music

Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman headlined Batavia Downs last evening in front of a jam-packed crowd to close out their 2019 summer concert series. 

The national recording artists draw a mixture of music styles of country, post-grunge and hard rock.

In 2017 the band released a new album "Wake Up Call" that features the song "Rx (Medicate)." Other top hits performed last evening were "Bad Girlfriend," "Angel" and "Hate My Life."

Above, band Finance Director Bob Pastecki with 2019 scholarship winners Kyla Leno, left, and Katie Dessert.

Submitted photos and press release:

The Batavia Concert Band closed its 94th season on Aug. 7th, and presented some special awards.

Scholarship awards were presented to Katie Dessert and Kyla Leno. Dessert received the Batavia Concert Band Board of Directors Scholarship, and Leno received the Conductor’s Choice Scholarship.

Both Dessert and Leno are Music Education majors, have played with the Batavia Concert Band for several season, and aspire to become music teachers.

Board Member Ann Arent also presented the annual Pam Frisby Friend of the Band Award. Frisby was a former Board present and ardent supporter of the Band, and this award is given in her honor. The 2019 recipient was Charlie Gould. He is a regular presence at the Wednesday evening concerts, and often leads the crowd in singing the "Star Spangled Banner."

The Board of Directors and band officers would like to thank a dedicated and enthusiastic crowd, and season-long sponsors GO-ART! and WBTA. A full listing of gold, silver and bronze sponsors may be found at www.bataviaconcertband.net

Plans are already underway for the 2020 season!

Below, Board Member Ann Arent speaking about the annual Pam Frisby Friend of the Band Award.

Below, Charlie Gould, this year's recipient of the annual Pam Frisby Friend of the Band Award.

Batavia-born, Buffalo music scene legend Michael DiSanto was hospitalized July 22 after suffering a stroke.

He will require rehabilitation after losing the use of the left side of his body.

You can read more about DiSanto's health and how the Buffalo music community is responding in the Buffalo News.

Here's a GoFundMe page to assist Michael.

Top photo is one of I took of Michael on St. Patrick's Day 2014 at Center Street. The next photo is from the Ramble in 2013, which is the first time I saw him perform and was amazed by his talent. Below are also the three songs we recorded live with him on the third floor of Eli Fish for The Batavian Sessions. If you watch nothing else today, watch his cover of "Little Red Corvette."

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Saturday, July 20 – Family Day/ Drive Your Tractor to the Fair Day

• 8:30 a.m. – NIOGA Dairy Show (Main Show Ring)
• 9 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show – Gymkhana Division (Horse Arena)
• 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• Noon -- Small Fry Tractor Pull (Exhibition Building) Sponsored by Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Genesee County Pamona Grange, and Duane Schmigel
• Noon – Midway Opens, Wristband Special from Noon to 4 p.m.
• 4 p.m. – 4-H Market Auction Master Showman Contest (Main Show Ring)
• 6 p.m. – Racing at Genesee Speedway
• 7 to 11 p.m. – Band – Under the Gun (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

Friday, July 19th – CELEBRATE 4H DAY

• 9 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show – English & Dressage Division (Horse Arena)
• 9 a.m. – 4-H Beef Team Fitting Competition (Main Show Ring)
• 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• Noon – 4-H Horses must be removed from 4-H Horse Barn
• Noon – 4-H Livestock Master Showman Contest (Main Show Ring)
• 1 p.m. – 4-H Dairy Club Butter Making Activity (Kennedy Building)
• 4 p.m. – Midway Opens
• 5:30 p.m. – 4-H Tractor Driving Contest
• 6 p.m. – NIOGA Dairy Showmanship (Main Show Ring)
• 7 p.m. – Demolition Derby (Grandstands)
• 7 to 11 p.m. – Band – MAC (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

Thursday, July 18th – KId's Day / HP HOOD DAY

• 9 a.m. – 4-H Dairy Cattle Show (Main Show Ring)
• 9 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show – Western Division (Horse Arena)
• 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• 12 - 10 p.m. – Midway Opens - Kids 16 & Under Ride for $10/wristband
• 12:30 p.m. – Small Fry Tractor Pull (Exhibition Building) Sponsored by Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Genesee County Pamona Grange, and Duane Schmigel
• 6:45 p.m. – 4-H Market Animal Auction Awards Ceremony (Main Show Ring)
• 7 p.m. – 4-H Market Animal Auction Sale Begins (Main Show Ring)
• 7:30 – 10 p.m. – Band – Savage Cabbage (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

Red Creek performed at the Genesee County Fair on Wednesday. Here's their version of "What I Like About You."

Tonight, Savage Cabbage takes the stage at 7:30.

Wednesday, July 17th – EMERGENCY RESPONDER’S NIGHT

• 8:30 a.m. – OPEN Class Swine must be in place
• 9 a.m. – 4H Horse may arrive
• 9 a.m. – 4-H Hog Show (Main Show Ring)
• 10 a.m. – 4-H & Open Class Goats must be removed from Goat Barn (Except Market
• Auction Goats)
• 10 a.m. – 4-H Milking Dairy Cows must be in place
• 10 a.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Open
• Noon – 4-H Sheep Show (Main Show Ring)
• 4 p.m. – Midway Opens, (Weather permitting)
• 2 p.m. – 4H Horses must be in place
• 5:30 p.m. – Fair Parade Line Up (Racing Pit Area)
• 6:30 p.m. – Fair Parade
• 7 p.m. – Band – Red Creek (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

The band BB Dang performed at the Genesee County Fair last night.

BB Dang is based in Rochester but features on bass Cameron Carlson, a ninth-grader at Byron-Bergen High School.

The rest of the band is Michael Valle (drums) Alex Sherwood (guitar) Greg Gutch (guitar) Ben Guisto (vocals) Isabella Barbagallo (vocals) Dominic Bonacci (keyboard).

The group came together through Camp Roc Star, a project of Elvio Fernandes, a member of the band Daughtry.

There is live music at the fair every night through Saturday.

Tuesday, July 16th – sponsored by ROCHESTER REGIONAL HEALTH

• 9 a.m. – Halter Class – Draft Horses (Horse Arena)
• 10 a.m. – 4-H Cloverbud Rabbit Show (Merton Building)
• 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• 11 a.m. – 4-H Dairy & Meat Goat Show (Main Show Ring)
• Immediately followed by Open Class Goat Show
• Noon – OPEN Draft Hitch Show (Horse Arena)
• 1 p.m. – 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
• 4 p.m. – Midway Opens
• 2 – 10 p.m. -- Faith at the Fair (Entertainment Tent)
• 5 p.m. – 4-H Market Auction Hog Show (Main Show Ring)
• 7 p.m. – Fair Barn Dance (Open Dairy Barn)
• 9 p.m. – 4-H & Open Class Goats Released (Except Market Auction Goats)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

Monday, July 15th – VETERAN’S DAY AT THE FAIR

• 9 a.m. – 4-H Market Auction Goat Show (Main Show Ring)
• 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• 10 a.m. – 4-H Cloverbud Poultry Show (Merton Building)
• 10 a.m. – 4-H Dairy Fitting Clinic & Master Fitter Competition
• 10 a.m. – 4-H Goat Agility Contest (Goat Barn Show Ring)
• 10 a.m. – 4-H Market Auction Lamb Show (Main Show Ring)
• 4 p.m. – Midway Opens
• 4 p.m. – 4-H Market Auction Dairy Steer Show (Main Show Ring)
• 5 p.m. – 4-H Market Auction Beef Steer Show (Main Show Ring)
• 5 p.m. – North American Classic Six-Horse Hitch (Horse Arena)
• 7 to 9:30 p.m. – Band – BB Dang (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.

• 10 a.m. – 4-H Beef Show (Main Show Ring)
• 10 a.m. – Exhibition Halls & Buildings Open
• 11 a.m. -- Skyhunters Birds of Prey (until 2 pm)
• Noon – Open Class Beef Show (Main Show Ring)
• Noon – 4-H Club Exhibits must be in place
• Noon – Midway Opens
• 3 p.m. – Six Horse Hitch Classes (Horse Arena)
• 4 p.m. – 4-H Rabbit Show (Merton Building)
• 4 p.m. – 4-H Market Auction Lamb Final Weigh In
• 7 to 10 p.m. -- Band – TBD (Entertainment Tent)
• 10 p.m. – Exhibit Halls & Buildings Close

Events & times subject to change. Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with changes.