Author: Don Muret

Fort Worth Opening the Ritz of the Rodeo

Fort Worth Opening the Ritz of the Rodeo

Posted by | Nov 1, 2019 | ,

The arena exterior reflects the Southwestern art deco theme echoed by multiple buildings in Fort Worth. (Courtesy Dickies Arena) At $540 million Dickies Arena, stock show tradition mixes with high-end finishes and plans to lure concert tours One of the oldest rodeos in the country has a new $540 million playpen. Dickies Arena, the new home of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, brings a state-of-the-art facility to north Texas for concerts and sports as well as the city’s showcase event, founded in 1896. The arena, designed by HKS and David M. Schwarz, the same architects that developed Dallas’ American Airlines Center, is not your typical rodeo barn. The high-end interior finishes at the arenas are similar in look and feel.  Dickies Arena, which encompasses 560,000 square feet, anchors the south end of the stock show grounds, opposite Will Rogers Memorial Center, the rodeo’s old home dating to the… Continue Reading Fort Worth Opening the Ritz of the Rodeo

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Straight-Shooting Independent Blues-Rock Agency Turning 25

Straight-Shooting Independent Blues-Rock Agency Turning 25

Posted by | Nov 1, 2019 |

Intrepid Artists turns 25 years old in December. From left: Booking agents Will Johnston, Kevin Hopkins, president/owner Rick Booth, Jake Lankheit and Cameron Farquhar. (Don Muret / Staff) Charlotte-based Intrepid Artists International relies on credibility with clients and buyers Rick Booth’s office is tastefully decorated with music memorabilia he’s collected as president and owner of Intrepid Artists International. The Charlotte, N.C., booking agency, which turns 25 years old in December, represents about three dozen blues, zydeco and rock acts.  The Gibson Flying V guitar signed by Popa Chubby; a rare black-and-white photo of B.B. King and Elvis Presley hanging out on Beale Street in 1956 that’s signed by King; and a large painting of Eric Gales, who some say is the greatest blues-rock guitar player alive, stand out among the mementos.  Then there are the iguanas, which serve as Intrepid Artists’ signature logo. Lizard replicas of all sizes and colors… Continue Reading Straight-Shooting Independent Blues-Rock Agency Turning 25

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Niners to Include Food and Drink in Most Season Tickets

Niners to Include Food and Drink in Most Season Tickets

Posted by | Oct 31, 2019 | , ,

The Member Inclusive program will cover favorites such as chicken tenders and nachos for season-ticket holders. (Courtesy San Francisco 49ers) Change, to take effect next season, marks a first for sports concessions The San Francisco 49ers, in a bold move that could potentially trigger a major shift in the sports concessions model, will fold the cost of food and drink into most season tickets next year at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The move affects 60,000 seats at the 68,500-seat facility. The program excludes the 174 suites at Levi’s Stadium and single-game tickets, plus season tickets resold through the secondary market.  Levy runs the stadium’s food service. Season-ticket holders are being notified of the move today by email. On average, season tickets for 2020 will go up in price about $20 for every seat per game to cover the cost of food and drink, said Alex Chang, the 49ers’ chief… Continue Reading Niners to Include Food and Drink in Most Season Tickets

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Spectra Selected to Run Planned Richmond Arena

Spectra Selected to Run Planned Richmond Arena

Posted by | Oct 30, 2019 | , ,

A rendering shows the arena proposed for Richmond, Va., designed by HOK. (Courtesy Spectra) Facility part of $1.5 billion mixed-use development slated for downtown Spectra has been awarded the rights to run all facets of a proposed new arena in Richmond, Va., pending approval of the project by the City Council. The 17,500-seat facility, estimated to cost $235 million, would be part of a $1.5 billion mixed-use development intended to transform the downtown district in Virginia’s capital. Other components include a 500-room hotel, 2,100 new residential units and 500,000 square feet of office space, plus the restoration and conversion of the historic Blues Armory into a three-level grocery, music venue and ballroom. The new arena, designed by HOK, would replace Richmond Coliseum, a 48-year-old building formerly managed by SMG that closed its doors in early 2019. It would be torn down to clear space for new construction, project officials said.… Continue Reading Spectra Selected to Run Planned Richmond Arena

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Aluminum Cups Shine in Drive to Recycle More

Aluminum Cups Shine in Drive to Recycle More

Posted by | Oct 30, 2019 | , ,

Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium is among the venues using aluminum beer cups. (Courtesy AMB Sports & Entertainment) Some venues move from plastic to a product less likely to end up in trash The push to achieve zero waste at sports and entertainment facilities has multiple venues replacing single-use plastic cups with aluminum drink containers, and the early results have caught officials by surprise. Fans are taking stacks of the recyclable cups home as souvenirs, and some are selling them on eBay for $40 to $50, according to early adopters. It’s all good, though. The new version of the souvenir cup is a byproduct of an increased awareness by teams, schools and concessionaires to get rid of all plastic, a material with extremely low recycling rates that is littering the country’s landscapes and waterways.  AMB Sports and Entertainment recently began testing aluminum beer cups in two event-level clubs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and… Continue Reading Aluminum Cups Shine in Drive to Recycle More

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