Photo credit to Joe Gustafson
Chautauqua Lake Pops
Bemus Bay Pops Migrates to Mayville
The article below, in part, was written and published in the Lakeside Ledger by Judy Shuler on 04/19/2019.
Music is transforming; it can carry us to another time and place. Can music also transform an entire community? Dan Dalpra believes it is so.
After a year hiatus, Bemus Bay Pops has migrated around the lake to Mayville and has become Chautauqua Lake Pops. Their summer season opens on June 29 with a return performance by the Absolute Journey Tribute Show.
Dalpra and his wife, Sue launched the Pops in 1998 to celebrate Labor Day with a concert on the roof of their restaurant, the Italian Fisherman. The Bemus Bay Pops Orchestra performed and an estimated 4,000 showed up on lawns, decks and boats. After five years they moved off the roof and onto a floating stage.
In 2003, the summer concert season was expanded from one major Labor Day concert to a summer concert series on Saturdays and Sundays. Over the years it continued to add weekly events.
When Dalpra sold the Italian Fisherman he sold only the property and assets, but kept his Italian Fisherman corporate brand. The Pops Organization is a separate not-for-profit 501C3 corporation. The new owner didn’t see it as part of their business plan. Dan spent the subsequent year scouting new locations. This year the floating stage will reopen behind the Mayville Depot Museum.
"Destination Mayville will be our new theme .. Home to the Chautauqua Lake Pops!"
"It won’t affect access to the community Lakeside Park. Mayville is really poised for expansion and development. They will become the new gateway to the lake. I think the Village of Mayville will be a great partner. The Mayor and Village board have worked hard helping to bring this to fruition", said Dalpra.
Chautauqua Lake Pops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. “We’re looking forward down the road to showcasing our great local talent. It will be called Locals on the Lake.” He also envisions making the floating stage available for local events like weddings and graduations.
There will continue to be free programs. The M&T Bank “Lake Night at the Movies” returns Tuesdays at dusk. Bemus Point United Methodist Church will continue to lead Praise on the lake on Sunday mornings throughout the summer season.
For the Pops concerts there will be different tier pricing. Sponsor seating will be available for people or companies sponsoring a show. There will be a limited amount of reserved seats at $20. For the bring-your-own-chair general admission open area at $15. All shows are professionally produced by Raven Sound of Erie who has worked with the Pops for many years.
Dan encourages people to patronize nearby restaurants, but they are also starting out with food trucks for those wanting a snack at a concert. Mazza Chautauqua Cellars will offer wine and beer. While he seeks to provide “an affordable way to bring the family out,” ticket prices do not begin to cover costs so they continue to seek contributions and sponsorships.
“It’s interesting that many of our summer visitors are very supportive and generous with financial support. They get it and realize the important value culturally and economically this program brings to the region", says Dalpra.
As more funds become available he’d like to bring ever-bigger performers. And he’d like to get a sponsor to bring back the water ski show .. “That’s on our bucket list!"
The arts are widely recognized as good for business for creating jobs generating business revenues and making communities tourist destinations. “Good attractions draw people.” That creates need for hotels, shops, restaurants, and businesses. And that’s how you revitalize and rebuild communities, Dalpra believes.
Many tribute bands like Brass Transit are making a return appearance this summer. “They have connected with all of us in a way like a close friend .. coming home", said Dalpra.
For years the Bemus Bay Pops has had their own orchestra made up of professional musicians gathered from Chautauqua Institution, Buffalo, Atlanta, Cleveland and Pittsburgh for just a day. They come together Saturday morning rehearse for a few hours and play the show that night. John Marcellus, Professor Emeritus of Trombone at Eastman School of Music and principal trombonist for the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra has been the Pops musical director since 2012.
The Labor Day weekend symphony concert will be topped off with massive fireworks. “If you get a good night with the night sky full of stars and boats in the foreground, it’s magical,” said Dalpra.
I witnessed this in Bemus Point on many Pops summer evenings. It was truly .. magical.
MAKE IT MAYVILLE .. 2021
Be Safe.
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
