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Pictured is a scene from the 2018 Lewiston Art Festival. (File photo)
Pictured is a scene from the 2018 Lewiston Art Festival. (File photo)

Lewiston Council on the Arts announces Art Festival, 2021 schedule of events

Submitted + Updated

Mon, Jun 7th 2021 02:20 pm

The Lewiston Council on the Arts announced its 2021 schedule of events, which includes the return of the Lewiston Art Festival in August.

Executive Director Irene Rykaszewski said, "We are very proud to celebrate 53 years of art in Lewiston. The Art Council has been an important part of the transformation of Lewiston from a sleepy, quiet village to a vibrant, livable community and cultural destination. Our programs have served as a model to other communities, of what is possible when we invest in the arts. The dividends are community where people want to live, work and congregate."

Events include:

•“Summer of '69” pre-party at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 8, at the Lewiston Stone House, 755 Center St., Lewiston. A $5 admission benefits the Lewiston Council on the Arts.

•“Summer of ’69”: 6 p.m. Friday, July 9. Where were you in the summer of 1969? Tune in, turn on and reunite at the grooviest summer happening of the year. Most of Lewiston’s 1960’s rock musicians have moved on, but for one night only they will reunite at Academy Park for an evening of favorites from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Musicians slated to perform include the Lewiston All Stars, Loved Ones, the County Orphanage, the Invaders and special guest Grammy Award winner Gary Baker. For the finale, all players will take the stage for a classic jam.

This free event will take place at Academy Park, at the corner of Center and South Ninth streets.

"Bug" (Image courtesy of the LCA)

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•Bug Fest: Saturday, July 10: group 1: 1-2:15 p.m.; group 2: 2:30-3:45 p.m. Lewiston Council on the Arts teams up with the Lewiston Public Library to present an afternoon of insect-related activities and demonstrations. Watch Chainsaw Chix carve a bookworm bench out of a hunk of wood; listen to a storytelling performance by Karima Amin; or admire a butterfly release. Lots of bug-themed games and surprises are planned.

Preregistration is required. Call the Lewiston Public Library at 716-754-4720 for free ticket information

This event will be held at Seneca ("Bug") Park, adjacent to the library, at 305 S. Eighth St.

•“Blue Mondays”: The weekly free concert series is back at the Hennepin Park Gazebo this year.

Now in its 26th season, “Blue Mondays” is considered by many to be one of the best blues venues in Western New York. Shows run from 7-9 p.m. at the corner of Center and South Fourth streets. This year’s lineup includes:

 √ July 12: Maria Aurigema

 √ July 19: Bittersweet Rose

√ July 26: Hanna & the Blue Hearts

√ Aug. 2: Joseph Michael Mahfoud Band

 √ Aug. 9: Jeremy Keyes Band

√ Aug. 16: Jony James

Maria Aurigema

••••••••

•Lewiston Art Festival: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 14 and 15, along Center Street. Lewiston’s signature art event features work by exceptional creators and fine crafters. Meet the artists one-on-one and enjoy more than 20,000 original works of art – including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, fiber, glass, wood, mixed media and photography.

Bring the whole family for a weekend of art, music, food and culture.

As part of the Art Festival:

√ “Chalk YOUR Walk Competition”: Once again in 2021, the Chalk Walk competition is going virtual. Now open to everyone in New York, people of all ages are encouraged to grab some chalk and start drawing a mural in a location of choice. This year's theme is "Imagine, Explore & Create.” There will be prizes for Best of Show, People's Choice and Honorable Mention (for artists 10 years of age and under).

Chalk Walk Chairperson Kathryn Serianni said, "For the second year, our 37-year-old Chalk Walk Competition will be virtual. Last year, out of necessity, we moved the competition onto the internet, and had a very successful event. Forty-nine artists from 26 WNY ZIP codes submitted murals, and over 6,500 votes were cast for the People's Choice award. This year, we're building on that success by opening the competition to anyone in NY state. And next year – I hope – the world!

“We are thankful to our major Chalk Walk Competition sponsor, KeyBank, for supporting this move to an online event and for continuing their support during these unprecedented and complicated times."

The 2020 “Chalk YOUR Walk Competition”

••••••••

√ College Alley features student artwork and make-your-own art at the make-and-take workshops sponsored by the Lewiston Public Library.

√ Iroquois Market at the Art Festival: The Hennepin Park Gazebo will be transformed into an Iroquois Market that brings to life the rich history of Native American heritage. Join in for a celebration of traditional and contemporary culture expressed through art, music, drumming, children's activities and dance.

The Marble Orchard Players. Pictured, front row from left: Nina Starkweather, Douglas (Doug) Graves, Frozen Charlotte and Mary Agnes Tryon; middle row, from left: Catherine Hustler, Sally Barton Tryon, Witch Hazel and Mrs. Reverend David Smith; and top row, from left: (The Hangin’ Judge) Sherborne Piper, Captain James Van Cleeve and Josiah Tryon.

••••••••

•Marble Orchard Ghost Walks: 7 p.m. Saturdays, Sept. 18 through Oct. 30. Meet at 476 Center St., and take a walk on the dark side to explore the grim and ghastly deeds of Lewiston’s best ... and worst. Hear local ghost stories and myths, plus tales of tragedy, crime, murder and mystery. Secret and sinister, these events occurred a very long time ago, but the ghosts still haunt Lewiston! Step back in time with this historical and educational tour as our offbeat, theatrical guides take patrons through the historic section of the village and into the cemetery.

Tickets for the rain-or-shine event are $15 for adults, $12 for LCA members and $6 for children under the age of 12. Bring a flashlight – it gets dark early in the cemetery! 

•“A Tribute to the Edmund Fitzgerald”: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the Brickyard Brewing Company, 436 Center St. Tom Asklar, local artist and Edmund Fitzgerald enthusiast, will host a tribute to the American Great Lakes freighter that sank during a storm on Lake Superior with the loss of the whole crew. The evening includes a multimedia presentation of the history, timeline and theories of its destruction. Music and food will be available.

Entry fee is $5 per person, or free for LCA members.

The LCA said it “is committed to providing safe and rewarding experiences that adhere to regulations and recommendations set by local, state and federal governments. We ask for everyone’s kind cooperation and support by following New York state's social distancing and sanitation guidelines. We also ask for your patience during this challenging time as we all learn to live, work and enjoy being together in new ways. Physical distancing and adherence to all Department of Health guidelines (is required). Please check back as policies and procedures may change.”

For more information, visit www.artcouncil.org or call 716-754-0166.

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