Artpark: Always go to the show

By Dave Wedekindt

Artpark & Company President

In a little more than a month, Artpark has welcomed thousands of people to four concerts in the Amphitheater, three concerts, five graduations and two dance recitals in the Mainstage Theater, celebrated Indigenous friendships with our Strawberry Moon Festival and Red Horizons fashion show, and launched our new “Wonder Wednesdays” series for young children. Our packed summer season is both a marathon and a sprint, so in that spirit we are indeed off and running!

One of the perks of working at Artpark is getting to enjoy a broad range of arts experiences, and this often includes artists I may have known of for many years, yet somehow had yet to experience them live. Recently, that included George Thorogood & The Destroyers, 38 Special, Todd Rundgren, Rick Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young – all over the course of five days. As I grew up in the ’70s and ’80s, these performers were central to popular music, and it was a thrill to enjoy these artists.

I had a bit of a “pinch me” moment when I was having a friendly chat with Paul Young backstage and I was recalling to myself watching him on 1985’s Live Aid and seeing his video for “Everytime You Go Away” in rotation on MTV. And there I was now welcoming him to a venue I lead. Life can be a bit surreal!

Dave Wedekindt

Artpark & Company President

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I also enjoy hearing the feedback from patrons both during and after the shows. The recent show by George Thorogood and 38 Special drew a particularly high level of praise and feedback on our Facebook page. I made note of several people who made comments like “wish I attended,” or “still kicking myself for not going.”

Life can be busy and sometimes other commitments prevent us from catching a show. But have you ever found yourself interested and available to attend a show, but ended up staying at home on the couch only to regret it later?

Well, I’m here to tell you – never miss the show!

One thing I’ve learned as I get older is that life is really about the memories and collected experiences we’ve accumulated over time. Also, time is fleeting and the artists, just like us, won’t be around forever.

Pragmatically speaking, your attendance also helps keep organizations like Artpark going. The arts and entertainment business is very challenging. Competition to attract viable acts is greater and more expensive than ever, margins are slim, and risk is high. And to be frank, a business-minded individual might look at the concert and entertainment business model and say, “This makes no sense!”

So why do we do it? Because when it all comes together, it’s magic and there’s nothing like it, at least in my humble opinion. We at Artpark are also committed to our not-for-profit mission to make the arts as accessible as we can. We’re thankful for the many people who didn’t give up on Artpark Amphitheater concerts after they could no longer be free, and still show up and purchase tickets. A growing number of patrons are also going a step further and supporting us as donors or sponsors as well, and helping Artpark to sustain.

With this said, have you planned your next Artpark experience yet? Here are a few highlights for the coming weeks:

•Artpark’s 15th annual Fairy House Festival (this Saturday, July 12): This annual tradition for the young and young-at-heart is a highlight of the summer for many. This year’s theme has an international music and dance flair along with the magical collection of fairy houses and fun craft-making opportunities.

•Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (Thursday, July 17): New Orleans modern-day legend Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and his band are no strangers to Artpark. They put on a high-energy, all-ages show that’s tough to beat – and people always ask us to bring them back. This time they’ll be supported by another New Orleans mainstay Dumpstaphunk, and Jacksonville’s JJ Grey & Mofro.

•Grace Potter with Johnnyswim (July 19): Grace has played our Amphitheater a few times over the years, and is another artist people always ask us to bring back. She has been influenced by Neil Young, Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell and Sheryl Crow. She’s shared the stage with artists like The Allman Brothers Band, Kenny Chesney and more, and has even performed with the Rolling Stones! Very special support for this concert is Johnnyswim. The husband-and-wife duo of Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez have brought their harmonies and incredible songs to stages and television shows around the world.

•Blackberry Smoke with Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs (July 31): If you’re a fan of such bands as Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Black Crowes, Marshall Tucker Band and the Southern rock sound, then you may already be a fan of Blackberry Smoke, but don’t know it yet! Very special guest for this show will be Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs. Mike is perhaps best known as the co-founder of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Expect to hear music from his solo career, and maybe even some Heartbreakers favorites, too.

These are just a few of the events ahead. Check artpark.net for all the details and purchase your tickets. And I’ll see you there. You know I wouldn’t miss it!

Images provided by Artpark & Company