News Release - Mayor Lovely Warren Announces Windstream Party in the Park Lineup, New Community Partners for 21st Season

City of Rochester

News Release

(Thursday, May 11, 2017) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren joined with event sponsors to announce the talent lineup for the 2017 Windstream Party in the Park concert series, which returns to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park on Thursday, June 15.

“Party in the Park is one of Rochester’s signature events and I’m excited to announce that we’ve attracted big-name acts such as Blues Traveler, Living Colour, Matisyahu and our season opener, Los Lobos,” Mayor Warren said. “These concerts add to the vitality of our city and make Rochester a great place to live, work and play. By creating and supporting events like these, we add to our quality of life, which helps create vibrant neighborhoods and more jobs. I would like to give a huge thank you to Windstream for returning as the presenting sponsor of one of Rochester’s favorite music series.”

“As Windstream enters its sixth year as the title sponsor of this fantastic community event, we are truly grateful to be a part of the continued cultural growth and vibrancy of Rochester. The physical landscape of Downtown is changing for the better but it’s events like this that bring the positive life and energy needed to make Downtown Rochester the place to be. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park is the ideal location and our 850 Rochester employees, especially the 500 employees within walking distance to the park from our downtown offices who are excited to help get the party started,” said Brittney Tracy, Rochester Director for Windstream, who presented Mayor Warren with a check for $25,000 at the press conference for symbolize Windstream’s commitment to the concert series.

New this year, CGI Communications, Inc. has joined as the 2017 Main Stage sponsor. “Party in the Park is a Downtown event we look forward to every summer,” said CGI owner and CEO Bob Bartosiewicz. “As one of the city's top growth companies, CGI Communications is thrilled to be a part of this year's concert lineup!”
MVP Healthcare, iHeart Radio and NEWS10NBC will once again join Windstream as event partners. MVP will bring back its Family Fun Zone each week, featuring on-site kid-friendly activities. iHeart Media and NEWS10NBC are the exclusive radio and television sponsors, respectively. Other new sponsors this season include Brandmint and Rochester CITY Newspaper.

“MVP Health Care is pleased to continue to sponsor Rochester’s Party in the Park, especially as the concert series celebrates its 21st year of providing family-centered entertainment for community residents.

The MVP Health Care Family Fun Zone, where children and adults alike can have fun blowing bubbles, playing games and trying out hula hoops, brings even more families out to experience this great summertime event and we’re happy to be a part of it,” said Denise Gonick, MVP Health Care president and CEO.

Returning this season, Bocce League of Rochester will play 9 weeks of regulation league play on six courts at the site. Teams of six may register at www.bocceleagueofrochester.com. Registration is $400 per team and includes up to 6 team shirts, admission to the park, weekly prizes and 10 weeks of gameplay.

This year’s Party in the Park features a diverse array of music, including blues, funk, Tex-Mex, rock, reggae, classic rock and more. Concerts start at 5 p.m. Thursdays at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, located at the corner of Chestnut Street and Court Street Downtown.

Headliners on the CGI Communications, Inc. Main Stage include:

• Los Lobos (Tex-Mex, Latin), Thursday, June 15
• Living Colour (Rock band with various influences), Thursday, June 22
• Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, (reggae), Thursday, June 29
• Tim Reynolds TR3 (rock), Thursday, July 6
• Blues Traveler (classic rock jam band), Thursday, July 13
• Los Lonely Boys (American Chicano rock power trio), Thursday, July 20
• The Machine Performs Pink Floyd (tribute band), Thursday, July 27
• Matisyahu (reggae, rock), Thursday, August 3
• Donna the Buffalo (Americana roots rock), Thursday, August 10

Food by local food trucks and vendors, local beer from Genesee Brewing Company and wine from Constellation Brands will be available. Magic Hat Brewing Company will offer craft beer for sale.

Individual, general admission tickets for Party in the Park are $5 (children 12 and under are free.) A ‘Party Pass’ to all 9 concerts is available for $35 (a $10 savings). Tickets and passes 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.

Patrons may bring one sealed bottle of water into the 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 Blvd., the Court Street Garage, 194 Court St. and at the East End Garage, 475 E. Main St.

Also this year, “Two Guys and a Girl Radio Show,” a program of Recovery Now NY, will launch “Area 12.” Area 12 is a mobile public sober area designed especially for people recovering from addiction.

Windstream Party in the Park is produced by Gerard Fisher of Up All Night Presents and sponsored by the City of Rochester, Windstream, CGI Communications, Inc., MVP Health Care, Brandmint, Rochester CITY Newspaper, iHeart Media (100.5 The Drive, Kiss 106.7, Oldies 107.3, 95.1 The Brew, Sunny 102.3, WHAM 1180, Sports 1280), NEWS10NBC, the Rochester Rhinos, Genesee Brewing Co., Labatt Blue Light, Constellation Brands and the Bocce League of Rochester.

“I want to thank all of our sponsors for their commitment to our concert series and our city,” Mayor Warren said. “One by one, the Downtown partners of Martin Luther King Park are strengthening the City’s efforts to bring quality fun and safe events to this Downtown neighborhood. The support of these great partners will bolster the success of Party in the Park in 2017.”

Call 311 (428-5990 outside City limits) for more information and visit www.cityofrochester.gov/pitp for a detailed schedule of events.

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Media contact: Press Officer Jessica Alaimo, 428-7135.

 

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