8.19.2008
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2008 SATURDAY NIGHT CONCERT SERIES AT GATEWAY PARK OFFICIALLY CANCELLED
An open letter from series promoter Vincent Lesh of Concerts Plus of WNY Inc
It is with great discontent that I am forced to cancel the remaining 2 shows of the 2008 Gateway Park concert series in North Tonawanda. For the past 2 weeks we have been working diligently with our attorneys, the City Of North Tonawanda, potential new sponsors, and local businesses trying to find a way to still make these last 2 concerts work. Unfortunately, due to the massive financial loss incurred at the August 2nd concert, our main sponsor pulling out of the series, and no beer permit in hand, we have been left with no other option except cancellation.
We appreciate the continued support we have received from the people and business owners of North Tonawanda and hope that we can find some resolution to this manner allowing us to produce more concerts at Gateway Park in the years to come.
Regards,
Vincent Lesh, President
Concerts Plus of WNY Inc.
8.6.2008
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The Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers show that was originally scheduled to take place this Saturday at Gateway Park has now been moved to the Town Ballroom, 681 Main Street Downtown Buffalo. Doors open at 7pm. Show 8pm. All Ages admitted. Tickets are on sale Wednesday August 6th at all Tickets.com locations, Tops Markets, and the Town Ballroom box office. Tickets are $20 advance and $25 day of show. This event is part of the FEED THE CITY campaign benefiting the Buffalo City Mission. Opening the show are The Pillagers.
At this time we are still working with our attorneys, the City of North Tonawanda and our sponsors on ways to keep the last 2 shows free at Gateway Park. Please check back for more information in the week to come.
5.23.2008
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NORTH TONAWANDA DELIVERS ON PROMISE FOR A STRONG LINEUP OF FREE NATIONAL CONCERTS AT GATEWAY PARK THIS SUMMER
North Tonawanda, N.Y.- Today, The City of North Tonawanda, along with event producers Concerts Plus Of WNY, and talent buyers Metropolitan Talent Presents, announced their 2008 summer lineup of free concerts featuring national recording artists along the beautiful Erie Canal at the historic Gateway Park in North Tonawanda. The 8 shows of national acts that span the months of June through August, proves to be one of the most impressive lineups the city had seen in years.
LABATT BLUE LITE GATEWAY PARK CONCERT SERIES LINE UP
June
21 | SLOAN
28 | GATOR COUNTRY featuring original members of MOLLY HATCHET, performing all their hits.
July
5.. | RON HAWKINS
26 | JOAN JETT & THE BLACK HEARTS
August
2.. | DARK STAR ORCHESTRA recreating the Grateful Dead experience
9.. | BRUCE HORNSBY & THE NOISEMAKERS
23 | LOVERBOY
30 | RIK EMMETT of TRIUMPH
Gates 5:30pm – Show Time 6:00pm
This past January the City of North Tonawanda signed a new booking contract with local event producers Concerts Plus of WNY to take over the production of the free summer concerts at Gateway Park. Vincent Lesh, owner of Concerts Plus collaborated with the NYC based entertainment company Metropolitan Talent Presents, led by industry veteran John Scher and their WNY regional rep Chris Ring to book the talent for the upcoming season. “This is a great opportunity for us to help continue a unique summer tradition that has been established at Gateway Park, “ explained Vincent Lesh. “We have already had a great response from the community regarding some of the shows that leaked to the public. That kind of support has been very rewarding.”
“Our schedule is extremely strong and very diverse,” said Chris Ring, talent buyer for Metropolitan Talent Presents who booked the talent for the series. “We’re confident the line up offers something to please everyone. We’re looking forward to a long and fulfilling relationship with both the City of North Tonawanda and City of Tonawanda. Together we can build on this years success and bring exciting diverse acts back to Gateway Park in the years to come.”
In addition to the team effort of Concerts Plus and Metropolitan Talent Presents, event producers also brought on board local liaison Larry Denef who has a great relationship with both the City of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda due to his experience producing the yearly Canal Fest. “In addition to the years of relationships Larry has with both cities, we have also been able to utilize his expertise on producing events in Gateway Park. This has allowed us to ensure that our events will be more patron friendly than in years past,” said Mr. Lesh.
Larry Soos, Mayor of North Tonawanda said, “We are thrilled to be working with such a great team. They have been extremely courteous and remain very open minded on ideas to try to make these events bigger and better. After seeing the final schedule we couldn’t be more thrilled to present this lineup to the people of North Tonawanda, Tonawanda, and Western New York.”
Some aspects that producers are changing this year to try to make the events more “user” friendly include the addition of more bathroom facilities and concession stands, on site acceptance of credit card purchases for beverage tickets, as well as the opportunity to purchase beverage tickets in advance via Ticketmaster.com giving the customer the ability to not waste time waiting in additional lines the day of each event. “Given all the feedback we have received after coming on board, the lack of restroom facilities and long lines were some of the biggest concerns from patrons in years past,” explains Vincent Lesh of Concerts Plus. “We are doing everything we can to try to help make this a more enjoyable event for everyone and with our efforts this year we should able to accommodate some of those requests.” In addition to the changes above, producers are currently talking with the City of Tonawanda to work out a way to offer patrons who watch the concerts on their side of the canal restroom facilities and concession stands.
Concerts Plus of WNY and Larry Denef will handle all sponsorship opportunities, facility operations, staffing, and concessions while the team from Metropolitan Talent will produce each event.
Advance beverage tickets go on sale to the public Saturday, May 24th at Gatewayparkconcerts.com, Ticketmaster.com, and select Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 716.852.5000.
