The 2009 summer season at the Leach Amphitheater in downtown Oshkosh marks the first year this facility is being run by the city (the municipal government - specifically, the parks dept). The season was opened the last weekend in May with Waterfest and a weekend-long Irish Fest. Irish Fest was the first show organized by the city, and seemed to have gone quite well - fun, good music, and good weather. I am unsure of attendance and revenue figures, which obviously are significant indicators of success.
Additional summer programming includes music shows by local high school bands, the increasingly popular Brews N Blues, the Golden Dragon Acrobats, a major country act, and several other small programs. What isn't evident is an array of local musical acts or theater shows, despite a healthy local music and theater scene in the Fox Valley. According to the current schedule available on the Leach site, many of the Saturdays are open - nothing scheduled. Information available on the Leach website indicates a dedication to providing local programming, suggesting that this type of programming may be coming.
I have been an advocate for city coordination of this facility since January 2006. According to a Sept 08 post on MainstreetOshkosh.com:
In March of 05, Tony Palmeri and I had spoken at the council meeting in which the residing council members spoke of delusions of grandeur regarding the Leach... We simply requested that the facility serve the taxpayers who funded it, allowing access to local community groups and artists. This didn't happen. Now, it seems, that many are "coming to their senses" and recognizing the importance this fabulous facility can play for our local community - now including those individuals and groups who are eager to organize exciting programming at this facility, but who maybe couldn't afford the $1500+ rental charges previously requested.
I was pleased to see the city take control of the facility, with a focus on bringing in wanted acts, hosting and facilitating local programming, and running a top-notch facility.
I still think the city needs help. As stated in 2008, The Leach provides an amazing opportunity for UW Oshkosh business major interns and UW Oshkosh Marketing interns to work closely with staff on maximizing the use of this facility. Further, Human Services student interns may be able to collaborate with community agencies to expand partnerships in that direction.
I still think the Parks Dept needs help, as stated in 2008:
I second the call by Dr Palmeri for a Leach Advisory Board, and believe that putting the responsibilities on the current Parks Board would accomplish nothing. I would go further and call it an Advisory and Review Board, responsible for ensuring citizen input, participation, and approval of operations. The board should consist of at least one local musician, someone from the local media like Jane Spietz, someone from the local restaurant industry, someone from the university, someone from a local environmental program, a representative with WaterFest, and several others. Most importantly is that this group has the authority to guide and decide.
I think many people are skeptical of and resistant to the notion of the city effectively running this facility. But I also think the city has the capacity and potential to be excellent at operating one of the finer outdoor stages in Northeastern Wisconsin. I think it is time for the "gate keepers" to open the doors for further involvement, assistance, criticism, and promotion. Let's expand the programming, and bring in theatre, bring in Oshkosh area-rooted music acts like the Blueheels, let's try symphonic performances and fine dining meals like Madison's concert in the park, maybe partner with the local dance studios and feature local dance talent, and other ideas that the owners of the facility (Oshkosh residents) have.
Finally, I think everyone in Oshkosh and around the Valley should take a look at the programming available, and check out the facility for yourself. It is a beautiful setting and an amazing donation / contribution to our community.
4 comments:
Great.
A couple weeks in and after the first big event (a success beyond projections, no less)the first boo-bird makes an appearance.
It is a top-notch facility designed for thousands of patrons. If you want the thing to succeed, you can't start reserving the entire complex for a discounted sum to host a band or local production that might draw a hundred or so fans.
If you start doing that suddenly the Leach can't host the next German/Polish/Italian Fest with 10,000 patrons because it would conflict with the 4th grade production of Annie being watched by 131 people.
Tom and the Parks Dept just started their run. Do them a favor and let them try to do it before you jump 'em.
Tom and the Parks Dept just started their run. Do them a favor and let them try to do it before you jump 'em.
good advice that also might be suited to our new Mayor and council....
"Do them a favor and let them try to do it before you jump 'em."
The piece wasn't really condemning at all - and actually says that the city will probably do a great job.
As this site comes to the top of many Internet searches, I felt it important to also include information on the Leach programming so that more individuals may be able to enjoy the great facility.
But the old emotional rag-tag blind support without continually assessing ways to improve just isn't really what we do here (thanks for taking care of it, though). I really don't care if they've just started or have been doing it for 20 years. That is really not a strong rationale for opposing ways to do it better.
You have unclearly showed, though, that some folks in our community aren't interested in community-based programming. Thankfully, there is no context or example you can cite that says it is either or. Rather, a more intuitive assessment would say that the city needs some help - they can't focus all of the park's dept staff time on a few major shows forever - even if those shows are just awesome. They have their base job, and the community has a genuine interest in accessing the park they own.
Also contrary to your position, local programming can generate great turnouts, enjoyable experiences, and facilitate the success of the facility. Further, while the facility is designed with the capacity to serve thousands, that doesn't mean that a wedding of 200 people there sucks. It doesn't mean that an intimate outdoor Shakespeare performance along with wine and hor dourves served to 300 people couldn't be fabulous.
But yes, the facility is great, I’m sure the Irish Fest was awesome ( I really wanted to go but opposite shifts and kids prevented it), and I really want the city to succeed. It has been 3 years that I’ve been calling for the city to run it. And now that they are, I’ll be sure to assess and critique their management of it so that we can continue to 4th grade Polish fests and other fine programming.
Irish Fest was fantastic. (our first event attended of the season)
My family and friends plan to attend as many events as we can throughout the season, no matter the scale.
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