As the visitors drift from one floor to the next in the old windshield-wiper factory, they will not see dust and cobwebs. There will be no eerie silence, or dimly lit shadows in the corner.
Rather, stunning pieces of art from area artists will be on display, along with fresh music, jugglers, dancers and live poetry readings. Coupled with bountiful food and drink, Trimania is expected to be one of the Buffalo art community's biggest parties of the year.
In an effort to raise funds and cultivate profits for Buffalo art movements, Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center, The Buffalo Arts Studio and Just Buffalo Literary Center have collaborated in a multi-discipline celebration of area artists, that will take place on Saturday, March 16.
The party will occupy all six floors of the Tri-Main building, a refurbished windshield-wiper factory at 2495 Main St. Tickets are $10, which will be donated to the three non-profit groups hosting the evening, and will include access to all parts of the exhibition.
Polly Little, development director for Hallwalls, called it an artistic extravaganza.
"It's a lot of different entertainment, in a lot of different directions," said Little.
Included in the evening's scheduled events are "A Taste of Buffalo Poetry," which will feature readings from many Buffalo area poets, and poetry slam from Buffalo's finest rappers and poets in an "all-out poetry smackdown," as stated on the Buffalo Arts Studio's Web site.
Throughout the night, there will be live music ranging from post-punk to jazz to reggae. Strictly Riddim, Krakatoa, Treelinedhighway, Stream Donkeys and Birth are among many performers showcasing their talent.
Krakatoa has performed at prominent Buffalo venues such as Mohawk Place, and Birth played Hallwalls' Artists and Models Exhibit last year.
The Buffalo Arts Studio will be displaying two solo exhibitions, Alberto Rey's "Trout Encounters" and Roberto Pacheco's "Wooden Sculpture." Hallwalls will be showing an exhibit of work from distant locations entitled "Half a World Away," as well as work by Robert Bell and Joshua Marks.
In addition, drifting through the crowd will be Panjandrum, a group of costumed performers on stilts.
It will be a diverse event, full of excitement and stimulation for any art lover, said Lisa Wittig, director of communications at Just Buffalo.
"There's got to be something for everyone," she said.
Trimania comes at a crucial time for the Buffalo arts community as well. The budget crisis in Buffalo has resulted in a minimum 10 percent cut for each of the three organizations involved, said Little, with expectations of more cuts within the next year.
The art community is facing "the worst fiscal reality since about 1991," according to Little.
While Wittig is optimistic about the turn out for Trimania, she remains cautious. Although organizers are expecting between 1,500 to 3,000 people, she said this is the trial run for a collaborative fundraiser of this magnitude.
"It's the first time, but who knows?" Wittig said.
Just Buffalo had a similar event in January 2001, a 25-year anniversary celebration, titled "A Literal Blast," which turned out remarkably well.
This celebration featured a reading from Lucille Clifton, a recipient of the National Book Award for Poetry and a two-time nominee for the Pulitzer Prize in poetry. Clifton's reading drew nearly 800 people from the Buffalo literary community.
Clifton, a Depew native, waived her fee, which generated a considerable profit for the literary center. Wittig attributed the success of the fundraiser to Clifton's generosity.
Hallwalls has smaller, annual fundraisers each year, such as their chili cook-off and their annual wine tasting in the fall.
Though these fundraisers generally are well-received, Little said that Trimania will replace much of these three organizations' smaller fundraising projects.
The three organizations began collaboration nearly a year ago, according to Wittig, and have been hard at work ever since.
"It has been an interesting challenge having so many people with so many different ideas come together and work together," Little said.
These collaborations are expected to be beneficial to all involved, however.
"It shows the city and county that we are working together," Wittig said. "It's just a positive thing the whole way around."
Presale tickets are available at Just Buffalo Literary Center, Spot Coffee, Talking Leaves Books and New World Records.
Trimania
March 16, from 7 p.m. to midnight
Tri-Main building at 2495 Main St.
$10
