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"The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
a cloud come over the sunlit arch,
And wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March."

- Robert Frost

ON THE MOVE From Celeste Lawson

Greetings After50 friends, welcome to May! This month’s poem is a dedication to our weather this year, where we seem to routinely experience all the seasons in a single day sometimes! For those of you who are mothers or caregivers as if you are mothers, I’m wishing you all a Happy and Blessed Mother’s Day. In my own circumstances, I am now caregiving for my 8-year old grandson who is a special needs child, and concurrently caring for my mother, now in her 90th year and who suffered a debilitating stroke, I find myself with less and less personal time and struggle with the ability to focus on aspects of my life outside of my caregiver role. With that in mind, in fairness to the time sensitive needs of After50 News and its publishing team, I am taking a leave from writing On The Move until my life is less demanding. It has been an extreme pleasure of mine to write for After50 News. This paper provides the community with an important service and much needed information; and they have been exceptionally supportive and patient with me as I travel the long winding road of life. For that, I am ever so grateful. I hope I will see some of you at an arts and cultural event in the days ahead. Remember, our arts and cultural community is outstanding and nationally recognized for its quality and diversity. They need and deserve your support and patronage. Take care. Peace and blessings.

Things to do in May!

Ranky Tanky – May 1, 7pm

UB Center for the Arts, 103 Center for the Arts, Buffalo, NY, 14260

Ranky Tanky translates loosely as “Work It,” or “Get Funky!” In this spirit the quintet performs timeless music of the Gullah culture. From playful game songs to ecstatic shouts, from heartbreaking spirituals to delicate lullabies, the musical roots of Charleston, SC are “rank” and fertile ground from which these artists have grown. Tickets: $36. 716.645.6259

Fairy and Gnome House Exhibit – Now thru May 8, 10am-4pm

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo, NY, 142185

Visitors will delight in magically creative designs built by individuals, families, groups, scouts and more. The whimsical houses were created from mostly natural or recycled materials. Tickets: $11. Call: 716.827.1584

Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival – May 1 – May 5

Delaware Park - Japanese Garden, 84 Parkside Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14214

One of the most scenic walks of the season – make your way through the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park. Many events are taking place during this annual festival, please check the website for the full listing. www.buffalohistory.org. FREE

Westminster Handbell Choir – May 5, 4pm

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 724 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14209

Under the direction of Steve Mayo, the group will present favorites from the hand bell canon. FREE

Bruce Cockburn Live in Asbury Hall – May 8, 8pm

Babeville, 341 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14202

Few recording artists are as creative and prolific as Bruce Cockburn. Cockburn’s 33rd album, arrives with 11 new songs. The album is built around the musicianship of Cockburn on guitar and the core accompaniment of bassist John Dymond and drummer Gary Craig. Cockburn will be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in September. More than forty years after embarking on his singer-songwriting career, Cockburn keeps kicking at the darkness so that it might bleed daylight. Tickets: $11 - $45. 716-852-3835

Nietzsches Jazz Fest IV – May 8 –May 12, 6pm – 12 midnight

Nietzsche's, 248 Allen Street, Buffalo, NY, 14201

Calling all live music fans – Attend this grassroots 5-day jazz festival! It will feature local, regional, and national musicians in an intimate and unpretentious setting. Tickets: $7 - $30. (716) 886-8539

Makers + Shakers: Boozy Artisan Market – May 12, 11am-5pm

Hotel @ The Lafayette, 391 Washington Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203

Attendees can explore each gorgeous room and hallway of the historic Hotel Lafayette while supporting 50 of WNY’s best locally owned shops and businesses. Attendees will also enjoy free samples from local wineries and distilleries, purchase treats, build their own Bloodies and sip mimosas at the build-your-own-Bloody-Mary and Bubbly bars, and so much more. Each admission ticket includes 10 raffle tickets and gives attendees the chance to win prizes from every participating vendor. Tickets: $5-$8

The Sea The Sea - May 14, 8pm

Babeville, 341 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14202

The Sea The Sea is an indie folk-pop duo-band featuring what Huffington Post calls, “Two of the loveliest male-female voices you might ever hear this or any other year.” Their 2014 debut release, Love We Are We Love, received praise from NPR, American Songwriter, and No Depression, among others, gathering over 15 million streams on Spotify. The animated video for their song “Waiting” sparked viral interest including Buzzfeed, and inclusion at the international TED 2015 conference. Tickets: $10- $12. Call: 716-852-3835

Art of the Subway Tour presented by Explore Buffalo – May 4, 10am start time

Meeting point - University Metro Rail Station, University Station, Buffalo, NY, 14214

Buffalo’s Metro Rail system is an overlooked treasure trove of modern art! Each station features unique artwork by a wide variety of artists, that will be seen on this tour as you travel from one end of the Metro Rail system to the other, getting off at each station along the way. Tickets: $15, metro round trip fare $4 purchased separately. Can purchase online at: https://explorebuffalo.org or pay cash on site before the tour starts. Call: 716.245.3032.

Nickel City Con 2019 – May 17 – May 19, Fri 3pm-8pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin St. Buffalo, NY, 14202

NCC gives Buffalo a first class Comic Con, where fans and families can spend the weekend and be immersed in their favorite worlds — Sci-Fi, Comics, Video Games, Cosplay or Collecting. Hundreds of cosplayers roam the floor. Celebrities are available for photos, autographs and interactive Q&A panels. National and local comic artists, creators and vendors offer everything from original art works, to vintage toys, to one-of-a-kind collectibles. Tickets: $15 - $75 1-877-847-6640

A British Choral Tapestry – May 17, 7:30pm & May 19, 4pm

First Presbyterian Church, 21 Church St., Lockport, NY, 14094

Join the Harmonia Chamber Singers for this British inspired evening. The program will feature choral works from some classic British composers including Ralph Vaughan Williams, Orlando Gibbons, and John Lennon and Paul McCartney. (yes, that Lennon and McCartney) . Tickets: $15. Call: 716. (716) 405-7206

Knox Spring Arts and Crafts Show – May 18/19, 9am-4pm

Knox Farm State Park, 437 Buffalo Road, East Aurora, NY, 14052

Join Friends of Knox Farm for their annual Spring Arts and Crafts Show! Offsite parking with FREE SHUTTLES back and forth. Food trucks available for refreshments. This year there will also be vendors in the never-before-seen Stables! Tickets: $5

Decorators’ Show House presented by Junior League of Buffalo – Now thru May 19

Thurs/Fri – 10am-12:30pm & 6:30pm-8:30pm, Sat 10a,-4pm, Sun 12noon -4pm

Palmer Centennial House, 288 Lincoln Parkway, Buffalo, NY, 14216

This bi-annual event features a classic home in the city, which the owners turn over to a group of decorators. They re-imagine and re-design every space within the home and grounds, and open it for your viewing. A fascinating way to see the latest trends in design! Admission: $20

Nitro Circus – May 24, 7pm

Sahlen Field, 1 James D. Griffin Plaza, Buffalo, NY, 14203

Get ready for an event unlike any other! Nitro Circus’ You Got This Tour is an adrenaline-charged spectacle featuring world-class athletes, including X Games medalists, in FMX, BMX, skate, scooter, and more. Prepare to be amazed as these world-class athletes attempt record-breaking feats and spectacular stunts in an action-packed show. Tickets: $29- $79. Call 716.846.2000 for information.

Nickel City Opera presents: La Traviata, Fri May 24, 7pm, Sun May 26, 2:30pm

Maria College, 240 Pine Ridge Heritage Boulevard, Buffalo, NY, 14225

Verdi’s classic opera is about a woman who is misunderstood and misguided, Violetta. She falls in love with Alfredo and loses everything. Don’t miss this full opera with full orchestra at the Villa Maria College Theatre in Buffalo near Pine Ridge and Doat Sts. Plenty of free parking and easy Tickets: $42. Call: (716) 939-3722

Singing with Pride presented by Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus – May 31, 7:30pm

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum North Hall, 220 North Street, Buffalo, NY, 14201

The Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus is dedicated to producing vocal music of high quality in the rich tradition of men’s choral singing. They seek, through song, not only to entertain, but to enlighten. They sing to create harmony and celebrate pride in the community and in themselves. Call: 716. 883-1277 for details and ticket information.

Livingston Taylor – May 31, 8pm

Babeville, 341 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14202

Described as “equal parts Mark Twain, college professor, and musical icon, Livingston delights audiences with his charm and vast repertoire of his 15 albums and popular classics. Livingston has written top-40 hits recorded by his brother James Taylor and has appeared with Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, and Jimmy Buffet. Tickets: $30 – $35. 716-852-3835

June Sneak Peak

Hertel Alley Street Art Festival - Jun 1 & 2, 11am-6pm

Twenty local and out of state artists are taking over Hertel Alley between Traymore and Colvin and creating a wonderland of street art masterpieces. June 1st will be the main day with artists painting throughout the day and vendors along the alley. Sunday, artists will be finishing up and taking photos of their work. FREE

Any thoughts, you can email me at Clawson@onthemove.com.

   

Celeste Lawson is a long-time arts advocate, arts administrator, and artist in WNY. Over the years she has worked with arts organizations locally, statewide, and nationally including the National Endowment on the Arts, Americans for the Arts, NYS Council on the Arts, the NYS Council on the Humanities and the NY Foundation on the Arts.