We are very fortunate to live where we do and many come from far and wide to experience our unique area, including those that came this past weekend for two big concerts.
A huge draw to the valley every August is the “Great Big Weekend” at the Badlands Amphitheatre. This year there were two big concerts, Friday night with The Trews and 54-40 headlining, Saturday night was The Hunter Brothers. Executive Director for the Badlands Amphitheatre, Vance Neudorf, was pleased with the attendance of both shows. “People love it. I caught a group on the patio, eating burgers, and asked where they were from. They were from Edmonton, and they said the come to everything you guys do. I asked them why and they said the people down here are friendly, it’s a great place, it’s easy to get to, the events are well organized, and overall it is always a pleasant experience. We love it.”
The venue is one of a kind and to have concerts in the Amphitheatre is awe inspiring for the performers. On social media, all of the acts that performed here this weekend shared that they were so impressed with the venue. Neudorf shares that has been the case right from the get go. “You go back to the original (concert) by Tom Cochrane. This is his number two favourite place (to perform) in the world behind the Sphynx and Pyramids in Egypt, where he played once. That was number one, you can’t beat that, but he said this is number two. It is such a great place. It is stunning and people walk through and say ‘how did I not know this place existed’.”
They do have a number of events in store for the remainder of the year including a concert at a new stage on the property according to Neudorf. “August 22nd, if you want a really cool concert. It’s going to be small, a few hundred people. Mallory Chipman and a bunch of her friends are coming. She’s an incredible Alberta artist. We’re going to put you up in the little Hidden Valley, a new little venue we’ve created. Then, of course, September 12th is Roots, Blues, and BBQ and that’s always a great event.” Crystal Shawanda will be the headliner this year for Roots, Blues and BBQ. Later this fall they will again be presenting fireworks.
Many may not know that everything out at the Badlands Amphitheatre is operated by a non-profit charity and without support from the public, events could not go at the site. “This is an arts and culture charity,” notes Neudorf. “Ticket prices, no matter what we do, will never cover the costs (for the venue). We have an ‘Arts For Everyone’ campaign right now. It is $250,000 to raise by the end of our fiscal year, which is September 30th and we’re looking for people to partner with us.” Without the support, the venue will struggle to continue. Neudorf shares that if you would like to show your support, reach out through their website www.badlandsamp.com or call Vance at 403-425-0303.
Comments