The building stage left where performers will wait to go on stage
TUSCALOOSA | The tour cameraman/producer Brian Reynolds and I took of the construction site for the new amphitheater being built by the city was fascinating and I hope you will watch our on-location Town Hall Brian shot last Friday.
Brian hard at work
As you can see on the video and in the pictures I shot that are included with this post, one of which shows a the corner of The Tuscaloosa News, which I prefer to think of as our own private sky boxes, the amphitheater is really beginning to take shape and it was a treat to tour the facility with Cliff Penick, the city facilities ad maintenance director. More stories documenting the construction can be found here.
I was most impressed, as we stood dodging construction equipment on a hill of mud not that far from where the stage is taking shape, that Penick said we were approximately where the back row of seats will be.
In other words, the worst seats in the house will be better than many “good” seats at other venues.
Also impressive was the large structure to the left of the stage, which will serve several different functions, including catering, merchandise sales and a green room for performers.
Since the amphitheater is being built as a multi-function facility not just limited to the occasional musical concert, a lot of flexibility is being built into it and I think it will be state-of-the-art when completed next spring.
If so, word-of-mouth should help concert bookers attract top talent to the 7,000-plus venue.
So, who would you like to see as the first act(s) next spring?
Me, I think I’d vote for Merle Haggard, especially since somehow I have never seen him perform.
From behind the stage
Stage taking shape
Working high in the sky
Seating will be on this sloping hillside
Looking north
Worst seat in house
From under the Hugh Thomas Bridge
This was just added this morning
