Pennysaver Amphitheater facts for kids
| Former names | Brookhaven Amphitheater (until June 2010), Bald Hill Cultural Center, Bald Hill Ski Bowl |
|---|---|
| Location | S. Bicycle Path Drive, Selden, New York, 1.5 miles north of L.I.E. Exit 63 |
| Coordinates | 40°50′38″N 73°01′18″W / 40.843859°N 73.021617°W |
| Owner | Town of Brookhaven |
| Type | Amphitheater |
| Capacity | 3,000 (seats) 4,000 (grass area) |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1980s |
| Website | |
| Pennysaver Amphitheater | |
The Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill is a fun outdoor concert spot. It's located in Farmingville, New York, in the Town of Brookhaven. This place can hold about 3,000 people in seats. Plus, over 4,000 more can sit on the grassy lawn. That means a total of 7,000 people can enjoy a show here! For many years, it was known as the Brookhaven Amphitheater. But in June 2012, it got its new name, the Pennysaver Amphitheater.
History of the Amphitheater
People have been holding outdoor concerts at Bald Hill since 1965. The current amphitheater was built in the late 1980s. It replaced older, simpler stages. This new venue was built where the Bald Hill Ski Bowl used to be. It was designed to be like other famous places. For example, it's similar to the PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey. Some people even compare it to big arenas like the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. It's also been compared to the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
Famous Performers and Events
While it might not be as famous as the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater on Long Island, many concert fans love the Pennysaver Amphitheater. They often say the views of the stage are great from everywhere. Over the years, many cool bands and singers have played here. These include Blondie, James Brown, and B.B. King. Other stars like Pat Benatar, Alice Cooper, and Cheap Trick have also performed. Even Twisted Sister and the Metal Edge Rockfest in 2002 came to this stage. The venue also hosts family-friendly movie nights.
Changes in Management
The Town of Brookhaven owns the amphitheater. Managing it has had some challenges over the years. In the early 1990s, there were problems with shows that were planned but never happened. This caused issues for the town. Later, in 2002, there were more changes with how the venue was run. For a few years, from 2004 to 2008, the venue lost money. The Town of Brookhaven thought about stopping funding in 2008. But they decided to keep it going and hosted at least three shows in 2009.
In 2012, the Brookhaven Town Board made a new plan. They approved a five-year agreement with a company called JVC Broadcasting. This company would manage the venue. In June 2012, it was officially announced that the place would be called the Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill. This new partnership helped bring more concerts and events to the area.
