• ALSO AVAILABLE AT SOUNDCLOUD

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with local performer/poet Rycheigh Allan about his upcoming one-man-show “Gracious” at Studio Metro (Spire Theater, E. Third St., Jamestown). He also gives details about his upcoming curated art show he hopes to have on display by Valentine’s Day.

Both an actor and performance poet, Allan attempts to marry both acting and poetry into one show on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Come in from the cold and warm your hearts with a bit of emotional release. Still reeling off a tragic loss in his life, he is leaving it all on the stage here and now, once and for all with all new original poems performed THIS NIGHT ONLY, NEVER TO BE RELEASED OR REPRODUCED AGAIN!

Before the show, an open mic section will take placeat 6:30 p.m. Eight spots are open for 9 minute sets each. Poets may sign up ahead of time to lock in their spot or at the time of the event if spots remain available. First come, first serve basis. The theme will center on loss, grief, love, heartbreak, relationships, etc.

The one-man show will begin at 8 p.m. after a 15 minute intermission at the conclusion of the open mic. Concessions will be made available before the open mic, during intermission, and after the show.

Admission is FREE but please consider purchasing concessions, merch or even making plain donations to the InSpire Development Center where Studio Metro resides.

• INTERVIEW ALSO AVAILABLE AT OUR SOUNDCLOUD PAGE

JAMESTOWN – Fans of live music are bracing themselves for yet another weekend of quality entertainment as they prepare for the 2019 InSpire Living Arts Music Festival, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27 and 28 at The Spire in downtown Jamestown.

“With the help of Blue Moon Management, this year’s festival will be a two-day event to appeal to local residents and out-of-town visitors to patronize downtown Jamestown’s hotels and businesses creating an economic impact for the entire region,” explained organizer and Spire owner/operator Angelo Guiffre.

Headlining the event are Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad and Driftwood.

Giant Panda first received praise for their live show, which combined world beats and reggae rhythms within jam band aesthetics. In recent years the band’s studio recordings, which showcase their songwriting and musicianship across all genres of roots music, have further cemented their legend as master innovators and artists. They have a large and dedicated fan base, including many in our targeted regional demographic, 75,000 monthly listeners on Spotify with almost 2 million plays of their top song. They will play the festival on Saturday night.

Headlining Friday is Driftwood, a popular national touring Americana band with a solid underground fan base specializing in dynamic live shows and a strong presence on the national touring music scene. They also have a devout following, and a sizable discography. Both of these acts are known for drawing audiences reaching a several-hour radius. It is anticipated that each of these bands will attract 200-400 additional patrons with a high likelihood of fans traveling to attend from areas such as Buffalo, Rochester, Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

Complete Line up:

FRIDAY – Driftwood, Steve Johnson, Matt Gronquist, & Mike Brown (from the Probables), The In Crowd, Cindy Haight & The Loves, Archimedes, Ryan Buzzetto, Bill Ward & Friends, Tommy Johnson, Slow Motion Breakdown, Hallow Society, La Vega, Muttnik, Elizabeth Lutgen, Ukuladies, Trenton Shutters, K2 Beatz, and Monica Buck.

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad (Photo Credit: Mike Martinez)

SATURDAY – Giant Panda Guirella Dub Squad, Vintage Gold, Cold Lazarus, Feverhawk, the In Crowd, Deep Fried & Dipped in Honey, Three Philosophers, Elektra Kings, Rebecca McIlvain, Macklehat Merffy, Trip the Deuce, Shut Up Jesse!, Backtrax, Aaron & Boaz, Juli Bessey, Warren Sischo, Shamus O’Donnell, Kyle Gustafson, Ayri Brady, the Trombettas, and Kings Express.

A limited number of tickets are available for this year’s festival:

• Only 100 $30 full festival passes including both headliners are available;
• Only 300 $20 Friday passes including Driftwood headliner (8pm on Main stage) are available;
• Only 300 $20 Saturday passes including Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad headliner (8pm on Main stage) are available.

“These passes are on a first come first serve basis,” Guiffre said. “Limited passes that don’t include access to the headliners will still be available after all the full Festival passes are sold out. Limited passes will still grant access to all 4 performance stages throughout the rest of the festival.”

Tickets are on sale now online at tickets.inspirejamestown.com.

The full schedule will be available at inspirejamestown.com. Check facebook.com/spiretheater for the latest details.

This festival is made possible with grant funding provided through Jamestown’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative award provided by Governor Cuomo and New York State through Homes and Community Renewal and the Fund for Downtown Programming administrated by the Jamestown Local Development Corporation.

Location: The Spire Theater 317 E 3rd St, Jamestown, NY 14701 (716) 450-7357

• MOBILE APP USERS: LISTEN HERE

Originally airing Friday, Feb. 8, 2019

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Paul Clemente and Jeremy Little from the Jamestown-based comedy troupe Karate Sleepover about their upcoming ‘Comedians in Love show’ at the Spire Theater.

Paul Clemente and Jeremy Little from Karate Sleepover

Karate Sleepover and The Spire Theater are partnering together to bring you a stacked night of comedy for Valentine’s Day weekend. Comedians from all over the tri-state area are coming to perform in the area’s other “only” comedy club – Studio Metro!

For $45 you get dinner for two and a show!

Dinner starts at 7pm.
Dinner menu:
1. Bistro Steak
2. Salmon Almondine a l’orange (gf)
3. Caribbean Sweet Potato Gratin (vegan/gf)

Cold beverage, coffee or tea and dessert included. Additional concessions, beverages and desserts also available for purchase.
Doors at 6:30, dinner at 7:00 in Odyssey Hall.

Performers include:
-Amber Maeda (Cleveland, OH)
-Jake Samson (Buffalo, NY)
-Ian Insect (Pittsburgh, PA)
-Brittany See (Jamestown, NY)
-Teal Weatherley (Jamestown, NY)
-Paul Clemente (Lakewood, NY)
-Jeremy Little (Jamestown, NY)
-Derek Burr (Erie, PA)
-Kipp Reynolds (Falconer, NY)

• Tickets and More info

• MOBILE APP USERS: LISTEN HERE

Originally airing Friday, Feb. 1, 2019

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Tara Nevins from Donna the Buffalo about the band’s new album and the upcoming show on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Spire Theater in Jamestown, NY (Link to Tickets).

Donna the Buffalo (Photo Credit Chris Mortenson)

• MOBILE APP USERS: LISTEN HERE

JAMESTOWN – The very popular Doors Open Jamestown will be back again on Saturday, January 19.

Doors Open offers free admission for the day to our local attractions, demonstrating the extraordinary tourism opportunities that are right here in our own backyard.  Sponsored by the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Doors Open has grown substantially since it first began.

Participating venues are:

• Jamestown Audubon Nature Center
• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua Harbor Hotel
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Daughters of the American Revolution
• Fenton History Center
• Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
• James Prendergast Public Library
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Lucille Ball Little Theatre
• Martz Kohl Observatory
• Marvin Community House
• National Comedy Center (preregistration required due to limited capacity)
• Northwest Arena
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History
• Spire Theater
• Tot Spot
• Venue 31

The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for this FREE day at many of our local museums and attractions.

JAMESTOWN – A special fundraiser is taking place throughout the day Saturday in downtown Jamestown to help a local entertainment and theater venue repair its aging roof.

Over 20 acts, bands, performance groups, and solo artists will be performing all day from 3 p.m. until around midnight at the Spire Theater, E Third Street, Jamestown. The event – dubbed ‘Raise the Roof’ – is being held to help raise money and apply it toward the $60,000 roof replacement project.

• RELATED: LISTEN TO ‘RAISE THE ROOF’ INTERVIEW WITH ANGELO AND YLSA GIUFFRE

Tickets to the festival’s four stages are available for $10 and more information on the event, including the line up of performers, is available at Spire Theater’s Facebook page or at its website, InspireJamestown.com.

• MOBILE APP USERS: LISTEN HERE

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Angelo and Ylsa Giuffre of the Spire Theater to learn more details about their “Raise the Roof” fundraiser happening on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018.

The main roof at the Spire is in dire need of replacement so fundraising is under way as well as putting on a festival to preserve this historic structure.

Over 20 acts, bands, performance groups, and solo artists have stepped forward to volunteer their talents and will be performing all day from 3 p.m. until around midnight, Saturday Sept. 29.

The performances will take place on 4 stages at the InSpire Development Center complex; the main Spire Theater Stage, The Odyssey Hall Stage, Studio Metro Underground Theater and right outside in the courtyard in front of the theater on 3rd St.

Tickets to the festival’s four stages are available at inspirejamestown.com for $10. The Olive Garden has also offered to provide a Pasta dinner fundraiser at The Spire on the same day as the festival for an additional $10. Ordering your tickets in advance is greatly appreciated and all who buy presale tickets will be entered to win a prize.

The capital campaign recently started and has already raised over two thousand dollars. This is a long way from the 62k needed to replace the roof. Donations are being accepted and there is a donation option on The Spire Theater’s Facebook page or you can visit InspireJamestown.com.

The Schedule of performances for the Raise the Roof Fest is:

MAIN STAGE:

• Shut up, Jesse! 3:20 p.m.
• Cindy Haight & the Loves 4:40 p.m.
• Kaleidoscope Sky 6 p.m.
• The Probables 7:20 p.m.

ODYSSEY STAGE:

• Muttnick 3:30 p.m.
• The Trombettas 4:45 p.m.
• Charity Nuse 6 p.m.
• Rebecca Mcilvain 7:15 p.m.
• 3 Philosophers 9 p.m.

METRO STAGE:

• Trip the Deuce 5:15 p.m.
• Comedy Showcase 6:15 p.m
• Slow Motion breakdown 7:45 p.m.
• Vintage gold 9 p.m.

COURTYARD:

• Leisha Arthurs 5 p.m.
• Adam McKillip 6 p.m.
• Libby Lutgen 7 p.m.
• Deep Fried and Dipped in Honey 7:35 p.m.
• InCrowd Plays at 10 p.m.