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AV Best of Buffalo |
Arts |
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For a city its size, Buffalo has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the arts. Apart from 800-pound gorillas like the Albright-Knox, Shea’s, Studio Arena and the Philharmonic, we’re blessed with many smaller galleries, theaters and performance spaces where local visual, literary, musical and performance artists can share their work.
Many of these smaller venues also play host to internationally recognized artists and works in various realms, giving us the opportunity to remain well informed about what’s happening on the global scene.
Our colleges and university also create an environment where younger people can explore their creative impulses. Many, in fact, stay here—recognizing the underground network of artists and venues here that can serve as a fertile environment in which to practice in their own particular field. Some of the individuals you see listed below are ex-pats who had left for supposedly greener pastures, only to find they missed the green, green grass of home. This too is our gain, for when they return they tend to be wiser and more focused on work than hype.
Anyone who doubts Buffalo’s interest in its arts scene need only review the uproar caused when the Albright-Knox moved to auction off many of its antiquities in an effort to focus on contemporary work. The fact that so many had such strong opinions, one way or the other, is proof that our cultural organizations are deeply ingrained in our sense of who we are as a city.
Our readers responded to our Best of Buffalo survey on the arts with a wide-ranging selection of talented individuals and organizations who are helping to carry us far beyond our image as an economically distressed, sports-crazed, snow-bound, gray, Rust Belt burg.
And while it may be true that there are fewer local wealthy philanthropists interested in pouring money into our cultural institutions than there used to be, there is a growing, enthusiastic, educated and hip crowd here who are less interested in expensive, gilded imports to our marble galleries than they are in creating and appreciating real, vibrant and thoughtfully creative, homegrown works of beautifully provocative art. It’s all here, it’s all good and it’s all a part of what makes our city truly special.
—buck quigley
best small gallery
Big Orbit Gallery
CEPA Gallery
College Street Gallery
El Museo
Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center
best new arts/
performance space
Soundlab
The Church
Hallwalls
Tornspace Theater
Ghostlight Theater
best painter/sculptor
David Derner
AJ Fries
Catherine Parker
Bruce Adams
Elizabeth Jenney
best writer/playwright
Kurt Schneidermann
Manny Fried
Jon Elston
Matthew Crehan Higgins
Annette Daniels Taylor
best poet/
spoken-word artist
Michael Basinski
Celia White
Carl Dennis
Kevin Fehr
Gabrielle Bouliane
best video/film artist
Nick Adrian
Marc Odien
Addison Henderson & Korey Green
Jax DeLuca
Dom Luongo
best genre-defying artist
Mark Freeland
Kadri
Leah Rico
Anna Olsen
Aaron Piepszny
best performance
artist/dancer
Beth Elkins
Matthew Clark
Kadri
Michelle Gigante
Aaron Piepszny
best dance company
Neglia Ballet Artists
Nimbus Dance
Zodiaque Dance
Greater Buffalo Youth Ballet
Matthew Clark Dance Academy
best theater company
Kavinoky Theater Company
Buffalo United Artists
Irish Classical Theater Company
Theater of Youth
MusicalFare
best local theater production
Die Mommy Die! (BUA)
The Birthday Party (ICTC)
A Man of No Importance (ICTC)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Kavinoky)
Reefer Madness
(Alleyway)
best actor
Brian Riggs
Jimmy Janowski
Paul Todaro
Chris Kelly
Guy Tomassi
best actress
Josephine Hogan
Leah Russo
Lisa Ludwig
Lorraine O’Donnell
Michele Roberts
best cultural asset/
organization
Shea’s Peforming Arts Center
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
UB Center for the Arts
Shakespeare in Delaware Park
best supporter of the arts
Robbie Takac
Ani DiFranco
M&T Bank
Celeste Lawson
The people of Buffalo
best film series
Anything at Hallwalls
Buffalo Film Seminars
Bacchus’ Summer Film Series
Cinema Sotto Le Stelle
Emerging Cinema
best cinema
Market Arcade Film & Arts Center
North Park Theater
The Amherst Theater
The Screening Room
Hallwalls
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Issue Navigation> Issue Index > v6n16: Best of Buffalo (4/19/07) > AV Best of Buffalo > Arts This Week's Issue • Artvoice Daily • Events Calendar • Classifieds |
Artvoice Blog Headlines
West Side Neighborhood Housing Servicesposted November 28, 3:44 pm on Artvoice DailyAs promised in this article, the membership list for West Side Neighborhood Housing Services is right here. Highlighted in yellow are city employees who report to the mayor or their relatives; highlighted in pink are other city employees. Most of the highlighted names (though not all) are new members, who joined just in time to vote at last Thursday’s annual members meeting, when Harvey Garrett was voted off WSNHS’s board... (more) |
On the Waterfrontposted November 26, 2:00 pm on Artvoice DailySo you think Buffalo has a hard time figuring out what to do with its waterfront, do ya? Mad that we can’t just build a signature bridge, huh? Madder still that we can’t just knock the Skyway bridge down? Furious with obstructionists who don’t want a Bass Pro Shop? Livid about the ice boom? And don’t even get you started about all the blind, misguided fools who can’t see that a huge casino downtown will turn our city around? Yes, my friend, you do in fact have all the answers... (more) |
Chow Chocolat welcomes Denise Sperry’s Watercolor Exhibition…posted November 26, 12:46 pm on Chew on ThisWatercolor Painting by Denise Sperry Merging the fine arts with gastronomic art, Chow Chocolat (731 Main Street, Buffalo, 843.4388) is now featuring a watercolor exhibition by Denise Sperry. A reception commencing Sperry’s works will take place on December 5th, 2008 (6-9 PM)... (more) |
GRILLE 620 (Wine… Down the Weekend)posted November 26, 11:34 am on Chew on ThisIf you haven’t already checked out “Wine… Down the Weekend” at Grille 620, (620 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, 886.2121) GO! This has to be one of the best deals in the city of Buffalo. Every Friday & Saturday, patrons can choose a complimentary bottle from the bistro’s extensive wine list to accompany any 2 entrees... (more) |
Another Voiceposted November 26, 10:11 am on Artvoice DailyHere’s something that drives me crazy about the Buffalo News: the “Another Voice” column on the editorial page. It would be a nice idea, were it not that so often it is not given over to “another” voice. It is given, rather, to the same old voices: to people who are frequently quoted as sources in articles, who are in positions of political or economic power, to folks whose job is to push agendas—to people, in other words, who have no difficulty making their voices heard... (more) |
Who Goes Where When Hillary Goes to State?posted November 19, 12:04 pm on Artvoice DailyCity Hall News has flow_chart that tracks who might replace who, from Hillary’s Senate seat on down (click to expand or follow the link—it’s an awkward shape): |
It’s Robert Rich Sr. All High Stadiumposted November 14, 5:05 pm on Artvoice DailyThese new signs properly label the structure. We’ve been reading recent stories in the Buffalo News about sportswriter Tom Borrelli’s terrible fall last week at the old All High Stadium. He’s currently battling life-threatening injuries... (more) |
CWM Fined for Violationsposted November 14, 2:41 pm on Artvoice DailyThis week Chemical Waste Management was fined $175,000 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for violating its permits and the state’s hazardous waste laws. I don’t have much to say about that, except it doesn’t seem to me like too much money... (more) |
Musical Chairsposted November 14, 12:51 pm on Artvoice DailyThe AP reports that Hillary Clinton met with Barack Obama in Chicago yesterday, adding fuel to speculation that she might be Obama’s choice for secretary of state. If that happens, it has long been rumored that Brian Higgins would be appointed to her Senate seat... (more) |
Paint the Townposted November 14, 11:06 am on Artvoice DailyLate last night, at the tail end of one of the few weeks in the past year in which we did not publish anything snarky about anybody, someone threw two gallons of paint on our front doors. Seems a waste; we hadn’t even earned it. Nonetheless, we were cleaning up all morning... (more) |
Old Editions Book Shopposted November 13, 1:58 pm on Artvoice DailyAV videographer Matt Quinn tours Old Editions, an often overlooked treasure at the corner of Oak and Huron Streets downtown: show enclosure (video/x-flv; 21.29 MB) |
This Is Not Today’s Newsposted November 12, 9:37 am on Artvoice DailyBut it would be nice if it were. Via the Data Stream, by way of Jon Winet. |
This Just In…posted November 11, 3:28 pm on Artvoice DailyAlways in the vanguard, researchers of the University at Buffalo’s Center of Human Capital have reached a bold conclusion, according to a statement disseminated this afternoon: Although no official determination has been made about whether New York State or the U... (more) |
Silver Lining: Edwards Remains a Good Guyposted November 11, 11:17 am on Artvoice DailyMarshawn Lynch Amid the anguished finger-pointing, plaintive wailing and resigned head-shaking sweeping the region following the Buffalo Bills’ third straight defeat, Season Ticket would like to apportion a minute sliver of credit. Quarterback Trent Edwards, by most quantitative and qualitative standards, failed miserably at New England on Sunday (not coincidentally, this was also his third consecutive regressive outing)... (more) |
Artvoice TV: Latest Additions » more on AVTV
Ani DiFranco at Babevilleposted December 1, 2:55 pm on channel Music
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Peanut Brittle Satellite with Jeff Mcleod of Lazlo Holyfieldposted November 29, 1:44 pm on channel Music
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Artisans Bazaar on Elmwoodposted November 29, 1:16 pm on channel Art
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City Mission: Food for the Needyposted November 28, 08:47 am on channel Local Interest
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Turkey Trot: Buffalo's 113thposted November 27, 5:57 pm on channel Events
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Dr. Riyaz Hassanali: Talks about BOTOXposted November 26, 5:46 pm on channel Health
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Viva Vivaldi Festival @ The First Presbyterian Churchposted November 23, 3:48 pm on channel Music
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The Burchfield-Penney Opensposted November 23, 2:33 pm on channel Art
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Synecdoche, New Yorkposted November 23, 12:24 am on channel Movie Trailers
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One Day You'll Understandposted November 23, 12:12 am on channel Movie Trailers
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Four Christmasesposted November 23, 11:53 am on channel Movie Trailers
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Australiaposted November 23, 11:46 am on channel Movie Trailers
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The Alphabet Killerposted November 23, 11:39 am on channel Movie Trailers
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Nelson Starr Band w/Jeff Miersposted November 23, 09:49 am on channel Music
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Bread Gone Wryposted November 23, 08:04 am on channel Music
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