SPAC Lawn In Bad Shape After Series Of Concerts

Last weekend Phish played a three-night stand at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, aka SPAC, in Saratoga Springs, NY. The first Phish show, which happened last Thursday, took place after a torrential storm enveloped the area leaving the lawn in bad shape from the get-go. Right after Phish left town, the venue has been hosting the New York City Ballet for a one-week residency that started on Tuesday. Some of those attending the ballet were dismayed to find barely any grass left on the SPAC lawn.

The New York City ballet is now performing at SPAC. Some say the lawn isn’t in good shape after the rain/ phish show. pic.twitter.com/AALfotFRoL

— Amy Cutler (@AmyOn10) July 10, 2014

SPAC President and Executive Director Marcia White said a harsh winter, late spring and recent torrential rains had “taken a toll on our lawn, which we deeply regret,” according to the Times Union. “As an outdoor venue, one of our greatest assets is our beautiful park setting,” White continued. “However, this also means that we are vulnerable to the damage that can be caused by the weather, as evidenced by the current condition of SPAC’s lawn. However, the exhilarating, world-class performances on our stage and the ambiance of the Spa State Park still offer an experience that is second to none.” Yet ballet fans blame the venue for booking three rock shows just before the ballet hit town. “Having no lawn shows contempt for the classical arts audience,” members of the Save The Victoria Pool Society said in a statement as per the Times Union. The Times Union also reports that, “Some said SPAC management should not have allowed Live Nation, which signs rock acts for the venue, to schedule three Phish shows ahead of the ballet’s opening. They said the same thing happened to SPAC’s lawn last summer when Phish performed consecutive shows prior to the ballet’s arrival.”

Saratoga mayor Joanne Yepsen issued a statement saying the city is ready to help, “The partnership between the city, state parks and SPAC is critically important to all of us. We are ready to explore how the city can help make this more of a positive experience for many of our residents who appreciate and attend classical arts performances.”