Book Events

BOOK EVENTS

Upcoming Buffalo History & Buffalo Music Presentations

That are open to the general public

Listing of upcoming public events where I will be giving presentations, book talks or book signing. Most of my talks are Private Events so they are not listed.

Saturday, November 9, 2024. 7:00 - ?. The Stage, 8166 Main Street, Williamsville. Cheater the last show. Will be introducing the band Cheater at what will be their last concert. Buffalo Music History books will be available at the concert.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024. 1:00 – 2:00. Aurora Senior Center, 101 King Street, East Aurora. Historic Places of Buffalo/WNY. Call 716-652-7934 to register.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024. 6:00 – 7:00. Grand Island Golden Age Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island. Historic Places of Buffalo/WNY. Call 716-773-9682 to register. Come early for dinner at 5:00.

Monday, November 18, 2024. 1:30 – 2:30. Orchard Park Senior Center, 4520 California Road, Orchard Park. Philanthropists & Social Benefactors. Call 716-662-6452 to register

Thursday, November 21, 2024.5:00 – 6:00. Black Rock Historical Society, 436 Amherst St, Buffalo. Book signing with six other authors. Will be the release of my new book.

Thursday, November 21, 2024. Wheatfield Historical Society. Wheatfield Community Center, 2790 Church Street, Wheatfield. 7:00 – 8:00. Founders of villages, towns and cities in WNY.

Sunday, November 24, 2024. 5:00 – 10:00. The Stage, 8166 Main Street, Williamsville. Benefit concert with 7 bands and 6 acoustic artists for repairs at the Cheektowaga Historical Association purchase of Keith Gregor’s Music Mall as a rehearsal space for bands and the new home of the Cheektowaga Town Museum. Several authors will be selling music and history books.

Friday, November 29, 2024. 11:00 – 5:00. Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court, Buffalo. Holiday Makers Market. Many area authors and artisans.

Saturday, November 30, 2024. 10:00 – 5:00. Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court, Buffalo. Holiday Makers Market. Many area authors and artisans.

Thursday, December 5, 2024. 1:00 – 2:00. City of Tonawanda Library, 333 Main Street, Tonawanda. Historic Places of Buffalo/WNY. Call 716-693-5043 to register.

Thursday, December 12, 2024. 2:30 – 3:30. Akron Senior Center, 5691 Cummings Road, Akron. Historic Places of Buffalo/WNY. Call 716-542-6645 to register.

Holiday Book Signings. Will be adding book signings at area retail stores so you can purchase Buffalo History Books as holiday gifts. Support local vendors.

Already have over 30 private events scheduled for 2025 but only a couple are open to the public. Watch for additional dates.



Books are available at area bookstores, gift shops, historical societies and at talks


BOOK EVENTS


Following is a listing of events where I will be giving presentations or book talks. Copies of the History of Buffalo Music & Entertainment
Profiles Volume I: Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY – the 1800s Profiles Volume II: Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY – Early 1900s The Spirit of Buffalo Women: Prominent Women who called Buffalo their Home will be available for purchase.

Events at Independent Living Centers, Assisted Living Centers, Nursing Homes and for private organizations are only listed if open for the public to attend.
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Tuesday, September 10, 2024. 7:00 – 8:00. Clarence Historical Society, Clarence Town Park Clubhouse, 10405 Main Street, Clarence. Early 1900s Society & Culture

Monday, September 30, 2024. 6:00 – 9:00. Sportsmen’s Tavern, Black Rock Historical Society Annual Fundraiser, Remembering McVan’s. Panel discussions about the history of McVan’s and live music from the McVan’s era.

October is currently all private events – no public dates at this time

Tuesday, November 12, 2024. 1:00 – 2:00. Aurora Senior Center, 101 King Street, East Aurora. Historic Places of Buffalo/WNY. Call 716-652-7934 to register.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024. 6:00 – 7:00. Grand Island Golden Age Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island. Historic Places of Buffalo/WNY. Call 716-773-9682 to register. Come early for dinner at 5:00.

Monday, November 18, 2024. 1:30 – 2:30. Orchard Park Senior Center, 4520 California Road, Orchard Park. Philanthropists & Social Benefactors. Call 716-662-6452 to register

Thursday, November 21, 2024. Wheatfield Historical Society. Wheatfield Community Center, 2790 Church Street, Wheatfield. 7:00 – 8:00. Founders of villages, towns and cities in WNY.

Sunday, November 24, 1924. The Stage, 8166 Main Street, Williamsville. 5:00 - 10:00. Cheektowaga Historical Society Museum Fundraiser: Remembering Keith Gregor's Music Mall and Buffalo Music Awards.

Friday, November 29, 2024. 11:00 – 5:00. Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court, Buffalo. Holiday Makers Market.

Saturday, November 30, 2024. 10:00 – 5:00. Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court, Buffalo. Holiday Makers Market.

Thursday, December 5, 2024. 1:00 – 2:00. City of Tonawanda Library, 333 Main Street, Tonawanda. Historic Places of Buffalo/WNY. Call 716-693-5043 to register.

Thursday, December 12, 2024. 2:30 – 3:30. Akron Senior Center, 5691 Cummings Road, Akron. Historic Places of Buffalo/WNY. Call 716-542-6645 to register.



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Private events which are not open to the general public are not listed.
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Rick Falkowski
2022-2023 Presentations & Brief Bio

Early 1900s Society & Culture. Individuals involved in education, politics, entertainment, sports, religion, social welfare and white-collar companies of the WNY area, including retail, newspapers, hospitality, and other businesses, along with philanthropists that benefitted our community.

Early 1900s Industry & Manufacturing. Information and photos highlighting the individuals that created the steel, automotive, airplane and other factories that shaped the Blue-Collar backbone of WNY during the early 20th Century. Includes philanthropists that continue to benefit the WNY community.

Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY – the Early 1800s. Information and photos of people who influenced the history, commerce and culture of WNY in the early 1800s. The presentation will discuss noteworthy politicians, businessmen, inventors and others, including information on the building of Buffalo Harbor, the War of 1812 and the Erie Canal.

Late 1800s Industry, Businesses & Culture. Info and photos of the people who made Buffalo & WNY a manufacturing center, built the mansions of the city and influenced the society and culture of the late 1800s, including the social activists, religious leaders, medical pioneers and writers of the era, along with the achievements of women during the late 19th Century.

Early Buffalo Music & Entertainment. A look back to the beginning of Buffalo’s entertainment history, starting at Canal Street to early theaters, concert halls, vaudeville houses, big band nightclubs and music prior to the advent of Rock N Roll. Includes information on area radio stations, songwriters, musicians and entertainers, along with many historic photos of Buffalo’s entertainment heritage.

Rock N Roll Buffalo. A review of the musicians, bands, DJ’s, clubs, concert halls and personalities that brought rock music to the Buffalo area. Starting with the beginning of Rock N Roll in the 50s, the presentation will focus on rock music, but will include all styles of music performed in WNY through the mid 80s, along with photos of the bands and venues.

Influential Buffalo Women in the 19th & 20th Century. A review of historic and influential women from Buffalo and WNY who influenced area society and culture, while working in education, law, social welfare, entertainment, business, manufacturing and philanthropy during the 1800s and 1900s.

Historic & Influential Niagara County Residents during the 19th & 20th Century. A review of the accomplishments by people from Niagara County during the 1800s and 1900s.
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Other presentations and book signings are being scheduled for 2022 & 2023. Contact info@buffalomusichistory.com for additional info or to inquire about a presentation at your business or organization.

PAST BOOK EVENTS


10/3/17. Book Launch and Book Signing - Cool Beat Music & Books, 2445 William Street, Cheektowaga.

10/5/17. Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Cardinal O’Hara Performing Arts Center, 39 Ohara Road, Tonawanda.

10/11/17. Eden Library, 2901 E. Church Street, Eden.

10/14/17. Downtown Library, Lafayette Square, Buffalo. Indie Author Day

10/17/17. City of Tonawanda Library, 333 Main Street, Tonawanda.

10/23/17. Brothers of Mercy, 10500 Bergtold Road, Clarence.

11/1/17. Steel Plant Museum, 100 Lee Street, Buffalo.

11/9/17. Sportsmen’s Tavern-WNY Blues Society, 326 Amherst, Buffalo

11/14/17. Anchor Bar, 4300 Maple Road, Amherst.

11/19/17. 2:00. Local Author Fair, Audubon Library, Amherst.

11/22/17. R&B Revue, Classics V, 2325 Niagara Falls Blvd, Amherst.

11/25/17. Local Author Day, Buffalo History Museum, Buffalo.

12/2/17. Barnes & Noble, Clarence Mall, 4401 Transit, Williamsville.

12/6/17. Greenfield’s Care Community, 5959 Broadway, Lancaster.

12/8/17 5:00. Shop South Buffalo, Dog Ears, 688 Abbott Road, Buffalo.

12/9/17. Nickle City Frets, 61 Main Street, Akron.

1/9/18. Sportsman’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St, Buffalo.

2/24/18. Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St, Buffalo.

3/6/18 Anchor Bar, 4300 Maple Road, Amherst.

3/20/18. Brighton Place Library, 999 Brighton Road, Tonawanda.

4/13/18 Concord Senior Center, 40 Commerce Dr., Springville.

4/24/18 Heathwood Assisted Living, 815 Hopkins Road, Amherst.

4/27/18 Bookworm Bookstore & Gifts, 34 Elm Street, East Aurora.

5/30/18 The Dale Association, 33 Ontario Street. Lockport.

5/31/18 Grand Island Golden Age Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island.

6/4/17 Clarence Senior Center, 4600 Thompson Road, Clarence.

6/8/18 Brothers of Mercy – Montabaur Heights, 4530 Ransom Road, Clarence.

Wednesday 6/13/18 to 8/29/18 (except 7/4/18 and 7/18/18) Tonawandas Gateway Harbor Park Concerts, Sweeney Street, North Tonawanda.

7/22/18 South Buffalo Farmers Market – Dog Ears Bookstore Author Day, Cazenovia Park, Buffalo.

8/26/18 Branchetti’s, 550 North French Road, Amherst. Bridget’s Battle

9/6/18 Fox Run, 5689 Big Tree Road, Orchard Park.

10/13/18. Downtown Library, Lafayette Square, Buffalo. Indie Author Day.

10/18/18. Elderwood Residences at Wheatfield.

10/25/18. Forever Young 2018 Expo. Grapevine Banquets, Depew.

11/1/18. 6:00. Black Rock Historical Society, 1902 Niagara St., Buffalo.

11/2/18. Orchard Park Senior Center, 70 Linwood Ave. Orchard Park.

11/5/18. Brothers of Mercy – Montabaur Heights, 4530 Ransom Road, Clarence.

11/8/18. Williamsville Library, 5571 Main Street, Williamsville.

11/13/18. Amherst Senior Center, 370 John James Audubon Pkwy., Amherst.

11/18/18. Audubon Library, 350 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst.

11/24/18. Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court, Buffalo.

11/29/18. LCTV – Lockport Community Television taping of WNY Tonight on Spectrum Cable.

11/30/18. Tonawanda Senior Center, 291 Ensminger Road, Tonawanda.

12/3/18. Canterbury Woods, 705 Renaissance Drive, Williamsville.

12/5/18. Cheektowaga Senior Center, 3349 Broadway, Cheektowaga.

3/9/19. Rockstarz, 603 Dingens St. Cheektowaga. McVan’s Reunion Party

5/5/19. Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St., Buffalo. Black Rock Historical Society Annual Fundraiser.

5/9/19 Elma Public Library, 186 Bowen Road, Elma.

5/13/19 Hamburg Senior Center, 4050 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg.

5/16/19 North Tonawanda History Museum, 712 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda.

5/17/19 Eastman School of Music - Rochester Music Hall of Fame “Books Backstage Series” 25 Gibbs Street, Rochester.

5/20/19 Brothers of Mercy – Montabaur Heights, 4530 Ransom Road, Clarence.

6/6/19 Tonawanda Senior Center, 291 Ensminger Road, Tonawanda.

6/8/19. Tonawandas Gateway Harbor Street Dance, Young Street, Tonawanda.

6/17/19 Amherst Senior Center, 370 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst.

6/20/19 City of Tonawanda Public Library, 333 Main Street, Tonawanda.

Every Wednesday 6/19 to 8/28, 2019 (except 7/17/19) Tonawandas Gateway Harbor Park Concerts, Sweeney Street, North Tonawanda.

7/22/19 Eggertsville-Snyder Branch of the Amherst Public Library, 4622 Main Street, Snyder.

8/1/19. Grand Island Memorial Library, 1715 Bedell Road, Grand Island.

9/18/19 Weinberg Campus, 2700 N. Forest Road, Getzville.

9/19/19 Unitarian Universalist Church, 695 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo.

10/28/19. Canterbury Woods, 705 Renaissance Drive, Williamsville.

10/29/19. Talking Leaves Books, 951 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo. BOOK LAUCH for Profiles Volume I: Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY – the 1800s.

11/4/19. Amberleigh, 2330 Maple Road, Williamsville.

11/12/19. Concord Senior Center, 40 Commerce Drive, Springville.

11/14/19. Orchard Park Senior Center, 70 Linwood Avenue, Orchard Park.

11/17/19. Audubon Library, 350 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst.

11/21/19. Black Rock Historical Society, 1902 Niagara Street, Buffalo.

11/27/19. Amherst Senior Center, 370 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst.

11/30/19. Buffalo History Museum, 1 Museum Court, Buffalo. Local Authors Day.

12/6/19. City of Tonawanda Public Library, 333 Main Street, Tonawanda.

12/15/19. Second Reader Books, 1421 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo.

2/11/2020. Brighton Place Library, 999 Brighton Road, Tonawanda.

3/9/2020. Gave a private presentation at a Senior Living Center and after this talk
all further presentations were cancelled due to COVID. Did a couple
virtual presentations for the Erie County University Express Program,
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site and the Black Rock
Historical Society, but dedicated my time during the Covid Epidemic to
writing Profiles Volume II: Historic & Influential People from Buffalo &
WNY- the Early 1900s. In October 2021 began limited in person talks.

10/8/21. Akron Newstead Senior Center, 5691 Cummings Road, Akron.

10/20/21. West Seneca Historical Society, 4620 Seneca Street, West Seneca

11/10/21 – BOOK RELEASE. Roycroft Campus, 39 South Grove, East Aurora

11/11/21 – BOOK RELEASE. Black Rock Historical Society, 436 Amherst, Buffalo

11/18/21 – LCTV – filming of WNY Tonight Live on Spectrum Cable TV

11/20-21/21 – Kenan Center, 433 Locust Street, Lockport

11/22/21 – West Seneca Senior Center, 4620 Seneca Street, West Seneca

11/26-27/21 – Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court, Buffalo

12/8/21 – Akron Newstead Senior Center, 5691 Cummings Road, Akron.

12/10/21 - Dog Ears Bookstore & Café, 688 Abbott Road. Buffalo.

12/15/21 - North Tonawanda History Museum, 712 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda.

3/24/22 - Grand Island Memorial Library, 1715 Bedell Road, Grand Island. Early 1900s Society & Culture.

3/27/22 - Black Rock Historical Society – Erie County Bicentennial Event at Sportsman’s Tavern, 326 Amherst Street, Buffalo. 

3/30/22 - Buffalo History Museum, 1 Museum Court, Buffalo. 

4/21/22 - Cheektowaga Historical Association, Cheektowaga Senior Center, 3340 Broadway, Cheektowaga. 

5/4/22 - Clarence Book Club, Clarence Town Park, Main Street, Clarence. 

5/4/22 - Steel Plant Museum of WNY, 100 Lee Street, Buffalo. 

5/10/22 - Hamburg Senior Community Center, 4540 Southwestern Blvd. Hamburg. 

6/1/22 - Elma Public Library, 1860 Bowen Road, Elma.

6/2/22 - Grand Island Golden Age Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island.

6/8/22 - Newstead Historical Society. Newstead Town Hall, 5 Clarence Center Road, Akron. 

6/10/22 - Amherst Senior Center, 370 John James Audubon Pkwy., Amherst. 

6/27/22 - Orchard Park Senior Center, 4520 California Road, Orchard Park.

6/30/22 - City of Tonawanda Library, 333 Main St. Tonawanda.

7/6/22 - Akron Newstead Senior Center, 5691 Cummings Road, Akron. 

9/21/22 - West Seneca Historical Society, 4620 Seneca St., West Seneca

Thursday, October 20, 2022. 6:30 - 7:30. FayeBrooke on Youngs, 1055 Youngs Road, Williamsville. Late 1800s Industry, Business & Culture.

Monday, October 24, 2022. 1:00 - 2:00. Akron Newstead Senior Center, 5691 Cummings Road, Akron. Influential Buffalo Women in the 19th & 20th Century.

Friday, November 4, 2022. 1:00 - 2:00. City of Tonawanda Public Library, 333 Main Street, Tonawanda. Influential Buffalo Women in the 19th & 20th Century.

Thursday, November 10, 2022. 1:00 - 2:00. Hamburg Senior Center, 4540 Southwestern, Hamburg. Influential Buffalo Women in the 19th & 20th Century.

Tuesday, November 15, 2022. 1:00 - 2:00. Cheektowaga Historical Society, 3340 Broadway, Cheektowaga. Influential Buffalo Women in the 19th & 20th Century,

Wednesday, November 16, 2022. 6:00 - 8:00. Buffalo History Museum, 1 Museum Court, Buffalo. Special extended 90-minute presentation on Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY - the Early 1900s.

Thursday, November 17, 2022. German Heritage Museum. Wheatfield Community Center, 2790 Church Street, North Tonawanda. Contributions by German Americans in WNY during the 19th & 20th Century.

Friday, November 18, 2022. Baptist Manor, 276 Linwood Avene, Buffalo. Early Buffalo Music & Entertainment.

Friday, November 25, 2022. 4:00 - 6:00. Buffalo History Museum, 1 Museum ourt, Buffalo. 2022 Holiday Makers Market.

Saturday, November 26, 2022. 10:00 - 3:00. Buffalo History Museum, 1 Museum Court, Buffalo. 2022 Holiday Makers Market.

Saturday, December 10, 2022. 1:00 - 3:00. Bookworm, 34 Elm Street, East Aurora. Book signing

Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Tonawanda-Kenmore Historical Society, 100 Knoche Road, Tonawanda. Rock N Roll Buffalo.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023. 7:00 - 8:00. Historical Society of Town of Clarence. Clarance Town Park Clubhouse, 10405 Main Street, Clarence. Early Buffalo Music & Entertainment.

Wednesday. April 19, 2023. 7:00 - 8:00. Holland Land Company Museum, 131 W. Main Street, Batavia. Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY - the Early 1800s.

Thursday, April 20, 2023. 7:00 - 8:00. Cheektowaga Historical Society at Cheektowaga Senior Center, 3349 Broadway, Cheektowaga. Influential Buffalo Women in the 19th & 20th Century,

Private events have not been listed.



History of Buffalo Music & Entertainment



About the Author

Rick Falkowski

Rick  Falkowski  has  been  involved in all aspects of  WNY  entertainment for  the  past  50  years.  He  is  the  founder  of  the  Buffalo  Music  Hall  of  Fame,   Buffalo  Music  Awards  Buffalo Backstage  Magazine, Entertainment Coordinator of Tonawandas Gateway Harbor Concerts, former employee of ASCAP and a Time Warner retiree.   He presents classes on the History of Buffalo Music & Entertainment for the Erie County Department of Senior Services University Express Program, along with presentations at libraries, community centers and various  organizations.   Rick lives with his wife  Marsha and cat Frodo in Williamsville,  NY.  He is the father of three children, Bryan, Keith, and Lisa and five  grandchildren, Tyler, Ariana, McKinley, Gianna and Chloe