The Chicago Authority will be in concert at Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater, 39 W. Main St., at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. The event is a fundraiser for the theater’s restoration and the Drums Along the Waterfront Scholarship Fund.
Photo by Justin Sledz
The Chicago Authority is a tribute to the music of one of the most popular and prolific bands of all time: Chicago! Chicago has been one of the top touring acts for 50 years and their 2016 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has skyrocketed their popularity and introduced their 36-album catalog of music to millions of new fans. The Chicago Authority pays tribute to that legacy during a three-hour show that mimics the look and duplicates the sound of the touring band. Those in attendance will hear hits including Make Me Smile, Saturday in the Park, If You Leave Me Now, 25 or 6 to 4, Hard Habit to Break, and Colour My World, plus selected album cuts such as Introduction, In the Country and Flight 602.
“We are so excited to be playing Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater,” stated Rick Johnston, manager of The Chicago Authority. “We love seeing theaters come back to life, and Gowanda has a real gem in the Hollywood. We are proud to assist in raising funds for the restoration and look forward to performing there for years to come.”
“We have hosted a number of events over the years while the restoration of the theater has taken place,” noted Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater President Mark Burr. “The annual Hollywood Happening event has been a large fundraiser for us since its inception 20 years ago. We have also hosted a number of other events in the theater which have allowed the community to see the progress we are making. As we are now on the back end of the restoration process we are excited with what the future will bring to fill the theater. By having The Chicago Authority in concert, the future is now!”
“Chicago is arguably one of the greatest horn bands of all time,” stated Drums Along the Waterfront President Jack Gaylord Jr. “When hearing The Chicago Authority perform, Chicago’s guitarist Keith Howland is quoted as saying ‘Wow! You guys sound killer!’ That is quite an endorsement! And how great it is that a horn band will be helping us raise funds so that kids can play in horn bands through Drums Along the Waterfront scholarships!”
Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater, Ltd. is a nonprofit community group dedicated to the restoration of the Theater. It is the vision and mission of Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater, Ltd. to see the completed theater utilized as a regional center for the visual and performing arts, where families can enjoy movies, concerts and live entertainment.
Drums Along the Waterfront, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c )(3) organization, is an educational, promotional and service arm of the youth drum and bugle corps activity in Western New York. Included in its goals is to continue to build and provide grant funding for local youths to participate in the musical arts, including the drum and bugle corps activity.
The Chicago Authority concert starts at 7 p.m. with the doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event are $20 (all fees/taxes included) and seating is general admission. Only 500 tickets will be sold for this event and they can be purchased online at www.gowandahollywoodtheater.com or charge by phone at (317) 275-1212.
In Gowanda, tickets can be purchased at Gowanda Harley Davidson, McCormack’s Hardware, through Brenda at Community Bank and through Jason at Honk’s Grape & Grain.
Parking is free, and the venue is ADA accessible and can assist any patrons with mobility needs. Food for purchase and a cash bar will be available inside the theater.
For more information on The Chicago Authority, please visit http://thechicagoauthority.com. For information on Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater, visit www.gowandahollywoodtheater.com, and for more information on Drums Along the Waterfront, please visit www.DrumsAlongTheWaterfront.org.
