For the millions of Americans who will have a three-day weekend for Memorial Day, the opportunities to have a good time and celebrate our fallen heroes are numerous.
As most local residents know, finding a Memorial Day parade in the area isn't a difficult task. Finding a show to attend Friday or Saturday night shouldn't be all that hard either. As you'll see below, several area musicians opted against taking the holiday weekend off. One nationally known act will also make a stop in the area.
Whether you're planning to spend the weekend working on your yard, opening the swimming pool, going to see some shows or getting out of the area entirely, I hope you enjoy the holiday weekend.
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Highlights And Happenings With Scott Shelters
Here's what's happening in the area:
HIGHLIGHTS
B-52s To Play Seneca Casino Sunday: The B-52s, known for their hits "Roam" and "Love Shack," will perform in the Seneca Allegany Casino Events Center on Sunday, beginning at 7 p.m.
Tickets start at $35. All are welcome, but individuals under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Visit senecaalleganycasino.com for more information.
Ash Bash Announced: More than 20 acts have been booked for the third annual Ash Bash, which will be held July 27-29 at 1136 Hoag Road in Ashville.
Smackdab, The No Good DooGooders, The Flattsmen, Blackend Rain, Beyond The Illusion, Derek Davis and The Tasty Groove, Amber Lee and The Hallow Society, Awaken The Ancients, Damn Alchemy, Grand Larseny, Michael Lane and Goody, Relly Rell, Prophecy, Family of Notes, Green Genes, 7:30 Boys, Payso, Rob Notes, Kate Elfman, J-Dot, and Destroy The Architect will perform.
The event will be hosted by DJ Felony, DJ Vic and DJ Xcite. The price of admission will be $20 for the weekend or $10 for one day. The Ash Bash will start at noon Friday, July 27. Call 483-5713 for pre-sale tickets.
'Great American Picnic' To Benefit WRFA: A Sunday, June 3, fundraiser at the Southern Tier Brewing Company will benefit WRFA-LP 107.9 FM. Called "The Great American Picnic," the annual fundraising event for the only locally owned, non-religious radio station in Chautauqua County will feature food and live music from a variety of local and regional performers.
Hosted by Ken Hardley from WRFA's "Woodsongs Coffeehouse Radio Hour," the picnic will begin at 1 p.m. at Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman Circle, Lakewood. It will feature more than a dozen musical acts. Many of the performances will be recorded and broadcast on WRFA the following week.
Local musical performers will include Blue Magoo, Brian Hanna, Cindy Haight, Chris Passamonte, Gina Vecchio, the Haybalers, John Merino, Marla Harris and Paul Liuzzo.
In addition to the Jamestown acts, there will also be music from Rochester's Steve Piper, Bruce Diamond and Cammy Enaharo; Geneseo's Pat Maloney; Ithaca's David Allen Coester; and The Modified Nouns, formerly known as The American People, from Russell, Pa.
Many of the day's performances will feature music from, and pay tribute to, the Grateful Dead. The fundraiser will conclude with a set of songs performed by Ship of Fools - a Grateful Dead tribute band led by Jeff Erickson of 10,000 Maniacs along with Nate Arnone, Jay Peterson, Steve Davis and Matt Tillotson.
The show will be presented at the Southern Tier Brewing Company's new, outdoor stage. WRFA General Manager Dennis Drew will be on hand, serving hot dogs and other foods from the grill. Sound and stage support will be provided by Steven Gustafson, Graham Riggle, Ed Tomassini and Erickson.
Admission to the fundraiser will be free. A portion of all proceeds collected by Southern Tier Brewing Company between 1 and 4 p.m. will go directly to WRFA. Donations will also be accepted.
For more information, visit wrfalp.com.
HAPPENINGS
To include an upcoming show or event in this column, call Scott Shelters at 487-1111, ext. 255 or email sshelters@post-journal.com. Submissions for next week's column must be received by Tuesday night.
Tonight
Blue Grass Jam: 7-10, Celoron Legion, 1 mile west of Jamestown on Fairmount Avenue. All area bluegrass musicians are welcome to sit in and play.
Friday
Derek Davis: 5-7 p.m., The Bellini Lounge, Chautauqua Suites, 215 W. Lake Road, Mayville.
Blues and Pizza Night: 7-9 p.m., Infinity Cafe, 115 E. Third St., Jamestown. The Infinity Blues Group and local blues musicians will perform. Admission will be free.
Willow Creek Band: 8-11 p.m., Chautauqua Suites, 215 W. Lake Road, Mayville.
Cheap & Easy: 9 p.m., Murdock's, 100 E. Main St., Sherman.
Pre-Memorial Day Bash: 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m., The Q, 104 W. Second St., Jamestown. Pressure Sensitive and DJ Jimmy Whispas will perform.
Saturday Night
Rustic Ramblers: 8-midnight, Celoron Legion, 1 mile west of Jamestown on Fairmount Avenue.
Black Widow: 8, Pine Junction, 9757 Bailey Hill Road, Sherman.
Kev Rowe: 9-midnight, Steener's Pub, 322 Route 430, Greenhurst.
Disturbin' The Peace: The Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St., Jamestown.