Presents

The 40th Anniversary

CURTAIN UP!

Date

Friday, September 22, 2023

8 PM

Attend one of the many participating theater performances

10 PM UNTIL...

Celebrate at the biggest outdoor party in buffalo

On main street between Tupper & Chippewa

Schedule

ACT I

Take Your Seat

Support live theatre and attend a performance from a participating theater when the curtain goes up at 7:30/8 PM. Theatre goers can choose from a wide variety of performances—from classic musicals to the avant-garde. Check theater homepages for exact start times and run times.
ACT II

Free Late-Night Street Party

After the opening night performances, the Theatre District really comes alive with multiple bands, bars, circus performers, and food trucks. Technically the event ends at midnight, but it's Buffalo . . . Often imitated (but never duplicated), other cities around the country have now begun to emulate Buffalo’s Curtain Up! However, the event in Buffalo remains one-of-a-kind and one of the biggest cultural events of the year, garnering both local and national acclaim.

Act II Entertainment:

Pianist Griffin Kramer, playing showtunes, classics, and your favorite sing along songs at the Shea’s Bistro.

Piano master and tenured jazz legends, George Caldwell Jazz Quartet, will be set up inside the Alleyway Theatre lobby.

Tom Makar will be playing rock and roll favorites on his guitar outside of the Irish Classical Theatre Company Andrews Theatre.

The 12/8 Path Band will leading a Mardi-Gras style music parade on Main Street from Tupper to Chippewa Street.

Laissez le bon temps rouler at The Bijou! The Zydeco Band is playing their annual upbeat, spicy blend of Cajun music outside of The Bijou.

Local music favorites, The Bear, Tiny the Dream, BPD Trio, and more will perform outside Hostel Buffalo-Niagara.

Buffalo Wide RightBuffalo Music Award winning band, playing current radio hits, classic rock, country, disco, Motown & more.

Magician Mike Seege will be strolling throughout the evening, using cards, coins, and other small objects to make the seemingly impossible magic possible.

Pyromancy, a premier fire performance troupe, will roam the 600 Block of Main Street.

Buffalo AKG Art Museum Art Truck is a mobile center for hands-on artmaking that brings art activities, for individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of ability into the communities of Western New York.

Fat Bob’s Smokehouse Food Truck
will be set up in the 600 Block and will offer delicious BBQ bites for purchase. 

Hearth + Press restaurant will be selling slices of their famous Neapolitan-style pizza outside of their space in the heart of the Theatre District. 

The Bijou will be set up outside their space on Main Street with delectable desserts available for purchase as well.

 

It’s all free and everyone is welcome!

Associated Events

The Curtain Up! experience includes other quality entertainment at various locations in the Theatre District

Buffalo AKG Art Museum Art Truck

Buffalo AKG Art Museum Art Truck is a mobile center for hands-on artmaking that brings art activities, classes, and workshops for individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of ability into the communities of Western New York. The Art Truck will be set up on Main Street for the Free Late-Night Street Party.

(716) 882-8700

Hostel Buffalo-Niagara

The Opening Reception of Hostel Buffalo’s BOX Gallery presents from the minds of A.J. Fries & Michael Mararian, The Art of Polyester Bakes, “Get Your Bake On” will be held from 7pm through 1am. “The Art of Polyester Bakes” is a visual interpretation of one of Buffalo’s favorite Instagram accounts @Polyesterbakes, and the brainchild of artist Michael Mararian who every week bakes delicious desserts paired with vintage attire. The show will visually interpret an array of delectables and fashion from the account. In collaboration with well-known artist A.J.Fries, both gentlemen are hoping to capture some fan favorites in a series of simple, black-and-white paintings on cardboard. This exhibition will be on view through October 23rd.

Entertainment in Hostel and a Pinata!
10 PM to Midnight
Free.

716-852-5222

Houndstooth Costume Collective

The first Artisan Market at the Collective will take place on Friday, September 22nd from 6pm to 11:30pm. The event will feature theatre artists and their varied works.
(716) 725-6287

The Bijou Grille

ZYDECO ON THE DOORSTEP
10 PM to Midnight
Free.

716-847-1512

Participating Local Restaurants

Hearth and Press

The Bijou Grille

ZYDECO ON THE DOORSTEP
10 PM to Midnight
Free.

716-847-1512

WEDI Downtown Bazaar

Taste of Downtown Bazaar: Dinner & Drinks for Curtain Up!

The Evening’s Menu:
Oralia Style Chicken Taco
Papaya Salad
One Beef Sambusa or One Veggie Sambusa
Chicken Gufuma
Spam Fried Rice
One complimentary draft beer or house wine from Lulu’s Pub

Choose your preferred tasting time and click here to order tickets today!

Press Releases

Kickoff Party

Frequently Asked Questions

This year is the 37th Annual Curtain Up! Event which celebrates the opening of the theatre season in Buffalo and the continued strength of the Theatre District that has played a large role in Buffalo’s Resurgence. It is a unique event that involves three “Acts” in one evening.