Born Buffalo

Portrait Buffalo II - Cepa Gallery
2025-05-02 16:00 - 2025-08-22 19:00 (America/New_York) | CEPA Gallery, 617 Main St #201, Buffalo, New York, 14203
CEPA Gallery is celebrating their 50th anniversary by reviving one of their earlier projects which was: Portrait of Buffalo. Portrait of Buffalo was a photographic survey captured in the late 1970s that showed the city’s people and places. Decades later, Portrait of Buffalo II shows how much Buffalo has changed since then by focusing on the individuals, communities, and businesses that support Buffalo in the 21st century.

The Heart of Rock and Roll - Huey Lewis and The News Tribute
2025-05-23 19:30 | Riviera Theatre North Tonawanda, 67 Webster St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, 14120
On Friday, May 23, 2025, at 7:30 PM, the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda, NY, will host The Heart of Rock & Roll – America’s #1 Tribute to Huey Lewis & The News. Since 2013, this tribute band has been delivering an authentic experience, capturing the look and sound of Huey Lewis with remarkable accuracy. Sean Hopper, a founding member of Huey Lewis & The News, described their performance as “a surreal experience,” praising their attention to detail both vocally and visually . The show features a multimedia journey through the band’s greatest hits, including “Hip to Be Square,” “Stuck with You,” “I Want a New Drug,” “The Power of Love,” and the title track “The Heart of Rock & Roll.

Performative Artmaking by Ellen Rutt
2025-05-24 10:00 - 16:00 | Buffalo AKG Art Museum, 1285 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14222, United States
Ellen Rutt is a Detroit-based interdisciplinary artist known for her vibrant, abstract installations that engage with themes of place, identity, and the environment. Her work often incorporates elements of performance, as she creates “Place Paintings” by interacting with various environments, using materials like milk paint, sand, and dirt. These works explore the complex intersections of consumption, place, identity, and nature .
Rutt’s approach to artmaking is deeply personal and process-oriented, involving free-writing and physical interaction with her surroundings. She captures these actions through photography and drone footage, emphasizing the performative aspect of her creative process. Her work challenges traditional boundaries between art, performance, and environment, inviting viewers to consider the interconnectedness of these elements in the American experience .

Glitched Reality: AI Meets CAM's Collection
2025-04-25 11:00 - 2025-08-31 17:00 | Castellani Art Museum, 5795 Lewiston Road, Niagara Falls, NY, 14109, United States
Glitched Reality is an art exhibition created by students with the curiosity of how art would turn out with the works of AI and human creativity. Students from Niagara University and and Niagara Falls High School reinterpreted artworks from the Castellani Art Museum. The students goals weren’t to replicate the pieces, but to see how AI can amplify human thought.

Collections Live: The Amazing, Awesome Arthropoda
2025-05-28 12:00 | Buffalo Museum of Science, 1020 Humboldt Parkway, Buffalo, NY, 14211, United States
Collections Live: The Amazing, Awesome Arthropoda is an engaging and educational experience that brings visitors face-to-face with one of the most diverse groups of animals on the planet—arthropods. From vibrant butterflies and beetles to mysterious scorpions and ancient trilobites, this live event showcases the incredible variety and adaptability of these joint-legged creatures. Museum experts share fascinating insights into the biology, behavior, and evolutionary history of arthropods, revealing their crucial roles in ecosystems and human life.
Throughout the program, guests have the unique opportunity to observe rare and delicate specimens from the museum’s entomology and invertebrate collections. Behind-the-scenes access highlights how these creatures are preserved, studied, and cataloged by scientists. Whether you’re a budding entomologist or simply curious about the natural world, The Amazing, Awesome Arthropoda offers a deeper appreciation for the complexity and importance of this extraordinary animal group.

Thursday Night Live: Smac!
2025-05-29 17:30 - 19:30 | Buffalo AKG Art Museum, 1285 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14222, United States
The museum’s Thursday Night Live series presents Smac!, a dynamic Buffalo-based supergroup known for their jazzy, soulful, and powerful sound. Directed by singer-songwriter Maegan Jones and multi-instrumentalist Oscar Woodrich, Smac! blends elements of funk, jazz, and friendship to create a musical experience driven by love and art. The group is joined by fellow master musicians from the area, promising an unforgettable performance.

The Garcia Project
2025-05-29 20:00 | Buffalo Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, United States
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Buffalo Iron Works will host The Garcia Project, a nationally touring tribute band dedicated to recreating full, classic Jerry Garcia Band setlists from 1976 to 1995. Celebrating 15 years of musical excellence, the band offers an authentic experience for fans of Jerry Garcia’s beloved side project. Unlike typical Grateful Dead tributes, The Garcia Project focuses solely on the Jerry Garcia Band’s diverse repertoire, which spans genres such as rock, Motown, gospel, and bluegrass. Their performances are based on actual setlists from the Jerry Garcia Band’s tours, providing a nostalgic journey for those who experienced the original shows and a unique opportunity for new fans to discover the magic of Garcia’s music.
The Garcia Project’s dedication to authenticity is evident in their precise arrangements and instrumentation, capturing the essence of the various eras of the Jerry Garcia Band. The band’s commitment to faithfully channeling the feelings and emotions of Garcia’s music has earned them praise from former bandmates and fans alike. Jacklyn LaBranch, who sang for the Jerry Garcia Band from 1982 to 1995, remarked that the band “remind me of what it felt like to sing these beautiful songs with Jerry Garcia.” Buzz Buchanan, drummer for the Jerry Garcia Band from 1977 to 1978, stated, “They are Jerry’s kindred spirits when it comes to making music.” The performance at Buffalo Iron Works promises to be a memorable evening for fans of Jerry Garcia’s music, offering an authentic and heartfelt tribute to one of rock’s most influential figures.

Buffalo Stories: Bill & Ted’s Great Adventures
2025-05-30 00:00 | Road Less Traveled Theater, 465 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14205, United States
Buffalo Stories:
Bill & Ted’s Great Adventures

One Night Only!

Friday May 30, 2025

Tickets On-Sale Date Coming Soon!

Stay Tuned for Tickets!

Your Buffalo Stories: Bill & Ted’s Great Adventures will include:

pre-show reception at 7:00 p.m. (cocktails and hors d’oeuvres)

8:00 p.m. performance

post-show reception

Can’t make Buffalo Stories: Bill & Ted’s Great Adventures? Send them your well-wishes in the event playbill! All well-wishes must be received by Friday May 16.

Send Bill & Ted Your Tributes and Well-Wishes

Become a Buffalo Stories Sponsor

Buffalo Stories offers a glimpse into the lives of Buffalo’s most intriguing personalities while toasting our vibrant community and supporting Road Less Traveled Productions. The event celebrates the life of a local Buffalo icon by presenting a one-night only musical written about the guest of honor’s life. Past honorees include former Mayor Anthony Masiello, Thurman Thomas, Russell Salvatore, Shelley Drake, Robert Gioia and Maryann Saccomando Freedman.
The event is an annual fundraiser to benefit Road Less Traveled Productions.

Drop-In Artmaking: Lo-Vis: Artmaking Collaboration with Burchfield Penney Art Center
2025-05-16 16:00 - 19:30 | Buffalo AKG Art Museum, 1285 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14222, United States
The Buffalo AKG Art Museum is excited to present Drop-In Artmaking: Lo-Vis, a collaborative artmaking session in partnership with the Burchfield Penney Art Center, on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. in Studio A of the Knox Building. This free, all-ages event invites participants to explore the theme of “Lo-Vis” through creative expression. Led by a member of the Learning & Creativity Department, the workshop offers a unique opportunity to engage with art in a hands-on, informal setting. All materials are provided, and no prior registration is necessary—just drop in and let your creativity flow.
The Lo-Vis workshop is part of the museum’s ongoing Drop-In Artmaking series, which encourages community members to connect with art and each other. Each session is inspired by different exhibitions, themes, or artworks, fostering a dynamic and ever-evolving creative environment. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a curious beginner, this collaborative event offers a welcoming space to experiment, learn, and create. Join us for an evening of artistic exploration and community engagement at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.

Tipsy Crafts: Painted Rocks (Ages 21+)
2025-05-30 18:00 - 19:30 | Buffalo AKG Art Museum, 1285 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14222, United States
Join us for a fun and creative evening at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum’s Tipsy Crafts series. On May 30, participants will have the opportunity to create personalized painted rocks, perfect for adding a decorative touch to your garden or indoor space. This event is designed for adults aged 21 and over and provides all the necessary materials, including a selection of rocks, paints, and brushes. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a beginner, this class offers a relaxed environment to explore your creativity.

Masterclass with Tim McAllister, saxophone
2025-05-30 19:00 | Clement House, 786 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY, 14209, United States
Masterclass with Tim McAllister, saxophone

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra hosts incredible guest artists each year on our Classics Series. We make many of these masters available to the community in our Masterclass series. These artists will work one-on-one with talented local students in front of a live audience. All events are FREE with a required reservation.
Learn more about saxophonist Tim McAllister.
Musically advanced high school and college students are invited to apply as a performer for these classes. All applications require a private instructor’s nomination and an audio recording.

Please send application and recording to rpudlewski@bpo.org.
DEADLINE: May 2, 2025
Materials must be received by this date to be considered. All applicants notified by May 16th.
Questions:
Rachael Pudlewski
Associate Director of Education
(716) 242-7822 or rpudlewski@bpo.org

Ain’t Too Proud
2025-05-30 19:30 | Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, 646 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is the electrifying, smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and silky-smooth harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one.
Nominated for 12 Tony® Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, Ain’t Too Proud tells the thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal, as the group’s personal and political conflicts threatened to tear them apart during a decade of civil unrest in America.
Written by three-time Obie Award winner Dominique Morisseau, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys), and featuring the Tony-winning choreography of Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, On Your Feet!), the unforgettable story of this legendary quintet is set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and so many more.

CROCODILE FEVER
2025-05-30 19:30 | Irish Classical Theatre Company, 625 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14203, Buffalo, NY, 14203, United States
Crocodile Fever is a darkly comic and fiercely captivating play by Meghan Tyler, set in rural Camlough, South Armagh, Northern Ireland, in August 1989. The story follows the reunion of two estranged sisters, Alannah and Fianna Devlin, who return to their family home after the death of their tyrannical father. As they confront their shared traumatic past, the play delves into themes of sisterhood, trauma, and the lingering effects of The Troubles. The production is directed by ICTC Artistic Director Keelie A. Sheridan and features a creative team that includes scenic designer Primo Thomas, costume designer E.L. Hohn, and sound designer Mason Beggs.

Zoo Birthday Bash Presented by Wegmans
2025-05-31 10:00 - 17:00 | Buffalo Zoo, 300 Parkside Ave, Buffalo, NY, 14214, United States
Celebrate 150 years of wildlife wonder at the Buffalo Zoo! Join us for a fun-filled day featuring special animal encounters, birthday treats, historical exhibits, and family-friendly activities—all included with admission. Don’t miss this milestone celebration!

Don Jovi (Bon Jovi Tribute)
2025-05-31 19:30 | Shea’s 710 Theater, 710 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States

Official Pride Parade Afterparty - DJ Lady Bunny
2025-06-01 16:00 | VENU, 75 W Chippewa St, Buffalo, NY 14202, buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Lady Bubby, the genre-defying pop-soul powerhouse, is bringing her vibrant energy and message of self-love to Venu on June 1 in celebration of Pride Month. Known for her bold fashion, inclusive anthems, and magnetic stage presence, Lady Bubby has become a beloved icon in the LGBTQ+ community. Her music—infused with messages of empowerment, resilience, and joy—has made her a voice for those seeking to embrace their identity unapologetically. This special Pride performance promises to be a dazzling night of liberation, unity, and unforgettable music, kicking off the month with love and pride.
In addition to performing her chart-topping hits and fan favorites from her latest album Golden Hour, Lady Bubby will spotlight queer artistry, joy, and visibility in every beat. With dazzling visuals, powerful vocals, and a heartfelt connection to her audience, the show will be more than a concert—it’ll be a celebration of community. Venu will transform into a space where everyone is free to dance, sing, and shine exactly as they are. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind Pride kickoff with one of music’s most radiant and fearless performers.

Food Truck Tuesdays
2025-06-03 17:00 - 20:00 | Larkin Square, 745 Seneca Street Buffalo, NY 14210, Buffalo, NY, 14210, United States
Food Truck Tuesdays at Larkin Square is a beloved weekly tradition in Buffalo, offering a vibrant evening of culinary delights, live music, and community spirit. Held every Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. during the summer months, the event features a rotating lineup of up to 28 food trucks from Buffalo, Rochester, and beyond, serving a diverse array of cuisines. Guests can enjoy everything from savory main courses to sweet treats, with many trucks offering healthy options certified by the Independent Health Foundation. The atmosphere is further enhanced by live performances on The Boardwalk, creating a festive and welcoming environment for all ages.
