Sometimes the obscurest birds sing the
most beautiful songs.
Like a child, placing blocks, worn, letters faded,
atop another.
Oh . . . so carefully.
Or in the kitchen, where one woman,
beautiful, with her hair tied back, cooks and silently hums to herself, her
family, waiting, in the other room.
And the man, viewing his child below him, placing
worn blocks with such intent then shifting his gaze to the back of his
wife, in the kitchen, standing.
And there is no music.
No
words are spoken.
It is simply understood that sometimes the obscurest birds
According to the website, "The Buffalo Small Press Book Fair is a regional two-day event that
brings booksellers, authors, bookmakers, zinesters, small presses,
artists, poets, and other cultural workers (and enthusiasts) together in
a venue where they can share ideas, showcase their art, and peddle
their wares."
Attending and performing at the fair in 2013 proved to be one of the most outstanding weekends I have experienced in a long time. Held yearly at Karpeles Manuscript Library and Museum in Buffalo, New York, 2013 was the first time the book fair was a two day event. This event is free and open to the public. This year there were over 4,500 visitors with events beginning on Thursday evening to kick start the weekend, 25 poets reading at the event on Saturday, bookmaking workshops for children and adults on Sunday, two after parties on Saturday, over 27 main sponsors of the event, and over 122 vendors.
The entire list of vendors can be seen here --> Participate
Photos of the museum and vendors can be seen here --> Photos
I were lucky enough to read at the event
.
The Buffalo Small Press Book Fair is an integral event for Western New York, as Buffalo is, literally, the epicenter of poetry, literature, and the arts. This event utilizes the historic buildings in Buffalo, as well as providing the independent author, artist and press a place to sell their books, crafts, photography, and various fine works of art.
If you missed the event this year, you must attend in 2014. If you wish to vend during and/or sponsor the event, get on the mailing list HERE as it fills up quickly.
Thank you to Chris Fritton for managing to make the 2013 Buffalo Small Press Book Fair a massive success.
Senator David Carlucci and this petition below are linked HERE, with over 15,000 signatures. Thank you to all supporters, unfortunately this was voted against.
Action Needed Before March 31st !
Please sign, share and hit the "email contacts' link on the petition
52 million dollars is being considered by NYS Senate
& Assembly to be spent on Ralph Wilson Stadium [sports] and
Television while cutting essential disabled educational services
in Western New York like Starlight Studio. The Learning Disabilities
Association of Western New York has already taken massive cuts, please
share, sign and make a difference in the lives of people that need
disabled services.
There is an effort being coordinated by groups representing voluntary
agencies serving the developmentally disabled regarding the 4.5% cut.
This effort amounts to calling Majority party members in both houses to
urge them to vote against the 4.5% OPWDD voluntary cut in the budget
proposed by their leaders. To do this, we want them to speak on behalf
and vote for a "hostile amendment" which the Minority Parties in both
houses will propose.
Again, we need as many Majority Party members as possible to make a
big issue of this on the floor of both houses for the leaders, the
Governor and the press to see. Minority Party members are expected to
vote for the amendment. The aim of this amendment is to generate
pressure through the many rank and file members who were genuinely
supportive of full restoration.
The issue: Albany, N.Y. (WKBW) - Senators spend most of the night on
Tuesday into Wednesday making tough decisions on the state budget. The
big issue was the $90 million cuts to the disabled.
Taking away funds would cut services for thousand of people across
Western New York. One program that will be affected is at the Starlight
Studio. It is an art program for the disabled that allows them to use
their talent to communicate. For many people, art is the only way of
expressing their feelings. Experts said cutting these programs could
lead to major frustration and anxiety for the disabled.
"We all care about the developmentally disabled and we want to
improve the quality of life for them and their families. We did our best
to minimize their pain. We minimized the cuts from six to four in a
half," Senator Kathleen Marchione said.
Another concern for those against the cuts is that there are millions
of dollars going toward entertainment, yet taking away from the
disabled. In the budget, about $52 million will go toward the
renovations of Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park. There will also be
about $5 million going to move "The Tonight Show" from its home in Los
Angeles to New York City. Many people feel the state is putting
entertainment before the disabled and other important programs.
The budget will head to the State Assembly where it will be debated. It is expected to pass before the March 31st deadline.
