Fantastic community space and art gallery!…read more I spontaneously ended up here on a Friday night for the Loryn Spangler-Jones art opening; I didn't know what to expect and walked in to check out a large two-story space. It seemed like the bottom floor was more of a store with past artists work for sale, so I made my way up and was enthusiastically greeted by Loryn herself. The artist was a great host -- let me know of the complimentary pizza (from Gino's NY next door) available and to help myself to any beer or wine. Nice! I enjoyed walking around the space and taking in her work and chatting with her afterward about her experience coming to Buffalo. Visiting the gallery was akin to visiting a good friend's house - everyone was friendly and welcoming and it was a joyous way to spend a Friday night. The space itself has infinite raw potential and Don, the owner -- seemed to be very open to collaborating and using his space for various projects. The lighting here is great as well; able to be manipulated to create a unique and moody ambiance. Loved to be able to finally check it out.

Tonight ZGM Fine Arts and Photo 2 Graphics owner Don Zinteck hosted a Peruvian Dinner Buffet…read morecreated by Pure Peru owner and chef Martha Sosa. Patrons dined on both levels of the beautifully lit gallery and feasted on some of Martha's finest Peruvian faire thus far. My absolute favorites were the Seco de Tofu, Cau Cau, and Escabeche de Tilapia. I also enjoyed the Aji de Gallina. Everyone seemed to agree that the Papa Rellena (Stuffed Potatoes) were the star appetizer. As a seafood lover I really enjoyed the Ceviche while the dessert lovers dove into the Purple Pudding. Pop-up events such as this one give the community an opportunity to preview what's coming. As Buffalo stakes its claim as one of the most diverse ethnic food and restaurant centers in the country we hope to see more events like these. On the horizon for these two event hosts: Don & Diann Zintek will be renaming their gallery as simply "1045" in the very near future. Martha Sosa and Pure Peru will be having their soft opening to the long awaited "first" Peruvian restaurant in Buffalo located at the West Side Bazaar making it the home to 4 ethnic restaurants. Job well done and good luck to Don Zinteck of ZGM (1045) and to Martha Sosa of Pure Peru for a great and tasty event. For those who missed it - keep your eye on the West Side Bazaar.

Starlight Studio is one of my favorite places in the city--really a hidden gem. The studio is…read moredevoted to supporting adults with disabilities in their artistic development. The result is a truly energized, positive, and uplifting space where imaginations are unleashed. The gallery hosts a wide variety of solo/group art shows throughout the year, featuring work by both Starlight artists and other local painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramicists, and more. Most include live music, food trucks, and some snacks. The quality of the artwork is always outstanding. And supporting the studio's efforts with a purchase (always very reasonably priced) is a double-plus good--you get great art for your home; the studio gets to keep supporting and training these wonderful artists. If you need a serious feel-good, pick-me-up, head to Starlight. I always feel lighter, happier, and more inspired after a visit.

This is a very cool art gallery where all the artists on display and in-residence have some sort of…read moredevelopmental disorder. You'd think the art would reflect that in some way, but I couldn't tell! A lot of the works on display are something that I could only dream of creating. The space is very open and inviting. There is an artist teacher here, Lily who supports and mentors those who are a part of the Starlight Gallery. The space is bright and they often have live music, wine, etc for First Friday's and it's a great time to check them out (or anytime during their regular hours).

For a solid year, I wanted to go to a first Friday at the AKG. I didn't want to be there one to…read moreattempt Buffalo driving (we circled around to parallel park at 430) and needed someone to echo my musings. Well, I finally made it! We went through check in, where you had to fork over a suggested donation (instead of the usual 22 dollars). They take card, though we gave cash, which seemed like an easier way to exercise the discount. They offered an extra paid section to opt into for an extra 8 dollar charge that we turned down, taking our tiny tags. They're dinky and reusable and gotta attach somewhere to your person. She had also given me a wristband for the strap of Duckles, which had to be checked by a second girl who warned me that I could not wear my knapsack on my back. Could make it a tummy sack or an elbow purse to avoid bumping things, which is how I ended up cradling a stuffed duck around the museum. We hadn't nabbed a map and thought we could wing it. There are qr codes scattered about for info beyond the placards and finding where you have landed. We lucked out and scored a paper map abandoned on one of the numerous benches (there's also chairs and pull out chairs hanging for your resting pleasure) that we attempted to read. My directionally challenged self asked one of the security to send us off to the bridge, given two choices of route. We dodged the scenic way for a temporary outdoor escape, passing more art. Popping back inside we absorbed even more subsets of time and genre, respecting drawn boundaries and only touching things that said we could. There were things that touched us, our souls, that we could take photos of. There were also bizarre things and a bit of nudity. It's all art, including the special presentations and live music and everyday artists sketching in the hall. There was an interactive exhibit in the main that we skipped in the name of rumbling tummies, though we didn't try the cafe. Also avoided the gift shop, cutting out as the crowd began to swell around 6. The place was impeccably clean despite the abundance of windows and smudge worthy doors. It was worth coming out, though I'm unsure how often the exhibits rotate. Come see an authentic famous few and many more that'll have you saying the Albright is pretty *alright*.

The Buffalo AKG Art Museum is our local pride, and requires no advertising or persuasion to visit…read more Believe me, it's a fantastic destination. It's a beautiful space with a nice collection of fine arts. There is a new, three-story extension, a whole new building actually. So, be sure to have plenty of time to explore everything. Their website is very informative and easy to navigate. Check out the current special events and exhibitions. Currently, among others, on display is the "One with Eternity" by Yayoi Kusama, which includes her two Infinity Mirror Rooms and "Pumpkin", a giant orange pumpkin in an orange room covered with black dots. Tickets for this exhibition must be purchased separately and are valid for specific time slots. If there is a big crowd that day, wait a little and don't come from the beginning of your time slot (or figure this out by yourself). We had to leave and come back after a ridiculous experience. Waiting twenty minutes in line to see the actual installation for forty five seconds!? It was very confusing, and I believe there must be a different way to actually enjoy Kusama's work. We came back to see the second room with no wait, but still, with the forty five seconds rule. Ugh... Yes, let's loop if this is the only way which works. Don't forget, the general museum admission is free on the first Friday of the month, and I like that price.

This is a great Art Gallery, it also has a paper and gift boutique. They sell invitations, cards,…read morejewelry, soy candles, and Carol's Daughter body and hair products.

Cool little gallery tucked behind a warehouse on Essex.read more

Big Orbit Gallery was the venue for our Slow Roll on 8/24. That night we had almost 1,400 riders…read morepacked in the area, along with a couple of food trucks. Despite the small space, I think we all managed to fit in there very well. I didn't get a chance to explore inside of the gallery, but the area outside really seemed cool. There were a few art pieces in the foliage, and murals on the walls. It was a pretty awesome space to be in, and I wish I could have been able to check it out a little more, but I am so glad that they let us host our ride here. It is definitely the sort of place that deserves attention. Quite the hidden jem in Buffalo.

Super cool gallery/bar. I loved the vintage vibe and setup. We went on a Friday night so there was…read morea DJ in the second room. The music had a nice vibe, somewhere along the lines of EDM, trance, and dub step. The actual bar is pretty small and in the back but there's lots of quaint seating that's almost living room style. Comfy couches and chairs facing each other so it's easy to chat with friends. Their menu mostly features craft cocktails, with a few wine and beer options. There's security at the door checking ID and no food options. So no kids and be sure to eat beforehand cuz the drinks are good and strong.

We were surprised by the length of the wine and beer list. They also have specialty cocktails,…read moreincluding seasonal offerings. I took a chance on the Vampire's Blood cosmo despite having no idea what beet juice tastes like or caring for tart cherry juice, and the risk paid off. It was excellent. It still tasted like a cosmo because of the vodka and citrus, but with an unusual twist. There were three art shows on exhibit. We thought The One by Harry Michalakeas was vampire themed photography, but they were actually pastel/charcoal drawings. Blown away. The other exhibits, Monstrous Dreams by Adam Cooley and Sinister Piffle by Michael Reedy were also very cool. Apt for Halloween, without being too on the nose. The venue also has a lot of unique works by other artists on display, and a space for large music. They host everything from concerts to art shows to author signings, even burlesque. The bar is small with a few tall chairs. There are also small cafe tables and some cozy chairs and sofas. Such a unique and exciting venue.

I recently started creating a portfolio of art and used Buffalo Big Print to capture my art scans…read moreand create my giclée prints for sale at my new business. I was able to invest in a bulk order and saved quite a bit with their generous bulk pricing options. Barrett and his team are a joy to work with and were able to digitize my difficult artworks that include gold leaf paint and colour correct accurately for the glare. My original works are 5x7s and the 8x10s look great and the proofs of 11x14s as well. I was given some extra goodies as sample proofs. I also had note card sets made and amazing stickers with a foam core display. Barrett also customized the backs of my cards with a variation on my sticker designs that is super cool and took the time to brand my stickers with my business name. Buffalo Big Print will take the time to get it right and treat your art with respect. I'd recommend them to any artist looking for high quality ink jet prints of their artworks. They offer many tiers of paper and prints.

The staff here are very friendly and knowledgeable, creates a comfortable environment for people…read morewho aren't familiar with the process. I had years worth of artwork that I wanted to frame and Ryan worked with me to find the most affordable option with what I had in mind. Would highly recommend!

The current exhibition (Oct 2023) is about microplastics and their impact on the environment. This…read moreshow is definitely worth a visit. On the Metro Rail near the Fountain Plaza station in the Market Arcade.

CEPA is an excellent gallery. I enjoy the exhibits and love the location. I am lucky to work…read moredowntown and be able to visit this gallery on my lunch break when I need a bit of culture to brighten my day. Also the current exhibit is excellent and I recommend every one to see it. It is not a large gallery so you can really take your time examine the work of the artist. CEPA also offers a lot of great activities and perks if you're a member. Become a member while you visit the gallery :)

Man oh man. The theatre group here is seriously a diamond in the rough…read more When I found out that my friend got the part of Simon in their production of Jesus Christ Superstar, I knew I'd buy tickets right away. She's a pretty talented singer, but I really did not expect them to snag so many freaking talented performers for this musical. But before I get ahead of myself, let's talk about the theatre. This spot is right next to Sportsman's, but the entrance is on the side of the building (not the Sportsman's alley, but the opposite side of 330 Amherst). It's kind of towards the back, but there's visible signage and they even put out a poster of the musical, so I knew I was in the right place here. The space is everything I love about local theatres. Very intimate, only about 75 or so sears in house. (It's no wonder that a good show will sell out fast here.) The stage is fairly small too. Seating is a bit more stadium-style with an open aisle that the actors can use. The seats in the back reached a little too far back for my liking, and it was tough to see when the actors were lying down on the stage, but otherwise everyone was pretty visible. You can order a drink before sitting down for the show - which is always a good bonus!! My only real gripe was, when I purchased my tickets they had it under "General Admission" and so I assumed we'd be able to sit anywhere we like - and when we arrived there was assigned seating. I don't know if it was something with the ticket service they use, but I was really hoping to sit up front and would have picked seats there if I had been prompted to before buying them. On to the show - nothing short of fantastic. Calling it "good" would be insulting, it was that incredible of a show. Every actor fit the role so well, sang incredibly, sang their hearts out. You could tell there was passion in the work. I wish they did a cast recording, or I could see a tape of them performing. I want to come back and see more ART shows because of how amazing of a job they did with this production! ART is definitely a fantastic 'hidden' Black Rock gem. I'm going to keep my eye on this place. Very eager to return!

American Repertory's production of "The Rain Dogs Project" as witnessed last night was exceptional!…read more It included addressing: life's purpose, challenges, relationships, "being stuck", disposability and anxiety. As one actor put it, "The opposite of beauty is not ugliness, it is loneliness." Even though I showed up alone, I never felt lonely. The cast and crew were amazing!! Every character in this play could and probably does exist in our real world. Sarcasm exists. Raunchiness exists. Morality exists. Choices exist. Hopefulness exists. Differences exist. These are all for the taking during a writer's creative process. After all, written works are the opinion of the artist. During this play, my mind was kept open. My take was to put myself not only in the role of the writer, but also the roles of the actors. The work, energy, effort and expression are gifts to the spectator. A gift of learning the reason and purpose of the creative "acts", pardon the pun. Bravo to the cast and crew. Side Note: ART is now located at 44 17th Street in an old factory. Really cool if you allow yourself to enjoy the history and reuse of this landmark. Shows are May 10-26, 2018 at 8pm. Should get there early for a drink (beer, wine, water) and parking. Hopefully, rum and coke next season. People out there, please support your local theater and this production. Peace.