Festival season is underway with the Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Buffalo Niagara International Film Fest headlining a week of wonderful events in WNY.
Here are 14 Editor's Picks of cool and interesting events going on in the area for the week of April 21 - April 27, 2014. Be sure to check out our events calendar for much more of what's going on in the area, and check back every Friday for a "Best Bets" for the weekend.
Dyngus Day Celebration & Parade
Various Locations Throughout WNY
Mon Apr 21
Dyngus Day, the annual post-Lenten bash, attracts tens of thousands to Buffalo, New York to celebrate spring, show Polish pride, flirt with pussy willows and listen to the best polka bands in the nation. Visit the website for a list of locations. The Parade will make its way through the streets of the historic Polonia District, where spectators will come across Dyngus Day celebrations taking place at the Central Terminal, St. Stanislaus Church, Corpus Christi Church, the Adam Plewacki American Legion Post 799 and the Adam Mickewicz Library and Dramatic Circle. These events will honor the end of the observance of Lent and the coming of Easter. See website for details.
Rebecca Goodman & Martin Nakell Exhibit X
Hallwalls
Mon Apr 21
The author of The Surface of Motion (Green Integer) and Aftersight (Spuyten Duyvil, forthcoming), and co-author of the composition textbook The Assignment: Why am I Writing This Essay (Fountainhead Press). She is the co-founder and co-director of Ischia Arts: The Program in Creative Writing, and co-director of &NOW '08. She sits on the national board of &NOW. She lives in Southern California, where she teaches creative writing at Chapman University.
Martin Nakell is a fictionalist and poet who believes that the experience of art is energy. That energy can be released—in literature—by the disruption of form—creating fissures along which that energy travels and is where the reader encounters it. He is the author of about 11 books—poetry and fiction. He has won several national awards and grants. He was co-director of &NOW '08, and sits on the &NOW board. He lives in Southern California where he teaches at Chapman University. Of his 2010 novel, Settlement, Angela Genusa writes in Mad Hatters Review: "Nakell pulls off experimental literary techniques like a master prose magician, leaving the reader (after not only first, but repeated readings) to sit and marvel, 'How did he do that?'" See official site for details.
TWENTY ONE PILOTS
Town Ballroom
Tue Apr 22
After Dark & Alternative Buffalo 107.7 presents musical group, Twenty One Pilots. An American musical duo from Columbus, Ohio. The band was formed in 2009 and consists of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun.
I See Stars
Waiting Room
Tue Apr 22
I SEE STARS exploded into the mainstream in 2011 after making their national television debut on the ABC late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" This coupled with being featured on the covers of Alternative Press and Substream Magazine and touring all across North America with Black Veil Brides on the "AP Tour" helped them gain legions of devoted fans. However, in 2012 the group had their most successful year yet with the release of digital renegade, their third full-length album. This new effort was recorded with acclaimed producer Joey Sturgis (Asking Alexandria, Emmure) and the end result was a propulsive blend of aggressive music alongside build ups that spawn from the core of techno/dub-step/electro. This disc was highly regarded by fans and media alike as their best offering yet and yielded AMP and Outburn Magazine cover features. In 2013, I SEE STARS expels all of their demons truly coming into their own, unique sound and will ultimately leave their definitive mark on the genre with this release. Official site.
Cher
First Niagara Center
Wed Apr 23
Cher will bring her ‘Dressed to Kill’ tour to the First Niagara Center.
The Dirty Show
Helium Comedy Club
Wed Apr 23
Test your comedic limits! Get ready for the raunchiest, naughtiest, dirtiest, oh-no-he-didn't comedy show on the entire east coast. 12 comics for $12 performing material that comes straight from the swarthy gutter of comedic ingenuity! Official site.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Japanese Garden of Buffalo
Wed Apr 23 – Sun May 4
A 12-day Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival, with a "pink-tie" gala, garden tours, origami kite flying, a pink-and-white costume parade, rides on a pink boat, tea ceremonies, concerts and Japanese food and films is scheduled for late April and early May. Please see site for detailed schedule information.
The Orwells
Waiting Room
Wed Apr 23
For The Orwells, Remember When will be an introduction of sorts—the 12-track rat-race shows the band's repertoire of pranging riffs and sneering, snot-nosed vocals. The tracks are a walloping war-cry from a generation that up until this point has only offered bubblegum pop—the animus of The Orwells. It's quite clear early on the in listening to the LP that the band is well aware of the past, the homage rings through the record, using the ghost of punk's past as their musical sprit guide. However, the band straddles the thin line between their influences and their originality, ripping riffs and smashing drums in a fashion that their age into being just another fact mentioned in their bio.
The Orwells are made up of five dudes from Chicago, Illinois. They play rock n roll music. Their names are Mario, Grant, Henry, Dominick and Matt. They write songs — scratch that, primitive teenage battle cries — about girls and America and being suspended from high school. Although one might categorize The Orwells' distinct brand of the blues as garage or punk, they would be wrong. The Orwells sound comes from a deeper, different place–a place both long forgotten and also timeless. Official site.
Buffalo Niagara International Film Fest
Market Arcade Film & Arts Center
Thu Apr 24 – Sat May 3
Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill 1 & 2, The Natural) and Larry Bishop, son of Joey Bishop (The Rat Pack) and films such as (Underworld, Kill Bill 2, Hell Ride, The Savages) will both be present at the BNFF Events April 10-14. A special Premiere of "Hell Ride" will be shown at 1:45pm on April 14th at The Adam's Mark Hotel with both Larry Bishop & Michael Madsen in attendance with a Q&A, autograph and picture opportunities. The BNFF will also induct Michael Madsen & Larry Bishop into the next BNFF Walk Of Fame Ceremony with their Walk Of Fame "Star" immediately following the Premiere of "Hell Ride" on April 14th at The Adam's Mark Hotel - Hell Ride starts at 1:45 pm - Walk Of Fame Ceremony starts at 3;30 pm - Walk Of Fame Event will be open to the public FREE OF CHARGE - Photo & autograph opportunities will be available to the public. Also, anyone associated with the original feature "The Natural" 1984 filmed in Buffalo is encouraged to show up at this years events with their pictures, memorabilia, clothing, etc. and share their stories - The BNFF will have production staff on location at the festival events from April 10-14th to interview them for the upcoming "The Natural" Documentary which is currently filming for a scheduled Premiere and 30 year reunion in 2014. For more information or pics of past Walk Of Fame Recipients please call or email Bill at 716-827-3534 or bcowell@thebnff.com. Official site.
SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS
Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Thu Apr 24 – Fri Apr 25
The people of China have long held that their magnificent culture was a gift from the heavens. Art was primarily a means to explore the connection between humankind and the higher universe. Through the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales, taking you on a journey through 5,000 years of genuine Chinese culture. Its stunning beauty, purity, and tremendous energy leave audiences greatly uplifted and deeply inspired.
A Shen Yun performance features 100 world class performers, over 400 sets of exquisite hand-made costumes, a unique orchestra blending East and West, and dazzling animated backdrops - creating a spectacular performance beyond imagination. Official site.
Donnell Rawlings (Ashy Larry)
Helium Comedy Club
Thu Apr 24 – Sat Apr 26
You’ve seen Donnell Rawlings on Comedy Central’s "Chappelle’s Show" as Ashy Larry. He was the host the "Chappelle's Show" Lost Episodes, and can be seen regularly on E!’s hit show “Chelsea Lately,” and MTV’s "Guy Code" and "Hip Hop Squares". Official site.
Sugar Ray
The Avalon Ballroom @ Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
Fri Apr 25 – Sat Apr 26
The Southern California-based multi-platinum pop rock band Sugar Ray is known for their infectious summer singles of the late '90s including "Fly", "When It’s Over", "Someday", "Falls Apart" and "Every Morning.”
Bill O'Reilly and Dennis Miller- Bolder and Fresher Tour
Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Sat Apr 26
Bill O'Reilly, godfather of "no spin" and in-your-face television, and Dennis Miller, the king of references and rants, are teaming up to take the country by storm! Official site.
UB Distinguished Speaker Series Presents David Blaine
Alumni Arena
Sat Apr 16
World renowned magician and endurance artist is ready to thrill and excite you. Official site.
