So LiveNation and Bethlehem, Pa = Musical Acts?

I hate this issue if only because it gets my hopes up.

Apparently there is “talk” of LiveNation coming in to the Bethlehem Steel Works area and making some sort of “entertainment mecca” whatever that racist fuck that means.

LiveNation = Good, owns the TLA in Philly.

Idea of national/regional entertainment selling = who the fuck knows at this point….

Owners of the struggling Steel Ice Center skating rink want to build a 20,000-25,000-square-foot events center that would help transform the former Bethlehem Steel property into a regional entertainment mecca.

On the same 126 acres of old Steel land occupied by the Sands casino complex and ArtsQuest’s under-construction performing arts center, the project would help solidify south Bethlehem as a strong entertainment destination, said Tony Hanna, the city’s director of community and economic development.

”This wouldn’t be a singular events center in the middle of 50 acres of abandoned industrial real estate,” Hanna said. ”It would be surrounded by activity and other productive uses. It’s just like restaurant row. Can you have too many restaurants on restaurant row?”

City officials are hoping to bring Sands, ArtsQuest and Steel Ice officials to the table in the next couple of weeks to ensure that the three venues are teammates rather than competitors.

If the deal comes together, the expanded Steel Ice Center would join with LiveNation, one of the country’s largest concert promoting companies, to book acts at the future events center at 320 E. First St.

Steel Ice Center partners Gerald Deifer Jr. and Jeff Trainer of Allentown-based Trainer Enterprises would not discuss details of the project but Hanna said early discussions indicate the space would be used for smaller performances, meetings and special events.

”In regards to the events center project, we’re just not ready to talk about specifics yet,” Deifer said. ”We’re still in negotiations. Maybe later.”

LiveNation spokesman Jim Sutcliffe said the company is open to ”any viable options to program live entertainment” in the area. Source

Like the Iron Pigs ONCE were, a national or regional Lehigh Valley entertainment venue seems like a good idea that just isn’t going to happen. However, I look at it like this…. there is no reason why you couldn’t pull in the national to regional acts if you are able to fill the seats. And, if you’re bringing in the right shows, ones that are going to actually fill the seats with college to mid 30s aged people, then you’re going to do well.

If you’re bringing in the Doobie Brothers, then don’t fucking bother.

Acts that are already traveling from NYC to Philly or vice versa could easily be swayed into stopping in the Valley for the night and making more money.

So, fucking pour the money into this LiveNation and make it happen.

Who’s that up top? Oh, only The Dresden Dolls….