UUCB’s Casual Concerts aim to share the universal ministry of music and the power of sound with the broader Buffalo community. As we do in our services, these concerts showcase a diverse range of musical styles and sound-based experiences so that there is something for everyone. We hope these monthly offerings help lift our community’s spirits. Events generally occur every third Saturday of the month at 2pm, or at the specific days and times listed below. You can watch the shows in our sanctuary or stream them on our YouTube page. A free-will offering will be taken and proceeds are split between the musical presenters and the church.

If you wish to submit a proposal for our concert series, please click the button below. Please read our Casual Concerts FAQ for important information about our procedures.

Upcoming Concerts:

Tom Robert
Saturday, September 20 at 2pm

Tom Robert is a Buffalo NY born and bred singer-songwriter whose sound is deeply rooted in traditional blues, folk, and country and also incorporates elements of the music from his childhood - 60s/70s folk and rock and 90s/00s alternative.

His finger-picked guitar playing draws on the approaches of Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson, and Leo Kottke, and his vocals are reminiscent of Paul Simon, Rufus Wainwright, and Jeff Buckley.

Tom’s performances evoke nature, nostalgia, and joy; he’s been playing, singing, and writing songs since he was a young child. Tom's music is a reflection of his growing connection to his roots and his playful exploration of his craft.

https://www.tomrobertmusic.com/

Lewis Franco
Saturday, October 18 at 2pm

According to Dan Bolles of SevenDaysVT, "Precious few hepcatamounts swing like Lewis Franco. The central Vermont guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader has almost single-handedly kept the jump and jive alive in the Green Mountains, wailing away with swagger and unimpeachable cool for nearly two decades." But Franco says he eventually noticed that most of the jazz and show tunes he loved were not just written by Jews (Berlin, the Gershwin's, Rodgers & Hart, Kern, Arlen, etc…), but were informed by Jewish values and concerns. His YouTube series, "Franco the ReJewvenator" is a result. "I relate to these songwriters as nervous outsiders, observing American life while seeking a sense of belonging. And they weren't looking casually. They had either been persecuted themselves, or they felt the effects of centuries of European antisemitism. For them, the question of whether somewhere over the rainbow the American dream of a multicultural democracy really does come true, or if it's only a paper moon, was high stakes."

Franco explores these themes through music, storytelling, and humor in his concerts. "Music has been my favorite form of Jewish observance ever since childhood, when we sang zmiros around my beloved Bubbe and Zeda's Shabbat table every Friday night. So this is super meaningful and super fun for me."

https://www.lewisfrancosongs.com/
Franco The ReJewvenator on Youtube

Pessimistic, yet Playful: A pair of early Sonatas by Beethoven and Prokofiev
Saturday, November 15 at 2pm

Come have a listen to some Beethoven and Prokofiev, but from a time early on in their compositional careers. These are sonatas as steeped in convention as they are in new ideas, as youthful as they are mature, and as somber as they are silly. Basically, come to hear some contrast, and hopefully have a good time while doing so.

    Program:
    Beethoven - Sonata in D Major, Op. 10 No 3:
    I. Presto
    II. Largo
    III. Menuetto: Allegro
    IV: Rondo: Allegro

    Prokofiev - Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 14:
    I. Allegro, ma non troppo - Più mosso - Tempo primo
    II. Scherzo. Allegro marcato
    III. Andante
    IV. Vivace - Moderato - Vivace

About Jon Vogtle: Jonathan Vogtle received his bachelor's in piano performance from Ithaca College in 2016. He has served as accompanist for several choirs, including the Ithaca College Chorus and the UUCB Choir. Solo works he has covered include Chopin's 3rd Ballade, Ligeti's "L'escalier du diable," and several Beethoven sonatas. He currently serves as assisted music minister at St. Joseph's Church in Penfield, New York.