Karen Finley is bringing “Covid Vortex Anxiety Opera Kitty Kaleidoscope Disco” to Buffalo for three performances in the Hallwalls Cinema.
Here’s a brief look at some events taking place this week in the Buffalo area.
Karen Finley: “Covid Vortex Anxiety Opera Kitty Kaleidoscope Disco.” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12-14 at Hallwalls Cinema, 340 Delaware Ave.
Performance artist Karen Finley is bringing her off-off Broadway show to Buffalo for her first local appearance in seven years. As the name suggests, Finley’s work is based off of her experiences and observations during the pandemic in New York City. After seeing a performance earlier this year, New York Times critic Elizabeth Vincentelli wrote about Finley: “… wearing a white hazmat jumpsuit and a surgical mask zhuzhed-up with sequined fringe, she sashayed through the Laurie Beechman Theater to a mix of the disco classic ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ and a chorus of pot-banging like the one that cheered frontline workers in 2020. Yep, she’s still got it.” Tickets are $27 general admission, $25 for students/seniors and $20 members via hallwalls.org. Limited tickets may be available at the door.
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Festival Encanto Hispano. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 in Kleinhans Music Hall.
This free festival celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month in collaboration with the Hispanic Heritage Council. More than 10 Buffalo-based Hispanic musicians, performers, artists and food vendors will be on hand. Entertainment starts at 1 p.m. with Amor and Heritage Dance, followed by Buffalo Tango Orkestra, La Marimba de Buffalo, Buffalo Choro and El Batey Puerto Rican Center. Among the artists are Artesanía Boricua Familiar and Los Artistas del Barrio. The Gabriela’s Kitchen food truck will serve Cuban cuisine outside of Kleinhans.
Following the free event will be the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performing with the queen of the mariachi art song, Aida Cuevas, at 7:30 p.m. inside Kleinhans under the direction of BPO Assistant Conductor and Diversity Fellow Fernanda Lastra. For tickets to the BPO concert, visit bpo.org.
“HELL-oween: Eight Shorts Plays. One Raging Inferno.” Remaining performances are 8 p.m. Oct. 12, 13, 19, 20 and 21 at the Canterbury Woods Performing Arts Center, 705 Renaissance Drive, Williamsville.
That title says a lot but not everything. First Look Theatre is presenting eight plays – none more than 10 minutes long – that share the same setting, with actors often portraying multiple roles in multiple plays. Directors Mike Doben, Jason Francey, Camilla Maxwell, Kayla Victoria Reumann and Vanessa Shevat are working with 16 members of FLB’s acting ensemble. Tickets are $30 general, $20 seniors and students through firstlookbuffalo.com or at the door.
“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.” Concert film opens everywhere on Friday, Oct. 13.
It’s not a concert, but it’s the next best thing for Swifties. The film version of her recent “Eras” tour really is playing everywhere starting this weekend, with some screenings already sold out. It is showing up to 80 times a day – yes, that’s correct – in at least 12 Buffalo-area movie outlets. Here’s the list (so far): The Aurora Theatre in East Aurora; Dipson Amherst, Capitol Theatre (Niagara Falls), Flix (Lancaster), McKinley Mall and Transit Drive-In (Lockport); the AMC Market Arcade 8 and Maple Ridge 8; and at Regal Elmwood, Quaker Crossing, Transit (in IMAX) and Walden Galleria. Dipson’s Transit Drive-In is showing it on all five screens opening weekend (Oct. 13-15) with additional showings planned Thursdays through Sundays starting Oct. 19 through Nov. 5. Get tickets through fandango.com or via Dipson Theatres at dipsontheatres.com. The concert film was shot during Swift’s recent six-night stand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. It has a running time of 2 hours and 48 minutes.
“The Haunted Sober Social” and “Grave Rave.” Friday, Oct. 13 at Hofbräuhaus Buffalo, 190 Scott St.
Looking to celebrate Friday, the 13th? Hofbräuhaus Buffalo has two events planned – with and without alcohol. Both are for ages 21 and older. Starting at 8 p.m., the second floor mezzanine will host “The Haunted Sober Social” where you can enjoy spooky-themed mocktails, an appetizer buffet and sober atmosphere. You will have access to the bar’s main floor to take part in the costume contest. Tickets are $20.
From 9 p.m. to midnight, the first floor is the site of the “Grave Rave” with DJ BBianca of BB’s Boozy Bingo. Best horror costume of the night will receive a $100 Hofbräuhaus Buffalo gift card. Reservations are recommended.
Boo Bash. 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Buffalo Zoo, 300 Parkside.
This adults-only tradition returns with an after-hours party featuring Halloween-themed cocktails, free tastings from local breweries and wineries, entertainment with fire dancers, a DJ and other surprises promised. Costumes are welcomed. Animals go to bed at dusk, so get there early if you want to visit. All attendees must be 21 or older. Admission is $50, or $30 for designated drivers.
NYBP Oktoberfest. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 at the New York Beer Project, 6933 S. Transit Road, Lockport. Admission includes a stein to travel “around the world” at NYBP where you can visit Munich Biergarten, German Beer Hall and Bavarian Garden to drink 10 5-ounce tasters of beer, including Prost! Oktoberfest Lager and Drunkin Punkin. There’s a stein hoisting competition, German costume contest, music and food including German fried pickles. Tickets are $45 advance, $50 day of event.