By Barbara Arnstein
This Saturday, September 12th, from 11am-11pm, the free Music is Art Festival in Buffalo’s Outer Harbor and Terminal B will showcase over 800 musicians, artists, deejays, dancers and other performers, and have over one hundred vendors. The exciting annual event held every September, featuring performances by local Western New York bands, always attracts thousands of visitors from Western New York and beyond. It is now celebrating its 24th year. Among the many different types of entertainment and family-friendly attractions, there will be performance art, a kids’ village, a skate park, video art, and much more. Non-profit organizations are participating, and there will be food trucks. In the Bike Park Area, the foods will include Dimples Pancakes, Frozen Fantasy Dessert on a Stick, and Fudd’s House of Munch.
Those who purchase tickets for the V.I.P. tent ($125) will be able to access a tent with food and beverages throughout the day, park for free (if they buy a ticket before September 11th), and enjoy exclusive performance opportunities, and according to Executive Director Tracy Fletcher, “nicer bathrooms”. “Every music genre is represented, at the festival including jazz, hip-hop, country, rock, heavy metal and more”, said the Executive Director. “It was founded by Robby Takac, co-founder, bassist, and co-lead vocalist of the band Goo Goo Dolls, who serves as its President”, she continued. “He will be performing for V.I.P. ticket buyers at 2:30pm”.
For the first time, the Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office and the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge will be represented there. The Teen Paint Station, under the direction of Jennifer Keller, will be back. It will be located at the bottom of the big hill in Buffalo’s Outer Harbor Park. To mention just a few of the many creatively named things to see: the Refringe World area will include The Painter’s Garden, Pirate Gambling with a Twist, and Ingenuity Cleveland.
The festival is located at 510 Franklin Street in Buffalo, NY. For full music schedule and more information, go to: musicisart.org/festival or Facebook.