Latest news with #amphitheater
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Amphitheater once proposed for Washington could find home on Peoria riverfront
PEORIA — An amphitheater once planned for the city of Washington could be making its way to the Peoria riverfront, according to Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich. A proposal for the amphitheater could go to the Peoria City Council for approval in September, Urich said. The venue would be built on the north side of the Murray Baker Bridge, in the large, grassy area near the Peoria RiverPlex. The amphitheater project was controversial in Washington and ultimately did not happen after the Hengst Foundation, which is proposing the project, pulled its proposal from the city. Now, the Hengst Foundation and the city of Peoria are discussing plans to bring the amphitheater to Peoria, where it would be rolled into the city's larger master plan for a riverfront overhaul. More: 'Hope and optimism': Peoria City Council reacts to 'beautiful' plan for riverfront Total costs for the riverfront plan will land between $25 million and $30 million, Urich said. Peoria is still waiting on $15 million of state funds to be released for the large riverfront project. Urich said the conversations about an amphitheater on the riverfront began several weeks ago and added that it would "enhance" the overhaul plan that is already in place. The Hengst Foundation had proposed giving $12 million to Washington for the amphitheater project. Urich said the donation to Peoria would be in the ballpark of that but likely a little less. Peoria Mayor Rita Ali told the Journal Star she was "very excited" about the potential amphitheater. "I think it is a great opportunity for Peoria and Peoria's riverfront," Ali said. "I think it will be an attraction, kind of a magnet for Peoria's downtown and riverfront. We're still exploring the details and things haven't been all hammered out yet." The plans involve the Peoria Park District and could also potentially involve the Peoria Civic Center, Ali said. The city owns the land but it is managed by the Park District. Urich said any designs for an amphitheater would have to be mindful of the fact that the proposed area is prone to flooding. "If you look at cities across the United States, riverfronts are usually a good place for amphitheaters," Urich said. More: Business moving from Downtown Peoria to new Peoria Heights development The master plan for the riverfront overhaul envisions the CEFCU Center Stage going away. This amphitheater would not impact that decision. "This is exactly what we do in this space, we hold concerts and festivals and this will afford the opportunity for a lot more activities," Urich said. "If you had a structure with a stage and the ability to hold dance recitals, or speaking events or public events or theater activities, it provides that opportunity for the community to use it as well, and that's what I think is really exciting about it." Any amphitheater plan would have to be approved by the Peoria City Council. Ali said she does believe the council would support a proposal and likened it to a "gift" to the city. "I think there's been a lot of receptivity so far," Ali said. Peoria City Councilmember Tim Riggenbach, whose 3rd District is home to the proposed development on the north side of the bridge, said he too was excited about the proposal. "We have such great activity going on on that riverfront and that specific area already, to have that additional feature, state of the art amphitheater, permanent stage for all the festivals that we have, I see this as just an incredible win for the community," Riggenbach said. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Amphitheater project could be coming to Peoria riverfront Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Yukon amphitheater project won't move forward, city says
YUKON, Okla. (KFOR) — The mayor of Yukon says a controversial project to build a multi-million indoor-outdoor amphitheater in city limits, won't move forward. The project, initially set for consideration near I-40 and Frisco Road in Yukon under the name Sunset Amphitheater. The Venu Group-managed project would have seen a 12,500-capacity amphitheater, the group said would have generated billions of dollars in economic impact in the area in the first 10 years. In addition to creating jobs, bolstering tourism and supporting local government needs. Tuesday, Yukon mayor Brian Pillmore shared with the public during a city council meeting the city had decided not to move forward with the amphitheater. 'We're not supporting moving forward with this project,' said Pillmore in a separate interview with News 4. The decision followed conversations with local stakeholders, Pillmore said, in addition to results from an economic feasibility study the city paid a Chicago-based consulting firm $60,000 to conduct. The results of the study can be found below. Yukon-Amphitheater-StudyDownload 'I think that our our community should be very satisfied that we have a council that listens to them, hears their concerns and evaluates what is best for the city, not best for any one citizen, but best for the city in the long term,' said Pillmore. 'This is day one': Yukon economic feasibility study for amphitheater plans underway The study points out a projection, over 30 years, of Yukon losing more than $91 million of expected sales tax revenue to Oklahoma City and Venu due to a tax-sharing agreement. Yukon would have only pocketed a little over $30 million. Venu would have bough 25-acres of land for less than $500,000 and split ticket fees in half with the city. That doesn't account for an additional 4,000 parking spots the study says the City of Yukon would need to construct and large percentage of a $98 million construction bill the city would also be on the hook for. 'It did show some return for the city of Yukon, but I don't think it was a significant enough return on investment for us to move forward,' said Pillmore. News 4 asked Pillmore if this decision meant the project wouldn't be revisited in the future. He said residents can consider it 'closed at this point.' Pillmore said he doesn't want the rejection to the amphitheater to be seen as the city not welcoming development, adding that the city is open to revisiting what the land is used for as long as it's the right fit. 'Yukon is open for business, but we have to find the things that are the right return on investment and the right fit for our community,' said Pillmore. News 4 reached out to representatives with Venu for comment Tuesday, but did not hear back; and asked Pillmore for clarification on what communication with Venu has been like regarding this decision. 'It's been collaborative,' said Pillmore. 'We've talked to them throughout this whole process, week by week, month by month. So, I don't think there's any surprises with any business that considers entering the City of Yukon. We want that to be a collaborative discussion.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lauren Sanchez gets piercing in VERY bizarre place before wedding with Jeff Bezos
Newlywed Lauren Sanchez got a piercing in a very unusual place for her Venetian wedding to Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos last weekend - and let's just say she nailed it. On Friday, the former journalist, 55, finally tied the knot with Bezos, 61, in an extravagant, days-long celebration of their love in Italy, which included themed parties and the company of 200 A-list guests like Ivanka Trump and Kim Kardashian. The happy couple got married in a restored amphitheater on the island, as Sánchez wore a high-neck, long sleeve lace Dolce & Gabbana gown that took over 900 hours of atelier to make, per Vogue. The gown featured a flared skirt, long veil, and a tight-fitting waist, with tons of buttons going up the middle. 'Very Lauren. Sexy, happy, not too serious, not too drama. Elegant but at the same time sensual,' Domenico Dolce told the outlet about the bride's dress. But the dress wasn't the only star of the show. The Blue Origin astronaut had many looks for the different occasions, including a pajama-themed party on their last night. Sánchez chose a strapless, dusty pink bustier Atelier Versace gown for the event, with bejeweled detailing all over the body - but it was her secret accessory that really stood out. The bride had her nails painted in a classic French manicure, but added a fun touch for her new husband, as the manicurist pierced a diamond-encrusted 'B' charm into the long nail on her ring finger. Newlywed Lauren Sánchez got a piercing in a very unusual place for her Venetian wedding to Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos last weekend - and let's just say she nailed it Her nail artist, Iram Shelton, wrote in an Instagram post that they decided to add the sweet piercing for their last day of celebrations. The charm shined in the Venice sun as she paid homage to her new last name. 'Nothing like diamonds at your fingertips,' Shelton wrote in the caption of her post, which showed a close-up of the charm. Throughout the weekend, Lauren also wore many custom accessories that were a nod to her new last name, like a black rhinestone-encrusted black clutch bag that read, 'Mrs. Bezos' on it in silver gems. On the morning of her wedding, Sánchez stepped out in a cream, two-piece skirt suit by Dior, adding a personal touch as she wore a brown braided bracelet with diamond charms that read 'LB,' in honor of becoming Lauren Bezos. But for Sánchez, it's not about the dress or the accessories - at the end of the day, she's just happy to be married to Bezos, who she describes as the love of her life. 'I'm very happy,' she told the outlet. 'More than the dress, I'm happy that I'm getting married and I get to spend my life with my best friend, someone who sees me, someone who adores me, someone who I adore. I am the luckiest woman on the planet,' she shared. Stylist Lisa Talbot told Daily Mail last week that Sánchez swapped her elegant daytime looks for 'full-on evening drama' in which she unlocked her 'inner Hollywood siren' on the pajama party night. She told MailOnline: 'The strapless silhouette hugged her figure to perfection, with intricate beadwork and sheer panelling that added both structure and sensuality. 'The bodice, corset-inspired in its fit, gave a nod to classic lingerie styling, while the soft pleated panels through the skirt introduced graceful movement as she stepped onto the boat. 'The combination of sheer inserts and light-catching embellishments gave the dress an ethereal quality glamorous but never overpowering.' Lisa said that the look was 'the perfect blend of sensual and sophisticated' and serves as a reminder that she 'understands the impact of fashion storytelling, particularly on the global stage.' She said she believes that Sánchez would've spent much time constructing this look right down to the very final detail, as seen with her glamorous new bag. Speaking of the 'Mrs Bezos' bag, the stylist added: 'The playful, romantic touch added a charming twist to her otherwise ultra-glamorous ensemble and couldn't have been more fitting for a bride-to-be celebrating the hours after saying 'I do.' 'Paired with sleek, cascading waves and elegant drop earrings, this look was Lauren Sánchez in her fashion prime: confident, unapologetically glamorous, and fully embracing the spotlight.'
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
24/7 Market News: VENU has Partnered with Industry Leaders, including Aramark and AEG, to Scale Operations
Denver, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2025) - a pioneer in digital media dedicated to the swift distribution of financial market news and information, reports that as Venu Holding Corporation (NYSE American: VENU) aggressively scales its fan-founded, premium amphitheater model across the country, its recently announced strategic partnership with Aramark Sports + Entertainment, a division of Aramark, may prove to be a pivotal inflection point in its mission to redefine the live entertainment experience. Please click here to view Important VENU Profile Update The partnership positions Aramark as the exclusive provider of food, beverage, retail, and facility operations for VENU's flagship Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs, as well as the company's upcoming Sunset Amphitheaters in Texas and Oklahoma. The deal is further underpinned by a $10.125 million equity investment from Aramark, signaling not only operational alignment, but financial confidence in VENU's disruptive model. J.W. Roth, VENU's founder and CEO, commented, "We just signed a deal with Aramark; we just made that announcement last week. They came on as a great partner; made a financial investment in the Company." "In terms of our operating partners, AEG, we have a good relationship with Live Nation. So, from an operating standpoint, I couldn't be more proud of the relationships that we've built and how we're fitting in the space." Shared Commitment to the Guest Experience At the heart of both companies lies a shared vision: putting fans first. VENU's goal to build upscale, fan-centric venues aligns naturally with Aramark's decades-long expertise in curating high-impact guest experiences across NFL stadiums, MLB ballparks, NCAA championship events, and cultural attractions. Whether it's VIP suite catering, grab-and-go concessions, or chef-driven dining experiences, Aramark excels at making every touchpoint intentional and memorable, exactly what VENU seeks to deliver in every market it enters. As Aramark Sports + Entertainment CEO Alison Birdwell put it, "Venu's 'fan-founded' philosophy aligns perfectly with our commitment to creating unforgettable experiences." Scaling Operational Excellence VENU plans to open 20+ venues over the next 48-60 months, creating a need for a logistics-savvy, nationally scaled operator capable of quickly activating large venues. Aramark checks every box: Services over 300 sports and entertainment venues Deep expertise in managing 10,000+ seat venues Comprehensive facility services: food, beverage, retail, custodial, and engineering As VENU builds smart venues with app-connected systems and temperature-controlled seating, Aramark enhances this with its mobile ordering and kiosks to reduce lines, AI-powered menu optimization, and real-time guest analytics. Together, this creates a modern, seamless guest journey that elevates per-capita revenue and brand loyalty across the VENU ecosystem. VENU is building destination experiences rooted in local identity. Aramark's track record of integrating local flavors, regional chefs, and craft partnerships into large-scale operations enhances VENU's appeal. The partnership complements existing collaborations with brands like Troy Aikman's EIGHT Elite Light Lager, AEG Presents, and Ford. Please click here to view Important VENU Profile Update Venu Holding Corporation (NYSE American: VENU) 24/7 MARKET NEWS, INC DisclaimerPlease go to for additional VENU disclosure or for disclaimer information. CONTACT:24/7 Market NewsEditor@ Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such statements include statements regarding the Company's ability to grow its business and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements which may be accompanied by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including without limitation, the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, the popularity and/or competitive success of the Company's acquired football and other sports teams, the Company's ability to attract players and staff for acquired clubs, unsuccessful acquisitions or other strategic transactions, the possibility of a decline in the popularity of football or other sports, the Company's ability to expand its fanbase, sponsors and commercial partners, general economic conditions, and other risk factors detailed in the Company's filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update such forward-looking statements except in accordance with applicable law. 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Associated Press
18-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
24/7 Market News: VENU to Build About $3B Worth of Venues over the Next 3 to 4 Years
Closes $10.25M Equity Investment with Institutional Investor at a Premium to Market Denver, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - June 18, 2025) - a pioneer in digital media dedicated to the swift distribution of financial market news and information, reports that the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Venu (NYSE American: VENU), J.W. Roth, was featured in an interview on the Schwab Network. Roth revealed that 'I'm in McKinney, Texas, today and we're getting ready to do our groundbreaking, here, on what will be the largest fully seated, multi-seasonal amphitheater ever built in history. It's a $350 million project that we're launching in a public private partnership with the City of McKinney.' Roth later emphasized the company's rapid scaling and innovative financing model combining public-private partnerships (PPP), fractional ownership sales, and sale-leasebacks. 'We're building about $1.2 billion worth of amps, right now. We'll build about $3 billion worth of them over the next 3 to 4 years. Our finances are pretty simple, we have about 35 to 45% of all of our financing comes from the municipality partnerships that we put together and that's in the form of real estate, in cash, and tax incentives. 'Then, we kind of stole a page out of the playbook fractional ownership that a lot of the condo guys did, years ago and, so, what we do was build our venues with an entity that we go in and sell fractional ownership, much like you would sell a condominium and that represents 35-45% of our overall financing. 'So, at the end of the day, we end up with a smaller piece of the overall pie that we need to worry about, in terms of financing and comes usually in the form of a sale leaseback of the properties. 'That's worked out well for us.' Please click here to view the interview. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Venu (NYSE American: VENU) Venu filed a Form 8-K stating that the Company closed a $10.25 million securities purchase agreement with a single institutional investor, in which Venu issued and sold shares of a new series of Company preferred stock, Series B 4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock ('Preferred Stock'). Each share of this new Preferred Stock has a stated value of $15,000 and, at the election of the holder, is convertible into 1,000 shares of VENU's common stock (subject to customary adjustments for matters such as any potential stock splits) which will represent an effective conversion rate of $15 per share. 24/7 MARKET NEWS, INC Disclaimer Please go to for additional VENU disclosure or for disclaimer information. CONTACT: 24/7 Market News [email protected] Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such statements include statements regarding the Company's ability to grow its business and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements which may be accompanied by the words 'intends,' 'may,' 'will,' 'plans,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'projects,' 'predicts,' 'estimates,' 'aims,' 'believes,' 'hopes,' 'potential' or similar words. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including without limitation, the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, the popularity and/or competitive success of the Company's acquired football and other sports teams, the Company's ability to attract players and staff for acquired clubs, unsuccessful acquisitions or other strategic transactions, the possibility of a decline in the popularity of football or other sports, the Company's ability to expand its fanbase, sponsors and commercial partners, general economic conditions, and other risk factors detailed in the Company's filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update such forward-looking statements except in accordance with applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit
