Around Town

We only have a few short weekends left in the semester and for many graduating seniors, that means it's time to move back in with mom and dad somewhere miles and miles away from Buffalo - now's the perfect time to finally see some of the city.

As you approach downtown Buffalo from just about any major thruway, you'll see the imposing, brilliant, decorative and powerful Art Deco masterpiece that is City Hall. Completed in 1932 by George J. Dietel and John J. Wade, with Sullivan W. Jones, this impressive building is a symbol for Buffalo - for its rich history as a major modern city in the 19th to early 20th century, the history of Buffalo's founding and the Native Americans who came before. With bronze front doors engraved with Native American symbols, a frieze of 21 emblematic figures and allegorical murals in the lobby by William de Leftwich Dodge, City Hall is a work of art unto itself.

While standing on the ground near Niagara Square offers some of the most spectacular views of the exterior of the building, the City Hall Observation Deck is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week, according to yelp.com. On the 28th story of City Hall, the Observation Deck boasts some of the best views of the city and of Lake Erie. The deck is open until 4 p.m. during the week and from Monday to Saturday the free, guided tour of City Hall begins at 12 p.m. and ends at 1 p.m., including a trip to the Observation Deck. Arrive a little before noon to get your spot in the tour and be prepared to leave behind your fear of heights to see a truly remarkable side of Buffalo.

The Peddler Flea Market at American Legion Post 1041 will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday April 26 for all of you vintage lovers. The Post is located at 533 Amherst St. on Buffalo's West Side.

The first ever Cherry Blossom Festival in Buffalo began on Wednesday April 23 and runs until May 4. The Festival celebrates the beginning of spring with the blooming of cherry blossom trees in the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park. Located behind the Buffalo History Museum, the Japanese Garden is a peaceful and secluded part of Delaware Park that invites visitors to take a moment of rest and to contemplate the beauty of nature during every season.

The official proclamation for the Cherry Blossom Festival will be held Saturday April 26 at 12 p.m. Ann McClellan, a Washington D.C.-based author, will give a lecture about her publication about Washington's annual Cherry Blossom Festival at 12:30 p.m. On Sunday, events include a screening at 10 a.m. of "Olmstead's Enduring Legacy" at The Lodge and a $15 tour of Olmstead's parkways that lead into Delaware Park led by Explore Buffalo. The tour begins at noon.

Poet Laureate of Great Britain Carol Ann Duffy will be participating in the 15th Annual Williamsville Poetry, Music, Art, & Dance Celebration held at Williamsville East High School on Sunday, April 27 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Duffy and students from first through twelfth grade will celebrate and perform their musical compositions, artwork and dance. Duffy is hosting a reading and book signing at Calvary Episcopal Church in Williamsville Saturday night at 5 p.m.

Duffy is the first female, the first Scot and the first openly bisexual poet to be chosen as the Poet Laureate of Great Britain, according to Blue Flower Arts. Duffy has authored plays as well as children's literature and numerous poetry collections. Her work addresses "oppression, gender and violence - and explores both everyday experience and the rich fantasy life of herself and others," according to Blue Flower Arts. If you love poetry, England or just celebrations, this is one event you do not want to miss.

Before the semester ends and you head back home, take time to see the city in all its springtime glory - at least it'll give you the sense that you procrastinated very productively, rather than spending way too much time watching Netflix.

email: emma.janicki@ubspectrum.com