Rock classics get a symphonic twist in the 2013-14 "BPO Rocks" series, which features performances by America and Lou Gramm of Foreigner, as well as the music of Queen, the Rolling Stones, ABBA and The Beatles.

The Rapids Theatre welcomes iconic pop-rock band Blondie to Niagara Falls on Friday, Sept. 6. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7:30, all-ages show. Tickets, $45 presale and $50 day of show, go on sale Friday, June 21, at 10 a.m.

Drake is coming to First Niagara Center, with special guests Future and Miguel, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m.

Just announced: Matthew Good is coming back to "Rock the Rapids" at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Wednesday Concerts at the Gazebo, Main Street, Newfane, will take place from 7 to 9 p.m.

Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

Come Tuesday, we can reasonably add something else to that list of certainties: The only thing pouring down from above at Artpark will be hit songs.

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts performed "Bad Reputation," "Cherry Bomb," "I Love Rock-N-Roll" and a slew of new songs at Artpark, June 11, as part of the "Tuesday in the Park" concert series.

The Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, welcomes The Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Rocks 10th Anniversary Tour on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 7:30 p.m.

As part of his "50 Years on the Carefree Highway" tour, acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot will perform at Kleinhans Music Hall at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.

Two of America's timeless singers - Smokey Robinson and Johnny Mathis - join the Seneca Casinos' "Summer Rush" lineup with performances that will match the thrill of summertime. Both will travel to the Seneca Niagara Events Center in Niagara Falls this summer.

VIDEO/PHOTOS: Billy Idol kicked off the 2013 "Tuesday in the Park" concert series at Artpark. The rebel rocker performed songs including "White Wedding," "Eyes Without a Face" and "Dancing with Myself."

The Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, announces Joe Satriani with special guest Steve Morse Band on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $64, $51, $41 and $31, go on sale Friday, June 7, at 10 a.m.

Seneca Casinos kicks off its "Summer Rush" concert series in a big way at Seneca Allegany Events Center this Saturday in Salamanca.

In fact, it's with music that's fit for a "King."

Calamar and The Woodlands Residential Village are hosting a free outdoor concert from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, at the pond/gazebo located across from 3979 Forest Parkway, Wheatfield.

The Queen Extravaganza has announced the tour will stop at The Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are now on sale.

Violinist Rachel Lee will join the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra this weekend for the final concerts of the 2012-13 M&T Bank classics series, replacing violinist Chloe Hanslip, who became ill.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center will again be celebrating summer in the Cataract City by "Rockin' the Park" at Schoellkopf Park.

Lewiston's favorite Canadian band, The Trews, will headline tonight's Pubfest concert at Academy Park. The band takes the stage at about 9:15 p.m.

Band to perform on 'Good Morning America' June 11 in celebration of new album 'Magnetic'; co-headline tour with Matchbox 20 kicks off June 25; Goos perform locally three times

Back II Back regretfully announces that, due to a scheduling conflict, the Billy Currington show scheduled for Friday, May 31, at the Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls has been cancelled. Refunds will be available at the point of purchase.

This Friday's Billy Currington show at The Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls has been postponed due to a scheduling conflict.

The Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, announces "Guitar Passions featuring Sharon Isbin, Stanley Jordan & Romero Lubambo" at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. On-sale tickets are $36.50 and $26.50.

The Historic Riviera Theatre presents "An Evening With Charley Pride" on Wednesday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m.

The Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, welcomes David Sedaris on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale Thursday, May 30, at 10 a.m. A book signing will follow his presentation.

To thank active duty and retired military personnel for their service, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is offering buy one, get one free tickets to the Patriotic Pops concerts at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 24, and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25.

The Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, welcomes The Piano Guys on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $32 general admission and $22 students, go on sale Thursday, May 30, at 10 a.m.

The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame is currently seeking submissions for volume four in its highly successful CD series featuring inducted members of the BMHOF. Hall of Fame members may submit their tracks to the BMHOF for consideration (Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 256, Buffalo, NY 14205) by July 31, 2013.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's summer season will take it to several of Western New York's best public spaces and performing venues. The BPO will perform 12 times, including several free outdoor concerts and the return of "Summer Nights@Kleinhans."

Buffalo Place Inc. announced its "Thursday at Canalside" summer concert lineup on Wednesday. This year, the entire series is moving to the Buffalo waterfront. Free weekly concerts run from 5 until 9:30 p.m.

The 14th annual Native American Music Awards celebrated the accomplishments of star performers Nelly Furtado, Rickey Medlocke and Tony Duncan. The event, held inside the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel Events Center, honored native musicians in 30 distinct categories.

When Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel proudly hosts the Native American Music Awards for the sixth consecutive year this Friday, it will also be the site for some serious star power. International superstars Nelly Furtado, Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd and China's Ayi Jihu will be among the awardees and award presenters during a 14th annual awards show that was nearly cancelled due to "Superstorm" Sandy last fall.

Saturday, June 29, Kem will close the first weekend of the "Buffalo Place Rocks Canalside" concert series presented by M&T Bank and produced by Buffalo Place Inc. His show runs from 6 until 11 pm.

Axl Rose and Guns N' Roses return to Western New York this summer after more than 20 years away. The band will headline the Buffalo Outer Harbor Concert Series on Wednesday, June 5.

The Historic Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center has announced country legends Roy Clark and Mel Tillis will perform a rare double-bill show at the Riviera Theatre, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda, at 8 p.m. on June 1.

Let's face it: The performers on "The Voice" are not likely to duke it out with other acts in a ring-shaped stage once this season is over.

"So what is the purpose of the 'Battle Rounds'?" you might ask. Well ...

Immanuel returns to The Lighthouse Cafe in Lockport this Saturday, April 27, at 7 p.m. Immanuel will be "unplugged" and bringing their own style of original contemporary Christian music to event.

We have the most comprehensive list of Artpark events and pictures around -- plus a video presentation of the "Tuesday in the Park" and "Coors Light Wednesdays" schedule.

Artpark President George Osborne announced the venue's 2013 summer events schedule at a press conference Wednesday morning.

North Tonawanda Mayor Robert G. Ortt announced plans for a three-concert series titled "Cornerstone's Niagara River Rocks" at Gratwick Riverside Park on Sundays, June 9, July 14 and Aug 25. Primus, The Tea Party and Rusted Root will be the featured bands for the lineup.

The Erie Canal Discovery Center has announced the winners of its Erie Canal Song Contest. This is the sixth year for the contest, and its popularity has been growing each year.