'BAND Against Bullying III' music and arts competition returns to UB

Twelve local schools bring a message of awareness, prevention and 'dignity for all' to UB's Center for the Arts

The Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention at the University at Buffalo will again join forces with Hodgson Russ LLP and M&T Bank for another "BAND Against Bullying" school arts competition to be held at 7 p.m. today in the Center for the Arts on the UB North Campus.

The event - fast becoming a spring fixture for UB and area schools - will bring students to the university to demonstrate their musical and artistic skills in a live performing arts competition. It also is an opportunity for students to promote the theme of dignity and respect for all students, raise community awareness of bullying-related issues and rally support for anti-bullying education efforts.

Eleven local high schools and one middle school will send students chosen to represent their schools to perform through either a musical, artistic or dramatic piece that they have produced themselves. The public is encouraged to attend and support the students performing.

"I am particularly excited for this year's event, as it will be our biggest yet," said Amanda B. Nickerson, Ph.D., director of UB's Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention. "The energy of the students is palpable, and it is so encouraging to see them use their considerable talents to spread such an important message of the importance of treating others with dignity and respect.

"Empowering these leaders of tomorrow to set the tone in their schools and community is key to preventing bullying and other forms of violence."

This year's event will feature WKSE KISS 98.5-FM personalities Janet Snyder, who will host the event, and Nicholas Picholas, who will serve as one of the celebrity judges responsible for scoring the acts. Other judges will include former boxer "Baby Joe" Mesi, Buffalo Sabres alum Andrew Peters, and Lizzy Plapinger and Max Hershenow from the New York City-based indie pop band MS MR.

Joining them on the judges' panel will be Dennis R. Black, UB vice president for university life and services; Nickerson; Ed Suk of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; and Chris Ring of After Dark Entertainment Inc.

The presenting sponsor for this year's event is Hodgson Russ LLP. Other key sponsors include M&T Bank and the Alberti Center. Tickets are $5 each and available at the Center for the Arts box office or online. For more information, go to http://nybandagainstbullying.org/event.php.