Category: PostEvents

Hounds & Hops has announced that it is now offering a free spa experience to dogs that are adopted from the Buffalo Animal Shelter. The adoption initiative intends to provide people with an added incentive to rescue a pup, thus providing them with a new forever home. And for the rescued dogs, it’s a chance to get pampered as they find themselves with a new “leash” on life.

“Our relationship with the Buffalo animal shelter is one of the most rewarding aspects of the Hounds & Hops experience,” said co-owner Jarod Miller. “Our goal is to help find forever homes for as many local pups as possible, promote optimum canine care, and strengthen the bonds with our dogs throughout the community. Offering this additional incentive to adopt is a no brainer.”

The news of this new spa experience reward comes shortly after Hounds & Hops announced that it was launching a dog daycare program at Seneca One. Combined with its weekly “Seneca Star” program – a dog adoption happy hour meet & greet (every Wednesday from 4pm-6pm) – and there’s a fantastic recipe for success when it comes to pup placements.

Hounds & Hops | 1 Seneca St Ste. 0002, Buffalo, NY 14203 | (716) 277-8875 | Beers That Bark

Full Service Canine Care and Craft Beer Social Destination! “Better Best Friends with Every Brew”

The post Hounds & Hops and Buffalo Animal Shelter announce free “Welcome Home Spa Treatment” appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

A recent report on “forever chemicals” (PFAS or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances) by the Daily Mail had a graphic that caught my eye.  It showed the nanograms per serving for foods high in “forever chemicals.”  The eye catcher was not the numbers (which were unfortunately no surprise to me), but that they included private label items from one of our major grocery chains.  Just to be clear, it is not a reflection on the quality control our local grocery chain.  It is a reflection on how pervasive a problem PFAS chemicals are in our current society.

The report comes days after the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that two widely used PFAS chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), will be designated as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund.  PFAS chemicals have been linked to various health effects, and PFOA and PFOS have been specifically linked to negative effects to the immune and cardiovascular system, as well as pregnancy hypertension and decreased newborn birth weights.  Referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally degrade over time, regulatory scrutiny is intensifying as studies show they pass through the food chain and bioaccumulate in our food sources and bodies.

The EPA news is both good and bad.  Good, because these chemicals will be removed from use in consumer goods. Bad, because these chemicals are part of at least 12,000 unique compounds, and scientists haven’t had the time or funding to study the potential toxicity of these compounds. Worse still is the industry response, which has been to substitute a near identical unbanned compound (that may be even more hazardous) to replace the regulated compound. This “regrettable substitution” commonly happens despite laws with protective sounding names like the 1976 Toxic Substance Control Act. Like many laws on the books, there is nothing that requires proof of safety before a chemical is approved for use in the marketplace.

And the number of consumer products with PFAS chemicals is practically uncountable.  The same chemicals that make foods slide off your non-stick pan (commonly referred to by the trade name Teflon®) are the same chemicals used to make dental floss glide through your teeth.  Other chemicals in the family that make your coat and furniture waterproof and stainproof (often referred to by the trade name Scotchgard®) are also used in to make your eyeliner and mascara waterproof.

The Food and Drug Administration announced in February that companies are voluntarily phasing out the use of PFAS in food packaging including fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags and take out containers that are grease, oil and water resistant.  This comes over a year after New York State enacted an expansion of their packaging laws to include PFAS restrictions, showing the power of the States in expanding protections for their citizens in the absence of Federal action.

In the current session, New York legislators will be reviewing multiple PFAS bills.  The first is the PFAS Surface Water Discharge Disclosure Act (A.3296A/S.227B) that would require publicly owned treatment works and people who discharge industrial waste to such treatment works to disclose the measurement of per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals found in any discharge into the state waterways.   This would impact facilities like the Buffalo Sewer Authority that treat PFAS-laden wastewater leachate from landfills.  The second bill is the Ban on PFAS in Anti-Fogging Spray/Wipes (A.5363A/S.992A) which would prohibit the sale and distribution of anti-fogging sprays and wipes containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The exposure of PFAS chemicals, so close to individuals’ eyes, can be toxic and the eyes present an easy entryway to the body for these chemicals.  The third bill, the Ban on PFAS in Menstrual Products (A.5990A/S.3529A) and the fourth, the Personal Care Act (A.6969/S.4265) would restrict the use of a list of restricted substances, including PFAS, to be used in these products.  The final bill is a ban on the use of biosolids from wastewater treatment facilities for land spreading (A.8317/no Senate bill).  Currently used like farm manure to fertilize farm fields, the biosolids have been found to have concentrated amounts of PFAS chemicals which bioaccumulate in the fields.

As good as these protections will be, legislation like this is barely scratching the surface of where PFAS is currently being used.  Many of these bans cover only a specific chemical or two, leaving the threat of an even more toxic replacement to be used.  The safest thing for regulators and legislators to do is to consider restricting the entire range of PFAS chemicals in their bans until a comprehensive study of the entire family of PFAS chemicals can be done or the manufacturers can prove that a PFAS chemical is safe.

Lead image – Photo by Bermix Studio

The post Superfund Designation for PFOA/PFOS Does Not Stop the PFAS Contamination Crisis appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority and its selected development team have submitted plans to redevelop the Shaffer Village housing development in Riverside for City approval.  The Buffalo Equitable Housing Collaborative, which consists of the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA), Bridges Development, JHM Group, The Richman Group, and Penman Development Partners are working with HHL Architects and Wendel to implement the project.

The project plan aims to improve the existing conditions of Shaffer Village. The existing site is a “super-block” campus, with no public streets, a dense building layout, a lack of architectural diversity, and minimal shared common spaces.

From the Project Description:

The Shaffer Village redevelopment will include demolition of the existing buildings on-site and the construction of approximately 217 housing units, a community center/office building, utility/maintenance building, approximately 151 on-street and 222 off-street parking spaces, and “flex space” (enclosed playgrounds, bioretention areas, or green space). The central community building will provide an indoor community gathering space, gym, and computer room for residents to use.

In order to re-integrate the Shaffer Village campus with the greater Riverside neighborhood, the project will also reconnect the street grid by extending Chadduck and Henrietta Avenues to Isabelle Street (see master plan below). These extensions will be designed to provide two-way circulation. A new loop road will serve the portion of the site east of Isabelle Street.

The new buildings will be a mix of two-story townhouses and duplexes and three-story apartment buildings (except for the senior apartment building on Ontario Street, which will be four stories), and include a range of units of differing sizes, from one-bedroom units to five-bedroom units. These buildings will vary in design and face the street, blending the new campus into the surrounding neighborhood. There will also be improvements to the public realm (e.g. streetscape, sidewalks). The master plan includes perimeter fencing, clear sight lines, and dedicated porches and entrances for each residence (except for the apartment buildings). There will be no dead-end streets and all of the sidewalks will be accessible.

The redevelopment of Shaffer Village will significantly improve the character and quality of the surrounding community. The current layout of the housing complex isolates the residents from the rest of the Riverside neighborhood. The new master plan will integrate the buildings into the community by extending Chadduck and Henrietta Avenues to Isabelle Street, thereby reconnecting the street grid; siting buildings to front on Ontario Street, as well as the extended Chadduck and Henrietta Avenues; including a variety of different housing types, such as single-family townhouses, two-family upper/lower flats, and larger apartment buildings; and incorporating the architectural vernacular of nearby residential structures into the architectural design of the buildings.

The Planning Board will review plans to subdivide the site at its Monday meeting.  The design of the new buildings has not been released but was hinted at in the massing exhibit below.

The post Shaffer Village Redevelopment Plans Submitted appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

The excellence of recent classical music performances has been astounding, and encore performances are sure to add to the excitement. Below, more on all those. 

Let’s start with the second of two Buffalo Philharmonic Concerts at Kleinhans (Saturday, May 4, at 7:30), the first of which on Friday morning featured some very listenable premieres, a chance to hear the fabulous Chooi brothers (BPO Concertmaster Nikki and his younger brother Timmy) and their collector’s items violins.  

The concert opened with a new work by Iranian-born now U.S.-based composer Behzad Ranjbaran who currently teaches at NYC’s Juilliard School and who came up to Buffalo for the concert.  The seven-minute long “Saratoga Overture” celebrates the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra as well as the Revolutionary War American victory at Saratoga.  It was very cinematic, starting quietly and reminding me of the score to the movie “To Kill a Mockingbird” and then expanding to the epic sounds of some of the best current music for video game sagas.  (That’s not a diss.  If you’re not aware of what’s happening in the world of video game music, you’re missing out on some of the best contemporary composers.)

Then, with his older brother Nikki sitting in his usual concertmaster’s seat, out came Timothy Chooi to play the Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 1, typical of Prokofiev for alternating intensely furious music with beautiful calm melodies.  What was unusual was the reverse of the usual fast-slow-fast order of movements in most concertos with a slow-fast-slow form.  As you might expect if you’ve been coming to BPO concerts and have heard Nikki, his brother Timmy is also a cut above.  

Then, in slight alteration to the program, before (not after) intermission most of the orchestra left the stage, the harpsichord was opened up, and both Nikki and Timothy came out for the baroque era master Johann Sebastian Bach’s often performed “Concerto in D minor for Two Violins and String Orchestra” affectionately referred to as “The Bach Double.”  I’ve heard this many times, and often, it’s a chance for family members of different abilities to perform together, and, often, it’s slowed down so that nobody is over his or her head.  But with the Chooi brothers, there’s no slowing down.  At all.  All I can say is that these guys rock.  Wow.  Of course, the audience loved it.  

They also played an encore, an arrangement of Leonard Cohen’s often covered “Hallelujah,” where each took turns with the melody while the other plucked an accompaniment.  Unless you were staring at them, you could not tell who was playing what at any given moment.  They matched each other perfectly.

Then, still with most of the orchestra off stage, all the brass, and surprisingly all of the violins (yes, all) we heard the first performance by the BPO of Brahm’s Serenade No. 2, a work for winds and strings, with the violas as the highest voices.  Now with BPO principal violist Caroline Gilbert in the concertmaster’s seat, JoAnn Falletta took up the mic and told us that Brahms, who was always worried about being compared to Beethoven, held off on writing a symphony until he had experimented with other forms.  This was his first work ever composed for an orchestra.  And she anticipated everyone’s question: “What about Serenade No. 1… wouldn’t that have been the first?”  As she explained, that was for a nonet, and only long after was it orchestrated in the form we usually hear it today.  So this piece was a double premiere.  It was Brahms’ first orchestral work and the first time it had ever been played by the BPO. 

Falletta often tries to mix it up a little at concerts, but this program truly had something for everyone.  And it encores this Saturday, May 4, at 7:30 at Kleinhans.  So, “may the fourth be with you” with the “Chooi Brothers and Bach” as you (hopefully) get a chance to hear the BPO really shine.  Runtime: two hours 15 minutes including one intermission.  Kleinhans Music Hall is at “3 Symphony Circle” Buffalo, 14201 where Porter Avenue, Richmond Avenue, North Street and Wadsworth meet at a traffic circle.  Visit www.bpo.org or call 716-885-5000.  Full-service bars in the lobby or across the lobby in the Mary Seaton Room and occasionally on the second floor.  

First, though, let’s look back on the past few weeks as I tell you when you can hear these performers again.  On Thursday, April 11, the Buffalo Chamber Players held the third of their four-concert series at their home base of the AKG Art Museum upstairs in the Stanford and Judith Lipsey Auditorium again with a ‘90s title, this time it was “Northern Exposure” featuring a variety of chamber music configurations, as they do, with works for 1,2,3,4,or 5 players performing Scandinavian composers familiar (Sibelius and Nielsen), composers sort of familiar (Saariaho and Bull), and composers new to me (Hildur Guðnadóttir from Iceland born 1982 and Elfrida Andrée of Sweden born 1841).  Using full-time professionals from the BPO with friends from local college faculties, the performances are always at the highest level, ensuring a top-notch experience for the audience.  The BCP’s next and final concert this season, Thursday May 16 at 7pm at the AKG, is titled “Purple Rain” with music for string quintet (two violas) by contemporary composer Joan Tower along with Brahms’ Quintet #2 (same configuration: 2 violins, 2 violas, and cello).

On April 28, the Tempus Fugit Trio, clarinetist Michael Tumiel, violinist Shannon Reilly, and pianist Michael Serio returned to the Friends of Vienna, this time with music by Berio, Stravinsky, Milhaud, and Ives. After the concert, I told Tumiel that, to my ear, there is a “Platonic Ideal” sound for a clarinet, and he creates that sound more consistently than anyone else in Buffalo. I can’t tell you exactly when they’ll return, but I know they will. Coming up on May 19 at 3:30, the Friends of Vienna expand their purview with popular award-winning young vocalist Alex McArthur accompanied by master jazz pianist George Caldwell, a Professor of Piano at the University of Buffalo, in a program featuring both jazz and classical repertory. Like the BCP concerts, Friends of Vienna events are surprisingly affordable ($20 for adults, $5 for students), and there is plenty of free parking behind the church venue at 1243 Delaware Avenue.

Then, in an enchanting surprise, the Hermitage Piano Trio (piano, violin, cello) stepped in on Tuesday April 30 with two days’ notice for the ailing Doric String Quartet for the final concert of the 100th season of the Buffalo Chamber Music Society, and I can’t imagine a more exciting way to have wrapped up this season.  While often piano trios are ad-hoc affairs, the Russian-born, now U.S.-based Hermitage (say hair-mee-TAHZH) Trio, like the famed Beaux Arts Trio or one of my current faves, Toronto’s Gryphon Trio, is one of the few full-time professional piano trios.  Their first half was Russian (Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich), and the second half was Spanish with music by Turina and the only piano trio by a lesser-known composer, Gaspar Cassadó, a discovery that had the audience on its feet.  Here’s the good news.  The Hermitage Trio has already been booked for the 101st season (2024-2025), with a concert scheduled for December 3, 2024, as always, in the all-wood Mary Seaton Room of Kleinhans Music Hall.  The upcoming 8-concert season subscription of $185 is only $160 before June 1.  

And then, in an astounding event, the famed Russian-born, Israeli-American pianist Yefim Bronfman came to UB’s Slee Hall to play for a packed house a wide-ranging program on UB’s brand new, just arrived from Vienna, Austria, Bösendorfer grand piano.  What an extraordinary outing for that extraordinary instrument.  Bronfman plays like no other pianist in my experience with a left hand that is beyond belief in its power and skill.  The tickets were an unbelievable $20 standard for UB, and you are advised to visit the UB Department of Music and get on their mailing list because in September, they often have a BOGO program.  So, honestly, my ticket only cost me $10 for one of the most memorable concerts of my life.  Look into that.  The good news is that Yefim Bronfman will be playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Rochester Philharmonic, next week, Thursday, May 9 at Eastman Hall.

Kleinhans Music Hall is at “3 Symphony Circle” Buffalo, 14201 where Porter Avenue, Richmond Avenue, North Street and Wadsworth meet at a traffic circle.  Visit www.bpo.org or call 716-885-5000.  Full-service bar in the lobby or across the lobby in the Mary Seaton Room.  Masks are optional.

The post Superfine classical performances repeat, including BPO “Chooi Brothers” tonight at Kleinhans appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

The “Buffalo…..who knew?” podcast series aims to highlight the (often under appreciated, sometimes unearthed) assets of Buffalo–particularly as it relates to the built and natural environment. It reveals up-and-coming projects, checks in on those that are already underway, and discusses some of the barriers that may impede their forward movement.

“Buffalo….who knew” that Frederick Law Olmsted claimed Buffalo to be “the best planned city, as to its streets, public places, and grounds, in the United States, if not in the world”, and that the city’s (1804) radial street plan, defined by Joseph Ellicott, that was influenced by French urban planning and garden design, such as Versailles, which featured long straight routes and circles? 

It was Buffalo’s radial street plan–modeled after Pierre L’Enfant’s 1791 plan for Washington, D.C.–that caused Olmsted to make such a pronouncement, and to take such an interest to design his signature “country park” in the second city of New York State.  Olmsted said he was completing or extending Ellicott’s plan–he incorporated such streets as Delaware Avenue into his scheme.  It would be the direct route from Niagara Square to today’s Delaware park, three miles north. 

Listen as we sit down with celebrated Architectural Historian, Frank Kowsky, and discuss Olmsted’s career to make public parks an essential part of American life, his collaboration with Calvert Vaux, and the indelible impact his park system has had on Buffalo. 

Also see Frank Kowsky’s book, The Best Planned City in the World: Olmsted, Vaux, and the Buffalo Park System,

The post Podcast: Buffalo… Who Knew? Frank Kowsky on Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and their impact on Buffalo appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

On May 15, at 6pm, UB School of Architecture Small Built Works Program (lead image) with Citizens for Regional Transit (CRT) will unveil a proposal for three new transit lines in Buffalo, Cheektowaga, and Amherst including the airport and the Belt Line. The unveiling – held at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 15 Fernhill across from ECMC – is open to the public. Anyone that is interested in learning more about the untapped potential of light rail transit, and how it could help to shape Buffalo’s future, is welcome to attend.

The proposal addresses the long-term transportation needs of the Buffalo region, which suffers from low transit ridership, high car dependency, and limited access to jobs and services. The proposal seeks to promote economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity by providing fast, reliable, and affordable transit options for residents and visitors. It significantly expands the existing Buffalo Metro system including near-term planned extensions.

Three new transit lines are envisioned:

The “Belt Line”, which will run along the existing railroad corridor that circles the city, connecting neighborhoods, universities, hospitals, and cultural attractions.

The Airport Line, which will run from the Central Business District to the Buffalo Airport, serving the Main Street corridor, Larkinville, Central Terminal, Transit Road, Walden Galleria Mall, the Airport and Transit Road in Lancaster.

The Kensington Line, which will run from the “Belt Line” to the Buffalo airport, serving the ECMC, the Olmsted High School, the Martha Mitchell Community Center, and the Airport. It will serve the Trinidad neighborhood along the current alignment of the Kensington Expressway.

The proposal is based on research, analysis, and community engagement conducted by the University at Buffalo Small Built Works Program, a design-build studio that has worked since 2001 designing community benefit projects. The proposal is also supported by Citizens for Regional Transit, a grassroots organization that advocates for improved transit in the Buffalo region.

The unveiling event will include a presentation of the proposals, a question-and-answer session, and a display of maps and station renderings. The event will also be available on Microsoft Teams (see inset) for those who cannot attend in person.

Photo courtesy Small Built Works and CRT

The post Small Built Works and CRT to unveil proposal for three new transit lines appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

THE BASICS: Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf by Tim Ryder is at Alleyway Theatre, 1 Curtain Up Alley, Buffalo, NY 14202. The play runs from April 27 – May 11, for tickets — https://www.alleyway.com/show/streetcar or 716-852-2600

THUMBNAIL SKETCH: The hijinks begin from the moment the lights come up in this mashup of characters from some of the greatest plays of modern drama. What would Martha think of Blanche? What would Stanley have to say to George? And poor Willy. Set in Big Daddy’s sprawling New Orleans home, this uproarious comedy of games, booze, and lust. Hosted by your favorite small-town Narrator.

RUNTIME: 75 minutes, no intermission

THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION:

Author Tim Ryder is a writer and director for Jackbox Games in Chicago, performs with The Improvised Shakespeare Company and can be heard on the Hello From the Magic Tavern podcast. He is an alumni of Second City Chicago and Comedysportz Chicago.

His play has screamingly funny lines and a script sprinkled with classic film and theatre references and theatrical terminology and, as a plus, it answers some important questions like — What is Happy Loman’s real name? And what became of George Gibbs after Emily Webb died? Now I know!

The direction by Kevin Leary is spritely with a blithe disregard for acting mores — going over the top is absolutely appropriate here and there are lots of inventive bits of business and a playful pace.

Scenic and costume design by Collin Ranney and the lighting design by Emma Schimminger are fine.

As Stanley from Streetcar, Jacob Albarella is consistently amusing with his sudden angry (and sweaty!) outbursts and overly dramatic posturing a la Marlon Brando.

Photos by Sarah Potter

Peter Horn is George from Virginia Woolf to a “T” and would actually be just right in a real production of the Albee play. Lindsay Brandon Hunter is wonderfully caustic and a great foil as his wife, the abrasive Martha.

Anna Krempholtz is easily the best Blanche from Streetcar that I’ve ever seen and she is especially fabulous when she stands wild-eyed in a red pin spot letting her frighteningly raw emotions spew forth. I kept thinking that Ms. Krempholtz would be devastating as Bananas in House of Blue Leaves. 

As the folksy Our Town narrator, Nicholas Lama is smooth and sublime. From the very beginning of the production we rest assured that, even though the antics will get rather bizarre, we are in Mr. Lama’s soothing good hands.

David C. Mitchell, the Lee J. Cobb of WNY, is perfectly cast and marvelously comical as the misguided sad sack Everyman, Willy Loman, from Death of a Salesman. And he certainly gets excited when he finally makes a sale!

Photo by Sarah Potter

For those who might not be familiar with the plays that are parodied here – don’t worry. My companion for the evening had never seen Virginia Woolf or Death of a Salesman, and he told me that he very much enjoyed the production. And the program includes a light-hearted and informative article about the plays by Robyn Lee Horn for those not familiar with American theatre from 1930-1960. 

Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf is pure delight from beginning to end! This is a must see!

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 Fun and Games at Alleyway Theatre – Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

For more than two decades, the Paint the Town Art Auction has brought together local artists, museum supporters, and collectors to raise vital funds for The Buffalo History Museum. Mark your calendars because this annual event is back on May 16, 2024, and promises a vibrant display of talent with over 60 artists showcasing their work.

The event features both a live and silent auction, and showcases pieces from the region’s top artists, spanning various mediums like oil, watercolor, multimedia, photography, and print. These artworks draw inspiration from the rich history of our region,  and pay homage to The Buffalo History Museum’s esteemed collection. From original watercolors of downtown landmarks to vibrant paintings inspired by the Pan-American Exposition, there’s something for everyone to admire.

“This year, we invited our featured artists for a behind-the-scenes tour of our collection, which served as inspiration for many of their works,” according to Director of Development Megan Hahin. “We’re grateful that some of the region’s most acclaimed artists lent their time and expertise to create work for the auction, which raises critical funds for our Museum.”

In the days before the event on May 16, Buffalonians are invited to walk through a special preview exhibit housed within the Museum. This will allow guests to see all the art before the auction so they can plan their bids carefully.

“Any fan of Buffalo and its history will find something to love at this auction,” Hahin said. “We hope that everyone that attends will go home that night with the next perfect piece that they will tell their friends and family about.”

Come the night of May 16, attendees can bid on their favorite pieces in silent and live auctions. Whether they’re looking for a standout piece for their home or office, Paint the Town is the chance for Buffalonians to own a part of Buffalo’s artistic heritage and add something special to their collection.

We created something truly special this year – an event that both honors our past, pays tribute to our present day creatives, and raises funds for our future,” Hahin said. “Through events like the auction, we raise the funds needed to continue sharing the stories of Buffalo for generations to come.

 Tickets are now available, with individual tickets priced at $100, and include dinner stations, drinks, and the silent and live auction. Patron tickets are priced at $200 and include reserved seating, a limited edition print of custom Yames artwork, and a listing in the program.  For more information and tickets, please visit their website here.

The post Own a Piece of History: Bid on Local Art at ‘Paint the Town Art Auction’ at The Buffalo History Musuem appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

There’s a warehouse on the city’s East Side, located at 372 Feugeron Street, at the intersection of Genesee Street, that is ramping up to become a cultural event center in short order. One of the first events taking place at the warehouse is We In The Woods: Cannabis Infused Music & Art Celebration (Warehouse Edition). The pop-up is being hosted by Queen City Popped, with event promotion by RoDent Prod. The all-day event, being held on Saturday, May 4, will run from 11am to 11pm. Then, an after-party will take place from 11pm to 4am.

The apex of underground rap and hip-hop, featuring the biggest names in the region.

The music will be pumping all day, and all night, with acts such as Bloodline Harmony, Weso Gee, Heckler, Winter Peace, Yaitus, Flexbro Spaz, Icon Amos, Star Ford, and Adithri. Not only is the music and entertainment line-up tight, the warehouse is set to get jumping and popping.

“Get ready for an electrifying transformation as “We In The Woods 2024″ ventures into uncharted territory with the Warehouse Edition. Immerse yourself in an urban jungle of music, art, and community, as we bring the spirit of the woods to the heart of the city. It’s not just about the music… we’re creating an open platform where artists can express themselves freely, fostering an environment of collaboration and exploration. Visual artists are encouraged to showcase their talents alongside the music, adding layers of creativity to the experience.” – We In The Woods

On Saturday, May 4, We In The Woods will be hosting a pop-up at the warehouse at 372 Feugeron Street. Typically, the bi-weekly, cannabis-Infused music & art series is held… in the woods.

For more information on We In The Woods 2024, click here.

General Admission: $20 presale, $25 at the door

Click here to purchase a pass.

The post We In The Woods: Cannabis Infused Music & Art Celebration (Warehouse Edition) appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

Hartman’s Distilling has been given the green light by Guinness World Record to try to break the standing record for the world’s largest mint julep cocktail. The previous record is 158 gallons. Now, distillers at Hartman’s will attempt to concoct a mint julep that will be 207 gallons and approximately 5 feet tall.

This uniquely distilled feat will be orchestrated during Hartman’s Fifth Annual Kentucky Derby Day event, on May 4, from 2pm to 7pm.

“Attempting to break this record was the perfect way to commemorate the 150th Derby and our Fifth Annual celebration,” said Justin Hartman, owner and president of Hartman’s Distilling Co. “We are excited to attempt this and bring this recognition to Buffalo while also donating to a good cause.”

In order to break the world record, the giant mint julep must contain the exact same proportion of ingredients to that of a regular sized mint julep. In the case of the Hartman’s Guinness attempt, the larger-than-life mint julep will contain 35 gallons of bourbon, 9 gallons of simple syrup, over 400 pounds of crushed ice, and 10 pounds of mint.

Once the record is (hopefully) broken, the colossal mint julep will be poured into glasses and sold to the thirsty crowd, with one dollar from every mint julep sold during the entire day being donated to the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center.

What better way to enjoy the 2024 Kentucky Derby than by attending a party with such highly spirited aspirations?

It’s time, once again, to get Buffalo into the Guinness Book of World Records. And this time, it’s a delicious, cool and refreshing way to participate.

Hartman’s Distilling Co. Fifth Annual Kentucky Derby Day party is a free event for all to attend and watch the races from 2-7pm. The signature event includes live music, food and drink specials, and giveaways.

Hartman’s Distilling Co. | 55 Chicago St. Buffalo, NY 14204

The post Hartman’s Distilling to attempt Guinness World Record for Largest Mint Julep Cocktail appeared first on Buffalo Rising.