Buffalo has never been considered a top market for touring artists. Nestled conveniently in the middle of top-markets Toronto, Cleveland and Pittsburgh, artists often pass through the Queen City like lake effect snow.
Some years, however, there are exceptions to that rule. For the fine arts, there has never been a better state-of-the-art venue than UB's own Center for the Arts, and with this spring's season of events, there has never been a better reason to buy a ticket.
The 2003-2004 season, which resumes at the end of January and continues through May, is full of comedy, contemporary music, family entertainment, UB student productions, and world-class dance.
Undoubtedly, the biggest name to grace the CFA stage this year will be ballet superstar Mikhail Baryshnikov, who will perform two solo performances on Jan. 30 and 31 at the Mainstage. Special discounted student tickets will be available for $20 for the Jan. 30 performance only.
Fans of HBO's "Sex and the City" will recognize Baryshnikov for his current role as Carrie's (Sarah Jessica Parker) romantic Russian love interest, but he's renowned the world over for being the most celebrated male ballet dancer. Proceeds from Baryshnikov's special area performances will go towards funding for the Baryshnikov Arts Center, a multi-studio dance complex set to open in New York City this summer.
The Key Bank Dance Series continues this season with Garth Fagan Dance, which comes to the Mainstage Feb. 6. Directed by the Tony Award-winning choreographer of Broadway's "The Lion King," Garth Fagan Dance is celebrating its 33rd anniversary.
In the spirit of the growing list of stand-up comedians to grace the CFA stage, Comedy Central's "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn" regular Jim Norton will bring his "not suitable for younger audiences" routine on Feb. 7. Lowbrow humor and rough language will be in abundance to be sure.
Returning for its second performance on Feb. 27 is Rick Miller's one-man show, "MacHomer." Back by popular demand, Miller breezes through a "Simpsons" version of Shakespeare's classic drama, appearing as 50 characters from the popular comedy series. It's a tour-de-force, heralded by the Los Angeles Times as "intelligent" and "hilariously funny."
Also returning, for the sixth year in a row, is jazz banjoist Bela Fleck for a concert with fellow Grammy Award-winner Edgar Meyer. The double bill, which appears on the Mainstage Feb. 11, will feature some of the most critically acclaimed jazz/fusion music in the world today.
Students in department of theater and dance will also have their turn to take the stage this spring. Still celebrating its 30th anniversary as UB's premier dance company, the Zodiaque Dance Company will present "Celebration 30, Dances On" Feb. 12-15 and 19-22.
Theater Professor Kazimierz Braun will present his own play, "Paderewski's Children," Feb. 25-29 in the Black Box Theater, and the department's musical production of "Fiddler on the Roof" will be onstage in the Drama Theater April 15-17 and 21-24.
Anyone who lived in Buffalo for the four-and-a-half years that Colm Wilkinson appeared in the title role of Toronto's "The Phantom of the Opera" knows the power of his pipes. Wilkinson will perform a one-night-only concert of Broadway classics, including songs from his original London and Broadway performances as Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables," standards and his own favorites on Feb. 28 on the Mainstage.
Key Bank continues its dance series with three more world-famous companies, including the Gus Giorano Jazz Dance Chicago on March 5, the Martha Graham Ensemble on April 3, and the Moscow Festival Ballet's performance of "Swan Lake" on April 20.
For updates to this schedule, the CFA's website is located at arts.buffalo.edu. Tickets for all events are available at the CFA box office, all Ticketmaster locations, and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Discounted student prices may be available for certain performances, so be sure to check those out as well.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
