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Cover Story

Why He Did It: An Interview With Mark Grisanti

by Geoff Kelly

New York State Senator Mark Grisanti insists that he was not the swing vote on marriage equality last week. He was #33, not #32. But at a press conference on Monday, the Republican allowed that, if his had been the crucial vote, he’d still have voted yes, because the research he’d done and the people with whom he’d spoken had convinced him that basic human rights outweighed the personal reservations that had led him to oppose same-sex marriage in the past.

News Analysis

The Judges Obama Ignores

by Bruce Fisher

It has been more than seven years since the Second Circuit Court of Appeals told a judge in Buffalo that he was correct in deciding that the Seneca Nation of Indians had no claim to 19,000-acre Grand Island or any of the other islands in the Niagara River. Back in 2002, Judge Richard Arcara of the Federal District Court here, wrote a 212-page decision that includes a comprehensive history of who has owned or controlled land on both sides of the Niagara as far back as the early 17th century.

Week in Review

A Pro-Casino Presidency?

by Bruce Fisher

Tell It To The Judge

by Geoff Kelly

Meantime, At City Hall...

by Geoff Kelly

The Peace Process

by Geoff Kelly

Scorecard: The Week's Winners and Losers

by Zachary Burns

Art Scene

Wigstock Revisited

by J. Tim Raymond

Animals and Architectures

by Jack Foran

Framed

Roland Wise: The Canadian Connection

by Dean Brownrout

A recently published article in the Canadian-based Galleries West magazine, written by the well regarded curator/artist Jeffrey Spalding, sheds new light on an important early chapter in the life of artist Roland Wise. Wise lived in Buffalo from the mid 1950s until his death in 2005; he taught painting and drawing at Buffalo State College from 1955 to 1992.

Theater Week

One More For My Baby

by Anthony Chase

The music of Frank Sinatra has been very good to MusicalFare. A few years ago, the company scored a huge hit with My Way—a Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, an engaging revue of his most popular songs. Artistic director Randy Kramer, had always thought about returning to the Sinatra songbook, but with a musical that told a story, rather than with a revue.

Left of the Dial

Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The Harvest

by Donny Kutzbach

Some things just take time. It’s been eight years since Gillian Welch last issued a record. 2004’s Soul Journey was another highwater mark for the Nashville-based singer/songwriter, following a string of acclaimed releases and a Grammy.

Classical Music Notes

Nickel City Opera Goes to Sea

by Jan Jezioro

The Nickel City Opera is on a roll. Last weekend’s performances of Verdi’s Il Trovatore featured the strongest production by the company in its three-year history. Director Henry Akina’s atmospheric staging at the Riviera Theatre was highly effective, while the singing of the principal soloists proved to be memorable.

Film Reviews

Larry Crowne

by George Sax

Small Town Murder Songs

by M. Faust

Buck

by M. Faust

NEDS

by M. Faust

Listings

On The Boards Theater Listings

Movie Times (Friday, July 1 - Thursday, July 7)

Film Now Playing

Featured Events

See You There!

Artvoice's weekly round-up of featured events, including our editor's picks for the week: Independence Day - head inside to see a rundown of events and fireworks displays this holiday weekend.

5 Questions With...

Tim O'Shei - Journalist / Author

A freelance writer and author of 61 books, O’Shei has interviewed some of the biggest stars of the sports and entertainment world. His lastest venture is the joint book/workshop project Live Starring... You! (livestarringyou.com) which aims to aid and educate ambitious teenagers on the path to stardom.

Letters to Artvoice

Going to the Chapel

by Vanity Vogue

An Open Letter to GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy

by Matt Ricchiazzi

Offbeat News

News of the Weird

by Chuck Shepherd

Somehow, upscale restaurateurs believe that diners will soon willingly pay more for a beef dish if it comes with disclosure of the DNA of the actual cow being eaten, according to a May Associated Press report. “People want to know where their food is coming from,” said one excited chef, lauding the knowledge to be gleaned from a calf’s upbringing.

Horoscopes

Free Will Astrology

by Rob Brezsny

CANCER (June 21-July 22): A while back I asked my readers to propose a new name for your astrological sign. “Cancer” has a bit of a negative connotation, after all. Many people suggested “Dolphin” as a replacement, which I like.

Advice

Ask Anyone

My new girlfriend and I drive truck for a living. We’ve been living together since February at this house on this big chunk of land I bought out in the country. A lot of the time we’re apart because we each have our own rigs and make different runs. That’s why we both decided to take a couple weeks off together, starting with the weekend before the Fourth of July.