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Buffalo, New York

Buffalo Arts: Art Scene in Buffalo

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Buffalo was New York’s industrial and commercial epicenter during the late 19th and early 20th century. Though hard hit by economic difficulties in recent decades, the city has bounced back, and its revitalized downtown featuring funky bars and hip restaurants reflect this change. The city’s arts scene is also noteworthy, particularly the celebrated Albright-Knox visual art gallery, and nearby Rochester (a 75 minute drive), with attractions such as the internationally renowned Garth Fagan Dance Company, adds to the appeal.

Buffalo Arts Information

  • Artvoice—Buffalo’s #1 newsweekly, which has comprehensive arts and entertainment coverage
  • Buffalo Niagara—Tourism site includes special “Fun Things To Do” sections for performing arts lovers and art enthusiasts.

Art Museums

Albright-Knox Art Gallery

This Buffalo institution, located on Delaware Park, has an intimate and compelling collection of modern art, from the works of 19th century masters van Gogh and Gauguin to 20th century revolutionaries such as Picasso and Matisse. The Albright-Knox’s post-WWII collection is particularly outstanding, showcasing art by the likes of Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Jasper Johns. The museum’s exhibitions often feature arresting and unusual works by contemporary artists, as well …more…

Theater

Irish Classical Theatre

Aiming to present ‘the greatest works in dramatic literature,’ Irish Classical Theatre presents six shows each year, running the gamut from new dramas by contemporary European playwrights to Broadway musicals, and intimate stagings by the American masters. Housed at the beautiful 200 seat Andrews Theatre, ICT’s productions are staged in the round, offering audiences a uniquely personal experience in close proximity to the action.

Now entering its 15th year, Irish Classical …more…

Shaw Festival (Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario)

(April 10 – October 28, 2012) There are many many Shakespeares out there, but there’s only one Shaw Festival. Located at gorgeous Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Shaw Festival is inspired by the work of the brilliant dramatist George Bernard Shaw. His writings are the focus of this annual Ontario theater festival, which is also dedicated to producing plays by Shaw’s contemporaries, as well as modern works set during the period of his long life, which lasted from 1856 to 1950. Only at the Shaw Festival will you see authentic spare-no-expense productions of Victorian dramas, rediscovered classics, and Canadian plays that otherwise go unproduced, either because they’ve been unjustly forgotten over the years or because most theater companies don’t have the resources necessary to put them on stage. ...more...

Classical Music

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1935 and since 1940 the orchestra’s permanent home has been the historic Kleinhans Music Hall. Throughout the year, BPO presents more than 120 concerts, including Classics, Pops and Youth programs. Dedicated to education and outreach, the orchestra’s award-winning education program reaches over 35,000 students each year all over Western New York.

Under the leadership of JoAnn Falletta, the BPO won two Grammy awards in …more…

June in Buffalo Festival

June in Buffalo Festival Information
Public Transportation: Good
Handicapped Access: Good
Performances/Programs: A week of performances, seminars, lectures, workshops, professional presentations, participant forums and open rehearsals

Jazz

The Colored Musician’s Club of Buffalo, NY

Denied entry into the local musician’s union, black musicians in Buffalo formed their own union in 1917. Around this group of musicians sprung a vital community of jazz musicians and aficionados, both black and white. Notable acts passing through town would almost invariably stop at this Club, where local talent could commune with some of the greatest acts of the day, including Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, …more…

Multi-Arts Festivals

Buffalo Infringement Festival

(July – August)

Buffalo Infringement Festival Information

Public Transportation: Varies by venue
Handicapped Accessibility: Depends on venue, but generally good
Performances/Programs: 1200 performances presented in 52 venues including visual artists, musical acts, films and videos, dance, theater, poetry and spoken word, and more
Ticket Prices: Ticket prices vary considerably.

Venues

Artpark & Company (Lewiston, NY)

Artpark & Company Information

Public Transportation: Poor
Handicapped Accessibility: Good
Performances/Programs: Programming includes Broadway musicals, plays, concerts, family events, visual arts, art galleries, and more
Ticket Prices: Single tickets range from $15–$45 depending on event and seating selection. Children (12 and under) receive discounted tickets for $13–$23. Groups of 20 or more receive a 20% discount.

Shea’s Performing Arts Center

A grand old performance hall that dates from 1926, when it first opened as a silent movie house, Shea’s Performing Arts Center is a Buffalo landmark, worth visiting just to ogle the rococo-inspired architecture.

Designed by the eminent early-20th century architecture firm Rapp and Rapp, the Shea nearly fell into irreparable disrepair in the early 1970s, with its then-owner Loews threatening to strip it bare and abandon it; mercifully, the presiding …more…

Art Museums

Albright-Knox Art Gallery

This Buffalo institution, located on Delaware Park, has an intimate and compelling collection of modern art, from the works of 19th century masters van Gogh and Gauguin to 20th century revolutionaries such as Picasso and Matisse. The Albright-Knox’s post-WWII collection is particularly outstanding, showcasing art by the likes of Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Jasper Johns. The museum’s exhibitions often feature arresting and unusual works by contemporary artists, as well …more…

Theater

Irish Classical Theatre

Aiming to present ‘the greatest works in dramatic literature,’ Irish Classical Theatre presents six shows each year, running the gamut from new dramas by contemporary European playwrights to Broadway musicals, and intimate stagings by the American masters. Housed at the beautiful 200 seat Andrews Theatre, ICT’s productions are staged in the round, offering audiences a uniquely personal experience in close proximity to the action.

Now entering its 15th year, Irish Classical …more…

Shaw Festival (Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario)

(April 10 – October 28, 2012) There are many many Shakespeares out there, but there’s only one Shaw Festival. Located at gorgeous Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Shaw Festival is inspired by the work of the brilliant dramatist George Bernard Shaw. His writings are the focus of this annual Ontario theater festival, which is also dedicated to producing plays by Shaw’s contemporaries, as well as modern works set during the period of his long life, which lasted from 1856 to 1950. Only at the Shaw Festival will you see authentic spare-no-expense productions of Victorian dramas, rediscovered classics, and Canadian plays that otherwise go unproduced, either because they’ve been unjustly forgotten over the years or because most theater companies don’t have the resources necessary to put them on stage. ...more...

Classical Music

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1935 and since 1940 the orchestra’s permanent home has been the historic Kleinhans Music Hall. Throughout the year, BPO presents more than 120 concerts, including Classics, Pops and Youth programs. Dedicated to education and outreach, the orchestra’s award-winning education program reaches over 35,000 students each year all over Western New York.

Under the leadership of JoAnn Falletta, the BPO won two Grammy awards in …more…

June in Buffalo Festival

June in Buffalo Festival Information
Public Transportation: Good
Handicapped Access: Good
Performances/Programs: A week of performances, seminars, lectures, workshops, professional presentations, participant forums and open rehearsals

Jazz

The Colored Musician’s Club of Buffalo, NY

Denied entry into the local musician’s union, black musicians in Buffalo formed their own union in 1917. Around this group of musicians sprung a vital community of jazz musicians and aficionados, both black and white. Notable acts passing through town would almost invariably stop at this Club, where local talent could commune with some of the greatest acts of the day, including Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, …more…

Multi-Arts Festivals

Buffalo Infringement Festival

(July – August)

Buffalo Infringement Festival Information

Public Transportation: Varies by venue
Handicapped Accessibility: Depends on venue, but generally good
Performances/Programs: 1200 performances presented in 52 venues including visual artists, musical acts, films and videos, dance, theater, poetry and spoken word, and more
Ticket Prices: Ticket prices vary considerably.

Venues

Artpark & Company (Lewiston, NY)

Artpark & Company Information

Public Transportation: Poor
Handicapped Accessibility: Good
Performances/Programs: Programming includes Broadway musicals, plays, concerts, family events, visual arts, art galleries, and more
Ticket Prices: Single tickets range from $15–$45 depending on event and seating selection. Children (12 and under) receive discounted tickets for $13–$23. Groups of 20 or more receive a 20% discount.

Shea’s Performing Arts Center

A grand old performance hall that dates from 1926, when it first opened as a silent movie house, Shea’s Performing Arts Center is a Buffalo landmark, worth visiting just to ogle the rococo-inspired architecture.

Designed by the eminent early-20th century architecture firm Rapp and Rapp, the Shea nearly fell into irreparable disrepair in the early 1970s, with its then-owner Loews threatening to strip it bare and abandon it; mercifully, the presiding …more…