Events

Have you ever yearned to see Buffalo’s civic leaders compete with each other by performing great speeches and poems by William Shakespeare? Of course you have!

On Thursday, December 1, Buffalo will crown its next Shakespearean Idol at the Buffalo History Museum (One Museum Court, Buffalo, New York 14216). Esteemed civic leaders will compete for the prize before all-star judges Karima Amin, Annette Christian, and Saul Elkin. But it’s the audience vote that crowns the Idol! There will also be a special prize for the contestant who receives the most sponsors through our CrowdRise site, so – whether you can attend the contest or not – please take a moment to sponsor your favorite contestant.

Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door. To purchase a ticket or sponsor your favorite candidate, go to https://www.crowdrise.com/4th-annual-shakespearean-idol and click "Register."

This year’s contestants are:

• Frits Abell, managing director, Impact Industries
• Melissa Brown, executive director, Buffalo History Museum
• Cathy Creighton, attorney, Creighton Johnsen Giroux
• Colin Dabkowski, arts critic, Buffalo News
• Seamus Gallivan, founder, The Good Neighborhood
• Honorable Betty Jean Grant, legislator, Erie County
• Althea Luehrsen, CEO, Leadership Buffalo
• India Walton, activist, Fruit Belt neighborhood

Doors open at 7pm, and the contest starts promptly at 7:30pm. After the contest, the audience is invited to stay for drinks and light desserts. This event is for ages 21+.

All proceeds go to benefit the Partnership for the Public Good, a non-profit group that unites 245 community organizations working to build a better Buffalo.