FUN MATTERS

Hello Everyone,

We are excited to start our 2021 season this summer on July 10^th with the world class Hotel California Eagles show at 8 pm.  We have a terrific lineup all summer long.  You won’t be disappointed!  We plan to make sure the location and staff will be safe and compliant with all protocols.  We will be announcing new hospitality vendors, special event fireworks and other exciting surprises this season.

We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. 

As we continue to endure the challenges of emotional, physical and mental issues at hand, we are people with unshakeable faith, strength and optimism.  We will never give up!

“Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”

Let’s get fired up, look forward and make this summer the best ever!

The Chautauqua Lake Pops is a not-for-profit organization. We operate on an extremely thin budget with minimal staff and volunteers.  We need to raise $485,000 for this year’s program.  Help us help you and your community as we return and stimulate the entire region on all fronts.

It’s up to you to donate, become a sponsor, purchase season passes, tickets and beyond. We ask for your generosity to keep the Pops program afloat.  Visit our website www.chautauqualakepops.com/become-a-sponsor to support this community treasure.  It is time to have some FUN!

It doesn’t matter when we start.

It doesn’t matter where we start.

All that matters is we start.

God Bless,

Dan Dalpra

CEO - Chautauqua Lake Pops

 

 

A Walk Down Memory Lane 

Part One

Upon marking a year since publishing the first blog story on March 3, 2020 I have  written over 200 stories taking my readers back through the years in Bemus Point as the Bemus Bay Pops and as the Chautauqua Lake Pops in 2019, the first year Dan launched the summer concert series in Mayville.  Below are twelve Pops photos, frozen in time, that are among my favorites. Being that there are so many this is Part One in a Five Part Series.  Many of you will recall these random special times along with me .. from "fireworks to fisherman" so sit back and relive the fun, the magic and the moments.   

Pat Locke

Maestro Muse

I took this photo in 2017 showing the back of one red swivel chair announcing the celebration of the Bemus Bay Pops 20th Anniversary.  It was a fun summer of celebration that included the following tribute performances:

Beatles; Monkees, Beach Boys, Frankie Valli; Bee Gees; Jimmy Buffett; Moody Blues; Absolute Journey; Eagles; Ruby Shooz; Rod Stewart; Eric Clapton; Elton John (Elton Rohn); Chicago (Brass Transit); Country Legends which included Garth Brooks and Keith Urban; Louis Prima Jr. & the Witnesses; Fleetwood Mac; The Violin Femmes; Everly Brothers; Shadows of the 60s; Bob Seger; Boogie Wonder Band; Neil Diamond; Janice Martin who performed a magical, musical and aerial extravaganza featuring a world class violinist while performing aerial acts.

In 2017, a Cultural Excellence Scholarship was established with $1,000 scholarships.  These were awarded to Chautauqua County High School Seniors who demonstate excellence in an art form.  The BBP awarded a minimum of (2) $1,000 scholarships.  Students from any Chautauqua County public, private, parochial or home-schooled were encouraged to apply.

The 20th anniversary turned out to be the final summer concert in Bemus Point though we didn't know it at the time. Sadly, 2018 was a summer without the beloved Pops though in 2019 we were able to enjoy another Pops season with a new and exciting location in Chautauqua County .. Mayville NY.

See you in 2021.  Make It Mayville!



Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

The correlation between Dan Dalpra and Harold Hill who was portrayed by Robert Preston in the 1962 film, the Music Man is this .. they both are promoters of music, in their own right.  One in film and one in Bemus Point NY.  In the iconic film 'Professor' Harold Hill arrived in River City, Iowa to promote music as did Dan Dalpra.  Dan arrived in Bemus to promote music along with his love of Italian food and bringing the arts to the people through the magic of music. Magic that first emanated from the roof of Dan's restaurant resulting a few years later in the magic finding its way to an amazing covered stage .. that floats!  

One of the iconic songs in the Music Man is Seventy Six Trombones.  When the Bemus Bay Pops Symphony Orchestra took to that restaurant roof in Bemus Point the conductor was the esteemed, Bruce Morton Wright.  Upon his untimely passing the conductor's baton passed to a master of the trombone, John Marcellus who played trombone with the symphony orchestra before becoming its renowned conductor. 

Seventy Six Trombones was composed by Meredith Willson and arranged by Leroy Anderson who wrote Sleigh Ride and played by almost every high school band during the holiday season.  I played clarinet in my high school band and Sleigh Ride was always among the holiday selections.  The conductor was Mr. Lyman Wood.  

Seventy Six Trombones led the big parade, With a hundred & ten cornets close at hand.  They were followed by rows and rows, Of the finest virtuosos, The cream of every famous band.  Seventy six trombones caught the morning sun, With a hundred & ten cornets right behind. There were over a thousand reeds, Springing up like weeds, There were horns of every shape & size.  There were copper bottom timpani in horse platoons, Thundering, thundering, all along the way. Double bell euphoniums and big bassoons, Each bassoon having its big fat say. There were fifty mounted canons in the battery, Thundering, thundering, louder than before. Clarinets of every size, And trumpets who'd improvise. A full octave higher than the score!  Seventy six trombones hit the counterpoint, While hundred and ten cornets blazed away.  To the rhythm of Harch! Harch! Harch! All the kids began to march, And they're marching still right today! 

The word, harsh in the lyrics is the command issued by the Drum Major of a marching band.

The Heartland Music Festival Orchestra 

Performing Seventy Six Trombones

For those who have been Pops concert-goers throughout the 20 years in Bemus Point we thank you. Those amazing years made Dan "the music man" of Chautauqua County, then and now .. with the Pops having relocated to Mayville in 2019.  

The Pops tradition continues .. 

Thank you, Dan.   

Pat Locke, Maestro Muse

  

"I Begin With An Idea and Then It Becomes Something Else."

Pablo Picasso

The Bemus Bay Pops for many years now renamed the Chautauqua Lake Pops began with an idea and continues to become a landmark destination where charitable passion and creativity meet.  Each season the Pops strives to bring innovative  programming to culturally stimulate all ages of our community and to those who visit Chautauqua Lake in beautiful Chautauqua County each summer.   

The 2019 star-studded Pops programming did not disappoint.  It continued the mission of creating a lifetime of memories and growth for our community from our great tribute shows, Lake Night at the Movies to our Labor Day weekend finale with fireworks and the Chautauqua Lake Pops Symphony Orchestra made up of talented musicians throughout the county and surrounding areas. 

Creative collaboration with other organizations and introducing reserved seating has been instrumental in keeping the floating stage afloat through the years.   We have created over $15 million dollars in economic development, annually, for the entire region.  In spite of difficult economic times through the years, we continue to move forward creating jobs and stimulating the economic and social growth for everyone!  

Partnership has been a Key to the Pops Success

The Pops appreciates the generous corporate and individual partners who have invested their money and personal services to continue to make the Chautauqua Lake Pops a major economic and cultural engine for the entire region.  The website, chautauqualakepops.com is full of information with easy access to all the Pops programs plus links to many great opportunities for making your experience memorable.  

You can help continue the mission of providing our region with unlimited programing of Bringing the Arts to the People for everyone to enjoy.  

Become a partner of the Chautauqua Lake Pops and benefit today.  All proceeds help fund the Chautauqua Lake Pops program which is a 501C3 Not For Profit organization. For every dollar spent on the Pops it returns $40 back to the region .. an amazing 40:1 ratio.  When you support the Chautauqua Lake Pops you not only enhance our combined quality of life, but you also invest in Chautauqua County's economic well-being.

It's the best investment anyone can make for growing the region!  

"We are deeply grateful for your support and will cherish your friendship and lifetime of memories and dreams." 

Dan Dalpra, Founder and CEO
Chautauqua Lake Pops 

"Understanding and acknowledging the incredible economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture, we must always remember their fundamental value.  They foster beauty, creativity, originality and vitality.  The arts inspire us, soothe us, provoke us, involve us and connect us.  But they also create jobs and contribute to the economy."

Robert L. Lynch
President & CEO Americans for the Arts



"The nonprofit arts industry not only provides cultural benefits to our communities, but also makes significant positive economic contributions to the Nation's fiinancial well being regardless of the overall state of the economy.  This certainly is something to applaud."

Jonathan Spector
President & CEO, The Conference Board




"As a banker, I have visited businesses in almost every city and town in Oklahoma.  There is a visible difference in places with a vibrant arts community.  I see people looking for places to park, stores staying open and restaurants packed with diners.  The business day is extended and the cash registers are ringing."

Ken Fergeson
Past President, American Bankers Association



"Mayors understand the connection between the arts industry and city revenues.  Arts activity creates thousands of direct, indirect jobs and generates many dollars in government and business revenues.  The arts also makes our communities' destinations for tourists, help attract and retain businesses and play an important role in the economic revitalization of communities and the vibrancy of our neighborhoods."

Michael A. Nutter, Philadelphia Mayor
President, The United States Conference of Mayors 2012-2013



"Many businesses support the arts across the country because they intuitively understand that the arts matter, so it is great to get the facts and a clearer understanding of the links between the arts and economic prosperity."

Stephen Jordan, Executive Director Business Civic Leadership Center U.S. Chamber of Commerce



By demonstrating that investing in the arts and culture yields economic benefits, studies lay to rest a common misconception that communities support the arts and culture at the expense of local economic development.  In fact, they are investing in an industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue and is a cornerstone to tourism!  Studies show conclusively that .. the arts mean business! 

Sponsorship opportunities are available at the following levels:

Ambassador, Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Go on the newly designed Chautauqua Lake Pops website to learn more.

Thank You. 

Pat Locke

Maestro Muse