Winter Blues Weekend
Winter Blues Weekend
Ellicottville to host many of the region’s best Blues bands Jan. 21-23
ELLICOTTVILLE - Fill your Ellicottville experience with a lively weekend of great Blues music during Ellicottville’s annual Winter Blues Weekend, set for January 21, 22 and 23, 2022. The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce is excited to bring this high-energy, soulful celebration back to the heart of the village following a year off due to the pandemic.
“Winter Blues Weekend has always been a hit with both our locals and visitors,” said Brian McFadden, executive director of the Ellicottville Chamber. “We’re looking forward to welcoming back some of the greatest Blues artists in our area.”
Over 15 regional acts will make their way to all the downtown hot spots beginning Friday evening. Kicking back and listening to some amazingly talented musicians is the perfect way to top off a day of skiing at our local resorts. The best part: all performances are free to enjoy! NO COVERS!
“We want to make sure that everyone who comes to Ellicottville can enjoy these live performances at no charge,” said McFadden. “Many restaurants start their entertainment schedules in the afternoon, giving families a chance to plan a fun, musically-inspired lunch or dinner out and take part in all the excitement.”
And surely you will find ample excitement all over town. The Gin Mill will showcase The Big Sauce Trio Friday and Maria Aurigema Saturday; both shows start at 8:00pm. Madigan’s will host Tony DeRosa Friday and I.O.T. Saturday beginning at 6:00pm. And Villaggio is bringing the Blues All Stars Saturday night. But perhaps the most iconic Blues musician to hit the Ellicottville stage is Tommy Z, who will return to Balloons Restaurant & Nightclub..
Hailing from Buffalo, NY, Tommy Z has been described as a “blues treasure” and “one of WNY’s best kept secrets”. He is a guitar-driven, electric blues-based stylist who puts that soulful blues feeling into all the different music he creates. He’s been recognized with numerous awards over the years, including being voted Top Blues Vocalist in Western New York and Top Blues Guitarist. He was also honored with the Muddy Waters Award for “Artist of the Year” by the Blues Society of WNY. In 2007 Tommy Z was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, recognizing him alongside some of the best talent to come out of WNY (including Rick James, Goo Goo Dolls, and Billy Sheehan). He’s had the opportunity to perform, write, record and/or co-bill with some of the world’s top artists in the blues/rock genre including B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Blues Travelers, Peter Frampton, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more. Tommy has come a long way from playing the top bars and music venues in Buffalo to being an international and US festival headliner. His performance during Ellicottville’s Winter Blues Weekend is one you won’t want to miss! Pop in for a song or two, Saturday starting at 6:30pm.
With the threat of Covid still present in western New York, the Chamber reminds visitors to stay vigilant in the fight against the pandemic by following NYS recommended guidelines. “We love hosting our friends and visitors here in Ellicottville, but we have to remember that we’re not out of the woods yet,” said McFadden. “We ask that if you come to Ellicottville to enjoy all the great amenities here, that you stay safe by wearing a mask, social distance and sanitize when possible.”
A complete schedule of live music for Winter Blues Weekend 2022 can be found at ellicottvilleny.com. Stay updated on other Chamber related news and events by following @visitellicottville on IG/FB. For questions or additional information, contact the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce at 800-349-9099 or info@ellicottvilleny.com.