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Published: 2012-09-04 17:03:00
Updated: 2012-09-05 19:08:49

Posted: September 4, 2012
Updated: September 5, 2012

Red Hat buys naming rights to Raleigh Amphitheater

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Raleigh, N.C. — Open-source software maker Red Hat Inc. has struck a deal with the City of Raleigh for naming rights on the downtown, open-air Raleigh Amphitheater. The city council unanimously approved the deal at a meeting Tuesday.

The five-year, $1.175 million deal is the latest between the technology company and the capital city. Red Hat is expected to complete the move of its headquarters from North Carolina State University's Centennial Campus to downtown Raleigh later this year, replacing Progress Energy in the 19-story building at 100 E. Davie St. and rechristening that Red Hat Tower. 

“This downtown venue, that offers the very best in entertainment in a uniquely Raleigh setting, is the perfect match for this uniquely Raleigh company,” Mayor Nancy McFarlane said in a statement.

The venue to be known as Red Hat Amphitheater opened in June 2010 across from the Raleigh Convention Center. It seats about 6,000 and has welcomed performers including Mumford & Sons, Chelsea Handler, Maroon 5, the Black Crowes and Barenaked Ladies.

Copyright 2012 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Latest Comments
"Wouldnt go downtown unless I was arrested and taken to jail."

Good. It will then be one less person crowded for when others who want to go downtown and see a show end up going.
Click to view my profile NCCaniac
September 5, 2012 3:34 p.m.
I just hope they keep putting good music there and more of it.
Click to view my profile NeilNBob
September 5, 2012 2:55 p.m.
"I hope they actually name it something cool instead of the egoist Red Hat Amphitheater. How boring and typical. Blah."- bitsyfae1

If you are a company that spent $1.175 million to buy the naming rights of something what else would you name it besides your company name?
Pepe Silvia
September 5, 2012 11:35 a.m.
"Downtown boy-why compete with Walnut Creek- a much larger venue with much better accustics. Also-private venue vs. more government controlled venue???

No brainer-advertise with my money somewhere else!!"

Where did you get the idea that Walnut Creek is a private venue? Walnut Creek is owned by the city of Raleigh. Look it up. Live Nation leases the property from the City of Raleigh. The city gets kicked back a profit.

Walnut Creek is not that private of a venue. Educate yourself. And acoustics? It's a tin roof shed. The rest of the place is open air. Acoustics?
corey3rd
September 5, 2012 11:28 a.m.
"The venue to be known as Red Hat Amphitheater opened in June 2012 across from the Raleigh Convention Center"

No research on your stories WRAL? You don't even know when it opened? Once again awesome reporting by the biggest hack news org around!
commonsense4
September 5, 2012 10:03 a.m.
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