2011 Music

This year’s annual Canandaigua Arts and Music Festival is almost underway, and is expected to be even bigger and better than previous years. The Festival will feature not one, but two stages of musical talent performing for those who attend.

Similar to previous years, there will be a main stage called "Commons Park Stage" where the majority of acts will be performing. Unlike previous years, there will now be a second stage called "Country Bluegrass Stage", which will be active on Saturday, July 16th and Sunday, July 17th.

The musical acts, booked by Rainbow Talent Agency, continue to grow each year. There are 21 bands performing on both stages this year, with incredible talent from around the Upstate NY region.

Carl Labate, Producer and Agent of Rainbow Talent Agency, is responsible for booking all of the musical acts and making sure they are a good fit for the venue.

“The bands must be a good quality act and very good at what they do,” said Labate. “This is our fifth year doing this and we now have a good waiting list of bands who want to play.”

Labate, who believes in providing opportunities for original bands who create their own material, makes sure he also provides the audience with a wide variety of music, different from year to year.

“We were very impressed with the quality of artists who came in and were accepted, which benefits the community in numerous ways,” said Denise Chapel, Owner of Sweet Expressions and Co-Owner of Mobile Music, with her husband Tim. “The festival helps our stores and restaurants during that particular weekend, provides great exposure for the community, and keeps people coming back,” Chapel continued. “It offers another outlet that residents can enjoy that’s free, and is always family-friendly.”

Whether you join the festivities for one day or all three, it’s guaranteed that you will enjoy the variety of music, vendors, and the friendly atmosphere.

“No matter what time of day people come, they are going to catch good, top-quality entertainment,” said Labate. “I refuse to have anything else.”