Performers have lost equipment, suffered damage in N. Buffalo water break

By Elmer Ploetz

One of the effects of the water main break Wednesday night near Hertel Avenue and Military Road in Buffalo has been the lost of equipment for numerous performers and bands that had used a practice facility at that location.

Ted Powell, who runs Music Warehouse Studios, said of the facility, “We are managing on our own.” But many of the performers who use the practice studios (typically 12-foot-by-13-foot or 9-by-16 rooms) have found themselves in professional peril.

In response to the situation, Music Is Art has reached out to help musicians.

“Dozens of your favorite Buffalo musicians are out thousands of dollars worth of gear,” it said on social media. “If you have ANY instrument, amps, PA gear, etc. that is pro gig ready and you’re willing to part with, please drop it at one of our drop-off locations.”

The drop-off locations are Third Space Cafe and Entertainment (777 Main St., Buffalo) and Boulevard Music Lessons (1090 Niagara Falls Blvd., Tonawanda).

Contributors can also contact Sara Elizabeth of Music is Art at saraelizabeth@musicisart.org to arrange a pickup.

“The goal is to help musicians and bands replace some of their gear that was lost in the flood so they can continue working,” Sara Elizabeth said. She said the post “was just a quick response and call to the community from us – however it is pretty much what we do all year round!

“The two locations listed are already our usual drop off locations for our instrument donation program, but we will be working overtime to collect donations and place them with the musicians who were impacted.”

The site was estimated to have had up to 40 rental spaces. Some musicians mentioned losing amps and other gear, but some weren’t able to access the site immediately to figure out what the damage was.