It’s been the wish of any serious Lexington concertgoer for decades: A venue that, in true Goldilocks fashion, wasn’t too small, wasn’t too big, but was, in essence, just right for a considerable number of national touring artists.
In specific terms, that translated into the realization of a medium-size facility that wasn’t as imposing as the mammoth Rupp Arena but still markedly larger than theatre-sized facilities like the Lexington Opera House. Year after year, Lexington patrons watched acts suitable for such venues bypass the region in favor of cities like Louisville and Cincinnati.
Starting this weekend, that longstanding gap will be filled. Along with the opening of downtown’s Gatton Park on Saturday will be the unveiling of its CommonSpirit Health Stage. The new amphitheater will be able to accommodate audiences of up to 5,000. That’s slightly larger than what Cincinnati’s PNC Pavilion holds and more than twice the capacity of Iroquois Amphitheater, Louisville’s closest equivalent.
“It’s a really great capacity size, something that we haven’t had in our market,” said Joey Trevino, director of booking for Oak View Group, which will oversee performances booked for CommonSpirit Health Stage. OVG also handles events presented at Rupp Arena and the Opera House…