Outside for the summer

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

By Aaron Davis

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Growing up in Kentucky, I had numerous outdoor amphitheatres within a three-hour drive. While grateful for the outdoor fests at Grand Targhee and Music on Main, outdoor amphitheatres are nostalgic for me — the tailgating, the interesting mix of concertgoers, two full sets of music spanning day and night, and the road trip itself. Salt Lake City (four hours) and the Denver area (eight hours) have posted some incredibly attractive summer lineups, so it’s worth sharing some of the highlights.

SLC’s free Twilight Concert Series has not been fully announced, but the organizers must have peeked at my iPod before booking these great acts — Bon Iver/Jenny Lewis (July 9), The Black Keys (July 16), M. Ward (July 23), and Sonic Youth (July 30). The shows start at 7 p.m. outside at the Gallivan Center.

Also in the heart of SLC is quite possibly the coolest amphitheatre in the country second to Red Rocks—The University of Utah’s Red Butte Gardens. The 100 acres of botanical gardens and hiking trails is a bonus to the intimate concert environment. A peak into their lineup includes Neko Case (May 31), Femi Kuti with Bela Fleck (June 14), Smokey Robinson (June 19), David Byrne (June 21), Death Cab for Cutie with Andrew Bird and Ra Ra Riot (July 13), The Avett Brothers (August 25), and Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal (September 1). For a full lineup and ticket prices, check www.redbuttegardens.org.

Denver’s Botanic Gardens offers a similar concert experience, and its summer lineup differs from the others. Leftover Salmon will reunite May 25, followed by Lucinda Williams (June 3), Joe Cocker (June 9), Joan Baez (July 16), Toots & The Maytals (August 11), and Bob Weir & RatDog (August 31). Surf to www.botanicgardens.org for the complete lineup.

If I didn’t mention Red Rocks Amphitheatre in this grouping, it just wouldn’t make sense. If you’ve been there, you know how special it is, and if not, your friends have raved about it. My recommendations are Leonard Cohen (June 2), John Prine/Levon Helm (June 13), David Byrne (June 20), Wilco (July 3), Phish (July 30-August 2), Reggae on the Rocks (August 29), Bonnie Raitt/Taj Mahal (August 30), Crosby, Stills and Nash (September 1), and Ween (September 6). Redrocksonline.com holds the entire list.

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The Center for the Arts has announced the 2009-2010 concert season lineup. Summer kicks off with a CD Release Concert featuring local bluegrass-folk duo Anne and Pete Sibley on June 3, celebrating the new release, Coming Home. Other shows include Robert Cray Band (June 29), a special edition of the JH Hootenanny (July 20), Richard Brown Orchestra (August 2), local jazz pianists Pam Drews Phillips and Keith Phillips (August 9), Susan Tedeschi (August 16), the Center’s Annual Fundraiser with Frank Sinatra Jr. (August 29), Bela Fleck and the Flecktones (December 17), Jackson Hole Musician Showcase (January 22), and California Guitar Trio (March 7).

Though tickets for national acts are priced 20 to 50 percent more than you’d pay at most other theaters in the country, the comfort of having them right here in downtown Jackson is invaluable, as is the Center Theater’s impeccable sound and intimacy.  PJH

Center for the Arts tickets are on sale now. For additional info, surf to www.jhcenterforthearts.org or call 734-8956.

Photo by AARON DAVIS
The Avett Brothers will perform at University of Utah’s Red Butte Gardens.

PERMALINK:
Outside for the summer | Planet JH News Article: Music Box

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