Author Series

Truck or Treat – October 26, 2018

By Leslie Zemsky  
October 04, 2018

Larkin Square’s annual Halloween bash is back! Presented by KeyBank and sponsored by Independent Health, Truck or Treat kicks off the spookiest weekend in WNY with dozens of food trucks, trick or treating for kids, plus live music by Mom Said No.! The event is free and runs from 4:30pm – 8pm. Free parking is available in the lots along Exchange St. and in the gravel lot on Hydraulic St. Costumes are encouraged, hungry appetites are a must. Beer and drink specials soon to be announced!

The Food Truck Pumpkin Carving Contest is Back!

Participating food trucks will be tasked with carving the perfect pumpkin that YOU get to judge. The winning pumpkin will get bragging rights and a special prize.

The First Larkinville Block Party is September 29

By Leslie Zemsky  
September 17, 2018

Summer isn’t the only time to hang in Larkinville for food trucks, concerts and beer gardens. We’re kicking off fall by closing Seneca Street for a neighborhood-wide celebration! From noon – 5pm, guests may enjoy an artisan market along Seneca Street with local artists, makers, a live mural painting, vintage cars, music and more. The Hydraulic Hearth, The Filling Station, Swan Street Diner, Flying Bison, Buffalo Distilling, Kornerstone Cafe and Eckl’s will be open for service and live music! See below for the music and event lineup:

  • Hydraulic Hearth: Welcoming Wayno’s BBQ (serving from noon – sell out), live music by Tony Rhodes Trio from 3:30 – 5:30pm
  • The Filling Station: Open from noon – 5pm in Larkin Square
  • Larkin Square: Outdoor bar open, live music by John and Mary and the Valkyries from 1:30 – 3:30pm, corn hole, hula hoops and children’s activites
  • Kornerstone Cafe: Live music from noon – 3pm by Ron LoCurto & Ang Ziegler
  • Eckl’s: Live music by Tim Hogan from 2pm – 4pm
  • Flying Bison: Taproom open with live music by Kickstart Rumble from 3-6pm
  • Buffalo Distilling: Bar open beginning at noon, barrel races at 3pm (on the Seneca Street Lawn), live music from 6pm – 10pm by Randle & The Late Night Scandals
  • Lawn Games: Croquet, corn-hole, barrel races and more – stop by the lawn on Seneca Street for some old fashioned games!

 

PARKING & ADMISSION – Admission to the Block Party is free , including events in Larkin Square courtesy of KeyBank and Independent Health. Parking is located in the lots along Exchange Street, the gravel lot on Hydraulic St. and $5 preferred parking in the ramp adjacent to Larkin Square.

This event is rain or shine! Please visit the Facebook event for timely updates on performances.

VENDOR MARKET – Here are the list of vendors attending this event:
– Bkindcity
– Pretty and Grit
– Wildcrafters
– Buffalo Barrel + Brine
– Duke’s Donuts
– Zandra
– Kitch
– Park Edge Sweet Shoppe
– West Gate Co.
– Rusterior
– Mazurek’s Bakery
– Kat’s Closet
– Joyful Energy Jewelry
– Linwood Candle Co.
– The Flower Stand
– Peg’s Hardware
– Buffalo Made Co.
– 1801 handcrafted
– Alpine Made
– SunRae Jewelry
– Shauna Louise Graphics
– Revolution Gallery
– Graetz Stained Glass
– Pet Connection Programs inc. – Marilla, NY
– Kettle Corn
– Pet Wants WNY
– Phoenix Rising Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
– Stuff Guys Like
– NEW RUINS APPAREL
– West Side Stitchery
– Traveling Growler
– Wandering Threads
– LaCott Fine Art
– J. Savage Goods
– Buffalo Seamery
– Good Company
– Cipshopbflo
– Shop Peppermint
– winners from Ignite Buffalo
– Mapleview Alpacas
– Queen B Lettering
– Jeca Energy Bar Company
– Baby Blue Bird Jewelry
– Blue Table Chocolates
– Tom Burns Photography
– Casa Azul

Tom Dudzick and Mike Randall Wednesday, October 17th at 5:30 PM

By Leslie Zemsky  
September 12, 2018

The Larkin Square author and speaker series is pleased to welcome Buffalo and Hydraulics native, Tom Dudzick,  back home to speak with his long time friend Mike Randall.

Tom Dudzick was born and raised in the Larkinville neighborhood above his father’s tavern on Seneca Street, Big Joe’s. Big Joe’s and his many memories of growing up in the neighborhood inspired his Over the Tavern series of plays as well as his play Miracle on South Division Street.

Tom is in town preparing for the premiere of his new musical, Christmas Over the Tavern. The world premiere at MusicalFare Theatre will be on stage Novemeber 14th – December 16th, 2018. The musical features an all-new holiday story about Buffalo’s favorite family, the Pazinskis, from his Over the Tavern series.  “Christmas 1959 is not very merry for the Pazinskis.  Dad is going through a mid-life depression and refuses to buy a Christmas tree. Sister Clarissa is threatening to expel 12-year-old Rudy for performing a blasphemous one-man Nativity Scene where he plays all the characters as Hollywood celebrities and everyone is worried that this may be their last Christmas together as a whole family. It’s a brand new chapter in this WNY tradition,” shares notes from MusicalFare Theatre.

Mike Randall is well known as the chief meteorologist at WKBW channel 7 Eyewitness News. He recently celebrated his 35th anniversary with the station. A native of Western New York, Mike is also a professional actor, puppet master and magician. He has performed a variety of roles in theaters locally and around the country and he continues to perform his critically acclaimed solo shows of Mark Twain Live! and Charles Dickens Presents: A Christmas Carol.

Tom and Mike are long time friends dating back to performing together in dinner theater in Buffalo.  They look forward to sharing a preview song from Christmas Over the Tavern as well as their memories of acting together. They will welcome questions from the audience as well.

During the event, Larkin Square is pleased to introduce the new book from Arcadia Publishing Images of America Series: The Larkin Company. Written by Shane Stephenson with an introduction by Howard Zemsky. The book is filled with historic photos and the history of the Larkin Company and the neighborhood. Books will be available for purchase, and book signing.

The Larkin Square Author and Speaker Series is made possible by presenting sponsor KeyBank and sponsor Independent Health. The Filling Station will have snacks and refreshments available for purchase at the event.

Arthur Bovino and Andrew Galarneau: A Conversation about Food in Buffalo, August 20th, 2018

By Leslie Zemsky  
July 30, 2018

The Larkin Square Author Series is pleased to welcome Arthur Bovino, author of the new book Buffalo Everything: A Guide to Eating in the Nickel City
to speak in Larkin Square on Monday, August 20th at 5:30 p.m. Bovino will be joined by Buffalo News food writer Andrew Galarneau for a conversation about food in Buffalo. 

During the past couple of years, Bovino has traveled and tasted food served throughout Buffalo. He discovered such an abundance of delicious food that Buffalo Everything is the first of two books to be published by Countryman Press.  Buffalo Everything is about the city’s dining scene and history, to be followed in February 2019 by a cookbook focused on iconic local foods and Buffalo sauce-flavored comfort foods and party dishes.

Bovino is a classically trained cook passionate about fine dining—and also a self described  wing nut and pizza nerd. “I’d long heard about Buffalo’s unique pizza scene, so when a friend recommended me for a project focused on a Buffalo sauce-themed cookbook, I jumped on it.” wrote Bovino in a recent blog post, “I dined at 120-plus restaurants and got a comprehensive education on the city’s food history from leading local chefs and writers. From classic Italian and Polish restaurants to New-School Buffalo cuisine, it was food discovery at its best.”

Andrew Galarneau is the food editor for the Buffalo News and writes frequently about Buffalo area restaurants and other local food related news.

“With Buffalo’s wide variety of locally owned restaurants, including in Larkinville, we know this will be a delicious conversation around new and old Buffalo favorite foods.” writes Larkin Square’s Leslie Zemsky, “Food Truck Tuesday receives a mention in the book along with dozens of other dining suggestions and observations.”

Books will be available for purchase at the event courtesy of Talking Leaves Books. Book signing to follow the talk.

Refreshments will be available for purchase from the Filling Station.

Larkin Square Author talks are presented by KeyBank and sponsored by Independent Health.

 

Kick off KeyBank Live at Larkin with Big Mean Sound Machine

By Leslie Zemsky  
May 25, 2018

KeyBank Live at Larkin is almost here and we can’t wait for this year’s lineup! With a fresh mix of local acts and national bands, you won’t want to miss a minute of this free concert series. First up – Big Mean Sound Machine. 

They’re name describes them best – they’re BIG and they’re ready to have some fun. Formed in Ithaca, NY, BMSM aims to get everyone dancing! The 8 piece afro-punk band will be making its debut at Larkin Square as part of their summer tour. Check out more here:

Catch BMSM performing with Miller and the Other Sinners on June 6 at 5pm at Larkin Square. KeyBank Live at Larkin runs every Wednesday from June 6 – September 5 and are family friendly. Free admission and parking thanks to Larkin Square’s presenting sponsor KeyBank and sponsor Independent Health. Check out the full line up below!