Austin Icon Gary Clark Jr. Announced as First C3 Presents Headliner at Moody Amphitheater
AUSTIN, TEXAS — June 23, 2021 — Waterloo Greenway Conservancy announced today that the highly-anticipated Waterloo Park and Moody Amphitheater will open to the public on Saturday, August 14, 2021. In partnership with the City of Austin, the Conservancy will commemorate its grand opening with an inaugural all-day event called CommUNITY Day — a free, family-friendly festival with dozens of activations and live performances representing cultures from around the world, all in the reimagined 11-acre park.
Waterloo Greenway leadership, Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper-Madison, and other special guest speakers will kick off the day with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially unveil the park. Immediately following, all Austinites are invited to explore and enjoy Austin’s largest downtown greenspace.
“Waterloo Park is an exciting addition to Austin’s treasured outdoor destinations, one that underscores our community’s love for nature, music and the arts,” said Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper-Madison. “Particularly as we emerge from the challenges of the pandemic, we know just how valuable outdoor spaces are to our health and wellbeing. This park will connect our community not only to the rich history of the land, but to one another, while creating a safe, inclusive space that supports a more equitable Austin. I can’t wait to enjoy all that Waterloo Park has to offer.
CommUNITY Day will activate every corner of Waterloo Park, with musical and performing arts at Lebermann Plaza, kids’ activities at the Kitty King Powell Lawn, STEM programming at the Meredith Heritage Tree Deck, and environmental programming in the Luci and Ian’s Family Hill Country Garden. Booths from community partners, such as the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, Capital Metro, French Legation, Caritas of Austin, Conspirare, Move Texas, Preservation Austin, HAAM, Latinitas, Think Bilingual, Creative Action, and Art from the Streets, will be located throughout the grounds. Later that evening, Waterloo Park will host a “Taste of Austin” concert showcase at the Moody Amphitheater, featuring Austin live music staple performances.
“We’re incredibly excited to be involved in the opening of Waterloo Park,” said Michelle Rojas, Manager of the Mexican American Cultural Center. “The work Waterloo Greenway is doing to restore Waller Creek and surrounding area is incredibly important, and we are proud to be its neighbor. Equally important is the work the organization is doing to preserve and maintain the history of our community through the promotion of Mexican American and Latino arts and culture. As one example, Ballet Folklorico de Austin, a member of the Latino Art Access Program at the MACC, will perform at CommUNITY Day for all to enjoy.”
Waterloo Park features a 1.5-mile hike-and-bike trail, spacious lawns for fitness activities and picnics and custom-built playscapes, all designed to immerse visitors in the Waller Creek habitat. The opening of Waterloo Park marks the completion of Phase One of the full Waterloo Greenway park system, which will stretch from 15th Street to Lady Bird Lake and include a wide array of natural and cultural destinations.
“The grand opening of Waterloo Park is a tremendous milestone for the entire Austin community. This park is the result of years of hard work and dedication from our City partners, project team, donors, board members and many others who share our goal of reviving Waller Creek for the benefit of all,” said Kathy Miller, Interim CEO of Waterloo Greenway. “CommUNITY Day will be a true celebration of arts, culture and the natural environment, and we look forward to welcoming Austinites to explore all that Waterloo Park has to offer.”
In collaboration with C3 Presents, Waterloo Greenway today also announced that Austin icon and Grammy Award-winning musician Gary Clark Jr. will be the first ticketed concert to take place at Moody Amphitheater. On August 20th, the sounds of his electric blues will fill the 5,000 capacity amphitheater. The Conservancy and C3 are honored to celebrate the first show at this incredible new venue with a performance from one of Texas’ most beloved artists.
As part of Waterloo Greenway’s partnership with C3 Presents and Live Nation, 100 free tickets for this concert and all future concerts at the amphitheater will be available to the community through a lottery system, underscoring the Conservancy’s commitment to making the arts and outdoor space accessible to all. Tickets will go on sale Friday, June 25 at 10:00 a.m. and be available at Ticketmaster.com.
As Waterloo Park and Moody Amphitheater open, Waterloo Greenway and its partners will follow state and local COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.