"Queen City" to Make Film Premiere in CFA

By David Wedekindt

Release Date: October 16, 2012 This content is archived.

Print

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Center for the Arts at the University at Buffalo welcomes Queen City on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts, UB North Campus.

Join Buffalo's own Peter McGennis on the red carpet for the premiere of his latest film, Queen City, starring Vivica A. Fox and an incredible ensemble cast of Grammy winning and nominated talent including Susan Tedeschi, Allen Toussaint, Maria Muldaur, James Cotton, Sharon Jones, Average White Band, Magic Slim, Toni Lynn Washington and others.

After the screening, soul/funk sensation Sharon Jones, blues legends James Cotton, Toni Lynn Washington and surprise guests will perform a musical set backed by several of Buffalo's finest musicians who contributed to the score. This unique film and live music event will mark the first local date of McGennis' travelling "Rust Belt Revue" to showcase different musical guest performances following Queen City screenings at universities, film festivals and other unique places of interest.

Shot entirely in Buffalo, Queen City celebrates the gritty struggle of two detectives and a jazz singer in the wake of the steel plant closings. Re-creating Buffalo's Little Harlem Nightclub, Queen City comes alive on screen through music by capturing the essence of our weathered city. Buffalo fans will delight in seeing an array of prominent Western New York actors and local icons appear on screen in historic locations such as the Hotel Lafayette, the Colored Musicians Club of Buffalo and the Central Terminal.

Widely regarded as the world's premier live soul diva, Sharon Jones has gained enormous popularity reviving the essence of '60s sound and early '70s funk. James Cotton and Toni Lynn Washington are two of the remaining blues pioneers still performing with passion and strength into their 70s. Fans will enjoy hearing original songs from Queen City in addition to familiar favorites.

Tickets for Queen City are $57 (VIP), $37 and $27. VIP Tickets include a commemorative poster, postcard, and meet-and-greet. Tickets are available at the Center for the Arts Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and tickets.com. To charge tickets, call 1-888-223-6000. For more information, call 716-645-2787 or visit http://www.ubcfa.org.