Buffalo Rising

Spotted Octopus Brewing Co. has announced that is relocating, and expanding, into the former Dobutsu restaurant location at 500 Seneca. Until this point, Spotted Octopus has enjoyed a prosperous run at 41 Edward Street in Allentown. The combination of quaint pub-like, taproom atmosphere and beer garden grounds has worked very well for the business, but it is now time to move on to bigger and better things. “We are thrilled to be relocating to a larger venue that will allow

New plays are vital because they keep theater alive, renewing its language, its questions, and its sense of possibility. Without new plays, theater becomes a museum instead of a living art. Without new plays, the stage can’t evolve, surprise, or speak to the world we’re actually living in. Without new plays, theater loses the fresh voices that keep it urgent and alive. Without new plays, we’re only repeating ourselves instead of discovering what comes next. Fortunately, many local resident companies

THE BASICS: GIRL ON AN ALTAR, a play by Ireland’s Marina Carr, directed by Anderson Carr, starring Keelie A. Sheridan as Clytemnestra and Jorge Luna as Agamemnon, with Tabitha Raithel, Darryl Semira, Paige Batt, and David Marciniak. June 12 through 28. Presented by Irish Classical Theatre Company at 625 Main Street. (716) 853-ICTC. irishclassical. RUNTIME: Approximately two hours, including one intermission. THUMBNAIL SKETCH: In this modern retelling of Greek tragedy, King Agamemnon is compelled by politics to lead the Greek expedition

A different type of carnival is coming to town. “Carnevil” is being billed as providing “an authentic old-fashioned Carnevil atmosphere that everyone will love!” Carnevil host, Buffalo Events Marketplace describes the event as “an annual, unhinged alternative carnival market and festival. It blends a vintage circus atmosphere with gothic, macabre, and oddity-themed entertainment, making it a highly anticipated summer event for the local alternative and spooky-loving community.” Held on Saturday, July 18 (2pm-8pm), the alternative festival and market is set

As a way to foster a renewed energy and vibrancy in the heart of downtown, M&T Bank has announced that it is spearheading a new “Meet Me Downtown” initiative. The catalyst for the Meet Me Downtown initiative began as a 2025 pilot program, by launching a series of events intended to help revitalize Main Street, downtown. By providing grant funding, sponsorship support, and strategic, hands-on assistance, this effort of engagement is now being strategically bolstered to empower local groups to create

Presented by Lambert & Co., “foursale” is a thoughtfully curated collection of vintage, thrifted, and one-of-a-kind finds gathered over decades of travel, creativity, and curiosity. After the closing of Misuta Chow’s restaurant in Downtown Buffalo, husband/wife owners Johny Chow and Christi Allen Chow started to rethink their next business venture, which was far far away from the restaurant industry. Ultimately, they came up with “foursale” concept – a curated collection of thrift, vintage, and worldly finds. Adding to the growing

It’s our favorite time of year — we finally get to announce the artists, organizations, and communities selected to receive funding through this year’s NYSCA Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) Program. ASI’s Statewide Community Regrants program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. ASI’s SCR program provides support in three grant categories: Community Arts, Arts Education, and Individual Artist. The program is designed to foster local arts

Intersect – “a pride arts festival” – was originally scheduled to be hold on June 6. The decision to postpone the event was due to poor weather conditions. Now, a new date for Intersect Pride Festival has been announced. The event will be held on Sunday, July 12 (2pm-8pm), and will feature all sorts of vendors, artists, and performers, with a focus on grassroots queer artistry and community. Featured performers that were scheduled for the original date include Lite, Eclipse,

2026 marks the 40th Annual GospelFest, to be held at MLK Park. On Saturday, July 25, Community Inspiration Collective, Inc. will host the event that will feature a star-studded lineup of performers, including special guest national recording artists, the Windy City Spiritualaires of Phoenix, Arizona. The all ages event, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 2pm to 8pm. As for the history of Buffalo’s GospelFest, it was Richard Reinhardt of the Downtown Merchants Association

Main Street along the heart of downtown has been the subject of numerous revitalization efforts as of late. One particular effort took place earlier today, as Buffalo Urban Development Corporation (BUDC), City of Buffalo, Buffalo Place, and other community partners from the M&T Charitable Foundation, kicked off the installation of a temporary Placemaking Project at Roosevelt Plaza. The coordinated placemaking project introduces new murals, painted crosswalks, street furniture, planters, and wayfinding to the area, to create a real sense of