Shea’s Buffalo Theatre Kicks Off Centennial Celebration

Shea’s Performing Arts Center kicked off the centennial celebration of Shea’s Buffalo Theatre on January 15, 2025, marking 100 years since the groundbreaking for the historic theater. The celebration will continue for two years with a variety of events planned at the theater and throughout the community.

“Shea’s Buffalo Theatre holds a unique place in this community, reaching far beyond our role as an entertainment destination,” said Brian Higgins, President & CEO of Shea’s Performing Arts Center. “We are a leader in arts education, a pristinely preserved national historic treasure, a downtown Buffalo anchor, and an economic catalyst.”

A Look Back

Built in just one year and a day, Shea’s Buffalo Theatre opened its doors to the public on January 16, 1926.

“An architectural and design masterpiece, Shea’s Buffalo Theatre is a cultural landmark with an incredible history and a bright future,” added Jonathan Dandes, Chair of Shea’s Performing Arts Center Board of Trustees.

Experience the Wonder of Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

  • Historic Tours

Shea’s is offering historic tours for the public to learn about the theater’s history, preservation efforts, and get a behind-the-scenes look. Public tours are mostly held on Mondays at 6:00 PM, with the exception of Memorial Day weekend. Tickets are $25 per person.

  • Shea’s Buffalo Theatre Virtual Vault

The virtual vault on the Shea’s website showcases the theater’s history through photos and descriptions. The first section, featuring “Construction of Shea’s,” is now available.

  • Community Collaborations

Shea’s Performing Arts Center is partnering with various organizations to share the magic of Shea’s with the community. Some partners include museums, coffee shops, and breweries.

  • Shea’s Buffalo Centennial Logo
SHEAS_AnniversaryLogo_DAM_20250115

A new Centennial logo featuring the iconic Shea’s Buffalo blade sign has been unveiled. Merchandise featuring the new logo will be available for purchase.

  • Shea’s Centennial Events

A variety of special events and activities are planned throughout the two-year celebration. These include a groundbreaking centennial cocktail party, announcements of upcoming performance seasons, and the Shea’s Wonder Awards ceremony celebrating arts education and young performers.

A Legacy of Entertainment

“This historical theatre is an important component of our region’s flourishing arts and cultural community,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “The celebration of this majestic symbol of Buffalo and Erie County’s storied history serves as a reminder of the crucial role we all play to help ensure the curtain will continue to rise for many years to come.”

Shea’s Buffalo Theatre has been a center for entertainment and culture in Buffalo for nearly a century. The centennial celebration is a chance to reflect on the theater’s rich history and look forward to its bright future.

Related articles

Trump biographer Michael Wolff argues Trump’s marriage is struggling



Trump biographer Michael Wolff argued First Lady Melania Trump has become an unnervingly unpredictable force within the White House that administration insiders cannot manage or predict.

In his Substack newsletter HOWL, Wolff writes, "Of all the self-dealing among Trump family members, Melania's moves—not just about money, but about calling attention to herself—are seen as most disturbing to the White House, and most in danger of putting her on a collision course with the president."

According to the Daily Beast, Wolff claimed the couple barely speaks and maintains little pretense that Melania resides at the White House full-time, spending most time in New York.

He characterized Melania as "a wild card that he can't seem to control or even game."

“Almost nobody near Trump—including Trump himself—knows Melania’s moves until she makes them,” Wolff writes.

Financial disclosures show Melania earned $10.71 million from her documentary despite it earning only $16.7 million worldwide, plus roughly $521,000 from her memoir.

White House spokesman Davis Ingle dismissed Wolff, cursing him off.

Watch the video below.


Shock as GOP leader moans that history’s ‘oppressors’ don’t get celebrated



A House Republican berated Smithsonian history director Anthea Hartig, suggesting that historical 'oppressors' should receive more celebration.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), chair of the House Oversight subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, called the hearing Tuesday to challenge how the National Museum of American History tells the nation's story.

It marked the first time a top Smithsonian leader had been publicly grilled by Congress since President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing officials to "remove improper ideology" from the institution's museums.

Burchett opened Tuesday's session by accusing the museum of having "become infected by a woke ideology that has seeped into public displays, educational materials, and planning documents."

"But in the museum's current telling, history is just an ongoing power struggle between oppressors and the oppressed," Burchett said. "Only the oppressed are celebrated, especially illegal immigrants."

Burchett then challenged Hartig over exhibits on "race, identity, gender, and sexuality."

"Yes, sir," Hartig replied. "We strive to create a museum where our visitors will be inspired by the collections, programs, and exhibitions, and they will choose what they each will do to keep our American democracy strong and vibrant, and they'll play that chosen part with passion. That is our hope."

Burchett pointed to images he had posted on a display board behind him, describing what he called sexually explicit content in museum exhibits.

"You have pictures of bondage," the lawmaker complained. "You have some overtly sexual things up there. You have transgender folks...?"

"The exhibition and project you're referring to is Girlhood: It's Complicated, which was a temporary exhibit in our museum that closed —" Hartig began.

"Ma'am, I didn't ask you that," Burchett cut her off. "I asked you: do you think it is appropriate?"

Hartig said the exhibit had featured, with the author's permission, a 13-year-old's diary that covered sleepovers, Latin class, and math exams. She said the exhibit carried a parental advisory label at its entrance.

"Do you think that is appropriate for a child to see? Yes or no?" Burchett pressed.

"I understand your question, sir," Hartig said.

"No — don't. You're not answering. You're just running on, ma'am," Burchett shot back.

In his closing moments, Burchett cited three statements he attributed to Hartig — that America was founded on "the supremacy of white men," that loving America is "very complicated," and that the nation's 250th anniversary is worth "problematizing."

"It is the honor of my career to serve as the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History," Hartig replied when asked if she should continue leading the museum.

South Carolina Senate poll shows surprising frontrunner: Trey Gowdy

Gowdy has said he's not interested. But the poll suggests he would lead a crowded field, which includes the Trump-endorsed Darline Graham, for late Sen. Lindsey Graham's seat.

Trump administration’s cuts to 2 Utah national monuments, explained

The first Trump administration also tried to reduce the areas of Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.