Artpark presents its biggest weekend of 2022 season

12 events planned over four days

Artpark & Company is in the midst of its most robust season in recent history. From July 29 through Aug. 1, it will feature 12 events with both regional and internationally touring artists from the U.S. and Canada that are expected to attract more than 15,000 people to the state park.

Planned performances and activities include:

√ “Wine & Wheels” clay studio classes for adults (July 29 at 4 and 6 p.m. – SOLD OUT).

√ “Weird Al” Yankovic with special guest Emo Philips (8 p.m. Friday): The biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time brings his “The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour” to the Artpark Mainstage Theater. Limited tickets remain.

√ Indigenous Ways Of Knowing Series (11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday): Award-winning Tuscarora singer-songwriter and guitarist Tonemah will share Native American stories from experiences and relationships he has made along his journey. Admission is free for the performance, which will be at Artpark’s Native American Peace Garden (lower park, South Fourth Street entrance).

√ “Free Family Saturdays: The Art of Balance” (noon to 4 p.m. Saturday): The popular series returns under the amphitheater awnings. Crafts and art activities will include balancing bird, toy trapeze, positive and negative composition, record mandala, potter and free paint.

√ Cirque Barcode & Acting for Climate in “Branché” (2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday): Returning by popular demand, “Branché: is a circus show for people of all ages performed outdoors that combines group acrobatics around and in the trees and grounds. The performances, customized for Artpark’s setting, will all be offered free of charge in Artpark’s Emerald Grove (South Fourth Street entrance). The July 31 event will include a post-performance talkback on sustainability efforts. Performances are sponsored in part by Quebec-USA.

√ Lewiston Pedal Party (4 p.m. Saturday): Artpark is a sponsor of Slow Roll Buffalo’s “Lewiston Pedal Party” ride. The free, organized group bicycle ride departs Artpark’s lower lot (South Fourth Street entrance) for a 10-mile casual ride through Lewiston. It returns by 6 p.m., when participants can attend the free performance of Cirque Barcode & Acting for Climate in “Branché.”

√ “Opera In Concert at Artpark: Up Close And Personal” (7:30 p.m. Saturday): An intimate opera concert in the Mainstage Theater featuring the full Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gil Rose, along with vocalists Danielle Talamantes (soprano), Janna Baty (mezzo soprano), Dominick Chenes (tenor) and Michael Chioldi (baritone). The program, curated by Rose, is for both seasoned and casual opera music lovers. It will feature opera’s most memorable melodies and moments by Verdi, Bizet, Puccini and Rossini. The audience will be seated on the stage along with the performers and orchestra. Tickets are $25; capacity is limited.

√ Earth, Wind & Fire (8 p.m. July 31 Sunday): The legendary group takes the amphitheater stage again after a sold-out show in 2019. The Brass Machine will entertain the crowd from 6:30-7:30 p.m., before EWF starts at 8 p.m. Remaining tickets are $24.

√ Khruangbin (6:30 p.m. Monday): Khruangbin is a three-piece band from Houston, formed in 2009. Taking influence from 1960's Thai funk, the name literally translates to "Engine Fly" in Thai. Khruangbin is steeped in the bass-heavy, psychedelic sound of their inspiration, Tarantino soundtracks and surf-rock cool. Tickets for their amphitheater concert are $49.50 in advance or $59.50 day of show. Men I Trust will open. Carry-in chairs are not permitted for this concert.

Tickets are available at the Artpark box office (450 S. Fourth St., Lewiston) and at ticketmaster.com.

Artpark has more performances and activities planned for August and September. Visit artpark.net for more information.

The 2022 Artpark Season is supported by: M&T Bank; Cullen Foundation; Labatt Blue Light; Bud Light; Southern Tier Brewing; Try-it Distributing; National Endowment for the Arts; Parks & Trails New York; Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo; New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; New York Stage Council on the Arts; FACE Foundation; Mid Atlantic Arts; Sonwil; and Northtown Automotive Companies.

“Free Family Saturdays” are supported in part by the Garman Family Foundation administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.