Buffalonians normally don't get a chance to experience new culture in their city aside from the usual Polish, German and Italian heritage festivals put on every summer. After tonight at Ani DiFranco's Babeville those who came were definitely transcended into the culture of the New Orleans jazz heritage.
The event took place over the whole weekend extending from September 5th to the 7th, screenings took place of the highly acclaimed documentary "Trouble The Water" at Market Arcade Film and Arts Centre and ending at Nietzsches Sunday night. The ticket for this event was a little pricey being 40 dollars for the whole weekend or 25 dollars for the Labor Day Party at Babeville, which may have scared some away. However, the cause for this event was for the youth of the city. The proceeds went to charity for The South Buffalo Education Center and Second Line Cities Education Project. Providing education for the out of school youths in the city. A very important cause which should get all the support that it can. And I'll say it while sounding trite, the education of our youth in the city is important. Though I did not get the privilege to see the film (though now netflix queued) this weekend I was glad to have made it to the festival that took place tonight.
On the bill were, Grits Juke Joint, 12/8 Path Band, Brownman Electric Trio and headliners Rebirth Brass Band. Arriving fashionably late I was instantly impressed with the atmosphere of a new culture being experienced. And what a better way to experience it in the heart of downtown Buffalo. The musicians where an excellent pick, either from right here in Buffalo or coming from Toronto and New Orleans they were a talented bunch, full of passion while playing their style. I was most impressed with the 12/8 Path Band as they played in the crowd completely taking everyone to a different place quite figuratively and literally as they marched through Babeville's parking lot leading everyone into Asbury Hall for a memorable music routine in the center of the church's hall. I, as well as others, felt as if I was a part of the band contributing dance routines to express the mood that couldn't be expressed through language.
Although I could go on and on about how great the bands were the point of the night was to experience something new that not many get to experience at all. A taste of culture from a city miles away from here. Not only with the music but also local restaurant, Lagniappe's, provided a fine Cajun style crawfish dish a traditional cuisine of New Orleans. And if you missed it, you missed learning something new about others or maybe even yourself, you missed an experience and missed helping a cause for the future of your community. Now you may need to travel one thousand miles, spend more than 25 dollars and not help your community to experience what you could have experienced right in your own backyard.
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