Americana Music Award winner, Ray Wylie Hubbard, opens the Levitt Pavilion’s 10th season May 18
It has officially been a decade since Levitt Pavillion Arlington had its first opening night in 2008, a news release announced.
In the past 10 years, Levitt has gotten a giant video screen, and has had an attendance increase from 48,000 for its first full season to more than 130,000 for the 2017 season. Also, there’s an air-conditioned bathroom trailer now with plans for permanent, accessible restrooms next year, along with a hospitality suite and concert-viewing deck.
But something Levitt says hasn’t changed with time is the heart and soul of the pavillion — free music available to everyone. The release touted that no other outdoor concert venue in North Texas delivers more than 50 nights of family-friendly, culturally diverse music performed by professional music artists, all absolutely free.
Grammy winners and nominees, Latin Grammy winners and nominees, Juno Award winners and nominees, Lifetime Achievement honorees, Tejano, Americana and country music pioneers, and even some Emmy winners have performed on the Levitt’s stage, the release explained, adding that almost all the artists would have required a ticket purchase if playing in any other venue.
When Texas’ songwriter, Ray Wylie Hubbard, takes the stage on opening night of the Baylor Orthopedic & Spine Hospital 10th Anniversary Concert Season at the Levitt at 8 p.m. Friday, May 18, it will be Hubbard’s seventh appearance at the Arlington venue. Hubbard’s opening night concert is presented by RJ Construction.
Saturday night of opening weekend, May 19, at 8 p.m. will give audiences a chance to revisit an old friend, “Amie,” and her creators, country/rock artists Pure Prairie League, presented by Baylor Orthopedic & Spine Hospital at Arlington.
The Levitt’s opening weekend concludes at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 20, with three-time Grammy nominee and blues powerhouse Ruthie Foster, whose concert is presented by Frost Bank. Foster has seven Blues Music Awards, three Austin Music Awards and earlier this year earned the title of “inspiring American artist” as a United States Artists 2018 Fellow.
Levitt Pavilion Arlington’s 10th Anniversary Summer Concert Season runs through July 22 with concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The complete summer concert and Family Movie Night schedule is on their website, levittpavilionarlington.org, and on their free mobile app, Levitt Arlington.
Levitt is located at 100 W. Abram St. in Founders Plaza in Arlington. Audiences are seated on an open lawn and can bring lawn chairs and blankets, picnics, and coolers with beverages, though concessions will also be sold, including beer and wine.
All summer concerts and Family Movie Nights are free and family friendly and include free parking. For more information, call 817.543.4301.