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Letter to the editor

A successful test drive

It was billed as Tampa Bay's premiere concert venue - and the first public performance at the Ford Amphitheater mostly delivered on that promise.

By GINA VIVINETTO
Published July 24, 2004

[Times photos: Chris Zuppa] Scott McLean of Placid Lake, right, gets into the performance of Michael W. Smith at the opening of the new Ford Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds Friday. Other fans danced and testified in the stands to gospel singer Smith's energetic piano playing.

Christian gospel rock singer Michael W. Smith performs one of his songs at the piano onstage.

MercyMe, projected on a 20- by 30-foot screen, performs with Michael W. Smith at the Ford Amphitheatre. It was not billed as the official grand opening concert, but Friday's show, which drew 8,500 was big enough to test the venue.

Fourteen-year-old Caleb Hyers of Tampa cheers during a performance by the David Crowder Band at the new Ford Amphitheatre on Friday night.

TAMPA - By 7:15 p.m. the stage had been blessed. The audience had joined in group prayer and all systems were go for Friday's opening night at the outdoor Ford Amphitheater.

The concert, headlined by Christian pop singer Michael W. Smith and the Christian pop band MercyMe, was not billed as the venue's official grand opening concert. That's Tuesday's Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago double bill.

But Friday's concert, which drew 8,500, was big enough to test out the venue, ironing out kinks for next week's roster of big shows, including performances by The Cure, Dave Matthews Band, Rush and Kiss.

As fans danced and testified in the stands to Smith's energetic piano playing, amphitheater attendants and volunteers did their best to keep the night flowing smoothly.

As with any opening night, not everything worked. But for the most part, the amphitheater delivered on its promise to be the Tampa Bay area's premiere concert venue.

The amphitheater earned its bragging rights about state-of-the art sound.

In every corner, the music sounded pure and clear. CD quality? From my seats, in the 200 level, row J, I would say the sound was excellent. Venturing back to the lawn section, the quality was a tad fuzzier, but still better than any venue I've experienced.

Sightlines, too, were grand. The fan-like design of the venue and the increasing slope of the seats means you could sit behind Shaquille O'Neal and still have a fighting chance at seeing the band onstage.

From the lawn section, naturally, the folks onstage look much smaller, but again, it's a much better view than any I've experienced at other venues, not much different than at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center or Ruth Eckerd Hall, which seat 1,200 to 2,500, not the Amphitheater's 20,000.

For folks in wheelchairs, there's space. Designated areas exist in the front areas on each seating tier. However, Michelle Evonosky, 36, of Brandon, who is disabled and uses a wheelchair, initially had difficulty securing wheelchair-accessible tickets by telephone from the venue.

"Maybe they just didn't think about it that much when they were planning," said Evonosky, who has attended concerts at the St. Pete Times Forum and Raymond James Stadium. She said she was surprised that the staff had no arrangements for seating for her friend Deb Gatewood, 47, of Valrico. Eventually, an amphitheater staff member brought Gatewood a folding chair.

Despite the glitches, Evonosky said she was treated well and she and Gatewood were thrilled with their seats, and the way the women's restrooms were designed to accommodate wheelchairs.

Guess what? An outdoor venue means during the daytime those sleek 20- by 30-foot video screens don't give off much image. Don't expect to view your favorite stars during the day at the Curiosa Festival on Sunday. Or at the Projekt Revolution concert. Or Ozzfest.

Sure, that high-tech architecture and the NASA-designed roof keeps out sun rays and inspires cross-ventilation that lowers the temperature beneath nearly 15 degrees, but facts are facts: An outdoor concert in Florida in July is still HOT.

How's this for urban planning in a country environ? A nearby, privately owned dairy farm provided one feature never mentioned in all of the amphitheater's promotional materials. If you hang out by the ticket office long enough, occasional breezes from the north bring with them the distinct smell of cow dung.

- Gina Vivinetto can be reached at 727 893-8565 or gina@sptimes.com

The Ford Amphitheatre's Web site, www.fordamp.com has lots of information for concertgoers. Here are a few tips:

Shows go on, rain or shine, unless there's a big storm that could pose a safety threat. If in doubt, call (813) 740-2446. Not all covered seats will remain dry during heavy rains, and those on the lawn will definitely get wet. Ponchos are available for purchase.

Do not bring lawn chairs. At specific concerts, chairs of regulated size and height (so as to not block anyone's view) will be available for rent.

Do not bring food, beverages, signs, banners, laser pointers, weapons, fireworks and pets (except for service animals).

Items permitted at some shows, depending on the artist: cameras, recorders, umbrellas, and blankets. Check before you bring these items.

[Last modified July 24, 2004, 01:08:19]