Thursday, Jun. 11, 2009
keep on rockin’ in the freestyle world
N'Tranze
Staying true to its name and in keeping with the general music themes of its predecessor, Freestyle Music Park (formerly Hard Rock Park), has its multiple stages booked for the summer, offering local and regional acts a chance to shine – and those visiting the new park will pay somewhat less to enjoy the rides, new shows and live music.
For those who visited Hard Rock Park last year, and who visit the new park this year, they will first notice the major changes in Freestyle Park’s branding efforts. Gone are all the iconic Hard Rock logos, and in their place the looping guitar of the new Freestyle brand. The former centerpiece roller coaster, Led Zeppelin – The Ride is now The Time Machine, and the Eagles-themed Life in the Fast Lane roller coaster is now The Iron Horse. The giant Gibson Les Paul guitar still stands proudly at the lagoon’s edge and dazzles crowds as the focus of a nightly laser-fireworks spectacle, this year set to a medley of rock hits instead of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The stage shows, while still housed in the original theaters and open-air sheds, are all significantly changed and the acid-trippy Moody Blues-inspired Nights in White Satin – The Trip has been revamped and renamed the Monstars of Rock, with all drug references removed. In fact, this is a kinder, gentler park with family-friendliness taking priority over edginess. But that doesn’t mean the rock ’n’ roll and high-energy fun have vanished.
Hard-edged local rockers Willhite scored a pile of shows through the first weekend in September at the Thunderin’ Lightning stage (formerly The Whammy Bar) near the park’s entrance in the area now called VIP Access. Also performing at Thunderin’ Lightning – the stage adjacent to the park’s only full-service bar – are Transit Connection, The Guilt Trippers, N'Tranze, TKO and others. Special concert events, possibly from some mid-level touring acts may also be scheduled for later in the season.
The country-music themed area Country USA, will host country music and Southern rock at its Lakeside Stage utilizing duo, trio and full band performances by Crow Jayne, from Florence, The Mulch Brothers, who re-located from Nashville to cover multiple shows, local act Chronic, and The Clark Sullivan Band. “Ice Cold Country” features ice skating stunts and special effects set to country music in a theater specially designed with stadium seating and real ice on which the athletes perform.
Myrtle’s Beach, home of the park’s small water attraction, large restaurant, and even larger roller coaster, also features tropical-themed music and All Access, an a cappella group, performing on the Bali Hai Stage. Hawaiian Breeze and other acts to be announced are also featured here. Additionally, The Adrenaline Rush, a BMX bicycle, skateboard, in-line skate stunt show is featured three times daily in the open-air shed.
Keeping with the British invasion vibe, popular with Hard Rock Park’s guests, the area now called Across The Pond, features multiple rides, the interactive CSI-Globe Theater production and a return engagement by the Grand Strand’s identical twin Beatles cover duo, the ever enduring FAB II. Moved from the top of the double-decker bus to Penny Lanes’ rooftop balcony, the FAB II is scheduled for multiple 30-minute sets five – seven days per week through September.
The large amphitheater, now called the Flip 5 – Stars Theatre, is not likely to see a repeat of The Eagles or Moody Blues shows, which were rumored to have cost $1.5 million combined, anytime soon or a repeat of last year’s profanity-laden Kid Rock performance, which was the source of complaints from families in the vicinity during the show. Instead the stage has been transformed into a neon-colored Hannah-Montana-meets-“High-School-Musical”-styled stage with bright-faced energetic youth singing, dancing, and literally flipping across the stage to happy pop songs designed to please the eight-to-16-year-old crowd, especially.
With the disappointing (make that dismal) performance of the heavily-hyped $400-million Hard Rock Park and its bankruptcy proceedings, the new owners, FPI MB Entertainment (who purchased the park for $25 million), seem to have made adjustments to tackle a few of the biggest issues which visitors and locals complained most – steep admission prices, a lack of children’s rides, and a locals or twilight discount. While plenty of fine-tuning ahead, this go ‘round seems to be off to a good start with a slew of brand new kiddy rides and reduced specials and coupons. Parking is still free for season ticket holders and is reduced from last year for those purchasing general admission tickets – $7 versus last year’s $10. Various pricing specials come and go and little of this information is available on the park’s Web site (www.freestylemusicpark.com) so call for details 236-7625.
Keep on rockin’ Freestyle.
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