Buffalo readies for 'Thursday at the Rectangle'

by jmaloni

Thu, May 12th 2011 08:35 pm

"Thursday at the Square" is relocating

Preview by Joshua Maloni

With its top concert acts already announced (and tickets on sale), the biggest news offered up by Buffalo Place executives Thursday was the relocating of its signature event. "Thursday at the Square" is moving from Lafayette Square to the Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf at the end of June.

"On June the 30^th, we're moving 'Thursdays' to the waterfront," said Buffalo Place President and board Vice Chairman Anthony J. Colucci III at the summer concert series kickoff press conference. "We're going to do six consecutive Thursday nights at the waterfront," which he jokingly called "Thursday at the Rectangle."

Buffalo Place exists to promote downtown Buffalo and, in that capacity, Colucci said the consensus among local business owners was that the waterfront move is "a great idea."

Tickets recently went on sale for Buffalo Place's "Rocks the Harbor," which also takes place at the wharf. The concert series features six weekend shows, led by Elvis Costello & The Imposters on June 25, The Tragically Hip on July 30, and Alice Cooper on Aug. 26.

"Thursday at the Square's" 25^th anniversary season lineup features 26 national acts, including: Morris Day and the Time on June 9; Blues Traveler on June 16; Grace Potter & The Nocturnals on June 23; Lowest of the Low on June 30; Sloan on July 7; two-thirds of the Dixie Chicks, sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Robinson bring their side project, Court Yard Hounds, to Buffalo on July 14; and Tokyo Police Club closes the series on Aug. 4.

For 2011, Buffalo Place opted to reunite with local booking agency Funtime Presents. Colucci said his company did an extensive analysis of its in-house concert promotions, and decided this is "precisely where we want to move."

He said Funtime principals Artie Kwitchoff and Donny Kutzbach, who also book the Town Ballroom and events at Artpark, bring a considerable contact list, extensive market knowledge, and "frankly, they had a lot of great ideas."

"This seemed like a good alternative. ... I'm happy with what they've done," Colucci said.

"It's a strong schedule in lots of different ways," he added.

"Thursday at the Square"

All concerts are free and run from 5 until 9 p.m.

Lafayette Square

June 2: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
June 9: Morris Day and the Time
June 16: Blues Traveler with special Guest Willie Nile
June 23: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals with special guest Fitz & The Tantrums

Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf

June 30: Lowest of the Low with special guests Hey Rosetta! and Ron Hawkins and the Do Good Assassins
July 7: Sloan
July 14: Court Yard Hounds
July 21: Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
July 28: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
Aug. 4: Tokyo Police Club with special guest The Sheila Divine

"Rocks the Harbor"

All concerts are ticketed and run from 6 until 11 p.m.

Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf