James Zoltak

WAR AND PEACE: War was one of the 50 acts booked to celebrate the Belly Up Tavern’s 50th anniversary. The promotion concluded in September with the Wallflowers. (James Zoltak/VN Staff)

Boosting revenue and building a better experience for fans and special event attendees is the name of the game at San Diego Petco Park, where work is already underway renovating the iconic Western Metal Supply Company Building that frames part of the 20-year-old stadium’s left field.

PSYCHEDELIC EXPERIENCE: Dead & Company wowed audiences with its multi-sensory Sphere shows. (Courtesy Scoop Marketing) Booby Weir does not appear to be slowing down Dead & Company this week announced a spring March-though-May run of 18 shows at the Sphere. It’s D&C’s second engagement at the globe-shaped technological wonder that’s added a new element to the Las Vegas skyline and comes two years after the band concluded its final tour. When the band concluded its first Sphere run in August of this year, rumors were already flying through Deadhead nation about a spring return. The players, notably original Grateful Dead rhythm guitarist Bobby Weir, have been anything but dormant since then.au Weir continues to gig with a couple of iterations of Wolf. Bros., including December 27-31 at the 2,700-seat Au-Rene Theater at Broward Center for Performing Arts with a band dubbed The Wolfpack, featuring Don Was and all D&C members,… Continue Reading Dead & Company Announce Spring Sphere Run

COVERAGE HUB: Mona Grabowski, vice president, entertainment specialty practice with Hub International insurance brokerage. (Courtesy vendor)

Tony Pereira, a veteran stadium manager who spent 37 years with the Seattle Mariners, recently took the job of manager of operations and events for the Cactus

Faces + Places PAUL GRIESEMER HNTB has named Paul Griesemer, AIA, LEED AP, associate vice president, as national technical director for the firm’s architecture practice. Griesemer previously served as a project director for HNTB. He has pioneered the development of sports facilities with a focus on football stadiums and training facilities, as well as convention facilities, Olympic venues and multipurpose facilities including recreation and training. Over his 38-year career, he led facility design efforts for 13 National Football League franchises, universities and stadium efforts in several countries, most recently as architect of record for the $1.4 billion Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. NICK SITAR Southern California casino operator Agua Caliente Casinos has named Nick Sitar its new director of entertainment, where he will oversee entertainment at the company’s California properties in Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs and Cathedral City. Sitar has more than a decade of experience… Continue Reading Management: October 2024

Faces + Places SEAN SAADEH Sean Saadeh has been promoted to chief programming officer and head of entertainment at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. The role includes Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, home of the NFL Washington Commanders, as well as Prudential Center, Loew’s Jersey Theater and White Eagle Hall in New Jersey. Saadeh’s previous title at HBS&E was as executive vice president of entertainment, and prior to joining in 2015 he served as senior vice president of programming at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. NICK DELUCO Oak View Group and Live Nation Canada have named industry veteran Nick DeLuco as senior vice President and general manager of Hamilton Arena, the $200 million-plus renovation of FirstOntario Centre set to open in late 2025. DeLuco joins Hamilton Arena from Oilers Entertainment Group in Edmonton, Alberta, where he served as vice president of live entertainment and events. At Hamilton… Continue Reading Management: January 2025

Faces + Places GUY DUNSTAN Co-op Live announced that UK arena veteran Guy Dunstan will become general manager and senior vice president of the Manchester, England, arena effective Oct. 21. Dunstan’s appointment follows Rebecca Kane Burton’s time as interim general manager, a role she held since April 2024, after former general manager Gary Roden had abruptly left. Burton was named executive vice president of venue management for OVG International, where she will lead OVG’s international business development strategy for its facilities, sports, entertainment, and hospitality divisions. Dunstan has over 25 years of experience in the live arena industry, joining Co-op Live from the NEC Group, where he was responsible for Resorts World Arena and Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England, as managing director of arenas for four years. He also spent 13 years with the National Arenas Association. ADAM WRIGHT Former Sony exec Adam Wright has been… Continue Reading Management: November 2024

DAMN THING CALLED RODEO: Pat Christenson, then president of Las Vegas Events, speaks at a press conference announcing Garth Brooks as opening act for T-Mobile Arena, with two shows in July 2016. (Getty Images)

TIPI-TOP: Steve Earle, left, and Ben Jaffe of Preservation Hall Jazz Band perform at famed New Orleans nightclub Tipitina’s in 2018, the year local funk outfit Galactic bought the venue. (Gettty Images)