Frontyard Festival

Posted on: January 11th, 2021

There is a novel new way to enjoy live concerts and entertainment with food and drink at the Frontyard Festival presented by AdventHealth at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Art’s Seneff Plaza. Launched in December the socially distanced program is scheduled to go on through the spring.

“The big idea is to use this platform to uplift our community and raise awareness about how COVID-19 has devastated our entire industry,” says Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Center. “After eight long months, it’s immensely rewarding to produce and present live programming again, but our overarching objective is to draw attention to the long, difficult road ahead.”

Frontyard Festival takes place in a specially-built, three-acre outdoor theater, whose design elements—sleek wood fencing, stainless steel accents and lush greenery—are inspired by sunny, outdoor patios and front porches. The venue features hundreds of private, elevated boxes placed six feet from one another, allowing guests to enjoy a concert or film, or take part in a fitness class, while keeping a healthy distance from others. 

“The Dr. Phillips Center has met head on the challenges facing performing arts and live entertainment venues all over the world,” adds Steven Wolff, CMC, founding principal of AMS Planning & Research and AMS Analytics, which provide national consulting services in the arts, cultural and entertainment industries.

The Festival will have a huge impact on artists who have been severely limited in their ability to perform. “The entire live performance industry has been decimated,” he explains. “Major tours have been cancelled, local productions are limited, and theater capacities are dramatically reduced due to social distancing requirements. Most guests just aren’t sure it’s safe to return to indoor venues. The recent surge has further impacted audience readiness and we have a way to go before our patrons will return to our traditional venues. I expect their solution will be watched and may even be replicated in other markets, because there’s nothing like it, anywhere else in the country.” 

An added enhancement to the experience is the ability to order food and drink from local businesses and have it delivered directly to your pod. The food and beverage partners to date include Toasted, Tap Room at Dubsdread, Nikki’s Place, Dharma Fine Vittles, Oak Flame Pizza, Eola General, Sea Legs and Juniper Patisserie.

For more information and tickets visit frontyardfestival.org.

LIVE PERFORMANCES

January 16: Tye Tribbett
Often heralded as the “Elvis of Gospel,” Tye Tribbett is one of the most relevant voices of his generation—and has multiple #1 albums, songs and videos to prove it.

February 11: Keb’ ‘Mo
A modern master of roots music and brilliant guitarist Keb’ Mo’ has collaborated with Bonnie Raitt, Vince Gill, Jackson Browne, India Arie and many more. 

February 13: Step Afrika!
A blend of percussive dance styles practiced by historically Black fraternities and sororities, as well as traditional African and contemporary dances with songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation. 

April 23: Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires
An unforgettable night with four-time Grammy Award-winning contemporary country artist Jason Isbell and Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and violinist Amanda Shires.

DISNEY FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS UNDER THE STARS

January 10: Black Panther

January 17: The Lion King

January 24: Frozen

January 31: The Incredibles