Juno Winning Sam Roberts Band Heads Across the Gorge!

(Lewiston, NY)  Burgeoning Canadian rockers, the Sam Roberts Band, well known for ultra-addictive tunes like "Brother Down" and "Don't Walk Away Eileen," crosses the international on July 30 to headline Artpark's "Wednesdays on the Gorge" free outdoor concert series.  Presented by HSBC Bank and HSBC Mortgage Corporation, all "Wednesdays on the Gorge" events begin at 6:30pm and include hands-on art workshops for children.

In anticipation of a sizeable crowd, Artpark will be presenting two giant, on-site video screens for concertgoers' viewing pleasure as it does on Tuesday evenings.

 A four-time Juno Award winning (and seven-time nominee) Montreal native, Roberts' 2002 breakthrough EP, The Inhuman Condition (50,000-plus copies sold and certified GOLD in Canada), was a heaven-sent prophecy from the classic-pop gods translated into street-level terms. While there was no denying Roberts' way with catchy melody, he also displayed astonishing breadth in just six tracks, from knockout power-pop punches ("Don't Walk Away Eileen") and moody folk mysticism ("Brother Down," the official soundtrack of summer 2002) to extended psych-pop jams ("Where Have All the Good People Gone?") and middle-finger-waving rockers ("This is How I Live").

 The five-piece outfit, which played a three-song set during the second intermission of the NHL's "Winter Classic" in Buffalo on New Year's Day 2008, is comprised of Roberts (vocals/guitar), Dave Nugent (lead guitar), Eric Fares (keyboards), James Hall (bass) and Billy Anthopoulos (drums).

The evening's opening act is The Hymns.

Like all of Artpark's free concert events, each evening includes a wide variety of free family-friendly hands-on art workshops, including drawing, face-painting, dress-up, self portraits and more.

"Wednesdays on the Gorge" is also supported by Certo Brothers Distributing Company, Modern Corporation, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. 

Artpark's Outdoor Amphitheater opens to the public at 2pm on event nights, and can be accessed via the Upper Park's Portage Road entrance off of Center Street or through South 4^th Street nearest the Mainstage Theater.

Carry-ins (food and beverages) are prohibited at all of Artpark's free concert events while on-site parking is .

For a full schedule of 2008 events, call the Artpark Box Office at (716) 754-4375 or visit artpark.net.

The Earl W. Brydges Artpark is being operated by Artpark & Company, Inc. for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation under a license agreement.

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