The Big Easy in Buffalo
Bringing New Orleans Culture to Western NY
The Big Easy in Buffalo is a program of Arts Services Initiative that brings New Orleans and Louisiana music and culture to the Western New York region several times a year for live performance and interaction with local musicians, students, and the community. Its centerpiece is the annual Mardi Gras Jam held the Friday before Mardi Gras Day.
The Big Easy in Buffalo is made possible in part by Erie County, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, Sportsmen’s Tavern, Buffalo Iron Works, and Adam’s Mark.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Black History Month is 365 Days a Year
The fight against social injustice that rose onto the international stage in 2020 implored us to find a way to help amplify the voices of marginalized communities and artists who are often left behind, [...]
ASI’s 2021 Monthly Spotlights
Like many others in our community and around the world, we have spent December and January reflecting on our impact and how we can best support the WNY arts community during this difficult time. In [...]
Accessibility in the Arts 2020 Recap
What a year it’s been! Despite all of the challenges and setbacks that this year has brought, the WNY arts and cultural community has managed to maintain or even improve upon our efforts of increasing [...]
CPX2020: Michael Falk
Using Animation to Support Veterans and Other Trauma Survivors Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 1:30 pm With Michael Falk This session will introduce Michael's tenure as the creative director at Drawn from Valor, a nonprofit [...]
CPX2020: Stay Connected & Advocate
How to Stay Connected and Advocate for Your Work Friday, November 6, 2020 at 3:15 pm With Jennifer Swan-Kilpatrick / ASI, and members of the Cultural Alliance of Niagara and Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance It’s [...]
CPX2020: BCAT, BSA, & Explore Buffalo
Creating Access in Arts Education Through Collaborations Friday, November 6, 2020 at 11:00 am With Brandi Cane / Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology; Frani Evedon / Buffalo Society of Artists; and Brad Hahn / [...]
PAST EVENTS
Black History Month is 365 Days a Year
The fight against social injustice that rose onto the international stage in 2020 implored us to find a way to help amplify the voices of marginalized communities and artists who are often left behind, [...]
ASI’s 2021 Monthly Spotlights
Like many others in our community and around the world, we have spent December and January reflecting on our impact and how we can best support the WNY arts community during this difficult time. In [...]
Accessibility in the Arts 2020 Recap
What a year it’s been! Despite all of the challenges and setbacks that this year has brought, the WNY arts and cultural community has managed to maintain or even improve upon our efforts of increasing [...]
CPX2020: Michael Falk
Using Animation to Support Veterans and Other Trauma Survivors Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 1:30 pm With Michael Falk This session will introduce Michael's tenure as the creative director at Drawn from Valor, a nonprofit [...]
CPX2020: Stay Connected & Advocate
How to Stay Connected and Advocate for Your Work Friday, November 6, 2020 at 3:15 pm With Jennifer Swan-Kilpatrick / ASI, and members of the Cultural Alliance of Niagara and Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance It’s [...]
CPX2020: BCAT, BSA, & Explore Buffalo
Creating Access in Arts Education Through Collaborations Friday, November 6, 2020 at 11:00 am With Brandi Cane / Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology; Frani Evedon / Buffalo Society of Artists; and Brad Hahn / [...]
HISTORY OF THE BIG EASY IN BUFFALO
Since 2007 The Big Easy in Buffalo has showcased all genres Louisiana music to the area: trad jazz, funk, zydeco, rock, blues, roots, modern jazz, brass band, Cajun, R&B, and more. We’ve brought in legendary names like Preservation Hall, Ellis Marsalis, Aaron Neville and Dr. John; as well as those at the beginning of their national careers like Trombone Shorty (at the time of his first national cd release) and Pine Leaf Boys (on their first national tour). Buffalo stages have been graced by artists as diverse as a Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief and “New Orleans’ premier guitar-washboard-sousaphone trio”.
Through The Big Easy in Buffalo thousands of students, dozens of local bands, and countess audience members in Western New York have been exposed to this unique American culture. Now with The Big Easy in Buffalo at ASI we will broaden the scope of the program to include multiple artistic disciplines and involve even more local artists.
PAST PERFORMING ARTISTS
11th Annual Mardi Gras Jam
The Big Easy in Buffalo was founded by Tod A. Kniazuk under the leadership of the Niagara Erie Regional Coalition and the Visit Buffalo Niagara Foundation, through a grant from the New York State Music Fund, for an initial series in 2007-08. Music is Art continued the program until 2013, when it was brought to Arts Services Initiative of WNY. ASI would like to thank the Regional Coalition, VBN Foundation, and especially Music is Art for their support and dedication to this program. The Big Easy in Buffalo is one of less than 10% of all programs funded by the NYS Music Fund that is still in existence.
ASI is excited to continue this cultural legacy in Western New York.
SPONSORS OF THE BIG EASY IN BUFFALO
