Opening Up 3 Nights A Week Starting September 25
by Tracy Dietlin
Most valley residents would agree that The Date Shed, aside from the casinos, is the premier concert venue in the desert. Boasting a large stage with top-notch sound and lighting, a comfortable green room equipped with a stripper pole, a sizable VIP room for meet and greets or band merch, a large outside patio, indoor and outdoor bars and a capacity to hold 667 people, it is the perfect place to catch a show.
It is especially exciting to see bands like Queensryche, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ozomatli, Fishbone, The Expendables, Tribal Seeds, The Ataris and Duff McKagen Loaded, who normally play to much larger crowds, perform in this intimate setting. It is also cool to watch our local bands show us what they’ve got on this (larger than the local bars) stage.
With it being such a great venue many folks have wondered why The Date Shed hasn’t offered more shows. “Last year in our 4th season we decided to pull back a bit and only open to have a show that would draw 200 people,” shared Kristen Reinhagen-Ortiz, General Manager of Empire Music Ventures, also known as Queen of the Date Shed. “We were successful so we decided to ramp it up and bring in more shows this year.”
Not only will they be offering 3 shows a week but a very diverse roster of touring acts sprinkled in with local bands. I asked Reinhagen-Ortiz how this came about. “Alex (Haagen IV, owner of Empire Polo Grounds and Date Shed) came to me and said he wanted the venue opened 3 nights a week. The lineup was put together by myself and Ming Bob, but we have an open door here so the staff had input as well. Most people either know of the Date Shed and love it or have never heard of us. So we want to change the latter. We are confident that the acts we bring in will draw an audience but not enough people know we are out here. This year is about branding the venue its self!”
Date Shed’s events will tie local businesses in with the local bands and do special promotions not being done anywhere else in the valley. “Our goal next season is to have 2 or more national touring acts per week so we are using this season as a transition. Last year we were able to prove that we could fill the venue with 200 people at every show. Now we want to take it to the next level,” said Reinhagen-Ortiz.
I asked Reinhagen-Ortiz which show she is most excited about. “Metalachi is the show to see this fall and I’m not really a metal fan but the combo of the 2 genres, mariachi and metal, is really amazing to watch. Local band Aphrodisiac Jacket will open and Bri Cherry will be walking around between bands playing violin.”
This is great news for all of us music revelers here in the valley. Peruse the schedule below and check back periodically for updates and added shows at Dateshedmusic.com. Follow them on facebook.com/DateShed.
Upcoming Fall Schedule:
SEPTEMBER 2015
Friday, September 25, 2015 – THE EXPENDABLES / 16 and up / 8:00 PM doors
OCTOBER 2015
Friday, October 2, 2015 – MURS / 18 and up / 8:00 PM doors
Saturday, October 3, 2015 – Long Duk Dong / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Sunday, October 4, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Sunday, October 11, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Friday, October 16, 2015 – Thr3 Strykes, Drop Mob / 18 and up / 9:00 PM Doors
Saturday, October 17, 2015 – PUDDLE OF MUDD / 18 and up / 8:00 PM doors
Sunday, October 18, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Sunday, October 25, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Friday, October 30, 2015 – REBEL SOUL JHAZ / 18 and up / 8:00 PM doors
Saturday, October 31, 2015 – Desert DJ Entertainment Halloween collaboration w / TRT
NOVEMBER 2015
Sunday, November 1, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Friday, November 6, 2015 – Black Sabbitch / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Sunday, November 8, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Friday, November 13, 2015 – DJ KRISTINA SKY / 18 & up / 9:00 PM doors
Saturday, November 14, 2015 – FORTUNATE YOUTH / 18 and up / 8:00 PM doors
Sunday, November 15, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Friday, November 20, 2015 – METALACHI / 18 and up / 8:00 PM doors
Saturday, November 21, 2015 – Local Rap Battle / 18 and up / 8:00 PM doors
Sunday, November 22, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
DECEMBER 2015
Friday, December 4, 2015 – EeVaan Tre & The Show Holiday Special / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Saturday, December 5, 2015 – PAUL WALL / 18 and up / 8:00 PM doors
Sunday, December 5, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Friday, December 11, 2015 – THE UNTOUCHABLES / 18 and up / 8:00 PM doors
Saturday, December 12, 2015 – Ming Bob’s 12 days of Christmas giveaway musical showcase / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Sunday, December 13, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Sunday, December 20, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Friday, December 4, 2015 – EeVaan Tre & The Show Holiday Special / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Saturday, December 5, 2015 – PAUL WALL / 18 and up / 8:00 PM doors
Sunday, December 5, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Friday, December 11, 2015 – THE UNTOUCHABLES / 18 and up / 8:00 PM doors
Saturday, December 12, 2015 – Ming Bob’s 12 days of Christmas giveaway musical showcase / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Sunday, December 13, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
Sunday, December 20, 2015 – Industry Night W/ Kruz & Kenga / 18 and up / 9:00 PM doors
