Category: PostEvents

On a stretch of highway in the town of Tonawanda, just north of the city of Buffalo, three dining spots that serve some of America’s tastiest regional food specialties greet passing motorists. Within a few hundred feet, visitors can feast on charcoal broiled Sahlen’s hot dogs, Mineo & Sapio sausage, beef on weck sandwiches, creamy frozen custard, and Paula’s famous peanut sticks.

No exploration of classic Buffalo fare is complete without a stop at this stretch of Sheridan Drive between Belmont and Ashford Avenues, a spot one local wit dubbed “the holy trinity of Buffalo calories.”

Here’s our guide to making this iconic gastronomic pilgrimage.

Ted’s Hot Dogs at 2312 Sheridan Drive / Photo: Visit Buffalo Niagara

Ted’s Hot Dogs

2312 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda, NY

When visitors first approach this portion of Sheridan Drive, they’ll often notice the smoky aroma of charcoal grilled hot dogs hanging in the air. That smell has been a mainstay of the neighborhood since 1948, when Ted’s Hot Dogs opened its first location outside of the city of Buffalo. The Sheridan restaurant is the “mothership,” according to Ted’s president Thecly Ortolani. It’s the longest-running location in the chain and sought out by out-of-town visitors when they visit Buffalo.

Some thought Thecly’s grandfather, Theodore “Ted” Liaros, was crazy when he purchased a plot of farmland out here all those years ago to build this location. But his decision to move here ultimately changed the course of Buffalo food history. In its earliest years as a hot dog stand underneath the Peace Bridge, Ted’s grilled its hot dogs on a flat top grill. It was only upon moving to Sheridan that Ted’s son, Spiro Liaros, noticed that a couple of other nearby roadside stands, Pat’s and Scime’s, grilled their hot dogs using charcoal. Ted’s adopted that method as well, ultimately outlasting its competitors and creating “the niche that differentiates us from the rest of the country,” Thecly Ortolani said.

Customers line up to place their order at the front grill, then watch as Ted’s grill masters deftly sear Sahlen’s hot dogs, footlongs, burgers, chicken, and Mineo & Sapio sausage over an open flame. Some order their hot dogs “extra charred,” as the charcoal grilling causes them to darken and snap open with an extra smoky flavor. Ask for the “works” on your hot dog – including Ted’s signature, housemade hot relish – and complete your meal with an order of onion rings, a recipe Ted’s modeled after a now defunct local restaurant, Garlock’s. Then wash it all down with a loganberry drink for an unrivaled experience of American roadside food.

Anderson’s Frozen Custard at 2235 Sheridan Drive / Photo: Anderson’s (Facebook)

Anderson’s Frozen Custard

2235 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda, NY

Soon after Ted’s expanded to Sheridan, another roadside stand opened across the street and instantly developed its own following by selling creamy, frozen custard.

Carl and Greta Anderson saw the potential Sheridan Drive held when they opened their stand in 1953, according to their daughter, Holly. The pair had previously operated a stand along Kenmore Avenue, but business boomed after relocating to Tonawanda, as “America was getting built along Sheridan Drive,” Holly Anderson said. Families loved taking a Sunday drive back then to Sheridan for a cone, and to this day, lines often stretch out the door for a chocolate/vanilla twist made from Anderson’s special custard mix, a scoop of one of 32 homemade hard ice cream flavors, and roast beef sliced from a top round and served on a kummelweck roll, a kaiser roll covered in coarse salt and caraway seeds, that’s always referred to as “weck.”

Anderson’s proximity to Ted’s ultimately influenced its menu. When the Andersons were looking to expand beyond custard, they decided to avoid hamburgers and hot dogs since Ted’s had a lock on those items down the street. Instead, they started serving roast beef sandwiches in the 1960s, with Carl hand-slicing the beef himself for decades to make sure every sandwich was just right. In the six decades since, Anderson’s has carved out a niche as one of the region’s go-to spots for one of the Buffalo’s region’s iconic local dishes, beef on weck.

It’s no coincidence that Ted’s and Anderson’s can be found near each other throughout Erie County. According to Holly Anderson, Anderson’s often selected its new locations based on where Ted’s succeeded. A visit to Anderson’s flagship location, which has preserved and expanded its original 1950s structure, is a must for anyone who wants to experience a great American roadside custard stand.

Paula’s Donuts at 2319 Sheridan Drive / Photo: Paula’s Donuts (Facebook)

Paula’s Donuts

2319 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda, NY

The first thing visitors notice when they walk into Paula’s Donuts is the sweet aroma of frosting, fry cakes, and coffee. Then their eyes naturally drift to the multi-level shelf behind the front counter that holds nearly three dozen different varieties of donuts. There are red velvet donuts for sale here, and headlights, and honeydips, and powder angels, and powder chocolate angels, and coconut cream, and sour cream, and angel cream. And then there are the peanut coated fry cakes that Paula’s has become renowned for: the peanut stick, the peanut cream, and the peanut jelly doughnut. Paula’s has become the torch bearer for the peanut stick, a Buffalo specialty popularized by longtime (and long-gone) Freddie’s Doughnuts generations ago.

This shop completed the trinity a little more than a decade ago, when owner Paula Huber moved her business from its original location on Kenmore Avenue to a new spot in a shopping plaza in between Ted’s and Anderson’s. Its hours, beginning at 7 a.m. daily, brought a breakfast crowd to this formerly lunch, dinner, and dessert centric stretch of highway.

From morning until night, the holy trinity of Buffalo calories buzzes with customers who converge on Sheridan Drive to try some of the tastiest and most unique foods found in Western New York.

Ted’s Hot Dogs
2312 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda, NY
tedshotdogs.com

Anderson’s Frozen Custard
2235 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda, NY
andersonscustard.com

Paula’s Donuts
2319 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda, NY
paulasdonuts.com

The post Exploring the Holy Trinity of Buffalo Calories appeared first on Visit Buffalo Niagara.

Launch NY has invested $175,000 in Edenesque (founded in 2014), a plant-based dairy startup led by CEO Leslie Woodward. Not only will the investment allow Woodward to help to realize her goal of becoming a $15 million company within five years, it will also see Edenesque (and Woodward) relocate to Buffalo.

Launch NY – the first and only venture development organization to provide capital access and pro bono mentoring to high-growth startups in Upstate New YORK – believes that the plant-based dairy startup, previously based in the Hudson Valley, has what it takes to grow exponentially in WNY. This is partially due to the proximity of regional resources that include Edenesque’s new contract manufacturing partner, Elmhurst Dairy, and its main distribution partner, Sonwil Logistics.

Launch NY is the most active seed funder in New York state based on the volume of investments made into startups from its InvestLocal financing programs.

Edenesque – a black-owned and woman founded business – was born of Woodward’s passion for the culinary world. Woodward spent 20 years as a chef in NYC, where she trained at Restaurant Daniel, was executive chef at Columbia University’s President’s House, and then worked privately for high-net worth individuals, according to Launch NY. Eventually, she parlayed her skills into crafting plant-based non-dairy Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), with the tagline Be the Love — nourishing themselves, their communities, the environment, and their local economy.

Incredibly, most plant- based milks are typically just 2% nuts and filled with non-natural thickeners and stabilizers. Edenesque’s almond and oat milks are gluten-free, vegan, and bring a unique combination of nutrient density and flavor, with no thickeners or stabilizers. Woodward not only delivers the wholesome goods, she has also set out to address the disconnect between the pervasive disconnect between marketing and reality within the industry.

Launch NY is here to help, by facilitating the relocation of Edenesque’s headquarters to WNY, while providing the following capital investments:

$75,000 from Launch NY’s nonprofit seed fund

$100,000 from its new for-profit LP Fund II

$50,000 from the NY Ventures State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which matches against Launch NY’s LP Fund II investment vehicle

“Launch NY’s mission is to drive inclusive economic prosperity, so we are extremely proud to be adding yet another underrepresented founder to our portfolio, as Leslie moves her headquarters to Buffalo and embarks on plans for significant growth,” said Marnie LaVigne, Ph.D., president and CEO of Launch NY, whose involvement with Edenesque started with Launch NY’s Founders Go Big program, which engages startup founders from underrepresented communities and provides them with mentorship, business resources, and investment. “This is a huge win for our region as it will bring high-quality jobs to Buffalo, increase its diversity of startup founders and support a health-conscious product that is good for our bodies and the environment.”

Edenesque is sold in retail stories throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan, has a presence in corporate offices such as Calvin Klein and Estée Lauder, and is sold at restaurants and cafés in New York City.

It is interesting to note that less than .5% of venture capital invested in the U.S. last year went to Black, women founders. Launch NY hopes to identify and empower qualified Black, women founders, by promoting racial and gender diversity in entrepreneurship. To that end, Edenesque will be featured in the coming weeks on Launch NY’s Investor Network, giving its 320 members a chance to further invest in the company. Edenesque is also participating in the University at Buffalo’s Cultivator accelerator program.

In the end, Buffalo will be a huge benefactor, with the growth of Edenesque, and the immersion of its products into the NYS economy, and beyond.

“There is tremendous consumer demand in the non-dairy CPG market right now, and Edenesque has a unique opportunity to present a product that lives up to customer expectations in both nutrition and taste,” Woodward said. “We are absolutely thrilled to enact this vision in our new hometown of Buffalo. Launch NY’s investment and mentorship have been essential in turning this vision into a reality.”

Edenesque products currently have a strong presence in NYC, and will be stocked on the shelves at Whole Foods this summer. Moving forward, marketing efforts will also be focused on the WNY area, including retail outlets, cafés, and restaurants. In tandem with that growth in the WNY market, the company will be ramping up its local employee base, starting with a chief of staff and sales personnel.

And don’t forget… Be the Love — nourishing themselves, their communities, the environment, and their local economy. These corporate beliefs sound like everything that could bolster Buffalo. Keep up the good work Launch NY.

Get connected: www.edenesque.com

The post Launch NY Invests $175K in Edenesque: Plant-Based Dairy Startup Relocates HQ to Buffalo appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

Hop top it! Award-winning author and MacArthur genius Kiese Laymon is paying a visit to the Kleinhans stage for the season finale of Just Buffalo Literary Center’s BABEL author series later today, April 25th. 

Laymon, a Black southern writer from Jackson, Mississippi, is the author of the award-winning memoir Heavy, the groundbreaking essay collection How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America, and the genre-defying novel Long Division. In his observant, often hilarious work, Laymon battles with the personal and the political: race and family, body and shame, poverty and place. His savage humor and clear-eyed perceptiveness have earned him comparisons to Ta-Nehisi Coates, Alice Walker, and Mark Twain. 

Kiese Laymon, Writer, 2022 MacArthur Fellow, Houston, TX – Photo credit: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur

“From the first moment that I read the jaw-stopping opening pages of Heavy, I knew that we had to bring Kiese Laymon to BABEL,” commented Barbara Cole, Executive & Artistic Director. “I’ve recommended this book—and especially the audiobook which is so moving to hear in Laymon’s own voice—to countless people. Laymon speaks to anyone who has ever felt the weight of family history or society’s expectations. Anyone who feels weighed down by the challenges of changing themselves or the larger world won’t want to miss Laymon’s powerful storytelling and insights.”

Laymon’s memoir Heavy won the 2019 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction, the 2018 Christopher Isherwood Prize for Autobiographical Prose, the Austen Riggs Erikson Prize for Excellence in Mental Health Media, the Best Audiobook Award, and was named one of the Best Memoirs of the Past 50 Years by The New York Times. A personal narrative that illuminates national failures, Heavy is defiant yet vulnerable—an insightful, often comical exploration of weight, identity, art, friendship, and family.

“Oh my god. Heavy is astonishing. Difficult. Intense. Layered. Wow. Just wow.” — Roxane Gay, author of Hunger.

This event—the season finale of BABEL—also coincides with Just Buffalo’s Civil Writes Project which seeks to shine the spotlight on Black writers, promote anti-racism, and open conversations about equity through literature..

Tickets, which also include a virtual link for the option to watch from home, are available to the general public for $40; $35 with library card; $10 with student ID. Patron VIP tickets, which include an author reception before the event, are $100.

Doors & VIP Patron Receptions at 7:00 p.m. | Events at 8:00 p.m.8:00 pm

Click here for additional information and tickets.

PLANNING ON WATCHING FROM HOME?

If you choose to watch from home instead of attending in-person, the virtual link will be sent to you from babel@justbuffalo.org.

You must be signed up for the Just Buffalo Newsletter in order to receive the virtual link. (To sign up, opt-in during the checkout process, or use the form in the footer of the website.)

Ticket purchases made after 3:45pm EDT on October 26 will not receive a livestream link. But don’t worry if you miss it—you will also be granted access to a password-protected event recording, which will be emailed to you within 48 hours of the event.

Click here to purchase VIRTUAL ONLY TICKETS

The post BABEL event featuring Kiese Laymon appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

The Preservation Board will be reviewing plans for a single-family residence proposed for an odd-shaped parcel located at 92 Trinity Place today.  The site is within the Allentown Historic Preservation District.

Architect Brad Wales designed the modern cottage-style home for owner James Horn.  The one-bedroom residence has approximately 750 square feet of living space and a full front porch.

The post Infilling: 92 Trinity Place appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

The artistic community that calls the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts (UBCFA) home welcomes all on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, starting at 5 p.m. for Spring into Art. The UBCFA’s annual showcase turns the spotlight on the various visual and performing arts created in this hub of activity, which has a well-earned reputation for inclusivity, innovation, and quality.

Performances, art installations and exhibits, film screenings, a printmaking station, artist talks, and a student art sale are all part of the evening’s program, which is free to attend and open to the public. Complimentary refreshments will be available, and parking is free. Visitors can expect to experience a taste of what the UBCFA offers throughout the year thanks to the faculty, staff, and students who create in its studios, rehearsal halls, and performance spaces. 

Spring into Art is presented by the Center for the Arts in collaboration with the departments of Art, Media Study, Music, and Theatre and Dance, the Arts Management Program, and the UB Art Galleries.

Live theatrical, dance, and musical student performances will take place in the atrium from 5 to 7 p.m., along with a printmaking t-shirt station.

“Spring into Art has become a highlighted event of the UBCFA’s mission to provide the greater community access to where art is made and experienced on the UB campus,” said Jamie Enser, executive director. “We welcome both our university members and the greater Western New York Community to get a behind-the-scenes look at the student work that happens here daily,” she added.

Among the many events scheduled is a special artist talk with Visiting Artist Wuon-Gean Ho, whose exhibition The Heart’s Sight is currently on view in the UB Art Galleries. This talk will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the UBCFA’s Second Floor Gallery.

A full schedule of activities is available online.

The post Spring Into Art at UB Center for the Arts appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

The Basics : AIRNESS a play with music by Chelsea Marcantel, directed by Drew McCabe presented by Lancaster Opera House starring Amanda Funiciello, Jacob Applegate, Isaiah Brown, Zachary Kushner, Mara Westerling-Morris, Zachary Bellus, and DP Morris. The show runs April 19 through May 5, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm at Lancaster Opera House 21 Central Ave. Lancaster ,NY 14086, 716 683 1776 lancasteropera.org

RUNTIME : 1 HOUR 20 MINUTES including one intermission

THUMBNAIL SKETCH: Airness is a music filled comedy about finding your tribe and your joy. It features fun air guitar performances to hit songs from Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Billy Idol, Bon Jovi, and REO Speedwagon to name a few. Airness amps up theatergoers and introduces them to the world of competitive air guitar (who knew there was such a thing?) The playwright, Marcantel dated someone who participated in these competitions, and apparently, she did not appreciate or understand the appeal at all. She thought it was ridiculous. Several years later, when she was researching new idea for a play she remembered the ex-boyfriend and the air guitar competitions. She is quoted as saying “He must have felt when he found the air guitar community what I must have felt when I found the theatre kids.“ Adding,

This was his tribe, his people, and the people he wanted to be around. This show is about a specific community and how they connect and interact with each other at its core.

THE PLAYERS,THE PLAY,AND THE PRODUCTION: Scenic designer David Dwyer and Nicholas Quinn, the lighting and sound designer perfectly capture the dimly lit bar atmosphere of any city USA, where most of our tribe of charming, quirky characters gather and compete. This unique, heartwarming story, is once that I had not heard about prior to attending this production, which is always exciting. Airness unfolds by explaining the art form and follows five air guitar devotees, and one newbie, as they try to qualify for a National Air Guitar Competition, the goal is to achieve something called ‘Airness” which is finding your inner joy through the medium of fun and fancy moves to rocking tunes.

Nina, sublimely played by Amanda Funiciello seemingly stumbles into a Staten Island bar where there is a competition about to take place. She meets the Motley Crue, er motley crew there, who all go by their stage names once they enter into this little microcosm of theirs. These folks are serious about their air guitar, whereas most of us have rocked out in the privacy of our homes or in a drunken state at a bar, they meticulously debate and analyze every detail of their performances. Shreddy Eddy, Facebender, and Golden Thunder are the core of this group of friends. They willingly accept Nina and try to help her let go of her inhibitions so she can tap into her emotions and find her joy. She was previously in a band and can play the guitar as opposed to her new friends, but she has some roadblocks ahead of her to achieve “Airness” and ultimately advance in the competitions.

At the start of the play Facebender, who is inhabited by the delightful Zachary Kushner declares that “this community” is built upon connection and camaraderie and not competition. Kushner plays the sweetness and vulnerability of this character masterfully; we love his hippy dopiness instantly as he encourages and assists Nina in her journey to qualify and move forward. He could have veered into a stereotypical Californian man child, but not in this capable actors’ hands, particularly in a very meaningful moment when he explains why he got into air guitar in the first place. It was one of my favorite scenes from this piece.

Golden Thunder is played by Isaih Brown with great enthusiasm. Thunder is bright and shiny and the most idealistic of the group. Shout out to costume designer Elaine Heckler, I loved all the characters outfit ,but Isaiah damn near steals the show with panache and ability to carry off some very wild and fun looks. DP Morris plays the announcer and several other characters with admirable effect.

Shreddy Eddie who becomes Nina’s mentor, tutor and possibly more later is portrayed by the very alluring Jacob Applegate. Applegate’s Eddie straddles between sheepishly cute nerd and sinewy sexy Air Guitar God. I have never seen Jacob in anything before, but he stands out in a very talented cast. This guy has some moves and does an awe-inspiring flip that is worth the price of admission. He also has great chemistry with Ms. Funiciello’s Nina as well as his two buddies, Facebender & Gold Thunder. I certainly look forward to seeing him back on stage in something else soon.

Cannibal Queen and D Vicious form a sort of a past/present love triangle with Nina. Cannibal Queen is played by a mostly deadpan, sardonic Mara Westerling-Morris who is clad in a bad ass rock chick leather ensemble. She is tough on the outside, less tough on the inside. She is a married woman (mutually non monogamous) having a fling with bad boy D Vicious, played by Zachary Bellus, who we later learn is the ex-boyfriend of Nina, who now goes by the moniker “The Nina.” Mr. Bellus, another actor I have never had the pleasure of witnessing on a stage, channels Sebastian Bach, Brett Michaels, and Axel Rose with an open sensual swagger ramping up to full thrusting male bravado. The character of D Vicious could easily be a very cliched one dimensional pretty boy “front man,” but in the skillful hands of this actor, you get to see some different shades of vulnerability in addition to the fist pumping, champion that he is.

Nina experiences the most growth in this play. She entered into this mostly male dominated world fairly confident that she would dominate the competition, because of her skill as an actual guitarist and her actual disdain for air guitar (much like the play’s author initially). She promptly falls flat on her face after the first competition and is lifted up by the our lovable trio of misfits and she grows to understand what joy there is to be derived from this “art form.” Nina has an adversarial relationship with Cannibal Queen and an unhealthy obsession with D Vicious, who is the reigning national champion. As they navigate through various cities and competitions it becomes apparent that Nina has ulterior motives. She careens down a path that starts at contempt, moves to acceptance, belonging, then betrayal and finally triumphant joy and love. I have admired Amanda Funiciello’s work since I saw her in Alleyway Theatre’s brilliant production of Kragtar: The American Monster Musical last season. Speaking of joy, Amanda has in the last year, beguiled not only me, but has given Western New York audiences an incredible amount of joy, from her portrayal of Tish in Kragtar, to Vivienne in MusicalFare’s production of Legally Blonde, to her exceptional performance as Audrey on this very stage in Little Shop of Horrors. Amanda, as Nina, draws you right in with her expressive face and beautiful big brown eyes and keeps your attention with her ability to be real. Nina is flawed and funny, she is insecure and confident, she is hurt and can hurt others, but most of all she is very relatable. That my friends is what makes Amanda Funiciello compelling to watch on stage, take note casting directors, you want this woman in your shows.

I had no idea what to expect coming into Airness. This is by no means a perfect play, but it is good and worth checking out. The impressive cast is guided by an equally impressive director with great heart and soul, a head banging soundtrack, transformative lighting and set design that take the audience on a journey from grubby local bars to the climatic finale set in a rock arena. Airness delivers a good time for all. It calls upon our imagination and makes us root for these people. We hoot, holler, and cheer for them because we can put ourselves in their shoes for a little while. Anyone who has been put down for really enjoying a hobby, a pastime, or even an artist or a band, or has been ridiculed by others for their passion will not only see themselves in these characters, but will  leave smiling and humming because they have thoroughly enjoyed this show.

4.5 Buffalos

HERD OF BUFFALO RATING SYSTEM 

FIVE BUFFALOS: Exceptional quality – a rare rating. Whether it’s a hilarious comedy or a touching drama, if this is your kind of show, missing out would be a mistake! 

FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of exceptional quality. If the genre and content match your preferences, it’s worth seeing. 

THREE BUFFALOS: Despite minor drawbacks, it’s a solid production and a pleasant evening at the theater. Keep your expectations in check, and you’re likely to have a good time. 

TWO BUFFALOS: If you’re a self-proclaimed theatre enthusiast who simply adores attending shows, go ahead and give it a try. However, if the genre and themes don’t resonate with you, you might want to explore other options. 

ONE BUFFALO: This might not be the best choice for everyone unless you have a compelling reason to attend, like having family or friends involved in the performance. It’s probably a good idea to skip this one.

The post From Riffs to Redemption: “Airness” Rocks Lancaster Opera House. Shred your inhibitions and find your inner rock star at this hilarious air guitar adventure appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

Virtual presentation | Tuesday, May 14, 2024 | 12PM

Grant writing can be intimidating and frustrating for people who aren’t full-time development or grant writing staff.

In this free presentation, ASI’s Grants and Programming Director Holly Grant will demystify the grant writing process, show you how to find arts and culture grants, and provide grant writing tips. As a part of ASI’s “From the Ground Up” series, this presentation is geared for individual creatives and nonprofit administrators who are new to grant writing or would like a refresher course on the topic.

This workshop is free to attend and is fully virtual. Participants are able to leave their cameras on or off and participate via the chat or on camera.

Meet the Presenter

Holly Grant is the Grants and Programming Director of Arts Services Inc. As a versatile and proven arts leader, she is dedicated to ASI’s mission and vision of removing barriers for people to access the arts and helping creatives discover their potential. Bringing nearly two decades of experience working in the Western New York arts and cultural sector to her work at ASI, Holly has developed strategic partnerships throughout her career that support and connect members of the arts community.

The post From the Ground Up: Effective Grant Writing appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

THE BASICS: The (Curious Case of the) Watson Intelligence runs April 18 – May 19, Thursdays – Sundays at Road Less Traveled Theater, 456 Main Street, Buffalo 14202 – click for tickets.

THUMBNAIL SKETCH: Dr. Watson, Sherlock Holmes’ trusty companion; Thomas A. Watson, assistant to Alexander Graham Bell; Watson, the unstoppable supercomputer Jeopardy! champ; and Watson, a Dweeb Team everyman. Four Watsons in three centuries unite to tell one tale in this playful, time-traveling drama about the foibles and frustrations of the human heart and the technology on which it increasingly relies.

RUNTIME: 2 hours and 20 minutes with a ten minute intermission

THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION:

The (Curious Case of the) Watson Intelligence was written by Madeleine George and produced by Playwrights Horizons in 2013. Ms. George was inspired to write this play after watching a Jeopardy episode on TV where Jeopardy champions played against Watson, a supercomputer. The play won an Outer Critics Circle Award and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

The dialogue is wry and the plot is often surprising. The emphasis is on connections – relationships between people and relationships between people and technology. Can people use technology to replace other people? Can technology act like people? Do people act like technology? Many of the scenes are humorous, but the play offers us a lot to think about.

Photos courtesy of Gina Gandolfo 2024

The play has been precisely and subtly directed by John Hurley and his associate Katie Mallinson and their assistant Sabrina Kahwaty. We don’t know exactly who did what, but this is a winning team and they did a beautiful job directing a difficult play.

The production is greatly enhanced by the imaginative work of sound and projection designer Katie Henke. Lights by John Ricks and costumes by Jenna Damburger are fine. Ryan Burlingame’s set serves the play well and is bookended by displays of intriguing devices.

Brendan Didio is the four different Watsons and all the Watsons are the trustworthy, empathetic sidekick aiming to serve. It is the Watsons of the world who give others the support that they need to help both humanity and themselves. Mr. Didio’s performance is wonderfully varied, believable, funny and heart-breaking.

Photos courtesy of Gina Gandolfo 2024

Dave Hayes plays Mr. Merrick through the ages. In modern times, Merrick is a jilted husband and paranoid politician in America, and, back in Sherlockian England, Merrick is the horrifically misogynistic inventor of a revolutionary piston. Mr. Hayes’ pub scene with Mr. Didio, although gruesome in content, is the comedy highlight of the play.

The women’s roles are played by Emily Yancey who gives a consistently animated performance. Ms. Yancey throws herself enthusiastically into all of her roles, but it is with the modern day Eliza Merrick that she makes the biggest impression, and her beautiful work with the exquisitely written end of Act 2 speech is the tour de force of the evening.

This is a masterful production of an absorbing play.

HERD OF BUFFALO RATING SYSTEM

FIVE BUFFALOS: Exceptional quality – a rare rating. Whether it’s a hilarious comedy or a touching drama, if this is your kind of show, missing out would be a mistake!

FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of exceptional quality. If the genre and content match your preferences, it’s worth seeing.

THREE BUFFALOS: Despite minor drawbacks, it’s a solid production and a pleasant evening at the theater. Keep your expectations in check, and you’re likely to have a good time.

TWO BUFFALOS: If you’re a self-proclaimed theatre enthusiast who simply adores attending shows, go ahead and give it a try. However, if the genre and themes don’t resonate with you, you might want to explore other options.

ONE BUFFALO: This might not be the best choice for everyone unless you have a compelling reason to attend, like having family or friends involved in the performance. It’s probably a good idea to skip this one.

The post Cutting Edge Play at Road Less Traveled Theater appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) is preparing to present Chooi Brothers & Bach on May 3rd and 4th, 2024. This occaion marks the first joint performance of the Chooi brothers in Buffalo.  In this special program, BPO concertmaster and violinist Nikki Chooi will share the stage with his equally gifted brother, Timothy Chooi, for a performance of Bach’s Double Violin Concerto.

While the event has been billed as “an energetic exchange of musical one-up-man-ship,” Timothy clarified that any competition between the brothers will be good-natured and supportive. “I’ve always been inspired by Nikki’s energy,” shared Chooi.  “So whatever energy he puts out on stage, I tend to challenge that and want to do even more. And then he wants to do more, and then I want to do more…that’s basically the gist of the sibling rivalry. It’s not so much in the fact that we fight against each other. It’s more that we challenge each other all the time and one up each other.”

Nikki and Timothy Chooi in Busan, South Korea

Timothy will take center stage for Prokifiev’s Violin Concerto no. 1, a piece that he first encountered at the age of 11, and one that has continued to evolve for him. “It’s one of Prokofiev’s earlier works. And it’s very unusual for a concerto of that time, because the movements are slightly reversed in terms of their overall mood,” adding, 

“Usually, the first movement is very dramatic and usually, is the lengthiest work within the three movement structure. Prokofiev switches that around. The first movement is actually very light, and it gives almost more of a shadow, rather than an actual picture, of what the work looks like. The second movement, traditionally in most romantic concertos at that time, was a beautiful long slow lullaby-like movement, but [Prokofiev] does the opposite. He turns it into a scherzo. It’s a very light piece, and actually has a lot of colors that are starting to evolve from it. And it’s very short…The last movement is not the most virtuosic at all, but it has the most ‘first movement’ like feeling to it. It has those big melodies, it has a huge climax in the middle of the piece, and it finishes very quietly, which is also very unusual for a violin concerto. So there’s something about this piece that starts so dreamy and ends very dreamy.”   

Then, the two brothers will share the stage for the Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins. “The Bach Double is a terrific work, it’s one of those timeless pieces,” said Nikki Chooi. “The first and third movements, they build upon each other. It’s very interactive between the two violins, responding, communicating, and talking through the music itself. The slow movement is this really sublime, ‘out of this world’ kind of movement, that is very beautiful and very ethereal. So, I think the fact that it’s such a great work, and the fact that us as brothers are playing is the whole package itself. I think people will enjoy our interaction.” 

The program will also feature Saratoga Overture by Behzad Ranjbaran and Brahms’ Serenade No. 2. Timothy shares that he hoped audiences come because it “is a really cool thing to see two brothers play the violin. The repertoire itself is some of ‘the best of the best’ classical music works out there, and is relatable and yet also pushes the boundaries of the classical music sphere.” Additionally, the brothers may have some surprises in store for enthusiastic audiences.  “We have a number of encores in our back pocket,” said Nikki.  “So keep clapping and that’s where the show [really] begins.”

Chooi Brothers & Bach will be presented by The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 10:30 AM and Saturday, May 4, at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are available here.  

The post Chooi Brothers Reunite for Bach Double Violin Concerto: A Celebration of Sibling Rivalry & Musical Mastery with the BPO, May 3 + 4 appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

On Saturday, May 4, 2024, Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP) will host their annual spring ‘Seedling Sale’ event, which promises to offer a wide range of garden treasures, including vegetables, herbs, and flower varieties such as lemon verbena, oregano, pineapple mint, calendula, squash, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, zinnias, and tulips. All total, there will be over 70 varieties of vegetables, flowers, and herb seedlings, all grown at the West Side farm. MAP’s Mobile Market truck will be on-hand to ensure that visitors to the event have access to seasonal, farm-fresh goods.

Topping off the incredible seed sale, there will be 15 vendors present at the event, serving up all sorts of delicious delights, including Colombian arepas (Breva Kitchen), soul-food style barbecue (Denver N Dallas), Armenian pastries and appetizers (WNY Armenian Community), gluten-free and vegan dessert items (Sack + Sugar), and coffee, tea (Undergrounds Coffee).

“For over a decade, MAP’s Spring Seedling Sale has served as an opportunity to promote food sovereignty and empower folks to connect with the land and grow their own food,” said Diane Picard, Executive Director, Massachusetts Avenue Project. “Last year, we sold over 2,500 seedlings and we are thrilled to once again open our doors for this important community-building event in support of our local food system.” 

Local vendors will provide a diverse assortment of offerings for sale including:

Youth-made functional art for gardens from The Foundry

Ceramics from a variety of artists will also be available for sale

Books from Read It & Eat Bookshop

Garden-oriented products from BFLO Worm Works, Creekside Flowers, and more.

Last but not least, the event will feature a number of community partners, such as Grassroots Gardens WNY, The Tool Library, Greater Buffalo Urban Growers, and WNY Partnership for Regional and Invasive Species Management. There will be plenty of takeaways, for people who want to live healthier, more sustainable lives.

MAP’s Spring Seedling Sale

Saturday, May 4, 2024

10am – 2pm

MAP’s urban farm – 387 Massachusetts Avenue

Entry to the event is free of charge

MAP’s seedlings will be sold for $4 a piece

SNAP benefits will be accepted for live seedlings and eligible MAP products in addition to cash and credit card

For additional information, visit the Seedling Sale Facebook Event Page. 

Website: www.mass-ave.org

Participating Food and Beverage Vendors Include:

Breva Kitchen

Sack + Sugar

Undergrounds Coffee

Denver N Dallas Barbecue

WNY Armenian Community

Community Resources:

WNY PRISM 

Grassroots Gardens WNY

Greater Buffalo Urban Growers

Pollinator Conservation Association

The Tool Library

Art and More:

Curious Rabbit Art

Kapong Pottery

The Foundry

Read It & Eat Bookshop

Bonnie Ceramics

Abby Walters Ceramics

Rainbows and Wildflowers

BFLO Worm Works

Creekside Flowers

Native Sol

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