Merriweather Post Pavillion...Doomed?
Posted: March 18, 2004 10:06 am
The Washington Post put out this article mentioning that Jimmy isn't playing there this year...it also talks about how MWP is still planning to change the type of venue it is.
Pavilion Schedules Big-Name Musicians
Dave Matthews, Sarah McLachlan Among Lineup
By Alicia Cypress
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, March 18, 2004; Page HO03
Merriweather Post Pavilion could have its most attractive concert lineup in years, with performances by the Dave Matthews Band, Sarah McLachlan and Kenny Chesney, organizers said.
In its first year managing the amphitheater, promoter I.M.P. of Bethesda has locked in several other high-profile acts. They include acoustic duo Indigo Girls and crooner Harry Connick Jr., who are part of the Columbia Festival of the Arts from June 18 to 27. In addition, rock band Dashboard Confessional and jazz vocalist and pianist Diana Krall are scheduled. The season begins June 5 and 6 with the Capital Jazz Fest. Last year, the 37-year-old pavilion featured 19 performers.
"To me, the success is not measured by the number but by the kind of show," said Seth Hurwitz, who owns I.M.P. with his partner, Rich Heinecke. "It's only March, and this is probably the best [Merriweather] has seen, but we're not stopping here."
One performer who is not among this year's lineup is perennial favorite Jimmy Buffett, who in the past drew hordes of Parrotheads and sold out his shows in minutes. Buffett is scheduled for a sold-out concert July 3 at Nissan Pavilion in Northern Virginia.
"From what I'm seeing now of our schedule, it's more high profile than in recent years," said Jean Parker, Merriweather's onsite general manager since 1987.
Earlier this year, the pavilion's longtime status as a regional concert venue was in doubt as the Rouse Co., which owns the facility and surrounding land, sought approval to develop the area behind Symphony Woods with up to 1,600 housing units. The proposal would have eliminated a majority of the pavilion's 14,000 lawn seats and converted the amphitheater into a smaller enclosed performing arts center with about 5,000 seats.
But in January, the Howard County Zoning Board unanimously rejected Rouse's plan, opting instead to first study how the limited amount of land left in Columbia Town Center should be developed. Rouse has appealed the decision in Howard County Circuit Court.
Last fall Rouse hired I.M.P., the owners of Washington's venerable 9:30 Club, to operate Merriweather Post, which has been struggling in recent years to lure big-name performers. Rouse decided not to renew its contract with Clear Channel Entertainment, the giant San Antonio-based radio broadcaster that owns Nissan Pavilion in Bristow and scores of other concert venues across the country.
Some longtime Merriweather fans had accused Clear Channel of steering acts away from Merriweather Post and toward the larger and more modern Nissan Pavilion in Prince William County.
Hurwitz and Heinecke are Montgomery County natives who have been booking concerts at the 9:30 Club and locations throughout the Washington-Baltimore area for more than two decades.
"We're the first operator that can give [Merriweather Post] all the attention it deserves since we don't operate another amphitheater in the same market," Hurwitz said. "We grew up going to Merriweather and have a fondness and awe of it. It's like when a kid ends up playing for his favorite baseball team."
The uncertainty over Merriweather's future is not holding I.M.P. back. In addition to booking top talent, I.M.P. wants to spruce up the landscaping and improve the venue. Merriweather underwent a $775,000 renovation in 2000 that included new box seats, expanded plaza areas and more performance space.
"We're not sure how long it's going to be there, so you can't go crazy spending money. But if we're in it for the long term and if the plans are known, then we will have no trouble investing money into the place," Hurwitz said.
"It's really up to the Rouse Co. to decide what they do with the facility and property. But it's our intent to operate it better than anyone ever has," he said.
Pavilion Schedules Big-Name Musicians
Dave Matthews, Sarah McLachlan Among Lineup
By Alicia Cypress
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, March 18, 2004; Page HO03
Merriweather Post Pavilion could have its most attractive concert lineup in years, with performances by the Dave Matthews Band, Sarah McLachlan and Kenny Chesney, organizers said.
In its first year managing the amphitheater, promoter I.M.P. of Bethesda has locked in several other high-profile acts. They include acoustic duo Indigo Girls and crooner Harry Connick Jr., who are part of the Columbia Festival of the Arts from June 18 to 27. In addition, rock band Dashboard Confessional and jazz vocalist and pianist Diana Krall are scheduled. The season begins June 5 and 6 with the Capital Jazz Fest. Last year, the 37-year-old pavilion featured 19 performers.
"To me, the success is not measured by the number but by the kind of show," said Seth Hurwitz, who owns I.M.P. with his partner, Rich Heinecke. "It's only March, and this is probably the best [Merriweather] has seen, but we're not stopping here."
One performer who is not among this year's lineup is perennial favorite Jimmy Buffett, who in the past drew hordes of Parrotheads and sold out his shows in minutes. Buffett is scheduled for a sold-out concert July 3 at Nissan Pavilion in Northern Virginia.
"From what I'm seeing now of our schedule, it's more high profile than in recent years," said Jean Parker, Merriweather's onsite general manager since 1987.
Earlier this year, the pavilion's longtime status as a regional concert venue was in doubt as the Rouse Co., which owns the facility and surrounding land, sought approval to develop the area behind Symphony Woods with up to 1,600 housing units. The proposal would have eliminated a majority of the pavilion's 14,000 lawn seats and converted the amphitheater into a smaller enclosed performing arts center with about 5,000 seats.
But in January, the Howard County Zoning Board unanimously rejected Rouse's plan, opting instead to first study how the limited amount of land left in Columbia Town Center should be developed. Rouse has appealed the decision in Howard County Circuit Court.
Last fall Rouse hired I.M.P., the owners of Washington's venerable 9:30 Club, to operate Merriweather Post, which has been struggling in recent years to lure big-name performers. Rouse decided not to renew its contract with Clear Channel Entertainment, the giant San Antonio-based radio broadcaster that owns Nissan Pavilion in Bristow and scores of other concert venues across the country.
Some longtime Merriweather fans had accused Clear Channel of steering acts away from Merriweather Post and toward the larger and more modern Nissan Pavilion in Prince William County.
Hurwitz and Heinecke are Montgomery County natives who have been booking concerts at the 9:30 Club and locations throughout the Washington-Baltimore area for more than two decades.
"We're the first operator that can give [Merriweather Post] all the attention it deserves since we don't operate another amphitheater in the same market," Hurwitz said. "We grew up going to Merriweather and have a fondness and awe of it. It's like when a kid ends up playing for his favorite baseball team."
The uncertainty over Merriweather's future is not holding I.M.P. back. In addition to booking top talent, I.M.P. wants to spruce up the landscaping and improve the venue. Merriweather underwent a $775,000 renovation in 2000 that included new box seats, expanded plaza areas and more performance space.
"We're not sure how long it's going to be there, so you can't go crazy spending money. But if we're in it for the long term and if the plans are known, then we will have no trouble investing money into the place," Hurwitz said.
"It's really up to the Rouse Co. to decide what they do with the facility and property. But it's our intent to operate it better than anyone ever has," he said.
