Black History Celebration to feature special concession offerings, in-arena entertainment

We’re proud to once again shine a spotlight on Black excellence in Western New York with our annual Black History Celebration during our game against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.

The night will feature contributions from local Black artists, educators, entrepreneurs and performers.

Here’s what you can expect.

• Tickets for Thursday's game

Community Artist Series Jerseys

The third design of the Sabres’ “Community Artist Series” partnership with the AKG Buffalo Art Museum was hand painted by George Afedzi Hughes, a Ghana native who heads the painting department at the University at Buffalo.

Hughes’ design will be featured on a set of practice jerseys, which will be on display on the 100-Level concourse and available for auction with proceeds benefitting the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology. The auction will run from 2 p.m. on Jan. 29 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 8. Place your bid here.

Additional merchandise featuring Hughes’ design will be available at The Sabres Store.

Learn more about the design here.

The Sabres also worked with Buffalo Fashion Runway - a local non-profit leveraging fashion as a tool for storytelling, education, and collective action - to find models to show off George's design on jerseys and merchandise. Check out the photo gallery below, featuring models Jordan Kerr, Kaizer Acosta, Jalen Carter-Keith, Bolende Yaochaka, Najja Bouldin and Jada Ivey.

Concessions from Crenshaw’s Chicken & Waffles

Crenshaw’s Chicken & Waffles, a local business founded by Buffalo native Gregory Crenshaw, will be returning for the second straight year and taking over the Perry Market on the 100 Level.

Try their signature chicken and waffles at the game – and, if you want more, be sure to visit them at crenshawschickenandwaffles.com.

In the concourse

• Ade Jembe Fola, the City Honors African Dance and Drumming Troupe, will perform in the KeyBank Center pavilion from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Dean Barnes, a former Canadian college hockey player and longtime educational leader from Burlington, Ontario, will present his collection of hockey cards featuring Black and biracial players from NHL history. Dr. Barnes’ collection will be located in the Labatt Blue Zone.

Throwback Thursday presented by Ticketmaster

The night will also be a Throwback Thursday, meaning the Sabres will be in their black and red third jerseys. The first 5,000 fans will receive a J-P Dumont pennant courtesy of Ticketmaster (pictured below).

Before the game, stop by the Labatt Blue Zone for the following Throwback Thursday features:

• Alumni autograph signings with Brian Holzinger and Mike Wilson from 6 to 6:45 p.m.
• NHL 26 at the gaming station
• Pregame happy hour featuring 16 oz. cans of Labatt Blue and Blue Light for $7.16.

50/50 Raffle presented by Northtown Automotive

Fans will have two options when purchasing 50/50 tickets:

• The single-game raffle, which will be drawn during the game on Jan. 29.
• The February monthly raffle, which will accumulate through Feb. 28. Proceeds from this raffle will benefit the Resource Council of WNY.

Purchase 50/50 tickets at the game or from home at Sabres.com/5050.