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Pictured, from left: Melissa Morinello, Lori Presti, Jon DiBernardo and Matt Ott of Water Street Landing, Dennis Tosetto and Margy Toohey. Not present: Lucy Muto, Janet Brown and Peter John Certo.
Pictured, from left: Melissa Morinello, Lori Presti, Jon DiBernardo and Matt Ott of Water Street Landing, Dennis Tosetto and Margy Toohey. Not present: Lucy Muto, Janet Brown and Peter John Certo.

'Jazz and Pasta' fundraiser for Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival set for May 4

by jmaloni

Submitted

Tue, Mar 25th 2014 03:35 pm

Tickets now on sale

Carol Calato, board chairwoman of the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival, has announced the organization will host its annual fundraiser Sunday, May 4, at Water Street Landing, 115 S. Water St., Lewiston. The "Jazz and Pasta" event will begin at 1 p.m. and continues through 7 p.m. All proceeds support the Jazz Festival.

"Jazz and Pasta" will include live jazz, pastas from area restaurants, a cash bar, a basket auction and a silent auction. Various local jazz musicians have offered their talents for the enjoyment of ticket holders. There will be performances by Ron Corsaro, Mari McNeil Trio, Jamie Holka, Caputi & Co. with Crystal Sadler, Gruvology and Christina Custode.

The chairperson for this fundraiser is Lucy Muto (M&T Bank). Co-chairs are Margy Toohey (Lewiston Insurance Company), Janet Brown (M&T Mortgage), Melissa Morinello (Sparkle Marketing and Events), Jon DiBernardo (Water Street Landing), Calato (Calato Manufacturing/Regal Tip), Dennis Tosetto (New York State Middle School Association), Peter John Certo (Certo Brothers Distributing) and Lori Presti (music enthusiast).

"The sixth annual event was held last spring with hundreds turning out to support the Jazz Festival. We are hoping for an encore performance," Muto said.

The 2014 Jazz Festival is scheduled for Aug. 22-23. It is hosted by the Lewiston Jazz Festival Inc. This event draws more than 50,000 people annually. In September, the American Bus Association deemed this event as one of the top 100 in North America. The Lewiston Jazz Festival is now in the company of nationally recognized events to also receive this honor, including the Super Bowl, The Taste of D.C., the NFL Pro Bowl, the Daytona 500, the Chicago Film Festival and the Chicago Jazz Festival.

"While this premiere jazz festival is free to the public, the cost to execute it exceeds $150,000," Calato said. "We are appealing to the community for help and support. This fundraiser really is a great value and helps us keep jazz alive and free in Western New York."

Sponsorship opportunities for the Lewiston Jazz Festival are also available.

"Jazz and Pasta" tickets are $25 each and are available at the following locations:

  • Lewiston Village Hall, 145 N. Fourth St., 716-754-8271
  • The Orange Cat Coffee Co., 703 Center St., Lewiston, 716-754-2888
  • Water Street Landing, 115 S. Water St., Lewiston, 716-754-9200
  • Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, 895 Center St., Lewiston, 716-754-9500
  • First Niagara Bank, 500 Center St., Lewiston, 716-754-2901
  • Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce, 6311 Inducon Corporate Drive No. 2, Sanborn, 716-285-1702

Tickets can also be purchased online at www.LewistonJazz.com and at the door. For more information, call Lewiston Jazz Festival Executive Director Sandra Hays Mies at 716-745-9583.

Hays Mies said the Jazz Festival board of directors is working hard to keep the event alive and free.

"With cuts in state funding, we must generate revenue from those who support live jazz and who wish to see this event kept free to the public," she said. "As part of our fundraising strategy, we are seeking donations through our website at www.LewistonJazz.com or through contributions that can be mailed to the Lewiston Jazz Festival, P.O. Box 663, Lewiston, NY, 14092. Checks can be made payable to the Lewiston Jazz Festival. We gratefully accept contributions of any amount. All contributions are tax-deductible. For more information on donating or sponsorship opportunities, please call 716-745-9583. Go online and see who donated."

The Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival is a not-for-profit corporation.

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