Press release:

The New York State DanceForce, in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts, announces the third cycle of the Western New York Choreographers’ Initiative (WNYCI).

The program provides professional development for choreographers living in New York’s seventeen westernmost counties: Chautauqua, Niagara, Erie, Cattaraugus, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Allegany, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, Ontario, Yates, Steuben, Chemung, Schuyler, and Seneca.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. (EST) Dec. 4.

The WNY Choreographers’ Initiative is designed to help WNY resident choreographers develop their choreographic skills by providing them with appropriate resources that are generally unavailable or unaffordable.

These resources include 24 hours of creative studio time, professional dancers, the guidance of a professional mentor chosen by the artist, and a $2,500 stipend. Two choreographers will be selected for the award in spring 2020. 

“This initiative is open to choreographers working in all dance genres," said WNYCI Coordinator Lois Welk. "Each project is basically a mini-residency, designed to fit the specific needs of each artist.

"Some artists have split the time between their home community and New York City. Others have done their entire project in WNY. The only requirement is that at least half of the activity happens in the WNY community.” 

The New York State DanceForce is a statewide consortium of 19 dance activists committed to increasing the quantity and quality of dance activity throughout New York State. Each member receives an annual allocation to create projects that bring dance artists to Upstate NY communities in customized residencies.

Since its founding in 1994, the DanceForce, through the work of its members, has funded more than 400 projects, raising more than $3 million in support of these endeavors.

Complete guidelines and the application form can be found at www.danceforce.org. For more information, contact WNYCI Coordinator Lois Welk at [email protected].

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra prepares for the annual Summer Serenade, a joint fundraiser with United Way and held each year at the La Royan in Le Roy.

The 2019 concert is Aug. 25. Social hour begins at 4:30 p.m., with dinner at 5, the concert at 6:15, and dessert to follow.

Tickets are $75 a person. Garden party attire recommended.

Tickets available at Tompkins Bank of Castile in Le Roy and Roxy's Music Store or online at  www.uwrochester.org/summerserenade

Proceeds benefit the United Way Backpack Program and the GSO.

Bishop Gunn played The Ridge NY in Le Roy on Friday night. Here they are performing their song "Let the People Know."

Tonight, Black Stone Cherry takes the Frost Ridge stage.

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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.

The rain could only delay the 2019 Ramble & Arts Festival. It couldn't keep it from rockin'.

Bonus track: DriVen performs The Who's Baba O'Riley.

Survivor opened the 2019 concert season at Batavia Downs on Friday night.

Here's the lineup for the rest of the summer:

• June 28 -- Queensryche
• July 5 -- Kim Mitchell
• July 12 -- Journey Former Lead Vocalist Steve Augeri
• July 19 -- Gin Blossoms
• July 26 -- Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
• Aug. 2 -- Tanya Tucker
• Aug. 9 -- Theory Of A Deadman

The Batavian Sessions: "A" Blues Band, Foolish Child