“First Niagara Bank’s Tuesday in the Park at Artpark” Schedule

The 13-week concert series includes:

• “Tuesday in the Park” concerts on June 21, July 12 and Aug. 16 comprise one leg of the Crossborder Blues bi-national tour.

• A cast of clowns, mimes and magicians join a kaleidoscope of hands-on art activities and architectural workshops in providing a glimpse of the family-oriented entertainment presented during “Tuesday” shows, which begin at 6:30 p.m.

• “First Niagara Bank’s Tuesday in the Park at Artpark” concert series is also sponsored by Niagara Frontier Publications, Sevenson Environmental, Certo Brothers Distributing, HSBC Bank, Modern Corporation and DiMino’s Lewiston Tops, while children’s activities are sponsored by the New York Power Authority.

Artpark expands

by Joshua Maloni

With Artpark’s “Tuesday in the Park” featuring bigger bands and expanding crowds, it’s only fitting that the park itself has grown. Visitors this season will immediately notice the open hill where the Art-El once stood, a series of covered sponsor boxes for major donors along the sidewalk facing the theater, as well as a more grandiose stage setting overlooking the Niagara River, stretched out children’s activities and more concession areas.

The concert series has evolved to the level of its model, Buffalo’s “Thursday at the Square,” in terms of size and feel – “It’s going to be a lot more festival like,” said Mike Freedman, public relations coordinator – while surpassing its archetype in quality musical acts.

“I think ours is the best – we have more big name bands,” Artpark and Company President George Osborne said. “It’s a big deal for us – it’s what everybody likes.”

With acts like Kelley Hunt, Michael McDonald and Foreigner scheduled to appear, and with a different focus than the Buffalo Place series – “Our target is family,” Osborne said – it’s likely “Tuesday” could outdraw “Thursday” some weeks.

“That whole side of the hill will be totally packed with people,” Osborne said of the expanded seating area.