After opening up a state-of-the-art audio/visual odyssey in the form of Sphere in Las Vegas, the next location to host the immersive concert venue began a game of global speculation. Naturally, Abu Dhabi secured the second Sphere venue, but a surprise third Sphere will be popping up later this decade in none other than Saratoga Springs, New York.
The odd location may make one stop and say, “Wait, what?” But James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sphere Entertainment, said just last month that smaller iterations of Sphere would be possible in smaller markets.
These mini-Spheres would have the same giant wraparound screens seen in Las Vegas and still provide a similarly immersive experience for concert goers, while simultaneously decreasing the need to visit Las Vegas or Abu Dhabi.
Enter Saratoga Springs and a city looking to amend recent budget deficits, seeking outside the box ideas to address financial needs, as well as put closure to the era of horse racing that has plagued the city for over 150 years.
Saratoga Race Course is the planned location for Sphere (the name SPHAC had been floated), and with the concert venue open year round, the revenue would pour into the city for more than just the racing season, bolstering the local economy in Saratoga Springs for years to come.
“Hey, when you get down to dollars and cents, this is a great deal,” said avid horse-racing fan Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports who is building a home right near the track. “Sure, I wanted to be able to see the races from my front porch, but to see Sphere shows from that close – yeah, this is a way better deal. Dolan is a genius.”
With horse racing no longer taking place, the infield track will become an infield lawn, allowing fans to enjoy the SPHAC lawn and unobstructed views of the exterior of SPHAC, as concerts will be broadcast to fans on the level, wrap-around lawn. This innovation will increase opportunities for fans to see their favorite bands inside with the full audio/visual experience, or on the lawn.
Outside, Sphere quality precision sound will be available only to those renting lawn chairs from the venue.
The inside of Saratoga Springs’ Sphere will be smaller – Dolan has noted 5,000 capacity venues are the plan. But in the lobby, horse imagery will be present throughout – horseshoes, horseplay, sea horses, and hobby horses will be on display. Bubbling throughout the venue will be the delicious water that gives Saratoga Springs its fame, and featured extensively in the design and artwork, as seen below.
BoJack Horseman will be featured as a virtual host, answering questions and using the latest AI technology, while educating concert-goers on the abuse that fellow equines face in the horse racing industry.
Beyond concerts, each day, “Postcard from Earth” will be shown for free to students from the 518 area code, a cost that will be balanced out by sales of beer and cocktails during shows at Las Vegas prices, so as to give the full immersive experience to both concert-goers, and kids.
“You know, I’d rather see concerts at a Sphere venue in Saratoga than have to navigate the crowd at the track in the summer and barely see any of the races,” said lifelong Saratogian Jeremy Newton. “Especially on hot summer days when the stench from the horses is at its worst.”
No word if Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center (SPAC) was preparing legal action or just laughing about the concept.
This was an April Fools Day story.
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