A new mural at Koka Booth Amphitheatre observes a major milestone for the Cary treasure, now celebrating its 25th season of concerts, fireworks, and unforgettable nights under the stars.
William Lewis, Cary’s cultural arts manager, introduces the colorful scene painted on the side of the amphitheater’s concession stand: “The mural tells the story of Koka Booth Amphitheatre, showing snapshots of special events and special performances. Look closely and you’ll see the dragon boat races at the Asia Fest, the Chinese Lantern Festival, Diwali, the Jazz Series, the North Carolina Symphony, and the natural beauty of this place.”
The Town of Cary commissioned Raleigh artist Sean Kernick to paint the mural, which stands 9 feet tall and stretches across 50 feet and took 75 hours to complete.
From the Beginning
The amphitheater has always been a place where nature meets culture, and where neighbors come together in the great outdoors to enjoy a sense of community and their favorite entertainers.
For Lyman Collins, who served as cultural arts manager for 20 years before retiring in 2019, it seems like yesterday that the Town of Cary created its own, then known as the Amphitheatre at Regency Park.
Built as the summer home for the North Carolina Symphony, the amphitheater sits on 14 wooded acres bordering Symphony Lake. Designed by Boston architectural firm William Rawn Associates, the venue accommodates 7,000 people between a covered VIP deck and a sprawling lawn that invites visitors to get comfortable on blankets and chairs.
Lyman remembers the terrible weather events and global tragedy that bookended the inaugural season in 2001.
As workers were putting the finishing touches on the new stage and grounds in early June, tornado warnings sent them scrambling for cover. The Cary News reported that the venue was flooded ankle deep. The torrential downpour washed away the newly sodded lawn.
“There was no way anyone could even get into the facility, so it was my job to stand at the entrance and explain to anyone who showed up why we were postponing the symphony,” Lyman recalls. “The following weekend was beautiful, and we were able to open the season.”
That first night, then-music director Gerhardt Zimmermann, associate conductor William Henry Curry, and assistant conductor Jeffrey Pollock led the Symphony in a concert of celebration. The Concert Singers of Cary and the Cary High School band also performed.
The amphitheater’s official dedication was set for September 15, 2001. “And we all know what happened on September 11 that year,” Lyman says.
“We had planned to have a beautiful concert with fireworks to celebrate the end of our first season and dedicate the facility,” he says. But after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the dedication was halted, and the amphitheater became a place of healing.
“We met with the Council of Churches and planned a memorial service because there was not another place in Cary large enough to accommodate a big congregation of people,” Lyman remembers. “I have always said that the amphitheater wasn’t dedicated, it was baptized.”
The dedication finally took place on May 22, 2002, featuring crooner Tony Bennett, who performed with the North Carolina Symphony. In 2004, the amphitheater was renamed in honor of Koka Booth, the 34th mayor of Cary.
The Show Goes On
The 25th season of Koka Booth Amphitheatre kicked off in April. In addition to the North Carolina Symphony’s Summerfest series, which starts on May 24 and includes 10 concerts, the lineup includes the annual midweek Jazz Series and performances by bluegrass protégé Billy Strings, Allison Kraus, and Union Station.
Entertainment management company ASM Global provides staff to oversee the facility and book artists.
Becky Colwell served as manager for 12 years in the early days. “We partnered with Cary to help manage the day-to-day operations, and our goal was to work around the Symphony’s schedule and bring in national talent to bolster revenue,” she says. Becky has fond memories of Mayor Booth, describing him as an integral part of the amphitheater.
Over time, the management team branched out and opened the space to cultural events and festivals, exposing Koka Booth Amphitheatre to new audiences and setting it apart from other outdoor entertainment venues in the Triangle.
This commitment to hosting festivals has boosted the amphitheater’s reach and attendance, along with extending its season, says current manager Jamie Curtis.
“When most amphitheaters go dark in October, we’re actually kicking into a second season,” she says.
Among the most popular cultural events are Hum Sub Diwali, a celebration of Indian art and culture; Asia Fest, with its popular dragon boat races; and the famous North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, which draws more than 250,000 visitors over 58 days during the holiday season, Jamie says.
Koka Booth is known as a small venue with big influence and the power to draw important artists, many of them famous enough to sell out large stadiums and arenas. Some, like Billy Strings, who gave three sold-out performances last month, are willing to perform on multiple nights.
Last year, both rapper Pitbull and roots musician Sturgill Simpson sold out two nights at Koka Booth.
“We appreciate that these artists can sell out 21,000 tickets in one night, yet they are willing to perform here for several nights to reach that same volume,” William says. “We’ve found that they love this venue, and they love the experience of performing here and the hospitality they receive when they come to Cary.”
Over the years, Koka Booth Amphitheatre has welcomed many stars like Harry Connick Jr., Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, and Paul Simon. William says audiences can expect to hear more famous artists this summer.
A Stage for Memories
“By participating in events here, individuals begin to feel like Koka Booth Amphitheatre belongs to them, and they create memories here,” Jamie says. “Many of our festivals feature young people performing on stage, and when they see their favorite artist on that same stage, they feel a real connection to them.”
The Town of Cary’s annual Independence Day festivities at Koka Booth Amphitheatre include a concert by the North Carolina Symphony and a fireworks display over Symphony Lake.
Those who have loved Koka Booth Amphitheatre for its entire 25 seasons likewise relive their own memories when they attend a concert or event.
“I never get tired of the view from the vista point looking out over the green sloping yard and the stage with its arching roof, and catching a glimpse of the lake,” Lyman says.
And for Becky, her memories focus on the community feel.
“I remember when the gates would open a couple of hours before the Symphony even struck their first note, and everyone would get there early and just have the best time on the lawn, picnicking with each other and getting to know their neighbors,” she says.
William loves the pause he senses right before performers take the stage.
“It’s that quiet moment, the gloom between sunset and nighttime, right before the artist comes out,” he says. “You can look across the venue and see that it’s completely packed, and just for that moment, there’s a dead silence until the performer appears. And then it just erupts. That’s where I find joy.”
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