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Artvoice Weekly Edition » Issue v6n22 (05/31/2007) » Section: See You There


The Artvoice Artie Awards

The 2007 Artvoice Artie Awards, recognizing excellence in Buffalo theater, will be held again this year at the Town Ballroom. The show begins at 8pm with the traditional opening number spoofing the nominated shows. Entertainment will be provided by jazz vocalist Peggy Farrell and Jimmy Janowski will be selecting the year’s “Best Dressed.” Now in its 17th year, the event is a benefit for Benedict House, which provides residential services for individuals in our community living with HIV/AIDS. This year’s hosts are Artvoice Theater Editor Anthony Chase, actress and television personality Loraine O’Donnell (of WKBW Channel 7’s PM Buffalo) and actor Norm Sham. In addition to the traditional categories in production, acting, directing and design, the Arties include the Katharine Cornell Awards, given to visiting artists for outstanding contributions to the theater season. Citations of Excellence will be given to the Buffalo Infringement Festival for supporting a breadth of new performance and independent production in Buffalo and to the Buffalo Central Terminal for welcoming theater, proving that including theater and the arts as part of its renewal plans brings exponential vitality to a renovated site. Pictured left are last year’s hosts Sham, Chase and actress Lisa Ludwig.



Art Alive!

A myriad of living, breathing works of art are found dotting the Gallery Lawn during the Art Alive contest, in which art lovers from Kindergarten on up join together to recreate their favorite piece of artwork using all possible mediums—including their bodies. Advertised as “A walking, talking art contest,” Art Alive is one of the most innovative art contests in Buffalo. Contestants choose their favorite work of art from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery or another major art collection and recreate it through costumes and props. Offering more than $1,000 in prizes, Art Alive includes three contestant groups: Kindergarten to Grade 8, Grades 9-12 and Adult (ages 18+). Art Alive is on from 11am to 2pm, and is in collaboration with a Student Film Festival presented by Nichols School and Squeaky Wheel, which will be screened in the Gallery Auditorium from noon to 2pm. Granting contestants true creative freedom (with the stipulation that the artwork must be part of the Albright-Knox collection or another major collection) this contest is bound to be note-worthy and fun for all involved, from the participants to the audience.



100 American Craftsmen

Contemporary Craft Art draws patrons and festival-goers alike this weekend to the Kenan Center Arena in Lockport. It’s the annual 100 American Craftsmen show, Niagara County’s answer to the megafest that takes over the Allentown/downtown Buffalo neighborhood next weekend (visit www.allentownartfestival.com). Now in its 37th year, 100 American Craftsmen continues to expand its reputation, along with the growing size and scope of the Kenan Center campus, getting more entries each year from an increasingly talented pool of artists and artisans. Participants come from all over New York State and surrounding regions—spanning from Ohio to Ontario, Canada—to take part in this show, which was juried this year by noted artists Gerald Mead, Barbara Mulak, Dave Poulin and Steve Saracino. Work for show and sale includes clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, paper, wood work and much more in the way of unique and innovative material. There will be live music throughout the weekend, a kids’ artspace, gourmet food vendors and an herb and quilt sale (this courtesy of the Quilter’s Guild). Proceeds from this two-day event benefit the Kenan Center’s 25-acre campus, the largest and most comprehensive community arts/education center in the area.



Super Jam 2007

Some of the area’s finest blues musicians will be on hand for the Blues Society of WNY’s annual daylong fundraiser. The society is a non-profit organization dedicated to unite, educate, promote and inform the local blues community regarding events, releases, festivals and more. This year’s lineup includes local notables Count Rabbit, the Electras with Pete Howard, Paul Bruschini and Harmonica John, Jony James Band, Yvonne Schmidt, Junkyard Dogs, Blues Hounds, John Riggi, Maria Arigema, Eric Spahr Band, Four on the Floor, 12 Pack Jack, Janice Mitchell with Jim Beishline and the Mark Winsick Band (pictured), among others. This is a great opportunity to hear what’s happening on the local scene, and a chance to hear unexpected combinations of players as they participate in some heated off-the-cuff jams. Artists will be on hand to sign merchandise, and you can take $3 off your admission charge by becoming a member of the Blues Society.





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