Miki Girts of the Whirlybird Music & Arts Festival joins Anthony Merchant in the WRFA studios to discuss the 2022 Whirlybird Fest, the origins of the festival and Miki’s love for music, artists to expect on this years lineup, future goals for Whirlybird and much more

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Top – International Ordnance Technologies President and Owner Tammy Snyder presents to Jamestown Local Development Corporation.
Bottom – Whirly Bird Festival Organizer Miki Girts presents to JLDC

The Jamestown Local Development Corporation heard downtown programming funding requests for Whirlybird Festival and a loan request from International Ordnance Technologies at its monthly meeting Wednesday.

IOT Owner and President Tammy Snyder presented her request of a $90,000 loan to repair a heat-treat furnace which had broken down. IOT manufactures machine gun links.

City Economic Development Coordinator Stephanie Wright said with the furnace being operational, it will allow IOT to close on a multi-million dollar contract with a nationally recognized company, “To produce a much needed link. And IOT will be equipped to pursue a product line with two other nationally recognized companies. And these new contracts will create at least seven new positions, high quality, high paying jobs, full-time jobs at IOT.”

IOT currently employs 35 people at its facility on Harrison Street. The loan is for 7 years at a rate of 4%. IOT has also requested $90,000 from the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency.

Whirlybird Festival Organizer Miki Girts requested $38,700 in funding with $12,500 of that being an upfront loan for an actual grant request of $26,200.

He said the money would help fund four days of free entertainment downtown that includes live music, live art demonstrations, comedy, and art vendors. The event will take place at the Wintergarden Plaza on North Main Street as well as several indoor locations from August 10 through 13. Around 35 acts are currently scheduled for the festival.

No action was taken at the meeting on either request as there was not a quorum. Jamestown Director of Development Crystal Surdyk anticipated that the board would take action by Friday, April 22.

Miki Girts from Whirlybird Music Festival talks with WRFA’s Jason Sample about the upcoming Whirlybird production at Jamestown’s Lost Recording Studio on Friday, April 30 and featuring the band Grub (Buffalo, NY).

Miki Girts

This year’s festival will feature over 60 artists and will be celebrating local, regional and international talent across several venues, including Jamestown Brewing Company, Winter Garden Plaza, Shawbucks, Jamestown Wine Cellar, Labyrinth Press Company,  the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, and 3rd on 3rd Gallery. 

This year’s festivities include multi-genre musical performances by internationally touring bands, including the high energy reggae/funk rock of  Tropidelic, fresh off 311’s Caribbean Cruise. Other acts include After Funk, LeSpecial, Funktional Flow, Witty Tarbox, Company Townes, Space Junk, Qwister, Cold Lazarus, Wanyama, Vibe Supply, The LEC, Bill Ward, Cindy & the Loves, Amanda Lynn’s Shenanigans, Smilo & the Ghost, Phantasm, Feverhawk, Trip the Deuce and the special reunion show of Jamestown’s The Audience – plus many more.

Whirlybird 2019’s comedy program will be headlined by Steven Rogers. Known for his clever, clean and hilarious comedy, Steven recently appeared on The Late Show with Steven Colbert and regularly opens for Brian Regan. Local comedy team Karate Sleepover will feature a regional comedy showcase and open for Steven along with Buffalo’s up and comer Jesse Winterhalter.

Whirlybird 2019 features a FREE, all age and family friendly Street Festival taking place on 3rd street between Main Street and City Hall as well as Winter Garden Plaza, Saturday July 20 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Whirlybird Street Fest will feature four outdoor stages, 25 musical acts, the Jamestown Public Market Farmer’s Market, love painting, carving and crafting, arts and craft vendors, a beer garden, local food, kids activities, a hooping workshop and more.

According to organizer Miki Girts, Whirlybird’s mission is to strengthen the thriving creative culture of Jamestown, New York through organization and inspiration.

“Whirly brings out the best in our city in collaboration with a community of incredible people, local organizations, venues and businesses for a good cause and a great time,” Girts said.

Along with spearheading a summer music program at YMCA Camp Onyahsa, Whirlybird is also partnering with local arts events including Third Thursday at Winter Garden Plaza, Karate Sleepover Open Mic, Wine Cellar Open Mic and Pulse Poetry Slam, and Jamestown Public Market.

Whirlybird 2018 succeeded in raising and donating over one thousand dollars to local non-profit youth organizations. Whirlybird 2019 is aiming to double that donation to raise funds for the Jamestown Skate Park Project & YMCA Camp Onyahsa music and scholarship programs.

For more information, including the complete schedule of events, visit www.whirlybirdmusicfestival.com.

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WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Miki Girts about the 2019 Whirlybird Music & Arts Festival, happening July 18, 19 and 20 in Downtown Jamestown.

Jamestown’s very own Music and Arts Festival has expanded to three days of Music, Art and Comedy featuring a melting pot of international and regional musical talent, comedy, and visual art complimented by local food, drink and vendors.

Whirlybird will take place over three day across several venues in downtown Jamestown, inside & out: Jamestown Brewing Co, Shawbucks, Jamestown Wine Cellar, Chadakoin Club, The Beer Snob, Winter Garden Plaza, Labyrinth Press.