She is the one who brought you into the world. The one who cradled you in her arms, protected you from all harm and, whenever that failed, nursed you back to health. She’s your dear, sweet mom. And every year we take only one day, Mother’s Day, to honor her. Not anymore. Get ready for Mamapalooza 2006! New to Buffalo, but in its fifth year elsewhere, Mamapalooza is the only festival of its kind, celebrating mothers in the arts during the month of May on more than 30 stages across the U.S., Canada and Australia. Founded five years ago in New York City by Joy Rose of the band Mothers on Prozac, Mamapalooza has struck a chord that is reverberating around the world. The event is already making its Buffalo debut in fine fashion—complete with an official proclamation of Mamapalooza Days (May 12 & 13) by Mayor Byron Brown. Both days will feature a bevy of the area’s most (pro)creative performing artists including singer/Mamapalooza Buffalo organizer Annette Daniels Taylor, Kilissa Cissoko, Liz Abbott, Noa Bursie and Joyce Carolyn, as well as several dance troupes and poets expressing the strength, beauty, energy and sacrifice that is motherhood. Partial proceeds will be donated to Haven House and The Langston Hughes Institute.

Friday, May 12th at 7pm, Saturday, May 13th at noon. Langston Hughes Institute for Arts and Cultural Education. 25 High St. (881-3266). $5 daily. Children free. Visit www.myspace.com/mamapaloozabuffalo.