a look at artpark's recent Celebrations

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2023

"EXIT" by Cirque Inextremiste
August 27, 2023

The insane acrobatics of CIRQUE INEXTREMISTE dazzled an audience of 1,500+ as the performers burst onto the basket of a hot-air balloon during a tethered ride, knocking the skies off balance. In this clownish, tightrope-walking, quirky, fiery, spectacular and utterly crazy performance, Yann Ecauvre’s extreme acrobatic French collective will play with our fears and wreak havoc with our perspective.

Artpark thanks Villa Albertine and M&T Bank for their continued support.

 

Artpark Bridges Festival
August 19, 2023

This festival was a celebration of the connections and encounters that can only happen at Artpark and highlighted the Artpark Bridges program and its ongoing collaboration with community groups and organizations including People, Inc., Empower WNY, Buffalo Parkinsons, and Artisans Edge, along with new work created by the artists and groups in residence at Artpark during the 2023 season. This festival presented the premiere of The Invitation - a dance performance culminating a multi-year collaborative journey between members of the Artpark Bridges Community & Jon Lehrer Dance Company. David Glass Ensemble in collaboration with Sketchbook Theatre and Artpark Bridges also presented: Between Love and Death: Tales from the Underworld. 

Artpark thanks Artpark Bridges funders: Charles D. and Mary A. Bauer Foundation & Pamela and Joseph L. Priest 

Additional support provided by the Grigg Lewis Foundation for program materials.  

Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" by La Fura dels Baus
July 29, 2023

 "Barcelona’s La Fura Dels Baus  has brought their production to Western New York for it’s North American premiere in what can best be described as an intriguing avant garde theatrical event to tempt the senses" - Michael Rabice, Broadway World

Barcelona-based theatrical troupe La Fura dels Baus’ production of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” one of the most beloved and recognizable pieces of music ever composed, involved more than 200 performers from Western New York and around the world, including members of the Catalan troupe and director Carluss Padrissa, Tanzen Dance, a youth choir, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, all under the baton of Artpark Opera Curator and Conductor in Residence Gil Rose.

This performance was made possible by support from M&T Bank, The Stenclik Family Charitable Fund, and The Baird Foundation.

Fairy House Festival
July 15, 2023

The 13th annual Fairy House Festival welcomed visitors of all ages to marvel at a celebration of Ukrainian culture: its mystic and ancient traditions as well as its vibrant modern art. This season's festival included performances by Mucca Pazza, the Artpark Fairy Orchestra and Ensemble directed by Vlad Troitskyi along with art inspired by Maria Prymachenko, costumes by Uta Bekaia, Fairy Houses by local artists, and more.

Artpark thanks Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls, USA for their support during our 2023 season. 

Strawberry Moon Festival
June 17, 2023

The fourth Strawberry Moon Festival continued our annual celebration of the beginning of a new season, the first fruit of summer, and the unification of communities through music, dance, and art.

The festival featured an artisan market, a smoke dance competition, and musical performances by Geneviève Gros-Louis Salamone & Stephanie Big Eagle, and DJ Shub in the evening. 

Artpark thanks Roswell Park & The Consulate General of Canada in New York for supporting this year's event.

2022

"Leonardo" by Plasticiens Volants
August 20, 2022

Back by popular demand, the renowned French world-renowned French street theatre group Plasticiens Volants performed the North American premiere of their new program "Leonardo: Dreams and Nightmares." This enthralling performance wowed thousands through their retelling of Leonardo DaVinci's creative masterpieces.  

Artpark thanks Cullen Foundation, NY State Council on the Arts, HSBC, FACE Foundation*, The Donald F. and Barbara L. Newman Family Foundation, Calspan

*FACE Contemporary Theater, a program developed by the FACE Foundation with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States with the support from the Florence Gould Foundation, Institut Francais-Paris, the French Ministry of Culture and private donors. 

Fairy House Festival
July 9, 2022

Artpark's summer time wonderland returned with the 12th annual, Artpark Fairy House Festival!

Visitors once again marveled at the fairy house creations and enjoy the whimsical and enchanting Artpark Fairies and roaming musicians outfitted in new costume creations by Uta Bekaia. Additionally, attendees were entertained by Mucca Pazza, a rock & roll marching band, street theater extravaganza, Battements de Cirque, an acrobatic group from Montreal, Canada.

Artpark thanks the Cullen Foundation and M&T Bank for their continued support. 

Strawberry Moon Festival
June 18, 2022

The third Strawberry Moon Festival celebrated the beginning of a new season, the first fruit of summer, and the unification of communities through music, dance, and art.

The festival featured an artisan market, a smoke dance competition, and musical performances by Pamyua, Blue Rodeo, and included a tribute to musical legend Joanne Shenandoah by her daughter Leah along with Theresa Bear Fox, Perry Ground and Darryl Tonemah.

Artpark in collaboration with Kakekalanicks Indigenous Arts & Consultancy and Native community leaders and Elders Allan Jamieson, Sr. Cayuga Nation and Neil Patterson, Sr. Tuscarora Nation created the Native American Cultural Celebration. The Celebration included Indigenous art, food, dance, story-telling, hands-on creative workshops, a mesmerizing Smoke Dance Competition and more. 

Artpark thanks Roswell Park for their support of 2022's Strawberry Moon Festival

Strawberry Moon Festival
June 19, 2021

Strawberry Moon Festival returned to true form in 2021 as we celebrated the beginning of a new season, the first fruit of summer, and the unification of communities through music, dance, and art.

The festival featured an artisan market, a smoke dance competition, and musical performances by Darryl Tonemah, Charly Lowry, Lakota John, and the Martha Redbone Roots Project.  and a Moon Festival returned in true form with a smoke dance competition 

Artpark in collaboration with Kakekalanicks Indigenous Arts & Consultancy and Native community leaders and Elders Allan Jamieson, Sr. Cayuga Nation and Neil Patterson, Sr. Tuscarora Nation created the Native American Cultural Celebration. The Celebration included Indigenous art, food, dance, story-telling, hands-on creative workshops, a mesmerizing Smoke Dance Competition and more. 

Fairy House Festival
June 12, 2021

Now in its 11th year, Artpark Fairy House Festival has evolved from an art walk of the miniature fairy houses installed in the park by both local community and professional artists to an international, interdisciplinary, and immersive performing arts festival with European street theater groups, modern dance, interactive performances by local actors, and music presented in the setting of the park overlooking the stunning Niagara Gorge. 

Visitors once again marveled at the fairy house creations and enjoy the whimsical and enchanting Artpark Fairies and roaming musicians outfitted in new costume creations by Uta Bekaia.

Artpark thanks the Cullen Foundation and M&T Bank for their continued support. 

Fairy House Festival
August 15, 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic didn't stop Artpark from putting on the 10th annual Fairy House Festival. The afternoon event continued our tradition of costumed fairies curated by Uta Bekaia and arts and crafts for the whole family along with dozens of fairy houses created by local artisans.  

Artpark thanks the Cullen Foundation and M&T Bank for their continued support.

Strawberry Moon Festival: Native American Peace Garden Opening Ceremony
August 1, 2020

Artpark's Native American Peace Garden is located in the Lower Park (South 4th Street entrance). Designed in the sacred shape of the Turtle, this garden will be a place for people from all Four Quadrants of the Medicine Wheel to come in unity and friendship. Overlooking the beautiful Niagara River, this healing garden will not only offer visitors the opportunity to relax and reflect in a peaceful setting but will also act as and on-going Native American outdoor land-based classroom with many Strawberry Moon Festival programs to be offered in the future.

The celebration began with the traditional Thanksgiving Address, songs and a special Wampum Belt Gifting ceremony to Artpark by Dr. Joe Stahlman, Director of the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum, and Richard Hamell, Professor Emeritus of Monroe Community College.

Artpark in collaboration with Kakekalanicks Indigenous Arts & Consultancy and Native community leaders and Elders Allan Jamieson, Sr. Cayuga Nation and Neil Patterson, Sr. Tuscarora Nation created the Native American Cultural Celebration. The Celebration included Indigenous art, food, dance, story-telling, hands-on creative workshops, a mesmerizing Smoke Dance Competition and more.  

Pearl: Secrets of the Sea by Plasticiens Volants with The Machine performs Pink Floyd
August 22, 2019

Artpark welcomed the return of Plasticiens Volants, the world-renowned French street theatre group, and the United States premiere of their show -- Pearl: Secrets of the Sea -- on August 22. The immersive performance of giant inflatable sea creatures filled the Amphitheater sky and delighted an audience of over 3,000. America’s preeminent Pink Floyd tribute, The Machine, also performed two sets on the Amphitheater stage. 

 

Artpark thanks Cullen Foundation, NY State Council on the Arts, HSBC, FACE Foundation*, The Donald F. and Barbara L. Newman Family Foundation, Calspan

*FACE Contemporary Theater, a program developed by the FACE Foundation with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States with the support from the Florence Gould Foundation, Institut Francais-Paris, the French Ministry of Culture and private donors.  

Strawberry Moon Festival
June 22, 2019

The inaugural Strawberry Moon Festival as part of the Coors Light Concert Series at Artpark, celebrated the beginning of a new season, the first fruit of summer, and the unification of communities through music, dance, and art.

Festival featured live music by: Sam Roberts Band; Indigenous DJ collective A Tribe Called Red; and singer-songwriter Alan Doyle (formerly of Great Big Sea). Native American musician and former drummer of successful band “Redbone”, Thunderhead Joe & The Medicine Show. 

Artpark in collaboration with Kakekalanicks Indigenous Arts & Consultancy and Native community leaders and Elders Allan Jamieson, Sr. Cayuga Nation and Neil Patterson, Sr. Tuscarora Nation created the Native American Cultural Celebration. The Celebration included Indigenous art, food, dance, story-telling, hands-on creative workshops, a mesmerizing Smoke Dance Competition and more. 

   

Artpark thanks Certo Brothers Distributing Company and Niagara Falls National Heritage Area
Additional support provided by Cornerstone CFCU, Cottrill's Pharmacy, Inc., Creative Structures Services, Bartolomei, Modern Disposal Services, National Vaccuum, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Seneca Iroquois Natioanl Musuem, Stampede, The Slater Law Firm, Seneca Niagara Casino & Resorts

Fairy House Festival featuring DakhaBrakha and Virginia Melnyk Designs
June 9, 2019

The 9th annual Fairy House Festival highlights included a stunning performance by featured act,  Ukrainian "Ethno-Chaos" band DakhaBrakha and the bright fabric star-like shapes interactive installation, "Color Constellation," by Virginia Melnyk Designs. 

The Festival also featured it's usual array of creative immersive activities including the Fairy House Competition, Roaming Fairies by Uta Bekaia, craft and potion-making, face-painting, dancing bubbles, Tea Tent, performances by Lewiston Dance and more. 

   

Artpark thanks Featured Act Funder Ontario Building Supply
Additional support provided by Hyatt's All Things Creative, USI Insurance Services, Favorites Pizza & Wings
Fairy House Competition sponsored by Great Lakes Real Estate

2017

Big Bang
September 2, 2017

Two stunning outdoor spectacles came together for one night only, making Artpark's 2017 Season Finale unforgettable!

As seen at Coachella, Burning Man and on NBC's America's Got Talent, the world renowned installation artist and inventor, William Close performed with his Earth Harp Collective on the Amphihteater stage. Exploring the intersection of architecture and music, the Earth Harp's 24 strings sailed over the crowd, placing the audience inside the belly of a gigantic harp.

Known for their high-profle events in the skies around the world inclusing the Olympics Games in Rio (2016) and Sochi (2014), French company Plasticiens Volants, premiered "Big Bang" for the first time ever in the U.S. This jaw-dropping, dreamlike story of the creation of the universe combines huge floating inflatable creatures with projected images, music, and pyrotechnics.     

Artpark thanks
Presenting Sponsor M&T Bank
Sponsor Niagara Falls Bridge Commission.
This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. 
Support also provided through a grant from Empire State Development’s I LOVE NEW YORK program under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Market NY initiative.
Plasticiens Volants support provided by Graulhet

Summer Solstice aka Fairy House Festival
June, annually 

Heralding the arrival of summer, this day-long event (Noon-Midnight) begins with the 7^th annual Fairy House Festival featuring artist and community-made fairy houses, a creative collection of art activities, face painting, potion-making and more.

The festival continues with live performances, spoken word artists, dancers and actors.

Past performers have included: Lehrer Dance, Lost Wheels of Time, Giraffe Royal, Circus Orange, Slyboots Circus, Buffalo Aerial Dance, Pyromancy, and more!

Artpark thanks Jon Lehrer and Kate LoConti, two of Western New York's most respected and innovative artists, for directing the 2017 Festival.

Photos by Pavel Antonov

Baila Brazil by Bale De Rua
July 15-16, 2016

Artpark is proud to have hosted the exclusive North American premiere of the global hit, Baila Brazil, in the Mainstage Theater in July 2016. Bursting with energy and infectious rhythms, this world-class hit spectacle born in Uberlandia brought the hottest party of the summer to Western New York!

An unforgettable parade down Center Street into Artpark kicked off a FREE outdoor carnival celebration, featuring the Bale De Rua dancers, Lewiston Dance and members of the Lewiston community. Families and visitors enjoyed the carnival packed with games, face painting, art activities, and dancing!   

After each performance, guests of all ages mingled and danced with the dance troupe on the Mainstage Theater Terrace.