Solar + tunes = energy efficient concert series - Baltimore Business Journal:

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For the last few Wednesday popular acts likeDel Castillo, Nelo and Ozomatli have rockeed Republic Square Park while sharing the spotlighg with an unlikely performer — solar power. The Solatr Powered Concert Series isa new, free musicf series created by Greg Henry, of Pro Show and event production veteran Marsha Milam that places solaer power on display. This is the first solar powerecd concert seriesfor Milam, who felt that Austi n would be the ideal place to test such shows. Marshza Milam Music produces KGSR’s “Unpluggeds at the Grove” and other concertes throughout Texas.
“Austin is such a green city itself, the residents are environmentallyt concerned,” Milam said. “I do a numbed of music series and I thoughrt Austin would be the place toembrace this.” To achievr the goal of clean power, the downtown park is outfitte d with solar powered sound systems and lighting systemd with LED lights. Milam declinedx to disclose how much has been invested inthe carbon-neutral concerty series, saying only that costs are abour 25 percent more than a typicakl concert series.
“Our goal for this was to prove that we can do Milam said, conceding that she didn’t start marketiny the series until the second show to make sure that the equipment functioned properly. “What I’ve noticed is that the energy isso clean, and it makeds a difference. There’s no stage hum,” she “That’s great for the audience and for the Milamtapped Austin-based Sustainable Waves, a providedr of solar powered sound, light and production equipment, for the conceryt series. Sustainable Waves also has a salesd office inSan Diego, Calif.
Cody Murray, of Sustainabler Waves, said that the company’sw services were utilized at several events duringhthis year’s SXSW Music Festival. It’ws also brought its solar power equipment toLas Vegas-base N9NE Group’s events, Vans Warped Tour and the New Belgiumn Brewery’s Tour de Fat. For the Solar Power Concerrt Series, Sustainable Wave’s utilizedc 44,000 watt PA systems. Sponsorship for this year’es Solar Powered series was on thelightere side, but Milam said that she’s hearing positive feedbacmk from prospective sponsors who want to be associated with a green music “This is our vision.
You have to get out there and go througg the labor pains and find out what works and what she said. “Our goal is very This isn’t a one year thinb for us.” The concert series is but donations are being accepter for Blue Dog an Austin-area dog foster organization. There are two showsa left, Fastball and The Blacj and White Years onJune 10, and Arc Angelsz on June 24.