159 replies to this topic

[zman9810]

countrylivin, on 19 July 2011 - 12:48 PM, said:

I agree with you about a first class venue, but lets make sure it is first class!
I guess my main problem is with the term Black Box. I would much rather see a 600 seat Studio theater built with a stage, proscenium and full cat walk system. A Studio theater can handle a higher end production than a box!

As far as the parking deck I don't think there's any argument about the need. I wish the City had used a bond issue with the proceeds from the deck going to pay off the bonds but it is what it is. Any info on parking revenues? I'm sure they went down when  the students left for the summer.

Hopefully with $30 million they can build a very nice theater. As for the layout, I think they are still discussing what it will be- I'm sure they would welcome any input the community gives them as to what is wanted.

It will be a year of paid parking soon so we should be getting some hard numbers about it within a couple of months.

[zman9810]

The WAC is redoing the AMP as a permanent structure at the NWA Mall. It will be on the hillside at the SW corner of the mall next to where it is now. Work is expected to begin in October and be finished in time for the 2012 season. Here is an excerpt from the WAC's email.
1) Moving the venue off the mall parking lot blacktop and onto the hillside to create a permanent amphitheater venue
2) Enhancing patron amenities such as:

• Air conditioned restrooms
  
• Concession and merchandise kiosks
  
• VIP Pavilion
  
• Raised tent structure that increases air circulation and allows for a better view of the stage
  
• Marquee entrance and drop off area

3) Upgrading and increasing seating capacity (6,400 total capacity)

• 2,400 outdoor theater-style seats (1,800 covered)
  
• Sloped, manicured lawn to accommodate 4,000
  
• VIP box seating

4) Building a permanent, well-equipped stage and stagehouse

• Artist amenities including air conditioned dressing rooms
  
• Technical capability to produce most major concert tours

I have to admit I never thought they would follow through on this promise. Good for them for doing so. Hopefully it is a sign of any better things to come for Fayetteville.

[strmchsr77]

This looks like a huge improvement to the AMP.  Thanks Zman for the update.  
Here is the info along with some pictures from the Fayetteville Flyer:  http://www.fayettevi...music-pavilion/

[Mith242]

Saw some of this info in today's newspaper as well.  Certainly good to hear.  I imagine a number of Fayetteville residents were a bit nervous wondering if the AMP was eventually get moved up to Benton County as well.  It's also nice they're even basically keeping it in the same area.  It will also be nice that it will start to feel more than just a temporary structure.  Here's a picture from Google Earth of how it basically looks now.  If I understand correctly it will move more off the parking lot and over into the grassy area just southwest of the NWA Mall area on the edge of the hill there.

[Mith242]

Well the whole AMP situation looks like it just got messy.  Apparently now the WAC is asking the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission for $500k to go towards the renovations for the AMP.  You know that isn't going to go over well with some Fayetteville residents after what happened with the new WAC theater location.

[zman9810]

Mith242, on 12 September 2011 - 03:26 PM, said:

Well the whole AMP situation looks like it just got messy.  Apparently now the WAC is asking the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission for $500k to go towards the renovations for the AMP.  You know that isn't going to go over well with some Fayetteville residents after what happened with the new WAC theater location.

Yikes! I had not heard that. They continue to make public relations mistakes. After the big renovation announcement that sounded so good they turn around and put their hand out. That is not smart at all.

[strmchsr77]

zman9810, on 12 September 2011 - 08:07 PM, said:

Yikes! I had not heard that. They continue to make public relations mistakes. After the big renovation announcement that sounded so good they turn around and put their hand out. That is not smart at all.

It looks like it worked though.  The Fayetteville A&P has committed to giving them $500,000.  

Here is the article: http://www.fayettevi...ion-renovation/

[countrylivin']

strmchsr77, on 13 September 2011 - 09:30 AM, said:

It looks like it worked though.  The Fayetteville A&P has committed to giving them $500,000.  

Here is the article: http://www.fayettevi...ion-renovation/

I don't see where Fayetteville has much of a choice! It's either support it or loose it! Take your pick!

[zman9810]

countrylivin, on 13 September 2011 - 11:19 AM, said:

I don't see where Fayetteville has much of a choice! It's either support it or loose it! Take your pick!

That is so true. I think it will be a good investment. Hopefully this will lead to more and bigger artists coming to Fayetteville and so more ticket buyers spending money in town.

[strmchsr77]

countrylivin, on 13 September 2011 - 11:19 AM, said:

I don't see where Fayetteville has much of a choice! It's either support it or loose it! Take your pick!

I agree, I'm glad they decided to support it.  I'm sick of everything moving to Benton County!

[Mith242]

Sounds like the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotions Commission has approved the money.  And so far I haven't heard as much complaining as I thought I would from this.  I agree with the rest of you, I think you pretty much have to give the money or risk losing the AMP.  Over all I don't have a problem with this.  But I think the WAC has done a rather poor job communicating their info.  I don't think this would have sounded as bad if they had mentioned they were going to ask for the money a week later after announcing the initial news.  So I've got to agree with zman, they really need to work on their public relations.  The way they make announcements or release info just seems more likely to get people riled up.

[Trough]

Here's some additional pics of the future AMP at a pretty cool site: http://www.ozarkecho.com/?p=2081 They are definitely packing the AMP into the available space.

I think the biggest issue with the AMP now and in the future is the folks who are doing the booking.  I'm afraid they are out of touch with current music culture.

[Mith242]

Trough, on 16 September 2011 - 02:39 PM, said:

Here's some additional pics of the future AMP at a pretty cool site: http://www.ozarkecho.com/?p=2081 They are definitely packing the AMP into the available space. I think the biggest issue with the AMP now and in the future is the folks who are doing the booking. I'm afraid they are out of touch with current music culture.

One interesting thing I found out listening to Ozarks at Large talking about the AMP.  Apparently 80% of the people who attend the AMP come outside of Washington County.  So then you could theorize does this mean Washington County residents don't care for the type of music at AMP events, or does this mean the AMP is simply booking events to their primary audience, basically people outside the county?

[zman9810]

Mith242, on 17 September 2011 - 09:11 AM, said:

One interesting thing I found out listening to Ozarks at Large talking about the AMP. Apparently 80% of the people who attend the AMP come outside of Washington County. So then you could theorize does this mean Washington County residents don't care for the type of music at AMP events, or does this mean the AMP is simply booking events to their primary audience, basically people outside the county?

The AMP has a good variety of acts although many of them appeal to niche audiences. I think that has a lot to do with where the attendees come from. I read where the booking of Rick Springfield was being slammed but the fact is he appeals strongly to a certain audience and that audience is willing to travel to see him. That is good for the AMP and Fayetteville- we want people to come from outside the area to spend their money here. With the new and improved facilities a greater range of acts can be booked and some will appeal to locals more.

[Mith242]

zman9810, on 18 September 2011 - 08:13 PM, said:

The AMP has a good variety of acts although many of them appeal to niche audiences. I think that has a lot to do with where the attendees come from. I read where the booking of Rick Springfield was being slammed but the fact is he appeals strongly to a certain audience and that audience is willing to travel to see him. That is good for the AMP and Fayetteville- we want people to come from outside the area to spend their money here. With the new and improved facilities a greater range of acts can be booked and some will appeal to locals more.

Yeah I think the fact they that they were trying to point out on Ozarks at Large is that even if the AMP doesn't bring in acts everybody here is interested in.  It does pull in people from other areas.  While it may not be the case with all of them, you have to figure a number of them are spending money on other things while they're in Fayetteville, eating out and so on.

[countrylivin']

Mith242, on 17 September 2011 - 09:11 AM, said:

One interesting thing I found out listening to Ozarks at Large talking about the AMP. Apparently 80% of the people who attend the AMP come outside of Washington County. So then you could theorize does this mean Washington County residents don't care for the type of music at AMP events, or does this mean the AMP is simply booking events to their primary audience, basically people outside the county?

I had not heard this fiqure before. If 80% is correct it really justifies A&P's allocation. I'd like to see a breakdown of which areas these people are coming from. It would help direct advertising dollars.

[Trough]

zman9810, on 18 September 2011 - 08:13 PM, said:

The AMP has a good variety of acts although many of them appeal to niche audiences. I think that has a lot to do with where the attendees come from. I read where the booking of Rick Springfield was being slammed but the fact is he appeals strongly to a certain audience and that audience is willing to travel to see him. That is good for the AMP and Fayetteville- we want people to come from outside the area to spend their money here. With the new and improved facilities a greater range of acts can be booked and some will appeal to locals more.

They had to move the Rick Springfield concert to the WAC because they did not sell enough tickets.  While it is great people are traveling to Fayetteville to see acts, very few people travel to see Rick Springfield.  Booking decent acts is the primary obstacle for the AMP and the Fayetteville music scene as a whole.

Mith242, on 17 September 2011 - 09:11 AM, said:

One interesting thing I found out listening to Ozarks at Large talking about the AMP. Apparently 80% of the people who attend the AMP come outside of Washington County. So then you could theorize does this mean Washington County residents don't care for the type of music at AMP events, or does this mean the AMP is simply booking events to their primary audience, basically people outside the county?

I'm guessing that a large percentage comes from Benton County as well. But even if 20% were from Benton County, that is still a large number from outside NWA.

The WAC conservatively estimated, based on a 2005 Americans for the Arts study, that if only 25% of AMP attendees are non-local, "the economic impact would grow to nearly $1,250,000 annually" (with attendance at only 35% of the AMP's capacity).  The 2005 study claims that non-profit arts and cultural organizations in NWA generate over $16 million in economic activity yearly.

[zman9810]

Fron the WAC "Due to the historic and sustained heat wave, we are moving the Rick Springfield concert from The AMP to Baum Walker Hall this Sunday August 7th". I didn't go so I don't know how many tickets were sold but I do know that .there were people who drove from south of Fort Smith to see the show. What is a decent act to one is bad to another- we all like different things.

[eightysix]

According to the Business Journal, Walmart has purchased 15 plus acres of undeveloped land between Washington Jr high and Central ave in Bentonville and it will be used for the 2,200 seat venue the WAC plans to build up there.

[Mith242]

eightysix, on 15 May 2012 - 11:23 AM, said:

According to the Business Journal, Walmart has purchased 15 plus acres of undeveloped land between Washington Jr high and Central ave in Bentonville and it will be used for the 2,200 seat venue the WAC plans to build up there.

Thanks for the update.