Our previews of interesting/fun local happenings.
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06/21/12Spree Theater with Darwin McPherson: Richard III’s Tim Newell SpeaksTim Newell, who stars in the title role of Shakespeare in Delaware Park’s Richard III (which opens tonight), was selected as “Favorite Actor” in Spree’s “Best of WNY” poll last year. Between that victory and his current part, Newell has appeared in two vastly different roles in Jewish Repertory’s double feature of Brecht’s The Jewish Wife and Mamet’s The Duck Variations and made his way to Chicago for his first role working outside of Buffalo. In May, he appeared in the Shattered Globe Theatre (SGT) production of Her Naked Skin by Rebecca Lenkiewicz at Stage 773. Newell received the opportunity after meeting SGT artistic director Roger Smart while on vacation in Chicago. “Having seen my resume, he asked me in to... |
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06/12/12Spree Music with E. Lovria: BowerbirdsAfter spending the better part of a decade living in Raleigh, North Carolina, it’s become like a second home. Despite a lack of hockey knowledge and strange love of all things ACC basketball and religion, there were plenty of North Carolina residents who expressed the same neighborly spirit that we do here in Buffalo. And similar to Buffalo, with its abundance of amazing musical acts, Raleigh boosts a plethora of up-and-comers such as the Bowerbirds, who are performing at the Tralf on Thursday, June 14 in support of their most recent release The Clearing. The Bowerbirds’ refreshing blend of harmonies and sweet folk guitar melodies are a perfect disguise for the deeper, purposeful message within their songs. Their latest album seems to be birthed out of crisis. Between... |
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05/31/12Uncle Junior takes the stage at Kavinoky“If you can’t get your friends jobs, what’s the purpose of attaining success?” asked Dominic Chianese as Uncle Junior in the hit HBO series The Sopranos. Five years after the show went off the air, Chianese is still living by these words, joining with fellow actor and friend Joey Giambra on the latter’s ambitious Bread and Onions, coming to the Kavinoky Theatre for two special performances in mid-June. The play, written by the multi-talented Giambra, shines a light on a forgotten time in America. It follows the daily life of immigrant families who traveled far in search of a better life and created Buffalo’s Little Italy on the lower West Side where they settled. Audiences will witness a piece of history as the neighborhood attempts to build a... |
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05/24/12Spree Music with E. Lovria: Alan DoyleGreat Big Sea frontman, Alan Doyle, will make a solo appearance at Town Ballroom on Friday, June 1 in support of his first solo album, Boy on Bridge. Known for his energetic and engaging performances, Doyle is sure to provide a show guaranteed to please both old fans and new fans as he begins this new musical journey. While his latest effort will not alienate fans who have followed Doyle throughout his 19-year-career with Great Big Sea, it may very well attract the attention of music fans from other genres. A fan of classic rock and country, Doyle uses his latest release as a canvas on which to explore these loves. With songs "Light the Way" and "I’ve Seen a Little", the album’s first single, Doyle’s signature gritty vocal is displayed,... |
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05/18/12Spree Music with J. DiDomizio: Pearl and the BeardOn April 22nd, Ani DiFranco played to a sold out crowd in Asbury Hall, and by the time she took the stage, the audience had already been treated to a heck of a performance. The opening band, Pearl and the Beard, had put on an impressive and fun set of Americana and gospel influenced pop, which engaged a chatty and still growing crowd. They were fun, energetic, and thrillingly catchy with their energy, harmonies, and handclaps. The trio from Brooklyn (Jocelyn Mackenzie, Emily Hope Price, and Jeremy Styles), were so entertaining and energetic, that I rushed to their merchandise table before Ani’s (always wonderful) set in order to pick up their most recent record, Killing the Darlings. Made up of guitar, cello, and percussion supplemented by a myriad of other instruments,... |
