Season Debut
James DeCamp
New Albany Community Foundation supports Hinson Amphitheater summer series
Leslie Odom Jr. performed at the 2021 amphitheater benefit.
By Claire Miller
T
he debut summer season of the Charleen & Charles Hinson Amphitheater is off and running, with plenty of room to grow. The New Albany Community Foundation will support programming at the amphitheater throughout the summer including a Columbus Jazz Orchestra & Friends performance and free Family Flicks movie screenings. “We’re excited, obviously,” says foundation President Craig Mohre. “This will be our first full season with the new venue. It’s very intimate. It’s very beautiful. It’s going to be a great experience for folks to attend performances.” 24
It’s the first season for the amphitheater, which was dedicated in fall 2021, and therefore a learning experience for the foundation, Mohre says. “The first season is to see what the response is, to see what kind of sponsorships we can secure,” he says. “But I think it’s a good season to start and I hope that we’ll learn a lot this year and then next year maybe grow the programming.” In the amphitheater’s debut season, the foundation will present a threeperformance series, which included the Kat and Dave Show on June 14. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra & Friends will grace the Hinson stage for
the second performance of the series on July 21, performing a selection of gospel, blues and spirituals alongside world-renowned vocalist Niki Haris and the Milt Ruffin Chorale. The performance will include a tribute to Aretha Franklin. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. On Aug. 11, the foundation will host Amp Up the Arts in benefit to the amphitheater. The event features Tony and Grammy award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry, who originated the role of Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway musical Hamilton. Gates open and dinner begins at 7 p.m. The performance starts at 8 p.m. www.healthynewalbanymagazine.com
