Current News

The Carnegie Art Center will host an opening reception from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, for "Surfacing," an exhibition featuring original works by local artist Karen Lee Lewis.

The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center will highlight fashion designers in a versatile collection of exhibits and events in its "Art of Fashion" extravaganza, taking place from Friday, Aug. 25, to Sunday, Oct. 8, at the Townsend Gallery, 1201 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls.

The fourth annual "Flix in the Park" summer movies series will begin this Friday at North Tonawanda's Pine Woods Park.

Universal Music Group, the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announces a brand-new album of solo piano music from legendary Swedish composer and ABBA co-founder Benny Andersson. The album, titled simply "Piano," will be released on Friday, Sept. 29, through iconic classical music label Deutsche Grammophon.

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday announced the team signed forward Zemgus Girgensons to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.6 million.

More than 100 years ago - 1905, to be exact - Vincenzo Muscarella and his wife, Concettina, opened Muscarella's Pastry Shop on Busti Avenue in Buffalo. For the next seven decades (including a move to Niagara Street), the Muscarella family would earn a reputation for high-end desserts.

On Monday, Aug. 21, the continental U.S. will experience a total solar eclipse for the first time since 1979.

Niagara University is taking the lead in Western New York by implementing a test-optional admission policy for the fall 2018 semester. As part of the policy, students seeking admission to Niagara may elect not to submit standardized test scores as part of their admission application.

Grocer Frank Budwey is handing off his family business to the Kusmierski family.

Allstate Insurance Co. has announced a boost to its sales force in New York to keep pace with growing consumer demand for insurance and financial products and services in the state.

LiveNF will host its first "Makers Market" in Third Street storefronts (400 block) on Saturday, Dec. 9. This event partners with the Power City Eatery "Santa's Workshop" on that same day (444 Third St.).

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday announced single-game tickets for the 2017-18 regular season will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. The Sabres also announced tickets for the team's preseason home games will go on sale Wednesday, Aug. 30.

Global superstar Shania Twain has announced she will hit the road next year in support of her new album, "NOW." These dates mark Shania's first tour since "Rock This Country" back in 2015. Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off May 3 in Tacoma, Washington, and will run through the rest of the summer, culminating in Las Vegas on Aug. 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

School supply shortages are found in many inner city and suburban schools. To combat need locally, upstate New York attorney William Mattar sponsors an annual "Pencils 4 Schools" campaign, which provides pencils to students in need.

Thirteen-year-old singer/songwriter Grace VanderWaal is set to embark on her first U.S. headlining tour this fall. The "Just The Beginning Tour" starts with an already sold-out show in Los Angeles on Nov. 5, and will make stops in major cities across the U.S., including Chicago, Boston and New York City.

Anna Gavriluke, M.D., an experienced physician and research scientist, will join the medical staff at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center effective Oct. 1.

More than 3,600 volunteers gathered Wednesday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County at KeyBank Center prior to spending the day volunteering as part of the organization's annual "Day of Caring" volunteer event. To celebrate reaching the century milestone there was a ceremonial cake cutting and remarks by UWBEC President and CEO Michael Weiner.

Empire State Development has announced its Division of Science, Technology & Innovation (NYSTAR) has awarded a Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) designation to the University at Buffalo. The University at Buffalo Center for Advanced Technology in Big Data & Health Sciences (UB CAT) will focus on big data and medicine, with an emphasis on drug development, medical devices and diagnostics.

The Food Bank of WNY's strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency have once again earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent charity evaluator. This is the third consecutive time the Food Bank of WNY has earned this top distinction.

"People will be able to see stars as if it were nighttime," says mathematician Gino Biondini.

At a press conference Wednesday before media reps and their children as special guests, world-renowned entertainer Dolly Parton announced the release of "I Believe In You," her first album written and recorded for kids and those young at heart.

10,000 Maniacs, one of pop music's most enduring and influential bands, will perform a special show at Sportsmen's Tavern, 326 Amherst St., Buffalo, on Saturday, Sept. 30, celebrating the birthday of founding member and guitar player John Lombardo.

The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine was ranked No. 10 among dental schools in the U.S. and No. 11 among dental schools worldwide in the 2017 global rankings of the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

The Niagara Falls Water Board on Wednesday offered additional commentary regarding an overflow that occurred on Aug. 15, following a heavy rain event in Niagara County. This volume overflow situation was formally reported via the SPDES permit and NY Alert System Tuesday afternoon.

Southern rock royalty took the stage this week at Artpark, as Lynyrd Skynyrd headlined "Tuesdays in the Park." The band cranked out a slew of hits over its 90-minute set.

The Niagara Falls Border Patrol Station will have border patrol agents hosting a Citizens Academy in Niagara Falls beginning Thursday, Aug. 17, and continuing through Thursday, Sept. 21. Participants of the academy will meet from 6-9 p.m. every Thursday at the Niagara Falls Border Patrol Station.

Ian Anderson will perform a multimedia rock concert, Jethro Tull, at Artpark's "Tuesdays in the Park" concert series in Lewiston. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at 450 S. Fourth Street. Gates open at 4:45 p.m.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released the following statement Tuesday night:

Niagara University remains one of the best schools in the Northeast, according to The Princeton Review.

After 21 nights of music across 16 different states, Tedeschi Trucks Band has completed their triumphant third annual "Wheels of Soul" tour.

Difference Media (Capitol Christian Distribution) recording artist and acclaimed worship leader Ricardo Sanchez returns Sept. 29 with "Taste + See," the Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter's first project in nearly two years.

Alligator recording artists Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, touring in support of their latest Alligator album, "The Big Sound Of Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials," will perform at Sportsmen's Tavern in Buffalo on Sunday, Aug. 20.

The Lewiston Council on the Arts is looking for a volunteer actress to join the cast of the Marble Orchard Ghost Walks. The productions takes place every Saturday night in September and October.

The Niagara County Peach Queen committee is looking for former Peach Queens. Organizers are creating a database to keep in contact with the 59 former Peach Queens.

For the first time, ABC and the Country Music Association are taking "CMA Fest" - the ultimate fan experience showcasing performances from country music's hottest stars - to the next level with the release of full performances from Dierks Bentley with Cole Swindell and Brett Eldredge in virtual reality on ABC Facebook and YouTube channels, and via Littlstar's app for headsets and mobile devices.

November's Bear's Den Showroom lineup inside Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino includes Barry Rothbart and Marina Franklin on Thursday, Nov. 2 (8 p.m.); Indigenous with special guest Logan Staats on Saturday, Nov. 4 (8 p.m.); "An Evening with the Chris Robinson Brotherhood" on Friday, Nov. 10 (8 p.m.); Blackfoot on Saturday, Nov. 11 (8 p.m.); Williams and Ree "The Indian and White Guy" on Saturday, Nov. 18 (8 p.m.); and "Strange Days - A Tribute to The Doors" on Friday, Nov. 24 (8 p.m.).

On Sept. 8-9, The New York Folklore Society, a statewide nonprofit arts organization supporting folklife and traditional arts, and the Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University, will host a roundtable discussion and symposium to explore challenges in the intersection of immigration, resettlement and cultural traditions in Western New York.

The stars will shine when Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino hosts the 17th annual Native American Music Awards at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14.

Tickets are still available for "Treasures Under the Tent," the re-imagined and expanded summer fundraiser to benefit the Niagara History Center. The event runs from 6-9 p.m. this Saturday.

Time on the water can be an enjoyable summer activity, but when it comes to ensuring a safe family outing, don't forget your furry companions.