Theater time

The curtain will go up on the 2007-2008 theater
season when Curtain Up! takes place beginning at
5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 in the downtown Buffalo
Theatre District.
Thousands of people will gather at more than 11
venues to celebrate the vitality and diversity of
theater in Western New York. This celebration
offers something for everyone, from its black-tie
dinner at Shea's Performing Arts Center to the free
street party with plenty of entertainment to suit any
taste.
"The Theatre District Association and its members
are pleased to present this event for the
community," said Tony Conte, president of the
Theatre District Association and president of
Shea's Performing Arts Center.
The Curtain Up! celebration includes:
Act One - Cocktails/Dinner/Entertainment
A cocktail reception will be held from 5 to 6 p.m.
in the Shea's lobby, which is open to the public (cash
bar). The annual Curtain Up! Creative Black-Tie
Gala Dinner will take place from 6:15 to 8:10 p.m.
on the stage of Shea's, including additional seating
on the balcony level. Gala Dinner tickets are $95
single/$170 couple. Very limited tickets are available
for the dinner. Call 829-1172.
Act Two - Curtains Rise! Theatrical Performances

The evening continues with performances at
participating theaters starting at 8:30 p.m. See
schedule of performances in the Bee Entertained
Theater listings.
Act Three - Party!
Following the performances, a free community
celebration offering a variety of unique entertainment
will be held from approximately 10:15 p.m.
to 1 a.m. on Main Street in downtown Buffalo's
Theatre District. The events include outdoor entertainment
and post parties.
Associated events include:
• American Repertory Theater of WNY, Inc.'s
"A.R.T. Is Coming To Buffalo!" Celebrate art and
Buffalo's newest theater company with music,
masquerade and revelry, 6:30 p.m., the Town
Ballroom, 681 Main St., Buffalo; $40. 852-3900,
www.artofwny.org
• CEPA Gallery, 617 Main St., Market Arcade
Building, Buffalo. 856-2717, www.cepagallery.
com. Beyond/In Western New York. One of

11 venues participating in region-wide exhibition;
free.
• Marcella Show Club And Lounge, Theatre
Place, 622 Main St., Buffalo. 847-6850. "My Fair
Lady: Female Impersonation Spectacular," 10:30
p.m. outside, midnight inside.
• The Arts Council in Buffalo & Erie County,
700 Main St. "Equal Measure - Portraits Of
Love," photographs by Linda Siradas, on view
Sept. 14-Nov. 2. Matthew Crehan Higgins performing
"Given a Choice…," 9 p.m., The Conference
Room Gallery in the Arts Council. Opening
reception, 5:30-10 p.m.
Market Arcade Events, 617 Main Street
• Barbara Levy Daniels, jazz vocalist, 5:30-7:30
p.m., Market Arcade Courtyard
• George Scott Big Band, musicians of the
Colored Musicians Club with vocalist Melissa
Kate. Vocal quartet: Tom Owens, Tom Doyle,
Ellen Horst and Katy Clancy, 9:30-11:30 p.m.,
Market Arcade Courtyard.
• "Juxtaposed: Images Apart-Together," an exhibition
of works by Christopher Franklin and
Alexander Enser of FalseHopePhotos.com. Dario
Mohr, painter, and mixed media works by Michael
Kudela, on view Sept. 14-Oct. 26, Market Arcade
Passageway Gallery (third floor).