MAD announces lineup for annual MusicFest
Cardi B, Toby Keith, Sammy Hagar among planned performers
For the one-year anniversary of the opening of the Murphy Arts District and the 31st annual MusicFest, El Dorado can expect visits and performances by rappers Cardi B and Gucci Mane, country star Toby Keith and famed rocker Sammy Hagar, among many others.
MAD officals announced the lineup at an event Tuesday night at the Griffin Restaurant, as well as at a simultaneous event held in Little Rock. Other artists scheduled to perform during the Oct. 18-20 event include Sheila E, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic and Bret Michaels. Cardi B, who has been named Billboard’s “Top Female Rap Artist,” and Gucci Mane, known as a prolific Atlanta rapper, will be the two latenight shows featured in the Griffin Music Hall, while all other headliners are scheduled for the MAD Amphitheater.
As they did last year, Main Street El Dorado and MAD are partnering to present the event, Main Street’s flagship fundraiser, with MAD booking the headliners for the main stages and Main Street focusing on attractions, vendors and local and regional acts for the side stages. MusicFest will include a zip line, the Flight Crew Jump Rope team that appeared on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, a NASCAR Simulator, free music on the square, a mechanical bull, a rock climbing wall, food vendors and more.
The 30th anniversary of MusicFest was held in conjunction with the grand opening of MAD on Sept. 27-Oct. 1 and featured Smokey Robinson, Train, Natasha Bedingfield, Migos, ZZ Top, X Ambassadors, Lyle Lovett, Ludacris and more.
Since the late September opening, MAD has officially completed the first phase of its $100-million project, which encompassed the Griffin Restaurant, Griffin Music Hall and MAD Amphitheater, as well as the Playscape, the last piece to be completed. Fundraising is still going on to move into Phase II, which is set to include a multimillion renovation of the Rialto Theater, creation of a new art gallery and exhibition space, as well as artist-in-residence quarters.
“Even though we’ve only been open for eight months, it is astounding to see the direct and indirect impact MAD has had on this entire region,” Austin Barrow, MAD president, said in a news release. “We’ve seen new hotels built, new downtown housing underway, and new retail stores open. Audiences are responding incredibly well to our diversity of programming - from country, hip hop, Christian, and rock concerts to
Shakespeare festivals, children’s touring shows, and even the Shanghai acrobats.”
The district was meant to help attract and retain residents in the El Dorado area, and the release stated that early signs have shown the efforts have been successful so far. According to the release, the El DoradoUnion County Chamber of Commerce reported seeing a 2,500 percent increase in relocation inquiries in 2017 as compared to 2016, and local hotel revenue increased by 8 percent between September 2017 and May 2018 as compared to the same period the year before.
“The creation of the Murphy Arts District (MAD) has proven transformational for Southern Arkansas and the surrounding region,” said Terry Stewart, MAD CEO and former CEO and president of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “These venues are now providing new epicurean and entertainment experiences, the likes of which have never been seen in these parts. We only expect the economic development and growth opportunities to continue flourishing here; remember we’ve only completed Phase I!”
Tickets go on sale Friday, and MusicFest will be offering bundled packages in addition to tickets for individual performers, though the two late-night shows, featuring Cardi B and Gucci Mane, will not be available in a bundled package.
For Amphitheater shows, “early-bird” tickets will be available through Aug. 7, with $40 general admission and $60 pit tickets. Regular tickets will be sold from Aug. 7-Oct. 18 at $50 for general admission and $60 for pit tickets. Day-of-show tickets will be available starting Oct. 18 for $65 for general admission and $80 for pit tickets.
For a three-day Amphitheater bundle, the early-bird tickets will be available for $100 general admission and $160 pit, while tickets after Aug. 7 will be available for $130 and $190, respectively. Day-of-show tickets will be available for $160 and $220, respectively.
For the Cardi B Late Night concert, tickets are $70 general admission, $85 for pit; for Gucci Mane, $60 and $75, respectively.
For more information, visit eldomad.com.