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May 13, 2009
Downtown Bridgeport: no shortage of music venues
On my desk is a little booklet I picked up one day at the counter of the Las Vetas Lounge in downtown Bridgeport, where I had stopped to get a bowl of chili. (I love chili) It is a listing of all the restaurants, bars and performance venues in downtown Bridgeport, and it is impressive.
+The Arena at Harbor Yard. For the big stars; Kiss and Aerosmith played a double bill there several years ago.
+Ballpark at Harbor Yard. Also for pretty big stars -- Bob Dylan played there.
+The Klein. Gorgeous place to see a show. A really nice old theater, like the Palace in Stamford -- and it has no shortage of parking.
+Playhouse on the Green. A smaller, more intimate theater, for artists whose reknown is not great enough to fill the Klein.
+Downtown Cabaret Theatre. Small and intimate, a favorite actually.
+A few cafes where music is played, usually on weekend nights, like the terrific Two Boots.
So, let's get some promoters booking more shows in these venues! The city's economic development office should actively seek promoters, just like it seeks out real estate developers. Cultural attractions bring life to the place and help counterbalance all the negative stuff. Bridgeport has the cultural infrastructure to support a greater level of culture and nighlife -- what it lacks, and has lacked for a long time, are entrepreneurs with money and know-how to book these venues and bring in more shows.
All the more reason to tip the old hat to Terrapin Presents, the Bridgeport-based rock festival company that produces the Gathering of the Vibes every summer at Seaside Park. This year the festival runs from July 23 through July 26 and features Crosby, Stills and Nash on the final, Sunday, night.
Bravo Terrapin!
-- TONY SPINELLI
ADDENDUM: And bravo Pete Finch! Mayor Bill Finch's son, Pete, organizes the annual Bridgeport Arts and Music Festival (BAM) and is planning some really neat stuff for the city, including an upcoming concert at the mysterious Majestic theatre downtown!
Posted by Spinelli on May 13, 2009 4:42 PM
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Comments
Hi...there will be the 2nd Annual Downtown Community Council Concert Series: concerts every Thursday from 5 to 10 June through August. BBQ, movies, entertainment, etc. on Baldwin Plaza, corner of Fairfield Avenue and Broad Street.
-KR
Hi KR, thanks for getting the word out on that!
Posted by: Keith Rodgerson at May 13, 2009 6:43 PM
