Reading's Santander venues set records for attendance, profits [Spotlight]

Aug. 20—The ASM Global managed Santander Arena and Santander Performing Arts Center achieved new heights during the venues' 2022-2023 fiscal season as the all-time venue records were set for attendance and gross profit.

During the season, the venues sold a combined 333,228 tickets, marking a 20% increase from the record setting season of 2021-2022. These tickets were sold across a combined 172 ticketed events which broke out into the following:

—69 concerts/comedy

—8 family shows

—21 Broadway/arts

—48 hockey games

—6 sporting events

—2 PBR/Bull Riding

—18 civic events

Additionally, in December 2022, the Santander Arena celebrated the highest-grossing show in venue history with a sold-out show from Daddy Yankee. This show was one of 20 sold-out events between the two venues that helped drive business to historic highs. During the 2022-2023 season, the number was also a record-setting amount of sold out shows in one fiscal year for the venues.

Between both venues, gross tickets sales increased by 31% totaling at $16,100,488 for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. A record setting number of fans led to a 55% increase in concessions landing at $2,452,050 for the year. There was also a 171% increase in net revenue landing the venues at $2,409,173. Other notable increases include a $12.96 food and beverage annual per cap with a 139% increase, $808,273 in amusement tax with a 33% increase and $1,016,998 in parking with a 17% increase from the previous year.

"We are beyond proud of the results for the 2022-2023 season," said Michael J. Gombar Jr., Chairman of the Berks County Convention Center Authority, which oversees the management and operations of the Santander Arena and Performing Arts Center. "Growth and improvement are continued annual goals, but to reach these record-breaking numbers is quite an achievement.

"This is truly a testament to the dedication and hard work of the general manager, David Farrar, and his entire team. They are the ones who do the day-to-day work of showcasing our world-class venues through a diverse lineup of entertainment options. This success would also not be possible without the investment of the residents of the City of Reading, Berks County and the surrounding areas, who overwhelmingly attended these events and patronized surrounding businesses to contribute to the continued revitalization efforts of downtown Reading."

Farrar spoke to the venue's historic success in 2022 and 2023, stating: "Over the past year we brought in our most diverse range of content ever between the two venues, which helped us bring even more eyes to what we are doing downtown. We have seen a lot of new faces walk through our doors over the past twelve months. We've also seen a record number of returning fans as the community has continued to support us. Our success would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of our entire staff."

Both Reading venues placed high on the Worldwide Pollstar Q2 Rankings for 2023 as the Santander Performing Arts Center placed at a record high 94th among theaters and the Santander Arena landed at 110th among arenas for tickets sold. The arena hosted a rescheduled Old Dominion concert for a sold-out crowd in July and welcome Barry Manilow and Phil Wickham to the venue for sold-out shows this weekend.

Two new rock shows, Pierce The Veil and Ice Nine Kills with In This Moment, will take the Santander Arena stage this November. And Broadway returns to the Santander Performing Arts Center with "Book of Mormon," "Annie," "Come From Away," "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Cirque Dreams Holidaze." Upcoming family shows include "Disney Junior Live" and "Coco."

Art

Kutztown University professor Rose DeSiano, Department of Art and Design, has been selected by New York City Parks as the recipient of the Highland Park Art Grant. DeSiano will receive an award of $25,000 to create her proposed artwork, "Public Continuum," to be displayed in Highland Park on the border of Brooklyn and Queens through summer 2024.

The Highland Park Art Grant supports the creation of one new, temporary artwork by a New York City-based emerging artist in Highland Park. The resulting artwork will transform Lower Highland Park into an art destination, with supporting events and programs.

"Public art has the power to spark conversations, beautify public spaces and forge new connections among neighbors and visitors," said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. "Bringing new public art to New Yorkers through our Art in the Parks program is one of the many ways we work to enhance our greenspaces across the city. I congratulate Rose DeSiano on her selection and am so excited to see the installation when it opens this summer."

DeSiano's winning proposal is based on the Praxinoscope and Zoetrope, 19th century devices of wonder that transform still photographs into moving images. Three 7-foot-tall, rainbow-colored, luminous sculptures in the form of "eternal remembrance columns" will be placed in a triangular formation at the corner of Highland Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue in Lower Highland Park. The surface of the sculptures will host colorful plexiglass panels and reflective mirrors adorned with historic photographs of Highland Park and the surrounding neighborhood. The photographs are interrupted by mirror panels that, when viewed from a distance, reflect back the park's landscape and engage the viewer in an interactive moment of immersive optical intrigue and history.

DeSiano's work has appeared in numerous publications, and her gallery artwork has been exhibited in solo shows and featured in several group museum exhibitions. Her photo-sculptures have appeared in New York City, San Diego and Cleveland and have received awards, including the Uniqlo Parks Grant and the FLOW.17 Public Art Award.

Music

The local music duo Ricochet has released its newest single, "Walk of Life," recorded in the band's home studio in Shillington and released on the group's own independent label. The track features a driving central beat accompanied by a deep and heavy bass, ambient instrumentals and articulated vocals, with a rapid run time of 2:40.

Lyrically, the song speaks volumes about finding one's path in life and pursuing it. This idea is even represented in the snake depicted in the song's cover art, as explained by lead singer Paul Martin.

"The snake is representative of one's walk of life," he said. "We are all weaving our way through life trying to figure it out."