STAFF REPORTS
 BUFFALO — The BPO’s summer schedule features the traditional Independence Eve performance after the Bisons game at Coca-Cola Field; a trip to the Ellicottville Music Festival; a celebration of Canada 150 at Canalside with Strictly Hip; performances with Shakespeare in Delaware Park and at Artpark; visits to many parts of Buffalo and Western New York for free outdoor concerts; and the grand re-opening of the Richardson Olmsted Campus, with a dazzling light show projected on the iconic Richardson Towers. On June 30, the BPO celebrates Canada Day Eve and Canada 150 with a brand-new show featuring Strictly Hip, Western New York’s top tribute band to The Tragically Hip. Canadian conductor Bradley Thachuk has been working with both Strictly Hip and The Tragically Hip to arrange the band’s music for orchestra and rock band. The event takes place at Canalside in Buffalo at 8 PM and is presented by Consulate General of Canada and Labatt USA. Admission to Canalside is $5. From “Wicked” to “The Lion King,” the past 20 years have brought us dozens of Broadway shows with songs we can’t stop singing. On Friday, July 21, that music comes to Artpark with the help of the BPO and three phenomenal vocalists. “Broadway Today” features music from “Beautiful,” “Mamma Mia,” and an entire medley of songs from Disney’s series of smash Broadway hits, as well as music from Broadway mainstays like “Cabaret” and “The Sound of Music.” The capstone to the summer is enLIGHTen: a celebration of the successful completion of the first phase of the redevelopment at the Richardson Olmsted Campus. One of only a handful of National Historic Landmarks in Buffalo, the Richardson sat empty for decades before the multi-million dollar renovation which converted it into a hotel, conference center, and the Lipsey Buffalo Architecture Center. This free concert takes place on Friday, July 28 at 9 p.m. on the South Lawn of the Richardson. Western New York visual artists Projex, with artistic direction by Keith Harrington, are designing and choreographing a light show using the latest in light mapping technology to transform the Richardson towers. JoAnn Falletta will conduct the BPO in music by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven and more. This BPO’s performance is made possible through a Regional Economic Development Council Arts Implementation grant from the New York State Council for the Arts with additional support from Iroquois Bar Corporation and National Grid. Summer traditions continueOn July 1, the BPO will headline the Ellicottville Summer Music Festival with a “Pirates and Princesses” program. Featuring music from “Pirates of the Carribean,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Frozen,” this event provides an opportunity to enjoy the Ellicottville summer experience. July 3 is the BPO’s traditional Independence Eve concert, following the 6 p.m. Bisons game at Coca-Cola Field, and concluding with the biggest fireworks show of the Bisons’ season. The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus joins forces with the orchestra in the classic Western New York event, conducted by Stefan Sanders. Free concerts in Western New York’s parksThe BPO will perform a number of free concerts throughout Western New York this summer. Stefan Sanders will conduct each concert. The varied and crowd-pleasing programs feature music celebrating the lives and legacies of Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher; the fortieth anniversary of the Star Wars franchise; the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal; the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ella Fitzgerald; and more. John Williams’ iconic “Leia’s Theme” and “Cantina Band” are featured on the program, as is music from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The free summer series is financially supported by West Herr Auto Group.
“It’s so much fun to lead these summer parks programs,” Sanders said. “It’s a quintessential summer experience for a lot of people. They bring their picnics and their lawn chairs, the kids are playing while they listen. It’s a great time for everyone and a great way to experience music. We love having the chance to come directly to our audience and to help highlight the natural beauty of Western New York.” The BPO’s summer scheduleTuesday, June 27, 7 PM:Elmwood Village Picnic in the Parkway Summer Concert Series, Bidwell Park. Free concert. |
| As Buffalo’s cultural ambassador, the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the leadership of music director JoAnn Falletta presents more than 120 concerts each year. Since 1940, the orchestra’s home has been Kleinhans Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark with a reputation as one of the finest concert halls in the United States. During the tenure of JoAnn Falletta, the BPO has rekindled its history of radio broadcasts and recordings, including the release of 40 new recordings on the Naxos and Beau Fleuve labels. For more information about the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, visit www.bpo.org. |
