ORG announces lineup for blues concerts on Thursdays this summer
Provided photos: The Growlers Blues Band will perform July 28 at State Street Park.
Press Release, Orleans Renaissance Group
MEDINA – “Blue Thursdays” will be a series of free summer concerts at the State Street Park Pavilion in Medina, July through August.
The Print Shop and Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc./medinaalive.com, both of Medina, are bringing together top regional blues talent for a spectacular summer music series.
The Dave Viterna Band will kick off the series on July 7.
Beginning Thursday, July 7, and running for six Thursday evenings through August 11, the free concert series will feature six bands, starting with Medina’s own Dave Viterna Band.
Concert goers will enjoy top regional talent from the Buffalo area blues scene along with food by Cusimano’s Pizzeria and Parker’s Pit BBQ, with refreshments provided by award-winning establishments Leonard Oakes Estate Winery and 810 Meadworks.
In 2017, ORG facilitated the construction of a 24′ x 20′ timber-frame bandstand/pavilion in State Street Park as an outdoor venue for music events.
“The community has long desired a good outdoor venue for music events such as this,” said Chris Busch, president of ORG.
The group facilitated the construction of the bandstand/pavilion with funding obtained through a private benefactor along with the Medina DPW and some donated materials and labor.
“By the time the site was truly finished and ready, along came Covid and put our plans on hold,” said Busch. “We’ve been planning this event with The Print Shop for sometime and 2022 is the year it’s going to happen. We hope to make this a huge annual event.”
The performers booked for Medina are award-winning blues bands from the Buffalo area.
The concert lineup includes Dave Constantino, left, and Frank Grizanti.
“We wanted to kick off the series with top-notch talent that people here may not have had a chance to experience,” said Busch. “We’re really excited to bring these bands to Medina.”
The 2022 Blue Thursdays line-up includes:
- July 7 – Dave Viterna Band
- July 14 – Frank Grizanti Band
- July 21 – Jeremy Keyes Band
- July 28 – Growlers Blues Band
- August 4 – Dave Constantino Band
- August 11 – Maria Aurigema
“We want to give a big shout out to Dave Viterna who opened the doors to many of these bands for us,” said Busch. “Dave was a great help to us in getting Blue Thursdays off the ground.”
Additional sponsorship for this event was generously provided by Modern Mercantile and Main Street Liquor of Medina.
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Gloria Brent, owner of Modern Mercantile and Main Liquor for sponsoring the bands,” said Busch. “We couldn’t have done it without her generosity.”
All the concerts are free and open to the public. Shows run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There are no rain dates.
“For up-to-date gig, any cancellations and venue information, people should go to bluethursdays.com,” said Busch. “If the show is going to be cancelled due to rain or for any last minute news, we’ll post there and on the Blue Thursdays Facebook page.”
Jeremy Keyes, left, and Maria Aurigema will perform this summer in Medina.
