M&T First Friday: December 4, 2015

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Dave Pape

On the first Friday of each month, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, located at 1285 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo, opens the doors to the 1962 Knox Building to the public free of charge from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., thanks to sponsorship from M&T Bank. This Friday, December 4, Configuration Dance Theatre performs “Etudes” at 8:30 p.m. in the Auditorium.

• Homeschooler Art Class – 10 a.m. to noon for ages 11-17 – registration required.
• Homeschooler Art Class – 10:30 a.m. to noon for ages 5-10 – registration required.
• Toddler Art Class – 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for ages 3-4 – free for members, $10 for non-members – registration required.
• Studio Art Classes for Adults – 1 to 3 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. – free for members and $10 for non-members.
• Public Tour – a free tour of the 1962 Knox Building at 1:30 p.m.
• Performance by the Buffalo Cello School – 3:30 p.m. in the Auditorium.
• What’s Your Vision tour – free one-hour tour at 4 p.m.
• Drop-in Art Activity for Families –5 to 7 p.m., free in the Education Classrooms.
• Jazz and Happy Hour – live music from Doug Yeomans and Sue Kincaid in the AK Café from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Performance with Young Audiences WNY: Celes Tisdale, “Yet, Do I Marvel” – 6 p.m. in the Auditorium.
• Gallery Talk – Looking at Tomorrow: Light and Language from the Panza Collection, 1967-1990 – join AK Research Assistant Andrew Cappetta for a discussion of the exhibit at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the 1905 Building North Galleries (click links for registration information).
• Performance: “Etudes,” by Configuration Dance Theatre – at 8:30 p.m. in the Auditorium - $5 for non-members, free for members.

Registration is required for many classes and events – call 716-270-8292 to register. For more information, visit www.albrightknox.org and www.mandtfirstfridays.org.

Canalside Buffalo in December 2015

The water has been replaced with ice
at Canalside
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Have you been to Canalside Buffalo yet? I need to get down there again soon – I was there in September and need to see the changes over the last couple of months! “Winter” (I’m using that term loosely right now!) brings new life to Canalside, with ice, hot chocolate and lots of fun! Here’s some of the fun coming up in December.

Daily (weather permitting) – ice skating and curling, plus “winter eats” at the Winter Pavilion – including Just Fries, Bubbles & Brews and Harborside Mercantile – and the Buffalove and Canalside merchandise.

Thursdays through Sundays (weather permitting) – ice bike rentals (not on December 24-25).

Special events –

• Fifth annual Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting – Friday, December 4 from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Saturday Artisan Market: Holiday Edition – Friday, December 11 (5 to 8 p.m.) and Saturday, December 12 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
• Santa at Canalside – December 13 through 23 (Monday through Thursday – 4 to 7 p.m., Friday – 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Always check www.canalsidebuffalo.com for weather updates before heading out!

Statler City Ice Ball – December 31, 2015

The fifth annual Statler City Ice Ball will take place Thursday, December 31 at Statler City, 107 Delaware Ave. (entrance will be on Franklin and Genesee Sts.) in downtown Buffalo. The event will feature live music and DJs, hot and cold food stations plus a dinner buffet and much more.

Entertainment includes Boys of Summer, Jeremy Hoyle and Strictly Hip Jeff Toy from Toy Brothers and more.

Included on the menu will be cold displays including the Chilled Seafood Station and Salad Station; Carving Station; a dinner buffet including meatloaf, mashed potatoes, herb-crusted black cod, Sam Adams Beer-Braised Short Ribs and more; a Grande Dessert and Coffee Station; and a late-night menu (to be announced).

Ice Ball tickets includes five hours of premium open bar, food, a champagne toast and seating for all guests. There will also be free parking at the Turner Ramp next to City Hall and free coat check at the Statler. Tickets start at $105 per person and can be purchased at www.statlercity.com/iceball. 

Five Things to do in December 2015

Another holiday season, another new year, another year of fun in Buffalo! Close out December with one of these fun events.

Holiday Happening – Friday through Sunday, December 4-6 and December 11-13 at participating wineries on the Niagara Wine Trail. Sample holiday cookies or desserts at each winery you visit, and take home a recipe booklet of unique treats; tickets are good for all six days of the event and include a commemorative wine glass at your first winery and a cookie/dessert sample and three tastings at each winery you visit. Tickets are $32.40 per person or $59.40 (includes sales tax) per couple online, and are limited; find out more at niagarawinetrail.org.

Holiday in the Village – Friday through Sunday, December 4-6 on Main St. in the Village of Williamsville. On Friday night at 7 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.) the Williamsville Meeting House brings Mike Randall in for A Christmas Carol (tickets $5 pre-sale, $10 at the door – limited to 150 people). On Saturday, there’s free trolley rides on Main St. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), pictures with Santa at the Mill (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and shopping in the Village, followed  by the annual tree lighting at 6 p.m. in front of Village Hall. On Sunday, The Meeting House will host Steve Balesteri’s Christmas in the Village concert at 6:30 p.m. (tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door). For more information, click here.

Lewiston Tour of Homes and Christmas Walk – Saturday and Sunday, December 5-6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Village of Lewiston. The Tour of Homes is the signature fundraising event for the Historical Association of Lewiston, with each home featuring festive decorations including Christmas tablescapes and entertaining ideas. Tickets are $25 each day, and includes the tour as well as a dessert tasting reception at the Barton Hill Hotel from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Holiday Gift Market at Lewiston No. 1 Fire Hall (145 N. 6^th St.) is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with 20 vendors. The Christmas Walk will take place throughout the Village and will feature carriage rides, carolers, a parade and a visit from Santa on Saturday.

Holidays with the BPO – the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra offers up holiday programing beginning with JoAnn Falletta’s Classical Christmas, Friday and Saturday, December 11-12 at Kleinhan’s Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle in Buffalo; Friday’s show is at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday’s is at 8 p.m., and also features the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus. On Sunday, December 13, the Jingle Bell Jam at 2:30 p.m. features music from The Polar Express, dancers from the Royal Academy of Ballet and Verve Dance Studios and the Amherst Bel Canto Chorus. Friday through Sunday, December 18-20, join new BPO Principal Pops Conductor John Morris Russell for the Holiday Pops concerts (Friday – 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday – 8 p.m., Sunday – 2:30 p.m.).

First Night Buffalo – Thursday, December 31 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin St. in downtown Buffalo. For the 27^th year, Buffalo’s biggest drug- and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration will feature family activities throughout the evening. Ticket information will be announced soon – find out more about First Night at firstnightbuffalo.org. 

BfloGirlSports: Buffalo teams in December 2015

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/John Kasawa

Buffalo Bills

• Sunday, December 6 – at home against the Houston Texans (1 p.m.)
• Sunday, December 13 – on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles (1 p.m.)
• Sunday, December 20 – on the road against the Washington Redskins (1 p.m.)
• Sunday, December 27 – at home against the Dallas Cowboys (1 p.m.)

credit: Wikimedia Images

Buffalo Sabres

• Tuesday, December 1 –on the road against the Detroit Red Wings (7:30 p.m.)
• Friday, December 4 – at home against the Arizona Coyotes (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, December 6 – on the road against the Edmonton Oilers (8 p.m. ET)
• Monday, December 7 – on the road against the Vancouver Canucks (10 p.m. ET)
• Thursday, December 10 – on the road against the Calgary Flames (9 p.m. ET)
• Saturday, December 12 – at home against the Los Angeles Kings (7 p.m.)
• Monday, December 14 – on the road against the Red Wings (7:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, December 15 – at home against the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m.)
• Thursday, December 17 – at home against the Anaheim Ducks (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 19 – at home against the Chicago Blackhawks (1 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 26 – on the road against the Boston Bruins (7 p.m.)
• Monday, December 28 – at home against the Washington Capitals (7 p.m.)
• Wednesday, December 30 – on the road against the Capitals (7 p.m.)
• Thursday, December 31 – at home against the New York Islanders (6 p.m.)

Niagara University Purple Eagles Ice Hockey

• Friday and Saturday, December 4-5 – at home against Bentley university (Friday – 7 p.m., Saturday – 7:05 p.m.)
• Friday, December 11 – on the road against Rochester Institute of Technology (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 12 – at home against RIT (7:05 p.m.)

Canisius College Golden Griffins Ice Hockey

• Friday and Saturday, December 4-5 – on the road against Air Force (both games 9:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 12 – on the road at Robert Morris (7:05 p.m.)
• Sunday, December 13 – at home against Robert Morris (7:35 p.m.)
• Sunday, December 20 – on the road against Merrimack (4:05 p.m.)

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/
Salvatore Vuono

UB Bulls Men’s Basketball

• Wednesday, December 2 – at home against St. Bonaventure (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 5 – on the road against Duke (5:15 p.m.)
• Monday, December 7 – on the road against Iowa State (9 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 12 – at home against Birmingham (2 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 19 – at home against Montana State (2 p.m.)
• Tuesday, December 22 – on the road against Virginia Commonwealth (7 p.m.)
• Tuesday, December 29 – at home against Delaware (7 p.m.)

UB Bulls Women’s Basketball

• Thursday, December 3 – on the road against Hofstra (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, December 6 – at home against Duquesne (2 p.m.)
• Wednesday, December 9 – on the road against St. Bonaventure (7 p.m.)
• Monday, December 21 – on the road against Niagara (7 p.m.)
• Tuesday, December 29 – on the road against Sacred Heart (TBA)

Niagara University Purple Eagles Men’s Basketball

• Friday, December 4 – at home against Quinnipiac (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, December 6 – at home against Monmouth (2 p.m.)
• Wednesday, December 9 – on the road against St. John’s University (5 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 12 – at home against LIU Brooklyn (3 p.m.)
• Wednesday, December 23 – on the road against the University at Albany (7 p.m.)
• Wednesday, December 30 – on the road against St. Bonaventure (7 p.m.)

Niagara University Purple Eagles Women’s Basketball

• Friday, December 4 – on the road against Manhattan (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, December 6 – on the road against Monmouth (2 p.m.)
• Friday, December 18 – on the road against Dartmouth (7 p.m.)
• Monday, December 21 – at home against UB (7 p.m.)
• Wednesday, December 23- on the road against St. Bonaventure (noon)
• Tuesday, December 29 – on the road against Mount St. Mary’s (2 p.m.)

St. Bonaventure University Bonnies Men’s Basketball

• Wednesday, December 2 – on the road against UB (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 5 – at home against Ohio (4 p.m.)
• Tuesday, December 8 – at home against Vermont (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 19 – at home against South Carolina State (2 p.m.)
• Tuesday, December 22 – on the road against Siena (7 p.m.)
• Wednesday, December 30 – at home against Niagara (7 p.m.)

St. Bonaventure University Bonnies Women’s Basketball

• Tuesday, December 1 – on the road against Stony Brook (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 5 – at home against Georgetown (1:30 p.m.)
• Monday, December 7 – at home against James Madison (7 p.m.)
• Wednesday, December 9 – at home against UB (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 12 – at home against Penn State (1:30 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 19 – on the road against Colgate (4 p.m.)
• Wednesday, December 23 – at home against Niagara (noon)
• Tuesday, December 29 – on the road against Canisius (7 p.m.)

Canisius College Golden Griffins Men’s Basketball

• Friday, December 4 – at home against Monmouth (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, December 6 – at home against Quinnipiac (6 p.m.)
• Thursday, December 10 – on the road against Penn State (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 12 – on the road against Kent State (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, December 19 – at home against Boston University (2 p.m.)
• Tuesday, December 22 – Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic – on the road against Louisiana-Monroe (5:30 p.m.)
• Wednesday, December 23 – Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic – on the road against TBA (TBA)

Canisius College Golden Griffins Women’s Basketball

• Friday, December 4 – on the road against St. Peter’s (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, December 6 – on the road against Rider (2 p.m.)
• Monday, December 14 – on the road against Lamar (8 p.m.)
• Wednesday, December 16 – on the road against Texas (8 p.m.)
• Monday, December 21 – on the road against Northeastern (2 p.m.)
• Tuesday, December 29 – at home against St. Bonaventure (7 p.m.)

The Botanical Gardens in December 2015

Expect the unexpected at the Botanical Gardens'
Poinsettia show
credit:paulathompsonfreelance.com

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, located at 2655 South Park Ave. in Buffalo, celebrates the holidays with these events in December:

• Poinsettias – Expect the Unexpected! – November 27 through January 3.
• Garden Railway Exhibit – November 27 through January 3.
• Arcangel Gallery: Local Artist Collaboration – Nature’s Pallette – November 27 through January 10.
• Santa’s Workshop – December 12 – Santa will visit between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for holiday-themed activities and photos ($5 each).
• Dollar Day – on December 27, admission is just $1 – members and kids under 3 are always free.

For more information on these events and others at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, visit buffalogardens.com.

2015 Holiday Happenings: Power Vista Festival of Trees and Ontario Winter Festival of Lights

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Sse1478

Head up to Niagara Falls to check out the Festival of trees on this side of the border, or grab your enhanced license and cross the border for another Festival of Lights.

Niagara Power Vista Festival of Trees – December 1 through January 1 at the Niagara Power Plant Power Vista, 5777 Lewiston Rd. (Rt. 104) in Lewiston. Check out beautifully decorated trees and visit the nearby Niagara Discovery Center during the annual event. On December 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Power Vista hosts its annual Deck the Halls event, featuring crafts and entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa, trolley rides and more. Find out more at the Power Vista website.

Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights – now through January 31 at numerous attractions in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The festival features more than five kilometers of light displays through the Niagara Parks, Dufferin Islands and other tourist areas. There will be a number of spectacular fireworks shows during the course of the festival – click here for dates and times. For more information on the festival, visit www.wfol.com.