By Brenda Sexton, The Courier-Herald
Some of the biggest names in entertainment are coming to the Plateau in the White River Amphitheatre's inaugural summer concert season.
Concert promoters like Karen Donovan are looking for it to be the premier concert venue in the Pacific Northwest.
"It's great," Donovan said. "It's going to be awesome."
The White River Amphitheatre, nestled just off state Route 164 seven miles west of Enumclaw, opens June 14 with Seattle's Heart and recently added reunited superband Fleetwood Mac to the card for July 26. Donovan said she is trying to add some blues or country western acts to the lineup.
Also scheduled to perform this summer and fall are: guitarist Jeff Beck, June 20; Ozzfest, which will include 20 bands over 14 hours including headliner Ozzy Osbourne, in addition to Korn, Marilyn Manson, Disturbed and Chevelle, plus on a second stage Cradle of Filth and Nothingface and more, July 12; Neil Young and Crazy Horse, July 16; Boston, July 27; Lollapalooza, featuring Jane's Addiction, Audioslave, Incubus, A Perfect Circle Jurassic 5 and The Donnas, Aug. 23; and Aerosmith and Kiss, Oct. 12.
White River Amphitheater is owned by the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and operated by Clear Channel Entertainment. Clear Channel owns and operates more than 45 amphitheaters nationally and is the world's largest promoter of live events.
Promoters say the White River Amphitheater offers the ultimate concert experience - a state-of-the-art outdoor entertainment venue with panoramic views with Mount Rainier as a backdrop, unobstructed sight lines, top quality sound and two 30-foot x 40-foot video screens.
It has a seating capacity of 20,000. The stage and approximately 9,000 seats are under cover. The lawn sprawls for festival seating. Concert goers with lawn tickets are encouraged to bring a blanket, but leave the lawnchair at home.
There is room for 6,000 vehicles to park. Traffic will enter the site from Auburn on 164, as well as from state Route 169 via Southeast 400th Street and from state Route 410 across 244th Avenue Southeast and down 164.
In addition, there will be a free shuttle service from the Auburn SuperMall. A diverse food and beverage service is available on The Plaza. The grounds also house the Canoe Lodge, a 6,000-square-foot lounge and the Bear and Wolf houses, all ages cafes, plus four separate restroom buildings.
VIP boxes and season seats are also available for a premium price.
Ticket prices will vary. For example, tickets for Heart are expected to run from $19.50 to $120.
In a recent release, organizers say the amphitheater will also hire a large work force to operate the venue during the summer season.
More information is available at www.whiteriverconcerts.com
Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierherald.com
