After attending a concert at the newly-opened The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, we felt morally compelled to declare to our readership that this stunning outdoor concert venue is one the entire city should be proud of.
We usually shy away from publishing reviews nowadays, but after attending the Nas performance with orchestral arrangements from the San Diego Symphony Orchestra at the newly-opened "The Shell" concert venue, we were blown away and had to put this out there. San Diego Symphony's recently unveiled, $85 million outdoor home is truly a work of art that must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. In addition to being an extraordinary new addition to our city's skyline, the venue features nearly 360-degree views of downtown San Diego, the marina, and the bay. Visually, The Shell rivals the Sydney Opera House in architectural majesty and is an immediate, iconic landmark in America's Finest City. It is a must-see attraction and will quickly become known as an integral part of the cultural fabric of our growing city and state.
The San Diego Symphony's inaugural season of concerts at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park opened last week and will host more than 40 concerts between now and November 2021. From classical music to Broadway, film, jazz, pop, Latin and classic rock, the season will showcase more than 50 featured artists who will perform as part of the Symphony’s expanded schedule of diverse outdoor concerts. Highlights from this season's schedule include comedian Sebastian Maniscalco on August 14, Smokey Robinson on August 21, Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson on August 31, Gary Clark Jr. on September 8, Classic Albums Live performs Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon on September 11, Jason Mraz on September 26, Indigo Girls on October 10, and so many more. The San Diego Symphony will also move its fall season, which would normally take place at Copley Symphony Hall, to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, offering seven Masterworks programs.
"The long-awaited moment has come when we welcome San Diego to this magnificent, one-of-a-kind gathering place we have created for the entire community," said San Diego Symphony Chief Executive Officer Martha A. Gilmer. "Opening a summer season with rich and varied programming, the Symphony's first notes at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park will mark the beginning of a wonderful new experience of music and natural beauty in a city like no other."
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park also features delicious foods and drinks from some of San Diego's most popular restaurants, offering grab-and-go and table service offerings. The venue's signature food and beverage partnership program, The Shell Provisions, includes food from renowned celebrity chef Richard Blais, Michelin-recognized modern taqueria Lola 55, and longtime downtown Italian restaurant Biga, as well as Urban Kitchen Group, Kitchens for Good, Achilles Coffee Roasters and more.
The centerpiece of the 3.7-acre public Jacobs Park developed and managed by the San Diego Symphony on the city's scenic Embarcadero, The Rady Shell is the first permanent outdoor venue in the San Diego Symphony’s century-long history, designed to host more than 100 concerts and events year-round. The project has been developed in partnership with the Unified Port of San Diego with 99% of the $85 million cost raised privately by the Symphony. The venue was designed by Greg Mueller of the San Diego-based firm Tucker Sadler, with performance shell design by the London-based firm Soundforms. While attendance will usually be limited to around 3,500 guests, The Shell holds up to 10,000 people, as its red seats can be easily removed. When the symphony is not activating the space, it will serve as a public park for all of San Diego to enjoy.
For more information about The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, including a full schedule of concerts, visit TheShell.org. Patrons can also purchase tickets by calling 619.235.0804.
