playwriting, be sure to head to Shea’s Smith Theatre for the annual Write To Be Heard competition. Now in its tenth year, this event showcases the winner and two runner-ups by performing their plays. The participants are high school students from grades 8-12 and a select committee of high school students, called a dramaturgy, chooses the winners.
This event is coordinated and headed by Margo Davis, who is the founder of the competition. “My whole purpose in doing this is giving high schoolers a reason to write to be heard,” says Davis. She adds, “The other huge reason is just to connect kids interested in theatre to kids in other schools.”
The winner of the competition is awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Laura A. Adams Foundation. The runner-ups receive a small monetary prize, usually provided by Barnes and Noble Boo…
