World premiere of Moshe Shulman's 'Beyond Buffalo A Celebration of Multiculturalism in Music and Dance' set for Artpark Emerald Grove

Submitted

Thu, Apr 24th 2025 12:20 pm

Artpark & Company Press Release

Artpark is thrilled to host local Buffalo musician and composer Moshe Shulman, for his world premiere of “Beyond Buffalo A Celebration of Multiculturalism in Music and Dance” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, at Artpark’s Emerald Grove Stage (lower park/South Fourth Street entrance).

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, April 25, and are priced at $20 for adults and $10 for students/children. Purchase online at ticketmaster.com; or in person at the Artpark box office, 450 S. Fourth St., Lewiston, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday or 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Saturday.

“Beyond Buffalo A Celebration of Multiculturalism in Music and Dance” is an original composition featuring six musicians and seven dancers who will come together to showcase several international styles or music with their accompanying distinct styles of dance.

“Exploring different cultures musically has interested me since my early 20s,” Shulman said. “Recently, it dawned on me that I don’t have to travel far to explore new ideas of expression, because so many exist here, in my own city of Buffalo and its surroundings.

‘Beyond Buffalo’ is written and dedicated to all the dancers of the greater Buffalo area that I chose for this project: those who were born here, and those who travelled from near and far. This suite showcases the expressions of many cultures and genres, and exhibits their unique musical elements. It also attempts to present the reality that, within differences, there is an underlying unity. For example, the same melody can exist in different styles of music; a rhythmical pattern can find itself in two seemingly opposite genres; a ballet dancer can have an inspiring duet with an African dancer.

“This is not a multicultural piece, like a salad of unrelated ingredients, but rather handpicked elements of music from different parts of the world spread over 10 different dishes. Every ingredient tells a story; every flavor dances on your palate. I hope you enjoy this banquet, served up by a woodwind quartet, piano, percussion, and, of course, dance.”

More on Moshe Shulman

Russian-born Israeli/American composer, violin, viola, bandoneon and accordion player Shulman lives in Buffalo where he and his wife, Miranda, raise a family of three children. His recent compositional accolades include: 2020 NYSCA grant to write children ballet; and 2015 Fromm Foundation Commission from Harvard University, which resulted in “Seven Prophetesses” for voice, harp and string quartet.

Featured musicians, dancers and styles include:

Christine Davis, flute • Erico Ansuade, Ghana
Megan Kyle, oboe • Riesa Avanti, Balinese
Michael Tumiel, clarinet • Gaitrie Devi S., Indian
Doron Laznow, bassoon • Kenzie, belly dance
Ivan Docenko, piano • Monica Karwan, modern
Ben Cohen, percussion • Phil Wackerfuss, modern
Isabella Guerrucci, ballet

This composition is made possible by 2025 New York State Council on the Arts Individual Artist Commission Award, and Artpark.

Artpark event schedule

Additional 2025 events and programs at Artpark include: “Wine & Wheels” (multiple dates in June/July); The Driver Era (June 6); Artpark x BPO candlelight concert (June 11): The String Cheese Incident (June 18); Gary Clark Jr. (June 24); “Artcamps” (three sessions in July); George Thorogood and The Destroyers “The Baddest Show on Earth” + 38 Special (July 1); Todd Rundgren, “STILL ME (STILL WE) Tour” (July 3); Rick Springfield “I Want My 80's Tour" with John Waite, Wang Chung & Paul Young (July 5); Juanes (July 10); Artpark Fairy House Festival (July 12); Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (July 17); Rainbow Kitten Surprise with Medium Build (July 29); Lucy Dacus (July 30); Blackberry Smoke and Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs (July 31); Slightly Stoopid “Step Into The Sun Summer Tour 2025" (Aug. 1); Chicago (Aug. 8); “Beyond Buffalo A Celebration of Multiculturalism in Music and Dance” (Aug. 10); Fitz and The Tantrums “Man On The Moon Tour” (Aug. 12); Yacht Rock Revue (Aug. 13); Toad The Wet Sprocket with KT Tunstall and Sixpence None The Richer (Aug. 15); Artpark’s Cirque Festival (Aug. 17); Gregory Alan Isakov with Ocie Elliott (Aug. 24); “Wicked Sing-Along” movie night (Aug. 26); The Australian Pink Floyd Show “Wish You Were Here 50^th Anniversary” (Aug. 27); UB40 “The Relentless Tour” (Aug. 29); “Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Asking for Trouble” (Aug. 30); “The Flying Dutchman” opera (Sept. 13); Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas (Sept. 21); Vance Joy (Sept. 26); and “CoComelon: Sing-A-Long LIVE” (Sept. 27).