This weekend, some of Buffalo's finest musicians will ramble out to the rolling hills of Ellicottville to bring their spirited music and dance to the beautiful Griffis Sculpture Park for SlyFest 7, a two day celebration of art done the way only the Slyboots cats can.

In the spirit of collaboration, education and growth, the Slyboots School of Music and Art and Ashford Hollow Foundation are presenting two days of music and art in the most beautiful setting imaginable. 

This Friday they will host a series of drumming, dance and art workshops from 2 pm until sunset for those looking to learn while they boogie. The main event kicks off Saturday at noon and continues through sunset, with the Saakumu Dance & Drum Troupe of Ghana headlining an ever-impressive line-up of local musicians and members of the Slyboots family.  At just $10 a day, the experience can't be beat.

Set to perform are Family Funktion and the Sitar James, Eric Crittenden, Type Relevant featuring Brownman Ali, Peanut Brittle Satellite, Effective Resolution, Shapes of States, Stu Fuchs, Andrew Moor, LZ Dillon, and the amazing amalgamation of talent that has become the Slyboots Circus. And since Slyboots is about embracing all styles of art, a beautiful assembly of local artists will feature their work and offer interactive arts experiences.

While there is no camping at the event itself, it's important to note that camping and after-parties will take place just a few minutes down the road from Friday night until Sunday morning!

SlyFest 7 begins what will likely be a long and fruitful artistic collaboration between Slyboots and the Ashford Hollow Foundation, two organizations dedicated to harnessing the power of cultural arts education to strengthen our collective community.

“This feel like a remarkably organic collaboration,”  said Slyboots founder Griffin Brady, “as if it was meant to be.”

The collaboration unites one of Western New York's oldest and most established arts organizations – which oversees the Sculpture Park, Essex Art Center and decades of educational programming – with one of our area's newest and most energized – leading workshops, shows, classes and a national cultural tour featuring Bernard Woma & Saakumu.

SlyFest is the annual fundraiser and celebration for The Slyboots School of Music & Art, evolving from it's humble roots as a big backyard jam in Fredonia through it's several year run in Warsaw and onto it's present day incarnation, firmly rooted in it's place in Buffalo's urban art community while graciously embracing the beautiful countryside around us.

“We shall evolve. We shall adapt. We will put our best foot forward and launch the finest event that we have ever hosted,” Brady wrote. “Learning from our past, forging partnerships for the future and honoring the beauty of the present through the creation of music and art, Slyfest 7 will live on.” 

~Anna Miller