Black Owned & Buffalo Based Company CANNA HOUSE Heads to Arizona to Participate in First Ever Consumption Park Cannabis Experience Live During Super Bowl Weekend!

Whatdo you get when you pair a visionary, a marketing maven and a creative self-trained chef?

Canna-House that’s what!

After years of hard work and participating in a number of local events surrounding the cannabis plant, Buffalo’s own Canna House, a leading New York State cannabis lifestyle-resource center, maps Buffalo in the scheme of the first ever Consumption Park being held this year in Phoenix, Arizona February 10-12.

The Consumption Park Cannabis Experience is a 15acre cannabis festival that will take place just minutes away from the site of this years Super Bowl.

Through the lens of founder and Director of Strategic Advancement Reggie Keith, Valentino Shine Jr. Director of Brand Strategy and Richard Keith II, Director of Product Development, opportunities flow sky high. They aim to disrupt the cannabis industry by serving as a community resource within the legalized market by helping to reshape the narrative of the plant and advance consumer knowledge. At the same time they'll be working on becoming a synonymous name for safe consumption spaces led by a Black male collective. In other words, Canna House is all up in the joint!

The Snowy Day and Other Stories at Theatre of Youth!

The Snowy Day And Other Stories is on stage at Theatre of Youth every Saturday and Sunday 2p.m. until February 5. For tickets go to theatreofyouth.org Don't Miss It!

•PEBO BRYSON, 8 p.m.

Feb. 9-10, Niagara Resort & Casino Niagara Falls, Bear's Den. Tickets start @ $65 on sale at senecniagaracasino. com

Foxy Brown and Blues

Men at Broadway Market 2023 I’M STILL FREE will perform for a special Black History Program on Saturday February 11, 12:30 –3:30pm at Broadway Market 999 Broadway.

•VALENTINE’S SOUL

JAM Friday, 8 p.m. Feb. 10, featuring The Whispers, Howard Hewett, Heatwave Rochester Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, NY

•JODECI, 8 p.m. Feb. 10 Niagara Resort & Casino Bear's Den. Tickets start @ $55 on sale at senecniagaracasino.com

ON STAGE AT THE HELIUM COMEDY CLUB

D.C. CURRY, Fri. Feb 17 and Sat, Feb 18 @7:30 & 10 p.m.; Sun. Feb 19 @7 p.m. 716.853.1211

With the Consumption Park just minutes away from the stadium where #TheBigGame will be held, the club will be showcasing their brand of THC infused product lines, “Dirty Lemonade” and “Herb and Jane Premium Secret Sauces.” Accompanying those flagship products will be the delectable stylings of Chef Rich’s Authentic Buffalo Wings and the curated sounds of Buffalo’s Own DJ Spin. Bringing their signature Super V.I.B.E ( Very Intentional Black Experience) Live to Consumption Park Super Bowl weekend, this savvy group offers a wealth of not only experience, knowledge of the plant, and what is said to be A+ products, but they work with deep rooted purpose, striving to provide Black male access to this ever emerging industry.

“This experience will provide the ultimate consumption sessions featuring unique cannabis vendors, popups, infused foods, on-site marijuana consumptions, interactive games, comedy sessions, live music, podcasts and celebrity appearances," said Valentino Shine Jr.

Founder Reggie Keith believes in the importance of Consumption Park and what it could mean for bridging the gap with professional sports. He said in a recent interview, “this represents the historic dawning of a new day. An era where professional sports begins to embrace cannabis as an asset vs a liability; birthing a world of opportunity and a broadening spectrum for plant based solutions. The impact this will have on both Canna House and the industry as a whole is hard to put into words. I’ll say this though, in the words of Queen Coretta Scott King, 'It doesn’t matter how strong your opinions are. If you don’t use your power for positive change, you are indeed part of the problem.' We are excited to be on the right side of History.”

During the announcement of their participation Majority Leader Assemblywoman Crystal People-Stokes expressed her support for the group and the movement she has been leading the charge for here in New York State.

"I'm excited for Reggie and his business,” she said. “I am excited this society has decided to move forward and acknowledge a plant for what it is as opposed to designating it a drug. I'm also excited this legislation not only created businesses, but requires business opportunity for people of color; those who have been most negatively impacted by mass incarceration and the war on drugs.”

The group has also announced employment opportunities as well as plans to work with a select number of cannabis business owners of color to engage in professional development and hands on training here in WNY. Their V.I.B.E. Mentee program strives to provide seven mentee spots to cannabis enthusiast of color which in turn they feel will add value to the community through cannabis advocacy, education, safe spaces, and product awareness.

Stay tuned as we keep you updated on what they are up to. To learn more about Canna House visit their website canna-house.com and follow Canna House on Instagram at The 2nd Underscore House ( @The2nd_House ) and turn on your notifications for all event updates, details, and exclusive behind the scenes footage of their Super V.I.B.E. Live at Consumption Park.

Turner Wins Pure Ink Poetry's 11th Anniversary Slam!

Congratulations to the lovely Verneice Turner, one of Buffalo’s fiercest poets and 30 year veteran of the spoken word, who won the Pure Ink Poetry SLAM for their 11th Anniversary last Saturday night at Ujima Co. Inc. Theatre ( slam was held temporarily on the lower level of the theatre) Competing against five other talented spoken word artists, Verneice delivered two powerful poems “Me” and “Healthy Place,” that landed her the winners belt. The Slam event includes audience participation to help determine the winner via score cards that makes for a wonderful experience (not to mention the laughter, finger snaps, claps and warm praise for good raw poetry).

Founder Brandon Williamson also announced that Ujima Theatre will be the new home for Pure Ink Poetry. Don’t miss the next SLAM scheduled for February 26. Follow Pure Ink Poetry on social media @pureinkpoetry or visit pureinkpoetry. com for details. - LH