Construction officially began on the final component of the block of industrial buildings which interrupts the flow of surface parking lots in the cobblestone district. Originally just lofts, now its mostly offices, with retail on the 1st floor and residential on the second.

And the 1-story building between the two warehouses should be adding a “European Bistro” this summer. I’m predicting a cafe/restaurant/bar coming into this final rehab too…the block should become a modest post-game attraction for Sabres fans when completed.

A couple of weeks ago, Colin Dabkowski of The Buffalo News wrote about the ongoing financial troubles of Studio Arena Theater.

Two weeks ago, in the face of an unthinkable closure, an emergency fundraising effort managed to pull in about $225,000 from a combination of foundations, theater board members and local banks, according to Studio Arena board President Daniel A. Dintino.

That money, according to Dintino and CEO and artistic director Kathleen Gaffney, will ensure that the theater produces at least its next two shows: the family-friendly Christmas play “Indian Blood,” which is scheduled to begin in previews Tuesday, and January’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“This kind of operation, even with the cuts that I made throughout last year, having [only] one set designer and so forth, it’s still too expensive,” she said. “And the audience is just not, they’re not coming.”

Of course, this begs the question; Why aren’t the audiences coming? After sitting through a tedious and mediocre performance of A.R. Gurney’s “Indian Blood”, a play designed to appeal to the “Old Buffalo” set, I had my own ideas. I had intended to write about them last week, but time got away from me…

A CFEA press conference today regarding our master plan for Buffalo’s waterfront and the City of Buffalo as a whole.

One of my favorite ongoing shows right now is “Lost,” the serially mysterious adventure drama about a bunch of castaways and all the wacky people they meet on a Pacific island. Terrific plot twists, magnificent acting and great writing combine for a highly entertaining show, even if the various island mysteries may leave you pulling your hair out after a while.

Last night in London, Led Zeppelin played its first full set since 1980, when drummer extraordinaire John Bonham died. Whether or not they tour remains an open question, but I though I’d pass on the setlist for those of you who care, courtesy of NME:

‘Good Times Bad Times’
“The set started with a clip from ‘The Song Remains The Same’ DVD with an American news clip telling of they broke The Beatles’ attendance record for a gig in 1973 in California. Simple stage set, video screen behind the band.”