Press release
80’s and Classic Rock Bands to Headline Batavia Series
BATAVIA – Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced the lineup for their fifth Rockin’ the Downs concert series, presented by Pepsi, which will take place outside on the racetrack, with ten Friday dates, starting in June and running into August.
Kicking off the series on Friday, June 17th will be a double bill of rock with Tommy DeCarlo and Rudy Cardenas. Tommy has been the lead singer of Boston since 2007 and performs all of Boston’s hits from the 70’s and 80’s including More Than a Feeling, Peace of Mind, Hitch A Ride, and more! Opening the show will be Rudy Cardenas, a season 6 American Idol finalist and who will perform a full set of Journey’s classic hits.
Next up, on Friday, June 24th, Batavia Downs welcomes Canadian Rock Band Finger 11. Originating in Burlington, Ontario in 1990, the band has gone on to release 7 studio albums. The Juno Award winning rockers will be performing hits such as One Thing, Paralyzer and others.
Friday, July 1st will see Get the Led Out perform at Batavia Downs. This group of professional musicians are passionate about their love of the music of Led Zeppelin, making it their mission to bring the studio recordings of the Mighty Zep to life on stage. These musicians were fans first and strive to do justice to one of the greatest bands in rock history by touring all across the US and Canada. Songs performed by the band will include Led Zeppelin hits like Black Dog, Immigrant Song, Stairway to Heaven and more!
Returning to Batavia Downs on Friday, July 8th is Theory. Hailing from Delta, British Columbia, the band also known as Theory of a Deadman has turned their hard rock/alternative sound into nine top 10 hits on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, including four number one tracks in Bad Girlfriend, Lowlife, Rx (Medicate) and History of Violence.
Performing on Friday, July 15th is another double bill of great music, this time with Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone. Peter Noone is a multi-talented entertainer, who achieved international fame as Herman, lead singer of the legendary Sixties pop band Herman’s Hermits. His classic hits include: I’m Into Something Good, Mrs. Brown, you’ve Got A Lovely Daughter, I’m Henry VIII, I Am.
Earlier that evening The Grass Roots will take the stage having originated in the Mid-60’s and charted with such hits as; Midnight Confessions, Let’s Live for Today, Sooner or Later and Temptation Eyes. Current Band Line up of Mark Dawson, Dusty Hanvey, Larry Nelson and Joe Dougherty rocked Batavia Downs last summer with an inspired performance.
On Friday, July 22nd, Batavia Downs welcomes back Southern Rock legends Molly Hatchet. Originating in Jacksonville in 1978, the band has gone on to release 14 studio albums. They’ll be performing hits such as Flirtin’ with Disaster, Dreams I’ll Never See and Whiskey Man. Opening for them will be American Southern Rock Band Blackfoot, who will beplaying such hits as Train, Train and Highway Song.
Rocking the stage on Friday, July 29th is the legendary band, 38 Special. After forming in Jacksonville in 1974, they have currently achieved over $20 Million in sales. Their signature blast of Southern Rock is unmistakable with such arena-rock pop smashes as Hold On Loosely, Rockin’ Into the Night, and Caught Up in You.
America’s top Pink Floyd Show, The Machine returns to the Batavia Downs stage on Friday, August 5th. For over 30 years they have extended the legacy of Pink Floyd, while creating another legacy all their own. Over the years, The Machine has touched the hearts and souls of many with their stellar musicianship, dramatic lighting and video performances. Last year’s performance at Batavia Downs was well received by one of the largest crowds of the summer.
Making his Batavia Downs debut on Friday, August 12th is Mike DelGuidice – Recording Artist/Singer/Songwriter who is currently on tour with Billy Joel.
Mike DelGuidice now lives a dream come true. In October of 2013, Billy Joel was so impressed with Mike’s singing, Joel personally hired Mike to join his band.
And now you can see Mike on tour with Billy Joel all over the US & world in major arenas and stadiums including every month at the iconic Madison Square Garden. Mike and his band play all of Billy Joel’s big hits. They will also perform a few astonishing renditions of other classic rock hits, plus some of Mike’s own original work.
Closing out the series on Friday, August 19th is the Dire Straits Experience. With former Dire Straits member Chris White, this stellar collection of professional musicians has been paying homage to one of the greatest songbooks of all time with tours across the world. They will be playing all Dire Straits’ major hits, in all their ambition, grandeur and aching beauty. These songs are once again presented live for the fans that that have kept them alive.
“We are looking forward to hosting what we feel is the best Concert Series Line-up we’ve ever had,” said Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO for Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. “We’re appreciative to the folks at Pepsi for being our headline sponsor this year and excited to welcome back charities like Make-A-Wish Western New York & Volunteers for Animals who raise funds for their organizations through the chair rental and guitar raffle.”
Tickets for all ten concerts will be available at www.BataviaConcerts.com only beginning on Thursday, December 2nd at 10am.
Tickets this year will be $15 for General Admission, $30 for VIP, $50 for Premium and debuting this year, limited tickets for $75 will guarantee a front row spot. All tickets can be redeemed at Player’s Club at any time in the three days following the concert for $15 Free Play to be used on one of Batavia Downs Gaming’s 800+ gaming machines.
Season Tickets are also back and will also go on sale for General Admission, VIP and Premium Sections. A Season pass for General Admission will be $100 (a savings of $50) and purchasers will receive a $50 Free Play Voucher valid to be used within one month of purchase. Season Passes for VIP tickets are $250 (a savings of $50) with the purchaser receiving $100 in Free Play Vouchers. A Premium Season Pass is $450 (a savings of $50) with the purchaser receiving a $150 in Free Play Vouchers. Season passes may only be purchased online.
For the month of December until Christmas, tickets purchased online for the General Admission section will be only $10. Concert goers will still receive $15 in Free Play on show day with this ticket.
Suite Packages for the Hotel at Batavia Downs are available for $500 and include 10 Lawn Tickets. To book a suite package, contact Sara Tenney at 585-344-6155.
Concerts are held Rain or Shine. Additional information may be found at www.BataviaDownsGaming.com.