Patch Wantagh-Seaford, NY --Despite taking a hard hit from Superstorm Sandy, the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater is gearing up for the 2013 summer concert season with a star-studded lineup.
Shortly after Sandy's wrath, Jones Beach State Park Director Susan Guliani explained that the famous waterfront venue suffered flood extensive damage to the VIP boardwalk area and a majority of the orchestra seating, but its restoration in time for the summer was of top priority.
"It's a very important part of Jones Beach and the Long Island and New York City communities," she told Patch last November. "People love to come to shows here. I think a lot of resources will have to be put in in order to get it up and running by next summer but it's important it gets done."
According to New York State Parks Deputy Regional Director George Gorman, Live Nation has taken on the repairs as operators of the theater.
"We're happy to have the theater back," said Gorman. "Live Nation is the operator of the Jones Beach theater and they are on schedule with all repairs to be open for the first concert."
The concert series will kick off Friday May 31 with The Band Perry and Rascall Flatts. Tickets and more information can be found online through Live Nation's website. Other shows scheduled at the Wantagh venue inlude:
· PITBULL and Ke$ha: Saturday, June 1
· Fleetwood Mac: Saturday, June 22
· Rush: Sunday, June 23
· Dave Matthews Band: Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, June 26
· Heart and John Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience: Thursday, June 27
· One Direction: Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29
· Phish: Friday, July 12
· 311, Cypress Hill and G. Love & Special Sauce: Saturday, June 13
· Big Time Rush and Victoria Justice: Thursday, July 18
· Lil Wayne, T.I. and Future: Friday, July 19
· Jonas Brothers: Saturday, July 20
· Blake Shelton, Easton Corbin and Jana Kramer: Sunday, July 21
· Train, The Script and Gavin Degraw: Tuesday, July 23
· Imagine Dragons: Thursday, July 25
· The Black Crowes, Tedeschi Trucks Band and The London Souls: Saturday, August 10
· Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson and Rozzi Crane: Sunday, August 11
· Matchbox Twenty and The Goo Go Dolls: Saturday, August 17
· Jimmy Buffet & the Coral Reefers: Tuesday, August 20 and Thursday, August 22
· John Mayer and Phillip Phillips: Wednesday, August 28
· Depeche Mode: Sunday, September 8 Reported by Patch 2 days ago.