FORWARD THINKERS
JUSTIN AZZARELLA
VP with the Evergreen Association of Western New York, where, among other things, he oversees Buffalo’s Pride Week LGBTQ celebration (see page 32). buffalopridefestival.com
A new generation is reinventing Buffalo as a mecca of arts and culture, while paying homage to its past. We rounded up a few young leaders with Buffalo’s grain elevators – symbols of our proud industrial heritage – as a backdrop.
VBN: A big portion of Pride takes place at Canalside (page 8), which is quickly becoming one of Buffalo’s most popular tourist spots. Tell us about that part of Buffalo. JA: Canalside is a really unique and cool place. It’s the convergence of downtown, the waterfront, a sports arena and historic buildings. I’m an urban planner by education and – to me – there’s something magical about celebrating Pride with 15,000 people at the historic terminus of the Erie Canal surrounded by skyscrapers, cobblestone streets and a gorgeous sunset on Lake Erie.
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VISITBUFFALONIAGARA.COM
DUSTIN HERZBERGER
Drummer for The Albrights, a Buffalo indie rock band with plenty of pop hooks and bluesy swagger. thealbrightsband.com VBN: Where are your favorite venues to see other bands play?
KC KRATT
DH: Nietzsche’s (see page 10), as well as the up-and-coming Mr. Goodbar upstairs stage, which is really turning into a great room. I also love going down to Thursday at Canalside (page 8) in the summer – they always have great bands and I love being outside on the water watching music. The Town Ballroom and Larkin Square (page 16) are also favorites.
Read the full interviews and see videos of Dustin’s band, Shane’s B-boying and more at visitbuffaloniagara.com/forward