It is a rare occasion for Buffalo's Theater District to be crowded with hundreds of people. It is even more rare for those people to be dressed in tuxedos and evening gowns.
Friday night, Buffalo residents showed up in the Theater District decked in their finest garb for Buffalo's 24th annual "Curtain Up!" festival, ready for a night of entertainment, cocktails and fine dining.
The evening was split up into three acts. Act One was new to the festival this year, consisting of a cocktail reception, a Gala dinner on the Shea's stage, and free entertainment for the public. While some enjoyed the dinner onstage at the Gala, others enjoyed a meal at one of the many restaurants on Main Street.
Act Two consisted of theater productions simultaneously taking place throughout the Main Street Theater District.
The performances ranged from musicals and dramas to comedy acts and romances. One such production was "Columbus," at the Alleyway Theater. Other plays included "If Love Were All" at the MusicalFare Theater, "Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show" at the Studio Arena Theater and "Amadeus" at the Irish Classical Theater.
Down the street, entertainment included "A Night of Casual Comedy" at the Market Arcade featuring nationally renowned comedians and the art show "Visions of Greater Buffalo" at the CEPA Art Gallery.
Residents of the Buffalo area have been taking part in the "Curtain Up!" celebration for years.
"It is nice to get dressed up, go out, and have a great time," said Carol Macelski, a Gala attendee for the past 16 years.
"It's like you're in New York City," Macelski said.
"This is a time to have fun outside in Buffalo in tuxes and gowns," said "Curtain Up!" spectator Rosanne Dee.
Following the reception and performances was Act Three, the after-party, which took place after dark. Bars, singers, bands and performers of all sorts were outside entertaining the roaming crowd.
Up and down the street, the sidewalks were filled with all types of entertainment. Lee Ron Zydeco performed under a tent outside the CEPA Art Gallery.
On the opposite end of the Theater District were The Reminders, belting out tunes from the 70's. Outside, Marcella's queens attracted a large crowd flaunting their goods at a drag show.
"The drag show is great," said Rob Crossley. "The midget drama queen is my favorite."
Plenty of onlookers enjoyed the drag show while others preferred a sound of a different beat.
Abe Datwater, a resident of Angelica dressed in full Amish garb, said he prefers live music as opposed to drag shows.
"I've been coming here for 20 years," Datwater said. "I came to see the play 'Ring of Fire' and the band Lee Ron Zydeco. I'm having a great time."
There was an impressive turnout despite the mist and rain.
"There's so little going on in Buffalo, we felt we had to take advantage," Jim Dumbrowski said.
"There definitely should be events going on in Buffalo like this more often," Linda Dumbrowski said. "This is great."
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
