Kevin Anderson, VP of Operations and General Manager of the Mission Ballroom gave COMBO members a tour of the recently built Mission Ballroom at 4180 Wynkoop Street in Denver on Sunday, July 26th. What a fantastic venue! Obviously planned and built by people who had been in the entertainment and concert industry for years so it was well laid out.
Our tour started at the loading dock which was as one might expect it to be. Two big doors and a big empty room. But then Kevin opened to door to the stage – a few steps from the dock – and it was like that scene in the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy opens the door to Oz and MunchinLand! Our breaths were taken away! We walked out onto this huge stage (and soon to be bigger) and looked out over the auditorium, the Sound Booth, the seats, the bleachers, the bars, and the security areas! We just stood there in absolute awe!
Kevin explained the built-in sound to us and the mighty speakers flown high above the stage so they didn’t block the view of the performers from the audience nor blow anyone’s ears off. He said that having a built-in sound system meant that they could produce the best sound in a room full of obstacles and jetties. Bands bringing in their own sound could not adjust for the differences in a short time but this problem was already taken care of. Of course, the sound production is pretty much taken care of by the performers’ own sound people but they don’t have to worry about the actual sound waves being off-kilter!
A marvelous system of lights has also been installed insuring perfect lighting of the performers, with the possibility of more being added as needed. Everything is automated making for easy repair work or addition of lights.
We also got to see the admin offices and the Green Rooms which were kind of in disarray at the time due to their carpets being cleaned by professional cleaners but it was a relief to see the nice, clean rooms with comfy furniture and decor which would only encourage performers to treat the rooms well. One of the COMBO members mentioned “Just think of the famous rears that have been seated there!” Gave us all a good laugh!
Kevin explained the set-up for concert-goers entry was planned so that no one needed to stand outside for any length of time especially in Colorado’s well-known change of weather conditions all year long. A big entry way and bar & refreshment area allows patrons to come inside to wait if need be, to pick up a drink and hot dog (or other refreshment) before being seated without being jostled about, nor having to stand outside in Minus 20 or Plus 100 degree temperature weather!
One feature of the venue that we all agreed was awesome was the Mission Ballroom’s participation in recycling efforts. They offer drinks in R-Cups which can be recycled and they hope to achieve a 99% rate of doing that – which they are close to. https://rworldreuse.com/ Check out the details there.
Afterwards, several of us met for lunch across the plaza at the Chubby Unicorn Cantina which offers Southwestern style food and drink. We had a marvelous time talking about the tour and hope to get to do it again sometime in the future. We’re truly sorry if YOU missed out!
Again, we send a great big THANKS to Kevin and AEG Presents for the opportunity and we certainly plan to support the venue. Some of us had already been to concerts there (i.e., Tesla and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) and were quite aware of the true-concert going experience that the Mission Ballroom offers!
Photo: Barb on stage | Photographer thanked!
