Warrant , the glam metal band whose hits include "Heaven" and "Cherry Pie," will headline the Rochesterfest Saturday Street Dance this summer.
Bringing in the internationally touring band marks quite a difference from previous years when the city festival featured regionally known acts such as Hairball, a popular 1980s rock tribute band.
So how did festival officials land the big name?
By asking Steve Schmidt, general manager of Riverside Concerts, for help, said Carole Brown, executive director of Rochesterfest. "He has lots and lots of contacts."
And although Schmidt was more than willing to help, the Rochesterfest committee had never asked him before.
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"We won't make that mistake again," Brown said. "We're really excited about this."
A formal announcement about the concert and the complete Rochesterfest schedule is slated for May 3 during the Rochesterfest button kickoff. Presale tickets for the Street Dance featuring Warrant on June 25 will be available at that time, Brown said.
Anyone who purchases a presale ticket for $10 will be entered into a drawing for a special "meet and greet" with the band, she said. At the gate, tickets will be $15, or $13 with a Rochesterfest button.
Warrant has five Billboard Top 40 singles and its 1990 album "Cherry Pie" went double platinum. The band is finishing a new album and is headed out on an Australian tour with LA Guns and Quiet Riot this month, with U.S., South American and European tours planned later this year.
Depending on the response by the community, Brown said, Rochesterfest could be a place for bigger name acts in the future.
