COLLECTION NAME:
Soundscapes of the People: A Musical Ethnography of Pueblo, Colorado
Record
Collection Name:
Soundscapes of the People: A Musical Ethnography of Pueblo, Colorado
Title:
Kevin Ortiz Interview September 23, 2022
Title Type:
Devised
Name:
Ortiz, Kevin
Name Role Term Text:
Interviewee
Name:
Wagenknecht, Lydia
Name Role Term Text:
Interviewer
Name:
Thomas, Susan
Name Role Term Text:
Interviewer
Name:
Cefkin, Benjamin
Name Role Term Text:
Interviewer
Resource Type:
Moving image
Genre:
Oral histories
Date Created:
2022-09-23
Language Term:
English
Extent:
1 online resource (1 video file) (57 min., 39 sec.)
Physical Description Note:
For access to the recordings on YouTube contact the University of Colorado Boulder American Music Research Center.
Abstract:
Kevin Ortiz is the events coordinator at the Pueblo Memorial Hall. He discussed his employment history, his experiences of programming at the theater, and the place of the Memorial Hall in the history and cultural life of Pueblo, Colorado.
Note:
00:00:03 Graduate research assistant at the American Music Research Center, Lydia Wagenknecht introduces herself. Interviewee, Kevin Ortiz introduces himself and recounts his childhood memories attending public concerts in Pueblo with his friends and family. He describes the various venues he went to as a child to see live music, as well as some of the most memorable groups he saw perform. Additional topics include: Boyz II Men, Color Me Badd, Colorado State Fair, Colorado State University Pueblo, Foghat, Garth Brooks, Oak View Group, Pueblo Convention Center, Pueblo Memorial Hall, Pueblo Riverwalk, Pueblo Symphony Orchestra, Rollin' on the Riverwalk, Southwest Motors Event Center, Spinphony, Arts management, Public concerts. 00:04:36 Lydia asks what kinds of people were here at the hall or what kinds of groups were at the Riverwalk. Kevin describes the variety of public concerts he oversaw while employed at the Pueblo Riverwalk, in particular during the winter holiday season. Additional topics include: Boats, Bands and BBQ, Pueblo Children's Chorale, Pueblo East High School, Pueblo Parade of Lights, Pueblo Riverwalk, United States Air Force Academy Band, public concerts, Pueblo--holiday festivals, Pueblo--live music. 00:07:01 Kevin states, “Getting back to your original question, I think it really just depends on the type of event that is being held here.” Kevin describes family-oriented events at the Pueblo Memorial Hall. Additional topics include: Bluey, Pueblo Memorial Hall, The Price is Right, children's entertainment, family entertainment, public concerts, Pueblo--performing arts. 00:08:33 Kevin mentions that at the Pueblo Chile and Frijoles Festival there will be a lot of different areas on the streets to see people performing and it will attract a ton of different types of crowds. Kevin describes the variety of audiences that attend public festivals in Pueblo like the Chile and Frijoles Festival. Additional topics include: Chile and Frijoles Festival, Pueblo--festivals. 00:09:03 Lydia asks Kevin about his experience when he was younger since the hall has changed a lot. Kevin describes the changes made to the Pueblo Memorial Hall since he was a child to modernize the venue's equipment and facilities. He also discusses the impact of the 1921 flood on the hall. Additional topics include: Pueblo Memorial Hall, historical building renovation, historical buildings, Pueblo Flood of 1921. 00:13:55 Lydia asks what interested Kevin about becoming an events coordinator and being in this venue space. Kevin describes how his employment with the Pueblo Riverwalk led him to becoming an events coordinator and manager with the Memorial Hall. He discusses how his work has increased his understanding of the behind-the-scenes process at arts performances. Additional topics include: A Star is Born, Broadway, Foghat, George Lopez, Great White, Josh Turner, Paul Rodriguez, Pueblo Riverwalk, Pueblo Symphony Orchestra, Steve Treviño, Styx, The Oak Ridge Boys, arts management, comedy shows, events industry, rock festivals. 00:19:45 Kevin discusses how event planning is a high stress job in managing the "back of house" and that it requires a high level of adaptability learned through experience. He expresses that the high stress is worth it to bring joy to event audiences and attendees. Additional topics include: COVID-19, Pueblo Convention Center, Pueblo Memorial Hall, arts management, event planning. 00:24:15 Lydia asks Kevin to talk about some of the big lessons that came out of COVID and the adaptations he had to make. Kevin discusses the various strategies implemented by the Pueblo Memorial Hall to adapt their events to COVID-19 restrictions in order to maintain their lineup of public events while ensuring the safety of event goers, including reducing audience sizes and requiring masks. 00:27:15 Lydia asks Kevin about the additional challenges he’s encountered while doing his work. Kevin describes other challenges faced in his work as an event planner at the Pueblo Memorial Hall, including dealing with promoters, issues with ticket sales, and faulty projectors. Additional topics include: promoters, theater projectors, live entertainment, Pueblo Memorial Hall. 00:29:56 Lydia asks, “Are there any particular people or mentors in the community that have impacted the way you deal with these challenges?” Certain individuals, such as Frank Provenza and Brad Padula, were influential as mentors to Kevin in instilling a strong work ethic in media production. Additional topics include: Brad Padula, Frank Provenza, KDZA Radio Station, Overton Road Band, Pueblo Riverwalk, The Media Center, Work ethic, event planning, media production, mentorship, music broadcasting. 00:34:32 Susan Thomas asks Kevin if she can ask one followup question about the Riverwalk programming that he did. Kevin discusses street closures for events programmed at the Pueblo Riverwalk. Additional topics include: Bandshell, Boats, Bands and BBQ Festival, Brues Alehouse Brewing Company, Chile & Frijoles Festival, Pueblo Riverwalk, Pueblo--community events. 00:35:41 Kevin discusses fiscal, content, geographic, and calendar considerations for planning events at Pueblo Memorial Hall. Particular considerations include what sort of events will be the most fitting for the size of the auditorium, what events will attract local audiences, and working with local organizations to avoid programming that would conflict with other public events occurring concurrently in Pueblo. Kevin also tries to program local Pueblo talent as opening acts for national artists whenever possible, in order to boost the local arts scene. Additional topics include: City of Pueblo, classic country, classic rock, Colorado Springs, Denver, event centers, family-oriented, game shows, Michael Carbonaro, Oakview Group, Price is Right, ticket pricing, touring, Wheel of Fortune, Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, Pueblo Riverwalk, Colorado State Fair, Destination Pueblo, Downtown Association, Brues Alehouse, The Downtown Bar, The Senate Bar and Grill, Gold Dust Saloon, Graham's Grill, Ruby's, Twenty One Steak, Cody Cozz, Rodney Atkins, Overton Road, Patrick Kratzer, Gypsy, event planning, live entertainment, Pueblo--audiences. 00:44:55 Lydia asks about other main stage events that are hosted at the venue. Kevin describes annual events at the Pueblo Memorial Hall that feature local artists as headliners, as well as community events such as dance recitals and graduation ceremonies. Additional topics include: Pueblo South High School, Pueblo East High School, Pueblo Police Department, Pueblo Symphony Orchestra, Sarah Shaw Dance Studio, R&R Center for the Performing Arts, Second Street Dance Company, Delores Huerta Preparatory High, Pueblo Fire Department, high school football, Pueblo---education, Political debates, Pueblo---live entertainment, Pueblo---dance, Community college, High School graduation. 00:48:44 Lydia asks Kevin how he thinks the Memorial Hall is viewed by the community. Kevin talks about the legacy of Pueblo Memorial Hall, over multiple generations of performances and audiences. Additional topics include: tradition, Broadway Theatre League, Pueblo---history, generational legacies. 00:51:30 Susan asks about concessions since the building doesn't have a big front opening. As the front of house at the Pueblo Memorial Hall is small, the front city offices are closed in the evening and concessions are sold through the box office. Kevin stresses that the lack of facilities allow for more business at the surrounding restaurants and bars. Additional topics include: Pueblo Finance Department, Pueblo City Council, Pueblo Mayor's Office, Pueblo City Clerk, theater concessions. 00:54:26 Benjamin Cefkin asks if there are any ghost stories or other folklore tied to this building. Although he has never experienced any paranormal activity at the theater himself, Kevin mentions supernatural folklore and "creepy feelings", due to the long history of the building. Additional topics include: ghost stories, Pueblo---folklore. 00:55:38 Lydia asks Kevin if there is anything else folks should know about Pueblo. Kevin calls on Puebloans to support their local entertainment and venues. End of recording.
Note Type:
Time coded description
Note:
Collection is a collaboration between the American Music Research Center (AMRC) and the Colorado State University Pueblo Foundation. For more information contact the AMRC.
Subject Topic:
Arts--Management
Subject Topic:
Public concerts
Subject Topic:
Special events--Planning
Subject Topic:
Live entertainment
Subject Topic:
History
Subject Name:
Pueblo Memorial Hall
Subject Geographic:
Pueblo (Colorado, United States, North America) (populated place)
Identifier:
Kevin_Ortiz_Full_Interview_2022-09-23.mp4
Physical Location:
American Music Research Center
Date Captured:
2022
Internet Media Type:
video/mp4
Digital Origin:
born digital
Access Condition:
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).