The Gusto Blog

Edward Albee's acclaimed play "A Delicate Balance" opens tonight on the Irish Classical stage and runs until May 13. Look for a review of the show in Sunday's Gusto Extra section. And hear from Irish Classical director Vincent O'Neill about the production in this video:

Eric Jackson-Forsberg, newly appointed executive director of the Western New York Book Arts Center, in the Darwin D. Martin House in 2009. Photo by Sharon Cantillon / The Buffalo News.

Today, the Western New York Book Arts Center announced its appointment of Eric Jackson-Forsberg as its first official, full-time executive director. He starts his new job on May 7. We chatted earlier this week about his experience as a curator at the Darwin Martin Complex and his plans for the center going forward.

You’ve been at the Martin House for nine years. What prompted you to make this move?

It’s been an incredible opportunity here, spending that much time with Mr. Wright, so to speak. But it just felt like it was time for a change and this opportunity came along. I had been following the organization for a few years since their founding and had done a little printing and had known Rich [Kegler] for a long time.

Continue reading "Eric Jackson-Forsberg takes the reins at WNYBAC" »

Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice will perform at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 on the Buffalo.com Grandstand at the Erie County Fair (5600 McKinley Parkway, Hamburg).

Tickets are $25 and $40 and go on sale April 26 at the Fairgrounds Event Center, online at www.Tickets.com or charge by phone at (888) 223-6000.

For more information, visit www.ecfair.org.

Henry Hitchings, the British critic and author of "The Secret Life of Words: How English Became English" and "The Language Wars: A History of Proper English" will give a talk at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Saturn Club. The event, to be held in the club's second-floor lounge, is sponsored by Buffalo's branch of the international English-Speaking Union and costs $10 per person.

--Colin Dabkowski

News Arts Editor Jeff Simon and News Pop Music Critic Jeff Miers answered your questions about books, movies, television, music and more directly into the camera.

Due to a scheduling conflict, comedian Nick Swardson's show on April 28 at Niagara University has been canceled.

Ticket refunds are available at point-of-purchase. Tickets purchased by phone and over the internet will be refunded automatically.

Van Halen stopped in Buffalo's First Niagara Center on March 9.

Rock band Van Halen announced today its tour will come to Rochester's Blue Cross Arena on Tuesday, July 17. The tour stopped in Buffalo on March 9. Read Jeff Miers' review of that show and view photos in this gallery.

Is the Indonesian martial arts film "The Raid: Redemption" the most violent film Jeff Simon has ever seen? Read Jeff Simon's review and hear more from Simon in this video:

"Seriagraphy: The Art of Screenprinting" is open now through June 9 at the Western New York Book Arts Center. Learn more in Colin Dabkowski's preview of the show and in this video:

Dream Theater performs June 17 at Artpark.

Progressive hard rock act Dream Theater has announced summer dates for its North American tour, including a concert at 8 p.m. June 17 in Artpark (450 S. Fourth St., Lewiston).

Tickets are $39.50 to $60 for reserved seating and go on sale at 10 a.m. April 21 through the box office, online at www.tickets.com or charge by phone at (888) 223-6000.

For more information, call the box office at 754-4375 or visit www.artpark.net.