I f the point of Rockin’ the Knox on September 7th was to raise money to support the Albright-Knox Art Gallery; if it’s purpose was to offer a delectable smorgasbord of entertain- ment melding art and music; if it’s goal was to attract more attention to the Gallery from a younger sector of our population, then their aim was not only true. . .it rocked the expectations of fundraising-dom out to the ionisphere. Rockin’ the Knox has been an annual fundraising event fusing music and art for 10 years. In 2005, gallery director Louis Grachos, whose “shoot-for-the-stars” mentality took it outside the gallery and added national acts like Blondie in 2006 and Wilco and My Morning Jacket in 2005. For the past 3 years the talent for the event has been procured by Artie Kwitchoff and Donny Kutzbach of Fun Time Productions. The challenge is to find musicians who appeal to the masses and yet also have some connection to the art world. Elvis Costello was the per- fect fit. Costello’s inno- vative, cross-genre style was just the ticket for its first sellout. The multimedia event took place inside the gallery and outside along Elmwood Avenue. It goes on, rain or shine, and pre- sale tickets were $40 each. Walking into the Elmwood Ave. entrance, we passed a couple of performance artists; one silver-coated “statue” turned toward me as I snapped a photo and another group of artists, wearing artwork on tent cards, played a game of changing places with one another when a whistle blew, to bring home the “Remix” concept of seeing the perma- nent gallery collection re-shuffled. Vendor, drink and food booths lined the parking lot selling T-shirts, posters, liba- tions and noshes to the 5000+ crowd for the 5-11pm stretch. Inside the gallery guests were treated to seeing “Remix the Collection” and “Be- yond / In Western New York 2007.” Jazz was cookin’ in the Sculpture Garden from 5-8pm with per- formances by Billy Baroo Jazz Trio fea- turing Andrew Wegrzyn, Annie Philippone & Pat Mudd, and the Allen Street Jazz Band fea- turing Rose Bond. Outside, on the smaller of the two soundstages, the crowd boogied to 3 local bands, The Stay Lows, Mark Norris and The Backpeddlers, and The Great Train Robbery. The main stage lit up when the red-headed, west coast folk/pop singer, Brett Dennen, kicked things off with his acoustic-based set. The crowd began to assemble and momentum picked up as 20 year old, Paolo Nutini, took the stage next, giv- ing us several UK chart-topping hits like “Jenny Don’t Be Hasty,” which prompted the girls in the crowd to scream “We love you Paolo!” Next came Feist, fresh from releasing her third solo album, The Reminder, and a world- wide tour. The sound was perfect and the pump was primed when Elvis Costello, returning to solo outings after 12 years, took the stage and really got the crowd jazzed when he blasted off his 90 minute performance with one of his classics, “Accidents Will Happen” and then another, “The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes.” Costello was nothing short of mag- nificent. He played to the crowd, gave us what we wanted and then some more. The evening ended after the encore, and appropriately timed “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding” which warmed our hearts and sent Costello on his way to begin his tour of the east coast with Bob Dylan for 13 dates this fall. Rockin’ the Knox has become a highlight of the Buffalo summer concert season, and reminders of what a hip, world-famous art col- lection we have in our midst were everywhere. . . from the number of smiling volunteers. . .to the smiles on the faces of the sold out crowd. ROCKIN’ THE KNOX By Leith Chamberlain Their Aim Was True BY THE NUMBERS: $65,000,000 A/K Endowment Money earmarked for the acquisition of new artwork. $45,000,000 Increase in the A/K Endowment Controversial sale gives the gallery some art world clout. $7,000,000 A/K Operating Budget Staff, utilities, etc. to open the doors. Proceeds of concert go to this line item $25,000 Cost of Largest A/K Corporate Sponsorships M&T and Independent Health ponied up 5000 Tickets Sold. . .All pre-sale $1000 Cost of two V.I.P. Tent tickets Muse/Solé appetizers and free-flowing Moet Champagne 300 Active A/K Volunteers 200 Volunteers at the Event 70 A/K Employees $40 Rockin’ at the Knox pre-sale ticket price 5% Percentage of the A/K Endowment allowed to be spent each year 1 Art Gallery deserving of our support Feist Brett Dennen Paoli Nutini PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEITH CHAMBERLAIN Costello layout 9/22/07 10:45 PM Page 1