The Greene

website: www.thegreene.com

August 18, 2010 
Gin Blossoms Bloom at The Greene

The Gin Blossoms, who rocketed to stardom in the 1990s and whose fifth studio album, No Chocolate Cake, is scheduled to be released in September, were the latest high-profile musical act to appear onstage for a free concert in The Greene Town Center’s central town square.

The Thursday, July 8th performance was slated to begin at 8:00 p.m. and, after a weather delay of about 45 minutes, the band took the stage and played a rousing hour-and-a-quarter set. Gin Blossoms frontman Robin Wilson led an energized and enthusiastic performance that had a packed house of concertgoers on their feet and cheering wildly.

With a track record of headline-grabbing musical performances that includes chart-topping stars such as Mandy Moore, John McLaughlin and Sister Hazel, The Greene had set a high bar for the project’s town square concert series. And with the anticipation, enthusiasm and excitement that Dayton-area residents demonstrated before, during and after the July 8th performance, the Gin Blossoms exceeded even the most ambitious expectations.

The crowd, conservatively estimated at well over 5,000, was out in force early, with some die-hard fans putting out lawn chairs as early as 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning! All told, it became the best-attended concert at The Greene to date.

And while the musical stylings of the Gin Blossoms were clearly the big story, The Greene team had a great deal to be proud of from a property management perspective, as well. When rain rolled in following the opening performance by the Scott E. Miller band, the headline act looked as if it might be in meteorological jeopardy. But when faced with major weather challenges, staff members at The Greene responded heroically. Maintenance, marketing, security, guest services and the front office all worked hard to ensure that the thousands of people who showed up to see the Gin Blossoms were not disappointed.

Whether it was breaking out hundreds of complimentary additional umbrellas and towels for guests or getting on hands and knees to dry off every inch of the stage and the band’s equipment, the commitment to making the guest experience a positive one was clear. And it was obvious that, at The Greene, the show must go on! The band was blown away by the efforts of both staff and crew, and seemed to channel their gratitude into a memorable performance.

After the show, The Greene’s restaurants and bars were overflowing with satisfied concertgoers, and both of the project’s front lots were still at least 90% full at midnight! Any time a premiere event is held in the square, there is always a positive impact on tenants, and headline concerts and events like this not only drive traffic, but raise the profile of the center and further reinforce its status as the preeminent retail, dining and entertainment destination in the Dayton region.