"Elton Rohn is absolutely the best Elton John tribute in North America."

Dan Dalpra, Chautauqua Lake Pops 

"We have had the fortune of playing this series multiple times.  It's a thrill to be able to perform with an orchestra anytime .. but this series does have something special.  The idea of having a floating stage does give it a unique atmosphere.  The players are so good that you find yourself drifting during the songs into another place.  Sometimes the music just takes you away.  A very talented bunch of musicians there.  And the fact that it's so well organized makes it a joy to play it.  From the time we arrive to the time we leave, it's a great gig.  It's the great people we get to work with including a great sound tech team and Dan Dalpra is a real pro heading up the event.  He makes it so easy for us to have an enjoyable time.  And, the audience is so appreciative.  It's a highlight to be able to play this event.  Looking forward to doing it again."

Elton Rohn

This Grand 101.1 FM radio interview was with Canadian host, Vic Folliet who chatted with Elton Rohn about the band and his history in the Canadian recording industry.  Rohn mentions the Pops during the interview.  Enjoy!

"The Elton Rohn tribute band, with whom several of us collaborated at the Bemus Bay Pops under the direction of Lenny Solomon, was absolute perfection.  Many of us have played with other tribute bands, but this one?  These guys were ONE.  Their superb, individual instrumental and vocal musicianship blended in seamless ensemble with the driving, intense creative energy of the Elton John repertoire, and Ron at the piano was just an out of this world replica of the legend, himself.   Their performance was beyond electrifying hands down outstanding. Elton Rohn is the best tribute on the planet. Period."

Ruth Ann Scanzillo, Principal Cello Bemus Bay Pops Orchestra and Erie Chamber Orchestra Erie PA

Songs like Bennie and the Jets, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Don't Let The Sun Go Down, Crocodile Rock and dozens more are always heard at an Elton Rohn concert including the beloved Candle in the Wind written and recorded by Sir Elton John.  The lyrics were about Marilyn Monroe and later rewritten and performed at the beloved Princess Diana's funeral by Sir Elton John.

Rest in Eternal Peace, Miss Monroe

Rest in Eternal Peace, Princess Diana

.. And I would have liked to have known you, but I was just a kid.  Your candle burned out long before Your legend ever did .. 

Elton Rohn Performing Candle In The Wind 

"When the Elton Rohn band rolled into Barrie, Ontario for a concert on the 4th of July a splendid time was guaranteed by all.  An enthusiastic crowd who had been promenading their way through several days of festivities were given a chance to let their hair down and rock with the best Elton John tribute act I have ever seen.  The band members are all seriously talented musicians and Elton Rohn, or just Ron to his friends, is so like the real Elton John you can close your eyes and not tell the difference.  

Philadelphia Freedom got things going and the classics followed in a remarkable sequence of songs that made you remember where you were when they first came out.  The band rocked through a rousing Pinball Wizard with some great guitar playing and some athletic posturing from the star-spangled man at the piano.  

Crazy glasses and piano acrobatics aside, it must be said that Elton Rohn is a master at the ivories!"   

Paul Russell, journalist (Paul is a contributor to the Q107 Classic Rock Series, a record collector and an Elton expert)

"When Elton Rohn's guitarist, Davey Johnstone, tells you that you are the most authentic Elton John tribute act he's ever witnessed, you know you must be doing something right.  The show includes the Elton Rohn Band which is a full seven piece band.  Every note is played live, no sound tracks and there is full part harmony." 

I have seen an Elton Rohn concert on the floating stage in Bemus Point and it was like seeing Captain Fantastic, in person!  Prior to the concert an unexpected encounter happened to me which I will never forget!  It involved meeting a very special person in Bemus!

Before the concert that summer I was looking at the billboards near the walkway to the floating stage that list the 2017 summer entertainment.  A gentleman came by to look at the billboard and I immediately pointed to Elton Rohn's concert date which was that very night!  As I turned toward the gentleman I heard him say .. "I'm that guy".  After quickly collecting my thoughts I said hello and shook the hand of Elton Rohn!  Robin Grandin, a local singer, was standing there at the time so I quickly took this fun photo! Thank you Elton Rohn for coming to Bemus and for your amazing talent and tribute to Sir Elton John.

"Being Elton is absolute fun.  I get a taste of what it must be like to be Elton because whether you're playing a small theatre or a festival when you look out at the people and they're all singing along to the songs, you realize just how popular this guy is.  It's a celebration of his music.  I totally understand exactly what we are.  We're just broadcasting his music to people so they can have a good time."

Elton Rohn

www.eltonrohn.com


Be Safe.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

                                           

Pittsburgh's premier red-hot Swing, Latin & Jazz band, Dr Zoot can easily switch gears to play a variety of music styles and hits from the 40s through today.  The band's distinctive sound has the ability to maintain its contemporary feel while reaching back across the years to link with the legendary singers who have come before them.

Band members include Sal Ventura, John Oscar, "Smokin O" Menosky, Craig "Izzy" Arlet, Mark Snyder, Jay Constable and Jason May.  Their influences include Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole. 

The seven-piece ensemble includes horn section (trumpet, trombone and saxophone), keyboards, drums, upright bass and guitar.  Dr. Zoot's song list covers it all from Swing & Jazz, Dance/Pop, Rock & Oldies, R&B/Motown to Latin and music they refer to as Lounge music with songs such as The Lady Is A Tramp, Witchcraft, Fly Me To the Moon and Beyond the Sea which was a big hit for the late Bobby "Mack the Knife" Darin.  

1956 Chrysler in Shell Pink

Some of their great Motown selections are I Can't Help Myself, Ain't To Proud to Beg, My Girl, Shout, Midnight Hour, It's Alright, Shotgun, I Feel Good, Heard It Through The Grapevine, Hold On I'm Comin' and Knock on Wood.

At first, it was just a weekday gig in 1998 at a small swing club in Pittsburgh's South side.  All the musicians had good weekend work in other bands, but the band grew in popularity and soon Dr Zoot was .. packin' em in! 

Eventually, it was time to record!

By the time Dr Zoot's first CD "Ghosts of Swing" was released they were playing the city's largest rooms nearly every night of the week!  It seemed time to take the show on the road.  So, in 2013, Dr Zoot traveled to Bemus Point and appeared on the Bemus Bay Pops floating stage on August 10.

The band continues to thrill their audiences from the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City NJ, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville in Key West to fine clubs and all venues in-between. 

Be safe.

Pat Locke

Maestro Muse

SPIRITS STRONG


Birthdays aren't cancelled  ..                                                               


Hope isn't quarantined  ..


First Words aren't delayed ..


Caring isn't postponed ..


Courage isn't on hold ..


And Love hasn't stopped ..

This was posted earlier on May 23 though I felt it needed to be viewed, once again.


Be safe.  Be kind.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

June 3, 2020

Chautauqua Lake Pops Postpones Reopening to 2021

Due to the uncertainty and safety concerns with the ongoing COVID-19 situation, it is with deep regret we have decided to postpone our 2020 floating stage program in Mayville NY.

We are confident that America is beginning to move in the right direction. Our decision will provide another layer of safety and time for everyone to recover from this unprecedented global pandemic.

Current protocols and uncertainty of the CDC, NYS, and Chautauqua County health guidelines, determined that our decision to postpone our summer series is the most responsible choice.

The artists booked for this season are being contacted to move their scheduled performance on the floating stage to similar mirrored dates in 2021. As we move forward, we will honor all of the 2020 advance season pass purchases to our 2021 schedule. Season pass refunds will require all passes returned via mail with written instructions. We hope you will allow us to just transfer your pass to the 2021 season to help us stay afloat. Individual ticket holders we are just moving your tickets to the mirrored date in 2021 no need to exchange them as we move forward for 2021. If a refund is preferred, please contact us via this email for your refund.  dan@chautauqualakepops.com 

Our office is closed for now so no one is available to accept phone calls. 

The goal for 2021 is to produce the best season ever. That is a promise. We, too, will be grateful to return to a time of enjoying our family, friends and community on the shores of Chautauqua Lake. We encourage you to help us keep the Pops afloat with your continued support. Thanks to all of our Sponsors, Season Pass and Ticket Holders for your continued support and loyalty. 

On behalf of our organization and the entire Board of Directors, we thank you for your understanding and support. Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you again soon. Watch for continued updates on our website:   www.chautauqualakepops.com  

God Bless Everyone,

Dan Dalpra

Founder/CEO

Chautauqua Lake Pops

PO Box 9250 . Bemus Point, NY 14712 . Phone: (716)969-3989

Board of Directors: Dan Dalpra/CEO-President, David VanAmburg/VP, 

Paul Stage/Director, Andrew Goodell/Sec, Richard Wight/Director 

Praise on the Lake 2019

This photo was taken last year during one of the weekly prayer services that has been a spiritual element of the Pops scheduled programming for many years.  Sadly, in 2020 we have been confronted with the challenge of COVID-19.  Then, as if that wasn't enough, we have had to face the recent racial tension that started in Minneapolis Minnesota on Monday, May 25 with subsequent protests both peaceful and, sadly, violent spread across the United States of America.  During times like these we all must look inward as we watch disturbing images continually being broadcast from cities across this Nation.

When times get difficult, it can feel as though you're fighting your life every step of the way.  Whether it's navigating personal issues like a relationship ending, losing your job, fighting a disease or a more global issue like the unexpected rise of fear, anger and bigotry in your community.  You feel like there is nothing you do can create a sense of peace or calm.  Your world loses its safe places and becomes a myriad of complexities that seem to require more energy to navigate through both physically and emotionally. 

It's during times like these that you can't help but wonder if there is something outside yourself that you can rely on .. something you can turn to in order to find that peaceful, comforting sanctuary.  This journey usually requires the uneasy task of abandoning reliance on your own ability to figure it all out and cultivating an independence on something that cannot be fully explained or made to fit into life's neat little boxes.

It's a journey of developing your faith .. something that can provide a sense of purpose for you today or any difficult day. The next time you find yourself in a tough spot, here are a few ways to cultivate your faith and not lose hope in today's world and what is happening around you. 

Stay Connected ..  Each person has a way of dealing with difficult times in life.  Some turn towards other people, relying on their support systems to hold them up and get them through the hard times.  Others are more apt to retreat into themselves.  If you fall into that category, its time to stop denying yourself the beauty that comes with sharing vulnerability with other people. 

Practice Patience .. There is beauty to be found in the journey .. in the slow arduous journey.  A flower seed is not designed to bloom in a day; a butterfly does not spread its wings in a cocoon.  Take your cues from nature and take the opportunity to slow down during these times of unrest and take one day at a time.  

Continue Your Practice .. There are many practices to maintain through difficult times.  Many find ways to cope through yoga, meditation or physical exercise though  for many others it is through .. music.  

Root Yourself in Truth .. When you're faced with a challenging time, your mind can work itself sick trying to make sense of it all.  You're bombarded with thoughts of why, why not, and what could be next?  What does it mean when my community no longer accepts differences? This isn't the time to restructure your belief system.  There might be a time to reshape your faith, but in the midst of troubling times trust your intuition and what you already know to be true. Stand firm in the beliefs and values that have served you well over the years. Spend time with those who will fill you with hope and remind you of that truth. 

Serve Others ..  Human suffering is universal and connects you with others in a meaningful way.  Supporting others can help your mind, body and soul recognize that there is a world beyond your own hurt.  You have a unique opportunity to help create a world of healing for others.


We all have our own trials and tribulations though by trying to understand how it feels to walk in another man's shoes we can hopefully make this a better world even when all we see around us is hate and bigotry, more so now than ever before in our Nation's history.


During the 2019 season the Pops brought to the floating stage, a Queen tribute band.  Queen recorded a song entitled The Show Must Go On.  In 2021, we have faith that the Pops show will be able to .. go on.  Other songs about overcoming obstacles are Roar and Firework by Katy Perry, Stronger by Kelly Clarkson, Hero by Mariah Carey, When You Believe by Whitney Houston duet with Mariah Carey, Rise Up by Andrea Day, Stop Believing by Journey, Up by Shania Twain, I'm Still Standing by Elton John and Let It Be by The Beatles.  Let It Be is about finding oneself in times of trouble and darkness, spirituality, words of wisdom, finding answers, having light and shining even in darkness and .. sometimes you can't change the world, you can only change your reaction to it.

Music is always there .. you can rely on it.  Music never lets you down.  It's a source of hope that never dims or diminishes.  It's a constant spring of beats, sounds and living. Music holds all sorts of powers .. some of them seem even more important in the harshness of the troubled times we face, today.  Music is, of course, a great source of escape and distraction. It allows us to get away from things.  It can guide our attention from our preoccupations and toward something else, letting us, if only for a short while, settle or set-aside our worries.  Music doesn't stop us thinking, instead it allows us to reflect about other places, other things, other times, other experiences.  It even transports us to other moments.

Music can't help solve things, but music can help us to cope.

Let It Be was the 12th and final studio album by The Beatles.  


Be safe.  Be kind.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse