Arts & Entertainment

Ulman Congratulates Merriweather for National Ranking

County Executive anticipates a "bright future" for the music venue.

By Kirsten Peterson

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, along with the owner and the operator of the Merriweather Post Pavilion, commended the music venue Tuesday for its recognition by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the top amphitheaters in the United States.

Ulman, who included $5 million for arts and culture programs in his fiscal year 2014 budget, said in a press release that “nothing makes [him] more proud” than seeing Merriweather recognized on a national scale.

Find out what's happening in Elkridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The ranking as the fourth-best amphitheater in the country reinforces the local effort to make Merriweather the county’s destination for arts and culture in Downtown Columbia, according to a statement from Ulman. Funding from his proposed budget could support the development of a new outdoor amphitheater in Symphony Woods as part of the Inner Arbor Plan.


Seth Hurwitz, the chairman of I.M.P. and operator of Merriweather, said that he appreciated the national attention but credits Merriweather’s success to community and government support.

Find out what's happening in Elkridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

John E. DeWolf, the Senior Vice President for Development for The Howard Hughes Corporation, which owns the pavilion, said that the recognition puts Downtown Columbia “on the map.”

The county plans to transfer the ownership of Merriweather to the nonprofit Downtown Arts and Culture Commission, which will establish a permanent leadership and management structure for the venue.

The Rolling Stone rankings are part of a series called “Venues that Rock.” Another local venue, the 9:30 Club, was ranked the best big room venue in the country by Rolling Stone.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here