M&T First Friday: May 5, 2017

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.-10 p.m., thanks to sponsorship from M&T Bank.

• Drop-in Art Activity – 10 a.m.-noon and 5-7 p.m. – free for all ages in the Education classrooms.
• Family Fun Tour – 11-11:45 a.m. – free in the 1962 Building.
• ArtCart – Shantell Martin: Someday We Can – noon-1:30 p.m. – free in the Sculpture Court.
• Studio Art Class for Adults: Fresco Techniques – 1-3 and 7:30-9:30 p.m. – free for members, $10 for non-members.
• Public Tour – 1:30-2:30 p.m. – free one-hour tour.
• “What’s Your Vision?” Tour – 4-5 p.m. – free one-hour tour.
• Jazz and Happy Hour – 5:30-7:30 p.m. – live music in the AK Café featuring Bill Bates.
• Gallery Talk – Shantell Martin: Someday We Can – 6-6:30 and 7-7:30 p.m. – free lecture with Public Art Project Coordinator Zack Boehler in the Sculpture Court.
• Performance: Baila Dance – 7:30-8:30 p.m. – free in the Auditorium.
• Studio Art Class for Adults: Monoprint – 7:30-9:30 p.m. – free for members, $10 for non-members.
• Yoga in the Sculpture Court – 8:30-9:30 p.m.  (SOLD OUT)

Registration is required for many classes and events – call 716-270-8292 to register and find more information at www.albrightknox.org.

Five Things to do in May 2017

Check out the Cherry Blossom Festival through May 7
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival – through May 7 at the Japanese Gardens at Delaware Park and other venues in the area. Celebrate the season’s beauty at the fourth annual festival featuring parties, orienteering, a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and more – find a full schedule here.

Shea’s Wine, Food and Beer Festival – Thursday, May 11 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. in downtown Buffalo. Tickets for the 22^nd annual event at $30 presale, $35 the day of the event – find out more here.

Nickel City Con – Friday through Sunday, May 19-21 at the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center, Franklin St. in downtown Buffalo. Guests include William Shatner (Saturday), Joe Montana (Sunday), Billy Dee Williams (Saturday and Sunday), Erin Gray (Saturday and Sunday) and many more. Tickets are $15 per day or $30 for a three-day pass; tickets for guest experiences and photo ops are additional purchases. Find out more at www.nickelcitycon.com.

Day Out with Thomas – Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21 and May 27-28 at the Medina Railroad Museum, 530 West Ave. in Medina. This family-friendly event, entitled “The Friendship Tour,” features Thomas the Tank Engine and Sir Topham Hatt, with the train leaving every 45 minutes beginning at 9:15 a.m. Tickets are $21 and are available at www.medinarailroad.com.

BuffaLove Fest – Friday, May 26 from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Buffalo Zoo, 300 Parkside Ave. in Buffalo. The 21-and-over event will feature live music, local beer and wine, Buffalo-area food trucks, Buffalo-area artisans and vendors and more. Tickets are $25 in advance; admission includes two drink tickets. Find out more here.

BfloGirlSports: May 2017 Buffalo Bisons schedule

credit: Buffalo Bisons

• Tuesday through Thursday, May 2-4 – at home against the Rochester Red Wings (Tuesday and Wednesday – 6:05 p.m., Thursday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Friday through Sunday, May 5-7 – at home against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Friday – 7:05 p.m., Saturday and Sunday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Monday through Wednesday, May 8-10 – on the road against the Syracuse Chiefs (Monday – 6:35 p.m., Tuesday – 1:05 p.m., Wednesday – 10:35 a.m.)
• Thursday through Sunday, May 11-14 – on the road against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Thursday and Friday – 7:05 p.m., Saturday – 6:35 p.m., Sunday – 1:35 p.m.)
• Monday through Thursday, May 15-18 – at home against the Syracuse Chiefs (all games 6:05 p.m.)
• Friday through Sunday, May 19-21 – at home against the Pawtucket Red Sox (Friday – 7:05 p.m., Saturday and Sunday – 1:05 p.m.)
• Tuesday through Thursday, May 23-25 – on the road against the Gwinnett Braves (Tuesday and Wednesday – 7:05 p.m., Thursday – 12:05 p.m.)
• Friday through Monday, May 26-29 – on the road against the Charlotte Knights (Friday through Sunday – 7:05 p.m., Monday – 2:05 p.m.)
• Tuesday through Thursday, May 30-June 1 – at home against the Toledo Mud Hens (Tuesday – 6:05 p.m., Wednesday – 1:05 p.m., Thursday – 10:35 a.m.)

Find out more about the Bisons, and find the complete promotional schedule for 2017, at the Bisons’ website.