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NFTA reaches agreement with Funtime for summer concerts at outer harbor

by jmaloni
Wed, Apr 4th 2012 02:10 pm

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority announced today that it has reached a licensing agreement with Funtime After Dark LLC to be the NFTA's waterfront concert promoter for the 2012 summer season.

NFTA Commissioner Howard A. Zemsky said, "We are excited about this opportunity to increase public access to the waterfront, and the selection of a designated promoter will free up staff time, allowing them to fully focus on our core mission of serving the transportation needs of our customers."

Chris Ring, a Funtime partner, said, "It's always exciting to bring great concerts to Buffalo, but what's even more special is the fact that we get to be a part of the bigger picture, which is to get more people downtown and enjoy the beautiful Buffalo waterfront. We hope that these concerts will help do just that."

Peter G. Demakos, NFTA commissioner and chairman of the authority's property risk committee, said, "We are pleased to have come to an agreement with experienced promoters who will provide top-notch entertainment for people to enjoy at one of the best venues in our community."

Funtime plans on using the seven-acre site located on the outer harbor in the vicinity of the former Pier Restaurant to hold concerts from a variety of musical genres, including alternative, Canadian, southern and folk rock. Ticket prices will range from $30 pre-sale to $100 for a VIP ticket. Parking charges will range from $5 to $10.

The agreement allows Funtime After Dark (Ring, Artie Kwitchoff and Donnie Kutzbach) to hold up to four concerts this summer at the outer harbor, with the possibility of conducting additional events.

In addition to the $20,000 licensing fee, the NFTA will receive 20 percent of all parking revenues, approve in advance the promoter's security/safety plan, and receive an additional security deposit to ensure a thorough cleanup of the site following each performance.

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