New $5 ticket fee to provide enhanced concert experience; tickets go on sale May 26
Canalside Management Group announced the lineup for its 2017 summer concert series, now known as "Canalside Live," at a press conference on Thursday.
Jon Dandes, president of Be Our Guest Ltd/CMG, said concertgoers could expect a "tremendous lineup" of diverse, multicultural, multigenerational, multigenre acts.
Headline performers include:
- Thursday, June 15 - Gary Clark Jr.
- Thursday, June 22 - Sheila E.
- Friday, June 30 - The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and The Strictly Hip perform music by The Tragically Hip, presented by Consulate General of Canada and Labatt USA
- Thursday, July 6 - The Tea Party
- Thursday, July 13 - Ghostface Killah with Slick Rick
- Thursday, July 20 - Eric Paslay
- Thursday, July 27 - Theory of a Dead Man
- Thursday, Aug. 3 - Dark Star Orchestra
- Thursday, Aug. 10 - Robert Randolph and the Family Band
- Thursday, Aug. 17 - USS
The "Canalside Live" concert series will be produced across the lawns at Canalside. In addition to the nine Thursday concerts, a special Friday night show is scheduled for June 30. Be Our Guest Ltd/CMG worked with Funtime Presents in booking the acts.
In a press release, Canalside General Manager Matt LaSota said, "We're really excited about the 2017 'Canalside Live' lineup since there's a little bit of something for everyone with this variety of acts. Our goal was to offer quality acts each week and to provide an opportunity for people with interests in all genres of music to enjoy a 'Canalside Live' concert in a safe and comfortable environment."
At the press conference, Dandes said, "At the end of the day, it's all about the concertgoing experience."
To that end, Be Our Guest Ltd/CMG has initiated a $5 ticket fee for the 2017 season.
Dandes said this admission charge is a "very positive and important" step designed to create a better, safer, higher-quality experience for patrons. He also said the added revenue would lead to improved concessions.
The ticket initiative is in response to feedback received from Canalside stakeholders, as well as a community survey of 1,800 people conducted shortly after the management group began operations at Canalside.
Pre-sale tickets will be available starting at 10 a.m. Friday, May 26, at the 17 Consumer's Beverages locations, and at the Canalside boardwalk information kiosk. Purchasers of a pre-sale ticket will receive a ticket for a complimentary beverage at each "Canalside Live" concert. This includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
Tickets also will be on sale online at ticketfly.com.
A "significant" number of tickers will be provided to The United Way of Erie County to distribute to a program of its choice. Moreover, CMG announced the creation of the "Canalside Cares" program, which provides a limited number of free tickets to each concert, along with other Canalside activities, including ice skating during the winter months.
Information regarding this program will be announced at a later date.
Finally, VIP tickets have been lowered to $35 for the 2017 season. VIP tickets will provide a private entrance into the VIP tent lounge, two complimentary drink coupons (good for beer, wine, soda or water), light appetizers provided by The Dish at Canalside, private bathrooms, access to the front-of-stage viewing area, and a souvenir 2017 "Canalside Live" cup. The tent is limited to concertgoers ages 21 and older.
A pre-sale begins tomorrow for Canalside Connect members. The offer includes $5 off a VIP ticket purchase (online only).
The concert series was formerly known as "Thursday at the Square," and it had been free to attend.
Joshua Maloni contributed to this report.
