The Beat

Governor Previously Announced $5M Grant for Institute’s Construction, Along with $775,000 WNYREDC Grant and $300,000 from NYPA

Institute will Celebrate the Region’s Hispanic Arts and Culture and Serve as Central Hub for West Buffalo

See Institute Renderings Here  

Governor Kathy Hochul today broke ground on the new Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute at an event with Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York leadership, community stakeholders and elected officials in West Buffalo. The HHCI will feature a museum, 150-seat performing arts theater, event space, café, media center for radio or television broadcasts, learning center, and more. The three-story, 37,000-square-foot infill development on Niagara and Hudson streets will celebrate the region’s Hispanic arts and culture and serve as a central hub for the West Buffalo community.  The groundbreaking coincides with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month which goes from September 15 through October 15 and the 13th anniversary of the founding of the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York.

Niagara Falls, NY  (Aug. 29, 2023) – Another host of new stores and carts have opened at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA, with more set to open within the next few months.  All are located within the indoor portion of the center and offer additional clothing and specialty options for guests.

One of two stores that opened this month is Arroyo Boutique, a trendy women’s clothing and accessories store featuring small to plus sizes. Arroyo Boutique can be found near Entrance 6, across from Torrid.

CAF Red Tail Squadron and Rise Above WASP
August 30, 2023 to September 23, 2023

Buffalo, N.Y. – The African American Veterans Monument Inc.’s Board of Directors, in collaboration with the Buffalo Board of Education, is bringing a groundbreaking educational experience to Western New York.

Buffalo, NY (August 14, 2023) – The African American Veterans Monument Inc. is offering a 'bucket list' opportunity for five fortunate individuals to relive history by taking flight in a P-51C 'Red Tail' Mustang – the iconic aircraft flown by the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

The auction is the first of the activities happening in Buffalo! The CAF RISE ABOVE Red Tail Squadron Traveling Exhibit and the P-51C Mustang will be in Buffalo and Cheektowaga from August 30, 2023 to September 23, 2023…

Click here for press images

Lewiston, NY — Artpark has announced a new festival celebrating its connections to the Western New York community and visiting artists from around the world. Free and open to the public on August 19th, the Artpark Bridges Festival will highlight ongoing collaboration with community groups and organizations including People, Inc., Empower WNY, Buffalo Parkinsons, Artisans Edge and Buffalo Workplace Literacy Center in collaboration with regional and international artists in residence at Artpark. The festival will present new work in progress by Jon Lehrer Dance Company (NYC), David Glass (UK), Sketchbook Theater (NYC), Kateřina Šedá (Czech Republic), Plasticiens Volants (France), local and regional poets and writers and engage the public in the creative practice itself through informal conversations.

Buffalo, NY- The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens' popular dining event, Courses in the Conservatory, returns for a fresh, summer, upscale spin on a farm-to-table dining experience on Friday, August 11 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. 

Courses in the Conservatory has made its return to the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens for a fine-dining experience like no other.

Featuring local Buffalo artists, Farrow and Curtis Lovell 

Buffalo, NY - The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens announced a brand-new summer event called ‘Jam in the Gardens,’ a concert that includes free beer, food trucks, raffles, access to the conservatory, and live original music from local band Farrow and artist Curtis Lovell on Thursday, July 20 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. 

Get ready to rock this summer at the Botanical Gardens’ newest event, ‘Jam in the Gardens’, for a concert experience like no other in Buffalo! ‘Jam in the Gardens’ is happening on Thursday, July 20 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. The concert will be taking place in the Botanical Gardens' newly renovated courtyard and concert-goers will have access to the entire conservatory throughout the evening.

Niagara Falls, NY (June 26, 2023) – The Niagara Wine Trail is hosting its annual Wine Festival at a new venue, Saturday, July 1, 2023. The one-day event is being hosted over two sessions at the Niagara Falls Convention Center (101 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls, NY 14303).  The first session takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. and the second session takes place from 5 to 7 p.m.  A limited number of presale VIP tickets are available for each session one hour before opening to the general public (at 12 noon and 4 p.m., respectively). Presale tickets are available now at www.NiagaraWineTrail.org. General Admission tickets will also be available at the door.

One of the Foremost Modern and Contemporary Art Museums in the World Has Completed the Most Substantial Expansion and Development Project in Its 160-Year History  

View Photographs of the Expansion Project Here

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the substantial completion of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, one of the foremost modern and contemporary art museums in the world. The $195 million expansion, restoration, and renovation project includes the dramatic new three-story Jeffrey E. Gunlach building and the restoration of two other historic buildings on the campus formerly known as Albright-Knox Art Gallery. AKG is projected to increase visitation by more than 30 percent and attract at least 160,000 visitors per year. It is estimated that the region could experience a sustained economic benefit of an additional $34 million per year as a result of the increased tourism. …

Niagara Falls, NY (June 6, 2023) – Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA is hosting its second Touch-a-Truck family event, Saturday, June 17, 2023, from noon to 3 p.m., in its front parking lot, off Military Road.  Families are invited to interact with first responders and the emergency and municipal vehicles they drive each day. The event is free and open to the public. No tickets are necessary.