On a typical Thursday, Columbia residents might find themselves searching for something to do after work or class. Since 1989, the Koger Center for the Arts has served as a community hub, working to make performance art accessible across the Midlands.
Now, a three-year matching grant from the Levitt Foundation has secured the venue’s ability to present the Levitt AMP Columbia Music Series, offering free outdoor concerts to the public with no tickets, advance registration or cover charge.
“Their goal is to bring the communities together through music,” said Nate Terracio, director of the Koger Center. “Most of what we do has a ticket fee, because it’s the nature of the entertainment business … This gives us an opportunity to give people something free where you don’t necessarily have to plan in advance, and you don’t have to worry about selling out because it’s outside; we have a huge lawn.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the venue moved performances outside as health restrictions halted traditional auditorium shows. After seeing the public embrace the casual setup on the lawn, the center invested in a permanent outdoor stage in front of the building…