Wednesday, March 17, 2004

City approves
four concert dates

Promoter Bravo to announce
artists when booked

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By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer

Amid objections from some local concert producers, Ketchum City Council members this week approved Boise-based concert promoter Bravo Entertainment’s request to hold four major musical performances this summer at the city’s Park and Ride Lot.

After an hour of deliberations Monday, March 15, council members voted 3-1 in favor of tentatively approving a permit for Bravo to hold concerts in Ketchum on June 29, July 6, Aug. 4 and one evening between June 22 and 24.

Paul Thorn, an owner of Bravo who presented a proposal for a series of five concerts, said he could not reveal the names of the performing artists until all of the concerts are firmly booked.

Councilwoman Terry Tracy voted against the four-concert series, stating that she would instead be in favor of approving a series of three Bravo concerts.

"I’m concerned with the number of concerts, I’m concerned with the conflicts and I’m concerned with the neighbors," Tracy said.

Several Wood River Valley producers of summer concert series who stand to compete with Bravo voiced concerns that the Bravo concerts could negatively impact their ticket sales. Directors of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Expedition Inspiration and the Northern Rockies Folk Festival all have nonprofit concert events planned for the summer.

Thorn argued that Bravo concert dates that were within days of other concerts—but did not compete for ticket sales for the same day—could ultimately help the nonprofit events.

"We bring people to town," he said, adding that the concerts will also raise money for improvements to the Guy Coles Skate Park.

Thorn also noted that the Bravo events could be beneficial to local businesses and contribute substantial amounts of money to the city through the collection of local option taxes.

"I’m not going to sell out to local option taxes," Tracy rebutted.

The dates approved by the city do not conflict directly with any other major concerts currently planned for the summer. The Northern Rockies Folk Festival, held in Hailey, is scheduled for Aug. 6 and 7, starting two days after the final Bravo event in Ketchum.

Council members tentatively agreed to allow Bravo to sell 4,000 tickets to each event.

Bravo plans to call the Park and Ride Lot—located at the corner of Warm Springs and Saddle roads—the Ketchum-Sun Valley Pavillion.

Thorn said the June 29, July 6 and Aug. 4 events were confirmed. The June 22, 23 or 24 event could be set in the near future.

The city will likely finalize the details of the Bravo permits on April 5.

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