BY KAREN BOSSICK
The first major concert presented in the Wood River Valley since the pandemic started will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 2, in Sun Valley’s Festival Meadows.
Strange Hotels will perform at 6:30 p.m. in a free concert. The concert is being presented by The Argyros Performing Arts Center and the cities of Ketchum and Sun Valley for the residents of the Wood River Valley as a nice note on which to end the summer season.
This is the first big community concert of the season since Ketch’em Alive, and Jazz in the Park were cancelled because of the pandemic. Sun Valley Museum of Art’s Summer Concert Series also was cancelled.
“We are so excited to produce an event, which is something we did regularly before the pandemic” said Margaret Hamamoto, development director for The Argyros. “We’re keeping it low key to keep it local.”
Strange Hotels is an electro pop/dance duo from Los Angeles made up of multi-instrumentalists Ben Braden and Nick Sadler. They play Dance, R&B, Vintage Pop and Indie Rock.
Formed in Portland, Ore., in early 2018, they are known for explosive live shows which they’ve taken to San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Boise, Minneapolis and many places in between.
Lawn capacity will be limited to 505 people and advance reservations will be required. Eighty-eight socially distanced pods will accommodate either one to four people or five to eight people. Large aisles like those constructed for the Sun Valley Music Festival will allow for socially-distanced entry and exit.
Guests will be asked to refrain from interacting with those outside their pod and will be required to wear a mask when going to and from their pod.
Pods may be reserved by calling The Argyros box office beginning at 10 a.m. today—Wednesday, Aug. 26—at 208-726-7872.
One person from each party will need to pick up a ticket in person at The Argyros Box Office between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 28-29. Masks are required to enter the building.
Concertgoers are invited to bring low-backed chairs and a picnic and beverage, as there will be no concessions to limit interaction.
Free parking will be available in the Horseman Center at Sun Valley Resort.
ALSO COMING UP:
The Pisten Bullys will perform in concert at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at Ketchum Town Square.