MLC Opens Under New Management
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 6, 2004
For More Information: 570.588.5800
Mountain Laurel Center Opens Under New Management With Labor Day Weekend Festival, Sept. 2-5 Featuring B.B. King’s Blues Festival, The Beach Boys, Don Williams & Ray Price, and Blue Oyster Cult
Plus Free Outdoor Concerts and Events
Bushkill, PA—-Now under new leadership, Mountain Laurel Center is set to open Labor Day Weekend with a full complement of star events including the legendary B.B. King, The Beach Boys, and others—-plus free performances and picnicking outdoors in “Unity Park” beginning at 11 am on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 3, 4 and 5.
The Tom Ridge Pavilion’s preview concert features Blue Oyster Cult on Thursday, September 2 at 8 pm. B.B. King’s Blues Festival will officially open the center on Friday, September 3 at 8 pm starring B.B. King, Dr. John, Shemekia Copeland, Elvin Bishop and special guests, The Muddy Waters Blues Band. Saturday, September 4, at 7 pm the center welcomes the Country Legends Summit Festival, starring Don Williams and Ray Price. The Beach Boys conclude the Labor Day Weekend Festival on Sunday, September 5 at 2:30 pm.
“With this new vitality, MLC can now accelerate the recovery from last year’s false start and get on with the real work of creating a performing arts center that blends arts and nature in a park of unsurpassed beauty,” said Richard Bryant, MLC’s new CEO.
Concert events, in the sparkling Tom Ridge Pavilion, will be complemented by continuous performances outside on Unity Stage—-the centerpiece of Unity Park, a vibrant lawn and tree-shaded section of the old Unity House property that will be open at 11 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for free live outdoor performances, picnics, family activities and reasonably priced food concessions. Special guests on the outdoor Unity Stage include The Nashville Songwriters Tour on Saturday, September 4, and The Soft Rock Café on Sunday, September 5.
“The festival offers a sampling of what is to come as the center hits its full stride. This opening will demonstrate the park’s concept; that this is a place where audiences can enjoy the beauty of nature while experiencing arts of the highest caliber across all genres, from classical, jazz and blues to the latest cutting-edge rock to traditional world music,” Bryant said.
Food service in Unity Park will begin at 11 a.m. and will continue through lunch and dinner. Visitors may also bring their own picnics or tailgate. No outside alcohol will be allowed, but beer and wine will be available for purchase in restricted areas. No outside food or beverage will be allowed inside the Tom Ridge Pavilion during the featured concerts. Parking is $5 per car.
Tickets to the featured concerts in the Tom Ridge Pavilion are on sale now at the Mountain Laurel Center’s Box Office or by phone through Ticketmaster or online at www.mountainlaurelcenter.org. For additional information call the MLC InfoLine at 570.588.5800. Groups of 35 or more receive a 10% discount on tickets.
Richard Bryant, who has served as vice-president of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and California’s Orange County Performing Arts Center, heads New Jersey-based ArtsBA Group, which specializes in arts management and marketing. His clients at ArtsBA have included Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, New York City’s American Ballet Theatre and the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
The Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts is located on Bushkill Falls Road in Bushkill, PA, in the heart of the Pocono Mountains.
Mountain Laurel Center Labor Day Weekend Festival Schedule
September 2-5, 2004
Preview
Thursday, September 2 at 8 p.m.—-Bonus Preview: Blue Oyster Cult
The ’70s superband evolved from “cult” favorite to breakout classic-rock icons with their hit albums Secret Treaties (1974) and Agents of Fortune (1976). The single “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” from the latter album, made BOC a true rock radio perennial. With opening band The Planotones.
Reserved Tickets $19 - $35
Lawn Tickets $12
Friday, September 3 at 11 a.m.—-Official Opening Ceremonies.
Unity Park Stage
Friday-Sunday, September 3-5, Starting at 11 am, Under new management, Mountain Laurel Center introduces Unity Park with a free outdoor festival for all ages, featuring ongoing live performances. Bring your own picnic, or purchase reasonably priced food and beverages onsite. Children’s activities. Explore the historic park, developed more than 100 years ago as a summer retreat for garment-union workers. Unity Park Stage special guests include The Nashville Songwriters Tour on Saturday, September 4 at 2 pm, and The Soft Rock Café on Sunday, September 5 at 5 pm.
Mainstage Opening
Friday, September 3 at 8 p.m.—-B.B. King’s Blues Festival
The undisputed “King of the Blues” arrives at MLC with his famous guitar “Lucille” and his gospel-imbued singing style, along with an array of guest stars, including Dr. John, Shemekia Copeland, Elvin Bishop and the Muddy Waters Blues Band. King, 78, has revolutionized the role of the guitar in blues music with such hits as “The Thrill is Gone” and many more
Reserved Tickets $42 - $65
Lawn Tickets $30
On the Mainstage
Saturday, September 4 at 7 p.m.—-Country Legends Summit Festival:
Ray Price and Don Williams
Two American classics who helped define the meaning of country music! Ray Price scored such hits as “Crazy Arms” and Heartaches by the Number” before enjoying huge pop crossover success with “For the Good Times” and “Make the World Go Away.” Don Williams’ warm hickory baritone on “You’re My Best Friend” launched him to fame; his other smashes include “Till the Rivers All Run Dry” and “I Believe In You.”
Reserved Tickets $25. - $45
Lawn Tickets $15
On the Mainstage
Sunday, September 5 at 2:30 p.m.—-The Beach Boys
Labor Day Holiday Weekend and The Beach Boys mean “Fun, Fun, Fun” as Mike Love and company share “Good Vibrations” and the sounds of summer. Get ready as Mike Love, Bruce Johnston and company spotlight “Good Vibrations,” “Surfer Girl,” “Fun, Fun, Fun” and all their other unforgettable hits.
Reserved Tickets $30 - $50
Lawn Tickets $20
Parking is $5 for all events.
