Buffalo Rising Online

Chao Li

Artwork above by Thomas Rooney of Pavlov's Togs.

Hero Design Studio and Boutique is known for their fusion of art and limited edition designer vinyl toys. On October 24th, Hero is bringing the underground vinyl toy scene to the main stage with a two-month long custom toy show. “All the toys in our store that are limited edition…we really wanted to take that to the next level with the custom show,” explained Hero co-owner, Beth Manos Brickey. The show is a culmination of the work of several artists who started with white vinyl toys known as Blow Up Dolls (B.U.D.) and imbued them with very unique artistic embellishments. (See B.U.D. Blank inset.)

"Those who are not familiar with vinyl toys might see these strange little creatures and not know what to think of them. 'Oh! They're Japanese!' they'll say. And we explain that while some are Japanese, most of what w…

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Torn Space isn’t your average art gallery – in fact, it might not even be proper to call it an art gallery. It’s a theater that features artists who convey to audiences their works through both media AND arts. They aim to be a venue that can accommodate actors, composers, sculptors, video artists, and designers and they continue to bring to WNY a kind of style that you won’t be able to find at any other gallery…er, theater.

Now, the theater is proud to present their newest exhibit created by co-founder Dan Shanahan: AREA. Shanahan's latest will mix both the real and the unreal to create an atmosphere that is dark and dramatic. Since the show is opening on October 24th, it could make it a perfect destination for Halloween for those looking for something with a sinister tone and who want something out of the ordinary. Every performance starts at 8 PM and the show runs ev…

Susan Marie

On October 9, 2008, the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame held it's 25th Anniversary Induction Ceremony at the Tralf in downtown Buffalo. I had the pleasure of covering this event to further promote the talent that is thriving in our city. This years inductees were as follows: Ed Bentley, Bob James, Richard Kermode, Jerry Livingston, Tom Reinhardt, Joe Rozler, The Schulz Family (Dave, Gretchen and Robert), Joanie Sommers, Jimmy Sacca, Mack Luchey, Anthony Marchese and Richard Sargent.

Access Think Twice Radio to listen to the first ever live performance of the Schulz Family (Bob, Gretchen and Dave, along with Joe Rozler and Jerry Livingston), all 2008 Inductees. Gretchen honored 2008 Inductees Joanie Sommers and Richard Kermode by flawlessly performing "Johnny Get Angry" and "Cry Baby."

I spoke with …

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The Cindy Blackman Quartet will perform as part of the 2008-09 Hunt Real Estate Art of Jazz Series at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery tonight.

Blackman press: Drummer, composer, and powerhouse bandleader Cindy Blackman shatters any stereotypes about female instrumentalists. Not only has she performed with a veritable “Who’s Who” of jazz including Joe Henderson, Hugh Masekela, Pharoah Sanders, and Cassandra Wilson, she was lead drummer for the retro funk band of rocker Lenny Kravitz for more than a decade. While absorbing the influences of Tony Williams and Art Blakey, she began her career as a street performer in New York City. After recording with trumpeter Wallace Roney, she was offered her first recording contract as a leader in 1987. Since then, Blackman has been seen and heard by millions around the world and is currently featured in a series of television ads…

Lukia Costello

Cheese, wine, hockey, music and art - against domestic violence?

Odd bedfellows you say? Why not, I say. Domestic violence has no boundaries - touching lives across all ethnicities and socio-economic levels.

Join former Sabres defenseman Mike Robitaille, Sabres forward Andrew Peters and local artists in honoring survivors of domestic violence while raising money to help the Family Justice Center of Erie County (www.fjcsafe.org).

A New stART will take place on Tuesday, October 28, from 5:30 - 8:30PM. at Asbury Hall at The Church, 341 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo. $35 gets you admission to the art show/auction plus wine, beer, heavy hors d'oevres, music by Casperous Vine and the lovely feeling that you have done something good.

Bid on artwork of 15 local artists including 5 award-winning Buffalo Society of Artists members. Artists include: Al…

Elena Cala Buscarino

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery will host the Aurora Theatre’s new film series Aurora at the Albright, beginning this Friday, October 17th, with a screening of Mansfield Park.

Best of all, Patricia Rozema, the film's writer and director will be present to discuss Mansfield Park after the screening. Paul Brown, owner of the Aurora Theatre and the producer of this series said, "Tricia happens to be an associate of mine, and people who make movies want them seen. It's a chance for them to show off history." He added, "In my humble opinion, Mansfield Park is the best Jane Austen adaptation, ever."

Brown, an award-winning independent filmmaker and television producer stated that his wife and partner, Barbara Tranter, made a film with Rozema in 1999 entitled When Night is Falling.

Of the series, Brown said, "It's fun to bring movie…

Emily Lenihan

The six local filmmakers of BeHoLD Pictures are making their mark on the local film industry. As the winner of Best Film in this year's Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project and being voted the Audience Favorite in 2007, they will be competing in the National 48 Hour Film Project this fall.

"We've got great gear and great people and we know how to make a movie," said Jordan Lema, the director of photography.

The group also includes Drew Boeing, writer; Aaron Bourker, production manager and producer; Dave Dutchess, director; Jason Holler, editor; and Dave Lesinski, best boy. Each of them grew up in Buffalo and attended college here, except for Bourke who moved here three years ago from Maine after attending college in Long Island.

The group connected to form BeHoLD Pictures through previously being friends, attending Canisius College and/or wo…

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CD release parties don’t come but once every few years per band, and if you miss one, you might have to wait awhile for the next. Back in 2006, Babik held a sold-out CD release party at the Tralf Music Hall and their CD quickly became a #1 best-seller in the Buffalo area. For those who missed the chance to help the band debut their latest creation, that opportunity has come around again, and this time, try not to miss out.

Their second CD, American Gypsy, is their first one that was recorded entirely in the studio. It features thirteen tracks of the gypsy jazz band, many of which were written by the band members. Quite a number of the tracks on the CD have never been performed live and that will be the biggest draw to the CD release party – the chance to hear it for the first time live and in-person.

Babik isn’t one to disappoint. Though they’ll be playing all…