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
CPX2020: Aitina Fareed-Cooke
Opening Speaker: The Powerful Impact of the Arts Friday, November 6, 2020 at 9:45 am With Aitina Fareed-Cooke Join us for CPX2020's official opening presentation featuring award-winning, inspirational Buffalo-based artist Aitina Fareed-Cooke as she shares [...]
CPX2020: Alexis Oltmer and Julie Klein
Intersectional Environmentalism, Art as Activism, and Fast Fashion Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 12:15 pm With Alexis Oltmer and Julie Klein Oltmer and Klien support the idea that survival is dependent on the habitability of [...]
CPX2020: Irish Classical Theatre
Inclusive Programming for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 1:30 pm With Kate LoConti Alcocer and Cassie Cameron / Irish Classical Theatre Irish Classical Theatre Company will present on ways [...]
CPX2020: Josh Rice
Creative Placemaking for Rural Communities Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 1:30 pm With Josh Rice / Shake on the Lake An improviser at heart, Josh has lived his life by staying present, saying “yes, and..." [...]
CPX2020: Celine Krzan
Brainstorming as a Team Using Improv Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 8:30 am With Celine Krzan Wait...did you say improv? At 8:30 am on a Saturday? Why yes, we did! The number one rule of [...]
CPX2020: Collaborative Community Mission
Adapting Programming for Individuals of All Abilities Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 12:15 pm With Amy Mumbach and Jessica Sills / Collaborative Community Mission This presentation will help attendees develop an understanding of individuals with [...]
PAST EVENTS
CPX2020: Aitina Fareed-Cooke
Opening Speaker: The Powerful Impact of the Arts Friday, November 6, 2020 at 9:45 am With Aitina Fareed-Cooke Join us for CPX2020's official opening presentation featuring award-winning, inspirational Buffalo-based artist Aitina Fareed-Cooke as she shares [...]
CPX2020: Alexis Oltmer and Julie Klein
Intersectional Environmentalism, Art as Activism, and Fast Fashion Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 12:15 pm With Alexis Oltmer and Julie Klein Oltmer and Klien support the idea that survival is dependent on the habitability of [...]
CPX2020: Irish Classical Theatre
Inclusive Programming for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 1:30 pm With Kate LoConti Alcocer and Cassie Cameron / Irish Classical Theatre Irish Classical Theatre Company will present on ways [...]
CPX2020: Josh Rice
Creative Placemaking for Rural Communities Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 1:30 pm With Josh Rice / Shake on the Lake An improviser at heart, Josh has lived his life by staying present, saying “yes, and..." [...]
CPX2020: Celine Krzan
Brainstorming as a Team Using Improv Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 8:30 am With Celine Krzan Wait...did you say improv? At 8:30 am on a Saturday? Why yes, we did! The number one rule of [...]
CPX2020: Collaborative Community Mission
Adapting Programming for Individuals of All Abilities Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 12:15 pm With Amy Mumbach and Jessica Sills / Collaborative Community Mission This presentation will help attendees develop an understanding of individuals with [...]
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
