Alternative rock band Soul Asylum gives free concert

Whether or not you’re a Soul Asylum fan, July 4th was a pretty exciting day for Mentor, which observed the grand opening of its new amphitheater on Independence Day, followed by a free concert by the 1990s alternative rock trio.

“It’s great!” said Mentor resident Margaret Daykin, who, with husband, Kevin, came by to see the show. “I love Mentor and both our kids graduated from high school here. So this is really cool.”

She said it’s especially cool that her kids don’t have to stray too far from home to take in a good show.

“It’s really nice ‘cause we’re only just around the corner,” Margaret Daykin said.

Both Daykins said they already have plans to see some upcoming shows at the new amphitheater and would have planned to see more. But it’s vacation season and other plans have already been made.

“It’s a great venue, though,” Kevin Daykin said.

As the city’s government officials stood on stage and rung

“You can get so close to everything. And that’s really cool.” — Mentor resident Sandie Richter

in the new venue by passing along a guitar and addressing the crowd cordially, the crowd, itself seemed to be enjoying the festivities.

“This is just great,” said former Mentor resident Justin Phelps, who now lives in Athens County. “I like living in the sticks. But this is nice to see. Mentor’s a lot different than when I lived here.”

Mentor resident Sandie Richter, who came to the

new amphitheater July 4 with husband, Ray, and friend, Ken Adams of Cleveland, said she was stoked.

“It’s awesome!” she said. “Oh — I would absolutely recommend this to anyone.”

She said she likes the venue so much because it’s

intimate.

“You can get so close to everything,” she said. “And that’s really cool.”

As far as the new city amphitheater, itself, goes, the $2 million project includes two 7-by-14-foot retractable screens installed on either side of the stage

and a high-tech lighting display system. In addition, there are men’s and women’s restrooms built into the side, and a multipurpose room at the back for summer camp programs on rainy days and other events.

Along with concerts,

programming will include Shakespeare in the Park, movies and watch parties when Cleveland sports teams make the playoffs.

The new amphitheater replaces a gazebo that used to house the city’s free summer concert series, now named Mentor Rocks.

JONATHAN TRESSLER — THE NEWS-HERALD The scene at the new Mentor amphitheater July 4, 2017 before Soul Asylum played.

JONATHAN TRESSLER — THE NEWS-HERALD Soul Asylum rocks the crowd during the new Mentor amphitheater’s grand opening July 4 before the fireworks.