Welcome summer with Lewiston Council on the Arts!

Lewiston Council on the Arts Press Release

The trees are budding and the breeze off the river is softly blowing – summer is within sight!

The Lewiston Council on the Arts has a full schedule of free programs, classes, concerts and events that will light up the lovely, long days that lie ahead.

The LCA’s “ArtLife” mini-courses offer a chance to tap into the creative energy of the arts. Classes are free, but registration on Eventbrite is necessary.

‘ArtLife’

•“Journaling to Jazz,” from 7-8:30 p.m. June 5, is guided writing (or doodling, visualizing and dreaming!) with live music by Elliot Sneider’s jazz duo Merciful TRVLR. 

•“Rhythm & Motion,” from 7-8:30 p.m. June 13, is expressive and improvisational movement led by Courtney Glenn and inspired by the live African drumming of Griffin Brady. No dance experience necessary. Dance like nobody’s watching!

Live music

Summer in Lewiston means free outdoor concerts!

•The second annual Porchfest brings live music to Lewiston’s porches, held in collaboration with the Garden’s Club GardenFest (noon to 5 p.m. June 21). Band spots are still available – sign up on our website.

•A Fourth of July celebration is set for 7 p.m. at Academy Park. It features a concert by Reflector and, of course, fireworks!

•The Summer of ’69 – a perennial Lewiston favorite – returns to Academy Park at 6 p.m. July 11 with Grammy Award-winner Gary Baker and Friends, plus The Invaders, The County Orphanage and The Summer of '69 All-Star Band.

•Get thee to Academy Park for Shakespeare in Delaware Park’s touring production of “Romeo and Juliet”! The tragic tale of star-crossed lovers will be tempered by the rousing music of Tom Keefer and Celtic Cross at 6:30 p.m. July 14.

•On “Music Mondays,” pack a cooler and head to the Hennepin Park gazebo for concerts under the trees! Blues, jazz, rockabilly, the roaring ’20s and more: Chicago Jack and the Outfit (June 30), Christina Custode Band (July 7), Harmonia Vocal Jazz Ensemble (July 21), Art Deco Quartet (July 28) and Rockabilly Steve and the BR3 (Aug. 4). All concerts start at 7 p.m.

•The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra returns for a concert of hummable favorites in Academy Park at 7 p.m. July 26, generously sponsored by Anthony DiMino from DiMino Lewiston Tops. The Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce is adding to the evening with a tempting line-up of food trucks. Plus, there is a special opportunity for 18-and-under student instrumentalists, singers and actors to be the opening act for the BPO! Sign up to play in a preconcert performance in the brand-new Academy Park pavilion.

Lewiston Art Festival

And of course, our cornerstone event: The Lewiston Art Festival will bring Center Street to life Aug. 9-10, with over 200 artists, dancers, musicians, the Chalk Walk competition, the Trail of Treaties and Indigenous Market, food, friends and fun!

I send my deepest gratitude to all who support the Lewiston Council on the Arts. Your participation in our programs, your memberships and your donations make it possible for the LCA to continue our mission of connecting our community through the power and joy of the arts. Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

For more information, please visit the LCA website at artcouncil.org.