About - CMAC

About CMAC

The History of CMAC

1983: In 1983 the Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center was founded and in 1983 it opened on the Finger Lakes Community College campus by Marvin Sands, founder of Canandaigua Wine Company, and other community leaders. Marvin founded CMAC (Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center) because he realized the important role that arts and culture play in the quality of the community.

2005: In early 2005 a group of community leaders met with Richard Sands, Executive Vice Chairman of Constellation Brands, and Rob Sands, Executive Chairman of Constellation Brands, to discuss how their leadership, along with others in the community might pull together in continuing Marvin’s dream and ensuring that the center would not ‘go dark.’

First-Class Venue

2006: In 2006, this $13.5 million facility is the result of a privately-funded undertaking through the sale of 54 VIP boxes. Constellation Brands secured the naming rights. This state-of-the-art facility nurtures the arts for our community and provides the ultimate venue for music and entertainment. CMAC features 5,000 covered seats and lawn seating for up to 10,000 guests.

Top Notch Performers

In recent years, CMAC has attracted sold out shows and top-notch musical performers such as: Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, Bob Dylan, Mumford & Sons, Kid Rock, Snoop Dogg, The Allman Brothers, Tom Petty and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

support canandaigua lake, one ticket at a time!

This year, we’re proud to announce a new initiative that gives every CMAC guest the chance to make a positive impact. For every ticket sold, $1 will be donated to the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council, helping protect the lake we all love.

Your night of unforgettable music now does even more—supporting clean water, healthy ecosystems, and long-term stewardship of Canandaigua Lake. The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council works year-round on crucial projects like water quality monitoring, erosion prevention, habitat protection, and sustainable shoreline practices.

By attending a show, you’re helping keep Canandaigua Lake vibrant and thriving for generations to come. Enjoy the music. Support the lake. Make a difference—one ticket at a time.

Launched in 2025, Friends of Canandaigua Lake is a new public-private partnership committed to accelerating the implementation of critical lake-saving projects across our watershed.

In coordination with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council (CLWC), there is a six-year, $50 million goal to implement natural capital projects — protecting water quality, increasing flood resiliency, and leaving a lasting legacy for our lake.

To make it happen, we’re raising $15 million in private support to compliment $35 million in public funding and in-kind contributions from federal, state, and local partners.

About CMAC

The History of CMAC

First-Class Venue

Top Notch Performers

support canandaigua lake, one ticket at a time!

This year, we’re proud to announce a new initiative that gives every CMAC guest the chance to make a positive impact. For every ticket sold, $1 will be donated to the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council, helping protect the lake we all love.

By attending a show, you’re helping keep Canandaigua Lake vibrant and thriving for generations to come. Enjoy the music. Support the lake. Make a difference—one ticket at a time.

Launched in 2025, Friends of Canandaigua Lake is a new public-private partnership committed to accelerating the implementation of critical lake-saving projects across our watershed.

In coordination with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council (CLWC), there is a six-year, $50 million goal to implement natural capital projects — protecting water quality, increasing flood resiliency, and leaving a lasting legacy for our lake.

To make it happen, we’re raising $15 million in private support to compliment $35 million in public funding and in-kind contributions from federal, state, and local partners.

This is more than a campaign—it’s our chance to leave a legacy. Be part of something that lasts. Help protect Canandaigua Lake today.

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About CMAC

The History of CMAC

First-Class Venue

Top Notch Performers

support canandaigua lake, one ticket at a time!

This year, we’re proud to announce a new initiative that gives every CMAC guest the chance to make a positive impact. For every ticket sold, $1 will be donated to the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council, helping protect the lake we all love.

By attending a show, you’re helping keep Canandaigua Lake vibrant and thriving for generations to come. Enjoy the music. Support the lake. Make a difference—one ticket at a time.

Launched in 2025, Friends of Canandaigua Lake is a new public-private partnership committed to accelerating the implementation of critical lake-saving projects across our watershed.

In coordination with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council (CLWC), there is a six-year, $50 million goal to implement natural capital projects — protecting water quality, increasing flood resiliency, and leaving a lasting legacy for our lake.​

To make it happen, we’re raising $15 million in private support to compliment $35 million in public funding and in-kind contributions from federal, state, and local partners.​

This is more than a campaign—it’s our chance to leave a legacy. Be part of something that lasts. Help protect Canandaigua Lake today.

In coordination with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council (CLWC), there is a six-year, $50 million goal to implement natural capital projects — protecting water quality, increasing flood resiliency, and leaving a lasting legacy for our lake.

To make it happen, we’re raising $15 million in private support to compliment $35 million in public funding and in-kind contributions from federal, state, and local partners.