Disclaimer – The Filene Center is absolutely not fire proof, in fact being made of wood makes it quite susceptible to fire, the subtitle refers to it’s fans and supporters rebuilding not once but twice after fire caused server damage. Also I refer to the Filene Center as Wolf Trap throughout the article, however it should be known that the Wolf Trap is the land that the center resides on. Let’s be honest though, Wolf Trap sounds really friggin cool.
Porter Says: Now, I may be a nature let’s call it enjoyer, but I’m no hippie (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but when you imagine a night watching your favorite band, does it really involve stuffing yourself into a small seat or a crowded room uncomfortably for x amount of time? Okay even if so, think about what it would be like to relax out on the grass or in venue that lets life wash over you? Could there be anything more enjoyable? We’re talking serenity here no honking horns, no smelly crowds, or at least if they do smell at least there’s open air to keep it from choking you out. Considering that the venue seats 7000, over half of which is in the building itself, you’ll be glad for the structural and architectural brilliance they brought to the venue.
Original architecture created by Alfredo De Vido, Wolf Trap presented a few interesting challenges, from budget to perfecting acoustics that would allow even the most distant lawn patron to revel in the performance. Free standing side baffles help carry sound the entirety of the performance grounds.
As cool as the venue is, the way in which it was created and now maintained is equally as cool. The Filene Center was the brainchild of Catherine Filene Shouse, who some call a visionary, and I daren’t refute that, not after reading her resume.
Filene Shouse life reads like that of 10 individuals living separate but equally impressive and busy lives. It makes you feel a bit like, “How do life”. Let’s be honest, doing a lot of stuff is easier when you have the resources to do it, but it’s not often you find someone who is so dedicated as Shouse was. She was tough as nails and could not abide rest. It was stated once that she felt as at home on the farm as she did in social high society rubbing elbows with presidents and statesmen. One thing that can be said for Filene Shouse is that she was a feminist in a time when it was not only frowned upon but also possibly a danger to be so. One such example of her progressive and incredibly acute sense of intelligence was the book she published titled “Careers for Women” which considering the time frame is not at all what you would expect (well there is some of what you’d expect, “The bottling and labeling of honey sounds particularly like a woman’s work, but unless she has someone to life for her…”). It is more of a list of careers, for anyone but in all likelihood unexamined by women of the time either by resource or awareness. It outlines positives and negatives of specific careers while also discussing possible advancements and how to go about cultivating opportunities. 1923 She became the first woman to receive a Masters Degree in education from Harvard University. These are just the smallest, most minuet details of an extraordinary life.
While Filene Shouse was born into a wealthy family she tried to accomplish a great deal with that influence and wealth. It may not have come wrapped in a
The moment I saw Wolf Trap Theater as one of Buddy’s stops I had to know more. I had originally chosen another theater, Birmingham Theater in England as the showcase but after visiting Wolf Traps site, I immediately changed my mind. The sheer awesomeness of the venue gave me thoughts of packing up and heading to the show. Even though I spend most of my days handcuffed to a computer I love nature, I love camping, hiking and just being out there breathing the non-city air, which is actually breathable. I love Chicago, but when you can taste almost eat the air, well, I digress.
The Filene Center is built of Douglas Fir and Southern Yellow Pine, now that doesn’t mean much to most of us other than seeing those names pop up for Christmas trees. I’m right there with you, but from the looks of it, they make a hellava beautiful building. The building that resembles what an adult thinks would make a kick ass tree house, a sentiment that I believe was intentional. The WT even thinks it’s funny to pick on their patrons with a little April Fools fun.
Porter Says: I’m always fascinated to see what patrons of a venue have to say about their experiences. Of all the theaters I’ve reported on or that I’ve read about before deciding not to choose the Wolf Trap is the only one that I’ve seen most patrons complaints are resounding and frankly even they know it’s not that bad. To get into those complaints perhaps it’s better if we first explain exactly what the Wolf Trap is, in their own words and then we’ll decipher that text for you.
“Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is a majestic natural setting for over 100 performances across all genres every summer. Home to the architecturally stunning Filene Center and the charmingly intimate Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, the 117-acre Park offers dining and hospitality amenities throughout the summer season, and year-round recreational opportunities, including hiking trails, picnic areas, and sledding.”
Now, that doesn’t seem to say much about the building itself but it does say a lot about the venue. The building or the Filene Center is an incredible amalgamation of indoor and out door seating. The building itself is not an entirely enclosed structure, that is to say it has a roof, a wall behind the stage and partial walls for load bearing. The rest is pillars (at least for the most part) so that the music or entertainment can flow out into the grounds.
This is however where the first complaint comes in. While the photos seem to tell a different story, apparently from the grass you are not able to see the stage. Now you can argue one way or the other about seeing a live show is just about being there, and that in larger venues even when you can see the stage that doesn’t exactly mean you can see the performer anyway but with live shows you do tend to want both. So even though you can set up a nice picnic or relax under the stars as you listen to your favorite artist as you drink your wine or beer that you brought from home, sometimes you look for a very specific experience and that’s for you to decide. Did we mention you can bring your own beverages? You can, they let you, well at least on the grass, the building you can only have water. (change you mind about the grass seating yet?)
The Wolf Trap has a pretty good FAQ if you’re looking to join them for a show and I highly recommend reading it before hand, it can save you a lot of headaches and disappointment. One last thing about the lawn seating,
“Filene Center Performances: Inspections and Size Limits: All coolers, packages, bags, and other containers will be inspected. All coolers must be 15” x 15” x 22” (48 quarts) or smaller. All other items must be 14” x 13” x 10” or smaller. Please allow extra time for inspections.“
The next complaint that seems to pop up is that free parking they offer can be a bit of a disaster. Now, if you ever been to a live show you know that staying for the whole show typically means that you’re going to fight with everyone else to get out of the venue, that is of course paying the $5 - $30 parking fee. That’s the thing about hundreds of people leaving a space at the same time through one exit, I believe it’s what the Greek of old called a “bottle neck”. The Greeks had cola back then right? There are apparently some alternatives to parking at the Filene Centers lot that are a little less hectic if you don’t mind a bit of extra walking.
There were a few reviews that stated you could not hear the music from the very back of the lawn seating, but some of those reviews also mentioned some of the other lawn patrons being less than considerate of their fellow patrons. If you get enough people speaking in one area, it’s going to be damn hard to hear anything else; acoustics can only do so much. In spite of a few bad reviews Filene Center seems to be a crowd favorite, just remember, “concert smart” and it’ll be great.
Of all the venues I’ve reported on, the only other venue that even comes close to tempting my travel bone is the Greek Theater. To walk those grounds of Wolf Trap and experience the embodiment of art in nature and man; there’s an importance to it. Support them if you can, even if that means simply going to see a show there. You’ll be glad you did. Probably.
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