Meet the Main Acts of Summer Music Festival
Meet the Main Acts of Summer Music Festival
Ellicottville’s Summer Festival to Bring the Heat with The Players & Barracuda
ELLICOTTVILLE - It won’t be long before we’re outfitting our family in red, white & blue, packing up our blankets and picnic baskets, and listening to some of the greatest musicians rock the stage at Ellicottville’s annual Summer Music Festival. It’s three days of super celebrations featuring live music, outdoor theater and the most adorable pet parade this side of the Mississippi! Pre-sale tickets for the slopeside concerts are now available and the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce couldn’t be more excited about this year’s line-up! Let’s jump in…
HEADLINER: THE PLAYERS:
Headlining the 2023 stage is Grammy awarded and top former members of Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire, aka “The Players”. Performing at an outdoor venue at the base of Holiday Valley Resort on Saturday, July 1st at 7:00pm, fans can expect to hear all the greats from these legendary icons.
Who are The Players? Bill Champlin (two-time grammy winner and member of Chicago for 28 years) will be joined by Keith Howland (former guitarist of Chicago), Jeff Coffey (former lead vocalist of Chicago), and Gorden Campbell (former drummer of Earth, Wind & Fire). With hits like “If You Leave Me Now,” “You’re the Inspiration” and “Hard To Say I’m Sorry” from Chicago, coupled with the likes of “Shining Star”, “Boogie Wonderland” and “September” from Earth, Wind & Fire, The Players will have you reminiscing about the good old days.
OPENING ACT: BARRACUDA-AMERICA’S HEART TRIBUTE
As if The Players aren’t already enough to sell the show, the Ellicottville Chamber has booked another iconic band to get event-goers revved up. Barracuda-America’s Heart Tribute will prime the audience with their legacy sound.
Mastering top hits including “Crazy On You”, “Alone”, and of course, “Barracuda”, the band is known for their monster vocals, brilliant musicianship and unceasing over-the-top performances which has created a solid foundation for this fabulous tribute to HEART. Taking everyone on a musical journey back in time, Barracuda-America's Heart Tribute articulately recreates the phenomenal songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s that are still loved by loyal Heart fans around the world. (Pro tip: Wear practical shoes. Leave the stilettos at home and go with comfort. We’re certain you’ll be on your feet as soon as these guys hit the stage.)
BUFFALO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AND FIREWORKS:
It wouldn’t be an Independence Day birthday celebration without a colorful display in the night sky. And it wouldn’t be Summer Music Festival in Ellicottville without a performance by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performing to explosive colors in the night sky. As the tradition continues, the BPO will close out Summer Music Festival Sunday evening beginning at 8:00pm on the stage at Holiday Valley. Strategically performing to an extraordinary fireworks display, this is an event with “family” written all over it!
What makes the BPO so great? Since its inception in 1935, the BPO has served as Buffalo’s cultural ambassador. Over the decades, the orchestra has matured in stature under outstanding music directors including William Steinberg, Josef Krips, Lukas Foss, Michael Tilson Thomas, Julius Rudel, Semyon Bychkov, and Maximiano Valdes. Many distinguished guest performers have graced the orchestra’s stage, including Sergei Rachmaninoff, Isaac Stern, Aaron Copland, Van Cliburn, and Yo-Yo Ma. JoAnn Falletta is the current Music Director of the Grammy Award-winning orchestra, which presents more than 120 Classics, Pops, Rock, Kids and Youth concerts each year. The orchestra’s home base is Kleinhans Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark designed by Eliel and Eero Saarinen with an international reputation as one of the finest concert halls in the United States.
MEET THE BANDS:
Pre-sale tickets for both concerts are now available and can be purchased directly at ellicottvilleny.com. Upgrade your experience with a VIP package and you’ll have access to a number of amenities, including VIP parking, a special VIP dinner, pit seating, private bathroom and the chance to meet each of the bands! Contact the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce at 716-699-5046 for more information.