City of Rochester
News Release
(Wednesday, April 30, 2014)—Mayor Lovely A. Warren and City Councilmembers Elaine Spaull and Michael Patterson were joined today by the Rochester Regional Director for Windstream, Jon Providence, and the Senior Vice President for Guest and Institutional Services at The Strong, Kathleen S. Dengler, and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s Brother Wease to announce the talent line-up for the 2014 Windstream Party in the Park concert series, which returns to Martin Luther King Jr. Park at Manhattan Square on June 19.
“I would like to give a huge thank you to Windstream for returning as the title sponsor of one of Rochester’s favorite music series,” said Mayor Warren. “It is my great pleasure to return Party in the Park back to Martin Luther King Jr. Park at Manhattan Square where it began 18 years ago and I proudly welcome this year’s new sponsors: The Strong, Alex & Ani and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment.”
"Windstream is thrilled to return as title sponsor for this fun family event, which enhances the social and cultural vibrancy of Rochester. Returning to Martin Luther King Jr. Park is especially exciting for our 350 employees only 2 blocks away at our midtown office," said Jon Providence, Rochester Regional Director for Windstream, who presented Mayor Warren with a giant check for $25,000 to symbolize their commitment to the concert series.
“We are pleased to stand alongside the City of Rochester and the other sponsors in supporting neighborhood development through Party in the Park,” says G. Rollie Adams, president and CEO of The Strong. “Moving this family programming to Martin Luther King Jr. Park adds additional energy and vibrancy to this corner of Downtown.”
This year’s Party in the Park features a diverse array of music, including reggae, bands featuring women, alt-country, bluegrass, Americana, a brass band, southern rock royalty, New Orleans funk, gospel, local bands and even a band from Athens, Georgia featuring members of R.E.M and Dream Syndicate playing baseball songs. Headliners this year include:
- The Wailers (Reggae, formed by the remaining members of Bob Marley & The Wailers, following the death of Bob Marley), June 19;
- Lucinda Williams (American rock, folk, blues and country music singer and songwriter), June 26;
- Drive-by Truckers (alternative country/Southern rock band based in Athens, Georgia); Tommy Brunett, July 3;
- Yonder Mountain String Band (American progressive bluegrass); Railroad Earth (Americana-based newgrass), July 10;
- Trampled By Turtles (American roots); Dirty Dozen Brass Band (New Orleans, Louisiana, brass band), July 17;
- Lucero (country-punk rock); The Baseball Project (a supergroup composed of Peter Buck, Mike Mills ((both of R.E.M.)), Scott McCaughey, Steve Wynn ((Dream Syndicate)) and Linda Pitmon), July 24;
- Dickey Betts and Great Southern (Southern rock, founding member of The Allman Brothers Band); Dumpstaphunk (funk band from New Orleans featuring Ivan and Ian Neville, the next generation of the famous Neville Brothers), July 31;
- Dark Star Orchestra (Continuing the Grateful Dead concert experience), August 7; and
- Presidents of the USA (twice Grammy-nominated American alternative rock band from Seattle, WA); The Slide Brothers (slide guitar super group featuring Rochester’s own Campbell Brothers), August 14.
Local bands including Trinidad and Tobago Steel Band, the Mambo Kings and Melia will open each week and are slated to play during breaks on a second, small stage in the bowl. More local bands will be announced. All concerts start at 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park at Manhattan Square, located at the corner of Chestnut Street and Court Street Downtown.
Food by local food trucks and local beer from Genesee Brewing Co. and Rohrbachs Brewing Co. will be available.
All tickets will go on sale in mid-May. Individual, general admission tickets for Windstream Party in the Park are $5 (children 12 and under are free). A ‘Party Pack’ is available for $35 (a $10 savings), which provides tickets to all 9 concerts and access to an express entry line at each concert. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, through Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000 with associated service charges) or at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial box office, 100 Exchange Blvd.
Members of The Strong can buy a Party Pack for $30 (a $15 discount) at The Strong Everything for Play! shop, 1 Manhattan Square Drive.
Windstream employees can buy a Party Pack for $30 (a $15 discount) at Windstream headquarters, 245 E. Main Street.
Patrons may bring one sealed bottle of water into the Windstream Party in the Park concerts. Lawn chairs, bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates and pets will not be allowed in.
Parking is available at nearby parking garages including the Washington Square Garage, 111 Woodbury Boulevard, the Court Street Garage, 194 Court Street and at the East End Garage, 475 E. Main Street, HSBC Garage, 211 HSBC Plaze (enter on Broad Street). Parking will also be available at The Strong, 1 Manhattan Square.
Windstream Party in the Park is produced by Gerard Fisher of Up All Night and sponsored by the City of Rochester, Windstream, The Strong, Alex + Ani, Genesee Brewing Co., Rohrbach Brewing Co., Labatts Blue Light, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, 100.5 The Drive, Kiss 106.7, Oldies 107.3, 95.1 The Brew, Sunny 102.3, WHAM 1180, Sports 1280, City Newspaper.
For more information, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/pitp or call 311 (428-5990 outside city limits).
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News Media: For more information, contact Communications Director Christine Christopher at 428-7135.