Welcome to Buffalo. You'll hear that phrase a handful of times within your first few weeks in the City of Good Neighbors, as well as every claim to fame this wonderful city has to offer. Chicken wings, Loganberry, Niagara Falls, the Bills, Bisons & Sabres. These elements merely scratch the surface of what this small, but diverse city contains.
Buffalo is full of entertainment outlets. It's home to countless art galleries, playhouses, concert venues, and theaters big and small. Don't underestimate this city; explore it.
This is your guide to arts in Buffalo. As important as it is to get to know your campus, don't deprive yourselves of endless good times.
Theaters/Performing Arts
Shea's Performing Arts Center
646 Main St. Buffalo, NY 14202
Ask any theater enthusiast about big venues in Buffalo and they'll immediately mention Shea's. Located in downtown Buffalo on Main Street, Shea's is home to some of the most popular live performances in the city. It's even registered as a historic sight in Buffalo, and one glimpse at the gorgeous, red-and-gold d?(c)cor will have you feeling like you're back in 1929, the yearShea's opened. Names like Bing Crosby, The Marx Brothers, and even Frank Sinatra have performed here through the years, adding to the theater's allure. For those who are especially intrigued by the historic spot, Shea's offers tours of the theater every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (except on performance days). One of the biggest perks of Shea's is that the theater is easily reachable - simply take the Metro Rail from University (on UB's South Campus), to the theater station downtown, and you're there. Because it's one of Buffalo's most renowned spots, Shea's is definitely worth a trip. Some upcoming shows to look out for are Broadway's famous Billy Elliott from Sept. 25-30, and special Halloween performances of Jekyll and Hyde on Oct. 30-31.
MusicalFare
4380 Main St. Suite 123, Amherst NY 14226
If you are the type of person who prefers musicals to any other type of live production, you are in luck. A self-proclaimed "theatre of note", MusicalFare solely focuses on musical theater. They are open year round and offer shows ranging from completely new musicals to revamped performances of traditional musicals (such as Urinetown or Oliver!) The theater is also partnered with UB's Department of Theater and Dance and offers internships to students, ultimately providing them with opportunities to perform in some of the most well-known plays in musical theater. While located at Daemen College on Main Street, the theater is independently owned and therefore students and regular theater fans alike are welcome to any of their productions.
Regal Walden Galleria Mall Stadium 16
6 Galleria Dr. Cheektowaga, NY 14225
If you're not a fan of live performances, the countless movie theaters in Buffalo are here for you. The Regal Cinema, located in the Galleria Mall, is a great choice for much needed breaks from campus. The mall itself is massive, with over 375 different stores to explore. Seeing a movie at the Galleria's theaters might be the perfect end to a day full of shopping and food-court perusing. What are the best parts about seeing a movie here? Each theater has stadium seating, so even the shortest moviegoers are guaranteed a great view of the action (plus, who doesn't enjoy stadium seating?). If you decide to catch a movie before 4 p.m., one adult ticket to any 2-D movie is $8, and $10 anytime after that. Although the Galleria Mall is a bit expensive to get to by taxi, students 18 years or older can also rent Zipcars from UB, allowing them not only the freedom of their own car for the day, but the luxury to spend as much time at the mall as they please. Zipcar rates at UB can start as low as $8 per hour and $66 per day.
AMC Maple Ridge 8
4276 Maple Rd. Amherst, NY 14226
Of course, not every trip off campus needs to be a big event. For the nights when you just want to grab some popcorn and catch a movie, the AMC Theater on Maple Road is the perfect choice. The movie theater is located right on the corner of Maple Road and Sweethome Road, in the Office Max shopping center. While it is within walking distance of North Campus, it's a bit of an ambitious walk. However, according to the Buffalo Taxi Service, it is only about an eight-dollar cab ride away should you choose their services instead. The AMC Theaters are also right next to Tea Leaf Caf?(c), a small restaurant with a coffeehouse vibe that sells bubble tea, espresso, and even small meals such as dumplings or spring rolls. One of the best parts about this particular theater is that on every weekday, excluding Fridays, movie tickets are only $4.50. The cheap prices and the great location make this theater a perfect choice for a relaxing day or night in Buffalo.
Concert Venues
Town Ballroom
681 Main St. Buffalo, NY 14203
Serving as one of Buffalo's most popular music venues, the Town Ballroom's downtown address only adds to its appeal. The venue is only one block away from Chippewa Street and is located on the NFTA Metro Rail line, which is easily accessible from UB South Campus. In the past year, Town Ballroom has headlined artists such as Skrillex, Reel Big Fish, A$AP Rocky, and The Devil Wears Prada. Housing both established and local acts has made the Town Ballroom a local gem as opposed to a run-of-the-mill concert venue. Whatever your musical fancy might be, the Town Ballroom will more than likely fulfill your needs.
Club Infinity
8166 Main Street Clarence, NY 14221
Despite its distance from UB, Club Infinity functions as a hub for local and underground bands to showcase their talents. Club Infinity has had bands such as Lights and Bayside and will be featuring tours such as the Scream Like You Mean It tour, which features bands such as The Acacia Strain and Hands Like Houses. Club Infinity might have a rough reputation, but this venue is for hardcore fans and the casual experience makes for an amazing concert.
The Center For the Arts
UB - North Campus
Students without instant means of transportation don't need to go far for entertainment; UB puts it in the palm of your hand. The Center For the Arts, conveniently located on UB's North Campus in Amherst, has hosted shows ranging from concerts and comedy shows to dance shows and renowned plays. Artists like Esperanza Spalding, Colbie Caillat, and Mya have graced the same stage as Alec Baldwin and Adam Carolla and new acts are added to the CFA's event calendar on a regular basis. The biggest perk of all is that many events offer discounted tickets for UB students. Be sure to keep an eye out for all the events the CFA has in store for you this year.
Slee Hall
UB - North Campus
Students with a more refined taste in music will appreciate UB's hidden gem, Slee Hall. Also located on North Campus, Slee Hall is a venue utilized by both UB students and faculty to display their talents, as well as a venue for visiting renowned musicians to leave their mark on our campus. This summer, the Lippes Concert Hall inside Slee held the June in Buffalo concert series. Working as a collaborative effort between the Department of Music and The Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music, the June in Buffalo series presented ensembles such as the Genkin Philharmonic, the New York New Music Ensemble, and UB's own Slee Sinfonietta and UB Percussion Ensemble. The six-day long series also incorporated education and workshops into its itinerary, giving its audience an opportunity to participate in the music. Don't let Slee's location on campus fool you - take the time to explore what the Music Department at UB has to offer.
Art Galleries
UB Art Gallery (Center for the Arts)
UB - North Campus
The CFA is known for hosting some of Buffalo's most talented artists and musicians, and its galleries' exhibitions are no exception. Inside the building, there are three different gallery spaces: space on the first floor, the second floor, and in the Lightwell Galleries. The Lightwell Galleries are featured on both the first and second floor and have a balcony from the second overlooking the rest of whatever exhibition is up at the time. A huge part of the CFA's appeal is the aesthetics: the skylights both in the galleries and in the main building create an ambience that complements the work on display. There are about eight different exhibitions displayed per year in the CFA, and each one features a mixture of work from contemporary artists to the work of faculty and even students. For those students who might be interested in a future with art, the UB Art Gallery even provides graduate and undergraduate students with internships and training in order to start their careers off on the right foot. If you're interested in art, the CFA will definitely be one of your most frequented buildings on campus.
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
1285 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14222
If you're looking to venture out into Buffalo for an art-filled excursion, Albright-Knox is a great gallery to check out. The gallery is on Elmwood Avenue, walking distance from Buffalo State College, and is focused on contemporary and modern art from all around the world. While it's not the biggest gallery, the size makes for an intimate experience and really allows visitors to get a feel for the works on display, as well as the artists behind them. The gallery's collection is diverse, spanning from Post-War American and European art to pop art from the 1970s. Among the various displays and exhibitions are works from some of the greats, such as Van Gogh and Andy Warhol. One of the coolest parts about this gallery is the amount of different, interesting events they hold. One interesting event Albright-Knox offers is "Art and Yoga for Fun and Relaxation," which is a class designed for attendees to "experience art, yoga, and the connection between the two," according to the gallery's website. For this particular event, the admission fee is $15 for non-members and $10 for those with memberships. And although signing up for a student membership to the gallery has its perks, non-members are still welcome to attend classes and other events whenever they please. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is a good time for anyone, whether an avid art fan or a mere admirer.
Burchf Burchfield-Penney Art Center
1300 Elmwood Avenue Buffalo, NY 14222
Like Albright-Knox Gallery, Burchfield-Penney Art Center can also be found on Elmwood Avenue - in fact, the two are across the street from each other, which is convenient for those looking to make the most of their trip to Elmwood. Unlike Albright-Knox, however, Burchfield-Penney is exclusively focused on more local artists. This dedication to the artists of Western New York is part of the legacy of the founder, Charles Burchfield. In fact, many of the works featured within the building are Burchfield's own works, done primarily with watercolor. Because of this medium, and because many of their works are on loan, the displays in Burchfield-Penney Art Center are constantly changing. Inside, there are 16 different galleries to explore, and the simple d?(c)cor makes for a calming environment to admire the exhibitions in, without distraction. If you are the kind of student who appreciates the works of the closer-to-home artists, look no further than Burchfield-Penney Art Center. Tours are offered inside the center every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2 p.m.
CEPA Gallery
617 Main St. #201 Buffalo, NY 14203
The CEPA Gallery is unique from the aforementioned galleries because it only displays one medium: photography. Located right down the street from Shea's and Town Ballroom, CEPA is not only a different experience from the other galleries on this list, but is just as easily accessible. One particularly cool thing about CEPA is that they are not only focused on showcasing photography, but they also strive to help blossoming photographers hone their craft. They tutor anyone interested, and those who enroll in their group workshops are even eligible for college credit. Granted, the courses are priced at about $200, but if you still want some extra practice with developing film, their darkroom and digital lab are open to the public from Monday through Saturday, for a much smaller fee of $4 ($6 for non-members). If you would rather simply observe than take part in the photography itself, the gallery is full of work from both emerging and established photographers. The gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday, and depending on which parts of the gallery you want to visit, Saturday and Sunday as well.
Email: arts@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Mhdariby / Wikimedia Commons
