Friday, January 9, 2004
|
Friday, January 9, 2004 |
|
7 of 10 favorite ‘Fred’ performers have committed to return for 2004 By J. FRANK LYNCH Seven of the 10 all-time favorite acts named by regular patrons of the annual Summer Concert Series at “The Fred” have committed to return to Peachtree City for the 10th anniversary season this summer. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater Director Donna Romeo said Friday she is still waiting on the final confirmation from an eighth performer or group. A ninth entertainer chosen by ticketholders has officially declined the invitation, while the other is deceased. Alternates will take their spots. “It will be eight of the 10 if the one we’re waiting to hear from comes through,” said Romeo, refusing to identify any of the acts being considered The season lineup won’t be officially announced until Feb. 13. But at least a couple of acts from last summer’s blockbuster season, which included The Village People, Pat Benatar and Wayne Newton, is expected to return to “The Fred” this summmer. “That would be a good assumption,” said Romeo coyly. With her desk piled high with pending contracts and paperwork, Romeo said negotiations for the 2004 season have been only slightly delayed by the uncertainty surrounding the amphitheater’s management. The Peachtree City Tourism Association is expected to assume responsibility for running the venue and the Peachtree City Tennis Center starting Jan. 19, following City Council action Monday night to approve the association’s budget and bylaws. “I personally can’t say anything at this point about what’s going to happen,” Romeo said Friday. “But I have confidence that everything will work out. It’s just taking time.” All of the venue’s corporate sponsors have indicated they will re-up for another year, which represents about $166,000 of the proposed 2004 budget of $1.3 million. The biggest source of revenue remains ticket sales, especially season ticket packages, which account for $1.08 million. Another $80,000 is expected to come in this season for the second-annual Jazz Series, and Spotlight Concerts generate another $22,000. The 2004 budget, which will run Jan. 19 through Sept. 30 to coincide with the end of the city’s fiscal calendar, is completely self-sustaining and doesn’t include any revenue from the city’s hotel-motel tax collections. The City Council designated $25,000 in guest tax revenue for the amphitheather last year, but it was never applied as such, Romeo has said. The Development Authority of Peachtree City, which managed the amphitheater and tennis center before quitting in November, used the funds to pay legal fees in an ongoing equal pay discrimination lawsuit brought by Kristi Rapson, the former amphitheater director. Even so, the amphitheater turned a profit in 2003 of approximately $111,000. The 2004 budget is slightly more modest, projecting a surplus in the fall of $37,000.
|
||