Independent Venue Spotlight: Merriweather Post Pavilion

Merriweather Post Pavilion – the 40-acre, 19,000-capacity venue between Baltimore and Washington, DC – celebrated 20 years of partnership with I.M.P., the promotions company and owner of Washington, DC’s 9:30 Club. It’s a notable event in the history of the venue considering it was slated for tear-down prior to a grassroots ‘Save Merriweather’ campaign and commitment by I.M.P to serve as the venue’s operator. “You don’t get rid of the places that make you unique and special,” said Ken Ulman at a press conference Friday, who was County Executive when the venue was on the chopping block in the early 2000s. Now twenty years later, May 3 is declared ‘Merriweather Post Pavilion Day in Howard County, MD.

It was a victory lap of sorts, as Ulman and Seth Hurwitz, owner of I.M.P. reminisced about their introduction. Hurwitz reached out to Ulman in 2003 and committed to opening up Merriweather to full potential and making it profitable. They shared a hug on stage as Ulman thanked Hurwitz for his part in making the partnership a success.

Merriweather Post Pavilion is owned by a Non-profit – the Merriweather Arts and Culture Center (MACC). I.M.P operates the venue, hosting and promoting the shows at Merriweather Post Pavilion and paying rent to MACC. The non-profit turns around and uses those rent proceeds to turn around and host discounted/free events for the community.

Shutter 16 was invited to celebrate the milestone and take a behind-the-scenes tour of the venue, a day before their official open for the season, seeing many of the things that make Merriweather Post Pavilion unique.

The Skylawn, an elevated, sodded viewing area open to anyone who can get there early enough to stake out a spot.

The main Amphitheater stage with a rotating ‘turntable’, which can be used to set up back-to-back acts and quickly change them after performances.

A Sculpture garden, filled with “legends who have played Merriweather” as I.M.P’s owner explained. This year, two new sculptures have been revealed; Tina Turner and Jimi Hendrix. The impressive visuals come together when you view them from the right angle.

Backstage pool, where you’ll find artists and their family and friends relaxing while not on stage. Merriweather was the first amphitheater to feature such an amenity.