music

GSO Conductor S. Shade Zajac led a group of young musicians today in a string workshop at the First Presbyterian Church of Batavia.

The students will perform May 6 with the Genesee Symphony Orchestra at Elba Central School on Sibelus, "Andante Festivo." 

The program that day includes featured soloist Mimi Hwang on cello joining the orchestra for Elgar's "Concerto for Cello & Orchestra in E-minor."

The orchestra will also perform Wagner's "Siegfried's Death & Funeral March," Howard Hanson's "Symphony No. 2 'Romantic," and Holst's "St. Paul's Suite for String Orchestra."

The concert, "Romantic Masterpieces," begins at 4 p.m.

Tickets are available through geneseesymphony.com or GO Art!, Roxy's Music Store, YNGodess, and Smokin' Eagle BBQ  & Brew in Le Roy.

Press release from Frank Panepento:

There will be a free music concert to show thanks and appreciation for Crossroads House and its 20 years of community service. It will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, at the Attica High School Auditorium.

Over the span of two decades, the nonprofit Crossroads House, providing comfort care for the dying, has helped more than 470 residents and their families.

This will be "a celebration concert" featuring original and longtime supporters -- the Attica High School Marching Band, and Amanda Hofheins and Don Rogers, plus the Hamburg Kingmen Drum Corps, Batavia Jazz Ensemble, St. Joe’s Brass Ensemble, Alexander Fireman's Band, and the St. Joe’s Alumni Drum Corps.

The Attica Marching Band has been one of the very first and longest supporters for the house. The house took a few years of planning and fundraising to put all the necessary pieces in place before the house was able to open. The Attica Free Music Concerts were building blocks that helped fund the house and educate the communities that Crossroads served. These concerts were an avenue to help explain what Crossroads House was able to do for its residents.

Rogers, while spearheading the earlier shows moved into retirement while Hofheins took his place literally and figuratively. She took over filling in for Rogers’s duties and supporting Crossroads House and the Free Musical Concert.

Come on out to enjoy the music! This is going to be a great afternoon while supporting Crossroads House and Gateway House (Attica’s own soon-to-open comfort care home). Attica High School is located at 3338 E. Main St. in Attica.

The lineup has just been released for the 2018 Downtown Batavia Concert Series in Jackson Square, according to the Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District.

Live music will be featured on Friday evenings from 7 to 9 in the square, located between Center and Jackson streets, bring your own chair. Admission is free thanks to the generosity of sponsors for the concert series.

Here's the lineup:

• June 22 -- Red Creek (Party Rock)
• June 29 -- Don Newcomb Band (Country)
• July 6 -- Old Hippies (Acoustic & Original)
• July 13 -- The Josie Waverly Band (Contemporary Country)
• July 20 -- The Grove Street Band (Classic Rock / R & B)
• July 27 -- The Ohms Band (Classic Rock)
• Aug. 3 -- Mitty & The Followers (Motown)
• Aug. 10 -- Ghost Riders (Hardcore Country)
• Aug. 17 -- Something Else ('80s / '90s Pop Rock)
• Aug. 24 -- Bluesway Band (Blues)

Carmen DelPlato shared this song written by his brother John DelPlato with us this morning to celebrate Easter.

The trio performed their monthly jazz tunes last evening at a packed T.F. Brown's 214 Main St., Batavia. 

They perform once a month, traditionally on Thursdays, but decided to change it up because of the NCAA basketball. Here are a couple photos.

Press release:

Tonight at the Richmond Memorial Library (19 Ross St., Batavia) from 7:30 to 8:30 "No Blarney" will be performing traditional Irish music with Rich Conroy and Don Bouchard.

This free program is sponsored by the library.

Then on Thursday the duo performs again at the Holland Land Office (131 W. Main St., Batavia) from 7-9 p.m.; cost is $5.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra rehearsed Monday night at Batavia High School for its concert this Sunday featuring the music of Tchaikovsky and a solo performance by David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The program includes Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, David Kim solo violin, Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, and The Sleeping Beauty: Polonaise.

The concert is at 4 p.m. in the auditorium at Elba Central School.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for students, $10 for seniors, and $35 for families.

Photos by Chris Choate.

The Ridge NY (Frostridge) has announced its 2018 concert lineup, which includes a return of Blackjack Billy (file photo), along with the American Warrior Concert, Quiet Riot, Little River Band, the Outlaws and Travis Tritt to close out the season.

Friday and Saturday, June 1st and 2nd
- American Warrior Concert (A benefit for WNY Heroes, a veterans' organization)
  2 Days, 30 Bands, Vendors of all kinds, Amazing Food, Great Cause.

Friday, June 15th
- JASON MICHAEL CARROLL w/ special guest Rebels Posse

Saturday, June 16th
- RODNEY ATKINS w/ special guests Steven Cali and Branded

Friday, July 27th
- QUIET RIOT w/ special guests Savage Cabbage and

Saturday, July 28th
- LITTLE RIVER BAND w/ special guests The Coupe' De Villes and Boneshakers Blues Band

Friday, Aug. 3rd
- BLACKJACK BILLY w/ special guest Gunner and The Grizzly Boys

Saturday, Aug. 4th
- THE OUTLAWS w/ special guest Bishop Gunn

Friday, Aug. 24th
- Zac Brown Tribute Band

Saturday, Aug. 25th
- TRAVIS TRITT with special guests James Wesley and Savannah Harmon

For concert and camping information, visit theridgeny.com

Last summer's concert series is one of many reasons Batavia Downs has been able to grow revenue and remain competitive in a saturated gaming market, said Henry Wojtaszek, president of Western OTB, and Mike Nolan, CEO, today at a press conference announcing an eight-show lineup for this season.

"We offer a lot of different things," Nolan said. "We have our own little niche here."

Wojtaszek said the key is offering options for customers and when you get them in the door, treating them right.

"That includes entertainment, it includes better food, it includes a cigar lounge, and frankly, just provide the best customer service," Wojtaszek said. "We like to think that’s why we’re growing. That’s what we like to concentrate on. Our focus is on providing excellent customer service."

The eight shows announced for this summer:

• Eddie Money, June 22
• Grand Funk Railroad, June 29
• Blue Oyster Cult, July 6
• Rik Emmett of the Band Triumph along with Carl Dixon of Coney Hatch, July 13
• Rumours, a Fleetwood Mac Tribute, July 20th
• Puddle of Mudd, July 27
• Three Dog Night, Aug. 3
• Lee Ann Womack, Aug. 10.

Wojtaszek said the concert series went so well last year that Batavia Downs would like to add more shows, but one step at a time.

He also said Batavia Downs will be working with the City and the Town to accommodate larger crowds. Last year, attendance was about 4,000 and this year the casino would like to attract 5,000 to 6,000 fans to the shows.

The concentration on classic rock and country is a conscious effort to bring in shows more appealing to older music fans, Wojtaszek said.

"They are the patrons coming into Batavia Downs and we wanted to provide them with the entertainment they’re looking for at a reasonable cost," Wojtaszek said.

Tickets for the shows will be $10 each.

Batavia Downs is hosting several other events this year sure to bring people from throughout the region to Genesee County.

There will be professional wrestling Feb. 24, a Whiskyfest in June, a Mixed Martial Arts event during the summer, plus Batavia Downs is in the midst of a $4 million capital improvement project that includes opening a cigar lounge, expanding 34 Rush sports bar, Fortune's Restaurant, and the conference center.

"There’s a lot of demand to have things here and it’s amazing to see the response we get to the events we do have," Wojtaszek said. "It’s a perfect location, right between Buffalo and Rochester and we're even getting people here from as far as Syracuse."

Invictra, arguably the best local band right now (they are, after all, (the reigning champs of the only local battle of the bands showcase in the area), will be among the more than dozen local and nationally known acts to take the stage at The Ridge in Le Roy in the first days of June for the annual American Warriors Concert.

The concert honors veterans and raises money to assist them. All veterans and active military can attend for free.

Also on the bill, Madison Rising, James Wesley, JB Aaron, Alyssa Trahan, BC Psychos, Pete Griffith, Jon Dretto, Jack West, Dylan Desmit, Kenny Drury, and Vinyl Orange Ottoman.

The two-day concert event is June 1 and June 2.

Campers, click here.

To purchase tickets, click here.

Here's a press release about the event:

AWC is known for its "Celebration of our Troops, Veterans and American Way of Life." We pride ourselves on offering free admission to veterans and active/reserve military personnel.

This event also donates to a nonprofit veterans' organization of its choice. This year's beneficiary is WNY, Heroes Inc. It's an organization that provides veterans, members of the armed services, and the widows and children of deceased veterans with access to essential services, financial assistance and resources that support their lives and sustain their dignity.

The American Warrior Concert is possible by partnering with The Ridge NY, and sponsorship from by local businesses including Red Osier Landmark Restaurant, TJV Mechanical, CAM Construction, Oliver’s Candies, Livingston Associates, Batavia Legal Printing, Ken Barrett Cadillac Chevrolet, Stan's Harley Davidson, Genesee County SCOPE, Watson Guitars, Leroy Hardware, Orcon Industries and Genesee Valley Penny Saver to name a few.

We will have many bands from many genres of music, many local vendors and other organizations aimed at servicing the needs of our veterans.

We will also be featuring an Honor Wall with local submissions made by people wanting to honor their military friend/family hero.

We hope to make this year's event bigger and better and would love to see more veterans come and enjoy our concert for free.
 

James Wesley

Madison Rising

Alyssa Trahan

Take a stroll down Memory Lane with a fun winter concert by the Genesee Chorale on Sunday, March 4 at St. Joseph's Catholic School.

The performance begins at 4 p.m. The school is located at 2 Summit St. in the City of Batavia.

The nonprofit ensemble of 75 members from Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Livingston and Erie counties will perform: "In My Life," "Blackbird," "Blowin' in the Wind," "As TIme Goes By," "Someone to Watch Over Me," and Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."

These and other choral renditions of favorites have been prepared under the direction of Ric Jones. Soloists and small groups will round out the program, which draws from pop, rock, Broadway, film, and even a television series.

Tickets are available through the box office online here for $8 or they may be purchased at the door for $10.

The Asteria String Quartet's "First Viennese Valentine's" performance scheduled for this Saturday at the Dibble Family Center in Batavia has been canceled.

One of the quartet's members had an unforeseen circumstance arise and will not be able to perform. It was not possible for the quartet to find a replacement musician on such short notice.

The performance was sponsored by the Genesee Symphony Orchester and Musical Director Shade Zajac, and quartet member, shares his deepest regrets for the canceling.

The GSO will refund all ticket purchases. For a refund, call Roxie Choate at (585) 356-9635 and she will mail a refund to you if you purchased tickets.

Asteria String Quartet presents "First Viennese Valentine's" with music from the First Viennese School -- Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven -- on Saturday Feb. 3 at the Dibble Family Center in Batavia.

The chamber recital starts at 7 p.m.

Beforehand, starting at 6 p.m., the quartet will serenade you as you enjoy special hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and also non-alcoholic beverages.

Musicians for the evening are: Kiran Rajamani -- violin; Leighann Howland -- violin; Evie Boughton -- viola; and Shade Zajac -- cello.

Tickets are: $20 per guest; $35 for two guests; $15 for senior citizens.

The Dibble Family Center is located at 4120 W. Main Street Road.

This event is sponsored by Roxy's Music Store, The YNGodess Shop, and the Genesee Symphony Orchestra (www.geneseesymphony.com).

Press release:

Genesee Chorale is a non-profit organization drawing singers from Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Erie and Monroe counties. It is our joy to offer the community fine choral music.

Come sing with us!

Genesee Chorale resumes Monday night rehearsals at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 at St. James Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St., Batavia.

Director Ric Jones has planned an exciting new season, which includes a March 4 concert, “Memory Lane,” with audience-friendly songs that appeal to all ages – songs that are recognizable across generations, fun to sing.

The season continues with May 4 and 6 concerts, “The Call of Humanity,” with a new composition written especially for Genesee Chorale.

Singers of all voices and levels are welcome – there is help if you need it to learn the music.

More information is available at www.geneseechorale.com, or at (716) 531-8986, or by e-mailing info@geneseechorale.com.

Batavia residents Bill and Kay McDonald want to share their new Christmas song with the community: "Find Your Joy."

Two-time Grammy Award winner Travis Tritt will be in Le Roy on Aug. 25 to play a concert at The Ridge (Frostridge Campground).

Tritt is the first headliner announced for the annual summer concert series, Jam at the Ridge, by owners David and Greg Luetticke-Archbell. The venue's owners are still working on booking more acts for the season.

David and Greg expect to announce a headliner for Aug. 24 soon to make for a weekend of great music.

Tickets and campground sites for the weekend will go on sale after the first of the year.