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The Art Festival is a summer staple in Lewiston. (File photos)
The Art Festival is a summer staple in Lewiston. (File photos)

Lewiston Council on the Arts poised for busy 2019

Sat, Jun 29th 2019 07:00 am

Events include weekly concerts, Art Festival and Marble Orchard Ghost Walks

The Lewiston Council on the Arts has a full docket of events and activities slated for 2019.

LCA 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.”

This year’s schedule includes:

‘Blue Mondays’

Recipient of Blues Beat Magazine’s prestigious “Muddy” Award, “Blue Mondays” returns to Hennepin Park Gazebo for its 25th year. Considered by many to be one of the best blues venues in Western New York, “Blue Mondays” attracts a faithful following of blues lovers.

The free event runs from 7-9 p.m. at the corner of Center and South Fourth streets. Headline acts include:

  • July 8: Chicago Jack and the Outfit
  • July 15: Groove Train
  • July 22: Hanna PK Trio
  • July 29: Miller & the Other Sinners
  • Aug. 5: Tommy Z Band
  • Aug. 12: Rod Nickson Project
  •  Aug. 19: Tas Cru

‘Summer of ’69’

Tune in, turn on, and reunite at the grooviest summer happening of the year.

Now, while many of Lewiston’s 1960s-era rock musicians have moved on, they reunite each summer for one magical moment of music. Hennepin Park is the place to be for an evening of favorites from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.

The “Summer of ’69” is expected to feature 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 concert kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, July 12.

A special “Summer of ’69” pre-party will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 11, at the Lewiston Stone House, 755 Center St. Proceeds from the $5 admission will benefit the Lewiston Council on the Arts.

53rd Annual Lewiston Art Festival

Lewiston’s signature artistic event features work by more than 175 exceptional creators and fine crafters. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, all along Center Street.

Bring the whole family for a weekend of art, music, food, street performers, workshops and demonstrations. Best of all? It’s free!

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.

Highlights include:

•KeyBank Chalk Walk Competition: Watch the chalk fly at the 35th annual KeyBank Chalk Walk. Teams of student artists from Western New York high schools are invited to create spectacular murals and compete for cash awards, trophies and bragging rights. This year’s theme is “Peace, Love & Chalk,” paying homage to the 50th anniversary of Woodstock and “The Summer of Love.” Competition runs from noon until 4 p.m. at the Fifth Street corner, with an award ceremony to follow.

•College Alley boasts student artwork, as well as make-and-take workshops sponsored by the Lewiston Public Library.

The LCA said Lewiston’s Art Festival is the No. 1 event of its kind and the perfect way to celebrate a summer weekend.

•Iroquois Market at the Art Festival (new): The Hennepin Park Gazebo will be transformed into an Iroquois market, bringing to life the rich history of Native American heritage. Also offered will be a celebration of traditional and contemporary culture expressed through art, music, drumming, children’s activities and dance.

The unique Marble Orchard Ghost Walks cast.

Marble Orchard Ghost Walks

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 long time ago, but the LCA contends ghosts still haunt Lewiston!

Step back in time with this historical and educational tour, in which offbeat, theatrical guides take patrons through the historic section of the village and into the cemetery. They’ll provide guests with an eerie, yet fun-filled adventure as people learn about graveyard etiquette, tombstone symbols, and the people buried within.

Bring a flashlight to this rain-or-shine event, which is held at 7 p.m. Saturdays, Sept. 21 through Oct. 26. The tour departs from 476 Center St. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for LCA Members, and $6 for children under the age of 12.

A Tribute to the Edmund Fitzgerald

Tom Asklar, a local artist and Edmund Fitzgerald enthusiast, will host a tribute to the American Great Lakes freighter that sank during a storm on Lake Superior (resulting in the loss of the whole crew). The evening includes a multimedia presentation of the history, timeline and theories of the vessel’s destruction … plus music and food!

This annual tribute is slated for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at the Brickyard Brewing Company, 436 Center St. General admission tickets are $5, while LCA members are admitted for free.

For more information, visit www.artcouncil.org.

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