More than 4,000 people celebrated Easter Sunday at the Pier Six Concert Pavilion.
“This is exactly what we intended when we went into partnership with Bethel AME. In fact, it?s better than what we hoped,” said David Cordish, chairman of the Cordish Co., said of Sunday?s celebration, the first at Pier Six this year.
In January, the Baltimore Development Corp. and Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts picked Cordish and partners Infinity Broadcasting, Rams Head Tavern and Bethel AME Church to redevelop the 25-year-old venue.
This year, 30 events are scheduled at Pier Six, which seats about 4,300. “The include everything from religious to rock to country acts,” Cordish said.
Bethel AME promoted Sunday?s event ? “Resurrection 2006: Are You Ready for Your Extreme Miracle Makeover?” ? through e-mails, phone calls and letters to the entire 15,000-member “Bethel Nation,” said Edwin Avent, church spokesman.
The Rev. Frank M. Reid III, pastor of Bethel AME Church, visited “miracles” on several shocked audience members ? paying off credit-card debt and giving one member a brand-new Chrysler van for her and her four children.
Former Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke, City Council President Sheila Dixon and City Comptroller Joan Pratt were surrounded by “middle-class and poor people who would never have been able to come to Pier Six had the event not been free and open to the public,” Reid said.
Cordish said that in two years, his company expects to complete refurbishing the pavilion?s exterior, interior and concession operations.
PAVILION FACTS
Built: 1981
Renovated: 1991
Average 24 shows per season during the last 10 years
