Jobs at Maple Leaf Performing Arts Center of Brown County Indiana

A long-awaited entertainment venue is nigh to go from planning to reality in Brown County. On Tuesday morning, the customs will pause footing for the county-owned Maple Foliage Performing Arts Center.

The 2,000-seat indoor venue will be the first of its size in the county since the stalwart Picayune Nashville Opry burned downwardly almost nine years ago. Maple Leaf — so-named with a nod to Dark-brown County'south famously lovely leafage — won't be a reincarnation of the Opry. But the multimillion-dollar center will offer the opportunity for major performing acts once more.

The plan? A combination of country, oldies, archetype stone, tribute bands, comedy and more, according to plans listed on Brown County's website.

Figuring out exactly which acts to program will exist a trial-and-error endeavor, said Jane Ellis, the executive director of the Brown County Convention and Visitors Agency. But the canton believes Maple Leafage is worth the take a chance that comes with owning a venue and that it's necessary to expand the area's arts reputation.

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"We estimate over three million visitors a year, and they're ever looking for something to practice," Ellis said. "Nosotros've got you covered in the outdoors with the mount biking and the hiking and horseback riding and zip-lining. And when it comes to indoor theaters, we've got the Brown County Playhouse, which fills a void. But at that place's still more, you know — people like choices."

The new venue is slated to open up in the summer of 2019 just southeast of Nashville off Indiana 46. The address is 200 Maple Leaf Blvd. — which volition go a new street, near South Snyder Road, that feeds into Ind. 46.

Renderings testify Maple Foliage on a single level that slopes downwards into a semi-circle around the stage. An outdoor beer garden will offer a place for audience members to wait for shows. A parking lot will be on site, and the venue besides will exist hands accessible from the Salt Creek Trail.

Ellis estimates the venue will program 70 shows per year, with 24 of those booked through Live Nation. Brown County is currently negotiating with the entertainment company known for working with venues to volume large acts all over the world, she said. Ellis hopes Maple Leaf volition become a tour finish for artists already set to perform at casinos, Old National Middle and Carmel'due south Middle for the Performing Arts.

"We're non going to pigeon-hole ourselves into but country or just rock 'north' gyre or merely bluegrass, so it would exist a variety," Ellis said.

Maple Leaf's programming will make full a gap created when the Picayune Nashville Opry defenseless fire in 2009. The 35-year-old staple was known for bringing in Johnny Cash, Kenny Chesney and Trisha Yearwood. The then-manager was charged with arson and later constitute not guilty, according to IndyStar archives. Since so, shows of the same scale haven't had a abode in the county, Ellis said.

The 426-seat Brown County Playhouse hosts alive music, plays, magic and movies, among other offerings. Ellis noted an intimate live music scene in restaurants, breweries, distilleries and other like businesses. The Bill Monroe Music Park hosts multi-day festivals, and entertainment at Mike's Trip the light fantastic toe Barn includes dance lessons and country music.

Ellis said the word of Maple Leaf has included the storied Opry considering plans take long been in the works for a private owner to rebuild the two,000-seat venue.

In 2012, land music DJ Scott Wayman and his family bought the land where the Opry was on Ind. 46 west of Nashville. He created the for-turn a profit corporation, LNO Inc., to revive its legacy and again book country stars. The Oak Ridge Boys and Mickey Gilley — the beginning act when the original Opry opened April iv, 1975 — have asked to be among the start shows. Wayman, who is the longtime forenoon DJ at WCBK FM (102.3) in Martinsville, estimates the new Opry will take about six months to build and volition open up in bound 2019 at the earliest.

Both Wayman and Ellis were clear that the two entities were not competing.

"We've had the people say, 'Oh what (is Brown Canton) trying to exercise to yous' and all these kinds of things, and nosotros don't feel that way at all. We feel like anything that brings people to Brown Canton is going to benefit all of us," Wayman said.

In the meantime, construction on Maple Leaf will begin Tuesday and is expected to terminate in May, Ellis said. Brown County'southward Miller Architects designed the venue, and Indianapolis-based Brandt Structure was hired to build it, she said.

The projection will cost $12.v 1000000, which includes the cost of the country, Ellis said. Brown County has taken out a thirty-year structure loan to generally cover the costs, Ellis said. The loan will switch to a traditional mortgage after the building is complete, and she said the county will pay information technology off with Maple Leaf's revenue. The innkeepers' tax, a 5 pct tax on room and accommodations, will exist used as collateral if Maple Leaf can't make the payments, she said.

A few people began informally discussing the possibility of a new venue right after the Opry burned downwards, but a formal planning process for Maple Foliage formed just well-nigh a year ago, Ellis said. The managementgroup includes county commissioners along with members from the county's tourism committee, council and Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors.

As construction begins, one of Brown County'due south next moves is to rent an executive managing director to volume future acts at Maple Leaf. Ellis hopes to have someone in the position by November. 1. Initially, the managing director will be the only fulltime worker, with positions in the box office, marketing department and product planned for later.

Call IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Source: https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/arts/2018/07/09/new-venue-near-nashville-indiana-and-brown-county-playhouse/756783002/

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