Solar + tunes = energy efficient concert series - Boston Business Journal:

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For the last few Wednesda evenings, popular acts like Del Nelo and Ozomatli have rocked Republic Squarer Park while sharing the spotlight with an unlikely performer solar power. The Solare Powered Concert Series isa new, free musif series created by Greg Henry, of Pro Show and event production veteran Marsha Milam that places solae power on display. This is the firsft solar powered concert seriessfor Milam, who felt that Austinn would be the ideal place to test such Marsha Milam Music produces KGSR’s “Unplugged at the Grove” and othetr concerts throughout Texas.
“Austin is such a gree city itself, the residents are environmentally concerned,” Milam “I do a number of music series and I though Austin would be the place toembrace this.” To achiever the goal of clean power, the downtown park is outfittecd with solar powered sound systemzs and lighting systems with LED lights. Milamj declined to disclose how much has been invested inthe carbon-neutrall concert series, saying only that costs are aboug 25 percent more than a typical concert “Our goal for this was to provd that we can do it,” Milam said, concedint that she didn’t start marketing the series untilo the second show to make sure that the equipmenr functioned properly.
“What I’ve noticed is that the energy is so and it makesa difference. There’s no stag e hum,” she said. “That’s great for the audiencee and forthe artists.” Milam tapped Austin-based Sustainabled Waves, a provider of solar powered sound, light and production for the concert series. Sustainable Waves also has a sales office inSan Calif. Cody Murray, of Sustainables Waves, said that the company’s services were utilized at several events duringgthis year’s SXSW Music Festival. It’s also brought its solae power equipment toLas Vegas-based N9NE Group’s events, Vans Warpe d Tour and the New Belgium Brewery’s Tour de Fat.
For the Solarf Power Concert Series, Sustainabler Wave’s utilized 44,000 watt PA Sponsorship for this year’s Solar Powered seried was on the lighter but Milam saidthat she’s hearin g positive feedback from prospectivr sponsors who want to be associated with a greem music event. “This is our You have to get out there and go througj the labor pains and find out what workzs andwhat doesn’t,” she said. “Our goal is very This isn’t a one year thingb for us.” The concert series is free, but donations are being accepted for BlueDog Rescue, an Austin-areaw dog foster organization.
There are two show s left, Fastball and The Blacjk and White Years onJune 10, and Arc Angels on June 24.