Canisius College Welcomes

Rev. Massingale!

Canisius College will welcome Rev. Bryan N. Massingale, STD, to campus on Saturday, May 13, , at 7 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center. Renowned as the world’s leading Catholic social ethicist, Father Massingale is the James and Nancy Buckman Chair in Applied Christian Ethics at Fordham University and Senior Fellow at the institution’s Center for Ethics Education. His talk is free and open to the public.

The event is presented as part of the city’s “5/14 Remembrance Weekend: Reflection, Healing & Hope,” to honor and memorialize the lives lost, and support and pray for all those impacted by the racially motivated shooting at the Tops Friendly Markets. The title of Father Massingale’s talk is "Lament, Dreams, and the Work of Justice."

Earlier on Saturday, May 13, “Turning Trauma into Triumph,” coordinated by Canisius alumna Zeneta Everhart and a member of the 5/14 Remembrance Committee, will be held on the Canisius campus. The day-long event includes conference sessions, a reading by Poet Jillian Hanesworth, a musical performance by Drea D'nur, African drummers and more.

Father Massingale, a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, teaches courses at Fordham University. His professional passion is advancing a Black approach to Catholic theological ethics.

Father Massingale is the author of two books and more than 170 articles, book chapters and book reviews.

A leading voice among Catholic thought leaders, Father Massingale is a past consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He has also provided theological consulting for the National Black Catholic Congress, Catholic Charities USA and others and advocates for the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in society and the faith community.

Father Massingale received his doctorate degree in moral theology from the Academia Alphonsianum (Rome).

Niagara Falls Juneteenth Community Fair & Arts Festival

Niagara Arts & Cultural Center 1201 Pine Avenue will host a Juneteenth Community Fair & Arts Festival

Saturday June 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be music, DJs fashion show, BBQ, dancing and more. To sign up to be a vendor, artist or musician go to Info@theNACC.org or call (716)282-7530

Girls Circle Of Friends

TC Ministries Total Commitment Girls Circle of Friends Thursday and Saturday Evenings at Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson from 5-6:30pm. questions call 716 5446160.

Honor And Celebrate Black History

365 Days A Year.

MAY

•East Side Bike Ride, Kicks Off Sat. May 6 MLK Park@ THE MLK Head, Meet: 9:30 a.m.- Ride 10 a.m. JOIN US EVERY SATURDAY !

•Slow Roll Buffalo Every Monday from now through October. Meet 6p.m. Ride 6:30pm To see schedule, register and ride this season visit slowrollbuffalo.org

•Spring Service Days The Tool Library and Norfolk Ave Block Club #1 - Spring Service Days 2023. William L. Gaiter Parkway Spring Cleanup and Tree Stewardship, Saturday, May 20th. Meet at 10am @ the corner of Norfolk Ave and E. Delavan Ave. (1016 E. Delavan). For info call: 716-510-1745 or visit https://thetoollibrary.org/service/

•Mother’s Day Gala sponsored by Friends of Jerry Livingston. Saturday, May 14 2:30 pm at Buffalo Airport Hotel, 4600 Genesee Street . Contact Diane Livingston for tickets at 716 2703244.

JUNE

•Jefferson Avenue Friday Night Live, EVERY FRIDAY EVENING starting June 2 and continuing until August 25 from 5;30 to 9 p.m. Jefferson & E.Utica Street Shopping Plaza. FREE! DJ's, food trucks, family entertainment, dancing and more (Vendors & food trucks will sell food and goods). To become a sponsor or for more info on how to participate go to the Buffalo Funk Fest Foundation facebook page.

•The University United Festival Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 Now accepting vendor applications. Deadline May 22. (716) 245-8332 or via email at mread@buffalony.gov

•Juneteenth Festival all day Saturday June 17 & Sunday June 18, MLK Park www.juneteenthofbuffalo.com, (716)891-891.FREE

•Family Fishing Day June 24 & 25, 10 a.m.-3p.m. Broderick Park, Foot of Ferry Underground Railroad)

•NAACP 2023 Medger Evers Awards Dinner, Saturday , June 24, Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Awards nomination deadline Friday April 28 via email. For more information email naacp@buffalonaacp.org or call (716)884-7242.

•Niagara Falls Juneteenth Community Fair & Arts Festival, 1201 Pine Avenue Saturday June 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Info@theNACC.org or call (716)282-7530.

JULY

•HEALING BY THE WATER Broderick Park Summer Freedom Celebration Music, Food, Vendors July 7-September 7, Foot of Ferry near Niagara St. FREE

• 28th Annual Pappy Martin Legacy- Masten Jazz Festival, July 23 and July 30 from 2pm - 8pm, MLK Park (Buffalo Museum of Science – Side Lawn) 1001 Humboldt Parkway Sunday, July 23: 6pm: Headliner: Buster Williams Quartet / Opener: Various Acts Monday, July 24: 1pm: Musicians' Masterclass Workshop led by Nasar Abadey

AUGUST

•Westy’s Sycamore Family & Friends Annual Reunion August 4 Meet & Greet, 419 Monroe 6-9pm; August 5 Reunion Cookout MLK Park Noon-8PM For Info: (716)783-0099; (716)602-8119; (716)892-8311; (716)247-0258 FREE

•Pan Afrikan Festival Saturday, August 5, hosted by A.B.O.V.E. @ Highland Bowl, 1137 South Ave. Rochester, 11am - 8 p.m. Visit PANAFFESTIVAL.ORG

•35th Annual Taking it to the Streets FREE August 19th & 20th, 11am-park closing MLK Park. For shelters/participate/vend/sponsor call 716-507-1931/716-400-6749.

SEPTEMBER

• “Honoring Our African American Military Heroes and Sheroes” Parade ” & Mini Stand Down, Saturday, September 2 hosted by Debbera M. Ransom and The African American Veterans Arts and Culture Corporation, kickoff 2 p.m. Jefferson between Riley and Dodge For more info email: aavaccbuffalo21@gmail.com or call 716-563-2536.

To List Your Upcoming event email editorial@thechallengernews.com

To List Your Upcoming event email editorial@thechallengernews.com

Local Artist Lowdown

Backpack Mafia: Elevating Buffalo's Beatmakers

Buffalo’s current hip-hop renaissance has grown a need for original sound. As the city’s sonic profile continues to mature and diversify, it is more apparent than ever that rappers are in dire need of beatmakers. But where do they go to find one? Possibly shopping “typebeats” on YouTube? Or direct messaging a high-profile producer on social media with a wish they’ll respond back? Maybe. Perhaps before.

What has grown significantly in the last year are events focused on hip-hop production- popping up in the peripheries of the genre’s local music explosion. It’s not rare to hear occasional producer meetups and listening parties at Black Dots Record Shop or Bridge Studios holding beat auctions at local bars.

Possibly the most exciting producer-focused event in Buffalo is Backpack Mafia. The show, popularly held at Milkies Lounge aims to network and give exposure to beatmakers across the region. Seasoned lyricists/producers Grand Phee and L-Biz created the Backpack Mafia in 2018, but has gained notoriety in the last few years specifically for the competitive nature of the show. The event, which takes place a few times each year, brings a handful of both notable and emerging producers to battle against each other for bragging rights and the title as a Backpack Mafia champion - a win only achieved by the response of the crowd.

At their recent event in April the four battle winning producers included the crowd moving talents of Babiegurl, Freeman the Spook, Carrera and Donut x Slinger all who delivered original body- rocking music to an enthusiastic crowd.

“I started this event to bridge the gap between age, generation, and genre”, Grand Phee explained. “To have a cultural meeting amongst the creators while giving producers the light to show their talents on a main stage.”

Gaining specifically the attention of younger beatmakers and producers outside of Buffalo recently, BPM’s network of creatives are gradually reaching outside disciplines and the region. Their last two shows included talents from Rochester and partnerships with visual artists in the Queen City.

“It’s like speed dating for sound creators and artists. In one night, you can meet so many well-known, little known, and unknown talents,” L-Biz mentioned.

Forming this new cultural epicenter for producers, the duo ultimately want to bring back the community focus and collaborative spirit of hip-hop

“We’re manifesting the kind of energy the culture was built on,” Grand Phee concluded.

You can follow Backpack Mafia on instagram: @backpackmafia716. Look out for details on their next show this July.

WAKANDA ALLIANCE PROGRAM PRESENTS BLACK BUSINESS BAZAAR AND FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!

East Side Bike Club Starts a New Season of Rides on Saturday, May 6 in MLK Park!

On Saturday, May 6 at 10a.m. (meet at 9:30 a.m.) the East Side Bike Club begins a new season of bike rides. Each Saturday, riders meet at the Martin Luther King Statue in MLK Park and take a 10-12 mile bike ride through different parts of the area. Riders of any ability are welcome. The rides have no charge associated with them.

The club rides at a pace suitable for all participants so all riders can enjoy the ride, the company and see more of the city. Rides continue each Saturday through mid-October and all are open to everyone and we encourage everyone to join us!

-About East Side Bike Club-

The East Side Bike Club is a grassroots bicycle organization working to expand access and awareness of biking in communities of color through weekly bike rides, open workshop hours, and pop-up events throughout the city to engage with residents and stakeholders. ESBC is a program of Buffalo United Front, a coalition of front line organizations and individuals working to reduce violence. For more information about the East Side Bike Club and its upcoming events, please visit: www.esbcbuffalo. com. Follow us on Facebook.

Slow Roll Celebrating a Decade of Free Community Bike Rides Every Monday!

Celebrating their inclusive community experiences that connect people places and causes by bicycle, Slow Roll kicked off their season on May 1 and continues every Monday in Buffalo through October. The ride is guided by a safety squad of volunteers and has doubled in size since forming.

The 10mile round trip rides have meet ups at 6p.m. and ride at 6:30 p.m. with two stops to regroup and learn about different parts of the city as well as a party at the finish line. "Over the past decade, Slow Roll has shown in countless ways that we’re much more than a bike ride,” said Slow Roll Buffalo president Janelle Brooks, who was raised and still resides in Cold Springs. “We’re excited to celebrate our tenth year of connecting communities by bike, and we invite everyone to get involved and join us.”

Visit slowrollbuffalo.org for annual registration and all scheduled ride details.

On Saturday May 6 at the Delavan Grider Center, 877 E. Delavan from 11am- 1:30pm, the Wakanda Alliance Program celebrates their 4 year anniversary during their annual Black Business Bazaar and Free Comic Book Day event. Black Business Bazaar is designed to promote Black-Owned Busi nesses providing a platform for entrepreneurs to sell their products and services and celebrate Afrofuturism and entre preneurship. Free Comic Book Day will also be underway. It's an annual day for free comics and activities for all! There will be jewelers, wellness, food, art clothing and services during the and a special performance! For more info go to thegalactictribe.org

Classical Jazz

On Friday May 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Kleinhans Regina Csrter returns to the BPOfor an exciting program that marries a classical masterpiece with two works rooted in the jazz world. Masterful violinist Carter performs Schiff’s Concerto, which pays homage to Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan, who changed our musical landscape. Duke Ellington’s masterpiece is a jazz-fueled walk through Black and African-American history. Finally, Tchaikovsky’s jovial Second Symphony is said to have been his favorite. For tickets (716) 885-5000.

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