[WRFA’s Jason Sample interviews Shane Hawkins from Infinity during a recent episode of Arts on Fire]

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – Local music fans will once again descend upon downtown Jamestown to show their support for music and arts education in Chautauqua County. The eleventh annual Local Music Showcase (LMS) is set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 6 at ten participating venues with all proceeds once again going to Infinity Visual and Performing Arts.

“LMS is our biggest fundraiser of the year, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to support instruction costs at Infinity,” explains Infinity Executive Director Shane Hawkins.

This year, the fundraiser is even more important than any other year. In October 2014, Infinity plans to begin their new program year in a new, larger location in the ground floor of the Lynn Building, 301 E. 2nd St., Jamestown, NY. The renovation’s budget for the new Infinity Center is $222,000. Updates and more information about the progress and capital campaign for the renovation project can be found at wwww.Infinity2014.com.

Hawkins adds that each year LMS is only made possible through collaboration between local businesses, musicians and volunteers.

“This event would not be possible without the support of the local venues, business owners, local musicians, sound technicians and the team of over 60 volunteers that donate their time each year to make this event possible.” Hawkins says. “All of the ten participating venues this year and many of the performers and volunteers have been strong supporters of LMS every year. It’s a wonderful community effort to support arts education and local music, and a terrific night of local entertainment.”

Because LMS is the program’s single biggest fundraiser of the year, Hawkins says support from the entire community is crucial, especially with repeated and wide spread funding cuts to arts and youth programs the past few years.

“It’s important that the community understand that much of our program relies on donations and fundraising efforts like this one,” says Hawkins. “Currently, just .2 percent of our operating budget comes from government-related sources, while nearly ten percent comes from fundraising events like LMS. Attending fundraising events, or supporting Infinity with a tax-deductible donation helps us continue to make this wonderful program and network of mentors available to more of our community’s children.”

The cost to attend LMS is $10, which will pay for an all-access wristband that allows attendees admittance into any and all participating venues. Pre-sale event tickets can be purchased at Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Center at 115 3rd Street and exchanged for wristbands the evening of the event. Wristbands can also be purchased the evening of the event at participating venues.

Infinity is also seeking volunteers to help out for a couple of hours at various venues. Anyone who volunteers gets a pass for the entire event. For more information on the event or to volunteer, call (716) 664-0991 or visit www.infinityperformingarts.org.

THE LINEUP

Brazil
6:00- Alex Kates
7:00- Rob & Karen Suber
8:00- Doc & Bill
9:00- Davis & Eng
10:00- 6 to 12

Cibo
9:30- Bill Ward & Amanda Barton
10:30- The New Tenants
11:30- Skeletons
12:30- Ryan Kinal

Forte
10:30- Velvet Cabbies
11:40- John C. Merino
12:50- Gary & Jay

Infinity
6:15- Jake & Sarah
7:15- Infinity Saxophone Ensemble
8:00- Collective Groove

Jamestown Skate Products
6:00- Buddy McGrupp
7:15- DJ 80n3 feat. M-Dro
8:30- Little Sea Bird
9:45- WAKE
10:25- Plug

Mojo’s
6:00 – Reverend Adam and The Smooth Cruisers
7:15- The Distractions
8:30- The Elektra Kings
9:45- We Speak Canadian
11:15- Uncle Claud’s Band
12:45- Blind Society

Shawbucks
9:00- Qwister
10:00- Big Leg Emma
11:00- The Bogarts
12:00- Thee Audience
1:00- Smackdab

Studio Theater
6:00- Stephanie Benson
7:15- Amanda & Sara the Greatest
8:30- Sean Lander
9:45- Dalton Lanphere
11:00- Joshua Reuter

The Pub
6:15- Dave McDonald
7:10- Andy White
8:05- Steel Rails
9:00- Will & Sara
9:55- Adam Gould
10:50- Ben Bracey
11:45- Kris Meekins
12:40- Tony Flint

Wine Cellar
7:15- Ryan Melquist
8:30- Cindy Love
9:45- William Petransky
11:00- Brian Hanna and Scott Horton
12:15- Joey Cobra

ABOUT LMS: The Chautauqua Region Word newspaper organized the first Local Music Showcase, which was held in 2004 in Bemus Point, N.Y. In 2006, the event was moved to downtown Jamestown to accommodate the increased number of bands and musicians who were interested participating. All proceeds collected from the benefit have gone directly to fund arts education at Infinity Visual and Performing Arts, Inc.

ABOUT INFINITY: Infinity Visual and Performing Arts, Inc. is dedicated to building the resiliency of our community’s youth by providing unique opportunity through access to the arts. More than a place, more than a program, Infinity is a chance for youth to become immersed in arts and learning, to take creative risks, and to discover their infinite potential. To learn more or to donate, visit www.infinityperformingarts.org.

LAKEWOOD, NY – An annual fundraising event for the only locally owned, non-religious radio station in Chautauqua County will be taking place Sunday, June 2 and everyone is invited!

WRFA-LP and the Southern Tier Brewing Co. are teaming up to present the second annual Great American Picnic – an afternoon of friends, food and live music from a variety of local and regional performers. This year’s theme will be music from the original Woodstock.

Hosted by Ken Hardley from the Rolling Hills Radio show, the Great American Picnic will begin at 1 p.m. at the home of the Southern Tier Brewing Co. (2072 Stoneman Circle, Lakewood, NY) and will feature nearly a dozen different musical acts. Many of the performances will also be recorded and broadcast on WRFA.

Musical acts for this year include Smackdab, The Bogarts, The Modified Nouns, Ken Hardley & The Henways, Bill Ward & Amanda Barton, Cindy Haight, Dennis Drew and Jeff Erickson (both from 10,000 Manaics), John Merino, Steve Piper, Jamie Trusler and SYMBA.

Rolling Hills Radio Host Ken Hardley

All the music that will be played during the three-hour event will be songs from the original Woodstock Music Festival – which featured such famous acts as Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Who, Ten Years After, Arlo Guthrie, Sly and the Family Stone, Joe Cocker and many others.

The entire show will be presented at the Southern Tier Brewing Company’s outdoor stage with plenty of seating and space for everyone in attendance. Sound and stage support will be provided by Steven Gustafson, Graham Riggle, Ed Tomassini and Jeff Erickson.

The WRFA Advisory Board will also be on hand, serving hot dogs and other foods from the grill.

Perhaps best of all, there is no cost to attend the fundraiser! Instead, a portion of all proceeds collected by Southern Tier Brewing Co. between 1 and 4 p.m. will go directly toward WRFA. Donations will also be accepted. All ages are welcome.