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.

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 program, which will feature the awarding of grant money through the state’s consolidated funding application initiative, will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Egg Center for Performing Arts in Albany.

Several projects in downtown Jamestown have already received favorable scores as part of the CFA process.

In October, the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council (WNYREDC) submitted its 2016 Progress Report – which recommended 32 priority projects to advance the region’s growth objectives, including six from Chautauqua County – including the National Comedy Center’s Gap Funding project in Jamestown, with $1.5 million requested (the total cost of the project is $20.4 million).

The report also scored dozens of other projects from across Western New York that have applied for funding but weren’t given “priority” status. These projects scored either a 20 (categorized at “other priority project”) or a score of 15 (“regionally significant priority project”).

Projects in downtown Jamestown receiving a score of 20 include the National Comedy Center, the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts Master Plan, and the Tracy Plaza renovation project.

Those receiving a score of 15 include Phase II of the Winter Garden Plaza, Façade work at St. Luke’s Church, and the archives project at RTPI.

Downtown Jamestown projects that didn’t have a score listed include the Riverwalk Illumination Project, the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation’s Up Close regional plan, and the Fenton Mansion ADA porch restoration.

As part of the CFA initiative for this year, the 10 Regional Councils across the State are competing for up to $175 million in capital funds and $70 million in Excelsior Tax Credits for projects. The CFA funding is separate from the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant Jamestown was selected to received earlier this year.

The CFA award program Event will be streamed live on www.governor.ny.gov.

Earlier this month the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council (WNYREDC) submitted its 2016 Progress Report – entitled A Strategy for Prosperity – to New York State. The progress report details the council’s achievements in implementing its five-year strategic plan and reflects Western New York’s progress on efforts to ensure sustainable and long-term economic growth.

The report also recommends 32 priority projects to advance the region’s growth objectives, including six from Chautauqua County. These priority projects were announced in September and included the National Comedy Center’s Gap Funding project in Jamestown, with $1.5 million requested (the total cost of the project is $20.4 million).

And the report also scores dozens of other projects from across Western New York that have applied for funding but weren’t given “priority” status. These projects scored either a 20 (categorized at “other priority project”) or a score of 15 (“regionally significant priority project”).

Projects in downtown Jamestown receiving a score of 20 include the National Comedy Center, the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts Master Plan, and the Tracy Plaza renovation project.

Those receiving a score of 15 include the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation’s Stabilization plan for buildings located at 10-12 E. Second St, Phase II of the Winter Garden Plaza, Façade work at St. Luke’s Church, and the archives project at RTPI.

Downtown Jamestown projects that didn’t have a score listed include the Riverwalk Illumination Project, the JRC’s Up Close regional plan, and the Fenton Mansion ADA porch restoration.

To encourage the implementation of the Regional Economic Development Councils’ strategic plans and to continue to motivate investment opportunities and job creation, the 10 Regional Councils across the State are competing for up to $175 million in capital funds and $70 million in Excelsior Tax Credits for projects.

the 2016 funding award announcements are anticipated in mid-December.

The Market to Table fundraising event will be held on July 28 at the Winter Garden Plaza located at 313 N. Main Street from 7-9 pm. Tickets are $50 and are limited to the first 50 people. A rain location for this event will be at Studio D Catering at 106 E. Second Street in downtown Jamestown.

“The goal of this event is to increase the support of the Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market and connect with the community in a positive way. There are so many great locally grown and crafted products available in our area and I hope this event will inspire our community to incorporate these products into their everyday lives,” stated Christina Breen, Farmers Market Manager.

An assortment of dishes and dessert will be created using a variety of locally grown products that can be found at the Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market, area farms, and local businesses. The food dishes will be catered by Studio D Catering, the dessert will be prepared by Labyrinth Press Company, and wine will be provided by Brick City Market and Deli.

For more information about the Market to Table fundraising event or to purchase tickets, contact Christina Breen, at 716-664-2477, ext. 228. Event tickets can also be purchased via PayPal on the Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market Facebook page.

Proceeds from the event will support the expansion of the Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market which will cover the cost of market amenities and continued growth and sustainability. The market is held weekly on Thursdays from 12-4 pm, June through October  on Cherry Street in downtown Jamestown. The market features a variety of local venders that showcase fresh grown produce, baked goods, gourmet coffee, lunch, artisan goods, and special activities and is sponsored by Univera Healthcare, UPMC Hamot, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, and the Gebbie Foundation.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is a public-private partnership supporting downtown and neighborhood revitalization through stakeholder engagement, innovation, and reinvestment in the greater Jamestown, New York, area.

Jamestown Now, Michaels and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation are scheduled the event for Saturday, September 12 from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., in downtown Jamestown.

However, the National Weather Service is reporting that the forecast for Saturday is calling for rain throughout the day an into the event. As a result, ChalkWalk organizer Mike Dykeman tells WRFA the even may have to be rescheduled for Sunday, Sept. 13 or even next weekend. He said an official decision wont likely be made until early Saturday morning, once they have a more accurate picture of what the weather will be doing. Participants will be notified via phone and also on the Jamestown Now Facebook page.

N. Main St. during the 2012 Downtown Jamestown Chalk Walk. (Photo by Jason Sample/WRFA)

The Great Jamestown ChalkWalk features novice and experienced chalk artists of all ages covering sidewalks with works of art and compete for cash prizes and certificates.

There are three categories with first place winners in each category receiving $300 and $100 for second place. The categories include: best tribute to Jamestown, most creative design and the best copy of a famous artwork. There is also a children’s category with the winner receiving a gift bag from Michaels and a fan favorite winner receiving an assortment of local gift certificates.

The winners will be announced at the Winter Garden Plaza at 6:00 p.m. on the day of the event.

More information at at www.facebook.com/JamestownNow, by emailing JamestownNow@gmail.com.

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.

Due to Saturday’s rainy forecast, organizers have decided to move The Great Jamestown ChalkWalk to Sunday, September 7. The projection for Sunday is 71 degrees and sunny with 0% chance of precipitation – PERFECT weather for chalking the walks! The hours will remain the same, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. with an artists’ award ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

Winter Garden Plaza. Help spread the word, and we’ll see you on SUNDAY!

JAMESTOWN – Local artists are hoping the weather will cooperate Saturday for the third annual Great Jamestown ChalkWalk taking place downtown. The event is being sponsored by Jamestown Now, Michael’s and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and is scheduled to run from 8:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., in downtown Jamestown.

Novice or experienced chalk artists of all ages will cover Jamestown’s sidewalks with works of art and compete for cash prizes and certificates. There are three categories with first place winners in each category receiving $300 and $100 for second place. The winners will be announced at the Winter Garden Plaza at 6:30 p.m. on the day of the event.

Registration forms can also be found at www.facebook.com/JamestownNow, by emailing JamestownNow@gmail.com, or by calling 716-483-5772. There is a $10 registration fee due on the day of the event.

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.

Registration forms are due on June 19 and can be found at www.facebook.com/JamestownNow, by emailing JamestownNow@gmail.com, or by calling 716-483-5772. There is a $10 fee that is due on the day of the event for all entries.