ORION AMPHITHEATER OPENS
The Orion Amphitheater’s first in-house dining experience, ChurchStreet Test Kitchen, is now open in the venue’s lower concourse. Curated in partnership with Huntsville’s ChurchStreet Family, who are committed to raising the culinary bar across the state of Alabama, the new location features a curated menu including award-winning Ahi Tuna Tacos—named one of the “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama” by the Alabama Tourism Department—Hamburger Wellington (made with Buckhead Beef), Stuffed Dates (blue cheese and organic raspberry stuffed bacon-wrapped dates) as well as numerous vegetarian options and more. ChurchStreet Test Kitchen will be open before, during and after all of The Orion’s shows this year.
2023 ORION AMPHITHEATER SCHEDULE
CHURCHSTREET TEST KITCHEN, FIRST
IN-VENUE DINING EXPERIENCE
NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH YELLOWHAMMER BREWING
JEFF & BLUES NOW OPEN FOR SELECT HOURS
Of the partnership, Katie Millar, General Manager of The Orion, shares, “With their reputation for innovative concepts and locally-sourced products, we knew ChurchStreet Family would be an ideal partner for the Orion. Guests can now join us prior to an event and experience an exclusive menu, curated specifically for our campus. It’s a prime example of our ongoing desire to collaborate with local businesses, and we’re fortunate to have found so many incredible partners within our own backyard.”
Moreover, Stephanie Kennedy-Mell, Proprietor and CMO/COO of ChurchStreet Family, shares, “ChurchStreet Family is committed to enhancing the food and beverage experience in Huntsville. We believe our partnership with The Orion Amphitheater takes that experience to the next level - the collaboration of our locally owned handmade menu paired with world class entertainment and a state-of-the-art facility – this is your ultimate dining adventure.”
Additional food and beverage offerings around The Orion include Jeff & Blues, Huntsville’s new Dive Barn, and Apollo South, which will be open to ticketholders before, during and after all upcoming shows with a variety of options. Jeff & Blues will also be open to the public after each show as well as Thursdays through Sundays. Moreover, several of The Orion’s in-house bars, such as Murphy’s Law and Isadora’s, will now feature seated service, with seating areas provided by Dogtown West Furniture.
The Orion will also be the first location to serve Yellowhammer Brewing’s Big Spring Water—Alabama’s first local canned water—besides the brewery itself, while Jeff & Blues will now feature two local favorite Yellowhammer beers: Cheatin’ Heart IPA and Belgian White Ale. Of the new partnership, Ethan Couch, General Manager of Yellowhammer Brewing, shares, “Partnering with Orion has been like working on a part of the SLS Rocket. A lot of folks can relate to that here. We’re all huge fans of music and the arts and getting to see these world-class acts play at a state-of-the-art amphitheater is just a dream come true. Everyone at Orion has been a true professional and I respect that tremendously. You guys put together a real Dream Team!”
The Orion remains steadfast in their commitment to sustainability and will continue to enhance their efforts this season. Yellowhammer’s Big Spring Water is served in recyclable cans, while all other food and beverage services will feature reusable cups and compostable silverware. The venue has also partnered with the Master Gardeners of North Alabama to plant herbs, flowers and vegetables, which will provide hyper local ingredients for artist catering and other on-site needs. Additionally, the venue’s Carbon bar is shifting its offerings to climate and carbon-neutral products, with a portion of all bar sales going to select environmental non-profit partners.
The new food and beverage offerings add to a landmark second season for The Orion, which includes upcoming performances from Brandi Carlile, Turnpike Troubadours, Cody Jinks, Weezer, James Taylor, Phish, Widespread Panic, Billy Strings, Ja Rule and Ashanti, Illenium and more. This follows last year’s triumphant inaugural season, which saw The Orion win the 2022 Partnership in Tourism Award from the Alabama Tourism Department as well as Attraction of the Year from the Alabama Mountain Lakes Association. Further establishing their roots in the Alabama music scene, The Orion’s parent group, tvg hospitality, also recently acquired Birmingham, AL’s live music venue, Saturn, and will support Huntsville’s historic Tip Top Café with their reopening this year. Additional details to come.
For additional information, please contact Carla Sacks or
Catherine Snead at Sacks & Co.
May 12 /// Koe Wetzel with special guests Pecos
& The Rooftops and The Cadillac Three
May 13—2nd Annual Camp to Amp Festival
May 14 /// For King + Country
May 19 /// Cody Jinks with special guests
Charles Wesley Godwin and Erin Viancourt
May 20 /// 2023 Huntsville Classic featuring Martina McBride
June 4 /// Weezer: Indie Rock Roadtrip!
with special guests Modest Mouse and Momma
June 10 /// Smoke & Ashes Cigar Fest
June 11 /// Light on Yoga Fitness
June 17 /// Juneteenth Heritage Celebration
June 18 /// Light on Yoga Fitness
June 20 /// An Evening with James Taylor & His All-Star Band
June 25 /// Light on Yoga Fitness
June 28 /// Illenium Live with special
guests Said the Sky and IMANU
June 30 /// Ja Rule + Ashanti with special
guest RSVP: Ray J, Sammie, Bobby V and Pleasure P
July 2 /// Light On Yoga Fitness
July 6 /// Bert Kreischer: Fully Loaded Comedy Festival
July 11 /// Phish
July 12 /// Phish
July 14 /// Parker McCollum with special guest Flatland Cavalry
July 28 /// Widespread Panic
July 29 /// Widespread Panic
July 30 /// Widespread Panic
August 1 /// Jelly Roll with special guests
Struggle Jennings and Caitlynne Curtis
August 17 /// The Smashing Pumpkins with special
guests Rival Sons and Interpol
August 25 /// Billy Strings
August 26 /// Billy Strings
August 30 /// The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour
September 6 /// Train
September 23 /// Brandi Carlile with special guest Tanya Tucker
October 11 /// Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson,
The Avett Brothers, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs and Particle Kid
November 2 /// Turnpike Troubadours with special guests
Blackberry Smoke and Jason Boland & The Stragglers
www.theorionhuntsville.com
