It become official at yesterday’s City Council meeting: the Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater is now the Red Hat Amphitheater for the next five years. According to a press release from the City of Raleigh, Red Hat, the world’s open source leader, and the City of Raleigh announced the five-year deal that will transform downtown’s popular open-air concert venue into the Red Hat Amphitheater.
“Red Hat is proud to collaborate with the City of Raleigh, “ said Jackie Yeaney, executive vice president of Strategy and Marketing at Red Hat. “Red Hat’s mission is to be a catalyst in our communities and we’re hoping that with this collaboration, we’ll be able to help fuel the continued growth of Downtown Raleigh.”
Red Hat is paying $235,000 per year for a total of $1.175 million for five years according to the Triangle Business Journal.
Red Hat announced the relocation of their headquarters from NC State’s Centennial Campus to Downtown Raleigh in April 2011—choosing to stay in Raleigh’s Creative District. The decision by this home-grown technological leader is helping to fuel a renaissance in downtown. The dining, cultural, and entertainment experiences remain vibrant and continue to grow.
Since the Bud Light Amphitheatre was watered down by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission in June 2010, the City of Raleigh left the Downtown Amphitheater naming rights available. Now, Red Hat has taken this opportunity to place their name on a marquee venue in Downtown Raleigh.
“This downtown venue, that offers the very best in entertainment in a uniquely Raleigh setting, is the perfect match for this uniquely Raleigh company,” Mayor McFarlane said. “We are delighted.”
Shadowman now has a new place to rock the world.
Disclaimer: I am an employee at Red Hat. I am not an official spokesperson for the company. I am reporting this based on information provided in the City of Raleigh press release and not on behalf of my employer, Red Hat. I am however, a catalyst in the Raleigh community.