Concerts at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater

Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park

February 28, 2007

McLaren Park, at the juncture between Excelsior, Visitacion Valley and the Portola neighborhoods, is one of the most beautiful parks in the entire parks system. With over 317 acres of trails and groves, it's nearly as large as Golden Gate Park. But, only adventurous city residents and the nearby communities know of the Park located near the City's southern edge. The Park received national attention when its amphitheater was named after famed Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, who grew up in the Excelsior.

NextArts is producing five concerts at the Amphitheater on Saturday nights, September through October 2007. The concerts are the first of its kind for Jerry Garcia Amphitheater. Previous evening performances by NextArts include the Sock It To Me Concert, Concert For Kids, and Rock The Vote.

Anthony Imperial of NextArts initially told the Parks Commission he would know by May 2007 whether the organization had enough funding to keep the concerts free. But with half the funding already in the pipeline, NextArts is making some (joyful) noise.

"We aren't the symphony or the ballet, but we're generating some very positive buzz and it's only February," Imperial said. "It's really great." .

Franco Mancini of the group Friends of McLaren Park, is also pleased. His group has wanted a concert series like NextArts' for years.

"We'd much rather have someone charge socks and underwear, than 10-bucks a beer to put on concerts in our park," Mancini said. And, it looks like the philanthropic and business community is responding.

NextArts goal is to create evening cultural activity in the region, including the Excelsior, Visitaction Valley and Bay View/Hunter's Point. These concerts will aid families and youth who are given the rare opportunity to experience performances in their own backyard.

"Free nighttime cultural activity is just what the doctor ordered." Imperial said.

More information:

NextArts Concerts at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater

Video tour of McLaren Park

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