Artpark makes (big) something out of (almost) nothing Despite budget cut, venue to host Tragically Hip, Ani DiFranco, Starship, Peter Frampton, 'Joseph' and more by Joshua Maloni Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, May 7, 2009 Lewiston Porter Sentinel, May 9, 2009		35 Years of Artpark: Art shines through the darkness Tragically Hip open Artpark's summer season No 'Quiet Night' with Krall Sultry jazz singer wows Artpark crowd 'It's a psychobilly freakout!'
Previewing an Artpark season without describing how some new challenge was overcome would somehow feel incomplete. Usually, it's a question of Artpark trying to top itself. That happens when a venue wins three consecutive Buffalo Spree magazine awards for "Best Outdoor Music Series/Venue in Western New York," its attendance goes up every year, and its headlining acts draw upwards of 20,000 people on a Tuesday night. Each winter, the Artpark & Company staff is bombarded with questions related to the following summer's musical acts. "Who's coming?" "What about getting this band?" "When will the information be released?" - all typical questions fielded during a typical offseason at the state park. "Every year, it gets more difficult, because we don't want to keep having the same bands back," Artpark & Company President George Osborne said. But the winter of 2008 was anything but typical. And the questions normally asked were soon replaced with "Will there be a season?" and "Is Artpark closing?"

The Guess Who

Despite its profitability - more than 225,000 people attended an event last summer at Artpark, generating nearly $4.2 million for the local economy - the venue fell victim to the failing New York state economy. The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's budget was cut, and the $450,000 contracted for Artpark was eliminated.

"It was a number that was in the licensing agreement that we signed just last year, which was a 10-year agreement," Osborne said.

"I still don't understand it," he said. "It was ... in all the meetings that we had with the new people coming in from Albany - when (Gov. Eliot) Spitzer was elected and he appointed (OPRHP Commissioner) Carol Ash, and she actually came here. I met her on two occasions; I had long conversations with her. She was here at Artpark; held a press conference at Artpark. I never got any indication that we weren't a priority. And then, all of a sudden, we're dispensable."

Mark Thomas, OPRHP Western District director, said Gov. David Paterson cut the state budget 15 percent across the board. That Artpark, or any park, was profitable made no difference. 

Chris Isaak

With a devastating blow delivered to its operating budget, the Artpark & Company staff needed to act fast. They traveled to Albany to speak with Ash's representatives and, ultimately, $200,000 was put back into Artpark's account. To help offset the remaining $250,000, Osborne made some behind-the-scenes cuts, reduced staff hours and renegotiated contracts with vendors and the musicians union. Volunteers also will do more during the summer, including tending bar. Moreover, Artpark & Company booked more indoor, ticketed shows. A gala - which was originally planned to celebrate Artpark's 35th anniversary - took on a side, fundraising angle. The board of directors secured a $50,000 grant from the Grigg-Lewis Foundation, as well as increased support from pre-existing corporate sponsors. "Our sponsorship situation, I think, will end up maybe a little better than last year in total dollars," Osborne said. Artpark's financial backers "all stepped up to the plate," he said. "We work on that from August to August," Artpark Director of Marketing and Development Maureen Kellick said. "We don't wait till spring." "It was really outstanding support this year," she said. As a result, Osborne was able to book a full season of events for 2009. Whether or not state parks or New York state provides any money to the venue next season, this summer, "I think it's a great lineup," Osborne said.

"I think, from a standpoint of being popular, this is a very strong lineup," he added.

The highlight of Artpark's 35th anniversary season, unveiled at a press conference on Wednesday, is "Tuesday in the Park," presented by First Niagara Bank. The 12-week concert series kicks off with rockabilly band The Reverend Horton Heat (June 9) and the cowbell-toting Blue Oyster Cult (June 16).

America makes its yearly trek to Lewiston for a June 23 show. Canadian bands Blue Rodeo (June 30), The Guess Who (July 7) and 54•40 (July 21) follow.

Starship starring Mickey Thomas

As summer heats up, women will likely swoon over Mickey Thomas and Starship (July 28), and "Mr. Lucky," Chris Isaak (Aug. 4).

Of the former, Osborne said, "I think that'll do really well." And of the latter, Osborne expects "a Michael McDonald-type show."

"Tuesday" wraps with The Machine performs Pink Floyd (Aug. 11), The Outlaws (Aug. 18) and Peter Frampton (Aug. 25).

Though the bands skew heavily to classic rock, Kellick said, "We've maintained this great blend of U.S. and Canadian bands."

"Wednesdays on the Gorge" begins its seven-week run July 15 with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Blues artists Tinsley Ellis and The Nighthawks co-headline on July 22.

A pair of younger-skewing Canadian alt-rock bands take the stage midway through the summer, as The Trews perform July 29 and Sloan sounds off Aug. 12. "People really come and enjoy 'Wednesdays,' (and its) younger bands," Kellick said. "We feel like we want to do different kinds of things on 'Wednesdays,' " Osborne added. "Every band we have on 'Wednesdays' this year has never played here before." Just in time for the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival, "Wednesdays" closes with jazz-fusion band Galactic on Aug. 26. "We worked all year to get Galactic here," Osborne said. "They play everything."

Galactic

Not to be outdone by the outdoor amphitheater, Artpark's Mainstage Theater is chock-full of big-name acts. Leading off is The Tragically Hip (June 2, 4-6), unquestionably one of Western New York's favorite bands. Tickets to the Canadian rock group's four-night stand were gone in a flash - so much so that lawn seats were added to the Friday and Saturday performances. 

A Grammy Award-winning singer and platinum-selling recording artist, Diana Krall performs June 10 in support of her latest project, "Quiet Nights."

Ani DiFranco, the first lady of Buffalo music, returns to Artpark July 13. The Righteous Babe Records founder last performed at Artpark in 1998.

Dark Star Orchestra and Keller Williams, a pair of delightfully offbeat acts, will share the stage July 16.

Wilco is live in concert on July 19. The red-hot Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band are also on the bill.

John Lehrer brings his Buffalo-based LehrerDance troupe to Artpark July 10 for seven works, including four world premieres.

The "Big Band" series returns this summer after a one-year hiatus. The Toronto All-Star Big Band performs June 22, while Artpark stalwart the Glenn Miller Orchestra hits the stage July 20.

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

"Video Games Live"

"I think I am very excited about the special events in the theater," Kellick said.

A pair of Artpark standout actors - Nikki Daniels of "Aida" and Glenn Lawrence of "Beauty and the Beast" - star in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Broadway actor Gregg Goodbrod stars as the title character in the show, which takes the stage Aug. 13-23.

"Always the highlight of the season, for me, is the Broadway show," Osborne said.

Randall Kramer, who directed both "Aida" and "Beauty," will helm "Joseph." Lynne Kurdziel-Formato will serve as the production's choreographer.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Artpark for a sixth season in July and early August. "Summerfest" performances include "Carmina Burana" (July 11), "Broadway Rocks" (July 12), the Peking Acrobats (July 17-18) and "Opera's Greatest Hits" (July 25).

"Video Games Live" (July 31) - featuring giant screens, foggers, hazers and moving lights - promises to be unlike any other BPO performance.

"We wanted to try to do something to bring in a different audience, and possibly a bigger audience, for the BPO," Osborne said.

"It's really an experience you have to see," said Richard A. Doran, BPO director of marketing.

Music Director and Conductor JoAnn Falletta leads the BPO's final two summer shows: "Russian Romantics" on Aug. 1, and "Music from the Silver Screen" on Aug. 2.

The Buffalo Society of Artists will once again take up residency at the Gallery at Artpark. In addition to work for sale by 50 artists, a series of literary events will be held from June 7 through Sept. 27.

The gallery and the BPO also will team up for "BPO Summerfest Art Talks" before each philharmonic concert.

Artpark once again offers an assortment of entertainment for children, including the field-trip performance of "Town Mouse, Country Mouse" on May 28; "Family Saturdays" July 11 through Aug. 1; "Camp Adventures" (string camp July 20-24; theater camp Aug. 17-21; art camps July 6-10, and 13-17); and a "Family Movie Night" presentation of "Shrek" on Aug. 24.

To celebrate Artpark's 35th anniversary, a Niagara Wine Trail Festival will take place July 25-26. 

For show times or ticket information on any of Artpark's events, call 754-4375, or visit www.artpark.net or www.wnypapers.com.