Orion Amphitheater
{{Short description|Open-air theater in Huntsville, Alabama}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Orion Amphitheater
| image = File:Orion Amphitheater exterior.jpg
| caption = The exterior of the Orion Amphitheater in October, 2024
| address = 701 Amphitheater Drive NW
| city = Huntsville, AL 35806
| coordinates = {{coord|34|44|03.7|N|86|40|05.7|W}}
| website = {{url|https://theorionhuntsville.com/}}
| owner =
| operator =
| type = Amphitheater
| genre = Music and concerts
| architect = David M. Schwarz Architects, Inc.
}}
The Orion Amphitheater is an amphitheatre in the MidCity District of Huntsville, Alabama.
The amphitheater, which cost $40 million to build, is owned by the city of Huntsville.{{cite news |last1=Wake |first1=Matt |title=Group behind Orion Amphitheater secures $50 million in new funding |url=https://www.al.com/news/2022/02/group-behind-orion-amphitheater-secures-50-million-in-new-funding.html |access-date=29 October 2024 |work=AL.com |publisher=Advance Local |date=22 February 2022 |language=en}} It was designed by David M. Schwarz Architects, Inc.,{{cite news |title=NEWLY CONSTRUCTED ORION AMPHITHEATER IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA DESIGNED BY DAVID M. SCHWARZ ARCHITECTS PREPARES FOR THE FIRST WALTZ, GRAND OPENING CONCERT |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bwh&AN=202205031000PR.NEWS.USPR.DC41951&site=eds-live&scope=site |access-date=26 October 2024 |work=PR Newswire US |date=3 May 2022}} and is run by the Huntsville Venue Group, a division of Mumford & Sons keyboardist Ben Lovett's Venue Group.{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=Jon |title=Huntsville, Alabama Is Rethinking the Amphitheater Experience |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/huntsville-alabama-orion-amphitheater-1234580158/ |access-date=29 October 2024 |work=Rolling Stone |date=8 September 2022}}
The amphitheater opened in 2022, on the weekend of May 13th through 15th. The grand opening event, titled "The First Waltz", featured performances by Brittany Howard, the Drive-By Truckers, Emmylou Harris, Jason Isbell, John Paul White, Mavis Staples, St. Paul and The Broken Bones, and others.
In 2024, the Orion Amphitheater was nominated for the Outdoor Concert Venue of the Year award in Pollstar's 36th annual awards.{{cite news |last1=Wake |first1=Matt |title=Is this Alabama outdoor music venue the best in North America? |url=https://www.al.com/life/2024/11/is-this-alabama-outdoor-music-venue-the-best-in-north-america.html |access-date=14 November 2024 |work=AL.com |publisher=Advance Local |date=14 November 2024 |language=en}}
Artist garden
The Orion staff manage a garden located in a small meadow behind the amphitheater. The fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are grown in the garden are used in on-site catering and cocktails. The garden is also used as a place for relaxation by Orion staff and visiting musical artists.{{cite news |last1=Pearl |first1=Wendy |title=2024 Excellence In Concessions: Orion Amphitheater Artist Garden - VenuesNow |url=https://venuesnow.com/2024-excellence-in-concessions-orion-amphitheater-artist-garden/ |work=Venues Now |date=19 August 2024}}
Orion manager Ryan Murphy had previously established a similar garden at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre in Florida while he was a manager there.
See also
References
External links
- {{Official website|https://theorionhuntsville.com/}}
{{Music venues of Alabama}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Amphitheaters in the United States
Category:Buildings and structures in Huntsville, Alabama