Lewiston alive with music

On an idyllic Friday night, Ray Berry Productions hit on all cylinders with its first concert at Academy Park in Lewiston.

Every decade or so, someone civic-minded individual hits on an idea, takes a risk and hits a homerun ala mid-80s Thursdays in the square in Buffalo.

A free show, with community support, great music and willing community vendors.

The headliner last night was the Steven Page Trio, the former frontman for the Barenaked Ladies. BNL has been gone since 2009. Page lives near Syracuse now and tours with Craig Northey on guitar and Kevin Fox on cello playing a selection of his hits and some improvisational music as well.

If Page has a million dollars he doesn’t play it anymore, he’s rich.

That was the one thing missing from his set. He played the other expected hits like “One Week” “Apartment” and “Brian Wilson.”

Roy G Biv and Tonemah opened.

Biv is an indy post-punk rock band we’ve seen several times over the years around Niagara County and at Music is Art. They are high energy and fun. Their jams are worth checking out.

Opening the bill was Tonemah. In a mellow setting as the crowd began to filter in Tonemah opened with a set of his original music. The son was blazing. Darryl Tonemah leads the band. His daughter played bass, he had a guitarist as well and his brother LP banged rhythms and provided harmony.

Tonemah purchased the Lewiston Opera Hall from the Council on the Arts and renovated the top floor into an intimate entertainment space with the help of Barry, family and friends. It is worth checking out a show there when it comes up.

VIP tickets for the show were $20 and included stagefront admission. Another 1,500 to 2,000 fans gathered on the lawn.

Food vendors were reasonable, Syros offered a $10 souvlaki wrap with chicken, beef or gyro, perfectly spices with warm pita balanced by tzatziki and feta. Their spanakopita was good.

Gjada Have It was there with pizza and fried dough as well.

For dessert there was freeze-dried candy and frozen treats from the iconic Yummm Truck, a mini-bus badged VW even if it has tiny Subaru guts.

Beer and wine were available for reasonable prices. Artpark’s shows have been a great success but many people miss the days of free shows and a more intimate feel.

Barry will also be hosting free shows on Wednesdays, starting July 9 with Orange Zest and continuing through August 27.

Saturday, July 19 will bring Junior Marvin and His Legendary Wailers along with 6 other bands starting at 2 p.m.

Also not to be missed is acoustic music Thursdays at Gallo on Center Street. Thursday night this week was Grace Stumberg. Next week is Davey O.