Mann expanding

**eldondre** · 07-05-2012, 01:28 PM

actually sounds pretty cool

The high, expansive new area, which increases the arts campus' size by almost a third and will undergo more refinements for next summer, brings visitors an impressive vista of downtown towers three miles to the southeast.

"The view is to die for," says Cahill.

Mann leaders are finalizing other changes expected to be complete for the summer of 2013. The current lawn will be enlarged by eliminating some terrace seating and bringing the grassy semicircle closer to the edge of the theater. The current, often lonely sea of 4,800 green plastic seats will be removed, replaced with 2,000 new seats

Mann adding a second stage for listeners to get up close

**darthsinatra** · 07-05-2012, 01:33 PM

FTA: "Mann fund-raisers are well along in the campaign to pay for renovations. A $16 million drive already has brought in $12.5 million in cash and pledges. Primary sources are $3 million from the city, $2.5 million from the Commonwealth, $1.75 million from the William Penn Foundation, and, in the Mann's single largest gift from an individual, $2 million from H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest."

Where did we get $3MM for a concert venue?

**eldondre** · 07-05-2012, 01:42 PM

just goes to show there is money in the capital fund even for things like parks if they want to use it that way

**Cya** · 07-05-2012, 02:37 PM

The Mann is my favorite venue in the Phila area.
The views of the city are great-- and it sounds like it's going to be even better.
This is great news!!

**BarryG** · 07-05-2012, 03:11 PM

The Mann is great. The SEPTA shuttle service is not bad either--except they need to add another bus for big concerts--those things get crowded. Also it would be nice if the drivers wouldnt make unscheduled stops on the return trip, the ride is long enough as it is.

**eldondre** · 07-05-2012, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by BarryG

The Mann is great. The SEPTA shuttle service is not bad either--except they need to add another bus for big concerts--those things get crowded. Also it would be nice if the drivers wouldnt make unscheduled stops on the return trip, the ride is long enough as it is.

I found the shuttle to be pretty subpar. takes FOREVER, stuck in traffic, etc. plus you have to sit and wait on it anyway. I find walking the two blocks to the 43's terminus (it used to be three blocks) is worth it, you miss traffic, the bus just sits there anyway, and it takes just as good a route (to my neighborhood but if I were going to the bsl that would also be fine). perhaps the 40 is also an option (the problem with that bus has been the detour, not sure if it's been removed)

**BarryG** · 07-05-2012, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by eldondre

I found the shuttle to be pretty subpar. takes FOREVER, stuck in traffic, etc. plus you have to sit and wait on it anyway. I find walking the two blocks to the 43's terminus (it used to be three blocks) is worth it, you miss traffic, the bus just sits there anyway, and it takes just as good a route (to my neighborhood but if I were going to the bsl that would also be fine). perhaps the 40 is also an option (the problem with that bus has been the detour, not sure if it's been removed)

Yea it sucks sitting there wiating to go back. To get to the show, it is faster than the regular buses I think because it's a busy time and 40 etc will be making tons of stops and taking busy roads--last time I took the shuttle to the Mann, it took 24th or something to get to Girard. Getting back, you might be right, though it depends where you're going. Either way I doubt it's much slower than if you parked a private vehicle and had to drive back to CC.

**Kevin** · 07-05-2012, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Cya

The Mann is my favorite venue in the Phila area.

Me too. Hated when Twitter or whatever it's called now opened and drew away a lot of the acts that used to play there. Hopefully this will help bring some back.

**eldondre** · 07-05-2012, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Kevin

Me too. Hated when Twitter or whatever it's called now opened and drew away a lot of the acts that used to play there. Hopefully this will help bring some back.

tailgating was much more pleasant in fairmount park than tweeter's parking lots

**Gladys** · 07-05-2012, 07:03 PM

If they could improve... or rather develop, any kind of acoustic i'd be tempted to go, as it is you might as well listen to a recording at home in the AC.

**Cya** · 07-05-2012, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by eldondre

tailgating was much more pleasant in fairmount park than tweeter's parking lots

This is true.
One time a few years ago I was there (Mann) for a concert (John Mellencamp?). We figured we'd get out of the car, have a couple of beers, and head on in.
Well, we got out of the car and were immediately swarmed by hundreds of these giant flies (can't think of the name of them right now). It sucked! Everybody was sitting in their cars. We had to make a run for it to the gate.
I never saw it like that before or since. It was bizarre for sure.
I was actually planning to go to the Mann last Friday night to see the orchestra and fireworks, but it was so damn hot, I had to skip it.
Really happy to hear they're upgrading to attract more bands.

**darthsinatra** · 07-05-2012, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by Gladys

If they could improve... or rather develop, any kind of acoustic i'd be tempted to go, as it is you might as well listen to a recording at home in the AC.

The article does mention some improvements to the acoustics but I am not sure if they mean amplified sound or a redesigned bandshell.