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illustration of New York City inside an apple
illustration of New York City inside an apple
  • May 5, 2022
  • Doug Osborne-Coy

Start spreading the news - a Rockefeller Arts Center pops favorite is returning to a live and in-person format.

“Commencement Eve-Pops: Salute to the Big Apple” takes place on Friday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. in King Concert Hall.

Tickets are available by phone at 716-673-3501 and online. This is a DFT Communications Pops event presented as part of the Lake Shore Savings Season.

From Duke Ellington’s classic “Take the A Train” and Frank Sinatra’s iconic “New York, New York” to Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind" and Weather Report’s “Birdland,” more than 3,000 songs have been written about New York City or one of its famous landmarks.

A full evening of some of the most-loved tunes about the city that never sleeps have been chosen for this special night. Addition tunes include “Pennsylvania 6-5000,” “New York State of Mind,” “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” “On Broadway,” and many more.

The show, which is a Fredonia tradition spanning almost three decades, will feature 10 of Fredonia’s most talented student singers and dancers, backed up by the 17-piece Fredonia Jazz Orchestra directed by Dr. Nick Weiser.

Rockefeller Director Jefferson Westwood serves as producer while Department of Theatre and Dance faculty members Paul Mockovak and Jessica Lustig serve as choreographer and costume designer, respectively.