If you read my series of articles on the local music scene in Sunday's edition, you might remember several local music advocates encouraging area residents to get out and support live entertainment.
I wondered if the support could be much better than it is considering our population and economy. Could we really have more local venues? Could we be a destination for more nationally touring acts?
Then I checked my email Monday morning. I opened the 13th email that the Constellation Brands - Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua has sent me in the past two months.
Article Photos
Highlights And Happenings With Scott Shelters
All of the emails have announced various shows coming to the Finger Lakes Community College-based venue. This particular email informed me that Snoop Dogg is coming to Canandaigua this summer.
My first instinct was to laugh. I wondered how Canandaigua could bring in such a big-name artist. I've never been to the city, but I understand it's about three times smaller than Jamestown.
Then I looked back through the past 12 emails from the center. Some of the other acts it will host this summer include The Fray; Kelly Clarkson; Journey; Pat Benatar; Loverboy; Meat Loaf; The B-52s; Squeeze; Crosby, Stills and Nash; Barenaked Ladies; Blues Traveler; Sarah McLachlan; Tim McGraw; Lady Antebellum; Darius Rucker; and Train.
The center must believe Canandaigua residents will come out to its shows frequently this summer. Maybe Rochester residents who live 30 minutes or so from the venue will make the trip down for a couple of shows.
Let's assume that most of the center's summer shows are well-attended. Shouldn't Jamestown be able to book more acts of a similar mold?
Sure, Erie and Buffalo are farther from Jamestown than Rochester is from Canandaigua, but shouldn't Jamestown-area venues be able to capitalize on the populations of nearby cities, as well as the residents in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties?
If we'd like to see more big-name acts come to Jamestown or the surrounding areas, I suggest we do a better job of supporting local shows. Local venues can't chance a poor turnout for a national act. If promoters and venues know the support from the community will be there, I think they'll be willing to bring in the best performers they can get.
The Friday, June 8, Boyz II Men show at Jamestown Savings Bank Arena is the perfect chance for area residents to see a popular, nationally touring act. With a little support from the people of Jamestown and the surrounding communities, we'll hopefully have more and more big-name acts coming to the area in the near future.
If Canandaigua can do it, I think we can too.
Here's what's going on in the coming days:
HIGHLIGHTS
Cinco de Mayhem To Feature Smackdab, Babes Of Wrath: Chautauqua County Roller Derby, the Babes of Wrath, will combine fast-paced action, jarring collisions and the streamlined sensation of women on roller skates to bring Jamestown Cinco de Mayhem on Saturday. The Babes of Wrath will take on Yo' Drama from Youngstown, Ohio's Little Steel Derby Girls at the Allen Park Ice Rink.
In addition to 60 minutes of roller derby excitement, Smackdab will kick off the event with their soul train combination of rhythm and groove.
Music will begin at 5:30 p.m., and roller derby carnage will start at 7 p.m. At halftime, kids 12 and under can get in on the action and take a whack at the Babes of Wrath's giant roller skate pinata.
Tickets can be purchased at the Labyrinth Press Company, 12 E. Fourth St., Jamestown; Almighty Tattoo, 320 Cherry St., Jamestown; or from any of the skaters. Tickets are $8 presale and will be $10 at the door.
After the bout, the skaters will move over to the Fenton Grill, 2 E. Second St., Jamestown, for an after-party featuring music from DJ Jonny Cobra.
Heron May Day Celebration To Be Held Sunday: The Heron will host a May Day celebration Sunday in hopes of attracting new volunteers for July's Great Blue Heron Music Festival. The celebration will be held at the Heron from 1-7 p.m. The grounds will open at 1 p.m., and music will start at 2. Bluegrass band The Haybalers will perform, and there will be a potluck lunch. Guests are encouraged to bring a dish to pass, drum and wrap ribbon around the Maypole. All are welcome to visit the festival site, learn about volunteering and to celebrate spring at the Heron, located at 2361 Wait Corners Road, Sherman. Call 761-7190 for more information.
Several Local Bands To Play Benefit Show At The Q: Big Leg Emma, Smokin' 45, Two for Flinching, Derek Davis and The Tasty Groove, and Pressure Sensitive will play a benefit at The Q on Sunday for 6-year-old Riley Nieder. Riley, a Temple Elementary School kindergartener, was born with multiple medical conditions, including eosinophilic esophagitis, epilepsy, congenital brain abnormalities and immune deficiency. He relies 100 percent on tube feedings. The benefit will run from 1-8 p.m. There will also be a Chinese auction, a 50-50 drawing, and a chicken and biscuit dinner served from 1 until 5. Tickets, which will be available at the door, will be $7 per person or $10 per couple, and half price after 5.
Icon For Hire, To The Sky To Play Crown Friday: Icon For Hire, led by female vocalist Ariel, will perform at The Crown Theatre on Friday, along with opening act To The Sky.
The show will start at 8 p.m. Icon For Hire has signed with Tooth & Nail Records and is from Decatur, Ill. Jordan Spencer, of the Crown, describes Icon For Hire as a "hardcore Christian band." The band has toured with P.O.D.
To The Sky recently signed with Tate Music Group.
General admission tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students through today. General admission tickets for groups of 10 or more are $8 each. General admission tickets will be $15 for adults and $12 for students on Friday. Visit thecrowntheatre.com for more information. Call 664-1516, 800-965-9324, or visit itickets.com for tickets.
HAPPENINGS
To include an upcoming show or event in this column, call Scott Shelters at 487-1111, ext. 253 or email sshelters@post-journal.com. Submissions for next week's column must be received by Tuesday night.
Tonight
Blue Grass Jam: 7-10, Celoron Legion, 1 mile west of Jamestown on Fairmount Avenue. All bluegrass musicians are welcome to sit in and play.
Friday Night
Student Jam Night: 7-9, Infinity Cafe, 115 E. Third St., Jamestown. A variety of Infinity students will perform, and admission will be free.
"Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close": 8, Reg Lenna Civic Center. Tickets for the screening are $7 for adults and $4.25 for children under 12.
BandHanna: 10-2, The Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St., Mayville.
Saturday Night
"Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close": 8, Reg Lenna Civic Center. Tickets for the screening are $7 for adults and $4.25 for children under 12.
Small Town Revolution: 8-midnight, the Pine Junction pavilion, 9757 Bailey Hill Road, Sherman.
The M-80s: 9-1, Celoron Legion, 1 mile west of Jamestown on Fairmount Avenue.
The Bogarts: 9-1, Rookie's, Route 5, Dunkirk.
Derek Davis and The Tasty Groove: 9-1, Murdock's, 104 E. Main St., Sherman.
Ken Hardley and the Henways: 9-1, The Wildwood Grill and Saloon, 53 Wildwood Ave., Salamanca.
Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius: 10, Mojo's, 104 E. Second St., Jamestown. The price of admission will be $5.
Oliverio: Ten Point Tavern, 5523 Route 62, Conewango Valley.
Sunday
Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony Spring Gala: 4 p.m., Reg Lenna Civic Center. Presale tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. At the door, tickets will be $12 for adults and $10 for students.