Bad News and Hope
Between the Studio Arena shuttering and going into bankruptcy, American Axle workers striking, DeJac’s lawsuit, there seems to be a dearth of good news here in the Buffalo area. Studio Arena is hit with a shrinking, aging population that doesn’t have the disposable income to go to shows all the time. It’s also competing for philanthropic dollars along with every other non-profit in town. American Axle? Lucky to still be in business and manufacturing in the US. This strike won’t do much to perpetuate either.
So, look north. The Niagara Falls Reporter’s David Staba talks with new mayor Paul Dyster. That’s a city that has a smart, hard-working Mayor who isn’t beholden to special interests and isn’t filling posts with patronage appointments. He figures that whole “merit” thing counts for something. Politically, Niagara Falls is head and shoulders above Buffalo when it comes to a real possibility for change in the near and far term.
Terry Says:February 26th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I heard somewhere the other day that Buffalo was the 5th poorest City in the Nation….Is that really true? I know things are bad, but have we hit that level?
Administrator Says:February 26th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Actually, Buffalo is the second poorest. 29.9% poverty rate and the third lowest median income.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=518829
However, Mayor Brown says our renaissance is in full swing, never mind the facts!
al-alo Says:February 26th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
surprisingly i think that American Axle and Studio Arena have a interesting common denominator they both may deny: they supplied a product the public wasnt interested in at the price point offered (although an argument can be made that AA just makes parts).
Studio Arena may cite the declining population (thought the region hasnt lost as many people as the City) less rich people, etc. . .but the basic fact is their model was flawed, and was not sustainable. the decline at SA, just like the american auto industry, was years in the making and should have allowed both time to adjust.
the failure was only one: the failure to adapt.
eac Says:February 26th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
keep eyes on Paul & NF: it’s admittedly a much smaller petri dish, but I maintain that we’ll all learn something down here in the Flo about when happens when you elect a real person, and not a careerist politician, for office…
Though, since cynicism/disappointment is inevitable, let me at least allow that he’s not got a lot to work with.
lindy ruff Says:February 27th, 2008 at 7:35 am
“keep eyes on Paul & NF: it’s admittedly a much smaller petri dish, but I maintain that we’ll all learn something down here in the Flo about when happens when you elect a real person, and not a careerist politician, for office…”
or an italian with mob ties…
Edgard Says:February 27th, 2008 at 10:19 am
I think it’s a bit facile and overreaching to blame the “aging” population of Buffalo. Usually, it’s seniors that have the time and money to enjoy these venues. I saw three SA productions in the past year and I’d say each time the theatre was at least 2/3 full. I enjoyed all of them, too. I agree with Al-Alo, I think SA’s problems go way back and the debt just kept accumulating. It’s unforunate some of the tough measures taken of late weren’t taken 5 years ago. The outcome may have been different. However, I think SA will be back but in another incarnation of sorts. At least I hope so. And, what’s up with BUA? The website says it’s “dark”.
Mike Says:February 27th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Did Hudson not comment on this blog because it was one of his buddies who wrote it or if he does’nt have anything BAD to say he won’t say nothing at all.
Buffalo Rox Says:February 27th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I agree with Edgard and al-alo about Studio Arena. While I’m sad that SA, with its storied history, closed, it angers me that they pull out the BS about declining population, lost corporate support, etc. I split season tickets the past two years and plays were generally ho-hum (except To Kill a Mockingbird, which was very good and Bat Boy, which was plain crazy given the audience but was well produced). They seem to forget that other theatre groups have popped up over the years, at least two of which occurred in the past 5 years. I don’t know whether it was arrogance or ignorance that allowed them to accumulate so much debt before taking drastic action. Seems that they just hoped things would work out on their own. Aging membership, uninspiring product and lack of leadership seems to have played a large roll (see al-alo american auto industry comparison).