A Farewell
We are so thankful to have been a part of the tapestry of Buffalo, NY, media these last 6 years.
We are so thankful to have been a part of the tapestry of Buffalo, NY, media these last 6 years.
The Glam Vamps return once again to the stage of lauded rock club Mohawk Place for “Buffalo ‘69 – A ‘90s Hollywood Burlesque Show” on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 10 p.m.
The Instagram stories are always telling me how to take care of myself. It’s helpful, mostly. Except for when it isn’t.
“This is a connection…there are many layers to bodywork. You can touch on all of them if you want to, and that person’s going to feel it on all levels.”
Honestly, I’m afraid to CHANGE right before the (somewhat-to-likely) disapproving eyes of my coworkers, teachers, and especially parents.
“Alright, I’m in love and this is what I’m doing forever.”
Should I let him go so he can go have babies with someone else? Should I just suck it up and have a baby? Why can’t I just want this?
“There are no other options. There’s no turning back for me. This is what I want to do.”
I feel like I broke this piece of our relationship and I want so badly to fix it, but he won’t meet me there.
I want to have a healthy family that’s able to have a conversation about things we don’t necessarily agree on without it becoming heated and hurtful. How do we get out of this mess?
Am I broken for not wanting to go back?
“Leadership is not someone who we prop up so high that you feel like they’re inaccessible. Our leaders they come from among us, at least they should. This, to me, is not about only me becoming mayor. This is about proving to people, that you, everyday people, single mothers, nurses, teachers, the people who are solving our community’s problems anyway, this is the place for you.”
We can’t meet at our favorite vendor markets this year, but we wanted to shout out some of our absolute favorite artisans, entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, and magic-makers in the city this Quaran-Holiday Season. This is only a small (but favorite, natch) snapshot of the incredible artistic tapestry of Buffalo, New York.
These talents offer services ranging from photography, to manifestation guidance, to intimacy coaching, to literary seminars.
There is a true proliferation of artisan and craftspeople in town, and we invite you to discover just a small snippet here today.
Although doors to in-person services were woefully shuttered for most of this year, our talent pool of dedicated sport & body professionals have faced the challenge with aplomb. Support them now by booking services in the new year.
Don’t forget to nourish yourself and your loved ones this holiday season. Some of our absolute favorite food spots in town are offering gift certificates, fun merch, and takeout, curbside, and delivery options. Support our restaurant industry in any you can this holiday season and in the coming months, and ensure that we have places to visit, meet, and gather once all of this $%&! Is over.
Our incredible talent pool of performers took to the virtual landscape this year, to offer levity in the form of live performance, even when their audiences couldn’t be in the same room.
As a white woman who was once caught off-guard by her own unexpected privilege, I wanted to share what I learned and guide you through this new phase in your life.
You can’t touch your face, but you can touch your face with a taco.
Four women from Buffalo are joining forces to offer support in the form of a virtual learning experience titled Unlock the 4 Elements of Transformation, in which participants can expect to examine their interpersonal relationships with others and with themselves.
For someone who writes words for a living… living and working through this pandemic so far has left me speechless.
“It showed me a world where people cooperate together, people met each other on the street, people were a part of one another’s lives in a kind of intimate way, and a diversity of people that I didn’t experience where I grew up. All of those things made me interested in cities, and made me interested in being a person who created work.”
Artistry and titillation are the crux of humanity in these trying times. Or at least, they play a big factor in how we’re going to get through all of… THIS. The Glam Vamps, a Buffalo-based burlesque troupe who have been entertaining the masses for more than a year as an ensemble, have stepped up to the plate to help us all manage this ordeal in the sexiest, stay-the-fuck-homeiest way possible, with an online outlet for all needs thereof.
When QC contributor Tia Brown isn’t spending an abundance of time putting on concerts for her foster pooch, she’s pondering the hows and whys of all of…THIS. She’s devised some activities for us through this mulling process, and we couldn’t be more excited to get down to business.
“While sharing experiences and laughing at some of the insanity is necessary for moms, the truth is, we are all just fumbling around day to day doing the best we can for our littles.”
NOMaste creator & writer Lara Martini took a little quaran-time this week to put together the ULTIMATE to-do list for us, and we are Here. For. It. It turns out, there are TONS of things to do in the coming weeks (and MONTHS!?) while we protect ourselves and our loved ones from society’s biggest medical catastrophe of the current era. Stay home, stay safe, and get some sh!t accomplished. No time like the present.
I love this human being so much, but I can’t deal.
Five of Buffalo’s best comedians are coming together this Saturday, March 14, to perform in one of the city’s best little if-you-know, you-know showrooms. You are obviously going to be there, because laughter is the key to life and you want to LIVE.
I’ve heard some of them call me manipulative or judgmental, but I was really just trying to get them to snap out of it.
“Buffalo Femme Finesse started through my quest of finding women of all backgrounds and nationalities in Buffalo, New York, to be highlighted and celebrated.”
“We had an inner knowing that there were more women out there like us. Women who had an incredible longing to simply create, whether it be turning a piece of trash into treasure, re-purposing something into a work of art, or coming to terms with their gifts of healing.”
Vive at Jericho Road started with South Americans seeking asylum in the United States and expanded from there. Now, many asylum seekers are coming from countries such as Sri Lanka, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Colombia, Turkey, and Pakistan.
My question is – is someone like that really able to change?
“There are illusions of jumping, floating, and drowning. And then, empty space.”
I really like her, but I don’t know how to approach this.
Three peeps from the QC gang got to join in on the fun at SWEAT a couple of weekends ago, where we succumbed to an intense, fast-paced “express” step class by owner and instructor MJ Karp. We left out the building feeling invigorated and dripping. A great way to start a fun-filled holiday weekend!
A few weeks ago we asked you to encapsulate 2019 in 19 words, and what amazing, thoughtful, funny, poignant responses we received!! Thank you to everyone who made the last year of Qween City the best one yet, and here’s to more wonder in 2020.
It’s so difficult to watch someone you care about shrink away and isolate themselves, not fully understanding what’s happening.
I was compelled to learn more behind the passion for health and wellness that is the backbone of this boutique fitness studio located at 145 Swan St. on Buffalo’s near East Side.
Meet Caitlin Brooks and Barbara Campos of SWEAT 716.
Meet Amanda Pignato of SWEAT 716.
Meet Anna Marwin of SWEAT 716.
Meet Anna Fabiano of SWEAT 716.
Meet Chris Sciuto of SWEAT 716.
Meet Cristy Orozco of SWEAT 716.
Meet Ellen Uba of SWEAT 716.
Meet Heather Griffin of SWEAT 716.
Meet Molly Forgione of SWEAT 716.
Santiago says he was moved to help other people, especially the people of Central America, after his experiences growing up, living in, and even being imprisoned in Chile.
“I want people to know that that’s not what we’re about. You can be a part of it, you can exercise daily and eat healthy and not have to be a fitness guru, not have to talk about it all the time. You just do it.”
QC’s own Mikayla Schneiter recently had a chance to partake in her very first boudoir photoshoot with QC photographer Jill Barrile and her partners Jess Martina and Sabrina Rodriguez, a new boudoir collective known as Boud-y Central.
Brought together by their work, the staff members of the MOCHA Center are truly emblematic of what grassroots organization and community-building can be.
I don’t want to quit prematurely, but I don’t know how much longer I can do this.
“They gave us a lot of encouragement to keep what we wanted the same, to keep the tradition going, but still feel like we could make it something new.”
Meet Kaitlyn Niland, Niland Candle Co.
Meet Suzanne O’Brien, ZanieCrafts.
Meet Jorien Brock, Woman Folk.
Meet Gabby Ferguson, thexstitchxbitch.
Meet Kate Bundt, The Woof and The Meow.
Meet Graciel Evenstar, The Soul in Bloom.
Meet Suzie Hoisington, OLDENDESIGNS.
Meet Pamela Koons, The Kitschy Cross Stitch.
Meet Courtney Justus, That Vegan Baking Betch.
Meet the team behind Stitch Buffalo.
Meet Stacy Geiger, Stacy Geiger Art.
Meet Michelle Perkins, Speakeasy Works.
Meet Corina Miclea Rotsko, Skin Conservatory.
Meet Cindy Young, Sew Buffalo.
Meet Carrie Rinehart, Rusterior.
Meet Darcie Rosinski, potsbydjr.
It took two years and a committee of people to implement a workable solution to an often unrecognized need.
Meet Jasmine Fiscus, The Nonsense Garden.
Meet Janna Willoughby-Lohr, Papercraft Miracles.
Meet Nicole Johnson, Mealy Monster Land.
Meet Lauren Szmak, Loti Henna Studio.
Meet Viktoria Ciostek, Knotty Moose Studio.
Meet Jan Dylewski, Jan Dylewski Art.
Meet Adrijana Ristic, Golden Spiral Vitality, LLC.
Meet Natalie Schultz, Fig Tree Patisserie.
Meet Ashley Kohlhagen, Gold Street Primitives.
Meet Elena Mileva-Anderson, Felt Frenzy Finds.
Meet Nikki Benatovich, Cosmic Lotus Jewelry.
Meet Courtney Elle, Elle James Interior Design & Home Décor.
Meet Angela Polimeni, Eco Tee Co.
Meet Ashley Byrne, Elements of Ash.
Meet Ashley Johnson, AEJ.CREATE.
Meet Alison Kurek, Alison Kurek Art.
Meet Lynn Ferenc, Art of Straw.
Meet Lisa Ballowe, Bling Jewelry Designs.
Meet Mary Busch, Charmed by Wine.
Meet Junko McGee, Earth Art.
“For this podcast, I do everything—from hosting, to editing, to social media—and sometimes it can be a lot, but as long as I remember my purpose for why I am doing this, it remains fun and focused.”
I don’t want to argue, or fight, or pretend things are okay when they’re not. I want out.
“Buffalo Boss Babes is a genuine women’s/NB/genderqueer networking group/blog project that is simple and authentic.”
“Our mission is to be a deliberate community of high-caliber professional women collaborating and networking to build, support, and project an atmosphere of mutual success.”
“I just want to be good. I want to sharpen my sword.”
I never say that I’m an artist. If anything, I make messes and I live in my head.
“She’s From Buffalo was created so that locals and visitors alike could have a handy reference if they’re looking to support women in business in our area.”
I thought I enjoyed helping people, but now I’m concerned that I was only doing this out of my own codependency and that all of my efforts were really self-serving in the long run.
Defining her youth simply as “a struggle,” it’s safe to say much of her life story is embedded in the music.
“Virago Buffalo is a collective for women, NB, genderqueer and other traditionally underrepresented creatives in Buffalo, New York.”
My boyfriend and I have lived together for almost a year now, and let’s just say it’s not going well. It seems like we fight constantly about chores and who does what.
“The goal of City Shapers is to highlight the awesome people behind Western New York’s resurgence.”
“I don’t wanna be just reduced to a rapper, I’m a lyricist. I have more to offer than your average rapper does.”
“This is the opportunity that needed to present itself to me.”
We’re not struggling and even do well financially, but money comes up almost daily, usually in the form of a lecture or berating me.
“There’s a skill in knowing how to record, knowing how to write, knowing how to rap and knowing how to tell stories and I know how to do all of them.”
“We only had each other, so we had to be each others’ partners, lovers, best friends, harshest critics… We were all that we had.”
We managed to get 85.71% of the QC Gang under the same roof in early August, so obviously it was time for a proper photoshoot, for the first time since we became a team 3 years ago! Photos by Jillian Barrile Photography and Alana Adetola Arts Photography, LLC.
A conversation with Marge Maloney, lifelong workers’ and gay rights activist.
“I’ll be damned if I know what I said, but I remember, at the end of my speech, I said, ‘It’s a beautiful day for a revolution.'”
The Red Party and the fight to end period poverty returns to Resurgence Brewing this Sunday, June 9, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Qween City chatted recently with three organizations working to bring visibility to bicycling in Buffalo, specifically in the women/-identifying space.
“I can’t imagine wanting my life to be any other way than it is.”
Lara & Alana venture down to Allen Street to try all of the desserts at Mundy Cakes. An onslaught of pure jealousy ensues.
“As a creator, being able to capture these moments and being able to see the before, during, and after is so incredible…I don’t want to leave because I want to see it happen. I want to take pictures of it happening.”
Whenever I am around my mother, she spends the entire time on her phone.
“The response I got this Christmas on these cookies was overwhelming and I couldn’t believe it.”
When my parents were my age, they were well-established and a lot more stable than I am now. For a while, I was on the same path, but in my late 20s everything kind of fell apart.
I see
How quickly your
stance/tone/vocabulary/overtalking
tendencies/comfort with me buying my own
drink/and tendency to flinch
when I speak
in femme
changes
Lara & Alana spend a fun-fueled day inside Buffalo’s own yokocho alley, Misuta Chow’s.
I’m seeing a man who is stuck in a relationship that is so entwined with his friends and living situation that we just pretend that part of his life doesn’t exist.
I would say I knew you were trouble when you walked
in
but that would be a lie
“We wanted to take a chance on an area of town that we know for a fact will be IT in five years, and we wanted to be a part of it.”
Whether you gave 2018 the smackdown like Ocasio-Cortez to every one of her critics or you shutdown like our government, 2018 likely left you feeling some type of way. Utterance presents 18 word summaries of how it left some of our readers feeling.
Join Afura and Ashera as they try to hold their prosecco and muse about the energetic effects of the darkest time of year, the varying intensity of divination techniques, and the power of religious iconography in an eclectic witchcraft practice.
I hate my friend’s boyfriend.
I’m afraid to masturbate because I worry I’ll think of my emotionally painful last relationship.
On Sunday, November 18, Qween City joined the team at Combat Conditioning for a solid two hours of intense self-defense fitness skills, combined with an enlightening educational component. It was an awesome afternoon of camaraderie, learning, and sweat, sweat, sweat.
Virginia Leary, known on the socials as Zero Waste Buffalo, is bringing the local sustainability movement into focus, one picture-perfect mason jar at a time.
A little over a month ago, I ended things with a woman I’d been seeing. There were many reasons as to why, but most of them fall under the “I don’t like how you treat me” umbrella.
Think that dessert is not a real meal? Think again.
I’ve noticed that some of my friends seem to bounce from one relationship to the next, often with no time in between. I’ve asked the more serious offenders about this, and they never really seem to know why they do this.
A very happy Thxgvng to you, from the gang at QC x NOMaste!
“You’ve got to keep your focus on what it is that you want to do.”
I have an issue that’s not about sex or relationships, but it’s still confusing and I’m hoping you can help.
On Friday, November 2, Qween City was a lucky attendee to the city’s first BraVa! event, produced by the YWCA of Western New York.
“At the end of the day, for me it’s about making sure that people have this information and have this literacy and have these skills, no matter where they got that information.”
Join Afura and Ashera this Halloween, as they carve pumpkins and talk correspondences and fun ways to honor ancestors and the wheel of the year.
BraVa!, a storytelling fundraiser featuring the humble bra, comes to Buffalo for the first time this Friday, November 2.
We haven’t talked about anything inappropriate at all, but there’s still something that feels a little off about this whole thing.
While I’m proud of myself for making ME a priority, I feel really guilty and like I’m a bad friend.
Everything about Grindhaus screams local quirky coffee shop you want to while away the hours at, sipping a hot beverage and working on your latest tome.
The Buffalo comedy community is throwin’ a rip-roaring good time 8 p.m., Thursday, October 18, at Mr Goodbar, in support of Baby Violet.
I’m not sure, but I think I my partner may be gaslighting me.
“It’s really about empowering the people to do for self.”
Qween City recently had a chance to hang with the gang of Gypsy Parlor, in anticipation of this year’s Dining Out for Life to benefit Evergreen Health. Come see us this Tuesday, October 9, from 5 p.m. on. Come hungry! 25 percent of sales will go directly to fighting HIV in WNY.
“I fell in love with it. I wanted to be there all the time.”
On Saturday, October 6, from 6-9 p.m., the Ukrainian-American Civic Center will play host to Heroine Hijack, a multi-genre arts presentation and fundraiser celebrating women artists in Buffalo.
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and there’s been increased dialogue on the topic on all social media platforms.
The Walking & Falling DJ workshop, mentor program, and mini-fest takes place this weekend at Sugar City, Underground Niteclub, and Georgette.
The 11th Annual Buffalo’s Best Pierogi Contest was held on Saturday, September 15, at Corpus Christi Church in Historic Polonia on Buffalo’s East Side.
After what was a tumultuous better part of this past year, my primary partner and I have chosen to go our separate ways.
Recently I engaged in a bit of casual sex, and the casual in the casual sex took an unexpected turn.
In this month’s episode of Qween of Cups TV, Ashera and Afura interview Jamie Doktor, the goddess behind Buffalo Burlesque Studio and the Buffalo Stripteasers.
“Owning your beauty is important. We only get one body to live in, and we experience all pleasure and pain through this vessel.”
Lara, Alana, and Mama Martini recently spent a most delectable afternoon studying the delights of Raclettes, and eventually emerged to tell the tale.
In conjunction with the team at StaffBuffalo, we are pleased present the second in a two-part series of articles that offer tips and advice to job seekers newly entering the workforce or exploring a career change.
“No matter who you are or what your personal style is…you will appreciate yourself in a way you never have before.”
Ashera enacts some new facets of herself at Sweet Heart Pin Up Studio.
Recently my girlfriend went in for a standard check-up and was diagnosed with an STI. Neither of us have ever had any symptoms, and now I can’t help but worry that she’s been cheating on me.
In conjunction with the team at StaffBuffalo, we are pleased present the first in a two-part series of articles that offer tips and advice to job seekers newly entering the workforce or exploring a career change.
“I want to make sure when people walk in here, they get the best food and the best service.”
The galz of #METTLE team up for this month’s TUESDAY TUNEZDAY jamlist.
In this week’s Smash Talks, Smashera addresses a reader who’s falling fast for a co-worker and friend.
Schondra Aytch was on the scene at Sugar City this past Saturday for an awe-inspiring live installation of Queen City Live, now in its second year.
“I think the best way to even just to learn how to play is just to do it. Play with people who are better and more experienced. You’ll learn a lot faster…It’s just like life, ya know?”
In this week’s Smash Talks, Smashera addresses a reader’s concerns about her anxious-avoidant relationship, and how to keep the love flowin’.
In today’s edition of NOMaste, Lara finds herself in macaron mayhem inside the kitchen of the Blue Eyed Baker.
The galz of Qween City attend a Chair Dancing class at the Buffalo Burlesque Studio one lovely Sunday afternoon, where much sexy-ish hilariousness ensued.
In this special edition of Smash Talks x Mettle, Ashera recounts Qween City’s chair dancing class at the Buffalo Burlesque Studio with the Mistress herself, Jamie Doktor.
“With those things that you love in life, I feel you have to do them because we don’t have tomorrow, right?”
“Women KNOW they can do this. You can do this, too.”
In which I am famous across the continental United States, and you work at a corner-store in Erie County.
“I quit my job and told everyone in the corporate world that I was moving back to Buffalo to start my own baking business.”
Be Steadwell, The Internet, John Mayer, Taylor Swift, Kid Cudi, & the Yeezy Season 2018 Summer Collection round out this month’s installment of Tuesday Tunezday.
“How do we better go out into the community and try to inspire people wherever they are?”
Abby Spindelman gets us into a flow from her home yoga studio in Allentown.
Photographer Alana Fajemisin shot with artist Kristin Brandt recently, in anticipation of Kristin’s exhibition at GEORGETTE June 1.
“I wanted to do something, reach out, create something, then bring it to people and be able to engage them.”
On Earth Day 2018, Qween City spent a glorious 60 degree day out on Beiter & Sons’ Farm in Wales, NY, and the headquarters of Alpine Made.
In today’s Smash Talks, Ashera talks to Abby Spindelman, an intimacy coach and yoga teacher who helps hash out the intricate, deep concepts surrounding true intimacy.
On this month’s edition of Qween of Cups, Afura and Ashera tackle sex and gender energy in magic and using the menstrual cycle to time your intentions. All this while drinking margaritas.
“It’s actually trying to find this whole new place to coexist.”
Is there a way to explore this that will keep me safe physically and emotionally?
On the first Tuesday of every month, QC will share what we’ve been jamming to lately.
I don’t want to drag this out, I just want to be done with it. How do I really break up for good?
Lara & Alana take us on a delight-filled taste tour of Lait Cru Brasserie, in this fourth and final installment of April’s NOMaste, featuring Jill Gedra.
Once a month, Smash Talks columnist Ashera Buhite addresses a difficult life situation and highlights some local agencies that can help you navigate what to do. This month she speaks with Cameron Balon of Crisis Services about sexual assault.
Lara gets it in with Jill Gedra’s recipe for cast iron chicken and pickled romanesco with lentils — yes, please!
Qween City is proud to present the debut episode of the Qween Of Cups talk show, your one-stop shop for all things occult. Join Afura and Ashera as they discuss the wheel of the year, mercury retrograde, and struggle to open champagne.
I believe I begin with water,
Some ocean all life came from
Jill Gedra gives us a top ten list of amazing food moments and activities to strive for in a food life well lived.
“It kind of looks like I’m going to have the best year of my life.”
“So I came over, looked at the space, and fell in love.”
The Prettiots, Kelli Schaefer, Rihanna, Ana Tijoux, AmaLee, Hayley Heynderickx, and Class Warfare round out this month’s installment of Tuesday Tunezday.
“You have to make people feel as though they want to take time out to read it, and subscribe to it, and come away feeling as though it was useful.”
Buffalo Spree’s Elizabeth Licata opened her Allentown home to Qween City for an incredible photo shoot recently. We couldn’t choose just a few so have opted to show the full spread here.
Lara takes us on a whirlwind tour of the temptations found within Rin Thai Bistro.
“How do you stop loving someone who is abusive?”
Lara whips up the simple and glorious Mango Salad, and now we’re craving those hot summer nights…
It’s been a LONG time since I’ve been in this stage of a relationship or courtship or whatever and I don’t know what’s going on.
“It was just great — getting to know somebody new and helping each other. That’s when I said, ‘I think I’m going to do this.'”
Rin Suphankomut gives us the lowdown on the foods that rock her world.
Justin came to the door to get me and meet my parents, like all assholes do at first.
“What if it’s their favorite dish, but they’d never know because they were too afraid to try it?”
The QC staff shares their latest jamtunez; check out the new monthly installment Tunezday to get your groove on with new and old faves.
Smashera gets out of town and finds self-care in the process.
Lara lives the dream on this week’s #NOMaste, partaking in all of the delights of Whimsy Confections.
“We want arts and culture to be the forefront of Buffalo’s face, because they already are.”
“Whatever you think you need to do, you just have to try it.”
Lara attempts to tackle the Mother of all Macarons… to no avail.
I have recently come to the realization that all of the important decisions in my life have been dictated by others.
Enter at your own risk: otherworldly temptations on the other side.
“I expect things to go well, but if they don’t, I have the foundation to step back, rework stuff and do it again.”
“I want to be a part of people’s special memories.”
“My music for me has always been about healing, and the person I’m looking directly at in front of me, the group of people I’m around.”
Every time he gets involved with someone, a big part of me wants to warn them about him but I don’t know how.
Lara and Alana visit Aniko in her home for an otherworldly six course meal.
Lara and Alana visit Aniko in her home for an otherworldly six course meal.
QC mimosa’ed with the Gals That Brunch Sunday, January 21. Salud!
Am I just a walking pair of wandering, fantasizing eyes?
This week Lara gives into the ultimate comfort food, with this recipe for Chicken Paprikash.
On Sunday, January 21, Buffalo joined myriad rallies across the country for the second annual Women’s Solidarity March.
Aniko Marshall gives us a list of goodies that has us salivating this week.
Recently, I found out that my ex is dating someone else and knowing this has opened up all the pain again.
“At one point I said, ‘I’m done being a cookie cutter.’ That’s how the garden started.”
I want to be with them, but I don’t want to marry them.
Lara straight up devours Mallory’s stock of holiday treats at Incredible Edibles in this fourth and final installment of December’s NOMaste.
Food lies at the heart of our bodies and our culture; it is there for celebrations and sustenance. NOMaste features a local fierce foodie each month, in four weekly segments. First, an interview, then a top 10 list, followed by a recipe to share, and finally a food review. This food corner will not just feature local …
A while back I found out that a friend of mine cheated on his girlfriend.
Mallory Mendo of Incredible Edibles gives us her favorite spots for a sweet treat or three.
I really don’t want to lose this friendship, but I also don’t know how to talk to them about it or make it not awkward.
Meet Carrie Rinehart of Rusterior and Buffalo Boss Babes.
“I would have never thought when I started doing it from home, making bougie strawberries, that three years from then, this is where I’d be.”
“That’s what I wanted, to take those producers and put them on a pedestal.”
A part of me really just wants to see him, but I know that no matter what, this is going to hurt.
Meet ThAIRapy Jewels.
Meet Katharine Smith of White Rabbit Design.
Meet Katie Toth of Trebird Jewelry.
The Krampuses are here, and they’re not f’ing around this year.
Meet Vanessa Lauria of pidge pidge.
Meet Carly Collier of Color Puke Designs.
Lara gets it IN in this fourth and final installment of this month’s NOMaste, featuring Elder Martinez of Mexico City Hamburg.
Meet Amy Peterson of A Frayed Knot Buffalo and Foxberry Grove.
Meet Diana Miranda-Gaeddert of Mermaid & Weasel.
Meet Rebecca Kulik of Timeless Babez.
Meet Carlene Derkovitz, Heather Nowak, and Jillian Nowak of West Side Stitchery.
Meet Suzanne O’Brien of ZanieCrafts, Handmade Fiber Creations.
Meet Nicole Cooke of Type & Resolution.
Meet Michelle Perkins of Speakeasy Works.
Meet Silver Raven of SilverRavensoap & Apothecary.
Meet Cindy Young of Sew Buffalo.
Meet Jesse Garcia of NyZoSa Designs.
Meet Nikki Benatovich of Cosmic Lotus Jewelry.
Meet Beth Schulenberg & Ashley Wegner of Nickel City String Art.
Meet Elisabeth Strong of Lizard Breath Beads.
Meet Laetitia Desroches of Atlas Concept Store.
Meet Afura Fareed of GypsyWytch Diaries.
Meet Bear of Everyday Earthware.
Meet Maura Beres of Catch a Falling Jar.
Meet Brook D’Angelo of Brick Chick/B.F.D. Creative.
Meet Alison E. Kurek.
I recently discovered that an ex of my boyfriend’s reached out to him in a definitely flirtatious 1000% non-platonic message. He doesn’t know that I know about it, and I’m furious.
Meet Doreen Kelly of Countryside Weaving.
Meet Nancy Ellen Kensy of The Angel Painter.
Meet Camille Golembiewski of Backwoods Imperfections.
Lara workshops with the master himself on the Family Tamale.
Meet Lori Sosenko of Crafted by Lori.
Meet Lisa Hodge of Copper & Glass Creations by Love the Buff.
Meet Janna Willoughby-Lohr of Papercraft Miracles.
Meet Lindsay Sullivan of Elle Pea Tee.
Meet Ashley Strazzella of AshTree Wellness.
My ex won’t stop blowing up my shit. Do I have any options other than blocking him to get him to chill?
You’re different though. You don’t need like the whole sky open above you to breathe.
Elder Martinez reminisces on her major Mexico City cravings — luckily for us, she’s recreating some of them in the kitchens of Mexico City Hamburg.
I’ve abstained from sex and dating for about a year now. I had to take myself out of game to spend time healing and growing from the whirlwind of experiences I endured last year.
“I’m not going to work in a restaurant again unless it’s my own.”
Photographer Jillian Barrile was on hand for the Buffalo Beer Goddesses 5-year anniversary party at Mr. Goodbar September 28. Check out our #tbt retrospective!
“Okay, you’re getting older, this is something you want to do, so either do it now, or forever hold your peace.”
In this very special edition of NOISEMAKERS, we profile Qween City’s very own Shannon Dawn in her newest act, Shanzig, as well as Sherry D. Koehler, the baddest lady drummer in the 716. Shannon Dawn Shanzig is a Danzig tribute act, which is “more than a cover.” This more theatrical act will be doing “10 …
Lara gets down on Kaldi, Grover Cleveland, and Lil Russert in the fourth and final installment of this month’s NOMaste, featuring Undergrounds Coffee House & Roastery.
Lara and Kristy spent an afternoon in pure luxury aboard the FabUBus.
This week Lara gets saucy, with Undergrounds’ special bourbon BBQ sauce!!
On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, nearly 100 restaurants in the Western New York area took part in the 15th annual Dining Out for Life, a fundraiser to support the services of community health provider Evergreen Health.
For some reason, though, as soon as I really get attached to them, they end up pulling away and I’m left heartbroken.
The girls of Undergrounds give us the scoop on some favorite underground music venues in the 716.
“I knew that if I always worked that hard, that I would get it, ya know? No matter what, I would make it happen.”
I’ve looked online a bit, but I often get overwhelmed and just end up closing the tab after thinking, “where does that even go??”
“If I don’t do this, I know that one day I am going to wake up and regret it.”
No one told us anything except to smile more, look less angry, to talk with less spit in our mouths.
Lara gets ferment-freaky, in the fourth and final installment of this month’s NOMaste profile, featuring Tara Sasiadek of Snowy Owl Kombucha.
After years of dating and failed relationships, I’ve been able to narrow down what is potentially my greatest flaw: jealousy.
Lara gets juicy with Tara’s Heart Healthy Strawberry Lemonade.
He says that it was only a few times and that it didn’t mean anything, but I’m devastated.
Tara takes us on a liquid tour of the city.
Or will a blood clot really form in my leg and shoot straight to my lung b/c I don’t wanna have babiez like, ever!?
“I’ve always thought of it as making potions.”
There were several indulgences on the table when Lara visited the Terrace at Delaware Park — check out the fourth and final installment of this month’s NOMaste, featuring Maxine Doyle.
“We want people to be comfortable asking questions and inquiring about things in a way that just sort of demystifies cocktails.”
What kills me is how much I loved him and thought that I needed him, so I ended up giving up a lot for him.
Lara does a three-way with Maxine’s All Purpose Asian Sauce.
This is super gross and I’m sorry, but is squirting real?
Maxine Doyle’s list of inspirational foodie manuals.
So, for as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to have sex in the water. I want to try shower sex or sex in a hot tub. Stuff like that.
“It was so easy and simple, but my mom could not stop raving about it. She would always say that everything tastes better when someone else prepares it for you.”
Review of the latest effort from author Alycia Ripley, plus a Q&A with the author in her own words.
Lately, a lot more people have been asking me in person and online about getting tested, mostly because of a (now falsified) article that named Buffalo as the “most dangerous city for online dating.”
Lara feasts on the Croque Madame and Caprese Sandwich in the fourth and final installment of this month’s NOMaste, featuring Prish Moran of Sweet_ness 7.
Photographer Alana A. Fajemisin captured the beginning stages of the Freedom Wall in July 2017.
How do I get kinky? I just want to get kinky!
Brunch like a Qween in your very own kitchen with Prish’s Pancakes!
He acts like he can’t do basic tasks or function at all without me and tells me that he cries himself to sleep…
“Rather than representing what I’m upset about, I’m representing how I want it to be.”
Prish’s top 10 places to grab an awesome brunch spot here in Buffalo.
When is it time to be more intimate in a relationship? By intimate, I mean: when do you fart, burp, etc.?
Featuring Noelle Beenau, Isabel Gabriella Fontanez-Cirilo, and Robin Killgore.
“If I listened to everyone around me I would never have this — I would have never had this building!”
I’m about a year and a half into my first-ever relationship with a woman. Several months in, my fatal relationship flaw appeared on schedule: I started to become completely uninterested in sex with my very loving girlfriend.
Lara tackles the Veggie Wet Shoes and Margie Meal in the fourth and final installment of this month’s NOMaste, featuring Amanda Amico of Amy’s Truck & Swan Street Diner.
“No matter what, the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, you’re going to end up nine layers deep at some point.”
Now you can make Amanda’s Chicken Salad in your very own kitchen!
So, I have been mulling over the idea of “treating” my husband to a threesome for our 10-year anniversary. He has told me a few times that his fantasy has always been to have a threesome and that he would love to try it with me and another girl of MY choosing.
“Had I not potentially zapped myself to death as a toddler, maybe I wouldn’t have grown up to have such a faithful bond with electronics.”
My entire life men have never taken me seriously or loved me but have instead given me crass sexual come-ons and treated me in a derogatory and sexual-only way.
Amanda Amico’s Top 10 Breads of BUF
“I am learning so much about starting a business from the ground up, literally.”
I’m a woman who’s always been in hetero-paired relationships, but lately, the idea of dating a woman has felt more like something I might want.
The City of Good Neighbors is celebrating Pride for the 26th year this weekend. This year’s theme is “Connect,” but that doesn’t meant you have to connect with everyone.
This edition of NOISEMAKERS features four musicians who will be performing during Saturday’s Porchfest: Kerry Fey, Alison Pipitone, Frieda Bacha, and Laura Bowen.
“I just love being out in the wild, I guess you would say.”
I’m writing to let you know I’m officially done with men and dating. I’ve taken myself off the market because dating makes me lose my f**king mind. All the horrible experiences I’ve endured with men have taken a toll on my self-esteem and now non-existent sex drive. I don’t feel safe with men anymore. Where do I go from here?
I’m hoping you can help but I know this is a lot to ask for—my life is generally falling apart. My long-term relationship of five years is dwindling into dust, my career is non-existent and I’m scarred from a puzzling childhood. However, I’m not in a position to afford weekly therapy that is clearly much needed. Do you have any tips or know of any resources?
Alicia Greco on Sequencer, REDUX, and becoming a DJ.
Walking into the Buffalo State College Sports Arena on Saturday, April 22 felt a bit like stepping into fashion week. The arena buzzed with an excitement, yet controlled chaos for “Runway 10: Remember | Imagine”.
Poetry and dance collided to celebrate the release of Megan Kemple’s American Blasphemies.
“I cannot remember a time when I perceived one mom as more important than the other, one as more loving, one as more ‘real,’ and I never will.”
My relationship with my mother is…complicated. I haven’t spoken to her in several years due to it being toxic and painful. I always feel super weird around Mother’s Day and I don’t really know what to do about it. I know it’s just another day and I should just ignore it, but I can’t seem to.
This past Saturday, May 6, was International Female Ride Day for lady motorcyclists across the globe. We joined in on the fun with Spoke & Dagger.
AIDS Walk Buffalo 2017 was a resounding success, raising more than $100,000 for Evergreen Health.
Photographer Jill Barrile captures the magic of Bollywood dance for Qween City.
In the past year, I’ve been “ghosted” twice. I’ll hang out with a person for a few months and everything seems to be going fine, and then all of a sudden they cut contact with me completely.
Meet Spoke & Dagger’s Jodi Drew and join her for International Female Ride Day tomorrow, May 6.
Featuring Eva Falkenstein and Lindsay Leyland.
Man on the street Jason Murphy walked a mile in her shoes to advocate for sexual violence justice and prevention.
Dating has become really frustrating for me. I’ve noticed that I inadvertently push everyone away with each successive relationship I find myself in and I’m more and more closed off.
“All of our actions collectively make up the zeitgeist of our generation.”
A few weeks ago Qween City got to sit in on the most adorable Monday night EVER.
Recently I was called a narcissist by an ex. Normally, being labeled by someone who lacks credentials in any field of psychology has very little bearing on how I live my life. However, this one was different.
Featuring Tokyo Knuckles and Space Cubs.
“My training and teachers mentored me to bring this to the community.”
“I just think of it like I’m going to touch the universe. And, that’s what it sounds like.”
“She inspired me to subscribe to the life of a visual artist because I could practice creating what I wanted to portray with bits and pieces.”
Photographer Alana Fajemisin of AlanAdetolArts, LLC, was on hand at the RejuVinex Day Spa grand opening Sunday, March 26.
After years and years of confusion and questioning and soul-searching, I’ve finally admitted to myself that I am asexual (or at least gray-/demi-). This realization has brought me a lot of peace and overwhelming relief. All well and good.
My teenage son has begun questioning his sexual orientation and gender identity and has now become very depressed. I tell him that I love and support him no matter what, but I don’t know what else I can do. Any advice would be appreciated.
Featuring Einat Agmon, Ellen Pieroni, and Megan Brown.
“I put a tarp on the floor in my room and I cut hair in my room and charged friends like $5 for a color and then we would go to Denny’s and eat fries.”
This winter’s installment of the H.E.A.L. BFLO yoga retreat and festival was a strong curation of Western New York’s best yoga offerings and a perfect remedy for the winter blues.
I have to stop using hormonal birth control for health reasons, but my boyfriend and I have never really used condoms so I don’t know where to start.
“Taking your pants off and having someone all up in your genitals is a really personal experience.”
Qween City sat down with burlesque performer/local artist/Hostel Buffalo-Niagara employee Cat McCarthy to talk about the hostel’s current fight to stay in their downtown location.
“We want to keep growing because our goal is to create as many worker-owner positions as possible.”
My mom passed away five months ago. My dad who was married to her for 25+ years has already started dating. If you could shed some insight on why he could have possibly moved on this fast, I would really appreciate it.
“How it moves might be surprising, but that surprise is in a moment, and then you can dip out.”
Featuring Ab.Styles & Bflo Lydia.
“When I asked women to come talk to the girls, the beauty is that so many women say, ‘Of course!’”
My partner and I are in an open relationship, but every time I want to exercise that openness my partner gets hurt so I generally just don’t act. Is there a better way to deal with this without sacrificing?
“Everything is by sound. I’ll just feel around until it feels good.”
Over the past few months, my love life has become a spiritually taxing train wreck. I suspect that I’d greatly improve my success in romantic relationships and my overall emotional health by taking a deliberate break from dating to tend to my personal development.
As a fan of hardcore, I am used to having dudes yell aggressive shit at me. After the Shitshow of 2016, I am over it.
With federal support in jeopardy, agencies like Crisis Services will rely more on state funding and local support.
Featuring Grace Stumberg, Janna Willoughby-Lohr, and Erica Wolfling.
I recently ended a four month thing with a guy who I was just dating. We saw each other at least once a week, though there were “off” weeks on occasion as we are busy adults with lives.
Featuring Sophia Howes, Sara Rodriguez, Kimberly Young-Mason, and Amanda Markovich-Rabb.
These city prints come in six different sizes and four different styles, ranging from $29.99 – $79.99.
The steel plant is closed. The steel plant is closed. Ignore the sound of power-hammers beating in the hot summer nights. The steel plant is closed.
I keep finding myself in relationships I don’t like to please men that I’m not all that into. The dynamic usually consists of me not being that into them, while they’re head over heels for me. I’m bad at telling people what they don’t want to hear so I let it linger on.
“We’re just not going to have refugees coming from these countries, and these folks are the fabric of our communities.”
After about a decade of a very DGAF attitude towards relationships, and several tumultuous / hilariously awful / plain old hilarious short-term affairs (and even more one-nighter/one-weekers), I think I might be FINALLY ready / interested in meeting an actual grown-up and having an actual grown-up relationship with them.
“It’s our family’s philosophy to keep building the neighborhood, but you do need to make these projects work.”
Join us Saturday, March 4 from 7-10 p.m. at 125 Art Collective for the Qween City launch party!!
“We would be stupid if we didn’t take the spot, and we’re not ready, and we can’t afford it, and we’ll figure it out, and here we are.”
“I found that as my role early on because I felt blessed to have all this knowledge and practice from doing it every week.”
“If we continue to smile politely behind our closed mouths, we risk living in a society in which such hatred becomes the norm.”
“One of the few places where people still have communal, shared experiences is around a table.”
“The goal is not to have a specific form and to look like anyone else. The goal is to look like you.”
“This is right. This is something I should have explored earlier on.”
Meet artist Noelle LaMonica and check her out IRL this Friday, December 16.
“I stand back, give it a look, and remember that I just did that with my own two hands from start to finish.”
“We’re giving them honey but, somewhere along the lines we have to stand by something as well.”
From the desk of Shannon Dawn, your Lowbrow Librarian — Broad Topics from a Topical Broad
“Thank you for doing this. You’re giving my daughter, my son, their dream.”
“I’m wearing my insides on the outside and no one can tell me not to.”
From the desk of Shannon Dawn, your Lowbrow Librarian — Broad Topics from a Topical Broad
“You know how it’s nice to wake up and be excited about something? I have to do that or I won’t want to wake up.”
“It feels safe to explore some things that maybe make people uncomfortable in their daily lives, that maybe make ME uncomfortable in my daily life.”
“I want to take part in projects that matter and facilitate change, because the path our culture is currently following is too scary to let ride out.”
“Turns out, even after all the naysayers, the plan turned out to be an internationally recognized success.”
“The struggle is real, but when you have a destiny to fulfill, the miracles come when you need them most!”
“Whatever they need to get it done, because that’s my driving force: the gratitude, not the money.”
“Nothing has ever tugged at my soul, inspired, and motivated me to succeed as much as this does.”
“I used to make military airplanes for my job, so to me the skate itself is simple. But that’s a matter of perspective.”
The Returners focuses on queens who spent a significant amount of time in Buffalo, left, and boomeranged back.