Live music Thursdays are back at Canalside, along with a bunch of other music/dance offerings including “Music and Dance” Wednesdays. The new live music-dance series is aimed to get people down to the waterfront to experience a more culture-based sound – one that is very danceable and where fans of live local salsa, latin, swing and tango bands will be able to take informal lessons, dance and/or simply enjoy the sounds of the different rhythmic beats. The mix-up of music is intended to bring a more diversified group of people to Canalside, not just the rock ‘n rollers.
“Faster and louder or slower and soulful -music is about diversity of sound and rhythm and that’s also what Canalside is all about this summer season,” said Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) Chairman Robert Gioia. “We will rock it out some nights and feel the blues on others- 2014 will be the summer that has something for everyone who gets to the waterfront when mikes are on and the guitars are plugged in.”
From the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (featuring the music of Earth, Wind and Fire and Michael Jackson) to the Tragically Hip to Girl Talk, be sure to keep the schedule handy as the waterfront comes alive with a sampling of acts that will surely please just about everyone looking for a good time at one of the city’s most happening hotspots.
“The best venues keep a finger on the pulse of their audience,” said Ryan Coate, General Manager of Canalside with Global Spectrum. “Our goal is to take this beautiful waterfront space and fill it with a wide variety of music to appeal to Buffalo music fan’s multitude of tastes. Canalside is ready to stand and deliver a knock out summer schedule for Western New Yorkers.”
To keep it local and interesting, the ECHDC has added another interesting component to this year’s live music line-up. On a series of Sundays, local bands will battle it out for a chance to open for a national act at the end of the season. The series is called “Sunday night’s Battle of the Bands”. According to concert organizers, requests have been coming in suggesting that local talent gets a chance to partake in all of the excitement. This year, that request is being honored. Now let’s get on with the show – one that includes a couple of Outer Harbor show to boot!
Free Thursday lineup – concerts start at 6 p.m.
06/12: Dj Milk, Soul Rebels, Shaggy
06/19: Conehead Buddha, moe.
06/26: July Talk , Sam Roberts Band
07/03: Boy & Bear , Hey Rosetta!, Gord Downie & The Sadies
07/10: Fitz and the Tantrums
07/17: The Oh Hellos , Lake Street Dive
07/24: Extreme
07/31: Sheila E
08/07: BPO Rock Show: Earth, Wind & Fire + Michael Jackson
08/14: TBD
Ticketed – concerts start at 7 p.m.
06/21: Tedeschi Trucks Band
06/28: George Thorogood & The Destroyers
08/08: Girl Talk
08/15: TBD
Music & Dance | 8 Wednesdays: 7/9/14-8/27/14
7/9: Swing
7/16: Tango
7/23: Ballroom
7/30: Salsa
8/6: Swing
8/13: Tango
8/20: Ballroom
8/27: Salsa
Local Favorites “Battle of the Bands” | 5 Sundays: 6/8/14- 7/13/14
June 8: Blues – opens for TTB on 6/21
July 6: Americana – opens for Lake Street Dive on 7/17.
July 13: Jazz/R&B – opens for Sheila E on 7/31.
July 20: Alternative – opens for Fitz & The Tantrums on 7/10.
July 27: Lady Leads – opens for TBD on 8/14
Funtime Afterdark ticketed concerts on the Outer Harbor, 325 Fuhrmann Boulevard, this summer with more to be announced.
June 9: Vampire Weekend
July 11: City and Colour with special guests Young the Giant and Tokyo Police Club
Tickets for the OuterHarbor shows are available online at ticketmaster.com and through all Ticketmaster locations in the U.S. and Canada, including Walmart Store locations. For reduced service fees, get your tickets at the Town Ballroom box office (681 Main Street) and the After Dark box office (630 Elmwood Avenue). Call to charge by phone 800-745-3000.
Lead image: Chae Hawk performs at Canalside