Hey Kids! Let's Put On A Show!

One thing that will always attract people is an entertainment venue.  Whether it be a large auditorium for acts to perform, or something more intimate, such as a club/restaurant.  I've always thought that Sturbridge would a be fantastic place for just such a place.

The Manhattans performing at Scullers Jazz Club in
Cambridge this past weekend.

What I envisioned was a rural complex, not too far from the interstates, set on a some open fields in a large barn like structure with a great restaurant, and club inside.  The land around the restaurant would grow much of the food used on the menu, and the menu would be exciting, not just fish 'n chips.  The club portion of the facility would hold a few hundred people for people, and groups to perform.  The restaurant could also have a small area for performers to play background music.

Who would perform at The Meadows in Sturbridge?  Actually, anyone that could attract a crowd.  R&B, jazz, pop, rock, and classical are all genres that could fill the space.

"We're going up to Sturbridge this weekend to catch Diana Krall at The Meadows."  Sounds nice.

I've thought about this for years.  I just need a millionaire with the seed money, and a sense of adventure.  They're a dime a dozen, I know, but we also need one with a bit of vision, too.

This past weekend we spent date night at one such venue in Cambridge, along the Charles River at Scullers Jazz Club inside the Double Tree Hotel.  Scullers is world renown, and has hosted performers like Tony Bennent, Chris Botti, and Wynton Marsalis.  Although, it's capacity is only 150, it is large enough to host a large ensemble such as the one we saw Saturday night, the famous Manhattans ("You Are My Shining Star", Let's Just Kiss And Say Goodbye").  The show, on Saturday night, was fantastic, and the "joint was packed".  We also enjoyed a great dinner before the show in the Green Room Restaurant.

This type of entertainment would be perfect in town, and would attract a whole different crowd than the family oriented seekers of Americana.  The word of a new entertainment facility being built would also attract the attention of many others that would want to benefit from that particular clientele.  Once built, and up and running, the folks that it would attract would add to our economy in other ways that the typical family visiting Old Sturbridge Village does not.

I may not have the business acumen that many others have, but one thing I do not lack is vision.  This idea would not only be wonderful for our area, but an excellent investment as well.  

Think it over.  Talk it over with your millionaire friends, and let's put on a show!