Goo Goo Dolls make their mark on history

By: Matthew Scott

John Rzeznik, lead singer and guitarist of the Goo Goo Dolls, would occasionally spend time at the Buffalo History Museum as a student at McKinley High School. The museum being right across the street, all he had to do was cross Elmwood Avenue.

Now decades later, Rzeznik and the iconic band have their own exhibit, remembering every iconic chorus and legendary performance of the past 40 years.

The Buffalo History Museum was closed to the public as its newest Goo Goo Dolls-themed exhibit opened up on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The opening featured an appearance by the Buffalo natives themselves, the Goo Goo Dolls.

The exhibit marks the group's 40th anniversary and is titled “Long Way Home,” after their song from the album “Boxes.”

Anthony Greco, director of exhibits & interpretive planning, talked about the grand opening being open only to VIPs until the doors were open to members at 7 p.m.

During the VIP tour, band members John Rzeznik and Robby Takac saw the exhibit, saying they loved it and even gave a shout-out to the team that made it happen. 

“The people that were with them when they got going, and the people that have been with them through their entire career were with them,” Greco said. “We limited the event tto 200 people.”

However, when the doors were open to the public, and all was said and done, an estimate of around 300 to 400 people showed up.

“It was great to see this building full,” Katie McIntyre, director of advancement, said. “The nicest thing for me to see was the new group of people coming into the museum.”

According to Greco, the new exhibit could boost attendance by 30 percent; their sports exhibit did the same.

The museum worked directly with the band, and the idea came up almost four to five years ago. Anthony talked to Goo Goo Dolls manager Pat Magnarella, floating the idea about doing an exhibit knowing that the 40th anniversary was coming up.

John and Robby said they loved the museum and would do anything for them, so it was perfect to do. Working with them, Anthony said that both John and Robby couldn’t have been any nicer, very humble, and down-to-earth. At the opening, John asked questions, curious about the museum and the history of Buffalo.

 “A huge positive response from not only the band but the management as well,” Emilie Burt, the museum communications coordinator, said. “It couldn’t have gone any better.”

Now, while making the exhibit, one thing many will miss is the color scheme. It starts off with dark greys and light greys. Towards the middle, it gets more vibrant, but at the end it goes back to grey. Anthony believes it to be reinforcing the title “Long Way Home.”

Buffalo hasn’t forgotten the Goo Goo Dolls, and sure enough, they haven’t forgotten about us. The exhibit took two years to make and is Greco's favorite one he’s worked on.

“How often do you get to do an exhibit about something so personal, something that is so part of your life?” Greco said.

Burt says her favorite part of the exhibit is the make-your-own mixtape section. Each of the band members made their own playlists. Songs that inspired them.

For McIntyre, she said her favorite part was actually the idea of how it all came to be, which was the scrapbook Robbie’s mom made. Each page was filled with every headline and story the band was in. Being a mother herself, she found that touching.

It’s a huge hit so far, boosting attendance with a newer generation walking through the door. The exhibit is up for a year before it’s taken down. The Goo Goo Dolls have made history once again in the city of Buffalo.

Kurt Treeby goes solo at Hallwalls

Prominent Buffalo artist makes a splash with latest exhibit, “I’ve Got Next”

By Lucas Lyon

Kurt Treeby is no stranger to Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center. He’s participated in its annual Members Exhibition for two decades and has been around the Buffalo art scene for nearly three decades.

He’s also no stranger to solo exhibitions, having showcased his work at the Burchfield Penny Art Center in 2021 and the Buffalo Arts Studio in 2005 and 2018.

A solo exhibition at Hallwalls, however? That’s treading into new territory, and the same can be said for the art he brought with him.

On Friday, Sept. 18, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, located at 341 Delaware Ave, opened Buffalo native Kurt Treeby’s latest exhibit, “I’ve Got Next,” to the public. It is scheduled to run through Friday, Oct. 30, with gallery hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Saturday.

The exhibit consists of five playable, retro-influenced video games, a complete departure from Treeby’s typical fiber-art work. Despite the style shift, he continued to draw inspiration from historical art to make the games, reimagining the work of Picasso and other renowned artists in an unexpected
medium.

He was wrestling with two deceptively simple questions. “Could I make a video game and present it as art? And, what can this old imagery say?” Treeby said. He put those pending questions to the test,
starting in 2023, as he set out to find an answer.

His transition from fiber-based artwork to software-based artwork came with trials and tribulations. Luckily, through watching numerous YouTube tutorials, including a 13-hour tutorial series, he started to get the hang of the video game-making process, completing his first game, “Endless Column,” within
six months. That’s when trouble arose.

“Then I kind of stopped, because I knew that if I was going to keep going, I would need funding for tech,” Treeby said. He was stuck at a crossroads …until he wasn’t.

“I found out about a grant through the New York State Council on the Arts… I applied to that, and got it,” Treeby said. This gave him funding for 2024, and it was off to the races. Now equipped with everything he needed, he completed two more games and, by the end of the year, was on the hunt for a hosting venue.

No dice.

Treeby got back to work, keeping his creative juices flowing. He went on to complete two more games in 2025, reaching five in total. That’s when Hallwalls came knocking.

“In my world of art and artists … I’m amazed that nobody ever really talks about video games,” John Massier said, the curator at Hallwalls who accepted Treeby’s exhibition. He is now the chief curator at the Burchfield Penny Art Center. “In a way, they’re the most interesting art form that we have in our popular culture,” Massier said.

Massier has known Treeby for many years, and his artistic career curveball caught him by surprise, though he knew he’d find success. “He’s diligent, he’s attentive … when you’re dealing with professional artists, people that are committed to their art career, they tend to step up to the plate,” Massier said.

The exhibition’s confirmation gave Treeby, Massier, and Hallwalls a great sense of pride.

Now, after countless years of hard work and many artistic accomplishments, it feels fair to ask: how does an artist like Kurt Treeby stay committed? The love of art? Yes, but something else too.

Teaching.

Treeby has been teaching all across Western New York for almost as long as he’s been an artist. He currently teaches studio art and design at SUNY Erie Community College.

“It keeps me active; I think that’s what’s most important,” Treeby said. “Teaching art, being in an art department, and being around other people who are making art, either your colleagues or students … I’m always in it.”

Next on Treeby’s plate is finding more venues to exhibit “I’ve Got Next,” and during that process, he plans to continue making video games while circling back to his expertise in fiber-based artwork.

“It’s important, as artists, that we challenge ourselves.”

Very few artists challenge themselves like Kurt Treeby.

 

Major Renovations Coming to Historic Shea’s Performing Arts Center

Shea’s Performing Arts Center embarks on a new journey with a $34.5 million project to expand
and renovate the historic building. Brian Higgins, president and CEO of Shea’s Buffalo discusses
the changes coming to the theatre as it celebrates its 100th year in operation. “We clearly need
more space,” Higgins said. The renovations are being done in hopes to make the theatre more
accessible and comfortable for patrons, adding a number of additional bathroom fixtures and
concessions throughout the new space. The construction is expected to be completed in September 2027.

By: Adrianna Miller

 Traveling artist showcases paintings and positivity

Traveling artist Meagan Jean stands behind a rolling cart, making her next piece of jewelry. She set up on Elmwood Avenue outside the bustling Caffe Aroma on Saturday, Sept. 26, showcasing her business, Creative Infinite Being, to the community.

She sells handmade necklaces and bracelets, along with vibrant paintings. Everything comes with positive affirmations to rid one of self-doubt and spread good vibes.

“It’s a really nice community full of creativity,” Jean said. “This is a great street to be on in general, anyone is welcome to set up here.”

Jean said that this isn’t a job she has to do. Instead, it’s a job she “gets” to do. Meeting amazing people along the way and working on her social skills is a bonus that comes with it.

By: Matthew Barton

 F.A.T. Brings Late-Night Food to Allen Street

Zach Russell, owner of F.A.T.

Allen Street in Buffalo, has a new late-night restaurant now that F.A.T., or Food After Ten, has opened at 253 Allen St. in spring 2026. The restaurant, which was previously a food trailer, is now open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and serves food from a scratch-only kitchen. The owner, Zach Russell, said opening the restaurant has been a goal of his for many years. The food trailer served as a way for Russell to test the business before moving into a permanent location. “The food trailer was what we always called, like, the sandbox to see what worked and what didn't work with people,” Russell said. After moving to Allen Street, Russell hopes F.A.T. can help bring more activity to the area in hopes of bringing back the liveliness of Allen Street.

By: Ella Wittman

 Britesmith Buffalo Offers Vibrant Spot for Bills Fans to Watch Games

Britesmith Brewing owner Dave Schutte discusses how Buffalo Bills games affect the restaurant at 1250 Niagara St. in Buffalo. Schutte said the Bills season brings larger groups and more reservations, so the restaurant adjusts staffing based on expected customer volume. “It just kicks everything up a notch,” Schutte said. “It makes people excited.” Britesmith also offers game-day specials as fans come for food and drinks during the season.

By: Myles Samuel

 More Than Coffee: The Intersection Builds Community on Buffalo’s West Side

Barista Rachel Terrana marks five years working at The Intersection, a neighborhood café on Buffalo’s West Side. Terrana expressed that connecting with people is one of her favorite parts of the job. “I like talking to everybody,” Terrana said. She also helps people experiencing homelessness who come into the café for coffee, explaining that “a lot of homeless people don’t get options, so if they need a coffee we provide it for free.” The Intersection connects coffee with local art by hosting an art opening on the first Friday of each month, when the café stays open later, and visitors can enjoy coffee, view new artwork and meet the featured artist. “Every month, the art on our one wall is all different,” Terrana said. As fall approaches, Terrana encourages people to visit the neighborhood café. “Come on down … everyone is welcome,” Terrana said.

By: Zion Pentelton