The Sun Valley Pavilion is a new summer, outdoor, state-of-the-art performance venue that is struggling for more recognition for its concerts and performing arts. The pavilion is home to the Sun Valley Symphony and this summer will include the Edgar M. Bronfman Chamber Music Series for the first time.
However, booking entertainment to fill the summer has not followed the philosophy of "build it, and they will come."
"It's been hard to book a brand new venue," said Sun Valley Entertainment Director John Mauldin. "It should fill a geographical gap for national touring acts, but people don't know about it."
Mauldin said managers and agents are investigating, and are hopeful about the venue's prospects but are a little resistant to book acts.
"There is still more stuff to be booked and we are feeling good about what should be a great season," Mauldin said. "We do have a few more details to nail down."
The pavilion will kick off its first full summer season of performances with the Sun Valley Wellness Festival concert by Grammy-nominated recording artist Toni Childs on Sunday, May 24, and will follow Childs' performance with a show by Kenny Loggins.
"Kenny Loggins is not officially on tour," Mauldin said. "He is preparing for a Loggins and Messina reunion tour in October."
Loggins was scheduled to play for the 2007 Labor Day weekend Coors Light BaseCamp Music Experience and the Atkinsons' Market Ketchum Criterium, but was canceled due to the Castle Rock Fire.
"I am working with Paul Tillotson to get bigger acts," Mauldin said. "Our staff is lean, and we are relying on everyone to get the word out about the pavilion."
Some shows planned for the summer include an acoustic weekend of music with three full concerts each night, a Sun Valley Music Festival with an emphasis on modern jazz, the Trey McIntyre Project, which is a world-class performing dance company, and Barrage, a high-energy, good-looking group of virtuoso violinists.
"There is still more to be booked and Sun Valley will offer room packages for all the concerts," Mauldin said. "We are working on a big concert for Labor Day in conjunction with the Sun Valley Center for the Arts at Dollar Mountain."
Sun Valley will continue to offer music at the Duchin Room, and plans to keep the Boiler Room open as well. The Wahoo Review has been suspended for this summer, and its return is pending for 2010.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Concert schedule
Sunday, May 24
· Sun Valley Wellness Festival concert with Toni Childs
Saturday, May 30
· Kenny Loggins
Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6
· Acoustic weekend with six national acoustic acts
Friday, June 19
· Sara Evans benefit for the Governors Cup Golf Tournament
Sunday, June 28
· Sun Valley Opera Three Tenors and Strings Extravaganza
Friday, July 3
· American Festival Chorus and Orchestra with special guest Maureen McGovern
Friday, July 17
· Barrage in concert
Friday, July 24, through Tuesday, Aug. 18
· Chamber series and Sun Valley Summer Symphony
Wednesday, Aug. 19
· Don Felder benefit concert for the Danny Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament
Thursday, Aug. 20, through Monday, Aug. 24
· Sun Valley Writers' Conference
Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29
· Trey McIntyre Project
Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26
· Sun Valley Music Festival
For details on tickets call 622-2135 or toll free (888) 622-2108. To purchase tickets on line visit seats.sunvalley.com.