Chautauqua Lake Bemus Bay Pops Marks 11th Year

By NICHOLAS L. DEAN BEMUS POINT — Dan Dalpra says the calls start coming in as early as February, calls from people looking to plan their vacations around the Bemus Bay Pops summer entertainment series. ''Lots of people plan their whole summer around what we produce here on the Floating Stage,'' said Dalpra, Bemus Bay Pops chairman. ''It's a unique venue and we're very lucky to have such a unique venue driving the tourism and economy.'' Announced in recent weeks by Dalpra, the 2008 season features a variety of events — from orchestras and movies to tribute acts and the fifth annual Chautauqua Lake Idol regional vocal competition. Building on the event's decade-long history, Dalpra said regular attendees will see some of their favorite acts returning to Bemus Point this summer as well as new entertainers. ''We've really been lucky with selecting really good groups and good acts,'' Dalpra said. ''Some of the ones that we have back this year are coming back because of their popularity and because you never tire of their performance, like Jimmy and the Soul Blazers. Last year was a hoot with the Rod Stewart tribute and we're bringing him back. I mean, he got down on the water. Everybody had a great time. ''These people are incredibly talented and we're fortunate to get them in our area, performing on this stage,'' Dalpra continued. ''All the shows are free, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. However, we are always accepting donations so that we can continue to do this and bring all this great stuff to Bemus Point to entertain the entire family.'' Started as a rooftop performance by the Bemus Bay Pops Orchestra on Labor Day in 1998, the Bemus Bay Pops entertainment series has grown into a summertime tradition in Chautauqua County with music, movie, dance and other events happening weekly. Since the orchestra first performed atop the Italian Fisherman restaurant in Bemus Point, the Bemus Bay Pops has grown — attracting more and more people to Bemus Point each summer. With an estimated 4,000 people in attendance in 1998, the Bemus Bay Pops series has grown to have as many as 10,000 people attending the series in recent years. See Page 46 From Page 44 ''Our goal is to continually drive the area, culturally and economically, by doing these types of programs that continue to draw interest,'' Dalpra said. ''It brings more people here to invest. It brings the tourism dollars. That's really what drives this thing. It should be a very exciting year. I think some of our condos are supposed to open this year and there are some exciting things going to be going on in Bemus Point.'' HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEAR'S BEMUS BAY POPS SERIES OPENING DAY The 2008 Bemus Bay Pops summer entertainment series begins Sunday, June 29 with a Praise on the Lake event. The Bemus Point United Methodist Church will hold an outdoor morning service at 9 a.m., featuring Pastor Dan McBride and the Praise Band. Other Praise on the Lake events are set for July 27 and Aug. 24. Also June 29, the Denver Mile High Orchestra will provide a high-energy afternoon show. Finalists on Fox's ''The Next Great American Band'' program, the Denver Mile High Orchestra is a horn-driven big band stopping in Bemus Point direct from touring the globe. Dalpra says the audience members will have a hard time staying in their seats, as the group makes listeners want to get up and swing dance. SALUTE TO AMERICA The Jamestown Municipal Band will perform a special tribute to America at 7 p.m. Friday, July 4. Dalpra said the Bemus Bay Pops decided to include additional July 4 entertainment this year because July 4 falls on a Friday. The Jamestown Municipal Band's performance will prelude the traditional lighting of the lake at 10 p.m. BRITISH INVASION On Saturday, July 5, the Caverners will provide a special tribute to the Beatles with a 7 p.m. show. Canada's premiere Beatles show will take listeners back through the entire history of the Beatles with the Caverners remarkable sights, sounds and mop tops. Expect early hits right on through Sgt. Pepper to Abbey Road. ROD STEWART TRIBUTE Rick Larrimore returns with ''Hot Stuff'' to rock on the lake in and out of the water. A sizzling tribute to the musical icon, Larrimore is a top-notch Rod Stewart tribute artist set to perform at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 6. LAKE NIGHT AT THE MOVIES Again this year, the Bemus Bay Pops series will include Lake Night at the Movies — a free event happening weekly at the Floating Stage. Presented by M&T Bank, the movies begin at dusk every Tuesday between July 8 and Aug. 19. Rain dates for each showing are on the following Wednesday. All movies are free and viewable from both sides of the Floating Stage. Sound is broadcast on 104.9 FM and is also available on inexpensive headsets which may be purchased from area merchants. See Page 47 From Page 46 Opening the movie series this year is ''What About Bob'' on July 8, followed by ''The Italian Job'' on July 15; ''Beetlejuice,'' July 22; ''We Are Marshall,'' July 29; ''Close Encounters,'' Aug. 5; ''Ferris Bueller's Day Off,'' Aug. 12 and ''Dances With Wolves,'' Aug. 19. JIMMY & SOUL BLAZERS Returning from Ohio with their hip-shaking, soul-stirring Motown sounds, Jimmy and the Soul Blazers will play a 2:30 p.m. show on Sunday, July 13. SHAMA LAMA Set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20, the Fonzie wannabees of Shama Lama are an amazing 11-piece show band which rocks listeners down memory lane, from bobby socks to blue jeans. SWINGING STREET DANCE Dr. Zoot will headline the end-of-July street bash at 7 p.m. Friday, July 25. A 7-piece dance and show band, Dr. Zoot specializes in such high-energy musics as swing, latin and rhythm and blues. A special dance floor will be available in the street for interested dancers to try their steps in public. SOLITARY MAN Tom Sadge's awe-inspiring sound and uncanny resemblance to Neil Diamond will have some concert-goers convinced he's the real thing. Set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 27, the Solitary Man Show will make a ''Diamond Head'' out of many uninitiated fans. IRISH FESTIVAL Running throughout the day Aug. 3, the annual Irish Festival will feature the 96th Highlanders Pipes & Drums, Ireland's ''Funny Man'' Seamus Kennedy, vocalist Andy Cooney, Searson's kicking celtic music and the Rochez Irish Dancers. Irish food, drink and culture will be celebrated throughout the village all day long. FRANKIE VALLI'S FAMILY Bobby Valli pays tribute to his older brother Frankie at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10 with ''Oh, What A Night!'' — a show that harkens back to when the Four Seasons ruled the charts. CHER & FRIENDS Diva Karen Grainger returns to recreate the songs of such famed female singers as Celine, Dolly, Reba and Babs. A one-woman show, Karen Grainger's tribute has been called hilarious, dazzling, and an amazing visual and vocal illusion where the stars come to life right in front of your eyes. BLUES FAMILY BAND SHOW A rhythm and blues revue with 12 performers, the Blues Family Show Band pays tribute to everything from the Blues Brothers, Sister Act and more. There will be laughing, dancing and more as concert-goers boogie at the high-energy concert on Aug. 24. TROMBONE SALUTE John Marcellus of the Eastman School of Music will present the Bionic Bones Trombone Salute at 6:30 p.m. Friday Aug 29. LABOR DAY FINALE The full symphonic Bemus Bay Pops orchestra will bring the 2008 season to a close at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30. The orchestra is under the direction of Bruce Morton Wright along with John Marcellus and Steve Swanson. The world-class musical finale is described as magical by organizers and will feature fireworks. For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com