The Walmart AMP, a Walton Arts Center venue, was recently expanded with new amenities for both patrons and artists. Patrons will be able to experience the expanded Walmart AMP in a fun, new capacity through the newly announced Saturday Cinema series and Happy Hour at the AMP. Read ahead to learn about the new spaces at the AMP that you’ll have the opportunity to preview through these events and more information about exciting backstage changes as well!
The most noticeable change is the expanded space at the top of the lawn, which includes the Choctaw Plaza, named for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts. This 12,300 square foot covered plaza space is home to an 80-foot bar and flexible seating area for concert viewing and event rentals.
Choctaw Plaza, named for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts
An 80-foot bar, flexible seating, and AMP Vision screens are the highlights of Choctaw Plaza.
Choctaw Plaza will be the primary location for Happy Hour at the AMP. The 80-foot bar and flexible seating area allows patrons to enjoy libations with their party while staying an appropriate distance from other guests (you can learn more about additional health and safety protocols here). Live music will also accompany each happy hour, with local bands performing on a stage distanced from those present.
Also at the top of the lawn are two uncovered areas flanking Choctaw Plaza featuring additional restrooms, Tyson concession stands and gathering spaces that will be used when full-scale concerts return. Below the new plaza spaces is an expanded Kraft Heinz Entrance with additional gates and shaded space which will be the entry point for Happy Hour at the AMP.
An expanded main entrance with more gates and shade for both patrons and workers will be the entry point for Saturday Cinema at the AMP. Between the Kraft Heinz Entrance and the main gate, the venue can now operate up to 12 gates at once during concert season, increasing traffic flow into and out of the venue. The main gate opens to the expanded entry plaza, which is double its original size at 19,500 square feet and includes new restrooms and a new Tyson concession stand.
The new Procter & Gamble Box Office has seven windows, up from four in the original.
Outside the main entrance is a new Procter & Gamble Box Office with seven service windows, expanded from four windows at the original box office. The original box office is still intact and located inside the venue on the main entry plaza where it will serve as an internal customer service point for seating upgrades, ticket purchases for upcoming concerts, special promotions and more.
Lighting fixtures made using cymbals were custom made by the WAC production team.
The backstage area features unique art with local ties. Using a piano donated by a local music teacher, AMP production manager J.C. Schroder created three one-of-a-kind wall hangings. The instrument’s hammers are the focus of the first piece, pictured below. The other two pieces feature the piano keys and the soundboard. In this same vein, the backstage dining room also features lighting fixtures made using cymbals created by the Walton Arts Center production team.
Updated artist amenities in the backstage area include four luxury dressing rooms with private bathrooms, an artist’s green room, a shower room for tour crew and a laundry facility. The updated catering kitchen can now serve the expanded dining room that seats 80, double the original capacity. The loading dock has also been expanded to accommodate six trucks instead of four, which allows faster load in and out for tours.
These additions to the AMP will create an elevated concert experience for both patron and artist alike when full-scale concerts return. Until then, we look forward to previewing some of the new amenities with Happy Hour at the AMP and Saturday Cinema
AMP production manager J.C. Schroeder created three custom art pieces using a piano donated by a local music teacher. This piece hangs in the artist’s green room and features the instrument’s keys.