Concert Review By Bob Silvestri
bobsilvestri@bestofwny.com

     The 8th Annual Music is Art Festival was held on the grounds of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery on September 11th, 2010. This year's theme was Magic Mayhem and featured an assortment of entertainment to thrill the huge turnout. The twelve hour festival features over 40 bands from every conceivable genre, over 50 artists, live DJ's, a kid's village featuring music and arts and crafts, dancers, food and more. The event has morphed from a good time thing among friends to one of the biggest and best festivals the city offers and a great way to wrap up the summer. Kids, families, seniors and an assortment of the regions finest characters show up some of those even dressed as characters from Vikings to bagpipe players to science fiction aliens to gore and even a Marilyn Manson look alike. It's all done in good taste and humor. After all we are trying to make a statement that music along with many others forms of expression is art in some sense. But don't be fooled about all the good times though, the mission of Music is Art is to raise funds for philanthropic purposes and a good portion of their funds come thru the MIA Fest and helps contribute to their other programs.

     Hosting this year's mayhem was Rudy Coby who helped MC the event and worked the crowd all day. The three main stages featured each artist performing two selections. This made for some interesting and inspired sets and many bands realized you had to give your best shot to get the crowd's attention. After some early morning dance sets from various local companies, The Heavenly Chillbillies shook out any cob webs with a blistering noontime set of cow-punk rock. Nelson Starr and The Benjamins featuring Guillermo Izquierdo on guitar were stellar while stealing the show was Declan Miers and the Scorched Earthlings featuring Eric Crittenden on sax. Making their second consecutive appearance at the festival the band turned in a blistering "The Thrill is Gone" with ten year old guitarist Miers tearing up the fret board and a version of The Beatles "Hey Bulldog". The Pillagers made the most of their two song set as did McCarthyizm, Blood Thirsty Vegans and Gruvology. Adding an ethnic touch to their music and the festivities were Those Idiots with their Polka-rock interpretations and the Celtic laced Stone Row. Some of the young bright stars turning in impressive sets were Grace Stumberg, Dallas Pace and Final Conspiracy. Thanks to Robby Takac, Louis Grachos and the staffs of Music is Art and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery for the fine job they do in putting on this festival. For more information about the festival, the mission of Music is Art and to get involved go to www.musicisart.org

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