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Benatar hits Artpark with her best shot on July 5

by jmaloni
Tue, Jun 28th 2011 02:20 pm

Four-time Grammy-winner and Neil Giraldo headline free show

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo top off the Fourth of July holiday weekend by headlining "First Niagara presents Tuesday in the Park" at Artpark on July 5. The free concert kicks off with the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station special opening ceremony, which will include a color guard, the national anthem, and a flyover of the air base's C130 aircraft at 6 p.m.

Benatar is acknowledged as a leading female rock vocalist of the '80s. She is known for hits such as "Love Is a Battlefield," "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," "We Live For Love," and "Heartbreaker." During that decade, she was nominated nine times for Grammy Awards for "Best Rock Performance" (female), winning an unprecedented four awards in consecutive years.

Giraldo, a respected session player, was brought in on Benatar's multi-platinum-selling album "In The Heat of The Night" as a musician and arranger in 1978. He and Benatar sparked an immediate connection on stage and off, put together a band, and relocated to Southern California. The two have been married now for more than 25 years and are the parents of two daughters.

Most recently, Benatar released her long-awaited autobiography, "Between a Heart and a Rock Place," where she talks about her life, rock 'n' roll, and how her generation changed music forever.

The Reid Group sponsors Artpark's concert event with Benatar and Giraldo. Artpark is proud to welcome the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station commander and personnel and the base reserve's recruiting office.

Artpark's Outdoor Amphitheater opens to the public at 4 p.m. on event nights, and can be accessed via the upper park's Portage Road entrance off Center Street or through South Fourth Street nearest the Mainstage Theater. Tailgating and carry-ins (food and beverages) are prohibited at all of Artpark's free concert events. On site parking is $10 for the lower lot (Fourth street) and $8 for the upper lot (Portage Road).

Visitwww.artpark.net for parking and traffic information.

Visit our Artpark Page (www.wnypapers.com/artpark) for a complete season preview and weekly photo reviews.

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