SEATTLE (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — AEG Live and Seattle-based First & Goal Inc. (FGI) have formed a partnership to create a unique, multi purpose theater and corporate events facility within Seattle's Qwest Field Event Center. WaMu, a Seattle based bank, has agreed to a 10 year naming rights agreement for the new venue to be called the WaMu Theater.
"We are excited to partner with AEG and FGI on this innovative and dynamic music venue that will bring exciting entertainment to our home city for years to come," said WaMu Chairman and CEO, Kerry Killinger. "We are also thrilled that our local customers will have the opportunity to participate in special ticket offerings including pre-sales surrounding theater events."
The state-of-the-art music and live entertainment venue, which features a flexible seating capacity ranging from 3,300–7,000, will showcase the industry's newest sound, lighting and other technological features as well as an array of guest friendly amenities and comforts. The theater's unique design and versatility will accommodate corporate and special events, seminars, television productions and other hospitality-related functions in record changeover times.
"We are delighted to offer a new music experience in Seattle and believe this will be an outstanding venue within the Qwest Field Event Center," said Tod Leiweke, CEO, First & Goal. "The new design elements, technology and additional space, along with our partnership with AEG Live will enable us to bring additional high profile concerts and corporate meetings to the venue. We also are pleased that WaMu will become our naming rights partner for this wonderful theater. Not only do they share our vision of creating the finest venue of its kind for Seattle, their philosophy of providing outstanding customer service is one that both AEG and FGI are clearly committed to as well."
"We are excited to have booked Seal as the grand opening performer in the new WaMu Theater on November 3," said Alex Kochan, vice president of AEG Live's northwest regional office. "Our goal for WaMu Theater is to bring the industry's most popular and successful performers to this world-class showplace. By securing Seal, followed the next evening, November 4, by Van Morrison, we have already set the bar high for WaMu Theater."
A percentage of proceeds generated at Qwest Field Event Center are paid to the Common School Fund benefiting State-wide K-12 education initiatives. Since 2002, nearly $700,000 has been contributed from the Event Center to the Common School Fund.
FGI currently hosts over 300 events in the Qwest Field Event Center on a year round basis ranging from large scale consumer events to community programs. More than 1.2 million people visit the Qwest Field Event Center annually. It is located adjacent to Qwest Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
