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Artvoice Weekly Edition » Issue v7n13 (03/27/2008) » Monsterfest of Music, Art, and Food

Trimania

Every three years the former Trico plant on Main comes to life and hosts a massive party, the likes of which won’t be seen for another three years. This year’s Trimania boasts five floors of entertainment across the enormous space. Bhangra, African, Latin and Asian music, jazz and indie rock will be part of a multicultural, multigenerational extravaganza, encompassing music, art, dance, live performance, poetry, food and drink.

Internationally known DJ Rekha from New York City mixes a fusion of hip-hop, funk, eletronica with rock and Bhangra, a Southeast Asian form of music. She’ll be performing tracks from her new album Basement Bhangra. Rekha hails originally from the UK and has become a well known fixture of the club scene in New York. She tours throughout the country, Asia and Europe and has been called a “roving Bhangra Ambassador” by the New York Times. Also performing in the Buffalo Arts Studio is DJ Zuk with a live saxophone.

Trimania

For this occasion, the Buffalo Arts Studio is debuting their newly remodeled studios. Their galleries feature the photography of Michael Smith and Vapor Trails, a dynamic urban graffiti exhibition organized by Joanna Angie.

More than 60 visual artists across all media will participate, opening their studios to visitors. Graphic designers, stained glass artists, ceramicists, painters, sculptors and photographers will be on hand to discuss their work with the public. Works by a hundred undergrad and grad students from UB, Buff State, Villa Maria and Daemon are on exhibit on the third floor, where two student bands, the the Mom & Dad Parade and the Thermidors will also be performing.

John and Mary and the Valkyries, Rob Lynch and the Adjustable Friends, the Pine Dogs and the Stay Lows are the featured acts on the first floor main stage. Monster movies will be playing all night long on the second floor.

In the performance room on the third floor will be K. Cornelius and K.G. Price, Pam Swarts with Vicktorylightblackhoney, the Reactionary Ensemble and the Red Tag Rummage Sale. Two belly dance troupes will also be featured: Fleuron Rouge, with a tribal flair, and Rafika, with a cabaret feel.

The indie rock room on the fourth floor will host the Vores, A Hotel Nourishing, La Cacahouette and modern punk band London vs. New York.

The Nickel City Poetry Slam will be performing live between sets in the performance and indie rock rooms.

The Buffalo City Ballet will showcase contemporary dance throughout the night, along with other varieties of belly dancing. Buffalo Yoga has Sitar Jamz all night.

Dee Adams and the Funny Valentines, David Kane and Aaron Piepszny will perform in the jazz room, which will have tables for sitdown dining with dinner fare and desserts from Le Metro and Muse. The Premier Wine Group made the wine and beer selections for this room.

For those inclined towards body decoration, henna artists will be present to create temporary tattoo designs. The Buffalo Argentine Tango Society will have dancing and instruction all night in the tango room. Sword dancers Yrma will also perform, as well as American tribal dance troupe Euphraxia.

There will be cash bars and food stations including vegetarian fare throughout the evening. For the occasion Saranac has brewed a specialty seasonal pomegranate beer.

In memory of Babatunde Olatunji, who influenced and performed with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, the Buffalo Arts Studio is donating profits from beverage sales in the African room towards digging at least two wells in Nigeria. The African American Cultural Center will be drumming in this room.

Proceeds from Trimania will go to the Buffalo Arts Studio and other Tri-Main arts organizations.

The last Trimania saw more than 3,000 people in attendance. This year’s Trimania organizers expect 5,000 people. They encourage folks to use mass transit or car pool. There will be shuttles from the Buffalo Zoo running every 15 minutes. A shuttle will run from UB South Campus to Tri-Main, 7-9pm, and then back from Tri-Main to UB South, 11:30pm-1:30am. Attendees can park for free at lots located at UB South, the LaSalle Main Street Metro Station, Canisius College, the Buffalo Zoo and First Niagara Bank on Main. Lots behind the Tri-Main will charge $5.

Trimania opens its doors at 7pm, Saturday, March 29, and runs through 1am, at the Tri-Main Center, 2495 Main Street (833-4450/trimania.com). Tickets are $20 in advance ($15 for students), $25 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance at both Talking Leaves locations on Main and Elmwood, New World Record, the Buffalo Arts Studio and UB Student Union.