Photo credit: Chautauqua Institution

JAMESTOWN – The Pipe Organ at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater has been damaged by snow melt.

According to a report from the associated press, a routine inspection of the amp’s 111-year-old Massey Memorial Organ revealed that water penetrated a protective cover and entered the organ’s wooden console and four ivory keyboards. The incident occurred while the 1907 Massey organ was stored backstage.

The organ sits at the heart of the institution’s amphitheater, which was recently rebuilt.

The keyboards will reportedly be restored, but noted that the organ’s pipework and other systems were unaffected.

Officials hope to have the unit restored in time for the 2018 season.

Jay Leno

CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. (June 16, 2017) — Chautauqua Institution officials Friday announced acclaimed TV late night show host, comedian and Emmy Award winner Jay Leno will perform at Chautauqua Institution for the opening night of the 2017 season and the first performance in the Institution’s new Amphitheater.

Aretha Franklin was previously scheduled to perform. In a letter to Chautauqua ticket holders and friends, President Michael Hill said per doctor’s orders, Franklin cannot make the trip to Chautauqua for her scheduled performance.

“We, of course, express sincere get well wishes to Ms. Franklin on behalf of the entire Chautauqua family,” Hill said.

Leno is an admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, much-in-demand corporate speaker, lovable TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder, philanthropist and Emmy Award winner.

Leno spent more than two decades as host of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and has been widely characterized as “the hardest-working man in show business.”

Leno was last in Chautauqua County in 2014 when he was the headliner of that year’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in Jamestown.

All tickets to the sold-out Aretha Franklin concert will be honored for the Jay Leno performance. Individuals wishing to return their tickets and gate passes for a refund due to this change in the schedule may call the Chautauqua Institution Ticket Office at 1-888-688-1960. The institution will not sell additional tickets to the opening night festivities unless it receives cancellations from current ticket holders.  For more information about the Jay Leno performance and updates on ticket availability, visit www.chq.org/Leno.

“Jay Leno is both a national and regional favorite, and we couldn’t be more excited that a talent of his character and accomplishment will help us to ring in the 2017 season at Chautauqua,” Hill said.

Hill said the Aretha Franklin performance will not be rescheduled this season.

More About Jay Leno

Acclaimed TV late night show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, much-in-demand corporate speaker, TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, and philanthropist…Jay Leno is widely characterized as “the hardest working man in show business.”

Leno’s late-night television ratings domination included two decades as the host of the #1-rated “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” – he never lost a ratings year in which he served as host.

Leno, currently produces and is host of the CNBC Television series “JAY LENO’S GARAGE” now in its third season. “Jay Leno’s Garage” explores the world of cars, never forgetting that it’s the people behind the wheel who provide the real stories.  The series debuted in October 2015 and delivered CNBC’s most-watched first season in network history.  New episodes of “Jay Leno’s Garage” can be viewed on CNBC throughout the year.

The show is an outgrowth of JAY LENOS GARAGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL which Leno produces and has an international following on the Web and has garnered several Emmy Awards and nominations for Outstanding Special Class–Short-Format Nonfiction Programs.

His new product line JAY LENO’S GARAGE ADVANCED VEHICLE CARE launched in December of 2016 and has been well received by the Automotive Industry worldwide. Products are available on www.lenosgarage.com.

When he’s not on TV, Leno performs more than 100 stand-up shows annually across the country and internationally; participates in numerous charity and corporate events, does voice-overs for animated series, pens children’s books, and writes a monthly columnist in Popular Mechanics. And in his “spare” time (as if he has any), he enjoys working on his collection of classic cars and motorcycles. In fact, he has built a number of cars, including an acclaimed eco-car in his eco-friendly green garage.

Leno is the recipient of other honors, including Emmy, People’s Choice, and TV Guide awards, Harris Poll selection as most popular star on television, the Hasty Pudding Award at Harvard University, a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, and being the first person to drive the pace car of all major NASCAR events.

He and his wife Mavis, an ardent human rights activist, live in Los Angeles.

The current Chautauqua Amphitheater, which is scheduled to be replaced by a new Amp before the start of the 2017 summer season.

MAYVILLE – A Judge has dismissed the request to halt the demolition of historic Chautauqua Amphitheater, meaning work is now able to proceed.

On Thursday judge Frank Sedita said he would lift the temporary restraining order that has halted the project for more than two weeks, and deny the motion for a preliminary injunction, which would have extended the restraining order for the duration of the lawsuit.

The suit was filed in January by the Committee to Preserve the Historic Chautauqua Amphitheater and five owners of residences at Chautauqua, who say the town of Chautauqua did not properly consider the environmental aspects of the project and as a result illegally granted a building permit for the work to take place. Specifically, they claimed the permit violated the Waterfront Consistency Law and State Environmental Quality Review Act. Sedita ruled the Amp project is a ‘minor action’ and as a result, is exempt.

The Chautauqua Institution’s board of trustees voted Dec. 30 to approve a $41.5 million plan to demolish its 122-year-old amphitheater and build a similar, modernized structure designed to offer greater accessibility to those with disabilities, more seating, an orchestra pit and improved sightlines and safety.

Preservationists have vehemently opposed the plan.

Barring any further delays, the new Amp is slated to be opened prior to the start of the 2017 Chautauqua season.

The current Chautauqua Amphitheater, which is scheduled to be replaced by a new Amp before the start of the 2017 summer season.

MAYVILLE – The effort to halt the demolition of the historic Chautauqua Amphitheater in order to build a new, more-modern facility, will continue for at least another week.

On Monday New State Supreme Court Justice Frank Sedita said that he first wants to discuss the project with some experts before handing down a final decision.

In addition to the judge holding off on a decision in order to learn more details and information, attorneys for both sides will meet privately in the judge’s chambers later today. A second court hearing will be held early next week with a date and time to be determined.

The lawsuit was filed in January by the Committee to Preserve the Historic Chautauqua Amphitheater and five owners of residences at Chautauqua, who are opposed to the demolition of the historic structure. It was filed in response to Chautauqua Institution’s board of trustees decision to approve a $41.5 million plan to move forward with building a new, modernized structure designed to offer greater accessibility to those with disabilities, more seating, an orchestra pit and improved sightlines and safety.

Barring any long-term delays, the new amp is slated to be opened prior to the start of the 2017 Chautauqua season.

Chautauqua officials said in a released statement Monday afternoon that while disappointed they cannot begin work, they are pleased that Judge Sedita recognizes the urgency of the spring construction schedule. They also said that while awaiting a final decision, they will continue to move forward with planning, logistics and procurement of materials for the project.

The current Chautauqua Amphitheater, which is scheduled to be replaced by a new Amp before the start of the 2017 summer season.

MAYVILLE – A lawsuit was filed in New York State Supreme Court on Friday seeking to halt the Chautauqua Institution’s plans to demolish its iconic open-air amphitheater and build a new one. The suit was filed by the Committee to Preserve the Historic Chautauqua Amphitheater and five owners of residences at Chautauqua.

The Chautauqua Institution’s board of trustees voted Dec. 30 to approve a $41.5 million plan to demolish its 122-year-old amphitheater and build a similar, modernized structure designed to offer greater accessibility to those with disabilities, more seating, an orchestra pit and improved sightlines and safety.

Preservationists have vehemently opposed the plan.

Officials with the Institution say they’ve received the required construction permits from the Town of Chautauqua to begin preseason work on the amphitheater project. The also say they are confident they will prevail on the issue and plan to keep moving forward with a state-of-the-art, renewed Amp.

Barring any delays due to the recent lawsuit, the new amp is slated to be opened prior to the start of the 2017 Chautauqua season.

• MOBILE APP USERS: LISTEN HERE

There is no question that the Chautauqua Institution is not only a gift to our county, but so too, deserves the world class reputation it has earned over more than a century as a seat for intellectual discourse and creative artistic presentations.

You’d be hard pressed to find any other center of learning like it, anywhere in the world.

…and the announcement earlier this week of the end of year retirement of its president, Tom Becker, should give us pause to reflect on his accomplishments and say to him as a community, “Thank you”.

I am troubled, however, by the planned demolition of the historic amphitheater in order to replace it with a modern version. I have followed the discussion for the past year, as presented in the media, as proponents of restoration have built….I believe….a strong case for retaining the existing theater and rehabbing it at a much less expensive price tag than the new plan calls for….A reported $42 million.

Here are my thoughts.

One thing that has always challenged me about the Institution is their limited interaction with Jamestown and the missed opportunities to develop “off-season” programming for a population of children largely economically disadvantaged.

Though over the years, they have solicited and received monies from the Jamestown based Foundation community (in the millions I might add) my personal experience some 12 years ago when I first came to our community to serve as CEO of the Gebbie Foundation, troubles me to this day.

I was invited to and attended a luncheon with their senior staff and a few board members. Being new to the position and only having a cursory knowledge of the Institutions value and import, it was suggested by my bosses that I accept the invitation, visit the Institution and ask a simple question.

That question was, “what can we do to have the Institution program more broadly in the Jamestown community, especially in the “off-season?”

The response I received was unanimous….as several persons attending the luncheon spoke to the same basic answer.

“To experience Chautauqua, one needed to be inside the walls of the Institution”

What troubles me about that idea is that “one” would think, that given their reputation and stature around the world, they would look at their local role in broader terms….feel some level of responsibility to help uplift and educate those children who might otherwise go a lifetime without hearing a concert, see a ballet or learning from the lecture series…all of which are unparalleled.

To give them credit, they have partnered with the Reg Lena, the Jackson Center, WRFA and many other local organizations for decades….yet, off season programming designed to nurture and expand the minds of Jamestown’s most vulnerable citizens (our children) has been relatively non-existent.

Is it their job to play a part in such an effort? I believe it is. After all, they are a part of our community, too.

If it was possible to raise some $42 million to replace the historic amphitheater from donors who believe that it is the correct step to take, then how tough would it be to create an “off-season” fund for specially designed programming benefitting the community’s children….in effect playing an important role in building new generations of local residents whose appreciation of the arts and letters presented there, guarantee future supporters…..and wouldn’t it help build better citizens in the long run?

Whenever legacies are discussed….regardless of the individual or organization being touted at the time, those who will stand out are not the ones who confine their efforts to a limited constituency, but rather reach out to those whose need for those gifts is obvious…and well outside a limited definition of who their beneficiaries are.

Experiencing Chautauqua should not be limited to what happens inside the walls of the Institution…especially for children who will never see a play, lecture, dance, concert or any other of the wonderful offerings presented there, unless nurtured to appreciate.

Because so much financial support has been awarded to them by Jamestown based foundations for decades, and in order to play a part in building a stronger local community, choose instead to rehabilitate and restore the existing historic amphitheater and take a few of the millions raised to teach our children during their school year (the institution’s off season).

Open the gates to Chautauqua’s valuable programming…let it out for our children to experience.

Legacy is built and sustained by the gifts that are given to those who otherwise will never know…and without the Chautauqua Institution reaching out in a generous way, many of our children will never know….and ultimately….care even less.

I’m John Merino and this is American Chronicles.

American Chronicles is a bi-weekly locally produced feature on WRFA written and produced by retired Gebbie Foundation CEO, John C. Merino. Currently, John is an Adjunct Professor of Micro-Economics, Organizational Management, and 20th Century World History at Mercyhurst University. American Chronicles airs twice monthly, Friday mornings at 7:15 and Friday Afternoons at 4:35. American Chronicles features original stories (partly fact and partly fiction), commentary on local, state , national, world conditions and more.

Find past episodes at www.wrfalp.com/tag/american-chronicles/

The current Chautauqua Amphitheater, which is scheduled to be replaced by a new Amp before the start of the 2017 summer season.

JAMESTOWN – Another hurdle has been cleared in the effort to construct a new multi-million dollar amphitheater at Chautauqua Institution.

Last week Chautauqua’s Board of Trustees voted to move forward with its Amphitheater renewal project and authorized the Institution staff to award the construction contract to LPCiminelli, Inc., of Buffalo, which will serve as the project’s construction manager.

The Board also approved the final design of the renewed Amphitheater, a state-of-the-art facility that honors the look and feel of the original structure, a requirement Chautauquans emphasized throughout the four years of community input to the project.

The project cost will be $41.5 million, which includes contingency funds for changes that may arise during the construction process.   Construction will begin in early February and continue, but will pause for the 2016 season, then resume in the fall. A grand opening of the renewed Amp is slated to take place prior to the start of Chautauqua’s 2017 season.

Image from CIWeb.org.

(Note: The following is a submitted Media Release from Chautauqua Institution)

CHAUTAUQUA – The Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees voted Saturday to let design plans for a renewal of its Amphitheater go out to bid. Board Chairman Jim Pardo called the decision “the best guarantee for the sustainability and growth of Chautauqua Institution’s mission and its reputation as a place where ideas are shaped, audiences are inspired and a community is engaged. It is a vote that positions our entire Institution for the next 100 years.”

The decision follows an eight month intensive process that included a review of the study group work and findings begun in 2010, the addition of information from outside historic preservation experts, and opinions and ideas heard from the community during this past season’s weekly public forums.

Pardo said he understood the sensitivity around any structure with the history and tradition of the Amp.  “The feedback during the past eight months included critics and equally emphatic supporters of change.  We listened and learned from all we heard,” Pardo said.

 Board Chairman Pardo said today’s action involved three key steps:

• Reaffirming goals for the Amp, including guaranteeing safety and accessibility, respecting audiences and performers and honoring the Amp’s history of place and purpose.
• Authorizing the Chautauqua staff to put the project out to bid to learn the actual cost. The Board still must vote on accepting bids and moving forward with the construction. The vote is expected at the Board’s November 7 meeting.
• Instructing Chautauqua’s administrative team to seek the necessary permits for the project from the town of Chautauqua.

Pardo said private donors have stepped up in dramatic fashion, pledging more than $33 million for the Amp project, nearly meeting fundraising goals. Pardo said he is confident those goals will be met.

Chautauqua Institution President Tom Becker put the Amp project on hold in January, asking the board for time to consult with preservation experts, re-engage and gain additional input and ideas from the Chautauqua community and review the project’s design and timeline.

During this period, the Institution engaged the National Park Service Office of Preservation Assistance and was guided by their recommendations. The Institution named an independent panel of historic preservation experts; redoubled its efforts to seek preservation-specific engineering counsel; produced regular written updates; created web access to previous reports and information; released to the public the reports and studies additionally commissioned; further explored the feasibility for retaining parts of the current structure; and led 27 community engagement sessions during the just completed 2015 summer season.

“We have actively sought input from our stakeholders from the inception of the project in 2010, and we continue to listen carefully,” Becker said.  “Renewing the Amp is the most definitive statement the Chautauqua Institution can make to support our vision, to honor our cultural tradition, and to preserve Chautauqua Institution’s legacy as a place of community and assembly.”

Becker said that he believed the renewed amphitheater will enhance Chautauqua’s ability to attract global opinion leaders and thought leaders for the lectures that make the Amp famous and a facility that will allow the classical arts, endangered in so many places, to thrive at Chautauqua.

“Today we have been given the opportunity to design a place that is also safe, accessible, and respectful of audiences, artists, speakers and clergy, a place that recognizes and can respond to the constant evolution of its content. It is a design intended to give Chautauqua what it  needs and does not have today–the flexibility to create and respond to ideas and opportunities not yet imagined, but sure to be a part  of the coming century,” according to Becker.

“It’s about the work. The Amp is more than a building,” said Becker.   “It is the programs that take place there and the experiences audience members have when they attend those programs. The true Amp brand is the history, the traditions and the cultural contributions it has made and will continue to makeas the heart and soul of Chautauqua Institution. That is the legacy we’re preserving with this project.”

According to an article in the Post-Journal, officials with the Chautauqua Institution and the Committee to Preserve the Historic Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater had planned on meeting together to come to a consensus on alternate renovation plans for the amp. But because some of the plans being considered by the committee were leaked to the public prior to the meeting taking place, officials with the institution cancelled the meeting and the groups are now working solely through their respective architectural firms.

Late last year, Chautauqua officials had said there were going to tear down the historic amphitheater and replace it with a new facility that addressed modern needs and requirements. However, that plan was met resistance, and so the institution said it would consider alternative plans to renovating the current amp, rather than replacing it with a new one.

Those alternate plans will be finalized and considered in the coming months, with a final decision on the future of the amp expected by the end of August.

A “tree beam” at the Chautauqua Amphitheater broke on Wednesday as a result of excess weight due to snow and ice buildup during the recent warmup.

CHAUTAUQUA – An initial assessment of the northeast portion of the Amphitheater at Chautauqua Institution points to an isolated column failure.

According to Chautauqua officials, a “tree-top” column near Gate 1 failed shortly after noon on Wednesday.

Outside engineers were called to the location late last week to conduct a more comprehensive analysis and crews have moved a large crane in place to carry the load of the failed column. Access to the Amp and Roberts and Bowman avenues remains restricted to appropriate personnel only.

Some additional information for clarification:

• Snowfall totals this season have been at the historic average and below 2014’s total.
• The Institution’s year-round grounds crew regular evaluates Institution buildings and takes appropriate action as required for snow removal.
• The Institution does not instruct property owners regarding snow removal from their own roofs, and is not aware of any private-property roof collapses on the grounds.

The amphitheater has been a controversial subject in recent months after Chautauqua Officials announced they were planning to construct a brand new amphitheater to accommodate modern needs and requirements. However, that idea was meant with a lot of criticism, and officials have opted to instead look into the idea of simply upgrading and persevering the current structure. A final decision is expected in August of this year.