Blue Gate Performing Arts Center — Attraction in Shipshewana

The newly opened Blue Gate Performing Arts Center is a great addition to Shipshewana and North East Indiana.

The facility is incredibly accessible, with plentiful parking, many handicap spaces, 0-step entry for all guests visiting the banquet room or auditorium, plentiful restroom options, and easily navigable walkways.

The banquet room, where we had dinner before the Josh Turner concert, was large, inviting and could easily accommodate the attendees who bundled the signature Blue Gate buffet dinner with their concert tickets. The buffet included non-alcoholic drinks, salad, 3 entree options (shredded beef, shredded pork, and the best fried chicken for several hundred miles), vegetable sides, rolls, and an array of desserts that puts even the best large family reunions to shame.

The staff was polite, friendly, and helpful in ways that you won't find in most urban and suburban venues. They seemed genuinely happy to have us visiting the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center.

The auditorium is able to seat 1,500 attendees on a single level, with gradually sloping floors to ensure good visibility without raising concerns of those less-steady on their feet. The aisles are wide enough for mobility devices or for couples to walk hand-in-hand.

The video screens made sure that there were no obstructed views. Josh Turner and his band were close to the fans, easily able to interact and make for many "close encounters" for all. The opening act, Avery Anna, offered attendees an intimate time together, with solo delivery of songs that she wrote and some classics for sing-along. The seats on the side of the room seemed to have too many competing sound waves as the flat painted walls offered no noise dampening options.

Our only concern was that there are less exits on the sides of the Performing Arts Center than we would have expected, making entry and quick exit problematic. The doors in the rear are not wide enough or as plentiful as the Banquet Hall. I would easily have given the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center 5 STARS if there had been more and better-marked exits, and faster departure flow after the event.

We just got home and are already searching Blue Gate's schedule for...

I have been to concerts here before and lived there venue! Comfortable seats, when you wanted a glass of wine or a beer there was a bar open until after intermission. Tonight was a disaster. Paid $80 for a ticket to see Marty Stewart. Sat behind a tall man at the angle in front of me which blocked my view. That happens. Then the man raises his phone with both hands and takes a video of a whole song. The ushers are looking around but don't seem to notice. Of course now I can't even lean over to see around him because his arms are in the way. I decide to take a break and go get a drink, less than 15 minutes are the start of the concert. Bar is closed. Ok. I sit down to drink some water and two very loud, men come out and spend five minutes yelling and cussing at each other right next to where I am sitting, and the staff of the venue are standing close by and do nothing to ask them to at least stop yelling. There are extensive rules against the video, yelling and disturbing others. What a joke. I will not come back. Was a yearly tradition to come visit a friend in North Alabama and go to a concert. Not anymore. If you are thinking of coming here, I hope you consider the I attentiveness of the staff to uphold the rules set by the...

This is a very nice theater. No obstructed views. with an elevated stage and gradually inclined comfortable seating. There are cup holders at each seat to accommodate beverages purchased at the concessions area. On each side of the main stage there are huge video boards where close ups of the performers on stage are shown from different angles throughout the production, so even a seat in the back row would see well. Entry into the event goes smoothly with several lines. It is quite secure, no bags or purses allowed, so plan for money in pockets as well as keys. You can carry a small wallet clutch, but it will be size limited and checked on entry. The lobby and entry are decorated with signed pictures of past entertainers as well as guitars and old cars. There are benches and cocktail tables scattered along the edges of the lobby area which is a great place to meet up with family and friends. There is plenty of free parking in front and back of the theater. Although front side parking is handier, I have found parking in back easier to exit with less...