WBFO Arts & Culture Desk

The Artie Committee proudly announces the 2016-17 ARTIE AWARD winners, recognizing excellence in theater in Buffalo.

There are unseen heroes in the orchestra family. Some of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s heroes work in the basement of Kleinhans Music Hall, but now they are being brought out into the light.

Another independent film producer "is using Buffalo as his canvas," said Buffalo Niagara Film Commissioner Tim Clark in describing the work of filmmaker Mac Cappuccino. Cappuccino and his crew have been present along Hertel Avenue as they produce "Malaisia." Clark chats about the project with WBFO's Pat Feldballe during his monthly appearance on Press Pass.

From Buckingham Palace and Buffalo's Richardson Olmsted Complex - to the streets of Havana - the New York State Capitol - and the iconic towers of the Brooklyn Bridge - these are just some of the things made with Medina Sandstone. And now there's a local group busy identifying and "celebrating" structures made with the once popular building material.

Now in their fifth year, Raíces Theatre Company has found the sweet spot where resources and mission match the founders' original vision. 

Neglia Ballet Artists is preparing for their annual Dancing to Live Gala to be held Thursday, May 18th. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the event will premier two new ballet dances featuring world-renowned artists.   

There is no sound perceptible to the human ear in outer space, so it might seem an improbable subject for a sound art installation. But that is exactly what sound artist Tom Kostusiak is creating.

Drugs and the opioid epidemic are an ongoing burden in Western New York, with continuous efforts being made through education, medical treatment, and government agencies. But a church in Jamestown is trying a different approach to dealing with this very real crisis.

Newly named Buffalo Zoo president and CEO Norah Fletchall will officially take the position on May 22. When she completes her move from the Indianapolis Zoological Society, where she has served most recently as a senior vice president and chief operating officer, she'll face the challenges of running a smaller zoo with fewer dollars and a mission to build upon last year's significant uptick in attendance.

Tim O’Shei of The Buffalo News has been traveling around the country visiting Western New Yorkers who have had a big impact on pop culture. His latest feature in The Buffalo Connection series, which hit print Sunday, is a profile of Cirque du Soleil Composer Seth Stachowski. Stachowski’s big dreams and instrumental talent have taken him from across North America and back again.

Erie County's election-year budget is not due until the middle of October, but the quest to include some money in that budget for arts and culturals brought out around 70 agencies Thursday to the WNED|WBFO studios.

One of Buffalo's historic cultural institutions celebrates 100 years of existence this year. To help mark their centennial, the Colored Musicians Club will host an expanded jazz festival this summer.

Take a look at any guide to starting a business and you’re likely to find first among the recommended steps, to research your market and then formulate a business plan. But some entrepreneurs find success without a plan and instead follow their hearts, use their smarts, and catch a trend. WBFO’s Arts & Culture Desk producer Scott Sackett visited with a local performance artist who did just that, opening a studio in Buffalo for a cinematic style of dance that’s gaining enormous popularity worldwide.

One of the area's more prominent cultural tourism attractions is now going to be available to more people.

When you think of innovation industries and start-ups on the vanguard of Buffalo’s new economy, chances are what comes to mind are businesses in the health sciences, biotech, renewable energy, and digital technologies. But there is a growing number of artists in traditional trades such as woodworking and metalworking who are fostering a new creative industry in Buffalo. WBFO Arts and Culture Desk producer Scott Sackett visited the business incubator The Foundry, where art and commerce converge with cultural heritage and emerging trends.

The BPO serves thousands of school-age children with free concerts, but what about adults? For many years, the "BPOvations" have served as popular "music appreciation" courses.

We all know the power music can have over us. A certain melody or a song can instantly transport us to another place and time and have a real effect on our mood. Buffalo blues musician Patti Parks had an idea several years ago to harness music’s transformative power to help people who face severe challenges. WBFO Blues host Pat Feldballe spoke with Parks about blues music therapy.

It takes two trucks to transport the International Touring Organ which will grace the stage of Kleinhans Music Hall when the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and JoAnn Falletta welcome organist Cameron Carpenter to perform some rather loud music Friday morning and Saturday night. The all-digital organ's sounds were "sampled" from some of Carpenter's favorite organs.

"It's one of the most satisfying moments in all of music" says Dover Quartet cellist Camden Shaw about the music of Beethoven which was to be played tonight, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. at UB. UPDATE: CONCERT POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER (HIGH WINDS). NEW DATE T.B.A.

Have you ever felt like you’ve hit a barrier at work? A period when you’re just grinding it out and you’d like to find a way to get your head back in the game? That was what it was like for RE Katz. She’s a writer and artist who found that magic zone again at Dreamland Arts in their newly-launched residency program.  WBFO Arts and Culture Desk producer Scott Sackett visited with Dreamland’s first artist-in-residence and shares her story about the residency and the personal politics of her art.

The Music is Art Festival is moving to a new location this year. Buffalo Riverworks will host the 15-year-old festival on September 9.