Summer Music Festival is Here!
Summer Music Festival is Here!
Concerts, Live Theater and Pet Parades… Oh My!
It’s festive. It’s nostalgic. It’s tradition. And it’s here! Ellicottville’s Summer Music Festival is an experience that keeps families coming back year after year. Outfit your family in red, white & blue, pack up the blankets and picnic baskets, and come listen to some of the greatest musicians rock the stage at Holiday Valley. It’s three days of super celebrations featuring live music, outdoor theater and the most adorable pet parade this side of the Mississippi! Many of the downtown activities are free, concert tickets can be purchased the day of at the Holiday Valley gate, and the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce couldn’t be more excited about this year’s line-up! Let’s jump in…
LIVE THEATER
Who could ever forget John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the 1978 musical, Grease. Taking place in the summer of 1958, Sandy Olsson, the new girl in town, and Danny Zuko, the school’s coolest greaser, have a secret summertime romance - but when they get back to school, everything is different. Sandy attempts to navigate the tricky Rydell High School social waters and catch Danny’s attention again, but Danny is chiefly concerned with maintaining his tough-guy reputation. In the end, the Pink Ladies help Sandy figure out how to win back the leader of the Burger Palace Boys.
It’s one thing to watch Grease on the screen; it’s a whole different experience to see it played out live! Kick off your Summer Music Fest weekend with a live performance of Grease at the Gazebo downtown, Friday, June 30th at 7:00pm. Blankets, chairs, picnic baskets and the whole family are welcome, FREE!
OUTDOOR CONCERTS
It wouldn’t be Summer Music Festival without the music. This year’s Saturday night lineup at Holiday Valley includes…
THE PLAYERS FORMERLY OF CHICAGO AND EARTH, WIND & FIRE: 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: 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.)
BPO 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!
JEANS ’N CLASSICS: A group of world class rock musicians who understand orchestra culture and are committed to growing a younger, loyal audience for symphony orchestras across the U.S., Jeans ’n Classics will accompany the BPO during their performance this Sunday, July 2nd. Faithfully interpreting the music of legendary rock and pop albums and artists - with their own special signature flair - Jeans ’n Classics will surely attract the attention of all age groups. Whether you’re fifteen, twenty-five or sixty-five, you’ll discover a newfound love for their orchestral rock arrangements.
“It has become tradition over the past few years to invite a unique act to perform with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for our Summer Music Festival,” said Brian McFadden, executive director of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce. “The BPO is a wonderful performing group on their own, but we are always looking for unique opportunities to really rev up the excitement meter for our events and introduce the BPO to a new audience. This year’s pairing with Jeans ’n Classics is without a doubt something that will be remembered by all who come to listen.”
As for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, they need no introduction. Formally organized in the 1930s and a staple performing group of Summer Music Fest since the early 1980s, the BPO continues to soar regionally and nationally, and even around the world! The Buffalo Philharmonic has issued more than 50 recordings in its history. It has toured abroad twice: a six-city European tour in 1988, and a four-city tour of Poland in 2018.
PET PARADE
Speaking of pets, perhaps the most adorable feature of Summer Music Fest is the parade of animals down Ellicottville’s main drag, dressed in their festive best. Dogs, goats, ponies, ducks, guinea pigs, lizards… all types of pets are invited! It’s quite a show for spectators! No registration required; everyone can participate! The Pet Parade will begin its march at 11:00am Saturday; those interested in participating are asked to register at Katy’s Cafe between 10:15am and 10:45am.
And there are so many other great parts of the festival that shouldn’t be missed. Of course, you’ll want to carve out some time to saunter the sidewalks of the downtown business district. Ellicottville has an eclectic variety of shopping opportunities - from artisan pottery at Alexandra to western inspired apparel at Daff to Ellicottville logo’d souvenirs at The Tee Bar to remember your visit (grab a soft serve ice cream while you’re there). Fill up the old gas tank with a fresh chicken or steak burrito from Bike & Bean, a hearty bacon tomato jam burger from Steelbound Brewery, or opt for a healthy poached pear and gorgonzola salad on the patio of Dina’s Restaurant.
How much excitement can you pack in one weekend? Besides high energy concerts and theater performances, a pet extravaganza and all the shopping and dining you could ask for, Ellicottville boasts a menu full of other activities to fill your schedule - wine tastings, brewery tours, mountain coaster rides, ziplining, mountain biking, paddleboarding, historical walking tours or just simply sitting under a shade tree and taking it all in… what are you waiting for! Head to ellicottvilleny.com to plan your Ellicottville adventure during our biggest festival of the summer! See you this weekend!
