PALMDALE – The Palmdale Amphitheater is celebrating its ninth season with an expanded series of concerts, festivals, events, movies and more.
“The Palmdale Amphitheater truly is a jewel of the Antelope Valley,” said Palmdale’s Recreation and Culture Manager Keri Brady. “More than a quarter of a million people have attended events here over the past nine years, and with the lineup we’ve got in store for 2013, we’ll definitely be adding to that number.”
The Palmdale Amphitheater has been a venue for top musical acts such as Air Supply, En Vogue, Lonestar, The Spinners, The Four Tops, The Tempations, Chaka Khan, The Whispers, Pablo Cruise, The Village People, The Beach Boys, and Josh Kelly over the past decade.
“In addition to all the concerts, the Palmdale Amphitheater has hosted several Easter services for Palmdale United Methodist Church, gatherings for the SAVE Foundation, class reunions for Palmdale High School, festivals, movie nights, school graduations and other corporate functions throughout the years,” Brady added. “It really is a versatile and beautiful location for all kinds of events.”
AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA
Kicking off the 2013 season at the Amphitheater is the Amgen Tour of California, coming to Palmdale on Tuesday, May 14, beginning at 8:30 am. Billed as “America’s Greatest Race,” it features Olympic and world class athletes and attracts international attention. The race will start at the Amphitheater Complex at Marie Kerr Park, adjacent to the Amphitheater. Admission is free. Details and more information are available at www.cityofpalmdale.org/atoc.
SUMMER CONCERTS
The summer concert series begins on Saturday, July 6 with Morris Day and The Time. With his dynamic dancing and smooth yet gutsy vocals, Morris Day played an essential role in the development of the Twin City dance club sound of the 1980s. A founding member of Prince’s band, The Time, Morris Day remained with the group until 1984 when he launched his solo career. Returning in 1988, he performed and recorded with The Time from 1990-91, and since 1995.
On Saturday, July 13, Clay Walker brings country to town with his chart topping hits, “What’s It to You,” “Live Until I Die,” “Dreaming with My Eyes Open,” “If I Could Make Living,” “This Woman and This Man,” and “Rumor Has It.” Walker, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a decade ago, is one of the most successful country performers of the past 10 years, and has scored four platinum-selling albums and two gold albums.
Classic rockers Blue Öyster Cult take the stage on Saturday, July 20. Nicknamed ‘the American Black Sabbath,’ BÖC released their self-titled debut album in 1972. Over the years the band has released 14 studio albums, six live albums, seven compilation albums and nine charted singles, including “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper,” “In Thee,” “Burnin’ for You,” “Joan Crawford,” “Roadhouse Blues,” “Take Me Away,” “Shooting Shark,” “Dancin’ in the Ruins” and “Astronomy.”
The series closes with a performance by jazz/rock legends Blood, Sweat & Tears on Saturday, July 27. Over the years the group has released 11 studio albums, four live and five compilation albums which produced hits such as “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” “Spinning Wheel,” “And When I Die,” “God Bless the Child,” “Got to Get You Into My Life,” “Hi-De-Ho,” and “Lucretia MacEvil.”
Tickets go on sale Monday, April 15 at 7:30 am at www.cityofpalmdale.org/amp. Tickets are $10 for all ages for general admission seating. A season pass is available for $35, a savings of $5 for all four concerts.
A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $20, which includes express entry and seating at the front of the stage, ensuring that VIP ticket holders can arrive just before the concert and still get one of the best seats in the house. VIP seating is theater style (first-come, first-served), with chairs provided courtesy of the Antelope Valley Mall.
Season passes and individual concert tickets will be available beginning Monday, April 15 at the recreation and culture office, located at 38260 10th St. East, open Monday through Thursday, 10 am to 6 pm. Cash, check, Mastercard and Visa are accepted. Tickets will also be available the day of the concerts on a cash-only basis.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Carry-in food, beverages, coolers, alcohol and pets are not permitted. Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase.
The summer concerts are sponsored by American Medical Response, Antelope Valley Mall, Double D Cupcakes, High Desert Medical Group, Southern California Edison, Time Warner Cable, Valleywide Dental, Waste Management and Yard House.
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS
2013 also marks the return of the popular “Family Movie Nights” to the Palmdale Amphitheater.
“We’re thrilled to bring back movie night by popular demand,” said Palmdale’s Recreation Supervisor Annie Pagaliaro. “We’ll be showing four kid-friendly films that will provide a great opportunity for families and friends to spend some quality time together. Families will also be allowed to bring a picnic dinner and non-alcholic beverages to ‘Family Movie Nights.’”
The movies are: Toy Story, Friday, July 26; The Hunger Games, Friday, August 2, How to Train Your Dragon, Friday August 9; and The Avengers, Friday, Aug. 16.
Tickets are $2, with kids 12 and under admitted free. The gates will open at 6:30 and the movies will start at dusk.
“At each movie, we’ll host a ‘Care With Cans’ Food Drive,” said Pagliaro. “For each canned food item you donate, you’ll receive a raffle ticket for some great prizes. The Food Drive will benefit the South Antelope Valley Emergency Services (SAVES).”
Waste Management will also collect gently-used clothing at “Family Movie Nights” to benefit SAVES. Sponsors of Family Movie Nights are High Desert Medical Group and Valleywide Dental.
GRACEFEST
Dating back to August 2007, GraceFest has become the Antelope Valley’s Premier Music and Message festival. GraceFest returns to the Palmdale Amphitheater on Friday and Saturday Sept. 20 and 21, for two amazing nights of music and fellowship. Headlining GraceFest 2013 are Jars of Clay, Kutless and Colton Dixon. Tickets and info are available at www.gracefestav.com. For more info, please call 661/722-6112.
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL WALL FOR THE AV
Point Man Antelope Valley and the City of Palmdale will present the Mobile Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall for the Antelope Valley (AV Wall) on display from Thursday, Nov. 7 through Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 8 am at the Palmdale Amphitheater.
The public will have 24-hour-a-day access to the AV Wall while it is on display, and a series of events surrounding the display at the Palmdale Amphitheater. The events will include both opening and closing ceremonies, a special event to observe Veterans Day, and the Antelope Valley Service Organization Association’s (AVSOA) annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 11, which will be held in front of the AV Wall.
The AV Wall is one of only two mobile walls that are engraved, and the only one laid out in the same design as the original in Washington, D.C. Measuring approximately 250 feet long and 6 feet high at its apex, it contains the engraved names of all 58,272 Vietnam veterans killed in action and missing in action.
From 2005 through 2009, over $100,000 was raised to build the wall. It was dedicated at a ceremony at Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant 42 on Nov. 13, 2009.
Point Man Antelope Valley are the guardians of the AV Wall, and have dedicated a committee to oversee all aspects of the AV Wall.
For more information on the AV Wall, call 661-524-6408 or visit www.avwall.org.
“The Palmdale Amphitheater is available for rentals,” said Brady. “If your group, school, church or organization would like to know more about how you can host your next event at the Palmdale Amphitheater, please visit our Web site at www.cityofpalmdale.org/amp, or give us a call at 661/267-5611 so that we may assist you in making your event a memorable one.”
(Information via press release from the city of Palmdale.)
Chris French says
I have always enjoyed the concerts regardless of who was playing. Even the cover bands. We all know that when times get tough cuts and reductions have to be made, but that didn’t stop the Amphitheater from putting on great shows. You just got to put it in it’s most simplistic terms. Any evening out with friends, family and neighbors. All in one place for one thing, and that was to enjoy each others company, the oh so comfortable desert evening as well as the talent performing. Sometimes we get a bit spoiled, I hear of so and so played and it was free. Come on this year $35 for four concerts and free parking when many venues down below charge $30 just to park. My only regret is that I was living out here for a few years before I went to my first concert at the Amphitheater, now I wouldn’t miss one. We get the season passes and go to every concert REGARDLESS of who is playing, it’s more about the small town feel that I like.
jim says
Yes…Finally a line up to look forward to. Thank you