For 10,000 Maniacs, Labor Day marks the beginning of the band.

Whether playing their first gig at Mother’s Bar in 1981, or playing at Bergman Park, Labor Day holds favor for the members of 10,000 Maniacs.

Now 45 years later, 10,000 Maniacs will host an arts festival with a benefit concert on Sept. 5, at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts. Proceeds from the show will benefit three distinct funds at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation created to honor those loved by the band: The Aaron Perez Fund (to assist Jamestown Community College media arts students), The B&B Fund (to assist mothers attending college in Western New York and Western Pennsylvania), and the Robert Buck Memorial Scholarship Fund (to assist college music students). The festival is made possible by the generosity of local sponsors, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union and UBS Financial Services.

“We’ve been working on old songs and new songs,” said bassist and founding member Steven Gustafson said. “The new songs don’t have a release date, but when they do, we will certainly be willing to discuss those. Right now we’re focused on the September Festival and 45 years together.”

The Marquee at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts prior to the sold-out 40th anniversary show in May 2022.

And for Gustafson, playing to a live audience never gets old.

“I enjoy playing all our songs. There is something thrilling about playing songs the audience loves. The immediate feedback is priceless,” Gustafson said.

In 2022, the band played a sold-out 40th anniversary concert at the Reg Lenna.

Gustafson considers himself lucky to be a part of a band that not only has toured the world, but remained true to Jamestown.

“One of the reasons we’re still going is the band members are true friends and we all still love each other. … We all enjoy each other’s company.”

Here is an overview of the events.

Sept. 3 – 7 p.m.

Reg Lenna Center for the Arts Media Arts Studio

Madness Most Discreet Presents: A Bright Room Called Day

– The weekend begins with a multidisciplinary theatrical event produced by Madness Most Discreet in collaboration with Sukanya Burman Dance. This contemporary staging of Tony Kushner’s A Bright Room Called Day explores themes of political responsibility, artistic integrity, and social upheaval through an intimate and highly stylized production in which four performers portray the play’s full cast of characters. The performance reflects the same spirit of social awareness, artistic experimentation, and emotional storytelling that has long defined the music and legacy of 10,000 Maniacs.

Sept. 4 – 4 p.m.

Jamestown Community College Weeks Gallery

Maniacs 45: An Archival Retrospective

– Taking place in the Weeks Gallery at Jamestown Community College, where the founding members of 10,000 Maniacs first met, this special exhibition will showcase archival photographs, memorabilia, recordings, posters, and artifacts spanning the band’s 45-year history. The retrospective traces the evolution of the group from its earliest beginnings in Jamestown to its enduring international influence. After the opening reception, the show can be viewed all weekend during normal gallery hours.

6 p.m.

Winter Garden Plaza, 313 Main St.

Dead Letter Office (R.E.M. tribute band)

– The open-air Winter Garden Plaza will host a performance of regional performers, Dead Letter Office, who play in tribute to one of 10,000 Maniacs earliest collaborators, R.E.M.

8 p.m.

Reg Lenna Center for the Arts

Media Arts Studio

10,000 Maniacs New Record Listening Party

– Fans will have the opportunity to hear unreleased material from 10,000 Maniacs ahead of the band’s forthcoming record release during an exclusive listening event hosted upstairs at The Reg. The evening will include refreshments and a first look at new music from the legendary hometown band. Limited tickets available for sale on July 13.

Sept. 5- 7:30 p.m.

Reg Lenna Center for the Arts

10,000 Maniacs 45th Anniversary Concert Extravaganza

– The evening will honor the band’s legacy while raising support for causes connected to music, community, education, and the arts in Western New York. Tickets available for sale June 22, 12 noon at RegLenna.com.

The festival is continuing to add more events to the roster, and updates will be posted at maniacs.com.

The Reg Lenna Center for The Arts box office, 116 E. Third St., is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 12-5 p.m. and one hour before movies and events. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 716-484-7070.