Jamestown artist and creator Bill Thomas joins WRFA’s Anthony Merchant in studio to discuss the return of Third Thursday to downtown Jamestown after taking a hiatus in 2019. The two discuss the work that goes into putting on the show, local music and local scenes, the importance of support from your community, continuing to add events beyond music to Third Thursday, the introduction of Industry Nite at Jamestown Skate Products and much more.

Paula Pichon was hired as the Grant Writer for both entities following the position being approved by City Council last year.

A staff report in the City Council work session pre-file states that Pichon has written 13 applications with 5 being awarded, 7 pending, and 1 denied. Total grant funding received in 2022 for the City is $2-million-764-thousand dollars.

A full report on this topic will be presented to City Council Finance Committee at its work session at 7:00 p.m. in the Mayor’s Conference Room on the fourth floor of City Hall.

The Finance Committee will also revisit a resolution for the City to contract with the Jamestown Local Development Corporation to administer American Rescue Plan programs. The cost of that is $500,000. The resolution failed 3-5 at City Council’s April voting session with some council members expressing concern that having JLDC adminster the programs would take away oversight by City Council since only programs receiving $100,000 or more in funding would come to Council for approval.

Also on the Finance Committee’s committee’s agenda is a report from Comptroller Ryan Thompson on the 2021 Year End and 2022 Quarter One Financials.

The Public Works committee, which meets in the Department of Development Conference room on the fourth floor of City Hall, will hear an informational report on a request for a permanent memorial garden. That meeting also is at 7:00 p.m.

The Public Safety Committee will review a number of special event permit applications at its meeting tonight.

Included are applications for the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30; the Third Thursdays concert series on the Wintergarden Plaza starting May 19, the Jamestown Public Market on West Third Street starting Saturday, June 11, the Juneteenth Festival in Jackson-Taylor Park for the weekend of June 17 through 19; and the return of the World Series of Wheels to Bergman Park on Saturday, July 23.

The Public Safety Committee meets at 7:00 p.m. in the 4th Floor Police Training Room of City Hall.

The full Council work session begins at 7:30 p.m. in the 4th Floor Police Training Room of City Hall as well.

Cold Lazarus

JAMESTOWN – The Third Thursday Concert Series returns to downtown Jamestown at the Winter Garden Plaza on Thursday night, May 16.

Now in its eighth year, Third Thursday is series of free downtown concerts, held on the third Thursday of each month from May through September. It is organized by the Active Artists Alliance with support from the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation.

Tonight’s musicians will feature the bands Cold Lazarus and Trip the Deuce.

Third Thursday is a free, all ages event and all members of our community are encouraged to attend.

The Active Artists Alliance (AAAlliance) will once again present Third Thursday at the Wintergarden Plaza (located on N. Main St. between Third and Fourth Streets) starting Thursday, May 19. The free outdoor concert series, which begins its fifth year, will feature live music from local favorites The Bogarts along with opening act Pine Fever (Buffalo, NY). The concerts typically run between 6 and 9 p.m.

AAAlliance founder and spokesman Bill Thomas says Third Thursday was designed to be a free, all ages community arts event and concert series for the community. He says that a few local AAAlliance members will be bringing their easels and paints out to the plaza and working on their paintings and other creations.

“Any interested local artists or crafty folks should feel free to bring their materials down to the plaza, to work and network with the other artists, or just to show off what you have been doing lately,” Thomas says, adding that for the sake of public relations and the health of all who attend, participating artists are reminded not to use spray paint while showcasing their talents.

Thomas says that as usual, thirsty patrons can also enjoy a beer during the event on the Wine Cellar’s new patio, which will have a perfect view of the bands and artists. He adds that an after party show will take place at Mojo’s with an additional performance by Pine Fever.

Sponsors for the 2016 Third Thursday concert series include Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce, the BioDome Project, and Jamestown Skate Products.

Listeners can hear more about the Third Thursday Concert Series along with other events planned by the Active Artists Alliance during WRFA’s Wednesday edition of the Local Rush Hour at 4 p.m.

Originally airing Friday, May 15. WRFA public affairs director Jason Sample talks with Bill Thomas from the Active Artists Alliance in Jamestown, NY. Thomas discusses the AAAlliances Kickstarter campaign, designed to raise money for several 2015 programs, including Third Thursday concert series and the annual Art Burn.

• FIND AAA on Kickstarter

The Bogarts

JAMESTOWN – The final Third Thursday concert of the season will take place Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Winter Garden Plaza on North Main Street.

The final installment of the free outdoor concert series will feature local bands Qwister and the Bogarts with support from the Buffalo-based band Aircraft. Third Thursday is made possible through a collaboration between the Active Artist Alliance and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation.

Just over five years ago, the JRC oversaw the demolition of the long-vacant Winter Garden Theater and the installation of the small urban park that has become a gathering space for a variety of community events including the Great Jamestown Chalk Walk and the Great Jamestown Sauce Off.

Funding for the Third Thursday concert series is coming this year from a newly launched JRC program, the Downtown and Riverfront Event Competition. The program accepts event proposals on a rolling basis “that draw visitors and local residents to enjoy community assets, patronize local businesses, and add vitality to public spaces” according to the program’s guidelines. More information about the program and how to apply can be found here on the JRC Web site.

Smackdab during the 2013 Third Thursday performance.

JAMESTOWN – The Third Thursday summer concert series will continue for a third straight year in downtown Jamestown, starting tonight. Due to Thursday’s rainy weather, this month’s Third Thursday will take place at Jamestown Skate Products, on Pine St. in Jamestown. Typically, the free concerts take place at the Wintergarden Plaza, located on North Main St. between Third and Fourth Streets.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and the Active Artists Alliance have announced that the popular series will resume on May 15 with free performances by local bands Smackdab and Little Sea Bird. Concerts will continue on the third Thursday of each month through September. Music begins at 7 p.m.

Funding for the Third Thursday concert series is coming this year from a newly launched JRC program, the Downtown and Riverfront Event Competition.  More information about the program and how to apply can be found on the JRC’s Web site, www.JamestownRenaissance.org.

Third Thursday is a Free community arts event and concert series, presented by the Active Artists Alliance and Jamestown Renaissance Corp, and taking place on the Third Thursday of each month in Winter Garden Plaza, right downtown next to the Wine Cellar.