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Posts Tagged ‘RJ Harding’

NH Division of Economic Development to Partner on Cowcello

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Moooove yourself to become a healthier individual and enjoy some great music while you’re at it.

Cowcello, an organic groovefest, will make its debut appearance Sunday, September 25, 2011 as part of the Eastern Propane Concert Series at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion. 

Presented by the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in coordination with EARTHTEC and the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Cowcello is an “organic groovefest” to inspire and encourage individuals to embrace a life of health, wellness and fitness, environmental consciousness and awareness of natural, organic and alternative products and solutions. Concertgoers will be able to discuss and learn about the lifelong benefits of healthy eating choices from NH farmers and growers.

“Having an event of this kind at a venue that was once the site of a working farm really brings things full circle,” said Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion President RJ Harding. “Not only will this event be a celebration of some incredible music, it will also be a celebration of living an active and healthy lifestyle, a concept that all of us at Meadowbrook embrace.”

Participants will be able to try organic wines from locally owned vineyards, enjoy demonstrations with Yoga and Pilates experts from The Practice Room, learn the health benefits associated with eating beef raised in a natural and kind environment free of chemicals and hormones with Miles Smith Farm and discover how cooking organically can not only help you and your family’s health but also keep our local farmers thriving.  Other vendors include Stonyfield Farm, Apple Annie and Late July Organic Snacks.

Partnering with the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion will be Portsmouth-based sustainable clothing manufacturer EARTHTEC.  At its heart, EARTHTEC’s story is pretty simple according to company founder Dennis Randall.

“We are outdoor people. Skiers, hikers, trail runners, kayakers, extreme picnickers. Our favorite place is Earth. We’ve been known to hug a tree or two. We’re into green. We are also clothing people. Put all of that together, and you have EARTHTEC, a group of people who love helping you look good and perform well in clothes that make the planet happier,” he said. “We have partnered this year with the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion to collect all the plastic bottles from the 2011 Concert Season and look forward to turning them into useful clothing for next year’s concert season.”

The Avett Brothers

Joining EARTHTEC will be the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development whose Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher said that supporting an event like Cowcello is a new and innovative way to support the state’s business community.

“New Hampshire is so very fortunate to have such a great farming industry as well as a great number of companies that are dedicated to helping people maintain healthy lifestyles,” he said. “We encourage people be part of this great event and more importantly, to buy local products. Buying local ensures that dollars stay in our community and promotes a stronger state economy.”

Cowcello will feature over nine hours of music beginning with four local and regional bands on the Magic Hat Second Stage at 2:00 P.M. Granite State bands The Crunchy Western Boys and The Chris White Band will join Caitlin Canty and The Adam Ezra Band from Boston in kicking off the festivities.

The main stage will begin at 7:00PM with Nicole Atkins, and her alluring, alternative folk rock sound.   The Avett Brothers will headline the event with their organic and unique blend of a rootsy amalgam of folk, country, bluegrass, rock and pop.

Cowcello tickets can be purchased by calling (603) 293-4700 or by visiting www.meadowbrook.net.

Congratulations Meadowbrook!!

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

How do you define excellence? Is it based on exemplary customer service, consistent innovation and progressive management?

No matter what measure is being utilized, the simple truth of the matter is that our good friends and partners at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion continue to be a “jewel” of the Granite State.

meadowbrook-photoEarlier this week, the Academy of Country Music announced its nominations for the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, and for the third time in the past four years, the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford finds itself on the list of the top five sites nominated as venue of the year.

An article in this morning’s Union Leader digs deeper into the Meadowbrook story.

“This is an amazing honor for us,” said RJ Harding, president of the Lakes Region concert spot. “We are hoping that the third time is the charm.”

To be nominated, a venue must have had at least six country performances during the year. Meadowbrook in 2009 hosted Sugarland, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Big and Rich, Dierks Bentley, Jimmy Wayne, Blake Shelton, Craig Morgan, Luke Bryan, Willie Nelson and Chris Young.

The Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion is ranked in the top 50 ampitheaters in the world for attendance for the 2009 season, according to Pollstar, an industry expert in box office attendance.

“We are a mid-sized, privately-owned venue that is competing with 20,000 seat venues owned by national companies to get shows and sell tickets,” said Chris Lockwood, Meadowbrook’s director of marketing.

Harding credits not only industry officials who choose to book acts at Meadowbrook but its loyal following for its success.

“We have the best music fans here in New England,” Harding said. “We could not have done this without them.”

On behalf of all of us here at the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, congratulations to the incredible management and staff of Meadowbrook and here’s hoping that the Academy honors our homegrown success story with the venue of the year award!

Meadowbrook has already announced the first few shows in its 2010 schedule – to learn more, visit www.meadowbrook.net or become their Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gilford-NH/Meadowbrook-US-Cellular-Pavilion/102791396298?ref=ts.

– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director

Energy Efficiency Efforts to be Celebrated at Greenerpalooza II

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

With environmental awareness becoming more and more of a business and social priority, fears are lessening about the planet “running on empty.” However, Jackson Browne and the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion still want to do their part to keep eco-friendliness on the top of everyone’s mind.

greenerpalooza-2009-photo-shoot-001On July 16th, Ocean Bank and Public Service of New Hampshire, in coordination with the New Hampshire Business Resource Center, will present Greenerpalooza II, a celebration of New Hampshire’s energy efficiency efforts at Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion. Set against the backdrop of the much-anticipated Jackson Browne and Shawn Colvin concert, the evening’s festivities will include a special “eco village” on the Meadowbrook midway where New Hampshire businesses and members of the general public will be able to learn how to “go greener.”

“Energy efficiency is an absolutely critical subject for businesses and residents alike,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher. “When you take a closer look at your energy usage, not only are you helping to protect the environment, you’re improving your bottom line. Energy efficiency equals cost savings.”

Greenerpalooza II is designed to showcase New Hampshire products, services and programs that can help individuals and businesses save energy and dollars.

According to Janet Brewer, Vice President and Director of Community Development at Ocean Bank, “Greenerpalooza is a great way for us to celebrate our Energy Efficiency Program and the terrific partnership we enjoy with the New Hampshire Business Resource Center, while pushing the green initiative further. As part of the eco-village at Meadowbrook, we’ll be on hand so attendees can find out more about this program, as well as about the many different alternatives there are in New Hampshire to help reduce energy consumption.”

Pat McDermott, Economic and Community Development Manager for PSNH, added that the utility is pleased to support the event.

“From an energy-efficiency, environmental and sustainability point of view, the timing couldn’t be better for this event; and Meadowbrook is a great example of how a New Hampshire business is doing the right thing for the environment,” he said.

NY4014Meadowbrook was the natural choice for the venue given President R.J. Harding’s concern about the environment. Under his leadership, Meadowbrook has changed the way it does business so it will have the least possible negative impact on the environment.

“We still have a lot of green improvements we want to make as a venue, but for us, the opportunity to create awareness and educate our customers is one of the biggest impacts we can have,” said Meadowbrook Marketing Director Chris Lockwood who was part of the team overseeing last year’s Phase I improvements. “That awareness has led to the introduction of some great partners like WXRV “The River,” one of only two solar powered radio stations in the country. It has also gained the attention of artists who are concerned about the environment and welcome Meadowbrook’s green efforts.”

This year Jackson Browne’s tour has asked to run the sound off Meadowbrook’s biodiesel generator. The tour also has converted their lighting system to LED lights which are much better for the environment.

Tickets to the Jackson Browne and Shawn Colvin concert, which include entry into the eco-village, are available online at www.meadowbrook.net. For more on energy efficiency programs and resources for New Hampshire businesses, call the New Hampshire Business Resource Center at 603-271-2341 or visit www.nheconomy.com

– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director