By Kelly Sabetta
This year’s annual Canandaigua Arts and Music Festival is almost underway, and is expected to be even bigger and better than previous years. The Festival, which will be held July 16th – July 18th, will feature not one, but two stages of musical talent performing for those who attend.
Similar to previous years, there will be a main stage where the majority of acts will be performing. Unlike previous years, there will now be a second stage, which will only be active on Saturday July 17th and Sunday July 18th. The second stage will feature a Country and Bluegrass theme, and will continue to add to the Festival’s quality and diversity of music performances.
The musical acts, booked by Rainbow Talent Agency, continue to grow each year. There are more than 20 bands performing throughout both stages this year, with incredible talent from around the Upstate NY region.
Carl Labate, Producer and Agent of Rainbow Talent Agency, is responsible for booking all of the musical acts and making sure they are a good fit for the venue.
“The bands must be a good quality act and very good at what they do,” said Labate. “This is our fourth year doing this and we now have a good waiting list of bands who want to play.”
Labate, who believes in providing opportunities for original bands who create their own material, makes sure he also provides the audience with a wide variety of music, different from year to year.
“This year is really exciting, because we’re adding a new stage,” Labate said. “This year you’ll hear some of the best bluegrass and country bands playing on that stage. And on the main stage, you’ll hear a great variety of bands, from jazz to rockabilly to Latin.”
Along with Rainbow Talent Agency, we must also thank Canandaigua’s Business Improvement District for putting this event together. This year with the expansion of musical talent and second stage for performances, people should expect to see more high-quality acts and vendors, and enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere.
“We were very impressed with the quality of artists who came in and were accepted, which benefits the community in numerous ways,” said Denise Chapel, Owner of Sweet Expression and Co-Owner of Mobile Music, with her husband Tim. “The festival helps our stores and restaurants during that particular weekend, provides great exposure for the community, and keeps people coming back,” Chapel continued. “It offers another outlet that residents can enjoy that’s free, and is always family-friendly.”
Whether you join the festivities for one day or all three, it’s guaranteed that you will enjoy the variety of music, vendors, and the friendly atmosphere.
“No matter what time of day people come, they are going to catch good, top-quality entertainment,” said Labate. “I refuse to have anything else.”
For those of you who plan on attending this year’s events and activities, festival hours are:
Friday, July 16th: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 17th: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, July 18th: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Please take a look at the schedule of performances for this year’s musical acts:
Friday, July 16th:
The Commons Park Stage
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Sam & Levi
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. It’s My Party
3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Steve Grills & the Roadmasters
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. NEVERGREEN
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Speak Easy Three
Saturday, July 17th:
The Commons Park Stage
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Legacy
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Out of the Blue
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Dirty Bourbon Blues Band
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Matt Homan & The Bluegrass Disciples
The Time Warner Stage
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Ruckus Juice Jug Stompers
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Josie Waverly
3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. The DixieKats
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Dang!
Sunday, July 18th:
The Commons Park Stage
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lake Effect
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Bachata Jazz
3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. GRÜVOLGY
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Kristen Maxfield Band
The Time Warner Stage
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. The Skiffle Minstrels
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Gone Fishin’
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. The McCarthy-Paisley Band
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Grand Canyon Rescue Episode
For more information, visit the Canandaigua Art & Music Festival website, www.canandaiguaartfestival.com
