WookieMania will follow developments closely, as no record makes the Doctor's fur tingle like Exile on Main Street.
Excerpts from the announcement:
The Rolling Stones are Coming to Charlottesville
- Tour to stop at the University's Carl Smith Center, home of Scott Stadium
The University of Virginia will host The Rolling Stones - one of the world's most recognized and enduring rock bands - on October 6, 2005, as part of the group's World Tour 2005- 2006, which was announced today [Tuesday, May 10] in New York City.
The University's Carl Smith Center, home of Scott Stadium, will join the likes of Boston's Fenway Park, New Jersey's Giants Stadium and Chicago's Soldier Field on the 35-city swing through North America that begins in Boston on August 21. It will be the first time the University's 61,000-seat football stadium has been used for such an event since the Dave Matthews Band performed there April 21, 2001.
University President John T. Casteen III called the scheduling of The Rolling Stones good for the community, good for the local economy and good for the University. "I know our students will be particularly pleased when they hear the news," he said, noting that the concert may also attract students' parents, and maybe even a few grandparents. The Rolling Stones, led by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, have been performing for 43 years, and continue to appeal across generations.
"This is a powerhouse announcement," said Timothy Hulbert, President of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce. "This is a world class event for America's #1 community. It doesn't get much better than The Rolling Stones. Beyond the excitement and ticket sales, within 48 hours this event conservatively can bring in anywhere between $2.5 and $3.5 million in direct economic activity to our community -- much more if folks stay longer."
University President Casteen attributed the recent partnership with SMG, a Philadelphia-based facilities management firm that will handle bookings for the John Paul Jones Arena, as a key factor in landing the October event. The Rolling Stones concert is SMG's first booking for the University.
"This will be the first of many high-visibility groups that will be looking to come to the Charlottesville area to perform at the University," Mr. Casteen said. "From the beginning, we promised that the Arena and Scott Stadium would become a gathering place for the community, where students, faculty, staff and community members would come to enjoy not only athletic events, but concerts, major theatrical road show productions and even the circus. This event is the first step in making good on that promise."
Even after the 15,000-seat Arena opens in 2006, SMG will continue to explore appropriate, occasional events for Scott Stadium.
"This really is going to be an extraordinary event that will bring a great deal of attention and business to our community," said Leonard W. Sandridge, executive vice president and chief operating officer at the University. "As we did with the Dave Matthews concert, the University and SMG will work closely with Charlottesville and Albemarle County and other service providers to assure the safety and security of our guests attending the concert and those living in the surrounding communities.''
Representatives of both the city and the county praised the University for its ability to attract The Rolling Stones concert and for its plans for future events.
"Having a group like The Rolling Stones play in Charlottesville undoubtedly will have a positive economic impact on our community," said Charlottesville Mayor David Brown. "The Dave Matthews Band and the University deserve credit for showing that this type of high-profile event can be a great success for everyone involved."
Robert Tucker, county executive for Albemarle County, said he also is delighted at the prospect of the concert. "We look forward to working with the University and the City of Charlottesville to make it a truly enjoyable and memorable event," Mr. Tucker said. "Having a musical group of the stature of The Rolling Stones select our community to be a stop on its tour certainly reinforces our reputation as a progressive and energetic arts and entertainment venue."
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