Casino staging concert series

Observer Staff

3/8/2005 12:00:00 AM

A summer outdoor concert series at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort is just the ticket for patrons seeking top-notch entertainment.

Plans for a 10,000-seat venue were approved by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council during the Feb. 22 Soaring Eagle Board of Directors regular meeting.

The 10 shows are tentatively slated between the week prior to Memorial Day and a couple of weeks after Labor Day, according to Executive Director of Marketing, Sales and Entertainment William Masterson. "In tracking entertainment at the Soaring Eagle for a number of years, there's been the obvious trend that the most successful acts from a business aspect are also the most expensive," he explained. "If you have a higher grade of talent, you have less of a problem selling the act."

Average ticket sales for shows in the 3,000-seat Soaring Eagle Entertainment Hall are at about 75 percent, according to Masterson. Higher-end acts-like country superstars Brooks & Dunn, as well as Reba McIntyre-prompt better sales by another 12 percent.

"When we see better ticket sales, it may reduce our fixed costs for advertising because instead of selling a show for nine weeks, you may only need one like with Alicia Keys on March 27," he added.

The project would include 8,800 riser-type and 1,200 main floor seats. It would be situated to the south of the existing parking ramp where employee parking is currently located.

"This project is intended to increase revenues on the gaming floor, food and beverage outlets, as well as entertainment ticket sales," added Masterson. "We believe this outdoor concert series will enhance an already successful entertainment program."