Everything to know about Scottsdale’s newest concert venue — and how to see the debut show
The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is expanding with the addition of the East Bowl amphitheater at Scottsdale Civic Center.
The new venue will hold its inaugural concert on Tuesday, Oct. 3, with Wilco.
The opening concert is part of a fall U.S. Tour in continued support of last year’s excellent “Cruel Country,” the latest in a long line of Wilco releases to make the rounds of critics’ year-end lists, from Rolling Stone to Uproxx and Variety.
Hailed in Rolling Stone as “one of America’s most consistently interesting bands,” Wilco will be joined by special guests My Brightest Diamond.
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Upcoming events at the Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl
These are all the concerts, festivals and other events scheduled for now at the Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl:
Tuesday, Oct. 3 — Wilco
Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4 — Dreamy Draw Music Festival (throughout Civic Center)
Thursday, Nov. 9 — Jazz Ambassadors of The United States Army Field Band
Saturday, Nov. 18 — The Mavericks
Sunday, Jan. 21 — Arizona Concours d’Elegance car show (throughout Civic Center)
See one of America's greatest rock bands in a cool new outdoor venue
If you haven’t seen Wilco, they’re among the most rewarding live experiences of the past three decades, a musically challenging hybrid of folk-rock, alternative-country, chamber pop and psychedelic art-rock with a wild experimental streak offset by unerring pop sensibilities.
In a review of Wilco’s Aug. 30 concert at Kentish Town Forum in London, The Guardian writes: “What starts as folk rock gradually evolves, and the communication between the sextet starts to spark and burn. The interaction between the three guitarists — (Jeff) Tweedy, the excellent Nels Cline, and Patrick Sansone — dazzles, and the song soars. It’s entrancing — dramatic without being aggressive.”
How much are tickets to Wilco at Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl?
Tickets are $59.50, on sale now at scottsdaleperformingarts.com.
Tickets will be sent via mobile delivery to the email address provided upon checkout no more than 72 hours before the show.
This is a rain or shine event. No refunds.
No re-entry is allowed.
Children 7 and younger are admitted free with an accompanying ticketed adult.
What time should I plan to show up for the Wilco concert?
The concert starts at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and this is a general admission show.
Dreamy Draw is the first festival at Scottsdale’s newest venue
A month after Wilco’s inaugural concert at the East Bowl, the entire Scottsdale Civic Center will host its first music festival. Inspired by the vibrant Southwestern spirit of Arizona, the two-day Dreamy Draw Country Music Festival features multiple performers on two stages Friday, Nov. 3, and Saturday, Nov. 4.
That same weekend, Scottsdale Arts is kicking off Canal Convergence at the Scottsdale Waterfront.
Seamlessly blending contemporary country melodies with a nostalgic nod to the past, Dreamy Draw’s lineup for Friday, Nov. 3, includes Midland, Margo Price, Luke Grimes, Hailey Whitters, Breland, Stephen Wilson Jr., Pony Bradshaw, Country Night, Emily Nenni, Grady Spencer & The Work, Nat Myers, The Senators and Matt Farris.
The Saturday, Nov. 4, lineup features Lord Huron, Trampled by Turtles, Watchhouse, Jamestown Revival, American Aquarium, Mighty Poplar, JD Clayton, Nolan Taylor, Evan Honer, Logan Halstead, Steely Dead, Taylor Glasheen and American Hustler.
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Where is the Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl?
The Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl is at 7380 E. Second Street.
Entering Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl amphitheater
There are two gates. One is for ADA drop-off only.
The main gate is located on the west side of Scottsdale Civic Center Library.
The ADA drop-off gate is on 75th Street, just south of Indian School Road.
What’s the seating situation at the Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl?
East Bowl seating is first-come-first-served lawn seating only.
There are no physical seats available. Blankets and lawn chairs are allowed. Please be advised that the front lawn section is for blankets and low-rise chairs. Full-size lawn chairs must use the rear lawn section to optimize sight lines for all attendees.
What is Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl's bag policy
All bags are subject to search.
All bags — including purses, totes and backpacks — must be clear and be no larger than 12 x 12 x 6 inches.
Small fanny packs, wallets, clutches and purses do not have to be clear, but must be no larger than 6 × 9 inches.
Diaper bags and medical equipment bags will be permitted upon inspection.
Can I bring my dog, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, to the concert?
Only service animals will be allowed into the venue. No other pets or animals are permitted in the venue.
Are outside food and drinks permitted?
No outside food or beverages are allowed except for one 24-ounce or smaller, factory-sealed water bottle per person.
Food and Beverages at Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl
A bar will be available at this event for patrons 21+ with proof of valid I.D.
Event food will be available for purchase, provided by Frasher’s Smokehouse.
ADA Accessibility at Scottsdale Civic East Bowl
The East Bowl is ADA accessible.
Most of the outdoor area at Scottsdale Civic Center is ADA accessible via sidewalks.
For more accessibility information, visit ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/accessibility.
There are numerous, free, ADA-accessible parking spaces near Scottsdale Civic Center. For nearby parking options and directions from parking to Scottsdale Civic Center, visit ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/directions-parking.
Can I take public transportation to the Scottsdale Civic Center?
ScottsdaleAZ.gov/trolley provides routes for Scottsdale Trolley System stops near Scottsdale Civic Center.
They recommend taking the 68CM (68th Street/Camelback) route or the MLHD (Miller Hayden) route to the stop at Indian School Road, which is a short walk from the Civic Center.
The above link for the Scottsdale Trolley also has maps for Scottsdale Trolley transfer points to Valley Metro Service.
Valley Metro also has stops nearby.
What if I am taking rideshare to the Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl?
Anyone using a rideshare service should provide the address for Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts at 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, so the drivers can use the circle drive on the south side of the Center, facing Second Street.
Parking at the Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl
Convenient, free parking is available at the following locations:
Civic Center Lot and Garage – 3888 N. Wells Fargo Avenue.Directions to the Center: Use the passageway directly east of the garage and north of Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, or use the passageway just south of AZ/88, traveling east past the restaurant and then south toward the north or west doors of the Center.
Civic Center Library Garage – 3803 N. Drinkwater Boulevard.Directions to the Center: Although construction is ongoing on the east side of Scottsdale Civic Center, a passageway is open from the northwest corner of the library to the recently opened portion of the Civic Center. Travel west over the Drinkwater Overpass to enter the center via the north doors.
You can also use the ramp from the middle level of the Library Garage to access the sidewalk along Drinkwater Boulevard. Use the crosswalks at the intersection of Drinkwater Boulevard and Second Street to cross both roads and approach the Center from the south. Enter via the south doors.
If parked on the bottom or top level of the Drinkwater Boulevard Garage, use the elevator located on the east side of the garage to access the middle level and follow either of the directions above.
Old Town Parking Corral – 3806 N. Brown Avenue.Directions to the Center: Walk south down Brown Avenue, east along 2nd Street, and enter via the south doors of the Center.
Pepperwood Lot – 7319 E. First Avenue.Directions to the Center: There are walkways between this parking lot and Scottsdale Civic Center at various points along the south side of the parking lot. Once within the Civic Center grounds, travel south and enter the Center via either the north or west doors.
Items you can bring inside the East Bowl
The following items are permitted:
Clear bags that do not exceed 12 x 12 x 8 inches
Small, non-clear fanny packs, wallets, clutch bags that do not exceed 6 × 9 inches
One factory-sealed water bottle, 24 ounces or less
Cellphones
Hats
Non-aerosol sunscreen/bug spray
Low-rise chairs
Blankets
Personal misting fan (empty upon arrival)
Hand sanitizer/wipes
E-cigarettes and vape pens (can only be used in smoking area)
Items you can not bring to the East Bowl
The following items will not be permitted:
Weapons of any kind
Large bags
Wagons, strollers, coolers
Outside food and drink, except one factory-sealed water bottle, 24 ounces or less
Alcohol
Illegal drugs or substances
Glass containers
Selfie sticks
Laser pointers
Animals (excluding service animals)
GoPros
Professional photo or video cameras
Audio-recording devices
Drones
Stickers/flyers
Umbrellas
Any other item deemed unsafe or prohibited by artist, venue management or law enforcement.
Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Guide to Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl amphitheater
