The first batch of shows at the long-awaited Coney Island Amphitheater has finally been announced.
The 5,000-seat open-air venue, said to be the first of its kind in the tri-state area, will host a mix of concerts, family shows, sports, comedy and multicultural events, and become the new permanent home of the free Seaside Summer Concert Series once it opens this summer.
According to the venue’s website, the line-up (so far) includes:
Saturday, June 25 – Ziggy Marley with Steel Pulse
Friday, July 1 – The Impractical Jokers
Sunday, July 3 – Sting & Peter Gabriel
Monday, July 4 – The Beach Boys
Sunday, July 10 – Hollywood Vampires – Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, Johnny Depp
Wednesday, July 13 – Culture Club featuring Boy George
Friday, July 15 – Jane’s Addiction with Dinosaur Jr.
Saturday, July 16 – 311 with Matisyahu
Sunday, July 17 – Kidz Bop Kids
Saturday, July 23 – Slightly Stoopid with SOJA
Sunday, July 31 – Dark Star Orchestra (Tribute to the Grateful Dead)
Wednesday, August 3 – Erykah Badu
Friday, August 5 – Deftones with Refused
Saturday, August 6 – OAR
Sunday, August 7 – The Carnival of Madness Tour featuring Shinedown, Black Stone Cherry & Whiskey Myers
Wednesday, August 10 – Boston
Friday, August 12 – Funk Fest featuring Kool & The Gang, Bootsy Collins, Morris Day and The Time, Doug E. Fresh
Sunday, August 14 – Jill Scott
Thursday, August 18 – Rick Springfield with Night Ranger & The Romantics
Friday, August 19 – Flogging Molly and Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls
Saturday, August 20 – The Disco Biscuits
Saturday, August 27 – Dresden Dolls
Saturday, September 3 – Freestyle Funhouse featuring TKA, George Lamond, Judy Torres & more
Wednesday, September 21 – Don Henley
Given the green light by City Council back in 2013, the project was spearheaded by former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who was looking for a permanent home for his Seaside Summer Concerts, a free series he launched when he was a state senator, and which for years was held in Asser Levy Park, but which lost the venue after nearby residents and worshippers at two adjacent synagogues successfully sued over noise levels .
In December 2013, a special permit was approved for the site of the new amphitheater, which incorporates the Boardwalk’s landmarked Child’s building—built in 1923—allowing it a 10-year term with a maximum seat capacity of 5,099.
The historic Child’s building will house the stage and include 50-foot tall doors that will open to the Amphitheater during the summer and will be able to serve the inside of the building during the winter months.