Keeping Iroquois Awesome

Local is more than simply a word to Mike Slaton, manager of Iroquois Amphitheater; it’s a mission. Since 2010, the amphitheater has hosted nationally-recognized names like The Shins and Bright Eyes, and has since doubled the number of concerts per year. However, the venue has long been a valued resource in South Louisville, accommodating free movie screenings and graduation ceremonies for Fairdale High School, Iroquois High School Magnet Career Academy, and Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North and South.

“What I want to see continue is for us to be a publicly-owned and publicly-managed venue that can produce large concerts, but I don’t want us to be just a rental house,” said Slaton. “My goal is for us to remain a community resource and a community asset. I want to see arts programming as something that we can do to enhance the well-being of the city.”

After graduating from the University of Louisville in 2006, Slaton became increasingly active in the local arts and has performed with numerous production companies. Before stepping into the role of manager at Iroquois Amphitheater, he worked in the community relations division of Metro Parks for four years, managing the Friends of Louisville Loop and Adopt-A-Park programs.

According to Slaton, the urge to preserve Iroquois Amphitheater as a thriving artistic center stems from Metro Parks’ vision to keep local art alive.

“I don’t want there to not be a theater out here anymore,” said Slaton. “It would be the easiest thing in the world to do – to just let it go. But as an arts lover myself, I wouldn’t be OK with just letting this place go. We’re committed to making theater happen out here.”

Indeed, a large portion of the amphitheater’s arts lineup comes from local talent. The 2012 season is scheduled to include Louisville Winds, Derby City Brass Band, and University of Louisville Dance Theatre.

Looking forward, Slaton said he hopes to include multicultural performances from the city’s international population, many of whom live in the areas surrounding Iroquois Park.

Plans have already been put in place to bring Americana Community Center’s annual World Festival to Iroquois Amphitheater in 2013, where it is expected to bring a diverse array of musical and theatrical performances to a wider audience.

According to Slaton, this level of community outreach would not be possible without two key components: the financial support that big-name concerts tend to bring to the amphitheater and the recent renovation that has allowed such large-scale events to take place.

Since its construction in 1938, Iroquois Amphitheater has undergone several renovations. Perhaps the most notable transformation occurred in 2003, when Metro Parks expanded seating space, installed a partial roof above the stage, and bolstered the amphitheater’s capacity for year-round use.

“Ever since the renovation, we’ve opened in a not-so-great economy, but we’ve been able to connect with outside promoters and draw in some big names and good crowds,” said Slaton.

He credits Production Simple – a Louisville-based promotion agency – as being a key element in putting Iroquois Amphitheater back on the map.

“The more we do here, the more we’ll be on the radar,” said Slaton. “That’s also because this is such a fantastic and unique venue. Now we’re moving toward a future that can make big shows work, but can also reach out to the community and make sure we have local support.”

The task of attracting both national and local talent is something Slaton described as a delicate balancing act. It’s a job that has been made easier with support from local agencies, nonprofits, and public officials.

Free movie nights, which began in 2009, gained momentum when Marianne Butler, the District 15 councilwoman, gave a portion of her neighborhood funds to support free programming for South End residents.

Other community-oriented events, such as Kentucky Music Weekend – which celebrated its 37th anniversary this year – are inexpensive events offered to the public.

“Most of the commercial concerts out here are $30 to $40, but I know we’re not going to be connected with the community if the cheapest show we have is $30,” said Slaton. “We want to put on a wide variety of events at as many price levels as possible.”

For Slaton and company, turning Iroquois Amphitheater into a successful venue comes from keeping it local while opening the space up to large-scale events.

“We’re working with private promoters on helping us raise money, but we’re also trying to find ways to allow community organizations and artists to put on productions,” said Slaton. “We’re making this place everything it can be and that the community deserves it to be.”

-Elijah McKenzie

Upcoming Events

Rufus Wainwright
& Adam Cohen
Sunday, August 5
Doors: 6:30 p.m.
Show: 8:00 p.m.

“The Princess Bride”
Monday, August 6
8:30 p.m.

Kris Kristofferson
& Bonnie Prince Billy
Thursday, August 9
Doors: 6:30 p.m.
Show: 7:30 p.m.

“Cars 2”
Friday, August 10
Doors: 7:30 p.m.
Show: 8:30 p.m.

Brandi Carlile
& Andy Hull of
Manchester Orchestra
Saturday, August 11
Doors: 6:30 p.m.
Show: 8:00 p.m.

Gilbert & Sullivan’s
“H.M.S. Pinafore”
August 17-August 25
Doors: 7:00 p.m.
Show: 8:00 p.m.

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