INTERVIEW: A.J. Fries, painter

An inaugural member of the Burchfield-Penney Art Center’s “Living Legacy” artists in 2012, A.J. Fries has gone from a young boy roaming the halls of Buffalo’s cultural institutions to a respected member of its world whose work now rests in more than one local museum’s permanent collection. How’s that for a hometown success story? Winner of Artvoice‘s “Best Painter” in 2013, written about in 2008’s Buffalo Spree‘s Best of WNY issue by friend and soon-to-be exhibition partner Bruce Adams for contention in the “Best Artist” conversation, and a resident in…

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Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition preview

TIFF may be known for the film festival that makes up its name’s acronym, but they offer so much more ever since the TIFF Bell Lightbox opened a few years back. Along with an extensive screening schedule of new releases we in Buffalo may never see on the big screen, the organization has set itself apart as an East Coast venue for cinema-centric exhibits we had to previously enjoy from afar via internet recaps and photo galleries. Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition was the latest of these, debuting at LACMA last…

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The least cool writer in all of New York City … Babel’s Colum McCann

Irishman Colum McCann was a breath of fresh air at the 2014-2015 season premiere of Just Buffalo Literary Center‘s Babel last night for one reason—he didn’t live a tragic life. His talk left a little to be desired as an agenda to talk about how literature and art is the truest path to peace proved more redundant and preaching to the choir than anything profound, but the self-deprecating humor about his upbringing was well-received. McCann wasn’t afraid to mention he lives in the Upper East Side of New York City…

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The 2014 BxNF Buffalo International Film Festival Preview

Many people may not know this, but Buffalo has two annual film festivals. One happens in spring—The Buffalo Niagara Film Festival—and one in fall. Now that October has arrived, it’s time to start checking out what the latter has to offer. Formally founded in 2005 by Edward Summer, Buffalo International Film Festival is less interested in showcasing new films as much as placing a spotlight on work in a more cultural and historical context. There’s still a desire to connect things to the Greater Buffalo region—I saw Buffalo’s infamous son…

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Wiig, Gyllenhaal, and Monster Love at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival

Friends and family think me crazy for driving up the QEW so I can sit in darkened theaters for around thirty of a total eighty-hours in Toronto, but I wouldn’t spend my early September days any other way. This is what the Toronto International Film Festival does—it makes you look sanity in the face, say no thanks, and go the exact opposite way towards a world-renowned cinematic spectacle those same people are jealous about once I tell them I saw Kristen Wiig tell a joke. It was a funny one too…

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Toronto International Film Festival 2014 Preview

We may have two consistent film festivals here in town showcasing small releases and restored classics, but you might not realize how close we are to one of the biggest in the world. Most “in the know” will center on five events when thinking about the best of the best film festivals and while Venice, Cannes, and Berlin are an ocean away and Sundance is across the country, The Toronto International Film Festival is less than a two-hour drive via the QEW into Canada. Even better than proximity, though, is…

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INTERVIEW: Allison Ewing, Victoria Kuper & Emily Stewart, worker/owners at Breadhive

Don’t feel too bad if you’ve never heard of Breadhive Worker Cooperative Bakery as they’ve only been around since April of this year. It does mean you’ve missed their cover story in Buffalo Spree magazine, their profiles in The Buffalo News and Block Club, as well as blog entries on Buffalo Rising and Buffalo Eats, though. So maybe you should feel bad—I know I did after only discovering the collective last month. Thankfully BuffaloVibe is here to ensure you’re given a second chance to get to know the entrepreneurial women behind…

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Summer Fun Film Festivals in WNY

With the dwindling numbers of drive-in theaters across the country, independent theaters finding it difficult to compete with huge chains, and the ever-fluctuating national box office needing too many 3D films to turn a profit, certain cities somehow find a way to keep the medium alive. Buffalo is one of them and always has been since I can remember. My days as a high schooler trying to figure out plans with friends for the weekend always ended up being decided between catch the latest blockbuster or hit up the local…

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A Glimpse at the Imagination of Buffalo Arts Studio

Buffalo is full of hidden gems that the layperson may not know exist. A cultural hotbed for the arts, it’s almost excusable that you could let some slip through the cracks when you’re engaged with partaking in what all the rest have to offer. One of these lesser-known entities that deserve your attention is the not-for-profit organization Buffalo Arts Studio. Don’t feel bad if you haven’t heard of them—or do feel bad enough to educate yourself on what they provide to the community and yourself as an arts lover seeking…

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INTERVIEW: Michael Gelen, designer/owner of Inkwell Studios

Michael Gelen is a Buffalo-based artist whose work you have probably seen in and around the city. Been to ICTC? He draws the covers. Enjoy the beer selection of New Buffalo Brewing? He’s the one designing the labels. The mind behind Inkwell Studios, Gelen’s expertise runs the gamut from logos to posters to children’s books and medical illustration. He’s been at it since 1989, working with clients of all sizes locally and across the nation while also providing budding artists a role model to aspire towards—I remember him visiting my…

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Queen City Roller Girls: New Venue Planned and More

With all the hoopla surrounding Buffalo’s football and hockey seasons despite not having fielded a bona fide winner in far too long, it’s easy to forget our city has more than just the Bills and Sabres to satisfy its lust for sports victory. We have Bisons baseball, Bandits lacrosse, and even FC Buffalo soccer all calling downtown home. But there’s another league you may have missed—possibly due to their residing in suburban North Tonawanda or maybe because they don’t play the kind of sport you see regularly on ESPN’s “SportsCenter”.…

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