Editing Buffalo, New York (section)

===Performing arts and music===
[[File:Shea’s Buffalo Theater, Main Street, Buffalo, NY.jpg|thumb|right|[[Shea's Performing Arts Center]]]]

Buffalo is home to over 20 theater companies, with many centered in the downtown [[Buffalo Theatre District|Theatre District]].<ref name="VBATheater">{{cite web |last1=Healy |first1=Ed |title=Buffalo, NY Theatres |url=https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/itinerary/theater/ |website=Visit Buffalo Niagara |access-date=22 May 2021 |language=en |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122134106/https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/itinerary/theater/ |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Shea's Performing Arts Center]] is the city's largest theater. Designed by [[Louis Comfort Tiffany]] and built in 1926, the theater presents [[Broadway theatre|Broadway musicals]] and concerts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Healy |first=Patrick |date=December 23, 2011 |title=Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/24/theater/sheas-performing-arts-center-in-buffalo.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013095812/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/24/theater/sheas-performing-arts-center-in-buffalo.html |archive-date=October 13, 2015 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[Shakespeare in Delaware Park]] has been held outdoors every summer since 1976.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bond |first1=Francesca |title=Going backstage - and on stage - at Shakespeare in Delaware Park |url=https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/going-backstage---and-on-stage---at-shakespeare-in-delaware-park/article_4b8a42fc-8052-58ec-a41a-69b1759d9b57.html |url-access=limited |website=[[The Buffalo News]] |access-date=22 May 2021 |language=en |date=July 9, 2019 |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310222306/https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/going-backstage---and-on-stage---at-shakespeare-in-delaware-park/article_4b8a42fc-8052-58ec-a41a-69b1759d9b57.html |url-status=live}} and {{cite web |title=History – Shakespeare in Delaware Park |url=https://shakespeareindelawarepark.org/history/ |website=[[Shakespeare in Delaware Park]] |access-date=22 May 2021 |archive-date=May 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524170347/https://shakespeareindelawarepark.org/history/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Stand-up comedy]] can be found throughout the city and is anchored by Helium Comedy Club, which hosts both local talent and national touring acts.

The [[Nickel City Opera]] (also known as [[Nickel City Opera|NC Opera Buffalo]] and [[Nickel City Opera|NCO]]) is an [[opera company]]<ref>{{cite news| author=[[Opera America]]| title=Nickel City Opera| url=https://www.operaamerica.org/membership-directory/16854/Nickel_City_Opera | work=[[Opera America]]| date=March 17, 2004 | access-date=January 5, 2025}}</ref> based in Buffalo.<ref>{{cite news| author=Mary Kunz Goldman | title=Opera on the upswing; while other opera companies are floundering, NC Opera Buffalo flourishes by thinking outside the box | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/opera-on-the-upswing-while-other-opera-companies-are-floundering-nickel-city-opera-flourishes-by/article_584617c5-0047-5b33-b3fa-79df3433f4aa.html | work=The Buffalo News | date=June 21, 2011 | access-date=January 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author=Mike Randall | title=New opera will appeal to local history buffs | url=https://www.wkbw.com/news/new-opera-will-appeal-to-local-history-buffs | work= wkbw.com | date=June 8, 2016 | access-date=January 8, 2025}}</ref> It was founded in 2004 by [[Valerian Ruminski]].<ref>{{cite news| author=The Public Staff  | title=Spotlight: Valerian Ruminski of Nickel City Opera
 | url=https://www.dailypublic.com/articles/11072017/spotlight-valerian-ruminski-nickel-city-opera  | work=dailypublic.com | date=8 November 2017| access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last=Randall |first=Mike | title=Nickel City Opera opens 14th season with Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville' | url=https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/nickel-city-opera-opens-14th-season-with-rossinis-the-barber-of-seville | work=Niagara Gazette | date=21 June 2023 | access-date=28 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last=Jezioro |first=Jan | title=Classically Speaking / Nickel City Opera Bounces Back
| url=https://www.buffalospree.com/arts_entertainment/classically-speaking-nickel-city-opera-bounces-back/article_1920d898-1598-5ca7-bf7b-78f3205f9cf9.html | work=buffalospree.com | date=30 April 2019 | access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref> and operated between 2009 and 2024. The Nickel City Opera|NCO has collaborated with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra,<ref>{{cite news| title=Spotlight: Valerian Ruminski of Nickel City Opera  | url=https://www.dailypublic.com/articles/11072017/spotlight-valerian-ruminski-nickel-city-opera | work=dailypublic.com | date=November 8, 2017 | access-date=January 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author=Bracely Dawn | title=Classical: Continued success for BPO, Nickel City Opera | url=https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/nickel-city-opera-on-a-what-else-5-year-winning-streak/article_fb799bbf-fa1b-5cdb-bd99-16d8628ad99a.html  | work=buffalonews.com | date=February 16, 2016 | access-date=January 15, 2017}}</ref> has commissioned an opera and staged operatic works.<ref>{{cite news| author=Frank Housh | title=Nickel City Opera presents Verdi's 'Rigoletto'| url=https://www.buffalospree.com/arts_entertainment/music/sotto-voce-vocal-collective-s-the-second-sight/article_89d282a6-d828-11eb-a1bb-13e6e256a7e7.html| work=discoverupstateny.com | date=January 22, 2022 | access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author=Frank Housh | title=Sotto Voce Vocal Collective's The Second Sight | url=https://www.buffalospree.com/arts_entertainment/music/sotto-voce-vocal-collective-s-the-second-sight/article_89d282a6-d828-11eb-a1bb-13e6e256a7e7.html| work=buffalospree.com | date=January 28, 2022 | access-date=February 17, 2025}}</ref> Matthias Manasi was music director of Nickel City Opera from 2017 to 2021,<ref>{{cite news| author=Sabrina Kahwaty  | title=Former NCO Conductor Shines On | url=https://digital.buffalospree.com/buffalospree/library/item/january_february_2024/4160054/?fbclid=IwAR11L01P30Hx7sqh8M8wCMnQrh35MsBJ6an32iPVT1NvukGZvzRqTm6P6oQl | work=digital.buffalospree.com | date=December 29, 2023 | access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author=The Am-Pol Eagle| title=Manasi to leave the NCO | url=https://ampoleagle.com/manasi-to-leave-the-nco-p15420-112.htm | work=ampoleagle.com| date=June 18, 2021 | access-date=September 7, 2023}}</ref> his predecessor [[Michael Ching]] was music director of NCO from 2012 to 2017.<ref>{{cite news| author=Raymond Elman | title=Michael Ching: From Opera to Opry | url=https://artspeak.fiu.edu/interviews/michael-ching/ | work=ArtSpeak | date=January 2, 2023 | access-date=December 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author=Bruce Duffie | title=Composer / Conductor / Administrator  Michael  Ching
 | url=https://www.bruceduffie.com/ching.html | work=bruceduffie.com | date=March 31, 2000 | access-date=March 12, 2025}}</ref>

[[Shea's Performing Arts Center]] was designed by the well-known [[Chicago]] firm [[Rapp and Rapp]].<ref>{{cite news| author=Jeff Schober | title=The majesty of Shea's Performing Arts Center: what you've never known before | url=https://www.buffalotales.net/post/the-majesty-of-shea-s-performing-arts-center-what-you-ve-never-known-before | work=buffalotales.net | date=March 16, 2021 | access-date=June 12, 2023}}</ref> The [[opera house]] was modeled in the [[Architectural style|style]] of European operahouses and decorated in a combination of French and Spanish Baroque and Rococo styles.<ref>{{cite news| author=Chuck LaChiusa | title=2014 Restored Auditorium Shea's Buffalo Theatre / Shea's Performing Arts Center | url=https://buffaloah.com/a/main/646/14aud/14aud.html| work=buffaloah.com | date=August 2, 2014 | access-date=June 27, 2018}}</ref> The [[interior design]] was designed by the [[designer]] and [[artist]] [[Louis Comfort Tiffany]], and many of its elements are still there today.<ref>{{cite news| author=Jana Eisenberg | title=Buffalo Architectural Spotlight: Shea's Performing Arts Center | url=https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/buffalo-architectural-spotlight-sheas-performing-arts-center/ | work=visitbufalloniagara.com  | date=April 4, 2018 | access-date=July 16, 2018}}</ref> Originally there were nearly 4,000 seats, but in the [[1930s]] the number of seats was reduced to the current number of 3,019 seats last but not least to increase the place for the orchestra by increasing the size of the [[orchestra pit]].<ref>{{cite news| author=OrangeSmile | title=Shea's Buffalo Theatre, United States| url=https://www.orangesmile.com/extreme/en/rococo-monuments/sheas-buffalo-theatre.htm | work=orangesmile.com | date=January 2, 2024| access-date=January 30, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Kleinhans buffalo.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kleinhans Music Hall]]]]
The [[Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra]] was formed in 1935 and performs at [[Kleinhans Music Hall]], whose acoustics have been praised.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rothstein |first1=Edward |author-link=Edward Rothstein |title=If Music Is the Architect&nbsp;... |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/22/arts/if-music-is-the-architect.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=16 May 2021 |date=22 May 2004 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126143253/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/22/arts/if-music-is-the-architect.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Although the orchestra nearly disbanded during the late 1990s due to a lack of funding, philanthropic contributions and state aid stabilized it.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Woolfe |first=Zachary |date=2016-10-25 |title=Buffalo Philharmonic, Once Languishing, Has Come a Long Way |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/26/arts/music/buffalo-philharmonic-once-languishing-has-come-a-long-way-joann-falletta.html |access-date=2021-05-06 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126205936/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/26/arts/music/buffalo-philharmonic-once-languishing-has-come-a-long-way-joann-falletta.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Under the direction of [[JoAnn Falletta]], the orchestra has received a number of [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] nominations and won the [[Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition#2000s|Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition]] in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruberto |first=Toni |date=November 25, 2020 |title=Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra earns three Grammy nominations |url=https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/music/buffalo-philharmonic-orchestra-earns-three-grammy-nominations/article_61aed28e-2f27-11eb-8994-7bdbb4300f7f.html |url-access = limited |url-status=live |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=[[The Buffalo News]] |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212124419/https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/music/buffalo-philharmonic-orchestra-earns-three-grammy-nominations/article_61aed28e-2f27-11eb-8994-7bdbb4300f7f.html}}</ref>

[[KeyBank Center]] draws national music acts year-round. [[Sahlen Field]] hosts the annual [[WYRK]] Taste of Country music festival every summer with national [[country music]] acts. [[Canalside]] regularly hosts outdoor summer concerts, a tradition that spun off from the defunct [[Thursday at the Square]] concert series.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Preval |first1=Jeff |title=Outer Harbor amphitheater would replace concert venue at Canalside |url=https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/local/outer-harbor-amphitheater-would-replace-concert-venue-at-canalside/71-23a2a937-22ba-4ddf-93d8-e418ed8df5b9 |website=[[WGRZ]] |publisher=[[Tegna Inc.]] |access-date=22 June 2021 |date=May 18, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Smycznski2018 31-84" /> [[Colored Musicians Club]], an extension of what was a separate musicians'-union chapter, maintains jazz history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Pete |date=February 18, 2021 |title=Buffalo's Colored Musicians Club: the Last Venue of its Kind - NYS Music |url=https://nysmusic.com/2021/02/18/buffalos-colored-musicians-club-the-last-venue-of-its-kind/ |url-status=live |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=NYSMusic.com |language=en-US |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218150046/https://nysmusic.com/2021/02/18/buffalos-colored-musicians-club-the-last-venue-of-its-kind/}}</ref>

[[Rick James]] was born and raised in Buffalo and later lived on a ranch in the nearby [[Aurora, Erie County, New York|Town of Aurora]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Continelli |first=Louise |date=September 15, 1996 |title=Rick James adored by the famous and obscure, Buffalo's celebrated son mirrors the America cracked tragedy |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/rick-james-adored-by-the-famous-and-obscure-buffalos-celebrated-son-mirrors-the-america-cracked/article_d84ba4cf-6a69-5c78-a83d-b1a3ba4730a6.html |url-access = limited |url-status=live |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=[[The Buffalo News]] |language=en |archive-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315233535/https://buffalonews.com/news/rick-james-adored-by-the-famous-and-obscure-buffalos-celebrated-son-mirrors-the-america-cracked/article_d84ba4cf-6a69-5c78-a83d-b1a3ba4730a6.html}}</ref> James formed his Stone City Band in Buffalo, and had national appeal with several [[crossover music|crossover single]]s in the [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]], [[disco]] and [[funk]] genres in the late 1970s and early 1980s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miers |first=Jeff |date=August 13, 2014 |title=Considering the musical legacy of Rick James in Buffalo |url=https://buffalonews.com/opinion/columnists/considering-the-musical-legacy-of-rick-james-in-buffalo/article_0d0fe32e-44d6-5348-9c01-4d8265eb6259.html |url-access = limited |url-status=live |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=[[The Buffalo News]] |language=en |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506221141/https://subscribe.buffalonews.com/e/limit-reached-bn?returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Fbuffalonews.com%2Fopinion%2Fcolumnists%2Fconsidering-the-musical-legacy-of-rick-james-in-buffalo%2Farticle_0d0fe32e-44d6-5348-9c01-4d8265eb6259.html}}</ref> Around the same time, the [[jazz fusion]] band [[Spyro Gyra]] and jazz [[saxophonist]] [[Grover Washington Jr.]] also got their start in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bialczak |first=Mark |date=2009-06-21 |title=Spyro Gyra remembers the days when Syracuse was Buffalo-extended for them (song) |url=https://www.syracuse.com/listenup/2009/06/spyro_gyra_remembers_the_days.html |url-status=live |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=[[syracuse.com]] |publisher=[[Advance Publications]] |language=en |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506221140/https://www.syracuse.com/listenup/2009/06/spyro_gyra_remembers_the_days.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lippa |first=Nick |date=October 13, 2020 |title=Grover Washington Jr. mural brings a little Mister Magic to Buffalo's East Side |url=https://news.wbfo.org/post/grover-washington-jr-mural-brings-little-mister-magic-buffalos-east-side |url-status=live |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=[[WBFO]] |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116023625/https://news.wbfo.org/post/grover-washington-jr-mural-brings-little-mister-magic-buffalos-east-side}}</ref>

The [[Goo Goo Dolls]], an [[alternative rock]] group which formed in 1986, had 19 top-ten singles.<!-- and received RIAA Platinum certification for their [[Live in Buffalo: July 4th, 2004|live concert album]], recorded in front on 60,000 fans in Niagara Square during a torrential downpour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=Thom |date=July 3, 2020 |title=JENNINGS: The rain comes down on Goo Goo Dolls in 2004 |url=https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/lifestyles/jennings-the-rain-comes-down-on-goo-goo-dolls-in-2004/article_df1812b8-4e86-5f94-9f54-5b64dc2d1d2b.html |url-status=live |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=[[Lockport Union-Sun & Journal]] |language=en |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814113822/https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/lifestyles/jennings-the-rain-comes-down-on-goo-goo-dolls-in-2004/article_df1812b8-4e86-5f94-9f54-5b64dc2d1d2b.html}}</ref> --> Singer-songwriter and activist [[Ani DiFranco]] has released over 20 folk and [[indie rock]] albums on [[Righteous Babe Records]], her Buffalo-based label.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glor |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Glor |date=February 20, 2021 |title=Ani DiFranco on new album "Revolutionary Love," career and marriage |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ani-difranco-album-revolutionary-love-career-marriage/ |url-status=live |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=[[CBS News]] |language=en |archive-date=March 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320023136/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ani-difranco-album-revolutionary-love-career-marriage/}}</ref>

Underground hip-hop acts in the city partner with Buffalo-based [[Griselda Records]], whose artists include [[Westside Gunn]], [[Conway the Machine]], and [[Benny the Butcher]], who all occasionally refer to Buffalo culture in their lyrics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelley |first=Frannie |date=December 19, 2019 |title=Griselda Set Out To Be Your Favorite Rapper's Favorite Rappers. It's Paying Off |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/12/19/789690521/griselda-records-puts-buffalo-hip-hop-on-the-map |url-status=live |access-date=2021-05-06 |website=[[NPR]] |language=en |archive-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219025830/https://www.npr.org/2019/12/19/789690521/griselda-records-puts-buffalo-hip-hop-on-the-map}}</ref>