Portville concert series kicks off Wednesday
PORTVILLE — The Music in the Park series marks 21 years this season, which opens on Wednesday.
The concerts, held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday through Sept. 10, are held in Pioneer Park, said organizer Tim Emley. Opening the series next week is OCTaves playing jazz. The series began 21 years ago with eight weeks of concerts and has grown to 14 due to demand.
“It’s a good time in Portville. And I’m glad the people in Portville and the surrounding area continue to come out and show up,” said Emley, adding that this year’s lineup includes four or five new bands, as well as several returning favorites.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs, and the rain-out location for the concerts will be the Westons Mills Fire Hall. No all bands will be able to go to the fire hall in case of a rain-out, but these will be posted on the village Facebook page.
The final concert of the series includes snacks to celebrate the end of the season.
“We always do free hotdogs, cookies, chips and water for all those who attend during the season,” Emley said. “Everything is free, and we only have a small tip jar at each performance. People are very generous — that’s what keeps us going.”
Emley also wished to thank all the people in Portville who help make the series possible.
“We thank, obviously, the village mayor and the village DPW for keeping that park very clean, immaculate, ready to go for us,” he said.
The schedule includes:
- June 11 — OCTaves (Olean Community Theatre Jazz Band)
- June 18 — Nothing to Lose (folk and soft rock)
- June 25 — Tim & Maddie Hollamby
- July 2 — GeoMusic (acoustic and electric guitar)
- July 9 — Allegany Alumni and Friends
- July 16 — Red Gray (outlaw country)
- July 23 — Alex Cole (acoustic country rock)
- July 30 — Bent Brass Band
- Aug. 6 — Moonlight Revival (acoustic folk-pop-alternative)
- Aug. 13 — Miss Hoshi’s Trio-MH3 (1920s-200s Americana)
- Aug. 20 — Twin Tiers Community Band
- Aug. 27 — Benjamin Piche (guitar jazz)
- Sept. 3 — Terry Bellamy (acoustic classics)
- Sept. 10 — Interstate Daydream (Rick and Marge)
