Barracuda - America's Tribute to Heart

Barracuda - America's Tribute to Heart

  • UNDER 18 WITH PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN
  • 2024 Rockin' The Downs Summer Concert Series ($10 FP)

Join us for another excited Rockin' the Downs Summer Concert Series with Barracuda!

By Batavia Downs Gaming

Date and time

Starts on Friday, June 28 · 4pm EDT

Location

Batavia Downs - Trackside (Outdoors)

8315 Park Road Batavia, NY 14020

Refund Policy

No Refunds

About this event

O ur 2024 Rockin' the Downs Summer Concert Series is HERE! Tickets available online at BataviaConcerts.com or at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop in our lobby.

Ohhh, Barra-barracuda…

Sell-out crowd goes ‘Crazy On’ Heart tribute band

By Larry Coffey

I recall telling school friends about an incredible new rock band led by two Canadian sisters living and performing in Seattle. I was a 16-year-old senior at Knoxville’s West High School. Rock & roll was primarily a man’s world.

I had purchased Heart’s “Dreamboat Annie” album over the weekend. Ann Wilson’s “Crazy on You” vocals made me crazy on her. It was love at first listen.

A 40-year military career sent me everywhere Heart wasn’t. So, I never saw my beloved Ann Wilson live. I did, however, experience the next best thing May 15 when Nashville-based “Barracuda, America’s Heart Tribute,” performed before a sold-out crowd at Knoxville’s Open Chord.

Barracuda lead vocalist Shareen Ann portrays Ann Wilson. Dare I compare her driving, dramatic soprano vocals to Wilson’s? I’m no professional music critic, but yes.

Music critics and listeners alike describe performances giving them chills. Now I get it, having literally felt those chills as Shareen sang “Crazy on You.”

“Wow,” I thought. “That’s a first.”

“I started this band out of my passion for Heart's music,” Shareen said. “We knew they had taken a break from touring. We wanted to pick up where they left off and keep it going, so their incredible music continues to be heard, loved and appreciated!”

A Rochester, N.Y., native, Shareen cut her musical teeth with her church’s worship team. Her professional music career began singing radio-commercial jingles and recording songwriter demos that writers use to market their work to recording artists and bands.

Originally a country artist, Shareen moved to Nashville in 2000 for more opportunities and continued recording songwriter demos, performing in several bands before starting "Barracuda-America's Heart Tribute."

Powerful lead vocalists like Shareen Ann often succeed backed by an average to good band. That’s not the case with "Barracuda." The musicians - all of them - were amazing.

Lead guitarist Chris R. is one of those musicians. His 35 years of experience are evident in his playing, showmanship and presence. He’s good – very good – but never in your face. He said Eddie Van Halen was his greatest influence. “It was like he was letting you in on the biggest party around,” Chris said.

When the spotlight turned to Chris, he flashed a warm, welcoming, Van Halen-like smile, letting his creative riffs and power chords do his talking and letting his audience in on the biggest party around. And they loved it.

Open Chord’s packed house included local radio personality J.J. Jeffries from Knoxville’s 104.9 Lake FM. With 40-plus in the radio and live music industries, he said he’s very critical of bands.

“This is an incredibly well-crafted band,” he said after the first of two sets. “Their stage presence is amazing. There’s no sign of egos or competition. I love the way they share the stage with one another. The lead vocalist is unbelievable. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear that’s Ann Wilson on that stage. This is how professional musicians are supposed to sound.”

Jeffries said Lake FM’s ‘70s- and ‘80s-focused programming includes Heart’s music and he intends to talk about Barracuda’s performance when the next Heart song comes up in the rotation.

So, what’s my verdict?

I admit to feeling no teenage heart flutters during Shareen Ann's “Crazy on You” vocals, but she and the entire band were crazy good! Do yourself a favor. Go see them! You’ll be singing, “Ooohh, barra-barracuda…”

Larry Coffey is a retired Navy journalist who worked 40 years as a newspaper and TV reporter, and radio and night club DJ and MC.

OPENER: Big Blue Wail Band

OPENER: Hywater Band

DIRECT SUPPORT: Nerds Gone Wild

T icket Prices:

  • GA: $15
  • VIP: $30
  • Premium: $60
  • Front Row: $75

We can't wait to see you there!


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ROCKIN’ THE DOWNS CONCERT SERIES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Where can I purchase General Admission, VIP, and Premium tickets?
A: You may purchase concert tickets online at BataviaConcerts.com OR at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop.

Q: What is the difference between Premium, VIP, and General Admission Seating?
A: Great question! Premium seating guarantees a seat in the first 5 rows behind the Front Row and chairs are provided. VIP also has seats provided and is in the rows directly behind the Premium section.

Please note: Premium and VIP seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, those that arrive earlier will be able to claim the best seats available in their given section.

General Admission seating is in our lawn area. Those who purchase tickets in the lawn section are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs or rent one for $5 from Make-A-Wish. Limited rental chairs are available.

Q: Where do the Rockin’ the Downs Concerts take place?
A: All Rockin’ the Downs concerts will take place outside on the racetrack rain or shine.

Q: Is the Rockin’ the Downs Concert Series at Batavia Downs open to all ages?
A: YES! (Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.)

Q: Are there any free tickets or give-a-ways available?
A: DUE TO LIMITED SEATING THERE ARE NO FREE TICKETS. There will be prize drawings for tickets on the gaming floor.

Q: Can I bring my own chairs/blankets?
A: Yes, you may bring your own chairs for sitting in the General Admission area. VIP ticket holders are not required to bring their own chairs as seating is provided but can use their own chair if desired. Make-A-Wish will have chair rental for $5 (limited chairs are available).

Q: Is there ADA seating?
A: Yes. A designated ADA section is reserved for those who may need extra space. A shuttle will be onsite to transport individuals to and from the gaming facility to the concert venue outside on the racetrack.

Q: Are cameras permitted?
A: Small handheld or personal cameras are allowed. Professional cameras of any kind are not permitted without a media pass.

Q: Can I bring my dog to a Rockin’ the Downs concert?
A: No, unless it is a certified service animal. Paperwork is required.

Q: Is outside food or beverage permitted?
A: No.

Q: Will there be food or beverage for sale?
A: Within the concert venue on the racetrack, multiple food vendors will be on site. Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be available for purchase on-site using drink tickets. Drink tickets will be sold for all beverages purchased.

Q: May I bring in a backpack?
A: No, backpacks and large tote bags are not allowed.

Q: What time do doors open? What time do the bands go on stage?
A: Doors open at 4:00PM for each Rockin’ the Downs concert. Typically, music will start at 5-5:30 PM and the headliner will go on stage at around 8-8:30 PM, depending on the concert.

Q: Are concerts rain or shine?
A: Yes. For the safety of our patrons, concerts will be cancelled in the case of severe weather – i.e. thunder, lightning, or very strong winds. Umbrellas are permitted in case of rain. Please be respectful to other patrons in the concert venue when using an umbrella.

Q: Where do I park?
A: Free parking is available in our parking lot across the street. Valet parking is also complimentary but limited.

Q: How can I redeem the $10 Free Play that comes with my ticket?
A: You must be a Player’s Club member to redeem the concert ticket Free Play. Free Play can be redeemed within 72 hours of the concert date stated on the ticket, starting at 8 am Friday morning of the concert to the following Sunday at midnight. If you already have a Player’s Club card, there is a mobile Player’s Club unit in the Paddock Room to redeem your ticket Free Play or redeem Free Play at Player’s Club on the Gaming Floor. If you are a new member, you can sign up for a Player’s Club card & account at the Player’s Club desk on the Gaming Floor. A Player’s Club member will mark your ticket and print you out a Free Play $10 voucher. Please note, only those 18+ are allowed to redeem free play and enter the gaming floor.

Security Procedures

Visitors attending Rockin’ the Downs concerts throughout the summer are encouraged to arrive early to ensure orderly entry into the concert. Gates open at 4:00 PM for VIP ticket holders and General Admission. Re-entry to and from the concert venue is allowed. Please ensure your belongings and chairs are secured as Batavia Downs is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

In addition, any patron who is removed from the concert and attempts re-entry will be charged with criminal trespassing. Anyone who is removed from the premises by violating these rules is subject to possible arrest and being barred from Batavia Downs property.

All bags and persons are subject to security inspection. The following information is designed to assist in expediting the entry process.

ITEMS THAT MUST BE PLACED ON THE SECURITY INSPECTION TABLES:

      • ALL METAL
      • Bags (Diaper bags and small purses are permitted – No larger than 12 X 12)
      • Cell Phones
      • Keys
      • Electronic Devices
      • Chairs
      • Blankets

PROHIBITED ITEMS AT ROCKIN’ THE DOWNS CONCERTS

·

      • Any item deemed inappropriate or dangerous by security
      • Weapons of any kind
      • Air horns
      • Animals (unless a service animal)
      • Backpacks/Large tote bags
      • Bicycles (within the secure perimeter)
      • Fireworks
      • Glass containers
      • Illegal drugs/drug paraphernalia
      • Laser pointers
      • Outside food or beverage, including coolers (unless have called venue ahead of time for specific medial purposes)
      • Professional video and photo cameras (unless individual has an approved media pass)
      • Selfie sticks, tripods, or monopods

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

    • Any guest who is deemed intoxicated upon arrival will not be permitted to enter.
    • Anyone under the age of 21 who has alcohol on them will be removed from the site.
    • Any adult who provides alcohol to someone under the age of 21 will be removed.
    • Staff will ask for proof of age from anyone wishing to purchase alcohol and those individuals will receive a wristband.
    • Anyone who staff believes to be intoxicated will be immediately removed.

Tickets

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Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel is your one-stop destination for the area’s best entertainment- Home of the Rockin' the Downs Summer Concert Series! We’re home to over 950 in-demand games overseen by our premier staff in an environment made for fun. When it comes to gaming, there’s so much to do and see at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel, you can’t fit it all into one night!